Chapter 2

James and Ron moved away in the opposite direction from Kim and Aunt Katherine. James stopped at his home to secure a weathered old trolley, and as they began to walk along, he struck up a conversation with the lad. "Right now, Ron me lad, first thing we need to do is hide the treasure. Then, we'll come back to defend ourselves---and the ladies---against Captain Drakken and his scum."

Ron nodded his agreement, after all, what James had said made perfect sense to him. "Right! Let´s get to it!" He then looked around, somewhat puzzled. "Um, a question, James sir? Er, where did you hide the treasure then, exactly?" He looked about.

James shook his head and laughed. "Well, it ain't in that sea chest no more, and that's a fact, boyo. Now, if you're smart…you'd look to this old trolley, so you would…"

Ron was perplexed, and it must of showed, as James laughed again. "But, James…that trolley? Why it's nothing but a bunch of rusty iron and old wood!"

"Aye, it's old, and not much to look at…on the surface, mind. Ah now, if you knows where to look though…" he replied, winking, then lifted what appeared to be the wood planking on the top of the trolley, and as Ron leaned over and peered in, he gasped in obvious surprise! For, the bottom of the trolley---the false bottom, mind you, lay thousands of golden doubloons, handfuls of rubies, emeralds and other precious gems, as well as other expensive trinkets. James lowered the hidden opening, and winked over at the pale-faced Ron, who grinned weakly. "Had to do something with it now, hadn't I? That chest was so full of gems, gold and trinkets it'd even made an Emperor's trove pale in comparison."

Ron smiled and nodded his head. "Clever, James…very clever indeed. And, that's just great…because I happen to know of a pirate king who'd talk about this treasure every single day, so I do."

James smiled back, nodding his head in reply. "Aye, most likely you do, lad. Well, tell you what, bucko…if that friend o' yers comes here, he won´t have a lot to talk about, I expect. Aye, and that'd be because Gabriel the Horrible's fabled chest will be so empty that even its spiderwebs will be feelin' a might lonely." James grunted as he lifted up the empty sea chest, and tossed it on to the beach.

"Um, can we hurry things up, James?" Ron asked, looking uncomfortable. He had felt that way ever since he had mentioned Captain Drakken. "I sure don't want to have ol' Captain Drakken even get a smell of that gold."

"Aye, lad. Come on!" James and Ron rolled the trolley along toward it's eventual destination.

Now, As soon as James and Ron had dissappeared from view, as chance would have it a small longboat appeared, a man roughly rowing it…and none to skillfully at that. Now, we all recognize this fellow at once…having dealt with him in our previous tale. Oh, aye…our guesses are then confirmed as we hear none other than Jim Pirate´s voice. Now, the strange thing about ol' Jim is that he seems to be talking with somebody…even though all we see is Jim himself. "Now, how many times do I have to tell you just how embarrassed I get when you can´t remember a fool thing, eh? And, worst of all, is how when you mess things up, it's me that gets it hot from our Cap'n Drakken!"

Jim rowed the longboat along, now puffing from his exertions. "Aye, and then it'd also help if you could manage to tell the difference betwixt a leather bag o' trash and a sack o' gold, so it would!"

Jim rowed the boat alongside the Middle Cove's docks, the dingy butting against the rope bumpers…all the while old Jim continued to talk. "Mark me now," he said, and oddly enough it isn't until just now that we had seen his face. He continued to talk. "What if I hadn't of made it in time to stop you from throwing Captain's Drakkens gold to the sharks? What then, you idiot?"

Jim turned, but even if his face was the same, his voice seemed, well, a bit different sounding. "No need to be callin' me names," the odd-sounding Jim replied plaintively, "Haven't I said thanks to you nearly a thousand times, Jim?

Aye, so I have! But are you ever satisfied? Nay, not you!"

A great black cloak, seemingly laying strewn on the bottom of the dingy, suddenly stood up, and Jim removed it from over himself. "Ah, brother, an' why is it you find that so strange, I ask you?" Jim demanded. "My own life goes hanging by a thread each and every day that you're aboard ship!"

Jim, grumbling, moved on to the docks while his identical twin brother tied up their dingy. "Tim, it's lucky for you that that ol' Captain Drakken has problems telling the two of us apart. Sakes! What if one day he makes me walk the plank…all because you're too stupid what to tell the difference 'tween starboard and port?"

His brother, Tim, turned to him, walking away from the now secured boat. "Why, I'll have you know that lots o' folks don´t know the difference 'tween starboard and port, Jim," he protested.

Jim snorted. "Yeah, you might be right on that, Tim…but only if you're a lout o' a landlubber, says I!" Jim frowned at his brother, who winced. "An' another thing, brother mine…when you've sailed the world around as a pirate, as many times as we both have, don't you think you should know which eye you wear that patch over? Hmm?"

His brother, Tim, tried to not appear insulted. "Jim, I remembers nearly always just which eye I wheres me patch," he replied indignantly, then grinned a bit foolishly. "But when I gets all turned around, why then it gets right diffcult to…what with me head spinnin' around."

Jim plopped down, taking a seat atop a barrel, laid his head in his hands, and began to sob. "Dearest Mother, why oh why must I live with this nitwit, day after day, I ask you?" he cried, pointing to his brother, shaking his head in helpless desperation. "I knows…because Mother gave you everything you ever even pointed at, so she did! Instead of a man, I've been saddled with a spoiled brat o' the likes of you!"

Now, Tim too began to sob, dropping to his knees. "No fair! If---if Mommy had heard you say that just now, she would of----"

Jim interrupted his brother's outburst, and suddenly stood upright, sick of being ashore already. "Hush yourself, Timothy! (If you hadn't figure it out, this was Jim Possible's twin brother, Tim) And quit yer infernal whining! We've got a job to do ourselves."

Tim suddenly became very happy, trying his very best to appear his age. "Yes! Now we need to find that chest that Shego told us those Middle Covers would put out for us!" Tim crowed.

Jim only snorted, shaking his head. "Aye, that Shego thinks it´s sooo simple, she does! Go on now, boys…just row yourselves into the Middle cove and then pick gems from the very trees, she says!" Jim mimicked Shego's woman voice by pitching his own higher.

Tim blinked, obviously cunfused, looking eagerly up into a the nearest tree. "She did? Doesn't she understand that gold don't grow on trees, Jim?"

Jim winced, shook his head, and began looking in some bushes. "If you ask me, I'd tell her to go to Bloksberg, so I would! Why is it that it's always you and me what gets the worst jobs, eh? Why, do you remember yesterday, Tim me lad? Who was it what had to scrub the deck, eh? Who? Why, I'll tell you who! It was us what did! And, by the by, who was it what loafed about in a hammock on deck all the time we was workin', drinking her beer? Why, it were Shego what did!"

Tim nodded, agreeing with his angry brother. "Yeah it were, Jim. You're right…it´s always you and I what gets the worst jobs," Tim moaned.

Jim nodded angrily. "Precisely! An' that's why you has to try to co-operate with me, brother, so we can get the Cap'n his treasure, that one he can´t seem get out of his head."

Tim nodded again, liking things simple. "Aye! I´ll try me best, Jimmo…but you know full well that we one-eyed bandits don't see so good when it´s dark." Tim looked about warily, his hands trembling slightly. "Besides, Jim…it´s very dark and scary here. Do you think there might be ghosts here?"

As fate would have it just as soon as Tim said this, he and Jim---who had both started walking backwards toward each other---backed into one another and screamed. A moment later, after reassuring himself that his heart had calmed down, Jim turned sourly toward his brother. "Tim, the only ghost I'm afraid of is ol' Cap'n Drakken," he replied. "Now, we really need to use our eyes and what every bit of wit you have."

Tim smiled, nodded, but closes in on Jim, eagerly taking his hand. "Yes, Jim, we can do this…if we co-operate."

The twins began searching about, and as they did so, began to softly sing.

(2 øyne ser bedre en 1)

Two eyes see better than one

Jim:

It rattles in a chain

(Det klirrer i en lenke)

It creaks in a door

(det knirker i en dør)

From the darkness comes sounds

(Fra mørket kommer lyder)

I have never heard before

(Jeg aldri har hørt før)

Tim:

The man on the Moon

(Mannen i månen)

whines and laughs

(klynker og ler)

Who sings in the night

(Hvem synger i natten)

What is it that´s happening?

(hva er det som skjer?)

Jim:

It sneaks and climbs

(Det kryper og kravler)

In bushes and scrub

(i busker og kratt)

We don´t dare joke

(Vi tør ikke spøke)

With anyone tonight

(med noen i natt)

Both:

Life has taught us

(Livet har lært oss)

That Mommy was right

(at mamma hadde rett)

Managing on our own

(Å greie seg alene)

Isn't very easy

(er neimen ikke lett)

Why sing solo

(Hvorfor synge solo)

When a duet is best?

(Når et beste er duett?)

Two eyes

(To øyne)

See better than one

(ser bedre en ett)

Tim:

In the middle of the night

(I nattens mulm og mørke)

Are all treasures are grey

(er alle skatter grå)

But maybe you can remember

(men kanskje du kan husker)

Where the treasure chest lay)

(Hvor skattekista lå?)

Jim:

The Man on the Moon is alight tonight

(Mannen i månen lyser i natt)

He is showing us the way

(han viser oss veien)

to Gabriel's treasure

(til Gabriels skatt)

Tim:

A dreamer can hope

(En drømmer kan håpe)

on fortune and luck

(på lykke og hell)

Jim:

But the ocean's pirates

(men havets pirater)

needs to manage for themselves

(må klare seg selv)

Both:

Life has taught us

(Livet har lært oss)

That Mommy was right

(at mamma hadde rett)

Managing on our own

(Å greie seg alene)

Isn't very easy

(er neimen ikke lett)

Why sing solo

(Hvorfor synge solo)

When a duet is best?

(Når et beste er duett?)

Two eyes

(To øyne)

See better than one

(ser bedre en ett)

Jim smiled and pointed over to where Gabriel's Anchor lay perched on the beach.
"Now, listen here, Tim. The treasure used to lie eight steps from this very anchor. So, go on and count em off, brother. Show me that you can count," Jim said warmly.

Tim nodded, then smiled and began to count. "One, Two, Threee, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight---" he stated proudly, only he stopped as Jim clouted him in the head with the back of his hand. "Ye outsailed landlubber! You can´t even count! Much like everything…I need to do this meself." He stepped up beside the anchor and began to count himself. "One, Two, Three, Five, Seven, Nine, Twelve, Thirteen, and finally Eight!" He looked down, then frowned…seeing nothing. He then decided to chance looking to the side and laughed as he caught sight of the sea chest that James has thrown on to the beach. "Ah ha, brother mine! Look it here, Tim!" he crowed, dancing a quick jig, as he waited for Tim to reach his side. "Now, Tim lad, open that chest before I die from all the excitement!"

Tim saluted his brother with a big smile. "Aye aye, Jimmo!" He tried to open the chest's lid…but found it difficult when your brother has placed one foot on top of it. "Um, Jim…" Tim began hesitantly.

Jim rolled his eyes at his dimwitted---in his opinion!---brother, and took out his dagger from his belt, lowering his leg off of the chest to the beach in the process.

Tim cheered as he finally managed to open the chest. "I did it!" he crowed aloud.

Jim, meanwhile, threw his dagger down and peered down into the now open chest. Tim joined him, looking down into the chest as well. Both brothers paled, seeing that the chest was almost empty. Jim flicked his eyes to his brother, who had his hand over his mouth, and spotted a scrap of paper at the bottom of the chest. He reached in and took the single piece of paper up in his trembling hands. He glared at Tim, convinced that this was all his fault. "Almost as empty as your head!" he snapped, hitting a wincing Tim with the rolled piece of paper.

"Hey!" Tim cried, looking much put upon.

Jim looked down at the rolled up paper. "What is this then, I wonder?" he pondered, opening it and turning it before handing it over to Tim. "Read this for me, Tim," he instructed.

"But…Jim, you know I can´t read," Tim protested.

Jim growled, snatching the paper back. "You outsailed landlubber," he growled anew.

Tim shuddered. "We don´t dare go back to Captain Drakken without as much as a single gold coin, Jim," he declared.

Jim nodded, knowing Tim was right. "No, you're right. Poor you, then Tim me boy," Jim stated sympatheticaly.

"Poor me?" Tim questioned, looking over quizzially oat Jim. "What do you mean?"

Jim just shrugged his shoulders. "I mean that you're going to catch it hot, when Cap'n Drakken understands how I couldn't find anything with such clumsy and stupid sidekick as you are, that's what."

Tim paled at that news. "You think he´ll blame me?" Tim asked, shaking.

Jim nodded solemnly. "No doubt about that, Timmo," Jim said shaking his head.

"Oh God, help me!" Tim moaned, turning to his brother. "What's he going to do to me then, Jim?" he asked, his teeth beginning to chatter.

Jim pretended to muse that carefully. "Why, first off, the Cap'n´ll get out his pistol, I think," Jim proposed. Jim pulled out his hand, pretending it was the Captain's pistol and began chasing poor Tim down on the beach. "Then, bucko, he´ll chase you about the deck until you beg for mercy!"

Tim was scared witless about now, blubbering, "Mercy! Mercy, Cap'n! It's not my fault that I'm slow!"

Jim grinned, and began to imitate Captain Drakken. "Aye! Then, maybe you need to walk the plank, Tim me lad! Oh, aye…do remember that the sharks be very hungry, Tim!"

Tim looked over at his brother, who was shuddering from his restrained laughing, and suddenly got very angry. "I won´t walk the plank. The water is cold and I can´t swim besides!" Tim sat down and began to cry again.

"Stop your caterwaulerin'!" Jim chided his brother. "You need to stop believing everything people tell you, Tim."

Tim turned to his brother. "But…I'm afraid, Jim. I don´t dare go back without anything to hand over to our horrible Cap'n Drakken."

Jim nodded, thinking. "Yeah, you're right, brother. We both need to figure out something quick…or else he´ll be bothering us with that horrible temper of his for weeks!"

"RON!" a voice bellowed nearby.

Both Jim and Tim jumped up from their place, dashing over to hide behind a convenient pair of bushes.

It wasn't long before Kim stood out upon the beach. "Strange," she muttered to herself. "I could of sworn I heard Ron and James just a moment ago." She looked to the left, then the right. "RON! ARE YOU HERE?"

Her big green eyes went wide with surprise as she happened to spot Jim behind his concealing bush. She became a bit confused when she also saw what appeared to be yet another Jim behind a second bush. Soon both pirates came to understand that she has seen them, and with heartfelt sighs they both got to their feet.

"But…" Kim sputtered, pointing first at Jim, then at Tim. Then she understood and laughed softly. "So…am I seeing double then?" she asked aloud. "Or is it possible that there is more than one Jim Pirate in this world?"

Jim grinned sheepishly but bowed to the pretty red-haired girl. "Oh no, young miss, there be but one Jim Pirate, so there be. That good-lookin' fella over there is me twin brother, Tim Pirate, you sees."

Kim suddenly realised that both pirates were now alone with her on the beach. "I see. So…um, why are you two here in the Middle Cove? Hmm? Because, believe you me, if either of you believe that there's a treasure here, you are both sadly mistaken," she informed them.

The pirate pair walked over to Kim, and Jim smiled and struck up a conversation. "Oh no, Miss, we aren't here for any treasure. Land sakes, no!" He laid what he hoped to be a reassuring hand upon her shoulder. "Why, we two gave up piracy ages ago, we did."

Tim smiled and tried to mimic his brother by putting his hand on Kim's other shoulder too. "Yeah, no piracy for the likes of we two," Tim declared.

Jim frowned sourly at his brother, and slapped his arm away, before he continued to speak. "Well, correct me if I'm wrong, Miss…but I thought I heard you calling out Master Ron's name, and, as fate would have it…I actually do have a message for you from the lad."

Kim smiled, and turned eagerly to Jim. "You do? Oh, that's wonderful. So…what's his message?" she asked.

Jim smiled reassuringly. "He told us to tell you that he woud like to speak with you," Jim professed.

Kim smiled, nodding her head. "Ron wants to talk with me?" she asked, and Jim nodded. "Oh finally," she whispered, smiling. She then looked around. "Um, but where is he then?"

Jim smiled, and shrugged. "Well, Miss, that´s the reason why we're here, you see. We're---the two of us, that is---going to bring you to him, you see. So, if you'd come along, we'll takes you to him, we will." The pirates led the naïve Kim to the docks, and their waiting dingy. They carefully helped her into the craft, and sat her down. "All comfy now, Miss?" he asked innocently.

"Why, yes," Kim replied…just before Jim reached over and pulled her cap down over her head! "Hey!" she protested.

Tim looked about before asking Jim. "Jim…where is Ron?" he demanded. "And why did you---"

Jim then pointed significantly toward Kim.

"Uh-huh. And why are we bringing her with us then?" Tim asked, scratching his head.

"Aye, but yer daft sometimes! She's our ticket back to the Cap'n's good graces!" Jim pointed out, whispering into Tim's ear.

Tim frowned. "Jim…you know very well that Captain Drakken won´t allow landlubbers aboard the Dark Lady," he pointed out, confused.

Jim pulled his hair in frustration. "Why must little brothers understand so little?" Jim demanded of the Fates. He then grabbed Tim by his ear, dragged him over and explained. "Right now…listen carefully now, Tim. I'm sure that the sailor James the Red will trade all o' his gold to the Cap'n…just to get this wee girl back."

Tim smiled, impressed. "Jim…you're so good at thinking, brother. I know I would of never figured out that one alone," he said proudly.

Jim smiled at his brother's compliment. "Well, come on then, you slowpoke." He then turned his attention back to the struggling Kim. "Now, my dear, we are going to take a small excursion…where we'll make our way to where you're suppose to meet your Ron…"