Writer's note: I'm so sorry this took so long to get done! I didn't have a comp for two weeks, so that added to it not getting done fast since this fic is hard to write as a rough draft on paper. Anyways, in this chapter, Amelia finally shows something for little Benjamin! Good things come to those who wait :D But, it's just the beginning of that. For those of you who like Benny ((from the reviews it seems to be a lot of you)), I'm gonna start a small series about him and B.E.N and probably bring in the three sisters too. The title for this chapter is a Peter Tork song that I really like, "Lady's baby let's me know, life was meant for moving slow…" cool song.
Mia LeighAcr: Amelia needs the tells Benjamin how much she loves him it's gonna happen! It's takes some drastic measures though. Yeah, I liked the idea of a girl being first mate too.
GriffinWisdom: You're an awesome reviewer!!! :)
Dave: The story was originally going to be about Jim and Jane, but Benjamin sort of took over the story in the beginning! Then I had to re-think the whole thing. I'm sorry if Jane isn't very interesting to you, but I based her off Jane from the beginning of Return to Neverland and I thought the character was great. So, oh well.
***
Chapter 7: Lady's Baby
Benjamin peered out into the etherium, leaning lightly on the mop in his hands. It was dark out, the night fresh around the Legacy. Most all the crew was down below eating dinner or holding the nightly card game. Benjamin's parents didn't like for him to be around the crew when they had free time, and could talk with unclenched tongues. His parent's cabin was off limits as well by his choice. He cringed at what they might be doing in there…like cuddling and all that gross parent stuff!
So, little Benny stayed on the deck. He liked the darkness of the etherium. You could spot comets or falling stars better that way. Those phenomenas were always cooler to watch in the dark. And, to his advantage, it wasn't as hot at night so mopping was easier. He lifted his gaze to the crow's nest. Dim lamplight glowed from it silhouetting two seated figures. He smiled, knowing that the figures were Jim and Ms. Morgan playing their nightly card game also.
A rascally giggle sounded at Benjamin's feet. Benny smiled. It was just Morph 'helping' him mop. The little blob turned back into his usual pink form at the utter of his name. "Morph, I think we've scrubbed the deck spotless for tonight. Do you agree?"
Morph hiccupped, and trilled in agreement. Just then, sharp heels lightly stroked the wood of the deck. Benny knew the painfully familiar sound.
"Benjamin" the authoritive voice started. Benny turned to find his mother standing behind him, hands permanently behind her back.
"Yes, ma'am?" Benjamin said, standing at attention.
Amelia peered down at her son, her features much softer in the dusky light of the ship's lamps. She cleared her throat. "For the pass week, since the incident in the galley, you have done a bang-up job of keeping this ship clean. You have my permission to break for the day tomorrow starting now."
Benny blinked in confusion. "You mean I can have a -whole- day off from working?"
"Yes, you've earned it" Amelia replied with a nod of her head.
A smile split Benny's face. "Thanks, Moma!" He resisted his natural urge to throw his arms around his mother's waist; afraid his loving hug would erase the generous words. "May I visit Jim in the crow's nest? He says I'm welcome to go up there whenever he's up there."
"If Mr. Hawkins says you may, you have my permission as well. But, return your mop and bucket to the utility closet and come down when you are called."
"Yes, ma'am." Benjamin turned to hurry off, but paused at his mother's call.
"Benjamin, be careful climbing up there."
"I will." He hurried off to the galley with Morph right behind him.
***
"You know, you have a great poker face."
Jane flicked her eyes over her fan of cards. Jim stared back at her wearing a smug look. "You know, you have a arrogant radiance about you. I suggest stuffing it somewhere dark."
"Thanks. I'll take that into consideration."
It had been a week since they're 'talk' in the galley. They had both been asked by one of the crewmates if they'd like to join in on a few rounds of the card game, Crenshaw. Jim was asked first, and declined upon the fact that they were betting with money. He wasn't so stupid as to do that, even if he was a pretty good player. Jane had declined for the same reason; though, she had no money to bet with. Since they were in the same boat, Jim had asked her to play Crenshaw with him after hours up in the crow's nest. It didn't take but once for them to fall into a routine of playing every night.
"Do you have any fives?" Jim asked.
"No" Jane answered with a shake of her head. "Your draw."
Jim slipped a card from the deck in-between them. A grin beheld his lips when he saw he had the game in the bag. "Let's make a bet."
"We're not betting for money" Jane said, monotone, not taking her eyes off her cards.
"I wasn't going to suggest that. If I win, I get to call you Jane for the rest of the exploration."
Though the thought made Jane cringe, she agreed. "All right. But, if I win, you have to serve me breakfast in my cabin every morning for the rest of the exploration."
"Creative" Jim remarked. He plucked four cards from his fan, setting them down in front of Jane. They were all fives. "Looks like I win."
Jane's poker face fell into her usual scowl. She lowered her cards in disappointment.
"So, Janie…"
"Calling me Janie was not apart of the bet" Jane interrupted instantly, a strange flare in her eyes.
Jim raised his hands in a peace offering. "Okay, I won't. So, Jane, how come we never met up at the Academy?"
"From what I heard, you were leaving the Academy as I was entering" Jane explained, shuffling the cards into a neat pile and tying the twine around it. "What did you do with your training?"
"I joined the Montressor Space Force. We police the outer rimes around Montressor and Capatella, and protecting it from pirate raids or illegal trading."
"Sounds dangerous."
Jim shrugged. "It can be, but the Academy training has been used quite well."
Jane perked with a slight tug at her lips. "You must have been a Bash Cadet."
"I was" Jim replied, proudly. "What were you?"
"I was a Seafaring Cadet much to Captain Amelia's dismay."
"Why's that?"
"When my sponsor, Mr. Bramble, came to her to ask if she'd do the favor of having me serve as first mate for this exploration, she had hopes that I was a Bash Cadet like she had been. Sorry to say, I only have basic training in defense and major training in charts and maps."
"Well, we can't all be walking weapons."
"That's true."
Just then, the two heard a shuffling and looked over the side of the crow's nest to see Benjamin straggling his way up to them. "Hey Benny" Jim greeted, leaning over the side to pull the boy the rest of the way up. Morph grabbed the boy's sleeve and 'helped' pull him up as well. "What are you doing up here?"
"I asked my mom if I could come see you. She said yes!" As Benny talked, he nonchalantly slid his way into Jim lap. His legs dangled over the seat, his feet kicking the side of the nest in-between Jim's legs. "She said I have done such a good job on keeping the deck clean that I get tomorrow off! Can't you believe it? She said I did a good job!"
"That's great, Benny" Jim replied. "See? You're Mom isn't that bad."
Benjamin nodded, but didn't respond. He felt he knew better, though the compliment was a good step forward in gaining trust for his mother.
"Hey Benny." Benny threw a timid glance at Mr. Morgan. He hadn't had much contact with the stoic first mate. "How would you like to learn to play Crenshaw?"
Jim snorted. "Trying to corrupt the kid early, are we?"
Jane's face contorted, hands slapped onto her hips. Morph copied her form. "My father taught me to play when I was five. That's about how old you are?"
"No, I'm six" Benny replied, proudly.
Jane shrugged. "Close enough. Do you want to learn?"
"Okay."
For about an hour, the three loosely played Crenshaw, Benny learning along the way. Morph every once and a while turned into a fan of cards, then switching back to his blob-self laughing at his own amusement. Just as Benny was starting to get the knack of the game, a call came from the deck.
"Benjamin, time for bed!"
Benny sighed. "Guess I have to go. Thanks for teaching me to play."
"No problem" Jim said. "You know you can come up here anytime with me."
Benny nodded then crawled over the nest's side, and down the ladder to the deck to meet his father.
***
"Did you retrieve our son from the crow's nest?" Amelia asked, stepping out from her and Delbert's bedroom wearing pale blue nightgown.
"I did, about fifteen minutes ago" Delbert answered. He was seated at Amelia's desk, now shared by both of them, going over some recent coordinates. "I told him to get ready for bed. I'll go check to see if he's ready."
"No." Amelia raised a hand to stop him. "I will."
Delbert didn't argue. It was rare for Amelia to tuck their son into bed. Every chance she desired to do so, he didn't intervene.
Amelia stepped lightly into Benjamin's room. His lamp was still on, but it appeared that the poor boy was already sound asleep. He lay utop his covers. Amelia shook her head, smiling slightly. She bent down tugging the blanket suck under Benny's sleeping form, and pull it over him. Benny stirred, but didn't wake. Amelia sat beside him for a while, her long fingers gently stroking her son's meshed brown hair. She softly sang a lullaby from her childhood:
"Close your eyes and drift away. Touch the stars in the sky on your way…"
She halted abruptly, realizing what she had just done. Benjamin lay peaceful below her. "Oh, why can't I feel the need to treat you fairly when you're awake?" She knew the answer to her question. But, treating Benjamin the way she usually did was easier than dealing with that answer. She leaned to kiss his forehead, then lowered the lamplight to nothingness and left the room.
***
Delbert looked up from turning down the bed sheets. "Did he put up a fight?" he asked with a grin.
"No." Amelia stride to her side of the bed, which was always the right side. "He was asleep already. Poor boy must be so worked up." She slid in bed.
"Or overworked" Delbert quirked lowly as he slid in bed himself.
Amelia threw him a sharp glare. "Will you shut your howler, please? I hadn't told you yet, but I think Benjamin has done a bang-up job on keeping his assigned part of the ship clean. I gave him tomorrow off. He was so excited."
"Well" Delbert started, slightly grinning. "I'm very proud of you for doing that, and I'm even more proud of Benjamin." He plucked his glasses from his nose, setting the pair on the nightstand and lowering the lamplight until it was dark in the cabin. "I think this exploration will give Ben the confidence he is lacking."
"I think so too."
Delbert felt his wife's warm body nestle up against him. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer and muzzling his chin in her hair. "Goodnight, Amelia."
"Goodnight, darling."
*BANG*
Amelia shot up instantly at the exploding sound that rocked the ship. "What the devil" she hissed, leaping from the bed. Delbert fumbled with the lamp and glasses. His wife was already out the bedroom and out the cabin, as well. He gruffed at her perfect night vision.
Amelia flung open her cabin door to find Jim running toward her. "Mr. Hawkins, what…?"
"Captain!" Jim skidded to an abrupt halt almost tripping. "We're under attack!"
Writer note: Hello, me again! Whoa, this was like my longest chapter for this fic so far! I don't like the way I wrote some parts, but oh well. Nothings perfect. I drew my own picture of Benjamin and will be posting it soon! Expect that next time :D
Mia LeighAcr: Amelia needs the tells Benjamin how much she loves him it's gonna happen! It's takes some drastic measures though. Yeah, I liked the idea of a girl being first mate too.
GriffinWisdom: You're an awesome reviewer!!! :)
Dave: The story was originally going to be about Jim and Jane, but Benjamin sort of took over the story in the beginning! Then I had to re-think the whole thing. I'm sorry if Jane isn't very interesting to you, but I based her off Jane from the beginning of Return to Neverland and I thought the character was great. So, oh well.
***
Chapter 7: Lady's Baby
Benjamin peered out into the etherium, leaning lightly on the mop in his hands. It was dark out, the night fresh around the Legacy. Most all the crew was down below eating dinner or holding the nightly card game. Benjamin's parents didn't like for him to be around the crew when they had free time, and could talk with unclenched tongues. His parent's cabin was off limits as well by his choice. He cringed at what they might be doing in there…like cuddling and all that gross parent stuff!
So, little Benny stayed on the deck. He liked the darkness of the etherium. You could spot comets or falling stars better that way. Those phenomenas were always cooler to watch in the dark. And, to his advantage, it wasn't as hot at night so mopping was easier. He lifted his gaze to the crow's nest. Dim lamplight glowed from it silhouetting two seated figures. He smiled, knowing that the figures were Jim and Ms. Morgan playing their nightly card game also.
A rascally giggle sounded at Benjamin's feet. Benny smiled. It was just Morph 'helping' him mop. The little blob turned back into his usual pink form at the utter of his name. "Morph, I think we've scrubbed the deck spotless for tonight. Do you agree?"
Morph hiccupped, and trilled in agreement. Just then, sharp heels lightly stroked the wood of the deck. Benny knew the painfully familiar sound.
"Benjamin" the authoritive voice started. Benny turned to find his mother standing behind him, hands permanently behind her back.
"Yes, ma'am?" Benjamin said, standing at attention.
Amelia peered down at her son, her features much softer in the dusky light of the ship's lamps. She cleared her throat. "For the pass week, since the incident in the galley, you have done a bang-up job of keeping this ship clean. You have my permission to break for the day tomorrow starting now."
Benny blinked in confusion. "You mean I can have a -whole- day off from working?"
"Yes, you've earned it" Amelia replied with a nod of her head.
A smile split Benny's face. "Thanks, Moma!" He resisted his natural urge to throw his arms around his mother's waist; afraid his loving hug would erase the generous words. "May I visit Jim in the crow's nest? He says I'm welcome to go up there whenever he's up there."
"If Mr. Hawkins says you may, you have my permission as well. But, return your mop and bucket to the utility closet and come down when you are called."
"Yes, ma'am." Benjamin turned to hurry off, but paused at his mother's call.
"Benjamin, be careful climbing up there."
"I will." He hurried off to the galley with Morph right behind him.
***
"You know, you have a great poker face."
Jane flicked her eyes over her fan of cards. Jim stared back at her wearing a smug look. "You know, you have a arrogant radiance about you. I suggest stuffing it somewhere dark."
"Thanks. I'll take that into consideration."
It had been a week since they're 'talk' in the galley. They had both been asked by one of the crewmates if they'd like to join in on a few rounds of the card game, Crenshaw. Jim was asked first, and declined upon the fact that they were betting with money. He wasn't so stupid as to do that, even if he was a pretty good player. Jane had declined for the same reason; though, she had no money to bet with. Since they were in the same boat, Jim had asked her to play Crenshaw with him after hours up in the crow's nest. It didn't take but once for them to fall into a routine of playing every night.
"Do you have any fives?" Jim asked.
"No" Jane answered with a shake of her head. "Your draw."
Jim slipped a card from the deck in-between them. A grin beheld his lips when he saw he had the game in the bag. "Let's make a bet."
"We're not betting for money" Jane said, monotone, not taking her eyes off her cards.
"I wasn't going to suggest that. If I win, I get to call you Jane for the rest of the exploration."
Though the thought made Jane cringe, she agreed. "All right. But, if I win, you have to serve me breakfast in my cabin every morning for the rest of the exploration."
"Creative" Jim remarked. He plucked four cards from his fan, setting them down in front of Jane. They were all fives. "Looks like I win."
Jane's poker face fell into her usual scowl. She lowered her cards in disappointment.
"So, Janie…"
"Calling me Janie was not apart of the bet" Jane interrupted instantly, a strange flare in her eyes.
Jim raised his hands in a peace offering. "Okay, I won't. So, Jane, how come we never met up at the Academy?"
"From what I heard, you were leaving the Academy as I was entering" Jane explained, shuffling the cards into a neat pile and tying the twine around it. "What did you do with your training?"
"I joined the Montressor Space Force. We police the outer rimes around Montressor and Capatella, and protecting it from pirate raids or illegal trading."
"Sounds dangerous."
Jim shrugged. "It can be, but the Academy training has been used quite well."
Jane perked with a slight tug at her lips. "You must have been a Bash Cadet."
"I was" Jim replied, proudly. "What were you?"
"I was a Seafaring Cadet much to Captain Amelia's dismay."
"Why's that?"
"When my sponsor, Mr. Bramble, came to her to ask if she'd do the favor of having me serve as first mate for this exploration, she had hopes that I was a Bash Cadet like she had been. Sorry to say, I only have basic training in defense and major training in charts and maps."
"Well, we can't all be walking weapons."
"That's true."
Just then, the two heard a shuffling and looked over the side of the crow's nest to see Benjamin straggling his way up to them. "Hey Benny" Jim greeted, leaning over the side to pull the boy the rest of the way up. Morph grabbed the boy's sleeve and 'helped' pull him up as well. "What are you doing up here?"
"I asked my mom if I could come see you. She said yes!" As Benny talked, he nonchalantly slid his way into Jim lap. His legs dangled over the seat, his feet kicking the side of the nest in-between Jim's legs. "She said I have done such a good job on keeping the deck clean that I get tomorrow off! Can't you believe it? She said I did a good job!"
"That's great, Benny" Jim replied. "See? You're Mom isn't that bad."
Benjamin nodded, but didn't respond. He felt he knew better, though the compliment was a good step forward in gaining trust for his mother.
"Hey Benny." Benny threw a timid glance at Mr. Morgan. He hadn't had much contact with the stoic first mate. "How would you like to learn to play Crenshaw?"
Jim snorted. "Trying to corrupt the kid early, are we?"
Jane's face contorted, hands slapped onto her hips. Morph copied her form. "My father taught me to play when I was five. That's about how old you are?"
"No, I'm six" Benny replied, proudly.
Jane shrugged. "Close enough. Do you want to learn?"
"Okay."
For about an hour, the three loosely played Crenshaw, Benny learning along the way. Morph every once and a while turned into a fan of cards, then switching back to his blob-self laughing at his own amusement. Just as Benny was starting to get the knack of the game, a call came from the deck.
"Benjamin, time for bed!"
Benny sighed. "Guess I have to go. Thanks for teaching me to play."
"No problem" Jim said. "You know you can come up here anytime with me."
Benny nodded then crawled over the nest's side, and down the ladder to the deck to meet his father.
***
"Did you retrieve our son from the crow's nest?" Amelia asked, stepping out from her and Delbert's bedroom wearing pale blue nightgown.
"I did, about fifteen minutes ago" Delbert answered. He was seated at Amelia's desk, now shared by both of them, going over some recent coordinates. "I told him to get ready for bed. I'll go check to see if he's ready."
"No." Amelia raised a hand to stop him. "I will."
Delbert didn't argue. It was rare for Amelia to tuck their son into bed. Every chance she desired to do so, he didn't intervene.
Amelia stepped lightly into Benjamin's room. His lamp was still on, but it appeared that the poor boy was already sound asleep. He lay utop his covers. Amelia shook her head, smiling slightly. She bent down tugging the blanket suck under Benny's sleeping form, and pull it over him. Benny stirred, but didn't wake. Amelia sat beside him for a while, her long fingers gently stroking her son's meshed brown hair. She softly sang a lullaby from her childhood:
"Close your eyes and drift away. Touch the stars in the sky on your way…"
She halted abruptly, realizing what she had just done. Benjamin lay peaceful below her. "Oh, why can't I feel the need to treat you fairly when you're awake?" She knew the answer to her question. But, treating Benjamin the way she usually did was easier than dealing with that answer. She leaned to kiss his forehead, then lowered the lamplight to nothingness and left the room.
***
Delbert looked up from turning down the bed sheets. "Did he put up a fight?" he asked with a grin.
"No." Amelia stride to her side of the bed, which was always the right side. "He was asleep already. Poor boy must be so worked up." She slid in bed.
"Or overworked" Delbert quirked lowly as he slid in bed himself.
Amelia threw him a sharp glare. "Will you shut your howler, please? I hadn't told you yet, but I think Benjamin has done a bang-up job on keeping his assigned part of the ship clean. I gave him tomorrow off. He was so excited."
"Well" Delbert started, slightly grinning. "I'm very proud of you for doing that, and I'm even more proud of Benjamin." He plucked his glasses from his nose, setting the pair on the nightstand and lowering the lamplight until it was dark in the cabin. "I think this exploration will give Ben the confidence he is lacking."
"I think so too."
Delbert felt his wife's warm body nestle up against him. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer and muzzling his chin in her hair. "Goodnight, Amelia."
"Goodnight, darling."
*BANG*
Amelia shot up instantly at the exploding sound that rocked the ship. "What the devil" she hissed, leaping from the bed. Delbert fumbled with the lamp and glasses. His wife was already out the bedroom and out the cabin, as well. He gruffed at her perfect night vision.
Amelia flung open her cabin door to find Jim running toward her. "Mr. Hawkins, what…?"
"Captain!" Jim skidded to an abrupt halt almost tripping. "We're under attack!"
Writer note: Hello, me again! Whoa, this was like my longest chapter for this fic so far! I don't like the way I wrote some parts, but oh well. Nothings perfect. I drew my own picture of Benjamin and will be posting it soon! Expect that next time :D