AN: I own and make nothing ect. ^_^ A slightly longer chapter this time around.

Jim, being much too surprised to object, could do nothing but whimper as he was dragged along. A short moment of relief came when the captain released him, only to steer him down below with a hand on his back. Jim clung to the railing as he went down the narrow stair - that was really only just short of a ladder, fearful that he might otherwise slip and considering how sore his ear was he was convinced the much disliked captain would let him break his neck if Jim took a tumble.

Of course Jim had nothing to support his convictions nor did he get any incentive to alter his opinion of Captain Smollett for no sooner had they descended from the stairs before the captain had hold of Jim's poor ear again. From the moment they were out of the crew's sight Captain Smollett had been silent but to Jim that only served to make the situation more ominous. There was some small commotion on the deck they left behind but it went unnoticed by Jim. It was not much of a distance covered before they entered the captain's office which had so far also doubled as a sitting room for the gentlemen. Jim was once again released and left standing in the middle of the room while the captain shut the door.

The man paused for a moment while facing the door and Jim gasped, rubbed his ear and tried his darnedest to gather his courage and appear much less frightened than he was. Captain Smollett spun around with an almost mechanical swiftness. His features seemed hardened and, although he appeared perfectly calm, displeasure seemed to radiate off him.

"So, Mr Hawkins," he began rather coldly.

"Captain, sir! I swear I..." Gasped Jim, but was cut off by a gesture of the captain's.

"I assumed I made it perfectly clear from the start that I would be keeping no favorites aboard my ship," the captain continued as he stepped over and placed the knife on top of the various sea-charts that littered the table.

"Carrying concealed non-essential weaponry," he continued. "By rights I should make an example of you."

He spoke so coldly that Jim could not help but give a start and sniff at his words for reasoning with Smollett seemed as good as breaking rock with a paintbrush.

"Well, then?" Demanded the captain. "Anything to say for yourself, Hawkins, or are you good enough not to waste my time with excuses?"

Jim's mind was completely blank. What could he possibly say? The captain had seen the knife fall from his shirt just as at least ten other men had. What could he say without implicating his friend?

The captain let out a sound somewhere between a sigh and a huff which Jim had heard often enough since their leaving Bristol. He seemed to be weighing his words carefully and Jim knew in his heart that he was about to pronounce some manner of sentence. The boy watched with wide eyes like a deer waiting for a predator to make its move. But whatever Smollett would have said he did not get to pronounce that verdict for at that moment there was noise outside the door of footsteps and muffled voices which at once diverted the attention of the both of them.

In the next moment the door flew open and Dr Livesey rushed into the room, with Hunter stopping just in the door and the squire brushing past Hunter to enter. Jim at once understood that Hunter, who was still watching from the door, had seen it all and had run to fetch the gentlemen. The doctor looked agitated but he said not a word and instead looked around the room from Captain Smollett to Jim and when he set his eyes on the ship's boy, his countenance changed and he seemed to compose himself. It was the squire who spoke first.

"Sir, what is the manner of this?!" He demanded, his temper was clearly roused though Jim got the feeling he was not truly aware of the situation and that it was rather his dislike of the captain fueling his outburst.

Captain Smollett for his part did not so much as start and simply watched the other men with all the appearance of calm even though Jim felt certain he was anything but.

"Well?!" Cried the squire.

Dr Livesey turned to Hunter instead and nodded to the man, who then closed the door, presumably remaining on the other side, ensuring they were not interrupted. The squire alone seemed to possess all the willingness to speak as the rest, Jim himself included, were unwilling to speak first.

"Gentlemen," said then the captain just as the squire opened his mouth to speak again. "As this is a straight forward matter, as I see it, I will be brief and plain."

"And better you were!" Said the squire, his face flushed with anger at the captain's apparent disinterest in his displeasure.

"My friend," said the doctor evenly, speaking for the first time. "Let us hear Captain Smollett."

And with all eyes fixed upon him the captain continued: "He was discovered to be carrying a concealed blade, gentlemen," said the captain and held up the knife in question. The squire seemed to start for a moment which confirmed that he had in fact not caught what this whole affair was about. Dr Livesey, however, seemed to silently study the blade for a moment before glancing over at Jim with so little visible emotion that Jim couldn't bear to look him in the eye.

"And as you will hear me, I'll say this," continued the captain, allowing Mr Trelawney to take the knife from him. "This boy here has no business with a weapon, let alone a concealed one and this here is no ordinary sailor's knife. As captain of this vessel I must take action and as I see it interference is not warranted."

"But," spluttered Trelawney. "This is unheard of! Hawkins is an honest boy! I consider this gross ungentlemanly behavior!"

"And were it any of the men you would not be so forgiving had you any sense sir!" Replied Smollett. He was now completely focused on the squire.

"You accuse me of favoritism then?!" Cried the squire.

The captain then made it very clear that he had in fact said no such thing though it was not lost on the squire, nor anyone in the room, that even if he had not said it, he had meant it. And while these two men continued their row Jim struggled to keep down his lunch. He felt as though there was a block of ice in his chest and sea monster in his stomach. He was more frightened than he'd dare admit to himself and terribly ashamed that he was the cause of the row. He could feel tears coming and sniffed involuntarily. But Jim would be damned if he let them see him cry and so he quickly wiped his eyes with his sleeve. He looked up again to see whether anyone had noticed. The squire and the captain argued still and paid him no mind but Jim froze as he found the doctor watching him closely.

He looked neither cross not comforting. Instead he seemed almost saddened yet composed and Jim found he would have much preferred anger to that even if that too was daunting - having never seen the doctor truly angry. Still, Jim couldn't help feel like the most wretched creature on earth when Livesey looked at him in that manner. The doctor ignored the other men and took a deep breath before he spoke in a calm, lowered voice that even so attracted the attention of the others who were debating whether following the disciplinary hierarchy onboard ships was indeed, as Trelawney put it, 'unenglish'.

"Jim," said Dr Livesey and stepped closer. "Does that belong to you?"

"Yes, sir," replied Jim in a small voice.

"There!" Exclaimed the captain.

"I have never known you to carry any such thing, Jim," continued the doctor unaffected. "Was this given to you?"

Jim gulped and tried his best to seem confused by the question while he tried as hard as he could to come up with an explanation. He would not snitch on Long John. How could he when the old sailor had been so kind and helped him so much?

"I..." He began. Jim eyes darted from person to person.

"Well? Out with it boy!" Cried the squire. The doctor had lightly folded his arms with impatience and the captain as usual was not easily read.

"Yes, sir," said Jim. "That is to say... I was... It belonged to Mr Arrow." The lie tasted bitter on his tongue and Jim immediately regretted having said it the moment he did but he could think of nothing else to say that would not be telling on Long John.

"Ha! The scoundrel!" Said Trelawney. "And I dare say poor Hawkins could have no reason to doubt the intentions of the mate as he should have known the rules better than most!"

However, Jim did not see the same willingness to believe in his explanation in the other men. But if Captain Smollett thought him a liar he did not voice it.

"Regardless of where he acquired it - he was still concealing it," the captain correctly pointed out. This earned another 'ha' from the squire.

"Jim," said the doctor and the boy looked to him. The look in his eyes and the manner in which his lips where pressed together tightly when he did not speak made it clear as day the doctor was disappointed with the answer and did not believe a word Jim had said. Jim could not have felt worse about it if someone had poured ice water over him then and there.

"You go straight to the surgery. Your presence is not needed here."

"Now, doctor! I object. He will not leave before he and this matter has been dealt with!" Interjected Captain Smollett.

"Well, it shall be dealt with neither on the your terms nor with your methods," snapped the doctor in a manner which seemed to surprise everyone in the room.

"Now, young man - be off with you," he continued with regained calmness, addressing Jim. The men remained silent as the boy made his way to the door. The captain and squire watched him while the doctor in turn watched the captain. Hunter was on the other side of the door as Jim had assumed and closed the door behind him.

"Jim!" Said a voice from the other end of the narrow hallway and while Jim recognized it as the voice of the cook, he did not respond and instead ran to the surgery, found the door open and slammed it behind him.

-O-O-O-

Dr Livesey's hands were trembling and he noted to himself that he had better have some brandy before he did anything else. It was especially upsetting to him for the captain, quite rightly, pointed out that it had been Livesey and the squire's intention from the start to make Jim Hawkins a ship's boy in little more than name, only fulfilling duties to the extent that it would divert him. But if it were not for Jim there would never have been a voyage at all.

"Then that is all?" the captain had said coldly.

Trelawney had retired to a chair with a glass of wine and Livesey was not surprised for even though he managed it so well, having such a temper as his had to be tiring.

"You have my word," replied the doctor. "That should suffice."

"Huh!" Exclaimed the squire but not in doubt of his friend, only disapproval of the captain's insistence.

"Of course," replied Captain Smollett.

Livesey knew he meant well and could not hold his objections against him. He understood that the captain would not want to be seen letting Jim get away with an infraction which he would have reprimanded any other member of the crew for - partly because it caused animosity between the captain and crew and partly because Smollett's sense of duty went against it. The doctor respected this but could not allow it as he knew they risked every bit of displeasure the captain felt for Trelawney and Mr Arrow coming Jim's way.

He had left the room and the two old lions to sneer at each other - after sending Hunter in after the storage key of course. The floor was moving slightly as there was good wind today and the ship creaked all around him as he made his way to the surgery. It was somewhat comforting though it had kept Livesey up during the first nights. He opened the door to the small surgery and found Jim sitting in the chair there with his head buried in his hands. The boy looked up immediately, alerted by the sound of the door opening. He looked both surprised and relieved to see only the doctor there. His eyes were red and his cheeks tear stained. Jim looked perfectly miserable - as well he should, thought the doctor with a solemn resignation.

"Doctor!" Exclaimed Jim and jumped to a standing position but Livesey held up a hand to signal him to silence.

"Here doctor," said Hunter as he appeared in the door behind Livesey with a glass of brandy and a quick glance in Jim's direction.

"Thank you, my good man," replied Livesey as he took the glass. Hunter closed the door and Livesey walked to the chair Jim had just occupied and took a seat. The surgery was the only room which smelled vaguely of home to him. Everywhere the smell of salt and sea was with them. Only the strong scents of the various medicinal remedies stored here could overpower it a little. Even their clothes began to smell less perfumed and more like seaweed and sun. The doctor rubbed his temple before taking a sip. They were silent like that for a moment while the doctor calmed his nerves.

"Well then, Jim" said he. "This is quite the predicament and it was poorly done, Jim, poorly done indeed."

"Doctor! I never meant for this to happen! I didn't realize," squeaked Jim.

"I am certain you did not," replied Livesey. "And I should have had a much easier time defending you had you not lied to me."

At that he gave the cabin boy a pointed look and Jim's eyes widened in a manner which only confirmed what he already knew. He took another sip from his glass before placing it on the table which was a foolish thing to do in harsh weather but only moderately risky as it were.

"Yes," said Livesey sternly confirming once again that he did indeed know. "The captain needs to be aware of the weaponry and tools onboard. Had you purchased that in Bristol and gone aboard without knowingly committing an infraction - that was a different matter. But I dare say you knew."

"Yes, sir," replied the boy sadly.

"And have you something you wish to tell me now?" inquired the gentleman.

The boy paused. He was evidently struggling with his own conscience and terribly uneasy. Livesey did feel for him. It was too hard not to when Jim looked so distressed. But he schooled his own expression for it would not do. Seconds passed and still the boy had said nothing. In truth, he cared little for where the knife had come from. He would never suspect Jim of having stolen it after all. It mattered that the boy was being dishonest. Jim looked to his shoes, biting his lip and clenching his fists.

"This is all very disappointing, Jim," said Dr Livesey. "I have never known you to be a dishonest lad and I am not best pleased to see it now."

At that the young boy could no longer compose himself. Jim sniffed loudly and fresh tears shone in his eyes. Before Livesey could say another word a whimper sounded from the boy and he fully broke down in tears, no longer able to put up the mere pretense of a brave front.

"Forgive me, sir," he choked out. "I didn't..."

But he needed not say another word for at the mere sight of him the doctor felt a sharp pain of sympathy for the child and rose from his seat.

"Come now, Jim. Surely there is no reason to carry on so," he said, resisting the urge to immediately assure the boy that all was well. He reached out for the ship's boy and placed a hand on his shoulder but Jim in turn responded to that by grabbing his upper arm and burying his face in Livesey's sleeve. This surprised the doctor. He had to admit that even he who knew Jim so well compared to the rest of the men aboard had up until now not truly recognized that Jim was just a child. A child, at that, who had recently lost his father and who was so far from his mother.

He folded the arm Jim already clung to around his shoulders and placed his other hand on Jim's shoulder in an effort to comfort him that was still far enough from an embrace to spare the boy's pride when he composed himself. Jim was trembling and it was no wonder. 'Had he been too harsh?' - Livesey wondered. Despite having none of his own he was used to children, ill and fragile as they often where when he met with them but it was now an all together different situation which Livesey found himself completely unprepared for.

"There, there, my friend," he said calmly patting the cabin boy's shoulder with his left hand.

"None of this now. If a scolding has such an effect on you, I dare say you should be glad the captain did not have his way or you should be answering to him," he continued, thinking it was unlikely that Jim should not have noticed Smollett coming down harder on him and he added in almost a whisper: "What could have possessed you to provoke him?"

Jim seemed to regain awareness of his surroundings, where he was, what he was doing - and to whom, for he immediately released the doctor and began rubbing at his face furiously even though it was a pointless enterprise considering the steady flow of tears. Dr Livesey glanced with disapproval at the sleeve of his frock coat which was a great deal moister now but he said nothing of it.

"I... I really am sorry, Dr Livesey," said Jim. "I just needed it for..."

"Yes?" urged the doctor.

The boy paused wiping his nose on his sleeve. "You'll say I am a fool, sir."

But Livesey did not respond to that as he considered the whole business with the knife foolish enough as was and instead he silently fetched Jim a handkerchief from his pocket. His silence did not deter the boy who looked up at him, accepting the handkerchief.

"I have had these... These night-terrors and I... Felt safer," said Jim.

"Why, Jim!" Exclaimed the doctor. "A fool indeed! Why would you not come to me? And then this whole business could have been avoided! I must insist you tell me about these dreams of yours and I dare say I shall be able to help."

Hints of a smile appeared on the boy's face and from the sadness of it, Livesey understood that Jim was embarrassed about it. Livesey felt somehow responsible and silently reprimanded himself for not having inquired about Jim's health and wellbeing since they set to sea. He placed his hands on Jim's shoulders and bent slightly forward in an effort to be closer to eye-level with the child.

"Dry your eyes, lad," he said. "I promised the captain I would chastise you in his place and from the looks of you every man aboard will think I have mistreated you cruelly."

The smile on Jim's face spread until his tears ceased and he let out a short giggle through the last of them. Dr Livesey in his turn smiled warmly at the boy.

"Now then what am I to do with you? I shall have to think of something. You come to me before you retire tonight and I will see what I can do let you rest easy. I will be plain, Jim, I had much preferred you were honest with me from the start and you will have to prove yourself. You go about your business and be on your best behavior. It is I who have vouched for you and it is I who will have to answer to the captain should this happen again. I shall keep a jolly close eye on you, young man!"

"Thank you, sir! Oh, I mean, sorry sir!" Piped Jim in response, clearly too relieved to care.

The doctor nodded and retrieved the handkerchief from the cabin boy, only to abandon it on the table. That and his coat would need a wash, he noted. But all in all he felt better, now that he saw Jim's nature was just as it had always been. He was glad of it for had the boy shown no signs of remorse he would not have known what to do as he could not find it within himself keep up the air of a disciplinarian.

"Very good then, Mr Hawkins," he replied with mock-formality. "Then you may go, but I shall expect you back after supper."

The boy left the surgery with a sincere 'yes, sir'. Livesey removed his coat and sat down in his chair with a sigh. He took off his wig and placed it gently on the table before deciding he had better finish the brandy if he was to settle his nerves before evening.

TBC