AN: I own and make nothing. I apologize that this took a while. My device had to be repaired and reset and parts of the chapter have been rewritten as a result. Never the less, thank you so much to those who have reviewed so far. I was certainly not expecting feedback within this rather obscure topic so that was a very welcomed surprise! ^_^ Anyways, this should see us off the ship and into murkier waters so to speak!

In the days that followed Jim was certainly not given the chance to forget the incident. He had not made it halfway to the stairs before he had been ushered into the galley by Long John to escape the eyes of those sailors who had gone below to spectate. There he had to assure the man he was alright and tell him what had happened. Jim told as little as he could as the whole ordeal had been rather shameful to him but told Silver he had been true to his word and never mentioned him.

"Of course not, matey! I never doubted ye for a moment, I didn't!" Long John had said and ruffled his hair.

As he didn't seem very concerned with the loss of the knife, Jim concluded with a great deal of joy that his wellbeing had been priority to the loss of Silver's memento. He was grateful for his friend as in the days that followed he was subjected to teasing comments from several among the crew. Although he was embarrassed about it Jim found he was lucky that several hands had seen him in tears for not a single one among them complained that the captain had not thrown him overboard yet - granted, Jim was not entirely sure what was in fact the custom in these situations.

This was helped by the doctor trying his best to look cross whenever he called for Jim despite not being able to keep this pretense up when out of sight. Yet despite his friendly demeanor and the way in which he acted towards Jim as though nothing had occurred, Jim knew perfectly well that all was not entirely forgotten. He was called upon more often and he regularly found the doctor watching him when he worked on the deck from time to time but even so it did not truly bother Jim as he never felt that anyone but the captain was still cross with him.

"Jim, be a good lad and pass me the sugar."

That very same boy started and awoke from his daydream. He blinked profusely to return to his surroundings. An impatient tapping of a finger upon wood demanded his attention and Jim looked to the doctor who was standing by the table. They were in the surgery as by now was the afternoon custom and as there had been nothing to do for several days Dr Livesey had had hot water and tea things brought in for them.

"Oh! Yes, sir!" Replied Jim and jumped out of the only chair there to move the small sugar bowl. He had seemingly found the activity of waiting for tea to brew less engaging that the doctor for he had been entirely lost in thought.

"Something on your mind, my friend?" Inquired the doctor as he poured the tea. "You are not still troubled by those dreams, I trust?"

"Why, no doctor," replied Jim and accepted a cup with a spoonful of sugar. The doctor himself left his unsweetened. The evening of the incident he had had to face the doctor again but although he dreaded it - the awkwardness of how he had clung to the man becoming clear to him later on, he found it was not all too difficult to tell the doctor. He had been given something bitter he couldn't pronounce 'for his nerves' and whether it was that or simply the effect of having a sympathetic ear to hear him, Jim slept soundly that night and every night since.

"Yet, something is on your mind," commented Dr Livesey, pausing to take a trying sip from his - as yet, quite hot tea. "Or perhaps nothing at all."

"Huh?" Replied Jim who had once again been lost in thoughts he could no longer recall.

"As I thought," said the doctor and smiled to himself, setting the teacup down to cool a little while longer. "It is not good for a young mind to be idle."

Jim had to own he was indeed bored but it was a boredom of impatience. There was certainly enough to do on the Hispaniola and these times of idleness in the doctor's company should be welcomed but Jim found his mind repeatedly wandering to fantasies of the island they were sailing for and he was so impatient to see it on the horizon that the time spent doing his duties here became long and agonizing.

"Surely we must be there soon!" Said he.

"So says the captain and we may rely upon him for accuracy - but Jim, you will have plenty of time there to explore so I suggest you try to enjoy the journey."

However even Jim could tell by Dr Livesey's voice that he was every bit as exited and impatient as Jim to get there only he seemed to manage it better. The coolness of the room was rather pleasant considering the sun above and made the hot beverage much more welcome. Jim had never been excessively fond of tea mainly because his father did not enjoy it but he found it was quite pleasant with the sugar added.

"Doctor," said Jim quietly as a thought occurred to him.

"Hmm? What that, my boy?" Said the doctor, mostly into his tea.

"Have you been on a ship before?" Jim inquired.

Dr Livesey seemed to think for moment.

"Indeed I have," he finally replied. "Though not in a way that is likely to excite you." He smiled as if about to chuckle though he did not do so.

Jim tilted his head. He was not entirely sure why he had asked. The mystery and character which the long voyages to far away places had lent to Silver was part of what had endeared him to Jim and he found that though he could not imagine the doctor having ever gone further than London, he had wanted another truth.

"I was on the continent near Tournai as a man in red several years back. I was quite young then and we were sailors none of us. Rather we were transported."

Jim sighed a little more audibly than he had wanted to. Mainland Europe did not sound so very exotic and exciting to him. Oddly enough he did not envision the doctor on a battlefield but rather the doctor just as he was strolling around some town looking rather like Bristol.

"This shall be nothing like that of course and I see - yes I see, lad, that you do not find it a pleasing tale to embark upon. Whether I approve I do not know. I shall always admire any boy who dreams of serving his country though I will own that I should take a dim view of any who dream of battle and death for the sake of the same. As it is, say I, we have no use for fantasy none of us when we have our own adventure to complete."

Jim nodded though half heartedly. He had not been two weeks into his first journey before he found he wanted more. Jim wished to see every place Long John had spoken of. How could one simply settle down like the doctor and the squire had when there was such a world out there?

-O-O-O-

"May love and wine their rights maintain!" Howled a sandy-haired hand a beat too early as the crew reached the final verse. The rest had caught up with him by the end of 'and their united pleasures reign!'. Spirits were high as grog had been served out for the crew - the squire having heard it was Tim Carlisle's birthday. Jim had no idea who the fellow was but it hardly mattered. Long John was singing as loudly as the best of them and spirits had lifted to Christmas standing by the time the final chorus rang out:

"And they who won't with us comply, down among the dead men, down among the dead men, down among the dead men let them lie!"

Jim had heard this song before at the old Admiral Benbow and he joined in as best he could though the order of the verses had been mixed up several times by the sailors.

"Ah, young Hawkins this is as jolly a gathering as a voyage should have," said Mr Trelawney and patted the boy's shoulder. He too, had joined in. Only the doctor and the captain seemed not to be in mood for singing. The captain gave no explanation but the doctor had stated rather disapprovingly to the squire that he did not care for drinking songs and certainly not those who encouraged drinking oneself out of one's wits. Jim knew they were getting close to their destination and it fueled his excitement. The crew too were aware of this and the deck watch was now looking out for land when there was not a celebration to be had.

"Begging yer pardon, sir, that is just what I should have said," said Long John in reply to the squire.

"Silver, my man," replied the squire. "You know the truth of it."

Long John seemed to often be in agreement with the squire and that in turn made him a favorite there. According to Jim that was as should be. He was quite fond of the squire not only because he understood Long John's expertise but also because he had been the person defending Jim the most after the knife incident and had never had a cross word for him afterwards.

The good mood continued throughout the day. By the time dinner was over Jim was off duty and free to wander around as he pleased. The Hispaniola sailed steadily with a calm about her. The voices of merry hands could be heard below. The gentlemen had long since retired to the captain's 'office' for conversation as they did most nights. By sundown, Jim was sitting on his sailor's chest below listening to the men who were exchanging stories that would make their mothers blush. This continued well into the night and past midnight.

He was getting terribly tired but refused to sleep at such a moment as this or he might miss it when land was spotted. Jim rubbed his eyes. It occurred to him then that he should like an apple. Whether there would be much left in the apple barrel by now remained to be seen. None the less he made his way up on deck where there was almost no sound as the men on watch were all on the look out for land.

As he had suspected there was hardly an apple left and Jim had to hoist himself up and jump into the barrel in order to reach any. He had found himself a good apple and even taken a bite but his fatigue overwhelmed him and Jim remained in the barrel for some moments, almost dozing off, before the barrel shook wildly as someone sat against it and began to speak. Jim was just about to announce himself when the words of a recognizable voice caused him to freeze.

-O-O-O-

Jim felt like his insides were about to escape by way of his throat. He could barely even look interested as all hands ran across the deck. The cry of 'land ahead' had been sounded and there was not a man on the Hispaniola not currently rushing forward. The sun was not yet over the horizon but pale light crept up from the edge of the world and outlined the misty contours of the island. They all cheered and spirits were high - none of them seemed inclined to sleep now that they had seen it.

Mr Trelawney came on deck and with the brightest of smiles shook the doctor's hand as they congratulated each other on reaching their destination. As all this went on the sun rose steadily and Jim became more and more desperate. None of the gentlemen had gone to bed for they were all dressed as they had been the previous evening and the doctor and squire looked very excited. Captain Smollett was not entirely immune to the cheery mood either and although he maintained his disciplined countenance Jim could see he too was glad to see land. Jim trembled to think that they could all be as blind as he had been and the magnitude of the danger they were in overwhelmed him so completely that he did not see Silver coming before he had placed a hand on his shoulder and begun speaking to him in the friendliest manner.

It was all Jim could do to smile as his false friend amicably spoke of the manner of adventures and amusement a boy such as Jim could find on such an island. He could not think of a single thing to say in reply and so it was fortunate that Long John had no problem carrying the conversation entirely on his own. Luckily for Jim, it was not long before Long John was called over by some of the hands and Jim had a chance to think. He reasoned that he should speak to one of the gentlemen as soon as possible but needed a proper excuse as he could hardly say much on deck without arousing suspicion.

"Jim, my boy," called the doctor suddenly and waved him over enthusiastically as he approached.

And he needed not be told twice. The cabin boy hurried over as fast as his legs would carry him though whether it came across as uncharacteristic eagerness to run errands or a desire to be done with it as speedily as could be he did not know.

"I left my pipe below, Jim, could you.."

"Doctor!" Jim interrupted. And he explained as quickly as he could what he required. The doctor loudly thanked him as if having asked him a question before returning to the other gentlemen where from he had come. Suddenly Jim felt himself tremble as if he had already revealed himself though the mutineers could not possibly know of the danger he posed to them. The captain called an assembly and announced that they had reached their destination and that in celebration of their efforts drink was to served out to all hands while the gentlemen would drink their health below. For moment the thought entered Jim's mind that the doctor might not have understood him for it was a little while before Joyce came to fetch him. All hands were cheering and celebrating so genuinely that Jim shuddered to think any of them were out for blood.

He was lead into the cabin and below to the 'sitting room'. Lamps were burning and illuminated the scene before him. The heat they gave off revealed they had been burning throughout the night. The doctor had taken off his wig in visible agitation over the mystery of it all and was running him fingers through his black hair repeatedly. The squire seem to pace a few steps every few seconds or so and looked quite vexed by the whole thing while the captain, ever the mystery, simply watched Jim closely from the moment he entered.

"Doctor!" Jim gasped the moment the door was closed behind him. "Captain! Mr Trelawney! I have dreadful news!"

"Breathe boy and see you don't keel over before you're done," replied the captain.

Jim fidgeted and hardly knew what to do with himself. He felt ashamed for even though he had not known he felt he should have for it was he who knew the danger of one-legged seamen and had said nothing, even trusted Long John. It was he who was the closest to them and he who had called the ringleader his friend.

"Sir! I was in the apple barrel earlier and I... I heard... They mean to kill you all! He said... He said he'd kill the squire himself and I didn't know... I swear I didn't!"

By now he certainly had their attention though it was clear that he made little sense to them and a gesture from the squire to slow down confirmed this. And so, Jim took a deep breath before he continued:

"The pirates, they are here! And they mean to take the ship! I heard L... - Mr Silver say so himself from within the apple barrel! And Mr Hands and Mr Johnson are in on it! And several of the others as well! Many of them likely for they said they could not get any more men to join."

So he continued, relating all that he had heard from within the barrel. By the time Jim was at the end of his explanation his voice had gone shrill and a look of realization and concern had appeared on the mens' faces.

"Hawkins, sit down lad!" Said then the squire and the others joined in urging Jim to be seated and once he was, the squire poured him a smaller glass of red wine while the doctor filled his hands with raisins. Then they all, one by one and solemnly too, drank Jim's health. But sweets and wine were hardly as appetizing to him now as they should have otherwise been and Jim merely tryingly sipped a little wine while the gentlemen began their counsel. If Jim had been unaffected by the situation he might have been amused by the change which had occurred in the gentlemen for the squire was all politeness and sincere reverence towards the captain, the doctor was all astonishment that Silver was indeed a fiend and the captain in turn was trying his best to comprehend why he had not been able to see it coming. Eventually they did agree on a course of action: To do as little as possible until they knew how many men they could rely upon.

"There it is and there it will remain until we know our men. It is not a pleasant prospect, that I know gentlemen. It would be pleasanter to come to blows," said Captain Smollett.

"For now we must arm those we can rely upon as inconspicuously as it may be done in case we must act quickly."

"By George, I have half a mind to blow the ship up and be done with these odious scoundrels!" Cried Mr Trelawney. His face slowly regained some color through his anger with both himself and the mutineers.

"Here boy!" Called the Captain to Jim who was still sitting there with a very warm and mushy handful of raisins. "You have done your duty by us all and it may save us yet. In light of this, we may as well return this."

As he spoke he opened a drawer and pulled out the bone-handled knife. Jim, who had so far been too distraught to do anything but sit there in silence, inhaled sharply at the sight of it. Smollett held it towards him, clearly meaning to return it so that Jim would be armed.

"Oh," replied the ship's boy as he placed the raisins on the table cloth. "Sir, I couldn't... I would rather not that is."

He could not hide a slight tremble in his voice as he spoke because he could not look upon that cursed trinket without feeling a terrible guilt for having never told where or whom he had gotten the knife from. The Captain regarded him with a peculiar look in his eyes as he was puzzled by this answer.

"Then it had better be thrown overboard," said the doctor in a clear voice, rising to put his wig back in place.

"Jim, shan't miss it," he continued and then added after a moment's pause: "And neither will Silver, I should think."

"That's as may be," said the captain with little to no emotion and placed the knife on the table.

"Insufferable fiends!" Said the squire, still much too shocked to pay attention but Jim silently wished the sea would swallow him whole then and there. He dared not look to Dr Livesey for he feared it would only confirm what the doctor had already suggested.

"Well, we will have to show above before too long," noted Captain Smollett. "Or they will suspect something is up."

And so they all stood up and got ready to go up upon the deck. Jim doubted whether he could go about his usual business with the ease and steadiness the captain seemed capable of but their lives depended on it, that he understood. He was brought to a halt at the door just as he was meaning to follow the captain by a hand on his arm.

"That was well done lad," repeated the doctor with a kind smile as Jim instinctively turned to face him. "It will do none of us any good to dwell upon our oversights now. We owe our lives to you, my friend, and that is all I will say."

Then he nodded as if agreeing with his own statement and patted Jim's arm once before he left the room to follow the others. Jim followed after a moment's pause with a lighter heart and a great deal more nerve.

TBC