DISCLAIMER: I do not own any parts of Treasure Planet; Jim Hawkins; Captain Amelia, Long John Silver; Interstellar Academy etc.

Wahay, Chapter Five. This chapter is longer than the others and not as action packed (or whatever), cause I needed to introduce the characters so it's more of a character and plot chapter, but that doesn't mean it's boring!! Well hopefully not, so read on and let me know -

Thanks for the reviews, and keep on doing so ;P

Chapter Five

"Jim, I need some help down here."

Sarah's voice reverberated through the upper landings of the Benbow Inn, reaching Jim's ears. Rolling off his bed Jim willingly obliged and made his way downstairs to help his mother. Since its refurbishment the Benbow had acquired more customers as well as the old regulars.

Making his way through the busy tables Jim collected the dirty plates and put them in a tray. Somehow the task was more bearable now that he knew he wouldn't be doing it for the rest of his life.

Pushing the door to the kitchen open with his back he placed the tray down in the sink and addressed his mother,

"Where's Ben?"

"I had to send him to go and get some more supplies. The customers are eating us out of house and home lately," she responded.

Jim nodded. A quick glance out of the window in the kitchen door showed that more people had arrived. The occupants at the door however were ones that Jim recognised. He began to head out of the kitchen door but a call from Sarah had him doubling back and grabbing plates of food.

"Table three!" she called out after him.

Jim wound his way through the tables before reaching table three. The table was occupied by a young couple who didn't even notice him place the food down in front of them.

"Enjoy," Jim spoke to air as the couple didn't even glance in his direction. He gave a small nod at the imaginary 'thank you' and headed back towards the door.

"Doc!"

"Ahh, Jim. Your home then. Well I mean of course you're at home Amelia's back, so it would only make sense that you were back as well-"

"It's good to see you too," Jim cut off Delbert's rambling with a smirk. It was good to see that some things still remained the same. Jim was met by a warm smile from the Doctor, before Sarah came over to greet her friends.

"Delbert. It's been a while," Sarah walked up and stood by Jim. Her apron held dust of flour and specks had gotten into her hair, but she didn't seem to notice or mind. She was cheerful all the same. Jim watched her for a few moments, feeling happy and relieved to see his mother in such a joyful mood again, especially since her times of hardship had in part been due to him. At least that's how he felt.

"Ah, Mr Hawkins," Amelia's voice broke Jim's attention away from his mother and he looked over to see the Captain stood in the doorway, her little boy perched on her hip. Involentarily he blinked a few times at the sight. It was still strange to see her interchange between a figure of authority at the Academy and … mummy. He managed to regain himself though and addressed her back,

"Good evening Captain," he said with politeness which had been refined over the past two years.

"Oh tosh, we are no longer at the academy you can call me Amelia. Who knows, I may even bring myself to call you Jim," she walked past the small group and headed towards a large spare table at the back of the Inn that had been reserved for them. Delbert made to follow her but was stopped by Sarah's hand on his arm and a confused expression on her face,

"Delbert, aren't you missing something?" she asked.

"Erm, no Sarah? I don't think so," The Doctor responded with an equally confused expression.

"Where are you other children?"

"Oh, yes, no, no, they're fine, they're with the nanny. They should be here in a moment," He said in a cheerful tone. Sarah's relief evidently showed on her face, but luckily Delbert didn't see. She walked with him to the table, while Jim continued to work clearing away the tables.

"You found a nanny?" Sarah asked.

"Well she's not so much a nanny, she's a relation of Amelia's who came back to stay for a while, and she opted to help with the children. You know how hard it is to get a proper nanny round here …" Sarah left to go and get them some menus, leaving Delbert to continue talking about the problem of hiring nannies. Though it was true, it was difficult to find decent help, it wasn't that surprising. Those children we're a handful.

Sarah walked into the kitchen passing by Jim who had stopped working when he overheard the Doctor's little speech. His face held a small frown, remembering what Ralph had told him earlier …

Empty plates lined the back table, the occupants sat there filled to perfection with food from the Benbow kitchen. Delbert's and Amelia's son had fallen asleep in his chair and soft snores came from his direction. The pub, previously loud and bustling had toned down now most of the customers had left. Those who remained had come for a quick drink and chat before heading out on various expeditions.

Smiling down at her son Amelia gently stroked his head. The others had not yet turned up and her eyes flickered over at the door constantly as though stuck on autopilot.

"Where do you reckon Olivia got too?" she asked Delbert who appeared to be following in his sons wake. His eyes had been closed for several minutes, the occasional flicker showing his attempts to stay awake.

"Hmm, what?" he asked, starting awake from his mini slumber.

"Olivia? Is that your relation?" Sarah asked. Due to the slowdown in customers she had taken the liberty to join Delbert at their table, enjoying the moments of peace granted to her feet. Jim had vanished upstairs, claiming he needed to finish unpacking his belongings. Keeping a hand gently resting on her sons head, Amelia turned to speak to Sarah.

"Yes. My niece in fact. She goes to the Academy as well, on the opposing team actually to Jim, in their practical exam. She was the team's engineer."

"Why is staying with you?"

"Her father has been sent on a voyage, quite a long voyage, and um, her mother, my sister, is erm … she's dead."

A mirthless smile graced Amelia's features, an old memory coming back, though somewhat against her will. Delbert's hand gently placed itself over hers, cupping it reassuringly. Sarah lowered her eyes, offering a small amount of privacy to the intimate moment.

"Don't worry about Olivia, I'm sure she's fine. It's highly likely she just-"

"I quit!"

Delbert was cut off by a young female voice to the side of him. The sound startled him and his body jolted as he turned to see Olivia stood next to him, rather dishevelled. A puff of air escaped her lips, blowing her hair, which had fallen in front, away from her face. The three girls were tugging on her arms and one had wrapped herself around Olivia's right leg.

"Girls," Amelia spoke in her authoritative manner, looking at the girls as she did, until they let go of their unfortunate cousin. Laughing they ran round to the other side of the table, the one who had been clinging onto Olivia's leg prodding her brother as she did, causing him to wake and begin his own addition of noise.

"Ah, Olivia, we were just wondering where you got too. Allow me," Delbert rose and pulled out a chair for Olivia for her to sit down on. Smiling at him she took the chair, but pulled it in herself. For a few moments Delbert looked down at his hands as his step-niece pulled it out of his hands, before returning to his own chair.

Once she had calmed the racket caused by her children Amelia turned her attention to Olivia, who sat having a glaring contest with her young cousin, unsurprisingly the one who had prodded her brother.

"Now Olivia, what do you mean?" she asked.

"Don't get me wrong aunt, they can be great kids and as my cousins, I love them. But as their babysitter, I qui-, I can't ok, just … no."

"Well, Olivia, they can a bit of a handful-"

"Bit of a handful? Uncle Delbert, those girls decided while we were on our way here they would rather go in the direction of town, and for two and a half year olds they run fast and in opposite directions." Delbert coughed in his throat and looked at the table, unable to contradict Olivia since he had been through the same thing himself.

Sarah, who had watched the interchange between the family decided to introduce herself to her new guest,

"Olivia, hello. I'm Sarah, friend of your aunt and uncle."

"Yes, hi," Turning to Sarah, Olivia smiled at Jim's mother and reached out to take her hand in her own. "Great Inn by the way."

"Oh, why erm, thank you."

"Do you have a ladies room, by any chance?"

"Yes, of course, it's just up the stairs at the top of the landing."

Smiling Olivia stood up from the table and headed towards the stairs, running up them two at a time when she reached them. Her boots made light thuds against the wood each time they collided but only for a brief second. Like her aunt she had quick, light footed agility. Her black boots reached up to the knee and tucked into them were cream trousers. On top Olivia donned a loose light grey tunic, the hem at the knees and the neck cut straight across the chest, the edges resting against her shoulders. Two thin straps appeared across the shoulder holding it in place, as well as a black belt across her waist.

Jim, who had been making his way back downstairs, heard the sound of footsteps before his eyes even saw her coming. He had indeed gone to finish unpacking his things. At least that had been the intention, but as happened quite frequently he had gotten distracted. Hidden at the bottom of his trouser pocket was a crumpled note, the ink smudged in places due to extensive reading. The note had been discovered on his pillow a few days before he had left the academy and since that time it had not left his body. It was private, but more importantly held a link to someone never far way from Jim. Placing his hand to his pocket again Jim felt reassured by the feeling on paper beneath the fabric; a moment of reassurance coming hand in hand with momentary lack of concentration.

"Whoa."

Olivia stopped short, preventing herself from running into Jim. Both set of hands raised to their chests in stances of defence, but Olivia grinned at the situation.

"You know, I would have thought working in a pub would raise your awareness of your surroundings," Olivia said, in a light tone, the comment intended to be lighthearted.

Jim's responsive skills however shut down completely for a moment, and he stared blankly down at the girl in front of him. She had acquired a sudden knack for, quite literally, jumping into his life at random points lately. Her eyebrows raised as his lack of response continued.

"Ahem, Jim. Mr Hawkins," Olivia taunted in a sing song voice, scarily like her aunts. The sounds slapped senses back into Jim and he quickly lowered his hands.

"Er, yeah. Sorry, I wasn't expecting Olivia Beaufort to come running round the corner of my home," Jim responded. He leaned forward slightly, hands in pockets, challenging her back with her own name since she appeared to know who he was. His response caused her to smile and nod.

"Mphm, you've been talking to Ralph," she stated.

"You know Ralph?" Jim asked.

"I know everybody."

"You don't know me." Jim crossed his arms over his chest as Olivia blinked a few times, surprised slightly by his reaction. The moment was quick though and was soon replaced by a thoughtful expression on her face. Her eyes slid back over the banister to the table where they're respective guardians sat, idly chatting away.

"Well, then that's something I'm going to have to remedy. Now if you'll excuse me, I came up here for a reason."

And she walked away, leaving Jim stood alone on the landing with no option but to go down and join his mother and company. He turned his head to see Olivia disappear behind a door. Next to the door was a small window and he looked out of it briefly. However as he turned to leave a figure outside caught his eye. Quickly he ran to the window to get a clearer view. Over the small mound he could have sworn he saw a large bulky man waving over at him, but the longer he searched the more apparent it became that the stranger had disappeared. Several moments passed in which Jim continued to search, and he muttered a small whisper,

"Silver?"

Jim isn't as present in this chapter either. Sorry for any Jimbo fans, but I needed to push him out of the way for a bit. But hey, you got all, well almost all, the others to keep you going. I was going to put in Ben but that would have been too long, so he'll be along next chappie! Sorry.

RHM