6-

"Listen Liam, we've all been through the wringer and then some tonight, but we've got this covered, so you can just go tell Mum and Dad..."

"Heh, no way," Liam interrupted, coming up to Rita. "You ain't bein' forthright, sis. I never did trust your new first mate. That Millicent's trouble!"

Rita scowled. "His name is Roddy."

Liam shrugged. "Whatever. I ain't never trusted him. He got you in trouble, di'nt he?"

Jonas could see Rita's scowl darkening; the veins popping out on the back of her fist. "Young man, if you please..."

"He did somethin' rotten to you. I knew it! Marooned you? Stole your boat again? Why in blazes you coverin' for him?"

The doctor appeared about that time. "Mr St. James can see visitors now..."

"Perfect timing!" stated Rita, who immediately snagged Liam by the ear. "You want the truth about 'Millicent', do ya, little brother? Then you come with me." She dragged him along amidst Liam's protests. "Ow. Ow! Hey, Rita...wait,...okay, keep it to yourself if ya want, I didn't mean nothin'...OW!...I'm just tryin' to look out for ya...ouch, some gratitude..." They continued toward Roddy's room, leaving the doctor and Jonas to exchange dumbfounded expressions.

Roddy was sitting up in bed, flipping through an odd sketchbook a former patient had left behind. He raised an eyebrow at some of the drawings. "I didn't realize this clinic had a mental ward..." he muttered to himself.

"Roddy!"

Roddy tossed the sketchbook aside at the familiar voice. His smile came with another raised eyebrow as he saw Rita just inside the door, smiling widely, dragging a wincing Liam by his left ear.

"Um...hello Rita."

She released Liam and ran over to her first mate, scooping him up in a hug. "Thank heaven," she whispered.

Roddy returned the hug. Rita could tell that he had his strength back. "It would seem I've been quite a problem today..." Roddy quipped.

"Today?" exclaimed Rita. "You've been my greatest problem since I've known you." Still hugging Rita, Roddy bit his lip pensively. She released him gently, still smiling. "And I wouldn't have it any other way." It was Roddy's turn to smile wide.

"Ay! What happened to him?"

Liam's voice put purpose back onto Rita's face. "Oh, yes. I nearly forgot." She whirled from a puzzled Roddy and headed toward Liam, who took a step backward for fear of his ear. Instead, Rita grabbed her brother by the arm and got behind him, shoving him toward the bed as she spoke.

"Take a good look, Liam. That's Roddy St. James. The one you know as 'Millicent'. The fiendish jewel thief and boat-wrecker. 'What's happened to him,' you ask? Well, he's in that bed because he stepped into the path of a knife meant for me. ME! He saved my tail, Liam. Again. That's why we're late. That's what's happened to him." Rita practically pushed Liam into the side of the bed, on his knees, face to face with Roddy, as she finished.

"Now I want you to tell him to his face how bad 'e is."

Liam looked back at Rita, lost for words. Rita only answered with a frown. Liam turned to look at Roddy once again, who looked back at Liam with a hesitant look, somewhat embarrassed about Rita's speech to her brother.

"Um...listen,...Roddy. I'm sorry. I said a lot of stupid stuff about you, and I was wrong."

"Ah, I understand completely," Roddy replied, grinning. "I say some pretty stupid things myself."

Liam looked down at the sheets as he continued. "I'm real sorry, Rita...I been a real jerk. I only ever wanted to look out for you. I never meant any harm. But I guess I see now that you already got someone to look out for you. I wouldn't blame ya if you di'nt want to see me anymore..."

Rita scooped Liam up and cupped his face in her hands.

"An old hothead like me can use all the knights she can rally. Shining armor or not." She hugged Liam tightly, just as Liam hugged her back.

"I feel a lot better just seeing that..." Roddy whispered.

Then, he heard another familiar voice through the wall. "Ow! Easy, please! I may have to use that leg later!"

Roddy started. "Is that...SID?"

Rita actually assumed a sheepish pose, one arm still around Liam. "Um, yes. Another of my knights, actually. It's a bit of a story..."

Roddy collapsed back into the bed. "I think I may have a relapse..."