A.N.: See! I'm not dead! Lol, I'm proud to announce that the next chapter (I'm pretty sure) will be the last chapter. Crazy, huh! Above all, I want to give a huge shout out to all of you who reviewed! You all are beyond amazing, so if there's any special requests for what you'd like to see in the next chapter, please review and tell me. For now, please enjoy!

Rescue

Sweat beaded on Jim Hawkins' neck as he stood waiting on the loading dock of the ominous prison ship. Long gone was Delbert and his desperate cries of futile promises to save him, that he would make it right someday.

And with Delbert's departure, so his miniscule hopes and dreams went with him. Already, he was a prisoner, part of an intergalactic chain gang. He was beyond grateful that his mother wasn't here to see him like this. The sight of her only son in chains would shatter her glass house of a heart. Her son really did end up in a place worse than juvenile hall.

Each step resounded with the clinking and rattling of his chains reminding him of all the times those android policemen labeled him a "bad-ender" or "loser" or each time a customer at the Benbow would whisper furiously behind his back.

But at the same time, even now as he kept his gaze downward, he was presented with the dirty formal clothes he still wore. Well, he still retained everything but the coat, that had not held up during his rough interrogations.

Luckily, the undershirt came to the crease in his elbow and kept hidden the golden band on his arm. He would not part with the only reminder of Ariel, of his one true mate...If he was doomed to a life of banishment, at least he would have something to remind him that his sacrifice was worth it. Ariel's safety and freedom would always be worth it.

That resolution remained solid even as he was led below deck and into a holding cell. Odd, the barren metallic cell looked large enough for two inhabitants, but as he was disconnected from the chain gang he was the only occupant. Jim supposed he could tolerate the dark, musty holding area that reeked of the stench of body odor and other bodily functions, if he was left alone.

Jim should've known better to even think thoughts of that sort. There was a loud rustling that was coming down the stairs leading down below deck.

"Now Gentlemen, there'll be no needin' to be babysittin' me down here like this. I am just a humble cyborg, after all."

Jim's eyes snapped open wide and his gaze was instantly drawn to the stairwell in the middle of the level. A hushed whisper was on his breath.

"It can't possibly be..."

The harsh voice of one of the officers gave a quick rebuke.

"That will be enough out of you, Silver. Don't think you can trick us with your flim-flammery and parlor tricks. It's off to Trog with the likes of you, pirate."

Sure enough, Jim could spot the familiar mechanical leg of the infamous Captain Silver. The young spacer didn't know whether to laugh or cower away in shame. The latter emotion was quickly proving its dominance. He had parted company last with Silver on the good hopes that he was going to make something great out of himself one day. Somehow, Jim didn't think that a life sentence on Trog factored in anywhere near that. Jim looked away now, unwilling to see the flash of shock and disappointment in his father figure's face.

"J-Jimbo...is that you?" The surprised tone was only a fraction easier than seeing his face. Shamed cerulean half-halfheartedly stared up in acknowledgment. The guard was quick to cut short their moment of reunion.

"You two know each other, good, you'll have a lot of catching up to do on your way to Trog." With that, the middle aged cyborg pirate was pushed roughly into Jim's cell, the metal bars slamming closed upon his entrance.

Now gazing upon his old mentor, Jim saw that nothing had changed about old Silver except for a couple of new wrinkles and now an oversized lock that covered the entirety of his cyborg arm in order to prevent Silver from escaping.

"James Hawkins...how in blue blazes could you possibly be here?" There must be some sorta mistake!" His arms waved about accentuating the impossible ludicrous situation. Jim gave a small knowing smile and shook his head not even getting up to greet his long time friend.

"No...no mistake... but then, I could ask the same thing about you?"

Silver looked sheepish for about a second before regaining his righteous anger. It was easy for the two to fall right back into their comfortable banter.

"Bilay that! Jim, you are not some old space pirate constantly in and out of trouble. You had the makins of greatness. Tell me. What happened?"

Jim shrugged and looked away crossing his arms across his chest.

"It's a long story."

Silver pinned him with a semi-annoyed glare as he sat down across from him, leaning against the wall.

"I'm think'in boy'o that I'm going to have plenty o time to listen to it. Apparently, the warm welcome would have to wait.

Thirty minutes later and fifteen minutes into their launch...

A moment of silence gave way to...

"Oh...boy o', that be a very hard lot you've been dealt there."

An angry glare at the wall was the only reaction that was given. There was still a long but not yet uncomfortable silence that developed between them. Both males looked to their laps seemingly at a loss for words.

"Well, to be true, that sounds a lot more like you. And I think that there be no more honorable thing than to protect yer bonnie lass..."

In an uncharacteristic display of emotion, Jim exploded completely interrupting Silver.

"So what ." His angry sarcasm rose in volume and intensity. "I mean really." Jim got to his feet and started to pace all the while looking like he was ready to punch a hole straight through the metal wall. "So what. I ended up failing anyways , right?" The anger like a fever broke and led to an outright confession of despair. He stopped and his head dropped into his hands.

"I'm supposed to be the genius. I was supposed to fix it. I was...supposed to...I was supposed to be the one to find a way for us to be together. I was supposed...." Jim pinned him with a gaze saturated with sorrow way beyond his years. It was the look of a man who had lied too long and lost too much, before turning around.

"It wasn't supposed to be this way..."

The large soft heavy pat on his shoulder caused Jim to shake with silent suppressed cries.

"There, there boy o', it'll work itself out somehow. Who knows maybe a miracle can happen yet?"

Silver never actually had any idea that his halfhearted prayer would actually come true, literally. Out of thin air, there was a blinding flash like a supernova in the prison cell, disappearing just as quickly as it had appeared. When Jim's eyes refocused, he was confronted with the unexpected form of his salvation. There recovering from a seemingly rough landing, clothed in rugged clothes fit for a cabin boy, was none other than a very human Finn.

"Finn!" Jim exclaimed in utter astonishment rushing to his side.

"Finn?" Silver echoed in confusion. Who was this Finn Fellow? And what was that giant gold pointy thing laying there next to him. Silver reached down to touch the unexpected treasure, only to be greeted with a fair share of voltage.

"Ouch!"

"Silver!" Jim admonished astonished that he could be overcome by greed at a time like this.

"Don't Silver me! I was just...looking at it was all..." the cyborg huffed crossing his arms.

A dead pan totally unconvinced stare was his greeting. Jim turned his attention from his grumbling old friend to the newly turned human.

"Finn, what are you doing here? If someone sees you..."

Finn managed to turn himself over so that he now achieved a sitting position. Finn looked like he was about to say something but quieted at the sight of his new legs. He stared at them for a long moment and Jim was reminded of the first time he encountered his first view of his tail.

"Hawkins, I did not come here and risk my fins for stupid questions. You know why I'm here. You are Ariel's mate. You're family, and family always looks out for family. You got me?"

Finn's stern no nonsense tone was almost enough to convince the young galaxy traveler. But Jim shook his head.

"Finn, as much as I'd like to be part of your family...I'm human. It would never work."

Finn rolled his eyes and started moving his legs in an attempt to stand.

"Yeah, and I was a merman two minutes ago...so I'm not really seeing the problem."

"Finn, I'm a wanted criminal. I've been banished. I won't put Ariel's life in danger like that."

Finn then fixed Jim with a hard glare.

"Well, I am not going to just let you rot here. What you do with your life is your decision after that." Jim gave a solemn nod. It was the least he could do, especially since Finn was rescuing and risking his own life for him.

"Come here Hawkins, the trident won't work on you, unless you're holding on to me."

"Whoa, wait a minute there. Ya both can't be jumpin ship without me!" Silver protested. Finn gave one weary glance toward the Cyborg, quickly took aim and blasted the lock open and off Silver's cyborg arm.

"Hawkins, who is this?" Jim watched the old Cyborg flex his mechanical arm and a small grin was visible on his face.

"Oh just a good old friend who can't seem to stay out of trouble."

"Capn. John Silver," the space pirate greeted holding out his hand. Grasping it tightly, Finn was pulled to stand at first unsteadily on his feet and he nodded.

"The name's Finn. Alright Hawkins, where are we going?" Jim knew the answer Finn was looking for, but alas, his heart reminded him that which he had to do first...

"Montressor."

Meanwhile, In Atlantica, Ariel could practically feel the vice her heart was in due to all of her worrying. Jim...Finn...please be alright. Ever since Finn had vanished with the trident, the youngest daughter of Triton had resigned herself to pacing back and forth about the throne room, that is until...

"Ariel, what is the meaning of this!" Triton's booming voice squelched any flickers of hope. Upon facing her father, she would have to tell him the truth of Jim's true identity, and with it, all of her dreams of ever being with Jim would be shattered.

It wasn't humid anymore, was honestly the first thing that came to mind when Jim materialized on Montressor. The next realization was the single cold rain droplet on his nose. The predictable night weather for Montressor was an instant stress reliever. I'm home.

"The old Benbow Inn, well aren't ye a sight for sore eyes." Silver stood back and gave an appreciative glance totally unaffected by the rain he was being drizzled with.

"Benbow Inn? Hawkins, what are we doing here?" Finn asked looking around.

But Jim's eyes were already traveling up along the worn and well trodden path. His feet could surely guide him there, even without the use of his sight. How many times had he traversed this broken road? How many of his adventures had ended happily or tragically with this trek?

He wasn't quite sure what sort of ending this was going to be, but he had a feeling that it was leaning toward the latter. But one thing was for sure was the undeniable fact that he had to finish this. His mother deserved to have some kind of peace and the truth.

"I have to go speak with my mother." Jim said resolute starting on his trek, only to be stopped abruptly by Finn's hand on his chest. Hardened gazes locked.

"And what exactly, are you going to tell her?" Jim, not liking the aggressive tone responded in kind.

"Why do you want to know?" Silver stared at the two boys, preparing to split up the brawl if necessary.

"Why do I want to know what you're going to say to your mother? I want to know what you're going to decide. Are you coming with me, staying and hiding out here with your mom, or are you running off and being some kind of outlaw with Silver here? When it comes down to it, I want to know what I'm going to tell Ariel if you don't show up with me."

Jim looked to Silver, who only nodded once indicating that the young surfer could go with him. Now James Hawkins was even more confused. To be honest, he had no idea what he was going to do. He knew what he wanted to do and also he knew what he should do. Instead, he pushed Finn's hand off of him. The drizzling rain was really starting to soak the trio.

"I'm not telling you anything. I'll tell you my decision when I come out. I won't be long." Fierce blue eyes and a locked jaw dared anyone to challenge him. Both parties nodded and let the teen trudge alone up the winding path that led to his home.

"You know, that be a terribly hard thing he be doin in there." Silver offered. Either way, in a matter of minutes he would be on his way to Montressor space port. He'd have to get himself a new hat.

"I don't think I even said good bye to me own Mum." Finn didn't reply. He knew this was the biggest choice Jim Hawkins would ever make. An uneasy gaze watched the window of the inn. He only hoped for Ariel's sake, that he would make the right one.

Craziness! What will Jim decide! Please review! Later days~