For those of you who were keeping up Here and Now, this is where these two stories start to line up. You are going to notice some major changes.

Disclaimer: Everything from the original Treasure Planet movie belongs to Disney.

Families are like fudge... mostly sweet with a few nuts.
- Author Unknown

Chapter 3:

It was one of those lazy summer mornings where the only real reason to get up was to eat. The heat had not quite kicked in for the day and there was a nice breeze blowing. Delbert decided to take advantage of it before it grew too hot and opened the kitchen windows while he made breakfast. He slowly moved around making food and setting the table almost automatically while his mind was somewhere completely different.

Monterssor had its own uniqueness and the Doctor was quite fond of it because he had grown up in the Manor as it had been in his family for generations. But, when it came to the summer he couldn't help but to think about Terra, the planet his Aunt Helen lived on. He would always visit for the summer. It was a quiet little planet that most people didn't think too of as because it was so for from most in habited plants. But the sight was defiantly breath taking. A majority of the planet it used to grow crops for the most of that quadrant of the galaxy. It had always perplexed Delbert how they grew all of that food and harvested it every year in and had enough that there never seemed to be a shortage. It had been so long since he had gone there that now they only thing he thinks about is how much he missed it. It was mornings like these when he would image he was a boy again running through golden wheat fields with his cousin, taking deep breaths of unpolluted air.

He was so far it to the fantasy that he practically jumped out of his skin when the front door slammed shut.

"Is someone there?"

"It's just me, Delbert. It was a cadet here to give me my next assignment."

"Oh, what far off mystery will you be traveling to this time?"

"I, my dear Doctor, am about to find out."

She looked down at the stove and tapped the edge of the envelope to the counter to get his attention.

"The real mystery is whether you can eat that if it gets that black."

His food was about three seconds from going up in flames.

"Damn!"

Amelia sat down at the table to read her letter while she left her husband to scramble about the kitchen while wishing she hadn't taught him so many cuss words. Taking one of many sharp nails, she tore open the paper and removed the contents.

Admiral Marcus Fletcher 54898 Arlington Rd. Monterssor Space Port Intersteller Academy

June 7, 897 S.R.

Captain Amelia Doppler 9875 Lindle Dr. Port City, Montressor

Dear Captain Doppler:

It is by verbal request that Commodore Elling has asked you to be the leading Captain of a three ship Expedition. The assignment is to charter delegates to 3678 sector where the Royal Empire's court recently purchased land from Sigma. Your accompanying Captains would be Captain James Hawkins of the Firerider and Captain Michelle Still of the Star Glider. The trip is approximately five months and the launch date is June 22. This not a formal military demand and you have the right to refuse the mission. Commodore Elling is more than willing to pay you double the standard pay rate of a trip of this kind. If you are uncertain, I am available all day in my office and you may come in at any time with any questions you may have. If you have a certain yes or no answer please send me a letter so that another Captain may be requested or so that you may be sent pre-voyage meeting details.

Thank You,

Admiral Fletcher

Amelia set the letter down contemplating the pros and cons. Five months was too long to be gone but the pay would be incredible.

"I sorry, did you say something, love?"

"I said the food is almost ready, could you find our adolescent food vacuums."

"Adolescent food vacuums," she chuckled as she rolled her eyes. "Honestly, where do you come up with things like that?"

"It sounded more creative than bottomless pits."

Setting the letter aside she when upstairs to find her kids.

They eight of them sat around the table various things in small groups until Delbert asked about the letter again and then all eyes were on Amelia.

"Another mission, Mom?" questioned Derek.

"Is it another long one?" added Dylan.

"Yes and yes. It's a five month trip."

"What!"

"Thank you everyone, for yelling that at the same time. People 300 miles from here heard you. If you would let me finish, I don't think I'm going to accept it."

"But you might," Dylan said uncertainly.

"Yes," she answered slowly and uncertainly. "It depends."

"Depends on what?" questioned Angelina as she took a bite of toast.

"On what Admiral Fletcher has to say when I go to his office this afternoon. The letter did not give enough details for me to make a certain decision without talking to someone first. I have a feeling Hawkins is going to try convince me to accept."

"Jim?" Delbert gave her a puzzled look. "He's part of the assignment as well?"

"Yes and from the sound of the letter James does not have a choice. It's not a formal military operation so I don't have to say yes but, I was specifically requested by Commodore Elling which, in itself, is a good reason to accept. It gives me an advantage, though."

"How so?"

"I might be able to request things I wouldn't normally be able to. Elling has already stated that he would pay me double the average salary."

"That sounds like blackmail."

"Not blackmail! Simply asking for something extra and seeing if I can get it. It wouldn't anything too unreasonable."

"Like what?" their oldest son chimed in.

"The only way I'm going to accept a five month voyage is if I can bring all of you along."

The statement started quiet a commotion in the kitchen that lasted several minutes.

"Wait, what about school?" said Alexis

"We can get credit for going, through the study abroad program."

"What about the twins, Amelia."

"Five months of no school, it's a dream come true." Dylan, on the other hand, didn't look as pleased as his twin.

"You won't be missing school; you will be taking computer homeschooling courses."

"Great," they said at the same time, one of them being genuine and the other being wholly sarcastic.

Delbert and Amelia finished the rest of breakfast in silence to listen to their kids carry on excitedly. They both found out over the years that's it's difficult to get six kids to be quiet, so instead of wasting their time, they listen instead. Amelia laughed to herself because she realized that the decision had just been made for her.

The Benbow Inn was busy as it always was on a Friday night. The dining room was filled noise of people telling stories and laughter. The customers were always friendly to Sarah and the regulars always asked about her son. Those who hadn't been there before always asked if the treasure map in the glass case was the real map to treasure planet. Sarah was proud of the glass case because everything in it was her sons. Years after the voyage to Treasure Planet, and word had thoroughly spread to all ends of the galaxy of what happened people would always ask if it was true and if they could see the map. Sadly, the golden sphere in the case was only a replica that didn't open because the real map was lost when the planet exploded. In the case with the map was Jim's old Treasure Planet book that he had practically memorized as a child. It was old and torn as a result of being over used for several years. Sitting right next to it was a mush newer book, written by Jim's friend, and now wife, Elizabeth: Finding Treasure Planet. The case also held pictures of when Jim and Elizabeth graduated from the Intersteller Academy in uniform; Jim's tassel; and pictures of both Jim and his son Jeremy as little boys, Jim reading the old Treasure Planet book and Jeremy reading the new one. Sarah was proud of her son and the man he had become and the father he never had.

It was almost time for the dining area to close and many of the people were starting to filter out. When the last person had gone and Sarah started to clean up a knock came from the main door. When she opened it up she found herself staring face to face with Jim.

"Oh, Jim! What are you doing here at this time of night?"

"Can't a guy just visit his mother?" he said as he walked past her into the dining room.

"Yes, but day light hours are also good." She shut the door and followed him to a table.

"Well, if you don't want me here I'll just leave." Sarah had to roll her eyes at his all too obvious mockery.

"Jim, I'm always happy to see you." She smiled at him in a way that Jim would classify as a mom smile. He always thought it was just her smile but he had seen his own wife smile the same way at their son and even the captain at her children.

Jim also had a classification for mom eyes. There were mom eyes that said 'My child, I love you,' and then there were the mom eyes she was giving him now that said 'My child, I see right through you.' Jim knew he couldn't get anything past her.

"Alright, you got me. I'm here on official Navy business," Jim told her with a smile.

"Oh, and what sort of business is it that the Navy had to send Captain James Hawkins to my inn?"

"Why, you of course."

"Me?"

"Come on, I'll tell you about it as I help you clean up." Sarah laughed at the statement. "What?" he said.

"This must be good if your helping me clean."

"So the Navy has assigned you to this 5 month mission and you want me to come with you."

They had finished cleaning most of the mess in the dining area while Jim had told her the story. Now they were in the kitchen washing dishes.

"Yes, but not like a vacation. I want to hire you as the ships main cook. You don't have to accept. I think it would be nice if you did because Liz and I decided to bring Jeremy and Captain Amelia is bringing Doc and their six."

"I would really love too."

"But?"

"But, I can't leave the Benbow for five months."

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and smiled slyly.

"The Benbow, or that ruggedly handsome flower vendor that's been in here for lunch every day for the last three weeks?"

"James Pleiades Hawkins!"

Her reaction had Jim practically rolling on the floor with laughter. Sarah's face was bright red.

"How would you know, you don't come here nearly as often."

"I know because one of the flower stands he owns is between Montressor's Navy Post and my house. After I noticed the way he looks at you I couldn't help but to stop and talk to him while he was there."

"What did you tell him!"

"Mom, relax. It was just small talk. Well, I made small talk; his talk was mostly about this lovely inn keeper with a wonderful personality and a laugh warmer than any sun."

"He said that?" she asked shyly while drying a plate.

"Yeah. If you're really worried about the inn you could let him run it for you while you're gone. He runs a tight ship and probably has the menu memorized by now.

"Jim…"

"No, seriously. You just have to adjust the schedules of the three people you have working for you and he could come here 3-4 times a week to make sure all of your bookkeeping is done right. You can even pay him for it."

"I can't ask him to do that."

"You don't have to."

"You're not going to ask him either."

"Too late. He's coming by tomorrow to talk to you." She was going to object but Jim cut her off. "Before you say anything just talk to him and then tell me your decision."

"Why do I think this is more than just you finding me a replacement?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said innocently. After several moments of silence Sarah spoke.

"Alright, I'll talk to him, but don't get your hopes up."

"Great, I need an answer before 1600 hours tomorrow."

"Alright, goodbye."

"Bye mom. I'll talk to you tomorrow." He kissed her on the cheek and went out the door. She locked it behind him while she shook her head and chuckled.

"What am I going to do with him?"

Damn, I started writing this chapter over winter break and now it's almost March. I will finish this story I have the whole story line written, I just have to find to type it.

I have an outline that's XIV (14) sections long and this chapter concludes section II. All of my sections are multiple chapters except for section I which was just chapter 1.

I am making it my goal to be done before the summer is over. Then I can say I finished this in slightly over a year, less that if I finish before July. Reviews are nice, even from non-authors.