Here is another chapter for you all. I'm sorry it's taken me awhile to update anything. I wanted to finish finals well and now that they are finished, I can write again. I'm super excited to have more time for it. I hope you all enjoy this one, I left it on a bit of a cliffhanger

DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Adventures of Tintin

A week and a half went by and Tintin began working a steady, less stressful and definitely healthier job at a editors office several blocks from the apartment. The job did not pay overly well, but Tintin was able to write short stories for the newspaper associated with the office. He was also called upon to edit several articles and stories customers wished to have published. It was not as fun as Tintin had had writing as a journalist, but he was determined to do as well as he could with his mystery man and pick up his illustrious career when he, Snowy and Haddock returned.

The two had decided together that they would begin their voyage next spring; although the idea did not appeal to either of them, they had no real choice. Haddock himself had began to sell some of his model ships at the market to earn back some the money he had spent on them. Tintin was not sure why he had not thought of the idea before, but selling these ships was not as easy as it seemed and Haddock had only managed one sale this week. It did not seem to be going anywhere fast, but the two were steadfast and determined that they would sail one day.

Bright and sunny, Saturday came around and Tintin had the day off, deciding on finishing up a little story of his own making at the table, sunlight pouring over his page.

" The deathly chill of the room reached the very bones of the dread Captain,

the light of gold shimmered in his eyes.

His eyes grew hungry and his grip on the silver sword in his hand grew tighter

There was only one thing in the way between him and countless treasures.

The inevitable Red Reckham"

Tintin sat back, looking out the window. He knew that his story wasn't as original as his work normally was, but he had wanted to write Haddock's story. So the world could see that Haddock was more than just a drunken, washed up sea captain. Although it was true, Tintin saw so much more than that. Haddock was a friend, a great friend. Loyal, true and brave, no matter what anyone thought and as much as Tintin disliked his drinking habits, he had to admit, the devilish liquid had helped the pair of them many a time on their last adventure.

Sighing heavily, Tintin leaned his head against the window border and closed his eyes. The last adventure, it seemed so long ago now. The dangers, the fights and the near-death experiences had been enough to fill Tintin and Snowy for life. But now, a year later, he was already itching to get back out. To meet with danger head on, to figure out new mysteries, brave new challenges and maybe, just maybe, end up with the greatest treasure ever for a young 19 year old. Smiling, Tintin settled back as the sun warmed his face. What was life without a little adrenaline induced action?

A soft thump overhead caught Tintin's attention and he opened his eyes, looking up at the ceiling. Nothing happened and he sighed. Must have been Aurora moving around a box upstairs. He frowned, his good mood melting away.

Aurora and himself had not spoken since he'd visited her several days ago, warning her about the mysterious dark-skinned man. Although, Tintin had meant well, Aurora had not seemed to appreciate his intervention and hardly spoke to Tintin when they met in the hall or out in the market. It was if she resented him looking out for her. But why? Most of the girls in Tintin's past had been desperate for his protection. But Aurora seemed to be different. Mrs. Finch had said she'd seemed an independent type. Maybe she wanted to prove she didn't need Tintin's help. Either that or she had another to prove her worth too. Tintin smirked and looked up again.

Another mystery.

A sudden knock on the door shook Tintin from his thoughts and Snowy barked. Snuffling around the door, the white terrier wagged his tale and barked excitedly. Tintin smiled and stood up, walking over to open the door wide.

It was Captain Haddock, his hat aloft and his face set in a smile. He was every inch a captain today and Tintin smiled at him.

"Hello Haddock, what are you about today?"

Things had been easier between the two now that they made a mutual agreement to work as hard they could and on their own time and sail out with when they could. Tintin felt much better about it all.

Haddock smiled wider.

"Why it only just occurred to me lad, I was thinking to myself and I said 'ay, it has been an awfully long while since I had yonder Tintin come by for a supper together' and then I thoughts to myself 'well ay, once I'm finished here, why don't I come along by and see if Tintin would want to come along and sup with me!" He made great gestures and expressions as he explained his reasonings to Tintin and the red haired teen could not help but laugh at his friend. The captain was nothing if not amusing.

"Well you don't say? And me here alone with nothing good to eat. I'll be happy to come tonight!"

Haddock rubbed his hands together, smiling more, if that was possible.

"I was thinking of having myself lobster fresh caught today if that will suit you!"

Tintin licked his lips gently and nodded eagerly.

"That does indeed. What are we waiting for?"

Tintin collected his coat and hat and was just locking up his flat, when he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

Aurora.

He groaned inwardly. He hoped to hurry Haddock out of the apartment to avoid any awkward greetings, but of course, Aurora beat him to it. The gentle Captain was holding his hat in his hands, watching as she descend the stairs. His eyes were shining and his mouth gaping, a perfect display of admiration.

"Well blow my ship off course, there be a sight to see. In all my days, I've not to see anything more splendid such as a young lady like yourself, ma'am,"

Tintin rolled his eyes as Haddock placed his hat on his chest and made a sweeping bow to Aurora as she stopped at the bottom of the stairs, who was blushing softly, seeming to be at a loss for words.

"Thank you… ," her voice was quiet and she blushed more as Haddock straightened and gestured to Tintin

"Don't just stand there lad, introduce me to this ravishing young lady!"

Tintin cleared his throat lightly, annoyed that the captain was over exaggerating the whole situation.

"This is Aurora Stanton. Aurora, this is my good friend Captain Archibald Haddock,"

Haddock's eyes grew wide as he shook the girls hand excitedly.

"This is the famous Aurora Stanton indeed. You never told me she was an angel such as this," Aurora hid her face behind a hand as she blushed deeper. Tintin looked down at the floor as her eyes met his. Haddock made it sound like he talked about her all the time. He had barely mentioned her to him.

Haddock looked from Tintin, who stood looking at the floor, inspecting his shoes, to Aurora who was recovering from her blush and looking at Tintin pointedly. Haddock smiled and clearing his throat, turned back to Aurora.

"Well, young lady, I must insist that you join Tintin and I for dinner this night!"

Tintin looked up at Haddock and the two spoke at the same time.

"Haddock!"

"Oh, no, mister Haddock, I really couldn't impose,"

Haddock waved both of them off, bowing again to Aurora.

"Nonsense, tis my house and I can invite who I want. I insist! A pretty girl like yourself cannot possibly dine alone on such a fine Saturday night,"

Aurora looked at Tintin, who was growling at Haddock. He saw what he was doing and he was frustrated. Did Haddock have to make everything awkward? Aurora and himself were not chums at the moment, an intimate dinner together would be extremely awkward in Tintin's mind.

But Haddock was not backing down and seeing the hesitation between the two, he finally ushered them both downstairs, talking the whole way as Snowy chased after them down the stairs.

"I'll have none of this now. I've invited the both of you to dinner tonight and I'll not have any argument over it now. I have three brilliant lobster cooling in my kitchens now and I will not have such a delicacy go to waste. Tintin and I cannot possibly all three ourselves, you must come help us!"

Tintin sat at the long dining table of Marlinspike Hall, an empty plate in front of him, his chin resting in his hands as he stared unimpressed at Haddock and Aurora across from him. Although he was not as angry as he had been at the captain for inviting Aurora, he as still frustrated. He'd hoped the two of them could discuss their plans in more detail, but here he was, listening in on Haddock's old and no doubt made up stories of all the times he'd sailed the seven seas. Story after story Haddock had told, at the persistent request of his special guest.

Aurora held her chin in her hands in rapture, her eyes wide as she followed every move of Haddock's arms as he regaled the tales of his youth.

"And there I was, standing with but my cutlass in my hand, staring up at the gaping mouth of the biggest sea serpent I ever laid my eyes on. My ship was right in the middle of it's deathly coils and our hope all but lost,"

Tintin rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair, looking up at the roof. He'd heard this story before and could not help think that half of it was inspired by whiskey. As carefully as he could, Tintin glanced at Aurora. She seemed to be listening as a child did, drinking in every word the captain spoke. But at the same time, she seemed to be smiling to herself, as if she too knew it wasn't all true, no matter how much sincerity rang in Haddock's voice. Tintin smiled; Aurora was still enjoying the stories even if she knew they were embellished, the joy in her eyes was real and the captain could not look happier as he continued on with his tale.

"I took up my cutlass and charged into the very mouth of the beast as he bore down to take a bite out of my ship,"

Aurora gasped and leaned back, her hands over her mouth in shock

"No! Captain you didn't? How did you make it back out?"

Tintin was tempted to speak up, but something in Aurora's seeking gaze caused him to stop. It was as if, even if she knew it wasn't all true, in some way, she wished it was. Wished that she could've been there to see the real story. Tintin leaned once again on the table, staring unawares at Aurora as he thought it through. Aurora obviously had a great desire to travel on her own, perhaps even sail somewhere. Tintin had to admit that it had always been his favourite part of any adventure.

Feeling the wind whip through your hair as you hang off the side of the ship with a spare rope. Climbing above the main deck up to the very top of the mast in the watch tower, feeling the world spread out before you as you breathed in the deep salt air. Closing your eyes to the sting of the salt, standing at the very front of the ship, feeling the ship dip and buck below you as it follows the pattern of the waves. Seeing the ocean at it finest and at it's deadliest. Jumping in at noonday to cool yourself from the blazing sun, splashing around with playful and curious dolphins; ducking below the surface to see the world of the sea below you in all its splendour. Even during a harsh storm, the sea could be beautiful. Large waves crashing over you, claiming dominance over your ship as it bends to the mercy of the water. Feeling the ship tilt to one side the the other, waiting for the one turn to be too far. It was all a great thrill and there was nothing more exhilarating in Tintin's opinion. He could almost feel the salty wind in his hair as if a breeze was blowing through the hall and-

"Tintin!"

Tintin jerked backward and lifted his chin from his hand. Aurora looked at him strangely. Embarrassed, he realized he'd been staring at her the whole time. Haddock, who'd finished his story, took a swig of his drink, holding in his laughter. Tintin ground his teeth and looked back at Aurora.

"Sorry, I was thinking about… something,"

Aurora looked at him for a moment longer before she returned her attention back to the captain, leaving Tintin to slide down in his chair, looking at his empty plate.

"So, Captain Haddock sir, what did your ship look like?"

Haddock laughed heartily as he set down his drink, rubbing his hands together as he warmed to his tale. Tintin shook off some of his embarrassed. He did always like to here about the makes of Haddock's previous ships, they were always in interest.

"Well little lady, first off all call me Haddock, no need to be so formal seeing as you've eaten in my house. But now, blistering blue barnacles, I've had many an old ship in my day and my father Sir Francis before me. Our family have been seamen for as long as the the first Haddock touched the salty waves. It would take me all night long to tell you about every ship I've ever manned and even then I would only have finished half of them!" Haddock smiled happily as Aurora giggled and hid her face once again.

"Can you tell me about your favourite?"

Haddock sat back, settling into his chair, looking up and above the two young ones listening intently.

"Aye, my favourite ship… Now you have to understand young un, my ship is not like the ships we had back when I was a young lad. Aye, no. The ships back then were beauties. Take the Unicorn, the finest ship that my sire Sir Francis ever did sail. Now that was a sight to see indeed! Triple masted. Double decked. Fifty guns! Aye, that Aurora, was my favourite ship!"

Aurora leaned forward, captivated by Haddock's description.

"What did it look like?"

Haddock smiled and looked over at Tintin. Standing up, Haddock brushed off his coat and beckoned Aurora toward the door off the dining room.

"Why don't you come see for yourself?"

I hope you guys like it, as soon as I edit it the next part, I'll upload it. It's not a huge cliffhanger, but it does leave you in some suspense. Let me know what you all think. Also, does anyone have any suggestions on a middle name for Aurora, I've been trying to think of one; I want to use it later. If you can think of one, let me know!