Disclaimer: I do not own Treasure Planet.

Hello everyone! This is what happens when I discover that there had been plans in the cancelled sequel for a love interest named Kate who was Jim's rival in the Academy. The plot bunnies multiplied quickly, as they are known to do. I hope that you will enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it!

-

I've been told once or twice in my lifetime that I am "competitive-to-a-fault." Personally, I find this summarization of my character to not only be inaccurate but rather insulting. I find my competitive nature to be a positive trait, not a fault.

For example, when I was a young child, I'd been challenged by one of my classmates to climb the towering oak tree in the play yard and hang upside down from the highest limb. I fully intended to leave that challenge unanswered, as I felt that there were far better things to do in our precious allotment of recess, but a distant, mocking laugh followed by the words: "She's a girl, she can't do it anyways." were enough motivation for me to climb the tree in record time and to pelt the boy with gooseberries until our teacher took notice and I received my first disciplinary action.

So did the boy, if you were wondering, as he'd been the one to start our fight. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of a lifelong feud that I am glad to have left behind.

In my defense, this competitive nature that I happen to possess is what has driven me to the very place that I am right now: the Royal Interstellar Academy. This is the chance for a fresh start. This is what I have been dreaming of since I was a little girl, staring up at the starry sky and wondering if I could somehow discover my destined path in the midst of that great expanse, rather than the carefully crafted future my mother and stepfather had already begun to lay out for me.

I take in the entryway, a rather impressive feat of architecture featuring gold embossed columns and a massive set of stairs leading into the crowded foyer, and can't help but breathe a sigh of relief. This was a far cry from Montressor. I wish I could capture this moment with a photograph and send it back to the family home. Not for any desire to actually communicate with Edmund, my stepfather, but rather to send his blood pressure skyrocketing into the atmosphere.

"Kate!" I startle, glancing to my left where my roommate and new friend, Andy shakes her head at me. "Have you been listening to a word that I'm saying?"

Regrettably, I'd tuned everything out in the midst of my own inner musings. "I'm sorry, Andy. I simply cannot believe that we're here right now! Look around!" I wrap an arm over her shoulder and spin us in a circle, gesturing wildly. "We actually made it into the RIA. Nothing can stop us!"

Andy shrugs my arm off. "Please don't do that again, you know that I get disoriented easily."

"Sorry. It's the first day excitement; I'll calm down in a moment."

"Somehow, I find that hard to believe. How much coffee did you drink this morning?"

"It was only three mugs and that's beside the point." I couldn't sleep a wink last night. What should have turned me into a nervous wreck had rather the opposite effect. I was familiar with the sense of dread over what a new day could bring, the fear of nothing that I said or did being considered worthy. This, however, was a different matter entirely. I'd made it this far without help from any of the ones who claimed I'd flounder without their guidance. I am anticipating the day that they will have to eat their own words. "Today is a new day. We're moving on with the rest of our lives. Nothing could ever ruin this moment for me."

I shriek as someone collides with me from behind. Before my face can have an unfortunate meeting with the rough, stony ground, hands reach around my waist tug me backwards. I wobble on my feet as my world is righted again.

"I'm so sorry, are you alright-"

"I'm fine, please don't-" The words die on my lips as I take in the individual who'd nearly bowled me over. This can't be happening. Surely I'm hallucinating. It must have been the coffee.

The man in front of me seems just as shocked as I am, if not more so. I feel the weight of Andy's confused stare as she looks back and forth between us.

"Katie Morgan."

My eyes narrow as I take him in. The man I see is incongruent with the version I've known for most of my life. Dressed impeccably in cadet reds and sporting a regulation haircut is the bane of my existence. To my dismay, said haircut means that the ponytail he'd worn for years is gone. I now have one less method of ammunition in my arsenal, as I'd insulted it many times.

"James Hawkins. It seems to have escaped you once again that it's Kate."

"I've always thought that Katie suited you better." Oh for the love of Pete. This shouldn't aggravate me still.

"You can take your thoughts and shove them up your-"

"Oh, do you know each other?" Andy, unknowing of the utter havoc that has been brought upon my day, extends a hand in greeting towards the devil himself. "I'm Andrea Collins, Andy for short."

Jim turns away from me, undoubtedly enjoying the steam that must be coming out of my ears, and smiles pleasantly while shaking her hand. The only manners I'd ever witnessed him using have always been directed at anyone other than me. "James Hawkins, my friends call me Jim."

Andy's eyes widen noticeably before she glances at me. "Kate, you didn't call him that, did you?"

"We're not friends."

"Kate." Andy gasps. I must have scandalized her. I can't find it within me to care, however, as I'm locked into a glaring match with Jim. As if sensing the fight brewing, Andy steps between us, forcing me to take a step backwards. "It's lovely to meet you, Jim. I suppose Kate and I ought to be off to class before we're late."

My hackles rise as Jim's mouth widens in a smile. How dare he pretend to be pleasant. He's about as inviting as the grinning carnivorous plants I'd read about in Biology class - no doubt one of the many lessons he'd skipped doing something he wasn't supposed to.

"I suppose you're right. I'll be seeing you around, Andy. Katie." He turns to ascend the steps, looking far too carefree and relaxed for my liking. Andy's ironclad grip is the only thing preventing me from grabbing the nearest blunt object and bludgeoning him with it.

Once he's out of earshot, Andy whirls on me. "What was that all about? You were being very rude to him!"

"I'm aware of that, Andy." I rub the spot between my eyebrows where I'm certain a line has already formed. "Do you remember the story of the boy that I spent my life fighting with?"

"Yes," Andy's hand rises to her mouth in realization. "Surely he isn't the one…" My shoulders slump as she hesitantly reaches forward to pat my arm. "There, there."

"He had to choose this academy… out of all the academies available. Whom did he get a recommendation from? I ought to serve them with a lawsuit."

"Aren't you being slightly overdramatic, Kate?" Andy loops her arm around mind and tugs us up the steps. My feet feel leaden as if I'm walking towards my untimely end. "He was in cadet reds and you're pursuing a completely different path. Maybe you won't even have that many classes with him."

I nod, allowing her logical suggestion to seep through the haze of anger floating around me. "I suppose you're right. He'll regret being so awful if he needs to be stitched up in the near future."

Andy giggles and shakes her head. "Please don't hate me for this, but I can't help but notice that you left something out in your stories about Jim Hawkins."

"And what is that?"

A mischievous grin precedes Andy's next statement. "You never mentioned that he was so handsome."

It's all I can do not to hiss like a cat. "Traitor. Even the most beautiful of packages conceal hideous contents."

"I believe you're protesting a little too much," She replies in a singsong. Before I can offer a scathing rebuttal, the clock tower above us rings, signaling the beginning of classes for the morning.

We look at each other in horror before bolting down the hallway. Thankfully, Andy had the forethought to study the layout of the Academy and within moments we were skidding into "Intergalactic History I" with seconds to spare.

The only seats left were in the front, middle row of desks. Andy and I awkwardly slide into both, wincing at the stern look of reproval from Professor Higgleston.

"T'is a joy that you young ladies have joined us. Perhaps in the future, you'll be more expedient in your arrival?"

"Yes, Professor."

A chorus of snickers rise from behind us. When I glance over my shoulder, I note the mixture of cadet reds with trepidation. An elbow in my side has me facing forward again before Professor Higgleston begins her lecture on the first colonization of the settlers who journeyed from the Milky Way.

"That being said, who can name the vessel that the first group of Milky Way pilgrims used in their space flight to the new galaxy?"

My hand rises quickly and she nods. "The U.C.S. Sojourn was the vessel used for the first intergalactic space expedition."

"Correct, Ms. Morgan. Now, can anyone list the common goals agreed upon by the Milky Way settlers?"

A text line appears on my datapad, hovering over the notes that I had been taking. There's only one who'd be bold enough to message me in class.

James H: Show off.

That little space weasel.

Kate M: It's not showing off if the information is accurate. Also, how did you get my datapad address?

James H: Contact information is in our class roster, remember?

Kate M: Instead of being a condescending jerk, which I know is quite a hardship for you, why don't you try paying attention to class? I'd hate for you to miss out on something important.

"Yes, Mr. Hawkins?" I whip my head towards the back of the class, fuming, only to see that Jim holds his hand aloft. I can comfort myself in the knowledge that at the very least, he's on the other side of the room. Andy nudges me again, widening her eyes in a warning manner.

"It was my understanding that the U.C.S. Sojourn was the vessel used for the first intergalactic space travel, but it wasn't the first one chosen. That would have been the U.C.S. Resolution, which was never spaceworthy due to faulty equipment.."

"Correct, Mr. Hawkins." Professor Higgleston has the audacity to look proud of him. It's revolting. "You know your history." My fingers fly over my datapad.

Kate M: Now who's showing off?

James H: You'd better pay attention to class. I'd hate for you to miss out on anything important.

-

10 years earlier

"Kate Elanora Morgan, what in the galaxy were you thinking? Do you know what your horrid behavior could do to your family's reputation?! To hear about your nonsense from Mr. Gareth of all people was not only humiliating, it was insulting to think that-"

Edmund's words are drowned out by a ringing in my ears. I squeeze my eyes shut as tears threaten to fall. I can't cry in front of him. I won't cry.

"Edmund, dear, I think you're being too harsh with her."

"Did I ask for your opinion in this matter, Margaret? She needs to be more disciplined, rather than running about screaming like a banshee at the boys in her class."

He didn't want to hear my side of the story. He never did. It wasn't my fault that there had been a lizard waiting in my desk after recess. It was my fault, however, that I'd poured a canister of green paint on Jim Hawkins's head afterwards. I told him he finally matched the rest of his lizard family, which he didn't like very much.

"If you move even one toe out of line again, Kate, there will be worse consequences than you could ever imagine."

It seems like Edmund is losing steam. Mom hasn't moved from her place at his side. I don't know which is worse, his belligerent anger or my own mother's passiveness in the face of it.

I was sent to my room and told I would not leave unless I'd studied all the text within my stepfather's new favorite book: "A Young Ladies Guide to Societal Comportment." After fifteen minutes of reading, I'm bored out of my mind and staring out the window. A familiar sea of stars greets me and I trace constellations with my pointer finger.

One day, I'm going to get out of this place and never look back.

-

Despite the shocking and entirely unwelcome discovery that Jim Hawkins and I were sharing the same academic space once again, the rest of my first day went by rather smoothly. I even made a few new friends amongst the cadets, one in particular named Delilah North, who is the granddaughter of the famed Admiral North.

We bonded over a mutual love of fantasy novels before our "Introduction to Physics" class began and she invited us to share a meal at the nearest diner to the Academy. The diner itself, aptly named "Screaming Mike's" was borderline riotous, being nearly packed to the brim with students celebrating their first day. A rousing game of SNAPS was being played in the far corner, interspersed with yells of elation or frustration based off of the players' luck.

I squeeze into the booth with Andy as Delilah hollers across the diner. "KEEP IT DOWN, SAILORS! YOU'LL BE DEAF BEFORE YOUR FIRST EXPEDITION." The cadets wave nonchalantly at her, before continuing on as they were.

"Well, it was worth a shot." Delilah shrugs before lifting up the menu. "I've heard the chrono-chips here are to die for. Want to split?"

My mouth waters as I nod. "Do you even have to ask?"

"I knew I liked you." We pause our conversation long enough to place our order with the robot waiter, who manages to smoothly roll between the various and sundry customers crammed inside. "So, what's your story?"

Andy and I share a look before I motion for her to go first. "I'm from Vesper, the south side of the Carras System. I've wanted to be a nurse ever since I helped splint my brother's broken ankle after he fell off the balcony."

"Good Lord, was he alright?"

"Oh, yes. He's nearly invulnerable, which makes up for his lack of common sense." The three of us take a moment to lift our mugs of root beer in cheers at the universal stupidity of men before continuing. "Ma and Pa were supportive, thankfully, since I never wanted to work in the mining industry Vesper is so famous for."

"Ah, glad to know someone has supportive parents." Delilah fixes her shrewd gaze on me, which I begin to think is an exclusively North family trait. Judging by that look alone, she'd make a great commanding officer. "What about you?"

I pause to chew on a promptly-delivered chrono-chip. "I wanted to get away from Montressor at any cost. Despite what I believed to be an honorable pursuit of a nursing career, it isn't what my parents wanted for me."

"If they weren't happy about your choices, what exactly did they want for you?"

"A proper society courtship and marriage with a property society suitor that would benefit my stepfather's proper position in proper society. He is the governor of Montressor."

Delilah winces. "I see. Might I suggest you find the exact opposite of their idea of a proper suitor, just to see how that'd turn out?"

Andy laughs as I pretend to give the idea considerable thought. "That's so brilliant, I wish I would've come up with the idea myself."

"Let's get a jump on it then." Delilah searches the restaurant with her hand poised above her eyebrows, causing Andy and I to have another fit of laughter. "What about that one?"

She points to a young man seated at the bar, spectacles perched on his nose as he peruses his datapad. He startles when the bartender places his drink in front of him. "I know for a fact that I would be too loud for him if he startles that easily."

"Fair enough, oh! What about the dashing gentleman near the jukebox?"

Said gentleman laughs as he leans against the jukebox, looking well at ease. I note Andy's eyes lighting up with interest. "As handsome as he is, I'd pay money to see Andy introduce herself to him."

Andy's cheeks flush red. "I will do no such thing."

"You've never met a stranger since the moment we started sharing a dorm. You quite literally called me your best friend after ten minutes of being around each other."

"That's entirely different! If I were to introduce myself to him, it would be awfully rude. He's in the middle of a conversation." I raise an eyebrow and she flushes deeper. "Also… he's perfect."

After getting to know Andy over the past two weeks, I'd come to realize that she is the definition of a hopeless romantic. Despite my tendency to think that her expectations were somewhat unrealistic, I hold out hope that she will meet someone who is just as lovely and special as she is.

"Nobody's perfect, Andy. But I imagine he'd like the compliment all the same." The entrance to the dinner whirs open and Delilah waves to whomever has just walked in.

"What are you doing?" I ask as Delilah continues to wave.

"I found the perfect one for you, Kate. The search is over."

I chuckle in disbelief before turning towards the man in question. My eyebrows snap downwards before I turn back around and gnaw on a chrono-chip.

"Hawkins! Over here!" Why… Why me? "I want you to meet my new friends, soon to be known as the best nursing students in our year."

Jim stops at our table, a knowing grin lighting up his face. The chrono-chip turns to sawdust in my mouth. "As a matter of fact, North, we've already met."

Delilah tugs him down into the booth before he can escape, or crawl back into the hole from whence he came. "Is that so? That makes this so much easier."

I swiftly kick her under the table and she jumps. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Surely Cadet Hawkins has better things to do than entertain us with conversation."

"As a matter of fact, there's no place I'd rather be." Of course he wouldn't. His favorite pastime is tormenting me, after all. "What are you three conspiring about?"

Andy coughs, but I suspect she's covering up a laugh as Delilah charges forward. "We're looking to find the perfect man for Kate here." Jim's eyebrows rise towards his hairline before looking at me with sly interest. I'd give my left pinky toe to never have to see that expression again.

"Is that so?"

"Delilah," I attempt to interrupt but my voice is strained. "I think we should move on to another topic."

"No, no, don't stop on my account." Jim grasps his chin as if in deep thought. I would say he's incapable of any deep thought whatsoever, but if he actually lacked intelligence he wouldn't be such a pain in my backside. "I'm guessing that you're looking for a nice guy who will carry your bags and agree with everything you say?"

"Exactly." My tone is positively dripping with sarcasm. "You've figured me out so well. Where shall I find such a man?"

"Could you find me one while you're at it?" Delilah interjects, as if sensing the tension simmering at our table. "I hate having to carry luggage."

"You know, since we're on the subject," I lean forward and Jim's actions mirror mine. "Why don't we narrow down the perfect woman for you? Since you're being so kind to help me out."

Jim's smile widens. "I won't stop you."

"I'm going to guess that you're looking for someone who is always sweet and well-mannered. After all, she needs to balance you out." I watch with satisfaction as his expression flattens.

Andy coughs once again, but this time is much louder and her shoulders begin to shake. Delilah glances back and forth between us as if she were watching a tennis match.

"That one almost hurt, Katie."

"Good. Then maybe you'll leave."

"But we're having so much fun. Why would I leave now?"

"Guys," Delilah interjects, but is ignored.

"I could give you a list of reasons."

"Enlighten me."

"First, I'd rather jump off a spaceship than ask for your help. Second-"

"Off a spaceship, really? You'd be doing me a favor."

"Guys-"

"Trust me on this Hawkins, if I were to die in such a manner, my ghost would come back to haunt you. Now, second-"

"GUYS!" Delilah hollers at the top of her voice and the din in the restaurant immediately quiets. All that can be heard is the whirring of the robot waiter's wheels as it delivers orders to a table. Delilah clears her throat and waves her hand. "Carry on."

The noise picks back up and Delilah motions for Jim to move. Somewhat bewildered, he does as she wishes. I want to laugh until she turns her attention on me and gestures for me to join them.

A moment later, Jim and I find ourselves seated at the bar, turned towards each other and with our arms looped at our wrists while holding full canteens of root beer. A crowd has gathered behind us, as if this was the greatest source of entertainment that they could find.

I share an unimpressed look with Jim who merely shrugs in response. Delilah grabs an empty tray and bangs on it with her fork. "Hear me, fellow cadets, students, and beloved customers of Screaming Mike's! We have with us this evening a pair of misfits who can't seem to get along."

A chorus of boos and laughter follows. I want to evaporate into thin air or melt into the floor. Whichever death would be more expedient.

"Legend states that if Mike's root beer is shared, it'll cure any ailment and solve any argument. I challenge you both to drink each mug completely without stopping. If you stop, the other will be considered the victor in your argument and shall henceforth never let the loser hear the end of it."

This is enough to fuel the spark between Jim and I into a full blown flame. I lean forward, trying to ignore being in such close proximity to him. My cheeks feel warm, they need to adjust the climate control here.

Jim leans forward as well, close enough that his breath brushes against my right ear. A strange tingling sensation travels all the way down to my toes. "Don't worry, Katie, even if we both finish these root beers we can still dislike each other."

I can't help the smile that forms. "Deal."

The crowd cheers as we chug back our root beers while still linked, followed by the satisfying sound of empty mugs clunking against the bar top once we are finished. I beam at him in an uncharacteristic moment of mutual triumph and he laughs despite himself. The crowd goes even wilder as we stand together.

While Delilah and Andy are distracted, Jim nudges me in the side. I furrow my brow in response.

"What?"

"I think I finished my root beer a half second quicker than you did."

"Do me a favor, Hawkins, and just shut up."

-

A/N: Any guesses as to how the rest of their sojourn into higher education will go? Thank you again for reading and I'll see you in chapter 2!