Disclaimer: All Treasure Planet Characters belong to Disney.

Hold Dear the Studious and Invariant

Humble Understanding

Amelia's Point of View

"I really presumed he had no idea I was there, so I supposed letting it go this time would be the best line of action," I explained to Arrow the following day in my quarters.

"Well, shall I take guard at the good Doctor's door just in case," he said with noticeable mirth in his voice.

"No, I don't think that will be necessary. Though maybe a barrel of purps in his room might deter him from doing it again," I stated with a smile.

"Ha, mmm . . . it's about eight o'clock," Arrow pointed out, as he glanced up at the clock.

"Yes, mmm, better head out and check on the crew," I said grabbing my hat. Arrow nodded.

"We must make sure we do not have too many indolent hands on deck today. That reminds me, how is our ship work-shy cabin boy doing? Heard he is actually doing a bang up job?" I asked nonchalantly as we both made our exit.

"Well, truth be told Captain, he is quite a hard worker in the kitchen and on deck. I have even gotten a chance to speak with the boy, he is doing much better."

"Lovely, well I'll see you shortly Arrow, I'm heading to the engine room," I said walking down in the opposite direction as he.

"I'll remain top side . . ." I did not hear quite everything he said, because of the usual loud noise that accompanied a waking ship, but I nodded and continued on down to the hull of my ship. It was generally louder down here due to the ships thrusters and articulating fins, but it was a rhythmic sound to my ears and was such as the ticking of a grandfather clock. A beautiful sound she made, when everything was working properly, and to my satisfaction, it was.

"Captain," I heard a rough voice say from my left. I knew it was Meltdown, which in my opinion was an appropriately given name considering his nature, and turned to face him properly.

"Yes, please report."

"The ships engines are in order working," he stated.

"Very good. Keep working," I said before exiting to check on the riggers. For me it was always a good idea to make surprise visits to different areas to make sure everyone was doing what was expected of them. Surprisingly, most of the men were on task and on target. I must say that I judged their abilities too shortly, even if some of their attitudes needed serious alignment. I did my rounds noticing and observing the different characters on deck. Mr. Hawkins was indeed quite the hard worker, even if he really didn't have a choice, being that Mr. Silver hasn't been 'letting him out of his sight' for the past week. I had gotten a few chances to speak with the boy, and he's rough around the edges, but an intelligent one no doubt.

One face I noticed missing, however. The doctor hasn't been out all morning. It's nearly ten, and everything is still in one piece.

"Mr. Arrow," I called as I made my way to my dear friend. He looked up from his position of lower deck. He met me halfway before addressing.

"Yes, Captain?" I was about to ask him if he had seen the doctor, when I noticed the canid standing behind him. I know my expression was shocked, for just an instant, but I quickly recovered. How in blue blazes did he avoid my noticing?

"I just wanted a report on your end. Making sure everything is ship shape," I stated, not wanting to reveal that I hadn't even seen the doctor.

"That it is ma'am. Actually I was talking with the doctor here," he said moving aside to give me ample view of the astrophysicist, who quickly adverted his gaze to the ever popular floor. "Actually, Captain you might be able to be of more service to Dr. Doppler's question," he smiled. That seemed to recapture the doctor's attention as he snapped his head back up.

"Alright," I replied, ready for any questions the good doctor might want to ask.

Doppler's Point of View

"I can answer any questions you might have," she said. Great, hours of trying to avoid her only to be locked into a conversation with her. Not only that, but the topic of which me and Mr. Arrow were discussing was now standing before me. Voice dry, and mind blank of anything but my question, I decided to be bold, and ask. What was the harm? Right?

"I was just asking . . . about your time spent in the Navy. If you have been in any . . . um you know, military transactions between opposing parties?"

"You mean battle, Doctor,"

"Yes, exactly," I stated a little too quickly.

"Let me guess, Mr. Arrow has been telling you a few of those old glory stories," she prompted, giving me a moment of relief as she turned to Mr. Arrow. I almost withdrew my question, figuring I wouldn't receive a response, or at least not one I wanted. To be honest, I was still a little upset about last night, and didn't know exactly how to handle . . . it.

"You know, Captain, I see your busy, maybe . . ."

"Nonsense, Doctor. It's very rare that any one is ever interested in my military duties, and even rarer that I get to toot my own horn so to speak. Gives me a chance to vaunt, now doesn't it," she said with slight amusement in her voice. I smiled back and nodded allowing the nervousness to leave.

"Well what has Mr. Arrow already gabbed on with you about?" she asked.

"He said that you were the youngest spacer to reach the rank of captain," I said, "He also went on to say that you saved seven ships in a battle, very impressive."

"Well Doctor, I would not say that I did it, a captain is only as good as their crew," she said seriously, which I found very humble of her.

"Oh, well also that you had earned the Green . . ."

"Pardon me, Captain, Doctor, I think there might be some trouble in the galley," Mr. Arrow interrupted.

"Shall I accompany you," the Captain replied. I stood quietly expecting our short conversation to come to an end, but I was shocked when the Captain turned back to me.

"If you would, Doctor, meet me in my stateroom, me and Mr. Arrow will be up shortly to finish our conversation," she said with sincerity. I couldn't help but smile.

"Yes of course," I said as we parted, them heading to the galley and me going off to the stateroom. Oddly enough, though I was a bit flustered by the pervious night's events, I was quite happy to talk with her now.

Amelia's Point of View

Oddly enough, I really wanted to continue our chat with the doctor. Of most men, I would say, that I have encountered, excluding Mr. Arrow and a few others of course, if I started talking about my accomplishments, they would have the same reactions. Disinterest, comical compliments, disrespect, and even cruel remarks. All they thought a woman was for was sex and someone to stroke their egos. However, in talking to the good Doctor, I noticed that he seemed truthfully impressed and interested in my winnings, and if I wasn't mistaken, he was the one to ask. True, he had a pompous inclination towards me at first, he truly was getting better and in a way that made me feel . . . well I was just ready to finish our talk. After we had dealt with the disturbance in the galley between Pigors and Silver's pet, might I add unannounced pet, Mr. Arrow decided to stay back as I went back to the stateroom. The Doctor was standing just outside the door.

"Thank you for waiting, you could have gone inside if you wanted," I stated as I opened the door and motioned him to step inside. He shrugged slightly and answered meekly that he wasn't sure I wanted him to go in. I guess I had to give him a point for being polite and respectful.

"Where is Mr. Arrow?" he asked with hesitation.

"Oh, he is just tying up a few loose ends if you will. Now Doctor, where were we in our interrupted chat," I asked, happy to continue our talk.

"Um, yes. Well, I just wanted to know about your honor, the Green Badge of Honor, during the Kattindog War right?" he said, genuine interest in his eyes. Absolutely charming, in a way, as I went into how I received the reward and he smiled listening to my stories as if they contained some hidden treasure.

"I've always wanted to go on adventures like that," he stated, changing the subject, "I haven't had the opportunity to actually travel far from Montressor," he said with such a measure of sadness it sobered my whimsical ideas of the man, "I'm still amazed that I have the pleasure of going on a voyage to the greatest historical find since the discovery of the Mucculough Current's ship grave yard." I smiled slightly at his enthusiasm, though I doubted the reliability of this voyage a little. He looked at me, and guessing by his refuting glance, he knew what I was thinking. With a look like that I just had to ask.

"What makes you think we'll find anything but a large sign that reads 'Ha. Ha. This was a scam. Hope you like living in a card board box, because there will be nothing left when you get back?" He froze for a moment, and then confidently threw out.

"Because I know by now that if you had serious questions as to whether the map was a fraud you wouldn't have even cast off."

"Bravo, Doctor, Bravo," I said as, he smiled, "but what if I myself am just going along with this for the pay and the adventure." He frowned a bit, seeming not to have anticipated that response. I smiled to myself knowing I had him stumped until he said softly.

"I guess I'll have to trust you." Again I was sobered by the tone the doctor used.

"Well, even though I am a bit skeptical, you can trust that I truly am interested in finding 'you know what.' You can trust me," I said, meaning every word. He was right in that I wouldn't have wasted my time this far and long if I thought the whole thing was a hoax. Alright it was time to change the topic.

"Did you really think you were alone on your little excursion last night?" I asked as I went over a few charts on the wall to make sure everything was in order (and to avoid his gaze). He chuckled nervously as I saw him reach up and scratch the back of his neck with his left hand.

"Well, I can't say that I was totally unaware of someone there, I just never saw you," he explained gesturing to his spectacles, "It's not exactly 20/20."

"I suppose I can imagine that now."

He quickly changed the subject after that and we continued to talk, speaking on topics of different kinds such as past experiences, career stories, and even a bit of values. He really was a gentlemen, and he actually got me to laugh, which I'm starting to notice is no large feat for him. At moments I felt strangely at peace with him. In fact by the end of our conversation I could call him a friend. However, in our brief silence, a knock came to the door followed by a shrill voice.

"Captain! We are approaching the current."

"Ah, he must mean the Stygian Etherium Current," the doctor said.

"Yes, well it would appear so wouldn't it? I need to get back to the bridge. Thank you Mr. Onus!" I said, heading over to open the door when the doctor offered up a much unanticipated inquiry.

"Captain, do you think I could, that is . . . talk with you again some time?" At first I was a bit bewildered. Of course he could talk to me any time he wanted.

"What do you mean, Doctor, you are allowed to converse with me at anytime, you are, after all, the financier," (and money does have the tendency to talk, a lot) I said, leaving the last thought unspoken.

"That is to say, but I mean do you enjoy my company . . . well as in just me and you . . . no wait. Not that I don't mind talking to you with other company . . ." he began rambling on.

"Doctor?" I asked sharply, so that he would stop. When I looked into his eyes, ready to just dismiss him, I noticed that he had a longing for companionship in them, as if he feared leaving to go be alone in his quarters. Spending years in the Navy gave me great respect to the saying 'eyes are a window to the soul.' To say the least, I was lost in this situation, but deep down I was somewhat knowing of what I should do.

"Yes, Doctor. How about you join me for afternoon tea," I said before I even had time to work out how I felt.

"Really?" he sputtered. Actually, for once I wish I could have retracted my words. I really didn't know why I offered, maybe out of pity for this confidence lacking canid, or out of the relaxing conversation that we had just shared. All I knew was that I generally enjoyed my solitude, which I found in my tea times, and now I would have an intruder upon that desired time alone. But, what could I do, I had now invited him, and I hardly ever retract my word.

"Yes, Doctor, by now you should know I don't make offers lightly."

"Oh, of course Captain," he said smiling.

"Good, now get out of my stateroom, before I have Mr. Arrow escort you out," I proclaimed, ushering him out in humor. He seemed to be good natured about it, though he did scowl just a bit. I too, exited and closed the door behind me.