Outlaw Star Fan Fiction ❯ Melfina's Voyage ❯ Messages and Members ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Melfina's Voyage

Disclaimer: I do not own Outlaw Star so don't sue! And even if you did I still have
no money for you to take.

Last Chapter: Melfina and Jim have a talk about what Melfina's purpose is.
She then comes to the decision that Sentinel 3 isn't the place
for her so she decides to leave, but Jim, being the person that he
is, couldn't let her go alone. Now Jim, Melfina, and Gillium are
embarking on a new journey starting with Blue Heaven. You
better get ready!

Chapter 1: Messages and Members

Jim sat silently in the captain's chair looking contently at the endless space
that surrounded the Outlaw Star. He still didn't believe he was doing this. Gene and Aisha
must know by now. Aisha. He didn't realize that he was going to miss her so much but he
knew that would happen as soon as he blasted off. As he sat in the spot that Gene used to
he couldn't help but remember all of the adventures they used to have. They were like a
big family in some twisted way and now everything was different. He sighed then looked
behind him at Melfina. Her eyes were closed probably because she was doing calibrations.
Her naked form floated silently there but a small smile was plastered on her face. At least
she was happy. That was the whole point of his coming along in the first place.

Melfina knew that Jim was staring at her even though her eyes were closed. She
couldn't help but wonder if he felt alright about coming with her. She always noticed him
staring wistfully at Aisha's chair. She felt a small twinge of guilt for forcing him into this.
" Jim?," she called. The blonde haired man turned around to see her. His blue eyes were
filled with concern but sadness lurked behind them. It took all of her might not to cry for
him.

" Yes Mel?," he said. He could tell by her features that she was stressed about
something and it was probably him. She always had a way with understanding peoples
feelings. He smiled for her to relieve her worries somewhat. " Are you okay with coming
along? We can still go back to Sentinel," she said. He figured that was what was troubling
her. He shook his head 'no' causing his blonde locks to sway and tickle his nose. " I don't
want to go back. I told you I would come along and that is what I plan to do. It may take a
while for me to get used to the whole gang not being here but other than that I'll have no
problems," he replied honestly.

Her confidence was restored at his words. She wouldn't be able to stand it if she
caused him to be miserable. " Jim, we will be arriving at 'Blue Heaven' in five minutes.
Should I send forth our signal?," Gillium asked. Jim was silent for a moment before he
answered. Melfina forgot that Jim never commanded a vessel before but neither did Gene
when they first started. " Yes, do that. Tell Swanzo that the ship will need to be checked
as well," he said. " Roger," Gillium said. I smiled at Jim. " You're doing well for you
first try," Melfina complimented. He smiled blushing a bit. " It's because I had a good
teacher and even better help," he replied. Those words caused Melfina to blush as well.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

" Well, long time no see Jim. I'm glad you dumped the redhead but not the
beauty," Swanzo mused. Jim noticed that Melfina's cheeks turned crimson at the
mechanic's words. Swanzo came over to them. " Speaking of Gene, where is the old
coot?," he inquired. " Still on Sentinel," Jim replied. " Oh, so you decided to take
the girl for yourself huh? Not that I can blame ya. She is a looker," he said. Melfina's
face turned a deeper shade of red and this time Jim's did the same. " It's nothing like
that Swanzo," Jim chided. The mechanic chuckled. " Sure it isn't Jimbo. The ship will
be done in three hours. Go enjoy yourself," he said walking away. Jim sighed in
resignation and Melfina still said nothing.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jim and Melfina walked through Blue Heaven in silence. Since they were the
only two together people walking by mistaked them for a couple. Melfina could tell how
uncomfortable he was but she expected this would happen. When they got to the local
resturant they went to a table to sit down. She looked over at Jim who was looking over
the menu. Once again she began to doubt bringing him along for this adventure. " Jim?,"
she called. He looked up from the menu with worry in his bright blue eyes. " Yes Mel?,"
he inquired. She smiled nervously before she asked her question but Jim knew what she
was going to ask before she even said it. He smiled brightly at her. " For the second time
Melfina, I don't mind coming along at all. I consider it an honor to help you with whatever
you set out to do," he said.

Jim figured he said the right thing because Melfina's smile beamed before she
looked down at the menu. He didn't believe what he was saying at first but now he did. He
truly began to see how much this trip meant to her and he would do anything to help her.
" Melfina, do you know where to begin looking? Better yet, what are we looking for?," he
asked. He noticed that she was blushing. " Actually, I don't know what I'm looking for yet.
Fred sent me a strange e-mail about two months ago saying that I could find answers in the
Tsunamian system but I don't know what answers he was referring to. Oh Jim, I'm so sorry
to send you on a wild goose chase. I just figured that since I was leaving anyway why not
start there. I can understand if you wish to leave me now," she confessed.

Tears began to form in her chocolate brown eyes. In truth she had forgotten all
about the details of this trip and now she was sure that Jim would want to go back to
Sentinel. She couldn't go back now after she had expressed her independence finally. She
just couldn't go back to depending on Gene to shelter and protect her. She looked back over
at Jim who had a smile plastered on his face. " Well, I'll admit that's not much to go on
but Gene and I have traveled on less information. I'll make sure we see this through to the
end okay Mel," he said. She smiled brightly. " Thanks Jim," she said. She watched him as
he ran a hand through his long blonde locks. " Okay then, we'll just have to approach this
situation from another angle. What do you hope to achieve by listening to Fred?," he asked.

He saw her face contort to that of contemplation. He knew that Melfina didn't
think this whole adventure out so he had to do it for her. For one, how would they get
money? He damn sure wasn't asking Fred for another cent and he was also thinking of
her safety. There were pirates about and who knows what they could do to her since she
doesn't know how to fight nor can she plan out a means of escape. He sighed. This was
going to be a long ass trip. If anything he had to teach her how to fight but he didn't want
to worry her too much. He also had to assure her that he wasn't going to leave when things
go wrong. It took years for him and Gene to achieve that but it may be shorter with Mel.

Melfina stopped thinking for a moment to look at Jim. Although youthful in
appearance he was wiser than most people twice his age. She knew she was going to be
a burden but she would try her best to help him out. " Jim, I think I know what I want
to achieve by doing this," she said finally. He nodded for her to continue. " I want to
prove not only to Gene but to myself that I am more than just a doll and a ship navigator.
I want to make my own purpose and my own name in this vast world," she said. Jim
smiled brightly at the her. " And with my help I'm sure that's possible. Hell, it worked
for Gene," he mused. Melfina laughed despite the tense moment but then his smile
quickly faded.

Jim noticed that he switched emotions rather fast but he had to get her to
understand that this wasn't a game although it can be fun at times. " Alright then,
down to business. There are several important matters that we have to figure out
while in neutral space. One, how to get money. I'm not the brawny type when it comes
to fighting. I'm just the brains behind the outfit and seeing as though you can't fight
bounty hunting is out. Two, we have to trust each other no matter what. Trust no one
else except for yourself and three, don't be so serious. You're an outlaw, live like
one," he said. He saw her nod her head in agreement. " I understand," she said. He
smiled again. " Good. Melfina, welcome to team Outlaw Star," he said extending a
hand out to her.

Melfina looked at Jim's outstreched hand and realized that there was no
turning back after this. If she took his hand she would have to accept the resonsibility
of the outlaw and could potentially perish at any given moment. She worked up her
last bit of nerve and took his hand. He squeezed her hand tight in reassurance and in a
way she needed that. " I except the terms James Hawking, so where do we start?," she
inquired.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Gene Starwind sat in the lobby of Starwind and Hawking enterprises alone.
Aisha had went off into space to find Jim and he figured he should have done the same
to find Mel, but he figured before he did something that drastic he had to figure out
what he felt about her. Even he could admit that while she was here she was nothing more
than a maid or an ornament. At the Leyline he said he needed her but how come he ended
up pushing her away even more? He sighed in resignation. He was tired of trying to sort
out his emotions. Ever since they left a week ago that was all he had been doing. He was
beginning to understand what Melfina felt like during their adventure when she was
trying to figure out her purpose. In truth, without Jim and the others he had no purpose.

She sat in the rafters of Starwind and Hawking looking at Gene. She knew this
was going to happen. She had warned him about it several times during their adventure. In
some way little Gene Starwind had to grow up and it turns out now is the time. She hopped
of the rafters landing in front of Gene. She startled him at first but then he smiled. " Suzuka,"
he said. She didn't smile for him. Not even one of those cynical 'I told you so' smiles. Instead
she sat beside him on the couch laying her weapon to the side. " I warned you didn't I Gene,"
she said. She glanced over at him but his vision remained focused in front of him. She chuckled
to herself. " Now you learn. You have had too much time to play. Now you must become a
man," she said. She heard him chuckle now.

He looked over at Suzuka now. She hadn't changed over the years. Still wearing
her white kimono and carrying her weapon that looked like a stick. Her coal black eyes were
focused on him. Peering into his soul. " I am a man," he stated simply. She shook her head
no. " You haven't learned the true lesson yet. You are almost there for you are learning it
now," she retorted. He frowned slightly but she only smiled. " I shall help you Gene just as
you helped me. That is why I came back. For you," she said. He blinked in confusion. He
wasn't sure what to think but he knew that he couldn't just push her away. " Thank you
Suzuka," he said. Nothing else needed to be said. The duo sat in a comfortable silence
not sure what tomorrow would bring but ready to face it regardless.


to be continued...............................


How was that? I hope I'm getting better at this third person stuff, but to relieve any ones worries
this won't be a Gene/Suzuka fic or a Melfina/Jim fic. The respective couples will get together
eventually. Anyway, as always read and review and if you have a tip don't hestitate to tell me.
Please! I'll appreciate it. ~LS~