59The Benbow Inn was caught once again in an intense rainstorm. Inside, Jim Hawkins absent-mindedly switched the scenes displayed on the window before sitting back down at the check-in desk of the inn. He listened to the sound of the rain hitting the building from all sides and thought to himself that it was going to be an extremely rough storm. For once, Jim was glad that he wasn't outside exploring. He was grateful for the shelter that the inn gave him. Besides, it wasn't so bad at the Inn nowadays. The new Benbow Inn was far more spacious and luxurious than its predecessor. Jim spared a glance at the clock.
2:37 A.M.
On the other hand, being stuck at the front desk all night with nothing to do was awfully tedious. When Jim was 15, he wouldn't have been there at all. He probably would have snuck out for a ride on his solar-surfer despite the torrential downpour. And even now, four years later, Jim still felt the itch to be reckless. The difference was that now at 19, he knew not to give in to that urge. It would probably be frowned upon if he were to get caught by the Robo-enforces, seeing as he was a recent graduate of the Interstellar Academy. And so, there he was, stuck manning the front desk of the inn, while his mother was away.
Jim tapped his fingers against the wooden desk as he thought about his mother. She had left for the next 2 weeks on a visit to the planet Navitica. She had gone to see her old friend Dr. Doppler and his wife Amelia, who had taken up residence on the planet. And she had taken Ben with her as a travel companion. Which left Jim alone at the inn while she was gone. Well, mostly alone, morph was there too. But he had already fallen asleep upstairs. And boy, was it boring there with nobody to talk to. He even started to miss the way Ben prattled on…
Okay, now he knew he was out of it.
Bang Bang Bang
Jim stood from his chair in surprise. His heart thundering in his chest. Who would be at the Inn at this hour? Jim shook his head. That didn't matter; whoever it was, they obviously needed shelter from the storm.
Jim hurried over to the door and wrenched it open.
There at the doorway stood a figure clad in a cloak, their hood pulled up over their face.
For a moment, Jim couldn't help but stare at the strange sight before him. But he was snapped out of his trance at the sight of the figure shivering. Swiftly, he ushered the mysterious stranger inside.
"Hey, are you alright?" Jim asked, worriedly.
At his question, delicate hands emerged from within the cloak. The figure pulled their hood back. Jim couldn't help the shocked expression that arose on his face.
Before him stood a girl no older than 16, her raven hair clung to her face from the rain. Her eyes lifted to meet his, and the deep blue color threatened to pull him in.
"I'm fine." She spoke, and somehow her soft voice was otherworldly, like the notes of a song heard in a dream.
But at once, the fact that she was at the Inn without a parent in sight hit Jim full force.
"Are you alone?" Jim questioned her.
"I am now..." she whispered.
And suddenly, the person standing before Jim wasn't an ethereal being; she was a shivering girl, soaking wet, and all alone.
Her blue eyes strayed away from his, and Jim could tell she was uncomfortable. She had begun to curl in on herself.
"Do you have a room available?" The girl asked, looking ready to bolt if the answer was no.
Jim knew this; 1. the girl was too young to travel alone, especially on a mining planet like Montressor, and 2. It was more than likely that she was a runaway. The standard protocol would be to call the enforcers now and have her taken back to her parents. That's what the people teaching at the academy would do. But despite his training, Jim wouldn't deny the girl shelter. He knew that whoever she was, she needed help. There had to be a reason she had run away in the first place; he wouldn't send her back till he knew she was safe there. And the part of him that was still an irresponsible 15-year-old, balked at the idea of turning in a fellow rebel.
"Yeah, I've got a few vacant rooms." He muttered, rubbing his hand over his mouth.
He led her to the front desk and watched as she signed her name deftly in the check-in book.
Melody
Jim observed as she tipped a few coins from her coin pouch and handed them to him. She stayed silent throughout the whole exchange. He knew this tactic; he had used it often himself. Don't say anything, and you won't give yourself away. Part of him was impressed by the girl's resolve. The other part of him thought that she had better have good reason to be at the inn at 2 in the morning.
Jim led her upstairs to her room and opened the door. Noiselessly she slipped inside, then turned her back to him, a clear sign to leave.
But before he closed the door, Jim left her with these parting words-
"Hey, I've got a few questions as to why a teenage girl is traveling alone. And I'll be wanting answers in the morning." Jim watched as her back straightened.
"Goodnight, Sir." She replied stiffly, and with that, he shut the door.
Melody awoke to an unfamiliar view. But that had become customary. How many strange ceilings had she woken up to? She'd lost count of all the Inns and Taverns she'd stayed at. It didn't matter, all that mattered was that she kept moving. Though at this point she was at least 9 systems away from earth. She doubted anyone would look for her on some unremarkable mining planet like Montressor. But still, she had to leave, the Innkeeper downstairs had obviously suspected her of being a runaway. Melody wasn't about to let herself get caught because of him. Though she was grateful that he had let her stay at all. Melody thought of the concern that painted his striking features as he had let her in. Whoever he was, he seemed like a good person, she almost felt bad that she was planning to sneak out.
Rifling through her bag Melody pulled out her auto-way-finder. She pushed a few buttons and a map of the system was projected onto the wall. She hummed in thought as she surveyed the nearest planets.
'Maybe the planet Canaverus?' She thought to herself. She'd have to get a ride on a trade ship, but she'd done pretty well at hitching rides so far.
Pulling out her coin purse, she tipped it over and gave it one good shake. But nothing came out.
Melody's eyes widened in panic.
No, No, No! How could she be out of money? She'd taken so much with her when she left! She must have used the last of it paying for her room last night. Melody turned off her way-finder and checked the clock hurriedly.
5:21 AM
She was almost out of time; she was sure that the Innkeeper would be up in a few hours to ask her his questions. She had no intention of sticking around for that. Melody picked up all of her belongings from around the room, and frantically began to pack.
Finally packed, Melody slung her bag over one shoulder and carefully slid out of her open window onto the roof of the Benbow Inn.
She breathed out a sigh of relief. She had made it out. She-
"Leaving so soon?" a voice called out to her right.
There on the roof was the Innkeeper laid back with one hand behind his head. In his other, he held a fresh purp fruit.
Melody took a sharp breath and stepped back. Without thinking, she darted towards the window. But his voice stopped her again.
"You do that, and I'm calling the Robo-enforcers." He tossed the purp into the air and caught it.
At once, Melody felt resentment build in her. Who was this man to act so superior towards her, he knew nothing about her!
"You'll call the enforces on me? For what? I did nothing wrong." Melody glared at him.
"They might like to know that a runaway has been found." He spoke nonchalantly.
Melody could feel her face contort into terror. He wouldn't actually turn her in? She couldn't go back! She couldn't-
It seemed that the man had seen her terrified expression because suddenly, he seemed guilty like he knew he had gone too far.
"Listen," He began in a far gentler tone. "I'm not going to get you into trouble okay, just tell me why you're here on Montressor. It's obviously not your home planet."
Though she didn't quite trust him, Melody took a seat on the roof beside him. She watched him from the corner of her eye, still unsure about him.
"How did you know I was sneaking out anyway?" Jim allowed her to change the subject, and a small smile slipped over his face.
"Because it's what I would've done not so long ago." He replied.
As he spoke, Melody could see a hint of mischief dance behind his eyes. She thought to herself that she might have liked the more adventurous version of this person, if she had known him whenever 'not so long ago' was. And then she realized, somewhat ashamed, that she didn't know his name.
"What's your name anyway…?" she asked hesitantly.
"Jim. And yours?"
Melody huffed.
"I already told you my name, it's Melody."
Jim clicked his tongue at her.
"And you gave me your real name? That's not very good delinquent behavior." He teased
Melody furrowed her brow at him
"I am not a delinquent!"
"No, No, just a runaway." He replied smugly.
"Excuse me I had a good reason!" She could feel her annoyance beginning to grow.
"Sure, you did, and what's that?" He replied sarcastically.
"What else was I supposed to do?! Stick around and be forced into an arranged marriage with a man twice my age!?" The words slipped from her mouth before she could stop them.
Melody realized with a shock that the man, Jim, had been goading her into telling him why she ran away. Well, at least that stupid smug expression had been wiped from his face at her answer. Although Melody wasn't sure if she liked the look of pity that replaced it.
"There, now you know. Happy? Just let me leave." Melody crossed her arms in frustration.
"And where would you go? You're all out of money, aren't you?" Jim spoke in a serious tone.
Melody stared at him in disbelief.
"How-''
"-I saw you empty your money pouch to pay me last night. That was the last of it."
"Well, how do you know I don't have more money in another bag?" she replied sourly.
"Do you?" He searched her face.
"…No." she paused "It doesn't matter; I'll figure it out."
She was done with this. Melody stood to leave.
"Melody." She stopped, surprised to hear him call her by name. It sounded…nice.
"Do you like the room here?"
Melody turned around and looked at him in disbelief.
"What do you want, a review of the Inn? I'll leave one in the guestbook before I go. 'Nice accommodations. Great location. The Innkeeper will ask prodding questions about your personal life.'" She snarked
Jim barked out a genuine laugh at her comment, and Melody was once again caught off-guard by the pleasant sound.
"You can save the reviews for later. I was offering to let you stay in the room." He told her, a crooked grin on his face.
"You…You'd let me stay?" How was it that he constantly surprised her?
He nodded.
"Why?"
Jim wasn't sure himself. He just knew that he couldn't turn her away. For some reason, she reminded him so much of himself before his adventure on the RLS Legacy.
He crossed his arms at Melody.
"You want the room or not?" He asked with a brow arched.
"Y-Yes." Melody murmured, "Thank you..."
A few hours had passed since Jim had offered Melody the room. He sat at the front desk again, reading a book in an attempt to pass the time. Just as he had begun to wonder what the girl was up to, she came marching down the stairs, cleaning supplies in hand. Jim's eyes trailed her movement as she crossed the room and stopped at one particularly dusty window. And then, as if it was the most natural thing, she took out a cloth and began to wipe the dust from the glass.
"What…are you doing?" Jim called out to her.
"What's it look like. I'm cleaning." She replied casually.
Jim rolled his eyes at her response.
"Uh yeah, you sure are. But why?" He kicked his feet up on the desk as he watched her stand on her tiptoes to reach the top of the window.
At his questions, Melody stopped and turned to face him.
"I won't stay in your Inn for free without doing something around here. I figured cleaning could count as payment." She spoke with determination.
Jim ran his hands through his hair.
"Listen I appreciate that, but you really don't have to-"
"-I don't want to be in your debt," Melody replied firmly.
And suddenly, Jim understood.
Wherever this girl came from, it had been a long journey to get here. As a runaway, she must have learned that nothing came for free. He felt himself shudder in disgust. She was smart to not let herself be taken advantage of. It only pained him to think about how she could have learned that lesson.
"Okay. I understand." He nodded.
At his response, Melody looked up at him in surprise. Somehow, she believed him when he had said that he understood. A grateful look crossed her delicate features, by far it was the warmest expression Jim had seen her with.
Truthfully Melody still wasn't entirely sure how to interact with Jim. Their relationship had started off as an antagonistic one. She was caught between wanting to throw sarcastic comebacks at him and showing her genuine gratitude.
She settled for an earnest "Thank you."
At this, Jim smiled, and Melody couldn't help but appreciate that way it lit up his features.
"I can't officially give you a job for now. Not until the boss gets back, of course." He told her
"Oh, really? And for some reason, I thought you were the boss. How silly of me." Melody teased, but unlike before, the sting was gone from her tone, replaced now with playfulness.
"Remind me why I'm letting you stay here again?" He matched her light-hearted tone.
"Oh, I would. If you had told me in the first place. Hmm. Must be my charming personality…" Talking with attractive boys was usually never this easy for Melody. In fact, she was usually extremely shy around them. But something about bantering with Jim felt comfortable.
He snorted at her comment, and she found herself laughing at the noise.
Jim rather liked the sound of her laugh.
"Oh, that must be it. After all, you've got manners fit for a queen." He said sarcastically.
But at that, Melody's smile flickered away. Jim couldn't help but wonder at the shift in her mood. Did he do something wrong? But before he could say anything to her, or even apologize, Mrs. Marni, the alien guest staying in room 6, wandered over to the desk haughtily demanding help with her room key. And as Jim was distracted by the guest, Melody slipped out of the room. When he looked up, she was already gone.
(A/N): Well this is my first time writing a crossover ship. I just discovered this couple and well, I'm hooked. Anyway, I'm not sure if there's anyone out there still into Jim x Melody, I'm a little late to the party lol. But if you read this and you liked it, Please Review! By the way, the cover art is by me. Chapter 2 coming soon...
