Interning on the Aronnax

What's In a Name?

A/N: For the sake of this chapter, italicized sections are flash-backs. Who's ready for some answers?

Also, guys! I've got a mini-Finn now! My sister made him for me! 0w0

----------------------------------

Finn stared at Fontaine, waiting for her to crack a smile. But Fontaine was completely serious, her eyes holding a hint of shock.

"Your mom thinks the Aronnax ghost is Alessandro Nekton?" Finn asked, repeating what Fontaine had told him.

"Yeah. I didn't believe her at first, but she's totally serious. She thinks Alessandro's spirit is still searching for Lemuria, and hitched a ride on the Aronnax because he's related to us."

"Huh." Finn slowly shook his head. "That's unexpected."

"Yeah," Fontaine said, finally grinning. "Who would've guessed that Mum would get so into the ghost theory?"

"So, Ant's calling me Cooper and your mom is calling me Alessandro." Finn shook his head with a chuckle. "What's next?"

"Well, Dad hasn't had his turn yet," Fontaine said. "I'd be worried about Dad's. You should hear some of his names."

"Like Ant?"

"Ant's named after a Greek god," Fontaine snickered.

"And you?" Finn asked.

"Mum's idea. My name's French."

"For what?"

Fontaine flushed. "Fountain." Before Finn could comment, Fontaine went on, "What about you? What's your name mean?"

"A body part of a fish." Finn raised an eyebrow. "What were you expecting?"

"I don't know," Fontaine admitted.

"I mean, that's my usual name," Finn went on. "But I've gone by many things. And trust me, some of them are a lot worse than the name of a man who's been dead for two hundred years."

Fontaine scowled. "Like what?"

"Keep in mind, I'm a former pirate," Finn said, chuckling. "And other pirates aren't always complimentary when you're stealing their stuff. But, can you keep a secret?"

Fontaine nodded.

Finn leaned forward. "Only one person outside the Dark Orca knows this, but Finn is actually my middle name."

"Really? What's your first name?"

"It's not pretty." Finn grimaced. "My first name is Rat."

Fontaine blinked. She didn't act overly startled, just briefly confused and, oddly, relieved.

"You were expecting worse?" Finn asked, grinning.

"No, it just makes sense now." Fontaine cocked her head. "Mum said that you used to be called 'Rat' on the Dark Orca. I didn't really know how to ask you about it..."

"Oh, yeah, my first name is 'Rat.' Sounds more pirate-y, but Mom wanted me to have a half-way normal middle name," Finn chuckled.

"So, what made you change from 'Rat'?"

"I got too big for the Dark Orca ducts," Finn explained. "Up until then, I was 'Scurryin' Rat,' but once I got to big to scurry... well, we had to come up with something."

"How'd you come up with Smiling Finn?" Fontaine asked.

"Oh, it wasn't me. Pete thought-" Finn broke off, the name triggering a memory.

"Let's see your smile, Rat."

"Pirates don't smile, Pete."

"Fake chivalry, like that time you fell out of the ducts in front of the Nektons!"

"I panicked!"

"But your dad loved it, just try it!"

"So... Smiling Rat?"

"Ew, no, that's too much. What if you used your middle name?"

"Smiling Finn? That's worse!"

"Finn?"

Finn snapped back to the present. He smiled out of habit, but he could tell Fontaine wasn't convinced.

"Who's Pete?" Fontaine asked.

"Com'n Rat, you're slower than the Dark Orca in the arctic."

"Your legs are twice as long as mine!"

"Doesn't matter. See that pipe? It cuts past two whole halls, but I'd never fit in it."

"So?"

"But you can!"

"He is..." Finn shook his head. "He was my best friend."

"What happened?" Fontaine whispered.

"I... I made a mistake."

"Finn! Finn, come on we have to move!"

He tried to listen, but his head was pounding and he felt weak. "Pete, I... I can't."

"C-come on, help me out!"

"I can't... just go, Pete."

"Finn?! Wake-"

"What do you mean?" Fontaine's voice drew Finn back.

Finn's hand drifted to his head, where his hair covered a lumpy scar. "I nearly got myself killed."

Fontaine's eyes widened.

Finn grinned weakly. "Happens fairly often in the life of a pirate. But Pete and I weren't even supposed to be there, so..."

"So?" Fontaine urged.

"Pete was kicked out." Finn closed his eyes, trying to block out the image of ice-blue eyes full of hurt and betrayal. "I haven't seen Pete since he swore revenge against my father. C-can we talk about something else?"

"Yeah," Fontaine murmured. "Whatever you want."

"Anything else," Finn whispered, one last memory flooding his mind.

"You taught me to never let anything go, Hammerhead." Steel rang a challenge. "And believe me, that's one lesson I didn't forget."

--------------------------------------

A/N: Hope that wasn't too confusing. I'm skipping ahead after this chapter. Fontaine intentionally drops subjects that upset Finn.

Okay, now, bear with me. I'm going to have to write the whole Tunnel arc before I start posting.