User blog:EighthSpan/Love as pure as water (Sea Bishop)

It was all going wrong. And even worse, it was all going wrong at the same time.



One of the panels in the cockpit lit up, and a shrill tone began to drone on in warning.



"As if I don't know!" Thomas shouted, wrestling with the controls.



Thomas was a good pilot. He was good enough to know how to react to a mechanical failure during flight, good enough to stay calm and look for the solution. He was good enough to not even mind that the company he worked for was too cheap to hire him a copilot. They generally didn't do much, anyway.



<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">What he wasn't good enough to do was to keep his modified Douglas DC-6 chemical transport plane from losing altitude at an alarming rate. It was a just a bit difficult to control the plane when two of his engines had caught fire and exploded in a matter of seconds, for seemingly no reason at all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Why the hell is this happening?" Thomas complained aloud.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Things weren't looking good. He was still over the Carribean Sea, still hours away from reaching Florida. And there wasn't a speck of land in sight beneath him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The plane continued to fall, the alarms continued to ring. But all Thomas could do was sit there, overtaken by a sudden realization.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I'm gonna crash," he muttered. "Gonna die in the middle of the goddamn ocean." He was surprised by how calm he sounded.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The vast majority of plane crashes were due to communication failures. Actual, random mechanical failures were very rare.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">I wonder if I'm going to be anything more than a statistic <span style="font-size:13.5pt; font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; color:black">, Thomas thought. I wonder if anyone will remember me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas had no significant other, no remaining family. He had some friends, yes...but it had been years since they had last talked. The only person waiting for him was the indifferent air control officer at his destination.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas took a deep breath and nodded to himself. He should at least try to survive this. His GPS system wasn't responding anymore, but if he was right, he was just a ways past the Dominican Republic. There were coral reefs here, and the odd chain of islands. It was a long shot, but there was still a chance he could crash next to some tiny, deserted islet, and somehow survive long enough to be rescued.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Another warning siren began to blare, this one even harsher than the last. He didn't have long until he splashed down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What a way to go," Thomas sighed, hastily putting on his life jacket. "Nothing more than a number."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">As he busied himself sending off an automated distress signal - which he wasn't sure even worked - he wondered if the chemicals in his cargo bay would break and spill out during the crash. There were all sorts...bleaches, dyes, oils. None of it would be very good for the ocean, especially so for the coral reef area he was trying to crash near.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">How tragic. By trying to save himself, was he putting an entire ecosystem at risk?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas shook his head. It didn't matter. Even if he wanted to martyr himself for the sake of some coral, it was too late now. The plane was going down in mere seconds. He could see the massive surface of water getting closer and closer, ready and waiting for him to smash against it like solid concrete.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas grit his teeth and tried his hardest to steady the plane's final moments. He wasn't going in nose first - that meant that he at least had a chance to survive this. It was midday, and the tropical waters were warm, so he wouldn't freeze. He definitely had a chance, right?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">I just hope there aren't any sharks. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Finally, the impact came as his plane's belly met the waves. It was more violent than he expected. The entire plane jerked and rumbled. He felt a loud, metallic crunch from somewhere behind him - what was that? His wing? Did he just lose an entire wing? The DC-6 was a great model, and heavily upgraded, but there was no denying that it was an ancient design.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">That's not very comforting! Come on, happy thoughts, happy thoughts! ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The rumbling and shaking continued to rattle him, tossing him around in his chair like a toy. Finally, the plane began to slow to a stop.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">But he wasn't even close to being safe. One quick glance through the cockpit door behind him confirmed it - there was a significant chunk of the plane missing, a gaping hole in the left side. And the water had been rushing in for a while now. Already, a puddle was forming beneath his feet as water sept in through the crack beneath the cockpit door. He reached for the door handle, gripped it with both hands, and pulled strongly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">And nothing happened. It was stuck, barely wiggling a little.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"No!" he cried desperately, immediately gripping it again and pulling even stronger.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">After all that? After surviving a plane crash, a fucking door was going to kill him? ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The water continued to rise. Thomas grunted and pleaded to the door for mercy, putting one of his legs against it and pulling with all his might.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The door did not relent. As the water reached his knees, the animal part of his brain took over. He screamed frantically, pounding and kicking at the door as hard as he could.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">This isn't fair! This isn't right! ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He was going to die. Worse, he was going to drown, one of the worst possible ways to go. All because of a string of random mechanical failures that he had no control over.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas kept kicking at the door, even as the water reached his chest. He had no other options. There was no way that he was breaking through the windshield, and the little window at the top of the cockpit door was far too small to squeeze through.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">If his foot was beginning to throb and ache with pain, he couldn't notice it. The adrenaline in his system blocked everything else out - in his world, there was nothing but him, and the door. The door sneered at him, mocking his efforts.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He kept kicking out of spite. It could be made of brick, for all he cared. He was still going to try.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Eventually, he felt that the door was beginning to buckle. He was making progress!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">But so was the water. It was up to his neck, now. With one final, huge breath, he kicked again, converting his panic and desperation into physical force.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Even as the water finally enveloped him, he kept kicking with all the force he could muster. Even if he was to die here, he wouldn't go without a struggle! He slammed his foot against the door again, and again, and again!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">And then, finally, it was forced backwards, swinging open to reveal the rest of the plane, entirely submerged. Thomas swam forward without a second thought, swimming right through the hole in the plane's side. As he began to kick upwards, he looked up and realized the true cruelty of his situation.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">It's too far. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The plane had been sinking the entire time he had been struggling with the door. And now he was easily two dozen meters beneath the surface of the water. He had already expended the majority of his final breath on the door.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">His lungs felt like they were burning with pressure, screaming for relief. He was going to drown before he could breach the surface!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Darkness began to envelop his vision as he kicked upwards even more frantically than before. He was so close! Mere seconds away from survival, but he knew that he was going to die on top of the finish line.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">It was cruelty beyond comprehension. What had he done to deserve this? What had turned his plane into a sudden deathtrap? Why did he deserve to die in such a torturous manner?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">His vision was engulfed entirely, and he knew it was over. The very last thing he felt was a rough, pulling force around his torso. It seemed that the sharks weren't even going to wait for him to die.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He felt something press against his lips, which was strange. Why would a shark do that?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Everything faded away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">**********

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">At first, there was nothing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas didn't know what he had expected death to be like. But this probably seemed right. Nothing to see, nothing to hear, nothing to do...just darkness. A complete and all-encompassing lack of anything at all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He just sat there. There didn't seem to be any such thing as time here, but it felt like he was there for hours.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">And then there was light.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">In an instant, the darkness became light. Thomas looked up, looked down, looked at himself...but there was still nothing. He held out his hands to look at himself, but he had no hands. He was nothing, too. All around him, nothing but white light, stretching out...forever.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">What was this? Was he a spirit? Was this purgatory?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Then he felt two things begin to happen at once. First, he heard something - barely even a whisper, but he heard it. And second...he felt something pulling him. Was it it the voice? If so, why, and how? He was nothing. How could he hear, how could he be pulled? Who did the voice belong to? What were they saying?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">So many questions. And they were all silenced when he realized that the whisper was growing louder, the tugging sensation on his being growing more forceful.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Back..." the voice said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Who's there?" Thomas asked, spinning around. "Where am I? Where are you?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The sensations grew stronger. If he had a body, the sudden jerking sensation might have made him nauseous.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Come back..." the voice pleaded, growing stronger and louder still. "Please, come back!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas looked around, already knowing that whoever the voice belonged to, they weren't here.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Where are you?" he asked. "How do I get to you?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I won't give up!" The voice shouted. Thomas realized that it was the voice of a young woman, rife with desperation.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas felt like he was being stretched apart. The woman's voice - she was doing this, somehow. He didn't understand any of this. All he knew was that he was deeply uncomfortable, perturbed by the sensations pulling on his ethereal form.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Come back!" the woman repeated. "Please, come back!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas felt something else. He felt...warm. But he also felt cool, and wet. And then he heard...the sounds of water. Waves?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The ghosts of sensation. Something he no longer had.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">But, wait... ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">It all came rushing back to him. The plane! The crash, him drowning, and that bizarre last sensation he felt! Had this woman rescued him?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Please!" the woman sobbed, her voice breaking. "Don't...don't die...I can't..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas realized that he had been fighting her efforts. He smiled, surrendered to the pulling sensation, and allowed himself to be carried away atop an invisible current. He needed no map or instrument. He simply listened to the woman's gentle sobs, following her sounds in the same way that ancient sailors navigated by the stars.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The sounds and sensations grew louder and stronger, as if they were becoming more real. Thomas floated towards them, not having any sense of time. Eventually, the sensations and his perception bled together, combining and becoming the same...

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He opened his eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">**********

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Everything hurt. Thomas had never been so exhausted in his entire life. The warmth of the sunlight suddenly felt overwhelming, and he was welcome for the cool ocean water that he was partially submerged in.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">With a sputtering cough, he gasped and tried to sit up, covering his eyes with one hand. More than a few drops of water escaped his lips, and he immediately fell back down, coughing and wheezing for nearly a minute as he got used to being alive again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Oh, thank goodness!" the woman said. His body was so overwhelmed, he had somehow forgotten about his savior.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She was too blurry to see clearly, his senses still overloaded, his body aching with pain and exhaustion. But Thomas could make out a vaguely female shape kneeling over him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"It worked..." she said, voice shining with joyful relief. "It worked, thank Poseidon!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas groaned and tried to sit up, breathing heavily.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Don't try to move yet!" she said worriedly. "It's okay, I'll stay with you, I promise! You're safe now. You're alive..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He decided that it would be best to follow her advice, and simply lay on his back, covering his eyes from the sun. As his breathing slowly returned to normal, his savior adjusted her position so that she was closer to his head. She gently placed his head into her lap, soothingly ran her fingers through his hair with one hand, and massaged his shoulder with the other. Then she began to quietly hum, singing a wordless tune.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas closed his eyes and listened to her. Once again, he let her voice be his anchor, surrounding himself in it, taking comfort in it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Dazed and exhausted as he was, it was hard to focus on her song. If he could listen properly, though, he was sure that it would have been the most beautiful song that he had ever heard. There was something special about her song. The longer he listened, the more at peace he felt, the more his pain slipped away without his notice. His body felt warm, and not just from being in the sun. The many questions swarming in his mind were pacified, and they patiently sat down, waiting for their time.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Eventually, her song came to an end, and he realized that was feeling incredibly tired. Not the same painful exhaustion that he experienced when he woke up, but the comforting, gentle kind of tiredness, the kind felt when bundled up in warm blankets at the end of a long day. His savior stopped massaging his shoulder and took his left hand into her own.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"It's okay," she promised. "You can rest. I promise that I'll still be here when you wake up."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Thank you," Thomas mumbled, feeling himself drift away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She only hummed in response, continuing to run her fingers through his hair until he finally fell into a comfortable slumber.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">**********

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">When Thomas awoke, he realized that his head was still in his savior's lap. Had she not moved since he fell asleep?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">On the horizon, the evening sun was falling, casting the sea in a beautiful fire-gold radiance. Thomas watched the sun for a moment, then tilted his head backwards to look up at the woman's face.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She seemed to be asleep, although he wasn't sure how that had happened. She was breathing harder than a sleeping person should, her cheeks were flushed with red, and her hand felt a little clammy. Thomas gently rolled off of her, pushing himself up and sitting cross-legged. The fact that she didn't notice his stirring was...worrying. He thought that she looked haggard, like she was feeling the early signs of a fever.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He reached over and gently squeezed her shoulder, which caused her to stir and shake her head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What?" she asked tiredly, rubbing her eyes. "Oh, you're awake...good." She gave a smile, but her pained expression gave the truth away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You don't look well," Thomas said gently. "What's wrong? Are you sick?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I'll be fine," she softly, shaking her head. "This is temporary. I've just...been here a long time."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You could have moved me. Your legs must be really cramped, now."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"My legs? Oh, right. Yes...they do feel...rather sore, now that I think about it. But I just...I couldn't move. When I saw your sleeping face...how peaceful you looked. I mean with the plane, and everything, I just...it was too much. I didn't want to risk waking you."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I get it," Thomas said, looking out over the evening ocean with a pensive expression. The two shared the moment for a while.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I suppose I should thank you properly, Miss...?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Alana," she finished with a smile. "My name is Alana."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Thomas, " he replied, returning her smile. "Thank you for rescuing me, Alana. It felt like the universe was conspiring against me today. I sure am lucky you were here, huh? I seriously thought I was going to die."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana winced, her smile suddenly becoming an uneasy frown.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing her discomfort.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"A-about that...I, um, don't really know how to say this, but...you did."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I did what?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana looked into his eyes, keeping contact for what felt like nearly a minute. Eventually, her shoulders drooped, and she gave a small sigh.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You drowned," she confessed. "You were dead for at least ten minutes before I brought you back."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He stared at her, utterly dumbfounded.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I was...dead?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Yes," she said solemnly. "I'm sorry, Thomas."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas nodded sagely and started rubbing his chin with one hand.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"So that's what that was," he said. "It was you. You were the one pulling on me - the voice that I heard."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She looked surprised. "You...heard me? What...what was it like?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She immediately blushed and shook her head fiercely. "No, no no! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that. That was so-"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"It's fine," Thomas said, holding up a hand to stop her. "It wasn't much of anything, really. It's...kind of foggy, but for a while, there was just...nothing. Nothing but total darkness. I wasn't even sure if I was real anymore. Then, when I first began to hear you, feel you? It all got brighter, turned into white light. Then you just got louder, and stronger, and then...I was here."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That's...incredible..." she said, jaw slackened.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas watched her for a while, finally taking a proper look at his savior. She seemed to be in her early or mid twenties, about this same age as him. She was clad in a large, white cloak. On closer inspection, the cloak was made of finer material that it first appeared - there were swirls of gold trim running around the waist and wrists, with a triangular motif looping around the collar in teal. The cloak was buttoned down the center, with the silver emblem of a trident clasping the two halves of the cloak together at the top. The cloak had a hood, which was currently down, revealing a seafoam-green head of hair that draped just past her shoulders. A single, large lock of her hair drooped in between her eyes, which she unconsciously flicked away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Her cloak ran down to her waist, but she didn't seem to have any other clothes on. Her legs were long and slender, both of which were partially submerged by the gentle waves. Thomas looked at her hazel eyes, and their gazes locked for a while.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I was dead," he stated plainly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Yes...you were."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"And you brought me back to life."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Yes, I...I did," she nodded.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"...how?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Well..." she fidgeted nervously, averting her eyes from his. "I...how to put this? Um..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to," Thomas shrugged. "It's one of those things where I don't want to know, right?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Not exactly, but-"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"As long as you didn't use voodoo to resurrect me, I think I'm okay with it," he laughed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Voodoo...?" she looked at him blankly, tilting her head inquisitively, then shook her head. "No, it's...I think it would be easier to just show you."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She took a deep breath to help gather her resolve, then stood up. Her legs shook, nearly toppling her, and she had to put her hands out to steady herself. Thomas moved to help her, but she held up her hand. She unsteadily walked further into the ocean, arms held out like she was walking a tightrope. When the water reached up to her knees, she turned around and sat down cross-legged, bringing the water level to just below her neck.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Watch me," she said, closing her eyes and interlocking her fingers. She inclined her head and held her hands close to her chest. At first, Thomas thought that it was some kind of meditative stance.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">But really, it looks more like a prayer. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana held the position for a few seconds before a radiant light enveloped her body. It wasn't blinding, but it was potent enough to convince Thomas to avert his gaze until the light faded. When he looked back, Alana's legs were gone. A long fish tail, ending in a fin had replaced them, her tail being the same color as her hair. Additionally, a small pair of fins jutted out from either side of her head, covering her ears. These were colored differently from her hair, being more of a mint green. A larger pair grew from each of her wrists, and an even larger pair than that grew from her hips, poking out under her cloak.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"A mermaid," he muttered. It made sense. What other reason could there for someone to be this far out into the remote ocean?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"No," he said, shaking his head and correcting himself. "You're a sea bishop. Right?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I am," she acknowledged. "You're...much calmer about this than I expected. Have you already met one of my kind before?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"No, I've never. But pretty much anyone sailor or pilot that crosses the oceans knows a few rumors, here and there. I hear bits and pieces about all of you aquatic mamono."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I know the basics, I think," he said, clearing his throat. "You're basically priestess mermaids, right? And you have...ocean magic. Or something. Right? Is that how you brought me back?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That is correct," she nodded.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas looked at her curiously. "You had human legs. That was magic, too?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Yes. I can take a human form, but it takes a great deal of energy to maintain. That's why I was so tired."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I'll say," Thomas nodded. "You looked like a newborn deer, finding its legs for the first time."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Hey!" Alana huffed. "It's not like I have legs very often! It's difficult, okay? You wouldn't see me making fun of you for not being able to swim as well as I can!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Sorry!" he laughed, running a hand through his hair and falling backwards onto the sand. The heat of the sun had cooled significantly, and he sighed contently.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I wasn't trying to be mean," he explained. "I guess it's all just...sinking in. My plane crashed...I died...and then I was resurrected by a magical mermaid. It all sounds so surreal."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"If it makes you feel any better, I think you're taking this very well," she said softly, swimming closer to him. She let her human half fall forward, lying face-up on the beach along with him, her tail submerged in the waves.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"In most of the tales I've heard about humans being stranded," Alana explained. "They are often distraught, or angry."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Mm," he hummed absentmindedly. "Maybe I'll start screaming and crying later. Personally, though, I think I did enough of that during the crash. And, you know...I died, and all. Being stranded doesn't seem like such a big deal when you compare it to that."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That's a very healthy way to look at it, I think," Alana smiled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"If I had life insurance, I wonder if they would let me collect," he thought aloud.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Probably not," she said, smiling sadly up at the sky. "Even if they would, there's no way to prove it."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The two watched the sun fall deeper into the horizon. The air grew cooler as night began to creep forward. They lay there for several minutes in peace, the only sounds being those of the waves. Their peaceful moment was interrupted when his stomach rumbled loudly, reminding him that, while he had surpassed mortal limitations with his resurrection, his body still needed to have its needs met.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas laughed sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head, taking the opportunity to stand up and stretch out. As peaceful as it was just being next to Alana in the waves, he couldn't lie down forever. It was time to take stock of the situation.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"So, Alana..." he started, arching his back and twisting around, "Any idea where we are?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I'm sorry," she said, rotating to look up at him. "I'm not very familiar with human geography. But I know that we're north of one of your...republics?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Not very helpful. But to be fair, that's about all he knew, too.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What were you even doing out here?" he asked. "I'm certainly not complaining, but this place feels remote, even for you. Don't sea bishops usually live in communities with lots of other species?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Oh, no, I don't live out here. I guess it might sound kind of silly, but I come here to...get away from it all. This place is so quiet, so calm...I like to meditate here, study on the wisdom of Poseidon, practice a hobby or two. There aren't many places that I can find this kind of peaceful solitude."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Poseidon," he repeated. "That's your goddess, right?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Yes," Alana affirmed. "She is the patron goddess of the oceans. Her desire is the health and well-being of all who love the oceans - and those who fall into them. As her bishop, I work to spread her ideals and further her goals."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I see. That sounds like a very noble goal, Alana."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She smiled and took a breath, starting to say more, but Thomas cut her off by holding up his palm.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I'd love to hear more about you and Poseidon, but I think it's time we turned our attention to the situation, here."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Of course!" Alana gasped, hand flying to her chest. "I'm sorry! I should have realized sooner, I just-"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"It's okay," Thomas smiled. "You have nothing to apologize for. You saved my life, remember? Let's stay calm and work this out, together."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"O-of course," she breathed. "You're right. I'm sor-" Alana stopped herself before she could finish, clearing her throat and speaking with a calm tone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Thank you. I'll do whatever I need to in order to help."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Much obliged," Thomas nodded. "Well, let's start by taking inventory. What do you know about this island?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He turned around and placed his hands on his hips, eyes scanning back and forth across the little islet. It wasn't much, but it could definitely have been worse. A few dozen palm trees grew along the island, and many of them were mature enough to have coconuts. That alone could be his salvation - coconuts were practically a godsend to the stranded. Tropical ferns grew along the grassy center of the island. Dead, dry foliage was scattered here and there - good kindling material, but he would need a way to ignite it. There were also a few small rocks strewn across the island randomly. Surely, he could find a use for those.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I don't know much about the surface," Alana admitted. "I come ashore with legs sometimes, but I generally stay near the beach. You shouldn't have to worry about food, at least. I can easily get more than enough for the both of us from the sea floor."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That's comforting," Thomas nodded, still considering his options. "I guess that just leaves shelter, and I guess a fire. Going to need a way to signal any potential rescuers, after all."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I'm afraid that I can't really help you, there," Alana frowned. "I'd come ashore and help, but..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Save your energy," he nodded again. "I'm no expert, but I think I can handle this. I can think of something you can do that would be incredibly useful, though."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Of course!" Alana said excitedly, the small fins on her head flaring outward. "What is it?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas couldn't help but smile. She was adorable - the ways her fins perked up like that, it reminded him of his old cat, his ears perking up whenever he wanted to play.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">...when he realized that he still hadn't said anything, he coughed and turned away to hide his embarrassment. She tilted her head at him curiously - again reminding him of a cat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Right!" he coughed. "Uh, so, providing that it didn't fall out, there should be a big, olive green bag in the plane. It'll say 'Emergency supplies', in big red lettering, so you can't miss it. It's waterproof, so could you try to find it, please?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Of course!" Alana said eagerly. "Just leave it to me, I'll be back in no time!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I guess this means you might save me twice," Thomas chuckled. "I'll have to see if I can think of a way to pay you back. Anyway, if you don't see me when I come back, just shout, alright?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Alright. Good luck, Thomas."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You too, Alana."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">**********

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Fortunately, Alana managed to find the emergency bag without any trouble, and it was still in good condition. When she gave it to Thomas, he took out the survival knife inside and set to work obtaining cuttings of palm fronds. By planting a few pieces of dead wood in a vaguely tent-shaped fashion, he placed the fronds upon the frame of the shelter, and attempted to bind them to the pieces of wood with bits of string from the emergency kit. It was more difficult and time consuming than he expected, and he worked well into the night as he constructed the makeshift shelter.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Meanwhile, Alana delved under the water to forage for food. She returned within ten minutes, holding two, large yellow fruits that resembled a crossbreed between a zucchini and a banana.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Talua fruits," she explained. "They're vaguely magical. They grow in shallow, tropical waters, especially in reef areas like this one. I know it doesn't look like much, but they're incredibly dense with nutrients."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas took the offered fruit gratefully and sat down next to her, sharing the quick meal in silence. He expected a bland flavor, with an awkward texture to match. But when he took the first bite of the fruit, he found that it was surprisingly sweet. The taste reminded him of some fried bananas that he had tried in Jamaica, a few years back. He hungrily devoured the rest of the talua fruit, realizing how hungry he truly was.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas continued to work into the night, suppressing many a yawn, until the shelter was finally in a state that he could call 'roughly passable'. As he lay his back upon a bed of cut ferns, Alana departed to rest somewhere on the ocean floor, promising that she would return in the morning.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">With the soothing sound of the waves not far off, and the comforting assurance of Alana's return, Thomas had never fallen asleep so easily in his life.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">**********

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Tell me more about Poseidon," Thomas suggested, pausing to wipe his brow after depositing another load of wood and dead foliage next to his shelter.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The midday sun was beating down upon him harshly. He sat down in the meager shade that his shelter offered, but it wasn't quite as helpful as he wanted. Alana sat in the surf, curled up like a snake as she watched him. Her tail fin crested out of the water, absentmindedly swaying back and forth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"More than a thousand years ago," Alana started. "Poseidon was a very different goddess. She was aligned with the Chief God's Divine Order, not with Maou. I'll spare you the ancient history lesson, but suffice to say, Poseidon grew...dissatisfied with the Divine Order. She started clashing with her associates, contesting their ideas, voicing her dissent. She disagreed with much of what the Order had to say, seeing most of their policies as pointless, if not downright malicious."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Hurricanes and tsunamis, for example," she continued. "Why should she create these? To keep the human population in check? What was the point of that, she started to wonder. Were the humans truly such a problem? What were her storms accomplishing, if not needless death? Upon Maou's ascension, Poseidon began to see the truth. The members of the Divine Order were not acting the way that divine beings should. They were stubborn, uncaring, and illogical."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Contrary to the popular myth," Alana said, clearing her throat, "She was not seduced by Maou, or anyone else, for that matter. Poseidon left the Order and joined Maou's cause by her own free will. In her eyes, she saw it as an opportunity to repent for her actions. She would no longer promote death and destruction, but life, and creation. When Maou's great spell took effect, Poseidon met with a group of her most loyal followers. She tasked them with aiding her new goals, and imbued them with her power. Those ancient mermaids ended up becoming her first priestesses. And what was once a religious group ended up evolving into an entirely different subspecies of mermaid - the sea bishop."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I never knew that," Thomas admitted, tugging at his collar. "I never really gave any of the gods or goddesses much of a second thought. Maybe there's more to them than I gave them credit for."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Besides," he continued. "Any divine being that can admit they were wrong, and try to change that? That's promising. Your Poseidon sounds alright, in my book."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Hearing that makes me happier than you realize," Alana smiled warmly. "For a long time, I've felt...lost, at times. I just feel so...small. Like it's impossible to make a difference, like I can't really live up to Poseidon's expectations of me. So hearing that...it really does mean a lot to me. Thank you, Thomas."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Oh, uh..." he chuckled nervously at her heartfelt reply, and started to rub his neck. "You're welcome?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana nodded contently, her tail fin bobbing up and down with her. "So what's the next stage of the plan?" she asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I went and used some of the rocks around here to make a fire pit," he explained. "Should have plenty of fuel to make a signal fire, now...and lighting it won't be an issue, thanks to you recovering the survival kit. I think that's all of the immediate problems solved, so now I guess we just...wait."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Alright," Alana said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">They said no more for a short while. Eventually, an idea struck Thomas, and he stood up, tugged off his shirt, and joined Alana in the surf.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Oh!" she exclaimed, blushing and averting her eyes as he sat down next to her. "You're...you're um...I mean, aha..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I felt like joining you," he explained. "Besides, the water's great. Should help me cool off faster, too."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"T-that's true," she said, turning to glance at him. Her gaze ended up lingering longer than she intended. She had seen humans before, of course. She had met all manner of aquatic mamono and their husbands during her travels across the Caribbean. But she had never seen a man so...close. So personally. She found him fascinating - the lightly tanned skin, his gentle muscles, his broad shoulders...his upper half was similar to her own, and yet, incredibly different.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas didn't seem to notice, being content to shut his eyes and lean back, basking in the comforting water. The rhythmic, rising and falling of his chest caught her attention, and she watched him breathe for a while.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Can I touch you?" she asked suddenly. Thomas opened his eyes and looked at her in surprise.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana clasped her hands over her mouth in shock. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to say that, I really didn't, it just kind of slipped out! I've just never really seen a human so close before, so I just-"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Sure," Thomas laughed. "Do as you like."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana let her hands slip down, and started to reach one of them towards him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"T-this seems weird," she said hurriedly. "Are you sure this okay? I mean-"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas rolled his eyes and reached out with his own hand, grasping hers and placing it on his shoulder. The sudden movement made her give an excited squeak.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He felt...strange. But it was the good kind of strange, the curious satisfaction felt when exploring something new. She spread out her fingers, and began to smoothly run them across his upper body, pausing whenever she felt a subtle change in sensation.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">...she liked doing this, she realized. It was an experience shared only between them. To Alana, most things in her life had been done for others - for the sake of other couples, for communities, for Poseidon. She had very few personal possessions, able to carry all of her belongings in a single satchel. And while she had no claim of ownership over this small island, she felt something of a personal connection here. And this experience? This was something personal, something new, and it was just for her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">It just all felt so...what was that word Thomas had used? Surreal.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"So?" he prompted. "Do I live up to your expectations?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"So strange," she muttered. "Sorry, not you. I just meant...this whole situation."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana withdrew her hand and nodded sagely. "A week or so ago, I was visiting an underwater town, a few dozen miles from here. And I can remember wanting to come back here again, but...the feeling was stronger than usual. It was almost like...some invisible force was calling me back here. And I just...I had no idea. No idea that any of this would happen."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I was on the beach when I first heard it," she continued. "Your plane, I mean. And when I saw you falling down, crashing into the water...I suddenly realized that I was drawn back here so that I could save you. And when you came back, when you started gasping and coughing...seeing the effects of my powers like that, on such a close and personal level...I don't know. It was like I found something in myself that was missing, like I fulfilled a part of my destiny."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas frowned and looked at the sky. "I'm not sure if I believe in destiny."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I'm not sure I do either," Alana smiled sadly, moving over next to him and leaning her head against his shoulder.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Not even Poseidon has the power to cause random plane crashes," she giggled. "But even so, I'm glad that I was here. I'm glad that I got to meet you, Thomas."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I'm glad you were here, too," he grinned. "I've never really had any good friends before. I'm glad that I met you, too."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I've never really had a good friend, either," she admitted. "I'd be honored to have you as my first."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas raised an eyebrow at her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"N-not like that!" she protested, pushing herself away. "Don't look at me like that, you know what I meant!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas laughed heartily at her reaction, which made her cross her arms and pout.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I love the way your head fins stick out like that when you get worked up," he sighed. "You seriously remind me of my old cat, its adorable."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"A-adorable?" she asked, her annoyance gone. "You really think that?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I do," he affirmed. "Actually, would it be alright if I touched your fins? I did let you go first."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I...I suppose that it's only fair," she said, doing her best to keep her voice neutral.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">His hand approached her lowest fin first - slowly, as if waiting for her permission. She nodded at him, allowing him to reach out and gently stroke the lower part of her tail.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Your tail," Thomas muttered in surprise, "It's so much smoother than I expected. Your scales aren't rough at all."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"T-that's very flattering," she laughed nervously. "Thank you."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas continued to run his fingers along her tail, gradually going lower until he reached her tail fin. He looked back and simply admired her body for a while. It was an impressive work of nature - powerful and muscular, strong enough to propel her through the water, yet also it was also beautiful and feminine, adorned in colorful scales. He brushed the exterior of his fingers against the membrane of her tail fin, which made her shiver.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Did I do something wrong?" he asked, stopping immediately.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"N-no, it's fine," she assured him, shaking her head. "I just wasn't expecting that. You can keep going."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He nodded and moved up to the fins at her waist, which were by far the largest. He very gently pinched one of them in between his thumb and index finger, massaging it with his fingers. They felt mostly similar to her tail - soft, smooth, and a little bit squishy, so he moved on after a few seconds.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The smaller pair of fins on her wrists, however, were quite different.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"These ones feel different," he exclaimed softly. "They're even softer, somehow."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"W-well, yes," Alana stammered. "My tail and hip fins are built for power, to help my control my movements through the ocean. The ones on my wrist are more for precision movements. They also help me...sense things below me. I guess that's a good way to explain it."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He began to run one of her wrist fins through his fingers, and the sensations made Alana squirm and giggle.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"T-That tickles!" she protested, half-heartedly trying to push his hand away with her own. Thomas laughed with her, and pulled his hand away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"A sensitive spot," he concluded. "Duly noted."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The pair smiled at each other, eyes locked. After a moment, their smiles faded, and each of them found it more and more difficult to find a reason to break the eye contact. Thomas fell into Alana's hazel-colored eyes like a whirlpool, pulling him in closer and closer to her. And Alana felt herself unable to pull away from him, giving no protest as he inched a little closer towards her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He started to reach his hand towards her face, but hesitated.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"May I?" he asked, voice just above a whisper.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Yes," Alana replied, equally quiet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He brushed that same stray lock of hair out of her face, and gently caressed her cheek. For once, he experienced exactly what he expected. She was warm, and soft, and entirely lovely.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana closed her eyes and surrendered herself to the moment, smiling at the sudden turn their exploration session had taken.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">And then she felt his hand start to drift upwards, towards her ears. When she realized what he was about to do, she tried to speak up, tried to warn him, but she was too late. She felt his touch upon her head's fins, and any sounds of protest died in her throat. She inhaled sharply and swallowed hard as he started to stroke them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"And these," he said softly. "These feel amazing to touch. And they're so colorful! How is it possible that they feel so soft?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He was so close to her, and touching her fins like that? Alana unconsciously curled her fingers into fists and began to breathe harder. This was all too much. To be this close to him, to receive his soft, gentle praise, to feel him touch her? It was entirely novel to her. She had never felt anything this intimate, not ever!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">And it proved to be too much. A soft, breathy moan of unrestrained pleasure escaped her lips.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Her eyes went wide as saucers when she realized what she had just done. She leaned back, mouth agape, and utterly mortified.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I-" she squeaked, attempting to say something, but she could barely speak, let alone think of what to say.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">How on Earth could she have let that happen? What was he going to think of her now? Why didn't she warn him, why didn't she say anything? And why wasn't she saying anything right now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas seemed equally stunned. He had withdrawn his hand, leaning back and staring at her with an awed expression.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I-I'm so sorry!" she suddenly blurted, her voice rushing back into her like a surging tide. "T-that was not supposed to happen! I was trying to warn you, but, I, I just! And then you were touching me, and I couldn't think anymore, and...it just spilled out! Oh, I've never been more embarrassed in my entire life!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas only stared at her, his own voice not yet having returned.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">In that moment, Alana felt like she would rather die than look him in the eye. She held her arms tightly against her stomach, looking down and away from him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"A sea bishop's head fins," she muttered. "They're um...an...e-erogenous zone..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Oh," Thomas muttered dumbly. "Oh! Oh my god, I'm really sorry, I-I had no idea! I would never have done that if I knew, please believe me!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I think we would both like to just forget this," Alana laughed weakly. "If that's alright with you..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Yeah, uh, definitely," he agreed. "That's...right."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The two sat back down, looking in opposite directions. They were silent for a long time, unable to think of a way to break the horrendously awkward silence.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana found herself watching the tide recede, allowing the sound of the waves to take over her mind. It was easier than trying to think of something to say.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Spilled out," Thomas muttered, too quiet for Alana to hear. "Wait a minute...oh. Oh, no."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He stood up frantically, gripping his head with both hands and grunting fiercely in frustration. Alana gasped in surprise and turned to watch him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Shit!" he roared, slamming his fists against his head. "Thomas, how could you have been so stupid? Damn it!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Thomas?" she asked in a concerned tone. "What's wrong?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"The plane!" he burst. "Alana, we have to get back to the plane!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What? Do you need something from the plane? Just tell me what it is, and I'll-"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"No," he said, shaking his head fiercely. "It has to be me."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"W-why?" she questioned. "Thomas, tell me what's going on!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"It's the cargo," he sighed. "I can't believe I forgot! Alana, my plane was carrying all sorts of chemicals. And there's a pretty strong probability that some of the containers were damaged or even thrown out of the plane during the crash. We have to get down there, and move anything that might be damaged out of the water, or this entire area could be at risk of contamination!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas placed his hands on his hips in contemplation. "Do you know how deep the wreck is?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"A-about thirty meters?" she estimated. "I still don't see why you in particular have to be the one to go down there."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"A lot of the crates are magnetically bolted to the floor," he explained. "And there's no way to undo that, if you aren't a company affiliate. It needs to scan my handprint - if the damn scanner hasn't broken, anyway."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I'm an okay swimmer," he groaned, starting to massage his temples. "But I don't know if I can hold my breath long enough to even get down there, let alone come back up with cargo."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas squatted down as he considered his scant options. What could he possibly do? The wreck was beyond his reach.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Think, think! Is there anyway to override the magnetic lock? Any way to bypass the biometric scanner? ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">If there was an answer, Thomas didn't have it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"There is a way," Alana said calmly, drawing him out of his mire.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"How?" he pleaded. There had to be a way to set this right.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Sea bishops can temporarily imbue humans with the ability to breathe underwater," she explained. "As long as I am with you, you will have nothing to fear."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That's amazing!" Thomas beamed. "How do we do it?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Come and step back into the water with me," she said, smiling softly. As he approached, Alana pushed herself further into the water, where it crept up to her neck. As he joined her, she offered her hand, which he took.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Do you trust me, Thomas?" she asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Of course I do," he said without hesitation.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Why?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You saved my life," he put plainly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"True," she laughed sweetly. "But there's more to it than that. Right?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas let out a breath that he didn't realize he had been holding. He smiled, relieved.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I think you might be right," he said, returning the smile. "Each of us is something that the other has never really known. And we've only known each other for what - a bit more than a day? But I already feel closer to you than...well, pretty much anyone."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That means so much to me," she said warmly, pulling in close and hugging him. "Thank you. I want you to know that I feel the same way."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He squeezed her back gently, returning the embrace. She pulled away, and she wore a confident smile upon her lips.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Here's what you need to do," she started. "Submerge yourself completely underwater - and don't let go of me until I say so. You will feel a warmth passing through you - don't resist it. Just go with the flow. Simple, right?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Sounds easy enough," Thomas agreed. "I'm ready when you are."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana nodded, and gestured towards the horizon with her other hand. Thomas began to walk further out into the ocean, Alana holding onto him and floating just behind him. When the water reached his chin, he turned to Alana for one last look of confirmation. She nodded at him, and he took one final gulp of air, before fully plunging himself into the ocean. He decided to keep his eyes open - he was curious what it was that she was going to do. Breathing underwater - what an idea!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana spun around him, coming to look at him face-to-face. She still held his left hand in her own, and smiled sweetly at him. Her tail stuck out behind her, pointing towards the horizon. They watched each other for a while - Thomas found himself captivated by the way her hair spread out behind her when she was underwater.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">When the moment passed, Alana reached towards him with her free hand, and began to gently stroke his face, mimicking the motions that he had performed on her, not all that long ago.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">What happened next caught him totally off guard.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana's hand moved to the back of his head, and her other hand left his own to hold his back. She pulled him in closer to her and then...pressed her lips against his own. His eyes went wide, and he almost mumbled something into her mouth, until he remembered her advice. He silenced himself, and let go of his inhibitions.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Already, he was starting to feel the warmth that she mentioned. He closed his eyes, and gave himself over to the sensation. He wasn't frightened in the least - he would put his life into Alana's hands without a second thought, for there was no place he would rather be than right here.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">As Alana pulled away, he realized that the kiss was far shorter than he would have liked. Alana smiled at him, and even underwater, he could tell that she was blushing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">So she liked it, too... ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Her lips began to move, and somehow, he found that he could understand her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Now breathe, Thomas," she said. "Put your trust into me. Push aside your fear of drowning, and trust that I am here for you."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">What she asked went against every natural instinct he had. You simply do not open your mouth underwater.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">...but it was all so easy to shove aside. It felt like anything was possible, as long as he was with her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He exhaled, and a stream of bubbles escaped his lips. Curiously, when he inhaled, no water entered his mouth, yet he felt his lungs fill with air all the same.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He laughed at the wonder of it all. The magic that this wonderful mermaid could work!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Let's go," he grinned.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">**********

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Mercifully, the biometric scanner was still intact. After accepting his handprint, all of the locked chemical crates released, some of them beginning to bob up and down. More than one of the crates had already been knocked loose during the crash. The interior of the ruined plane was dark, but there was just enough light to inspect the containers.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">While the damage was worse than he had hoped, it was better than he had feared. Some of them had significant dents, and others bore cracks down the side. Thankfully, nothing appeared to be leaking. At least, not yet.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana helped transport the crates back up to the surface of the island. Beneath the waves, she was much stronger and faster than Thomas, and carried three crates up in the time it took Thomas to take one. In the end, it took them about an hour to empty the plane, and another twenty minutes to drag all of the chemical crates towards the center of the island. Thomas had planned to do that part on his own, but Alana had insisted on shifting into her human form to help out.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">With their task complete, the reef's safety was assured. Instead of lounging in the waves for the remainder of the day, Alana suggested that he visit the local reef with her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You should see what you worked to protect with your own eyes," she had said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The reef was small, but was dense with life. He had never witnessed such a variety of colorful life, all bound in such close proximity. There were tiny fish that lived within the coral itself - and others that swam around it in mighty schools, their scales glittering in the evening sunlight. The inhabitants of the reef did not shy away from Alana. In some cases, they even flocked towards her, greeting her like a beloved elder sister. Thomas was shocked when even a young reef shark approached her, swimming close to her as if it was greeting her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"All creatures of the ocean instinctively recognize sea bishops as allies," she explained, affectionately petting the diminutive shark. "Even the largest of predators will never attack us. As long as you are with me, that protection is extended to you, as well."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That's nice to know," Thomas said. "But I think I'll need a bit more time before I'm comfortable petting sharks, if it's all the same to you."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Of course," she smiled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">It was a magical experience, utterly unlike anything Thomas had ever experienced. He had seen pictures of coral reefs, heard the excited tales of the odd tourist family. But this? Being given a tour by Alana, breathing underwater? It was incredible. No tourist paradise could have compared.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">It dawned on him that she was showing him around her personal sanctuary - a place that had once been known only to her. She was opening up and revealing herself in a way that she had never done before. And in a way, that left more of an impact on him than anything else.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Day began to turn to night once again, and Thomas and Alana reluctantly parted, promising to meet again as soon as possible. This time, sleep did not come as easily, for each of them was consumed by thoughts of the other. Memories of the past two days, reliving every smile, laugh, and touch. What would become of them? His disappearance would have been noticed by now; rescue missions could not be that far off. How much more time would they have together?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Was it insane to hope that rescue never came?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">**********

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The next day passed fairly uneventfully. Thomas stockpiled more wood and improved his shelter, while Alana sang one of her wordless songs to keep him company. Thomas stole a glance at her when he thought that she wasn't looking. It was mildly infuriating how her cloak never seemed to be wet, despite being perpetually underwater. Seeing the curves of her body outlined against her wet clothing was quickly becoming a recurring fantasy for him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Feeling hot and bothered, Thomas suggested that they dive beneath the waves again to escape the sun.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I think that you just want to kiss me again," Alana giggled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"It's definitely a benefit," he smirked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The two spent their afternoon lazily floating about the reef, sharing whatever ideas came to them and talking about anything and everything. Alana revealed that she enjoyed learning new songs wherever she went, both human and mamono. She shared a few that she had heard from passing fishermen, some of which Thomas recognized. She told him that her mother had taught her how to read from a very young age, and that her collection of books was among her most prized possessions.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">When Thomas asked how it was that she read underwater, she laughed and revealed the existence of her waterproof, electronic tablet - an incredibly valuable gift from her father. It even came with its own solar-powered charger.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What?" she giggled. "Did you think that we all still carried around stone tablets? Modern tools for a modern age, and all that. I can even keep scriptures on there. Songs and pictures, too!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">When Alana asked him what it was that he wanted to do with his life, he admitted that he didn't really know. He had tried to join the air force, but that ended up falling through. Becoming a civilian cargo pilot was a way to get away - but talking like this also made him realize that it meant that he was a kind of wanderer, too. How many times had he missed out on some adventure, ignored a new song, turned down a new recipe?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">It made him feel foolish. He had ignored so many opportunities, and why? Because he couldn't be bothered? Because it was more comfortable to focus on work? Sure, it made him some decent money, but what did that matter if he wasn't happy?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Well, all of that could change, now. Being with Alana liked this had opened his eyes, shown him a glimpse of what he had been missing. He saw what he had done wrong, how he could improve...and for perhaps the first time in a very long time, he was excited for what the future held.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">As the evening sun began to set, a small little red fish approached Alana, and buzzed around her ear. She nodded perceptively, and then frowned.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Surface with me," she said seriously. "We should see this for ourselves."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">When they broke the ocean's surface, Alana realized that the little fish was right. The water was slightly cooler, the sky a little darker, the wind a little fiercer.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Dark, angry clouds were billowing on the horizon. A storm was coming.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That isn't good," Thomas whistled. "I don't think my little lean-to is going to help much against a tropical storm."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You're right," Alana said. "It's not safe for you to stay on the surface tonight."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What should we do?" he asked with a frown. "Can you maintain your breathing spell for an entire night?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Not on my own," she admitted. "Well...unless..." Alana trailed off, unwilling to finish the idea.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Unless what?" Thomas prompted.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Um...can we talk about this on the shore, please?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas gave her an inquisitive look, but relented, giving a nod and swimming towards the shore. When they arrived, they pulled themselves onto the shore. This had quickly become one of their favorite spots to talk and relax at, but tonight, the waves were not comforting. Each was ever so slightly stronger than the last, far-reaching whispers of the coming storm.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You said you couldn't maintain the spell on your own?" Thomas asked again. "Can you elaborate?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Well..." Alana started fidgeting with her fingers, interlocking them and squeezing them. "Letting you breathe water like that? It takes energy. Not as much as maintaining a human form, but it adds up. And I naturally recharge that magical 'energy' over by time, but my total capacity isn't great enough to sustain you for an entire day. And I've already used up a good portion of it today. Are you still with me?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I follow you," he nodded. "So it's possible to do, but you would need have some kind of extra energy source to recharge your magic on. Is there some kind of special fruit for that, or something?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Not...exactly," Alana muttered. "I'm really going to have to just say it, aren't I?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas looked at her blankly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana sighed. "Thomas, you're aware of spiritual and demonic energies, right?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"More or less...they're the 'life force' of humans and mamono respectively, yeah?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Right," Alana nodded. "And what's the one thing that all mamono have in common?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"They're all exclusively female?" Thomas finished.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Oh, for Poseidon's sake!" Alana groaned and slapped her own forehead. "The other thing! What's the one thing that they all treat as a source of power, that they all love to consume more than anything else?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Spiritual energy," he finished, wincing at her frustrated burst.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana, caught up in the heat of the moment, stood up and balanced herself on her tail.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"And spiritual energy is released during...?" She shouted, arms held apart and aimed to the sky.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Sexual acts?!" he shouted back. "Why are we shouting?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana felt like tearing her hair out. How could he be so dense about this? Was this Poseidon, testing her patience? With a scream of frustration, she pushed off her tail and tackled Thomas into the sand.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Thomas!" she cried out exasperatedly, "Who is the only human within a hundred miles of here, and is therefore the only human who could possibly serve as a power source for me?!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I am!" he cried back. "I'm the power source!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">His eyes went wide as he finally, finally, put two and two together. Alana's frustration melted away as quickly as it came, and she instead only felt the rising heat of embarrassment.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She also became very aware of the fact that she was lying on top of him with her entire body, pinning him to the ground. She lifted her tail off of his legs to give him some breathing room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Which means that," she said, voice soft and full of emotion, "In order to keep you alive, you would need to... to make love with me..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Finally, she had said it. Why was that so difficult for her? What had her parents taught her, what was the very core of Poseidon's teachings? Love, of course. And what was sex but the purest, most intimate form of love?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She was doing the right thing, so why did her heart feel like it was about to burst out of her chest?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas stared at her with a stunned expression, facial features unchanging.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Say something!" she pleaded.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Is..." His eyes darted away as he regained a sliver of composure. "Is that okay? I mean, do you even want to...?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Do I even want to?" Alana looked hurt. "Thomas, when I asked my sisters about it, they always told me that I would recognize the feeling of love when I felt it. I always thought that was some awful way to dodge the question, but I get it now! They were telling the truth!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I know it seems impossible," she continued. "I kept telling myself that the past two nights. There's no way, I thought. There's no way I could have possibly come to...to love someone that quickly! And even if I did, there's no way he would return my feelings. But I look at you now, and I think...I think I really am in love with you!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Alana," Thomas said, voice hoarse. "I..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana snatched his hand and pressed it against her chest, just below her throat. The sensation made her pulse quicken that much more.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Can you feel my heartbeat?" she asked softly. "That's what you do to me. That's how I've been feeling this entire day! It just...everything seems better with you around! Like I can notice all sorts of things that I couldn't before!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She trailed off and looked pleadingly into his eyes. "I...of course I want to be with you..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Do..." she swallowed the lump in her throat and looked at him nervously. "Do you feel the same way?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The tension hung in the air as she waited for his reply. Their eyes remained locked together, and her heart continued to beat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thump-thump. Thump-thump ''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:black">.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">That was all there was. His eyes, and her heart - the only things in her world at that moment.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I'm sorry that I was too dense to understand your meaning," he smiled sheepishly. "But I just didn't know what to say until a second ago."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I was thinking the same thing," he continued. "I didn't want to admit to anything, because I wasn't sure what my own feelings were. I was doubtful. You said it, right? That there's no way I could love someone so quickly. But..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Every day, I learn something more about you. Your magic, your singing, your tail, your sanctuary, your god, your family...the more I learn, the more I want to learn. And you've been helping me learn about myself, too. I've realized a lot, in these last few days. You said you were noticing all sorts of things that you didn't before? That's exactly what I've been going through."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana hung on to his every word, eyes still shining with hope.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"So...here's your answer."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas leaned up and kissed her. It was a brief kiss, not all that much longer than their first time, but it felt like so much more. All their passion, their joy, their fear, their stress...it all flowed freely between them in one, tender moment. Without even being aware of it, Alana had ignited her magic, renewing the breathing spell. This time, however, she didn't want to send just the warmth of the spell through his body. She wanted to show him how warm - how safe, how free - he made her feel. She wanted to express as much of herself through a single kiss as she possibly could.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">When Alana finally pulled away, the tearful, yet joyous expression that she wore on her face made it all worth it to Thomas. Everything - years of his stress, grief, and loneliness - were washed away in that moment.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">And all that remained was love.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Pack your bag," Alana giggled. "Tonight, you're staying at my place."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">**********

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana's place turned out to be a cave in the seafloor, forming a comfortable little hollow in an underwater hill. She didn't have much to decorate it with - her sole bag of possessions leaning against one of the walls - but she had taken great care in keeping it clean, moving out all of the urchins and aquatic moss. Surprisingly, he noticed that Alana actually had a bed. It wasn't a wooden or metal bed, but an ingenious display of nature. A network of coral formed the frame of the bed, with a mass of aquatic fibers and plants forming the mattress. She had a blanket made of kelp, that somehow seemed to be quilted into a diamond pattern, despite being mostly all the same color.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What?" she laughed. "Did you think that I slept while moving, like a shark?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Maybe," he admitted, echoing her amusement.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Mersharks actually do that, though," she pointed out. "So I guess I can't entirely fault you. Anyway...here we are! Home sweet home. What do you think?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas nodded, taking the question seriously as he appraised the place.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"It's very you," he concluded. "I like it."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Thank you," Alana beamed. "Sit with me?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The pair swam over to her bed, which was thankfully plenty large enough for the two of them. Thomas sat on the edge of the bed, and Alana joined him. Her tail was too long to dangle off the edge of the bed, so she had to wrap it around her body, coiling up like a snake. She absentmindedly began stroking her tail fin after a few seconds.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Neither of them could find the right words, and the silence began to stretch on for a while. Thomas took a deep breath, and welled up as much manliness as he could muster.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Alright," he said confidently, turning to face her. "There's no way I'm gonna make you take the initiative again. So...how about this?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He reached out and stroked her cheek with his fingers, repeating the little game that they had played before. Alana smiled, closed her eyes, and nuzzled her cheek against him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That feels wonderful," she said softly. "But I don't know how much time we have. We should probably...skip this part...at least for this time."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"This time," he repeated. "I like the sound of that."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"So do I," Alana cooed. "Take my cloak off."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas grinned at that, and moved to begin unbuttoning her cloak, starting from the bottom up.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Don't get me wrong," he started. "I love your cloak. The design is neat, and it's really well-made. But I've been waiting to see you without it for a while now!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"It wasn't fair when you took your shirt off in front of me," she complained, still smiling. "Now I get to even the score."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I think I'm still beating you," Thomas said, reaching the silver trident emblem near her collar. "Remember the fin incident?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Please don't ever remind me of that. I never felt so mortified in my life."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Hmm," Thomas hummed noncommittally, finally undoing her cloak and shrugging it off her shoulders. He breathed in sharply through his teeth when he finally laid eyes on her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Alana..." he muttered. "You're gorgeous..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Beneath her cloak, Alana only had two more pieces of clothing. A black bra, which held back her moderately-sized breasts, and a black sash that looped around her waist, concealing the line where her hips gave way to her fish tail.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She blushed and smiled, but refused the urge to look away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I could say the same to you," she said. "Lift your arms up...I want to see you again."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas complied, and Alana lifted his shirt off of him, quickly folding it and placing it next to her cloak. She wasted no time in placing both of her hands against his chest, sighing as she ran her fingers over his muscles.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I love the way you feel," she said appreciatively.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas took angled her head towards him with one hand, moving in for a kiss. She allowed him, and eagerly met his lips.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">When they pulled apart, Thomas smiled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I think it's only fair if you let me do the same to you, Alana."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Of course," she smiled. "Undress me...lover."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Upon saying that, she tried and failed to suppress a small giggle as Thomas moved to undo her bra.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Lover," she repeated. "I'd never thought that I'd have anyone to call that."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I like it, though..." Thomas grinned, undoing her straps and casting her bra into the growing pile of clothing. He leaned in close to her and whispered directly into her ear. "...lover."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Before she could react, Thomas leaned over and took one of her head fins into his mouth, and gave it a very gentle nibble, while his hands moved to gently cup and massage her breasts. The unexpected stimuli caused her to gasp and shudder.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That felt really good," she breathed happily. "But...warn me next time!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Alright," he smiled nefariously. "I'm about to bite your fin again."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Wai-"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She couldn't finish her protest before another shudder and gasp coursed through her body. Being so close to her brain, the pleasure affected her almost instantly, and it felt like the blissful waves of pleasure bouncing around in her head were turning her brain into mush.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That's not what I meant," she protested weakly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You said it, right?" he teased. "We don't have much time. I'm just acting in my own survival interests, here."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Before she could get in another word, Thomas moved one of his hands up to gently pinch one of her nipples, again causing her to moan and squirm.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I'm not the one who..." Alana grit her teeth as she tried to get her words out. Thomas gave her no mercy, continuing to explore and play with her body. "...who needs to get off first!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Maybe I like to take risks." Thomas moved down her body, and took one of her nipples into his mouth, gently sucking on it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You have got to be kidding me," she moaned into his shoulders. "I'm trying to save your life, here! And you're acting like-like a newborn!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He intensified her pleasure by starting to play with her other breast at the same time.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Do you truly find my breasts so captivating?" she complained. "They aren't that special..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Yes," Thomas grunted, pausing briefly to come up for air. "They're perfect."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He kept playing with her body for another few minutes. The only sounds that filled the cave were Alana's moans and gasps of pleasure - they were safe, totally insulted from the storm raging above them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Alright," she said firmly. "Alright, enough! Seriously, I don't think I can hold the magic for more than fifteen minutes. Hands above your head, mister!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas reluctantly complied, but not before removing himself from her nipples with a small pop. To her credit, Alana only gave a small gasp before resuming her stern glare.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You have some gall," she admonished, working his pants down and tossing them aside. "Teasing me like that...I hope you're ready for some payback!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana stopped as she saw the outline of his member, sticking out pointedly at her through his boxers. She briefly lost her train of thought until she remembered her purpose. She summoned her all of her willpower - his life quite literally depended on her ability to get him off in these next few minutes. Before she moved to undress him completely, a curious idea struck her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She pulled back for a moment, which prompted her lover to give her a curious look.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You keep those hands where I can see them," she threatened. "It's my turn."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana let her hands fall to her hips and undid the sash that hid her womanhood, but she did not cast it aside. She turned her attention back to her lover, and swam towards him with as much seductiveness as one could have while swimming. He moved to speak, but she put her index finger against his lips to silence him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Quiet," she commanded. Her voice was firm, yet still playful. "We can take our time and have fun when I'm sure that you're not going to drown in the middle of it. But for right now? I need to make sure that you don't interrupt me. Open your mouth, lover."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He blinked at her, then grinned eagerly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I like where this is going," he chuckled, allowing her to gag him with her sash and tie a knot around the back of his head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Now, then," Alana said, smiling sweetly. "Let's get back to business, shall we?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Without warning, Alana yanked off her lover's boxers, revealing his painfully hard cock. She took hold of her lover's hips and spun him around, pushing him down onto the bed, face-up. She moved in to settle in between his legs, her tail hanging off the frame of the bed. Before she began, however, she looked up at her lover's eager face, and gave him a serious expression.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"One last thing," she warned, "Keep your hands under your body. If you so much as touch me, I am going to stop for an entire minute. Understand?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He nodded, unable to speak. And with that, she reached for his hardness and took him into her hands.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">And then she realized...that she didn't really know what she was doing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Perhaps this wasn't the wisest idea... ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">...no, it was too late to back out now. She understood the very basics of sex, at least. Her sisters had helped her learn that much. Play with his penis, remember to be gentle, and don't stop when he starts to pop. She took a breath to steady herself - she would just have to learn quickly, and adapt based on his reactions.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana adjusted her grip, wrapping both hands around his cock. One near the tip, and one near the base. She started to gently tug him up and down, sliding her hands to match the motion. The effect on him was immediate - a long, muffled moan escaped from his gag. That sounded promising! Alana kept the position for a while before deciding to throw in some extra moves.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She started twisting her hands around him as she went up and down, adding in gentle squeezes at random to break up her rhythm. Thomas moaned again, louder and longer this time, and he arched his back a little every time she squeezed him. This was coming to her far easier than she had expected. She kept pleasuring him in this way for a few minutes, taking great enjoyment in watching him squirm at her touch.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana watched her lover start to breathe more heavily, felt his cock swell even larger. Those were signs that she was doing well. Her sisters had never specified that before, but she simply knew it to be true. Her mamono instincts  were taking over, she assumed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">It was time to intensify his pleasure even more.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I can feel your dick throbbing," she said, shocked by how easy it felt to slip into dirty talk. "Do you like what I'm doing to you? Do you like being gagged, unable to talk or touch me? Your pleasure is totally at my mercy, right now."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana didn't consider herself a sadistic person, not in the slightest. Sadism just wasn't in the nature of a sea bishop. This was just an extension of their earlier game, really. It was something private, something just for the two of them to explore with each other. It was to be expected that they would find new sides of themselves when they made love - and wasn't that wonderful?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana laughed and leaned forward, planting a small kiss on the tip of his dick, which made him wriggle.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Do you want me to take you in my mouth?" she teased. Thomas nodded vigorously.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Okay," she said sweetly. "Here I go...aah..." Alana opened her mouth wide and slowly lowered her head towards her lover's aching dick, all while maintaining eye contact. She could see the desperation in his eyes, how badly he needed her to please him. She let the head of his cock pass into her mouth, but without letting it touch any part of her. Then she stopped, paused for a moment, and pulled back. She leaned back and dipped her head towards his sack, giving his shaft a long lick from base to tip.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas screamed his frustration into his gag and began thrusting his hips, desperate for stronger stimulation. Alana giggled and let go of him completely.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That's my payback," she said, smiling innocently. "Maybe next time you'll think twice about being so rough with my fins, hmm?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas nodded fiercely, and she could tell that he was silently begging her for mercy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Hmm..." Alana started running a finger around his pelvic area, avoiding his cock. She wasn't ready to give up teasing him quite yet - this was far more fun than she had ever imagined. "Are you sure you want my mouth?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He nodded again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Really?" she pressed. "You wouldn't prefer my hands?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He shook his head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Well, alright," she laughed. "I think you've learned your lesson."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana reached down towards him and gave his shaft another lick. This time, when she reached the top, she kept going, and took about half of his shaft into her mouth before she sealed her lips around him and began to suck.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Mm..." she moaned into him, savoring his taste. Thomas moaned in blessed relief at the beautiful sight of Alana fellating him. He wanted so badly to give her praise, to run his fingers through her hair and to stroke her soft fins...but he wasn't sure if Alana was still playing or not. He decided not to risk it, as she sounded pretty serious when she warned him about moving his hands.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana kept up the routine for a while before coming off of him with a satisfying pop.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Ah...you taste wonderful, lover..." she said breathily. "But you know that you need to cum soon, right? You know that you need to feed me."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She licked him again, and started to use one of her hands to massage his sack.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Feed me," she commanded. "Give me your energy, give me the power to make us both happy for a long time..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She took him back into her mouth, continuing to play with his sack, and adding in the extra simulation of her hand on the lower part of his shaft. She started rotating her head around him as she sucked him, and added extra powerful sucks at random intervals, mirroring the same techniques she used during her handjob.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">It all felt so natural to do this. It felt so right!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Meanwhile, the danger of drowning was adding an unexpected edge for Thomas. The risk was intoxicating! He groaned deeper and louder than even before, arching his neck backwards as the pleasure started to prove too much for him. It was obvious to her eyes, but Alana swore that she could practically sense his impending orgasm on an almost supernatural level.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Drops of precum were oozing out of his cockhead. Without realizing it, Alana lapped them up with her tongue, unwilling to release his shaft for even a moment. It awakened her to yet another avenue of pleasuring her lover, and she started to throw her tongue into the mix, as well.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">That was the final sensation Thomas felt before he started to tip over the edge. All of the pleasure that Alana was giving him blended together into a single mass that overwhelmed his senses, causing him to groan in ecstasy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana felt him peaking, and doubled her efforts. She clearly remembered one piece of advice from her eldest sister - to not stop pleasuring him as he burst, because that was when the man was most sensitive, when he needed your touch the most.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He cried out again and his dick began to jerk, pulsing his warm essence into her mouth. The second that she felt the first spurt leave his body, she gave a strong suck and swallowed it all down.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The instant that his seed hit her taste buds, her eyes went wide. She knew that she had a specialized organ in her body that consumed the spiritual energy from human sperm, but this? This was taste beyond comprehension!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Delicious was an understatement. She immediately understood that she would never be able to forget this moment. As cliche as it seemed, it felt like she had truly opened her eyes for the first time, beginning to see colors that weren't there before.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">This taste - it was her lover's pleasure, given physical form. It was his essence - she could taste the power contained within it, she could taste that the very core of her lover's being was contained in this energy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Words couldn't do it measure. It was indescribably good, and she had to have more of it!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana increased the intensity of her ministrations, tugging on his shaft, kneading his balls, and sucking on the tip of his cock, even as he thrashed and groaned into his gag. She swallowed everything that he had to give her, lovingly teasing more and more out of him. When he finally stopped throbbing and pulsing into her mouth, she slowly pulled off him, giving a strong suck the entire time.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She had to be sure she got it all. It would be the greatest possible sin to waste even a drop of his ambrosia.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana collected the final remnants of his seed with her fingers, making a show of licking it up.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I can't even begin to describe how good that was," she sighed happily. "And I really mean that. It's like I've discovered a brand new sense."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Her lover's eyes were half-lidded and his expression slackened. Clearly, he was still a little overwhelmed by what had just happened.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">I did that, <span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:black"> she realized. She was the cause of his bliss, she had tended to his sexual needs with instinctual skill, and this wonderful image was the end result. It made her feel a little naughty - but the good, happy kind of naughty, reserved only for intimate couples. Alana smiled and moved to undo his gag, retrieving her sash and tossing it aside.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Was it good for you?" she asked, unable to keep a straight face, She burst into giggles as Thomas sighed blissfully.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Alana, that was...I just...I don't even know how to begin...amazing...you're amazing."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I did a good job, huh? Good to know!" Alana huffed out her chest proudly. "Go on, lover, take a deep breath. We've got plenty of time now."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana sighed contently and lay her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat slow as he wound down from his climax.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You...said..." Thomas panted. "Whole...new sense? Elaborate?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I guess it's like this," Alana said softly. "I can feel your energy inside me. I already swallowed it, but I can still taste it...and it isn't any less delicious."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I've never felt so alive," she added. "It makes me feel so powerful, so fulfilled! I'm not sure if I can ever go without this, now!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Me either," he said tiredly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">The pair rested together for several minutes, simply taking comfort in each other after such an intense moment. They interlocked their fingers and held each other close, gently touching and kissing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I had an idea," Thomas said softly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What would that be?" Alana asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"The storm...it's going to delay any search parties. I figure that we have two or three days before anyone finds us, at the very earliest."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Rescue <span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:black">. The idea made Alana's heart flinch. Did he want to leave?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"But...Alana, you said that there was a mamono village not too far from here, right?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Yes, a few dozen miles or so," she confirmed. "But that's too far for you to swim, even with my help."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I know," he admitted. "But what if we made a raft? You can manipulate currents, can't you? What if you pushed the raft along? What if we left this island, went to that village? Surely someone there can help us get to land, or at least to a phone. Then we could just report the crash ourselves, point the search crew in the right direction."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana blinked at him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What do you think?" Thomas prompted her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I..." she started. "I think...I think that could actually work! Yes, a raft could definitely work!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I can't believe that I didn't think of that before!" she beamed. "I was starting to think that maybe I should swim there myself, but I didn't want to leave you. But...Thomas, does that mean that you...want to stay with me?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">His head jerked back a little, and he looked almost offended.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Are you joking? Alana, you think that I could just up and leave you, after all this?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You gave me a new life," he said with a heartfelt smile. "Literally and figuratively. I...of course I want to stay with you. I want you to be a part of this new life. I love, you Alana."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">If she wasn't underwater, tears would have started falling from her eyes. "Do you really mean that? Oh, Thomas, thank you! I love you, too!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She wrapped her arms around him tightly, hugging him passionately. She tilted her head upwards, and his lips met hers for a long while. When they pulled apart, she ran a finger across his cheek, and looked deep into his eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I've never been so happy in my life," she said. "Please...I don't want to stop here."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She smiled lovingly, and pushed away from him. She twisted her body so that she lay on the bed face-up, and started to sensually caress her own body. One hand went to cup her breast, gently squeezing it, while the other went lower, to the line where her human half met her aquatic half. Her vagina rested just above that line, and looked almost identical to a human woman's. She began to touch and pleasure herself, sighing at the feeling. Thomas watched her, spellbound.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Please," she said breathily. "Show me how much you love me..."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas needed no further invitation. He adjusted himself so that he was on top of her and gave her another kiss, bringing a hand up to massage her other breast. When he pulled back, he found himself captivated by her eyes once more. He found that they held a depth that he had not yet seen before - that they were full of love, trust, and acceptance.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Move back for me," he suggested, gently guiding her. She complied, adjusting her position so that Thomas had more room. He gave her a suggestive smile before sliding down her body, positioning his face just an inch from her waist. Alana used her hands to spread her pussy apart, smiling widely as she exposed her cute, pink flesh. With a wicked grin, Thomas moved in and began to pleasure her with his mouth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He figured that he would learn by experimenting, like Alana had done with him. He started by simply licking her outer folds. That earned him a pleasant sigh, but he knew he could do so much more. When he started dipping his tongue inside her, she moaned in delight, and started playing with her breasts. He started to mix up his patterns - thrust, sweep, return. When she moaned even more loudly and gripped his head with both hands, he hummed in satisfaction. It didn't physically do much for him, but pleasuring Alana like this was deeply satisfying. And she completely deserved it, after all that she had done for him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Meanwhile, Alana was having the time of her life. His tongue was infinitely better than her own fingers - it was wet, warm, and entirely unpredictable. Unable to find a pattern, she resigned herself to her lover's attention, letting the pleasure carry her closer and closer to its delicious peak.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">When he started to tease her clitoris, she knew that she couldn't last much longer. She gripped his head more forcefully, moaning and urging him to continue.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You're so good at this," she praised. "More, please, don't stop! Keep going, I'm right there!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He followed her wishes, and didn't stop pleasuring her, even as she tightly gripped the edges of the bed and started to cry out unintelligibly as her orgasm crashed into her like a great wave. She shuddered and quivered as the pleasure wracked through her body in a maelstrom of bliss. When the storm broke, she found herself understanding the position Thomas was in not all that long ago. Eyes half-lidded, facial expression stuck in dazed joy, unwilling to move and risk losing the afterglow of an incredibly potent orgasm.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That felt incredible," she laughed tiredly. "How are you so good at this?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I don't know," Thomas smirked. "I guess I just wanted to make you sing for me."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas moved up and kissed her. Alana realized that something was different - and she instinctively pushed him back.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What's wrong?" he asked, eyes shining with concern.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"The taste," she blushed. "I-I've never had myself before."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Oh," Thomas blinked. "Was it bad?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I don't know, I just kind of reacted without thinking. Why don't we find out?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana passionately resumed the kiss - this was just another thing to explore. She pulled back, and Thomas smiled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"How is it?" he asked with a grin.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Results are inconclusive," she smiled. "It's a hard flavor to judge. A little sweet, a little bitter. I guess we'll need to run the experiment again!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Sign me up," he laughed. "I find you delicious, by the way."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana felt something hard poking her in the stomach. She raised her eyebrow at Thomas.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Think you're ready to go again?" she asked, moving her hand down to caress his dick. "You certainly feel ready."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Ready and incredibly willing."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She gave him a little squeeze, and positioned his tip at the entrance of her folds. She started to push him in, but hesitated.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Alana?" he asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Promise me," she said softly. "Promise me that you'll always be mine, and I'll always be yours."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said tenderly, sealing the vow with a kiss.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana's tail wrapped around his backside, and slowly pushed him inside. The sensation made them both moan at the same time, the sounds trapped in each other's mouths. Thomas took over, and with one, strong thrust, he hilted himself inside her, feeling something something change along the way. Their bodies were very different, yet each knew with certainty - they had taken their partner's virginity.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Alana gasped sharply, for her loss gave her no pain. Mamono bodies, after all, had been designed with maximum pleasure in mind.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Are you alright?" he asked, face contorted with worry and ecstasy. "Am I hurting you?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"No!" she affirmed. "You feel - I can't even describe it! Just, keep going!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">So he did.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Thomas slowly withdrew from her body until only the tip of his shaft remained inside her. Then he slowly, gruelingly, pushed himself back in, making them both cry out again. Unlike before, neither felt like experimenting on the other to find what worked best. This was somehow too intimate and too personal for that to work. So Thomas and Alana let the primal parts of their minds take over, feeling that it was the best way to express their satisfaction with the other.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">A pattern emerged. Thrust. Moan. I love you. Kiss. Withdraw. Thrust. Moan.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Everything else seemed so small. The storm? Rescue? What came next? None of that mattered right now.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Faster. ''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "TimesNewRoman";color:black"> Thrust! Moan! I love you! Kiss! Withdraw! Thrust! Moan!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Trying to hold on," Thomas grunted. "Are you close?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Wait for me," Alana panted. "I want us to come together, just a little longer, please!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Their lovemaking sped up yet again, becoming almost frantic now. Thomas knew that he was at his very edge, knew that he could only hold back for a few more seconds.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Consequences be damned. He leaned over and took the tip of one of Alana's head fins into his mouth, giving it a sudden suck and a lick. It made her scream as she finally toppled over the edge, the sensuous storm inside her flaring up again. As she shook and quivered, her pussy clenched around him, again and again, tighter and tighter, shoving him into the depths of pleasure right after her. Her cried out and erupted inside her, staining her insides white.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Although her rational mind was temporarily unavailable, somewhere deep down, Alana realized that she could still taste the power contained in her lover's essence, a recognition that only added to her ecstasy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Their mutual bliss wound together, stretching on and on into the heavens, until it finally began to cascade back to the physical plane.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">They collapsed into a tired, messy heap, the unspoken promise of a blissful slumber awaiting them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">**********

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">In the morning, the storm had passed, and a sense of tranquility hung in the air, carried along by the ocean breeze. When Thomas and Alana left the submerged cave, the latter spotted something in the difference, and excitedly swam towards it. Thomas swam after her, confused. Why was she heading towards the reef? Did she want to give a last goodbye to all of her fish friends?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Thomas!" Alana called out, waving him over. "Can you see it?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">When he arrived, he had to admit that something felt a little different about the reef, but he couldn't quite place what it was. He stroked his chin as he swept his eyes back and forth across the corals, surveying the colorful little fish swimming about.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"It's...bigger?" he realized aloud. "How is that possible?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"It was us," Alana smiled, blushing warmly. "This is the result of last night."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She placed her hands upon her head and shook back and forth, excited giggling spilling forth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"This is a sign from Poseidon!" she squealed. "It means she approves! Look around us, Thomas! You can see it now, right?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">He nodded. He could see it - he saw that the coral seemed larger, healthier. There seemed to be more fish around than previously, and more couples were retreating into private little spaces in the coral. Even the water itself seemed to have changed a little, as if it had become even clearer. It was subtle, but there was definitely a sense that the reef had become slightly...more.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"I see it," Thomas said. "It's incredible. You continue to amaze me, Alana."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself here," she said, as her cheeks began to turn even redder. "But do you think that we should have our relationship properly recognized?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"What do you mean?" he asked, coming over next to her and placing an arm around her shoulder.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"A proper marriage ceremony," she smiled. "I think we should really consider it! It's taboo to officiate your own wedding, so we'd have to find another bishop, but I don't think would be much of a problem. And Poseidon would actually give each of us permanent blessings, you know?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Marriage. If you had asked him a year ago, Thomas probably would have laughed at the idea that anyone would have wanted to marry him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Like what?" he asked, nuzzling against her. Somehow, it didn't surprise him that the idea of marrying Alana wasn't intimidating in the least. He felt no fear or anxiety - only a strong, warm sense of optimism for their shared future.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"You could breathe underwater forever, for starters," she beamed. "You wouldn't need my help anymore. And you could manipulate the water to push you along, so you could swim as fast as I can! And I could take a human form, whenever I want, at no cost! We could go anywhere together - do anything we wanted!"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"That sounds wonderful," Thomas said softly. "And it sounds incredibly generous, too. What does your goddess expect in return?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Only that we spread love and peace wherever we go, on land or beneath water," she nodded. "That we love each other freely, and encourage others to do the same."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Sign me up," he chuckled. "And maybe read some of those scriptures to me while we're traveling. If I'm gonna help spread Poseidon's message, I'd like to know more about her."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Of course!" Alana returned his laughter and hugged him tightly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Alana," Thomas started. "I want to go everywhere with you. I want to see it all with you."

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">She pulled him in closer and pressed her lips against his, holding the kiss for only a second. Then she leaned back, smiled, and asked him:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">"Where should we start?"

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">**********

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">A/N: Yes, I know that kelp doesn't grow in the Caribbean. No, I don't care.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">So, here we are. I'm not new to writing, but this is my first piece with eroticism in it. I felt like trying my hand at it, it seemed like an interesting challenge. What did you think, how did I do?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">I was interested in writing for some of the monster girls that don't have many (or any) stories yet, and the Sea Bishop felt like a very good candidate. Monster girls are a big kink for me, but I also like lore and backstory, which is why this had a lot of buildup. I picked the Sea Bishop in particular because I love their selfless, calm nature, and of course their magic is very interesting, too. I felt that it was important a story with a sea bishop had a believable romance, not just sex and lust.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">Future stories will vary in tone - they definitely won't all be as long as this one. Is there any particular monster girl you'd like to read about? The top three ideas that I'm hovering on right now are the Dark Slime, the Nightgaunt (brand new!) and the Shoggoth, my absolute favorite monster girl. And if you have no idea what any of that was, check out the Monster Girl Encyclopedia some time, it’s fun.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">I hope you had a good read, and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";color:black">-EighthSpan

<p class="MsoNormal">