Prologue: Not long after Cleo, Bella and Rikki graduate from High School Emma and her family return from their trip and the summer begins. Bella is introduced to Emma and Lewis has extended his stay to spend time with Cleo before returning to America for his studies.

I honestly can't remember how old each of the girls are at the end of Season 3 but I am pretty certain they are all 18. So they are still 18 in this story.

Chapter 1: New Waters

Cleo and Lewis sat on the sand dunes, away from the water and looked out over the ocean; they could see Mako Island in the distance. They were having the day to themselves, considering everything that had happened recently they had earned it. Cleo had just finished telling Lewis about the whole chaotic fiasco with Ryan, Sophie and Zane in the Moon Pool.

'I can't believe Zane did that' Lewis said 'I thought he was on our side.'

Cleo sighed 'yeah well, you know what he's like…he and Rikki are still on and off.'

'I honestly can't blame her' Lewis replied 'so you mean to tell me you three actually stopped a comet from hitting Earth…that's insane!'

'Well without these' Cleo said holding up the necklace around her neck 'I don't think we could have. I think it's all connected to these gems, the moon pool and the moon of course.'

Frowning Lewis took a closer look at the gem 'I was wondering why you were wearing these, where did you put your lockets?'

'It's safe' Cleo replied calmly, she looked at her necklace 'I don't know what these are but they have some serious power.'

'What about the whole water tentacle thing, did you solve that' Lewis asked, still examining the necklace.

'It was trying to send us a message I think' Cleo replied 'not the best way to show it…but that's all it was.'

'What…about the comet' Lewis asked; when Cleo nodded he added 'that makes sense.'

Changing subject Lewis said 'god it's so good to see you again Cleo, I've missed you.'

Resting her head on his shoulder she said 'me too.'

Rikki turned onto the street where Zane lived, she sighed irritably, he had sent several messages asking her to come over, finally she'd given in and decided to just hear what he had to say. Things weren't so good for Zane right now; he had done the right thing by backing out of that plan at Mako Island, to mine it with Ryan and Sophie. Unfortunately Rikki's Café was now officially bankrupt and it had just closed. Rikki was still mad at him though, for considering doing something like that in the first place.

She walked through the gate into his backyard and looked around 'Zane?'

'There you are' Zane said, coming down the steps that led into his house 'I've been trying to get a hold of you for ages.'

'In case you forgot I'm still mad at you, something about a little incident at Mako, wrecking our moon pool' Rikki said angrily.

'That wasn't me that was Sophie and that Ryan guy and secondly I've been out there since, the damage isn't that bad' Zane said, waving it off with his hand 'just clear away the rubble and everything will be fine.'

'Oh suddenly you're an expert' Rikki replied angrily 'I'd trust Ryan to know that better than you would and he was the guy that wrecked it in the first place.'

Zane sighed, running his hands through his hair 'look, I tried to stop it happening ok, doesn't that count for anything?'

He had, that was true, but sometimes Rikki felt like he was just trying to make up any excuse to end their fights.

'You can believe what you want Rikki but I'm on your side, what happened that night taught me a lesson…no one is going to discover your secret from me…and if you just want to be friends fine…but I'm here if you need help' Zane said at last, with that he walked over to the pool side and sat down in a lounger.

'We're over Zane' Rikki finally said, after a long pause 'I told you that before.'

Her heart wasn't in it though, she just didn't mean it, turning she started to walk away but Zane's voice stopped her 'if that's the case…then why do you feel the need to say it?'

Ignoring him Rikki left, once clear of his house she headed for the water, she could always think more clearly when swimming.

Bella and Will were looking up at the closed Rikki's Café, they weren't the only ones either, there were a fair few disappointed people around.

'Well this sucks' Bella said 'I'm gonna have to find somewhere else to sing.'

'Maybe you could do it outdoors' Will suggested 'you know like in a park or something.'

Bella smiled 'I think you're forgetting something' she gave him a long look and he finally got it.

'Oh right, the whole full moon thing' Will replied 'perhaps not then.'

Someone in the crowd was saying 'man this café just has the worst luck; every person who opens it goes out of business.'

'I know' said a female voice 'I don't think anyone is going to want to buy it.'

Will and Bella looked at each other, wandering what that was all about; guess the café had been called something else before Rikki's.

The two of them turned away from the café and began walking along the pier together 'so how's Sophie' Bella asked curiously, trying to show an interest even though she really was mad at Sophie for what happened.

'Well she still has her problems with you guys' Will said awkwardly 'but I think she has accepted that I'm not competing anymore….which is a relief.'

'Good' said Bella vaguely, her thoughts wandering 'where is she anyway?'

'She's gone back to doing office work…not sure how she found it though' Will replied simply.

They were quiet for a moment 'so this Emma girl' Bella said 'what do you think she's like?'

Will shrugged 'seems nice enough, Cleo says she and her practically grew up together, along with Lewis. Rikki was kind of the new girl.'

'And that was when they became mermaids right' Bella asked frowning thoughtfully.

'Think so, why do you ask' Will said, stopping and turning to her.

Bella brushed her hair back behind her head 'just a little nervous about hanging out, the four of us…might be a little weird.'

Will kissed the top of her head 'only for a short while…it's tonight right, that you're all meeting up?'

'Yeah, we're going to have dinner at Cleo's house and sleepover' Bella replied simply.

That evening Emma was the last to arrive at the Sertori's house, 'hey Emma' said Cleo as she opened the door for her 'come on in, Rikki and Bella are already upstairs.'

Emma was highly curious about Bella and Will; she'd only had a brief couple of meetings with them since she got back from her trip. The rest of the time she had been busy unpacking and setting up a summer job.

'Hello Emma' said Don Sertori, coming out of the kitchen 'it's good to see you again.'

'Thanks for having me Mr Sertori and it's good to see you too' Emma replied smiling.

Sam stepped forward and introduced herself as well, of course Emma had heard the news about Don re-marrying but had missed the occasion.

'It's a pleasure to meet you Emma' Sam said smiling 'any friend of Cleo's is a friend of ours.'

A voice from upstairs, that sounded like Rikki, said 'hey Cleo, is that Emma?'

'Yes Rikki' called Emma putting on her irritated tone she saved just for her 'it's me.'

Rikki came downstairs smiling 'finally, it's good you have you home Emma.'

'What no hug' Emma asked laughing.

'I gave you a hug when you first got back…you only get one…and I deny ever giving it to you' Rikki said smiling.

The three of them headed upstairs, where Bella was waiting, 'where's Kim' Emma asked curiously.

'She is staying over at a friends too' Cleo replied 'probably a good thing to keep her out the way.'

'Good thinking' Rikki said nodding.

They entered Cleo's room where Bella was sitting on Cleo's bed; she looked up at three of them as they entered the room. There was an awkward silence as the four of them stood or sat there in what was more or less a square shape.

'Ok this is awkward' Rikki said at last.

Bella gave a small laugh and pushed hair behind her ear 'so um…I guess I'm Bella…and your Emma.'

Moving over to sit down on the bed Emma said 'so…what's your story exactly?'

Bella told Emma the same story she had told Cleo and the others…of living in Ireland, of the Moon Pool, becoming a mermaid and finding her stone at the bottom of it and making it a necklace.

'So…where did you guys get those necklaces from' Emma asked Cleo and Rikki.

'The cave walls, they are full of that stuff' Cleo explained 'and they are really magnetic.'

They continued on to explain the whole story of the water tentacle and stopping the comet.

Emma was wide eyed by the end of it 'wow…I really missed out on a lot.'

'That reminds me' Bella said fishing into her bag 'I thought you should have one of your own' and she pulled out a fourth necklace with a blue gem on it.

'I took it from Mako and Will crafted it to the same shape as ours' Bella said as she handed it over 'you like it?'

'I…I love it' Emma said, feeling speechless 'thank you' she hugged Bella, which was kind of strange considering they hardly knew each other but it felt right.

'Wow' said Cleo 'thank you Bella.'

'It's nothing' Bella said shrugging 'I just thought it would be a nice symbolism.'

Emma took off her locket and put on the necklace, even though she and Bella weren't very close they were already pulling towards each other.

'Yeah' said Rikki at Emma's surprised face 'they do that.'

Over the next half hour the girls relaxed in the room and seemed to get comfy with each other's company. Both Emma and Bella were quietly glad that things hadn't been too awkward. There still a few moments though when their personalities clashed…they were getting used to each other's ways.

'So Bella' Emma asked curiously 'now that school's over what are you going to do?'

She shrugged 'I don't know, I mean I did have a solid gig singing at Rikki's Café but…they just closed.'

'Yeah I heard about the café, that's too bad' Emma replied 'I didn't know you could sing though, you any good?'

'She's really good' Cleo replied, being supportive.

'In comparison to you anyone is' Rikki replied jokingly.

Cleo threw a pillow at her 'but seriously she is really good.'

'I guess you'll have to find somewhere else then' Emma said finally, not sure what else to say.

'What about you' Bella asked Emma 'what do you want to do?'

'I've already found a job' Emma replied smiling.

Rikki rolled her eyes 'surprise surprise.'

'Doing what' Cleo asked curiously 'how come we don't know about this?'

'I only got it today' Emma replied 'it's just office work, at dad's company.'

'That doesn't sound like you' Cleo said 'sounds…'

'Boring' Rikki added simply.

Emma shrugged 'gotta do something, besides it's only part time.'

'Well I'm still a dolphin trainer' Cleo said smiling 'which by the way is going awesome.'

'I think we should talk about that' Emma said putting on her serious tone.

'Why' Bella asked defensively 'she did a show perfectly fine, she didn't get wet…there is no drama.'

'One show' Emma said 'and how long before something does go wrong, Cleo I know you like it there but you really are putting our secret at risk.'

'Emma you're being silly' Cleo said calmly.

Emma put on her "am I" face and looked round at them all.