Okay so I've been playing with this idea for a while now and have finally found a scenario that I'm happy with. Its loosely based on Pandorum but with my own Rumbelle twist. Also English isn't my first language so please excuse any odd or silly spelling mistakes, thank you. I hope you all enjoy.

XXXX

'You don't need to prove the existence of aliens. That's unproductive, unless we make a bet on it.'

-Toba Beta, My Ancestor Was An Ancient Astronaut

It had just gone three in the afternoon when the rest of the Dive Exploration Research Team, or just DERT for short, arrived in Brisbane, Queensland. Belle was happy to be back in Australia, she hadn't been there since she was a teen which was when her Papa and Mother had moved her to Maine. She did seem to be the only happy one though, everyone else just looked jet lagged, especially Ruby who had her head in her hands as they waited for their sea taxi to arrive. Archie was already dousing himself in sun cream, poor thing she thought to herself as she slipped on her sunglasses his skin is far too pale for such weather. The sun was high in the sky as it always was in Australia, the seagulls sung high up over the sea and the sand was pure white and hot to the touch. Normally DERT would have been deep-diving on excavation sights throughout Europe but it seemed Regina Mills, the head of the organisation that funded them, had deemed it necessary to send them to her neck of the woods, what for Belle had no idea. There were many interesting wrecks around Australia, especially Queensland but she couldn't understand why she hadn't heard of a new wreck being found. Then again she wasn't the boss, Graham was. Belle had never envies Graham, he had to deal with so much and then to top its off Regina bloody Mills was always on his case. Belle really didn't like Regina but she had to admit that Regina got things done. Apart from being their boss, Graham Humbert was also one of the best Marine Geologists Belle had ever met; not that she had met that many. She'd only thought the stereotypical version of geologists existed until she met Graham, oh how wrong I was. Graham was three things above all else; a good man, fantastic at making pancakes and somewhat obsessed with waistcoats.

It looked like their sea taxi was going to take a while and so the DERT team found themselves slumped down in the shade with all their gear and bags. Graham Humbert was on the far left just in the spot of shade talking to Regina on his satphone, his shirt was damp with sweat and he kept pulling the light blue fabric away from his chest to cool himself. Doctor Archie Hopper was next to him, poor thing his hair was soaking wet and he looked about ready to keel over. Archie was the teams Marine Archaeologist and Belle was his assistant, he was a great teacher and always made time to explain something if she didn't understand. Archie had spent most of the flight worrying about Pongo his beloved Dalmatian and DERT's unofficial mascot, the animal had travelled with the rest of their team some time ago and then had to spend ten days in quarantine. Archie and that dog were best friends. Sat cross-legged in her little red shorts and cherry red tank top was Ruby Lucas their resident Photographer, she could make anyone look good on camera. Ruby had always wanted to go out and see the world, working as a marine photographer seemed to had fulfilled that goal. She was a sweet girl and somewhat red obsessed, Ruby was also Belle's best friend. Curled up in the shade to Ruby's left was Emma, their dive tech. She had her hair pulled up in a high ponytail keeping it off her neck and her back pressed against the somewhat cool stone wall that was providing their shade. Emma was resourceful and in charge of every piece of equipment they had which meant she was punctilious as well, which they all had to admit they were thankful for. One wrong move on Emma's part and their lives were in danger. Ariel Shore seemed to be the only one other than Belle who wasn't bothered by the bright sun or sizzling heat, then again Ariel was a water baby, she loved beaches and sun; possibly more than Belle did. Ariel was the free spirit of DERT with her bright red hair and constant need to go swimming, she was also their marine botanist. Sea plants were her passion and Ariel had a habit of list listing random facts out of the blue, she was also an avid collector of sea shells.

Their plane had been delayed and so they were a day behind schedule which was probably why Graham looked like Regina was yelling at him down the satphone. The rest of their team was already aboard their research ship Fairytale and had been for almost two weeks, they'd been sent ahead to get things ready and to get Pongo in quarantine; the way they saw it, the sooner he went in the sooner he could come out . Fairytale was commanded by her pirate like Captain, Killian Jones, he took some time to warm up to, what with his constant flirting and insisting on calling every female he came across, love. However, Killian wasn't all bad and could even be considered kind when enough rum was in him. Also aboard was Doctor Victor Whale, the teams medical doctor and his boyfriend Jefferson Hatter. Jefferson was the oddball, some would even say mad but he was very likeable from the instant you met him. He also acted as their ROV pilot, they had two remote controlled vehicles each of which Jefferson had named, the first was Jefferson's favourite and often considered his baby but commonly known as Grace. She was bright yellow and had enough LED lights and cameras to put the press to shame, then there was Cheshire, Jefferson had spent a long time painting him light and dark purple with a little hint of blue to look just like the cat. Most of them just called him Chesh.

Just as Belle felt like nodding off, the sea taxi emerged at the dock waiting for the team to board.

"Hey guys, the taxi is here." Informed Belle looking around to the others.

Each stood and pulled their backpacks on then picked up their gear bags and headed for the small bright green boat. The trip was surprisingly quick considering they needed to get to the Fairytale which was a hundred and seventy-nine miles of the coast of Brisbane, Graham and Archie were beyond thankful for the quick trip as they really wanted to sleep. They had been on a twenty hour flight and Graham had gotten no sleep for the entire journey, he was exhausted.

Belle smiled when the Fairytale came into view, the ship was reasonably large for a small research team like they were, her hull was painted in a rich dark blue while the superstructure and deckhouse were pure white. Fairytale decorated the ships stern in the same crisp white paint. They all climbed aboard where they were quickly greeted by Jefferson, Victor and Killian.

"Nice to see you finally made it." Said Victor with a smile as he picked up a bag to help Emma, she nodded her thanks.

"Yeah, was beginning to think I needed to send out search and rescue." Added Killian with a teasing grin.

"Flight was delayed, then the sea taxi was late-" Ruby let her complaint open.

"Well, you're all here now." Jefferson chimed in before aiding Victor and Emma.

Just then, almost cutting off Jefferson's words, was a loud bark. Archie's head swung round straight away to see Pongo charging down the deck towards his human.

"Pongo!"

Archie dropped to his knees and greeted the Dalmatian who practically knocked him over. Belle smiled seeing Archie and Pongo reunited, he truly loved that dog, and to be honest so did everyone else on DERT.

"I got him out of quarantine this morning, he's been desperate to see you." Said Victor patting the Dalmatians head.

"Thank you, Victor."

XXXX

It had gone dark and the DERT team were all sat around the mess table eating some much needed dinner, they had always taken it in turns to cook a meal sort of an unwritten rule. That night it was Ruby's turn and so she made her famous and beloved mushroom risotto, everyone tucked in, all except for Killian who was still up on the bridge doing God only knew what. Pongo was munching away from his bowl beside Archie at the table, the ships mess wasn't very large and Archie didn't want Pongo far after so long of being separated. Belle put the first mouthful into her mouth and it burst with wonderful flavour and a fantastic creaminess that brought a smile to her peach glossed lips. It was amazing how quiet everyone got when they ate, the only noises being the sound of cutlery against plates and breathing. Occasionally a wave would hit the hull louder than normally but nothing more could be heard; it was peaceful there with a team she had come to think of as family. The room had dark wood panelling around the walls that gave the ship a little more of a homely feel, add in her friends and Belle was happy as happy could be.

Though the sun had gone down heat still lingered in the air, Belle was sure Archie had changed his shirt at least three times that day, he'd gotten of the plane in white, then shortly after they got aboard Fairytale it had turned green and now it was a soft pink. It looked as though he could sweat through all his clothes in two days if he kept going like that, then again it was the hottest part of the year. She was sure he would soon get used to the heat just like he had in Bermuda. It was Graham she felt the most sorry for though, he had dark rings around his eyes and looked ready to face plant in his meal, he'd been the one to get permission to dive, to perform recovery if necessary, Graham had even booked all the flights. Jefferson and the others had been keeping him up to date but with the time difference his sleep had been shortened even further.

Soon enough the meal was finished and the plates were stacked up in the sink of the galley not to be thought about until the next day. A few moments after Emma and Ariel returned from stacking the plates up in the galley Graham pulled out a folder from his grey backpack at his feet and set it down on the table, flipping it open and pulling out images and scattering them across the mess table before reaching back down and taking out his laptop.

"I know we normally excavate ship wreaks but the Evil Queen seems to think this is important. There's a large rock structure supported on a ledge six hundred feet down, which as you all know is a hundred and eighty meters. Regina wants to know about it because you don't normally find rock formations this size on a ledge like this. Its odd."

Graham paused for a moment to clear his throat before opening up some footage on his laptop.

"Since Jefferson has been here for nearly two weeks I've had him and Grace looking over the site and taking pictures-"

Ruby suddenly interrupted the brunette as she picked up one of the photographs. Pongo barked and so Archie gently petted his head.

"Taking pictures without me, Jefferson. Bad boy."

"Well, I've always been naughty, just ask Victor."

Jefferson and Victor shared a knowing look before Graham pulled them back to the present.

"Anyway." He lengthened the word. "Its completely covered in coral and sand as you can see." He spoke as the ROV footage played. "Its approximately a mile and a half long sticking diagonally up out of the ledge-"

The next interruption came from Ariel who suddenly pointed at the scream.

"Its covered in black coral."

"But what you're pointing at is green." Informed Victor with a confused expression on his face. Ariel sighed.

"Black corals are named for the color of their skeletons, but the outer tissues of black corals come in many colors, green being one of them. Antipatharia are a gr oup of deep water, tree-like corals related to sea anemones, you find them quite a lot around her. Just because they're all different colors doesn't mean they're not the same thing." She explained leaving the rest of the table confused and looking at her like she was speaking a different language. "What?" She questioned. "I'm a marine botanist do you really think I've learnt nothing about coral just because its a colony micro-organisms?"

Silence rained for a moment.

"Well, thanks for that smarty pants." Jefferson clucked before everyone turned back to Graham and the screen.

The ever so patient Graham continued to fill them in on the formation. Jefferson had out done himself with the footage he had recovered in just two short days. None of the team spoke again until Graham had finished and shut his laptop, returning it to his backpack along with the photographs. When a voice again filled the room it was Archie's.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand why myself and Belle are here. We're archaeologists, not botanists or coral experts."

"No, you're not." The Irishman confirmed. "However, you are part of this team and some of the best divers I've ever seen. I want people who we trust to take samples and help Ariel."

"Seems I have botanists in training." Chuckled Ariel.

"Yeah, the braniacs can get even smarter." Emma teased.

"Maybe you'll find an ancient shark or something interesting to bring up and brighten your day." Added Jefferson.

The DERT team all laughed for a few moments before Emma pulled herself to her feet and stretched. Sometimes there was nothing more satisfying than stretching. Suddenly Pongo jumped up onto Archie's lap almost completely obscuring Archie from the rest of the table.

"He really did miss you." Said Belle with a smile.

"Yeah, just wish he didn't have to crush me." Archie and Pongo finally found a somewhat comfortable position so as the Dalmatian could stay in Archie's lap. Well, it was comfortable for Pongo.

"Well, not that this hasn't been fun but I'm going to bed. I need some sleep before I pass out. I've had enough for one night...or it it two. God I don't know I'm so jet lagged." She turned and left throwing a night guys over her shoulder as she slipped out the door.

"Aww, poor Emma. She's going to miss the ice cream now. I have Killian stock the galley fridge for us." Announced Ruby rising to her feet.

"There's ice cream?" Jefferson's eyes widened. "I'll help." With that he and Ruby were gone.

There was quiet for a moment before Graham pulled his backpack over his right shoulder and stood.

"I want you all to get a good nights sleep, and I think I'm going to start now. Emma's not the only one who can't remember how long she's been awake so its time to hit the hay. I want everyone up at nine for breakfast too, its my turn for breakfast which means pancakes."

Graham smiled at them for a second or two before fleeing out the door in search of his bed. Belle didn't blame him, in fact she was surprised he had stayed up long enough to eat dinner. Another one of those louder waves crashed into the hull of the ship and Belle was glad she hadn't been off ship long enough to loose her sea legs, she was not going to go through the motion sickness she had when she first joined the team. Oh that was bad! She reminded herself.

"I want another beer, you guys want one?"

Victor asked heading towards the galley door. There was a round of no's as the blonde stepped through the door, returning moments later with Ruby and Jefferson in tow behind him. Jefferson and Ruby set the seven bowls down on the table and Archie immediately pulled a bowl to himself and filled his mouth with the cold chocolate, cooling himself down.

"Where's Graham?" Asked Ruby taking her seat again beside Archie.

"He turned in for the night, couldn't stay awake any longer." Belle informer her best friend.

"Oh, whose going to eat his bowl now?"

"I don't mind taking on that hardship." Said Jefferson a little too quickly causing everyone to giggle.

Victor grabbed Jefferson's hand and pulled him down into his seat and handed him a spoon, as if saying eat your own first. Jefferson took the spoon and tucked in. Belle could understand why Jefferson wanted more, it was a wonderful end to the meal; she did have an over active love for chocolate.

"We could give it to Killian." Began Ariel. "He didn't come down for dinner, he may like something sweet."

"I'll take it to him." Belle offered as she finished her bowl, she'd eaten it far faster than she had intended.

The beauty did so and took the bowl and spoon in hand before making the trip up to the bridge, it didn't take her very long. Belle couldn't help but remember her first day on the Fairytale, she'd spent a good twenty minuets lost getting from her room to the rec room, thankfully Victor had found her and saved her with a smile.

As she stepped onto the bridge she found Killian fast asleep in his chair facing out over the Tasman Sea, she smiled and set the bowl down in the clear space behind the ship's wheel. After a moment of just looking down at the sleeping Killian she shook him softly, he was adorable asleep but Belle couldn't just leave him there to sleep in such an uncomfortable position. He's be grumpy the next morning is she did.

"Killian." She said softly as she shook him. "Killian, wake up."

There was a grumble from the dark haired man as he attempted to sleepily push Belle away. It was no use though, Belle wasn't one for giving up and so she shook him slightly harder.

"What?!" He practically yelled, after a second he realised who was by his side and calmed. "Sorry Belle. What are you doing here?"

"You didn't come down for dinner, to be honest someone should have come to get you."

"Sorry, love. Must have nodded off. I haven't been sleeping well."

"You should go to bed, Killian."

"Yeah I will. Hang on is that ice cream?" He pointed to the green bowl behind the ships wheel, Belle nodded and Killian sprang up from his chair to grab the bowl. "Thank you, love." Killian pressed a quick kiss to her forehead and then left the bridge shovelling chocolate ice cream into his mouth as he went.

XXXX

Belle soon found herself in the cabin she shared with Ruby, it was reasonably sized and painted white with a large florescent light fixed to the ceiling and light wood furnishings. Ruby had always had the top bunk while Belle took the bottom one. When she entered the room Ruby was standing in front of the small mirror taking off her make up.

"Hey Belle." Ruby mumbled from behind her make up remover wipe.

"Hi."

She greeted Ruby with a smile and then quickly began to change into her pyjamas, mint colored shorts with a white tank top; perfect for the warm weather. Once she was changed Belle joined Ruby in front of the mirror to take off her own make up, she'd only worn a little foundation, a light peach gloss and mascara that day so it was quick to take off.

"I was meaning to ask Graham when August was getting here." Said Belle as she watched Ruby plait her hair through the mirror.

"I asked that earlier, apparently tomorrow at some point. I think he said noon."

August W. Booth was the final member of DERT and worked as their researcher, it was his job to search local new reports and generally anything he could get his hands on to gain a history of the site the were working on. Since there was no wreck or anything man made that they knew of down there Graham had gotten August to find out everything he could about the area. If it was prone to earthquakes or if there were any unexplored trenches, and especially if there were any dangers they needed to be aware of.

"He gets to stay there in Brisbane for another night while we have to put up with Jefferson and Victor."

"Oh, they're not that bad, Ruby." Belle turned from the mirror and followed Ruby to their bunks.

"Not that bad? Belle, we hear them having sex so often that its become normal to us."

"Then it shouldn't bother you."

With that Ruby climbed into the top bunk and kicked her covers off down the bed.

"Won't be needing those tonight."

Belle flicked off the main light so just her wall light was left on and got into her own bed. Too hot! Ruby was right, she wasn't going to need her covers that night and so she kicked them off too. After she was settled Belle opened Jane Eyre and began to read from where she left off.

"How many times have you read that one now." Asked Ruby.

Belle turned her head to see Ruby who had leaned to look under her own bunk. Her black hair was everywhere and her face looked flushed where all the blood was running to her brain.

"I can't help it, Ruby. Jane Eyer is my favourite."

"Yeah, well don't read too long. Graham wants us all bright eyed and bushy tails according to Archie."

With that the photographer leaned back up and settled back down in her bunk.

"Night, Ruby."

"Night, Belle."

XXXX

Emma and Ariel were fast asleep in their cabin, as was Archie in his, along with Pongo in his dog bed. Normally Archie shared with August but since the researcher was in Brisbane still Archie and Pongo had the place to themselves, which Archie was thankful for because August tended to snore. Killian had the captains cabin and hadn't even made it to his bed, no, he had passed out on his couch with the ice cream bowl still in his hand. In fact only three members of DERT were still awake; Victor, Jefferson and Graham.

The two lovers lay in bed together, and where in fact the only ones with a bed big enough for two. Victor had his left arm wrapped around Jefferson while the dark haired ROV pilot pressed his cheek into his lovers soft chest.

"I love you." Said the blonde.

"I love you too."

"How's Grace, figured what was wrong with her camera?"

"Oh, I fixed her. Grace's camera mount had come loose so it wobbled, I opened up the casing tightened it up and now she's fine. I want to do a sweep with her and Chesh tomorrow to make sure everything is in proper working order again though."

"I'm sure it will be."

Victor leaned down and pressed a sweet kiss to Jefferson's lips, the blonde loved the way his lover tasted, so sweet and perfect with the chocolate ice cream still lingering on his palate. Jefferson slid his hands up Victor's pale chest to his neck where he could pull Victor closer. Lips quickly parted letting the blondes tongue creep in and map out his lovers warm mouth. Soon Victor's firm hands were drifting lower and lower...

Down the narrow passageway from the lovers was Graham's cabin, being boss he got one all to himself which was nice when sleep was crucial. He'd been asleep for around an hour and a half when his satphone went off waking him from a perfectly peaceful sleep.

"Humbert." He answered groggily pushing himself on his elbow.

"Its me." Said August. "I know, its late sorry, but I thought you'd want an update."

"Good, what have you got?" He asked rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" Graham repeated.

"Yep, nothing. There's nothing interesting about that part of the Tasman Sea. Nothing has ever happened so Regina's little rock formation is nothing man made. Nothing has ever sunk there and lets face it if something that large had sunk then it was either a military ship that they hid from us or the aliens did it."

"Don't be ridiculous, August."

"Oh, come on, boss." August laughed. "$20 says the aliens did it."

"No. I want your ass back on the ship by twelve tomorrow afternoon, you're going to make yourself useful since you say there's nothing for you to research."

"Yes, boss." August mumbled down the satphone. "I'm their bitch now."

"And don't you forget it."

The call ended quickly after that and Graham finally got the sleep he so desperately needed.