OCEAN GIRL MERMAID-JUST ADD WATER

A new, somewhat mysterious and eccentric girl arrives on ORCA. Strange things happening have the Bates and even Neri baffled. OC inspired by but not official H2O crossover.

The original character and later characters, are inspired by and based on the mermaids from H20: Just Add Water and Mako Mermaids, although none of those characters will appear, at least not at this time. (Although they may be referenced too) Therefore, this is not an official crossover with those series, but rather my own mermaid.

One key difference about my mermaid, is that a few tiny drops of water isn't going to hurt her. She can wash her hands and take a drink from the water fountain with no worry (mostly). However, sticking her feet in water, a small wine glass of liquid, or a little too much water splashing part of her face from the water fountain, will trigger her. (I decided on this so she could wash her hands when she needs to and not worry, however it doesn't take much)

I've decided this story will take place between season 3 and 4. I love season 4, but wanted to start the story earlier, when they're a little younger. The story begins sometimes after the end of season 3.

Neri and Charley swim and play together, taking an "extra" longer swim than usual, as they slowly make their way towards ORCA. This will be the final time they'll play together for the next 14 days. After reassuring Charley for one final time of her return, and Charley reminding her that he'll be counting, Neri makes it to the divers' entrance towards the bottom of ORCA. Charley will stay near ORCA until Neri calls out to him as she boards the helicopter which will soon be arriving on the pontoon, then he will start his countdown.

Neri is more excited to be boarding ORCA than usual. She will be accompanying her friends, Jason and Brett Bate,s and their mother Dr. Diane Bates, on their holiday. It's a decision that the Bates, especially Jason, have really agonized over. Neri has expressed interest in seeing more of the mainland and experiencing more of human cultural. She was especially curious about Sydney, their location, as Brett had let it slip about a few weeks ago that they were thinking of going there. Diane hadn't been to Sydney since her youth, as her parents used to take her there every year growing up, and her sons have never been. She's been wanting to go back and take her children. Now finally seemed be the perfect time, especially after all the recent hazardous earthquakes destroying Earth's oceans. But the oceans are now healing, thanks to the boys, Neri, her sister Mera and ocean friend Kal (who both have returned to their home planet), and their ORCA friends.

While Neri had made several trips to the mainland recently looking for the Synchronium pieces, which they used to heal the oceans, and met some people, Sydney is a whole different world completely. Neri still lacks much basic human knowledge and is quite indifferent to common rules and proper manners. After giving in to Neri's demands, the Bates has spent every spare minute laying down some ground rules (the most important being that Neri never wonder off alone, to always stay close to the boys and/or Diane) and as well has trying to teach basic things, such as basic road and traffic laws, and common big city courtesy rules. They've also been working on basic table manners and etiquette. Most places they plan to eat are casual, but there is one fancy restaurant that Diane's parents used to take her too that she wants to take the kids too, and that would be a real test for Neri. They just hope they can get through it without drawing any unwanted attention.

Neri will also meet Diane's parents at the restaurant. Diane will only see her parents outside of their hometown, as being there tends to stir up a now twenty- plus-year conflict. Diane generally gets along with her parents and they are kind people, as long as they don't approach a certain topic.

There is one other reason that influence the Bates decision to bring along Neri. On her last visit to Earth, Neri's sister Mera informed them of her and Neri's days of birth. Neri had always assumed her day of birth was during the cooler months, as that's when her and her father celebrated it. Now Neri and the Bates know for sure, and it'll occur during their holiday. Jason's hoping that he can take Neri on their first real date on her birthday. What they'll do exactly he doesn't know yet, he just hopes she'll say yes, and that it won't turn out to be a disaster.

Neri comes aboard ORCA in the diving area, and gets her uniform out of the locker as usual. For once, she wonders why she must put it on, instead of one of her new outfits. She'll be changing again soon anyway. Last week, Diane had taken Neri to Port Douglas to buy her civilian clothes for the trip, including a couple semi-formals to wear to the nice restaurant as well a ballet they plan on attending at the Sydney Opera House, much to Brett's dismay. Despite Diane firmly instructing Neri to stay close, she did wonder away once, driven by her natural curiosity. Trying not to panic, Diane found Neri just down the street, watching a stilt dancer with amusement. Neri has promised not wonder off despite her over stimulated curiosity, and she'll try her best to remember to grab whomever she's with when she's drawn to something.

And in Sydney, there's a million and one things to be drawn too.

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On a helicopter pad next to a beach just a couple of hours from ORCA, a young scientist in her late 20's is pacing back and forth, her patience running out. Her daughter is late again. Sure, there was something she had to do before getting on the helicopter, but she tends to lose track of time.

"Dr Hernandez;" warns the pilot, "if your daughter isn't here in two minutes, I'm leaving without you. I've got another family on ORCA I'm flying down to Sydney, and then another appoint right after that. I can't delay. You really need to have a better hold on your kid."

That last line was uncalled for, but Dr. Hernandez keeps her cool. Actually, her daughter is fairly obedient most of the time, but her natural, sometimes over stimulated curiosity, tends to get the best of her, as well as not wanting to quite what she's doing, losing track of the time. Finally, her 11-year-old daughter comes running.

"I know I'm late Mama; but there was this…."

"Tell me in the air Maria;" says her mother sternly; "now get."

"I'm sorry Mama;" says Maria; "you know how it is."

Dr. Hernandez slightly nods; "I know, but now's not the time. We'll talk about it later. Now what were you about to tell me?"

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"So Jason, you have any?" asks Neri after arriving in the Bates cabin. Jason, trying not to roll his eyes, hands Neri a box of chocolates (he hasn't told her yet that they're supposed to be a romantic gesture).

Ever since Jason introduced Neri to chocolate awhile back, she has become totally obsessed with it. Neri loves sweets in general, but chocolate takes the cake above all else. In fact, she now demands that the boys bring some everytime they visit her on the island, as well as get her some every time she boards ORCA. Neri actually didn't let the boys on the island a couple of times because they had forgot to bring some. Anything and everything chocolate, she loves, but her recent favorites are boxes of filled chocolates, peanut-butter filled chocolate balls, and chocolate covered pretzels. The previous week in Port Douglas, Diane thought she'd never get Neri out of that chocolate shop. She's never spent so much on sweets in her life!

The fact that Neri eats five times the amount of any human, doesn't help matters. That's something they'll really have to watch when they go out to eat in Sydney, especially in buffets. Perhaps one the biggest mistakes the Bates ever made was taking Neri to a buffet, and a sea food buffet at that. Neri had piled her plate high six times, plus she almost completely forgot the few basic table manners she had acquired. All the stares they got finally convinced them to leave before getting dessert. The ice cream shop they went to afterward, they were lucky to hold Neri to just 3 giant ice cream cones and a hot fudge brownie sundae!

"Brett;" calls out his mum, "Have you pack everything? Your tooth brush, toothpaste, mouth wash, dental floss, deodorant..."

"Mum;" replies Brett; "I'm not a baby." Then Brett silently creeps into the bathroom to get that stuff. "Lucky Neri. She never has to brush or wear deodorant. All she has to do is rinse her mouth out with salt water and her mouth is clean."

Neri giggles. She doesn't have the body order problems as humans, and salt water is all it takes to keep her teeth and mouth clean and healthy.

As Jason also giggles, Neri turns to him; "Jason, did you clean mouth?" Jason rolls his eyes and goes to rinse out his mouth.

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The foursome is on their way to the elevator, dressed in civvies. Neri is wearing a peach t-shirt with a dolphin design, white shorts, white tennis shoes and socks, and a pair of dark sunglasses. She doesn't need sunglasses, but is wearing them because Jason and Brett are wearing them, trying to look cool. Diane shakes her head.

"Why is visiting your grandparents difficult?" asks Neri.

"It's not difficult;" replies Jason; "Just, Mum and her parents don't agree on somethings."

"What kind of things?"

"Well, the didn't approve of her becoming a scientist for one. They wanted her to take a more traditional woman's career."

"They didn't like Dad neither;" adds Brett.

"Why?"

"Because they're old-fashion."

"Old-fashion?"

"That's enough," Diane cuts in as the elevator doors open; "Now lets go."

On top of the pontoon, the helicopter is drawing nearer. The pontoon has been expanding recently, partly for functional use, partly for an above water lounge hang-out. The board has finally approve of the above water expectation after years of rejection. In fact, the original ORCA design had included more above water space for such, but the board at the time thought the space was unnecessary as well as a waste of time and money, and that ORCA's focus should be on work, not relaxing. The additional 6 ORCA bases built around the planet afterward did include such above water hang-out space. The Florida base even has an above water café and open air workout space (the ORCA Queensland doesn't even have an underwater café and no such wide open workout space). Open-air Yoga, Pilates, and dance classes are popular at the ORCA Florida.

As the helicopter lands, freshly caught shrimp, salt water crayfish, and even squid are being unloaded from a fishing boat for transport to the mainland. The smell is heavenly to Neri. She actually likes to eat shrimp raw and starts to head over there. Diane takes her arm and warns her not to, as Neri has done it before. Neri's dismay is soon replaced by the excitement of the helicopter landing. In mere minutes, they will be in the air and on their way to the wondrous world of Sydney!

The helicopter doors open, and a lady a bit younger then Diane and a pre-teen girl emerge. The girl looks terrified and shaking a bit, and dashes from copter and runs around. She either has energy bottled up, or she must have been claustrophobic or afraid of heights. Just as she seemed to be calming down, she takes one look at Jason and Brett, who greet her. She cringes up again and ducks behind the lady. Another man tries welcome her and holds out his hand, she seems terrified. The lady urges the girl to be polite, but she only shyly nobs, then ducks behind lady again.

The Bates and especially Neri wonder way she seems so frighten. Then Diane greets them, and the girl smiles and shakes her hand with no problem. Neri also says hello, especially to the girl, who gives a little smile and wave towards Neri, but then she looks down again and ducks back behind the lady.

The lady's name is Dr. Barbara Hernandez and her daughter, Maria. They have just arrived from the Florida Keys. They have no more time to talk as the commander and senior officer arrive to greet them. They have to wait until they return to get to know them.

After the Hernandezs' luggage is unloaded and the Bates and Neri's are being loaded, the Maria notices the fresh catch and goes towards it, like in a daze. She takes a crayfish from the catch and bites off the tale, shocking the Bates and even Neri. Neri herself doesn't eat crayfish that way. Dr. Hernandez clears her throat, and Maria sheepish goes back to her mother.

Jason and Neri are the last to board the helicopter. As they board Neri ask; "Jason, why she bit the tail off like that?"

Jason shrugs, "Honestly Neri, I don't know. I've never seen that myself before."

Neri takes one last look at Maria, their eyes meet. Neri has a strange feeling about Maria, and Maria vice versa.