Under the Waves

Cold…it's so much colder now…

Bubbles filled my vision as the icy chill of the ocean water caused shivers to resonate all the way to my toes. The bubbles cleared away soon enough and I arched forward, my legs and arms moving me forward. But it couldn't last. All too soon the air ran out and I clawed to the surface, breaking the waves and gasping in gulps of precious air. Turning in the water, I observed how far I'd been able to get from the shore in one breath. Kicking my feet, I did some swimming above the water for a little while. But unfortunately my body decided the chill of the water was too cold to adjust to.

With a defeated sigh when my body refused to warm itself, I paddled toward the shore and dug my feet into the sand when the water banks were close enough. I walked out of the ocean surf, wringing salty water from my swim-darkened hair. Sand clung to my feet and ankles as I slipped my sandy shorts over my wet suit and slipped on a black t-shirt over my head.

Grabbing my beach-bag I padded back up the dunes, trying to avoid the concealed rocks scattered about. The beach-house came into view and a clear sight of my father's equipment was visible. I smiled at the scene; he was a really dedicated worker. No matter how unfair the assignments were, he completed them as best he could.

"Hey dad," I called as he came out onto the back porch.

"Evening sweetheart," he replied and ruffled my hair with his knuckle, "Have a good swim?"

I shrugged indifferently, "It was too cold to really enjoy." I admitted.

"Eh, it's December Abby, water's gonna get cold." He shrugged.

"I know dad, we've lived here since forever." I shoved at him playfully.

"Yeah well…one sec," he murmured and shifted through some papers, "Here, could you run this into town and to the labs?" he asked.

"Sure thing dad," I smiled.

Taking the yellow envelope full of papers, I ran upstairs and changed into a black t-shirt with a picture of Hubble on it, blue jeans, and tennis shoes before running back downstairs and taking off out the front door. My father worked with the Marshall Space Flight Center labs and analysis teams. I usually ran papers back and forth between the two.

Our house was close to the beach, so I swam a lot. Admittedly, swimming in the oceans had been the reason behind my large stamina. Without the swimming I wouldn't be able to get from the house to the labs without the use of a car.

I began to walk down the cracked sidewalk once I had run for a while. It was so much colder here in December. I wanted spring to get here and warm the ocean waves again. Suddenly, the all too familiar sounds of a skateboard came from behind me. I shook my head, smiling at the sound.

"Yo, Abby…wait up!" a male voice called.

I turned with a smile on my lips. That voice was unmistakable. Riley Tucker, my best guy friend, came rolling down the sidewalk, awkwardly trying to stay on his new skateboard. With a funny little sequence of limbs, he managed to hop off the board without sending it flying into the street and jogged up beside me. "Hey, what's up?" he asked, brushing shaggy black strands of hair out of his face.

"I'm fine, what about you? Any award-worthy crashes you'd care to share with me?" I teased.

"Ha-ha," he rolled his eyes playfully, "Where're you going?" he asked.

"Just to the labs to drop off some papers," I told him.

"Can I tag along?" he pleaded hopefully.

"I don't know if they're even going to let you in Riles." I told him.

"We need to at least try!" Riley declared and snatched the papers up and began bolting down the sidewalk.

"RILEY!" I cried and dash madly after him.

Apparently he'd instigated a game of chase. I sprinted after Riley with all I had. However, Riley liked to surf, swim, and run. So while I did have a lot of stamina, he had a lot more. But, while he beat me in stamina, I had a slight speed advantage with a lither build.

Pumping my legs and ignoring the growing pain in my chest, I pressed on and I swear my heart way in my skull and pounding out an erratic beat in my ears. My legs moved like clockwork and my feet were gripping the sidewalk, propelling me forward with everything I had. "Riley," I choked out between heaves, "Slow down!"

Riley looked back and laughed good-naturedly before slowing down and eventually to a halt. I came up beside him and after hunching over I fell to my knees panting harder than I ever remembered. Suddenly there was a familiar churning in my gut that was climbing up my throat at an alarming rate. I lunged into the sand dunes and proceeded to puke into the dry and dead beach-weeds.

After emptying the contents of my stomach, I groaned and propped myself up my palms and knees. Riley came and knelt next to me, set down the package, and pulled my hair back. When I was hit with another wave of nausea and threw up again he was there holding my hair up and rubbing my back in a friendly attempt to help.

"That…sucked…" I muttered and spit into the dirt.

Riley chuckled and squeezed my shoulder apologetically. "Sorry about that Abby…" he said quietly.

"You're an ass," I snickered and jabbed him in the ribs, "You owe me a bottle of water when we get in town."

"I'm guessing I have to buy some mints too…" Riley joked.

I winced at the smell of my breath. "Throw some gum in there too." I grumbled.

Riley just laughed and walked beside me the rest of the way. True to his word, he bought us separate bottles of water and got me some Tic-Tacks and gum to wash out the taste of bile when we passed a gas station.

"Finally," I sighed when town came into view, "I hated that."

"The walking," Riley questioned?

"Yeah," I nodded.

Both of us kept walking into town and let out relieved sighs when the Flight Center was visible. "Thank heavens," I yawned in relief and dashed over to the gates.

"ID please," the guards said sternly.

I fished my visitation pass out of my pocket and showed it to him. "It's expired." He said and crushed it.

"What," I yelped, "Hey!" I glared at him, "I have something for the labs…from Dr. Sholts!" I argued.

"Without a pass I can't let you in." he denied and stepped forward.

"Hey c'mon man," Riley interjected, "She needs to deliver those papers! You don't want to get blamed for withholding-."

The guard shoved Riley down, "I'm not doing anything wrong. You brats are trespassing! Now leave before-."

"What's going on out here?!" a sharp and higher-pitched voice shouted.

"Doc Tank," I waved, "A little help here!"

"They can pass Smith," she glared from where she was in the doorway, "They are delivering information."

"But…" he began to protest.

Whatever protests he had died in his throat from the glare she gave him. The burly man stepped aside and allowed us to pass. Riley stuck his tongue out at the guard when he was a safe distance away. However, he was quick to get inside when the guard growled at him.

I was always caught up in awe of the place when I walked in. But today there was too much to look at! There were people everywhere, running to god only knows where! Everything was in motion. I repeatedly had to dodge and catch the envelope before it was knocked to the ground. I fought to catch up to Doc Tank who seemed to just have a path through the mess.

She was well respected so it wouldn't surprise me. When I finally managed to come up beside her I gave the room a distasteful look. "What's the rush for?" I asked incredulously.

"We've got some very important guests here; things have been rather hectic since it was somewhat of a…sudden announcement." She answered.

'Wonder who could make a place that's usually so quiet so…hectic?' I thought.

"Is your friend alright?" Doc Tank suddenly asked with a funny tone in her voice.

I looked to see she was trying very hard to contain a smile. I scanned the crowd and then face-palmed at what she had been smiling at. With a tense smile and forced cheer I glared. Riley had resorted to trying to dance out of the wave of people.

"RILEY!" I hissed and he glanced over. At my glare he hurried over and silently stood nearby.

Doc Tank giggled quietly at his antics and resumed leading us up to the labs. I gazed around restlessly at the white walls. I was itching to know what was going on. "Is it always like this?" Riley asked Doc T.

"It's rarely so busy, but this is a…special exception…?" she seemed to phrase I more like a question than an answer.

We then boarded the elevator to the labs and after some impatient waiting the doors opened. My fangirl instincts went wild and I fought an internal war to keep a straight face when all I wanted to do was squeal in excitement.

That was undoubtedly the Justice League member…Martian Manhunter.

'Oh hell to the yes I'm staring at a Martian!' I thought with barely contained glee.

~o~

End of the first chapter! Hope you enjoyed!