Zane looked over the will. It was pretty standard, and what he expected. As Harrison Bennett's only heir, Zane received everything including a very generous life insurance policy. Zane hoped it would be many years before he saw it. He put the will in the desk and took out the key. Just then the door bell rang. Zane pocketed the key, and went to answer the door.

Zane greeted his friend, Nate, "Hey, what brings you by? Come in."

Nate told him, "I can't stay, work and all. I just brought you lunch. It's a burger, fries, and a smoothie from Ocean's Cafe. It's the place that replaced Rikki's."

"Thanks, I haven't eaten today." Zane took the food and drink.

Nate said, "I figured as much. When my mum was ill, I lost so much weight a nerd could have beat me up. Just take care of yourself."

Zane replied, "I will. I'll eat this now. I appreciate it."

"Okay, hope it goes well tomorrow," with that being said, Nate left and went back to work.

Zane went in and set the bag on the table. He took the key, opened the safe, pulled out a letter, notebook, and file. He sat down, opened the food box and letter. He started eating as he read the letter.

Dear Zane,

If you are reading this letter, then something has happened to me. I have failed you, and our family. Since our experience with Dr. Denman, I have been working on locating your mother. It has been a slow process, with very little progress.

How do I even begin to tell you this unbelievable tale? I didn't even know it myself until you inadvertently jogged my memory. I believe I have been put under an enchantment, or memory curse. The notebook is full of memories, and dreams, which I believe may be memories. Every time I have a dream or memory the thoughts fade quickly from my mind. I've used the notebook to journal my thoughts, before they go.

Perhaps you can use the information here to find your mother. I believe she is a mermaid named Rita, but I don't know her current last name. When we were together, we took a trip to Sentosa Island, in Singapore. She said she liked the name, so she'd take if for her last name. I told her not to take it, but to take mine instead. I got down in one knee and proposed right there. Understand that mermaids don't have last names the way we do. I couldn't find her, after I remembered everything. I hope you will see something that I have missed.

Remember when I wanted to develop Mako Island? Do you remember me asking if you understood what we've both lost? You replied, "Do you? Cause I'll tell you exactly what you've lost...me" With the girls tails and you saying those exact word, I remembered everything. Did you ever wonder why I pulled out of business with Dr, Denman? It was because I finally remembered your mother. She said those exact words to me the last time I saw her. I finally remembered the truth. I fully believed you that I would lose you. I couldn't lose you, too.

Please read over the enclosed notebook. The enclosed folder contains photos that I've gotten from friends over the past few years. All of my photos disappeared with your mother. You'll see group photos, photos with all of us as a family, and there is one of you with her. Unfortunately, she is looking down at you and it's hard to see her clearly. I'm sorry I don't have any clear, close up photos of her.

When you were young, you tried to ask me questions about your mother. I always said I couldn't talk about her. It was true and very frustrating. I'm sorry that I took that frustration out on you. Please forgive me.

Love,

Dad

Zane finished his lunch and drink, and sat thinking. He took a big sigh and opened the folder. He saw a beautiful young woman with curly long hair. Zane felt a longing in his heart. He looked through the pictures, closed his eyes, and had a memory experience of his own.

Rita sat on the couch with a very young Zane in her lap. He was 3 or 4. She was telling him that she loved him very much. She would always love him. She sprinkled him with dust, and told him to come to Mako on the night of the full moon before his 16th birthday. He would become whole again, He would become his true self. She gave him a potion to drink. Zane remembered feeling a his legs feeling weird and tingling. She told him that she hid his tail until they would meet again. He had a vague memory of having a blue tail?

Zane shook his head. Was he a merman? He was always great in the water. He was threatened in his youth by anyone stronger or better. He recalled Byron and Will. He also recalled Rikki and the night of the full moon before his 16th birthday. Seriously, who would go out to Mako at night in a small craft searching for answers about a red headed mermaid? He was compelled to go out there that night. Was Rita waiting for him in the moon pool, when he kissed Rikki that first time? It was too crazy to contemplate.

He got up, put everything back in the safe, and cleaned up lunch. He decided to save reading the notebook for later, and to visit his dad again. He also wanted to talk to the doctors about what to expect for tomorrow and the surgery. He went upstairs, took a shower, shaved, and went back to the hospital. He spoke with the surgery team and felt good about his father's chances. Then he went to visit the Harrison.

"Hey, Dad. How are you this afternoon? I talked to the surgery team. Everything is set for tomorrow." Zane closed the door and added, "I read your letter and looked at the photos. I had my own memory."

Harrison put the bed into more of a sitting position. He asked, "What did you recall?"

"I think, I think I had a blue tail. Is that even possible? Was I born a merman?" Zane asked as he took a seat by his father. He told his father about the memory when he was little. He also told him about what happened that night of the full moon before his 16th birthday.

Harrison replied, "Yes, I wrote some memories of your tail in the notebook. Although, I didn't know about her wanting to take you as a teenager. I owe Rikki my gratitude for knocking you out. I'd be lost without you boy."

"Thanks, Dad. I think." He continued, "I'll read the notebook over the next few days, while you're recovering."

"You and I both know there are serious risks to open-heart surgery." Harrison sighed' then continued on, "I will just tell you the story, and you can read the rest later."

"Dad, please don't stress now. I want you to be well rested."

"Listen son, I love you. I want you to hear this..."

Zane interrupted, "Several times now you've told me that you loved me, but before now it was three times in my life. You told me when you forgot me in the South Pacific, and at both high school and college graduations. You're scaring me."

"Zane, I'm sorry. Just let me tell you the story that I can remember." He took a deep breath and continued, "I met your mother, while I was kite surfing around Mako. I saw a fishing net in the water. It was moving on its own. I thought a turtle or something was caught. I had a knife with me in case of emergencies. I pulled the net to the shore on Mako. It was a real struggle. I took my knife to the net, when it screamed, "NO!" Your mother appeared out of no where in the net. I'm not sure who was more surprised. Anyway, that started our friendship, which turned to courtship, which turned to love. We were never legally married. We just exchanged our own vows on the beach. She didn't have proper identification for legal matters. Although, towards the end I did introduce her to a man, who could arrange such documents. As a plastic surgeon I've met all sorts of people. Unfortunately, he has long since disappeared."

Zane asked his father, "Is my birth certificate legal?"

Harrison answered, "Yes, you were born at home, then taken to the hospital to be checked out. We did all the paper work there. We told the hospital that you came to fast for us to make it. Anyway, it was a just a quick physical check. Since I'm a doctor and was present at your birth,it was easy. You were born in the ocean right outside of our home. So, I filled out all the paper work and filed it, with no questions asked. It easy, because I was a doctor."

"Well that's good then," Zane replied.

"Let me continue." Harrison told him how they had built a life. He had just started his practice, when they began their relationship. Things were good for a few years. They had bought 10 acres of land out of town on the coast. Zane was born and they lived in a small house with plenty of privacy. The market boomed and development encroached into their area. A land developer wanted to make the Bennett's property into a mansion row. Serious money was to be made. He took the idea to Rita and they had a huge fight. Harrison had said some pretty stupid things.

Rita took off with a mermaid named Verida, and she took Zane. Harrison went to the moon pool and found them. He tried to apologize, but greed got in the way. He talked about how the money was too important to lose.

Harrison told Zane, "that's when she said those words that you said in the moon pool. She put you in my arms and said some kind of memory spell. The next day all I knew was my wife left me to raise my son. I couldn't recall even why it happened. I just felt very driven to succeed and take care of you. I started having reoccurring mermaid dreams, which I eventually wrote down. I realized the dreams were memories, when you saved the girls from Dr. Denman."

He took a long drink of water and continued, "I felt embarrassed and ashamed that day. All of these memories came to surface, which is why I did a complete turn around that day."

"Okay, that makes sense, but why didn't you tell me? Why did you keep this from me?" Zane asked him.

Harrison answered, "Ever since then, I've been trying to locate Rita. I've tried Rita Sentosa, Rita Mako, even Bennett. I know she has to be around. She wouldn't leave you. I need answers. I need to know what I can't remember. I was hoping to talk to her before telling you."

"Wow, just wow." Zane sat back in his chair in deep thought.

Harrison added, "Honestly, I've only told you, because I don't know what tomorrow will bring. Promise me son that you'll try to find her. Even after everything, I still love her. I haven't loved since her."

Zane said, "Okay Dad, I promise. I will try. Can I ask a question, though? Whatever happened to Candy?"

Harrison coughed and had an embarrassed laugh, "Well that, my son, is not my finest moment. She was with me, when I had the heart attack. She was with me, before you arrived from Sydney. She was annoying. The doctor asked if I had any undo stresses in my life that I could get rid of easily. I took one look at Candy and told her that she was an undo stress and to leave."

"Whoa, are you serious?" Zane asked as his eyes widened.

"I'm afraid so. Oh that reminds me, can you call the lock smith and have all the locks and codes changed?" His dad asked.

Zane laughed, "Sure thing."

Just then, the nurse came in and took Dr. Bennett's vitals. She told him dinner would be served soon.

"Great, more broth and jello," Harrison grimaced. He added, "As soon as possible after the surgery, please will you bring me some decent food?"

"No problem, as soon as you're up to it. I'll see you tomorrow." Zane told him, and then he went home.


Authors Note and disclaimer

Disclaimer- I don't own H2O or Mako. I just had this back story idea.

Note- Thank you Mermaid by Heart for the review. It makes it easier to write, when I know people are actually reading this story. This is my first fanfiction. I hope it reads true to the characters. Speaking of characters, there are too many! This is difficult, but I'll keep going. After all, it's just a moon cycle. :)