Disclaimer: Ocean Girl and all its characters and places are the property of Jonathan M. Shiff Productions. I am a fan of the show and this is my own personal take on what could have happened if there had been a Season 5. Please also note: English is not my native language, therefore, please forgive me for any linguistic mistakes.

Dianne decided to talk to Paul about her wish to step down from her post to return her focus to science. She had a meeting set up at ORCA headquarters on the mainland, and she took Neri along to seize the opportunity to visit Jason afterwards.

Once they reached ORCA, Dianne and Neri had to wait in front of Paul's office for a little while. Dianne sat down in one of the chairs Paul's assistant pointed to, but Neri spotted a large fish tank behind the reception desk and walked past the assistant to look at the fish.

"Why are these fish kept out of the ocean?"

The assistant gave Neri an incredulous look, wondering if this odd young woman could really be the Princess of the Ocean Planet. She sure looked like in the images the assistant had seen in magazines, but she seemed so strange!

Dianne got up and joined Neri in front of the tank. "You see, on earth, some people wish to have part of the ocean's beauty reflected in their home, so they have fish tanks like these."

Neri nodded and said: "I wish they had more space to swim. But at least they do not worry about being eaten here by bigger fish."

When she turned around, she noticed the assistant staring at her with raised eyebrows. Neri just smiled and walked past her to sit down in one of the chairs.


Meanwhile, Lena and Sallyanne walked out of the main library chatting animatedly. Since they both majored in Computer Sciences, they had most of their classes together, deepening their friendship since they first met on ORCA. As they left the library, they ran into Jason.

"Hi Jason!" Sallyanne greeted him with a big smile.

"Sallyanne, Lena, how are you guys?"

"Hey, stranger! We haven't seen much of you around," Lena said.

"Keeping busy." Jason glanced the stack of books he was carrying.

"You missed the party at our place last month, you really should have come." Sallyanne muttered.

"Sorry about that, I was cramming for a few exams. But hey, would you want to come over to our place on Saturday? Vanessa decided that we're throwing this end of term slash holiday party."

"We'll be there. Right, Lena?"

"Sure! See you on Saturday."

Jason smiled: "Great, see you then. Bye."

As he walked away, Lena looked at the elated Sallyanne and shook her head reproachfully.

"I know I am repeating myself when I tell you that you are wasting your time."

"And I'm repeating myself when I tell you that I know he and I'll only ever be friends." She smiled mischievously at Lena,"but still, I cannot help feeling what I feel for him. So can you be my best friend and just let me be?"

Lena sighed and said emphatically: "Because you're my best friend, I really hope you will at some point in the near future feel the same way for someone else. Someone who'll be head over heels for you!"

The two walked on in silence until Lena stopped and spoke again: "Please don't be mad, I just want you to be truly happy."

Sally hugged her friend: "I'm not mad. I know I'm a lost cause as far as Jason is concerned. Is it ok if I vow I won't be turning down the next guy who asks me out? Even if it's 'Geeky Mike' from Programming." She gave Lena a crooked smile.

Lena looked less serious now. "That would be a first step in the right direction."

The two friends laughed and walked on to their next class.


Paul came out of his office with a group of people in ORCA uniforms, no one took much notice of the waiting Dianne and Neri as they quickly dispersed into different directions, except for Paul who smiled when he saw his visitors.

"Dianne, Neri, how are you! I fear I got caught up in a lengthy planning meeting. Did you have to wait long?"

"It wasn't too bad. I hope you'll still have some time in that busy calendar of yours to talk to me?"

Paul nodded. "Of course." He turned to Neri. "Can I ask Ms Dwyer to get you anything while you're waiting for Dianne? Some water perhaps?"

Neri nodded at the suggestion. Paul gave the instructions and walked Dianne into his office.

"So, what brings you here?" he asked, closing the door behind him. Dianne took a seat and waited for Paul to sit down across from her before she answered.

"I wanted to discuss with you if there's any possibility for me to be released out of my contract to return to do research on ORCA."

Paul was quiet for a moment, so Dianne felt she needed to explain. "You see, Winston just took on another assignment. Based on our workload, we do need a second full time oceanic researcher to be able to handle the workload. You know that I'm very grateful to have been given the opportunity to command ORCA, but at the end of the day, you know that what I do best is being a scientist."

Paul smiled a little. "I understand. Have you discussed this with the boys yet?"

Dianne looked a little guilty when she admitted: "Not openly. I wanted to first see with you if it's even a possibility to consider. After all, my Commander's contract was just extended for another year."

"I admit I'd have to look into this a little more closely, maybe we can amend it to a six month contract. Less would not be possible since we'd need the time to find a qualified replacement for you."

"Officer Danton will certainly be submitting his application as soon as the position is advertised."

"We'll see. There's a reason why we decided to offer the position to you and not to him"

Dianne nodded.

"Once you know if it's possible for me to get out of the contract sooner, I'd be pleased to know."

"Of course." Paul got up. Walking around this desk towards Dianne, he asked: "So, this new project Winston works on, that's the one we should thank Jason and Neri for?"

Dianne laughed. "Indeed! From what I've heard, the hotel executives tried to sneak a professional looking environmental impact study past them, but Jason noticed it was not from an accredited institute, so the two suggested to have ORCA look into it. "

Paul looked sentimental: "Jason hasn't talked to me since the beginning of the term. His professors are keeping me in the loop on his progress at school, so I know he's doing fine with his studies, but I miss talking to him."

Dianne sighed. "You'll see him during the holiday break. Just try to come to terms with the fact that he has irreversibly grown up on us." She got up and touched his arm lightly: "And I suggest you make a better effort to get to know Neri."

Paul wanted to protest, after all, he had invited Neri to his farm, bought her clothes, and helped rescue her from PRAXIS, but Dianne gave him a look that silenced him, and continued: "She's going to be your daughter-in-law. The sooner you get closer to her, the better your relationship with Jason will be."

Paul looked down at Dianne's hand that still rested on his arm. Dianne noticed and pulled her hand away.

"I better go now. We are heading to see Jason."

"I figured."

"You did? How?"

"You brought along Neri." Paul grinned, then kissed Dianne's cheek and said goodbye.


Vanessa has prepared a huge dish of lasagna for dinner. Mick joined her in the kitchen to slice tomatoes and cucumbers for the salad, and Jason set the table.

"Nessa, are you sure the lasagna is not ready yet. Looks at how bubbly the cheese has become?" Mick glanced through the front oven glass.

Vanessa checked the clock. "It should still be a few minutes. You better focus on the veggies, I haven't learnt yet how to sew on a detached finger."

"You better learn fast, I cannot guarantee for anything since I'm starving," Mick muttered. Even though the doorbell rang while he spoke, Vanessa has heard every word.

With a sigh, she took the knife from Mick's hand and pushed him aside so she could finish the salad.

"How about you check who it is," she suggested.

Mick was ravenous after an exam in the afternoon, so he figured it was better to do as Vanessa told him. Experience has taught him to pick his battles with his girlfriend!

When he opened the door, he saw the smiling faces of Dianne Bates and Neri.

"Oh hi. What a surprise. Please come in."

Dianne smiled. "Hello Mick. Or should I call you Mr Byrne now?"

"Only if you insist on me calling you Commander Bates." Mick shook Dianne's hand, and then hugged Neri. "It's so nice to see you!"

"Nice to see you too, Mick." Neri smiled at him warmly.

"Does Jason know you're here?" Mick asked.

Neri and Dianne shook their heads.

"He'll be in for a big surprise then," Mick muttered.

"Mick, who is it?" Vanessa called from the kitchen.

Mick beckoned for Dianne and Neri to follow him.

"Mate, you didn't tell us you're having guests."

Jason looked up from pouring glasses of water and put down the pitcher so abruptly that water splashed allover the table. "Neri, Mum?" He asked incredulously as he rushed to hug them. Vanessa shrieked slightly and went over to shake hands with Dianne and to pull Neri in her arms as soon as Jason let go of her.

"Please tell me you'll stay for dinner."

Neri nodded. "It smells good."

"Vanessa made lasagna, it's the best!"

Neri looked at Jason who understood she didn't know the word. "It's Italian food, you'll like it."

He pulled a chair for her to sit down, and then helped Mick getting more chairs and place sets while Vanessa pulled the lasagna from the oven.

"Can we help in any way?" Dianne asked, who was seated next to Neri.

"Not at all, you're our guests!" Vanessa insisted. She carried in the lasagna and put it in front of Neri and Dianne. She then noticed the water drops on plates, utensils and napkins, rolled her eyes and asked with a stern look at Mick and Jason: "Guys, why is this table wet?"