At the Bennett Mansion

Cleo and Bella waited impatiently for Lewis to arrive with Rikki and the unconscious Kiada. They swam a lot faster than Lewis' boat could travel so they arrived minutes before Lewis even came into sight.

As Lewis neared the Bennett mansion he noticed a boathouse that he didn't remember seeing before.

"Hey Rikki, when did Zane get a boathouse?"

"Oh, he built that a few months back. That way I can swim in, dry off and go see him. Much less likely that I will get caught" Rikki answered though she seemed far away.

Lewis shrugged and then pulled into the boathouse securing the boat while the girls watch from the sidelines. They would have helped but the rope was wet and now was not the time to go mermaid.

Once secured to the dock Lewis handed the unconscious Kiada over to the girls before climbing out of the boat himself. Taking her back from him he motioned for Rikki to lead the way.

The group walked silently up to the house. All worried about the poor girl in Lewis' arms. Rikki unlocked the door and they made their way into the house.

"Where should we put her?" Lewis asked.

"I think she has a room here." Rikki replied, "There's one room that Zane would never let me in. It's across the hall from his room. He always seemed protective of it."

"Lead the way."

The group walked past the kitchen and made their way up the back staircase. Cleo watched Rikki carefully as she led them up to the third floor. She was worried about the usually fiery girl being so distant.

At the landing Cleo noticed there were only four rooms on this floor. The first room on the right was obviously a guestroom as it was completely pristine, as was the room on the left. As they walked past the second door on the right Rikki ran her hand across the door, as if she longed to walk through that door. Cleo guessed that must be Zane's room.

Rikki then stopped in front of the last door. It was just past Zane's door on the left side of the hallway. She glanced back at Zane's door again before staring at the door before her.

"Rikki? Are you alright?" Cleo asked.

"Yeah, I just miss Zane is all. I feel so bad for him."

With a sigh Rikki gripped the knob and opened the door. The room that greeted them was definitely Kiada's. The walls were painted a pale yellow with greenish-blue accents. A wooden dresser and desk lined the walls. In the farthest corner sat a queen-sized bed covered in a white canopy. Above the bed KIADA was written in painted wood letters. The room was so neat that it must have been years since anyone had lived here.

Rikki tied back the canopy as Lewis laid Kiada down on the bed and started checking her vitals. He knew this was bad, she needed a doctor but it wasn't safe to take her to a hospital. As Lewis got to work with the help of Bella and Cleo, Rikki slipped out to phone Zane.

Making her way to the kitchen Rikki sat down on one of the stools. She took a deep breath before dialing Zane. She didn't know what his reaction was going to be to Kiada's condition or the fact that Rikki had gone into her room.

"Hello?" Zane's voice came over the line.

"Zane…" Rikki started.

"Rikki? Are you okay? What happened?

"We found her Zane…" Rikki started her voice cracking, "She's in really bad shape. We found her unconscious in a cove."

"…Where are you?" his voice was quiet.

"At your house. I figured it would be the best place to take her. We put her in her room. I'm really sorry Zane. I know you told me not to go in there but I thought it might be the best place and…"

"Shhh Rikki it's okay. That's fine she should be in her own bed. I'll be home as soon as I can alright."

"Okay. And Zane"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you too Rikki"

Rikki closed her phone burying her face in her hands. She would never forgive herself if something happened. She should have noticed that the girl wasn't with them.

What kind of friend are you? Rikki thought to herself.

Zane couldn't get home fast enough. As he pulled into the driveway he dashed out of the car and through the front door. Racing up the stairs he skidded to a halt outside his sister's room. He entered the room slowly afraid of what he might see.

There lying on the bed was Kiada. She was finally conscious and sitting up in the bed as Lewis continued to take care of her. Her brown hair had been braided down her back to get it out of the way. Her chestnut eyes were swollen and red as was her nose. But at that moment Zane could care less what his sister looked like, he was just glad she was alive.

"Ki?"

"It's alright Zane" Kiada chocked out, her voice raspy, "I'm okay now."

"I'm so sorry Ki. Things got so crazy this morning and I was just stupid. I should have known you were gone and made sure you were okay. I'm sorry."

"It's okay Zane. I'm sorry too." She took a sip of water and continued, "I shouldn't have wandered off. I just wanted to think and then that storm came so fast and I got stuck and I couldn't get warm. The last thing I remember is curling up in a corner trying to warm up."

The twins smiled at one another. They had a lot of learning to do. So used to not being around each other they forgot what was most important…believing in each other.

"Now go see your girlfriend! She's been worried sick about you. She really does love you a lot, and I know you love her. Don't screw up Zane, you need each other."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes go you idiot!"

"Thanks sis. Feel better."

The entire group watched as Zane walked out of the room. They could all see it even if he couldn't. He needed Rikki and even though he had been trying it took him until now to truly realize it.

"Will please shut the door." Kiada asked.

"Why?" Will replied.

"Because I know my brother. He'll take her to his room to talk. And I think they deserve some privacy. I've put them through a lot in the last 2 days."

"Gotcha!" Will said as he walked over closing the door.

The rest of the group feel into deep conversation as Zane made his was downstairs smiling. He was grateful for what his sister had just done. He entered the kitchen and found his girlfriend with her head still in her hands. She looked up when she heard his footsteps.

"Rikki? Rikki come here"

She didn't need to be told twice and got up closing the space between them holding him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair.

"It's okay Rikki. She's okay."

"She is?" Rikki asked sniffling.

"Yes she is thanks to you. But are you?"

"It's my fault Zane. I should have noticed she wasn't around. I was her first friend here and I let her down."

"No you didn't. She doesn't blame you. She needed to think and the storm trapped her. It's not your fault. I promise."

"But…"

"No buts. Come on lets go up to my room and talk."

Zane took her hand and led her back up the steps. Walking down the hall he reached out opening his door and leading her inside. Shutting the door and locking it behind him he led he over to his bed.

She looked so lost as she sat down on the edge of his bed. Clad in black sheets and a black comforter it was very Zane. He walked into his closet and pulled off his jeans and shirt leaving him in just his boxers and a t-shirt. He placed an oversized t-shirt in her hands along with a pair of shorts she had left there.

Climbing into the bed he laid down with his head on the pillows, watching her as she pull the shorts on under her dress. Pulling the dress off she swiftly put on the t-shirt.

"Come here beautiful."

"But I'm a mess."

"No you aren't. You are the most beautiful thing ever."

Rikki crawled over to him and he pulled her close never wanting to let go again. Wiping the tears from her eyes he gave her a sweet chaste kiss on the lips. She snuggled closer to him hiding her face in his chest. He held onto her tighter and the two quickly drifted off to sleep. They didn't need to say much, they just knew.