((EDIT February 23, 2018 Friday))
A/N: So we're looking at maybe seven chapters left if I make the last arc a two parter. So this arc, two more that consist of the climax, then two of the finale, and an epilogue. Wow.
Thank you to LunarCatNinja, for reviewing, and everyone else for reading as usual; I really do appreciate your guys' reviews and reading :D.
And a huge thanks to the guest, AvidReader! I'll respond here real quick since your reviews were guest ones:
Thank you so much! Honestly your reviews really motivated me at the moment; I've been having a hard time writing and your words - as well the other reviewers - really bolster me up! I try to carefully plan my chapters (y'all should see my sketch notes XD) and it's fulfilling to see it pay off. I'm so glad you enjoy how I write and my universe - I honestly worry about my coherency and ideas. You're all so kind and supportive, so thank you very much!
(And thank you for your review on Insatiable! Honestly I don't know how to respond to any of them; I'm a little overwhelmed at such a lovely response. Your reviews really made my day today!)
Now; on with the fic!
DISCLAIMER: . . . do I even have to say it? Again? I don't own the characters or universe.
" 'The surf of water and the surge of wind; here, power and peace fight a gentle war, tumbling like the sand playfully, until you feel a part of this great landscape.
. . . or you get sunburnt and eat some ice cream, which is just as great.' " - Subtle Shenanigans (because I can't find a good beach quote)
Beach Part 1
Three pairs of feet hit the floor, sand flying out from beneath them as they ran towards the sound of crashing surf; their three voices rang together as one.
"Beach day!"
There was an indignant squawk as a seagull flew away from them, trying not to get squashed. Doc shielded his eyes and watched them, smiling, and Drew chuckling beside him.
The Saturdays had docked the airship a mere two hours' drive from the coast, deciding that the three young teens with them could use a break after all the craziness lately.
The conversation went something like this:
". . . and that's what happened with the Curr-ai'rre," Zak concluded, scratching at his shoulder. Both that and his leg wound had healed, as had Ulraj's bit arm, and Wadi's scraps and scratches. But they all were still more than a little sore and weary.
His dad sighed. "I'm glad that you're all okay. I don't envy your guys' situation - though I wish we could have helped. Drew and I got to Miranda in time - someone had set her lab on fire and attacked her with some sort of long-range weapon. She'll be okay though; just under hospital surveillance for a little while. We went back and scouted her place after the fire was put out."
Drew's brow was furrowed when she picked up the narrative. "You know . . . it was sorta odd. The whole place was on lockdown but there was a message on the wall - a fresh message. Somehow, someone must have broke in to leave it."
"What message?" The kids and Doyle - and Fiskerton - asked.
"A.L. - in caps, indigo colored. Spray-painted pretty meticulously too."
"A.L. ?" Doyle asked. "Nothing else?"
"Nothing else," Doc echoed. "Any idea of what it could mean?"
Doyle shook his head, confusion evident on his face. "No, not a clue. I'll let you know if I think of anything. Maybe call a buddy or two."
"Well," Drew cut in, when the silence seemed to go on for too long. "Everyone's okay and that's what matters."
"I agree; but I'm worried more people will get hurt," Doc said, arms crossed and expression tight. "Who's doing this? Why? Are they going to go after more Secret Scientists? What if–"
"Hey man," Doyle cut in. "I know you're worried. Heck, I am too - but I think we're all getting a little too stressed. And being stressed won't help things. I think we all need a bit of a break."
"A break? Now? Are you serious, Doyle?"
Drew wrapped around her husband in a comforting gesture. "Hunny, sweetie - I agree with him. We've been pushing too hard, and with the kids . . . "
Doc didn't need the prompting in her voice to glance over at the aforementioned kids; he had already done so, seeing that they looked battered and bruised. He sighed, knowing she was right.
"Okay, but after a week or two of bed rest."
And so that week had turned to a week and a half, due to the storm that had assaulted the airship for upward of almost two days, and needing to recalibrate and check damages for about an additional three. Abbey - who had woken up hours after Doc and Drew had returned to the ship (though Fiskerton told them of her earlier phone call) - had yet to explain herself once, the Saturday parents deciding to abide their time and care for the ship and 'crew'. Doyle played games with the kids (and Cryptids); everyone doing their own thing in the evenings.
Then came the day when they were done, and the sun was shining, and they all craved to be on land again. So plans were made to go to the beach - no problems (unlikely), no danger (hopefully), and a day of fun (guaranteed regardless if the previous two occurred or not.)
They chose the beach because of Ulraj's aquatic nature, the western coast of America because of Wadi's preference of warmer weather, and because of Zak's love of the beach and its creatures.
The only downside, the Saturday parents found, was that they couldn't monitor them for the beginning of the day, since they still had Abbey Grey with them and were reluctant to let her go without an explanation.
But the good news, to Drew's and the kids' delight (and Doc's disdain), was that they also had Doyle with them, who had volunteered to watch after the kids.
Besides, whether it was Doyle or Doc or Drew, the kids would probably get into trouble either way. Even with Fiskerton and Zon staying back on the airship.
So in the end, Doc hadn't said anything against it.
"I'll keep an eye on 'em," Doyle said, flashing a grin and a salute, and then running after the kids in the next moment, yelling in mock indignation at them, while turning some heads with his blaring, orange Hawaiian-flower shirt.
"Well," Drew said, breathing a sigh. "Why don't we go have some ice cream and chat, Abby?"
"That'd be delightful," she responded pleasantly, with an innocent smile that betrayed nothing.
Doc didn't even hide his glower.
LINE BREAK LINE BREAK LIME SHAKE LINE BREAK
They chose a little ice cream shop that also sold gelato (Fiskerton's favourite) called the 'Callie Creamery'. Abbey followed, knowing that escape would be more suspicious than lying. Plus, it did help with her current mission. So she focused on what she would tell them when the questions began rolling.
It was an odd sight, to those who knew these individuals, but to others it would appear quite normal: a white-haired woman in loose-fitting clothes and a white sun-hat; her broad husband in casual clothes that didn't exactly scream 'beachwear', but worked well enough; and a black-haired woman in a simple darker blue tee-shirt pair of jeans, looking like an old friend.
But no one cast glances at them, strangely-dressed as their own friends would think.
When they ordered, Drew offered to get something for Abbey. Abbey thanked her graciously, and got cherry jubilee. She made sure to keep her tone and expression pleasant, despite being annoyed. She could tell her old employers were agitated by the act (and, honestly, it wasn't hard - she really did respect the Saturdays as parents, and Zak and Fisk had been such sweet kids growing up; but money was more of a motivator than personality - otherwise she wouldn't be working for her current employer.)
They sat in a corner next to the front window, away from bustling parents and the sunburnt, both local and tourist alike, intent on merely eating their dessert and gazing out the window to the sand of the beach.
It was a hot day - stifling almost - and they ate their ice cream before it could fully melt in the poor air-conditioning.
It was the irritating scccrrppppp scrrpp scrrpp scrrpp of Doc's spoon against his cup that brought Abbey's attention to the Saturdays. She wasn't sure whether he was genuinely upset that he had finished his chocolate fudge-chip, or if it was just the patient silence. Normally, Doc was the more patient of the two Saturdays, but it seemed that wouldn't be the case today.
Drew finished her chocolate chip cookie-dough, taking her and Doc's cups. Abbey merely pushed her own aside and folded her hands, knowing what was next: time to answer some questions.
Drew put a hand on one of Doc's, indicating that she would handle the discussion. She didn't like the shrouded, calculated look in Abbey's pale blue gaze. And she didn't trust Doc to handle this as calmly as needed. Back when Abbey was Zak's babysitter, it was mostly Drew who dealt with Miranda's sister, so she had somewhat more of an idea on how to handle this.
"So," she said, calmly. "Let's start with this: how did you get snatched up by a Levrithnesess?"
Abby was clearly surprised, expecting a different line of questioning. She composed herself quickly enough, even though Drew could see it had thrown her for a loop.
"I was doing some work for an employer; he wanted to know the movements of an old associate, who was last heard of escaping on a fishing vessel. I'll admit that the encounter with the cryptid had been . . . an unexpected one."
Abbey Grey mentally winced, actually embarrassed over her mistake.
"I had gotten lost a day or two back; must have been that over-tiredness lead to my mishap."
Okay, that one had been a complete lie, but the rest was close to true enough.
Drew obviously wasn't buying it though, and Doc's stony silence was answer enough. "So, you just happened to be searching for someone to spy on near us?"
Abbey didn't even flinch. "Of course."
"When there's the fact that the Kumerin currents are considered illegal fishing grounds, due to the fact that it's within Kumari Kandem's radius, and therefore no fishing boats are allowed to even pass through there?" Drew asked, raising a brow.
Abbey tried not to fumble for words. "I told you; I had gotten lost."
Doc sat back, crossing his arms. "It's a very difficult place to get lost in."
Abbey smiled, tilting her head. "And I was very tired, as I already said."
But Drew had had enough. She knew Abbey Grey, and in fact had looked up about her after the incident with the man-eating giant. She wasn't someone to just get lost; she was resourceful, knowledgeable, and above all, careful.
"Abbey," Drew said, smiling. Abbey felt that smile cut her deeply, and for a moment, she was afraid; this was the smile, the smile of a mother that said, 'if I feel my child is in any danger I will not hesitate to kill you within five seconds.'
"I know you're not a bad person, Abbey," Drew said, surprising her. "Perhaps you do some questionable things, but you do not want my family dead, at least."
"I. . ." Abby didn't know what to say.
Drew merely continued on. "My son keeps a lot of things from me, but sooner or later I find out. He's worried about something, and I have a feeling you might be connected to whatever it is. So please, Abbey," Drew said, looking at her with the pleading eye's of a mother. Doc was looking at his wife as though this was news to him. "If you know who might want my boy harm, or why, then tell us."
Abbey seemed shocked, rooted to the spot as a war went on in her head. Dead? Surely not? He only wanted information; he hadn't said anything about killing-
She had opened her mouth, as though about to speak, when a shrill chirp with a buzz sounded. Doc and Drew looked at one another, and then the former pulled out his communicator.
The caller I.D. said 'Doyle'.
What could have happened in the last two and a half hours?
He opened it.
Doyle's face appeared on screen, the nauseatingly bright shirt heightening the man's panicked expression.
"Doc! Drew! I need some help! It looks like some punks picked a fight with Zak and Ulraj - I need you guys now!"
"Let's go!" Doc said, jumping up. Drew grabbed Abbey's wrist, but as soon as they were out of the shop, she wrenched away and fled, turning for a moment to shout:
"Don't trust Allen Lucienne! Whatever you do, don't trust A.L. !"
And then she was gone, sprinting down the street and maneuvering past people.
"C'mon; let's go. Zak and Ulraj are more important," Doc said, tugging Drew along.
She nodded, shoving thoughts of 'A.L.' and Abbey Grey aside.
Besides, Doc was right; the kids were more important.
She sighed. They really should have expected this break to turn into a disaster.
To be continued in Beach Part 2 . . .