Hali woke at the stroke of midnight, with an uncontrollable urge to see Xavier. She couldn't explain it, but she just felt like she needed to see him, immediately. Hali looked over to Serene who she had allowed to spend the night in the same bed as her. She smiled, because the girl was sleeping peacefully, with no trace of a nightmare on her pretty features. Hali rose form the bead gingerly, so as not to disturb Serene. If the girl woke up now, Hali would never be able to escape.

Hali sighed, because her attempt to leave the bed covertly had succeeded. Glancing at the tide dial on a nearby nightstand, Hali estimated that it must be about twelve O'five. The Catfish Cabana was still open. The club didn't close until three in the morning. She was going to meet Xavier there, now. Hali was grateful that Sebastian had been generous enough to give Xavier a job at his club.

Quickly as the current, Hali sped off in the direction of the Catfish Cabana. Upon entering the establishment, Hali's ears were flooded with the sound of loud music, and a collection of enthusiastic mervoices. She weaved her way around the club's patrons, and scanned the room for Xavier. Hali couldn't see him anywhere. The mermaid swam straight for the bar, only to find Sebastian tending to the drinks. Perhaps Xavier had gone on break.

"Sebastian!" Hali called over the din, "where's Xavier?"

The crab's voice grew harsh at the sound of his name, "Dat boy come in 'ere two hour before da club open, an' he say, 'Sebastian, I quit.', mon. Den he swim away."

"That's strange," Hali mused, "do you have any clue where he is now?"

"No, sorry, Hali," Sebastian replied as he tended the order of another redheaded mermaid seated at the bar.

"'ere's your Bermuda Oyster, Tallulah," Sebastian said, handing the drink to the mermaid.

"Thanks, Sebastian," Tallulah giggled, "you mix drinks so much better than that fool you had working at the bar. He was so incredibly slow, and he wasn't even that cute, to begin with."

Hali felt her face grow hot at the mermaids words. She forcefully snatched the glass out of Tallulah's bony hand, and splashed the remaining contents on the mergirl's face.

"What did you do that for, you crazy bitch!" Tallulah shrieked in a shrill voice, "Sebastian, do something about this!"

"Sorry, Hali," Sebastian said absentmindedly, "but if ya gonna cause trouble, 'den you hafta leave."

"What!" screeched Hali incredulously, "Seby, you can't kick me out. Not after everything we've been through together!"

"Listen, Hali," Sebastian repeated in his Jamaican accent, "I jus' got dis club back on her feet, mon. I don't wan' no trouble."

Hali was left with her mouth hanging open, as the dreadful mermaid smirked besides her, apparently pleased with her victory.

"Are you sure, you don't have any idea where Xavier is right now?" Hal asked again hopefully.

"No, Hali," Sebastian maintained, "now, please go. I'll see ya tomorrow."

"Fine," Hali said gruffly, her eyes narrowing, "I'll leave. Thanks for the support, Seby. It really means a lot to me."

The princess turned to leave the bar, but not before delivering a powerful punch to Tallulah's face. The unsuspecting mermaid, chocked on the oyster shell in her drink.

"I just wanted to wipe that smug look off your face, Tallulah," Hali seethed, "no one says thing like that about my man and expects to get away with it."

Tallulah was left cradling her bruised face in the palms of her hands, and before Sebastian even had a chance to deal with the situation, Hali had already disappeared.

Hali could feel tears start to well up in her eyes, as she exited the Catfish Cabana. Why was she crying? That much she didn't understand. The feeling of dread she had experienced earlier had returned. Only this time, it felt much more urgent, as if she was pressed for time. She estimated that she had spent about an hour in the club, which now put it at about one in the morning. She wondered why Xavier would quit the Catfish Cabana so suddenly. Perhaps he had been terribly hurt when she didn't show up at the market, like she had promised. Xavier probably had given up on her, and went back to Shireland. Yes, Hali resolved that must have been exactly what happened. Xavier was in Shireland right now, most likely sleeping peacefully in his bed, in the log cabin, a few yards off the palace. He was safe. There was absolutely no reason for her to feel so, anxious. Hali was probably tired. She decided to head back to the castle now. Besides, if Serene were to wake and find her missing, the child was likely to alert the whole castle. There was no sense in worrying anyone. Hali began her swim back to King Triton's castle very unhappily. She really had wanted to see Xavier, to see him, and more specifically, to apologize for her stubborn behavior.

Hali was halfway back to the castle, when she was stabbed by another painful feeling of dread. Something was pulling at her. Xavier was still in the ocean somewhere, she could feel it. The big question was, where would he likely be? Hali knew it was a long shot, but she decided to check the market. That was where she had promised to meet him before. There was the slightest of chances that he had returned, perhaps hoping to see Hali again. The market was a good twenty five minute swim from where Hali was currently. So, the little mermaid quickly swam off in the market's direction, driven by her impulses.

Finally, Hali arrived at the market place, tired and out of breath. Looking around, she found it empty. To make matters worse, her feeling of dread had not subsided at all. In fact, it was growing more intense by the minute. The princess assumed it must have been close to two in the morning.

"Where are you, Xavier?" Hali whispered desperately.

Ultra Special Blah Blah Blah

Hali and Xavier really must be soul mates, if she is experiencing such strange feelings. As Xavier's life is slowly slipping away, Hali is met with an ever growing sensation of dread. Isn't that interesting? I wonder if she will find him in time? Damn you, Lilith!

So, do you guys remember that horrible Tallulah? I'm glad Hali taught her a lesson!

Night and day, you are the one,

xJadeRainx