It was what felt like several hours later when Maddie went down to check on her children. What she walked into just about warmed her heart. Sitting an a ledge in the tank was Jazz with Danny's head in her lap, both asleep. Without a word, and with a smile on her face, Maddie quietly walked out of the basement.

_LINE BREAK_

"So, can I meet these friends of yours?"

"What? Why?" Currently, the two siblings were sitting at the kitchen table, eating leftover pancakes.

"I thought I should meet my brother's only friends."

"I can ask. I can't guarantee they'll agree though."

"That's fine. That's all I ask for." Walking over, she ruffled her brother's white hair, her victim huffing in protest.

_LINE BREAK_

The moon was shining bright, casting shadows over the ocean when Danny went for a walk on the beach. This time, his parents knew where he was. They weren't happy about it, but they agreed that they didn't have the heart to even attempt to keep him from his new friends. They haven't seen him that happy since before all this started. Danny knew, though tried to ignore, the fact that his family was almost definitely watching him through a window. A wide grin threatened to split his face when he saw the two figures sitting on the beach, tails lying uselessly in the water. He ran up to them to greet his new (*cough* only *cough*) friends.

"Hey! Sam! Tucker!"

"Danny!"

"What's up dude?"

"Not much, really."

"Any new changes?"

"Yeah, my feet are webbed now. So, that's great." Hint the sarcasm. Face morphing into one of pity, Sam attempted to change the subject.

"So, Danny."

"Hm?"

"Wanna go for a swim with us?"

"What do you mean?"

"We figured you might wanna go ahead and start getting used to swimming in the ocean. So," With a smirk and an outstretched hand, "Wanna join us?" He only hesitated for a moment before he grasped her purple scaled hand in his.

_LINE BREAK_

Danny couldn't help but marvel at the sight before him. On all sides of him, colorful fish swam around him, some even circling between his legs playfully. On either side of him, hovering protectively, were Sam and Tucker. They shared a smile at their friend's unhidden glee. They were definitely going a lot slower than they normally would, but they had to compensate for their new friend. They didn't mind though. His bright smile and cheerful giggles were enough to make it worth it. Despite being night time, the ocean was incredibly lively and colorful.

It wasn't until several hours later that Danny crawled up onto the beach, utterly exhausted. His friends sitting next to him. While every bone in his body ached, he couldn't keep the bright smile off his face as he panted for air; his friends sharing amused looks between him, not winded in the slightest.

"So, did you like it?"

This time, he was able to answer without hesitation. "Yeah! It was amazing!"

"Good. glad you liked it." Looking at his friends next to him, he suddenly remembered something.

"Hey, guys?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you wanna meet my sister?" And just like that, both of the mers went tense.

"I don't know, dude..."

"You don't have to!" He interjected quickly. "It's just that she really wanted to meet you and asked me to ask for her."

Sharing an uneasy look to each other, it was Sam that answered.

"Sure."

"Sweet! Be right back!" Running quickly up the stairs to his house, and up to the second floor, he stopped at his sister's door; only to knock quickly and loudly. He didn't get to his fifth knock, when the door opened to reveal the angry face of his sister.

"What?"

Nearly bouncing on his feet, "You said you wanted to meet Sam and Tucker, right? Well, come on!"

Without giving her a chance to respond, he grabbed her wrist and all-but dragged her down to the beach; Jazz smiling at his pure joy.

It wasn't long before she was able to make out the silhouettes of what she was sure were her brother's friends, if the tails and fins were anything to go by. Still being pulled along by her brother, they made their way over to where they were sitting. When she got closer, it was very obvious that the two of them were very nervous and tense; ready to flee. Hoping to help ease some of their worries, she sat down on the beach. This did seem to help, but not as much as she was hoping. Smiling, she introduced herself.

"Hi! My name's Jazz. And I want to thank you for looking out for my brother."

"JAZZ!"

Chuckling, Sam answered. "It's no problem, really. We enjoy his company." Seeming to hesitate, Sam stuck her hand out. "Name's Sam." Smiling at her success, Jazz eagerly accepted the handshake. "Nice to finally meet you."