The next chapter in our adventure for you, my lovelies. Thank you for the wonderful reviews and comments. They inspire and encourage me to not give up. Also, this has only been roughly checked for grammatical and spelling errors by me at 1:00 in the morning. Please forgive me. Enjoy!

A/N: I do not own the characters for the DCOM The Thirteenth Year. But I sure have fun playing havoc with the characters.

The sun rose behind dark clouds in the morning, making weak attempts to shine through and bring light to the waking world. The storm the night before had been fierce and Whit had already come back from checking on the tour boat- it had survived with minimal damage. He had also canceled any tours for the day, knowing the docks would be full of boats coming in for repairs. Not many people would be out anyways, seeing how the storm was getting ready to make a round two. School was in session, but he knew at least three students who would be absent.

Sam had called the school, pretending to be her mom, and excused herself with a cold. Sean didn't even bother. His dad didn't care too much. As long as his grades didn't slip, he could skip school without much consequence.

For the young merman trapped in the tub, the excuse of a bad case of strep was given to the school. That should buy them a few days, should they need it. Whit knew his son would have given anything to be able to walk hand in hand to school with Sam. To great his friends and joke around with Jess in between classes. He wouldn't be doing any of that if he couldn't get his himself to change back. Again.

Upstairs Sam sat next to a pile of towels by the side of the tub, watching Cody through groggy eyes. She had moved the bedding back to Cody's room and waited for him to wake up on his own. He would need all of his strength for what he was going to attempt. Sharon was downstairs fixing a pot of tea, talking in hushed tones with her husband. Both were waiting for Cody to call them up to help when he was ready.

Cody blinked his eyes open slowly, confused and sore. His tail was twitching from being awkwardly bent in the small tub all night. He had slept restlessly, tossing and splashing to keep his tail hydrated. Sam had slept through most of it, but she had to be tired as well. Carefully he pushed himself into a sitting position and winced at all the creeks and aches from his tail and shoulders. Exhaustion was apparent on his face in the dark bags under his eyes. Cody wondered if he had the energy to change back.

And it wasn't like he wasn't ready, he was just… hesitating. It had been so painful the first time around, and he wasn't anxious to experience that again. On the other hand, he also wanted his life back and no way did he want to face Sean looking like this. If he could at least look mostly human, then he figured he could somehow diffuse most of his former friend's questions. No matter how much it was going to hurt, or how tired he felt, he owed it to himself and those he loved to try.

'Sam,' he glanced over at his girlfriend, 'how are you feeling?' Cody stared down at his tail as it twitched in the water.

The brunette scooted closer and reached into the water for her boyfriend's hand. Their eyes met in the dim morning light that broke through the open blinds. 'Probably better than you.' A gentle smile graced her face as she thought to him rather than speak.

Cody smiled back and squeezed her hand gently. 'I still don't know how you're doing that, but it's so wonderful.' He closed his eyes and leaned back in the water, resting his head on the tub rim. 'This probably sounds weird, but I miss communicating like this. It's so much deeper.' He opened his eyes again and stared into Sam's. They were so earthy with their mixture of browns and greens.

Gingerly he thought of how much he appreciated her and how amazing he thought she was. He sent his thoughts not as words, but as feelings and emotions, filling her mind with all he could feel but couldn't say.

Unbidden, tears pooled in Sam's eyes as she was filled with the adoration and love her boyfriend held for her. He was right. She'd never felt something like this before. She trusted him implicitly as his feelings became hers, connected in a way only a merperson could.

With the same pounding hearts, Sam leaned in and kissed Cody. A spark flew from his lips to hers but she didn't pull back. It was a kiss of trust and tenderness, holding a promise that no matter what the day brought, they'd have each other.

Gently, Cody pulled back and smiled at Sam. She was everything to him. He owed it to her to make this work. He had to give his human life another chance, no matter how imperfect or hard it would be. The pain would be worth it to be able to stay with her for as long as he could.

'Mom, dad…' He let his thoughts carry towards his parents. Cody knew they must be awake and waiting.

Sure enough, only a moment later he heard their familiar footsteps on the stairs as they made their way to the bathroom. Sam unlocked the door for them and quickly let them in. The hour was early, but no one wanted to risk Sean butting in with his questions or accusations before they were ready.

"How are you doing, son?" Whit looked just as tired as the rest of them.

Cody nodded. 'I'm okay.' He looked everyone in the eye and then squared his shoulders. 'I'm ready.'

Sharon rolled her shoulders as preparation, then took her place at the end of the tub by Cody's head. She placed her hands on his shoulder and gave him an encouraging squeeze. "You are so brave, Cody."

Whit gave his now customary half frown and moved into position next to his wife. He grabbed his son's other shoulder and held tight, anchoring his son in place.

Sighing Cody shook his head and then brought his hands out of the water. One last time he made eye contact with Sam, who stood to the side, clutching the towels in her arms. 'I love you.'

'You can do it, Cody.' Sam thought to him privately, happy to share their special bond. 'I love you, too.'

Straightening his shoulders under his parent's grip, he nodded, took a deep breath, and brought his scaled hands together, letting his current go at full force.

Sparks shot around his fingers and he instantly felt the energy flow up his arms and down his body to the end of his tail. It burned as it traveled through his muscles and bones, making changes as it snaked its way through him. He winced and grimaced, feeling his tail begin to change. His hands shook and his head was pulsing with the pain, but he couldn't stop. He felt the strength of his mom and dad as they held onto him and he kept going.

The first pulling and ripping of his fin caused him to draw blood from his lower lip as his bit down in an effort not to scream out loud. As his toes began to form he couldn't help but let out a strangled gasp of pain. But he kept going.

'Come on Cody, you're so close.' Sam's voice in his head brought him strength and he pushed his hands closer together, giving it everything he had. The charges of energy from his hands glowed brightly and he gritted his teeth as he felt bones shift and his tail split all the way. The towel that had been wrapped around his waist conformed to his thighs as the fissure between his legs grew until the split was complete.

Then he felt himself slipping. It was as if all his energy was just gone. Whether he wanted to stop or not, he might not have the choice if he passed out. He was so tired and his head felt like it had a harpoon running through it. His hands slipped and the change slowed, not yet complete.

'Cody!' Sam's voice came into his head, urgent and pleading. 'Stay with me.' And then her hands were on his, pushing them back together. His current flashed from his hands to hers, causing her to wince and nearly let go.

Drawing on her strength, Cody shook some of the fog from his mind and dug into the dregs of his energy, pushing it out and into his half formed legs. He was fading fast, his vision flickering as black spots danced before his eyes in the darkening room. Thunder clapped outside as he slipped back under the water.

Hands were grabbing and lifting on either side of him, moving him from the water and onto the tiled floor. It felt like a tremor was running through him as he shook, his muscles aching and protesting. He tried to blink the spots away, his eyes open just enough to see Sam leaning over him. Her hands still held his, grasping them between white knuckles.

"Cody." She smiled at him. "I know it hurts and you're tired." She leaned in closer. "But you're almost there. Can you give it a little more?" Her face was only inches from his. 'Please.'

Blinking he looked himself over. He had the idea of legs but there were too many scales and fins still grew on his wrists. He was almost human – almost there.

Then Sam leaned in and kissed him. Sparks flew from his lips to hers and energy pulsed between their hands. Cody had the brief thought that he looked similar to when his mother had helped him change. His thoughts broke as a final wave of energy surged through his body. The glow from his hands pulsed like a supernova, causing Sam to wince and pull back, covering her eyes. The flash was quick and soon the bathroom was once again darkened with the now raging storm outside.

"Cody?" Mrs. Griffin's voice came tentatively as Sam sat next to her boyfriend, blinking away the light spots dancing in her vision.

Cody didn't answer immediately, letting his body rest as the twitching of his muscles began to ease. 'That was some kiss.' Cody stared at his girlfriend, the biggest grin on his face.

Whit heaved a sigh of relief and sat down on the floor, leaning back against the door. "You did great, son. Really great."

All three humans glanced down at the merman's perfectly formed legs and toes. The webbing was still there, as were a few scales at the base of his spine, but he'd done it. He'd gotten his legs back.

"Whit, let's help him to his bed before he passes out on the floor." Sharon grabbed Cody's robe and began to help her son to sit up. "Come on, honey. Let's get you to bed so you can get some real sleep."

'That sounds good.' Cody wobbled on his legs as his dad pulled him up. He nearly toppled, but his dad's strong arms braced him as he locked his knees.

Sam followed them from the bathroom, biting her lip as she watched the trio make their way to Cody's room. His mom helped him to sit on his bed as his dad grabbed some clean pajamas from the dresser drawer.

Sharon started to back the both of them out of the room as Cody gave them an embarrassed smile. Taking the hint Sam followed Mrs. Griffin and let the door close behind her. Whit quickly helped his son get dressed and after a minute he was shutting the bedroom door behind him and joining his wife and son's girlfriend in the hallway.

"Thank you, Sam." Sharon gave the young girl a tight hug, grateful for all she had done to help her son.

"I'm glad it worked." She was about to say more when a rude cough echoed toward them.

"What worked?" Sean stood at the top of the stairs, pale arms crossed in front of his chest.

-TSLOF-

Damage control. That phrase was repeating itself over and over again in Whit's mind as he stood protectively in front of his son's door. Sean stood smugly at the top of the stairs, staring at the three of them. He had nearly forgotten the other boy was even in his home. After all that had just transpired, he was not in the mood to put up with this entitled, snot-nosed kid's attitude.

"Sean, good morning. How did you sleep?" Sharon was pleasant enough, but there was an edge to her voice.

The young boy didn't answer, instead he stared around them at the door they were nearly barricading. "I'm guessing that Cody's in there." He glared at them now. No response. "What worked?"

Still no answer. Sam did not like the tension she was feeling in the air, but she just didn't know what to say. Sean wanted answers, but honestly she didn't know what to tell him. First, it wasn't her secret to tell. Secondly, Cody looked nearly human at this point. She couldn't help but wonder how much they would really have to tell them. How much could they get away with now that her boyfriend didn't have a tail?

Whit was having similar thoughts. Only he wanted to tell this boy nothing. The leniency he had been feeling the night before was long gone. As his home darkened with the pouring sky outside, he was becoming less and less inclined to let this boy know anything. Sean used to be one of Cody's best friends, but he had no clue how trustworthy he was. At one point he had threatened to expose his son to the world. Was that still the case, especially now that he knew part of Cody's secret?

Sharon was the first to take a step forward. "This conversation will be best downstairs so Cody can sleep. I'm afraid he's not feeling well." She reached out a hand, gesturing for Sean to head down to the kitchen.

Sean wasn't having it. "Enough evading." He pushed Mrs. Griffin's hand away and took a step closer to the door.

"That would be a mistake." Whit pushed a hand to Sean's chest, stopping him. "Do as she says. That's the only way you're going to get any answers."

Slightly impressed, Sean gave a little scoff. He stared the older man down, gauging the situation. He doubted he could take him in a fight. "You have five minutes or I'm calling the news." He pushed Mr. Griffin's hand away as well and walked back down the stairs.

With a frown at her husband, Sharon followed the young man.

Sam didn't know what to do. Mr. Griffin came to her rescue with a solution.

"Will you stay up here?" He gripped her forearm lightly, showing his trust in her. "In case Cody needs something? And," he glanced down the stairs, "in case Sean tries to do something."

Nodding, Sam sat down on the floor outside Cody's door. "Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help."

Whit reached down and squeezed her shoulder and smiled a strained, worried smile. "Thanks, Sam." Then he too went down the stairs to try and run the damage control that he could only see ending in disaster.

-TSLOF-

A soft hand greeted his forehead as Jess came to. The bed he lay in was warm and the covers were tucked around him.

"Dad?" He blinked, his eyes hazy from sleep.

"Jess?" A woman's voice.

Jerking back, Jess wiped the sleep from his eyes and sat up in the bed, staring at the lady who sat all to close.

The woman sat back in her chair and stared at him, a look of worry and something…else… was on her face. Was she nervous? Jess couldn't tell.

"How are you feeling?" Her voice was kind, if not a little stiff.

There was something familiar about her. It was in her eyes and the way the large rimmed glasses kept sliding down her nose. He shook his head, trying to wake himself up quicker. Then he met her eyes again and he knew. He knew her from the pictures his dad kept on the wall and near his bed.

She was older now, but he couldn't deny it. "Mom?"

Nodding curtly, Abigail Wheatley pushed her glasses back up her nose and gave a nod.

"How?" Jess scooted back on the bed, farther away from her. "You…" His mind was scrambling. "Dad said…"

"That I died." She nodded again. "I know."

"When I was five, in a boating accident…" Jess stared at the woman even closer, unable to take the sound of accusation out of his voice.

Her death was one of the reasons he'd never learned how to swim. As a kid, he'd been terrified of going on his dad's boat or touching water. He was always scared he'd go missing like his mom. He'd been in therapy for it up until middle school. Meeting Cody and helping him figure out he was a merman had been crucial to him overcoming it all together.

Now, to see his mom, alive… no words could sum up the mass of emotions that were swarming through him.

Abigail sat up straighter in her chair, tapping a pen softly against the notebook clutched in her hands. What she was waiting for, Jess could only guess at.

A soft knock interrupted their silence, and both glanced towards the door. I man poked his head in and gave Jess a quick once over before looking towards Abigail. "Breakfast is ready."

"Thanks Bryce. We'll be there shortly." She gave him a small smile as he shut the door.

Jess was really confused now. Breakfast? What time was it? Last thing he vaguely remember was being outside Cody's house. Then someone had snuck up behind him… and placed something over his mouth.

"I was attacked." He stared at his would-be mother accusingly.

She looked away, her cheeks flushing a slight pink. "Yes. It was necessary for us ensure that you didn't try to run." She met his eyes, adjusting her glasses again. "My colleagues and I had some reservations to about your reaction had I just walked up to you on the street."

"So you kidnapped me after being presumed dead for over ten years?" Jess backed up farther on the bed until his back was pressed to the wall.

His mom opened her notebook. "Jess, I need to ask you a few, very important questions. What happens next depends on the answers you give me."

He didn't even know what to say to that. She was being so removed and evasive.

"Have you recently noticed an improvement in your swimming abilities?" She uncapped her pen and placed it over an already written on page.

The question wasn't at all what Jess was expecting and it threw him off guard to actually consider it. "Swimming?"

Tapping her pen lightly against the page, his mom nodded.

Jess thought about it, quickly. He'd been practicing a lot, sure. Ever since Cody had left he'd been swimming more and more, wanting to get good enough so he could explore the ocean with his best friend when he came back. "I guess. I've been practicing." He adjusted his own glasses as he watched his mom jot something down.

"Do you shock things when you touch them?" She looked him directly in the eyes this time.

"No… I don't." Now Jess was becoming very suspicious. What was she trying to figure out?

"Last question. Have you noticed any strange growths on your feet or hands?" She stopped writing in her notebook and stared at him.

"Like what?" Jess squinted at her, then felt his heart begin to race as his now fully awake brain put all the pieces together. "Like scales?"

His mom made a quick note. "Yes."

Jess looked to the door. They knew about Cody. "No."

She shut her book and tucked the pen into the spine. "I had to check Jess. It's dangerous to be around Cody's kind for too long, especially the young ones. They can be unpredictable and don't know how to control their charge just yet. If you're friends with that merman, we needed to check." Abigail made a move to stand from her chair.

"Are you kidding?" Jess scoffed and rubbed his hands through his hair in exasperation.

Now confused herself, Abigail sat back down. "Excuse me?"

"I just found out you're not dead, and the first thing you want to talk about is how my best friend is a merman? And what, you're checking that I'm somehow not one myself? That's not even possible! How could I be? Dad's human and so are you!" Jess scooted forward in the bed now, his curiosity and growing anger taking control of his mouth.

"How about, instead, we talk about where you've been? Did you fake your death? Did Dad lie to me all these years? How do you even know about Cody or about merpeople? Why did you have to kidnap me!" The last one question came out as an accusatory yell. He found himself standing next to the bed, visibly shaking with his hands balled into fists at his side.

And yet, his mother just sat there in her chair. Her arms were crossed over her chest and a slightly annoyed frown tugged at her mouth. She didn't speak, only stared at her son.

Jess wanted to throw something, which was very uncharacteristic of him. He was usually the calm, rational one – always thinking things through before he reacted. This situation was making it very hard for him to think straight.

"Are you done?" Abigail's voice was calm, collected, and slightly cold. She was obviously not amused with the spectacle Jess had made of himself.

Was he done? Jess wanted to say no, or yell it. He wanted to keep pointing fingers and demanding answers. The tone of her voice told him it would be the wrong move. Had his mother been like this when he was a kid? So removed and objective? His gut told him no. Very few of his memories of her were clear, but he did remember her as kind and warm.

"What happened to you?" His voice hitched on the last word, and he had to swallow back the tears that were now threatening. "If you didn't die, why did you leave us? Why fake your own death?" His shoulders shook once more, but this time from a growing feeling of betrayal.

Sighing and standing once again, Abagail placed a hand on Jess's shoulder. "Jess, you need to calm down. You can come grab breakfast and we will talk afterwards. Or stay here, but breakfast will not be brought to you. I have to go and take care of a matter, but Bryce will look after you."

She didn't wait for his response, but removed her hand and walked out the bedroom door. Jess stared into the white hallway after her. His stomach growled loudly at the second mention of food. He wanted answers and the more he thought about all he had just garnered from the conversation, the more questions he had. The logical part of his brain still functioning made one fact very clear: his mother was after something. If he wanted answers, he would have to give her what she wanted. If she wanted him to eat before they talked more, then he would. Most importantly, he needed to figure out what she knew about Cody. If she and her colleagues knew he was a merman, then Cody was in trouble. Lots of trouble.

Taking a deep, steadying breathe, he walked into the hallway and followed this stranger that was his mother.

This was such a hard chapter to write. I must have changed my mind a dozen times on the direction I wanted Jess's story line to go. This is one of those pivotal chapters where everything starts to move towards a climax. Let me know your guesses for what you think is coming. I also apologize for how delayed this chapter was. Life has been hectic, to say the least, with me moving and getting ready to start my Master's. But, rest assured, this story will finish. I hope you all are ready for what's in store. See you in the next chapter!