A/N:

A million points to anybody who notices something special about Kathy.

Oh, yeah. I do not own 'Finding Nemo'. Big deal. :) I only write about it. Is that illegal to love it?

Reflections

Chapter One: To Dream or Not to Dream

By Debbie (Dai-chan)

She knew she was Dreaming.

There was something about it that was difficult not to ignore the magnetism of it and yet the simplicity of it. It was not the ability to remember it. It was the pure essence of it. It was simply a part of her. It was everywhere inside her, and she can feel it. She can feel the power of it and yet, the humility of it. It always existed inside her, resting almost unnoticed in her chest, and yet a slight tug of it would immediately bring her to its awareness. She was born with the talent and she just knew it. To her, not to Dream was like not to live. It was almost silly not to Dream.

She felt it everywhere all around and within her. She could almost see the swirling colors, curls and whirls of dark red, orange, yellow, a bit of blue. It was powerful, and she could feel it like the currents of the ocean, brushing against her psyche and carrying her along.

She felt very safe with the Dreaming, but even so, she knew there was always a sparkle of doubt, a twinge of apprehension waiting to dampen her optimism. She felt that there was something missing, a thing that she was supposed to have present. She didn't remember what it was, but she knew that she'd promised someone close that she will take care of whatever this thing was.

The Dreams often told her that she needed to find it soon or something will happen. Something bad. She didn't want that to happen. But she felt so lost. She didn't know where or what it was. But as always, she promised the she will go and search for it.

Sometimes, the Dreams were so insistent to find the object that their willingness caused her to wake from the Dreaming. She would beam with excitement and determination, wanting to help them to find . . . and that was the problem. She couldn't even remember. She would try so hard to recall a hint. Nothing. It happened quite often. It was so odd, because in some way, she did remember the dreams; she remembered the sensation of peace of the currents and also the apprehension. But she couldn't remember why.

With a sigh, Dory returned to sleep, slightly disappointed but ever-positive that whatever the purpose will come back someday.

Fish did not have birthdays as humans do.

They matured differently in monthly spans, grown from fry to physical maturity in a couple of months, depending on the species. Even so, mentally, they are considered to be as young as an one-year-old human child. From that time, they then mentally mature by years. The purpose was this: During the months of approaching physical maturity, fry were not given names because they were most vulnerable to death, such as being easy prey, sick from several diseases, and even wrongly developed. Parents see no reason to name their fry until the vulnerability was defeated.

The time of the full physical maturity was seen as a celebration of honor because the fry were finally given names, now capable to defend themselves. The celebration was called the 'Namebirth'. Every fry or adult celebrated the anniversary of their given name every year.

Namebirths were celebrated much like birthdays. In the morning, family and friends would wake the named, drag him/her out so he/she can greet the dawn together. They would then spend their time as much as they wish with the named, celebrating the name and telling stories. They didn't give presents. They prefer the simple ways, such as stories, games, and the simple friendship and love they cast toward the named one.

Nemo was a rare fry, already named by his mother before he was hatched and fiercely protected by his father until his first Namebirth. Nemo valued his name. It was one of the only two things he had gotten from his mother: the name and the spirit. His name meant many things in human languages, such like 'No One' in Latin, 'Glade' in Greek, and even 'Alone' in Roman.

In her mother's language of love, it meant 'Lucky'.

Today, it was Nemo's seventh Namebirth and all his friends had come to celebrate.

All day, he had a blast playing with his friends, playing every game they could think up and even make up. His friends already knew about the Tank Gang (Nemo would talk about them all the time with friendly remembrance), and so they pretended to be the Tank Gang, mimicking each of the tank fishes easily. They created a new club and called themselves the Knack Pack. It was a fitting name for the wild and clever kids, and they 'initiated' him in, letting him keep his name of Sharkbait. Nemo loved every moment of it, even the bickering between Tad and Kathy about how the ceremony was supposed to go.

Dory, being the kids' favorite playmate, couldn't stay away. She joined the Knack Pack and played all the games. The kids didn't see her as an adult, but a full-grown kid. They loved her very much, and Nemo loved to have her around. In fact, he began to see her more of a family member than just a friend. He often wished to call her mom just once, but too shy to say it to her face. It made sense to him that he wished her as his mom because he never had one. Oh, sure, he had a mother, but not a mommy. Dory was close to a mommy as he's got.

Even that he played with his friends all day, he knew that in the background, his father would be watching. He felt safe and confident, and that wasn't because of his father being near. It was because his father was changed from the over-protective father to the laid-back yet watchful daddy. Marlin wouldn't dream not to join in Nemo's celebration, but he knew that Nemo was growing up and didn't need a protective eye over him. Daddy was always near, watching him and yet letting him have his fun.

Marlin had his help, as well. Tad's mother, Laura, had decided to aid Marlin with the watching of the kids. Of course, Tad didn't like a bit of having his mother keeping a sharp blue eye on him, but Nemo knew that Tad loved his mother, anyway. She was also as protective as Marlin, and so they had become good friends, enjoying simple talks.

As tradition went, at the end of the day, the named must form a specific number of bubbles, the same number as the current anniversary, and let them float up to the Surface without having them pop out. The activity was believed that if the bubbles reach up to the Surface without popping, it was considered as good luck. All of the bubbles without popping meant good luck all year. But if one of the bubbles popped before it touches the Surface, it meant an event of bad luck during the year. If more than one popped, it meant more bad luck.

So far, Nemo was lucky. All his friends and family watched in anxious silence as the sixth bubble made a clumsy path from Nemo's mouth to the Surface. It didn't pop. The children laughed and cheered. One more to go.

A Threadfin Butterflyfish, David, grinned. "That's it, Nemo! Just one more bubble and you'll have a lucky year!"

Beside, a small green-hued hermit crab, Sue, nodded. "C'mon, go ahead!"

Nemo grinned and took a long breath, waited a moment as he felt an air bubble forming in his mouth. He carefully coated it with a thin sheet of mucus and opened his mouth. The seventh bubble trembled slightly as it leaped off his tongue and floated a bit upward before it popped right in his face.

The children felt silent, staring at the spot where the bubble perished.

"OoooOOohh . . ." Tad began eerily, his eyes sparkly with mischief. His voice startled the children.

Pearl slapped his side with one of her tentacles, frowning. "Tad! Stop scaring us!"

Tad acted innocent, but mischief was still in his face. "What, me? Everybody knows that if one of your bubbles pop before they touch the Surface, it means bad luck all year!"

"Not all year," Sheldon simply stated, his black eyes rolling in mild vexation. "Just once a year. Besides, it's only a superstition."

"What's a supersti-whatchamacallit?" Tad questioned, already dreading the reply.

"Superstition," Kathy the Pixarfish corrected him. "It's an illogical belief in supernatural influences, as such the belief that popped bubbles during the Namebirth would give bad luck." She ended up with her trademark smirk of smugness.

Tad bitterly frowned and Nemo strained a giggle in his mouth. Kathy and Sheldon were the geniuses of his class, smart in knowledge. Sheldon may be a bit annoying sometimes, but he was shy and polite. Kathy, on the other fin, tended to correct Tad and they often ended up into bickering.

"No one likes a Smarty-fins," Tad muttered at Kathy.

"Thaddeus."

His face blanched at hi full name and the lad whirled around, facing his mother. She and Marlin were resting on coral, watching the celebration altogether, along with Dory curiously observing. "But Mom - !"

Laura held up a fin, eying her son with seriousness. "No buts."

Nemo watched Tad sighing, but didn't say anything else. He noticed that his friends looked slightly worried about the turn of the events. They were hoping that he would have a lucky year, considering with all the scary moments he had last year. He didn't believe in bad luck. He was told that he needed to think positive to the end and never give up. He learned that from everybody he met.

He smiled. "That's alright! I don't believe in bad luck at all."

The friends visibly relieved, but then Dory came over to his side, grinning with a surprising awareness that worried Nemo. Her scarlet eyes sparkled with the same mischief as Tad's. "But only, I know what your bad luck is!"

Nemo was worried. "What's it?"

"Tickling!" Dory was an expert at tickling, even better than Marlin, and her practiced tickles caused shrieks of laughter from the Clownfish. "Happy Namebirth!" Laughing, the kids joined in, eventually tickling each other and running out of breath from laughter.

Marlin shook his head in amusement, then gazed upward. The waters had become darker than usual, and it meant twilight was coming. The word twilight was synonymous with danger, which meant night was the time when predators came out and hunt. His paternal instincts twitched in and he said. "Oh, it's almost twilight. Time to go home, kids."

"Aw, Dad!" Nemo managed to say out after the kids and Dory halted their tickling.

"Aw, Nemo," Marlin teased back, smiling casually.

His son giggled and swam close. "Can we play one more game?"

Hearing that, the kids darted around Marlin, casting him wide puppyfish-eyed gazes. Even Dory did that, her lower lip sticking out in a pout. "Please? Pleeaasssee?"

Laura laughed at the sight, and Marlin stared at Nemo, both sharing a moment of playfulness. He grinned, holding up a fin. "Just one?"

"One!" Nemo nodded, copying his father's gesture.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure!"

"Hmm . . . really sure?"

"Daaad!"

The older Clownfish laughed, receiving his moment of triumph, then nodded.

"Whoo! C'mon, guys!" As the kids rushed off to start a game, Nemo curled his good fin around Dory's fin. "C'mon, Dory, you can join!"

"Right behind you, Tommy!"

"Nemo!" the kids simultaneously corrected her.

"Oh, right, sorry!" Dory playfully smacked her forehead and followed her tiny friends.

Marlin and Laura stayed where they were, able to keep a protective eye on the children. They spent a moment watching the children racing each other.

"Nemo sure has a lot of fun tonight," Laura voiced.

Marlin simply nodded. "He's lucky to have wonderful friends."

Laura turned to him, smiling. "You know, Marlin, you're changed, too."

Marlin blinked at her words, then grinned. "You waited a year to tell me?"

Laura's cheek turned pale pink. It wasn't surprising that her mate, Bill, had fallen for her. She was delicate and shy, and often blushed whenever eyes landed on her. Marlin was one of the few guy friends she had without being too shy toward them. She also reminded him of someone else, and sometimes, when he looked upon her face, he could see her, his mate. Sometimes, that pained him, but then he grew used to seeing Laura's pinkish face around, and so he wasn't as disturbed as before.

Laura shyly smiled, looking like Laura this time. "I knew you only for a couple of years, Marlin. But even so, I can see how much you were changed."

The Clownfish slightly shrugged with his right fin. "I wasn't that much changed, Laura."

The Butterflyfish's smile changed into a knowing smirk. "You wouldn't notice that, but I do. Remember when you were overprotective of your son?"

In an instant, Marlin was transformed from the laid-back personality into the closed, withdrawn fish. Even his eyes darkened at her words. "I had to." He tended to do that. He was still guarded about his past life, didn't feel confident enough to tell to his friends, not even his son. He did trust Laura, but the pain often caused him to put up defenses.

Laura already knew about the responses, and she gently placed her fin on his fin, noticing the slight flinch from the touch. He was still uneasy of being touched by a female. He was used to Dory hugging him all the time, but her touches were different from any other female's touches. Dory's touches were like a sister, he'd said, but he flinched at Laura's touches every time. Even though Laura had shared several touches before, Marlin was still uneasy. He knew that Laura wanted to ease his pain and she knew she couldn't. She'd never experienced his pain before.

Laura said, "I cannot say I do understand, but I feel the same for my children."

Marlin relaxed, merely smiling back.

The Butterflyfish removed her fin. "Also, I'm impressed at how well you handle the role of a single parent."

His eye ridges rose in puzzlement. "How so?"

"Well, was it hard? To raise Nemo alone?"

Marlin considered for a moment, then shook his head. "Not really. It didn't seem any different because I didn't raise more than one child as you do, but then I was too worried over Nemo's safety that I didn't stop and think about how good I can be as a father." His dark eyes shifted upward to the playing children and locked upon the tiny laughing Clownfish. "At least, I hope I'm a good father."

"Nemo wouldn't ask for a better father."

Marlin tilted his head, wondering where this path of conversation was going to. Why would Laura mention anything about being a single parent? Was that a big deal? He chuckled and gazed upon her. "Is that you're impressed? Because of me fitting the role so well?"

Again, her cheek scales turned pink, clashing prettily against her yellow and purple markings. "Maybe 'impressed' isn't the best word."

"No, it's ok."

Laura was about to say something, but then the kids and Dory returned back. The kids seemed out of breath, but obviously thrilled. Dory looked like she was just going for a brisk swim.

"Dad, Dory won! Again!" Nemo laughed.

Angel, the small Regal Angelfish, nodded wildly. "We hafta practice swimming faster!"

Laura quickly calmed the kids before they darted off for another race. "You all can practice at home. It's time to go now."

This time, the kids didn't protest, knowing the dangers waiting within the twilight. They embraced Nemo and wished him a happy Namebirth. Tad teased him terribly about a certain bad luck moment before Pearl had to pinch him on his tail to shut him up. Marlin, Nemo, and Dory remained, watching until the kids vanished around coral with Laura, and they returned back to their anemone.

Dory then kissed Nemo's forehead, as she always did every night. "Sleep tight, Chico."

"Nemo, silly," the lad giggled.

"Nemo, gotcha."

Nemo placed his body against her side, his way of hugging, and placed a kiss on her cheek. "G'night."

The Blue then grinned over to Marlin, waving her flimsy fins. "You sleep tight, too, Marlin." He never figured out how she kept remembering his name every time, but then he assumed it was because she remembered things better around him. He loved it when she did remember. It showed that her memory was improving.

"Sweet dreams," Marlin said, then watched carefully for any twinge of disturbance that appeared briefly in her face. It was always there just before she was ready to sleep. Her dreams were bothering her again. The disturbance was gone, replaced with ever-present bright innocence, and Dory again waved good night before she sank down beside the anemone. There was a small hollow set in a coral bed a few feet away, slightly bigger for her, but perfect for dwelling.

Together, Nemo and Marlin entered the anemone, and as they did every night, they hugged one another, wished a good night's sleep, and nestled against each other. Nemo was a fast sleeper; no matter how excitable he would be by the end of the day, he would crash into a deep slumber in mere seconds. Marlin envied him for that, his own busy mind keeping him up for several moments until his eyes finally closed in weariness.

Marlin didn't sleep this time, didn't feel tired at all. Resting his chin on his fins, he watched the peaceful face of his son, studying the details of the rounded eyes, the faint smile resting on his lips, and even the tiny lucky fin with its scars. He was never tired of watching Nemo's face, amazed at how alike he was to his mother . . .

Marlin erased the face of his late mate away. Instead, he mused on the past year and what had happened to his family. Nemo was taken away. He went on a long and dangerous journey, made several new friends, included his dear blue-y friend, and was changed. He loved his adventures, but he was glad to be home. It wasn't very long ago, only a year ago. He didn't think that there were a lot of changes happening to him, but then his friends said so.

He did change a lot, even more than Nemo. He had finally understood the danger of being over-protective, and so his current personality was almost the same to what he was before Coral's death: gentle and humorous, along with moments of playfulness with his son. Of course, he couldn't cast away the paternal protection that easy. At least, he learned the right way.

If Nemo was changed in any way, it was in his spirit. He was more confident of himself, stopped using his lucky fin as an excuse of incapability. He learned that from his friends from the dry oceans - or 'Earth' as the Tank Gang called it. The Tank Gang was the ones who taught Nemo about confidence and faith, the traits his father didn't have then. Mentally, he had grown more mature, wiser than any of his friends because he had seen what he shouldn't have.

Even Dory was changed, even only a bit. She was still the same as before, being forgetful because of her short-term memory loss, but day by day, her memory got better. He assumed that was because she stayed in one place long enough to remember more. It only took her a couple of days to finally remember the whereabouts of the reef without having someone else reminding her. Whenever she was around Marlin, her memory seemed to improve dramatically, able to remember some of their first journey. Still, she couldn't even remember Nemo's name no matter how hard she tried. It was an amusing sight to see her trying to remember.

Marlin gazed upon his son's face again. It was quite astonishing to see her in his face . . . He closed his eyes, sighing, his heart already clenching with pain. He may be changed, but he would never forget Coral. How could he forget her? She was the only female that actually took a serious interest in him. The only who loved him as who he was. The other females were searching for a strong male with sharp instincts and good looks. He had none of those. He was a plain-looking fish, a gentle humor that was hidden in his actions, and he never enjoyed fighting.

Coral was the only one who noticed his kindness and pacifism. She loved him for that. He was astonished when she laid eyes on him. She was breathtakingly beautiful with saviors waiting in line for her to pick. With her pale orange scales and shapely fins, who would resist her? But, Coral, the gorgeous female, actually picked him for a mate. For that, he loved her back.

The only female who loved him.

And he'd lost her.

Marlin opened his eyes, feeling his throat slightly tightening at the swirling emotions. He knew he wouldn't stop thinking about her. She never left his mind at all. She was always there, in Nemo's face, in Laura's smile, even in Dory's eyes, which sparkled just like her eyes. She never left. He shifted his eyes upward until he found the moon. It was barely there, almost hidden behind the swaying tentacles of the anemone. Even her face was on the moon. That was one of the things they loved in common: the moon. He loved it because of its light, gentle and soft unlike the dazzling sun. She loved it because of its mysteries.

He once told her that he hoped the moon would never vanish. She'd given one of her softest smiles, her eyes winking with wisdom.

'The moon will never go away even if you wish it, Marlin. It's eternal.'

He exhaled a weak sigh. 'Yes, Coral, but then you were gone. My moon is gone.'

He wondered if he would ever get over the pain. He didn't want to experience it again and again, but he cherished it, the only feeling he had of her.

"Good night, Coral," he murmured to the moon before he finally slept in tiredness.

The moon was putted aside by its brother as the sun spread its dawn rays over the oceans and woke sleeping minds.

Marlin yawned, mumbling at the bothersome rays. He preferred to sleep late, gathering all the energy he could get to be ready for a new day. But since he was a father, certain things must be sacrificed. He turned to Nemo and grinned. Nemo was still sleeping, his good fin almost covering his left eye in a sleepy gesture. Marlin gently shook him. "Wakey, Sleepyhead. It's time for school."

A tired orange eye opened, looked around, and spotted him. It closed, and Nemo yawned, stretching his body. Marlin was lightly surprised. Usually, Nemo would leap out from the anemone, chatting excitedly about school. How could that boy love school?

But Nemo didn't wake like that. There was a dull solemnity in his face as he rubbed his eyes. Then he fixed a slightly anxious look at his father. "Daddy, I had a weird dream."

Marlin sank back to the anemone bed, worried about the strange look. "A nightmare?"

The lad's eyes were heavily-lidded. "I dunno."

"Want to tell me about it?"

"I didn't like the dream." Nemo glowered. "It made me feel that I was made wrongly. I can't do anything with my fin." His gaze went to his right fin, the tiny fin limping on his side. Marlin was puzzled; the dream was almost like Dory's dreams: a bit strange and somber. Nemo rarely had nightmares, not even from his time with the Tank Gang.

Nemo glanced back and Marlin was surprised to see the deep fright in his eyes. "Daddy, what if the dream was right? What if I can't do anything because I'm crippled? What can I do?"

What happened to his son who had a fun Namebirth last night? What happened to his self-confidence that plummeted so sudden after one nightmare? "Nemo, you're not crippled. Who told you that?"

"The dream told me."

Marlin shook his head, smiling, placing a fatherly fin on Nemo's cheek. "You're special. Your lucky fin is special. You can do anything if you put your mind on it."

"Do what?"

"Anything." Nemo wasn't assured, the fright still in his face. "Oh, son, I can't always make decisions for you. You have to learn to make your own decisions. I know you're only seven, but you'll get older and you'll know what to do with yourself. Don't worry too much over this. It won't help."

Nemo watched his father's face, then a weak smile came on his face. "Ok, Dad."

"That's my boy," Marlin smiled back, yet he was still concerned about the somberness. It didn't fade out.

"Hey, what are you doing down here . . . ?"

Together, the Clownfishes gazed up at her voice. The Regal Blue was already awake, floating above the anemone with a puzzled gaze. She looked so pretty when the sunlight made her scales sparkle like water. Nemo always said that she looked like water at times, and Marlin agreed. He could guess that all Regal Blue Tangs look a lot like water with their bright blue scales, but Marlin never had met one long before her. If Dory was that pretty, he wouldn't be surprised that her species were named one of the most beautiful fishes around.

The puzzlement faded from her face and she covered her mouth with her fins, a sign of sudden remembrance. "Oh, sorry! I thought you are someone else . . . " Again, she frowned to herself, her eyes clouded over. "What are their names?"

Marlin rolled his eyes. "Morning, Dory."

"I remember now!" Dory squealed with happiness, pointing at the father. "Marlin and . . . er . . ."

"Nemo," the lad said as he gave her a hug.

"You're Nemo!"

"Of course, silly." Nemo then glanced down to his father. "Dad? Can Dory take me to school?"

"I can?" the Blue questioned, then she beamed her trademark bright grin. "Oh, can I? Can I?"

"Can she? Can she?" Nemo shared the same grin.

Marlin chuckled. "Of course, she can."

Dory clapped her fins with delight, even gave Nemo a low-five. Marlin got ready for Nemo's yet another hug. Nemo never stopped giving hugs, knowing how scared he was when he was taken away and left his father with the hateful words. He made sure that Marlin would know that he loved him before he parted ways. Marlin already knew that Nemo loved him, but he cherished his hugs.

"Love ya, Dad."

"Love you, too."

And sometimes, Dory would give Marlin one of her tight hugs that often took his breath. "Love you, three!" Letting go of a slightly fazed Marlin, she turned tail, beckoning Nemo. "Race ya, Pablo!"

Marlin smiled to himself as he watched them going, pleased with himself that he's got a family. A year ago, he would think he would never have a family: even with Nemo around, he didn't feel like a family. But now, Marlin finally understood the meaning of a real family. That was what a family should be. The only thing missing was . . .

Coral.

A dismayed grimace came on his face. He would never recover from the pain if he didn't stop brooding about her. He needed to forget about her.

Time to visit her.

Nemo still had the odd feeling of frailty, hovering inside his chest, hurting him. He never had nightmares like that, and those nightmares were few and simply scary. Dad always helped him feel better every time he got a nightmare. He didn't like the bad nightmare from this morning. It wasn't scary, but it was like . . . disturbed. There were no pictures or words. Just a weird feeling, a thick, heavy something weighting inside his chest. A sensation that was bleak and it told him that he can't do anything. It told him that he can't do things that his friends can do, and that was because of his own lucky fin.

Before, Nemo was proud of his fin, his 'uniqueness' that separated him from everybody else. He proved to himself and the others that he can do anything that they can do. Just with more patience. His self-confidence was very strong, built powerfully ever since he was taken away, and he thought he would never lose it.

Now it was broken from the heavy feeling. He felt lost, helpless, and almost useless. He didn't understand why and he was scared.

He stopped there at the border of the schoolyard, hid behind a towering coral. He was worried that he would look at his friends and feel worse than before. He watched Dory swimming forward, then stopped, gazing down at her side with puzzlement. She looked up and spotted him. Beaming brightly, she returned to his side, then became lightly concerned as she noticed his grave face.

"Hey, Grumpy Gills, what's wrong?"

Nemo stared at her, wondering if she could help him like Dad did. Maybe she can get rid of the feeling. "I had a nightmare."

Dory nodded in sympathy. "Oh, nightmares aren't very nice. How bad was it?"

"I felt like I was nothing. It was like I couldn't do anything because of my fin. I can't do the same things my friends can do. I don't know what I can do." He carefully watched her face, hoping that she wouldn't forget too quickly.

The Blue appeared puzzled, but awareness was still in her eyes. "You don't know what you can do? How will you know what you can do and can't do it you don't try?"

The Clownfish shrugged. "I just feel that way."

She was frowning in worry. "Well, don't let that do that to you!"

"But it's hard . . . "

"How hard can it be? You can do it," Dory grinned, giving him a brief tickle. "I know you can."

It was still there, pushing against him. He felt like he wanted to cry, and he stopped himself, biting on his lip. He didn't understand why the feeling had to be there. It hurt him. It wasn't nice. He wanted it to go away.

He was jolted from his thoughts when Dory gently held on his left fin. It was a surprise. Her touches were very gentle! Before, she was gentle, but as gentle as a playful kid. This time, she was as gentle as . . . as a mom. He looked up to her face, seeing a strange light in her scarlet eyes. They were clearer and sharper. Dory didn't look like Dory this time, but a different Dory. Her face was very soft and there was a gentle smile on her lips. She did look like a mom.

"Tell you what, I will give you this," she said and placed a soft kiss on the center of his fin. For some reason, he could feel the kiss right there, warm and pulsating like a heartbeat. "Now you have the Nui Taka Liga."

"What's that?" Nemo murmured, mesmerized at the change of Dory.

She lightly patted his fin. "The Hope Fin. That's what I gave you. Whenever you feel sad or scared, remember my kiss in your fin, put it on your cheek, and you'll remember me. You'll feel better."

The heavy feeling was gone . . . He could feel it fading out, pushing out by this warm kiss - the Hope Fin. He felt better. He placed his fin on his cheek and was marveled at how alive the kiss was, beating along with his heartbeat and tickling his scales with its warmth. He felt lightheaded, embracing the kiss.

He grinned at her. "Thanks, Mom - " Startled, he covered his mouth. What did he just call her?

Dory blinked and then fixed a curious gaze on him. "Hey . . . did you call me mom?"

"No! I mean - "

"No?"

He didn't miss the slight disappointment in her voice. Was she disappointed that he called her mom . . . or was she disappointed that he didn't want to call her mom? Nemo glanced down to his fin and showed it to her. "I mean do you remember the Kissing Fin?"

Dory stared hard. "What's that? A fin, silly."

Oh, she was beginning to forget. Nemo tried again. "You said if I feel scared, I can look at the kiss and feel better."

The Blue's eyes widened in astonishment. "Look at fishes kissing? Young fry, you're too young for that!"

Nemo finally giggled at her silliness. "Not that kind of kiss! The kind a mom gives to . . ."

"To her kids?" Dory finished helpfully.

He nodded shyly. "Like you gave me the same kiss."

She was silent, but he recognized it as the silence when she was remembering recent events. She then smiled softly. "Well, you're very sweet, and your dad is lucky to have you as his son."

His smile widened. He could hear the faint desire in her voice. He knew it! He opened his mouth to say it, but then he heard his teacher's voice. He gazed over to Mr. Ray, who was having his class approaching, ready for school. Not yet! He wanted to ask her one more thing.

Nemo clung on her fin and asked bravely, "Dory, can I call you Mom?"

She blinked, eyes curious. "But you already had a mom . . ."

Not like this. He knew he had a mother, Dad's mate, but he never had a mommy. A Mother and a Mommy were different. Mother meant a female who borne him. Mommy meant a mother who loved him more than just a son, a mother who would play all day with him, ease his ouchies, and kiss him good night. "The only one that's like a mom to me is you. You're my mom."

The talkative Blue was speechless. She actually looked like she was touched by Nemo's insistence. "Me, a mom? Wow . . ."

"Is it okay?" Please say yes. Please.

Dory laughed, patting on his head. "Sure! You can call me Mom."

His face broke into a broad, proud grin. He then gave her a good-bye kiss, the kind a son would give to his mother. "See you after school, Dor - Mom." He turned to hurry over to Mr. Ray, who was patiently waiting for him to board. AFter he got on, he took a quick gaze at Dory. He was pleased to see her floating in silence, a yellow fin on where he kissed her, a soft look in her eyes.

My own Mommy.

He was at where his last home was, where his hopes of a new life was destroyed. The large anemone with its lavender tentacles was still there, looking exactly the same as the one he found seven years ago and brought his mate to it. It was one of the beautiful anemones in the neighborhood and it was no wonder that many Clownfishes had their eyes on it for a while.

A family was already living there, a cousin species of the Clownfish Family. They were much larger than him, with their scales deep red-orange and thinner white stripes. They were called Maroon Clownfishes because of their dark scales, and they looked so happy living in the anemone. Several children were tagging one another, hiding among the lavender tentacles. He could hear their laughter from his watching spot, and for a moment, he imagined the laughter from his own children, the children he would never have.

Seeing this happy family living safely in the anemone sparked a twinge of envy in Marlin. It was not fair. Why did this Barracuda had to come and destroy his life? Why can't he have a happy family, just like this family? Why can't she leave him alone? He could almost hear the laughter between his younger self and her as they played around in delight, waiting for their eggs to hatch. It wasn't fair that his life was destroyed at that time and left him with a only child with a damaged fin and an overwhelmed fear of the ocean. That fear had ruined his love of the ocean.

It wasn't fair.

He turned away from the sight of the anemone and headed for home. Visiting this place was a mistake. It only made the memories worse. He shouldn't have come.

A glance of blue caught his eye, and he turned his head in puzzlement. Did he just see . . . ? Yup. A Regal Blue Tang was floating above the reef, appearing to obverse the traffic. Its back was facing him, and he immediately recognized it as Dory. Who else would stare at passing fishes like this? What was she doing here?

"Oh, Dory . . ." Marlin sighed. He swam up to her, chiding, "Dory, what're you doing here? You were supposed to take Nemo to . . ."

The Blue turned, mildly startled, and it wasn't Dory. It wasn't even a she.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Marlin blushed. "I thought you were someone else."

The Blue then smiled, and it was remarkably like Dory's. In fact, he did look close like her. Marlin wasn't sure it was because this Blue was the only Regal Blue beside Dory he had met, but then there were features in him that were too alike.

His scales were bright blue, appearing that he was as old as her, maybe older. He was slightly larger, with slightly longer fins and tail, and he also had deep freckles playing on his nose. His eyes and markings were different, although. The markings were thicker than hers with his eyelids colored black. His eyes were heavy-lidded, reminding him of the Ancient Sea Turtle's eyes, and they were colored deep maroon, unlike the bright scarlet hue of Dory's.

The Blue seemed polite as he shook his head to the Clownfish's apology. "It's truly alright."

"It's just that I haven't seen another Regal Blue here beside Dory."

"Oh, am I the second one?" He sounded honestly surprised.

"Yes, to be frank."

The Blue then placed a long fin on his chest, smiling good-naturedly. "Then I should be flattered. It's not everyday that I'm honored to be the second one."

Marlin chuckled, pleased with the good nature the newcomer had. He thought that Regal Blue Tangs were aggressive and liked to play tough, but after meeting Dory and even this male Blue, he might be guessing wrong. He was glad, preferring nice fishes.

"Is it your first time here?" he politely questioned.

The Blue nodded. "Yes. I'm visiting."

What a nice surprise! A visitor. Marlin felt like it was his duty to greet him warmly, and he did so, holding out his wide fin. "Welcome to our reef. My name is Marlin."

Again, the Blue smiled with gratefulness and returned the greeting. "Thank you, Mr. Marlin. I'm James Claude, but everybody calls me JC."

To be continued!