Avas' an' ahoy me scruvy curs… I'm back… An' I be settin sail the nex' installmen' o' me fic…

Finally after mos'ly being denied college computer time an' me computer a' 'ome on th' fritz, I finally poste' th' 9th chapter….

And as ta FanFiction's new rules this be th' las' chapter ta 'ave me shou'ou's, 'cause I be a goo' little buccaneer an' I don' wan' me stories delete'…

An' I'll try ta be usin' th' reply button tha' see 'ow tha' works…

Now ta th' shou'ou's…

Lav'O'Dolphin: Hmmm… Didn' think o' Tony Jay… I 'ave seen quite a few of 'is movies… Rather enjoyed 'is Frollo… 'E migh' work to… Aye people who read me stuff rather enjoy me humorous transitions… I 'ave always been able ta write them rather well… An' Aira being a therapist was inspired by those movies an' I though' I' would be amusin' ta 'ave 'er involved wit' someone…

Aqua Aussie: Aye Leila can dance… I' brings up someone from 'er past that she los' an' caused 'er to lose a lo' o' 'er trus' in Carvati… Good, I don' like to rush I'… I like ta draw I' ou'… Who knows she migh' cave in o' guilt migh' se' in…

TatsuraChan: GASP! Aye I did… I feel so loved (pulls out pirate motif hankie and blows into it)…

LilyMoon Goddess: Uh oh…(Grabs bowl of popcorn, ready to watch LilyMoon and Tanaris) Now le's no' figh'… We be all friends in th' reviews… Ye mostly had an idea where I was going… I was hopin' I wouldn' be tha' predicable…

Tanaris: To tell ye th' truth I haven' seen either o' those movies in ages… Oh an' 'Dani' is spelt wit' one 'N'… It's short for Danica an' I' was to either o' 'is sons…

Nova Beam: Don' worry Lenny's gonna move before long and Lei will soon follow… An' Carvati won' like it…

An' remember after this story is over, there will be a few bloopers and a insigh' ta I's sequel…

An' remember in th' las' chapter I will 'ave bloopers… So I' ye like any scenes tha' ye wan' a blooper o' then tell me in ye review…

Now on wit' th' fic…

"Okay, eye of the Tiger." Lenny squeezed his eyes shut and gulped. "I can do this. I can do this. I am a Great White. I am a Lino and I can do this, I can do this, I can…"

He cracked open one eye and stared at the sharkess in the study. "I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this. Awwwww hell hyperventilating hyperventilating…" Collapsing in the chair beside Eddie, his face turning blue as he began to wheeze.

Eddie raised an eyebrow. "Try breathing. I hear it's quite popular with the fish and hypochondriacs." Eddie pounded his friend's back and smirked at Lenny's' condition. After all Lenny only planed to ask her to a party, not propose marriage, even though it was the sharkess that Eddie hated the most.

Of course he wasn't going to say this unless he wanted a repeat hysterical fit, but Lenny needed encouragement. He pushed the reluctant shark in sharkess' direction. "Go on, ask her before you suffocate!"

"Don't say it. Do not say it. If you're my best friend, you will not…"

"Go ask her. Now."

"You said it." Lenny sighed. "Alright, here I go." Shoring up his courage, Lenny made his way across to the study and stopped a few feet from Leila, who was currently reading her book…

Leila looked up from her book. "Hey Len, what's up."

"Lei…" He started. "I…" He cleared his throat. "Maybe you wannagoparwime!" He finished quickly.

Leila closed her book and raised a confused eyebrow. "Want to run that by me again, if you please?

Lenny took a deep breath. "I-I was just-t wondering if you would want to… Well see Pop's throwing this party and I would really lov… erm, um… like it if, if…"

"If I would go with you to it." She finished, smirking. "Aira told me about it." 'Warned me is more like it.' She thought smirking to herself. "So far you're the first whose had the moxie to ask."

Lenny grinned. "So does that mean you'll come?" He asked.

"Hmmm… I don't know… give me a moment to ponder this over…" She brought her fin to her chin. "So who's all going to this party, might I ask?"

"Oh not that many, just a few of Pop's friends that's all."

Leila shrugged "What the heck." She turned to an anxious Lenny. "Sure I'll go."

"Great." Lenny said grinning. "So I'll see you later?"

Leila smirked. "Yeah, so I'll meet you with Aira." She said swimming to the door.

"I'll be waiting," he replied, watching her tail until she disappeared through the doorway. Smiling with satisfaction he sank into her recently vacated chair, trying to relax against the anticipation building within him…

In Leila's room, Aira held a string of white pearls to her neck and turned to Leila who was reading a book on her bed. "What do you think of these?"

Leila arched an eyebrow sarcastically. "How would I know? I never been to one of these fancy tail parities before." And she went back to her book.

Aira sighed and sat the string of pearls down. "These parties are all politics; it makes the opportunity to discuss a little business and for the sharkesses to show off a little."

Leila turned the page. "Don't blame me…"

"Well, well. If it isn't the local shrink and the nutcase rogue." Maria interrupted, leaning in the doorway.

"I'm not a nutcase." Leila growled, barring her teeth and tensed up, ready to lunge.

"Oh my mistake." Maria said defensively. "You're more demented, than a nutcase. Running around like a hoodlum."

Leila growled. "Me acting like a hoodlum has saved my life on more than one occasion."

"Go away Maria." Aira sighed. "We're not in the mood for it today."

"Well wanted to hear if the rumors were true." She crossed her fins. "That my Lenny-Bear asked her to Lino's Party."

Leila raised an eyebrow. "Oh is that all. And I thought they were about me in another closet with your 'Lenny-Bear' again."

"And I heard it all from a very reliable source, and don't bother to deny it!" She turned around

"Well..." She turned the page in her book. "Then I won't." She replied calmly to the sharkess.

Maria gasped and glared. "So you think you're going to the party." She laughed. "Please, you wouldn't last a minute at this party. Your kind wouldn't stand a chance."

"My kind?" Leila crossed her fins across her chest. "What do you mean, my kind?"

"You 'street sharks' are nothing but North Reef trash, you and those Tigers." Maria said smugly. "You wouldn't last five minutes here if it Lenny hadn't spoken up for your life."

Aira quietly backed away from the sharks, knowing that once Leila saw red, she wouldn't listen to common sense.

"You can take the shark out of streets, but you can never the streets out of the shark." Maria chuckled. "You'll never be able to pull it off, no matter what you do they will still see you as a rogue. Nothing more, nothing less."

Leila growled and snapped her teeth. "You know, have you conversed with any plankton lately?" She crossed her fins and smirked. "Cause you seem like an idiot to me."

Maria glared and swam from the room, her nose stuck up in the water. Leila growled and turned to Aira muttering a few choice words, capable of peeling the paint off a ship at 500 yards, under her breath causing Aira to shake her head. "What?"

"You know she kind of does have a point there Lei." Aira said closing the door. "You can't go starting fights at the party, especially with Maria and Johnny." She reached for Leila's tattered bag hanging on the door. "But if we can get you to look the part, you won't stick out like a sore fin."

Leila tensed as she brought it to the bed and turned it upside sending the mirror, the box Joey had given her before she left, and other trinkets drifting to Leila's bed. "What's this?" Aira asked, picking up the box.

Leila shrugged. "Who knows, I never opened it." She picked her discarded book and tossed it on to her bed.

"Well, lets find out." Aria opened the lid and smiled. "Lei, I think this just is what we needed."

Little the pair notice, a piece of paper slipped from the box as it was open and drifted under Leila's bed, the name of 'Dani' elegantly written on it…

"That's what I saw, I swear on my grandfather's grave." Vinny crossed his fins.

"Relax Vinny." Carvati leaned back in his chair as his eel swam and curled up on his desk. "Remember the closer she gets to the son, the closer she gets to Lino…" He grabbed a starfish. "And when she pulls away that son of his away, Lino will fall

"Just keep an eye on her, and remind her to stay on track" He scratched the eel's head. "Don't let her wander."

Vinny nodded. "But I still don't trust her." He growled and sat up to leave.

"Oh, and one more thing." Carvati said as Vinny paused near the door.

Vinny turned around, smirking. "Yes sir."

He sat up and tossed a treat to his pet. "Give a message to DeSoto, I have a feeling that he's been sticking his nose in business where it doesn't belong. And see if he had any contact with Leila before she left. I worked to hard and risked too much for this moment to have him ruin everything so close to the finish line. The last thing I want her doing is finding out the truth." He narrowed his single eye at him. "Make sure that doesn't happen."

Vinny smirked and nodded…

Aira swam down the hall, dragging a rather reluctant Leila. "Come on, don't be shy."

"No." Leila growled, her eyes burning. "I feel ridiculous."

"Don't be, you look stunning." She pulled and smirked. "Then I'll guess you'll give Maria the satisfaction of thinking she's better than you."

Leila growled. "I really don't be here right now." She pulled away from Aira. "Oh look there's Johnny." Leila said as the massive Orca passed her, and glared coldly at her. "Gee I guess I can't go in there now."

Aira rolled her eyes. "He won't try anything. Lino will be there and other countless sharks and Orcas from the families. Besides…" She snickered. "He wouldn't the reef to find out that he was put in his place by a sharkess now would he?" She slowly pushed the reluctant sharkess down the hall. "Lets not keep your date waiting

Leila glared and growled once more before being pushed out of the hall…

Lenny pulled on his tie nervously and gulped as they waited for Aira and Leila.

"Relax, Len. It's just a party." Eddie grumbled, straightening his tie. "Relax will ya. You'll do fine."

"Hey boys." Aira said panting, "Sorry we're a bit late." She straightened her pearls as she swam to Eddie and embraced him.

But Lenny scarcely noticed them; his attention was so fully focused elsewhere.

She looked radiant, simply radiant. There was no other way to describe it. Aira had outdid herself.

"Wow." He whispered as he stared where Leila was floating, waiting beside the doorway.

Aira had applied only enough make-up to enhance Leila's sharp features, especially her stunning violet eyes. Her tarnished gold finring was replaced with one of twisted gold. His eyes were drawn to her neck where a beautiful necklace hung, a chain of golden doubloons.

"Well?" Leila chimed, making Lenny realize that he had being gaping with a dopey grin for nearly a minute without saying a word.

Eddie elbowed Lenny waking him from his stupor. "Y-you l-look g-great."

Leila smiled and laughed nervously.

Aira nudged Eddie and took his fin and dragged him towards the ballroom before he could complain.

Standing up straight and releasing his breath he was holding, Lenny smiled shyly at her. " May I have the honor of escorting you?"

Leila arched an eyebrow and gingerly took his out stretched fin. "Yes you can."

Then the pair slowly swam towards the ballroom…

More and more sharks and Orcas were flooding the ballroom. Cat calls and squeals echoed around the entrance of the ballroom. Some of the more protean sharks were comparing their rides and businesses, while the sharkesses milled around, embracing, water-kissing.

Leila was surprised with the attention she and Lenny garnered as they entered the ballroom of the ship, her fin resting lightly in the crook of his elbow as he led her to their table. She was also a bit relieved to note that Aira and Eddie were definitely attracting a fair bit more attention than she and Lenny. This was fine by her, she felt uncomfortable under so much scrutiny.

She could not help but smirk slightly as they passed by Maria and her date. The sharkess glared at her only to receive Leila sticking her tongue out in a slightly distinguished manner.

As Johnny made an obvious attempt to surreptitiously get out of their way, Lenny leaned close to her and muttered. "How I wish he was like this all the time." Causing Leila to smirk.

Ever since their impromptu fight, Johnny had gone out of his way to steer clear of sharkess. Leila wondered if it was because of his weeklong stay in the hospital ward following the spat or the thought of being publicly humiliated in front of most of the mob.

They took their seats at a table they were to be sharing with Aira and Eddie. Leila had a suspicion it was prearranged by Lino so Eddie could keep an eye on her.

As the night wore on Leila began to grow bored with meeting and greeting sharks like Don Feinberg and his girlfriend a rather lovely lionfish, along with countless others. Leila sighed, and rested her chin on her fin. She was rapidly starting to wonder about placing a sign round her neck;

'Leila.

The rogue.

Yes, I'm Lenny's date for the party.

Yeah. I'm, like, sooo ecstatic to be here. And the next shark who asks me this gets a fin sandwich.'

She poked her dinner, fried sea bass, with one of the many forks surrounding her plate. She looked up, noticing Lenny wincing over his kelp salad at her. She stopped and pushed her plate to the side. The waiter took it and looked at her with disbelief. Leila only smirked at him.

Leila sighed and turned to watch the band that Lino had hired to play. At least this one could play compared to the one at the restaurant Aira had told her about.

Lenny watched Leila, her eyes half closed as boredom sat in. Then with boldness no doubt from his father's side, he grabbed Leila's fin and began pulling her across the room.

"Where we going?" Leila asked. Lenny was silent as he pulled her along, until finally coming to the dance floor.

"Dance with me?" He asked with large hopeful eyes.

There's something 'bout the way you look tonight,

There's something 'bout the way that I can't take my eyes off you.

There's something 'bout the way your lips invite…

Leila opened her mouth ready to say no when his face turned into the most adorable expression she had ever seen. She shook her head and looked in his eyes. "Alright, I'll dance with you."

The band immediately began to play a soft song much to her dismay. Slow dancing was not something she was intending to do, but it seemed that she was already made to do it.

Maybe it's the way that I get nervous when your around.
And I want you to be mine
And if you need a reason why…

Lenny gulped nervously and placed one fin at her waist and then extended his other fin to her. Timidly and slowly, Leila placed her fin in his, his fin curling around her own. Unconsciously he pulled her closer then she thought. A flash of heat seared through her fins whilst he held her. This heat, where did it come from, and why was it not uncomfortable?

It's in the way that you move me, and the way that you tease me,
The way that I want you tonight…

The two of them rocked softly to the music in a circle in the dim lighting. Lenny, for some reason wasn't nervous, moving so close to a female. Usually he hated to be within a league radius of sharkesses for one reason or another. Most of them would usually spot him with mischievous Cheshire cat grins before swimming over to him and then practically throw themselves at his fins while asking if he was dating.

It's in the way that you hold me, and the way that you know me,
When I can't find the right words to say,
You feel it in the way, you feel it in the way…

But Leila was oh so very different. She had this radiant aura about her that seemed to catch one's attention. Her personality was saucy and daring, almost defiant in a positive way. Her eyes burning like those of a fighter.

There's something 'bout how you stay on my mind,
There's something 'bout the way that I whisper your name when I'm asleep Oh girl
Maybe it's the look you get in your eyes…

She looked up at him with questionable eyes. Meeting with those green eyes, she turned back down, and unconsciously buried her face into his shoulder. Lenny smiled nervously and gently brought one of his fins onto the back of her head softly while they swayed to the music.

It was as if nothing existed but the two of them. All that there was music and gently burning lights.

Maybe it's the way that makes me feel to see you smile.
And the reasons they may change,
But what I'm feeling stays the same…

Lenny almost winced. Somehow in the last few minutes, the rate of his heartbeat and increased incredibly. It was like, his heart desired to leave its place within his chest and leave to soar above the surface in the clouds like an eagle. At last, his heart had settled and deep sense of warm lightheadedness flowed over him. Perhaps, it was because of the girl in his fins.

It's in the way that you move me, and the way that you tease me,
The way that I want you tonight…

Leila could not describe what she was feeling at this moment. It was this peaceful sense of Deja vu. Lenny brushed against her head scar, making her shiver.

It's in the way that you hold me, and the way that you know me,
When I can't find the right words to say,
You feel it in the way, you feel it in the way…

A sudden hot lightheadedness washed over her. Feeling almost like pudding, Leila melted against Lenny who was holding her tightly. He took the hint of her exhaustion, and wrapped both of his fins tightly around her waist. She leaned into his chest, letting a sigh escape her lips.

I can't put my fingers on just what it is that makes me love you, you baby.
So don't ask me to describe, I get all choked up inside, just thinking bout the way…

Lenny gazed down at the sharkess who was curling up against him. Like he was her life preserver.

It's in the way that you move me, and the way that you tease me,
The way that I want you tonight,
It's in the way that you hold me, and the way that you know me…

Meanwhile Aira, who had been chatting with Eddie, her attention turned from the shark to a couple slowly dancing. Aira's turquoise eyes gleamed, as a smile lit her lips. She knew true happiness when she saw it. Eddie was busy chatting, not knowing that Aira was not paying attention. Jabbing him in the ribs to silence Eddie she nudged her head in the couple's direction.

When I can't find the right words to say,
You feel it in the way, you feel it in the way…

Eddie grew silent and turned his head where Aira was gently pointing too. On the dance floor, Lenny and Leila were dancing. The future Don's fins were wrapped securely around her, while she leaned against him, her eyes closed. Both fins were resting around his neck. She appeared to almost be sleeping.

There's something 'bout the way you look tonight.
There's nothing more to say then, I feel it in the way…

"See, I told you so." Aira commented with a grin, shaking her head incredulously. Eddie crossed his fins and grumbled lightly. She lightly hit him. "Shush, leave them alone." She cast a glance at them. "This could be what the both need."

Eddie crossed his fins, still glaring at Leila. His purple eyes caught the gleam of the doubloons…

'Dani…'

Leila lifted her head and looked into Lenny's eyes. "Did you say something?"

Lenny shook his head. "No, why."

The sharkess shook her head impatiently as her scar started to throb. She pulled away from his fins. "I think I need some open water." Then she slowly swam towards the doors with Lenny following close behind.

Leila stopped and stood at the railing on the deck and stared into the open water, her head still throbbing, and brushed away the flashes in her mind. She didn't turn around at the sound of Lenny approaching her.

"Lei?" Lenny asked coming up behind her. "What's wrong?"

She turned around smirked as Lenny swam to her side. "It's nothing, just a headache that's all. I'm just not use to this just yet."

Both of them leaned against the railing staring out into the open water not speaking. Leila sighed and finned the doubloons that hung from her neck.

"Lei." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I-I want to thank you for coming, to the party that is."

"Your welcome." She said still staring across the sea floor, a heavy feeling filling her heart. "But don't thank me just yet."

"What for?" He asked.

She opened her mouth to tell the truth but shook her head. "It's nothing really." She turned back to the railing.

Lenny sighed. "You now when I was a pup I never really wanted this life, I just wanted to be like all the other sharks."

. "Hmmm, you wanted to be petty and dishonest." She crossed her fins as she swam towards a window that looked into the ballroom.

Lenny followed her to the window. "Everybody's not like that."

Leila looked into the window watching the other sharks at the party. "Yes, they are."

Lenny swam up behind her. "You're not like that."

Leila turned and looked into his green eyes. "You don't know that. How do you know what I'm like?"

Lenny looked into her violet eyes. "All I know is that you're the most amazing sharkess I ever meet, then the boldest to take on Johnny." He smiled as Leila smirked and leaned the wall.

"Lei…" He took her fin. "When I'm with you I don't feel so… alone."

She took her fin back and turned away from his green eyes, guilt tugging at her heartstrings. "Well sometimes you're just better off alone."

"What?" Lenny asked.

"No one tells you what to do and where to go…" She said, sitting against the railing. "And no one can hurt you."

"Lei." He took her fin. "I would never, ever do anything to hurt you."

She looked up into his eyes once more. She had to tell him. "Lenny I…"

"Hey Lenny." Eddie interrupted. "Come on everyone's looking for you. Your Pop wants you."

"Alright." Lenny shouted. "I'll be there." He turned back to Leila. "Will you meet me inside."

She smiled softly. "Go on I'll catch up. I just need to… Let my head rest for a bit."

Lenny's face lit up. He pulled a sea-rose from a nearby arrangement near the window and handed it to her before following Eddie back into the ballroom.

She looked after him, a squeaky sigh escaping her. Upon hearing herself, she gasped and frowned. "What's the matter with me." She scoffed. "I'm acting like some love-sick pup."

If there's a prize for rotten judgement,
I guess I've already won that,
No man is worth the aggravation…
That's ancient history,
Been there,
Done that…

She looked down at the red sea-rose he gave her. Rearing her fin up, Leila prepared herself to throw it with force to the ground, and step on it. But as she told herself to throw it, her shaky fin could not. Instead, brought the rose back up to her nose, to take in the lovely smell. She bit down on her bottom lip, as a great stirring exploded from her heart.

Who'd ya think you're kidding?
He's the earth and heaven to ya…
Try to keep it hidden, honey we can see right through ya…
Girl ya can't conceal it…
We know how you're feelin', who you're thinking of…

'No!' She thought. 'This was not supposed to happen again'. She was not supposed to feel this way. Or was she? Looking down at the rose in her fins, she glared at it. It reminded her of him.

No chance, no way, I won't say it, no no…
You swoon, you sigh…
Why deny it, uh oh…
It's too...cliché,
I won't say I'm in love…

Leila pushed any thought of him. Of his smile, of his laugh, of his shyness. With a glare she stalked across the deck under the filtered moon rays, laughing at her.

I thought my heart had learned its lesson…
It feels so good when ya start out…
My head is screaming "get a grip, girl!"
"Unless you're dying to cry your heart out!" Ooooh oooh…

She was meant to be the mean, rude and unstaggering member of Carvati's top soldiers, almost a Lieutenant. She was meant to be playing him like a guitar. She was meant to bear nothing but hatred and total revulsion the son of the shark who killed her family, as Carvati had always told her.

You keep on denying,
Who you are and how you're feelin'…
Baby, we're not lying, hone we saw ya Hit the ceiling…
Face it like a grown up…
When ya gonna own up that ya got, got, got it back?

She was not meant to be able to be this close to anyone who was shy, stuttering, passive, smart, different…and who cared about her this much.

Woah,
No chance, no way, I won't say it, no no…
Give up, give in…
Check the grin, you're in love!
You're doing flips read our lips you're in love…

Most of all, she was not supposed to have these kinds of feelings for someone like Lenny. Ever.

You're way off base…
I won't say it…
Get off my case…
I won't say I'm in love…

She had a very nasty suspicion she was possibly, maybe, slightly… 'No. Not happening in a million years.' She thought, leaning against the railing. 'I'm not falling for him. And I can deny it and I damn well will deny it.'

No chance, no way, I won't say it, no no..
Give up, give in,
Check the grin, you're in love!
The scene won't play,
I won't say I'm in love...
You're doing flips read our lips you're in love...

But she couldn't help but feel safe when he held her, wasn't she flattered after he gathered up his courage to ask her to dance. Maybe she did care a little. 'I do care…I guess…but I'm not falling for him…'

You're way off base,
I won't say it..
Girl, don't be proud, it's ok, you're in love…
No chance, no way, I won't say it, no no...
Give up, give in…

She sat on the railing and pulled out the shellphone.

This seemed almost too easy. Toss away her connection to Carvati and North Reef and never hear from him again. But…

She was starting to have second thoughts. On the downside, Carvati would be royally pissed, she'd be condemned to worrying about him sending someone to find her and finish her off.

Check the grin, you're in love!
The scene won't play...
I won't say I'm in love…

On the upside…

She stopped and sighed. She'll finally be free. She looked down at the flower Lenny had given her and brought it to her nose, breathing in its sweet aroma.

Ooooooh...

At least out loud

I won't say I'm in...love…

Sha la la la la la...

She knew now what she had to do.

The shellphone sailed through the water and crashed into a rock were it shattered and drifted to the sand.

The promise of her past from Carvati was a small price to pay.

Especially when you were in love...

Leila pushed open the lounge door and slowly swam to the couch in front of the fireplace where Lenny was currently sitting.

"Hey." she said, swimming up behind the couch. "So this is where sharks hide from parties."

Lenny turned around. "Leila."

"Hey" She came around and sat on the other end of the couch. "Sorry, Aira found me and dragged around to a few sharks. I managed to get away. They're pirannas."

Lenny laughed. "Weren't you going to say something before Eddie came?"

Leila shook her head. "Nothing. I just can't see how you can put up with a shark like me."

"W-well, I-I…" He stuttered nervosly, all boldness frogotten being alone with the violet eyed sharkess.

She laughed and shook her head. And for good measure, she added a lopsided smile and leant over to give him a kiss on the cheek.

At least, it would've been a kiss on the cheek if Lenny hadn't looked round at exactly the wrong moment.

Leila's resistance decided to go for a coffee break and she had curled up in Lenny's fins and wasn't doing anything to break the embrace.

Neither of the sharks would be ending this kiss for quite a while.

And for the first time since she arrived, Leila had a peaceful night's sleep in his fins…

Haha…

There ye go ye bildge ra's…

An' 'opefully th' 'Nerd Squad' will 'opefully exorise me possessed computer so tha' I don' be relilin' on college computers…

Until then I be ye only Pirate Dragon wit' th' Insanity levels that scare th' shrinks ta 'ide…

So ta fer now…

-IPD