A/n: This is a short fic that will be posted in 2 parts. It's takes place when Matilda almost drowned. I don't remember everything accurately so this AU and will more than likely be out of character :P. There will also be a sequel. Enjoy!

Reflections

Part 1

Her heart was beating fast as the water rushed to her feet. When she felt the coolness hit her skin she sighed in relief. It was ok. It really was ok.

She sat down then and there, having the water splash up onto her. Her breathing soon slowed down and she stared down into the water thoughtfully.

Not that she would let anyone know this, but she did indeed feel stupid for her actions, and when she saw the flash of anger in his eyes, though she had merely shrugged of the incident, her heart broke and wept inside. He hated her.

What was meant to be like a fairytale had in turn become a nightmare, to feel the water choking her throat and to feel her body go limp. Matilda shuddered and physically moved away from the water once more. The ordeal had petrified her.

Her mother had reprimanded her softly, than had fussed over her for what seemed like hours on end. Her brothers had scolded her and weren't talking to her. But she wasn't hurt, cause she knew deep down she had scared them.

Everyone had come to see her, bringing her flowers and kind smiles. All the while Matilda felt guilty for thinking so poorly of Summer Bay, but she wouldn't let on, instead she pushed away the feeling and replaced it with hoping he might show up, he didn't, and Matilda felt worse.

It wasn't till 3 days after the near drowning that her family let her wander outside on her own. She had walked the agonizing walk to the beach, knowing that her Brother Scott was watching from the boat, She rolled her eyes and waved to him and he went back to what he was doing.

They knew she was ok. But she wasn't completely sure herself. She hated being scared and the past few nights the sound of the water had frightened her, when she slept she would toss and turn trying to rid herself of the choking feeling and shake of the limpness that her body would go into.

She stood up from her spot and made her way toward the water again. This was hard. But Matilda Hunter refused to be scared.

She saw her face above the water and closed her eyes for a moment before opening them. She saw him laughing and smiling, herself running around him and splashing him with the water. Him scooping her up and throwing her in.

A tear slipped down her cheek, maybe being scared would be better than the humiliation after all.

"Matilda"

Her breath caught in her throat was she imagining him being there now, things were getting bad.

"Not planning on another swim are you"?

and reality came crashing back down.

She steadied herself and turned around.

A big smiled plastered on her face "Hi Kim"

"We need to settle a few things"

She inwardly cringed at his tone. He was still mad at her.

"When I'm here your not to be here"

Well that was mature of him, who did he think he was telling her she wasn't allowed to come to the beach?

She folded her arms "I'll come when I like thank you very much"

"I'm not saying you can't come, it's a free country, just not while I'm here on duty".

Matilda rolled her eyes.

"And lastly Matilda I have no interest in you, I'm 16 and your 12"

Well that stung

"You have to get over this crush you have on me"

Well looks who's flattering himself now. She thought angrily as tears threatened to fall.

Whatever I saw in him is beyond me

Without realizing it she had stepped backwards and when a wave came crashing up against her legs she fell backwards and screamed.

TBC