"Water?" Elina asked fearfully.

"Darling, he's only joking!" Jellylorum said, taking her hand and seeing if it would comfort her some, it worked a bit. But when Elina panicked, it took a lot to calm her down.

"I can't go in water! I can't even go in the pond back home!" Elina said, getting up and starting to pace. "Elina, control yourself." Andrew said, trying to calm her down. "I can't! I won't! I CAN'T GO INTO THE DARK ABYSS!" Elina screamed, looking completely insane.

SLAP!

That's when everyone gasped and Elina head went to the side, Tantomile stood before her daughter, her paw up. Everything went silent as Elina held her cheek and looking like she was about to cry. Then her face straightened and she took a deep breath.

"Thanks, mom, I needed that." Elina said.

"Did you just-!?" Michael Gruber asked, shocked, before Tantomile cut him off.

"She tends to panic in serious situations, it's not the first time I've done that." she explained calmly. "Sometimes she does it twice!" Elina said happily, holding two fingers up for emphasis.

Everyone stayed silent for a bit, then Elaine sighed. "Sweetheart, if you're going to be a human, you need to clean yourself like one...how have you been getting clean all these years?" she asked. "Mom gives me tongue baths." Elina said, hugging Tantomile, and Tantomile hugged her back. "It's always been a bonding time for us." Tantomile said, then sighed. "But you're right...I'm sorry, kitten." she said. Elina made noise similar to a pollicle puppy whimpering.

"Now Elina...you may tell us when you're ready to give it a go, we don't want to force anything on you." Susie said.

Elina thought about it, it WOULD help get over her water phobia...and maybe it would help boost her confidence more...and maybe even get Bryn to be her friend.

"I'll do it." she said.

"That was quick." Fergus said as he ate the last of his chicken, then got up and put his plate in the sink. "The chicken was great!" he called back to Susie, Susan, Jenny and Jelly, who smiled and said thanks back.

"I'll help her." Jacob said, getting up.

"Jacob, I don't think..." Jo Bingham said. "Jo, I'm a gay, what am I supposed to try with her?" he asked.

(A/N: I have no idea, but I just like the thought of Jacob helping her.)

"True...try and see if you can get Bryn to help for once." Veerle said as she helped Jemima put dishes in the dishwasher. "Will do, come on." Jacob said, taking Elina hand and leading her to one of the many bathrooms.

"Stay here." he said, then ran to Bryn's room and knocked on the door. "What?" Bryn asked irritably as he opened the door. "Bryn, I can't believe I'm about to say this but..." he said.

"What? spit it out!" Bryn said.

"I need your help giving Elina a shower." Jacob said.

"...What?"

Yup.

I believe I've gone mad.

Beautifully mad.

What do you think will happen? Will Bryn try anything with her? Why the hell did they think Bryn helping Jake was a good idea?

R&R please!