A/N: Okay, here's my excuse...if you want it. I actually wanted to post this closer to the beginning of the month, but a bunch of crap kept creeping up on me, including: a film project that I was freaking out about for weeks since I didn't know when I could do it, then ran into some editing and burning it onto DVD problems; I was in Canada 2 weekends ago for a hockey game; had numerous papers to write (including a Catholic theology paper...and I'm not even Catholic, but unfortunately go to a Catholic college and have to take the class); and LOTS of novel reading for my American Literature class. So those are my excuses and I might have more by next update...whenever that is.

So enjoy this while you can!

"Do you have anything planned today?" Nim asked colleen as Selkie came sliding out of the house.

"Nim, keep Selkie out of the kitchen!" Jack called.

"Sorry, Jack." She called back.

Colleen grinned, then answered Nim's question. "I don't know. It's not like I have anything to do since my boat is lost."

"Maybe Jack could take you to the volcano. He some times likes to go look for microscopic critters there." Nim ventured.

"Hmm. Maybe." Colleen replied. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." Nim said, placing Fred on the ground so he could walk around.

"Why do you call your father by his first name? I think I have yet to hear you call him 'dad'." Colleen asked with a small smile.

Nim shrugged. "Why not?" She answered. "I do call him 'dad' some times."

"Just wondering. I wouldn't have thought someone as young as you would call a parent by their first name. It just shows that you're more sophisticated than your age lets on." Colleen said.

"Thanks...I guess." Nim replied.

Colleen chuckled. "Yes, that was a compliment."

Nim nodded. "I'll be right back. I want to get something to drink. Do you want anything?"

"No, I'm okay. Thanks." The oceanographer answered.

Nim got up, then went into the house. Walking to the kitchen, she saw Jack finishing up with the dishes.

"Hey, Jack." She started, then when he turned his head to her, she continued. "Colleen expressed an interest in going to look at Fire Mountain. I thought maybe you could take her." She poured herself a glass of juice as she spoke to Jack.

Jack practically dropped the dish he was cleaning in the sink. He didn't think she would be interested in going to the volcano so soon after what happened with her boat and crew. He regained his composure and continued cleaning before he spoke.

"Did she herself say she wanted to go there or did you suggest it?" He asked Nim.

"I...uh...kinda suggested it." She replied, looking into the glass in her hands. "But she has nothing else to do, Jack. Why not take her?"

"Nim, I have lots of work to do. Why don't you take her?"

"Because you're the scientist, not me. You two would have more to talk about. What would we talk about? Fred? Selkie? That wouldn't last long."

Jack sighed. He knew he wasn't going to win this argument...just like all of their other disagreements.

"Alright. I'll ask her after lunch if she wants to go. That way I can get I get some work done before hand." He gave in with a sigh. "Is that okay with you?"

Nim nodded with a large smile, then turned on her heel and walked back out to sit with Colleen and wait for the fire to die.

Colleen had been off in her own world when Nim left her. She wondered what sort of name Nim was and which one of her parents thought of it. She also wondered what happened to her mother, but that was really none of her business. Her thoughts then turned to one half of Nim's parental unit: Jack. Before her thoughts could get any further than that, she felt someone sit down next to her. Looking up, she saw that Nim returned and she was smiling broadly.

"Someone seems a bit happy." She said, glancing at the girl.

"Mango juice. We haven't had it for a long time." Nim lied.

Colleen glimpsed at Nim skeptically for a few moments, then nodded and stood. "Do you have anything planned?" She asked.

"I have to check on some turtles, but other than that, nope." Nim answered, also standing.

"Turtles?" Colleen questioned, her full attention on Nim.

"Yeah. They're still babies yet, and I want to check on the mom."

"Do you mind if I come with you? I have a soft spot for turtles."

"Sure. Let me just take this into the kitchen." Nim said, holding up her now empty glass.

Colleen nodded, then watched Nim stroll into the house. She was left in the company of Selkie and Fred, so she picked up the lizard and placed him on her shoulder. In doing so, she ended up looking at her feet, which were unaccustomed to being barefoot. She wiggled her toes, then sighed before turning and heading back into the house, to the couch.

She leaned down next to the end of the couch where she found one shoe, but was unable to find the other. Kneeling on the couch, she looked behind the back of it. Not finding it there, she checked back near where the other one was.

"Where is it, Fred?" She asked the lizard, who cawed lowly.

Frowning, she sat on the couch and crossed her arms over her chest as she glared at the one shoe.

"Something wrong?"

Colleen looked up to see Jack standing in the doorway, holding a large cup of what she assumed to be coffee.

"I can't find my other shoe." She said, glancing up at him.

"Neither could we." He said coming over and standing in front of her, then elaborated. "You didn't have it on when we found you."

"Well, that just sucks." She muttered. "Yeah, they were old, but my feet aren't used to walking around without anything on them."

Jack smirked. "They'll get used to it."

Colleen rolled her eyes dramatically as she went back to scowling.

"I'll search the house later. Maybe there's a pair that might fit. What size are you?" He asked, noticing her scowl.

She scoffed. "Size ten...in women's." She said. "Yeah, the huge feet come from my father's side."

Jack chuckled. "I'll see what I can do."

Colleen nodded, then stood up as Nim walked into the room.

"Ready?" Nim asked.

Again, Colleen nodded, then smirked at Jack before walking beyond him to join Nim at the door. Jack followed Colleen with his eyes, then shifted them to Nim when Colleen handed the lizard over to his daughter.

"Where are you two going?" He asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Going to check on Chica and her babies from last year. Colleen says she has a soft spot for turtles, so she's coming with me." The girl grinned.

Jack once again shifted his eyes from Nim to Colleen, who met his eyes briefly, then looked away, blushing.

"Alright. Just be careful. And don't forget your chores, Nim." Jack said, then walked over to the stairs and went up to his bedroom before going back downstairs to do work.

Colleen kept an eye on Jack as he left the room and walked up the stairs. When she looked back down at Nim, she saw that the girl was smirking devilishly.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing." Nim answered, innocently. "Let's go." She started her walk out to the front of the house.

A/N: Alright, I'd like to take a small survey. Since you are Gerard Butler fans (I'm assuming, since you're reading this), what would you say to a RockNRolla fict?

What's that? You haven't seen RockNRolla? Shame on you! (just kidding) It's such a good movie (Guy Ritchie fan!) and Gerry is hilarious...oh, and did I mention his naked butt!?

So, once you've seen it (if you haven't) what say you to a fict? I already have a few pages written, but, you know, like every author, I don't want to post it if no one will read it...