You…Don't Care?

AN: I don't own anything, but please enjoy anyways!

Still, a bit groggy, Jim continued to look in wonder at the beautiful girl propped up above him.

"Who…who are you?" His voice sounded a bit hoarse even to him, and if he was a bit more aware he knew that scarlet would slowly be creeping upon his cheeks. Instantly, she froze. The human was awake…and he was talking to her. From his calm expression, she knew he had not discovered her identity. Nervously, she did what any girl would do in her situation…she fiddled with her hair. Tucking an invisible strand behind her ear, she bit her lip in attempt to stifle the silly grin that she was sure to erupt any second now.

"My name's Ariel…hi…" Hi! What was that! He's going to think I'm a total catfish! Her mental ramblings were the only thing keeping her from physically slapping her own forehead. But an unexpected thing happened. He smiled.

"Hi…the name's Jim." This time it was Ariel's turn to smile brightly, flashing her brilliant smile. The poor boy was instantly captivated by her ruby red lips, and crystal blues of her eyes. He had no idea how a fire of red was spreading across his cheeks. Well, that is until he heard a giggle escape her lips.

Startled out of his glazed over daze, Jim found himself flustered. In an attempt to save his dignity, he tried getting to his feet. But that led to quite the surprise. For when he stood, he saw the rest of her body. He stumbled back and fell on to his behind the sand cushioning him.

"You're…you're a….a mermaid…" he whispered in astonished amazement. Taking his wonder as what she thought was fear; she hastily began to back up trying her best to make it back to the surf. Jim saw this and instantly called after her as he tried to get up and reach her.

"Wait! Please don't go! I won't hurt you I promise! I don't care that you're a mermaid." She halted, the ripples of the surf crashing around her gently.

Looking over her shoulder, she gave him a scrutinizing look, but Jim was sure he could see the traces of hope reflecting in her eyes.

"You…don't care? It doesn't matter that I'm a mermaid, and that you're a human?" Jim's shoulders sagged in relief.

"Of course I don't. Trust me, I've seen a lot worse." Ariel immediately scowled, and Jim slapped his forehead at how awful he sounded even in his own ears.

"Wait! That's not what I meant. What I meant to say is that I have a lot of friends who aren't human, and it isn't often when I find one so beautiful," he said in a rush. However, seconds later, he realized what he implied and so his imitation of a tomato came back full force. But the little mermaid smiled.

Her cheeks were rosy, and yet she did not seem embarrassed in the least.

"You think…I'm…beautiful?" The intensity of her gaze compelled him to speak. Anxiously, he rubbed the back f his neck as he walked down the beach and sat a few feet away from her. He couldn't exactly sit in the surf. It wouldn't exactly be attractive if his pants were soaked. Speaking of attractive…

Jim couldn't help the scarlet that stained his cheeks as he stole a glance at his beautiful companion. And technically, the only form of clothing she possessed was a shell bra. Jim jerked. Bad thoughts! Wait, what had she asked him, because now she was staring at him like he had grown a second head. Oh! That's right…

"How could I not, I mean…look at you… you're um…your eyes…no lips…I mean….argh.." Jim huffed in frustration. Here he was stumbling because the very thing he's trying to compliment her on is causing his mind to go fuzzy.

"I just think you're very pretty…" he muttered feebly under his breath in defeat dropping his head in embarrassment. He had had no idea that talking to a girl would be so difficult! Give him a burning crater, or a fight against bloodthirsty pirates and sure, he was peachy, but manage a smooth conversation with a beautiful mermaid, and he was out for the count.

"Tail and all?" Her playful question posed made him smile. She had no idea how much of a lifesaver she was to him right now. Softly, he chuckled and her bright happy smile grew at the thought that she had made him happy. Her smile was contagious and he found himself grinning right back at her.

"Yeah, tail and all." The mere fact that she knew that he truly meant what he said made her all the more giddy. She simply knew that not all humans were bad, and it just happened to be an added bonus that she found him to be the most beautiful creature that she had ever seen.

The couple's eyes met and locked in a comfortable gaze, stupid grins plastered on each of their cherry stained faces. But magic seldom lasts, as out of nowhere a loud barking was heard approaching somewhat quickly. Instantly, the trance was broken, and panic was born in both of their hearts. Suddenly very protective of the beautiful girl he had just met; Jim spun around and took up a defensive position in front of her in hopes to shield her from the unwanted gazes of strangers.

"You have to go…now," Jim whispered hurriedly, so that the incoming party would not be alerted to their location. Hastily backing herself into the crashing waves, Ariel paused and looked anxiously up at Jim's back.

"Will I ever see you again?" Jim stilled for a moment, hesitation clearly visible in his body language. But just as hope was thought lost, he looked over his shoulder and gave a small smile.

"Tonight, when the moon has risen." Nodding her head in comprehension, the little mermaid swam off into deeper waters, diving into the safety of the deep. Watching her go was bittersweet. Yes, she was safe, but Jim had wanted to spend more time with this girl of fantasy. But her escape was not a moment too soon, for seconds later, a large bushy haired dog came bounding over the dunes, barking as if he had found the prized fox. Sprinting over to Jim, the dog nearly tackled him to the ground in warm unbiased welcome. Smothered in dog slobber, Jim managed to gently push the dog off of him.

"Hey there boy, whatcha doin'?"

"Max? Max, where are you boy?" A distinctly masculine voice carried on the wind, as the owner of the dog was revealed. A young man, maybe a year or two older than himself darted down the sand dune in search of the lost dog. Inwardly, Jim was beyond relieved that Ariel was gone. While he had seen many a different species in his life, he knew that most humans were not aware of the other creatures that inhabited their world. He silently vowed that he would protect Ariel, and not let their meeting cause her any danger. Whoa…where had that come from? He had already become so protective of a girl he had just met. But then again, she was special, so why shouldn't he be?

"Oh, there you are!" The young dark haired male dressed in a loose white shirt, blue pants, and boots, exclaimed drawing the attention of the huge fur ball. Clumsily, max sprinted over to his master, slobber and fur flying everywhere. This was definitely the owner; Jim had thought watching the two interact. Trying to cover him in wet kisses, the owner playfully ruffled the fur that seemed to blind the sight of the sheep dog.

"I'm guessing he's yours then?" Jim's question broke the whimsical trance between owner and pet. Smiling amicably, the young man managed to divest himself of his furry overgrown attachment and walked over to the young Hawkins.

"Yeah, that sorry mutt's mine," he joked and Jim was surprised at what he thought to be a miffed growl being emitted from the offended party.

"My name is Eric and that troublemaker is Max," he said holding out his hand in the typical friendly gesture. Grasping the outstretched hand and shaking it firmly, Jim returned the easy smile.

"The name's Jim. Jim Hawkins."

"Well it's nice to meet you Jim. So, what brings you out to these parts?" What had once been an easygoing atmosphere now had suddenly shifted into a tense predicament. There was now way he could divulge the true nature of his presence at this time.

It was strictly forbidden for people of the "unknowing" world to learn of their existence. While he himself was human, the other ninety nine percent of his companions were not, and so their identities had to remain a secret by law of the Intergalactic Council. To break such laws was certain imprisonment on the deserted wasteland of a world called Trog. The very mention of the name was enough for Jim's whole body to go rigid and a cold sweat threatened to break out upon his skin.

"Um…" What a time for his mind to go blank! This wasn't such a hard question. He had talked himself out of countless perilous situations before where no hope was evident, and here he was choking on a simple conversational topic in a human world!

"Jim? Jim where are you!" Delbert's voice rung off in the distance and Jim's blood seemed to run cold. As the calls increased in volume as he neared, Jim's heart beat frantically in panic. He could almost feel the cold chains of banishment to Trog encircling him now. Poor Delbert had no clue that he was damning them all with every step he took, and now Eric was watching him in concern because Jim had still no answered his question. Yeah, he was really glad that Ariel had escaped now, but his heart grew heavy in the fact that in a mere matter of seconds, he would be doomed never to see her beautiful face again.

PLEASE REVIEW! The chapters will be longer I promise! There will be a lot of twist and turns in this story so please share your ideas. I will most likely use them! Later days!