Saying Goodbye
Excitement and adrenaline ran through the youngest daughter of Triton like a current of electricity. Maybe she was channeling the energy of the potential lightning in the forming overcast clouds above. Her dream of finally becoming human would be realized tonight. And the best part was, was that she would spend that time with Jim.
Her emotions practically buzzed as she swam at top speed toward the shore. The cool water felt so refreshing against her skin, but now she was longing for the feel of the air. Giving in to her desire, she broke the surface throwing her head back sending tiny liquid diamonds everywhere. She had no idea the vision she made, what with her silhouette against the setting sun.
Her eyes were focused on the beach, more specifically the boy who stood waiting for her on the beach. Her heart soared at the sight of her beloved and her excitement skyrocketed at the clothing he held in his arms. She would finally get to wear that dress. Giddy, she swam into the shallows where she moved into a seated position.
"Jim!" she exclaimed waving at him. Said boy didn't respond, his face emotionless and cold thoroughly confusing the little mermaid. What's with him?
"Jim?" she asked as he walked to the water line.
"Are you alright?" his features hardened and a strange emotion flashed across his face.
"I'm fine." However, his harsh tone was a clear indicator that he was in fact not "fine" at all. Being the understanding girlfriend that she was, she didn't say a word, choosing instead to give him one fleeting worried glance before turning it to her lap. If something's bothering him, he'll tell me…right?
Her perplexed anxiety was only amplified when he chose not to elaborate. There was a long pause of silence between them and Ariel felt very much that the distance separating them wasn't mere feet. It was like the first time they met and he had just found out she was a mermaid.
"So uh…then do you still really want to do this?" Jim asked expectantly. Ariel was flabbergasted by how rude he was being. Her wide eyes were filled with ill concealed hurt. Why are you being like this Jim?
What was this new side of him, because to be honest, she didn't like it at all.
"Well…yes an…"
"Then I think you should move yourself out of the water." Jim interrupted. "It'll be…uh easier this way." A tiny indignant part of her wanted to reply with, No I don't want to or How about I come back when you're acting a little nicer. Still, she held in her fiery spirit and began to crawl or more or less drag herself up on the beach. Instead of carrying her like he promised he would, he just watched as if she was some pathetic animal who was dragging its lame hind leg. She had no more than beached herself when she saw something blue shoved right in front of her face. Oh…Jim's holding out the dress.
"You remember how I told you how to put it on, right?"
Ariel's breathing shuddered. This wasn't at all how she pictured turning into a human would be like. She had imagined Jim gently helping her into the dress, his hands teasing in innocent and not so innocent manners, as he put it on. He was supposed to be whispering words of encouragement or how beautiful she was going to look when she was human. Was it so long ago, the memory of her and Jim happy together?
"I remember," she said softly not realizing that she was also answering Jim's question. A tear slipped down her cheek and she hastily took the dress so as to hide the sign of her sorrow from him. She slid the dress over her head and despite the fact that her heart felt like it was bleeding; a small part of her was excited.
With the exception of having her tail peeking out, she looked human. Apparently, Jim thought so too, as a strange look came over his face. Ariel couldn't read the facial expression. Is that longing? But just as hope was born, his features darkened by some thought Ariel knew she wasn't privileged to.
"Here. You're going to need this." His hand was extended to her. In his palm laid the unassuming yet powerful piece of jewelry that brought them together. She hesitantly took the ring from him and cursed herself for getting shivers as her skin brushed his. His hand quickly recoiled from her and she was presented with his back once more sending her heart plummeting.
"Oh, just so you know when you put the ring on…" A startled cry interrupted his sentence and he knew he was too late. Ariel had donned the ring and was undergoing the change.
It was heartbreaking to have to turn his back and pretend not to care what she was going through, pretend not to care that her whimpers didn't affect him, or care that she was terrified. He couldn't see that her eyes were squinted shut and her fists and jaw were clenched.
It was killing him to be so cold to her. How could she believe that he really didn't want to be with her anymore? He had been anticipating this night as much as she had been. He had played the scenario over a thousand times in his head, how he would treat her like the princess that she was or show her off to Eric like she was his greatest treasure. But no, in order for her to move on, he would have to make her despise him, hate him, so that she wouldn't want him anymore. Your happiness doesn't lie with me Ariel…I'm sorry.
And then his morose thoughts were ended by a long tired feminine sigh. She had done it. She had made it through the change. He was hesitant to turn around. He already knew that her human form would be just as beautiful as her original mermaid one. It would be next to impossible to not show his awe.
Ariel would see right through his façade. Wouldn't she? In fact, he was distressed by the fact that his mermaid princess was buying into this trick. How could she believe that he would just stop caring about her, that he could just stop lo…
"It worked. I'm…I'm human." Jim took a deep breath and turned He was right. She was beautiful. Smooth, long, creamy legs were showcased by the dress she wore. Jim swallowed…hard. As a merman, Jim found her tail to be sexy and as a human…those legs…wow.
"Um…so…um…I…" Jim mentally cursed himself. He was acting no better than he had when he first met her. Ariel's smirk let him know that he was caught. Crap! Think of something…Forgive me…It took all of his effort but he hardened his features into a stony expression.
"Well, come on, we haven't got all day." Ariel's hopes plummeted. For a second, she had thought that she had gotten the old Jim back, what with the way he had looked at her with passion's fire in his eyes. But she must have been mistaken. His icy exterior had returned full force. She looked up to see a hand held inches from her face. Jim was facing away from her, looking for the entire world like he wished he could be anywhere in the world except there with her right then. Fierce anger swelled within her and she swatted his hand away.
"No!"
"What? What do you mean, 'no'?" Ariel huffed and crossed her arms across her chest.
"Exactly what I said…no. I am not moving one inch with you, because there's no way you can be my Jim." Jim laughed bitterly and his gaze narrowed.
"Your Jim? And pray tell, Ariel, who are you to know how I am. We know each other for what…like a week and you presume that you know me? Well, did you know that I'm not even from this world? That I've seen more things and people than you can possibly imagine? That the reason I'm even on this world is because my ship crashed? With that ring, I can change into any life form. You don't even know half the things I've been through, how many times I've almost died. Do you really think you have the right to say you know who I am?"
Ariel's gaze was heartbroken as she stared at the last rays of sunlight, and as her gaze turned and locked with his, he could see that her ocean blue eyes were glossy with unshed tears.
"But I do know you…I'm your mate." Jim's heart clenched and suddenly Eric's words from the past were a little too ironic.
~ It wouldn't work…
We're from two different worlds~
~Sometimes wanting to be with someone just isn't enough~
Jim scoffed.
"Your mate. What? Says who, an undiscovered kingdom of merpeople, please." Ariel shook her head slowly, the tears spilling creating tiny rivers.
"The truth is still the truth no matter what world you come from. I'm sorry. If I had known you didn't want to be with me, then I never would have come tonight."
"You have no idea what I want." Jim muttered under his breath but Ariel caught it and her ire was sparked once more.
"You're right. I don't. So why don't you just tell me what you want?" The walls around Jim's heart were crumbling and he was breathing harder now with the effort to keep the truth from her.
"Ariel, I don't know anymore. I don't know what's best anymore." He confessed softly. Ariel shook her head still angry.
"Jim. I didn't ask you what you think is best for me or you. I asked you what you want."
Snap
The wall of lies came crumbling down in a second. His facial features were deceptively calm but Ariel could see the wild blue fire that had ignited in his eyes.
"What I want." He gave another short bitter laugh.
"Ariel, do you really think I want to be arguing with you like this? Do you think this is what I want?" The ice melted from his features.
"Do you think I like treating you like this? Do you think I want to act like I don't care about you anymore? You're right. This isn't who I am." He knelt before her and the mermaid princess was alarmed by how vulnerable and scared he looked. She searched his eyes frantically like they held the answers in them. She became even more nervous when he grasped her hands and she realized he was trembling. Now she wasn't so sure she wanted the answers.
"Ariel…I want to be with you. I want to be you mate. It would make me the happiest man in the world." There was a long drawn out pause and Jim's face fell, his mouth went dry and his throat constricted. It was like even his own body didn't want him to say the words. He managed to swallow and tried again cursing himself for shattering the innocence in her doe like eyes.
"But…I can't." Sure enough her eyes widened in horror.
"I'm not from this world. You know that. I'm sort of…a traveler. My ship crashed here that night in the storm. But people from my world are coming to take me and my friend Delbert back."
Ariel couldn't restrain herself.
"I don't understand. Why can't you stay here?"
"Where I come from, if you want to be a traveler then…no one from any of the worlds can know about you. If they knew about me and you, they would erase your memories and send me to a life of imprisonment on a wasteland world called Trog."
"What! No! Isn't there anything we can do? I mean, we can think of something right? We have time." Ariel reasoned desperately clinging to strands of hope and running her fingers through thick chocolate locks.
When he looked away from her, Ariel felt her heart die a bit.
"How much time do we have?"
"Tonight at midnight," he whispered. Ariel nodded numbly. Hysterics would get her no where. It broke her heart to see him like this, but she understood now. He was pushing her away in order to maker her hate him…to make the separation easier. Oh…Jim…You were trying to be so strong and endure.
"Are you sure there's no way that you can escape from them? I could talk to my father and…"
"And what…tell him that I'm human? Ariel we both know how your father feels about humans. Besides, what kind of life would that be for us? I'm not a merman. Even with the ring's power, I'd only be able to spend hours under the sea. What kind of life is that? Ariel, you deserve better than that." Ariel shook her head.
"Stop making decisions about what you think is best for me. I want to be with you. But…you're right. I hate it but…I guess the only thing we can do is treasure the time we have left." Tears fell in pathways down her cheeks. I can be strong too.
Her eyes fell closed from the effort and she almost cried out when she felt Jim's rough fingertips on her cheeks, gently wiping away her tears. This was her Jim. This was her mate…or at least he was going to be. And then she was being lifted up into his arms. A strangled laugh escaped through the waterworks.
"I thought one of the major parts of being human was learning how to walk. How can I do that if you won't let me out of your arms?" Jim didn't smile.
"I don't want to let you go." His serious tone alerted her to his double meaning. Her throat muscles clenched.
"By the way, I've been meaning to tell you how much I like these." Jim said giving her legs a long heated appreciative glance. Ariel couldn't help the blush that spread across her cheeks. Inwardly, she wanted to curse herself. I'm so stupid. We're breaking up and here I am turning red like a guppy. But as Jim trudged up the beach, Ariel forced the pain back and she nuzzled her head in the crook of his neck.
~I'll keep you for as long as I can…~
The last rays of sunlight had departed and lit candles gave the room a warm romantic glow. Leaning against a pillar, Eric was the perfect picture of anxiety while Jim was gazing out at the night sky. Silence had prevailed until Eric finally conceded.
"Are you nervous?" His tone was like he was conspiring with Jim about if the younger had murdered someone. Jim didn't even look away.
"A little. But then, being around Ariel always makes me that way." Jim confessed. Eric nodded.
"You really care about her don't you?" The prince was confused by the broken smile that graced Jim's lips. In fact, he was about to ask him about it when the young space sailor interrupted.
"Eric, I want to thank you for all that you've done for me and Delbert. He can be a little well…you know and I…thank you." Eric chuckled.
"Jim, don't worry about it. I should be thanking you for all the good I know you'll bring to this kingdom. The prince's brows furrowed when he saw guilt cloud Jim's blue eyes.
"Jim what's…" The question died on his lips when the guilt vanished and was replaced with an awed intensity. What is he…Eric looked over his shoulder and his jaw slowly dropped open. He knew why Jim was staring so openly.
Ariel and Giselle were standing in the doorway. Each was visions of beauty to their respective male. Giselle was dressed in a robin egg blue dress, (you know the one from the movie) that accentuated her honey hued locks beautifully. (remember this is just a dinner!) Eric didn't know how but somehow little white daisies were strewn about her hair. A light blush and a nervous smile graced her features, her hands clasped together tightly in front of her.
On her left Ariel was a model of serenity. The gown he had picked for her stilled his breath. A dark magenta rose colored gown (Giselle's original dress when she lived in a tree or whatever, perfect picture is at deviant ) hugged every curve, the seemingly almost fluid weightless material flowing at her feet. She chose to leave her hair down, no jewelry or makeup adorning her.
~She didn't need it~
While Eric and Giselle stared at each other with excited anticipation at the prospect of this new blooming romance, Ariel and Jim's locked gazes shared an intensity that spoke volumes. The two couples made quite the picture and Carlotta and Grim exchanged grins in the hallway.
"Oh and aren't you two young ladies just a vision!" Grim exclaimed effectively breaking the trance that had encompassed the room. He swept into the ballroom ushering the beauties to the twelve foot cheery wood table, sitting one maiden on one side of the table and then the other in the paralleling chair.
It took all of five seconds for the younger men to a) raise an eyebrow in disbelief that Grim had stolen their girls right from under their noses, b) look at each other and finally c) walk swiftly over to seat themselves next to their respective girl. There was an awkward moment of silence before with a nudge from Grim, Eric cleared his throat.
"So uh, it's really great that you ladies were able to make it tonight." Ariel smiled brightly and inclined her head demurely. Giselle, on the other hand, couldn't contain herself.
"Oh yes, I'm most grateful to be here. Your home is very warm." Grim quirked a brow at the odd expression. Home? Didn't the girl realize that this was a palace? But Eric's thoughts centered on the pleasant realization that Giselle genuinely did not care that he was a prince. She was one of the few individuals who wouldn't be corrupted by the power he possessed.
"Thank you," he replied softly, though she wouldn't realize its multiple meanings. Jim grinned. He knew those two would hit it off. Giselle started chatting amiably with Eric like she had known him her entire life, asking normal questions like, "what did you do today?" and what hobbies he had. Ariel smiled and whispered in Jim's ear.
"They really like each other, don't they." Jim nodded taking one of her hands in his and squeezing it.
"Eh hem," a strong French masculine accent alerted the group of young people to a new presence. It was Louis, looking smug, obviously very proud of the food creation that remained hidden under the lid.
"My liege…" Louis began as he placed two covered trays in front of Eric and Giselle, while an attendant presented Jim and Ariel with theirs.
"I must say that tonight's cuisine will be a personal masterpiece." A familiar scent made Jim's eyes widen a fraction and quickly he peeked under the lid. Not good! Louis continued on preparing for his grandiose reveal.
"Yes, tonight we will be having fresh fillet of fl…"
"Ariel, would you care to dance?" Everyone stared shocked at the bizarre comment.
"But Jim…aren't we going to eat now?" Ariel whispered giving the covered dish a pointed look. Jim grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet.
"Trust me; it's nothing you'll like." There's no way I would want to chance you maybe recognizing one of Flounder's distant relatives…
"But Jim, I don't know how to dance," she whispered as he led her to the dance floor, where musicians were scrambling to assemble. He briefly thought of how it hadn't stopped her from forcing him to dance when they were in that club, but from the terrified look on her face, he thought better of it.
Meanwhile, Giselle and Eric looked at each other awkwardly before rising themselves leaving a whimpering and very much flabbergasted Louis. So much for dinner…
Gently, Jim placed her arm about him in the proper position for a waltz. He gave her his infamous crooked smile.
"Don't worry…I've got you…so just…follow me…" Ariel gave a smile but her gaze was saturated in sorrow. That's the problem Jim...You're going somewhere I can't follow. However, her mask of false cheer gave none of her true emotions away. What good was the joy of gaining something fantastic like legs when simultaneously you were losing something of infinitely more worth?
Jim gave a nod to the miniature orchestra and a soft melody began to play.
You're in my arms
And all the world is calm
The music playing on for only two
So close together
And when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive
The steps were slow at first and the music enchanting, but Ariel found herself lost in the blue clarity of Jim's eyes as they glided, the words of the song echoing against her heart.
A life goes by
Romantic dreams must die
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
And now forever I know
All that I want is to hold you
So close
Eric and Giselle were oblivious to the world, twirling about effortlessly. As the song picked up tempo, Ariel tried to dam up the building feelings of despair by daring herself to twirl about in Jim's arms at the proper time.
So close to reaching that famous happy ending
Almost pretending this one's not pretend
And now you're beside me and look how far we've come
So far, we are, so close
If this is going to be the only time I get to dance with Jim, then I'd better make it good, right?" Her eyes glistened with barely suppressed tears and she bit her trembling lower lip, her throat constricting. Be strong. Don't cry. Don't cry. You knew this was too good to be true. So don't cry…She repeated like a mantra in her mind. Jim was right. You have to forget. Forget the way you feel safe and right in his arms. Forget all the memories, forget that…that you love him.
And then the bridge played as the music slowed.
How could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?
We're so close
To reaching that famous happy ending
Almost believing that this one's not pretend
Let's go on dreaming for we know we are
So close
So close
And still so far
She couldn't take it anymore…couldn't fake her indifference. Instead of dancing, she embraced tightly unable to say a word as tears streamed down her face and the song ended.
The poor sailor felt numb and tried not to tremble as he held her. And then, after a moment, she pushed out of his embrace. Her head was shaking back and forth, the tear stains glistening on her cheeks.
"I'm sorry, I…I…just can't do this…" she exclaimed backing away slowly at first and then with surprising grace, she darted out of the room. Jim gave a desperate fleeting glance at the remaining dumbfounded couple, before running after her. He found her in the outside garden that overlooked the beach. Her lack of experience on legs must have caught up to her, for he found her sprawled out lying prone on the grass.
"Ariel!" He rushed to her side, helping her into a sitting position, kneeling before her. It broke his heart to see her tears still cascading down her cheeks.
"Ariel, why did you…" She met his eyes with a broken look that clearly expressed please don't act so naïve. This is already too much. She looked up to him desperately.
"Please don't leave me. I love you." There. She said it. At this point she didn't want to be strong anymore. She was done playing games. There was nothing left to lose so let the cards fall where they may. She saw Jim's eyes widen considerably. But she was too desperate to be embarrassed or ashamed. She watched as the acceptance formed behind his deep blue eyes before they fell closed.
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry Ariel." Eric was the one who was right after all…Sometimes, wanting to be with someone just isn't enough…His desolate expression expressed the emotion he had yet to confess.
"I don't want to go I…"
"Then don't!" Ariel interrupted. "At least for right now, hold me please."
"Okay," he whispered weakly. With gentle care, he lifted them both to their feet encasing the petite princess in the cage of his arms. Neither said a word for a long time, and then she turned in his arms, slightly swaying back and forth initiating a slow dance to a silent tune. Jim followed her movements resting his chin above her head. (cue Stay with Me by Danity Kane background music). Eventually, he twisted her in his arms longing to meet her gaze. With practiced ease, he took her hands away from his waist and placed them around his neck. He preferred slow dancing the Atlantican way. And with one of his thumbs he brushed away a remaining tear.
"Ariel, this I promise you. I will find a way back to you, a way to be with you. Please wait for me." Ariel smiled sniffling.
"Until forever." Cupping her cheeks, he sealed his vow with a kiss, both pouring their fervor in to show their sincerity. Pulling back, his lips brushed the shell of her ear.
"Ariel…I love you." The glimpse of true happiness in her expression compelled Jim to lean down and steal another kiss. He would have succeeded if it weren't for the sudden crash of something screaming and falling from the balcony into the bushes.
Immediately, Jim was at the ready, pushing Ariel behind him in a clearly protective manner.
"Who's there!" Jim called out, a cold scowl masking his previous affection. There was a loud rustling in the bushes before Delbert crawled out of the bushesgroaning and easily recognizable in his true form.
"Delbert?" Jim asked relaxing while Ariel stared on in wonder. He was telling the truth. He is from another world.
"Do you see any other astrophysicists here?" Of course it's me." Jim rolled his eyes at Delbert's poor stab at sarcasm before walking over to his fallen friend.
"Delbert, what are you doing here? What if someone sees you?" Jim asked helping Delbert over to a more secluded part of the garden.
"Sorry Jim, but there's been a change in plans," Delbert said finally laying eyes on Ariel. So this is the woman who's stolen Jim's heart.
"Change in plans?" Jim questioned bringing the focus of attention back onto him. Ariel's powerless expression made Delbert regret the words he was about to say. Taking a deep steadying breath, Delbert forced his gaze on to Jim and away from Ariel.
"The intergalactic naval ship is here. They're picking up the rest of the crew as we speak." A haze seemed to cloud over his eyes and Ariel watched the temporary warmth that had returned vanish.
"How long?" Ariel never thought a numerical value could be so important to her.
"Minutes, we have ten at the most." Resolve settled in Jim.
"Then we gotta go, now." Ariel remained silent and under the cover of night, the trio quietly left the garden making their way down the stone steps and finally onto the beach, the night air whipping through Ariel's gown and her fiery tresses making her look like some apparition rather than a broken hearted princess.
She savored the feeling of sand as it crunched beneath her slippers or how the breeze felt refreshing against her skin like a caress. She could only think of how with each passing step it led her ever more closer to returning to the sea and losing Jim for what could potentially be forever. She clutched his hand tightly and the squeeze he returned was almost painful. The trio was silent as they walked in silence until coming to a halt a few feet away from the surf.
And all at once you have to say goodbye…Delbert thought watching the two embrace. At least that's how it should've been. The winds picked up with unnatural force and all three looked up to see a massive space ship outshining even the magnificence of the R.L.S. Legacy.
"Jim!" Delbert called out in warning. No more words were needed to convey that the couple's parting of ways needed to happen immediately. Ariel began to panic.
"Jim." Her crystalline blue eyes begged him to spout some ludicrous alternate plan, but Jim could only shake his head. Ariel nodded in defeat and stepped out of his embrace inching back into the waves.
"I won't let you be in danger because of me." She knelt under his incredulous gaze slowly sliding the ring off her finger.
"Be safe and please don't ever forget me." Her reverse transformation was almost instantaneous, and now the dress she still adorned looked misplaced on her ethereal form. A tear slid over her cheek and she forced herself to turn to prepare to dive back into the cold waters of her home, seeing the ship land and other strange looking creatures emerge and step out onto the beach.
Jim gave them one hard glance before dashing into the surf and surprising the officers and Delbert by claiming Ariel's lips in a fierce kiss, crushing her to him. Screw the consequences, I love her. As they pulled away Jim was panting with how fast his heart was pounding.
"I love you. Don't ever forget that." The desperation in his voice scared Ariel.
"What is going to happen to you, Jim?" she whispered. Her statement must have triggered something because the frigidness had returned as he rose stiffly.
"Go," he ordered softly as he turned. Ariel swallowed hard trying to stain these last moments of Jim into her memory as she plunged into the depths. Meanwhile Jim walked with slow certainty towards the ship that apparently Delbert had already boarded. He was met with two scowling armed naval officers.
"James Hawkins, by violation of the Intergalactic World Separation Act, you are hereby under arrest."
So I have three questions and tell me in a review if 1) Silver should guest star next chap and 2) should just Finn come to the rescue or all of the boyfriends? Pls review and let me know what you think! Later days~