Chapter 55- Turbulent Waters

Gel stared vacantly into the night as she crossed the beach in her nightie. The cool ocean air wasn't enough to jolt her out of the state she was in neither was the voice of someone calling her name repeatedly. Her mind was focused on other things. It kept going back to that day; the day her would be lover met his untimely death.

She was accustomed to losing things. Loss had always been present in her life, from losing curlers and tiaras; even her entire tribe's respect and friendship; You name it and Gel had lost it; Everything that is but love.

Love was an unchartered territory for this young beauty. She grew up in a house where the meaning was often clouded by contradicting acts. She had watched her father beat her mother time and again in the name of 'love'. She spent many mornings watching her mother at her dressing table, applying layers of make-up to hide the bruises. It's how she became so good at the art herself. It's amazing what concealer and foundation can hide.

Gel's father is the reason why she supposes she was so easily attracted to Lex. Girls tend to gravitate towards men with mannerisms like their fathers; Good looking, sadistic, bad boys had always been her weakness; not sweet boys who practically worship the ground she walked on. Boys like Samuel.

Her heart ached whenever she thought of Sammy. She could still hear his laugh reverberating in her ears; could still see his boyish face grinning down at her whenever she closed her eyes; She could still see his brightly orange hair glowing like a fire beneath the island sun; Could still see his eyes rolling back into his head that fateful day on the beach after he let go of her hand, putting himself in between her and his murderer.

She felt as if life now had no meaning. Not without him. Aside from Lottie, Sammy was her best friend. He was there for her even when she was cold and distant. She just couldn't see how she could go on without him and nobody absolutely nobody could understand how she felt.

That's why she kept walking. The sea was like a siren calling out to her; welcoming her to dive into the mouth of its tumultuous waves; promising her that she could slip away from all the hurt and the pain; promising her that she would soon see Sammy again.

She even thought she could see his hand reaching out for her as she took her last step.

"Don't let go," she whispered to him, taking his hand, "Don't ever let go again."

~0~

Salene couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned, wrestling with her bed covers until she could take it no more. There was just too much going on in the past few days; so much to think about, that she never slept anymore. Well there was that and the nausea thing; as well as the cravings.

As if on cue, her stomach began to rumble. She flung her blanket off of herself in a fury.

"Again? But we just ate," she grumbled in frustration.

It hadn't even been an hour since her last snack, which was more like a meal really. She couldn't remember being this hungry during her first pregnancy all those years ago. This time around was a lot more difficult. At least she thought so.

She was hardly showing, but she did have a noticeable bump that grew with each day it seemed. It was something she could barely conceal anymore. She had already begun to let out the waist in what little pants she possessed. She didn't have a choice; they were all too tight and gave her cramps.

Huffing she forced on her robe, slipped into her shoes and tip-toed quietly through the halls making her way to the Fleur Café. Surely there were some of Trudy's coconut cookies leftover.

She had never realized what a good cook Trudy was. The woman, since the weddings, had been baking up a storm; she and Patsy, trying out recipes with what little food resources were available on Fleur Isle. Salene's selective palate had never been so satisfied.

The night air was cool, but refreshing as Salene finally made her way out the hotel entrance onto an eroding wooden sidewalk. She was halfway to her destination when she noticed something, or someone out of the corner of her eyes just slowly making their way down the pier.

She recognized Gel from the girl's elaborate gown, all frilly around the neck with the material of a feather boa.

"Gel!" she called out to her, but the younger girl kept walking, like she was in a trance.

Salene watched in a horrified stupor as Gel approached the edge of the boardwalk, making no sign of stopping.

"Oh god she's going to walk right into the sea," she gasped, calling out to the girl once more, "Gel please…please stop!"

Willing her feet to move, she found herself racing, as fast as she could, down the pier after the girl. She had to save her.

~0~

Geo, on deck, aboard the Technos' boat was going over some maps when he began drifting off into slumber. He had barely laid his head down when he heard coughing and sputtering. He was no expert on the matter, but it sounded like someone was drowning.

Quickly rising to his feet he made rounds around deck, looking overboard out at the sea. He thought perhaps it had just been his imagination; you know like having that dream that you're falling when you're drifting off into the sea; that was until he heard someone, between sputters, calling for help. And then he saw the two forms bobbing up and down in the water beneath him.

Without even thinking he shed his shirt and shoes, diving into the water. It was basic instinct; the training of a lifeguard. He only wishes he had remembered to grab a life saver.

He fought the waves with even strokes and reached the two figures within minutes. One form was very lifeless and barely in the grip of the other. He grabbed her just before a wave swept her out of the other woman's grasp.

He couldn't see in the darkness of the night, but he was certain they were Mall Rats.

"We have to get back to shore, can you swim?"

The woman nodded, seeming hesitant at the site of her lifeless friend in his arms, but she began following his strokes back towards the beach.

Once they were safe, back on dry land, Geo began checking over the unconscious woman. She had a pulse, but it was faint. Thinking quickly, he began the procedure of CPR.

The woman beside him collapsed onto her back, crying uncontrollably. As long as Geo could hear her, he knew she was alive so he put all his focus on saving the girl in his arms.

He hoped he wasn't too late.

~0~

Bray paced outside the hotel infirmary waiting for news of the two members of his tribe that had nearly drowned last night. No one, though another small bed had been moved in, had used the small room since Ebony gave birth to Thunder. Then it had been exciting to sit outside and bet on the sex of the baby and guess names. But now being outside the room was frightening.

Salene was in there. That's all Danni would tell him when she came out once, begging him to fetch Tai-San and whatever special herbs she might have. That had been hours ago. Or at least it felt like hours had gone by. He knew exactly how many tiles were in the floor from the entrance of the hotel to the infirmary; how many steps it took him to walk them; and how many times he had walked up and down them it had been so long.

And he wasn't alone. The Techno, Geo, whom Bray was eternally grateful for; for braving the seas in the dark of the night to pull out the two women who had jumped in.

When the door opened again Tai-San waved him over.

"Is she…are they all right?" he blurted out before she could open her mouth.

"Everyone is fine, a bit worse for wear, but alive, and Bray I do mean everyone."

Relief flooded him. He hadn't even realized how worried he had been up until this moment. He let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding in.

With a comforting arm on his shoulder, Tai-San looked him in the eye, "She's at a very delicate stage in pregnancy and I'm especially worried since she's miscarried before. I recommend bed rest until we set sail in a few weeks. "

"I'll make sure she's taken care of. Can I see her?"

Tai-San shook her head, "She doesn't want to see you. I'm sorry."

"You're kidding right?"

"No."

"I don't believe this! I don't know what I'm supposed to do…she won't let me…I, this is so…"

He balled up his hands into fists. He was confused. His feelings for Salene were hot and cold. One minute he was sure he loved her and the next she made him so upset he was certain they were incompatible. And then there was Kyra, always at the back of his mind. Whenever he saw her around the island she was distant and cold. He had hurt her in more ways than one. After all she had organized a search for him.

But it wasn't his intention to hurt anyone. He and Salene had just…happened. Was he making the right decisions? Had love and romance always been so…tumultuous?

"It's difficult, I know, but Bray, she's really tired and hungry." Tai-San spoke, emphasizing the word 'hungry' prompting him to stare at her like she was crazy. He stormed off without a second glance back at her.

It wasn't until he was halfway to his room that he realized what Tai-San was hinting at. He made a complete about-face and headed to the café.

~0~

Geo sat in silence. Tai-San hadn't even said anything to him. He wasn't entirely sure why he was still there. Gel was alive and that is all he needed to know.

He rose from where he was seated at the same exact time Danni exited the small room to join him and Tai-San in the corridor.

Her eyes swept over Tai-San hastily. It was still quite evident she had a flagrant dislike for the woman and several other Mall Rats at that. She was definitely one who knew how to hold a grudge.

As they stood in silence, Danni sighed heavily turning to Tai-San, "Thank you…for your assistance."

"I was happy to help. And thank you and Geo as well. Gel may not think she's lucky to be alive right now, but she'll come around and she'll thank you."

"What were they doing out there? We've warned them about possible storms, the water is not safe! I made that perfectly clear yesterday during the daily meetings. They could've been swept further out to sea and well they'd be…"

Dead, was the word he was looking for, but he couldn't say it as realization dawned on him. Salene's uncontrollable sobs and cries for help; a lifeless Gel in his arms; it all made sense now.

"She…she tried to kill herself?"

Danni and Tai-San nodded in unison.

"And Salene must've happened upon it. I'm told by May, Salene can most identify with the girl. They've both lost the men that they love to a senseless death."

The three of them stood in silence pondering this before Geo walked away aimlessly. Danni noted his demeanor. He seemed particularly gutted about the whole thing; like he had experienced an unspeakable death at one time in his life. She made a mental note to ask Skipper about the matter privately.

~0~

"You love her still?"

May was sitting on the edge of her bed with her head in her hands, Liv sitting across from her in a chair. They had sat in silence for a very long time before Liv spoke right then.

Snapping her head up, May glared at her girlfriend, "I didn't peg you as the insecure type."

"So this is a relationship?"

"It's whatever you want it to be Liv!"She said with heavy frustration.

For the first time since she'd dated Pride, May truly felt loved and appreciated. She wasn't even entirely sure how Liv came to be so special to her. Perhaps it was in the younger woman's persistence. She didn't let May push her away. No matter how hard May tried to keep her out, Liv just kept weaseling her way in.

The girl may've been blind by sight, but she could still see right through May. She knew just what to say to push all the right buttons, but she knew how to push all the wrong ones as well.

Before she knew it, Liv was sitting beside her on the bed. "You still haven't answered my question."

"Of course I love her! She's been the closest friend I've had in this tribe through thick and then. I've been there for her when she's needed it most and she's been there for me in the same way."

"But it's something more for you."

"It was at one point…before we ended up here, just after Pride died. She was in a bad way and I helped her and things got…confusing. She forgave me…even after I told her the truth behind Pride's death. She protected me from the others when they wanted to throw me to the dogs…"

"I just…I developed a little crush for her, okay? But she made it clear we would only ever be friends so I started shagging Trader to console myself, and then we ended up here and I met you…a thorn in my side."

Liv laughed, "Oh please, you love me!"

"The jury is still out on that one, but I'm happy with where we're at."

"Me too," Liv replied contentedly, planting a soft kiss on May's cheek.

May didn't know why, but the kiss made her blush. Perhaps Liv was an even match for her.