'There's absolutely nothing better than this,' Zane thought as he swam over the coral reefs a couple miles offshore. 'Not biking, boating, kissing Rikki… no, kissing Rikki was still definitely better.' Sure, he had seen the reefs before when he'd go diving or snorkeling, but ever since his transformation, he didn't feel like a tourist while exploring the reefs. This wasn't an attraction; this was his home.

Nothing could erase that night out of his memory: the three of them heading down the land tunnel while the girls swam in, finding the girls frozen in a trance while Lewis, Ash and himself were pulled into the Moon Pool by a power that was not their own, looking up at the moon in complete awe of its beauty, feeling a tingling sensation as sparkling droplets seemed to defy gravity. Time seemed to slow down in that moment. He wasn't naïve, he knew what was happening. He remembered looking up, overcome with complete acceptance for all that he was about to become, and thankful to whatever power was responsible.

For one thing, it had strengthened his relationship with Rikki. He still managed to be late to more of their meet-ups than he should be, but his usual and honest excuse, of losing track of time while swimming, was one that she could almost accept. She knew that feeling, and now he did, and maybe because of it, they now knew each other better.

Speaking of late, he was going to have to torpedo if he hoped to catch her before she started toward the café alone in annoyance. He pulled himself out of the surf at the cove they usually chose for privacy. A ray of light caught his attention. He looked up and saw her perched on a crag above him. He chuckled when he realized the glint of light, he had seen was from the ring he had given her a couple months back.

He briefly recalled that conversation:

"A ring? Zane, don't you think this is a little fast, we haven't even talked…" She cried out as she stared at the beautiful teardrop cut garnet.

"Look it's not what you think." He assured as he closed the box he was holding. He sighed, "After everything that has happened, I realized that this is it. You're it."

She looked at him quizzically.

"Because of… developments, I know that there will never be anyone else that will understand me like you do. There's no one else that I would even want to. Why would I need to keep options open when the best person to ever happen to me is the woman right next to me?" He took a breath before turning to look her in the eyes. "I love you Rikki Chadwick. I always will."

She blinked back tears that were beginning to form.

"No, this isn't an engagement ring. I'm not asking you to marry me right now. This is my way of promising you, that whenever you are ready to take that step, I'm here, I'm yours. Someday." He reopened the box slipping the ring onto her left hand.

"Someday." She smiled wistfully.

That was a far cry from the look she donned now: Arms crossed in mild annoyance, lips curled up in a dangerous smirk, and a spark in her eyes that told Zane he was going to be in trouble for a while.

"Zane Bennett, does time mean nothing to you?"

"Sorry," he smiled, "Mermen don't wear watches."

She stifled a smile at their running joke before jumping off the rock to the sand below. "You're lucky you're cute.

He gave a quick chuckle before turning back to the task at hand.

"Need some help?" She reached out a hand as if to steam his tail.

"No, I think I got it now" he said, focusing on the water droplets glistening off his azure tail. His face scrunched a little as he remembered what Cleo had said about not trying to control the water but to sort of coax it to do what he wanted. Soon enough there was a water ball floating above his open palm and two human legs below it. "I hate it when you steam-dry. It stings all over." He stood then lobbed his arm back before throwing the water ball back into the ocean.

"Oi, you're such a baby." She teased reaching for his now dry hand. "It looks like you've got that down now though."

"Cleo's been a big help. She's been patient, and we all know I am not the easiest student." He paused, "She doesn't patronize like I know someone else would have," He grinned sneaking a kiss off her cheek while walking up the beach toward the café.

"I don't patronize!" She protested. "If you suck, I tell you. No sense in pretending."

"How's Ash been?"

"He's basically been a master for a month, ready to turn any small body of water into an awesome Jacuzzi."

"That's great. Wouldn't want you spending too much time with him."

"Are you jealous?" She teased.

"Of course not," Zane sputtered. "He's got a mermaid girlfriend of his own. Why would he take mine?"

"'Cause I'm amazing!"

"You got that right." He quickly scooped her up running with her all the way toward the café.