"Can we talk? Properly?" Atlanta pleaded "Or at least clear this up?"

Marina sat there silently on the other side of the room; Making no sign or gestures eyes on the floor.

"Please? I don't want things to continue like they have been of late. and I've missed your company Marina. I really have. You are real dear to me as a friend."

Marina looked up at her, Surprised. Genuinely surprised.

" Well, you are?" Atlanta said. "I mean reminders are nice I suppose. But we really can't keep up this whole avoiding thing though. It's not practical for one. and one or both of us are gonna end up getting real sick at this rate. I mean it though, I've missed you."

Does she not really realise how much she means to us? All of us, not just the two fellas? Atlanta thought with a frown as Marina hesitated. She stayed, weighing up her decision for what felt like an age. Before she nodded and Slowly Got up.

The Rustling swish of her dress and feet against the carpet being her only sound. The only sound in the room even. Atlanta realized she'd been holding her breath.

Marina had that guilty self blaming look across her face again. But nervously, bravely, Marina perched on the sofa next to Atlanta's chair. Not close. And not looking at her, Marina fiddled with the fabric where the scooped bodice of her dress met her skirt instead.

It gave Atlanta Horrible de ja vu of her and Marina's first few times alone in the standby lounge after the poisonous plant incident.

( Atlanta hated to admit it; But she hadn't been very friendly or welcoming to Marina. To begin with anyway. Then having been proved wrong, and Marina appearing to feel rotten for bringing the flower to land, it had been exceptionally tricky to navigate the atmosphere between them for quite a while.)

At the time they'd no way of communication. there was still 'Not quite friends' at odds with the 'not quite jealousy' rivalry between Atlanta just wanted Scoop her up and cuddle Marina like she would Candy and tell her everything would be okay.

Instead they both sat hands gripping the seat cushions.

"I haven't told anyone." Atlanta said quietly deciding that would be the best place to start. "that's what you said you've been worried about. But No one knows. About what I saw that day. I told no one."

Marina did look up at that, quite intensely. Atlanta Tried not to take the searching to heart.

"I haven't." Atlanta said instead. "Not Troy, not Phones. Or Fisher."

Marina let out a breath and finally relaxed, just a fraction. her Shoulders loosened ever so slightly and That pinched look softened just a tad.

"Although they've all been as concerned about you lately as I have. But I promise not even the commander," Atlanta said then corrected, "not even my father knows what's going on. not really."

Marina's expression was not exactly disbelief, but certainly something skeptical in nature.

"Truth?" She asked.

"We had words. Well, a fight really. " Atlanta explained. Marina looked horrified at that but Atlanta continued, "it's fine now. He knows something's up. so I told father about being upset. We argued because He was worried. And I've been worried. So then that's been worrying him. And it all boiled over. But I didn't mention you. You have my word. I didn't tell him who or what. I didn't tell the others. And I won't, I promise. I won't tell any of them, if that's what you want. I can keep it secret."

Relief flooded Marina's face enough for her to even crack a smile. Again she gave a hand flip from chin in thanks. And bumped her arm To Atlanta's.

Atlanta Nodded then licked her lips nervouly and tried,

"But I think you ort to? It's in a good cause."

So much for relaxing. Marina sat sharp up, Spine straight and indignant like a lady in court.

"Not like that!" Atlanta before Marina could make any reply. "Not to them if you don't want too. I mean they are your friends, sure. but I meant someone more -? How do I put this? Qualified?" Atlanta struggled for the words. Marina frowned this time puzzled.

"Do you remember when Phones had his evaluation after that mix up with oil fires? To prove he wasn't hearing things, he had to see a Psychologist."

Marina still Frowned but nodded.

"Trick or treat. Phones. " she said.

"Pardon? Oh. because Because we were all tricked into thinking he wasn't fit for work; is that what you mean?"

Marina nodded again.

"trick or treat because Not a doctor too. Fake." She replied.

"But even before then, everyone called him a ("don't know sign" flash card )Duck?"

"If you mean a Quack, that's not polite." Atlanta said. "Don't copy the commander.

But they're not all like that. don't you have someone in Pacifica who people go to for help? Or to take care of someone's well being. Someone you could talk to."

Marina nodded but seemed unsure.

"Well That's sort of like a Psychologist. We also have therapists. Someone who is trained in dealing with people's pasts. And problems.-"

"I'm not sick. Nor crazy." Marina snapped. She Tapped her head and added, "Scared, Not broken. Not crazy."

"I'm not saying that. But you're burning out! And so am I. Or whatever it is you'd phrase it under water." Atlnata sighed.

"I'm not saying you have to see one. I just wondered. Maybe if you feel you can't share this- whatever's got you so scared- with me and your friends, a therapist, can be there for you when you feel like you can't talk to anyone."

Marina huffed and rolled her eyes, pointing at herself. The wit was still sharp as ever, even for one so silent. Atlanta rolled her eyes right back.

"We can get a translator. or one who knows sign language. I think they must exist?" Atlanta said.

"Look I know it's none of my business," She continued at Marina's frown. "But they can help people feel less trapped. Like I said, I've been worried sick about you and-"

There was a sudden move from Marina that interrupted her again. Shaking her head hard, Marina's hands shot out. One squeezed Atlanta's arm. the other covered her hand.

"What is it?" Atlanta asked.

Marina sighed and Took back her hands to sign, slowly.

"Stop. Don't be. please"

"Don't be?" Atlanta repeated back, stunned. And making sure she was correct. "Don't be worried? About you?"

Marina nodded.

"Why, that's sooner said then done!" She exclaimed. Then Remembering Marina got lost in terranean idioms amended, (Still a little cross and frustrated mind) :

"I mean- it's hard not to be worried, Marina. What if I'd seen something similar on someone else's foot? Who then reacted the way you did? And knowing they had no help. Or what if our positions had been reversed? Wouldn't you have been worried?"

Marina pouted and sulked at the telling off; A bad habit she'd picked up from Troy! Then she sighed again. And reluctantly agreed.

"I didn't want this to be an intervention..." Atlanta Groaned.

"Alright marina I'll try not to worry anymore. But do me a favor would you? You're too stop too, okay?" Atlanta told her firmly. "You're making yourself ill! No more of this. we're both so wound up. I've been having such bad dreams of late I can't sleep and then thats making me anxious. And I Pardon me pointing it out but You don't look like you're getting enough sleep either. Or eating enough."

Marina squirmed but agreed.

"Neither of us are in a good place or at a hundred percent. You're not taking care of yourself. And you need to. Not just for wasps or for stingray's benefit or even for your friends but for you yourself." Atlanta inistied.

"Both." Marina said again, then she gestured between them. "Both of us. Stop. Be better. Yes?"

"Yes." Atlanta agreed. "And if you need anything I can help. But no more worrying. Hard as that is. Deal?"

"Deal." Marina agreed. Well no, she nodded then held her hand Out for to shake on it. Then switched it out, little finger up for a pinkie promise instead.

Atlanta chuckled and took it, promising.

"Just tell me one thing though?"

Marina looked at her over their joined fingers, Warily.

"Please. Well two things." Atlanta asked, moving her hand to cover Marina's.

"Two things and then we never have to mention it again? if you don't want to. Ever. And it wont leave this room, I promise that too. Actually don't even have to tell me even, I'll ask and you decide if you want to tell me?"

That seemed to be a compromise enough to appease the mermaid. A little.

"Okay." Marina agreed, Letting go of her hand and sitting up straighter. "question."

"Thank you." Atlanta said Smoothing down her uniform trousers again. It took a moment to think how to phrase it.

"First off Does the doc know? About your scar. Or do any of the medical team know?" Atlanta said.

Marina thought about it. And sort of nodded.

"I'm not counting an auto nurse." Atlanta said.

Marina changed her answer and Shook her head.

Atlanta felt herself frown. Or begin to. But then Maria suddenly jabbed her on the forehead, Hard!

"Ow!"

(Well it was more a quick two fingered tap really then a poke. But it made Atlanta jump.)

"What was that for?!"

"Worrying. Again. Can see it in your face. You promised not to worry!" Marina scolded. "Stop it."

"Okay okay-! But the hospital really ort to even if you don't tell anyone else." Atlanta said. "They can't tell anyone else because of patient confidentiality so your secret's safe with them."

"Two question." Marina asked, which Atlanta took as "Second question?"

And took it as Marina dodging the first question.

"Alright. Secondly, it's not- " Atlanta stalled. took a deep breath. and asked, "it's not a fresh scar. Is it?"