Another time jump. an epilogue to tie up loose ends way before the ending if you will. Cheers wubs for the reviews here, enjoy

Two evenings later, Atlanta would tell Troy as much. Or as much she could tell him, over two small sodas and a plate of fries in a near empty canteen between duties.

"I know it's not a trip anywhere fancy or even off base." Troy would apologize as he put down the tray between them.

"No, it's alright. Besides it was my fault we ended up missing the movie that other night. I am sorry about that, Troy." Atlanta would start.

But Troy would shake his head and dismiss it.

"Don't beat yourself up about it; you were off sick. Come on, I've cancelled dates before! And you had a genuine reason?" He'd try.

Atlanta nodded with a sigh, admitting he had a point. And nabbed a fry before Troy smothered them in too much ketchup.

"I was thinking maybe all four of us could go out off base sometime anyway. Seems a long time since we did that." Troy continued, bullying the tomato bottle. "You. Me. Phones… and Marina...?"

"Poor Fisher." Atlanta quipped (avoidantly).

Stingray would be back on another job shortly, being on the late shift. And Atlanta would also be due at her post soon; having swapped breaks with Fisher to spend some quality time together and catch up with her captain. This was nice though. Even if it wasn't anything fancy. They chatted about the day, the usual patter and comfortable pauses.

Up until Troy said, very casually, "I've been meaning to ask-?"

"About what's been going on? With Marina and me?" Atlanta cut in. Troy, for a fraction of a second, had a look that Phones would have commented on as 'Busted'. Then he blinked and it was smoothed away.

"A lot happened this week. For you I mean. And Marina." He tried.

And when Atlanta didn't answer, Troy sighed. Then asked, "What did you say that convinced her to take yesterday off by the way? Believe me I'd tried earlier in the week and Marina refused."

Atlanta nearly laughed.

"I can't take credit for that. Father had a word with her." Atlanta said. "Musta have had something to do with a 'Bright Star' and a fainting incident on Stingray hm?"

Again, Troy looked like she'd caught him with his hands in the cookie tin.

"Ah. You know about that? We didn't want to worry you." He cleared his throat. "You seem better though? You both do. Even if everyone's walking on eggshells-! I mean I'm glad, whatever it was, has been cleared up. But just what the heck was all that about?"

Atlanta shrugged. "Oh, you know, just-?"

"And don't just say it was girl stuff!" Troy said crossly before she could dismiss it. "Or, that it's not important? Heck! It clearly was for you both to be so upset and for so long. And to be giving you nightmares."

Atlanta huffed right back. He had a point. Had you told her six months ago that a date with Troy would once again revolve around discussing the mermaid, Atlanta wouldn't have been impressed. Well, she wouldn't be here if it wasn't so serious.

"I still can't tell you Troy. I promised Marina." She insisted. Despite her better judgement.

Troy sighed and swilled his drinks can, his grip a tad too tight to be casual; clearly wrestling with himself and wanting more info. But he then put the soda back on the table with a small thunk.

"Well… Alright." He relented. It was not a sulk as such, although there was a pout in that concerned frown. "You know where I am if, and when, you can talk about this. Whatever it is."

Which was sweet. He's worried though, Atlanta thought, noting his gaze concentrating on a mark on the table. She reached across and squeezed his hand.

"I promised her. Marina might one day tell you herself if she's ready?" She said as he looked up. "You don't need to know why we weren't getting on, Troy. Just be there for her? But she'll be okay."

Troy nodded in Understanding. It didn't stop him trying to dig through.

"It just seemed really …intense?" He tried. "In the lounge, between you? It was a mess. You were both upset. And now, the both of you are acting like nothing happened?"

"Hmm." Was all Atlanta said. Then turned around the inquisition.

"Was it a set up?" She asked, "telling me to meet you in the standby lounge and that you'd take me home? Getting both me and Marina in there at the same time? Or even Fisher calling on Phones, so all of you left us alone there?"

She jabbed a finger at him and suddenly cross, "Because if it was, that was awfully sneaky and underhanded Troy! ….and I didn't realize how annoyed I was about that! ... But I am. And I think you and the other fellas need to apologize to Marina about it! You made her real anxious."

Troy had the decency to look a tad ashamed at the telling off. Without getting a bruised ego for once.

"I was gonna drive you home I swear! I just got side-tracked. And Fisher getting Phones WAS a genuine call out. None of us meant for it to take so long." He said.

Then apologized and said he would go to Marina too.

"But Atlanta, you had her on your lap for starboard's sake." He added. "And all the crying? We didn't want to intervene? But we didn't want to let it get worse? And We were all just worried-!"

"Alright! Just don't go pestering her like you are me." Atlanta complained. "Please Troy! I don't want Marina thinking the worst again."

"Again?!"

"Not like that. She's been having a rough time feeling anxious lately is all." Atlanta corrected before he could get the wrong idea. "But…. Alright. Just so you know-? And I'm only telling you because you're her captain. But Marina might- Oh how to put this? She needs some help. From now on."

"Help? Alright. What kind of help?" Troy asked. Gosh he really wasn't going to give up, was he?

"'Help' with 'Stuff'." Atlanta said Vaguely.

Then frowned.

"Stuff she should have had had the moment she came on base. Never mind deciding to stay on land. I shouldn't have to advocate on her behalf just to get her a doc-...help."

"Oh?" Troy said. The suddenly sat up sharpish almost jumping out his seat.

"OH! Heck! Heck and Jumping catfish! That kind of 'HELP'?!"

Atlanta was confused. "What?"

"She's not-! Marina's Not pregnant, is she?!" Troy gasped. Loudly. "Wait, can her kind even-?"

"Oh, for Neptune's sake!" Atlanta cursed.

"No! I mean, no she's not! I've no idea. But no, she isn't, it wasn't anything like that at all!" She said, pulling Troy back to earth and hissed, "And will you Keep your voice DOWN!"

Glancing around there weren't many people in the canteen this time of day. But Troy's outburst had attracted funny looks; and some nosy parkers who absolutely were not eavesdropping. Even from here, Atlanta could see that Janice at the serving hatch, was suddenly very interested in cleaning the salad sneeze guard for the fourth time. Marineville's jungle drums of gossip were the worst at times. And that was the last she or Marina needed right now!

When Atlanta looked back to Troy though, Troy's eyes were wide as saucers, and he was gawping at her. It wasn't a good look. Like a very bad impression of a mechanical fish. One seeing its past present and future flash before its eyes.

"You're-!?" He croaked, panicking. "Atlanta-?!"

"No! No, I'm not either!" She hissed.

Troy relaxed like someone had let all the hot air out of him.

"I said the same to Father," Atlanta continued. "Why is that the first thing you all think!?"

"You've both been secretive and ill!" Troy pointed out. "And why else would Marina not turn to any of the rest of us for help?"

"For any number of reasons!" Atlanta Exasperated and face palmed.

"One, don't ever ask a woman she's pregnant Troy. You'll end up getting a slap!" She told him through fingers.

"Duly noted!" he replied. (That was definitely a sulk now.)

"Two. Marina's not sick! I mean she has been. And nothing bad happened between us." Atlanta sighed and lifted her hand off her face. "We just had to communicate better. But she's... We were both struggling with…something."

"Okay. So, help she needs, help we can get her." Troy huffed. Then more calmly asked "does Marina need time off? Not just a day I mean."

"Maybe." Atlanta shrugged. She had to force her shoulders to relax first. Troy was fidgeting with the can's ring pull.

"Marina… doesn't want to leave the WASPs, does she?" He asked.

"No." Atlanta smiled sadly. "She's very happy here Troy. And she feels safe. I know she knows the ocean better than anyone, but it's her way to relax as well. It's not healthy for her. for Marina's mind to be focused on work so much all of the time."

"I don't think we could keep her off stingray even if we tried." Troy agreed. And ignoring that last comment and pointed look from Atlanta.

"How has Marina been with you these past couple of days? What's she been like on ship?" She asked instead.

"Huh? Oh. Well. Marina's a bit…" he frowned and gestured. "Quiet. For her. She'll say fine if you ask her. And she's not lying this time. Other than that, she seems better, I guess. You both do. You both seem better for having that 'talk'. But…"

"But?" Atlanta pressed.

Troy grimaced so hard his eyebrows were on the same straight angle for once.

"Look Marina's been stressed, I get it. But now she's? You know A bit? Oh, darn it, how'd Phones put it? Jitter Buggy? Wait, is that even a word. Anyway-!"

He explained, "Like she's eating better, and she's had a goodnight sleep thankfully. But it's a different kind of nervousness to how she's been. Before it was like Marina was waiting for the other shoe to drop- not that she wears them- and flighty? Now instead she's fidgety. Marina's doing every check and turn textbook perfect, then going over it just to be sure. And overdoing it a tad."

"Like she's in her own head?" Atlanta asked. "And over-thinking things?"

"Hm. Sounds familiar?"

Atlanta didn't dignify that with a reply. Troy cleared his throat.

"Phones said Marina said you even took her some soup 'round?" He said changing the subject. "didn't you see her then?"
"yes but only for a few minutes." Atlanta said. "I Didn't want to crowd her. I was just going to leave it on the doorstep but then I thought Oink might knock it over. I hope she liked it."
"Your mom's soup recipe?" Troy smiled. "With the sweetcorn and Enough garlic to blast any cold way into orbit? What's not to like."

"Yeah. It was hardly made specially though. Marina would have had to defrost and reheat it. It was just what I'd had in the freezer."

"I'd say that's pretty special." Troy reasoned but Atlanta shook her head.
"I just wanted to make sure she was eating okay again. "
"That'd have done it. It's good soup. Hearty. TLC soup your old man calls it."

"Yeah. The leftover chicken." Atlanta rolled her eyes. "You know I always bulk cook any leftovers and freeze them."

"Atlanta-" Troy interrupted, and insisted; "even still, it's plenty special. And a nice gesture. You're forgetting, I don't think Marina's had many of them before. Certainly not in Titanica."

"I'm not-! I'm not forgetting that at all!" Atlanta scowled, the mention of the city churning her stomach. "It's nothing though, I didn't have time to do anything else."

"Honey it's not nothing." Troy insisted. "Not to me at least? And I know Marina appreciated it. Along with everything else."

He'd said it real firmly. And really affectionate. So much so, Atlanta almost burst into tears.

Almost.

Atlanta swallowed thickly and said instead. "I just wanted to make sure she was okay."

Troy nodded. "Yeah. And you?"

Atlanta blinked. "What about me?"

"Well, how are you? Really? Are you okay?" He asked.

"Oh. Well. Had to think about that. "I'm Better. Thanks Troy. And I'm gonna be okay too. That I can tell you." Laughing a little.

"What about the nightmares?" He asked seriously.

"I didn't have any last night as such. Well, I did? But it wasn't as intense. And I was able to get back to sleep…"

"Can you Do me a favour, Troy?" Atlanta then asked Quietly, Taking both his hands in hers.

"Anything." He blurted out.

Atlanta laughed. "You haven't heard it yet."

Troy Shrugged A bit embarrassed. "Anything. I mean, anything I can do then?"

Atlanta smiled. Then felt her smile turn sad.

"I need you and Phones to look out for Marina more." She said. "For me. And I don't mean leaving her behind on Stingray all the time either because sometimes that ends up worse for her! Just- not go easy on her as such… and don't make it obvious."

And Troy would Frown at her. "So don't treat her differently. But do treat her differently? Atlanta, what are you asking?"

"I don't know Troy." She would reply, letting go head in her hands again. "I don't want you to keep her off missions. Or shelter Marina too much; she wouldn't like that."

"Well Don't you worry about that." Troy shrugged. "Marina's tough. She'll be-"

"But she shouldn't HAVE to be!" Atlanta cut back.

So much for not raising her voice. That got heads turning. But Atlanta ignored them.

"Marina shouldn't have to be tough or strong." She continued. "Or felt like she had to pretend to be on days she can't be. Not here, not while off duty! She's so much on her shoulders and been through a lot. And poor Marina shouldn't ever ever have ever been-!"

"Been what?" Troy demanded, halting her mid rant.

"I-I can't say! Ugh!" Atlanta pressed her hands hard into face. "Please Troy I don't want an argument. Not another I've had too many these past few days!"

She took a few breaths trying to calm back down.

"She needs help." Atlanta tried. "And she didn't ask for it initially, but Marina was really brave and told me what was upsetting her."

"Has someone one base upset her?" Troy asked. "Or is she homesick?"

"Stop trying to guess!" Atlanta snapped. "Look, Marina asked for help. Help you can give if you really want to but only if you're discreet. you don't need the details. Use your rank, get the doc to stop dragging his heels. They're not listening to me, and I don't want to get father involved yet. I'm trying to get the hospital to get a translator for her so she can have some privacy at normal doctor appointments and so she'd have someone to talk to about things."

Troy's brain seemed to buffer taking it all in. "Things?" was all he said.

"Things. When Marina had her initial medical, they didn't ask the right questions. Well, I mean neither did we but-" Atlanta scowled frustrated.

"We were all so stunned by what she was, we didn't see Marina for who she was, did we? We didn't treat her like a person; I know I didn't. She shouldn't have had to settle for that. Marina deserves everything to be just as accessible as everyone else here. No matter that she's different. She deserves not to feel afraid over…about…"

Atlanta realised she'd scrunched up a Napkin between her fingers. And her drink had gone flat. Dammit. She'd wanted just a nice quiet not-a-date but time with Troy. And here she was spoiling it again-!

"Atlanta?"

She blinked and looked up. Troy's face was just a mix of emotions as she felt. He reached over and held his hand over hers.

"You're right. She sure does deserve that." Troy agreed. "So, Marina… handle with care. but no need for kid gloves, or bubble Wrap?"

"Something like that." Atlanta nodded, "And don't make it too obvious?"

"Sure. Yeah. Yeah, I think we can do that." Troy nodded lost in thought for a second.

"But can you do something for me in return, Atlanta?" He said seriously. "You've to look after yourself too. I don't want a repeat of this. Whatever the heck it was."

"Marina's had it worse." Atlanta argued.

"Maybe. But that doesn't mean you have something weighing you down too." Troy reasoned. "It's no good you both being pulled out by the same riptide. Or weighed down by the same anchor."

That metaphor didn't really work. Not when Marina could breathe underwater. But Atlanta didn't argue.

"Alright?" Troy asked.

"Yeah."

"If you're taking everything on alone, you don't have to. Even if you can't tell me, I guess." Troy insisted, "You've me and your old man. And likewise, Marina's got you. She's got her father."

"And Marina's got her crew." Atlanta said.

"Of course. Don't ever doubt that. Either of you. You've a whole bunch of friends who've got your backs. Including each other," Troy promised.

"You sure you'll be okay, honey? Both of you."

"We will be Troy. We will be." Atlanta said.

"Good. And I meant it." He grinned. "I'm glad to have you back, Atlanta. I'm really glad."

And Atlanta would smile back. And then lean across the table to plant a kiss on Troy's cheek just at the corner of his smile and tease him saying,

"Troy Tempest, you say the sweetest things sometimes…"

But that's in a few days' time.

But right now, that hasn't happened yet.

But right now, in the lounge Troy has his nose squashed unflatteringly against the glass. And Marina is in distress, possibly on route to another anxiety attack or whatever it was if this keeps up. And for once Troy is not Atlanta's main priority.

'Okay?' Troy asked, tapping the word on glass. Atlanta scowled but nodded. And Two evenings later, Atlanta would tell him as much.

But right now, she mouthed back and signed with one hand, "Okay, yes."

And then with a jerk of her head told him, "Now go! Get Lost."

Troy sighed, misting up the glass again. He didn't quite roll his eyes but still, he nodded and gave a thumbs up. Then left.

There was a beat.

"Hey?" Atlanta whispered to the bundle of her friend, still curled like a cat on her lap and shoulder. "There there Marina. Are you okay?"

Marina lifted head a fraction and peeked up at her.

"See. Question." She asked timidly.

"I don't think they saw anything, no." Atlanta said, Double checking. They wouldn't have seen her face. Marina's legs were tucked under her skirt, and her arms and back were well covered too; both with her dress and with Atlanta's jacket.

Marina's breathing slowed back down. After another pause the mer-girl blinked up at her again. Marina nodded, somewhat to herself and then untangled herself from Atlanta, climbing awkwardly off her lap.

"Silly question," Atlanta tried, "but how are you feeling now?"

Marina sighed, and shrugged, puzzled. Before she could sign anything, however, the door to the lounge swung open again-!

I knooooooow I didn't want to split it but if I didn't we'd have and 9000-10,000 words chapter. The end is there, somewhere. thanks for reading