he spacing is being very weird again I can only applogise for that

Perhaps Atlanta had been too loud though? She hadn't heard Marina come back into the room…

Atlanta jumped at a 'tap tap tap behind her.

"Shoot! oh, Marina!" Atlanta startled. And turned to see her. She hovered at the open shelving that divided the kitchenette from the main room. Marina was looking better in herself. But no less worried.

the yelp had sounded strangled and shrill even to her ears. No wonder Marina drew back suddenly.

Atlanta quickly wiped her eyes and tried to sound more cheerful.

"Hey. you scared me." She smiled as gently as she could trying to laugh it off. (while tamping down her emotions. There wasn't a stopper for this bottle though. Not this time. It fizzed in her, even as Atlanta dried her hands on a tea towel.)

"Coffees up." she added, picking up the drinks she'd made an auto pilot; her voice twanging over her stammer. "Well, your hotchoclate. And mine's a chamomile tea-!"

Marina was frowning though unconvinced. In fact, Marina lowered her hand and shook her head, her bottom lip wobbling, despite being bitten down on. She wasn't crying. But Marina was upset. Or in some form of distress even mildly. Atlanta instantly back on the alert, put back down the cups.

"Oh, no Marina. Are you alright? I didn't scare you too, did I? Please-?" she tried as Marina stepped away a second time. And Atlanta half expected her to bolt once more.

She didn't. Instead, Marina then held her arms up in front of her body, crossed at the wrists. And then Y.

"No? No, what?" Atlanta guessed, puzzled. "Huh okay not no. Danger? X? Like the letters x and y? No not that either. Cross?"

Marina repeated it in agreement. Y. Question. And gestured to Atlanta and signed her name and more.

Oh. Cross like a feeling…

"Cross. Like, angry? Again. Atlanta, cross angry, why?" she was asking.

"Ah." Atlanta groaned. Marina was clearly picking up on her emotions. That and Atlanta wasn't very good at hiding it.

Atlanta sighed leaning on the counter trying to let her anger go. Again.

"I am." she admitted rubbing her face with her other hand. Then blanched when Marina looked worried again. "Not at you! Don't for a second think that. But I'm cross at titan. Not you."

Marina hesitated then nodded, her head tipped slightly to one side. Although maybe not quite understanding, given how her frown turned puzzled.

"I'm angry about what he caused you. All that pain and fear! That's what I'm cross about. If that makes sense?" Atlanta tried as Marina came closer. and back into the alcove her bare feet padding on the few meters of lino that marked out the kitchenette area.

Marina relaxed a little, but her frown became a sad one. She pressed a shy hand to Atlanta's back, making little circles like Atlanta had done for her. before moving to give a gentle squeeze of a shoulder through the epaulette of her uniform.

" Sorry. I started thinking." Atlanta said as Marina did so. "Then I started replaying everything over in my head. And then I guess I fell down a real rabbit hole-!"

"don't understand that. Rabbit what? But Atlanta, you are in your head again?" Marina frowned and moved to stand next to her friend. Tapping her own head Marina then reached across, fluttering her fingers to the air near Atlanta's temple. "Thinking. Too much."

"Yeah." Atlanta agreed. She folded her arms squashing them to herself. And Atlanta turned around again, leaning back against the counter instead. Then scooted over so Marina could join her, and they could stand side by side in the little space.

"I suppose you're right. 'In my own head'. Again." Atlanta said quietly. "I guess we're both overwhelmed…"

Marina nodded again sadly, hugging herself too. Then changed her mind and clung to Atlanta's elbow again, looping her hands through the folds of the jacket. Leaning just a little against her too, Marina gently bumped her head on Atlanta's shoulder. like she'd do sometimes when they were at the piano together? Or when things were getting silly and there wasn't a table to mime bonk her head on in frustration. Atlanta hadn't realized how much she'd missed that too. For once Atlanta rested her head against Marina's. They stayed there a little while, standing not in an embrace as such. But something like it.

Atlanta felt calmer for admitting it was overwhelming. But wrung out too. And bad that her temper had shaken the peace and progress they had made after such a storm. Goodness knows how Marina felt then?

"That was a lot, Marina." Atlanta said eventually, softly. "All of …that. If you want to take the rest of the day off, I can speak to the others for you then take you home? If you need a break."

Marina let out a huff and shook her head. Then pulled herself upright to shake it properly.

"Are you sure? I don't want you to exhaust yourself. Or push yourself if you're not in a good head space." Atlanta asked.

Marina turned her head and looked at her, as if she'd said something silly. Then with an arm still looped through Atlanta's, signed. "You. Have been. All two and three weeks."

"Point taken." Atlanta sighed. "I do think you could do with a rest though."

Marina sighed back, the softest of sounds.

"Yes no." she tapped.

"Maybe?"

"That." Marina agreed. Then indicated herself and signed 'happy'. But shook her head while doing so.

"I know. I know you're not happy, honey." Atlanta sympathized, patting her hand.

"Not sad either." Marina argued. With none of the bite she'd had earlier. "But. not happy either? How talk happened. Why talk happened. Head, hearts. Confused. Like-?"

Marina shook her hands, a scratchy flicker-y motion. Then twisted them, as if ringing out wet fabric.

"All muddled up inside, huh?" Atlanta tried.

Marina agreed.

"Yes. Shouldn't have told you. Made you sad. Made you cry. Made you cross! I didn't mean that to happen."

"No, I'm glad you did." Atlanta said, truthfully. "I know it feels uncomfortable now, but I think you needed too? To talk about everything that had gone on. Bottling all that up didn't do any good, did it? do you feel better for that at least?"

Marina thought. And nodded, still annoyed at herself, turning to face Atlanta properly again.

"Just s-c-a-r-s. Hurt. Now, it doesn't hurt hurt. Healed. Just inside hurt. Sad. I'm frustrated at myself. Just heavy sometimes. Hurts." Marina signed, close to her chest.

And then made to sign a circle over her heart again. But Atlanta this time caught her elbow before she could.

"don't. Don't apologize Marina. It's me who's sorry. Like I said, I had no right to push you like that."

"Okay. It is okay." Marina told her. But also insisted, "please don't still be angry. Don't let it hurt you? No more. No. Not for me? Please. You will- what you said earlier? burn up. Or out. Like Stingray with engine damage. That. no more hurt. No one else."

"I'm trying." Atlanta said. "Or at least, I'm thinking how I can try and put that hurt to good use."

Atlanta paused before continuing.

"When my mom… died? my grief counsellor said, "one of the worst things that is going to drag you down is the what if's". And the things I couldn't change. And 'you'll miss the moments you could have had had'. I didn't know at the time but … that really was what hurt the most. And again, when father had his accident to degree. That's what 'burnt' me up." She explained. "It still does sometimes. And then I burn out trying to fix things or worrying over them…"

Marina gazed at her, taking it in. Then away with a far off look on her face and nodded slowly.

"Yes. Time gone." She said eventually, tapping a non-existent watch. "I wasn't in control of my own me. If making sense? He was. All time, life. When I could sleep and eat, work. Time. e." Marina's squeezed her eye shut a second and took a breath.

"And Pacifica? The shell changed without me. Home different. Not same. Moved on without me. I changed. Both. Home. Myself. Changed for good and bad. Marked. Made strong. And made weak too. Unclean not unclean. Sorry."

"Don't be sorry about that," Atlanta told her, reaching for her hand to hold. "And you're not unclean Marina. You really aren't."

Marina held it thinking hard, before letting go to speak.

"I know. You keep saying that and I know that now, I think. I know." Marina said, tapping her head to double down on the sign for knowing.

"But I don't-"

"I don't."

"don't."

Caught in another loop, Marina paused, pressing her hand into her chest. Then tapped it.

"Here. I don't feel that way... Don't know there. Not yet. Heart's is sick? Just feels hurt…. not like 'me'?" She tried.

"it's trauma". Atlanta agreed, bluntly and sad. "It hurts. I'm sorry honey. I'm so sorry."

Marina hesitated. Then nodded.

"Yes."

"Hurts."

"Wait?"

Marina hurried away sharply. And just as quick returned with a few cards and the notebook.

"Bad. Hurt sometimes. But? Proud other sometimes." She said, "sometimes. Some days I look at them. S-C-A-R-S. and I don't hate them. Not hurt inside. Sometimes good. Reminder. Got away. TITAN can't get me. Marineville (flashcard). Sometimes."

Atlanta 'listened' (watched and read) with a real smile as Marina continued muddling through.

"Time. When first here. Didn't know what to do in the day. Funny, right? I get to be bored! and have hobbies and a house, work and friends and eat. Happy. Truth? Still scared sometimes. But will be okay? Truth? We will be okay too?"

"Yeah." Atlanta nodded. "If you need anything. I'm here for you. I meant it. So are the fellas. Troy and Phones would drop everything in heart beat if you ever need help. We're all here for you. whatever you need."

"Friends." Marina nodded. Paused. Then stood. Frowning hard at her feet as she shifted from one webbed foot to the other.

"Would like? H u g. Maybe." She said shyly. Her arms jerked up and out. And Marina then stood there flapping awkwardly like an unsure penguin.

"That I can do." Atlanta smiled, trying not to laugh at her (it was quite sweet).

Instead, she opened her arms again to hug her friend. Marina stepped into it, stood on tiptoe, again stiff and tense at first. But the tension in her back started slipping away a little by little as the mermaid took a deep breath. Two. Three…

"you're so brave." Atlanta repeated.

Marina let out laugh, a little puff of her cheeks and bumped her head to Atlanta's shoulder again. Twice. Twice for 'no'.

Atlanta chuckled at the disagreement.

"You are Marina." She argued and stood back to tell her. "That was brave. You can keep disagreeing all you like but it was. Thank you, for trusting me like that too. I know it was hard."

"Real hard." Marina agreed one handed. before with both hands asked, "can I have another? H u g. Please"

"Sure." Atlanta wrapped her up in a bigger squeeze, as big a bear hug as she could. And soothed. "it's okay. It's okay."

Marina relaxed a little more.

"There, there. It's okay, honey you're gonna be a-okay huh?"

Marina nodded, blinking hard and squeezed her back.

If either of them was sniffling or crying again, neither commented on it.

"I don't know about you, Marina but I'm sick of us both being kidnapped and tied up in nearly every other mission." Atlanta said eventually as she straightened back up, "I can count at least four I've been, and that's four too many by my count!"

Marina agreed, counting off on her fingers for herself. But then ran out of them and counted extra on Atlanta's hand.

"That, no that is far too many! For a security patrol our own security is pretty shockingly bad." Atlanta agreed. "I think your ort to be getting danger money. Or a kidnapping bonus! In fact, I'm going to make a note to bring it up to the commander at the next meeting."

Marina laughed in her silent way.

"Speaking of which." Atlanta asked, "It'll just be me and father home tonight, would you like to come over and join us for dinner? Or tomorrow, and we could have the boys over too? I feel like we haven't had everybody over together in a month. Or would that be too much?"

Marina worried her lip a little again. "NOT SURE. Would like it but. Too much tonight? She said then wrote out, "In a few days' time maybe, please? Or lunch at the canteen tomorrow?"

"I have missed those lunches." Atlanta admitted. "Even if the food could be a little better in the diner huh? Oh drat, the drinks! Here before it gets cold."

Marina nodded with another little laugh. Taking the offer mug she drew it to her, cuddling to its warmth.

"Would you like me to bring you something over tonight instead?" Atlanta suggested. "I think we've got some soup in the freezer. Just to save you cooking or trying to order take out?"

Marina nodded.

"That would be nice. Thank you. A lot." she said, taking a sip of her drink. Then paused.

"She might need some groceries if she hadn't been leaving her house." Atlanta thought too. but decided not to push it. Marina was definitely definitely tired now, as one word at a time, she started signing again.

"You said, get help. You know someone." she said slowly. then belatedly raising her eyebrows and drew a mark with her hand making it a question.

Atlanta tried not show how relieved she was Marina had asked. but figured it was probably over her face.

"Yeah. I can get some names and telephone numbers. Would you like that?" she asked. Marina nodded, hesitantly but determined.

"Good. That's good. I know father will complain like a grouch about his and physio. But he has been better for them both." Atlanta said, then grimaced. "I only wish I'd thought of that sooner Marina. Or that it had been made available to you when you were first arrived here-?"

Marina made her never mind shunt for Atlanta to stop worrying about that. Then mimed thinking about it. And tapped one yes.

"Fizz -e -o. Yes. Speak to a person, maybe. But both later. Not today." she said. Then added. "You, Aaa? Stop thinking."

"I'm trying." 'Aaa' agreed.

"Promise." Marina insisted, going as far as to lean over and felt her forehead. "No worry? Not sick? Not inside your head?"

"no. Not anymore." Atlanta giggled, batting her off. "You? How are you feeling now?"

Marina shrugged.

"Not bad. But not sure…"

"Still muddled?"

"still that yes."

Marina then tugged on Atlanta's wrist and beckoned her to follow her back into the main standby lounge, across the room to the big window.

It was in Atlanta's opinion too cool to open the balcony doors. Certainly, too wet to take their drinks on to the balcony. We could with do with some blankets in here, Atlanta thought, feeling the slight crisp chill. But Marina opened them anyway. Just a little. Enough to lean out and let some fresh air in.

And the patch of sunshine was warm enough to sit in Atlanta supposed, leaning casually against the glass. Only this time with clarity. And company. (And something hot to drink.)

For a creature of the deep Marina liked the sunshine, provided it wasn't too hot. It looked good on her. So did peace of mind. Both lit up Marina, making her seem brighter in the eyes and face. The way she held herself.

"I think we should treat ourselves a relaxing holiday." Atlanta' declared trying to lighten the mood further with a subject switch. "What do you say Marina? You and me, and a girly spa day. Or something nice and fun with the boys next time we have a day off at the same time for a change. Instead of moping around feeling sick and worried."

Marina giggled silently, beaming and nodded.

"Yes yes! Would. Be nice." She agreed, clapping too. Marina made to sit down. Then paused. Still smiling Marina added. "Better now. Feeling?" Marina tapped her chest. "Here. Thank you. "

She reached over and squeezed Atlanta's hand before continuing.

"you're right. Said earlier? We beat him. Some days forget that..." Marina said, repeating herself a little as she sat down. "I want to feel like that more. Like them the scars more. And feel like me more."

Atlanta nodded. "Yeah, I suppose you're right."

"Better." Marina nodded looking out over Marineville. Atlanta followed her gaze.

"This must be the best view in town, bar the control room itself." Atlanta mused, wrapping her hand around her mug.

The big windows opened out to look over the whole town and the cultivated green space around. From where Atlanta looked, she could see the roofs of her place, and Marina's apartment block. and then out over the ocean glittering faintly on the horizon. Everything was bright and fresh, now the drizzle had cleared. Almost as if some long-suffering writer was trying to tidy up the narrative, before the end titles kicked in. And have the weather outside act as a metaphor. to indicate the cleared tension in the room and between Atlanta and Marina? The notion made Atlanta smile.

"No wonder it's your favourite seat?"

Marina flicked her a quick little grin. And made an unconventional sign: a hand under her mug, flat and thumb up, recreating the tower at battle stations.

"Marineville?" Atlanta guessed.

"Marineville." Marina agreed, repeating it. "S A V (no. wait) F E."

"Save? oh. you are. Safe here I mean. Safe is not what I'd call your line of work, mind. '' Atlanta chuckled, both grimily and fondly as she sat down in the chair opposite. "All those scrapes you get into! You, Troy and Phones don't half go on some crazy adventures in Stingray. And out of it."

Marina smiled at her again. Setting her mug down Marina waved at the window in a broad gesture. Then speaking again and in sign and flash cards said:

"Stingray. W-a-s-p. Marineville. You, the boys, commander. My friends." and then sat down back in the seat and to make- not a sign so much, as a gesture.

Marina drew her leg up to her chest, and, moving her skirts, began pulling up one side of her leggings, exposing the skin beneath. She then wrapped both hands around her ankle, interlacing her fingers somewhat. Right over the scar Atlanta first saw…

Marina then looked up at Atlanta to check she was following. And kicked her foot out, tugging hard against the hand (and bond) that held her. Much like she had in Atlanta's nightmares. Marina did it again. And once more. Only this time, Marina opened her hands and broke the connection. Unshackling herself as it were and kicking away the chains that bound her.

The message was clear as any spoken word could have been.

free.

I am free.

Here with you all: I am free.

"Yeah. I guess so." Atlanta nodded, blinking back a fresh tear.

Some stories of the world talk about a red string of fate connecting both lovers and soulmates; both platonic and romantic. And true friends. Maybe in some adaptations, it's a red streamer ribbon? One connecting friends and a found family unit. With bits of tinsel stuck to it from being bundled into a box of decorations. All wrapped up around ankles and a stepladder.

Marina nodded, determined and signing 'better now' again, twice pointing to herself. Then, nudged her friend's arm to ask it a question without having to spell it out to Atlanta. Atlanta paused before she spoke, thinking about it.

The afternoon was now late. She was exhausted. And things in the standby lounge while previous chaotic it was same as it ever was.

Well no. Not the same, not exactly. Not back to normal, not quite yet. But some process had occurred…

Marina still had a lot of hurt to carry, and a lot of healing to do inside. But now she knew at least Atlanta was on hand? Knew she had one to turn too. Somewhere to go, something that could be done about it. And hope. A whole bunch of hope for the future.

even if they'd tested their friendship to get here, the bond between them? That had been pulled taut to the point of tearing and breaking? Instead, now it was strengthened and reinforced. Marina's past couldn't be undone. Atlanta couldn't rewrite the story or go back in time and ever stop her friend from getting hurt. Or pretend she'd never seen the scars. But a problem (even though it wasn't Atlanta's to pass on) was shared. and while not halved, the problem was at least softened. Chipped away at. Broken up a little. More manageable even.

They both had scars, just some more than others. And they both had hope, plans. They had each other, the fellas and one another's backs. They had their respective fathers. The wasps, Marineville and Stingray too. And their freedom.

"Yeah. Yeah, thanks Marina." Atlanta agreed. She put a hand on her arm and squeezed it. Marina covered her hand in hers and smiled back. "I'm better now too…"

….

"But-?" Atlanta added. "Next time there's a party to organize, Marina? you and I will leave it to Troy and Phones for a change. The hosting, the decorations and tidying up, they can do the lot. And we will have the hangovers and lazing around for once, right?"

Marina smiled and nodded, clinking their cups together in agreement as Atlanta had the last word,

"And no more step ladders for either of us!"