A/N: I know y'all have heard a million apologies from probably every fan fiction about not updating in FOREVER, but I'm sorry just the same! I do intend to finish this story, I've just been dealing with some major writer's block because I want to do these characters justice. I appreciate each and every review, and I'd like to give a special shout out to Sar for their kind review - I honestly didn't think anyone was still reading this story, and they motivated me to write this next chapter - so thank you Sar!

She couldn't believe it - her legs were back! And without the excruciating pain that she had become accustomed to, nonetheless. This was a relieving revelation indeed.

A soft tap at the door startled her.

Melody quickly darted to the door and peered out. Seeing Jim hanging back in the hallway, she looked both ways and motioned for him to come in.

"I got your note...I stalled your lady in waiting for as long as I could," Jim explained once she shut the door. "What was the emergency?" His face reddened slightly as he noticeably turned and kept his gaze on some point of interest across the room.

Melody suddenly realized that she was still wrapped in the blanket and ran/slid to the folding partition where some clothing was hanging.

"I'm sorry! I totally forgot - it's just that, well you're not going to believe this!" she stammered, pulling a nightgown over herself.

"Jeez, you're really trying to get me into trouble, huh?" Jim shook his head. "Lucky that Constance lady didn't show up again."

"Oh about that...she knows about us. It's a long story. But she was too distracted by that discovery to figure out my other secret."

"Great..." Jim sat on the bench, rubbing his temples. "Barely here for an hour and someone has already found out."

"We can trust her," Melody emerged from the partition, smoothing down the collar of her nightgown. "We sort of exchanged secrets." She sat down next to Jim as he eyed her with a questioning look.

"Care to share?" he asked after she offered no other explanation.

"Jim, a lady never tells another lady's secret."

"Alright then," he threw his hands up. "So are you gonna tell me what the emergency was?"

"Oh yeah!" she happily stuck out a foot and wiggled her toes. "I figured it out!"

Jim looked at her feet, then back up at her pleased expression. "Figured...what out, exactly?"

"How to change back! I sprouted fins in the bath, which was why I needed you to distract Constance for me. I finally figured out how to control it!"

"What?? That's great news Mel! How'd you do it?"

"I - I'm not really sure how to explain it, to be honest. All I know is that I concentrated really hard and it just...happened!" she wiggled her toes some more to make her point.

Just then, they heard a quick rapping at the door followed by Constance poking her freckled face in.

"I 'ave yer supper, miss," she announced, waiting politely in the hallway.

"Thank you Constance, you may come in," Melody responded.

Constance nodded and rolled in a cart laiden with various dishes. A small Cornish hen, some rolls of bread, fresh picked berries and vegetables, some wine and cheese, among other delicacies.

"Is everything to yer likin' ma'am?" Constance asked.

"Everything looks delicious Constance, that will be all, thank you!" Melody noted that Constance glanced at Jim before heading back to the door with a wink.

"She's definitely going to give us away if she acts that obvious when other people are around," Jim glared at the closed door.

"Oh, you're just paranoid! Now help me eat all this," Melody playfully shoved him before getting up to assemble a small plate.

There was nothing left but crumbs when Constance returned to collect the cart and dishes.

"What a healthy appetite the two o' ye have! If nothing else is needed miss, I'll be turning in for the night," she rolled the cart out and shut the door.

Melody reclined on the sofa, braiding her hair, while Jim sat in a nearby chair, putting together a puzzle.

"So the big ball is tomorrow night, huh?" he asked, not looking up.

"That's what I'm told," Melody responded with little interest. "Can't wait to just get it over with."

"So what's the plan for tomorrow? I assume you'll be spending the day getting all dolled up?" he smirked when she gave him a look.

"For your information, the Duke is taking me on a tour of his kingdom first thing after breakfast."

"Sounds like fun. At least you won't be cooped up in the castle all day."

"You know you're coming too, right?" she flipped her long braid over her shoulder after tying it off with a ribbon.

"Awe maaaan, you serious?" he pretended to be inconvenienced.

"You are my bodyguard after all, Lieutenant," she rolled her eyes. "Where I go, you go."

"Yeah, yeah, don't tell me how to do my job, Princess," he turned his attention back to the puzzle and realized that he was missing a piece.

"Looking for this?" Melody held up the piece in question, giggling.

"When did you even take that?" Jim got up from the chair to retrieve it.

"Ah ah!" Melody held the piece behind her back. "It'll cost you."

"Why, you little vixen!" Jim attempted to grab the piece, but Melody swapped hands and held it high above her head. Jim had to laugh at that.

"You know I can easily reach that, right?" to prove his point, he snatched the piece from her fist. As quickly as he did so, she had reached up and pecked him on the cheek with a kiss. In response, he swiftly lifted her off the floor and kissed her squarely on the mouth, surprising her.

Melody melted into his arms, forgetting all of her worries and unanswered questions, just enjoying the moment. She wrapped her arms around Jim's neck as he deepened the kiss. Suddenly she went limp in his arms, and Jim drew back, worried he had done something wrong. Her eyes were glowing bright blue and she was unresponsive.

"Mel? Mel!" he shook her gently, trying to wake her up from whatever trance she seemed to be in. What seemed like several minutes went by, but her eyes finally faded back to normal and she looked around, confused.

"What was that all about??" Jim demanded, still freaked out.

"Something...was calling to me...through the stone?" Melody rubbed her eyes. "I'm not really sure, but I think I need to go find what it was..." she went to the balcony and stared at the sea. Jim followed her cautiously, afraid she might jump.

"O...kay, can't it wait until morning?" he tried to reason with her.

"No, right now. It's important," she started putting on her shoes.

"You're kind of freaking me out Melody, what's going on?" he grabbed hold of her hands.

"Look, I don't know Jim, but I just need you to trust me, okay? I think I know why my grandfather gave me the Sea Stone..."