A/N: ***Trigger warning: this chapter contains domestic abuse***

Chapter 18

Eleanore swam back to shore slower than usual, her heart already sad from leaving Gina. Leaving Gina sitting there was the hardest thing she had to do in a long while, especially since she knew Gina was having a hard day. Being away from her was becoming more difficult every month, and she knew it was only going to get worse.

She returned to their secret cave as soon as she reached the shore, drying off as best she could before getting redressed and making her way back to the diner. She hoped she could waste a little more time with Ruby before heading home to deal with Killian, but she wasn't getting her hopes up. The bell above the door rang as she opened the door, scanning the room for signs of Ruby…or Killian.

"Hey!" Ana said, rushing over to her behind the counter. "Ruby told me everything." She handed Eleanore her phone back. "He came here looking for you…twice," she added as Eleanore scanned her phone. Twelve missed calls and almost thirty text messages littered the screen, all from Killian.

"Did he cause a scene?" Eleanore asked, rolling her eyes.

"Not too much. Yelled a little the second time. Granny kicked his ass out as soon as his voice raised a few decibels." Ana laughed.

"I wish I could have seen that." Eleanore laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

"I figured you would want to see it, so I recorded the whole thing." Ana pulled out her own phone and tapped the screen a few times. "Just sent you the video," she said as Eleanore's phone vibrated in her hand. She quickly opened the message and tapped the video. Her screen came alive with Killian making a scene, screaming at Ruby. Granny appeared from inside the kitchen and rushed over, grabbing Killian by his ear and pulling him out of the door, tossing him out of the diner without saying a single word.

"I am never deleting this video." Eleanore laughed, stuffing her phone in her pocket.

"Me neither!" Ana laughed. "But all joking aside, you better get home before he comes looking for you again. He might start breaking things if that happens."

"Yeah…you're probably right. Thanks for covering for me. I appreciate it," Eleanore said.

"Anytime. We always have you back," Ana said, waving goodbye to Eleanore as she left the diner. She pulled out her phone one last time, sending Ruby a text message thanking her for all her help, before the battery died.

She took a deep breath at the front door and opened it, walking into the house. As soon as she crossed the threshold, Killian started screaming.

"Where the FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN, SWAN?!" he screamed, running up and into her face. She could smell the beer on his breath.

"I was hanging out with Ruby at the diner while she was working. And when it got busy I went for a walk. I must have lost track of time," she lied.

"I called you and texted you. Why didn't you answer?"

"I left my phone at the diner. I just picked it up," she said, holding up the dead phone.

"Where did you go? I searched everywhere looking for you," he yelled.

"I don't know. I was just walking around," she lied. This made him even angrier, getting into her face again, grabbing her long hair to feel if it was wet.

"You were in the FUCKING WATER AGAIN!" he screamed, pulling her hair aggressively.

"So what if I was? I wanted to see how cold the water was. It wasn't that cold, which means we can probably get back out there within the next week or two," she said, trying to change the subject and distract Killian's anger.

"Don't change the subject!" he said, yanking her hair once more.

"Killian, calm down!" she said, pulling her hair out of his fist. "I was just testing the water."

"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN, YOU STUPID BITCH!" Killian screamed, swinging his hand toward Eleanore, the back of it making contact with her cheek. Eleanore's hand instantly covered her face, her fingers slightly wet from the blood that was oozing out of the cut just below her eye. "I told you not to go to that beach! Now you can do as you're told, or you can suffer the consequences. You choose!" He raised his hand again, preparing to strike her once more. Eleanore flinched before nodding.

"Good. Now, clean your face off and get in the kitchen. I'm starving." He returned to the couch to watch TV. "And get me a fucking beer before you go anywhere," he called out to her.

She handed him a beer on her way to the bathroom. Blood mixed with tears as she looked in the bathroom mirror, her skin already starting to bruise around the small cut under her eye. She only had one thought that repeated over and over in her brain.

Gina would never do this to me. For the first time in seven years, she was a little scared of him.

Two weeks later, Eleanore found herself on her boat once again, driving over the waves in the water, consulting the radar on her dashboard to find the perfect spot to start fishing for the day. She was right—within a week of her last meeting with Gina, they were back out on the water, officially beginning fishing season. Not surprisingly, they never spoke of Killian hitting her after that moment, and he didn't indicate he would do it again. Eleanore assumed it was an isolated event at that point and chalked it up to the mix of alcohol and his anger issues. She knew she shouldn't defend him, especially since he slapped her twice, but he was drunk, and so angry. And alcohol often makes people do things they wouldn't normally do.

Finding the perfect spot, she turned off the engine and let the boat float in place as she prepared her rods, casting all four off the side. Once everything was set and all she had left to do was wait, she took a seat on the edge of the boat, staring off at the horizon. She missed Gina. She missed her so much her chest hurt. Every moment of every day, her mind was thinking about the woman who stole her heart. Every moment of every day she missed her more. And she still had a little over a week before she could see Gina again. This was torture. Her day dragged on, as most days did while she waited for the next full moon.

Sometime in the early afternoon, after Eleanore reset three of the four reels, she laid back against the deck of her tiny boat, her feet dangling over the edge at her knees, her toes skimming the very edge of the water below. Her eyes were trained on the fluffy clouds in the sky, her mind wandering once again to the beautiful brunette with the piercing brown eyes. Suddenly, she felt something tickle the bottom of her foot. She shook it off, thinking it was just a piece of seaweed or a stray fly that got too close to her feet, only to have it return a moment later. Angrily, she shook her foot harder this time, hoping to scare off whatever insect that decided to take a rest on her skin. When the tickle returned a third time, she sat straight up, looking down at her toes to try to see what was bothering her while she was thinking.

What she saw completely shocked her.

"Gina?" she exclaimed as she looked down at Gina's face in the water, a devilish smile on her face.

"Surprise," Gina said, smiling even wider at Eleanore's shocked face.

"Gina! What are you doing here?"

"I was in the area," Gina said, smirking.

"Liar. You live an hour or more under the water." Eleanore smiled, catching her in a lie.

"Okay. You're right. I missed you too much, so I came here on the off chance I could find you working," Gina said, telling the truth this time.

"Now that, I believe." Eleanore smiled. "I was just thinking about how much I miss you too."

"How much longer do you have out on the water for the day?" Gina asked, looking around.

"A little while longer."

"Come swim with me." Gina smiled.

"How can I resist, when you ask so nicely?" Eleanore stood quickly, undressing down to her bathing suit. "Don't give me that look," Eleanore said when she stepped toward the edge of the boat. "I need to leave it on. The water is still a little too chilly for naked swimming." Eleanore smirked, jumping over Gina's head and splashing into the water. Gina smiled wide as she swam over to Eleanore, wrapping her arms around the blonde's neck to hold her close.

"Eleanore! What happened to your face?" Gina asked, looking closely at the bruise and remnants of the small cut under Eleanore's eye.

"Oh that," Eleanore said as she wrapped her arms and legs around Gina, allowing the Nenriel to hold her up. "I tripped over the curb last week. I'm such a klutz sometimes."

"You tripped?" Gina asked, concerned, not quite believing Eleanore's story.

"Yeah…I missed the step, that's all," Eleanore lied. Her stomach hurt as she lied to Gina for the first time.

"You have to be more careful. I would die if anything happened to you," Gina said, as their lips met in a sweet kiss.

"Shit. I should have pulled up the hooks," Eleanore said, looking back toward the boat.

"I guess we'll just have to stay right here where it's safe." Gina smirked, pulling Eleanore's face back toward her, her lips instantly on Eleanore's. Gina held them both in the same place as their kisses grew more and more passionate, until they were forced to break apart to gasp for breath.

"I should…check the lines…" Eleanore whispered, trying to will herself to let go of Gina.

"Later…" Gina whispered, kissing her again, now that they both caught their breath. Eleanore could hear splashing behind her, knowing at least two of the lines had a fish attached to the end of it, not caring in the slightest as she held onto Gina for dear life.

Nothing else in the world mattered now that Gina was in her arms. For a day that was dragging, the time Eleanore spent with Gina seemed to fly by, and suddenly the sun was beginning to dip down, ready to begin its final descent for the day.

"I have to get going…" Eleanore whispered, pulling away from Gina slightly, pressing their foreheads together.

"I don't want you to," Gina whispered, pouting slightly as she tightened her hold on Eleanore.

"I don't want to either…but…I…" Eleanore said before Gina interrupted her.

"But you have to…I know…" Gina said sadly.

"Did you really swim an hour just to make out with me?" Eleanore asked after a moment of sad silence between them.

"Guilty," Gina said shyly.

"I'm glad you did." Eleanore smiled, cupping Gina's face. "But it's really dangerous for you to be here. I would die if anything happened to you," Eleanore said, repeating Gina's previous statement.

"I needed to see you. I'm sorry," Gina said.

"Don't be sorry. I'm glad you came." Eleanore smiled. "But now we both need to go."

"I know…" Gina said sadly, pulling away from Eleanore, allowing the blonde to detangle herself.

"I'll see you soon," Eleanore said, kissing Gina once more.

"Not soon enough," Gina said sadly.

"What do you want for dinner next week?" Eleanore laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

"How about that breakfast thing? The bacon egg something." Gina smiled.

"Baconeggandcheese," Eleanore corrected.

"Yeah that. That sounds good."

"As you wish, ma'lady." Eleanore smiled. "I'll see you soon," she said again, swimming backward, making her way toward the boat, turning around as soon as her back hit the side. Gina watched as Eleanore climbed back up onto the deck and quickly worked to pull up the lines, all four with fish stuck on the ends. She secured everything and prepared to head back to the dock, leaning over the edge before starting the engine, knowing that Gina was still there watching her. "You better get going before someone sees you," Eleanore said, a slight bit of fear in her voice.

"I'm going," Gina said, blowing a kiss before diving under the water, disappearing out of sight. As soon as Eleanore was sure Gina was gone, she started the engine and turned around, heading back to land, her lips still tingling from having Gina's pressed against them for the last few hours. It turned out to be a good day after all.

She could see Killian's angry face before she even reached the dock and she instantly knew she was probably really late. She didn't care. She got to see Gina, and that's all that mattered. She maneuvered her boat into the spot easily and jumped off to secure it to the docks before pulling her cooler with the day's catch onto the wooden platform to be counted and recorded.

"Swan, you're late," he growled, making his way over to her to inspect her work. "And you're light!"

"Relax, it was a slow day. It happens," she said, walking away. She wasn't going to let him ruin her good mood. She had Gina on her mind and she wasn't going to let him or anyone else take that away from her. She was so distracted that she didn't see Smee, a fellow fisher that worked for Killian, approach him and start whispering something into Killian's ear, causing Killian to instantly become more angry than he already was. She went about her afternoon, stopping to say hi to Ruby and Ana at the diner before going home to start cooking dinner for Killian, still feeling happy and excited from Gina's surprise visit.

Killian stormed into the house just as she was pulling the chicken out of the oven.

"SWAN!" he screamed, rushing into the kitchen, grabbing her wrist and pulling her away from the stove. "Smee told me some interesting news this afternoon, care to explain yourself?"

"Smee? Did he finally grow a pair and remove his lips from your ass?" She laughed, pulling her arm away from Killian's grip.

"No. But he did tell me something interesting. He said he saw you swimming this afternoon instead of working."

"Yeah, you know I always go for a swim before coming back for the day," she said.

"Yes. But this time, he said you were swimming with someone else. In fact, there wasn't much swimming happening, because you were too busy making out like two horney teenagers," Killian said, rage in his eyes. "What do you have to say about that?"

"I say that maybe Smee should wait until after work to start drinking," Eleanore said, trying to laugh.

"Smee wasn't drunk, Swan!"

"Yeah? Then how did he see me swimming and kissing someone who wasn't there? Think about it, Killian? Who would be out there with me, in the middle of the ocean? You saw me come back alone. And check the security camera at the docks. It'll show that I left alone this morning too. I didn't see a single person all day, I was too far out. How the hell could I be out there with someone else when there couldn't possibly be anyone else out there?" she asked.

"Then why were you so late?"

"Because I did go for a swim. You know I did. I always do."

"Then why were you so light today?" he asked, his anger not subsiding.

"Fine. I fell asleep, are you happy? I fell asleep and when I woke up all four reels were hooked and I have no idea how long they were like that."

"I don't believe you."

"Believe what you want, I don't care. I don't know what Smee thought he saw, but it wasn't me kissing someone else in the middle of the ocean," Eleanore said, turning her back toward Killian. Her heart was pounding in her chest while she pretended to stir the rice cooking on the stove.

"Whatever, Swan," Killian said, his voice still sounding irritated. "What's for dinner, I'm starving." Killian kept a suspicious eye on Eleanore for the rest of the evening, asking questions about who she was texting every time her phone went off. Even though he was suspicious, Eleanore didn't let him affect her mood. She fell asleep that night to the vision of Gina and the memory of their lips pressed together.

The next week felt like an eternity, even with her small Gina fix. Even still, the days that followed the impromptu meeting felt like months as she waited until she could see her again. Eventually, the day finally came and all she had to do was wait a few more hours and Gina would be back in her arms again. She rushed back to the docks after her day on the water, rushing past Killian, letting him know in passing that she would be with Ruby that night and she would see him tomorrow. She rushed home to change her clothes and took a shower before making her way to the diner to pick up their dinner. Ruby teased her a little for her excitement, causing her to laugh along with her friend. Nothing was going to get her down, not when she knew Gina was likely already on her way to meet her.

"Have a good girl's night." Ana winked as she handed Eleanore her bag of food.

"I always do!" she said, waving goodbye and walking out of the diner. She practically ran to the beach, her excitement unbearable. The sun had just begun to set when she arrived at their secret cave to set things up.

Everything was ready to go in record time, the sunset only about halfway through by the time she finished. She sat on the massive pile of blankets they used as a bed and pulled out her journal, only to realize that her mind was thinking of one thing, and one thing only. Gina. Only Gina.

She made her way to the water to wait for Gina instead of sitting in the cave. At least she would be closer to the water when sunset ended. As soon as her feet hit the water, she saw a familiar head appear out of nowhere. Gina was already there.

"Eleanore!" she yelled from a few yards away.

"Gina!" Eleanore yelled back, rushing into the water fully clothed, swimming toward Gina. Their arms were around each other the moment they met, the orange light of the sunset reflecting off the water around them.

"You're in your clothes." Gina laughed when their lips eventually separated.

"Oops." Eleanore laughed. "I was really excited to see you."

"I can see that."

"And it seems like someone else was excited too. You're here early," Eleanore said with a smile.

"Guilty. I've been here for a while actually. I was watching the cave from just under the surface until I saw you walk toward the water," Gina said, blushing slightly.

"Me too. I'm glad you came early," Eleanore said, kissing Gina sweetly. They kissed until the sun was well past the horizon and the night had taken shape. Eleanore watched as Gina's tail transformed, forming two perfect legs before her very eyes. As soon as Gina was able to walk they ran out of the water toward the cave, Eleanore's soaking wet clothes clinging to her skin.

The second they crossed the threshold, Eleanore wrapped a towel around Gina, drying her perfect skin, while a small puddle formed under her feet.

"You're soaking wet." Gina laughed, peeling Eleanore's shirt off her body, dropping it on the ground in a wet plop. Gina proceeded to pull off the rest of Eleanore's clothes, ringing them out and laying them close to the fire to let them dry before wrapping them both in a warm blanket.

"Hungry?" Eleanore asked, handing Gina a container of food from Granny's.

"The baconeggandcheese. You remembered." Gina smiled as she took a bite of her sandwich.

"Of course I did. Anything for my special lady." Eleanore smiled, eating a fry. They ate together in comfortable silence, cuddled up under the blanket as the fire popped and crackled. "Can I ask you a personal question?" Eleanore asked as Gina finished eating her sandwich.

"You can ask me anything," she said, eating a fry.

"What would happen if you…put your essence…into me?" she asked. "Would we…would we be able to…have a child?" Eleanore added, her voice barely above a whisper.

"No…" Gina said sadly. "Nenriel and Human anatomy are not compatible to create life."

"Oh…" Eleanore said. "Could we…could a Nenriel and a Human… bond?"

"No…" Gina said, a tear falling from her eye.

"I…I figured that…" she said. Tears silently fell from both their eyes as they realized what they already knew. They could never fully be together; their differences would always keep them apart.

"Let's not think about that tonight, my love. Let's focus on the present and what we have right here, right now."

"You're right," Eleanore whispered, although her heart still hurt. "So…if we can't make a baby…what would happen if you still…inside me?" Eleanore asked.

"I don't know. I don't think anyone has ever done that before," Gina explained.

"Would you…would you want to try? With me?" Eleanore asked, her gaze falling to the cold floor.

"I would try anything with you," Gina said, squeezing Eleanore's hand.

"Really?" Eleanore asked, perking up.

"Of course. Unless it hurts you. That's where I draw the line. I will never hurt you," she said, tracing the faint remnants of the bruise and cut below Eleanore's eye with her thumb.

"I know." Eleanore smiled, a stray tear escaping her eye and crashing into Gina's finger. They gazed into each other's eyes for a few moments before Gina closed the space and kissed Eleanore, so soft and so sweet and so full of love and emotions it brought tears to Eleanore's eyes.

Gina took the lead and slowly urged Eleanore to lay down, climbing on top of her, moving with the blonde so their lips didn't part until they were horizontal.

"Should we braid each other's hair?" Eleanore said, pulling her lips away from Gina slightly, remembering how much Gina liked to participate in Nenriel traditions.

"Not tonight. Tonight, I want to make love," Gina said, crushing Eleanore's lips once more. Eleanore smiled as she threaded her fingers through Gina's long curly hair, massaging Gina's scalp as she pulled her closer, deepening their kiss.

Gina shifted slightly, perfectly positioning their bodies so their clits pressed together, moaning the moment they made perfect contact. Eleanore began to grind into Gina, causing small waves of pleasure to shoot through their bodies as they moved together. After a few minutes, Eleanore pushed Gina onto her side, following her onto her side as well.

"Together…" she whispered, pulling Gina's leg over her hip, spreading the brunette's legs and allowing her more access to Gina's core. A gentle swipe of Eleanore's finger though her soaking folds caused Gina to shiver and shake with anticipation. Gina pulled Eleanore closer, snaking her hand between their bodies, seeking out Eleanor's clit, pressing into it softly when her fingertips made contact.

Their hands moved in sync with each other, their fingers slipping inside each other at the same time, finding that sweet spot buried deep within them. Before long, they had three fingers inside one another, fingering each other deeply and slowly, knowing exactly how and where to touch each other to drive the other wild. They took their time, savoring every intimate caress.

"Eleanore…" Gina whispered, forcing Eleanore to open her eyes. "I'm…I'm close…" Gina struggled to keep her eyes open. "Are you sure…?" Eleanore nodded, a wide smile spreading across her face.

"I'm more than sure," Eleanore said. Gina smiled as she gently rolled Eleanore onto her back, positioning herself between her blonde lover's legs.

"If this hurts, in any way, tell me. I need you to promise me."

"I promise," Eleanore said, cupping Gina's face. Gina looked down at her with nothing but pure love in her eyes as she moved to position herself against Eleanore, pressing her swollen nub against Eleanore's swollen clit. She moved against her a few more times, until they were both tumbling over the edge, their orgasm washing over them like the waves crashing into the shore a few yards away.

Gina moved quickly, pressing her nub against Eleanore's opening, allowing her essence to enter her. Eleanore felt an instant warm and tingling sensation as Gina's essence entered her, causing her to buck her hips into Gina, urging her for more. Gina moved slightly, pressing two fingers back inside Eleanore, pushing the sticky substance deeper into her lover, keeping it inside. As if on instinct, Gina's essence traveled deeper into Eleanore, seeking out her womb as if she were a Nenriel as well. An intense sensation rushed through her, causing Eleanore to cry out, grabbing Gina as hard as she could.

"Eleanore?! Eleanore! Are you okay?" she asked, pushing herself up to look at Eleanore, a slight panic in her voice.

"Gina! I can feel you! I can feel you over every inch of my body," Eleanore said, her breath heavy and her eyes still shut.

"Of course you can," Gina said, feeling less scared. "I'm laying on top of you."

"No! That's not it." Eleanore slowly opened her eyes as her body moved on its own, pressing herself into Gina. "I can feel you inside me. Not just my vagina, everywhere. Gina, I can feel you under my skin. It's like you are encasing every cell inside my body. You're inside me, Gina. You're a part of me!" Eleanore said, tears falling from her eyes onto the blanket.

"Why are you crying?" Gina asked, worried that she was hurting her.

"Because this is the most incredible feeling in the world, Gina," Eleanore said, her green eyes locking with Gina's brown ones. "I wish you could feel the same way I do right now."

"I can feel you…in my heart…" Gina said. She could feel Emma's skin vibrate beneath her. "I can feel your heart beating inside my own heart."

"Gina…don't stop…" Eleanore said, urging Gina to continue fingering her as she reached between them to find Gina's core, slowly pressing her own fingers back inside Gina. "Don't ever stop…"

"Never…" Gina said as their bodies began to move again, slowly and steadily, their second shared orgasm building between them. At the point of climax, Gina shifted, filling Eleanore once again with her essence, causing a deep warming sensation inside herself as well as Eleanore.

They didn't pause, they didn't rest. They didn't stop until the fire had died due to lack of attention and their bodies passed out from exhaustion, falling asleep with their fingers still buried deep inside each other. Their bodies were sore and their skin tingled with a shared feeling between them.

Something changed within them that night. For a few hours, they had become one. For one night, a Nenriel and a Human had a temporary bond, something no one has ever experienced before. But that feeling was short-lived when Gina woke up a few hours later, waking Eleanore in the process. It was time for Gina to leave once again.

"No…" Eleanore groaned when she felt Gina stirring beside her. "It can't be time to leave."

"I'm afraid so, my love. It's morning," Gina said. Neither one opened their eyes just yet, afraid that if they opened their eyes then it would be true. Gina would have to leave.

Eleanore reached down to pull Gina closer, when something soft tickled her foot. She shook her foot slightly, but the soft tickle still remained. Annoyed, she moved her leg, feeling a blissful soreness between her legs as her bare skin shifted over the soft scales on Gina's tail. She smiled as she felt it, her mind picturing the beautiful purple tail in the water.

Except, they weren't in the water at all. They were still in the cave at the beach, wrapped in each other's arms.

"Eleanore!" Gina said, her eyes springing open. "Eleanor, we have a problem."

"You changed back!" Eleanore said, looking down at Gina's tail, her fins tickling her feet again.

"What time is it?" Gina asked, looking out at the bright morning light outside.

"I don't know," Eleanore said, trying to scramble to reach her phone when she heard a familiar voice calling for her a few feet away.

"SHIT!" Eleanore said, rushing to pull a blanket over both of their bodies, making sure to cover every inch of Gina's tail with the blanket and her own body, knowing they wouldn't be alone for much longer.

"Elle? Are you in here?" Ruby's head appeared around the edge of the cave, peering inside to see her friend laying on the ground inside. "Oh thank GOD you're here!" Ruby said, rushing inside to make sure her friend was alright. "Elle, I've been looking all over the place for you." Ruby knelt next to her suddenly wide awake friend.

"What time is it?" Eleanore asked, fear in her voice.

"It's like eleven-thirty," Ruby said.

"Shit! We overslept," Eleanore said, feeling Gina's arm wrap around her waist under the blanket.

"We?" Ruby said, noticing that Eleanore wasn't alone for the first time. "Oh shit. I'm sorry. I interrupted something." Ruby laughed.

"No, it's okay. We just woke up, actually."

"Must have been one helluva night." Ruby winked at her friend.

"It certainly was!" Eleanore said, looking behind her at a bright red Gina. "Gina, this is Ruby, my best friend. Ruby, this is Gina."

"Hi…" Gina said shyly behind her, burying her face in Eleanore's neck.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Gina," Ruby said, offering her hand out for Gina to shake. Gina hesitated, Eleanore holding her hand down to prevent her from moving the blanket and risking exposing Gina's true nature.

"Please excuse the rude behavior. We are not exactly dressed for company," Gina said.

"Say no more," Ruby said, retracting her hand and turning her attention back to Eleanore.

"Elle, Killian has been on the warpath when you didn't show up for work this morning. When he saw your boat still at the dock, he started screaming and ran to the diner, causing a scene. I told him that you got so drunk last night that you were up half the night throwing up and eventually passed out on the bathroom floor. I told him I let you sleep it off upstairs for the day. He wanted to go upstairs looking for you, but Granny put her foot down and wouldn't let him into our apartment."

"Ruby, thank you so much!"

"No thanks needed. I promised you I would always have you back, especially when it comes to seeing your lady," Ruby said, causing Gina's face to turn bright red once again. "But it's probably best if you stay put for the day. If someone sees you walking around town and it gets back to Killian that we both lied, he'll impale us both with that stupid giant fish hook he keeps attacked to his hip like a stupid sword." Ruby chuckled slightly at Killian's childish nature.

"Yeah, you're probably right," Eleanore said, squeezing Gina's hand under the blanket, letting her know that she wouldn't be leaving her alone in her current state.

"I usually am." Ruby laughed. "Listen, you better go home tonight and act hungover. I'll schedule you for a shift tomorrow night so you can give me ALL the details! I'm sure Ana won't mind switching shifts with you, as long as we promise to give her the details as well," Ruby said, winking at Eleanore once again.

"Sounds like a plan. Thanks, Ruby," Eleanore said.

"No thanks needed. I'll see you tomorrow. Enjoy your extra time together." Ruby smiled, standing up and rushing out of the cave and into the bright sun.

"So that's Ruby?" Gina asked as Eleanore rolled over to face her.

"That's Ruby." Eleanore smiled.

"How do you think she found us?" Gina asked.

"I don't know. Maybe I mentioned the cave before." Eleanore shrugged.

"What am I going to do, Eleanore?" Gina asked, her mood shifting very suddenly, worry in her brown eyes.

"We're going to do what Ruby said. We're just going to hunker down together during the day, and then we'll both leave once the sun goes down," Eleanore explained.

"And how do you suggest I get to the water? I can't walk, remember," Gina said, slightly annoyed.

"Yes, of course I remember that, silly," Eleanore said, rubbing her hand over the area where Gina's hip used to be, feeling the soft scales of Gina's tail. "That's why I'm going to carry you to the water before I go home." Eleanore smiled.

"You've thought of everything, haven't you?" Gina said.

"I sure have," Eleanore said, pulling Gina closer and securing the blanket around their bodies. "And this means we get to spend more time together." Eleanore smiled, kissing Gina sweetly.

They spent the remainder of the day curled up together, kissing and holding each other, soaking in as much of the other as they could. They were completely alone except the few minutes that Ruby dropped by again with some food, knowing they were likely starving. They ate quickly and resumed their position in each other's arms, knowing their extra day was quickly coming to an end.

"Are you going to be alright when you go home?" Gina asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. He'll probably scream at me, but I can take it," Eleanore answered, not telling Gina that she was actually a little scared he might do more than just yell.

"He won't hurt you, will he?" Gina asked.

"Nah. He just screams a lot," Eleanore said, but clearly Gina didn't believe her, although she didn't say anything.

"What are we going to do about him though?" Gina asked.

"What do you mean?" Eleanore asked, running her fingers through Gina's hair.

"He's starting to suspect something is going on, isn't he?" Gina asked. Eleanore's brain started racing as she struggled to come up with a lie but eventually decided against it.

"Yeah…I think he is…someone saw us last week…and they told Killian…"

"It's getting too dangerous for us to meet, isn't it?" Gina asked, a deep sadness in her voice.

"Yeah…maybe a little…" Eleanore confessed, her voice matching Gina's.

"Maybe we should…maybe…not see each other for a while…" Gina said, her eyes filling with tears.

"NO! I…no…I don't want to…" Eleanore said, tightening her hold on Gina. "I don't want to not see you anymore, Gina."

"I don't want that either. But I also want you to be safe while you're still living with him," Gina said.

"I'm trying. I'm trying to save as much as I can to get my own place, but Killian makes me pay all the bills in the winter so I can't save much. I just need a little longer," Eleanore said.

"I understand." Gina smiled.

"But you're probably right. We should probably hold off on seeing each other for a while, until things cool off with Killian, or I can get my own place away from him."

"Yeah…"

"It might be a good thing, after last night, I don't know if I can walk straight for a few weeks." Eleanore laughed.

"Did I hurt you? Oh god, I did! You were supposed to tell me if I hurt you," Gina said, sounding upset.

"You didn't hurt me, my love. I'm just sore, that's all. You were amazing last night." Eleanore smiled.

"You were pretty amazing yourself." Gina smirked.

"Last night was the most unbelievably spectacular experience of my entire life, Gina. I have never felt closer to anyone ever before. It felt like you were a part of me. As if we were one person. It was incredible. Could you feel it too? Please say you could feel it too," Eleanore said.

"I could. Not right away, but the more we…the more I could feel you as well. I can still feel you, Eleanore. I can still feel you right here." she said, pressing Eleanore's hand over her heart, tears running down her face. "And I'm going to hold onto this feeling the entire time we are apart."

"Me too…" Eleanore said, wiping away Gina's tears, neglecting her own tears rushing down her face.

Before they knew it, the sun was setting, and it was time for them to begin getting ready to part ways. Eleanore packed everything up while Gina rested against the wall of the cave, making sure everything was tucked away tight since they didn't know when they would see each other again. When the time came, Eleanore scooped Gina into her arms, Gina's arms wrapped tightly around her neck as she walked toward the shoreline. Eleanore carried Gina into the water until the water reached Eleanore's waist. Eleanore gently lowered Gina into the water, allowing her to float upright.

"I miss you already," Eleanore whispered, fresh tears falling down her face.

"I miss you too," Gina said, her tears mixing with Eleanore's as they fell into the water around them. "Please be safe. I couldn't live if something happened to you."

"I will, I promise. You too," Eleanore said, kissing Gina sweetly. "I'll send you a shell when things calm down and we can see each other again."

"Okay…" Gina whispered, holding onto Eleanore for dear life. They stayed where they were for a few more moments, not ready to leave each other just yet, although they both knew their time was up.

"You better go," Gina said, letting go of Eleanore.

"I know…" Eleanore said as more tears dripped into the water. "I'll see you soon…" she whispered, kissing Gina with everything she had. Gina pulled away and immediately dove under the water, disappearing instantly. Eleanore's heart broke when she left so abruptly, but she knew why she did it. Eleanore would never have left that spot if Gina was still around, and Gina knew it. Eleanore stood in the water for another minute before returning to the shore, running back into the cave as soon as she left the water.

She dried off as quickly as she could, getting redressed in record time before making her way back to town. She knew Killian would be on the warpath if she waited any longer. She made her way back home, her skin still tingling from the memory of spending the last twenty-four hours with Gina. She took a quick breath outside the door to prepare herself for what awaits her in the house, steeling herself for Killian's backlash.

She barely dodged the flying beer bottle when she walked into the house.

"What the fuck, Killian!?" she screamed as the bottle shattered against the wall behind her. A moment later, without a single word, Killian was in her face, the back of his hand making contact with her face so hard it made her eyes instantly water.

"Don't you EVER embarrass me like that ever again, do you hear me, SWAN?" Killian yelled, tiny drops of spit landing on Eleanore's face. "Now I'm going to ask you once, JUST ONCE. Where the FUCK were you?"

"I was with Ruby last night and got way too drunk and spent half the night puking. Ruby let me sleep it off on her couch," Eleanore lied, rubbing her face.

"You are a lying piece of shit, and you know it."

"I'm not lying, Killian," she said, trying to push past him, only to have Killian grab her arm tightly.

"Yes, you are. And you better start to understand your place, before I put you in it," Killian said, his eyes on fire with anger. "Now clean this shit up and make me dinner. I'm starving." He grabbed another bottle of beer from the fridge on his way back to the couch, throwing the bottle cap at Eleanore's face as he passed her. "And you can kiss hanging out with that tramp Ruby goodbye. Those days are over."

A/N: I'm not crying...you're crying...