Chapter 13

"Have fun tonight." Ruby winked as she handed Eleanore her bags of food.

"Shut up," Eleanore said, snatching the bags from her friend's hands, blushing a deep red color. "But thank you."

"One of these days, you're going to have to tell me more about this mystery woman. Maybe even bring her around to meet everyone," Ruby said.

"Shhhh!" Eleanore exclaimed, spitting slightly and she panicked, her eyes darting around the nearly empty diner. "Keep your damn voice down."

"Relax, there's no one here who knows Killian. You're safe," Ruby said.

"Whatever. Go back to work. I'll see you later," Eleanore said, turning toward the door.

"Have a good night," Ruby said, winking at Eleanore once more. Eleanore gave her a friendly finger before pushing open the door and leaving the diner. She raced toward the beach, eager to get ready for Gina's arrival.

Everything was set up and ready in record time, which gave her the opportunity to sit and enjoy the sunset, her mind constantly wandering to the woman she was waiting for. Everytime she closed her eyes, she saw the beautiful image of Gina suspended in the water, her dark hair floating above her head, her purple tail and fins swaying slightly, working together perfectly to keep her rooted in the same spot.

She was definitely falling for Gina. Falling hard. And she didn't want it to stop.

She stared out over the water as the sky slowly turned from pink to orange, eventually turning dark as the sun disappeared below the horizon. She scanned the water, looking for Gina, smiling wide when she eventually saw her head break the surface a few yards away from the shore. Gina waved wildly before disappearing under the water, resurfacing again much closer this time, within earshot of Eleanore as she waited on the shore.

"Come in," Gina yelled.

"Okay!" Eleanore yelled back, dropping the towel she was holding for Gina and pulling off her shirt and pants, revealing her bathing suit underneath.

"No, take that off too," Gina said, seeing Eleanore make her way into the water.

"Really?" Eleanore asked, feeling excited. She was never ashamed to admit she loved skinny dipping.

Gina chuckled. "Yes. I am as I am. It's only fair that you are as well."

"You don't have to tell me twice," Eleanore said, shedding the bathing suit, tossing it in the pile of clothes and rushing into the cold ocean water.

The water felt amazing against her skin, which was slightly warmer due to the anticipation of being near Gina again. As soon as she could, she dove under a wave and swam as fast as she could toward Gina, surfacing right in front of her.

"Hey," she said as soon as she was face-to-face with Gina once again.

Gina smiled even wider as soon as Eleanore was near. "Hi! I thought we could try something a little different this time, if that's okay?" Gina said, reaching under the water for Eleanore's hand.

"Of course it is. What do you have in mind?" Eleanore asked.

"First, I have to ask…do you trust me?" Gina asked, squeezing Eleanore's hand slightly.

"Of course I do," Eleanore said, not even thinking about it.

"Good." Gina smiled, lacing their fingers together, clasping them together firmly.

"Squeeze my hand when you need to breathe, okay?"

"Okay…" Eleanore said, a little confused.

"Swim with me," Gina said, her eyes bright with the light of the full moon.

"I would love to," Eleanore said. She took a deep breath before they both disappeared under the water. They paused for a few moments, taking in the sight of each other once more, Eleanore's long braid tapping the top of her head as they stayed suspended under the water.

Gina was the first to move a few moments later, slowly guiding the way deeper under the water, leading Eleanore somewhere specific, it seemed. Eleanore tried to hold on as long as she could, but eventually the need to breathe became too great. She squeezed Gina's hand hard, letting her know she was almost out of air. She began to swim to the surface when Gina tugged her back toward her. Gina gently pushed on Eleanore's stomach, letting her know she wanted Eleanore to exhale the air she was still holding. Eleanore instinctually exhaled, large air bubbles escaped from her nose as she emptied her lungs of whatever air was left. Gina pressed her lips over Eleanore's in a tiny kiss before completely covering Eleanore's lips with her own. Gina gently tugged on Eleanore's chin with her free hand, encouraging her to open her mouth ever so slightly. As soon as Eleanore's lips were open a fraction of an inch, Gina blew a deep breath of air into her mouth, filling Eleanore's lungs completely. Gina kept their lips sealed together, ready to give her more air if she needed, until she received a nod from Eleanore letting her know she was alright. Gina smiled impossibly wide when she released Eleanore's lips, ecstatic that her plan had worked, knowing this would allow them to continue to swim together for much longer, as long as they stopped to refill Eleanore's lungs whenever she needed to breathe.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Gina began to swim again, leading Eleanore by the hand toward their destination. Eleanore was enthralled with the way Gina swam, her tail and fins working together in perfect ease to gracefully propel her through the water. After stopping a few more times to breathe, they finally arrived at their destination, a beautiful underwater reef filled with fish of all different shapes, sizes, and bright vibrant colors.

They were close enough to the surface so that the light from the full moon illuminated the water, making the fish seem to glow around them like underwater fireflies. Eleanore was so in awe of what she was seeing, she almost forgot to breathe, until she felt Gina's lips on her own once again, filling her lungs with air. Gina smiled at Eleanore through the water and encouraged her to hold out her hand. Eleanore copied Gina's motions and held her hand still for a few seconds, allowing two tiny seahorses to swim up to her and snuggle into her cupped hand, their tails wrapped around each other to keep the other from drifting away. Despite being completely submerged under the water, Gina could tell Eleanore had tears in her eyes as they focused on the tiny creatures that were putting all their trust in her.

Fish swarmed around them, their tiny fins ticking Eleanore's arms and legs as she put all her focus on the tiny creatures that may have fallen asleep in her hand. Gina pulled her attention away from the seahorses for a moment to provide more air to Eleanore's struggling lungs, knowing she was too distracted to remember to breathe. A few moments later, the seahorses swam away, but not before swimming toward Eleanore's face, bumping into her cheek a few times, as if to thank her for allowing them to rest for a little while. Eleanore smiled so wide and Gina could tell her eyes were filled with tears once again. Tears of sheer happiness.

Gina gave her a few more minutes and a few more breaths before pulling her attention back to ask another important question.

"Do you trust me?" she asked, mouthing the words under the water. Eleanore nodded quickly. "Breathe naturally the same way you have been," she mouthed once more. Eleanore nodded. Fish continued to swim around them, leaving tiny flutters against their skin as Gina pulled Eleanore toward her, wrapping her lips around Eleanore's once again. They quickly found a rhythm of breathing, Gina exhaling into Eleanore as she inhaled naturally. After a minute of this co-operative breathing, Gina pulled Eleanore's legs around her waist, encouraging the blonde to wrap her arms around her as well. Gina held Eleanore, her tail swaying in the current, working to keep them both from floating to the surface. As if on cue, more fish began to swarm around them as Gina slowly lowered one of her hands toward Eleanore's core, making soft contact with her sensitive clit.

Eleanore tightened her grip on Gina slightly as Gina continued to run slow circles around the sensitive area. A soft moan escaped Eleanore's throat, the vibrations tickling the roof of Gina's mouth. She slowly inserted a single finger into Eleanore, making sure to keep her thumb against her clit to increase Eleanore's pleasure, adding a second finger a few moments later. They moved slowly against the resistance of the water, Gina's thrusts matching the rate of Eleanore's breath, speeding up when she felt Eleanore's heart rate increase with excitement. Eleanore moved her hips against Gina's fingers slightly, deepening every slow and sensual thrust.

Eleanore's body stiffened and she held on to Gina even tighter with all of her limbs as her orgasm washed over her. Her head went fuzzy, not from a lack of oxygen, but from an immense pleasure. She was underwater, the only place she ever felt truly happy, with Gina, the only person who has ever made her feel alive.

This was it, this was the happiest Eleanore had ever been.

It doesn't get better than that moment, right there, wrapped in the arms of the woman she was falling in love with, submerged under the water, surrounded by schools of fish.

This was Eleanore's happy place.

Gina waited patiently for Eleanore's breath to return to normal, keeping their lips connected until she felt Eleanore hold a deep breath. She pulled away just enough to look at Eleanore, the sight of sheer happiness on Eleanore's face brought tears to her eyes as well.

The moon had shifted while they were making love, causing the reef to fall into darkness. Gina pointed up, indicating they should probably begin to return to the surface, receiving a nod from Eleanore in agreement. They slowly began to swim to the surface, only making it a few feet from the hidden reef before Eleanore began to fall behind. It was clear that she was exhausted and unable to keep up. When they stopped for Eleanore to breathe, Gina took the opportunity to wrap one arm around Eleanore's waist, wrapping Eleanore's arm around her neck. "I got you," she mouthed through the water, causing Eleanore to nod. Gina swam them both up to the surface slowly, checking to make sure Eleanore was alright the entire time.

As soon as they broke the surface of the water, Eleanore took a deep breath before wrapping her arms around Gina once again.

"Gina…" she breathed, her mind still fuzzy from their underwater adventure.

"Are you okay?" Gina asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"I'm amazing." Eleanore said, her smile so wide it reached both ears. "You're amazing, Gina." Gina blushed slightly, wrapping her arms around Eleanore once more.

"That was, hands down, the most INCREDIBLE experience of my life!" Eleanore pulled Gina in for a deep kiss. "What was that place?" she asked after breaking from their kiss to gasp for breath once more.

"I discovered that little reef a few years ago. I go there sometimes to think. There's something about the fish that live there that I find so comforting."

"So that's like…your special place?" Eleanore asked.

"I suppose so, yes."

"And you shared it with me?" Eleanore asked, surprised.

"Of course. There's only one other person on this planet I would want to share my special place with."

"Me?" Eleanore asked, shock and surprise still evident on her face.

"Yes you, silly." Gina chuckled as Eleanore held back tears. "Those little seahorses that live there, I named them Jack and Sally. I have no idea if they are even the same seahorses but they seem to remember me every time I go there. They are total snuggle bugs." Gina laughed.

"They certainly are." Eleanore smiled, remembering the feeling of the tiny fish snuggled in her hand.

"Let's get you back to dry land," Gina said, sensing Eleanore was still recovering from her underwater orgasm. Eleanore nodded, and they began swimming toward the shore, Gina keeping a strong hold on Eleanore's hand so she didn't float away. Once the water was shallow enough for them to stand, Gina let go of Eleanore, allowing her to stand and walk on her own. Eleanore took a few steps forward before realizing that Gina was still standing in the same spot.

"You okay?" Eleanore asked, looking back at the still woman in the water.

"Yup. Just need a minute." Gina smiled. The smile on Gina's face told Eleanore everything she needed to know. Gina needed a minute for her tail to transform into legs. A few moments later, she took a step forward, losing her balance slightly.

"First time with the new legs?" Eleanore laughed, taking a step toward Gina, reaching out to her hand to help steady her.

"Very funny. It's just been a while since I've used them." Gina laughed, taking Eleanore's hand.

They walked together back to the shore, stopping to grab Eleanore's discarded clothes and towel, taking turns drying themselves off before returning to their cave. The fire had gone out due to lack of attention, the embers twinkling in a small pile. Eleanore threw fresh wood onto the hot embers and gently fanned them, encouraging the wood to catch. A moment later, the fire flared back to life, causing the cave to grow warmer by the minute.

"You saved it." Gina laughed, the blanket already wrapped around her damp body.

"I must be magical." Eleanore laughed, joining Gina on the floor.

"Well, you do have magic fingers, that's for sure," Gina said, winking at the blonde sitting next to her.

"Oh I do, do I?" Eleanore chuckled, pulling Gina in for a passionate kiss. A few moments later, Gina was laying on her back with Eleanore on top of her, one arm wrapped around under Gina's back, her other hand already making it's way down her body toward her sex. She slowly swiped her finger between Gina's folds, shocked when she found her already soaking wet.

"Gina, you're so wet already," Eleanore said, pulling her lips away from Gina's.

"You excite me, Eleanore," Gina said softly.

"Clearly." Eleanore laughed, slowly slipping a single finger inside Gina's wet core. Gina took a deep breath as Eleanore explored her, always searching for that sweet spot buried deep inside. Her thumb found Gina's clit as a second finger found its way inside, her three fingers working in tandem to increase Gina's pleasure.

She moved slowly at first, matching Gina's breath as she had done for her while they were in the water. Gina moaned with each thrust, her hips moving with the same rhythm, grinding her clit into Eleanore's thumb with each movement. Gina held onto Eleanore for dear life, as if terrified she would disappear if she let go. As Gina's breathing became faster and faster, so did Eleanore's thrusting, until Gina was so close she could feel her orgasm approaching.

"Em…Eleanore…you can…my essence…if…if you want…" Gina said, easing up on her grip on Eleanore.

"No…" Eleanore slowed down her thrusts for a moment. "I mean, yes. I want to, I really really want to. But I want to hold you more," Eleanore said, increasing her hold on Gina.

"Really?" Gina asked.

"Your pleasure is more important to me than my own." Eleanore smiled, kissing Gina softly before she could question her again. She slowly sped up her thrusting again, bringing Gina even closer to the edge.

"Let go, Gina. It's okay, you can let go," Eleanore whispered, sensing Gina's hesitation. Without another word, Gina screamed Eleanore's name as her orgasm washed over her like a tidal wave. Eleanore could feel Gina's essence stick to her wrist again, causing the skin to tingle with warmth.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make that as special for you as you made it for me," Eleanore said, once Gina's eyes opened again.

"What are you talking about?" Gina asked, her brain still fuzzy from her intense orgasm.

"You made it so special for me when we were in the water. You were literally my lifeline while your fingers were inside me. I wish I could have made it just as special for you," Eleanore explained, a slight sadness in her voice.

"Are you kidding me?" Gina asked, reaching a shaky hand to gently caress Eleanore's face. "Every moment I spend with you is special. And not just when we make love. Every single moment I spend with you is special."

"Well, aren't you the romantic one." Eleanore chuckled, leaning down to kiss Gina once more.

"I only speak the truth," Gina whispered before sharing another kiss. They spent the rest of the night making love, until they passed out from exhaustion, tangled up in each other's limbs, the blanket twisted around their naked bodies.

Gina shook Eleanore slightly a few hours later as the world outside grew lighter by the minute.

"No…" Eleanore whispered, knowing exactly why Gina was shaking her.

"I'm sorry…" Gina said.

"I don't want you to leave," Eleanore said sadly, her eyes opening slowly.

"I don't want to leave either. But I don't have a choice."

"I know…" Eleanore said sadly, sitting up. They climbed to their feet together, nearly kicking the forgotten about takeout from the night before.

"We forgot to eat dinner last night." Gina laughed as they made their way toward the water, both wrapped in their usual blanket.

"We were a little too preoccupied with other activities." Eleanore laughed.

"Happily preoccupied," Gina said, kissing Eleanore softly as their feet met the water.

Eleanore tossed their blanket onto the sand and followed Gina into the cold water, walking together until the water was up to their waists. Eleanore watched once more as Gina's legs slowly turned back into her beautiful purple tail, the morning sun glistening off her scales. They swam out a few more feet until the water was deep enough that Eleanore could still stand while she could float upright.

"You're so beautiful, Gina," Eleanore whispered, reaching out to hold Gina for a little longer, not ready to let her go just yet.

"Ni mel tye," Gina whispered, cupping Eleanore's face.

"Will you please tell me what that means?" Eleanore asked.

"Not yet. I'll tell you when you're ready, I promise," Gina said, cupping Eleanore's face gently. "I better get going…" she added, tears welling in her eyes.

"I know…" Eleanore said, her voice cracking with emotion.

"I'll see you next month," Gina said, a tear falling from her eye.

"Wild horses couldn't stop me," Eleanore said, wiping the tear from Gina's face. They kissed one last time before Gina pulled away and dove under the water, swimming away from Eleanore.

She surfaced once more, turning around to look at Eleanore, still standing in the same spot. She blew Eleanore a kiss, watching as Eleanore returned the gesture before disappearing under the water for the last time. Eleanore stood there for a few more minutes, making sure Gina was really gone before she slowly made her way out of the water. She raced back to the privacy of the cave and cleaned everything up, taking a few minutes to eat the forgotten grilled cheese sandwiches they didn't eat the night before, her stomach growling with hunger.

Once she was dried off and dressed and everything was put away, she left the cave. She walked slowly to the street and directly to the docks, where she started her day back out on the water. As soon as she was settled in a good spot out in the open water, she laid on the deck of her boat, staring at the blue sky as her boat swayed, her mind replaying every moment of last night, including swimming for hours with her beautiful Nenriel.

"Miss Swan, it's so good to see you again. Please come in," Doctor Hopper said, opening his office door wider for Eleanore to enter.

"Thanks, Doc," Eleanore said, walking into his small office, taking her usual seat on the couch.

"I really am happy to see you again, Miss Swan. It's been quite a while. You've canceled a few appointments, I was starting to get worried," Doctor Hopper said, settling into his chair across from Eleanore.

"I know, I'm sorry. I've been working a lot these days," Eleanore explained.

"Yes, of course. You're still working at the diner as well as at the docks as a fisherman…or fisherperson, I suppose."

Eleanore laughed. "I think the correct term is just 'fisher'. I don't care either way though."

"Well then, fisher it is." Doctor Hopper chuckled. "How have you been doing since the last time we spoke?" Doctor Hopper asked.

"I'm doing well." Eleanore smiled, pausing for a moment. "That's a lie. I'm doing excellent actually," she corrected herself.

"That's fantastic. Want to talk about what's going on that's so good? We don't always have to talk about the sad things," Doctor Hopper said.

"Sure. Not a whole lot really. It's just…that…wait! You can't tell anyone what I say here, right? Like you can't tell anyone, not even Killian, what I say here right?" Eleanore asked, her mood changing suddenly.

"No, of course not. Well, not entirely. I am required to report anything that you say if you tell me you are planning on harming yourself or someone else. Other than that, I am not permitted to disclose any information to anyone else, unless ordered by a court of law. And even then, I am only required to disclose information that pertains to the case as I see fit," Doctor Hopper explained. "This is a safe place, and what you say is always kept confidential."

"Great. So I can tell you that I've met someone and you can't tell Killian I just said that," Eleanore said, smirking.

"That's great, Eleanore. Please, tell me about him." Doctor Hopper smiled.

"Well, to begin, HER name is Gina." Eleanore smiled.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have assumed her gender."

"It's all good, Doc."

"Tell me about Gina."

"She's amazing, Doc. She is beautiful and mysterious. And so kind and loving. She makes my body tingle whenever she's around. And the sex. WOAH! The sex is AMAZING!" Eleanore said, causing Doctor Hopper's face to blush slightly.

"She sounds like an amazing woman," Doctor Hopper said.

"She really is. I feel things for her that I've never felt with anyone else. Even just thinking about her makes me feel giddy. But it also brings up a question…about my past and who I used to be," Eleanore said, her mood changing drastically.

"What's that?" Doctor Hopper asked, his brow furrowing with concern.

"I…I think that maybe…maybe I'm gay," Eleanore said.

"What makes you think that?" Doctor Hopper asked.

"Well, I'm attracted to Gina. To every part of Gina. All her lady parts. And I'm not attracted to Killian. Not even in the slightest. I'm not attracted to any of the other men at the docks either. In fact, I don't think I've ever been attracted to any man I've ever met. But I'm wildly, extraordinarily, astonishingly attracted to Gina."

"And would being gay be a bad thing for you?" Doctor Hopper asked.

"No, not at all. I'm totally fine with that. It just that…if I am gay…then how was I in a relationship with Killian before all this happened?" Eleanore asked.

"I'm not sure I understand," Doctor Hopper said.

"Killian said we were in a relationship when the trauma happened. That's how he knew who I was and knew that I had disappeared a few days before he found me. But, if I'm actually gay, why was I in a relationship with Killian? Why was I in a relationship with a man at all if I'm gay?" Eleanore asked.

"That is a very good question. Have you spoken with Mr. Jones about this?"

"Oh god, no! I've asked him about our relationship before the incident, and he's told me vague things but nothing much. I think sometimes that maybe he's covering for something, like he's hiding things from me. But I can never figure out why he would be keeping something from me, especially if it has to do with why I can't remember who I am."

"That's a good point," Doctor Hopper said.

"Maybe I didn't know I was gay before? Does that sound possible? Like I didn't know until I met Gina?" Eleanore asked, although in her heart she knew that didn't feel right.

"That is a definite possibility. For some people, they do not realize their sexuality until later in life. Perhaps you are one of those people as well."

"Yeah…maybe…" Eleanore said. Something told her that Doctor Hopper was wrong. That she always knew she was gay. Something didn't feel quite right with Killian, and it had nothing to do with Gina.

She spent the rest of her session with Doctor Hopper working on more memory retrieval techniques, which never worked. She left his office with more questions than answers.