A Wish on a Full Moon

I do not own H2O: Just Add Water or any of the characters.

Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long for this episode to be posted. A lot has been going in life that has been taking up a lot of time. Also, the past few weeks I've been focusing on another series that I'm so close to being done with. I have been working on it for almost a year now, along with this, and I'm glad to say that I'm one chapter away from being done with the outline! (At least 80 chapters...) Once that gets done it won't be too long before it gets posted, which I'm so excited for.

Hope you all enjoy the story and once again, thank you so much for reading, following, and etc. We're almost to 100 followers! Let's go! :D

Chapter 48: Hook, Line and Sinker (part 2)

[Rikki's phone rings in her purse, which was lying on the table inside the penthouse. Zane tries his best to get the door open, but it was still locked shut.]

Zane: hits the door in frustration. "Great, this is just perfect."

"Remember when Lewis said that mermaids can bring bad omens? This is one of those moments," Rikki sighed. "It wasn't that bad from what I remember," Zane mumbled to himself with a smile.

"That explains why you didn't pick up," Cleo thought. "Either way, I wasn't going to get involved in your fishy schemes," Rikki chuckled. "No, but Emma still wanted me to tell you anyway."

Rikki: "You're the one who asked me up here."

"I wasn't blaming it on you," Zane mentioned. "No, but it sure sounded like it," Rikki countered. That was just my fear talking. Oh great, are they going to learn of that, too? Zane internally groaned.

Zane: sighs and turns back to her. "Look, we're stuck. Ok? Maybe we can pretend not to hate each other, for just a few minutes." Zane walks away from the door.

"You two never once acted like you hated each other the whole time until that moment," Annette pointed out. "Must've been either because there was no one else we knew around or he was really bored out of his mind," Rikki smirked. "Why not both?" Zane let out a laugh.

Rikki: crosses her arms and turns away. "Fine. I never should have come to this stupid seminar."

Zane: "Me either."

"Wasn't my decision," Zane huffed. "Well next time it is," Harrison told him.

Rikki: "Whole thing's just a scam."

"Pretty much all seminars are. It's just one big charity fund for the companies," Neil shook his head. He's been to a few before, he knows how they work.

"If you knew it was a scam then why'd you still go?" Emma asked. "I'd thought I might pick up a few things from it. The only thing I learned is that it was a waste of time and how not to scam people out of their money," Rikki said, shooting a look at Harrison.

Zane: "Gee, whatever gave you that impression?"

Rikki: "It's just a way to scam mom and dad investors out of their hard-earned money." Glances at him. "Your dad and all his fakers. They're all just crooks."

Zane: "I'm not arguing, ok?" Walks back to the door to try and budge it open again.

Harrison looked down. Not because of the angry looks that were being sent his way by some of the people. He knew he already had a bad rep so far as a father and as a businessman. But because even his own son could see his flaws when he couldn't see it himself. It showed how bad the cracks were at the time. He knew they were at a better place now, but he still had a lot of making up to do. For everyone.

[Lewis was enjoying a nice cool smoothie with his feet kick-backed against the table when the other competitors came back from the docks and surrounded his table in the Juicenet. Clearly ticked off, but for a reason unknown to his oblivious mind. Don stood with the group along with Nate, the rest of them glaring at the boy.]

Lewis: sets his drink down and smiles up at them, clueless to their anger. "Hey guys, what's up? You uh, looking for some more fishing tips?"

"Yes, because they definitely seem in the mood for your humor," Kim said sarcastically. "I think he was being serious Kim. He was just giddy in excitement," Cleo pouted, feeling guilty for giving him that false excitement.

"What's up is their blood pressure by the looks of it," Bella winced, noticing the angry looks on the fishermen's faces. "They look mad," Elliot said a bit worriedly. "Gee, what gave it away? The death stares?" Lewis asked in a deadpan tone.

Don: arms crossed. "Lewis, there's been an official protest. Tuna is a deep-water fish. You can't catch them here."

"I'm just surprised it took them that long to figure it out," Max said. "Oh, they knew it right away, but unfortunately due to the rule book, we couldn't rule it out as cheating unless we did our research first on the caught fish," Don informed. "That tournament is starting to sound worse and worse," Ash shook his head. "Yeah, glad I decided not to go now," Rikki grinned. "That's because you were stuck with me," Zane chuckled.

Lewis: nods his head while eating a chip. "I know. But I did, with my new lure." He picks his curly lure off the table and holds it up to them.

Don: gets frustrated. "That's nothing but a spring."

"I'm glad someone else seen it my way," Cleo muttered. "I know my lures like the back of my hand. And that is not a lure," Don pointed to the screen where the 'lure' was showing. "It'd be impossible to catch a fish with that imposter of a hook. Well nearly impossible if you count that fish bait."

Lewis: "A very effective spring."

"In your dreams," Rikki scoffed.

Don: "Lewis, people are saying you cheated."

"Which you did," Don shrugged. "But I didn't know I did," Lewis exclaimed. "Technically he didn't, Cleo did," Will mentioned. "Don't help," Cleo shook her head at him.

Lewis: raises his eyebrows and shoots out of his chair looking at all of them. "What?! No no, I was standing on the pier, the whole time you guys were." Emma and Cleo walk into the café but step to the side as soon as they hear the commotion.

Nate: "Oh, right. So, someone just swam up and put it on the end of that stupid lure." Points at the suspected object as the other fishermen begin to laugh.

"You might've been up there the whole time, but someone else wasn't," Kim said, turning towards her sister. "Again, not helping," Cleo said through gritted teeth. "It doesn't matter, we know who the culprit is, we know what happened, and we know who won. It's in the past, what's done is done, let's move on," Rikki said, rolling her eyes.

"I'm still keeping my trophy," Lewis shrugged.

"He described it so well, I'm surprised he didn't see you do it," Emma laughed. "The perks of being able to swim quickly yet sneakily," Cleo grinned.

"Cheaters never win," Denman sighed. "Maybe not all the time. But on some occasions, they do," Lewis beamed. He did feel bad for cheating, did he mean to do it? No. Was it his fault? No. But in the end, it did get righted, and everyone got them a big fish, it became fair game somewhat. Cleo made up for it big time.

[Lewis rubs his head in annoyance, trying to figure out how to fix this misunderstanding. He turns around as he notices his friends in the corner as the idea hits him. Now he knows that Nate's little taunt was the truth. He cheated without even realizing it. Emma pulls Cleo out of there as Cleo gives him a guilty look on the way out.]

Lewis: "Oh no." Turns back around to the other fishermen with a concerned look.

"Busted," Will hissed. "Even though Nate is an idiot, he was unknowingly right all along," Zane said. "Yeah, and don't ever mention that little detail to him either. Don't need to stroke his ego more than needed," Lewis scrunched his face up. "Don't plan on it," Zane scoffed. He could do to be taken down a peg or two, Charlotte thought, still a little peeved about him tripping Lewis.

"Why were you guys there?" Lewis asked curiously. "Emma was trying to convince me to tell you, but then she got nervous about all the fishermen. We didn't know they were going to be there," Cleo admitted. "I knew they were going to accuse him of cheating, and it would've made Cleo look bad. Plus, Rikki's not the only one who's nervous around fishhooks," Emma responded.

Don: "I'm sorry, Lewis. But you leave me with no choice. You're out of the competition." Nate laughs.

"Couldn't he have been kicked out in the first place just for knowing you?" Sam asked. "No. Only if there was any relation to me. If it was for knowing me, then none of the fishermen could compete if that were the case," Don chuckled.

"If that's the case then Nate should be out for interfering with other competitors," Charlotte scowled. "If I could go back in time, I would now that we've seen it. Sadly, though we never saw him," Don replied.

"I hope you took your lure off the market after that," Will grimaced. "Didn't exactly have a choice."

Lewis: clearly shocked by the news. "What?! No, no, no, Mr. Sertori." The other fishermen begin to leave, accepting the decision of Lewis's punishment. Don goes to follow them but then turns back to Lewis once more.

Don: "I don't think you should come around to the house anymore."

"What?! What for?" Cleo said, completely shocked. "What does him not coming to the house have anything to do with fishing?" Bev asked in confusion. "This better not be another one of those overprotective dad rules," Kim groaned. "I, uh, didn't think Cleo should hang around someone who didn't play by the rulebook. I just didn't want her to get involved with the wrong crowds," Don admitted a bit shamefully.

"Really, dad?" Cleo sighed in annoyance. "I know who to hang out with and who not to. And we've been friends since we were kids! You know he's not like that." "And I thought my daughter was a normal girl, but things change," Don countered.

Lewis: "Mr. Sertori, what has that got to do with fishing?"

Don: "I don't want my daughter hanging around with a cheat." Lewis's frown furrows even more as Don walks away, heading back to the pier.

"Even though it was your daughter who cheated instead?" Neil laughed. "Again, how was I supposed to know?" Don said, holding his head in his hands.

"Even if he did cheat, which he didn't, it was just that one time. That shouldn't reflect on all the other good things he's ever done. Come on, dad, out of the whole time you've known him, has he ever actually done anything wrong?" Cleo questioned him with a raised eyebrow. "Well, nothing illegal I suppose," Don sighed as he reluctantly answered. "But I'm still counting that full moon incident as one!" "That's fair, I guess," Lewis sighed with a smile, hiding a blush so Don won't attempt to murder him … again.

"You let her hang around Rikki," Kim pointed out. "Hey! I'm not that bad," Rikki shouted. "Rikki don't even get us started," Emma laughed.

"I'm sorry, Lewis. Had I known the truth or would've been thinking clearly, I never would've said it," Don said.

[Rikki laughs as she and Zane make paper airplanes out of his father's notes and throw them over the side of the building, watching them as they go down.]

Rikki: turns to him, smirking. "Your dad's not going to like this."

"You're right, I didn't," Harrison chuckled with the others before letting it fall upon seeing Rikki's look. "I know. I was there." Though if he was completely honest, he wasn't too worried about that comment as he focused on his son being so close to the edge. He knew of his son's fear, and it amazed him that for that moment, he was able to forget about it. And then the moment changed too soon as he noticed his onscreen son's smile drop as if he suddenly remembered.

"Okay, I know you guys would've eventually gotten bored but is there another reason you decided to litter the ground with paper airplanes?" Emma asked, a little annoyed that they were making a mess. "To get someone's attention. The only person who knew we were up there, was Dr. Bennett, and we weren't going to be getting help anytime soon," Rikki shrugged, though hid a grin as she knew those airplanes were messing with Emma's cleaning obsessive mind.

Terry chuckled to himself. There's no need to say it, Rikki. You would've enjoyed seeing Harrison's day get ruined from this.

[Zane watched the paper planes go down before backing away. He quickly turned away from the balcony edge and loosened his tie with shaky, shallow breaths. Rikki turns upon noticing the sudden change.]

Rikki: "What's wrong?"

Zane: "Nothing."

The group fell silent as they noticed Zane's sudden change of demeanor, some sending him concerned looks his way.

"Are you okay, Zane?" Cleo asked, surprising a few of the others. Even herself. But she knew those signs: shaking hands, shallow breaths, the anxious looks; was he afraid of something? Sometimes it happened to her, occasionally, when she's close to the water in public that she can't avoid. And before she turned into a mermaid too, her reactions to fear of water were similar. But he doesn't have to be afraid of the water. She knows he's not afraid of the water, he's in it all the time. What else could it be?

"It's uh, nothing, Cleo. Not something to worry about anymore at least," Zane said, casting his eyes down with a slightly embarrassed look. Great, it has to show this part too?

Rikki: "You're not going to turn into a vampire or something, are you?"

"Really, Rikki? Now isn't the time for jokes," Terry sighed, shaking his head. "Hmm, slightly joking, slightly serious at the same time," Rikki said, shaking her hand. "I mean, come on, if mermaids exist then it wouldn't surprise me that a vampire shows up all of a sudden." "And yet you wouldn't believe that Mrs. Chatham could be a witch?" Lewis raised an eyebrow.

"That's rich coming from you," Zane laughed.

Zane: finally faces her, still breathing shallow. "I never should've listened to you. What did you have to come out here for?"

"No need to lash out at her. She didn't force you to walk out there. You went by your own choice. And you invited her up there," Neil said. "That's just my nerves talking," Zane sighed before quickly apologizing to Rikki.

Rikki: "What?" She watches him pace back and forth, his breathing getting quicker and quicker by the moment. She looks out and suddenly realizes the possibility of what it could be. "Are you scared of heights or something?" Begins walking closer to him. "It's ok. Everyone's scared of something."

Zane sighed as his little fear is finally revealed, he kept his gaze downcast though as he felt the pitying looks that some of the people were sending him. Though the downcast look soon turned into a glare towards Lewis upon hearing his laughter. "You. The big bad of the school, afraid of heights?" Lewis continued his laughter until thankfully yet surprisingly Cleo whacked him aside of the head, shaking her head with a glare for him to knock it off. 'Thank you,' Zane mouthed to her.

Charlotte sent Lewis a disappointed look and sighed. There's nothing wrong with having a fear, no matter how ridiculous one could be. She should know as she thought of her many encounters with those 'friendly' dolphins.

Now I know why I've never seen him around the ride parts of the marine park, Cleo thought.

"Sorry, Zane, but if my secrets are going to get blown then so is yours," Rikki teased, hoping it would cheer him up some. Luckily, it did as he began to laugh lightly, putting a smile on both of their faces.

Zane: turns to her. "Yeah? And what are you scared of?"

Harrison sighed. Well, at least he's not denying it.

"What are you scared of?" Elliot asked, having never seen her afraid of anything before. "That's for me to know and for you to hopefully not to find out," Rikki mentioned, sneaking a glance over Denman's way. That day. That day was what scared her; as if all her nightmares had suddenly came true. The only thing she was glad for is that it'll never happen again. She hoped.

Another thing she's afraid of is if anyone found out about her home life. Aside from being a mermaid, no one knows how much she and her father struggle. She didn't want others to know how vulnerable she is.

Rikki: hesitates. "Hmm. Here." She grabs his arm and tries to gently pull him over to the edge.

Zane: pulls back. "No."

Rikki: continues pulling back. "Trust me."

"Good luck with that, I've tried for years," Harrison chuckled.

"Trusting someone pulling me over to a cliffside is the last thing I would do," Zane informed. Yet you did anyway, Rikki smirked proudly.

Zane: "No, I – I can't."

Rikki: "Trust me. Trust me." Slowly but surely, she was able to lure him closer to the edge as he grapples onto the railing, keeping his eyes focused on Rikki and away from the view as his breathing began to get heavier.

Harrison gawked at the sight before him. His son was actually facing his fears. She did it. Rikki did it. She got him to go to the edge. He's not looking down but it's a start!

Emma couldn't help but smile at her friend, the fact that she put aside her negative feelings towards him just to help him out was a sign of her maturing into a better person.

Rikki: "Pretend I'm a painting or something you admire."

Zane: frowns in confusion. "A painting?"

"Why a painting?" Annette asked. "I didn't know what rich people liked," Rikki shrugged. "I'm a teenager, not an art enthusiast," Zane chuckled. "What's wrong with art?" Charlotte questioned, narrowing her eyes.

Rikki: rolls her eyes. "Or a speed boat or some stupid car, something that makes you happy."

"That's more like it. That's more of Zane's style," Harrison laughed, but couldn't help but be proud of his son for doing it. And for Rikki for making this happen. He'll have to remind himself to thank her later.

[It took a bit but eventually, with lots of staring, a smile slowly spread on Zane's face as his breathing began to go back to normal. Rikki smiled widely, believing that her little method finally worked.]

Rikki: "Feeling better?"

Zane: nods, smiling widely. "Yeah, thanks."

Terry couldn't help but be happy for Rikki, seeing her make progress to become friends with him, instead of antagonizing each other. He didn't like the way that Zane bullied others, but seeing Rikki interact with him, he could tell that he has changed some. Like somehow, the whole tough side act was just that. An act, to keep up the appearance. And in a way, Rikki's walls she built up for years were slowly coming down. It's something he hasn't seen in a long time since her mother left.

Rikki: looks down at her watch. "Right. Well, where's your dad? The seminar finished, like half an hour ago." Zane shrugs then walks back over to the door. Rikki turns back to the railing but sneaks a glance at Zane over her shoulder.

"The seminar might have been over, but there was still lots of questions I had to answer. And then there was the manner of looking for Zane and wondering where my notes were and why the hotel staff was handing them to me folded up, saying they were scattered all over the garden. Though I should've gone up there first before anything else," Harrison sighed, once again ignoring the shameful looks being sent his way.

[Lewis holds his once brilliant lure up, giving it a painful look, before setting it back down once he notices a certain brunette that had just entered the café. She sluggishly made her way over to his table and sat down next to him, sending him an apologetic look.]

Cleo: "Lewis, I'm sorry. I was only trying to help. Maybe I shouldn't have chosen such a big fish."

"Oof, bad choice of words," Ash winced.

"It sounded more like you didn't believe in his abilities instead of trying to help his chances of winning," Will said. "Because I was," Cleo grimaced. Lewis gave her a look. "Oh, come on! I knew the lure wouldn't work, I done told you plenty of times!"

"You helped him alright, helped right into last place," Kim chimed in. "You kidding? It wasn't even last place. I got kicked out, disqualified from the tournament. I wasn't even in it at all," Lewis scoffed.

Lewis: finally looks up, raising his eyebrows at her. "No, why stop there? Why not hook me up with a giant squid? I would've rather lost, than be a cheat."

"Maybe next time don't choose a deep-water fish. You said you knew the lure wouldn't work yet you still chose a fish that's impossible to get from the pier?" Denman suggested. "That's logical thinking coming from a fisherman's daughter," Rikki joked. "I was thinking about my friend in that moment, Rikki. Just not about the consequences," Cleo mumbled the last part.

"That's the honorable way. No fishermen want to be looked down on as a cheat," Max mentioned. "No one wants to be looked down at all," Emma added. "You look down at me all the time," Elliot frowned. "That's because you're a kid, squirt," Emma joked, messing up his hair.

Cleo: "You're not the cheat. I am."

"But he couldn't exactly tell everyone that a mermaid hooked a fish onto his lure. And even if you weren't a mermaid, who was going to believe that a girl afraid of water was the one who cheated," Emma told her. "I guess you're right," Cleo pouted.

Lewis: "Cleo, what bugs me the most is that you – you never thought my lure could work." He holds the lure up to her and she flinches slightly at the truth behind it and looks down. "You didn't believe in me."

Cleo: looks back up at him as Lewis puts the lure back down, looking sadly at it. "There must be something we can do."

"Isn't cheating once already enough damage?" Ash asked. "But I couldn't just stand by and do nothing," Cleo exclaimed. "Yeah, you proved that to us the first time," Rikki told her.

Lewis: "There isn't. I'm banned. That's it." Cleo goes quiet before glancing at him with a small smile, another idea forming in her head. She jumps up from her chair and runs out the curtained door.

"Didn't Don say to stay away from Cleo?" Bev asked curiously. "Technically he said to not come around his house anymore. I don't recall the Juicenet being his house," Lewis grinned. "No one likes a smart aleck, Lewis," Don narrowed his eyes. "Apparently no one likes a cheat either," Rikki mumbled.

[Cleo finds Emma taking a walk on the beach. The brunette tags along, hoping to convince her friend to join her on her second chance quest.]

Cleo: "Please, Emma, you have to come with me. I can't do this without you. And I really need your help."

"What exactly was your plan this time?" Sam asked. "Oh, let me take a guess at it," Don chimed in, leaning forward in his seat. "She decided to go back to the deep and gather more tuna to take to the docks. And she would've needed Emma's help to keep them all together. To make it seem like it was a mere chance of the tuna coming to the docks for once instead of it looking like Lewis had cheated." "Got it in one," Cleo grinned, a slight blush to her cheeks. "You really went all out to make Lewis happy," Bev chuckled as Cleo blushed some more. "Yeah, she really did," Lewis whispered to himself.

Emma: "I think you've done enough already. And besides, it's a ridiculous idea."

"Guess you got tired of helping with her problems, huh," Kim laughed. "Mermaid business can be messy. Plus, I didn't want to get caught up in that stuff either," Emma shrugged.

Cleo: "It will work. I know there's no reason that you should help me. Actually, there is one, Lewis." They stop in their trek and make eye contact. Finally, Emma sighs and gives in.

Emma: "Alright. Come on." Emma runs off into the waves, and Cleo soon follows.

"Wow, you gave in pretty quick," Ash humored. "I knew she wouldn't stop until she got her way," Emma sighed.

"I'm surprised you decided to go along with it, Emma," Neil said. "Well, that is our Emma. She's always willing to help someone out, especially if it'll help out one of her friends," Lisa smiled proudly.

[Rikki and Zane lean back against the railing as they sit on the balcony floor, smiling and laughing as they reminisce about who the worst parent is.]

Rikki: "My dad is the worst."

Terry's smile drops into a deep, saddened frown as he looks over at his daughter heartbroken, along with everyone else. "Okay, before you all start yelling at me about how that's a horrible thing to say about my dad, I promise you that it's not how it sounds," Rikki told everyone, looking especially at her dad with an apologetic look. "How can you say it doesn't sound like that when it's exactly how you said it!" Emma exclaimed, giving her friend an annoyed look.

"We were playing a game," Zane said, coming to her defense. "What kind of game involves calling your dad the worst?" Bella said in concern. If she ever said that about her dad, she would flip. Her dad might be away a lot for work and have to move a lot for his work, but she still loves him and would never call him the worst dad ever. There's a lot worse out there than can be thought.

"It was a game where we talk about our parent's worst 'parenting action.' Basically, whatever they forget or slips their mind, anything like that," Zane admitted, as Harrison looked over at him with a frown. "We didn't have no phones and have been stuck up there for over a couple of hours by that point, we had to come up with something. And we could only play I-Spy for so long," he added as the two began to laugh it out.

"No matter what it sounds like, I love my dad. He's made mistakes but so have I and that's okay. I wouldn't trade my dad for the world, or my tail," Rikki smiled brightly at him, and he returns a small, but loving smile back. She knew that comment had hurt him a little but seeing her smile and say that it did make things better. He was glad to know that his daughter loved him, no matter what happens.

Rikki: "Every year, he forgets my birthday."

Terry sighed. It's not that I forget it, I know when it is. But it also, unfortunately, falls on the same day as your mother's. After all, you two shared a birthday. And every year, when it comes to it, I can't help but think about her, and what could've been. But no more, this year is gonna be different. That's one thing I can make happen for sure.

"No parent is perfect; we all have our problems. My mom used to mix mine up with my sister Thea's every time," Neil mentioned.

Zane: "That's nothing. My dad took me on holiday to the south pacific."

"How is that nothing? So far hers sound far worse," Kim frowned; Don patted her on the shoulder to try and get her to quiet down. "I wasn't finished," Zane chuckled as Harrison sighed and ran his hand through his hair, mumbling about how he apologized a thousand times already.

Rikki: "What's so bad about that?"

Zane: "He left me there." Rikki laughs, astonished by his story. "I was ten. I had to catch a plane back, by myself."

"Maybe you and I should start a club, Harrison," Terry said in a half-hearted joke.

"How many times do I have to apologize for that? It's been six years," Harrison groaned. "And it'll still be useful for six more years," Zane grinned.

"Like I said, not every parent is perfect," Neil chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, dad accidentally forgot me at soccer practice a couple of times before," Elliot shrugged. "… What?" Lisa slowly turned to her husband. "I thought we weren't going to say anything to your mother," Neil sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair. "Oops," he giggled.

Rikki: nods. "Oh, ok, yep. You win."

"Hmm, I still think Rikki's is worse. One time compared to every birthday?" Kim commented.

Zane: shrugs, still smiling. "It's been a mess, ever since my mom left. And I just don't think my old man likes me very much. You know?"

"Of course, I like you, you're my son. You're at least tolerable," Harrison remarked. Yes, it had been a bit, crazy since she's been gone. It helped that he could keep himself distracted with work. Candy might've been good company at first, but she knows nothing about jobs or of the sorts. And he could see Zane in his ex-wife as well which didn't help matters. But that was his son, no matter what he was going to care for him. "You know that sounded so sincere until that last bit," Zane chuckled. She had left right before the trip to the south pacific. So it wasn't much of a surprise that his dad could have forgotten about him. His mind was quite occupied with everything going on.

"Looks like another club that could be made," Terry joked lightly. And once Don gets over the crushing stages of the empty space, maybe he could join too.

Rikki: "Right. So that's why you're such a jerk."

Zane: "Shut up."

"Tough families sometimes call for tough personalities," Lewis thought to himself. Sometimes you have to be strong for others, especially for your siblings or a single parent like Terry. Lewis had to think that it must've been tough for the two of them growing up, especially since she had secretly gone to an investment seminar.

Rikki: laughs before getting serious. "You know you don't have to be like that all the time."

Emma couldn't help but give Rikki a small smile. Even though they've been friends for what felt like forever now since they became mermaids, it still often felt like it was hard to get her to open up. With Zane, she's able to show a whole other side of herself and vice versa. They really were good for each other. Maybe when this is all over, they'll start talking again. A friendship with one another wouldn't hurt. He already knew about the secret, so what's the harm?

Rikki: sighs. "I wasn't there with my dad today. I was by myself." Zane looks at her, slightly confused. "And the restaurant wasn't booked out either. I just didn't have enough money to buy lunch, after I paid for the seminar."

Zane: "You paid for it out of your own money?"

"A mistake I won't be making ever again," Rikki sighed as Terry frowned. She should have come to him about this. They could have figured something out if she wanted to go.

"I still can't believe you paid to go listen to somebody talk," Kim shook her head as Don shushed her. "And it ended up being a waste anyway, I didn't get to listen to all of the presentations since we were trapped up there," Rikki admitted.

Rikki: "Dumb, I know. But not all of us are rich." Zane looked down as Rikki sighed once more. "My parents split up too, always arguing over money. I want to learn more and get some security."

Emma and Cleo frown. This is the first time they've ever heard her talk about her mother. Even though she hadn't said it, she was at least mentioned. And if they had to guess, she either still wasn't in the picture or Rikki didn't want her around since she wasn't thrown into the same theater room. Maybe that was a good thing though. Who knew how Rikki would react if she were to ever see her mother again?

Harrison couldn't help but feel guilty. She came to the seminar hoping to actually learn a thing or two on how to save money and choose to spend it wisely. Instead, all she learned was how it was a waste of time and one big scam. Instead of saving money up, she lost money due to that stupid seminar. And it was all his fault. "Rikki, I know this is bad timing, and due to everything, but I feel like I owe you. If you ever want to learn something about investing, come by my office and I'll help you out," Harrison told her, hoping this could at least make up for it in a way. Rikki was shocked at first but closed her mouth and nodded with a small smile. "Thanks. I'll, uh, I'll think about it." Zane smiled at the interaction, glad that they were starting to get along better.

Zane: grabs her hand as if to reassure her. "Trust me. Money doesn't change anything."

Rikki: smiles at him. "Funny, I always thought you were so lucky."

"Eh, it kind of does in some ways," Lewis chuckled. "You could have all the money in the world, but it'll never make you happier," Mrs. Chatham sighed. "It can definitely change how someone acts," Emma scowled, thinking of her old friend Miriam.

"I wasn't lucky until you showed up. Then I became the luckiest man in the whole Gold Coast," Zane whispered to himself with a smile.

[Thunder erupts from the sky above and Zane looks up at the clouds that were quickly forming.]

Zane: "Looks like it's going to rain." Rikki looks at the railing, where a couple drops of rain had already started dribbling onto. She quickly jumps up from her spot beside Zane and runs over to the door, hiding under the covered doorway. Just as she makes it, the rain begins to pour, and she frowns in worry as the situation she was stuck in began to get worse.

"Huh, so she wasn't kidding about the rain," Emma hummed. "You thought I was lying?" Rikki raised an eyebrow. "Maybe a little. But it's odd that it had only rained in that one spot," Emma admitted. "Eh, let's just call that mermaid luck," Rikki shrugged.

"There's always something trying to expose our secret," Cleo laughed. "Yeah, and this time it actually won," Rikki grinned, gesturing to the whole room.

[Cleo and Emma swim along the reefs, not too far from Mako Island. They look around, seeing all the different schools of fish and sharks and other underwater wildlife. Cleo points to one group, spotting a school of tuna. Emma nods and smiles as they swim over to the school.]

"I just can't stop enjoying that view. The underwater life always amazes me," Will sighed in admiration. Me too, Bella thought with a sweet smile.

"Operation: Make Lewis Happy is a go," Annette joked as Charlotte grinned at the plan going into action.

[Later at the pier, the fishing tournament resumes, this time however they were down a fisherman. As Lewis had been kicked out of the competition. Some of the fishermen were trying out some of Lewis's wacky lures as they were tying it to the line. Another fisherman catches him doing it and begins to mock him.]

Fisherman #2: watches fisherman #1 mess with the lure. "You're actually going to use that lure, sucker."

"Uh, aren't those the guys that wanted him disqualified from the match?" Sam pointed out. "Why, yes. Yes, it is," Don huffed.

"Uh, dad? Is that you asleep in a chair in the background?" Cleo laughed. "It's tough being a judge. Besides, things were slow, it wasn't going to hurt to take a five-minute nap, or so I thought," Don countered.

Fisherman #1: "Don't give me that. I know you've got one too. Huh?"

"Hypocrites," Charlotte scoffed.

"At least they still had faith in my lures," Lewis grinned. "I don't think that's faith, that's more like pure desperation," Rikki said as Lewis's face had fallen. "Like I said, it was slow. No one had caught anything in nearly an hour, people were getting impatient," Don admitted as Kim laughed at Lewis's expression.

"Are all fishermen a bunch of jerks?" Bella scoffed. "No. Most of them are quite nice. But when it comes to competitions, it's like they're on a whole other level," Max chuckled.

Nate: on the other side of the pier, having overheard their conversation. "You're both wasting your time. It won't work." Fisherman #1 tosses his line out, just as Fisherman #2 starts getting a strong bite on his line.

"That's what you think," Cleo grinned. "Technically it didn't work because you cheated again," Emma grinned. "Don't ruin the moment." "I have to agree with Cleo. Let us enjoy the humiliation," Charlotte smirked, excited about how Nate was going to react.

Fisherman #2: fights back on the strong pulls to his rod. "Whoa ho ho! Whoa, whoa, oh ho." The fisherman pulls up a large tuna, laughing in astonishment as he hauls it over the railing. Immediately the fisherman next to him does the same thing, pulling up another tuna nearly the same size. Don jolts up out of his sleep and looks around as the other fishermen look at the giant deep-sea fish that were popping up out of nowhere. More fishermen around them on the pier begin catching some enormous size fish of different varieties. Don looks around in confusion, not hiding the shock etched into his face. All the other fishermen look around in amazement, surprised that the lures actually worked.

"Okay, this is priceless," Charlotte laughed in excitement as the room began to clap, also because she realized they made absolutely sure to avoid Nate's line while all the other fishermen were able to snag a large fish.

"How did you know which one was Nate's line?" Ash asked curiously, gawking at their obviously risky, but very entertaining plan. "It was easy. That boy is so self-centered, he has an 'N' drawn on his lure," Cleo scoffed. "That and he was the only one that wasn't using one of Lewis's lures," Emma shrugged. "That too."

"That was the most, shocking, confusing, and mysterious fishing day I've ever had in my life," Don admitted. "And that beats the shark frenzy from earlier. I thought I was still dreaming."

Don: Nate stands next to him as they look around. "This is not possible."

Fisherman #1: to Nate. "Don't work, huh?"

Nate: to Don, getting anxious. "Is there any more of those lures?" They looked behind them as another fish plopped onto the pier, the red curly lure hanging from its mouth. Don begins to smile ecstatically now that things were beginning to pick up again.

"It's possible when there are mermaids around," Cleo grinned, high-fiving Emma.

"I'm surprised he asked for one of those lures. Normally he would stick to his pride," Lewis said, slightly shocked.

"The wildest fishing day in history, and it turns out to be a fraud," Don laughed.

[Thunder boomed throughout the sky, as it continued to drizzle. Zane runs under the covered doorway with Rikki and starts taking his jacket off.]

Zane: "Do you want this?"

"Aww, what a gentleman," Emma teased, nudging Rikki gently in the side. She and Zane both blush, the former though couldn't help but smile as she was glad to get to see this scene.

"Such a sweetheart," Annette smiled. "That's one of the nicest things you've ever done. And you didn't get asked to," Lewis joked. "I can be nice when I feel like it, Lewis," Zane sighed, still blushing.

Harrison couldn't help but smile. He was being so nice before he ruined the moment.

Rikki: "Thanks. I don't want to get wet." Zane helps her get into the jacket. Rikki puts her arms in and tugs the jacket closer to her.

"As if you had a choice," Lewis scoffed.

"Wait, wasn't Zane in the rain for a few seconds? Wouldn't his jacket be wet?" Bella pointed out. "Yeah, but luckily, it didn't go all the way through, so I was safe from transforming," Rikki informed. "The perks of having a waterproof suit," Zane grinned.

[Rikki turns and smiles at him. Zane brushes Rikki's hair behind her ear as he stares into her eyes. He slowly leans in to kiss her, but before they could, the door beeps and slides open, where Harrison stood, clearly ticked off.]

"Oh, come on!" Kim whined along with several other girls. It was just getting interesting!

"You have the absolute worse timing. They were having a moment!" Charlotte shook her head. "And you ruined it," Bella scoffed. Harrison chuckled. "I prefer not to see that anyway. I like Rikki, but still, he's my son."

Terry raised an eyebrow, both at the boy and at Harrison. "I'm honestly not sure whether you're a hero for stopping that in time or a jerk for ruining my daughter's moment." "Dad!" Rikki blushed even more as Cleo and Emma giggled. "Well, clearly you wanted to," Cleo whispered to Rikki as she shot her a glare.

Harrison: "What's wrong with you Zane? I wait all afternoon for my notes. You don't turn up at the seminar. And the hotel staff hand me these." Holds up a paper airplane then marches back into the hotel room.

"So, you don't worry about them possibly getting sick being stuck out in the rain, but rather worry about a bunch of lousy notes?" Annette scowled. "I uh, had different intentions back then," Harrison sighed, the smile fading.

"I would've been there, and you would've had your notes normally if I didn't get stuck on a balcony," Zane remarked.

"On the bright side you did get your notes," Elliot grinned.

"I'm honestly surprised that the hotel staff got those," Rikki mentioned. "They probably didn't want their pretty garden beds to look messy," Zane rolled his eyes.

Zane: storms in after him with Rikki following. "We were trying to get someone's attention."

Harrison: turns to him. "By ruining my notes."

"They were only folded up. There wasn't any actual damage to them. It should still be readable," Cleo said, not liking this argument.

"This must've been really awkward for you," Lewis mumbled to Rikki. "You have no idea. It was impossible to diffuse," Rikki gestured to the screen.

Rikki: speaks up. "It wasn't like that."

Harrison: finally spares a glance at Rikki. "I wasn't talking to you and don't lie." To Zane. "Honestly, if you have to waste time with a girl, at least pick one with a future, like one of those down at the seminar."

"If you would've paid attention, she was one of those girls down at the seminar," Emma scowled, glaring daggers at the man. She might've not known where Rikki was or didn't like her being with Zane at the time, but she wasn't going to let Harrison talk down to her like that. They were friends, and friends are always there for each other.

Terry frowned, glaring at the man who insulted Rikki. "She has a brighter future than you ever will. Rikki is one of the smartest, and bravest girl you'll ever meet." "Yeah, I know. And I'm sorry, Rikki. If I could take back those words I would. You're a good person. Far better than I am," Harrison sighed, looking guilty. "It's okay. I didn't take it personally, much," Rikki sighed, before turning to her dad and giving him a small smile.

Zane: Harrison turns and tosses the notes onto the table but Zane steps forward, gesturing back to Rikki. "Her name is Rikki. And she was one of the girls at the seminar, only smarter. She didn't fall for it." Rikki steps forward, impressed by Zane for stepping up for her. No one has ever done that for her. "And by the way, I'm not your errand boy. So, stop treating me like one." Harrison stares at Zane, slightly shocked that he would raise his voice at him like that, surprised that he was defending himself for once.

"Way to go, Zane," Will clapped, cheering him on.

Terry couldn't help but grin as he crossed his arms. It was unfortunate that he was related to that man, but anyone who would defend his daughter was okay in his books.

Cleo and Emma looked at each other in shock. Yes, they've seen how Zane had changed while talking with Rikki on the rooftop, yes they know he saved them from Dr. Denman, but to defiantly challenge his father, knowing how stubborn the man was and to leave him speechless, this was a whole other side of Zane they were starting to see and were beginning to understand the act that Rikki had told them about.

Rikki: "I would say it was nice to meet you. But that would be a lie." Rikki walks past them as she rolls her eyes and smiles wickedly. The two Bennett's watch her go in slight surprise.

"Oh, I like that phrase. Can I borrow it?" Kim asked eagerly as the rest of the crowd started laughing at the irony. "Maybe," Rikki smiled smugly.

"I deserved it," Harrison laughed to himself. He wasn't the nicest person back then.

"That's my girl," Terry nodded proudly.

[Rikki took her time as she walked down the hallway of the hotel to the elevators. The smile on her face was still evident as she waited for the elevator. A smile that had no cockiness to it, and no other intentions to it. Just a true, loving, dreamy smile. The elevator dings behind her and the doors slide open. Rikki walks inside and presses the button to go back to the main level. As the doors begin to close, Zane runs up and stops the doors from closing completely, and pushes them back open with his hands. Rikki looks at him with a curious look.]

Zane: "Rikki, wait." He smiles at her then gestures to the jacket that she was still wearing. "You still got my jacket."

"Ugh, that's what you went for? You couldn't just get it back at school instead of getting a girl's hopes up?" Bella complained. It was hard to believe that she was falling for this strange love story, especially since she barely knows them. Well, if it weren't for this viewing, she wouldn't know them at all. But she got particularly interested in this. A mermaid hunter falling in love with a secret mermaid really intrigued her.

[Rikki pauses as if she wasn't expecting that, then sets her purse down and takes the jacket off. She hands the jacket back to him as he starts caressing her face, then places his hand behind her neck and kisses her on the lips. As they part, Rikki bites her lip as she gets back on the elevator, hiding her smile. Zane let her see his smile before walking back to his hotel room. As he left and the doors began to shut, Rikki could be seen letting her smile come out in full bloom.]

"Ooooh," Cleo, Emma and the rest of the girls teased, along with some awes in the crowd, causing Rikki and Zane to blush immensely, the latter smiling. Even though they teased her, Cleo and Emma were glad to see how happy that made Rikki. "You two are never going to let this live down, are you?" Rikki groaned. "Nope!"

"I knew there was another reason to go after her. 'Getting my jacket back,' yeah right," Harrison chuckled but smiled at his son.

Terry, although didn't like the idea of Rikki kissing the Bennett, was happy to see how happy the boy made Rikki. He was good for her, got her out of the shell even her friends couldn't crack. Now, does this extend to them dating? I don't know how I feel about that. No one likes to see their little girl grow up. Though she proved she could handle herself just fine with her powers.

"Don't even think about it, Kim!" Rikki held up a finger as Kim opened her mouth. "You don't even know what I was going to say!" "No, but I knew what you were going to sing!" Rikki countered, having heard enough of the k-i-s-s-i-n-g song. She sighed as she straightened up and looked back at the screen. Man, what is dad going to think? Oh gosh, how is he going to react to us dating? I'd rather find that out than see how Emma and Cleo react to the idea of us again.

[After the fishing tournament had come to an end, Don stood at the table where the fishing trophy lay, as he announced the winner of the fishing competition. Cleo, Lewis, and Emma stood to the side along with a few other fishermen, as they all waited anxiously for the news.]

Don: "I have two announcements to make." Gestures to Lewis. "Lewis has been officially reinstated in the competition, and is the outright winner of the heaviest catch, beating his nearest rival by exactly five grams."

"You can do that?" Ash asked. "I'm the judge, I could do almost anything as long as everyone follows the rules," Don grinned.

"That's still quite an impressive catch," Denman remarked. "You kidding? That's an impressive fish. I wanna know what it's been eating to be that heavy," Max laughed.

"Congratulations Lewis, you deserve it," Charlotte beamed, happy for him. "He might deserve it, but he definitely didn't earn it," Cleo muttered.

"If you didn't know about their plan, then how did they convince you to go along with the outcome? You said you didn't want help," Lisa asked. "Oh, that was easy. All I had to say was that dad changed his mind and he won," Cleo smiled.

[All the other fishermen begin clapping for him on his accomplishment. Nate looks around, the only one not clapping as he couldn't believe this happened. Lewis giddily and graciously takes the awaiting trophy from Don's hands. Lewis holds the trophy up in the air as another round of applause erupts, this time with Don joining them.]

Charlotte smirked at Nate's expression. Now that is what you call a sore loser.

Don: once the clapping dies down, Don addresses the crowd once more. "Oh, I have something more to say. I have to apologize to you Lewis, for doubting you. Who knows why so many giant tuna came into the harbor."

"I think Cleo and Emma knows," Kim grinned. "I think everyone knows, Kim," Cleo playfully rolled her eyes.

"Never doubt a fisherman. Unless it's someone like Eddie. I think that's where my doubt started was with him," Don sighed.

"The mysteries of the sea," Mrs. Chatham laughed lightly.

Nate: "Oh, come on." He goes up to Don and points at Lewis. "If he didn't cheat, then why didn't I get one?"

Don: "Nobody likes a sore loser, Nate. You came last. Get over it." The other fishermen begin to laugh at his misfortune while Nate sulks.

"Maybe because you didn't deserve it," Bella crossed her arms.

"You trip Lewis, make fun of him the whole time, cause him to get kicked out of the competition, and you wonder why you didn't get one?" Cleo scoffed as she shook her head.

"You need some better friends," Harrison shook his head. "Nate's not too bad, we've been buds since we were kids," Zane laughed with him. "Sure, he can be an idiot sometimes … okay a lot of times, but somewhere deep down he has a heart." "Are you sure about that?" Rikki questioned. "Well, you thought I didn't, but look where we're at onscreen now," Zane smirked.

"I'm beginning to like you, Mr. Sertori," Charlotte smiled smugly.

"Wouldn't the other fishermen be sore losers for getting Lewis disqualified in the first place?" Ash pointed out. "Technically yes, but no one could blame them for thinking cheating was involved. I mean it was, but they couldn't prove it either," Don explained.

Don: turns to Lewis. "The sea is a mysterious mistress, Lewis. Please accept my apology." Lewis sets the trophy down on the table as Don continues. "I hope we can go fishing together soon. I'd like to have a go at that new lure of yours."

"You two never did go fishing, did you?" Bev chuckled. "Nope. It was never brought up again after that. Though it's probably a good thing we didn't, cause if I had found out that lure didn't work, I would've recalled that cheating claim," Don laughed. "On second thought, I'm glad we never did either," Lewis winced. "We should give it a try one day, Lewis when I'm free. We could have our own competition; except this time, you'll compete against me. Cleo can come, as long as you stay out of the water," Don nodded. "No promises, dad," Cleo laughed.

Lewis: nods. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Don: "And uh I hope you didn't take me too seriously about not seeing Cleo." They look over at Cleo then face each other once more. "Feel free to come around at any time."

"Except past ten," Don finished. "Dad," Cleo whined. "Not on school nights!" Don exclaimed.

"If you didn't know about him telling me that, then how did you not realize it after hearing it then?" Lewis asked her. "I didn't think about it, and I wasn't paying attention to your conversation. I was too busy trying to stay up after having to drag all those fish to the harbor. Why do you think I needed Emma's help? One was already hard, gathering a whole school was exhausting," Cleo stated.

Lewis: "Oh, great. Well, I'll come around tonight."

Don: smile drops, not expecting it to be so soon. "Ok. Well, good." Don nods and heads off, leaving the trio behind.

"Wasn't expecting it that fast, were you?" Neil laughed. "I was hoping he would wait a day or two. Not in a few hours," Don admitted.

Cleo: "Forgive me?"

Lewis: grabs the trophy from off the table as Cleo and Emma stand next to him. "Yeah, under one condition. You never help me again."

"Does that include sampling too?" Cleo asked a little eagerly. "I meant with fishing," Lewis corrected. "Bummer," Rikki mumbled.

[Rikki comes over to the group, having changed clothes, and notices the trophy in Lewis's hand.]

Rikki: "Nice trophy."

"Wow, you change quick," Bella said, impressed. Even she wasn't that fast. "You had no idea how eager I was to get out of those clothes," Rikki huffed.

"It is a nice trophy," Will nodded. It was bigger than all his diving trophies. Most of those were medals anyway.

"What did you finally show up for?" Ash asked. "Can't a girl see her friends? I got bored," Rikki rolled her eyes.

Emma: "Hey, where have you been all day?"

"Talking and smooching, mainly smooching," Kim said as Elliot made kissy faces. Cleo nudged Kim to knock it off but couldn't help but laugh either as Rikki blushed a deep red. "All because I got trapped on a balcony," she mumbled. Though I suppose if I hadn't, me and Zane probably would've never gotten together. "Hey, you chose to go," Zane said, holding his hands up in defense.

Cleo: "I tried calling you before, and you didn't answer. What have you been doing?"

"Unfortunately, I haven't gained the ability yet to reach through locked doors and grab my phone," Rikki sarcastically said. "Not everyone is able to answer at the time. That's why there's such thing as voicemails," Bev reminded her. "I don't usually leave one unless it's urgent," Cleo shrugged.

Rikki: fumbles as she tries to think of an answer, before settling on one and smiles. "Trying to, stay out of the rain."

"Well, I hope you're not trying to stay out of the rain too often," Terry told her. "Dad!" Rikki shouted over her friend's laughter.

"That was totally what you were doing," Emma grinned. "At least now we know what you did," Cleo commented. "And how in the world you two got together in the first place," Lewis added. "Together?" Terry asked with a raised eyebrow. "Okay, how about another one?" Rikki asked loudly, clapping her hands together and avoiding her dad's gaze as hers was focused on Lewis, who was lowering himself into his seat.

"I don't know. I'm not sure if the younger ones could make it through another one," Lisa said as she looked down at her son, who already looked a little worn out. "I'll be fine mom. I can make it. Just one more, please?" Elliot pleaded, trying his best not to yawn. Neil chuckled; it was hard saying no to his youngest. "Alright, one more. But then we're going to bed young man." "Deal," Elliot nodded. Lewis hands the remote to Rikki and she presses play.