A Wish on a Full Moon Chapter 68-The One That Got Away (part1), a h2o: just add water fanfic

A Wish on a Full Moon

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

Woah, sorry for the long wait guys. This was a tough one to write. But hopefully it was worth the wait! Two more episodes to go, can't wait to see what happens after! :) Thank you so much for all the favs, follows, comments, etc. It's been a blast to write this. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 68: The One That Got Away (part 1)

[Rikki finds herself walking along the grassy trailway of another beautiful sunny morning on the Gold Coast when she hears a roaring noise getting louder. Up ahead, a biker wearing a blue and white helmet, riding a green and white motorbike rides along the grass trail, and heading right for Rikki.]

"Rikki, watch out!" Terry shouted. "I'm fine, dad. They weren't going to hurt me," Rikki grinned, side-glancing Zane. I would never, not again, Zane thought with a small sad smile, thinking about how much pain he caused her when Miriam tricked him.

"Can he not see what's in front of him? Hello?!" Bella scoffed, arms crossed.

Emma frowned; Rikki had told her she met Zane riding a motorbike. Was that him?

"Is that even legal?" Neil asked. "You don't need a license to ride a motorbike," Harrison responded; which is exactly why he got that for Zane. Since he didn't particularly like following the rules, why not get him something that doesn't have a lot of rules? He couldn't help but smile though seeing how Zane had reunited with his old girlfriend. Again. Zane had told him about the two dating again now that he was back on the Gold Coast, and he couldn't be happier for him. Rikki was a good girl, and she'd be good for his son.

"Nice ride," Will whistled. He loved motorbikes, he used to ride them all the time when he was a kid. Well, before his parents decide to go boating all the time.

[The biker zooms past Rikki, the blonde girl having to step to the side to narrowly dodge him as he keeps going.]

Rikki: scoffs and shouts at him. "Impressive, lunatic!" Turns back and keeps walking.

"Who is this jerk?" Terry frowned, wanting to know who almost hurt his daughter. "Just an old friend," Rikki waved it off with a small smile. Or an old foe, Emma thought. Well, foe turned friend … ish. "You know the guy?" Ash asked. "Unfortunately," Rikki said in amusement. Zane playfully scowled.

"He should really watch where he's going," Lisa huffed. I was, Zane snorted.

"Don't compliment him!" Sam said. "It was sarcasm."

[The bike skids to a stop, and turns back toward Rikki. The biker takes his goggles off then his helmet, to reveal a grinning Zane.]

Zane: shouts to Rikki whose back was facing him. "Glad you like it." Rikki turns back in shock upon hearing a voice she hadn't heard in so long.

"Zane?!" Nearly everyone shouted; the only ones who didn't were the ones who knew he was back in town. "Zane," Terry narrowed his eyes. "You tried to hit my daughter?" "It was only to get her attention," Zane held up his hands. "Well, it worked," Rikki chuckled. "You almost hit Rikki!" Elliot pouted. "Yeah, too bad I missed," Zane joked, Rikki gasped and pointed a finger between her and him. "Alright, now. Let's go. Right now! You and me buddy, my lightning versus your motorbike!" "I think we both know who would win that one," Lewis grinned.

"Ah, you're back," Mrs. Chatham smiled. "Where have you been?" Will asked, noticing he hasn't been in the past couple of episodes. "I had to go to boarding school," Zane said begrudgingly. "Why?" Annette asked. "The old pops thought it would do me good to go somewhere where he used to go. Says it's a 'Bennett tradition' to make your kids' life even more miserable" Zane said with quotation marks. "That and his grades were falling," Harrison reminded him. "Yeah, that too," he grumbled.

"Well since you weren't there the past couple of times, what does that mean for Miriam and Byron?" "Oh, that's a laugh," the girls busted into laughter. "So, when Miriam heard that Zane was sent to boarding school, she had the bright idea to try and go with him. She apparently begged her parents to let her go and finally convinced them," Emma explained. "It worked, but she didn't realize they would send her to an all-girls boarding school," Cleo snickered. "Karma's a pain. A beautiful, beautiful, sweet pain," Rikki sighed happily.

"So, what about Byron?" Ash asked. "Byron decided to start homeschooling so that way he could focus more on becoming a professional surfer. Not sure how that's going to work out," Emma shrugged a bit sadly that she didn't get to see Byron no more.

Zane: smirks. "Miss me?" Rikki blinks in surprise. It was really him: Zane. Puts his helmet back on and starts the motorbike back up, revving its engine. He takes off, spinning dirt, wheelies and drives away. Rikki watches him drive off, confused.

Rikki scoffed. "As if." "Sure, you didn't," Zane teased. "If she did, I didn't notice. Didn't know at the time but I would've known something was off at least. She had other things to deal with though," Terry defended her, even if she was just playing around. She did. For a while, she did, even though she wouldn't admit it, Emma and Cleo both thought.

Rikki tensed up, a thought coming to mind. If it's showing this, then it'll definitely show what happens later on between the two of them. What will the girls think? Well, she knew it might show something like this eventually. Oh well, prepare for the inevitable. They'll be mad for sure, but hopefully they'll get over it like the last time … she hopes. She loves her friends and doesn't want to hurt them. But she loved Zane too. She just wished she could have both worlds.

[Afterwards, Rikki met up with Emma, the girl in her work uniform and a bag over her shoulder before her morning shift at the Juicenet near the marina, their hands in their pockets. They walk along the grass next to the water's edge, rather close for a couple of mermaids who tries to avoid water in public.]

"Emma, you know I love you and am okay with the whole mermaid thing, but you being so carelessly close to the water like that out in public has me a bit worried," Lisa frowned in concern. "Please be careful, dear," Neil requested. "We're okay, mom. We were being careful. The only thing I had to worry about is if Rikki would push me in or not," Emma joked. "Only if you don't stop the pestering," Rikki teased back.

"Reported straight to the warden, huh," Zane chuckled. "Oh, like you weren't going to tell Nate about our little interaction," Rikki rolled her eyes playfully. "Touche." "I'm glad she did, otherwise I would've flipped out seeing you walk into the Juicenet without a fair warning," Emma remarked.

Rikki: tries to calm the stressed girl. "Stop worrying. Last time Zane saw us, we were perfectly normal."

Emma: "And the time before that, we were mermaids!"

"Why wasn't I involved in this conversation?" Cleo pointed at herself. "Because you were at work, and Emma was fixing to start her shift, so we didn't have time to walk all the way to the marine park," Rikki summed up. "She has a point," Kim shrugged.

"Definitely not something he's going to forget, not even me," Denman huffed with a laugh. "Karl was the same way, except he was more of a problem than this," Max mentioned.

Emma: "He's not gonna forget that."

"See?!" Denman exclaimed. "No one said you were wrong," Kim rolled her eyes, annoyed that the marine biologist was still with them, like her mother.

Rikki: looks forward and shakes her head. "Then we'll just have to keep clear of water around him. Same as we do with everyone." Looks back to Emma.

"Great, so the same as usual then?" Bella raised an eyebrow, as it should've been expected. Why did this rule need to be repeated constantly? It should be drilled in their heads by now! "Obvious logic by now," Lewis said. "Yet you tell it to us all the time too," Cleo grinned. "Well, someone has to keep an eye on you three," Lewis exclaimed. "And as stated before, that's the job for the parents. Now that we know we can be helping out a lot more now," Don nodded, the rest of the parents agreeing with him, even Bev to Cleo's surprise. "And it'll be my job to keep bugging you," Kim smiled smugly. "Great, so nothing's changed," Cleo said with a smirk.

"I have a feeling that's not going to go exactly as planned," Charlotte mumbled quietly.

Emma: shakes her head. "Zane is not 'everyone.'"

"Aww, Emma. I'm touched," Zane jokingly puts a hand to his heart. "I knew you cared about me." "That's not what I meant. And be lucky I remember your name," Emma scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, not everyone knows how to get on our nerves as much as you do," Lewis joined in. "Likewise, Lewis. Likewise," Zane turned back to the screen.

Emma: turns to her. "When he wants something, he doesn't give up, like …" Shrugs.

Rikki: "Like what?"

Emma: tilts in her direction, giving her a look. "Like you, for instance." Rikki shakes her head in disbelief, laughing.

"She's not wrong," Zane shrugged. "Too bad," Terry grumbled. He wasn't ready for his little girl to grow up. But it seems he didn't have a choice. "Neither is Rikki," Cleo whispered to Emma. One thing she knew was that Rikki did miss Zane. She wasn't going to stop hanging around him now that she knew he was back for good this time.

"You're right. He is very stubborn," Harrison chuckled, patting his son on the back. "Wonder where I get it from?" Zane sarcastically asked. "Yeah, and so is Rikki. they're a perfect match," Will said. "Hey, I'm supposed to play matchmaker," Bella pouted.

Emma: "What's he gonna do if he finds out we're mermaids? Are you sure you can trust him?"

"Um, a little too late for that, Em," Elliot grinned sheepishly. "There's more to worry about than Zane now, considering we all know the secret," Ash smiled. "Yeah, but by this point I don't think we have anything to worry about. Who's going to believe a bunch of crazy's that there's such thing as mermaids?" Rikki chuckled. "Been there, done that," Zane sighed, a bit embarrassed by his past actions.

"At the time it was still debatable, but I think we can now after watching this," Rikki said in hopes that they don't get suspicious of what's to come. Either way, they'll most likely find out. "That goes for everyone by this point," Emma nodded. "Not so sure about everyone," Cleo mumbled, sneaking a glance at her mother. She's her mother, she should trust her. But can she? She just up and left them without a second thought. What's holding her back from doing that again and blurting out the biggest secret in the world?

Rikki: groans. "Emma, I don't have to trust him. We broke up. That's where it's at."

"That's true. They aren't dating anymore. She doesn't need to tell him anything," Charlotte shrugged. It was similar to Cleo and Lewis's situation. But this time, she knew where Cleo and Lewis's relationship would be heading again. They were destined to be. Maybe Rikki and Zane are too.

"Just because they aren't dating anymore doesn't mean they can't be friends," Bella pointed out. "Yeah, but you know how hard it is to go back to being friends with your ex? It's never the same afterwards," Rikki's frowned sadly. That's what she was so worried about when she and Zane broke up. It was a little bit of tension between them despite the agreement. The past always hung around. "It's true," Annette sighed, thinking of her ex-husband. Not that she wanted to be friends with him after he ditched her and his daughter, but still. Don and Bev looked at one another, then glanced away, no words needing to be said between them. "Why would I want to talk to my ex? She's nothing to me," Terry fumed, thinking of Rikki's mother.

Emma: raises her shoulders. "I thought it might be hard seeing him round again."

"As it is for anyone after a breakup," Sam nodded. "You weren't wrong," Rikki sighed quietly to her, then held up a finger. "But I'm only saying it just this once." "I'll take it," Emma smiled a small smug smile, not wanting to rub it in her friend's face, having a feeling this might be a tough one for her. Rikki sighed. It was tough, especially with the secret lingering over her shoulders. But she was glad things were back to the way they were. Almost.

Rikki: faces forward again. "Well, it won't be. If Cleo can handle breaking up with Lewis, I can handle keeping clear of Mr. Self-Absorbed, okay?" Rolls her eyes and Emma laughs. They continue to walk, smiling.

"Uh, excuse me, me? Mr. Self-Absorbed? I would never," Zane gasped dramatically, sounding offended. "Please, you might as well be carrying a mirror in your pocket," Rikki chuckled. "Well after seeing how you acted in the first few episodes, you did seem pretty self-centered, especially around Miriam," Charlotte pointed out. "Never judge a book by its cover," Zane remarked. "Keep talking, Zane, keep talking," Lewis grinned, though it didn't reach his eyes as he was once again reminded of the breakup. That's going to be happening a lot, isn't it?

Cleo's smile faltered, hearing how her friends actually believed she was handling the breakup well. Guess I'm a better actor than I thought, Cleo thought. The truth was she thought about it all the time. It was right there at the top of the list, right next to her mom. She loved Lewis and she still does. It hurt to break up with him, and it still does. But she needed some time alone to settle some things. Like her mother and their new powers for instance. Now that one was out of the way, it was time to deal with something she dreaded the most: her mother. The question was how?

[As soon as Emma made it to the Juicenet café, she got right to work. Inside the café, it was busy full of customers. Emma takes some drinks to a table nearby and returns to behind the counter, all while Lewis was still explaining to her the new contraption that he had built for them. A strange metal piece full of other metal pieces, a large silver piece with a wing on top, a small metallic ball sticking out on either side, wires coming out from all parts with a mini solar panel on the other, and other odd pieces and angles. He stood on the other side of the counter from Emma while holding it in his hands. Rikki stands next to him staring at the odd thing.]

Lewis: "Which transmits the radio frequency to the solenoid array. It's all homemade." Points at some of the gadgets on it. "Barometric pressure sensors, temperature scales. It's pretty cool, huh?" Emma raises her eyebrows and keeps quiet as she restocks the apple bowl.

"… huh?" most of the audience said, highly confused. "I am so glad I missed that," Cleo mumbled; but she did miss his rambling. "There are so many words in that sentence and not a single one of them I understand," Ash said in a deadpanned tone. "The only thing I understood was 'it's pretty cool, huh?'" Terry mentioned.

"Yes, Lewis, very," Bella cringed.

"These words, what are these words? What are you saying?" Will said confused, just like everyone else. "Please quit using scientific words. I can't understand a thing," Kim groaned in complaint. "Lewis, speak English," Charlotte squinted. "I work in the environmental field and even I don't know what that means," Sam frowned.

"Something tells me you two don't understand it either," Neil chuckled. "No, no we don't. Having to watch it again doesn't even help!" Rikki whined. "The only reason we somewhat know what he was talking about is because he dumbed it down for us," Emma grinned. Lewis chuckled and inwardly cringed. "Sorry."

"I think you and I are the only ones who understand this," Max chuckled as he spoke to Denman. "Barely. I work in the biology field, not meteorology," she remarked, surprised that Lewis knew so much about it. Then again, with his friends now having developed weather-like powers, the knowledge of it was going to be needed. But she was amazed that he picked up on it so quickly, considering it had only been probably a week or more by this point. It was like he was studying almost every field of scientology.

"What is that thing?" Kim squinted her eyes. "It's a weather monitor. Well, man-made at least," Lewis answered. "And you made it yourself?" Max asked, sounding very impressed. "Every single bit of it," he smiled proud of himself.

Lewis: notices their silence. "I'm taking weather measurements."

"Oohhh, well why didn't you just say so?" Don realized along with most of the audience. "Why didn't you say that in the first place?" Ash asked. Max chuckled. "Reminds me of how I had to explain stuff to you girls." "Apologies for not being a lover of science like you," Mrs. Chatham said with a mischievous smile.

"Why are you taking weather measurements?" Sam asked. "For the girls. With their new powers over the weather, I figured it be important to know when something seemed more … magical than nature-wise," Lewis shrugged. Explains why he created that thing in the first place, Charlotte thought. She had wondered why he had built such an odd contraption, though his explanation sounded weird but normal for him, she had just thought it was something for his boat while he was fishing.

Rikki: spins one of the ball things and tilts her head. "Can't you get that from the news?"

"Yeah, like any normal person?" Bella asked. "I think we discussed this long ago that Lewis is not a normal person," Rikki laughed. "He's human, but definitely not normal," Zane snickered. "Says the mermaid and the mermaid hunter," Lewis retorted.

"I think I rather have it from the news. You know, the professionals. No offense, Lewis," Annette winced. "Eh, I'm used to it by now," Lewis shrugged, glancing at Rikki. "Someone had to toughen you up."

Lewis: stops the spinning balls. "Not like this. You don't get this kind of precision from a news report."

"How would you know?" Neil asked. "Because they don't have that kind of technology. Mine would be way more accurate than theirs. While they go by percentage, mine will be one hundred percent," Lewis declared with a proud smile. "You mean like your astrology program?" Rikki raised an eyebrow. "This is different!"

Emma: still stocking apples. "Okay, next question: why?"

"I think that's what we all want to know," Lisa nodded. "I just explained," Lewis groaned.

Lewis: glances around to make sure no one was close enough to hear and leans in. To Emma. "Your new powers control the weather. Right?"

Emma: nods. "Right." Rikki looks upward in boredom and glances around.

"Have you not figured this out yet, considering all the lightning, wind, and ice?" Ash asked. "I just needed their confirmation," Lewis answered. "Think it would've been confirmed enough when you were flung out of a volcano," Kim said as Cleo glanced down at the reminder once again. Can't people quit talking about it?

Lewis: "So, to figure out what's going on, I need exact weather measurements to plot against the movement of the planets." Emma hands Rikki her juice.

"That sort of thing wouldn't be so bad for everyone to have on their boat. We can't always know what's coming toward us while we're out on the water. The towers don't reach that far for a newscast. We usually have to wait till that morning to find out," Don explained. "Not a bad idea," Max hummed.

"This is so weird," Kim frowned and shook her head. "I think it's cool," Elliot said. "Thanks, El," Lewis smiled. "He's eleven, don't take it too seriously. He'll get bored with it in five minutes," Rikki whispered to him. Emma nodded, knowing her brother.

"I still say to just get it from the news," Bella squirmed uncomfortably.

Rikki: accepts her drink and scrunches up her face. "This is too weird, even for you." Steps in front of him and moves around the counter closer to Emma.

"I have to agree, it is rather odd," Lisa frowned, most of nearly everyone agreed. "Oh, come on. Charlotte liked it! Right, Char?" Lewis looked to the girl in hope. Charlotte crossed her arms and winced. "Sorry, Lewis." "What? Aww," Lewis whined, slouching in his seat and pouting. "Maybe it would have been cool back in our day, but times have changed," Max laughed. "No, it wouldn't," Mrs. Chatham shook her head.

Lewis: "Oh, come on, guys. It's all linked. The planets, the moon, the ocean, your powers." Lewis was about to go on, but upon hearing the noise of the beaded curtains he turns around and finds Cleo coming toward them and immediately shuts down, his mouth shut, and his positive attitude now gone. She stands between Lewis and Rikki, the latter two avoiding her gaze; Rikki mainly because she knew it would be awkward between the two.

"He's right. So, so right," Max mumbled. "Figured it out quicker than you," Mrs. Chatham teased. "Well to be fair, we didn't have the advanced technology like they do these days," Max remarked.

"So, we heard," Kim rolled her eyes, tired of hearing it, for the hundredth time.

"And here comes awkward," Bella grimaced. "Perhaps it's not such a good idea, sweetheart," Bev winced, knowing this would make things awkward between the two with her showing up. "Been there, done that," Cleo said disgruntled, having lived it. She hated having to show up unexpectedly around Lewis, assuming that he wasn't ready to see her again since they hadn't spoken since the breakup, but she couldn't avoid him forever. Sooner or later, they would have met up eventually.

"Great, I get to hear it once more," Rikki sarcastically cheered. "And I thought it was bad enough with Lewis blabbering," Zane muttered.

Emma: shifts her gaze between the two, trying to lessen the tension. "Lewis was just showing us his new weather device."

"Showing, explaining, probably going to take it apart and model it for them," Charlotte joked, knowing Lewis would do it if he tried. "Oh, I could if you would like," Lewis perked up, not realizing it was a joke. "No!" the girls and Charlotte shouted. "Okay, tough crowd." "It's like show and tell," Elliot giggled.

Cleo: small smile, trying to be happy for Lewis. Nods. "Really? That's great." Her smile deflates, noticing that Lewis wasn't looking at her.

"You think?" Kim asked curiously. She knew her sister was trying to just cheer him up, but she knew that Cleo's interest was almost peaked by nearly anything. "In a way. I thought it was something cool he might like, but I thought it might cheer him up too," Cleo explained a little sadly, seeing how bummed out Lewis was standing next to her. "It's alright. I figured it wasn't too exciting," Lewis shrugged with a sigh.

Lewis: avoids her gaze and glances between Rikki and Emma. "Right then, I'll get back to you." Takes some pieces of his machine from the counter, with the weather tech in his hands, and walks out of the café, all while avoiding Cleo's eyes.

"Awkward," Kim sung. "Very awkward," Bella agreed. "Well, how else could it have gone?" Cleo snapped, annoyed. With the silence being her only answer she huffed and nodded. Emma and Rikki glanced at one another, knowing their answers on screen coming up didn't help. "Exactly. We broke up, any interaction we had coming was going to be awkward."

Lewis shifted uncomfortably, feeling bad that Cleo was getting a bit of the blame for this. It wasn't his fault that he was reacting so coldly to her, but neither was it Cleo's, as she was unaware of how he was feeling in that moment. She just wanted things to go back to the way they were; so did he but not in the same relationship way. Cleo wanted to go back to being friends, but Lewis couldn't deny the feelings he had for Cleo and loved being her boyfriend, so it really hurt when she decided to end their relationship. But how could they have possibly gone back to being friends after that? It was tough and took some time, but they eventually figured it out.

Cleo: steps closer to the counter and frowns. "'I'll get back to you'? Like we're just friends."

"Uh, because you are," Charlotte raised an eyebrow. Did she not get the concept? "But we used to be best friends, and then that happened, and it just felt like we were just … you know, friends," Cleo frowned. "Cleo, you broke up with him. Did you really think you were going to go back to being best friends after that?" Sam asked. Cleo sighed. "I just wanted things to go back to the way they were, back to the way they used to be. We were so much happier then." "But would he have been happy?" Annette added.

Cleo thought about it. Lewis was so happy when they were dating. Much more than they ever were when they were just friends. Cleo was happy too … for a time. Then her mom left, and the new uncontrollable powers came, and he suddenly became so controlling and overbearing and she just couldn't take it anymore. She wasn't happy; and if things kept going that way, she felt like she was going to pop. She had hoped the breakup would make things better for them. But it didn't; they weren't happy. Just sad, depressed, and lonely. Things have gotten better since then; they were at least on better talking terms now and can manage being in the same room with one another. They were now at the friend level of the relationship but have yet to reach best friend status. Many exes don't even make it past the friend stage. And she didn't know if they could ever reach that again. They needed each other. But her mistake messed it all up.

Cleo sighed. "No. And neither would have I, I suppose." She glanced at Lewis sadly, the McCartney returning the same expression. Could this whole viewing fix their relationship once and for all?

Rikki: "You are just friends. You dumped him." Cleo goes to say something, but Emma stops her.

I hope we are just friends, Lewis thought. As much as it hurt, he didn't want to cut Cleo off completely. He couldn't just erase over ten years of friendship over some fight. He couldn't lose his best friend for life, even if it was complicated at the moment. He still had hope that it could be fixed one day.

They should be more than just friends, Bella pouted, thinking of one of her most favorite couples so far. They are more than just friends, Charlotte sighed sadly. She sees the way the two look longingly at one another, both when they were dating and when they had broken up. The way Lewis always talked about him, the comments she heard Cleo make about him. The way Cleo was so protective of him when Charlotte tried getting closer to him – which is something she doesn't regret. She knows who Lewis's heart belongs to and she wasn't going to ruin his happiness for him, but she would still like to be friends with him. And hopefully, when this was all over and the misunderstandings were all clear, she and Cleo and the girls could become good friends too.

"It's never easy after a dumping," Max said sadly as he thought of when Gracie had left him. He understood Lewis. Gracie was his best friend for life until that very moment. Things were never the same after that. He just hoped him and Cleo could fix their mistakes before it was too late.

Emma: nods. "You did the right thing, Cleo. Our lives are way too complicated for guys right now." Rikki tilts her head, playing with her straw. Looks at Rikki and gives her a pointed look. "Right?"

Rikki: nods yet seems hesitant. Cleo looks at her. "Yeah. Right." Walks off. Cleo looks back to Emma, biting her lip.

"Thanks for calling me out like that," Rikki grumbled. "I thought it would help her," Emma suggested. "Even though I had no clue what you two were talking about?" Cleo chuckled, the negative thoughts gone. "Wasn't it obvious it was about Zane?" Will said. "Yeah, how could you forget about me," Zane faked offense. "Probably because I had no clue you were back in town. The day just started," Cleo rolled her eyes.

"You ought to know by now that she doesn't like being called out on the spot like that," Terry said cautiously. "It somewhat helped, to at least know I wasn't alone, but I still didn't get the whole memo," Cleo answered.

"You seem so done with your friends complaining about their love life," Bella laughed. "That's because I was. Byron was gone and I had no one else, while they were complaining about guys in their lives that were their exes," Emma said, sounding aggravated. "Whoops," Cleo grimaced. "Sorry." "I think we awoken the beast," Rikki joked. "I think you have," Ash nodded, laughing.

[As the girls continue talking in the café, Lewis returns to his boat at the marina and tries to connect the weather monitor to his boat by a long pipe that stuck out of it. Well, attempt is more of the word. The wind blows as he reconnects some cables and aligns the pipes to it, he squints from the strong wind passing by. Behind him, on the dock, Charlotte walks up.]

Charlotte: raises an eyebrow. A small smile on her face. "Wow."

Lewis: turns around upon hearing her voice. "Oh, hey!" Turns back to his handmade technology.

"When did you weld a metal pipe to your boat?" Will asked curiously. "As soon as I came up with that weather device idea," Lewis answered. "And how long ago was that?" Sam asked. "Two weeks?" Lewis shrugged.

"Seems like you find him anywhere," Annette joked. "He's practically around everywhere," Charlotte blushed slightly. They did tend to run into each other a lot, but that day she was looking for him. She wanted to see how he was doing after the breakup, given it had been over a few days now. Luckily though he was in great spirits thanks to that weather device he was working on.

Charlotte: chuckles as she stands behind him on the platform. "Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you." Squints at the device. "What are you working on?"

"Don't! Otherwise, you're in for a long-winded lecture like we were," Rikki warned. Charlotte frowned in confusion. "It wasn't that long." "No but it did feel like it went on forever," she whined. "That's Rikki for ya," Terry chuckled.

"Please, no one can disrupt that guy. Rikki has proved that plenty of times," Zane snorted. "You have as well," Lewis gave him a stern look.

Lewis: steps down from the boat, getting on the same level as her and gestures to the device. "It's a device for getting information on the weather." Bends down to go through more of his tool bag.

"Hey! How come she got a simpler explanation than us?" Rikki frowned. "I dunno. It seemed easier at the time," Lewis shrugged. "Well, that's just great. Waste of our time alright," Rikki grumbled, arms crossed.

Charlotte: "I've got the Weather Channel at home." Grabs one of the wires and smiles at it in amusement.

"Exactly! Thank you!" Rikki and Kim both exclaimed at the same time. "Are you sure you two aren't related?" Cleo pointed at them with a grin. "Well, we do get along better," Kim teased back.

Lewis: shrugs. "Ah, I kinda like to do it myself." Climbs back into the boat with a tool in hand and grabs onto the device to attach another piece.

Charlotte: perks up. "Really? Me, too."

"Hmm, sure you do," Bella snorted. "You just said you prefer the weather channel," Ash frowned. "I like to check both ways. You know, as a precaution," Charlotte blushed as she came up with the excuse. She didn't want everyone to know that she was trying to get Lewis to like her. But she hated to admit it, she sure made it obvious. Some actor she was, for someone to be in the school theater group. Cleo and the others were able to tell – and she wasn't trying to do it anymore – but it was still a bit embarrassing that she was caught. "It's okay to tell me the truth, Char. I won't hate you for it," Lewis chuckled, not realizing Charlotte's true (past) ambitions.

Annette frowned at her, knowing that it wasn't true. Charlotte always watched the local weather channel. The only way they have to check the weather outside is a temperature gauge, and even that isn't the same compared to what Lewis was doing.

"Well, it wouldn't hurt. Considering that the meteorologists only have predictions, whereas that weather device would be more accurate," Denman mentioned. "Yeah, accurate for that exact time, not future events," Harrison commented.

Charlotte: watches him work on the device and shrugs. "So …"

Lewis: looks back down to her. "Hm?"

Charlotte: "Do you need a hand?"

"That's sweet of you to ask," Sam smiled. "It looked like he needed some help," Charlotte brushed it off. "Yeah, I did actually. There were way too many parts to it to handle. Thanks for the help by the way," Lewis grinned. "No problem," Charlotte returned the grin.

Cleo bit her cheek, trying to hold back an embarrassed expression. She didn't know it at the time, but seeing it now, Charlotte really was helping Lewis out with his device. She took things out of proportion and only made a fool out of herself. Though she knew she was right about her flirting with him, she was still only helping him with the odd weather tech. At the time, Charlotte was more of a friend than she was. But the thing was, if she were in Charlotte's place at the time, would he have accepted her help? Being the ex, the one who broke his heart?

Lewis: "Yeah. Yeah, sure. Hold this." Holds a metal part out to her and she takes it carefully.

Charlotte: giggles as she carefully holds the piece. "Great." Looks back up to him.

"So why were you taking it apart and then rebuilding it onto the boat pole?" Zane asked. "Because the device was too heavy to be put onto the pole like that with the wind blowing as it was, so I had to take it apart and rebuild it from the bottom up," Lewis explained. "So basically, you were too weak to do it all in one," Rikki smirked. "No … yes," Lewis defended before pouting at the last part, admitting his defeat.

[After the conversation about their exes, Rikki returns to walking around the grassy dunes near the beach. After walking down a narrow dirt path along the tree line, she once again hears the noise of a motorbike riding nearby. However, this was much louder, and sounds like more than one. With the noise peaking her curiosity, she walks through the tree line. Music begins to play in the background as she continues to follow the noise.]

Song: "I'm not, just a girl. Another bimbo, with diamonds and pearls."

"Hmm, the song reminds me of someone I know," Rikki smirked. "Cough, cough. Miriam, cough, cough," Kim coughed. "Kim!" Bev scolded, while Don only laughed. "You coming down with a cold, sweetheart?" Bev glared at her ex, not finding Kim's 'humor' hilarious.

"Is that another motorbike? How do you always keep running into those things?" Emma frowned. "It's in her blood," Terry chuckled. I guess so is running back to me, Zane grinned.

"Is that song playing in your head or is it coming from the track?" Elliot asked curiously. "From the track, although it is catchy," Rikki said.

[That path leads her to a large dirt track, full of motorbikes running wild on the dirt track with dust flying everywhere.]

Song: "Hear me, when I say." She walks past a small mechanic shop where the motorists work in their own spaces on their bikes, making whatever repairs are needed for them to get back to the race. "I'm gonna break through and show you my way." She walks by several others standing by a concession stand, the windows wide open for customers to get their food and drinks. "I'll show you where I stand, you're gonna see me for all that I am." Rikki looks around in awe, surprised that she's never been to this place before. It was like she walked into what seems like a whole other world, a part of the Gold Coast she has never experienced before.

"Woah!" Elliot and the other guys too stared at it in awe, even Neil and Harrison couldn't help the smiles on their faces. Boys will be boys. "That place looks amazing," Terry said, his jaw nearly dropping. "What is that place?" Will asked in amazement. "That is the Tracks of the Coast, the greatest place to ever hangout and be wild and free, you know, besides the Juicenet," Zane grinned. "I can see why," Don agreed. He liked his boats, but he also liked his bikes. Of course, as much as he worked – especially now that him and Cleo were working extra shifts to keep up with bills – he doesn't have the time to have or ride one.

Song: "It's time, you see, my destiny. You know I'm ready to fiiiight." She stops to watch the bikers on the track, watching them jump hills and skid around curves, going fast, racing one another, and feeling free. It put a smile on her face. "Ready to fight my way to the top. You know I'm ready to fiiiiight. Not gonna give up, not gonna stop." The bikers go over bumps, balancing themselves on their bikes then going up ramps. "You know I'm ready to fiiiiight, my way to the top."

"They're having the time of their lives," Cleo smiled. "So is Rikki, do you see how much she's smiling?" Emma asked, gesturing to both the onscreen Rikki and the one sitting next to them. "Yeah … do you think Zane is there?" Cleo whispered the last part. "Oh no doubt," Emma whispered back. She would've preferred her to stay away from him at the time, but she knew it was only a matter of time before Zane started coming after her again … in a good way this time, without any mermaid hunting attachments.

"Welp, I know where our next father-daughter time will be spent," Terry chuckled, seeing how much she enjoyed it. He couldn't blame her, he did too. That's the one thing they had in common.

[Rikki has a big smile on her face when she hears another motorbike coming up behind her. She turns around to find two motorists skid to a stop. One yellow biker riding a blue bike, and one very familiar biker wearing a flame-styled leather jumpsuit with a very familiar green bike. The two motorists take off their helmets and put down the stands to park their bikes, revealing the one in yellow to be Nate and the other Zane once again. The music ends.]

Zane: gets off his bike, looking at Nate with a cocky smirk. "Too slow again."

Nate: points to the track and places his helmet on the handle. "And I had you at that last turn, man." Rikki crosses her arms and watches them, her smile falling slightly upon seeing Zane again; she missed him.

"Figures," Emma sighed. "Even against Emma's orders, you just couldn't stay away," Zane grinned widely at her. "Well, it was fun while it lasted," Rikki sighed then turned to him, matching his own goofy grin. "And then you showed up … again."

"My girl loves her motorbikes, wherever they are, she will find them," Terry remarked. She always admired his motorcycle, it was no wonder she would eventually find that place. "I'm just surprised it took me that long to find it," Rikki said. "Well, you have only been around for what, seven, eight months now?" Lewis reminded her. "And add in all the craziness with the mermaid life, when exactly would you have had time to discover that place?" Bella added with a small laugh.

"Racing again?" Harrison asked his son. "Yup. And I won, once again." "If I ever come to the Gold Coast, I'd like in on it," Will smiled. "You ride bikes?" Zane raised an eyebrow. "All the time. Well, I used to before me and my family started going out on the boat more and more," Will mentioned.

Zane: "Ah, sure, sure." He turns, a smile on his face, and spots Rikki. Waves a hand at Nate, not taking his eyes off her. "Hey, wait here." Walks over to a cooler, closer to Rikki. Nate remains on his bike, looking around as he waits patiently – or tries to – for Zane.

"And here comes the danger," Emma sighed, her eyes narrowed. "I thought I told you to stay away from him." "Ah, correction. You asked if I trusted him," Rikki held up a finger. "And you still find it questionable," she shook her head.

"Oh, he's not going to like that. He's not the most patient person there is," Harrison chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, he proved that over and over again," Rikki mumbled to herself, thinking of the boating incident that left her no choice but to reveal everything.

Zane: bends down and opens the cooler, taking a drink out of it. Closes the lid then heads to Rikki. Gestures his hands around him, acting cocky. "Couldn't keep away, huh?" Opens the canned drink. The motorbikes still riding around the track below them, dirt flying around them.

"Couldn't stop getting on her nerves, huh?" Kim smirked. "Her nerves, what about ours?" Lewis pointed at himself. "Eh, you'll live," Zane tilted his head.

"Likewise, Zane. Likewise," Terry furrowed his eyebrows, seeing how it was always Zane that kept approaching her. And they were only a few minutes into this.

Rikki: grins, glancing away for a moment. "Flattering yourself will get you nowhere, Zane." Shakes her head.

"It's worked so far," Zane chuckled. "To what?" Nearly the entire audience asked. "It got him to another school," Lewis snickered, a few others joining him. "Real funny," Zane rolled his eyes.

Zane: "It's good to see you again."

I bet Rikki's thinking the same thing, Cleo hummed in thought as she watched their interaction.

"There goes the whole stay away from him thing," Sam laughed.

Rikki: changes the subject. "How's your new school?"

"Don't get him started. I've heard enough of it when he got home," Harrison groaned in complaint. "That's what you get for sending me there," Zane jokingly taunted.

Zane: shakes his head. "Boring. All neat little uniforms, 'dedicated to producing the leaders of tomorrow.'"

Rikki: nods her head. "Wow, that sounds like you."

"How is it that your sarcasm is louder than the roar of the engines?" Lewis asked. "I raised you right," Terry chuckled, shaking his head.

"Sounds rehearsed," Annette said. "Had to hear it every day, five days a week," Zane groaned.

[Behind him, Nate is talking to one of his buddies that was standing next to his bike who had brought him a drink. He turns to Zane, getting impatient.]

Nate: shouts over the loud noise. "Zane, are we going or what?"

Zane: turns to him. "Later, Nate." Nate's shoulders slack, turns to his buddy, and complains about Zane.

"Gee, he really is impatient. It hasn't even been a minute," Sam frowned. "Wasn't the first time," Rikki glared at the screen. And it won't be the last.

Zane: turns back to Rikki. All serious now. "Life must be different for you."

Rikki: "What do you mean?"

You know exactly what he means, Emma thought, rubbing her arms nervously. He meant about the mermaid life. Er, previous life. And it worried her that Rikki might spill the truth, or hint at it at least. As much as she trusted Rikki, it was difficult when it came to Zane being around.

Zane: "Now that you're … normal."

"Sounds almost like an insult if you didn't know the truth," Ash grinned. "Please, Rikki was never normal," Lewis snorted. "Now that, that is an insult," Rikki pointed at the blonde. "And yet you also find it as a compliment," Cleo gave her a knowing look. "That I do, Cleo. That I do," she smiled smugly.

Rikki: laughs silently then grins. "I like being a regular girl."

Zane: looks her up and down. "I don't believe you." Walks away.

Emma and Cleo's eyes widened. How did he know?!

"Well, you better believe it. Cause you have no proof otherwise," Lewis smiled smugly. "Uh mate, you do realize that we all know they're still mermaids again, right?" Zane raised an eyebrow at him. Lewis's smile deflated. "Oh … yeah." "Besides, I wasn't talking about the whole mermaid thing, even though I didn't know she was still a mermaid," Zane said, giving Lewis a look. "Then what were you talking about?" Emma furrowed her brows at him. Zane smiled at the screen. "Her."

Rikki: "What?" Watches him go.

Zane: turns back to her as he continues walking. "There's nothing regular about you."

"You got that right," Terry chuckled. "Agreed. One hundred percent," Max nodded, Mrs. Chatham laughing with him.

Emma let out a nervous breath. She wasn't going to lie, Zane had her worried there for a moment. He knew about the secret once, she was worried that Rikki was accidentally going to reveal it again … even though the first time wasn't her fault, it was technically Emma's, considering she was the one who didn't leave quick enough before Zane got there. Still, they ended it on good terms, but could that all end once he finds out again? She at least didn't have to worry about that since he already knows again thanks to the whole viewing thing, but still, watching this, the thought worried her.

Lewis thinks the same thing about Cleo, Charlotte thought, glancing down.

Zane: returns to the cooler, opens it, and digs in for another drink. Drink in hand, he closes the lid and turns back to Rikki. "Here. On me." He tosses it to Rikki, ice slinging off it. Without thinking, Rikki catches it, then drops it once she quickly realizes that it was wet.

"Rikki!" the girls shouted. "Uh-oh," Kim grimaced. "Rikki," Terry shook his head. "Will you use that head of yours?" Emma argued. "What were you thinking?" Cleo frowned. "I wasn't. It was instinct. When you see something get thrown at you, your automatic reflex is to catch it," Rikki defended herself. "Or to dodge it," Lewis told her. "It didn't hit me that it would be wet until I caught it." "Did you not see the ice being flung from it, or where it came from?" Lewis asked her. "It was instinct!" she huffed, crossing her arms.

Zane laughed. "Nearly got you there, huh? Well, that did explain the way you were acting." "The way she was acting how?" Emma asked, her nerves rising again. "Watch."

[Rikki looks around, her hands held away from her body, then spots a dry rag lying on the rim of a barrel. She grabs it and hastily wipes down her hands and arms.]

Zane: notices and grows concerned. "What's wrong?"

Rikki: puts the rag down, wipes her hands on her shorts and looks back at him, her smile now gone, replaced with nervousness. Shakes her head. "Not thirsty." She turns around and walks away. Zane does the same, backing away as he watches her leave then turns back to his bike. Rikki turns around and watches him hop on and drive off with Nate.

"Well, it is a plausible excuse," Ash shrugged. "That still doesn't explain the way she acted," Emma scoffed. "Rikki, you really got to be careful. That was a close one," Cleo warned her. "Yeah, you're lucky that there was a rag nearby," Emma huffed, arms crossed. "Oh, like you wouldn't do the same," Rikki scoffed. "We all make mistakes. It's what you do next to fix it that defines you," Mrs. Chatham tells them, silencing any more of the argument they were starting. "Thank you, Mrs. Chatham," Lisa gave her a warm smile.

"If it helps, I didn't expect anything. I thought she had told me the truth," Zane explained. "Technically I did tell you the truth. We didn't even know it was a lie until the twelve hours were up, because someone decided not to tell us that it was only temporary," Rikki shot Lewis a death glare. "Hey, it wasn't just me. Who do you think told me?" Lewis placed a hand over his chest. "Yeah, but we're not gonna blame Mrs. Chatham, so you're the obvious choice," Rikki said as if it were obvious. "Gee, thanks."

[Back at the Juicenet café, Lewis returns with Charlotte walking through the beaded curtains in a conversation to grab a juice while on a break from dealing with Lewis's weather device. To the side, Cleo sat at a miniature counter when she heard the beads rattle and finds the two walking in.]

Charlotte: "I can't believe we both like apple and guava juice." Giggles and smiles wide at him.

"You hate guava though," Annette mumbled with a frown. "But I do like apples," Charlotte flustered. "Sweetheart, just because you have a crush on the guy doesn't mean you should like everything that he likes. It's okay to have some differences. Not everything is going to be perfect," Annette whispered, putting a comforting hand on her arm. Charlotte sighed in slight defeat. "I know mom. I was being silly, thinking it would help. But it's clear his heart belongs to someone else," she whispered back.

"Strange how you two always seem to have so much in common," Ash mused, eyebrow raised. "Technically wheatgrass is my favorite. Or was, till someone kept trying to make me angry," he said, shooting Rikki a look. "But since I had to give it up in order to get her off my back, apple and guava it is." "You know you can go back to drinking wheatgrass now that I know the truth, right?" Rikki mentioned. "Really? Yes!" Lewis fist-bumped the air, causing Rikki to roll her eyes and laugh.

Cleo grimaced, knowing how this scene was going to go. She wasn't sure what was going to be more embarrassing, her reaction to him hanging out with Charlotte more or her first full moonspell.

"Ew! Guava? That's disgusting!" Kim gagged. "I really have to question your and Emma's tastebuds. First, you like wheatgrass, then she likes those weird juices from the sleepover, and now this?!" Ash whined.

Lewis: carry's his bag over his shoulder, follows Charlotte toward the counter. "I know! I heard it stimulates the scientific side of the brain." Lewis glances back and spots Cleo sitting at one of the side counters, watching them. Gives her a sad look.

"Hmm. Doesn't seem to be working," Rikki teased. "Think you need more of it then," Zane chuckled, adding to it. "Oh, give me a break. It was great talking to someone about this stuff," Lewis leaned his head back with a groan of annoyance. Especially since Cleo and I's breakup. I didn't know who else to go to about this stuff. Rikki would ignore me, and Emma was busy with work.

"It is true," Denman muttered.

"You and your scientific facts. Always something," Max chuckled. "You used to say that with apple juice," Mrs. Chatham hummed in amusement.

Charlotte: "I heard it stimulates the artistic side. Maybe it does both." Both at the counter now, her hand on her hip and head tilted to the side. Cleo glances away, trying to focus back on her magazine with her jaw clenched.

"Actually, it does. Both the artistic and scientific side is linked to the creative and intelligent side of the brain. However, what drives it the most is your interest in it. The more you do with it, the stronger the force is," Denman mentioned. "That is correct, my friend," Max nodded and smiled. Denman returned the smile at being called a friend, and glad that she had made one, especially with such an intellectual being that is interested in science just as much as her.

"And where did you hear that from?" Rikki asked her. "I did take art class practically my whole life, you know? It's just as much to me as swimming was for Emma," Charlotte pointed out. "No. I did not know that," Rikki winced. She knew she had taken art class, but she didn't know she was pretty much raised up in it!

"You're not hanging out with Charlotte just to make Cleo jealous, are you?" Don narrowed his eyes in suspicion, his anger growing. "No! It was just good talking to someone about this who liked similar interests as I do," Lewis exclaimed.

Lewis: turns back to Charlotte. "Or it just has a good PR machine."

"A good … what?" Kim squinted in confusion. "Intelligent words … tis confusing," Will scrunched up his face. "Nerd alert," Zane mumbled. "He's basically saying that it increases the intellectuality of the brain," Denman explained, earning a few ooh's and aah's from others. "Hmmm, nope, still don't get it," Rikki shook her head, Cleo nodding along with her.

"Fortunately, I did know what that meant. The good thing is that I do enjoy a bit of science," Charlotte declared. Though not as much as him. "Hope it's not as much as him then," Emma joked as she jabbed a thumb at Lewis. "Luckily, no. Otherwise, it'd be a science lab instead of an art room in the spare bedroom," Annette chuckled. "And I much prefer the art," Charlotte agreed.

"What did I say about speaking English?" Rikki sighed.

Charlotte: giggles loudly. "You're very funny, you know that?" Cleo looks back at them. Calms down. "At my old school I was reading this study that links high intelligence with a good sense of humor."

"It wasn't that funny," Elliot mentioned, not meaning to make Lewis's smile falter. "It wasn't funny at all," Kim stated bluntly.

"A bit over the top, don't you think?" Rikki raised an eyebrow at Charlotte, hinting that she knew what she was doing. "Maybe a little," Charlotte blushed in embarrassment.

"That's not something you learn in art," Bella frowned. "No, but it would be in science. I didn't want to earn a bad grade," Charlotte remarked.

Cleo pouted, she hated having to see this again, but she hated it even more that she was the cause of all this, because she was the one who broke up with him in the first place. So really, Charlotte had every right to try and be 'friendly' with him; although that doesn't mean she liked it. She missed Lewis. And she couldn't wait till this was over and they were back home so they could finally talk it out about who or what they are to each other now.

Lewis: "Oh, really?"

Charlotte: smiles. "Yeah, I think you'd be off the chart." Cleo rolls her eyes upon hearing that, knowing what the red-haired girl was doing. She was making her move now that she was out of the picture. Emma walks up to the counter to take their order.

"Dude, you're flirting!" Ash gawked as he finally realized it. Emma slapped his arm. "Rude! You never call a girl out like that. That's embarrassing," she muttered to him, unamused like him. Of course, it was obvious to anybody that was watching what she was doing, but it was still not something he should've done. Charlotte blushed brightly with embarrassment and glanced away from Lewis in humiliation.

However, Lewis doesn't comment on it. He had a feeling that was what she had been doing ever since they started hanging out more, but for it to be outright stated to him, and to be confirmed … that was something else. He could only wince and rub his neck sheepishly. He wasn't quite sure how to feel about that. He liked Charlotte, but it was more of in a friend kind of way, because he still had feelings for Cleo. And those would never go away; Cleo has and always will have his heart.

Lewis: to Emma. "Hey, Em, two apple and guava juices please." The two smile at her.

Emma: smiles back. "Coming up." The two walk away to go sit at a table. Lewis puts his bag down, the strap going on the back of the chair, as Emma walks toward the back to get more fresh fruit to make their juices. Cleo, seeing Emma heading for the end of the counter, stands up and walks over to her, arms crossed as she sneaks glances back at them.

"Oh, boy," Cleo mumbled as she squirmed lower into her seat, trying to hide from everyone to no avail.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Will said. "Really? I have a great feeling about this," Kim said with a wide grin. Her sister instincts were kicking into high gear and she could sense the jealousy radiating from the screen. And her feeling was telling her whatever she was planning was going to backfire. Because – as the Sertori luck goes – it always does.

Emma: when Cleo gets next to her. "She seems nice." Walks toward the double doors leading to the storage room.

Cleo: furrows her brows questioningly. "Do you think?"

Charlotte furrows her brows as well. They were talking about me? Though it had to have happened at some point since Cleo had all those accusations about me when she took my diary. Jealousy at its finest. Though she didn't have much to say. She was jealous of her before the breakup, and now watching some of this, sometimes that jealousy wanted to rise up, but she tried her best to fight it off. It was hard getting rid of feelings that should've never happened in the first place. After all, what's the point of them when it was only going to get crushed once he and Cleo work things out again?

"She is nice," Annette chuckled and glanced at her daughter. "Though she does have her grandmother's temper." Max and Mrs. Chatham turned to them with a curious glance, wondering who the aforementioned lady was. They knew nearly everyone on the Gold Coast when they were their age, so it was a wonder who they could've missed.

Emma: walks through the double doors and holds it open long enough for Cleo to walk through behind her. "Sure. She's happy and friendly. She and Lewis seem to be getting on well." Opens a box full of guavas.

"Thanks for the support," Cleo grumbled. "Hey, I was trying to be happy for Lewis that he was trying to move on. I was hoping you would too so you could stop being so sad. It wasn't helping you. You needed to move on as well. Or you could've gained the courage and talk to him about it," Emma whispered. "With everything that was going on, no way-Hosea," Cleo whispered back. "It's Emma, she's going to be happy for everyone," Rikki whispered as well. Especially when she's on the clock.

Lewis couldn't help the small smile, he knew Cleo had a little problem with him and Charlotte hanging out more after her little outburst about the diary, no matter how much she tried to deny it. But he was glad to know that one of his friends was willing to support him on making another friend. And he meant it. He wasn't ready to move on so quickly as to be in a relationship with Charlotte, as he still wanted to wait it out with Cleo, but Charlotte was good company.

A little too well, I think, Don hummed in thought. He trusted Lewis and believed Charlotte was a good person, but he knew how Cleo felt about this. Especially since she complained about it so much the past few weeks at home. He just hoped she didn't go overboard with it.

Cleo: tries not to grind her teeth as she leans against the freezer door, arms crossed. "They do, don't they?"

Emma: "Hey, I'm sure nothing's going on."

"Of course not. We're just friends. I don't move on that quick," Lewis scoffed. "What kind of guy do you take me for?" "Do you really want me to answer that question?" Rikki cocked her eyebrow. "If I still want my confidence intact, perhaps not," he replied.

"Yeah, just friends," Charlotte nodded, though her voice was a little shaky … and Annette couldn't help but notice, and so did someone else. Lewis glanced over at the red-haired girl and gave her a sad smile, knowing how this sounded to her. Seems like just about everyone had something they needed to say once this was over.

Cleo: "Yeah, of course."

Emma: walks over to the apples and grabs them, walking back over to the guava box. "She's just friendly."
"That word has been used a lot," Sam commented. "I had to remind her quite a lot," Emma answered, Cleo blushing even more.

That's what you think, Cleo thought. A little too friendly, Bella thought.

"Someone's jealous," Rikki whisper-sang to Cleo. "Oh, why don't you go cry over Zane," she shot back. As much as she wanted to argue and give a snooty remark, her mouth remained shut as she knew how this was all going to end. And she was either going to end up with three friends and no Zane, or a boyfriend and no more mermaid sisters. Either way, she was screwed.

Cleo: nods her head. "Uh-huh. Just friendly." Raises her eyebrows, skeptical. "The way she flicks back her hair, that cute little smile, the way she laughs a little too hard. Very friendly." Walks to the other side of the mini storage room. Emma glances back at her.

"Well, this explains why our order was taking so long," Lewis joked, trying not to tease Cleo over her jealousy. "Indeed," Charlotte couldn't help the small giggle. She too had wondered why it seemed so long. They had just assumed that the ingredients were misplaced, which now that they think about it, was highly unusual for the super-organized Emma.

"Very observant," Max chuckled, using Lewis's words against her. "It seems you have a stalker, dear," Annette said in amusement. "It appears so," Charlotte laughed. "You sound very stalky right now," Zane said. "Just how much have you been watching them?" Will grinned.

"I can't believe I missed this," Rikki whined, a smile on her face still. Cleo might have been her closest friend, but she would've loved to see the brunette humiliate herself due to her increasing jealousy. "That's because you were too busy being chased while Cleo was chasing them," Emma teased.

"Jealous," Kim mocked her. Cleo grumbled. "Oh, come on! You all literally just seen her do that," Cleo snapped and gestured to the screen with a huff. The crowd only erupted into laughter more. She grumbled some more and lowered herself back in her chair.

Cleo: nods and thinks it over, eyeing Emma. "I think we should investigate her."

"Okay. Now you're sounding very stalky," Zane's eyes widened. "Are you sure you're not a stalker?" Bella frowned. "Stalker Sertori, hmmm, it's starting to catch on," Rikki said, liking the nickname she just thought of. "Unless you want a water jet heading your way, it better not," Cleo threatened with a glare. "Okay, okay," Rikki laughed, shaking her head.

"Um, I think not," Annette said, sounding a bit worried. It probably won't, but what if it ends up leading to her old school? Charlotte had mentioned it, and the viewing wouldn't add it in unless it meant something. Would they find her old records? Annette let out a nervous breath. She really hoped it wouldn't affect Charlotte at this school too. It was already bad enough at the old one. And from one look at Charlotte, she knew it could get worse.

"Cleo, you really shouldn't. It'll lead to no good," Bev shook her head in disapproval. "Oh, yeah. This is going to backfire alright," Kim agreed with her earlier thought. "I think you've gone insane," Elliot shook his head, his parents giving him a stern look. Someone's been around Kim too much.

"What's there to investigate? She's just friendly," Ash reminded in Emma's words. A friendly flirt but otherwise still friendly.

"The full moon just couldn't give us a fast-forward button," Cleo grumbled as her two friends continued to tease her for it.

Emma: gave her a crazy look, pausing in her ingredients gathering. "What?"

Cleo: glances back to the door as if it were obvious. "Lewis knows a certain secret of ours. She's trying to get close to him. Who knows what she could find out?"

"How does that make any sense?" Sam asked. "It did in my head at the time," Cleo mumbled as the crowd continued to laugh at her onscreen thinking.

"Really, Cleo? You really think I'd let the secret out to someone I just met," Lewis laughed along with them. Cleo needed no response, only a pointed look in Denman's direction when she wasn't looking. Lewis grimaced, having seen her directed nod. "Okay, I see your point." "But I knew nothing of mermaids or powers of the sorts. How was I going to get it out of him when I had no absolute information?" Charlotte asked, finding the situation a bit ridiculous. "Never know," Cleo shrugged, not meeting her eyes.

"She's a teenager, not a spy," Neil felt bad for Cleo, but couldn't help finding the humor in all of this.

Emma: tries to stop her crazy thinking. "Cleo."

Cleo: cuts her off. "Come on. We don't know anything about her. It's time we did." Gestures to the door and nods, dropping her arms. Emma gathers some of the guava and only looks at her in disbelief, knowing there was no way she could stop her. Once the brunette got an idea, there was no stopping it until it was either a success or another failure.

"I tried to warn you," Emma shook her head. "How was I supposed to know that there were no bad intentions?" Cleo scoffed. "Because this is real life, Cleo, not a reality tv show," Rikki remarked. "We're mermaids, anything is possible," Cleo scoffed.

"You don't know anything because you didn't ask. I just moved here," Charlotte told her. "To be fair, you didn't react this way with me when I moved here. It's about the same amount of time as for Charlotte now, yet the only thing you knew of me was my name. By the way, how did you know my name?" Rikki asked. "Because you weren't trying to make a move on Lewis. And I knew your name because you were introduced in math class on your first day of school," Cleo whispered the first part. "Don't make me throw up," Rikki said in disgust, trying her best not to gag.

"You're starting to sound like me. And I don't like it," Kim said a bit disgruntled. They were sisters, but snooping was her specialty.

[Minutes later, after having left the café, Cleo speeds through the water until she comes to a halt and looks up, and swims to the surface.]

"This doesn't look good," Ash chuckled. "Going a little overboard, don't you think?" Lewis grinned at her. "You have no idea," Cleo grumbled, not even going to let him know that he accidentally made a pun. After all, he didn't know that she was spying on him behind a boat. But he was about to find out!

"She could be just going for a swim," Don said defensively. "With that look on her face? Definitely not," Sam shook her head. "Dad, this is Cleo we're talking about. She's too determined to back out of it," Kim mentioned.

"Funny enough, you and Cleo were just alike in this episode, so willing to see your ex's," Emma teased. "And it just proves how much we listen to your silly little rules," Rikki mocked as Emma playfully rolled her eyes.

[Cleo quietly breaks the surface and peers her head around the side of a boat, watching Charlotte and Lewis stand together on the dock, their backs to her. She was so close that she could overhear their conversation.]

"Cleo! What are you doing?!" Emma said, eyes wide as she gave Cleo a stern look. Her family and a few of the other audience members did the same. "What does it look like I'm doing? Investigating, obviously," Cleo rolled her eyes, hiding her blush of embarrassment. "Cleo, that's too dangerous. Someone could've saw you. You're lucky that the marina was clear since most everyone would've been at lunch by now," Don huffed, shaking his head. "Sorry, dad," Cleo winced, having not thought it through completely.

"You're lucky that I didn't see you. One look behind me, and you and your tail would've been exposed," Charlotte commented, though she was shocked to find out Cleo was spying on them; she honestly wasn't that surprised due to the diary incident. She particularly didn't blame Cleo either, since she technically did the same to her, Lewis, and the girls before the breakup.

Meanwhile, Rikki kept her mouth shut, as she knew she couldn't really say anything, considering she was almost revealed on the marina as well thanks to Nate. She doesn't know why Emma doesn't have a rule of staying clear of Nate, as he seems to have a track record of always causing their forced transformations and having to flee for cover.

"You were there?" Lewis asked, a bit worried if he might have said something about her. He couldn't remember. "Yeah, I was," Cleo said, sounding a little hurt as she glanced down, which only made him concerned.

Lewis: "I'm not sure if it's gonna work. I don't think it's gonna be strong enough." Cleo leans back to avoid detection as she watches them.

"Let me guess, the weather device?" Annette asked her. "You guessed it right," Charlotte nodded. "Great, back to boring nerd talk," Kim griped.

Charlotte: "Well, it needs some kind of support structure, but preferably not metal." Charlotte holds the device in her hands while Lewis holds a metal pipe in his and they look down at it questioningly." Cleo moves a little closer, trying to peek around the boat to get a better view.

"Why not?" Will asked. "Wouldn't make good balance due to the waves and –." Lewis tried to say but Rikki cut him off. "Please, don't. Do not make another long explanation as to how much of a geek you are," Rikki held a hand up in his face. Lewis sighed in defeat. "Rikki, be nice," Cleo told him. "Honesty counts as being nice," Rikki said. "From others, yes. However, you sweetheart, bring honesty to a whole new level," Terry told her.

Lewis: looks back at her. "Oh, yeah. Yeah, so it doesn't interfere –."

Charlotte and Lewis: "with the readings." Charlotte giggles.

"How'd you know?" Will asked her. "It's like painting. There are certain brushes to use for your paint depending on your style, so that way it all doesn't look bundled together," Charlotte explained. "That helped clear things up," Zane sarcastically said. "So, the paint doesn't interfere with the other colors and styles," Charlotte sighed, giving him an annoyed look.

"Thanks for the reminder on that. I had forgotten that small detail," Lewis thanked the redhead. "It was a close call considering you were holding the metal pipe in your hand," Charlotte agreed, trying not to blush. "Would've been a doozy if it had," Max nodded.

Lewis: shakes his head. "You know, it – it's so good to talk about this stuff with someone who actually understands science." Cleo looks hurt, a frown on her face, then turns back around and dives under.

"This is such a good way to get back with her. Keep talking bad about her and it'll happen," Zane sarcastically said and gave him a thumbs up. "I wasn't trying to talk bad about her," Lewis huffed then turned to Cleo who still had a hurt expression on her face, the same that was on the screen. "Cleo, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound so harsh, especially if I had known you were there, but I know how much you don't like science."

"It's not that I don't like science, it's just that I don't understand it that well. You're my tutor, and you know how much I suck at it, hence why it hurt much more than it should have," Cleo looked back at him, a tad annoyed. "Hence why you don't like science. And neither do I for that matter," Rikki added. "Trust me, Rikki. We know," Emma rolled her eyes. "Since it took a downpour for you to retake a test you didn't study for, we know you don't," Lisa laughed at the memory.

Don narrowed his eyes at him. "Just because you're still friends with her doesn't mean you can talk bad about my daughter." "I didn't mean for it to sound that way!" Lewis exclaimed, putting his head in his hands. Not sure who I should be worried more about now. Cleo's feelings or her dad's threats. "Whether she is there or not, she's still your friend and that's no way to talk about a friend," Bev frowned, not happy that he had badmouthed Cleo like that.

"Wow, you sure know how to compliment a girl," Bella frowned.

"You better not have added to that conversation, young lady," Annette gave her daughter a stern glare. "I didn't even know it was about Cleo. I had a hunch, but still," Charlotte remarked.

[Once again Rikki finds herself at the track, watching from the safety of behind the rustic fence as the motorists continue to race down the dirt path. And once again, upon hearing some engines come up behind her, she turns to find Zane skids to a stop next to her. Nate, behind him, continues on past the two to get a head start on riding the track.]

"Is this going to be your new hangout spot instead of the Juicenet?" Emma raised an amused eyebrow at her, though she was a little annoyed to find herself with Zane again. Though who am I kidding? I knew he was going to pursue her, not to mention when he followed her to the café that same day.

"Funny how this was going down all on one shift for you," Cleo grinned. "First of all, you're one to talk. And second, I was working a double. Rhonda called in sick," Emma explained, giving her a look when she spoke of the former.

"Kind of odd, isn't it? You both have weird things going on while you're at work. Cleo with the whole marriage thing and now you Emma with all the boy drama," Will chuckled. "We agreed not to mention that again!" Cleo huffed, glaring daggers at him. "Sorry."

"Why do you keep pulling up behind her like that? It's almost like a sneak attack," Ash pointed out. "It's not. It's just the way it was," Zane shrugged. "Oh, please. You kill for the drama. It's all about a dramatic flair," Lewis did some jazz hands to show effect.

"Nate lose his patience again?" Harrison assumed. "Yeah. He wanted to get on the track already, he wasn't waiting on me again," Zane shook his head.

Zane: takes off his helmet and gestures to the bike with it. "Hop on, come for a ride."

"On that thing? Is it safe?" Emma asked skeptically, hoping Rikki would say no. "Do you not see me wearing a helmet? Besides, I'm not the only one riding one," Zane remarked.

"Don't you need another helmet?" Lisa asked, slightly concerned. She saw this boy grow up to be the young man he is now, she didn't want to see him injured. "I'll be fine without one," Zane waved it off. "Uh, no. Absolutely not. I bought you a helmet with that thing and you will be wearing it while riding it. Understood?" Harrison declared. Zane sighed and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah."

Rikki: "Maybe another day."

Emma let out a breath of relief. Good. She knew how tempting it is for the girl – I mean, come on, it's Rikki we're talking about – but it was too risky for Rikki, not just with the risk of water but also getting close to Zane again. She didn't want to see one of her best friends getting hurt.

"Atta girl," Terry nodded. He knew Rikki would be safe on one, she is a professional at riding one herself, but he rather Rikki drive her own than with someone else. He wasn't too trusty of Zane's driving anyways after nearly running her over.

Zane: smirks. "Come on. You're not afraid of me, are you?"

"Of you? Please," Rikki scoffed. "We both know who'd win. A feisty mermaid would beat Mister Rich Boy any day," Bella said. "No need to bet on this one. You're out for the count," Max chuckled. "Really it should be the other way around," Will said. "Rikki's proved herself plenty of times. She has nothing to be afraid of," Elliot mentioned. "Except the secret," Kim reminded him. "Oh, yeah. Except that." Emma shook her head in amusement.

Rikki: rolls her eyes with a smile. "Zane, it's not gonna happen."

Zane: "Really?" Skeptical, points at her. "I can see it in your eyes. You want me back."

"Don't test her," Terry warned.

"Of course, this is what it's about," Emma rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "When isn't it?" Cleo scoffed. Rikki sighed, hearing their conversation then turned back to the brunette boy. "As tempting as it is, I go on my own." Zane sighed then frowned. "Wait, are you talking about us or the motorbike?" Zane turned to her, gesturing to him and the screen. Rikki only smirked and looked back at the screen.

"The only thing I see in her eyes is humor. And maybe a bit of disgust, thinking 'why did I ever go out with him?'," Ash squinted. Zane glared at him. "Kidding, kidding!" "No, no he's right. It's definitely there," Rikki beamed, trying not to laugh. "Better than what I see," Mrs. Chatham muttered to herself. Because Zane is absolutely right. She did want him back.

"What does that have to do with her saying no to riding a bike?" Elliot frowned. "It doesn't, El," Neil sighed.

Rikki: shakes her head, a small smile on her face. "No, I don't. It's over."

"I think that's a no," Lewis told him. "So maybe you should take the hint." "I'm sorry, who's the one who didn't understand that their girlfriend needed some space?" Zane raised an eyebrow at him. Lewis glared at him in annoyance then looked down. Cleo did the same, keeping her glare pointed directly at the Bennett. "Maybe you should keep your mouth shut more often," Harrison told him.

Zane: nods and shrugs. "Is that why you're still here?" Rikki looks away, avoiding answering.

"He does raise a good point. Why were you still there?" Emma asked curiously. "Hello, it's me we're talking about. I grew up around bikes and the sort, that place is my dreamland. It couldn't get rid of me that easily," Rikki gestured to the track. "Then why didn't you tell him that?" Cleo asked, also curious. "I also like the dramatic flair," Rikki did the jazz hands as well, a bit of mockery toward Lewis. "I was only messing with him. Besides, I don't have to answer to everything." Zane smirked. Game on then.

Zane: narrows his eyes at her. "Okay. That's the way it's gonna be? Fine." Puts his helmet on and straps it in place. Cranks the motorbike up and speeds past her. Rikki turns around and watches him as he goes down the entrance ramp of the track to join the rest of the bikers. But it doesn't go exactly 'as planned.'

"Heck of a way to make an exit," Will commented.

"Too easy. You never give up that easy," Cleo said suspicious. "He's not. But he's up to something," Emma narrowed her eyes, especially since he hadn't come to the café yet begging for forgiveness.

[Just as Rikki was walking along the fence line, Zane revs his motor to speed up … but something happens. Instead of speeding up, the motorbike stumbles, becoming incredibly unbalanced and Zane falls off as if the bike somehow flung him. Dirt slung everywhere from the bike hitting the ground, along with a Zane who rolls several times down the small hill of the edge of the curve and stops, unconscious.]

Most of the audience gasped in shock and horror. "Oh my gosh, Zane!" Cleo yelled, both her and Emma staring eyes wide at the screen. "Are you alright?" Bev asked in worry. "Oh yeah, he's fine. He's fine," Rikki nodded along then snuck a deadly glare at Zane. Very fine. Zane grimaced. Not for long. "You didn't tell me about this," Harrison remarked as he stared at his son next to him in concern. "There's a reason for that," Zane held a finger up, biting his cheek. "Oh, Zane!" Lisa gasped, covering her mouth in shock. "What happened?" Elliot asked in confusion and worry.

However, some of them weren't fooled. "Yeah, how did it happen?" Ash asked, his brows furrowed in suspicion. He's a horse trainer. Now he doesn't know much about motorbikes, but he does know a fake toss from a real one. There have been plenty of people that fell off a horse from his time as a trainee. Accidents happen. But this … this doesn't seem like an accident.

Terry too had his eyes narrowed as he hummed in thought. Unlike Ash, he was an expert on bikes – or at least he thought he was, until he gets his dang motorcycle fixed – and he knew what seemed real and what wasn't. What happened to Zane was no accident, nor was there any reason for that to happen. The bike was in perfect condition. The only thing that is messed up is whatever is in that thick boy's skull. Whatever he's planning, he better not hurt Rikki. And from the look of horror onscreen Rikki's face, that was already happening.

"Something ain't right," Will mumbled, eyebrows furrowed. It's the complete opposite of his boat, one riding on dirt and the other in water, but he's been flung off by both before – especially when a careless driver speeds past his boat way too close. Something like that shouldn't cause him to blackout that easy.

"You ride bikes all the time, how did you mess up so easily?" Kim asked in confusion, she too felt a bit odd about this. "When it comes to something as dangerous as bikes or boats, you never know what will happen. Expert or not," Don informed her, looking at the screen sadly.

Rikki: looks on in shock, her mouth wide open in horror as Zane remains there motionless. She quickly runs down the entrance ramp hollering his name. "Zane!" She slows to a jog as she nears him, worry filling her features. "Zane, are you okay?! Zane!" She bends down and turns Zane facing upward, shaking him slightly to wake him. "Can you hear me? Can you hear me, Zane?"

"You better be messing around Zane," Harrison gave him a stern glare, upset that he wasn't told about this. Knowing what his father was thinking, he grimaced. "Again, there's a reason for that."

Rikki: fumbles with his helmet as she tries to take it off, unlatching the buckles on it. She looks around for anyone to hear her nearby. "Help! Somebody!" The bikers that were on the track come to a halt near the ramp behind her, watching the scene unfold, Nate included.

The way he seemed to lay there lifeless reminded Emma of when he was drowning, trapped on the Lorelei when darkness took over him. A shutter ran down her back as a thought of what would happen if she didn't make it in time, or not even show up at all. He would be the same way, laying there … lifeless. She would probably be in Rikki's position: scared, worried, sad, wanting him to be okay. They weren't friends, barely, but she did grow up with him. She's known him her entire life. She wouldn't want the boy who was always around getting on her nerves to die or be hurt in general.

"For your sake, this better not be a joke," Lewis said, no joking tone as he spoke. He's never seen Rikki like this, not even when it came to the Denman incident, the most terrifying event she has ever experienced though she won't admit it. He hated seeing her like this. It sort of broke him to see the toughest girl he's ever known to look so fragile in this moment. And if Zane was messing around the way he always does, then this was going to end very, very badly for him. If he wasn't hurt now, he was for sure going to be hurt as soon as Rikki finds out.

Rikki: turns back to him as she takes his helmet off. "Zane! Are you alright?!" She shoves the helmet away and holds Zane's head up to face her. As soon as the helmet is shoved off, a smirk is shown on Zane's face and slings an arm around her shoulder and pulls her in for a kiss. Once their lips touch, Rikki pulls back and looks at him, stunned.

Zane: a big mischievous smile graced his face. His plan worked! Still in Rikki's arms, he looks up at her. "I knew you still liked me."

Everyone slowly turned to the mischievous boy in question, a death glare sent at him in every direction. Said boy looked directly at the floor, wanting to avoid everyone's deadly gaze. Harrison's eyes narrowed, and in the back of his mind wondered where in the world he got his sense of humor. "I should've known. You majorly screwed up this time." "I knew it," Ash grumbled. "Are you kidding me?!" Bella looked at him, jaw dropped, anger fueling her along with many others. "Of course," Charlotte said in disgust. "You. Are. Such. A jerk," Emma said, expected disappointment in place of both her's and Cleo's faces.

"I would say I'm surprised, but this is expected from someone like you," Lewis said in disappointment. "Still, you wouldn't think he would stoop so low to try and win her back," Denman shook her head. You're one to talk, Neil inwardly scoffed, though he too didn't think Zane would do such a thing.

"Son, if you're wanting to win her over, this is definitely not the way," Max sighed.

"Unfortunately, this does remind me of Karl," Mrs. Chatham said sadly. It's something he would do.

"Elliot, I better not ever find out you do something to a girl like this. You hear me?" Lisa glared at the screen. "Duly noted," Elliot quickly nodded, shock still in his system that Zane did that to his friend.

"You forced her into a kiss?!" Cleo shouted. "It was the finishing touch?" Zane quietly said, despite knowing he shouldn't. "After she yelled for help when she was worried about you, not your lips. What is wrong with you?" Kim shook her head in disgust.

Terry took deep angry breaths as he rubbed his hands in his face, trying to calm himself down and think rationally. As much as he wanted to yell and throw Zane across the room for making Rikki go through that, he didn't want to do that to her. As Rikki said before during one of their breaks to him, she was back together with Zane; she was happy with him. And that meant it was obviously sometime after this. If Rikki saw him thrash Zane around like a rich ragdoll, it would only hurt her more. She clearly didn't like him doing this as her onscreen self was fuming at him, just like the one in the room was now. But he knew Rikki, and the feisty blonde would give him a taste of her own medicine. Don't get him wrong, he was angry. Fuming. But if Rikki was still with him, then he couldn't do that to her boyfriend … not in front of her at least. Whenever they get out of here and they somehow meet up when Rikki isn't around, he'll show him where he can park that bike!

[Rikki, fuming, hits him in the chest then jumps up and walks away, back up the entrance ramp.]

Zane: jumps up, throws his arms out to his side. "Rikki! Rikki, come on!" A smile was on his face as he tried to play it off as a joke. But she wouldn't take it. She only whips around for a second and glares at him, as she continues to storm off, passing the other onlookers on their bikes. Zane's smile falters as he realizes she wasn't coming back. "Rikki?"

"See? She didn't take it as a joke," Lewis pointed out. "Oh, really? Didn't notice!" Zane exclaimed, his sarcasm heard loud and clear.

"You never joke with women's feelings," Annette fumed.

"Just be glad your head is still attached. Though I don't know how your feet are still on the ground, with all that air in your head," Harrison scowled. "Oh, it won't be attached for long," Terry mumbled under his breath.

"You should've learned your lesson the second she took that boat. Don't ever mess with a Chadwick!" Bella declared. "You got that right!" Terry barked, making Zane flinch as he somehow momentarily forgot that Rikki's father was in the room.

"You think that was the right thing to do?" Ash sarcastically asked. Zane glared at him. "No … now."

"What was that saying about 'don't mess with mermaids'? Oh, yeah. This is why!" Kim exclaimed. "You're an idiot, Zane," Cleo huffed. Emma shook her head, arms crossed. This is exactly why Rikki should've stayed away from him. He was only going to hurt her.

[Rikki continues to storm until she got all the way to the Juicenet café, where Emma was still working her shift. She walks up to the counter, slightly tense as she looks around her, then speaks to Emma on the other side of the counter.]

Rikki: "Give me juice."

"Anything specific?" Sam asked. "I didn't care as long as it got me distracted and away from him," Rikki answered.

Emma: frowns in concern, noticing her tense posture. "Is everything alright? You seem a little tense."

"Funny. The last time you said that to me I was planning the perfect birthday party only for it to become a disaster," Emma chuckled at the memory. "Ironic, isn't it?" Rikki chuckled with her.

Rikki: frowns. "I'm not tense. Why should I be tense?" Behind her, the beaded curtains jingle. Emma looks over Rikki's shoulder to find Zane walking up, now in his normal outfit.

Zane: walks up to the counter next to her. "I thought you'd be here."

"That's why," Charlotte said. "If you weren't tense then, you definitely will be now," Annette added.

"You just have the best timing, don't you? You know exactly when to make someone angry," Lewis stated. "Guess we all have it, don't we?" Zane retorted.

"Looks like it won't get you away from him this time," Sam grimaced.

Rikki: ignores him and turns back to Emma, tensing up even more. "Make that to go."

Zane: "Oh, come on. Just hear me out." Rikki crosses her arms and glares at him, still angry. Holds his hand out gesturing back where they just came from. Emma turns slightly, trying to act like she wasn't listening in. Smiles, the mischief still gleaming. "I was just messing around. You can trust me." Emma turns back to him, slightly panicked at what she just heard.

"Yeah, can you not say that next time? Your choice of wording kind of freaked me out there," Emma remarked. "If there ever is a next time," Zane said. "Kind of? You flipped out on me thinking I had spilled the beans to him," Rikki said.

"I think she heard enough when you fooled around and forced her into a kiss," Bella scoffed, arms crossed. "How could you have possibly thought that was funny?" Lisa asked in disgust. "At the time it was. Nate thought it was funny," Zane tried to point out. "Yeah, and Nate is much worse than you by far lengths and that's saying something," Rikki huffed, as she thought of the boating incident between the two of them. Because of Nate, she didn't have a choice but to tell him. "And Rikki clearly thought it was hilarious," Terry said in a sarcastic manner, still angry.

Rikki: "Zane, get this into your head. No." She turns back to Emma, refusing to face him again.

Zane: sighs silently and begins to back away. "Think about it." Turns around and walks back outside through the beaded curtains. Rikki glances back at him as he walks out.

"I don't think she wants to," Will said. "After what you just did, why should she?" Bella asked. "After that stunt you pulled, I wouldn't," Max shook his head.

"Even after all that, you still wouldn't give up," Harrison chuckled to himself. He didn't like what his son had done, but his stubbornness just proves himself more that he is a Bennett through and through.

"And here comes the scolding," Rikki sighed.

"She's not going to be so forgiving that easily," Emma scowled.

Emma: as soon as Zane was out of sight, she turns back to Rikki with an accusing look, leaning over the counter. "Trust him? Rikki, what have you said?"

"Nothing. He just has poor word choices," Rikki held her hands up. "And if I had known that, I wouldn't have accused you as such. I'm sorry, Rikki. I should have trusted you more," Emma sighed. "It's fine. I have to admit, it did sound like it," Rikki let out a laugh. "You got that right," Emma joined her.

"You know what Zane is like, why accuse her?" Kim asked. "Because I know what Rikki is like, no offense," Emma nodded to her. "None taken. Though that doesn't mean I'll just spill everything to him that easily," Rikki remarked.

Rikki: rolls her shoulders. "Relax. He doesn't know anything."

Not yet, Zane thought. "He does now thanks to this," Sam gestured to the screen. "So does everyone," Mrs. Chatham chuckled.

Emma: "I thought you were gonna stay away from him."

"You see how that's working out," Lewis huffed. "I was trying to. It's not my fault he was at the dirt track," Rikki remarked. "No, but it is your choice to stay," Emma said. "I shouldn't have to avoid every place I like just because he's there. You didn't see me running out the door as soon as he showed up in the café, did you?" Rikki replied. "No." "Exactly."

Rikki: "I was." Corrects herself, hands on her hips. "I mean, I am. Don't worry, he's gone."

"Not for long," Kim said. "Knowing Zane, he can't keep away forever," Lewis looked at him.

Emma: "Good." Steps back and walks around the counter. "And that's what you want, right?" Walks past her to wait on some more customers at a table, not even waiting to listen for an answer.

Rikki: quiet, nods her head. "Definitely." Looks down at the counter and sighs.

"No, that was what you wanted," Charlotte said. "But it doesn't look like that's what Rikki wants," Annette said. "It's not something I completely agreed with," Rikki quietly admitted, glancing down. Zane couldn't help but smile. To know that Rikki didn't want to stay away from him meant something. Of course, he should have known since they were back together.

[That night, after Emma's shift, she arrives at Cleo's so the brunette could discuss her findings. Unfortunately … there weren't any, nothing leading back to their secret at least. Emma sat at Cleo's desk as Cleo spoke to her from the bathroom sink, the former flipping through the pages of a book.]

Cleo: "Come on, something's not right about her."

"Ah, the return of the jealousy," Kim smiled smugly.

"I'm getting big vibes from the whole wedding fiasco time," Will chuckled. "Yeah. Wonder if it'll turn out to be just as misleading," Bella laughed with him. "Oh, you have no idea," Charlotte snickered to herself as Cleo turned more red. "Why does it keep showing these clips?" she whined. "Because you won't stop embarrassing yourself," Kim quipped.

Emma: focused on the book. "Don't be so suspicious." Turns around and grabs a paper from the desk.

"What were you working on sweetheart?" Lisa asked curiously. "Science homework. It wasn't due till the end of the week, but I wanted to get a head start on it. I was re-reading the chapter before I got started on it. But someone wanted me to come over to talk about their day," Emma gave Cleo a pointed look. "I needed to get it off my chest," Cleo excused.

"So why weren't you working on your science homework?" Don raised an eyebrow. "I was going to eventually. Besides, I needed Emma to help me with it since me and Lewis weren't exactly on tutoring terms at the moment. Or even speaking terms," Cleo remarked. "If you needed help with your homework, you could've just called," Lewis told her. "Yeah, but it would've been super awkward. Am I wrong?" Cleo questioned. "Probably right," Lewis sighed, seeing as how they had been acting that entire day, and the day after.

Cleo: "You don't believe me?" Puts her makeup remover on the counter then storms over to her bed. "Take a look at this." She grabs a paper from her bed and shows it to Emma. "I looked up Charlotte's old school on the net."

"Okay now you've crossed the boundaries of freaky stalkerish," Ash frowned. "Do you not see this as creepy?" Bella asked her. "I think it was a bit more obsessive at the time rather than creepy," Emma grinned. "Is there a difference?" "Sweetheart I think you're taking this a bit too far," Don warned her carefully. "A little late for that," Bev mumbled.

Charlotte and Annette gasped and looked at one another, their hearts pumping rapidly. She's looking at the school records! It worried them deeply about what she would find. Would she find her old records? Would she find the truth of what happened at that school? After all, there was another reason as to why they actually moved to the Gold Coast.

"I think a good question would be is, why?" Harrison asked. "I overheard her mention her old school to Lewis so I figured it wouldn't hurt to start my research from there," Cleo shrugged.

Cleo: straightens it out and looks at it. "There's not even any mention of her name on the school records." Emma stands up and gets next to Cleo as she takes the paper from the girl. Emma looks down at it. Cleo shrugs. "Look, no Charlotte Watsford. No Charlotte anybody."

The Watsford women silently gulped in relief, but their nerves were still shot, as the redhead herself crossed her arms to prevent anyone from seeing her shaky hands.

"That's strange," Max frowned. "It is odd. Why are there no records of you at your old school?" Neil asked. "I think the more important question would be is how Cleo knew what school I had went to," Charlotte stuttered, before shaking her head. "But there was a fire at my old school, and it burned down the office, destroying all of the old records. Since I was moving anyways, there would have been no new records to add in of me." "A fire? How did it start?" Sam asked in worry. "No one knows. We don't even know where it started," Annette covered for her. Cleo frowned. The website said that it was started in the art room. Annette should've known that. Something's not right. Despite knowing this new information, Cleo kept her mouth shut. Her little lie would be revealed sooner or later, then hopefully they'll get some more answers out of them.

"Charlotte does raise a good point though. How did you know what school she went to?" Lewis asked. "Easy. She mentioned it when she had to stand in front of the class and present herself on her first day," Cleo shrugged. "You pay attention in class a lot more than you prove. Just not on your own schoolwork," Rikki commented.

Emma: "You sure you've got the right school?"

Cleo: takes the paper back from her. "This is serious." Walks toward the bathroom door, throws her hand up in the air in dismay. "We have to tell Lewis before she gets her claws into him."

"Dodging the question, not a good look for you," Kim grinned. "Was it the right school?" Elliot asked curiously. "Yes. I was sure I remembered the name. Rosewood Secondary College, right?" Cleo looked to the Watsford's. Charlotte nodded her head, hiding her nerves. "Uh, ye – yeah. Yeah, it is." "Still creepy," Bella muttered.

"Claws?" Bev asked. "They're not that long," Lewis laughed. "And you would know?" Cleo raised a suspicious eyebrow at him.

"No need in telling me now," Lewis chuckled.

Emma: walks past Cleo, heading toward the bathroom, pauses as she turns around and gives her a knowing look. "You mean, before she finds out we're mermaids." Grins and walks into the bathroom.

Cleo: points at her. "Yeah, right. Before that." Cleo nods with a shifty shake and heads back toward her bed.

"Remember your goal, Cleo," Mrs. Chatham informed. "At least she remembered her real goal," Zane snickered.

"Oh, Cleo," Don shook his head with a sigh then laughed.

"Well, that explains the awkward conversation we had," Charlotte mumbled. "What conversation?" Annette asked. Charlotte nodded toward the screen.

[During another shift the next morning for Emma, she takes a break with Cleo and sits down at a table outside, where Charlotte happened to be doing homework. The girl looks up from her head in her hand as she pauses in her writing and gives them a confused yet slightly surprised expression to the two girls that had unexpectedly sat down at her table.]

Cleo: decides to speak first, a sorrowful look on her face. "So, must be tough moving to a new school." Charlotte frowns in confusion even more, shaking her head.

"Oh," Annette realized, getting a bit more worried. "Yup," Charlotte popped the 'p'. My heart is still racing from that talk! "She didn't get anything from it, did she?" Annette whispered, eyes wide. "Just that there was a fire there. Not to worry," Charlotte whispered back.

"Oh, great. More of it," Cleo rolled her eyes. "Yay, more of it!" Kim cheered, unable to wait to see more of her sister humiliating herself.

"Great way to start a conversation," Lewis sarcastically said. "How else do you start a conversation with someone you barely know," Cleo snapped. "How about by saying, hello?" Emma said as if it were obvious.

"Way to be subtle, Cleo," Rikki mentioned. "Yeah, you make her bluntness look like sunshine," Terry chuckled. "I just wanted answers," Cleo huffed. Well, congratulations. You're about to get them, Charlotte thought worriedly.

Emma: covers for her before Charlotte could respond. "Oh, what she means to say is, hi." Gives her a small smile. Cleo kept staring at her expectantly.

"Thanks for covering for me," Cleo said. "I wasn't really trying to; was just trying to make the conversation easier, not scare her," Emma remarked.

"See, that's how you start a conversation," Lewis told her. Cleo glared at him, he wiped his smug smile away. "I'll shut up."

"No, she didn't," Kim stated. "After that conversation last night, I doubt it," Bella snorted.

"Is that your science homework too?" Denman asked curiously. "Yeah, I guess like Emma I like to get a bit of a head start on it," Charlotte replied.

Charlotte: to Emma. "Hi." Turns to Cleo, her features relaxing and nods. "And, yeah, it has been a little bit hard, but everyone's really nice." Gives her a small smile.

"As it should be," Sam nodded. "Not all schools are nice. You're just lucky that Miriam wasn't there this year," Rikki said. "Yeah, but she still has to deal with Nate," Emma said. "And Zane," Lewis added. "Hey!" "Luckily I haven't had a run-in with either of them yet," Charlotte grinned. "I'm still here!"

Cleo: an intense smile on her face, stares directly at her. Nods. "Yeah, they are. Because people around here are generally very honest."

"Here we go," Don sighed.

"You're one to talk about honesty," Zane barked. "I am a very honest person," Cleo argued. "I'm sorry, but who's the one that hid the fact that they were a mermaid for nearly a whole year?" Kim raised an eyebrow at her. "That's not lying, that's just keeping a secret. Totally different," she shot back. "But not very honest," Ash pointed out. "Not. Helping," she gritted her teeth.

Emma: quickly changes the subject before Cleo starts something, a small smile still on her face. "So you're into art?"

"Thanks for trying with me, Emma. Honestly, you, Cleo, and Lewis were one of the few who were incredibly nice to me," Charlotte smiled. Up until Cleo read my diary that is. Then it was just Emma and Lewis being nice.

"What about Rikki?" Terry asked, hoping that his daughter didn't give the new girl a hard time. "I don't think we ever got to talk by this point," Charlotte mentioned. "I would've been nice to her either way. To a point. I know what it's like being the new girl at school," Rikki said to her dad. "Thanks, Rikki," Charlotte gave her a small smile. "To a point," Rikki reminded in a teasing tone. "Don't worry, Charlotte. I really was trying to be friendly despite Cleo's little mission," Emma said, Cleo pouting at her. "It's okay, I know. Again, thank you for that. Not many were willing to talk to 'the new girl,'" Charlotte air-quoted. "I know that feeling," Rikki mumbled.

Charlotte: "Yeah." Turns to Cleo with a grin. "I was top at my old school in art." Glances back to Emma. While she does, Cleo quickly flips through her sketchbook when she isn't looking. "I'm into sketching, ceramics. Even exhibited at a couple of galleries."

Emma: smile big, interested. "Really?"

"Really, Cleo?" Emma whined, having not noticed Cleo doing that. "You flipped through my sketchbook?" Charlotte frowned. "Ah, so you are a Sertori," Rikki teased. "I was just checking to see if there were any pictures of mermaids," Cleo excused. "Are you sure? Or were you looking for any sketches of Lewis," Kim narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Zip it, Kim!" Cleo hissed.

"If you wanted a look at my sketchbook all you had to do was ask," Charlotte mentioned. "Okay. Can I?" she asked innocently. Charlotte gave her a dumbfounded look. "One, I don't have it on me. Two, you just did!" she exclaimed.

"Ooh, ceramics?" Lisa perked up. "Wait. You said you had them at a few galleries?" Neil studied her for a moment then gasped. "Oh, you're that Watsford! We've seen her work before, Lisa dear." "Oh, yes, we did. They were very extravagant," Lisa beamed. "Thanks," Charlotte looked pleased to know that someone had seen them and liked them.

"Told you she wasn't bad at them," Emma grinned. "I never said she was," Cleo grumbled. "You called her last work – that was for Lewis' weather machine – ugly," Emma whispered.

Cleo: slams the sketchbook shut. Charlotte looks back at her as Cleo looks up. "Your old school must be really proud of you, then." Charlotte looks to the side, a bit uncomfortable. "I'm sure there's articles about you all over their school website."

"You're not giving up on this, are you?" Annette sighed, wishing she did. "No, but I should have," she muttered the last part. "There was until the fire," Charlotte admitted, guiltily.

Charlotte: slightly nervous, but Cleo doesn't notice. "Well, actually there's probably not any record of me at all anymore."

Cleo: tilts her head, wanting to hear more. "Why would that be?"

"So nosy," Kim commented. "Shut it, Kim," Cleo huffed. "That's enough, girls," Don sighed.

Charlotte: "Well, just before I left, there was this huge fire. The office burned down, all the records were destroyed." Cleo's smile tightens up as she was proven wrong.

Emma: gives Cleo an 'I was right' look. "Wow, that's interesting." Cleo's smile fades and returns Emma's gaze.

"It's interesting to know there was a fire at a school? Not that she was safe, or sorry that all her artwork and records were gone?" Ash asked. "It's interesting to know that luckily no one was harmed," Emma corrected him.

"Strange that a fire started right before the end of the school year," Harrison commented. "Wonder what could've caused it," Neil said. "You think someone could've caused it? A student perhaps?" Denman asked. "Had to be. It's too coincidental for it not to be with the timing," Harrison remarked. "Man, someone must've really wanted out of their exam," Will chuckled. Charlotte rubbed her arms some more, her hands beginning to get a little sweaty from the nervousness growing inside her, waiting to explode. Annette put a hand on her shoulder to try and calm her down, but it wasn't working. It was getting close. Too close.