This chapter as well as the next one will include some background events and information that will be slightly AU and then will continue on in a "What happens next" type of thing.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy. :)

I will be posting more frequently to my Ao3 page /works/17554157

Chapter 1: The Rains of Change

Sunlight glistened along the white sloping sides of the Pride of the Sea, somehow reflecting the ecstatic delight of the passengers as they boarded the ramp onto the cruise ship's deck. The skies were somehow too clear, for this Autumn day, the wind itself betraying its message of an icy December.

Cries of excited chatter erupted among the throng of passengers all waiting to escape Baltimore's cruel promises of a white Christmas. One wouldn't need a sharp knife to cut the energy.

However, across the dock, in a small diner filled with sailors and tourists alike sitting amongst the tables and the bar. All were talking excitedly about the coming voyage to South America. The only ones not sharing that same excitement were Elisa Esposito and her best friends, Giles and Zelda. All three sat in the booth closest to the door next to the window where they could have a clear view of the street outside. Suitcases were stuffed under the table, between their legs, coffees remained untouched between them. The mute woman tried keeping her fingers from twitching focuses on folding and refolding her napkin.

Finally, out of the collective silence between them, Giles, as always, was the first to break it, "I'll be the first to say it. I don't think this will work."

The other two gave him a piercing looks and stared a them, hands up in a placating gesture, "What? I'm being serious! Something bad is going to happen! You know what they say? Man plans and God Laughs. Right?"

Zelda rolled her eyes before huffing, "Giles, you got to believe this will work! Dmit- Bob, has everything under control."

Elisa nodded fervently and reached across the table to grip Giles had, a comforting gesture. At least she believed so. Giles on the other hand whimpered and made a face. "But, how do we know we can trust him? I mean, I don't know if you've read the news, but we are still in the Cold War, and—"

"Lower your voice!" Zelda hissed with a look over her shoulder.

They leaned in as he continued, "-and what if this is just one big... I don't know... episonage...thing?"

Elisa let out a sigh and shook her head. She loved her friend and neighbor, but he could worry himself sick. A month of careful planning, the late-night talks, plan B and C scenarios, back and forth, back and forth, the discussions went until they finally came up with a fool proof plan that they could all could agree on. The woman took a shaky breath and tried to keep her anxiety from showing.

But she also couldn't help but hear what he was suggesting. What if this was really a trap? No. no she had to believe in the doctor. If she couldn't trust him, what hope was there for The Amphibian Man?

We'll just have to figure it out if it comes to that. I will not go back on my promise. Finally, she gave into her nerves and for perhaps the umpteenth time this day she touched her neck and felt for the new-found ridges of flesh. They were, yet again, laid flat on the surface of her skin, as if they were once again the perceived scars, she had always believed they were. The other two murmured in front of her, something about repeating the plan once more, to make sure all went as it should, but she could barely hear them; their voices fading into the background as she soon melted back into that night.

October tenth; the night of the storm. It began bitter-sweet; they were on their way to release the Amphibian Man back to the sea, her heart breaking with every step they took, with every mile that brought them closer to the docks. There was no time for sincere heartfelt goodbyes. No time for… for...well, anything. The Asset was in terrible danger and if they stayed together, he will never be safe. No matter how much pain it caused her to think about his absence.

Elisa remembered the weight of him laying against her chest as they rode in the car, convinced that this would be the last time she held him: her fairy tale prince. At the time, he struggled to breathe, wheezing and choking from lack of his home environment. She would tighten her arms around him and nestled her nose into his neck, being careful to avoid his gills. He would gently twitter to her in return.

"It's ok…" She imagined him telling her, "I will be fine." Of course, this did nothing to lessen her heavy heart, but she stifled a sob anyway. As the tears fell to his abdomen, he would weakly clutch her hand, more concerned for her than she was of him apparently. Somehow that hurt her more than it should have, and she choked back a whimper.

Of course, the real heartbreak was only to come. The shock of seeing red blossoming from her lover was enough to stun her from feeling the bullet ripping through her as well. Fire erupted through her, she fell to her knees, just barely heard Giles calling out to her.

She tried to cry out, but only a hoarse whisper escaped. He was so close. He was almost free from this terrible world. Her prince laid there next to her, arm extended towards her. No…

"You and me together." He had said. He wanted to stay with her. To be only with her. Elisa gasped and reach out, closing the gap between them. You and me together. She thought, gasping and clinging to his clawed and webbed hand. Quickly, almost too soon, her limbs began to feel heavy, her vision blurred, dimming around the edges, until in the last possible moment, only his Piscean face lingered before it too succumbed to the blackness of infinity.

Together.

Elisa felt it, more than she heard it. The cold bleakness of her landscape yielding nothing to her sense.

You and me together.

She tried to make sense of her surroundings, but everything felt muted, muffled, only a loud numbing roar of tic-tic-tics.

She tried to move, arms feeling heavy and stiff.

You and me.

She felt it again, consoled. With almost dream like understanding, she tried to move towards it. I want to come back. Please. Let me come back.

There was a tightness in her chest. The burning sensation had vanished now only to be replaced by one of desperation. Her body felt constricted. I can't breathe! She screamed in her mind.

Chest hurting, she moved her head. The tic-tic-tic sound ever present, growing louder, quickly becoming unbearable.

Finally, just as she couldn't stand it, Elisa opened her mouth for air.

The saltwater was icy cold, filling her lungs, and she gagged as the distinct taste of motor oil (among other disgusting flavors) bombarded her taste buds. It was purely, utterly disgusting. I am going to die, she quickly rationalized, fear chilling her to the bone.

Her body began to spasm, fighting to live. Please no, I want to live! Don't let me go! As she felt her lungs try to push the water out, a strange sensation occurred along the scars on her neck – the only way she could adequately describe it was a kind of… pop! Instantly the feeling of cold brine pushed through the multiple slits of skin beneath each ear in a smooth and steady stream.

Her eyes flew open in surprise stunned with the sudden implications of what this meant. I- what? I can breathe?

Dark orb-like eyes gazed before her, glinting with approval and she blinked. She pulled water in again, and exhaled, feeling it flow out again, the tightness leaving her completely. I am breathing? How is…? She searched the eyes of her lover, He made a small twitter sound before pulling her into his arms, a feeling of profound relief radiating off him in small lights on his shoulders.

Elisa blinked the fuzz out of her vision as her eyes adjusted to the underwater atmosphere. How is this possible? She glanced up at the surface, discovering that the constant tic-tic-ticing came from the rain showering onto the surface of the water above meters above them. She could also make out red and blue flashing lights – police! A beam of white light began to spot light through the murky water. What do we do, now?

Notes:

This is a little something I've been kicking around since I saw the movie in 2017. I just figure I'd fix it up a bit and just toss it out here for you to see. I hope you enjoyed it! I'm sorry if it seems a little redundant. I am trying my best. I certainly would appreciate any comments or constructive criticism as this is an exercise to help me get better at writing in general. I am thinking on putting in some mature elements in future chapters when the time comes so please be prepared for that.

Otherwise I look forward to hearing for you!