She took his hand and led him down the hall to the bathroom. The small room smelled of water. His whole body reacted to it. Sarah felt his reaction and gave him a sultry look before leaving the room. If he wasn't afraid of her reaction to his unique difference to humans, he'd drag her into the shower and finish what he started.
Turning the knobs on the sink as an experiment let him know how to get the water out. C meant cold and H had to be hot. He turned toward the tub and wondered how to block the water from running down the drain. He didn't see anything to use so he sat on the lip of the tub and stared. There was a spout up above his head. Had they created a waterfall? What fun!
He stripped his clothes off and turned on the cold water. It streamed down out of the overhead spout. Mika stepped in and tilted his head up toward the water. It felt wonderful.
As the water saturated his skin, he felt the change come over him. “Oh no."
* * * *
A load plop then a splash came out of the bathroom. Oh crap, did he fall? “Mika? You all right?"
His voice floated through the wall. “Everything is fine, just fine. No problem here."
She could hear him scrambling around. “I'm coming in."
Mika was draping his arms over the top of the tub when she walked in. How weird. He had the shower on yet sat in the tub. What was worse, he had one of her good towels draped across his legs, the one with the silky material and the little roses embroidered on it. “Um, I can get you a better towel."
"No. No. This is fine.” He straightened the towel so it completely covered the bottom half of his body.
"It's no problem.” She grabbed the towel and tugged. Mika tugged right back. A strong odor of fish filled the air. Where the hell did that come from? “I can get you a bigger towel."
"That would be great."
But he wouldn't relinquish the one he clutched to his body. Most men would be flaunting what nature gave them, and she had felt that nice gift when they kissed earlier. He had nothing to be ashamed of.
A sigh escaped her as she let go of the towel and snagged another from the shelves she had mounted on the wall. She placed the towel on the closed toilet lid and backed out. “Whenever you're ready to climb out of there."
* * * *
Mika slumped against the tub. That was too close. He whipped the soaked towel off his legs to reveal a tail fin. The moment the water hit his legs they reverted to a tail, and he couldn't stand on a tail. He went down like a ton of kelp.
Sarah came running, and he grabbed the first thing he could get his hands on. Lucky the towel was long enough to cover all of him. He didn't think it would have been a good thing for her to see a fin sticking out of it. Mika had to bend part of his tail to keep it out of sight. It hurt, but he couldn't imagine her reaction if he hadn't. It probably would have gone over like a mackerel flopping in a fry pan.
He struggled to get his body out of the tub. Once he flopped to the floor, he used the towel to rub the water off his legs. The change took some time, but soon he had two appendages instead of one big one. He wondered if any contact with water would do this. The small seat with water had him thinking. Mika stuck a hand into the water to see what would happen. Nothing.
So what would happen if he stuck a foot in it? Scales showed up immediately. “Okay so contact to water on the lower half is a no-no."
"Who are you talking to?"
Sarah's voice made him jump. Was she eavesdropping? “Myself.” No one else was there to hear him.
"I've made coffee if you'd like some.” Her footsteps faded as she walked back toward the kitchen.
So she had a reason for being there. Or was that just a quick excuse? He'd been hanging around humans too much. He was just as paranoid as they were. He finished drying off and climbed back into his clothes. A heavy aroma filtered through his nose, drawing him out of the bathroom and into the area where Sarah sat.
She clutched a cup to her face. Steam rose off the dark liquid. She inhaled deeply before taking a drink.
What was it about the liquid that made her react that way? He had to find out.
"Want some?"
"Sure.” He had no clue what he was asking for, but he had to see what had made her mellow out and calm down.
Sarah stood and poured him a cup of the dark liquid. “Cream or sugar?"
He didn't know, so he shrugged.
She did the same and went to the refrigerator. “I have both so I'll set them out for you okay?"
Mika nodded and sat in a chair next to the table where she placed the cup. A quick sniff made him smile. It smelled wonderful. He put the cup to his lips and took a small sip. The bitter brew made his face pinch up.
"Oh good heavens, put some cream and sugar in it. I won't think you less a man if you do.” She grabbed a small glass bottle and poured a white liquid into his cup. The two swirled together and created a lighter brown.
He took another sip and found the bitter taste had disappeared. This he could drink. Sarah sat back in her chair and cupped her mug. Mika mimicked her movements.
"The function isn't until tomorrow evening. Do you have a place to stay?"
She was back to that again. “No. I live a great distance from here. I can go home but I can't be sure I'll be back in time for tomorrow evening."
Her face sank at his words. “Oh."
He wanted to ask if he could stay but felt she just might tell him no if he asked now. She had to come to this decision on her own. No glamour this time either.
* * * *
How the heck was she supposed to keep him underfoot for another twenty-four hours? He hadn't been in her apartment more than an hour, and he kissed her so well she nearly melted. What would happen if they were together for a night? Her mind boggled over what her imagination started dreaming up.
He sat there so innocently watching her, clutching a cup of something she knew he had never had before. His face gave him away.
There was so much about him that didn't make sense. There was no way he had ever set foot in a car. Not by the way he gripped the dashboard. He didn't even know how to use the seatbelt. Yet, he leaped out of the car when she needed him most. Without thought over what would happen to him. A knight in shining armor. How could she deny him anything when he did that?
She turned her back to him. What to do, what to do? He needs me. Sarah was sure of that. But was it safe? She waffled back and forth for a few minutes before she finally came to a decision. When she turned back toward Mika, he still watched her with the cup clutched in his hands.
"I guess it would be okay if you stay here for the time being, but you'll have to sleep on the couch."
He smiled. Mika was getting that down. It lit up his face and put a special glow in his eyes. “I promise you won't regret it."
She might, but as long as they had some ground rules, everything would be fine. “We need to get a few things clear first."
"Like what?’ He took another sip. “You know, this isn't too bad."
"I know.” Why did he have to distract her like that? “I have extra pillows and blankets."
"Okay."
He looked around but never noticed the pillows and blankets. What was his deal? “And I can't sleep with the TV on so you'll have to do without."
"Fine.” He didn't seem to be bothered by that.
"I'm a morning person."
"Hey. Me too.” Mika was all excited because they both loved mornings. “I don't think I've missed a sunrise in years. Can I see the sun from here?"
Crap. “Um, I don't know.” She flapped her arms around. “Most of the time the sun is up by the time I'm ready for work."
"Ah."
Now she was embarrassed. “Anyway, we can order in then watch a little TV, but I go to bed pretty early."
"Okay."
Just how dense was he? “By myself."
He nodded.
"Without you."
"Right. What's a TV?"
She growled and hit the button on the remote. Mika
jumped three feet when sound blared from the speakers. He then stared at the screen like a child seeing his favorite toy in the window of a department store.
"I've never seen anything like this!” He sat in front of the screen and watched in rapt attention. After a moment or two, he got up and touched the screen and the back of the TV. “How do they fit the people in the box?"
"It's a transmission."
"A what?” That caught his attention for a minute. Then he turned into a typical man, sitting down again and staring at the screen.
She sighed and plopped on the couch next to him. So, he wasn't that different after all.
"A transmission, huh? How does it work?” He jumped up again and dashed to the television.
"Um, I wouldn't touch—” A blue spark arched from the TV to Mika's fingers. He yelped and jumped up on the sofa. “That hurt!"
"Get down.” She tried to keep her face straight as she answered. “Static electricity will do that to you."
"What's static electricity?"
Sarah didn't know how to explain it. “It's just something that happens when the environment is a little too dry.” He put his hands on his hips in an ‘I told you so’ manner. “What?"
"Nothing.” He dropped his hands and climbed off the couch to sit again. “So what does this box do?"
"The television? Same basic stuff any other TV shows.” She picked up the remote and clicked a button. The screen changed to a cartoon.
Mika leaped back up on the couch. “What is that?” He leaned forward with wide eyes. Grabbing the remote from her, Mika proceeded to flip through the channels quickly. “Wow!"
"Get down.” Mika was like a puppy. Except if he kept jumping up on the couch all the time she'd have to replace her sofa.
He ignored her, squealing when he found something he found fascinating. What had she created? When Mika found the volume button, she had to cover her ears so she could handle noise. “That's a bit loud."
"What?” He grinned at her like a child.
She snagged the remote and lowered the volume. “This is to control the volume, not blow eardrums."
"Sorry.” He took the remote back and continued to click away. He paused from time to time. Either to look at a colorful commercial or hear a catchy tune. Pretty girls also made him pause. Something that seemed to irk her.
"Pick a channel and stick with it."
"How can you make a choice when there is so much to choose from?” Mika handed over the remote.
"My goodness, if you watched TV every night like the rest of the world you'd be complaining there was nothing on.” She chose an old movie for them to watch. Something they wouldn't have to pay attention to if they started to talk. Darryl Hannah and Tom Hanks popped up on the screen.
Mika stared at the screen as the two actors interacted. The scene was in a restaurant. Darryl bit into the lobster, surprising Tom and all the extras in the scene.
"Oh this is such a cute movie. She's a mermaid."
"Really? People believe in mermaids?” He sounded hopeful.
"They're mythological creatures. Sure, there are some people who believe in them but overall? They fall into the realm of faeries and leprechauns. We want to believe, but there's no evidence."
"So.” He turned and placed an arm on the back of the sofa. “You would believe in these things if you had proof?"
"I don't know. I mean, I guess."
Chapter Four
Mika thought for a moment. All he had to do was show he was a ‘mermaid’ as the humans called them, and she'd have to believe. The fins were pretty hard to ignore. Then maybe she'd believe he was there because of her.
But was she ready to be confronted with the truth? He didn't think so.
"Is pizza okay?” Sarah picked up another small box. It was the little silver one she snapped in half earlier. She opened it up and pushed against the inside. “Hello? Yes. I'd like the regular. Make that two. What? Yes. Twenty minutes. Great. Thanks."
Mika snatched the box before she could close it. “And what is this?"
"A phone.” She pulled from his grasp and closed it. “Don't tell me you've never seen a phone before."
He blinked at her. “Not one like that.” At least he wasn't lying. Mika wanted a better look at it but didn't want to anger her. Maybe he'd get a better look later.
"It's a typical flip phone.” She placed it on the small table beside the couch. As long as she didn't put it in her pocket like she did the last time he might be able to study it.
Coffee, TV, flip phones. No wonder his father liked to disappear for days at a time. He couldn't wait for this pizza thing. He had heard many humans talk about it. Now he was going to experience it first hand. Wouldn't his father be proud.
It didn't take long before he heard another noise that made him jump. Sarah headed to the door like she knew what made it. She pressed a box on the wall. This world sure had a lot of boxes. He wondered why humans were so fascinated with them.
"Yes?” she said.
"Frankie's Pizza."
"Right. I'll be right down. She slipped out the door, leaving him alone. The first thing he grabbed was the phone. The face lit up when he opened it. It also started to make noise, and he slapped it shut again. Mika was glad he did because the moment he sat it on the table Sarah came back into the room.
"Dinnertime.” She sailed back in the door carrying two thin boxes. Again with the boxes. The heady aroma coming from the boxes made his mouth water. A loud growl filled the air.
Sarah laughed. “Come on.” She placed the box on a table then went into the other room for a moment before returning with some paper products. “Well, flip the lid."
Okay. What was a lid? He looked at the box and noticed a seam. Pulling on it, the top popped up easily, revealing an ugly circular thing. At least it wasn't a box.
Sarah pulled a piece of the circle apart and put it on something before handing it to him. “I'm assuming you've never had this before."
"What gave me away?"
"The horrified look on your face.” She laughed again. It was a melodious sound that brightened his mood. “I promise it tastes a lot better than it looks. Just close your eyes.” She picked up a piece and closed her eyes. “And take a bite."
He watched as ecstasy raced across her face. If it was that good, he couldn't wait to try it. Mika picked up his piece and closed his eyes. If he looked at it too long, he might not want to try it. Taking a deep breath, he asked Poseidon to watch over him and bit into the gooey red mess.
Flavor exploded in his mouth. Spices he had never had before bathed taste buds. “This is great.” He muffled through a mouthful.
"Thought you'd like it.” She handed him a square cloth then picked up another one for herself and wiped her face with it.
He nodded vigorously and stuffed the rest of the slice in his mouth. As he tried to chew, he realized he might have put too much in his mouth. He couldn't close it.
"Sorry.” The words came out muffled again. It sounded more like ‘forry'. It took a couple swallows before he got all of the food to slide down his throat.
Sarah sat opposite of him, keeping her eyes averted and taking only one bite before chewing and swallowing. There was so much to learn about humans. They even ate differently. Of course, their food didn't float in front of them whenever they wanted to eat.
Sarah ate another piece before moving to the couch and the TV. That thing was so fascinating. She had turned on a movie, as she called it, when he joined her. This one was also about strange creatures. At least to Sarah. He didn't have the heart to tell her many of the old legends were very real.
They sat on the couch and watched the TV for several hours before Sarah yawned and stretched.
"I'm going to get some sleep."
He nodded. What had she mentioned? Blanket and pillows. Sleeping in the air would be interesting. Sarah handed him a pile of fluff and bid him goodnight. Now what was he supposed to do with this?
Mika sat it on the floor
and stretched out on the couch. He found he couldn't get comfortable so he picked up the fluffy white rectangle and put it under his head. Much better. He pulled on the other pile of fluff and found it unfolded. This he lay on top of him and found himself wrapped in a cocoon of warmth. It didn't take long before he dozed off.
In his dreams, he was home with his father. He reminded Mika of his obligation. “Don't fall in love with a human. Our people need you to come home. I've led them long enough. It's now your turn."
He then found himself trapped in a kelp farm. The long reeds wrapped around him, dragging him down. The more he fought, the tighter the tendrils wrapped around his arms and legs.
Suddenly he was free.
Wham!
"Ow!” Mika rubbed his head where it collided with the coffee table. He found himself on the floor with the blanket wrapped around him. So much for the kelp farm. He tugged free and walked to a window. Water ran down the clear exterior.
It was raining. As much as he wanted to go out into it, Mika didn't know how to get back in if he left the building. Sarah hadn't explained that to him.
The room suddenly lit up like it was daytime before it darkened again. Rolling noise followed.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!
A whimper filled the air. Mika followed the sound until he came to a closed door. Should he go in? Bright light illuminated the hallway before another loud crack of thunder vibrated through the rooms. A high pitched scream shattered the quiet and filled him with dread.
* * * *
Sarah sat bolt straight in her bed when the lightening flashed. That was too close. Her mind rebelled against the fear she kept in tight control. It burst through her consciousness, breaking through all the barriers she had built to stop it from surfacing. Terror, sharp and clear, raced through her. She snagged the doorknob and wrenched the door open. Without thinking or looking, she flung herself through the doorway and right into something hard.
Warm hands circled her arms. “Sarah?"
She couldn't talk. Her body shook uncontrollably.
"Sarah.” Strong arms wrapped around her. Fire raced through her veins where their bodies touched. She fought against the bands holding her. “Relax, it's me."
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