The mermaid laid peacefully at the bottom of the tub, her tail bent and wrapped in such a way that she was completely submerged, though it looked extremely uncomfortable. A mixture of fear, betrayal, and anger coursed through Fletcher. He knew the mermaid didn't get into that tub of saltwater on her own.

Bring the mermaid on land was a mistake. He let his own blinded judgment misguide him. Reaching into the water, Fletcher grabbed the mermaid's arm with one hand as the other scooped up underneath her. in one swift motion, he jerked her from her tiny pool of bliss and tossed her to the ground.

Surprised by the sudden jarring from her sleep, Tulluah flopped around on the marble floor, thrashing her tail as her lung desperately fought against itself trying to fight the dry air, as her gills start to painfully close. Coughing and gasping on the wet floor, she tried to crawl her way back to the water, only to be grabbed by her caudal fin and jerked back until she hit the end of her chain.

The metal collar rapped against her chin, ripping a scream of pain from her. Her lungs switched to human ones, finally letting her take a deep dry breath. Clawing back to the tub, when she feels the hand unwrap from her peduncle. Withing her tail she can feel her bones painfully shift, as the transition begins back into human form.

A sudden heavy weight landed on her, wrapping her in a towel, that quickly started wicking away the precious water that rested on her skin. Grunting from the weight, Tullulah, turned her head to confront her attacker.

Vibrant green eyes met her, Fletcher's eyes scowled down at her in anger. Noticing that his ears are free from stuffing to keep the sound out she opened her mouth to sing, just to get him off her and get back to the water, but the towel was drawing the water to quickly. It sped up her transformation processes, and in a shock of pain, a scream scratched its way out of her throat. Her bones bent and molded into legs as her scales shifted to skin. Her tail ripped apart into two legs as her organs moved with a burning fire within her.

Blinded by the pain, Tulluah's stomach churned, threatening to release the bile within.

"Heaven and earth!" Mrs. Dursely exclaimed as she came busting through the door to find Fletcher on top of a very naked Tullulah. "What have you done?!'

"What have I done?!" Fletcher's rose with anger. "What the hell were you thinking woman?!"

"She was dying!" Mrs. Dursely drops to her knees to go to the mermaid's rescue. The small woman was being crushed under his weight and is struggling to breathe. "Get off the poor thing, she can't breathe."

Grabbing hold of the chain, Flethcer rolled off her and pulled her up by the collar. The towel fell from her naked body and fluttered to the floor. Out of breath from the struggle, Fletcher glared down at the old woman, as she hurried to cover the mermaid.

"You could have been killed! I told you it was dangerous. "

"She," Mrs. Dursley hotly corrected, "is a young lady. And this," she gestures to the mermaid, "is not how I taught you to treat a young woman."

"This," he growled, jerking on Tullulah's chain. She grunted in pain as she was jerked forward. "This is no woman. It is a Mermaid, madame. A very dangerously animal."

"So you keep saying," Mrs. Dursely snapped, slapping his hand off the chain, and dug the key for the collar out of her apron. "But I believe it was you, young man, that had her pinned to the floor. And!" She points to the bruising on Tullulah's neck. "Caused this."

"He isn't wrong," Tullulah's head dipped in shame of what she was. "I shouldn't be trusted in the water. Or outside of it."

Fletcher's brow rose in shock, though he was cautious. She could have just been trying to manipulate them.

"This is ridiculous." Mrs. Dursely muttered. "We were fine until you came home."

Fletcher's brows furrowed, "You were." His eyes shifted to the Mermaid, realizing in their struggle she could have sung to Fletcher. Maybe the Mermaid didn't realize herself, but it was doubtful.

The saltwater had done her good. Her flesh looked healthy once again, with the lively color returned to it. She even looked stronger and refreshed. Fletcher wasn't cold-hearted to the decline of Tullulah's health, though to others that it might have looked that way. He wasn't want to watch her waste away, but he couldn't risk himself, and more importantly, Mrs. Dursely's life.

Apparently, it was too much for the crazy old woman to bear. She took matters into her hand. So much could have gone wrong, but there they all were, stand safe and sound. The only one put of the three that is worse off for the wear is the Mermaid.

"Have you finished dinner?" Fletcher gruffly asked the older woman.

"Really?" She huffed, casting a reproachful glare his way. "Is that what important right now?"

When she got a blank stare as a reply, she tisked and guided the Mermaid behind the screen to dress in privacy. "Not yet. The ruckus drew me away."

"Then please go finish. I will sit with the Mermaid."

The old women's grey head poked out from behind the screen. "Sit? In here?"

Rolling his eyes, Fletcher took a seat in the blue plush chair sitting along the far wall. "Yes, madame, in here. I will sit with the Mermaid while she soaks, and you finish up dinner. Will that suffice?"

Going against his better judgment, he was willing to take a risk for both females' sake. The Mermaid is peculiar for her kind. Being gruff and vicious with her wasn't getting him the answers that he needed. Perhaps kindness will.

"I" Mrs. Dursely stumbled over her thoughts. "She'll be undressed."

"I realize, madame, but we both know I can't cook or I would offer to finish that task."

Behind the screen Tullulah pulled the fresh light pink dress on, "I have soaked long enough. Thank you for your kindness, madame, but I don't wish to cause you or the captain any more trouble."

The material irritated her, along with the added weight. She started to wonder if the women on land were concerned about floating away and thus needed to weigh themself down with fabric.

"I am sorry, my dear," Mrs. Dursely apologized on hers and the captain's behalf. "You look so much better, love. Healthier than the day he brought you here, I dare say."

Reaching out, the old woman laced her into the dress. Once ready, both came walking out from behind the screen. Sitting with one leg crossed over the other, Fletcher sat with an air of importance as he picks off a bit of lint off his slacks. his eyes drifted up to the two women, as a brow raises in confusion.

"She says she's finished soaking. She probably doesn't wish to have a man watching her," Mrs. Dursley heatedly informed him.

"I assure you, madame, she doesn't care." Fletcher pulled himself up from the chair and crossed the room to them. When he got close the mermaid coiled away from him slightly, not enough for Mrs. Dursely to notice, but Fletcher caught it.

He'd have a long way to go to earn the mermaid's trust.

"Madame, I will take charge of her." Offering his arm to the mermaid, the young woman stared at it in confusion, making Mrs. Dursley snort.

Taking the mermaid's arm, Mrs. Dursely laces it through the captain's and gently pats it when she notices Tulullah tensing up. "If he is anything less than a gentleman, you let me know and I will flog him myself." She gave her a sweet charming smile and left her with the captain.

"I suppose you will ask your questions today?" Tallulah sighed, not interested in going through another round of integrations.

Guiding her out of the washroom, Fletcher lead her to the lower level of the house, and out to the garden, "I actually thought I'd take you for a walk."