Title: Mermaid
Fandom: N/A
Characters: Maggie, Ariel
Universe: Untitled as yet
Prompt: 51. Water
Word Count: 920
Date finished: 05/05/2006
Rating: G
Summary: Maggie has a job at SeaWorld. And they have a very unconventional, secret, exibit.
Author's Notes: An idea for the third book I wanted to write about Marjory Jourdemain. Probably won't be written, either.
Disclaimer: N/A

So why had she taken this job?

She still wasn't sure. All she knew was that the ad had nearly leaped out at her on the page, and she'd felt so strongly about it, it was impossible to ignore. So she'd applied, and she'd gotten the job with a speed that surprised her father.

"So, now what?" she asked quietly. Even so, her words echoed, and she shivered. It was time to go, everyone else had left, she was sure, so she should…

A knocking on the plastic over her head startled her, and she looked up. She was sure she was the last…

The thoughts trailed off as she realized what she was looking at. "Oh," she said in comprehension, everything falling into place. "How did they get you?" she asked softly, staring up into the sea green eyes of what could only be a mermaid.

She was beautiful, with long dark hair, a sweet face, and the saddest expression Maggie had ever seen. "I'll be right up."

Maggie was pretty sure she knew how to get to the top of that pool, and it didn't even take her long. When she reached the edge of it, she scanned the water, but it didn't move. "I do not want to get in," she murmured, but she was already moving toward the ladder that went into the water. Pausing, she took off her shoes, shirt and pants, and slipped in, dressed only in bra and underwear. Considering that the mermaid herself hadn't worn anything, Maggie wasn't too uncomfortable.

Except that the water was cold. She held onto the ladder, trying to get her breath, and then something brushed by her leg. Hoping desperately this wasn't the pool for the sharks, she searched the dim water. Most of the lights were off. After a moment, something brushed by her leg again, only this time it stayed. The sea-green eyes met hers, and the mermaid smiled a sad smile, and rose to the surface.

"I thought you'd gone," she said in a soft voice that reminded Maggie of some of the southerners here, the ones who's families had been there for generations. "I thought I'd scared you."

"Startled," Maggie admitted. "I'm sorry you're here. What happened?"

She sighed. "I was silly," she said. "We'd been warned about those who walk on land."

Maggie stifled a giggle. "I'm sorry," she said. "But it sounds like a movie." The mermaid looked confused, and Maggie shook her head. "Never mind. Let's just say the story is a familiar one." She hesitated. "Am I allowed to know your name?"

The mermaid looked surprised. "I thought you'd demand it," she said, hope lighting her features and making her more beautiful than ever. "The one who caught me did, but I wouldn't tell him."

"Then you'd better not tell me," Maggie said instantly. "Who knows if he's listening."

She looked concerned. "Can he?"

"Yes," Maggie said firmly. "But I'd like to call you something. Do you have a harmless name, or can I give you one?"

"How do you know?" she asked finally.

"I… have met some creatures like you," Maggie hedged. "They warned me of the power of names for you, and I've never asked for a name since."

The mermaid smiled. "I don't have a harmless name," she said. "I'm still young."

Maggie chuckled. "Do you mind if I call you Ariel, then?" she asked.

"No," the mermaid said. "It's a lovely name."

"Then keep it," Maggie grinned. "I gift it to you."

Ariel laughed. "You know our ways," she said.

"A little only," Maggie said. "I had good teachers."

"Did they have names?"

Maggie shook her head. "Father and son, was what I called them. I was in Kentucky."

Ariel sobered. "I need to get out," she said.

"I know. But I don't know how, or when, and I know I'll need help." Maggie took a deep breath. "I will do what I can. I don't know how long it will be, though." She was beginning to shiver. "I have to get out," she said. "I'm getting cold. But I'll be back."

Ariel nodded sadly. "I know. Thank you."

Maggie crawled out of the water and dressed, still shivering. She headed out of the Aquarium, trying not to leave tracks, hoping no one else would come in until they were dried.

The next day, the owner of the aquarium stopped her as she left the dressing room. "Were you not aware that you are not to swim if no one else is here?" he asked, looking stern.

Maggie stared at him, then blinked, realizing what he meant. "I wasn't, I'm sorry," she said. "I won't do it again."

"Please don't. It would be a press nightmare if something happened to you." He turned and walked off.

He'd seen her on the monitors, apparently, but hopefully not talking to Ariel. Maggie was just glad he hadn't fired her, because if he had, how would she ever get the Mermaid out?

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