#dreaming

"Yes." He says "Tell me when to be near the shore and I will. "

Jessica names a date and time. "... just to meet again. Learn from each other. Maybe we can set something up regular but... for now, just this."

"Yes, I... yes" He says "Forgive me, both of you. I have wronged you both. I will try to amend more than this."

Clem shrugs "No REAL harm done to us. Glad you're free."

"Let's talk then." Jessica promises, and stands in the water. "I'm glad we met, Cayls."

"I.. am glad as well, thank you or saving me." He looks a bit broken, but perhaps on the mend. And into the waater he plunges.

Jessica takes a deep breath, looks at Clem. "Adventure?"

She laughs "You're saying I jinxed us?"

"I'm saying careful what you wish for." Wry "Come on. Let's go dry off and... you know. Not be in the water."

"Yeah, ye old terra firma is looking right appealing right now. Let's see, adventure, the worry about romance removed.. crap, I guess this MIGHt be my fault. Glad it happened though"

"otherwise that pearl might be .feeding off others"

They splash up to the towels. "Hey, don't think of it as a 'fault' thing, ok? No blame attaches. Just... you know, we had an adventure, one we both wanted I guess."

"It put a few things in perspective, didn't it?" She agrees

"Yep." As they settle in, Jess gives her a side-ways look. "Hey.... um. What... what did you get to thinking about? Down there?"

"I mean... me, it was my Balefire."

"the farm.. and my family, when you mentioned them, that helped me... took a bit for it to sink in "A light blush "But... it was so appealing for a moment. Love's certainty unearned. What a prize, how safe, how cozy. I... guess I was thinking like a fool"

"Nah. Look, Clem, we both know Love, real Love... it's rare. My folks... well, it's not my story to tell but it's a long one and it wasn't easy. And it makes you foolish, I think, sometimes." She shrugs. "Everyone says it's worth waiting for."

"But will we know it when we see it?" She wonders

"I think we'll know it when we feel it."

"I hope so" Clem smiles"I.. think maybee in time, but... how about this? We both take a few more vacation days each year?"

Jessica chuckles, a bit sadly. "I like the idea. Harder to do in practice."

"Isn't that just the way with all worthwhile things?" A sigh "It takes work. Probably goes for love too."

"Yep." Jessica settles back; not exactly relaxed, but trying. "Harder than it looks."

"Good thing we're attractive blue amazons with magic powers: takes the edge off" Quoting, well, paraphrasing a show

Jessica chuckles again.

And off the two go back to Fenix

(End Scene)