Everything was so familiar yet so strange to Jacob. It felt like he was dreaming. Certain things were just as he remembered, like the harbour wall, the white chain link fence along the path, the lawn in front of the row of neat little shops, Old Ma's bakery with it's red and white awning. But some things had changed. Like the new gate at the end of the jetty, the boathouse that used to be painted white but was now a dark grey and his brother David who now had a beard. And children! Not a baby with another on the way, but two actual walking, talking children!

There had been one awkward moment when Liza, David's wife, had introduced him to her friend Jessica. It was obvious from both Liza and Jessica's expressions that there had been an ulterior motive to the introduction, but Jacob wasn't one to be rude, so he'd been as polite and friendly as possible without leading the poor girl on. He would have been more worried about it if it wasn't for the fact that they would probably be back out at sea again within a month. He made a mental note to avoid her as much as possible.

Jacob and his men were swept up in the excitement of their homecoming and were herded into the local tavern. The energy of the room was infectious. Everyone was talking. The locals wanted to hear about their travels and Jacob and his men wanted to catch up on everything they'd missed at home. And just when things started to calm down, more friends and family would come bursting into the tavern and another round of hugs would ensue.

As much as Jacob was enjoying himself, he was also waiting for an opportunity to excuse himself so he could go and find Raephier.

He'd spent the last hour cursing himself for not thinking this far ahead and figuring out a way to integrate Raephier in with the gathering. He was sure that Raephier wouldn't want them to know what he was and Jacob thought this was probably for the best. As much as Jacob loved his home, the people on the island were ignorant of many things. Magic included. And when people didn't understand something, they tended to fear it.

Homosexuality was also a topic that was never dicussed. There weren't any laws against it, like Jacob had seen in other lands, but he knew several of the inhabitants who would undoubtedly make his life difficult if he introduced Raephier as anything that wasn't platonic.

He hadn't really been too concerned about it before. Mainly because he didn't intend on staying here. Jacob loved the sea and saw his ship as his home just as much as the island. And then once they were back at sea they could be what they wanted. Men, who spent years at sea with only other men for company, were a lot less judgemental about same sex relationships.

Jacob thought he was keeping his concerns about Raephier hidden until Pete sidled over to him and quietly said,

"Are you ok? You seem a little distracted."

Jacob sighed and turned to Pete.

"I'm just concerned about Raephier. I'm not even sure where he is. Do you think anyone will notice if I slipped out and went to see if I could find him?"

Pete laughed and slapped Jacob on the back.

"Not notice the hero of the hour leaving his own celebration?"

Jacob felt his heart sink at Pete's words.

Pete shook his head and patted Jacob on the shoulder.

"I got this," Pete said before he stood up and banged his hand on the bar grabbing everyone's attention.

"I hate to break up the celebrations," he said addressing the crowd, "but we have a boat load of supplies sitting in the dock which we need to unload."

A general groan went up from Jacob's men.

"Can't we do it tomorrow?" James asked.

"And risk it being pilfered away from under our noses?"

"No one's going to take it from here. They'd never get the ship back up the estuary."

Pete turned to look at Jacob with his eyebrows raised.

"We unload tonight," Jacob said firmly, and quickly finished his drink before walking with purpose out of the tavern.

A collection of sighs and moans came from the other men, but no one argued. Not when the Captain had spoken.

As soon as they got back to the harbour wall, Jacob scanned the waves, looking to see if he could see Raephier.

"Any sign of him?" Pete asked, walking up to Jacob.

"No, nothing," he said.

"Maybe try further down towards Cragshead," Pete suggested.

"What's up?" James said, coming over, followed by Lyle.

"We don't know where Raephier's gone," Pete replied.

"Well he can't have gone far," James said, looking around.

Lyle snorted. "Can't have gone far? He's got the whole bloody ocean to swim in, he could be miles away by now."

Jacob clenched his jaw, but kept his face neutral when he saw Pete's gaze flick over to him momentarily.

"He wouldn't do that! Would he?" James asked, turning to Jacob.

"I don't think so," Jacob said with a shrug, trying his best not to show the panic that was surging round his body, "but he also might be too scared to come onto land by himself."

"I say we split up and search the coast," Pete said. "James, Lyle, you head north and we'll head south."

"I need someone to stay and help organise the unloading of the ship," Jacob said.

"I'll do that," Lyle said with a sigh. "It's not like I'm in a hurry to see the Siren's face again."

Jacob glared at Lyle, but Lyle just rolled his eyes and shook his head. Jacob knew he didn't really mean anything by it. Grumpy was just Lyle's natural state of being.

They split up and started scouring the coastline for any signs of Raephier. Pete climbed to the top of the cliffs to try to get a better look out to sea, while Jacob stuck to the beach and checked any hiding places among the rocks and caves. The further up the coast they went, the more desperate Jacob was starting to feel.

"We're losing light," Pete said, joining Jacob on the beach. "Maybe we should call it a day and try again in the morning."

Jacob stared out to sea.

"I know he's basically half fish," Jacob said, "but I don't like the thought of him being out there alone."

"I'm sure wherever he is, he's alright," Pete said, patting Jacob on the shoulder.

As Jacob watched the sun set over the ocean, he could only hope that Pete was right.

********************

"COME ON DOUG! PUT YOUR BACK INTO IT!" Lyle barked as Doug struggled to maneuver the hovering crate into position.

"DOWN," Lyle directed the men to his left and they slowly released the rope dropping the crate onto land.

That was the last of the large crates much to everyone's relief.

Lyle ordered the men to start unloading the food from the hold, while he headed off to the navigation room to collect their stock list. He'd not got far when something caught his eye.

Footprints.

Wet footprints.

Lyle slowly followed the prints to see where they led, and they disappeared into the Captain's quarters.

Even though Lyle had a strong suspicion who they belonged to, he wasn't going to risk being caught out, so he pulled out his fishing knife that he always kept attached to his belt.

With one swift kick, the door was flung open, and Lyle watched in amusement as a Raephier shaped mass squealed then tripped over on something and dropped like a stone to the floor.

"Ow!" came a small pathetic whimper from the other side of the bed.

"Raephier, are you ok?" Lyle asked, trying not to laugh.

Raephier stood up and glared at Lyle, while he finished pulling on his trousers.

It was only then that Lyle realised he'd interrupted Raepheir getting dressed. Raephier was covered from the waist down, but he was still topless. Lyle tried not to stare but his skin looked so pale it was almost glowing. He was about to excuse himself and leave Raephier to finish when something caught Lyle's eye.

"You're hurt," he said, pointing at the large red gash down one of Raephier's arms.

"Where? Oh that," Raephier said, straining a little to try and see the scratch on the back of his arm. "Those rocks are quite sharp."

"Come here, I should take a look at that," Lyle said, knowing how easy it was for cuts like that to get infected.

Raephier looked hesitant, but then slowly walked over.

Lyle took a closer look and then pulled off his neckerchief and wrapped it around the wound.

"Make sure you get it dressed properly later," Lyle said, and then because the way Raephier was looking at him made him uncomfortable, he added, "and be more careful next time," before he cuffed him lightly round the back of the head.

"T-Thank you," Raephier said, rubbing the back of his head.

Lyle heard some more voices outside, including one in particular. He made his way back out on deck.

"Jacob he's up here!" Lyle shouted.

"Raephier's up there?!"

"Well if it's not Raephier, it's someone who looks and sounds a lot like him!"

Lyle chuckled at Jacob's turn of speed as he raced up the harbour wall towards the ship.

Lyle stuck his head back into the cabin.

"You've damn well got him wrapped round your little finger. You better not hurt him or there'll be hell to pay!" he growled.

Raephier just looked back at him with wide eyes.

"And god damn put them baby blues away!" he moaned, picking up a boot off the floor and hurling it Raephier's way.

Raephier let out a squeak before diving off the bed to avoid the boot.

"God damn squeals like a puppy too," Lyle mumbled as he walked out the room and back onto the deck.

*************************

Raephier could hear Jacob's boots pounding onto the ship followed by his calls of "Where is he? Where is he?!"

Raephier hurried to get himself dressed, not wanting Jacob to see him looking all disheveled. He had just managed to rake his fingers through his wet hair a few times before Jacob burst into the room.

Raepheir watched in astonishment as Jacob's whole body seemed to go from tense to relaxed in a matter of seconds and then he was swept up into Jacob's arms.

"There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you," Jacob said, his breath tickling the top of Raephier's head.

"I'm sorry, I went for a swim," Raephier replied, suddenly feeling very guilty for ever doubting Jacob.

"That's ok, but I wish you'd told me," he said, pulling back enough to look Raephier in the eyes.

"I didn't think it would matter," Raephier said, breaking eye contact so he could study the really interesting pattern of wood on the floor, "you seemed caught up with seeing your family and other people."

Jacob took hold of Raephier's head and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

"I'm sorry, you're right. I got caught up with seeing everyone again, and by the time I came to get you, you'd already gone. I'm sorry, but it's just I got really worried when I couldn't find you."

Raephier felt his heart flutter at those words.

"You did?"

"Of course I did," Jacob answered. "I think it's inbuilt in me now to always worry about you."

"You don't need to worry about me," Raephier said, shaking his head as he felt a slight blush cover his cheeks.

"It's much too late for that now," Jacob said with a grin. "You've fully wormed your way in here," he said, taking hold of Raephier's hand and putting it on his heart.

Raephier felt such a wave of emotion run through his body that he thought for a moment he might cry, but he chose to crash his lips into Jacob's instead.

Jacob matched Raephier's intensity making Raephier feel like his whole body was setting alight.

The sound of someone clearing their throat in the doorway made them pull apart hastily.

"Sorry to interrupt," Pete said with a smirk, not looking sorry at all, "but the men are done unloading and want to know if they can head home."

"Aye, send them home," Jacob replied.

He then turned to Raephier.

"Are you ready to meet my family?"

"Y-you want me to meet them?" Raephier asked nervously.

"Of course I do," Jacob replied, taking hold of Raephier's hand and pulling him onto the deck.

"D-do they know what I am?" he asked.

Jacob stopped walking and turned to look at Raephier with a slight frown on his face.

"No, they don't," he said, running a hand through his hair. "People on the island haven't much experience in the ways of the world. I hope you don't mind if I introduce you as a friend?"

"Oh," Raephier said quietly and Jacob felt guilt slice through him like a knife.

"I don't know what it's like where you come from," Jacob hastily added, "but here it's not usual for a man to form an intimate relationship with another man. I'm afraid some people may not like that, and the last thing I want is for people to make you uncomfortable."

"Oh right," Raephier said, looking more surprised than sad now, "I didn't know that, but I suppose it makes sense. Where I come from same sex relationships are less common but not unusual or frowned upon. Because our reproductive organs are actually in the fish half of our body, if we choose to mate with the same sex, one of the pairing's reproductive organs actually change so it's still possible to have offspring. I'm guessing that doesn't happen with humans?"

Jacob spluttered before answering,

"Erm, no, I don't think....Did you say they change? Really?"

Raephier laughed. "Yes, it happens more often than you think in fish."

"But how does it....you know when it.....I don't know how......you know what? I don't think I need to know," Jacob said, feeling like this was too much information to take in at the end of a very long day.

"So you don't mind?" Jacob asked. "You're alright with pretending we're just friends?"

Jacob studied Raephier's face for any sign that he was upset with pretending, but he found none.

"Oh no, that's fine by me. To be honest it would be more in keeping with how I would act around my own species anyway. We don't have a lot of public displays of affection. In fact, by accepting a kiss from someone else, you're basically agreeing to marry them."

"You what?!" Jacob said in alarm.

"Oh don't worry, I know it's not the same for you, I know we're not mated," Raephier said hastily looking a little worried.

Jacob couldn't help but smile and tug him into his arms.

"If that was true," Jacob whispered into his ear, "and I could only kiss you if I agreed to marry you, I'm not sure I would be able to resist."

Jacob felt Raephier squirming in his arms, and was thrilled to see every bit of exposed skin flush a beautiful pink colour.

"Come on," Jacob said, finally releasing him from his arms, and throwing an arm over his shoulders. "Let's go home."