“Fish," he said, "I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends.”

“Fish," he said softly, aloud, "I'll stay with you until I am dead.”

“Half fish," he said. "Fish that you were. I am sorry that I went too far out. I ruined us both. But we have killed many sharks, you and I, and ruined many others. How many did you ever kill, old fish? You do not have that spear on your head for nothing.”

“You asked me who I thought I was before. I said maybe I was a fish because I love water and you said, you thought a mermaid, maybe.If you were a mermaid, you said, if you were a mermaid, I was the sea.”

“I love you," I said, our lips brushing. "I love you so very much.”

“You love me,” he said slowly, wonderingly. Then with greater certainty, “By God, you love me.” His astonished laugh ended on a choked note as he snatched her hand. “So much,” she said huskily. Her fingers curled hard around his. “So very, very much.”