Now:

Mal still couldn’t believe it, even as he swam around in it. It glittered all around him. He couldn’t really call it glittering, more like… shimmering. It was the most amazing thing. And they picked the perfect night to come to it. Both moons in the atmosphere were shining down on the two of them. They were the only ones in this sea of tranquility …actually, more like a lake. Of course, they were the only ones, cause who’s stupid enough to come out in this kinda weather. It was thirty degrees on this rock, but once she saw it when they set down, there was no stopping her. But, the lake was heated, due to the geothermal rock from the volcanic activity. Luckily for them, the volcanoes haven’t erupted in the last few years, and weren’t scheduled to do so for another few. So, meanwhile, he enjoyed the view, and the lake.

***

Before:

She watched him. How could she not. He looked so handsome as they walked down to the water. He was shivering, yet, tried to stop it. He was trying to be the ‘man’. She shook her head and stifled a giggle.

“Trust me Mal, you’ll enjoy it.”

“Yeah, sure. It’s only 20 degrees out here, and I’m shocked the water ain’t frozen yet.”

She gave him a quizzical look, and told him to trust her. They reached the shoreline, and she walked right on in.

“Are you daft?” He asked as he rushed in after her. After all, the water must be like ice. As he took a step in, he felt this immediate warmth come over him. “Oh… wow.”

She turned and gave him one of her smiles, that so quickly could bring a man to his knees, and he found himself following her.

***

Now:

He saw her swimming away from him, and thought this might be a good time to have a talk.

She had headed to shoreline, where she could stand and rinse out her hair, and as she came out of the water, and looked at where Mal was to call him up there, she couldn’t find him. She looked all around and started to trot up and down the shoreline. She called out his name, to no avail. Oh go se.