Mark waved him off dismissively, before heading into his hotel room to drop his bag.  Jack anxiously followed him inside, cautiously telling him.  "Mark? I know you don't believe me, but I'm begging you too. This is a trap... for me".  Mark sat down on the edge of his bed, sarcastically stating back.  "Jack... I'm still waiting to be convinced of that. I'm sorry. I strongly think you're jet-lagged. So, here is what I want you to do".  Mark stood up off the bed to place his hands on Jack's shoulders, then told him very calmly.  "Go to your room and take a nap. I'll go to the Aquarium by myself and I'll be back to check on you".  Jack saw the purple hue in Mark's eyes glint.  It was no use.  The Seeker had hexed him.  Jack's hands shook as he rubbed his arm nervously.  He didn't know how to snap Mark out of it... but he didn't want him to go. 

Mark patted his cheek briefly, moving around him to head back to the door.  Jack felt his heart being pulled in two different directions as his mind and gut played a brutal game of tug-of-war.  He didn't want to do this... but what choice did he have?  Mark started to pull the door open and Jack quickly reached out to slam it shut.  Mark turned worried eyes on him, while he forced himself to mumble out.  "Don't... I... I can prove it".  Mark crossed his arms as he waited.  Jack sighed, opening the door to peek out into the hall.  Stepping out, he crept up to the unattended food cart.  Snatching the container of salt, before walking back into the room.  Mark closed the door behind him, asking tentatively.  "You're not going to eat that, are you"?  Jack blinked in confusion, giving Mark a blank stare. 

Shaking his head he casually walked into the bathroom and stood before the tub.  He didn't want to do this.  He wasn't even sure if he'd be able to change back after.  Plugging up the tub, he turned it on.  Jack started to reach out to feel the water, but stopped himself.  Stepping away, Jack asked Mark very timidly.  "Can you check that it's cold"?  Mark moved closer to slip his hand into the water.  When Mark nodded, Jack popped the cap off the salt container and dumped the entire thing in.  Mark sat on the edge of the tub, chuckling out.  "Jack... Are you trying to do the don't shrivel challenge? Cause you're going to shrivel up like a raisin in there. Aren't you skinny enough"?  Jack shot him a playful glare, mumbling out weakly.  "Ha. Ha. You're so funny. Try not to piss yourself, alright"? 

Jack dropped the empty container to the floor, glancing at the open bathroom door.  Mark understand and got up to close it.  Jack swallowed, trying to slow his racing heart.  Grabbing his shirt, he pulled it up over his head.  Dropping his shirt, Jack snuck a peek over his shoulder.  Mark was watching him from the door.  Jack's hands shook as he grabbed his belt buckle.  His fingers were weak and clumsy.  His cheeks were burning a bright red.  Even his palms were starting to sweat.  Jack pushed his clothes down his legs, listening to Mark mumble out uncomfortably.  "Um... Jack?  What are you doing"?  Jack's voice was barely audible as he moved closer to the tub, telling him terrified.  "I'm asking myself the same thing".  Carefully, Jack stepped into the tub.  Sitting down, Jack laid back against the cold porcelain. 

Mark shrugged, still unconvinced and then he moved a little closer.  Jack could see his reflection in the long mirror by the sink.  His ears were growing out into pointed fins and his around his eyes tiny scales reflected the light like glitter.  Jack turned his head to stare at Mark more afraid than ever.  How would he react to this?  Mark approached the tub to look inside.  Under the clear water, Jack's tail twitched.  Jack felt so vulnerable and scared.  Mark couldn't take his eyes off Jack's tail, when he breathlessly asked.  "Can I touch it"?  Jack wanted to answer, but his voice was gone.  He was too afraid.  What was Mark thinking about him?  Mark turned his eyes to look Jack in the eyes, adding in softly.  "Please"?  Jack shifted in the tub to let his tail unfurl out over the side.  He trusted Mark.  He hoped he could trust Mark. 

Mark shut off the tub water and very cautiously let his fingers touch the end of Jack's fin.  Jack held his breath and closed his eyes.  He could feel Mark's gentle touch and savored it.  Mark barely touched him, before he backed away, stammering out.  "I... I don't know what to say. You're a... You weren't lying".  Jack sat up, pulling his tail back into the tub and wrapping his arms around the joint that would be a humans knees.  Mark turned away from him to grab the bathroom doorknob and Jack lowered his head in defeat.  Mark wasn't taking this well.  However, Mark didn't open the door.  Instead, he turned back around to ask curiously.  "Tell me the truth, Jack. The man you saw on the decks with the dog and guitar... It was me, wasn't it? Am I the reason that you're here"? 

Jack nodded, turning his eyes to look anywhere else.  He didn't want to see Mark look at him with fear or disgust.  Jack caught a shadow on the tile floor and lifted his head to look up into Mark's eyes.  The purple hue was fading away from his eyes.  Mark kneeled beside the tub, laying his arms over the rim.  For a moment they sat in silence, before Mark told him warmly.  "My best friends a merman. Never thought I'd say that".  Jack only smirked, flicking water with his fingers.  Jack was busy trying to decide what to say, when Mark told him casually.  "I feel like I should be terrified by what this means... but honestly... I knew deep down that we couldn't be the only life out there. I thought we'd find it in space and not in the depths... Although, it makes sense, right"? 

Jack meekly shrugged and Mark reached out to tap his shoulder, playfully prodding him.  "Hey, don't go quiet on me now. You just got interesting".  Jack reluctantly smiled.  He hadn't expected Mark to be so calm.  He should have though.  Mark was the kindest person he knew.  Mark ruffled his green hair with a smile, before he chuckled out.  "If I take you out, will you change back? We're going to be late for the panel".  Jack turned to look into Mark's eyes.  The purple hue was gone now.  Had he unknowingly found a way to break the hex?  Jack bit his lip nervously.  He didn't know if he'd change back.  Mark sensed his hesitation and stood up, saying.  "Well, shall we pull you out and see what happens"?  Jack wrapped his arms around Mark's neck, grumbling out.  "You drop me and I'll drown your ass". 

Mark chuckled loudly, slipping his arms around him to lift him carefully out of the tub.  When he was confident that he had Jack firmly in his arms, he told Jack playfully.  "You've got to get me near the water first".  To Be Continued...