Steel green eyes stared intently at gold. Its piercing green reptile slithered its tongue as Brook finished painting. The girl stood still as she watched its movements. Its head tilted at the girl but she kept still.

"Steady," she whispered. "Don't move..."

The reptile bared its fangs and lunged at her but before it could, Tarzan grabbed it by the neck and threw it off the house. Brook sighed, sitting back on the chair. Looking back at the painting, she grimaced as she can see how bad it looked.

She turned back to Tarzan who blinked at her forlorn expression.

"It was a black mamba," he explained.

Brook chuckled, shaking her head. "Well, I tried to paint it. But it has gotten worse. I can't figure out how Miss Jane can combine the colors so effortlessly. I can't get anything right."

"You know that its bite can kill an elephant," Tarzan dropped down and walked behind her to look at the painting.

"Fooey," Brook visibly dejected and turned to face her husband and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Thank you for saving me, darling. You must be tired of doing that. That's all you do. One of these days we will go on a vacation to relax. Just you...and me...and the beach."

Tarzan chuckled as he leaned his head on hers, placing his hands on her hips and pulling her closer. "I don't have a problem with it. But it does sound nice to spend more time with you."

"It does, doesn't it?" Brook pecked his lips and smiled as he started kissing her back.

"Tarzan!" they both stopped as they heard Professor's voice from under the tree. Brook released Tarzan and walked over to the edge, seeing Professor sitting on top of Tantor while Terk walked beside them.

"I say, Tarzan!" Professor called out again. "I just picked up an SOS on my radio!"

"SOS? What's an SOS, Terk?" Tantor glanced down at Terk who shrugged. "Human emergency call. It's short for screaming ourselves silly."

"There's a schooner in trouble, just off the coast!" Mr. Porter explained.

Brook turned to Tarzan who smirked at her, "I have to save people again, sorry." With that, he jumped off the tree house and swung on the vine towards the beach.

Brook grabbed a vine and swung too towards Tantor. The elephant caught her as she pointed to the coast. "Hurry, Tantor. To the beach."

After a few sharp turns, they were able to smell the salty air as they were getting closer. Finding the white sand, they ran where they saw Tarzan standing close to the ocean.

Brook's eyes widened in horror to see the schooner already sinking. "Oh my goodness, it's sinking!"

Brook and the group could loudly hear the shrieks and screams from the boat. She was surprised as it was very far from the shore.

"Who knew humans had that kind of lung capacity?" Terk joked.

Tarzan didn't wait long as he dived into the ocean and swam towards the boat. He felt the instant freezing waters hitting him as he kept going. He, however, was able to hear swimming from behind. Turning around, he moved away in time for a shark to pass him.

Tarzan shook his head and kept swimming towards the boat, ignoring the shark. He has been told by Brook that they hardly eat humans so he wasn't worried about that.

He reached the boat and climbed up the ladder, feeling goosebumps as the air hit his skin. Reaching up at the sails, he shook the water off his hair and looked at the situation. His eyes widened to see the three familiar women from England.

"Hazel?" Tarzan frowned.

Hazel gave a last screech as she held on to Eleanor's feet, close to meeting the ocean. She stopped for a minute and smiled at Tarzan. "Tarzan! How charming to see you again. You remember Eleanor," she looked up as Eleanor screamed too and stopped to greet him too.

"Delighted!" Eleanor smiled. "You remember Greenly, of course," she looked up as she also held onto Greenly's feet.

Greenly gave a final scream and smiled at the man. "So nice to see you, Tarzan. Allow me to introduce my–oh! my-my, how should I put this?" she chuckled nervously.

"Boyfriend!" Eleanor snapped at her.

"Right! Boyfriend!" Greenly smiled as she looked up to her boyfriend who held on tightly to the steering wheel and held all three girls. He was also carrying a case with one hand as he struggled. "Henry."

"Yes, uh, hello, how do you do?" Henry smiled in greeting as his case almost fell from his hand.

The three girls yelped as the boat was sinking more into the water. Tarzan looked around, finding a rope.

"Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, could you?" Hazel nervously looked at Tarzan as she was now inside the water. "Hurry! Save us!"

Hazel screamed as she felt the iced water. Tarzan swung on the rope and grabbed her by the dress and swing her up to the top of the boat. Just as he placed Hazel to the top, Eleanor's hands slipped from Greenly's boots and fell into the water.

The woman choked as some water accidentally went through her mouth but Tarzan jumped down once again and grab her from the dress and pulled her up. He threw her to a metal pole and she clung tightly to it.

Tarzan stopped as he heard grunting from below, seeing Henry is now on his last two fingers on the wheel.

"I'm afraid I can't–well, my grip you know," Henry's hand slipped and fell. Tarzan crouched down and grabbed his wrist. At the sudden jolt, Greenly's hold on Henry's feet loosened as she started to fall on the water.

Tarzan gritted his teeth and threw down the rope at her. The rope coiled around her ankle and swung her back to the top with them. Tarzan caught her and handed her to Henry's lap, untying the rope from her ankle.

"We'll ride the boat down, then swim to shore," Tarzan states.

The girls yelped again as the boat dropped a few centimeters suddenly. "Just one teeny bit of a problem," Henry started. "I can't actually swim."

Tarzan's eyes widened and looked at the three. He can't risk the three drowning with the heavy clothes they have on them. He dropped down and broke a piece of plank wood and threw it into the water.

He dived into the water and swam to grab the wood towards the group. The boat completely sank as the girls were now screaming at the cold water. Henry was unfortunate as he rapidly started sinking into the ocean.

Henry stiffened up as he saw a few sharks pass him and deliberately try to swim but Tarzan was there to reach him and push him up to the surface. He threw Henry and the rest of the girls onto the plank before pushing them to the shore.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Henry," Brook smiled as she served them tea in the treehouse. She assumed they will be greeting visitors and put on her scarf, hiding her unruly crimson locks.

Eleanor, Hazel, and Greenly were already sitting on the table with towels wrapped around them.

"None for me, thank you, dear," Eleanor smiled at the girl who started serving her tea. She turned to Greenly who already started the most delightful tea and scowled. "Greenly."

Greenly stopped and put the cup down. "Right. None of the comforts of home for us. We've come for adventure," she smiled at Brook.

Henry took a drink from his tea and smiled at Greenly, walking over to her and grabbing her hands gently. "Actually, I-I've only come out of a well, a foolishly fond regard for you, Greenly."

Brook softly smiled as Greenly's face flushed and smiled adoringly at the man in front of her.

"Oh, Henry. Really? Is that true?" she grinned at him.

"Why absolutely," he smiled at her and turned to put his seismometer onto the table. "Although, I-I'm also looking forward to doing a bit of earthquake research."

Hazel sighed, glancing at Brook with pity. "I'm afraid Henry is a geologist. Can you imagine anything so dreary? Studying rocks all day?" she laughed.

Brook deadpanned as she also saw Eleanor not impressed with the man either. Oh, good lord.

"Uh, well. Yes," Henry nodded. "That's why I have my little hobby," he pulled out his long case.

"Oh yes," Eleanor grimaced. "Henry also plays the oboe."

Taking the oboe from his case, he attached the mouthpiece and started playing a soft tune from it. Brook's eyes widened in glee as she haven't heard music in a while and he expertly plays it.

"He plays beautifully," Brook smiled, impressed at the man. She grabbed the tea tray and stood up, turning to Greenly. "Miss Greenly, may I have a hand in the kitchen?"

Greenly smiled and followed her. Brook placed the tray in the kitchen and turned to her. "He seems very nice, Miss Greenly," she smiled.

"Do you think?" Greenly beamed. "I mean, I do but–"

"But why on earth have you brought him into the jungle? I'm curious that's all. Usually, Miss Jane would send me a letter with a heads up."

"Well," Greenly looked away. "Ever since our last visit, Eleanor and Hazel have been telling me that Henry's a bit...well...How should one say?"

"Wimpy," Eleanor deadpanned, walking over to them.

"And boring!" Hazel shook her head. "I don't know what you see in him, Greenly."

"He's certainly sensitive," Greenly tried, turning to Brook in hopes she doesn't think the same thing. "Eleanor thought the jungle might make him...you know, more–"

"Manly," Eleanor deadpanned again.

"And exciting!" Hazel grinned as Tarzan started walking towards Brook. "Like Tarzan. I mean, all women want their men to be well-rounded."

"Is that true, Brook?" Tarzan frowned, turning to Brook.

"Well, of course," Brook smiled at him and turned to Eleanor and Hazel as Tarzan started walking towards Henry. "But, Miss Hazel. We also have to appreciate people for who they are."

"Oh, we fully appreciate Henry for who he is," Hazel nodded.

"Yes. A woefully inadequate match for our dear Greenly," Eleanor crossed her arms.

Greenly laughed nervously, turning to Brook apologetically. "They only want the best for me, you see."

On the other side of the living room, Henry continued to play mindlessly with his oboe. He flinched as Tarzan appeared in front of him, hanging upside down.

"Brook wants me to be more...well-rounded. Could you teach me how the oboe works?" Tarzan asked.

"Well, you see the, uh, mouthpiece c-consists of a reed that, well, one forces air past while moving your fingers allows you to change the pitch," Henry explained as he gave a demonstration.

"You mean like this?" Tarzan asked as he closed his hands together and blew on it like a flute.

"Yes. Just like that," Henry nodded.

"Tarzan," Eleanor walked towards them with the girls following. "Perhaps you could show Henry how you swing on vines."

"Oh, I don't think that's a good idea–" Brook tried but Tarzan dropped down and started walking outside with the poor man following him. She grabbed Tarzan's wrist and gently pulled him away from the others.

"Darling, you know I love you and your ways. But remember Ian, Robin's nephew? Could you not take it too far with Henry? People can be sensitive and not accustomed to these kinds of things."

"Of course."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Brook's warning was all for naught as Henry didn't grip the vine tightly and fell off a tree, not to mention the number of times he crashed onto a tree.

"He's going to have to work on his grip, Greenly," Eleanor observed with the binoculars.

"He's only a geologist," Greenly tried as she turned to the woman.

"Yes, and an oboeist."

Brook sighed, "I think it's dreadful that you can't accept Henry as he is. He loves Greenly and cares about her deeply. Can't you leave him for who he is?"

"No," Eleanor and Hazel turned to her briefly and looked back at the boys, wincing as Henry accidentally crashed onto another tree.

"Oh! Mrs. Tarzan! Mrs. Tarzan!" Tantor ran over to Brook. "Look! I got eczema! Do you know what that means?!"

Brook blinked, "Well, I think I got some moisturizing cream back at the treehouse. I don't have enough though, perhaps we can go to the trading post and–"

"No, Mrs. Tarzan. This only happens when an impending disaster is coming and fast!"

"What's he on about, Brook?" Eleanor asked as she glanced at Brook conversing with the elephant.

Not wanting to alarm anyone, she smiled at them. "Oh, Tantor is just being his panicky self." She later turned to Tantor worriedly, "Does this often happen?"

"Rarely," Tantor moped. "I got to tell Tarzan," he walked away from her and looked for his best friend.

After hours of Henry trying his best to try Tarzan's tricks, he came out bruised and hurt. Brook couldn't handle it anymore and asked the poor man to go back to the treehouse.

Henry tried to not make it seem noticeable of his pain but it proved difficult as he would wince at every step. As he and the others walked back to the treehouse, Greenly tried to treat him but it became unbearable as he would flinch.

"Hold still, Henry darling," Greenly frowned worriedly.

"I'm sorry the vine swinging hurt you," Tarzan apologized.

"Oh, well. Bosh. I have no more business vine swinging than you would say predicting earthquakes." Henry stood up and closed the buttons from his shirt, turning to grab his seismometer.

"Is that what this is for?" Tarzan leaned close to the machine and sniffed at him, smelling the ink from the needle.

"Yes," Henry smiled. "You see the electromagnetic receptors are sensitive to the earth's movements. If there's so much as a jiggle, the needle registers it," he tapped on the table, causing the needle to move and stain the page.

On the other side of the living room, the three girls were having a small meeting about today's events.

"Well, Henry failed miserably at all the tree skills," Eleanor spoke up.

"Shall we try wild elephant riding next?" Hazel grinned.

Greenly's eyes widened in horror. "Wild?! Oh my! But we couldn't possibly find a wild elephant!"

Eleanor rolled her eyes, spotting a painting of a snake next to her. She nodded as the snake is well painted and fresh. She smirked as she grabbed the painting. "Remember what Brook said about Tantor being panicky?"

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Brook wasn't sure what the girls were trying to do. She was busy preparing lunch when the girls and Henry wanted to go elephant riding. Brook called for Tantor as Henry was the first to get on.

"Are you quite sure Tantor doesn't mind?" Greenly nervously asked.

"Oh no, he loves giving rides," Brook smiled and looked up at Tantor. "Don't you Tantor?"

"Sure, why not," Tantor sighed. "We're doomed anyway.

Brook smiled at them and walked back to the treehouse, heading to the kitchen and started preparing lunch. She spotted Tarzan observing the seismometer and smiled.

"Do you have something in mind to eat, darling?" she asked.

"I'm okay with anything," Tarzan glanced at her.

"So fruits it is," Brook chuckled and started cutting the fruits. Just as she goes to put them into a plate, she frowned as the house trembles lightly, causing the knife to fall off the table.

She yelped and jumped back as the knife stabbed the ground where her foot was. Tarzan ran over to her and held her as the house stopped.

"An earthquake?" Brook frowned, looking up at him.

Tarzan frowned too but stopped as he heard Henry's scream and ran out of the house. Brook goes to follow him but stopped as she saw the seismometer being active, making her eyes widen.

"Oh my goodness," she gasped as she grabbed the machine and ran out of the house to find Henry for an explanation. She later ran inside and placed the knife away from the floor and onto the table.

Running out of the house, she found the girls, Henry, and Tarzan under the tree.

"Henry!" Brook called out as she ran towards him and showed him the active machine. "Do these lines mean there was an earthquake?"

"What?!" Henry's eyes widened and grabbed the sheet, ripping it off the machine and looking closer.

"I hardly felt it," Brook placed a hand on her chest.

"Well, most tremors are too, well, small to feel," Henry explained as he beamed at the data. "But there it is! What beautiful data!"

"Tell him, Greenly," Eleanor frowned at the girl.

Henry stopped and glanced at them. "What is it, Greenly?"

Greenly stepped toward him hesitantly and frowned, unable to bring the words out of her mouth. In the end, she couldn't convince the girls that Henry is an amazing person when he rode on the elephant as he fell into the river.

"Well, you know the girls had me bring you here to try to, well, toughen you up a bit but at the end of the day...Henry, they think you're rather...well–"

"A panty waste!" Eleanor interrupted.

"A disappointment," Hazel added.

Henry's eyes widened and later narrowed at the girls. "Oh they do, do they?"

"I'm sorry, Henry," Eleanor unapologetically stared at him. "We only have Greenly's best interests at heart."

Henry gritted his teeth at them and turned to Greenly, "Tell me, Greenly. Is that how you feel about me as well?"

"Oh Henry," Greenly whimpered. "Well, I mean, I–" she gasped as Henry walked past her to grab his things. Greenly immediately went after him to try to explain but the man ignored her, heartbroken that she felt that way about him.

"Henry! Where are you going?!" Greenly's eyes widened.

"I'm leaving! I'm very fond of you, Greenly but clearly, you don't return my affections."

Brook's eyes widened in disbelief and grabbed Greenly's hands. "Henry wait!" she calls and turned to Greenly. "You can't just let him go, Miss Greenly. You obviously love him."

"But Hazel and Eleanor–"

"Blast it all!" Brook frowned. "They don't see him the way you do."

"Oh, what am I to do?" Greenly frowned.

Tarzan moved away from the girls as he couldn't get rid of the smell in the air. It has become saltier than usual. He stopped as Tantor walked towards him in worry. "Tarzan, I just wanted to say goodbye before the eczema-related catastrophe strikes."

Terk rolled her eyes, stepping next to him. "Remember what I said about embarrassing yourself," she gritted her teeth and grabbed his trunk before turning to Tarzan. "Sorry, T."

"Wait," Tarzan stopped them from leaving and turned to Tantor. "What catastrophe, Tantor?"

"Something bad's coming, Tarzan," Tantor frowned. "I've been feeling it all day."

"Yes. Me too," Tarzan frowned, looking at the sky for signs. "I think it's going to be another earthquake."

Just as he said so, the ground trembled around them. Terk twirled around in panic while Greenly tackled Henry in a hug. Tarzan dropped down and ran to Brook, carrying her in his arms. She yelped and hugged him tightly as he moved away.

It stopped as the leaves fell and Eleanor and Hazel laughed in relief, parting themselves from the hug. "Not a huge one thankfully," Hazel sighed.

Tarzan gripped Brook tightly, looking up at the trees. "It's not over."

They heard grumbling around them before the ground trembled again but much harsher than before. Trees were falling, and objects from the treehouse collapsed and fell on the ground near them. Henry moved Greenly out of the way as a large branch dropped where they stood.

Eleanor and Hazel screamed as they ran away from the disaster. Tantor ran off and leaned against a tree. Terk followed and leaned against him as the branches kept falling.

The rope that held onto the boat to lift to the house snapped and fell towards Tarzan and Brook. Tarzan spotted it instantly and jumped away, rolling on the ground. More objects fell towards them and Brook yelped as a barrel was close to falling on her but Tarzan pulled her back to his arms.

Tarzan moved them back and leaned them against a stable tree. Brook whimpered and hugged him tightly in hopes for the earthquake to end. She just hopes Mr. Porter is all right. It took a long time but the ground stopped shaking, making everyone stiffen up.

"Wow," Terk's eyes widened, and moved away from Tantor. "Good call on the disaster, buddy. Good thing I listened to you."

"Yeah, but now my angina's flaring up," Tantor's eyes widened, and clicked his tongue. "Come on," he walked away. Terk groaned but followed.

Tarzan looked down at Brook and checked for any injuries. He sighed as he didn't see anything but knew she was shaken up by the tremor.

"Are you all right?" Brook looked up at him in worry. He nodded which made her sigh and turn to Greenly and Henry. "Is everyone all right?"

"Yes," Eleanor spoke up as she and Hazel crawled out of a deep root. "I think so."

"We'd best get to high ground. A quake that size could cause a tidal wave," Henry frowned.

The air has become saltier as everyone stiffened up. The sound of waves came closer and closer and turned around. Their eyes widened in horror as a tidal wave was growing and reaching towards them.

"Oh my goodness!" Brook gasped.

"Run for your lives!" Greenly screeched and ran off. Eleanor and Hazel didn't hesitate to follow her.

"Greenly!" Henry called out, running after her. "Wait! You can't outrun it!"

Brook's worries grew as the wave was coming near them and the group just ran off. She started running after them, "Tarzan, we have to help them!" Before she could get farther, Tarzan grabbed her hand and pulled her to him, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"But first, I save you," Tarzan grabbed her tightly and grabbed a vine, coiling it around his arm. He leaned back and swung towards the treehouse. Reaching the tree, Brook held onto him by wrapping her arms around his shoulders as he started climbing up to the house.

Swinging on a vine one last time, they reached the top. Brook moved away from him and went back to the edge to look for any signs. "Mr. Porter!" she calls out for the man but nothing.

Tarzan jumped down and went where the Professor would most likely be at. Just as he suspected, the man was at the beach to take a closer look at the tidal wave. Bringing the man with him, he swung back to the house.

Before he can go and look for the others, the wave already reached them. Tarzan pushed Archimedes and Brook in front of him and held onto the edge of the house as the water hit them harshly. Brook shut her eyes tightly as she gripped Tarzan's and Archimedes' arms to not lose them if the wave drags them.

Brook coughed as the water finally resided and went back to the ocean. Soaked, Brook peeked out and looked around.

"Miss Greenly! Miss Eleanor! Miss Hazel!" she screamed but it echoed around her. She frowned and ran back to Tarzan in a hurry, grabbing his arms. "Tarzan, we have to find them. They could be in danger!"

"If they're still alive," Archimedes frowned worriedly.

"Don't say that!" Brook frowned and looked back to the jungle. It was happening all over again. The girls got lost once again and she couldn't help but be worried about them.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

The girls looked around the jungle, weary as they have gotten lost again. What's worse, they didn't have Tarzan or Brook to be there. They instead have Henry who has been no help whatsoever.

"Oh, why do we always end up lost in the jungle with darkness coming on and wild animals surrounding us?" Hazel frowned as the group walked past her. She was unaware of the black mamba above her that struck her but she crouched down and patted the dirt off her clothes before following the group.

"If we don't make it by nightfall we're-we're–"

"Doomed, Greenly." Eleanor interrupted Greenly, scared at their situation. "Doomed."

The group continued to keep walking, quiet at the can to not alert any dangerous animals around them. Eleanor yelped as her boot slipped on a puddle and fell back. Henry was quick to catch her, "Don't worry, I've got you–" they both yelped as they both fell to the ground.

"Oh, you clumsy buffoon!" Eleanor glared at him, standing up.

Hazel sighed, "If only Tarzan were here."

Henry had enough and stood up, glaring at the girls. "Well, blast it all! Tarzan isn't here! You-You've brought me here to toughen me up, well-well-well it's time for all of us to show how tough we are."

"Oh!" Greenly beamed as she spotted something in the bushes. She cringed as she held on to one of Mr. Porter's underwear. "This-this um, unmentionable is from the professor's camp. We can just follow the trail of debris back!" she turned to the others.

Henry grinned, "Good work, Greenly. Right 'o! Everyone come along."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"All right, I have my arrows," Brook rushed to where Tarzan started to leave. "They could be eaten by leopards or fall into quicksand or–"

"Brook," Tarzan stepped in front of her, gently taking the bow and arrows from her hands. "You're not coming with me on this one. I may not be well-rounded but I'm good at saving people. I'll find them. Stay here," he kissed her temple and dived down, swinging on the vine.

Brook sighed as Mr. Porter rubbed her arms. "Oh, Tarzan. You honestly think...of dear."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

The group walked for an hour as they noticed the dusk coming near. Henry stopped, looking at a tree. "Right, I-I remember passing this spot on the way in. I think."

Eleanor, Greenly, and Hazel walked ahead, looking around. They yelped and screamed as the ground underneath them gave away and fell to the grassy ground. They groaned as they fell harshly on their bottoms but paled as they see a rhino in front of them.

The rhino raged and challengingly dragged his hoof on the ground before charging towards them. Just as it was close to meeting them a rockslide fell in front of it, preventing it from going forward. The girls frowned and looked up to see Henry climbing down.

"Why Henry," Hazel smiled at him. "I had no idea geology could be so...exciting."

Greenly smirked and cleared her throat, getting the girl's attention. "And to think you didn't understand what I saw in him," she gave them a pointed look and hugged Henry in relief.

They all continued walking but saw that there were too deep in the small chasm, they looked up, seeing it not too high but not too low either.

"Well," Eleanor spoke up. "I haven't the slightest idea how to scale this."

Hazel bit her lip and grinned as she thought of an idea. She walked over to a sole vine and grabbed it. "I do. I saw Tarzan do this once." She swung the vine around and threw it up to the rocks. The vine coiled around it as it tightened.

Tugging it tightly, they all grinned as it wouldn't move and started climbing up. Henry was the first to climb, then Greenly and Hazel, and finally Eleanor. They were halfway there when Eleanor's grip on the vine was becoming loose.

"Oh, dear! I'm afraid I'm losing my grip!" Eleanor yelped as she fell back to the ground with a thump. She groaned and sat up but stopped midway as a black mamba was in front of her, hissing her at.

Just as the mamba goes to strike, a sudden tune interrupted it. The mamba's eyes widened as it was in a trance by Henry's oboe music. It slithered away from her as she was still frozen.

"Come on, Eleanor! Hurry!" Greenly and Hazel exclaim as the woman snapped out of her frozen daze and stood up, rushing to the vine and started climbing up in a hurry.

Eleanor wouldn't believe in her strength as she quickly climbed up and met with the others.

"Are you all right, Eleanor?" Henry frowned, looking for any injuries but the woman smiled at him, seeing a new light in him.

"Henry," she gasped. "You saved my life! I had no idea the oboe could be so-so–"

"Manly, Eleanor!" Greenly smirked at her proudly. "Manly!"

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

The sky darkened more making the group more alarmed than ever. They all hugged Henry for safety as they looked at the place around them. It looked more like a swamp and couldn't help but shiver in fear again.

"It's getting dark," Greenly frowned.

"And now we stumbled into a swamp," Hazel continued as they started walking into the water. "Wait," the girl spoke up making them stop.

The three stiffened as they heard something swimming in the water near them. "We're not making those splashes."

The girls screamed in horror as three crocodiles swam around them. Eleanor and Hazel instantly tackled Henry for safety as Greenly shook her head in disbelief at their situation.

"I don't suppose you know how to wrestle crocodiles, do you, Henry?!" Greenly tackled him in a hug too.

"I'm afraid that tune isn't in my repertoire," Henry gulped as the crocodiles were now swimming towards them.

Before one of them could get closer, Tarzan kicked one away as he swam up to the surface. Another crocodile swam to him but Tarzan wrapped his arms around it and wrestled it inside the water.

The group could only watch in relief and horror as Tarzan came to their rescue. "Crocodile wrestling," Henry gasped. "Is there anything he can't do?"

Tarzan swam up and panted, looking around and seeing any signs of crocodiles. He looked back at the group and started walking towards them. "Is everyone okay?"

Tarzan failed to notice a crocodile sneaking up on him from behind but Henry spotted it. Just as the crocodile opened its mouth at Tarzan, Henry lunged forward and wrapped his arms around it as they both sunk into the water.

"Henry!" Greenly shrieked, stepping forward but Tarzan grabbed her. The water stopped splashing as everyone thought the worse. Tears filled Greenly's eyes as her lips quivered in pain. "Henry!"

Tarzan can only close his eyes in shame for not being too fast enough. Eleanor and Hazel gasped, their faces paling. "Oh, no..."

Greenly slapped a hand to her mouth in shock as the feeling of her legs was gone. Tarzan managed to catch her before she fell and held her as she shook her head in disbelief.

"It was all my fault. I shouldn't have brought him here!" she sobbed. "Henry!"

Eleanor and Hazel frowned and goes to hug her when the water next to them splashed. They fell back as Henry surfaced and breathed for air.

"I did it!" Henry gasped. "I actually wrestled a crocodile!"

"Henry!" Greenly tearily beamed and ran for him, tackling him in a bone-crushing hug, pecking his face with kisses. She sobbed in relief and hugged him tightly. Henry's eyes softened and hugged her back, rubbing her back as she wailed.

Eleanor and Hazel can only watch their moment softly. Henry has been amazing and caring towards Greenly. They were just glad to be alive.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

When the group came back to camp, Brook tackled the girls in a tight hug. The girls greatly underestimated her strength beneath her caring features. Brook was close to finding them when they walked out of the clearing. She was glad they all came back with no injuries.

And so, the next day Eleanor, Greenly, and Hazel went to their meeting and whispered between themselves. Brook stood beside Tarzan as they all waited for what their decision would be.

"It always makes me nervous when humans whisper like that," Terk grimaced, looking at the girls.

The girls leaned back and clapped their hands, ending their meeting. Greenly beamed and ran towards Henry who was patiently waiting for them. "After a thorough review, we've come to the conclusion that we've-we've all been, well, how should I put it?"

"Dreadful," Eleanor smiled and nodded to Hazel.

"We've misjudged you, Henry," Hazel smiled at him. "Will you forgive us?"

"And will you forgive me?" Greenly hugged him. "I knew all along how well-rounded you are but I-I-I, well," she sighed. "I never said so."

"Well, of course, dear. I-I-I," Henry stammered as Greenly jumped on him, glad they were together again.

Brook smiled softly at them and hugged Tarzan's arm in comfort. Tarzan looked down at her and smiled at her. "I'm sorry I'm not as well-rounded as Henry."

Brook chuckled, pecking his chin. "Tarzan. Apparently, I've also been forgetting how much I appreciate you, my reed player, earthquake predictor, crocodile wrestler, lifesaver, and the most well-rounded man in the world."

Tarzan grinned at her, grabbing her hands and kissing them gently. "Let's go home."

Brook nodded, "Let's make plans away from the beach for now, hmm? I don't think I'll be able to look at it for a while."

Tarzan laughed and pulled her along.

Published: March 30, 2023

Word Count: 5544