I didn't even hesitate. 

I dived. 

It was clear in a second that I had underestimated the depth of the pool. The front end might have been five feet, but this was the opposite end, and the pool was so much more deeper here. My feet couldn't touch the bottom. 

The patio lights were bright, but not bright enough. In the deep waters of the pool, the light barely penetrated halfway through. My hair, done up in a bun, came loose almost immediately, the strands floating wild and lost. 

I came up for air, gasping, heart hammering away. They were laughing there at the side, laughing until they were almost doubled over, their cackles echoing round and round the space. 

"Look at her!" 

"A pretty dress can't save you now, can it Mrs Hood?" one said, her tone nasty.

I ignored them, took a deep breath, and dived yet again.

*

The girl sat in the garden, plucking bits of the grass, her movements jerky and curt. She couldn't leave the manor, but she could wander around the estate, and this little garden situated a ways from the house was the place she came to when she felt less than happy. 

It's not like it's a big deal anyway. So what if he doesn't remembers? Whatever, she thought to herself. 

Pluck pluck pluck. Throw throw throw. Pluck throw pluck throw - 

A pair of hands clapped over her eyes from behind. Instinctively she reacted. Her twelve-year-old self was already so much stronger than when she was six years old, and she could reach behind and get a firm grip on her attacker. Any normal civilian would have gotten flipped over.

But this wasn't a normal civilian, and she found herself twisted around and pushed back, until she was lying back flat on the grass, staring up into a pair of warm turquoise eyes. 

So. Close. 

"Hey Tigress," and she saw that smile, and felt herself melt inside.

Damn this boy. 

*

It was tough, opening your eyes underwater. The chlorine stung and burned. I couldn't really see, and I knew my search was a frantic and chaotic one. I couldn't hope to achieve anything this way, yet I couldn't get myself to calm down.

Where is it? Where is it!

The worry was beyond overwhelming. It was a tidal wave, embracing me, pulling me down, drowning me in it. It was as if a full-fledged panic attack was on the verge of setting in.

The necklace. My only link to him.

I couldn't lose it. No matter what happened. No matter what Thomas said. I couldn't lose it. Couldn't part with it.

Wouldn't.

My lungs constricted in agony and I broke the surface of the water, gasping madly. Already a dull ache was beginning in my chest. The fabric of my dress clung to my skin, and for a second I wondered if it was some kind of sensitive material that had to be hand-washed, and not exposed to severe chemicals. Like chlorine. Luckily I had kicked the shoes off before I jumped.

Ahead, the two girls were walking away, giggling, not even sparing me a glance back. Off to celebrate their victory no doubt. 

I took several more deep breaths, and went underwater.

*

She pushed him away, and dusted herself off. "What do you want?" She made sure her displeasure rang in every word.

He gave the grin she knew so well, and bumped her lightly against her shoulder. "Special day today, isn't it?"

She sniffed. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

He bumped her shoulder again. "You sure? You look pretty upset. Was it because you thought I forgot?"

She felt herself turn fiery scarlet. "I - I have no idea what you're talking about!" 

*

I had been down there, for perhaps near half a minute, when without warning - 

I was plunged into darkness.

Blackness. An eternity of blackness, the kind that came after midnight, the kind that came in the depths of your sleep. There was absolutely no light for me to see by, at all.

Those two female dogs - 

The worry exploded, a tightly-wounded spring released into existence, crashing into me full force.

I felt it then, the first vestiges of fear.

That was when I panicked. 

*

"Really? Well that's a shame." From somewhere he pulled out a small box, tied with a scarlet bow. "I was planning on giving you this, but I guess - "

"Wait!" She paused, biting her lip. She didn't wanted to admit that she had been upset because she'd thought he'd forgotten, but. . . the present. . .

He laughed at the tormented expression on her face. With one hand he tossed it at her. "Just open it already!"

Struggling to hide the burst of excitement she felt inside, she gently unwrapped the box. Her wild imagination started wondering if it was a ring - well it does seem to be the right size - but she shushed it immediately. 

It looked so delicate. Yet so strong. A chain so thin, yet made of silver. A little stunned, she traced the heart pendant, and felt her heartbeat quicken.

"Here." His voice was soft, his touch even more so, as he took the necklace from her. He clasped it around her neck, and she resisted the blush that threatened to creep up her cheeks. The necklace was one of those long ones, and it came to just above her heart. She looked up at him, and saw that he too had one, exactly the same. Around his neck, above his heart. 

He smiled at her, and she loved the way the corners of his eyes crinkled. "Heart to heart?"

Suddenly she felt so shy. But she managed to smile, a very happy one, and repeated, "Heart to heart."

*

My movements went wild. I was disoriented. I had lost my bearings. I no longer knew which way was up - no matter how I kicked or trashed it seemed as if I could never break the surface. If I knew where the bottom of the pool was I could kick off in the right direction, but now not a single part of me was making contact with a hard surface. 

Can't breathe. Need to breathe. Can't breathe!

I can't breathe!

And then hysteria set in and I made the mistake of shouting for help underwater.

Water gushed down my throat in seconds.

*

He looked at her, and took a deep breath. Gripping her by the shoulders his eyes held hers in a steadfast gaze.

Thumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthump - 

"I - I want to be heart to heart with you, forever. Can I, Tigress?" He sounded unsure, almost timid, and for some reason it set every nerve in her on fire.

"I don't see why not," she replied softly.

His face lit up with the brightest of smiles that she had ever seen, and she in turn felt elated that it was because of her.

*

The pain in my chest ballooned. My vision fogged. Water, water everywhere, in my lungs and pores and every inch of my skin.

Darkness. Nothing but darkness.

My limbs went limp. Lifeless. My mind went empty. Blank.

I felt myself drift, sinking to one direction. Well, at least now I know where the bottom of the pool is, I thought dimly. 

But there was no fight in me anymore. Not even a single drop of energy.

Battery depleted.

This is it. The end.

But just before I could melt into unconsciousness something splashed into existence above my head.

*

He drew her close and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Her eyes widened into dinner plates.

"Happy birthday Tigress," he murmured against her hair.

*

A strong arm gripped me by the hand and dragged me all the way up, up up to the light. 

I broke the surface of the water and gasped, wild and uncontrollably. The darkness fled, the fear vanished, and the only thought I had at that moment was the fact that I was alive. But I wasn't out of the woods yet - the second after I inhaled my first gulp of oxygen I went under again. It was the deep end of the pool after all, and I hadn't recover enough energy to start swimming. Or even to float, for that matter.

The grip on my hand never let go. I was pulled up yet again, and found myself leaning against something that was curiously warm. The hand around my arm let go and another encircled itself around my waist. Protected. Secure. 

Chest heaving with ragged breaths, I was hauled to the edge. Both hands clutching the edge of the pool for support I took several moments to get my breath back, before turning around to see my savior's face.

Can it be - 

"You!" I exclaimed.

His response was clipped, his breathing heavy from exertion. "Yes. Me." His white shirt clung to his torso like a second skin, hinting at the firm pectorals underneath.

I looked away, irritated. For some reason, the wave of scarlet was threatening to adorn my face again. Why would I feel embarrassed that he was seeing me like this?

There was the slight slosh of water as he pulled himself out of the pool in one fluid motion. Turning to me he went down on one bended knee and offered a hand. I ignored him and tried to get out of the pool by myself. But my dress was a drenched weight that dragged me down. After several tries I gave up and took his hand. He helped me up so easily.

I regained my breathing. "What are you doing here?"

"My father. One of his clients. You?"

". . . Jasper."

In the almost darkness his blue eyes took on a hardened cast of steel. "The fiance?"

". . . Yes." Pause. "Thank you for your help."I nodded slightly and walked off, making my way to the patio doors. The night air was freezing and I wrapped my arms around myself, already starting to shiver.

"You're going to catch a cold." he called from behind.

"It's none of your business, Mr Hood." I answered, tone flat.

In a few paces he cleared the distance between us. There was a swishing sound and I felt the soft cloth of a tuxedo jacket around my shoulders. I took it off almost immediately and tossed it back at him. 

"I don't need it."

"Liar," he shot back. "Your teeth are chattering." He put the jacket back on.

I walked to the patio doors and looked around, up and behind. All the while, Kaylan stood at the corner, watching, his formal white shirt exposing his well-defined muscles more than ever.

Stop. It.

"What are you looking for?" he asked. 

"The lights."

"For the patio?"

"No," I retorted sarcastically, "for the broken bulbs in your head."

He snorted, and disentangled himself from the wall. He came close, until I was trapped between him and the wall. He was but mere inches away, and his eyes never left mine. I felt a strange hitch in my breathing.

Great. First my ex comes back to life and now I'm starting to get all chemistry-ish with Mr Bad Boy.

His hand roamed the wall above my head and with a flick, the patio was flooded with light. I squirmed out of that tight space and hurried back into the patio. Standing by the edge of the pool I tried my hardest to peer into its blue depths. There. Something sparkly. Maybe that's it.

Kaylan came up from behind me. "Dropped something?"

I sighed. "Like I said Mr Hood, it's really not your business." I mentally started preparing myself to jump into the water again.

Kaylan tucked his hands into his pockets. "There's lights at the bottom of the pool. If you switch them on it'd probably be easier."

I glanced at him. "Where?"

He motioned with his head. I headed off into that direction, and located the switches. Flicking it on, I saw the pool light up from below.

Kaylan raised a hand. "Thank you!" he called, before breaking into a sprint - and diving into the pool.

The heck? I rushed to the side, seeing his form cutting a path through the water. Dayum, he just looks good in everything he does, doesn't it? He came up for air after a minute, shaking his head of damp and straggly hair.

"What on Earth are you doing?"

He eyed me as if I was an idiot. "Looking for your necklace. What else?" And before I could answer he dived yet again.

The next time he came up he was holding the necklace in his hand. Relief flared in my chest. Found it!

He handed the necklace to me. I put it on, firmly, tugging a little to make sure it stayed. 

"It means a lot to you. That necklace," he stated.

I gave a brusque nod. "Yes. And - thank you." I started to leave, the hem of my dress leaving a trail of water on the patio floor. 

"The marriage. Is it for real?"

I stopped. The opened patio doors beckoned in front of me. But his voice held me in place somehow.

"Yes."

"So you're just going to marry him? A man you don't love?" There was an edge to his voice I didn't understand.

I turned my head to the side, catching him in the corner of my eye. "It doesn't matter. It's been arranged."

"Then break away from it. Don't do things you don't want to do."

"I don't think you understand, Mr Hood. You think it's so easy? These things?"

I finally turned around to face him. "Well it's not. You might be a bad boy, but Jasper's a bad man. And there's no law that can touch him - nor will there ever be."

I walked off. 

*.*.*.*. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

I'm getting lazy with these things. But anyhoo. Chapter dedicated to HackedByAWriter!