Lost City

"How's our Resident Mermaid?"

Walking down the stairs I can hear laughter float up to me. We may share a house, but we only ever really laugh when the boss is here.

A mop of soft, white hair is the first thing I see as I come around the corner. The owner of said hair leans against the counter as he looks at something Karen has pulled up on her Ipad.

He looks up as I enter the room and I meet his light blue eyes. He's the only one who's ever been able to tell when I'm nearby.

"Sang! How's our resident mermaid?"

I grin at his words and look down at my legs. "No fins yet, Phil. So life could be better."

He laughs and waves a hand, beckoning me over. As I move beside him he pulls me into a hug. "Well we can't all get what we wish for."

"Then when can we go back out on the water?" I grin up at him, batting my eyelashes. "That's a wish you can grant."

He rolls his eyes as he pulls away from me. "You know full well my rules. Three days break before heading back out. Besides you spend every free moment surfing when you're here."

He walks into our living room and plugs in the computer off the boat. This one stores all of the new maps and videos while we are out. We go over it as a team before planning the next dive.

I follow behind him clutching the sample bag tightly. If we want to discuss the coin tonight I have to show Phil now. Luckily Jay and Rocky are still by the grill and Karen stayed back to finish the salad she was making.

"Phil? What would you say if I found something and haven't told the others?" I really want to shout from the rooftops my discovery, but we need to play this safe. We aren't the only group looking for Atlantis.

He looks up at me as he finishes plugging in the computer. Emotions war through his eyes before settling on curiosity.

"Well that depends. Is it something that will help our search?"

"I'm pretty sure it does, but I wanted to show you first." I give him what I hope are puppy eyes so he won't get to mad at me. If he's mad at all I'm sure it will quickly be forgotten. This coin should give us our next big lead.

He sighs and holds out a hand. "All right then. Hand it over Sang. You've been crinkling the bag in your pocket since you stepped out of your room. I knew you'd have something to show me."

My mouth drops open and I blink at him. "How could you hear me when you were laughing like a hyena down here."

He laughs and winks at me. "I have my ways, Squirt."

Sighing I pull the bag out of my pocket and raise it in front of me. "Well if you knew that already then why didn't you just say so when I came down?"

He shrugs a shoulder as I pass him a pair of latex gloves. He pulls them on and reaches for the bag. "I figured you'd tell me when you were ready. You always share your discoveries with me sooner or later. I knew this time would be no different."

"That's true. I never could keep a secret from you."

He nods his head and opens the bag. Before pulling out the coin he points in the direction of his coat he has folded over the couch.

"Before I forget, I found a new store. These ones are strawberry flavored. I think you'll like them." He says with a smile.