(Just so you know, this takes place during one of the Nemo tank scenes when Dory and Marlin were still traveling on the EAC)

Dory swam away from where Crush and the other turtles were swimming.Marlin was just ahead of her. She paused. "Why'd you go and interrupt such a great story?"

"Cliffhanger."

Marlin stared at her. She still looked pale and weak, and the sting was red against her blue scales. He didn't know what to say.

"I can't believe we made it. That was so cool! How'd it happen, anyway?"

Her question was not due to forgetfulness, but the fact that she had been unconcious for a while. Dory's pleading eyes pierced his soul. How could he tell her that he had neglected her amidst the jellyfish for mere sport? Granted, she had started it, but still……

"You-you fainted. I carried you out." There. He said it. The deed was done. He winced, thinking of what would happen next. He shouldn't have expected it from Dory, though.

"Really? Then I guess I owe you one! Wow, I'm beholden!" Her red eyes sparkled with excitement. "I'm in debt, and I like it!"

Marlin smiled weakly. He had to make her see that he had been cruel. How could he? She was so, so-innocent.

"I can't believe you risked your life for me. Noone's ever done that before……at least I think not. There was that one time at the bay, when-"

He didn't listen to her. Good old Dory. Still as forgetful as ever.

She spoke. "You know what? I, ..well I almost forgot how to breathe……when we were out there."

That made it easier. He didn't have to tell her, after all. Let it wait. But there was one thing he absolutely had to say.

"Dory?"

"Yeah?" She looked right at his face. Grabbing her by the fins, and staring intently in her eyes, he spoke.

"Dory, would you promise me one thing? Just one thing?"

"Sure. Shoot."

"No matter what happens-" This is so hard! He choked up. A single tear dripped down his cheek. "-don't you ever, ever, forget how to breathe. Promise?"

Dory didn't see the tear, nor did she notice the quaver in his voice when he spoke. "Okay. If it means that much to you." She gave a goofy half-smile out of the right side of her mouth.

"It does, Dory." He swam out to the edge of the current, and turned away from her. Another tear. "More than you'll ever know."