Sorry it took so long, I've been lazy and had major writer's block D: Review, darlings!

Eric had spent the entire day with Ariel, from as soon as Margaret left to when the sun first began to dip. Ariel had taken the tumultuous situation in stride and, in all honesty, was just relieved to have everything calmed down, relieved to be with Eric. Finally.

"Ariel!" Cassandra rushed across the room and pulled the redhead into her arms.

Over Ariel's stay the two girls had become fast friends.

"Oh, Cassandra, you look radiant!" Ariel insisted, stepping back to admire the brunette.

Cassandra had changed out of her wedding dress and into a simple white one. It swung around her mid-calves and fell from her shoulders.

"Well," Cassandra dipped her head. "I'm a married woman now."

"I was talking about the dress, but you must tell me everything!" Ariel beamed.

Cassandra settled into herself and leaned back. She looked up at Urchin and Ariel broke out in a smile.

"You married him?" Ariel said softly, beaming.

Cassandra nodded. "It was quick…but when you know, you know, right?"

Ariel nodded. "Believe me, I understand more than anyone." She gave a half-smile and hugged Cassandra.

Urchin gave a small sigh of relief. Everything was solved, it was over! Ariel was with the man she belonged, any day now Eric had to propose – if he hadn't already! And, even more importantly, Urchin was with his true love – the girl he had chosen for himself! She was perfect for him, and by such a strange twist of fate that he met her while pursuing another! Contented, Urchin stretched his head back and looked out the window.

The sun was almost set.

A wave of panic flooded suddenly over Urchin as he remembered his promise to Ursula. The only way he could stay human, be with Cassandra is by sacrificing Ariel! Part of him regretted this selfish act, but he saw no other way out! He could never be with Cassandra if he didn't have legs, he couldn't force her to become a mermaid, and he had worked so hard to fulfill the rest of the deal. Was he wrong? No. Urchin forced himself to stop questioning his moves, he was in too deep to back out now.

"I'm going to go get myself something to drink, do any of you want anything?" Ariel asked the group.

"I'm fine." Cassandra smiled.

"No thanks, love." Eric squeezed her hand.

Ariel excused herself and headed towards the kitchen.

"Actually, I'm going to grab a snack." Urchin lied and scurried off after her.

Cassandra furrowed her brow and shook her head.

"So, um, what are your plans for the future?" Eric said rather awkwardly.

"Well, we're going to find a small house somewhere in town, and I don't know where Urchin's going to work, but I'll stay here – at least until he gets a job." She hurriedly continued "It's been lovely working here, of course, you're very accommodating, but I – I really want to be a mother."

"No, no, you don't have to explain yourself." Eric smiled. "I hope Ariel feels the same way you do. I've always wanted a family."

"It's so exciting, being in love, isn't it?" Cassandra smiled. "Why-" Cassandra took this choice moment to glance behind her, and she saw Urchin dragging Ariel outside. "OH HELL NO." she snapped.

Eric furrowed his brow and started after them. "What is going on?" he demanded to no one in particular.

Cassandra and Eric were running quickly, and caught up to the former-merpeople. The sun was only minutes from setting, and Urchin had his arms around Ariel's waist, pinning her arms to her sides. She struggled, but he overpowered her.

"What are you doing?" Eric demanded, but feel to the ground when the sea erupted, revealing Ursula.

"You know out bargain." She smirked, holding out her hand.

"Sorry…" Urchin said with minimal sincerity, loosening his grip on Ariel.

Eric punched Urchin in the face, and Ariel took this opportunity to run away and back up to the castle steps, her heart beating with fear and confusion. Urchin tried to stand up and start after her again, but Eric pushed him down. Before the two began to fight, Ursula snapped her fingers and the two were frozen.

"Oh, I see you couldn't quite get her to agree." Ursula said with mock sympathy. "Ariel, come here, dear!"

Ariel shook her head and stayed put, as most rational people would do.

"Urchin," Cassandra said with deathly calmness. "What is she talking about."

"You didn't tell her? Dear me, dear me, a lie is not the way to begin such an eternal relationship." Ursula clicked her tongue. "Well, I'll be happy to fill in the blanks."

The momentary spell was wearing off, and Eric and Urchin began to fidget, but could not quite move yet.

"Urchin wanted to be with you, darling." Ursula looked at Cassandra wickedly. "But there was something keeping you apart…" she grabbed a bottle Flotsam was holding, poured some of the fine powder into her hand and threw it in the air. A scene materialized, blurry around the edges.

"My darling helper, back so soon?" Ursula leered, pursing her lips into a hideous pout and leaning forward.

"I need your help." Urchin gritted his teeth. There was no other way to do this.

It showed Urchin as a merman, swimming closer to Ursula and sitting down in her lair.

Cassandra held her mouth agape and turned and stared at Urchin. "You're a merman?" she said softly.

"Cassandra-" Urchin began but cut off.

"Did this slip your mind? Did you just forget to tell me? No!" Cassandra protested. "You didn't tell me the truth – and that's a kind of lying! You lied to me Urchin!"

"Oh dear, darling!" Ursula said with false sympathy. "Just keep watching first, speak later!"

Cassandra, against wiser thoughts, turned her full attention back to Ursula and watched the rest of the scene.

"Yes, of course, what is it?" Ursula smiled.

"I need you to make me human – just for a couple days! Then we'll go from there."

"What happened here?" Ursula smiled wickedly. "What happened to young Ariel?"

"I was an idiot." Urchin mumbled. "I liked her, I've always liked her. She's pretty, I've always known that. But I was never in love with her, and I kept trying to trick myself into thinking I was. But," he smiled now, "when I was up on land, I met this girl, Cassandra, and she's just-"

"And now you want to be with her, yes, yes, yes." Ursula flicked her hand. Her face split into a smile. "I'll tell you what. If you can get Cassandra to fall in love with you, and agree to become a mermaid, in no more than three sunsets, then you two can live happily ever after. In return, you must sacrifice Ariel to me, tell no one, refuse to protect her, and lead me to her however I see fit."

Urchin gulped.

"And of course, you understand that if you fail, I will be bringing Cassandra back with me down into the ocean and leaving you up on the land. I'm not going unrewarded here. It's a tough deal, I know, but how much do you really love her? Enough to take this leap? Enough to give up Ariel?"

Urchin floated in silence for a moment. Looking up powerfully, he nodded his head and said "You've got a deal."

Ariel came running back down from the beach, reaching the group as the spell was lifted off Urchin and Eric. Eric took Urchin down again.

"You offered to sacrifice her, like some possession, like an animal?" Eric demanded, grabbing Urchin's collar.

"Ariel I'm sorry! I had to!" Urchin insisted, trying to sit up.

"You didn't have to!" Ariel screamed, clutching her fists.

"And what of me!" Cassandra bellowed so loudly that all three turned to look at her. "I'm not letting you give up Ariel - now I'm the pawn! Now I'm gone!"

"Well, if you insist…" Ursula grabbed another potion from her eels. Uncorking it, she readied herself.

"No!" Urchin pushed Eric off, his voice choking.

Cassandra shrunk back as the potion came flying towards her. Urchin threw himself in front of her, and began to feel himself being pulled into the ocean.

Resisting momentarily, he grabbed Cassandra and kissed her. "I'm stupid, so stupid." He admitted, nodding. "But I love you so much." He kissed her again as he was pulled back, transforming back into a merman and disappearing to the mysterious fathoms below.

Do you guys think there should be a sequel? Review and tell me!