11Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea ~ "Still Waters"
by Dash O'Pepper
Author's Notes: Based on the second season episode "Escape from Venice" (#2.05) by Charles Bennett.
• This story was originally posted under a different pseudonym on a site that no longer exists.
• This story may also be found on AO3.
The room was oppressively hot, even for this time of year, but cutbacks in state funding prohibited turning on the air conditioning system until almost the end of the semester. Just once, it would have been nice to enter the teacher's lounge and find it reasonably comfortable.
"I've saved you a spot," called Louis to her, pointing at the empty chair beside him; the math teacher still attempting to move their cordial working relationship into something more.
Not for the first time since returning from Spring vacation, she noted how little they had in common. Nodding politely, she sighed to herself as she sat beside him and opened her brown bag lunch.
"You've been awfully quiet lately."
"Not quiet…" She looked towards the young history teacher seated across the table from her. "Just introspective."
"So, how was Venice?" May wasn't going to be put off. "You were talking for weeks about your plans for your Italian holiday; yet, you haven't told us anything about your trip."
A wistful expression crossed her face, as she recalled her vacation. "It was…" she paused before continuing, trying to think of a suitable, but noncommittal, word before settling on the safe, "nice."
"Nice?" asked Louis. "Sounds like you didn't have a good time at all. You should have taken my advice and visited the Grand Canyon."
Taking a bite from her sandwich, she shook her head. So much had happened during her weeklong respite: memories she wouldn't trade for the world. Swallowing, she replied, "It wasn't what I was expecting."
"Must have been exciting, though? asked May. "Being there during that manhunt and all."
"No wonder they hate us abroad," said the phys-ed teacher, about to begin one of his right-wing rants. "That murderer gave America a real black eye."
She intended to nip his political spiel in the bud: "As with most things, Ed, I'm sure there was more to it than what was reported." She took another bite from her sandwich to keep from saying more.
"You're too kind-hearted," said Louis. "Always thinking the best of everyone—even a cold-blooded killer."
"Yeah, right," added Ed. "That guy was probably just doing his patriotic duty."
Her cheeks flushed in anger at what her co-workers were saying, but she'd given her word to say nothing about what transpired in Italy. If she hadn't been so "kind-hearted", an innocent man would have died. And, she wondered, how many others as well?
"Oh, almost forgot," said May, "this came for you this morning. Special delivery." She slid an envelope across the table.
As it passed in front of him, Louis read the return address aloud, and whistled, "Nelson Institute of Marine Research."
She was too excited about the letter to be angry with him for his nosiness, and nearly tore the envelope apart in opening it. Reading its contents, she smiled broadly. It was what she'd hoped for—and more. Her life had been turned upside down by an accidental encounter in Venice. It would never again be the same, and she was grateful for it. For the first time in years, she didn't feel like a frumpy, middle-aged English teacher whose life had fallen into a rut and routine that she'd never be free of; her future now felt indescribably exciting.
She put the letter down and got up hurriedly from the table. "If you'll excuse me, I have to make a phone call."
After she left the lounge, Louis picked up the letter, which was still laying on the table.
"That's personal," said May, both exasperation and curiosity mixed in her voice.
"Don't tell me you're not interested in knowing what made her almost skip out of here?"
May and Ed both nodded.
Louis began to read the letter aloud:
"Dear Ms. Harmon: Your application for the research assistant position at the Nelson Institute of Marine Research has been received. Based on Adm. Nelson's personal recommendation and your own outstanding qualifications, we believe you would be a welcome addition to the research staff of Cdre. Lucius Emory of our Marine Biology Research Unit here in Santa Barbara. Please contact our offices at your earliest convenience to discuss final details. Sincerely—"
"Did you know she was looking for a new job?" asked Ed of May.
The young woman shook her head. "Looks like not just a new job, but a whole new career."
"There's more. A couple of personal notes," said Louis, as he continued reading the letter.
"My dear Ms. Harmon, I hate these blasted form letters. I just wanted to add my own personal welcome aboard. You'll be a valuable asset to us. Harriman Nelson.
"Ms. Harmon, Looking forward to seeing you again. Cdr. L. Crane. P.S. The 'wing' is healing nicely."
"Now where the heck would our Betty have met someone like Nelson?" asked Louis.
"Not exactly in her league," harrumphed Ed.
"Oh, I don't know." May shook her head, and smiled impishly, "You know what they say about still waters."
~ Finis ~
© 2016 Dash O'Pepper
Disclaimers: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea is a registered trademark of Twentieth Century-Fox Television Inc., Cambridge Productions Inc., and Irwin Allen Properties LLC. All rights reserved. This work of fanfiction is not meant in any way to infringe on copyrights already held by these companies, their subsidiaries, and/or their estates. The original characters and plot of this fanfiction are the property of its author.