“Who knew indeed.” He shook his head. “You know what? Even if I lived to be a thousand years old, I can honestly say that I will never, ever see things like this again.” He reached out to her. “It has been a privilege.”

She took his hand. “Thank you.”

He placed a hand over hers, and she noticed his fingers were just as shredded as her own. He continued to watch her. “You know, I didn’t come for the adventure, or the money, or even the chance to see a prehistoric shark… you do know that don’t you?”

She held his gaze, and nodded. “And I didn’t need you for your expertise. Lord knows there’re a hundred specialists who know more than you do.”

He threw his head back and laughed for a moment, before she tugged on his arm, pulling him closer. He leaned into her, and she kissed his dry lips. Even in this dark, dismal place she felt desire well up, and his hands quickly found her body.

She pushed him back. “Save your fluids, Romeo.”

He laughed softly into her cheek. “Rain check then?”

“Sheesh, take a guy below the earth once, and he thinks you’re easy. At least buy me dinner first.” She squeezed his arm and leant back, feeling her heart beat fast. She didn’t think it was from the climb this time.

She lay out flat and closed her eyes. Bad Water, the Nantouk had called the underground sea. Now, she could think of no better name for the place.

She was suddenly on a tropical beach, and looking down saw her long, tanned legs glistening with suntan oil. Jack was crossing the sand towards her in swim trunks, his muscles working fluidly. In both his hands he held long tall glasses of fruit juice. She smiled, holding out her hand. Perfect timing, handsome, she said around her smile. He handed it towards her.

Cate felt someone tugging hard on her arm, and her eyes flicked open in and instant. The beautiful dream vanished.

“Huh?” She sprang forward.

“Easy.” It was Jack, and also Abby squatting close by. “I let you sleep. You’ve been out for about twenty minutes. How do you feel?”

“Oh god, my throat,” she croaked. “So thirsty.” She sucked in a deep breath. It hurt. “Glad we’re not still on the water, or this is about where the sailors would start drinking seawater, or something worse.”

Jack stood, and helped her to her feet. “Okay to go?”

Cate stood. “Sure, onward and upward.” She tried to smile, but felt her lips crack in the center.

Abby walked to one wall. “This way. It starts to narrow in a few dozen feet, but its still passable.” She stepped up.

Jack put his hand on the back of Cate’s neck. “You’re up next, beautiful.”