"You're going to—already?" No, no, she could do this. She could. She set that thought firmly in her mind and grabbed hold of her normal calm capability.

That vanished about the same time his grip did, however, and her motions became more erratic and desperate. She sank a little, before fear drove her to new heights and the motions smoothed out. It was ungainly, but each successive stroke and kick came a little easier. Her heart was still racing, and she must have splashed around like a fool at first, but she was doing it. She was swimming.