Title- Secrets

Author- Kim

Summary- Roy meets someone special.

Disclaimer- DC owns all characters.

Part 1

Roy leaned back as he sat on the park bench, contentedly watching Lian playing with the other children in the sand box. He had been promising to bring her here all week, but his work as Arsenal had meant that they had to keep delaying the outing. Lian understood, but that didn't make Roy feel any more comfortable with having to put it off, he wanted his little girl to understand that she was the most important thing in his life and he had to wonder if his having to delay such special time together was sending her the wrong message.

Roy sat up straighter and moved further towards the end of the bench as a woman with a stroller approached, allowing her space to sit and place the stroller between them. The baby in the stroller leaned around to look at Roy, his little face lighting up with a smile, "Hi little guy." Roy said returning the smile before glancing at the woman, he noted instantly that the toddlers mother who appeared to be in her early twenties, was a good looking blonde. "Cute kid." he remarked.

The woman smiled back at him.."Thanks." she said as she reached down to unclasp the little boy from the stroller and placed him on the ground in front of where she was sitting as she moved the stroller out of the way.

The little boy immediately crawled to the bench and pulled himself into a standing position, holding on as he precariously started to make his way towards Roy. Briefly letting go of the seat the toddler stood on woobly legs for a moment before plonking to the ground on his bottom.

"Just learning to walk?" Roy asked.

"Oh hell yes, and getting into everything." his mother said smiling.

Roy chuckled. "I remember that stage well, keeps you on your toes...By the way my names Roy..Roy Harper."

"Rachael Storey." the young woman said as she helped the baby back up.

The little boy again set off on his mission to reach Roy.

"How many children do you have?" Rachael asked

"That's my little Princess over there." Roy pointed to Lian, before quickly reaching out a hand to steady the baby as he almost toppled backwards.

"She's beautiful, you and your wife must be very proud." Rachael replied as she watched as the little girl turned to look at her father and offered him a smile and a wave.

"I am proud, I'll be the first to admit it..she's the light of my life...There is no wife by the way, just me and my little princess..." Roy said holding the little boys hand as the baby attempted to climb into his lap.."Um..Do you mind?" he asked nodding at the child.

Rachael smiled "No, go ahead..His name's Sam."

Roy lifted the little boy into his arms

Rachael smiled as she watched her son wrapping his chubby arms around Roy's neck.

"Well he sure ain't shy." Roy laughed as he attempted to wipe drool off his shoulder.

"No he's certainly not that, he'll go to any one, especially men I have to watch him like a hawk, I guess it's probably because..." Rachael's voice trailed off and she looked uncomfortable before continuing. "Well his father isn't around anymore." she finished quietly.

Roy glanced at her, but before he could say anything Lian come running over. "Daddy, you got a baby." she said happily, climbing up on the seat beside Roy and patting the baby on the back.

Roy laughed "I'm holding a baby..I didn't get one, we can't keep him." he said.

"I know that silly Daddy." Lian said frowning at her father, "What's his name?" she asked happily.

"Sam...and this is his Mom, Rachael" Roy said.

Lian turned to look at the woman beside her. "You got a baby?..Your so lucky." Lian said seriously "I asked my Dad to get a baby once and he said we have to wait till he finds the right Mommy...I asked Miss Carpelly if she would..." Lian stopped as Roy choked and spluttered.

"You asked your teacher?" He finally managed to splutter, red faced.

"Well Daddy your not good at picking Mommies and Miss Carpelly is really nice." Lian said

Rachael glanced at Roy's red face and horrified look and burst out laughing.

"Man..I'll never be able to face your teacher again..We're gonna have to change your school." Roy joked half seriously.

Lian looked shocked, "But I like my school." she whimpered.

"I think your Daddy's just joking honey." Rachael said.

"Oh" Lian said.. Then turned to look from her father to Rachael and back again, a slow smile formed on her face as an idea formed, "Daddy's taking me out to lunch aren't you Daddy?" she asked.

"I sure am Baby Doll." Roy said as he shook his head to untangle his hair from Sam's little hands.

"That's nice sweetheart." Rachael smiled.

"Did you bring your lunch with you?" Lian asked.

"No Honey..We'll probably go home soon and get something then." Rachael replied.

Lian jumped off seat and dragged the stroller towards Roy, "That's ok..Daddy will buy you lunch too ..won't you Daddy?" she asked, looking expectantly at her father.

"Oh..I don't.." Rachael stammered.

"Please...I wanta play with Sam." Lian said pleadingly.

Roy looked flustered. "Uh..yeah sure, why not..That's if you don't have anything else more important to do?" Roy finally managed to ask.

Rachael looked from Roy to Lian, the little girl had focused those big brown eye's on her expectantly. She paused momentarily before replying. "How can I say no...but I'll buy my own lunch." she said smiling.

end 1