The healer exited the med chamber, exhausted; he had been working tirelessly all day. He rubbed his face when he saw the Prince of the Sea sitting in the chair. The man hadn't moved for hours.

"Well?" he spoke, hoping it was good news.

"It took some serious doing, but, the magic she was under was broken when she breached the vortex. I used the reversal I used on Palermo to help her regression. Her mind in intact, her skin is pink, she is just very tired. The last thing she remembers is when she was taken from Orin.

"Can I see her?" he spoke.

"She needs to rest. The King has been with her and she's emotionally and physically drained."

"She needs to be able to swim. Orin marries tomorrow." He spoke flatly.

"That would be her decision then," The healer spoke leaving and mumbling about arrogant aristocrats.

Namor entered the room quietly to see the older version of Atlanta asleep on the bed.

"Please don't stare at me." She whispered as she shifted to sit up.

"Sorry but I don't have time for pleasantries. Do you know who I am?" he asked standing in his most regal pose." She shook her head uncertain. "I am Namor."

"That can't be…he was just a child?"

"What is it you last remember?" His voice softening slightly.

"Uhhh, Orin…the plane,the siren. Orin?" she asked horrified.

"So Theoren didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what? He did survive didn't he?"

"He did, he's a good man, he marries tomorrow."

"What?"

"Yes, at Mercy Reef."

"And Tom?" she whispered.

"He never remarried if that's what you want to know. He has relocated to Metropolis to be closer to Orin."

"And does he know…about me…a-a-a-about Orin?"

"He does and he is very supportive, he's been a good father to him. The war is over, there is peace at last in Atlantis. Orin found and captured the last of the rebellion, that is how I knew I had to find you."

"Sorry?"

"Another of the sons of Atlantis found himself a land dweller and they wed and had a son. He was taken for his betrayal of the race. Orin found him and took him back to his wife and child. To Orin all are created equal. He taught me that. You see, I owe Orin a great debt….I was going to deny my feelings for my girlfriend based on race. Orin pointed out that I was being an ass, and race doesn't matter. She and I are engaged and I wanted him to have the best wedding present ever……..you."

"Well I need to go to him!" she spoke trying to get up and then collapsing on the bed.

"Easy there, you can't even stand, how can you swim?"

"I don't care, I want to…no I need to see my boy!"

"Rest then maybe this evening if you're stronger?" he nudged. "They wed tomorrow." She climbed back into bed and sighed and closed her eyes the fatigue winning. Namor left the room.

"Guard!" he shouted and soldier appeared.

"Yes?"

"Stay here and no one comes in or out unless it's a healer or the King, understood?"

"Aye sir." The guard spoke and turned to face out now guarding the door.

--

"I don't understand why you're being so pig headed!" Chloe shouted at Clark.

"And I don't get why you have practically ignored us for the last... what.... year?" he tossed back.

"So this is about your feelings being hurt and not about me?"

"Yes, No…God Chloe don't be like that!"

"I'm not being anything. I fell in love, and yeah it came out of the blue, and yeah it was distracting. We saw each other on missions, didn't we?"

"Well yeah…"

"You're married and when you two were doing that whole, 'oh hell no we ain't dating but we're dating thing', all your friends got left behind!"

"Chloe?"

"No Clark, not this time. We're friends, we will always be friends, but A.C is my priority as is…you know…just like Lois is yours, it happens. The thing we need to do is work on the changing relationships ok?"

"Hmphh."

"You know I pulled that with A.C this morning and it didn't work with him." She smiled. "Come on Clarkie?" she smiled using Lois' nickname for him, "Be happy for me, I was for you?"

"Why can't I stay mad at you?" he asked.

"Cause I'm me?" She smiled. They came in from the back porch to Lois and A.C going over the list.

"Ok Lo, tomorrow: Flowers get delivered, Tiki torches and decorations get put up, Tomas will be there at ten with the aisle runner. Cake gets delivered to Del sol, Momma will call you when it shows up—here is the number just in case. You got it?" he asked.

"Man you're just as bad as Chloe?" she snarked.

"I heard that Lo!" Chloe spoke. Lois just laughed.

"Well is there peace in hero land again?" she asked. Clark nodded. "Good, now husband of mine, how about we go get lunch and leave these two with the last moments of peace they'll have until they get to the airport." Lois smiled. Clark nodded. He shook A.C's hand and then he and Lois took off.

"Peace at last." he spoke pulling Chloe onto his lap. "Feel better?"

"Oh yeah." she sighed enjoying his arms around her.

"So," Chloe spoke as A.C began to rub circles on her abdomen. "About the first dance; did you get the music to the club?"

"I did, it's all ready to go."

"Can you believe we get married tomorrow?"

"I can't wait." He smiled slipping his hand under her shirt. "How you feelin'?"

"Fine for the bajillionth time!" she laughed and kissed him. "I really think we should practice our first dance again don't you?" she winked and pushed off his lap to stand. She held a hand out to him and pulled him up. He laughed as she slid her hands under his t-shirt.

"You gonna do that at the reception?" he teased. He moved them backwards to the stereo and hit play. The master disk was still in the player. The tune started and they began to sway to the music. "I think if we did it just like last time it will be good." He spoke as he slipped his hands underneath the hem of her t-shirt. "We do have some time you know before the rehearsal," He whispered while nibbling her ear. She sighed as his hand reached the clasp of her bra and he flicked it open in one flick. He pulled his hands out from under her shirt and smiled his most wicked smile. He scooped her up and carried her back to the bedroom.

--

Chloe and A.C were early to the Captain's table, aka Frankie's. Frankie McElders was a long time buddy of Tom's and was glad to give over his place for the rehearsal dinner. He'd known A.C since he was a little squirt. The couple was mingling with their guests as they arrived. Everyone they invited including Chrissa, but no Namor. A.C was the master of ceremonies and Chloe laughed until she cried with his humor and style. Gifts were given out and speeches were exchanged. A great time was had by all. As the night wore on the crowd became thinner and Lois kept looking at her watch and then glaring at Chloe. Chloe just ignored her; this was a battle she didn't want to have in the restaurant.

The evening was relatively uneventful, until Chrissa left during dessert to answer her phone and knocked over her drinks. That was the majority of the excitement. Hours later the crowd had thinned even more and Lois came to get Chloe who was talking to Tom, to go to the restroom.

"Come on Lois!" Chloe whined.

"Come on, short stuff, just humor me will you?" She spoke dragging Chloe away. Chloe looked to A.C for help and all he could do was shrug his shoulders.

"What!" Chloe spoke as she fixed her hair and checked her make up.

"Did you tell him he was staying with his dad tonight?" Chloe grilled.

"No, we haven't had a chance to talk about it, seriously though, it's not like we haven't been living together."

"Too bad and so very sad; I'll send Clark to grab his stuff."

"Lois seriously! Like you and Clark didn't stay the night together the night before YOUR wedding."

"That was different," Lois blushed.

"How is that any different?"

"Cause Clark could be gone in less than two seconds."

"So you want to play the 'my hero is faster than yours' game?" Chloe snarked. Clark was fast, there was no denying that but what A.C could do in the water far trumped Clark Kent.

"Well, no I just….look it's…." There was shouting that came from the dining room and Chloe and Lois both bolted out of the bathroom.

A.C was holding his dad back, Namor was on the floor holding his jaw, Chrissa was kneeling at his side and there was a blonde woman standing in between them all.

"I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing here, Tom spoke shouting at Namor.

"Dad!" A.C spoke firmly. Tom shook himself free from his son and turned sharply to face his son. A.C hadn't seen that look in years; the last time was when he and his dad really went toe to toe.

"I assure you sir," Namor spoke standing up holding his hand to his jaw. "That this is very real!"

"What's going on here?" Chloe spoke in her Justice League- mom voice.

Everyone turned to see the little dynamo with her hands on her hips.

"Sorry Chloegirl, I need to get some air," Tom spoke as he left the restaurant.

A.C just continued to stare at the woman. "Chloe, this is A.C's mother." Chrissa spoke softly. She had her arms wrapped around Namor.

"Sorry?" Chloe asked. "The woman who?…" Chloe looked around, the crowd vanished leaving the four in the dining room.

"That would be the one." A.C spoke finally.

"Well isn't this interesting." Chloe spoke she just scowled at the woman. "Look, why don't you go check on your dad." Chloe spoke moving to put her hand on his shoulder.

"Chloe I,"

"Please, let me try." she spoke softly. A.C searched her face and knew the look. He kissed her cheek and left to go find his dad.

"Now Chrissa, why don't you take him to get an Ice pack?" Chloe delegated.

Lois was in awe of her little cousin right up the point that Clark snuck into grab her and hauled her out of the restaurant.

The blond woman and Chloe were the only one's left in the room and just stared each other down, "Coffee? Tea? Cheese cake?" Chloe spoke walking to her place setting where her cheesecake was waiting.

"I really need to go talk to them,"

"Yeah you do! But you're going to talk to me first," Chloe spoke. "Have a seat."

"I'm sorry and you are?" The woman asked.

"If you're who you claim to be? Future daughter in law, sit!"

The woman sat abruptly. "I don't know who you think you are??"

"I think I'm your only and best shot at getting what you want. Those guys out there are MY family and I will do what ever I have too to protect them." Chloe ate some more and drank some water. "I caution you, if you think you can threaten or manipulate me. I've had bigger and stronger try," she paused eating more of her cheese cake. "You really should have some of this cheesecake its decadent." she spoke.

"Look!"

"No you look, those guys thought you were dead. Simple as that, and now you're here and you expect them to greet you with open arms?"

The woman sighed. This little blond was dead on the money. "I lost out on..."

"Years? Yeah you did, but shit happens right? It's not fair, it's not right, but it is what it is and you have to make the most of it."

"These are your great words of wisdom?"

"Actually; not really. I was giving that father and son out there time to think and reason some stuff out. That was my great plan. A.C-- and just a heads up, that is what he prefers to go by. If you thought you could buddy up to him by using his birth name, it won't work. He needs to think and sort this out, that's what he does best." Chloe continued to eat her cheese cake. "Now sell me on why they should believe you."

--

"Dad?" A.C spoke catching up with his father who finally just sat down on the beach shaking his head.

"That can't really be her can it?" he spoke dumb struck. A.C sighed heavily and sat down next to his father.

"I guess it's possible. There's only one place in the water she could have been kept." he spoke, his mind still reeling on the fact that his mother may be having a conversation with his future wife at that very moment.

"I just don't know what to think?" Tom spoke.

"You and me both dad,"

"How about if I told you the story; so long as you don't hit me again?" Namor spoke joining the group.

"I'd like to say I'm sorry for that but right now? I'm not." Tom bristled.

"I understand, some times I am a gigantic son of a squid, or so I've been told."

"Did you just crack a joke?" A.C looked at his cousin, he just shrugged. "Damn you and Chrissa should have gotten back together a long time ago." he laughed.

30 minutes later both sets of folks had stories told. Chloe was wiping her tears at the mother who spoke of the moment her little Angel came into the world. A truth only a mother could know.

A.C and Tom listened to Namor tell his tale of how he found Atlanta and the fact that she had had her memory wiped. When he was done, he excused himself to go and take Chrissa to the hotel. A.C and Tom just shook their heads.

"A.C?" Chloe spoke coming up to them with Atlanta next to her. His face lit up seeing his bride. He stood and went and pulled her into a hug.

"Clark is waiting for me to take me home," she frowned.

He shook his head and kissed her, "It's alright, you need your rest. We have a big day tomorrow."

"I know but,"

"No buts, I'll be fine, I promise." He spoke kissing her again.

"Call me?"

"Absolutely. Go before Robo Wedding Cop comes back here." he teased.

"I love you." she whispered in his ear as she hugged him.

"Love you too." Chloe turned and paused at Atlanta.

"Don't take what I'm about to tell you as a threat, consider it a promise. You hurt either of them again? I know people who know people and it will take a lot more than Namor to find you,……..have a good night." She spoke sweetly and walked up the beach back to the restaurant to meet Clark.

"She's kind of scary that one." Atlanta spoke to A.C.

"No, she just protects what she cares about." He spoke turning back to go and sit by his father. Atlanta joined the two men the silence was deafening save the crashing of the waves against the shore.

"Well?" she asked.

A.C and Tom looked at each other and shrugged.

"Ohh, this could take a while." she spoke.

--

"So is Lois talking to you?" Chloe asked her pal as he drove her to Tom's house.

"What is that motto you use? Better to ask for forgiveness than permission?" he smiled.

"Yeah that works great for me. Lois has a memory like a steel trap."

"It's ok, Chloe." He smiled. "She really didn't need to know all that."

"Thanks Clark."

"You're welcome, now get some sleep." He smiled as he pulled in front of the house.

"Aye, Aye Supey Sir." Chloe saluted.

He winced, "Chlo?" he whined.

"Come on now, you'd think I let you forget that one? That's going to go in the book of best things said by a recruit. " She laughed as she got out of the car. She shut the door and went to the house.

By the time Chloe crawled into bed it was well past 1 in the morning. The photographer was going to be there at 9 to start snapping pictures. She had to get up early to shower and get ready to get ready. She fluffed up her pillow and shut off the light. Lois could be heard snoring. Chloe just shook her head fluffed her pillow some more and tried to drift off to sleep. Not ten minutes later her phone vibrated she grabbed it off her nightstand and smiled at the number.

"Hey,"

"Did I wake you up?"

"No just closed my eyes,"

"Sorry,"

"No don't worry about it. So how'd it go?"

"I guess I got my mom back?" he spoke surprised.

"You're still not sure?"

"No, not really,"

"That's ok, you have 20 years missing her and it's not going to be fixed over night." She tried sound reassuring.

"I'm not a jerk then for not just going hey great, welcome back?"

"Not at all, you need time to figure it out. The fact that you spent time talking with her is a testament to you keeping an open mind. How's your dad?"

"A little more open minded than me. They were still talking when I left. I had to get some sleep too," he laughed. "Can't have red eyes tomorrow err today." Chloe just laughed.

"I'm proud of you!"

"Bah," He laughed. "I should let you go."

"Ok, Love you."

"Love you too, rest up," he breathed into the phone.

"Why what's on your mind?" she smiled.

"Wedding night, you'll need your strength."

"Promises, promises,"

"Just wait, I'll make good."

"You'll make great," she smiled.

"Alright and on that note, g'nite baby,"

"G'niiittteee." She smiled as she hung up the phone. She yawned stretched and fell asleep.