Tom looked at the girl who was clinging to him like a life raft, "Just have to have faith, Chloegirl' he spoke and kissed the top of her head in a fatherly kiss. The JL took the two back to their boat where they planned to wait for A.C, for a little while at least. The others were going to head back to HQ. Tom moved the boat back to their original position, he was certain someone would come to investigate the explosion.

Tom and Chloe bonded; she would share stories of A.C's heroics and his jokester side. Tom loved to here about his son's exploits. They were out on that boat a day and a half when A.C finally returned. Chloe was laying in the sun on the deck in her bikini. Tom was actually fishing, A.C always helped him to find the fish that were of a large population that would need help keeping the numbers down. Chloe had her ear phones in and her iPod was blaring and it appeared as if she was asleep.

A.C talked to his dad first, and then went to get out of his uniform and into shorts. His dad began to reel in his line so they could head back to shore. He then made his way over to his sunbathing beauty. He grabbed her sun screen and squirted some in his hands. He then moved to her side and began to slather the cold lotion onto her stomach. She sat bolt upright screaming. She opened her eyes to see his mischievous grin. She pulled her ear phones out and launched herself at him. The lotion was sliming both their bellies. He sat down and pulled her into his lap.

"You miss me?" he asked huskily as she began to rub the lotion into his skin. She looked up into his eyes and bit her lower lip and nodded. He kissed her warmly. "Missed you too, dad is turning us around so we can head back to Miami." He spoke just holding her.

"What happened?"

"Those creatures, all of them, were returned to Atlantis. The healers there were going to try and cure them if not rehabilitate them and keep them safe. It was awful Chlo, he tried to turn dolphins into killing machines. He used sharks, whales, even eels for his madness. A couple of the dolphins are from Chance's and Meikos' pod."

"Oh,gosh." She spoke.

"Yeah," he spoke shaking his head. "So much for a work free vacation, huh?"

"It happens right? I mean we saw some cool things, you got to spend time with your father, and you and I…."

"Yeah you and I" he smiled, kissing her again. She loved that part the most. He was hers and she knew it. Yeah it was still incredibly new and they had a long road to travel, but the journey with him would be so very worth it.

It was late in the evening when they arrived at port. They decided on going out to dinner. Chloe adored A.C's father and thought with his hand to hand combat skill he would be a great asset to the League. Some of the new recruits get complacent on powers only. She needed to talk to Ollie and A.C before she approached Tom.

They all laughed and talked and the Chloe excused herself to go to the ladies room.

"A.C" Tom spoke after she left. "You picked a good one, I like her and she doesn't take any of your crap."

"Thanks dad." He spoke his facing getting slightly pink. "I love her; she's had a hard time when it comes to guys though. I need for her to see and believe that I'm different. That we're different."

"Just keep up what you've been doing. Be honest, talk to her, and don't let her hide from you." He spoke. "And when you're ready, I have a ring for you. You're mother set it aside for you. I don't know if she knew she was in danger or not, but she said it was an heir loom befitting a prince."

"Thanks dad." He spoke. Chloe returned a few minutes later.

"Sorry that took so long, Ollie called on my way back." She spoke looking at the two men who were acting suspicious.

"Did I interrupt something?" she asked.

"What did Oliver say?" A.C asked changing the subject/

"That the jet will be waiting for us mid morning." She spoke. A.C looked at his watch.

"Then we should get back so we can pack." He smiled. He looked for their server; Tom stood up and pulled out Chloe's chair for her.

"You're gonna wait all night kiddo, I already paid. It's not polite to leave a lady waiting." He spoke. A.C glared at his father and then offered a hand to Chloe to help her out of her chair. Tom drove them back to A.C's apartment then left for his house.

"You wanna crash with me in my room?" he spoke bluntly. Chloe blushed and nodded. She was totally exhausted. They slid under the covers, Chloe in a borrowed t shirt and A.C in boxers. She cuddled up next to him and he held her close.

"Tomorrow they're gonna find out about us." she spoke stunned.

"So?" he spoke yawning. "You're entitled to happiness and it shouldn't matter where you find it." She rolled over to face him. They were nearly nose to nose.

"Yeah but."

"But nothing. Sticks and stones, baby." He kissed her nose. 'You aren't going to be allowed to talk yourself out of this. If they have a problem we'll handle it together."

She nodded and kissed him good night. She knew she was in trouble cause she couldn't stop with just one kiss. They had a plane to catch that next morning but, who the heck cared?