AN: Don't ask ages. Vague Ages are Vague.

That old feeling

His boys are playful. By that, David means that Jackson and Kaldur were playing another game with their bodyguards that had gotten old real fast. The boys were supposed to go on a trip while he and a small squadron were to harass that murderer's kingdom once more by unleashing a power that could, hopefully, put that bastard in place. Even more hopeful, have everything around him destroyed.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen, however it did succeed in giving him some small bit of satisfaction in knowing that those people would have an ax to grind against Aquaman. Petty, but he'll take it.

Right now, however, David is immensely displeased with his people for losing two boys who weren't even ten yet. At the same time, he was also somewhat pleased to hear of his boys' cunning in evading their guards so cleverly. They had so much potential, he couldn't wait to teach them more. However, none of that meant anything if they couldn't find them.

He squashed down the feeling of fear- he must never show it in front of them- that the boys could be in danger. Or worse yet, taken by someone.

He orders his people to search the beaches for them.

"Leave no stone upturn!" He commanded, "Find them and bring them back safely." For a second, he considered to offer an award for the person who finds them. He does so after an hour had passed and no one had seen the two at all.

Not one willing to wait, David left the Black Manta gear behind and changed into softer clothing and began to search along the beach himself. There had been a festival here, he recalled, and the boys often enjoyed such things. His own father had always mentioned that the best part of childhood was being a child.

David's not certain if he agreed with this sentiment, but he wasn't going to deny his boys simple enjoyments in life. After all, it would only deepen their bond as family. Even though…

"Kaldur!" Maybe they'll hear him. " Jackson? Where are you boys?"

He was not going to panic. Panic lead to rash and stupid actions. He was neither of those. Even if his heart skipped a beat in not hearing either of them or seeing them. No, they were fine. They were just fine. As long as those two were together, they would be alright.

They had to be. He couldn't lose Jackson or Kaldur. Not the way he lost-

"Who is she?" He head the familiar voice of Jackson down a winding rocky path that lead to the cliffs not too far from where he was. "She's really pretty."

Cautious, David concealed his presence as much as possible, edging around large boulders to see a woman he hadn't seen in almost more than half a decade. Even now, her beauty stole the very breath from his lungs. Golden hair still slicked down from the water but he knew it to be full and soft when dry. Brown eyes, deep with a soft smile that he recalled being full of mischief and secret promises. Golden brown, her skin seemed to glow in the setting sun glistening still from the waters she came from. Despite himself, David knew he was still in love with this woman in her Atlantean grab. The woman that had betrayed him and ran off with one of his soldiers.

The woman whom he had hurt right back by stealing their son, Kaldur'ahm from his bed.

Dear gods, he looked so much like his mother, even down to the gill slits and hair but his skin was the same as David's and the eyes- as much as David wished to not admit it- came from his side of the family as well. The boy was going to be far too handsome for his own good, if his mother was any indication.

But that was a thought for another time.

Sha'lain'a was here and with a strange cold certainty, he knew he could shoot the woman before she had a chance to steal Kaldur back. If, of course, that was her intention.

"Who are you?" Kaldur's frowning up at her. "Father told us never to wander off with strangers."

"She looks kinda like you?" Jackson seemed perplexed by this. "I mean, aside from she's a girl."

"Astute observation." Sha'lain'a smiled, and gods her smile was still the same. It still pulled at David like nothing else could. "And who might you be?"

"Don't tell her!" Kaldur snapped, though it seemed he didn't quite mean to. "If they know our names, bad things will happen."

Jackson was torn between the two. "Um.. Jack…?" There's no way this beautiful lady would do anything terrible, right? "I'm Jack and he's Kal."

Kaldur threw his brother a look, less than pleased. Rules were there for a reason! Still, the young boy edged closer to him, ready to run at any moment.

"Kal?" The woman repeated, "As in Kaldur'ahm. I cannot believe it."

"Why?" There's that innate curiosity again. "Who are you?"

"My apologies, children." She knelt down to their level, " I cam called Sha'lain'a."

"That's a pretty name." Could say a lot about Jackson, but the boy naturally flattered people.

"Thank you, Jack." Sha'lain'a smiled once more, "However, what are you two doing out here alone? Where are your.. parents?"

"Our father's doing business on the beach." Kaldur was always quick with his stories, "He'll be done soon. We gotta be going back soon."

"And your mother?"

The question gave the boys pause until Jackson, not really looking up at her, answered, "Mine's gone and Kal's left."

"Gone..? Left?" A pained expression only flitted across the Altantean woman's face. "I am so sorry for you both." Without warning, she leaned forward and brought them into a hug. "I am certain, however, your mothers loved you very much."

Kaldur seemed stiff in her arms, but Jackson seemed to relax within moments. Eventually, Kaldur seemed to too, though he seemed quite puzzled by it.

"How would you know?"

She smiled sadly, "Call it a feeling, little one."

The day was going and David had to return soon. Part of him loathed to do so right now, but the larger part remembered everything else. Everything that the woman stood for and had tried to leave with.

He stepped out into the open, "Boys?"

There was a tense moment between him and Sha'lain'a. One of recognition and anger that was tinged with sadness. It seemed she had thought for a moment to run with them. Take the children from him.

She wouldn't. David knew her better than anyone. Even Calvin. Their child already knew him. Already was protective of the other that she couldn't be sure of. She would be a fool to bring trouble with her and a life of misery on her son.

Still didn't mean the thought didn't cross her mind.

David thought they really were two of a kind in some respects. Pettiness was definitely one in a way.

"Your father?" She let them go, a silent surrender. Good. "He must've been so worried about you."

"Dad!" Jackson smiled looking up at him though it quickly dissolved when he remembered what they had done. "Dad, we-"

"Later, Jackie." He drew the boys to his side, Kaldur didn't seem to say anything at the moment. "I need you boys to go back to the ship, alright? Don't give Kareem any trouble, you hear?"

"Yes sir." They chorused then made their way back up the beach to the manta flyer. "We are so dead." He heard Jackson say to his brother.

Again, there was a pause, then suddenly, David found himself on the ground, rocks shoved painfully in his back. He grunted, but did nothing else while staring up at the woman that had him pinned. Another shot of pain as his head snapped to one side. When she came in for another, he caught her fist then the other one, pulling her close. Gods, if he wasn't used to Aquaman's punches, this would've knocked him out coldly.

"Are you done?" He hissed in pain, eyes narrowing.

"You are lucky that was all!" Sha'lain'a growled, "Lucky I went easy on you, David. If it were not for those children, I would have done a lot worse."

"So glad your sentimentality is still in one piece." He tried not to roll his eyes, "Along with your misplaced sense of righteousness. Tell me, Sha'lain'a," An idea formed and he merely leaned up, close to her lips, "How's Calvin these days? How do you both feel working for a murderer?"

Her jaw clenched, those dark brown eyes lit with an unspeakable anger. He rather did liked it when she was angry. "For someone that speaks with morality, you have none! How many Atlanteans and surface dwellers had to die by your hands, David? How many for the sake of revenge?"

"As many as needed to kill Aquaman."

The fight seemed to have gone out of her at that moment. Her body sagged against him, golden still wet hair fell over her shoulders, becoming a curtain of sorts as she stared down at him. There was a look to her that he's seen once more. He hated it, yet made no move to throw her off as he would've long ago.

"Will you sacrifice them for this, as well?" She asked quietly, "They are children, David. Do they need to carry on their father's hatred?"

"As you were nothing more than a child when your nation thought it was fine to enlist children in their services as well?" It was a weak counter, but one nonetheless. "I'm doing my best by them, Sha'lain'a. They will grow up to be strong men that'll never bow to any other. They will inherit Atlantis or turn it into a grave in my honor."

She shook her head slowly, pulling away from him, "Oh David." She sighed softly, "I wish you would let it be."

"You know why I can't." He let her go, then sat up himself, "They are murderers, Sha'la. You know this. I haven't lied about that."

"I know."

"Then why?" It burned inside of him, he had to know. "Why did you and Calvin-?"

"Because the amount of dead would never justify it." She offered him a hand up, "I cannot abide by the death of innocent people for it. I do not and have never desired power, only to be equal and seen as such. You know this."

He took her hand, getting up but pulled her close, "Then why leave me? You didn't need to do anything."

"You know why." She looked away and pushed gently, "Go on. The boys will be waiting. We must never meet again, David."

"Sha'lain'a."

She shook her head and went back to the sea. The same sea he would return to soon.

Their talk had answered nothing but left a dull ache within him as he returned to the manta flyer that would take them to the main ship. Exhaling out, he had to think of a suitable punishment for the boys for ditching their bodyguards. Then one for the bodyguards for letting children easily evading them.