Raquel chatted with Kaldur about everything and nothing. She told him of her introduction to the Justice League, the team growing ever larger and the press which were giving them an increasingly hard time. He listened to her sympathetically, laughing when something struck him as being funny and giving her occasional words of advice. It was now about 9 in the morning.

Kaldur revealed that he still kept an eye on the press and when possible on various members of the team. He had discretely followed Robin and Zatanna one day to a fireworks display and watched them kiss. He also told her about how much he missed every member of the team and even sometimes getting yelled at by Black Canary or given a row by Batman.

"How are you getting on with your dad?" Asked Raquel

"Considering? Pretty well I believe." Kaldur said

"He know you're here?"

"I told him that I was going to try and talk to you... Weather or not he anticipated me spending the night I am not sure." Kaldur said with a vague grin

"Oh! Someone's gonna be in trouble." Raquel said mischievously

"I doubt it... He cares little for what I do in my free time... So long as it does not endanger innocent surface dwellers, myself or the crew. And what of you? I am sure the Justice League would not appreciate us being together."

"Like I care what they think..." Declared Rocket stubbornly, Kaldur laughed and brushed some of the hair out of her face

"You care very little for what others think of you Raquel, I am unsure if that is to be praised or not."

"I care what you think." She declared with a smile

"Do you?" He asked bemused

"Sure. Go ahead what do think of me?" She asked him

Kaldur hesitated with an expression of thoughtfulness on his face. He looked up at the hero currently leaning against his bare chest. Could he describe what he thought of her in less than five hours? Was it even possible to say all that? He gathered his thoughts together and decided to have a go.

"In all honesty; you are somewhat provocative, arrogant and have absolutely no respect for others around you..."

"Hey!"

"Well... Almost none." He said with a smile "But you are the single most wonderful being that Zeus placed on this earth..."

"Aw, that's sweet..." She told him with a smile

"And what of you? What do you consider me to be?"

"You? Wait a minute I'll get my hate list."

Kaldur chuckled. Then again she probably wasn't lying... She gave him a mischievous smile and seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. The Atlantean wondered just what she was thinking, what he wouldn't give to be telepathic sometimes.

"Ok... So, you're evil..."

"That is not..." He began but she placed her hand on his lips

"Let me finish... You're evil, a traitor, the people you work with probably want me dead and worst of all..." Kaldur held his breath "You make me love you."

They both exchanged a warm smile and kissed for at least the hundredth time since their reunion. She was by now far from unbiased of course but Kaldur seemed to have changed in just a few hours. His eyes seemed kinder and more gentle; he hadn't said anything that sounded actually evil in at least four hours and showed no signs of wanting to go out and massacre some Atlanteans... All good. She smiled as they cuddled some more.

"Did you know Conner and Megan split up?" She asked him

"Truly? I believed they were made for each other." Kaldur looked somewhat surprised

"Yeah, I think they still love each other but Connor doesn't age so apparently that made some things a little complicated..."

"I thought he looked young when I saw him last..."

"You met him?" Raquel said surprised

"No. If he saw me in all likelihood he would try to snap my neck..."

"You spied on him?"

"I keep an eye on all of you..." Revealed the ex-team leader "I wish only to make sure that you are all safe and happy."

"So now you're a stalker as well." Kaldur chuckled

"Of sorts..."

Raquel's watch on the bedside table beeped indicating that another hour had passed. It was now 10.30. She let out a deep sigh. Kaldur looked at her sympathetically. She would have to be leaving soon to get back to the cave and the league before they started to wonder just what she was playing at. The last thing she needed was a league member turning up wanting to know what she was doing...

"I don't want to go..." She sighed

"Come with me..." Offered Kaldur

Raquel wasn't too sure what surprised her more Kaldur's offer or the fact that she was actually considering it. Sure she'd be with the man she loved... But the price for that would be working with the Light and perhaps being asked to fight her old friends and mentor... She let out another deep sigh. Kaldur kissed her on the forehead.

"I understand..." He told her

"I just couldn't fight them Kaldur... Just like I won't ever be able to fight you..."

"Then I will play dead and make my escape..." He said with a grin "

"Think that would work?"

"I do not know but it would be worth a try, do you not think?"

"Right. Next time we're trying to kill ourselves I'll pretend to knock you flying and you pretend to be hurt."

"It is a deal."

Raquel smiled warmly and got out of bed, stretching herself before changing back into her clothes? Kaldur did the same but instead of changing into his armour he changed into his civilian clothes that were roughly the same to those that he had worn when he was 16 but a few sizes bigger to cope with his adult body. She wondered where they'd come from.

"Raquel..." Said Kaldur

"Yes?" She asked

"I wish for you to have this..."

He handed her a shell necklace. It was by far the most beautiful and ornate that she had ever seen with shells that were unknown to her, there were also some pearls of various colours and sizes. Beyond a doubt it was Atlantean in design.

"It's beautiful Kal..." She told him

"It was given to my mother by my birth father as a present. Now..." He gently placed it around her neck "It belongs to you."

"Thank you..." She smiled

"I should be thanking you..." He said with a smile "You have changed my life Raquel..."

She smiled up at him, the Atlantean's eyes warmed up filled with love. The league's gonna kill me if they ever find out about this... She thought to herself; but who cares? Rocket bent down to pick up her bag but Kaldur beat her to the punch.

"Allow me to escort you to the Zeta-tube..." He requested

"What about your armour?" She wondered

"I will come back for it... That is if the owner of this hotel has not cleaned it up by the time I return..."

"She'll have a hard time moving that stuff... How much does it weigh any how?"

"Approximately 40kg in total, it must be strong for my father and his men to withstand the pressures of the deep."

"I see..."

"Come if you are late, the league will begin to ask questions."

Kaldur carried her bag through the streets and held her hand with the other. She'd forgotten how foreign his webbed fingers felt. Hopefully Batman didn't have any agents here or else she was in for the time of her life when she returned. Kaldur eventually paused a street away from the phone booth that was in fact a teleporter. He placed the bag on the floor and looked at her with sorry eyes.

"Knowing league security, there will be camera's near the teleporter, it would be best for the both of us if I stay back."

"So... This is goodbye then?"

"Only for as long as you wish it to be for..."

Raquel looked into his silvery eyes and gave him one last passionate kiss before hugging him back. He returned both gestures and looked down at her sadly before handing her a small metal machine which resembled a small computer. She looked at it carefully.

"Use this if ever you are in need of my assistance. Just push that button and I will come."

"Thank you, Kaldur..." She said "God, I'm going to miss you."

"Perhaps, we will meet again... Though not on the battlefield, I hope."

"Ditto. Till then."

She gave him a quick peck on the lips as she had on New Years day. Then slowly she turned her back on the Atlantean who looked on sadly as she headed towards the phone booth. She stepped inside and gave him one last glance. He waved at her, there was a flash of light and Venice disappeared.

The inside of the cave was the first thing she saw as she walked through the teleporter. Then her eyes fell upon Nightwing and Zatanna. She forced a smile and walked over to them.

"Hi guys..." She said

"Hi! You ok Rocket?" Asked Zatanna concerned

"Yeah... I've just got something in my eye that's all..."