Raquel followed Roy into his small apartment building. It was in one of the slums of Star City and perhaps the most dilapidated of all of the buildings. Green Arrow had said that Roy was fairly wealthy why was he living in a dump like this? Even her flat was slightly nicer. They eventually arrived at number 31 of the bloc. Roy knocked. That meant that someone else was in the flat, Raquel suddenly became more interested.
The door opened after a few seconds to reveal a tired middle aged woman's face. She smiled at the sight of Roy but seemed to be looking at Raquel with suspicion.
"Hi Roy, she's fine been watching TV."
"Thanks Rachel, I owe you one."
"No you don't you fixed the drains remember?"
"Oh yes..."
"Anyway I've got to go..." She walked off into the next flat.
"I take it she's not your girlfriend..." Said Rocket after the woman had gone
"No... Just my neighbour."
Roy went into his house. The first room was a small living room/kitchen it was surprisingly tidy compared to the rest of the building. The kitchen was in the left corner of the room, there was a sink, a small fridge, oven and a microwave. There was also a fairly tattered couch and a small TV currently showing the flaming C. She could see a door leading into another few rooms probably a bedroom and a toilet.
"Daddy!"
A small raven haired girl ran out from behind the couch. She had dark blue eyes and slightly tanned skin. Raquel would of of placed her age at around 4 years old. She gave Roy a large hug as best she could as she only came up to a little higher than his knee. The archer bent down and hugged the little girl.
"Have you been good?" He asked
"Yes..." She replied with a somewhat mischievous grin, her eyes then fell upon Rocket
"Lian this is Raquel. She's a friend." Said Roy
"Hi..." Rocket was unsure what to say
"Say hello, Lian."
"Hello." Repeated the little girl
"Why don't you continue watching TV?" Roy suggested
"Ok..."
The little girl went back to watching the television. Roy signaled Rocket to follow him as he went into the corner and boiled some water to make them both some coffee. Still suffering from the wet and old of outside Raquel gladly accepted.
"So you're a dad now?" She asked with a vague smile
"Yep. I've been one for four years and thirteen days to be exact."
"Well, she's defiantly a cutie..." Rocket looked back at the kid "That why you left?"
"No. I left because I discovered that my entire life was a lie." He said sadly
"Sorry 'bout that..."
"No need to be... Lian and her mother made me realise that despite everything... It's never too late to start living."
"Who's her mom?" Asked Rocket curious
"Cheshire." Said Roy
"WHAT?"
Raquel's eyes widened at the revelation. Roy had said the name as if it meant nothing... And now he looked at her with a frown. She cleared her throat. That had been a bad reaction, considering her current situation not to mention hypocritical. No wonder he hadn't introduced Lian to the league...
"Sorry. Since when are you two together?" She asked.
"Since we met I guess... I dunno when I saw her something just clicked, I knew she was working for evil people and I couldn't trust her but..."
"You did anyway..." Rocket filled in, he smiled warmly "You and me both..."
"One day I woke up and she was in my living room with Lian, just a little baby in a pile of blankets. We both decided that it would be best if she stays with me away from all of the risks associated with being the daughter of one of the world's greatest assassins."
Rocket smiled before unwillingly couching and sneezing. Roy looked at her with concern as she shivered. Please let this not be the beginning of a cold... That really was the last thing she needed... She spluttered some more.
"Stay put..." Said Roy "I'll go and borrow some dry clothes for you before you catch a cold."
"You can't catch a cold from being cold." She told him
"Yeah but it does lower your immune system and believe me when I say we get all kinds of nasty bugs going through this place... Lian I'll be back in a minute you behave for Raquel ok?"
"Ok daddy..."
Roy left the room. Leaving Rocket with Lian. An awkward silence set in. The young adult wondered if she should say anything at all. What sort of a discussion could she have with a four year old anyhow?.. She turned her gaze to the TV and looked at the flaming C, not one of her favourite programs but still...
"My uncle talks about you a lot..." Said Lian suddenly
"Does he?" Rocket didn't know that Roy had a brother
"Yeah... He says you're the beautiful creature Neptune put on the planet, well tied with me..."
"Kaldur..." Sighed Raquel "He's a nice guy, you're uncle."
"Are you two married?" Asked Lian turning around to look at Rocket
"Uh, it's complicated..."
Rocket didn't know much about little girls but she knew that it was probably best not to try and explain anything about complicated adult relationships or how babies came into the world for that matter. She'd leave that job for Roy. While she was still thinking about what to say, Lian came up with a comparison.
"Is it like mommy and daddy?" She asked
"Yes... It's a lot like that..." Sighed Raquel
"Dad always says it's complicated... But I don't understand. Do you love uncle Kaldur?" Asked Lian
"Yes I do." Answered Rocket
"Than why aren't you two married?"
"Well... It's a little complicated, see there are a lot of people who don't think that would be a very good idea and he's a long way away so it's not easy. You understand?"
"I guess but I don't get it... In all of my movies..."
"Life's not really like movies..."
"It isn't?"
"No... It's more like one big adventure and there are baddies and goodies and people who are just in between. It's very complicated."
"Do you understand it?"
"No..."
"I got some!"
Roy entered the room with some old clothes under one of his arms. He handed them to Raquel who smiled thankfully and changed into something dry. She felt somewhat better now. When she reappeared Red Arrow put her wet clothes on one of the radiator's to dry them again. Although the clothes she was wearing were a few sizes to big for her she didn't mind. Roy then cooked diner, it was some simple pasta and tomato sauce not that she was complaining, it was very good.
After diner she helped the young man clean up the dishes. Roy turned on the TV and they watched the news with Lian sitting on his lap. Rocket sat next to the archer on the couch.
"The Justice League has apprehended several members of the intergang working for an organisation known only as the Light." Announced Cat Grant "This comes right after a pitch battle on Malibou beach between Black Manta and his soldiers and the League..."
"God... I hope Kal's ok..." Said Raquel "And Cheshire."
"They'll be fine..." Roy didn't sound to convinced
"Yeah! Uncle Kal and mom are the bestest!"
"Greatest or best..." Corrected Roy
"The League has also announced that it's fellow member Rocket is missing. If anyone sees her they are to inform the league immediately as she may be in danger..." Said the reporter
"In danger my-" She yelled only just stopping herself from swearing in front of Lian "The only danger I'm in is if they find me!"
"It's a ploy Raquel..." Roy told her "They want you back... They're afraid you'll join Kal and in this war every super human counts."
"War?" Rocket asked wide eyed
"Well yeah... The Team and the league have pretty much declared war on this Light thing, I'm not sure how in tune to everything in the Meta world Raquel but people are choosing sides... It won't be long before this gets really big... And you, Lian and me are caught in the crossfire."
"I'll beat em' all! And keep you and mommy safe." Declared Lian hitting the air with her fist before yawning
"I'm sure will..." Said Roy after a chuckle "But right now, I think you're too tired."
"I'm not."
"Oh yes you are bed time kiddo."
Roy picked the little girl up with one arm and held her up on his shoulder. He carried the little girl into her room and placed her in her bed.
"Goodnight..." He said kissing her on the forehead "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite."
"Goodnight daddy..." She said "Goodnight aunty Rocket."
"Goodnight..." Said Rocket warmly
Roy turned off the light and left the room. He disappeared into another room for a few minutes then came out with some covers and put them on the couch. Rocket raised an eyebrow.
"Do you want to stay?" Asked Roy
"You're sure it's ok?" She asked
"Of course..."
"Thank you... For everything..."
"It's nothing..."
He finished turning the couch into a bed. Rocket took a step towards it but she stopped her and pointed into another room.
"You get the bed, I'll sleep on the couch." Said Roy
"What? I've already caused you enough trouble..."
"No. Besides, I could hardly call myself a gentleman if I let a pregnant lady sleep on the couch." Said Roy
"Thanks..."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight Roy..."