Kaldur carried Raquel's body through the dim corridors. Occasionally he'd cross some of his men who'd stare but he ignored them. He only had eyes for the sleeping girl in his arms. She seemed almost weightless, he wasn't sure if that was because of his superstrength or if he was just imagining it. He finally came to his quarters and managed to press a button opening the door. He walked inside and gently placed Rocket's body on the bed. He went back to close the door to avoid interruptions.

Noticing that she was lacking a t-shirt, Kaldur gently brought a sheet out of his wardrobe not needing one usually because of his resistance to the cold. He placed it on top of her before pulling up the chair from his desk and sitting down.

He contemplated her face, still just as beautiful and serene... You wouldn't of guessed that she'd just been in so much pain it had almost killed her. He smiled softly as she shifted in her sleep before shaking his head. He blamed himself the Light must of tracked him when he visited her... Then they'd taken her and almost killed her. What had they been doing to her? Then he remembered something that Savage had said.

"So... You are to be a mother..." He said softly to the sleeping girl

Am I to be a father? He wondered to himself. Judging by the slight bump appearing in Rocket's stomach she was at least four months pregnant... That was when they were in Venice... But Raquel would never of allowed herself to get pregnant with his child... Would she? It seemed far more logical that she simply had another boyfriend. She must of known the risks of baring his child and... She hadn't told him...

Yet something stirred in him. A form of instinct, which told him to protect her and her child. He's throw himself in front of a train if it meant saving them. He'd never let Savage and the Light get anywhere near them again. He didn't care if the child was his or not, he loved Raquel and that meant it was his duty to protect both her and the child.

Raquel groaned softly and slowly opened her eyes. She seemed somewhat surprised by her current surroundings. Her face told him that she was still in pain. She brought her hand to her stomach and let out a painful sigh. She turned to look at him weakly. Her eyes lit up slightly seeing him but then she frowned in anger. She opened her mouth to speak but all that she let out was a wheeze and began to cough uncontrollably. Kaldur picked up the bottle of water by his bed and handed it to her. He watched as she tried to bring it to her lips but failed. Whatever they had done to her it had left her completely exhausted.

He let out a sigh and picked up the bottle for her and let her drink. She was certainly thirsty. Within a few moments his bottle of water was empty and an awkward silence set in. Kaldur wondered how he could possibly justify his actions...

"Raquel... I had nothing to do with-"

"Save it Kal! Your friends sure meant it!" She managed weakly

"They are not my friends!" Kaldur reminded her "And I am sorry I could not risk-"

"Risk what? The Light's little project?"

"No! I was unaware that you were here... They told me that you would die if I interrupted..."

"And you believed them?"

"Regardless Raquel!" Kaldur lost his patience suddenly "Perhaps you believe that I should of stopped it and Neptune help me perhaps I should of but if you were to die I would never be capable of forgiving myself!"

"That's your problem!"

"Is it? They told me that you would suffer a miscarriage..." He stood up and paced a few times "Tell me Raquel and tell me truthfully for I am done hiding things from you and I hope you feel the same. Is the child mine?"

Raquel stopped suddenly. All the anger drained from her face and she became slightly paler. She looked at Kaldur who was looking down at her, his silver eyes impossible to read. He knew... And was expecting answers. Rocket let out a deep sigh and looked at the bump on her stomach, she gently placed a hand on it. What have they done to you? She wondered. She looked back up at Kaldur and nodded.

"Yes, it's ours."

"Why did you not tell me? Last time we met you were aware, you must have been..." Rocket remained silent and fixed her stomach once again "Answer me Raquel!"

"Yeah, I knew..." She let out

"Why did you not inform me? I could have been there to help! Savage would not of been able to-..." He paused his yelling "Why did you not tell me Raquel?"

"Because I didn't want to have to tell you that I don't want our kid to grow up with a murderer for a father!" She yelled

She regretted her words instantly. Kaldur appeared to be truly hurt. His eyes were wide and full of pain. He opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. The anger had vanished from his face. Slowly he sat back down in his chair with his head hanging low. He spent several moments like that in total silence before finally muttering.

"So that is what you truly think of me..."

"Kal... I..."

"No." He cut her short "No. You are right. I am a murderer. I am in all likely hood an unworthy father. An unworthy man to love you certainly but if you think even for one instant that I do not love you Raquel then you are wrong and I will do anything to protect you... You and our child..."

A silence settled in. Rocket looked at Kaldur with sorry eyes. She hadn't wished for him to find out like this... She'd hoped to be able to tell him herself, not have Vandal Savage tell him while he witnessed them preform some kind of experiment on her and the kid. His little speech had made a mark on her however. She regretted yelling at him. He looked determined however but to do what she was unsure. Eventually, he smiled.

"Do you have any idea if it is a boy or girl?"

"No... None." She replied

"At least it shall be a surprise. Have you thought about names?"

"Well I was kinda thinking if it's a guy we call him Amistad, like the boat..."

"I like that name." Declared Kaldur "And what if it is a girl."

"Hm... What about-"

"Kaldur'ahm! What have you done?"

Both young adults turned as the door was opened by Black Manta senior. He wasn't wearing his helmet, Raquel could see the physical resemblance. He glared at his son before noticing Rocket. He raised an eyebrow confused. Kaldur raised himself to his feet and looked his father in the eyes.

"Father... This is Raquel Ervin, Rocket..." He introduced her "Raquel, this is my father David."

"My son talks about you a lot..." Said David "A pleasure to meet you..."

"You to..."

"Kaldur, the board is up in arms.. They say that you have threatened to kill them. Is this true?"

"Indeed." Kaldur admitted without shame in his voice "Father, they were preforming cruel experiments on Raquel and..." He looked to Rocket, she nodded in agreement "Father, she is with child..."

Black Manta suddenly looked very surprised indeed. His eyes darted from both Kaldur to Raquel. He was no fool, he'd almost certainly figured out who the father was, which was perhaps why Kaldur was looking mildly sheepish. The villain cleared his throat loudly, trying to hide his shock and failing quite miserably.

"Let me guess..." He sighed in exasperation "You're the father..."

"Yes..." Said Kaldur flatly

"Well I suppose congratulations are in order but I would of hoped that the two of you would have been more cautious... Still, becoming a grandfather I can hardly complain." He said "What exactly did the Light want with you miss Ervin?"

"It wasn't me... It was the kid... They wanted it. I dunno what they did, it just hurt."

"I will question them." Kaldur declared

"I am not sure that is a very good idea Kaldur." Said Black Manta "They are very... Angry at what you did."

"Well then at least they are prepared."

Kaldur got ready to leave before suddenly stopping in the doorway. He seemed to be lost in thought for a moment before turning back to look at his father and girlfriend.

"What happened to Roy and Lian?" He asked her

"They were taken too!" Remembered Rocket

"The redhead and kid?" David asked judging by their faces, he guessed he had the right people "They're in cell 42, I'll go and release them. I was wondering who they were..."

"Thank you father." Said Kaldur "I will wait here will Raquel, it would not be prudent to leave her alone."

"Hey! Number one I'm right here and F.Y.I I can take care of myself!"

"Hm..." Black Manta chucked as he walked off "I see why you like her Kaldur'ahm."

Kaldur shook his head and returned to Raquel's side. The two chatted for a bit before a few minutes later, David reappeared with a tired looking Roy carrying a curious Lian. Upon, seeing Raquel and Kaldur the little girl leapt out of her father's arms and ran into their embrace. She managed to get a shared hug by both Kaldur and Rocket. Black Manta's son caught his father's surprised look followed up by secret warm smile.

"I knew you'd be safe!" Lian declared

"We are..." Said Rocket "What about you? Are you and your dad ok?"

"Yeah... Daddy hit the man over their on the nose, it was so cool!"

"Yeah sorry about that I thought you were a guard and was planning an escape."

"All is forgiven..." Said Black Manta holding his nose

"We've been captured like in all of those films and daddy kept on hitting the door but nothing happened!"

"Are you planning on making me look like anything other than a bumbling idiot Lian?" Asked Roy

"Well, you didn't get us out of the cell, like you promised!"

"I would of! If that wasn't Black Manta we'd be the ones rescuing you!" Said Roy "Hey Kal! Where are you going? We need to blow this joint!"

"I am going to find out what the Light did to Raquel. Then I am going to get all of us out of here and they will not stop me!"