Scene 6 - Realization

Brianna woke up with a painful jolt to her leg and her eyes were slowly adjusting to the light shining in her face. Her vision cleared and she saw five masked figures in front of her. Only one had a mask different from the others. It was a metal hockey mask which covered his entire face except for his eyes and blond hair. Panic setting in, she attempted to move but found herself restrained and in pain. Her skin felt really hot like it had been seared.

"Welcome back, Sleeping Beauty," the one in the hockey mask said as she looked around. It was quite obvious that Ember was captured and the devious looking equipment beside her was a torture device.

"Look all you want but there's no escape. I suggest you get comfortable." Hockey mask's voice was low and dangerous and Brianna was creeped out. "Tell me, where does The League operate?"

Brianna just stared at him blankly, keeping her mouth shut. She honestly did not know the answer to the question and so, she just laid back and closed her eyes.

"It seems you're getting a little too comfortable." His hand reached out and flipped a switch, releasing her bonds and she landed awkwardly on her leg, twisting an ankle. She winced and glared at all of them, hands clenched tightly as it heated up. More electric jolts were fired.

"Nuh-uh. Do any more of that and we will use real bullets. Just answer the question, sweetheart…" The masked figure knelt down and purred closed to her ear. Brianna was clearly repulsed but unfortunately quite helpless.

An alarm sounded and the room began to tremble and quake, raining dust from the ceiling. "You two stay here," Hockey mask pointed to his lackeys before leaving the room with the rest in a hurry.

Ember took the opportunity while the duo was distracted by flying up and getting into position for two painful and well-aimed punches to their heads. Hearing a satisfying crack and thud, the girl smiled and flew out to the corridor.

It was not too difficult to navigate around; there were green exit strips on the floor that guided her. Occasionally, she took detours as she did not want to get caught. She heard more rumbles and quickened her pace. The corridors were getting wider and it appeared that she was close to the exit. However, she saw shadows at the end of the corridor and ducked behind a wall.

"Where is she? Where is Ember?" A low, masculine but familiar voice spoke out and relief flooded her system. She flew out to meet the team.

"Ember!" Miss Martian cried out and rushed towards her, enveloping the girl in a hug. Aqualad was almost glowing at her appearance before he put on a serious look, "Let's leave before all of us get caught."

The bio-ship was set to auto pilot back to the cave and the rest of the team crowded around their injured teammate. "Why are you still flying?" Wally asked and Kaldur glanced down at her leg that was hanging loosely in the air.

Immediately, his temper flared up and he grabbed her hand with concern. "They broke your leg."

Brianna waved a hand. "Kaldur, I just sprained my ankle while falling. I'm fine."

He gently nudged her down into a chair and took out his water bearers. "This should help reduce the swelling." The cool water encased her ankle and it did elevate some of the tension.

"Thanks."

The rest of the team looked at each other with knowing glances and smirks and dispersed to give them some space.

Finally, they arrived at the cave and Brianna was about to fly up again before Kaldur stopped her and proceeded to carry the girl in his arms. "I am really alright, it's just a sprain. I can still move."

The Atlantean shook his head and reasoned with her. "You're injured. I do not want any further damage to happen if you're moving."

And so, Brianna remained quiet and was a little embarrassed as the rest of the team looked at her with cheeky grins. Her embarrassment was further amplified when they discovered Batman waiting for them in the briefing area. His eyes widened just a bit, as if one of his eyebrows were raised under his mask. "You were not given instructions for a rescue mission, Aqualad."

"I apologize but her life was in danger in that complex and she did get injured. I would politely ask that she have her wounds attended to straightaway." Kaldur phrased his words carefully and eloquently as usual and Brianna was as still as a rock in his arms, feeling rather subdued by Batman's presence.

Bruce glanced at Ember. The teen's suit was shredded in certain places, her skin was quite red, and her ankle hanging limply. Granted, it was not life threatening and he could sense that the leader would not budge and take no for an answer. "Everyone except Ember will report back here in an hour."

The team nodded and walked away while Kaldur'ahm carried Brianna to the infirmary for first aid treatment. He gently laid her down on the bed and she sat up. "Please stop moving, Brianna." His voice was still low and full of concern.

"Well, I have to be seated so it is easier to bandage my ankle if that's what you would be doing." Brianna replied as Kaldur took a container of salve and a roll of bandage.

"They shocked you too…" His eyes were rather sad and downcast as he looked at her skin.

She took the salve from him and generously slathered her wounds. "I'm here now, Kaldur. Please stop worrying."

Wordlessly, he gingerly grabbed her ankle and proceeded to bandage it as slowly and gently as he could. "My ankle's not going to break, Kaldur. You ought to wrap it a little tighter. Please trust me." Brianna laid a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

Kaldur frowned and bit his lip as he tightened the bandage slightly and circled it around her ankle a few more times. He failed as a leader. He was supposed to protect his team! "I failed to protect you…"

Brianna furrowed her eyebrows and sighed. "Kaldur, these things happen. As heroes, we should be mentally prepared for the worst and I was. I may be shaken but I'm not broken. Look at me, Kaldur." The Atlantean fastened the bandage with a clip and looked up at her shakily. Brianna's face was full of worry and in that moment, he stood up and kissed her.

She quickly pulled away in shock and surprise, staring at Aqualad with a hand on her mouth.

"I like you a lot, Brianna. I don't want to see you hurt. It pains me to see you like this…" Kaldur said earnestly as he looked directly into her eyes.

Ember still remained speechless. Was he confessing his feelings to her? "I… Ihavetogo, thanksforthebandage." She spoke rapidly and flew out of the room all red and blushing.

Hearing a door slam shut a few moments later, Kaldur'ahm was still staring at the spot she had recently vacated, deep in thought…

Author's Note: Uh oh, she ran away from him! Is that a bad sign? Dun dun dun...!

To Roman's Revenge: Thank you for the kind words! I love the fluffy moments between Kaldur and Brianna too. ^_^