Scene 18 - Argument
The couple stumbled through the Zeta tube, laughing and soaking wet from the pouring rain from New York City. "A pity our walk through Central Park was ruined by the weather," Kaldur'ahm said as they took off their shoes.
Brianna gave him a cheeky smile, "It was fun though, running in the rain and just enjoying the weather." Her hair was plastered to her face, making her look like a wet kitten and she walked up to her boyfriend before planting him a surprise kiss.
"It feels different when you're drenched," The Atlantean responded after the kiss and the brunette beside him giggled.
"I'm going to take a shower before I catch a cold. You should too. Maybe you can borrow clothes from Conner." With that, Brianna flew off to her room quickly, taking care not to leave a trail of water on the floor.
Before the blonde could follow suit, he was interrupted by the Cave's computer announcing Aquaman's arrival. "Kaldur'ahm it's- Why are you wet in those surface clothes, my boy?"
The Atlantean king stared at his protégé curiously before the latter replied, "We got caught in the rain, your majesty."
Orin gave a small smile at the teen's relationship with a girl before continuing his sentence, "I was going to say that the preparations have been completed ahead of schedule and it is best if you could leave for Atlantis as soon as possible to join Mera and I."
"Of course, my king. I will join you in an hour after I am done with my duties here." Aqualad gave his mentor a bow and Aquaman returned it, "Alright. I will see you later, Kaldur'ahm." The blonde teen proceeded to take a quick shower in the main locker room before putting on his spare suit that he kept at the Cave. He waited in the lounge for Brianna who flew out of her room a few minutes later with her hair still damp.
"Have we been assigned a mission?" She asked, looking at his outfit.
Kaldur shook his head and grabbed Brianna's hands before looking into her eyes to address her. "Aquaman just visited the cave. I have to go back to Atlantis for a week for the harvest celebrations. I will contact you during that time though."
A look of disappointment fell on her face before understanding dawned on it, "Alright… Take care of yourself, okay? I'll miss you." She leaned in for a hug as the Atlantean stroked her hair. "I will miss you too. A week will go by quickly and we will go back on our dates again."
Ember chuckled and pulled away slightly to kiss him once more. "See you in a week, handsome." Kaldur'ahm grinned and they parted as he stepped into the tube, waving a farewell to his girlfriend.
It was a day after Kaldur left for Atlantis and Brianna laid on her bed in the evening, staring at her phone anxiously as she waited for his call. She had been doing so patiently for the past couple of hours before she sighed, "Maybe he's struggling to get reception and will call tomorrow." The brunette then placed her phone on her bedside table before picking up a book to read for her class.
Technical difficulties happened sometimes and perhaps all will be resolved the next day.
Three days after he left, Brianna's feelings grew from anxiety to intense worry. Kaldur'ahm had not contacted her at all since his departure and she was beginning to think that something might have happened to him. The pearl he gave her still maintained its reddish appearance so that indicated that he was alive and… well?
Regardless, she gave her mentor a call. "Good evening Captain Atom, I was wandering if there has been any news from Atlantis? Aquaman and Aqualad have been gone for a while without contact."
There was a slight confusion in his voice as he replied, "King Orin checked in with us earlier and everything's fine."
Brianna frowned, "Oh? I've been waiting for a call from Aqualad."
"If you're using your waterproof phones, basic surface communications technology doesn't work so well deep underwater. You can use the Cave's communications system to contact Aquaman, I'm sure he will put you through to Kaldur'ahm. I believe Aqualad's insignia isn't connected to the network yet. Maybe he can send a request to Batman for permission to be linked when he gets back."
Upon hearing that, Brianna felt a small surge of anger at the revelation that communication was non-existent and her boyfriend did not bother to link up to the system before he left. "Oh, I see. Thank you anyway, Captain. Good bye." She ended the call and flung her phone on the bed before heading to the lounge to join the others for movie night.
The end of the week was approaching and Brianna stopped sticking by her phone. She chose to take her mind off things by helping M'gann out in the kitchen and cooking up a storm nightly since Captain Atom's call. The Martian noticed her friend's change in behaviour and carefully asked, "Is everything alright between you and Kaldur?"
The brunette stiffened slightly and answered quietly, "It will be when he gets back. Anyway, please pass me the pepper." From that moment on, the team decided it would be best to keep quiet and let the couple settle their argument amongst themselves.
"Aqualad, B-Zero-Two." The cave stated the Atlantean's return to the surface and he eagerly headed to Brianna's room.
"She's out, Kaldur." Conner stated casually as he walked past his leader and Aqualad decided to wait in the lounge for his girlfriend's return. He then proceeded to give her a call but her phone appeared to be switched off so he had no choice but to be patient.
The hours passed and the Atlantean grew extremely troubled before he asked his teammates regarding Brianna's whereabouts. Zatanna raised an eyebrow in surprise, "I thought she would leave a note on her door indicating that she went for a sleepover. She won't be back till tomorrow afternoon."
Kaldur'ahm sighed and proceeded to head back home to Shayeris.
The moment Aqualad returned to Mount Justice, the Team was assembled in front of Batman who proceeded to give them a simple reconnaissance mission. "Do not destroy anything," He warned sternly and Kaldur'ahm nodded before splitting the team into groups.
"Robin, Superboy, and Artemis will be in the first group. Kid Flash, Rocket and Zatanna will be in the second group. Miss Martian, Ember, and I will be in the last group. We-"
Ember interrupted, "It would be best if group one has someone who can fly. I volunteer to be in group one. Artemis and I can switch." She did make a good point and Kaldur reluctantly agreed before continuing his orders.
At the end of the briefing, the team split up and the Atlantean whispered, "Be careful, Brianna."
The brunette shrugged and murmured, "Mmm hmm."
The blonde was confused by her cold shoulder treatment and ignored it for the sake of the mission.
In the private lounge, Brianna glared at a puzzled Kaldur in silence. He made the first move, "What's wrong? You're angry at me."
She crossed her arms and walked a distance away, still staring at him angrily, "I'm sure you know the problem."
"No, I don't."
Her eyes flashed and she raised her voice, "Oh?! You said you would contact me during your stay in Atlantis but that did not happen at all!"
So that was the issue. He replied politely, "Technology doesn't work so well deep in the ocean, Brianna."
The brunette continued to rant, "Captain Atom told me that a few days ago. Why did you lie to me if you knew you couldn't call me at all?! Also, I learned that the League has the technology to link up all our insignias for communication which would allow us to talk underwater. Were you aware of that?"
Kaldur'ahm was torn and felt guilty for giving her false hope. "I was going to ask Batman to grant me access to the system but the celebrations in Atlantis got moved ahead of schedule that I didn't have the chance to do so. The next best option I had was to make up a white lie. I thought girls like to hear words that would make them happy. I am sorry."
The way he phrased his words was so sincere and that soothed Brianna's temper a little and she inhaled a breath to calm herself down. "Kaldur, there is no point making me happy if you don't follow through your promise. If you just told me that it will not be possible to make a call underwater and you forgot to ask Batman for permission to the comms system, I will understand that."
She stood rooted to the spot and looked at him with a mixture of sadness and relief that he was just being a guy. "I know that now. I apologize for making you worried and angry," The blonde Atlantean said as he slowly walked towards his girlfriend. When she did not back away, he stepped closer until he was an arm away from hugging her. She automatically stepped into his embrace and rested her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
"I want to apologize for shouting at you." Brianna's voice was muffled against his skin but he kissed the top of her head anyway.
"Let's just be honest with each other next time," Kaldur'ahm replied and rubbed her back soothingly. They stood there for a while before Brianna pulled away to kiss his nose.
"You owe me a date. I heard there's some good pasta that recently opened in Happy Harbor."
Aqualad smiled, happy that his girlfriend was back to her usual self. "Alright. Would you care to join me for a meal, my lady?" He extended his hand and she slid her palm into his.
"Of course, but let's go to Batman first before we head out to eat."
Author's Note: And I wrote their first fight! All couples go through it but you know me, things turn out good in the end. ;)
Also, I imagine that Queen Mera of Atlantis recently gave birth and the heir's birth is celebrated at the harvest celebrations too. Greg said that her baby was due in February 2011 and my story is also in Feb 2011 at the moment.
Even better news, I'll upload a chapter weekly. My writing spree has been quite productive.
To piggythelaw & Eszra: Thank you both for continuously reviewing my fic! It's been an honor. =D