Deck of Cards Series: Love is A Deck Of Cards

Friend, Foe, or Something More

Somewhere out in the deep wide ocean was the Manta-sub where Kaldur was performing his duties as Field Commander. Kaldur performed his duties but his mind was elsewhere. The appearance of Amber was a shock to him. Kaldur recalled the five years ago Amber's sudden disappearance and the devastating blow to the Team it was.

It was a devastating blow to Kaldur. Kaldur will admit that he felt a rising spark for Amber. While he did love Tula, she had chosen Garth over him, and he had come to accept that. Amber on the other hand was new, a fresh breath of air to him.

The moment they first met it was awkward to say the least, but he did not blame her. Amber was new to him as he was to her. Even if she was new though she was always ready to give a listening ear for comfort.

Kaldur let out a chuckle as he remembered they're first unofficial mission together at Cadmus. When Kaldur attempted to lead their new Team, it was a struggle. Kid Flash and Robin were off to do their own thing right away, But Amber chose to stick by him. It was comforting to say the least. And, even when he had kept the mole thing a secret Amber never blamed him for it, she went as far as taking his side by agreeing with his choice on the matter.

Amber was someone Kaldur, without even realizing it, had become someone he could rely on when things got tough. And in a way Kaldur wanted to be someone like that for her. Kaldur thought of the moment when the world split in two, separating the adults and children. Kaldur was helping find the children and bring them to safety; it was also during that time when he found Amber on the ground having a panic attack. He remembered wrapping his arms around her to comfort. To shield her from whatever it was that was troubling her.

Kaldur tried to ask about it later on, but Amber would not tell, always avoiding the subject. He had a feeling that it was related to the child Amber rescued. The way Amber looked at the baby girl was filled with guilt and regret. It seemed he would never find out what troubled her, especially when she disappeared.

Kaldur and the Team spent months trying to find out what happened to Amber. But their search was hopeless; they had no lead, no clue, and no way of finding out if she was even alive. Batman had speculated that Amber was somehow able to return home, but it still wasn't reassuring for Kaldur.

And now she's back. Kaldur wasn't sure to be filled with glee about it or worried about her timing. Kaldur sensed her confusion when Amber saw him. But he was glad she didn't seem to hate him for it, yet.

Kaldur, finished with his duties, and headed back to his chambers. Upon entering them and letting the door slide shut, Kaldur took his mask off.

Inside Kaldur's chamber's was a mirror for him. Standing in front of it Kaldur gazed at himself through the mirror, examining his gear. It was something he still wasn't quite comfortable in.

From the mirror Kaldur saw the shadows behind move in a swirling motion. Blinking a few times to make sure it wasn't the trick of the light, Kaldur still saw the swirling shadows. Suddenly a card came out of it as it flew by him and right into the wall next to him.

The swirling shadows then stopped all movement before disappearing back into place. Confused, Kaldur turned to the card. Kaldur reached for it, grabbing the card and pulling it out of the wall.

Examining the card, Kaldur turned it over and back over repeatedly. Confused for a moment, a sudden realization dawned upon him. This was one of Amber's cards.

The decorative style on the backside was the give away, but what confused him was that the other side of the card was blank.

As if sensing his confusion the card glowed a small light as writing appeared on it.