Kaldur's Pain

Aqualad's Last Mission

Kaldur was boxing with the punching bag, with Roy holding the bag when his phone rang loudly on the small beat up coffee table. He stopped and asked Roy to untape his hand. He went to his phone to see that the doctor was asking to see him. Roy saw the message and instantly gave his opinion.

"It's a trap Kal once you get there you will not come back."

"They will come back, Roy. I will be okay. I will call you when it's time," he went to the bathroom to clean himself of sweat.

"You're not ready for a fight," he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

"I am going to have to be."

"You're an idiot."

"I have been called worse," he cracked the door open and reached the slightly wet arm out, "I need my clothing please."

Roy went to get his clothes and gave them to him. He could see the scars and stitching on his arm.

"Just be careful fish stick. The last thing I need is you dying on me."

"I am not going to die, Roy," he came out dressed.

Roy hugged Kaldur tightly in his muscular arms. Kaldur hugged him back instantly while rubbing his back gently.

"I will come back."

"You better," he patted his back again and let him go.

Kaldur grabbed his barriers, put them in his pocket, and headed to the door. He headed to the zeta beam and beamed himself to the Watchtower. He was greeted by his mother, Team, Garth, Tula, and Mera with open arms. Well, minus Garth. Shalina took Kaldur to the medical bay and sat with him as they waited for him.

"My son, you know I love you."

"Of course."

"You have resumed your training, haven't you?"

"I do no-"

"Do not even think about lying to your mother."

"Please do not tell anyone."

"That was never my intention. I figured you would try and learn again. You have your father's stubbornness."

"And your perseverance, Mother."

"King Arthur will not find out from me. All I ask is that you be careful."

"Yes, ma'am. Annex will send me back to Atlantis does he not."

"From what he has alluded to me, yes, that is his intention."

"I need to find him."

"And you will," she kissed his temple softly while the doctor walked in.

The doctor went through the examination, noting Kaldur has gained weight and muscle mass. The healer came and changed the wraps on his gills, noting they are also healing nicely. This was both positive and negative in Kaldur's mind. Good being he was getting stronger and bad since Aquaman would want to rush him getting him back to Atlantis. He finished applying the ointment to his gills and took his departure. He went to his room and changed into his uniform putting on his usual jacket to cover his shirt. Putting his barriers in his jacket pocket and deciding to leave his water pack behind, he walked to the transporter just to see if he was able to get out undetected. He knew he would only get one chance and leave the Watchtower; he had to make it count. He found his mother in the kitchen as an idea was born in his mind. He went up to her and hugged her from behind, kissing her cheek softly.

"Mother, I am about to do something that you will not approve of."

"You found him," she raised his hand to her lips, giving it a firm kiss.