Percy soon settled, breathing evening out, unaware to the way I stared at the paper. I glanced at her. She was curled tight under a blanket yet shivered. With a sigh, I removed my jacket and covered her with it as well. It wouldn't do much if the shivers had another source, but I was never sure how cold the Cave really was.

Papers crinkled in my hands as I sped to my bedroom. The light automatically flicked on; I winced and dimmed it. When would they learn that someone who can see in the dark doesn't need a light-bulb as bright as the sun?

It might actually be a sun lamp now that I thought about it. Regardless, I still wouldn't need it.

My attention turned to the papers and notebook I'd stolen. Atlantean writing scrawled over the pages, interspersed with Greek and sometimes misspelled English. The languages stalled me, but the contents were far more shaking. Logically, I knew that Percy was observing us. She'd written in her notebook without fear of being caught, but I wondered, is that because only two of us here could read Atlantean?

Weaknesses, strengths, assorted information about the Team--including seemingly favorite foods noted in the margins, along with a note to teach Megan to cook and to get a recipe for her--but with the occurrences of my name stacking up, it was clear there was a focus on me.

I flipped through the notebook. Things were less jumbled, formed into whole sentences instead of fragments and lists, but it only made lead drop in my stomach.

He's pretty strong, not as strong as me but from what I've heard about some older missions he does have a large immunity to certain toxins. I'd have to ask to figure out which ones in particular.

Kaldur is weak to heat. Is that an Atlantean thing?  Or is it specific to certain types of Atlanteans?  I can't imagine that all of them would share that. Shouldn't the ones who evolved on the scientific route be more immune to it?

I feel like I'm going to get lectured on biology when I give you this, and I'm going to stick my hand in lava. (not fun, do not recommend. 0/10 would not drink from a fire river again)

My eyes narrowed, but I snorted and moved on. From how little of Percy I truly knew, that did seem to fit her personality.

He's very nice. I'm not sure if I should include that or not. Wonder if he'd

The last part was scribbled out, and it took a couple moments to decipher 'hug me' underneath all the lines. It continued after that with be good interacting with kids. I don't get to see a lot of how they interact in public, so I can't really answer that.

Exhaling, I place the items aside. I could read after a nap.

"Good morning," Megan said, floating into the room. She kissed Connor on the cheek before pulling out leftovers. "Did you two sleep well?"

"Kaldur didn't sleep," Connor says around a spoonful of cereal.

"I apologize if I kept you awake, my friend. I had some work leftover from a few of our missions." It was a miserable choice, but it was the better one. There were no missions scheduled, and I could be well-rested when we did have one.

I would need a nap later though, and that ran the risk of Wally and Robin deciding to pull a prank. Humming, I decided Megan and Connor could fend for themselves for a few hours. It would just be. . . training.

That's what I would tell anyone who asked, anyway.

"You guys are loud." A drowsy Percy slinks into the kitchen and takes down a coffee cup. "Let's spin the roulette. Either this wakes me up or I'm going to pass out."

Surely, she's not a spy, because what's the use in telling us she's here to observe us? Why make it that obvious, unless they want us to think the person doesn't have any ill intentions towards the Team? Or if they want it to be obvious that we're the only ones being watched? Most of us have been trained directly by a hero. It would not be difficult, presumably, to extend information about our abilities to them.

Extend my abilities to calculate those of my king.

My jaw tightened. Who sent her here?

"Percy, can I talk to you for a moment?" I asked.

"Let me have coffee."

"It will only take a minute." I grabbed her arm and dragged her away from the coffee machine, down the hall, and into my room. I picked up the notebook. "What is this?"

Percy froze, eyes wide. She blinked, then her shoulders dropped. "Oh." Stepping forward, she took it from me. Her fingers touched the Atlantean words. "Yeah, I'm, uh, I'm Atlantean. I didn't think that was important to mention, cause you know, the whole observing you thing."

"Are you working for Ocean Master?"

"I have no idea who that is." There was no sign of a lie in her feature, but Deception's existence...

"Who are you working for then?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." She smiled. "But I promise it's no one bad. It's just easier to have me watch you and have the abilities of Aquaman calculated  from that. At least, I think that's why he wants me to watch you? I didn't really get a choice or to ask questions." 

I hummed.

She took it to mean something because she waved her hand dismissively. "It's typical."

"What city-state do you come from?"

Percy fiddled with the hem of her shirt, not looking at me. "I don't like talking about Atlantis, Kaldur. Too many bad memories."

My mind flicked back to what was written in the notebook she was clutching to her chest, and without hesitating, I pulled her into a hug. It fell with a soft thunk when arms wrapped around me.

"I'd be willing to hear them if you ever wish to speak of them," I muttered.  "Not all of my memories of home are the greatest either." Too many Purist attacks, and I couldn't help but wonder if her clothes hide any inhuman traits. One of my hands pressed against her back, curious to if I'd feel a fin. She shuddered. Pushed away. Gathered up her things. I watched her scurry out with more questions to replace the ones I had answered.

So its been 2 years. . .

Going to be honest I completely forget about a couple of my fanfics until the adhd goes "hey remember that thing!!!"

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed

See yah