"Jealous Much?"

By: the Angelic Temptress

Disclaimer: Not mine

Spoilers: If you heard the rumors for next season… you're already spoiled.

Rating: PG-13

VVV

John glances over at the cafeteria register and notices Shayera. She's purchasing a cup of fresh coffee and starts to walk past him. He calls her name to snag her attention. She stops to look at him and gives a half smile.

"Hi."

"Hi there."

Shayera slightly narrows her green eyes. "Is there something you needed?"

"Where are you hurrying to?" He pulls out the chair beside him and motions her to sit.

She slowly does what he suggests. "I have someplace to be and wanted some coffee before I left. Why are you asking?"

He scans her body with his glowing eyes and doesn't try to hide it. She's wearing black boots, a white miniskirt, and a black tank. Her lips are a shade darker than they usually are, and her eyes have been lined with liner. An antique clip is holding part of her hair away from her face, like women wore barrettes in the '40s.

"You're all dressed up," he says, sounding more surprised than he means to. "And you look really nice."

"Thanks."

"What's the occasion?"

"Oh. I, uh, have a date."

His eyes grow wider than he expects. "Wow. Um, who is the lucky guy?"

Those giant eyes of hers lower to stare into her cup of coffee when she answers. "That archeologist we met. Carter Hall."

"Ah."

"He asked me out for drinks."

"That sounds nice." Once again, John finds himself lingering on the shapes of her shoulders and legs. "New clothes?"

"No. Just borrowed. The hairclip is Zatanna's, along with the tights. The skirt belongs to Dinah, and the boots are Mari's."

He nods.

"I don't really own anything nice, so I had to scrounge around for them." She silently chuckles to herself with her eyes still burning into the black liquid. "I think they were more excited than I was." She then raises her gaze to clarify. "Meaning my wearing a skirt and heels."

"Ah. Yeah. Mari likes that kind of stuff." John sips his water and considers getting a coffee as well. "It's nice to see you making friends."

Her forehead wrinkles as she sits straighter in her seat. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," he answers quickly and changes the subject. "So, you're wearing makeup."

"What's wrong with that? Earth women wear it on a regular basis."

"Nothing," he says again and laughs. "I was just… It's different."

"Right." Shayera stands, much to his dismay, and straightens her skirt. "As much as I'd like to stay and chat with you, John, I need to get going." He watches her tousle her red strands and only stares as she walks away. He's paralyzed.

"Shayera!" He calls and stands as well. She immediately turns to face him, and he continues. "You can't go."

"Why not?" she demands with both hands on her hips.

John swallows over the lump in his dry throat and uncomfortably shifts his stance. "Because I… because you forgot your coffee." Without hesitation, he grabs the hot cup and takes it to her.

"Thanks."

He thinks he's imagining her disappointed expression and ignores it. However, he doesn't ignore her fingers when they brush against his gloved digits.

"I've got to go."

He gives his best fake smile and says, "Have fun," like a father would say to his sixteen year old daughter: with little excitement and pure derision.

Shayera reflects his grin and turns away from him.

Though his body and heart want to stop her, John's mind stops him from acting.

He doesn't know how badly she wants him to stop her.

END