CH 2- Excuses
'I mean, of all the hot girls out there you could have chosen, you chose an old lady!' cried Flash in disbelief. At the look of J'onn's face, he hastened to add, 'well, a dear, sweet old lady. But still.'
'I have never found much attraction in females that you describe as "hot",' replied the Martian Manhunter. He gave a smile. 'Besides, I am not nearly as round as you may think.'
Flash grinned on of his trademark grins and gave a good natured shrug.
The door to the founder's meeting room slip open to reveal the other members who were already seated. Diana gave J'onn a warm smile as he and Flash sat down.
'Welcome back,' she said.
'It's good to see you all again,' he replied in his monotone. If his fleeting smile had not betrayed the pleasure he felt, one would have thought he was anything but pleased.
'So what now? Are you a part-timer like Batman?' asked Green Lantern.
'No, I have decided that I will return but will not be staying on the Watchtower,' J'onn answered.
Superman placed a hand on his shoulder.
'That's fine by us. We'll see to everything to help you out.'
'So what d'you call us today for?' John questioned, leaning casually back on his chair.
'Luthor.' It was Batman who answered.
'Luthor?!"
'He's gone hasn't he?' Shayera asked bewilderedly, voicing about four other member's confusion.
'We think so, but we're not certain,' answered Superman. 'He simply vanished.'
'The question is: where and how,' said Batman. He paused. 'And whether he's coming back.'
'How are we supposed to know that?!' Flash blurted out incredulously. 'Besides, even if he did come back it's not like we'll have to worry about him. He risked his life to save Earth.'
'He was the one who brought danger in the first place,' Diana argued.
'You know, people can change.' The orange haired avian sitting opposite reprimanded, knowing full well what the Princess was suggesting.
Wonder Woman simply gave a stiff look that was dangerously close to disdain.
Deciding it would be wise to interrupt before any explosions could take off, Superman said, 'Flash is rights, we don't know the answers to those questions. But I think it's a good idea if we kept a look out as to what could happen. Knowing Luthor, he isn't the type to just vanish like that.' The Boy Scout glanced at each of his team mates to see whether they agreed. When he saw their majority nod their heads, with Flash giving a comical half shrug, had nod, he said 'Good.'
The meeting progressed smoothly, straying away from the subject of Lex Luthor over to the happenstance of the momentary situation of 'bad gone good.'
When the dismissal finally arrived, Flash zoomed out of the door towards a fiery green lady which prompted as sly smile from Shayera and J'onn.
Diana and Batman were the last to leave together, right behind John and Superman.
A voice suddenly boomed out from the intercoms which they recognised as Mr Terrific's.
'Wonder Woman, could you please come the monitoring womb.'
With a perplexed look across her beautiful face, Diana quickly complied.
Mr Terrific heard the hiss of the elevator shaft opening and knew who was coming.
'Queen Audrey's asked for your help again.'
'What is it?' asked Diana.
Behind her, Superman, Green Lantern and Batman strode in.
'Germany's suddenly started a war with the Russians and they've asked the Kasnians for help. There's a discrepancy between her advisors on whether or not Kasnia should give aid and now they've started a riot that's coming to look like a civil war.' Mr Terrific informed her.
'That doesn't make sense. Why would Audrey's advisors do that when she's supposed to have the final say?' Diana frowned.
'Sounds like someone's looking for an excuse to start a war,' stated Batman.
'I'm on my way,' said Diana, full of determination and purpose.
Superman and John turned automatically as she flew out.
As he watched them leave, the white lenses of Batman's cowl narrowed.
