Chapter 2

Takes place after Prisoner of Sinestro and before Loss. I don't own any of GLTAS.

"Truth...?" Began Kilowog.

"Or dare...?" Razer finished the Bolovaxian's sentence.

"Yeah, it's easy. For truth you answer a question, usually about yourself, and for dare you have to do some action that's usually ridiculous or bold." Hal explained calmly. "Great idea, Aya! That'll be a fun way to pass the time."

"Aww what the heck." Kilowog shrugged. "I'll play."

The group all turned to gaze at Razer, awaiting a response. He tried not to gaze at Aya, but couldn't resist. He glanced at her quickly before looking away again. She gazed back at him steadily. Her gaze did not hold the hurt it had, but it did not retain her usual curiosity and shyness. It was...robotic. He thought she would only stare and wait, but then she spoke. "I believe it will be an entertaining exercise for the crew. My analysis finds that this bonding exercise may strengthen the team's bonds as much as 27.54%. Won't you join in as well?"

He internally groaned. How could he resist her asking something of him when she was hurting so much because of him? Yet why did she want him to play? Why did she want to be anywhere near him? Surely a being as intelligent as she could create any number of excuses for him not to play. There must be a reason she desired his participation.

Besides that, he really was finding it harder each day to not create some excuse, no matter how feeble, in order to spend time with her and be near her. Even to be around the other green lanterns, obnoxious as they were. Lately he had avoided her, although it was easy enough for she avoided him as well. So for her to want to be near him by his playing the game, well how could he say no? "...fine..."

Aya smiled, pleased her idea had been encouraged and acted upon by all. She walked over to her usual station and began typing. "I'll just need a moment to configure possible outcomes before we begin." Her fingers raced across the screen.

Razer watched as she swayed over to her station. Oh, Grotz...she had this way about her walk. She swayed her hips and he ached to have her walk towards him in that way, rather than walk from him. He longed to have her close enough that he could pull her into his arms and hold her close for no reason other than that she wanted him to. His only reasons for holding her up until now had been when she had been weakened or hurt in some way, which upset him. He didn't want it to be a necessity, but rather a desire she had that made him hold her petite frame to his. It made the rage in his heart dim, knowing she was safe and happy in his arms.

He wasn't nearly as cold and indifferent as he tried to make others believe. Aya had softened him, though he wasn't exactly sure when it began. He missed their comfortableness and ease. This game was supposed to help build bonding? Well, maybe it'd help fix things between them. He certainly hoped so or that it at least exposed whatever he had done.

"Configurations complete." Aya stepped back as a hologram screen appeared with their names listed. "Who shall go first?" Hal and Razer, unaware they shared the same observation, each caught a hint of eagerness in her voice. "The program is randomized. I have limited my processors that will be running it so I possess little control over it and will not use any more than necessary to run the program. In other words, I do not know what will be chosen and for whom. Also, because this is a team bonding exercise, roughly 86% of the options involve another member of the crew as well."

The males of the ship each gave a form of acknowledgement at her information, but Aya had one more piece of information.

"Also, many of the options that require another's participation exist for all three other members who are observing that turn, but my data banks drew to my attention that not all organic beings are comfortable with certain actions and practices with beings of the same gender, so some options may not have all other members as viable possibilities and, consequently the program is set to not choose certain members to participate in certain dares depending on whose turn it is. Now. Who would like to begin the exercise?"

Her bright, blue eyes glided calmly over the room as she waited. It took all of the lanterns a moment to process all she had said. Aya generally wasn't this talkative, and, again, Razer and Hal individually noticed that she must be eager to play the game.

"I'll go first." Hal piped up. "It was my idea anyway. Well, the playing a game part at least." He smiled at Aya and she nodded and tapped a key. The screen changed now with 'truth' and 'dare' glowing on the screen, along with Hal's name at the top. Hal grinned. "Do your worst, Aya. Dare!"

The program now moved along on it's own and Aya stepped back a few feet. The screen changed, responding to Hal's voice. The words appeared slowly. Hal...kiss...Aya's...cheek. Kilowog's jaw dropped. Aya blinked. Hal chuckled. Razer felt his blood boil, but he was grateful it was only her cheek.

Hal smiled. "Alright. Well, I ain't no chicken." He talked as though he was trying to act tough, but realized it sounded very odd to his alien comrades and laughed it off. He crossed the room in a few strides and leaned down, softly brushing his lips against her cheek. His lips tingled where they had brushed her cheek, but in a pleasant way. The hardlight of her face was smooth and cool beneath his lips, but was unlike anything he had ever felt.

Razer sat staring in amazement and growing fury. Aya had blinked as Hal kissed her cheek, but it was a slightly slower blink as though she was enjoying his kiss. He fumed, unable to object to the kiss without having to explain why. He certainly DID NOT want their pompous green lantern goof of a "leader" kissing Aya. It did surprise him as he realized the depth of his rage for the innocent act. It left him feeling...uneasy.

Kilowog hooted with laughter. He slapped a knee as though this was a riot to him. "Gee, Hal! Knowing you I'm surprised you settled for her cheek!"

Razer spun to glare at the sergeant, worried the green lantern might act on the idea. If he even dared...

"Was the point of the dare not to make lip contact with my cheek? Why would Green Lantern Hal make lip to lip contact with me?"

Aya's question silenced the room. No one knew how to address her innocence.

Physically her body was that of a young woman and mentally her mind could process things extraordinarily faster than them and she was far more intelligent in many categories. Yet in some regards she was still very young and inexperienced. She had evolved and learned and was beginning to understand and utilize emotions, but she still was confused at things that weren't purely logical, such as jokes and emotional responses.

At times they felt awkward about this, but Hal was usually comfortable enough with his adopted, little "sister" and would do his best to patiently explain things to her, as best he could. Kilowog would try to help often too, such as when Aya had expressed interest in being a green lantern, but, being the drill sergeant he was, he found it difficult to put things as gently as Hal did. He generally ended up tongue-tied between Aya's logical questioning and statements and Hal's pestering his explanation.

Aya rarely asked Razer on such advice or questions and it was even more seldom he offered. Though he seemed to consider this more than the others and put things in an easier way for her to comprehend using less illogical sayings and phrases.

It all came down to the fact that all of the men were afraid to offend their beloved AI and none had any desire to upset her or make her feel shame or to feel foolish for asking a simple question or for merely being curious. Hal recovered first. "Uhhh...Kilowog! Your turn, buddy!"

Thank you to everyone that read and/or reviewed the first chapter! I'm both glad (and honestly a little surprised) everyone seeemed to love it so much. I wanted to write something a bit different, but with a good dose of Razaya (which is to come I promise you!), but considering this was my first fanfiction it seems to have gone over really well. The chapters may not always be posted this fast, but I had spare time and thus...chapter 2! Review away and I hope I keep pleasing all that read my little fanfiction. Enjoy and review!