"So, found anything yet?" M'gann asked from the other side of the table, flipping through the pages of yet another book of baby names she picked off the research shelf of the Public Bludhaven library.

B'arzz shook his head, trailing his finger under yet another name, eyes intently focused on the letters sprawled across the yellowed page, "I would like to find a name similar to my own, as it will be easier to shift between; like you and your uncle. However, I have yet to discover anything to satisfy my preferences."

"Hmmm, maybe we've been looking in the wrong books," she pondered, shutting the book when she came across the "C" category, "These names are mostly Caucasian-based and your human appearance takes after the Hispanic ethnicity like Jaime."

"Oh yes, my human appearance was based on the majority demographic in Taos," B'arzz explained, "I - the Reach believed it to be beneficial to have a similar appearance as Blue Beetle, in case we were ever to go on a covert mission of sorts."

"So…you didn't even get to pick your own human appearance?" M'gann frowned, "That's not fair."

"Ah, but neither does the rest of humanity," he pointed out, "Besides, I've…grown fond of this appearance. I would feel out of sorts if I were to change it now."

The white martian mulled over his words, nodding in understanding, "It is your body. You have every right to do what you want with it."

"Yes…" he trailed, taking a long look at his hand before curling it into a fist, "Yes, it is."

"Anyway," M'gann bit at her lip as feebly tried to change the subject, sliding her chair over to the other side of the table with another book secure in her lap, "How about we try this one? It seems to have a variety of Spanish-based names. Most of them seem like they would be common in Mexico."

"Alright," he pulled his gaze away from his hand and towards the pages she flattened out in front of him. Figuring he would bother with nothing else, she immediately turned to the "B" category under the male section, leaning forward a little closer to turn the pages.

She didn't notice the way B'arzz tensed in his seat at her proximity, catching a whiff of her everyday, sweet pea body spray. It never crossed her mind how unnerving it might be for him, how he might be uncomfortable with the way she so casually pressed her face into his shoulder to get a better look at the small print. She had always been comfortable with touch, even with those she should be wary of at times. And he…well, she would only realize a little while later that when it regarded "attractive, single persons of the female gender," B'arzz could get a little antsy.

It really wouldn't stop her in the slightest, he would learn, "Let's see…names that start with B-A-R…"

"M'gann, I - I really appreciate your help, but would you be so kind as to -" but before he could request a distance between them, M'gann gasped, pointing to a line on the page.

"Look!" she exclaimed, her eyes seeming to take in all the lights throughout the study, "Baruj! It's almost too perfect - and it means 'blessed!' How neat! What do you think, B'arzz?"

"Baruj," he repeated, the name smoothly rolling off his tongue.

Hmmm...he thought, taking in the excited young woman before him, her close proximity bothering him less and less by the second, it would seem my human name was never my choice as well.

He chuckled, not catching the way M'gann's gaze softened at the sound, "It is most worthy, M'gann. I will take it."

"Great! Let's go back to the warehouse and celebrate!" she stood up, grabbing the green martian by the arm and flinging him upright, "How do you feel about ice cream? I have a delicious batch of cookies-and-cream back in the fridge, made with real oreos!"

"Ice cream is fine…" he trailed, trying his best to ignore the heat emitting off the skin she touched, "But what are oreos?"

The mischievous smirk was a surprise and unlike many times before, he was uncertain if it was welcomed, "The very best thing you'll ever taste, GB. Ever."

And after devouring a quart of the stuff, along with half a pack of oreos M'gann stashed underneath the floorboards, B'arzz made a note to never doubt the bright young woman (currently absorbing the scripted drama of a high school sitcom) beside him ever again.