The low beep of the heart monitor echoed softly around the med bay. It was the type of sound that couldn't be heard unless you listen for it, or you are lying next to its source. Howler moaned softly as he started to come around. 'Stupid machine,' he thought as the blue ring on his hand flashed for a brief second. The machine beeped a few more times before a blue battle axe slammed into the monitor, effectively destroying it in a loud crunch. 'That's better,' he thought with a slight smile.
He started to fall back asleep when he heard a female say, "How in the?" "It was getting annoying," he replied as slowly opened his eyes, "Where am I?" He looked over to see a raven haired woman in a tuxedo jacket sit in a chair as she said. "You're in the medical area of the Watchtower. You were pretty beat up when Green Arrow brought you here. How are you feeling?" "Hungry, in pain, and a little ticked off," he said pressing the bed controls so he could sit up, "Who are you and where is my sister?"
"I'm Zatanna and your sister is with a friend," the woman said with a slight smile, "As far as the pain goes; you have two cracked ribs, your left lung collapsed, and your left arm is broken." "That explains the cast," he muttered looking at his arm. "So, what were you two doing on that roof?" Zatanna asked. "Trying to figure out where to go next," he said as the door opened. They looked over to see Emma standing there.
"You're ok," she said running over to him. She climbed up on the bed next to him and gave him a gentle hug as he said, "I'm ok, Emma. Did you cause any trouble?" "She got growled at by Batman," Green Arrow said as he came walking up carrying a pizza box. "Did it have anything to do with underwear over his pants?" Howler asked with a sigh. "I take it you two have had that conversation before," Zatanna said as Arrow put the box on cart and moved it in front of Howler and his sister.
"She asked Batman if he and Superman were secret lovers because they both wear their underwear over their pants," Arrow said trying not to laugh. "That or they are trying to compensate for something," Howler said opening the box to reveal a large cheese pizza. He took a piece and started to eat it as Arrow said, "Anyway, if you don't mind, I have some questions I need to ask you." "No, I don't swing that way," Howler said before taking another bite. Zatanna tried to stifle a laugh as Arrow said, "Neither do I, but that's beside the point. What exactly where you two doing on that roof?"
"Trying to figure out who to trust," Howler replied after finishing his slice, "Believe it or not, some psycho in a two toned mask has been after us for about the past two years." "Wait a minute, Deathstroke has been after you? Why?" Zatanna asked. "Not sure, but I think it may have something to deal with what our mom was working on," Howler said before picking up another slice. "What do you mean?" Arrow asked a little puzzled. "Mom was working on some energy project for a R&D lab," Howler explained before staring a second piece.
"Well that might explain why Luthor wants you two," Arrow said. "More like Howler," Emma said quietly, "He figured out the problem with it." "I see," Arrow said crossing his arms. "So what are you going to do with us?" Emma asked a little nervously. "I think I know," Zatanna said as she started to smile, "The league has a series of safe houses that we can put you in for the time being. And you will have a protective guard making sure you two are ok."
Howler looked over at Emma and asked, "What do you think?" "As long as we don't have to babysit some spoiled rich brat and they leave me alone," Emma said after a few seconds. He looked back at Arrow then said, "We're in. Just please tell me we won't be anywhere near Oliver Queen." "And what's wrong with Oliver Quinn?" Zatanna asked a little surprised. "That drunken hobbit, jack-bag douche stiffed me five grand when we watched his place when he went on his honeymoon," Howler replied.
"He did, did he?" Zatanna asked glancing at Arrow. "It's kind of a long story," Emma said. "I have time," Zatana said leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs. "I think I better go see about which safe houses are active," Arrow said before he left the room. "He knows Oliver, doesn't he?" Howler asked after a few seconds. "Yeah, he does," Zatanna said with a weak laugh, "Now, why does Mr. Quinn owe you five grand?"
"The check he paid me with for housesitting his place while he went on a honeymoon bounced," Howler said as he closed his eyes. "You ok, Howler?" Emma asked worried. "I'm ok, pup. My ribs hurt a little, that's all," he replied reassuring his sister. "You sure?" Emma asked. He nodded as he looked at her and smiled saying, "Yeah, I'm sure. I would like to know a little about the ones that are going to be guarding us." The two looked over at Zatanna as the magician said, "You'll like them. Don't worry."
