My dear Shayera,

Was so glad to get your letter. Had forgotten how much I love your handwriting. You have such a wonderful combination of beauty and strength in your writing my love. The way you curl the tails on your 'g's and 'y's and draw those dots over your 'a's, brings a smile to my face. Miss you Shy. Me, as you can tell, prefer to print. I haven't written in cursive in so long that it would probably be unreadable at this point. Maybe I should have been a doctor. Speaking of life decisions...

I'm not shocked nor stressed that you are thinking about retiring Shy. I'd be lying if I didn't say I haven't been thinking the same thing. Yes, believe it or not, there are times this old soldier is ready to fade away. Not tired of fighting love, I'm just tired of not being at home with you and the kids. When we are together, I have a peace and joy that is indescribable. And I want to experience that all of the time, not just some of the time.

I long for normalcy Red. I know, I know, that is a strange thing to hear from me. A guy that can manipulate reality with just his thoughts by using a ring that gets recharged via a lantern in a pocket dimension. I laughed aloud and shook my head just writing that! The sad part is that we are so used to the "fantastic" that it has become "normal". The problem is that it really isn't. This has become so clear to me now that we have children. When I put Alex and Rex to bed, I sometimes sneak back into their room and just stare at the beautiful innocence on their sleeping faces. I want that innocence to last Shy. I want "normal" for them. Well, as normal as it can get for children with wings growing out their backs. God I miss you.

The more I think about it Shy, the more I've come to realize the whole "security" thing was more about me wanting to create a cocoon of normalcy more so than my safety concerns. Don't get me wrong, of course I'm concerned for you and the twins, but the length to which I've gone is probably, as you stated, obsessive. I just don't want anything "fantastic" to happen to you. I know I can't protect you from life itself. And I don't want you and the twins living in fear, but I couldn't bear it if anything were to happen to you my love. God, what a hypocrite I am! Here I am expressing my concern for your safety, yet I have voluntarily put myself in danger by taking this mission. Not that this mission is any more dangerous than the others, but I guess I'm just struggling with my duty to "the league" and my duty to "our league". At what point does it become irresponsible to continue in this line of "work"? I don't know Shy. I just don't. I do know one thing. I love you and the kids more than life. Would happily give mine to protect you. And I guess at the end of the day that is what keeps me doing this. In some small manner I see this as a way of protecting the things I love. A wise man once said that evil triumphs when good men do nothing. I'm not sure I qualify as a "good" man, but I know evil when I see it. And as long as it exists, I am compelled to fight it. So I guess this old soldier isn't quite ready to fade away just yet. Probably just in time too because I can already see you creating a massive honey-do list for me.

I miss you Shy. You are never far from my thoughts. Can't wait to hold you again. Kiss the kids for me. Oh, please let me know how Rex's checkup goes, although I'm sure he is just fine. Don't stress. Love you Red. See you soon.

John