The reconnaissance had been routine. Another long, dull search on a dull, dusty planet, looking for signs of Apocalyptican outposts. Hawkgirl wasn't exactly the best company ever since she and John had their falling out. Even Orion smiled more.

Flash dusted himself off and flopped face-first into the cot. His metabolism had already 'healed' the tan from his two weeks in the bahamas, and along with his pale skin, the weariness had returned. He had aches in places he didn't know he had.

The speedster sighed heavily, stirring a piece of paper on his bedside desk. It wasn't there when he left, of that he was sure. Sitting up, he turned the paper over in his red-gloved hands. It was an envelope. No stamp or address, but considering where it'd been left, it had to be for him. Who else?

There was a faint smell of citrus when he opened the envelope; a woman's perfume for sure. With the soft woody undertones, and floral hints, it had to be Intenso, a Brazilian brand. Between his CSI training and his love of women, Wally knew perfumes like the back of his hand. He'd bought more perfumatory gifts than he cared to remember - and had more than a few thrown in his face. Of course, he always came out smelling of roses.

Inside, was a letter written in bold cursive strokes that leaned right, with a subtly heart-shaped scribble to the dots and loops. The ink, upon further inspection, was a deep shade of green.

The words made Flash's head spin. There were turns of phrase he'd never known could be so evocative, scenic proposals he'd never even considered. He felt like the self-sure Romeo, finally peeking inside the secret diary of Casanova. Don Juan himself would have blushed to read the thinly veiled allusions, the erotic suggestion in even the most mundane of terms. Suddenly, Flash felt like he was back in the Bermuda sun.

At the bottom of the letter, signed in flowing buxom letters was the mellifluous name: Beatriz Da Costa.

"So, explain again how this is useful?"

Guy rolled his eyes. All he wanted was some peace and quiet so he could enjoy his moment. If it weren't for the fact he needed Skeets, he would have left Booster out of this altogether. As it was, he had unshakable feeling that Booster was the cause of all his woes in the past. At least as far as April Fool's was concerned.

"The letter asked for something bold, something to prove the depth of his feelings. Which means Flash is about to do something really stupid, and he think Fire asked him to. He's going to look like the dim-witted love-addled fool he is. And Guy Gardner gets the credit."

Booster pulled a face.

"And Booster," Guy sighed.

"It would be prudent to-"

"Shut it, Skeets. Here he comes. The big moment has arrived!"

Flash was coming down the hall, tiny piano in toe. A feeling of pride swelled inside Guy's chest as he witnessed the scarlet speedster wheeling the white piano through the halls of Brother Eye. He paused outside the Brazilian's quarters, took a deep breath, and began to play.

"Oh, this is going to be good," Guy whispered.

Flash began to sing:

By the side of the tracks when the train goes by

The wind and the rain will catch you, you will sigh

Deep in your heart

Then you'll come running to me.

You'll come running to me.

Guy watched at the heroine poked her head through the door, drowsily yawning. For a long moment she looked at Flash incredulously, and for just a moment, Guy was sure she was going to turn the piano into a tinderbox.

Maybe it was something about Flash's surprisingly good voice, or the way he looked at her with his scarlet cowl down and his goofy smile pulling at the corner of his lips. Maybe it was the song choice, or something else entirely. But for whatever reason, she smiled. The flame in her hands died, and a new kind of flame flickered in her eyes. And Flash could see it, too.

You watch the train go round the bend

Play in dust and dream it'll never end

Deep in your heart baby

You'll come running to me

You'll come running to me

Said, hey, come running to me

Oh, come a-running to me

Hey hey, come a-running to me

Yeah come a-running to me

By now, others had left their quarters to see the commotion. Some had begun to clap in time, some even sang along. And Guy started to get that familiar sinking feeling in his chest again. Even if she rejected him brutally, even telling him he'd been tricked, this was never going to play out the way he wanted.

As the song came to an end, and the gathered audience began to applaud, Fire sashayed out from her room, and grabbed Flash by the crimson cowl.

"I never knew you had it in you."

With that, she dragged the speedster inside and closed the door, to a chorus of whoops and whistles, and laughter.

"No…" Guy uttered, shellshocked. "This….no….this can't be happening. Guy Gardner cannot lose again!"

"Uh, are you sure you really wanna walk in there?"

Fists clenched, Guy had already begun striding down the hallway, ready to batter down the door. His Lantern ring glowed a bright green that filled the hall, and the previously dispersing crowd stopped to watch. Guy hadn't even decided what he was going to use to pry open the door when the door came flying off and hit him square in the face.

"Ah, what the…"

There in the doorway stood Fire, burning bright, her emerald flamed corona searing the rood. Her eyes were a deep dark green, smouldering with an intense anger. Behind her, Flash stood smirking, his eyes open a little wide in shock. Even knowing what was about to happen, the speedster had been surprised by her ferocity.

"Guy Gardner," Beatriz said, her accent thick. "If you ever again give a man directions to 'win my heart' I will singe every last hair on your body in such a way it will never grow back. Are we understood?"

Guy blinked twice. Dumbfounded he nodded.

"Good."

As Beatriz retreated into her room, Guy stared at Flash in disbelief.

"How?"

"Well, for starters, Beatriz speaks Portuguese, not….whatever that was you used in the letter. Second, I studied handwriting in forensics. It's not an exact science, but an educated guess says a psychopath wrote that letter. Also…" His voice dropped to a whisper. "I know Beatriz's scent. She doesn't wear Intenso."

He shrugged.

"Besides, it's April First."