Shayera looked at herself in the mirror. She was in jeans and a t-shirt that advertised the Gotham Rogues. She figured if she was going to a stadium full of a lot of people who still saw her as a traitor, the least she could do is support the home team. It never did hurt to win some brownie points. She was not really paying attention to Flash who was going over the rules of football with her.
"Alright so remember if the offense is tackled behind the goal line that is a safety which is two points and the defense also gets the ball as well. Although safeties are really rare and…" he noticed Shayera just staring into space.
"Hey Shay! Are you listening?"
"Yeah whatever," Shayera muttered, she was thinking over what Zatanna said the other day. Bruce would be easier to convince if he believed he had friends. How was she going to make the world's biggest loner realize he still has friends? Especially when she was sure he did not trust her at all.
"Ok. Well now let's go over stats. The Metropolis Monarchs and Gotham Rogues have a rivalry going back since football was founded. For the past ten years, the Monarchs have dominated the Rogues in every match up. The Monarchs have won the Superbowl three times the last ten years and have been in the playoffs every year. The Rogues however have made the playoffs a couple of times but get out usually after the first round. They have never won the Superbowl."
That finally got Shayera's attention.
"So I am going to support a losing team?"
"Hey now. They'll do fine."
"But the Monarchs are obviously going to win. They are undefeated this year."
"Upsets happen, Shayera. Now let's go over special teams."
"Thank you Wally but I think I am fine now. I am going to head down there now."
"Oh okay, well good luck," Wally said as Shayera exited the room.
Shayera walked down the hallway, praying she would not run into anyone. She did not want anyone to stare at her as she was wearing a Gotham related t-shirt. Everyone would start gossiping and whispering. Thankfully she was almost to the Monitor Womb and had not run into anyone. Unfortunately, the last man she wanted to see had just stepped out of it.
"Shayera?" John asked eyeing her shirt.
"John," Shayera said coldly, trying to hide the emotion she was building up towards this man. The man who toyed with her heart all the time.
"Where are you going?"
Shayera rolled her eyes, "Don't act stupid Stewart! You know perfectly well what this means!"
"Well I am not comfortable you just waltzing into Gotham-"
"Well I do not give a crap on what you care about, Stewart! You never did for me!"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Shayera laughed, "Oh don't act so innocent. I understand why we broke up. I am not trustworthy enough. But then you tell me that in the future we have a son, but because your ego does not believe in fate you rather stay with Vixen even if it does not make you happy?"
That managed to shut John up for a second. Shayera seeing an opportunity to escape stormed past him.
"I broke up with Mari," said John quietly. Shayera was amazed she heard him.
"What?" Shayera said. Shocked by this bombshell. Why had she not heard about this yet? Then again, other than Wally and J'onn, she pretty much had no one to talk to the past few weeks.
"I broke up with her. I could not string her along anymore. We both admitted we had amazing times together, but in the end it was going nowhere. We could not force something that was not there."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Shayera asked angrily. She hated when the man toyed with her like that.
John did not answer but stared at her sadly and turned around and walked away, leaving Shayera alone, except for Mister Terrific who was sitting in his seat unnoticed, pretending he did not hear anything.
Shayera sighed and was tempted to punch a computer but thought better of it.
"Damn you!" she thought to herself as she gave Mister Terrific the coordinates to teleport her.
Bruce and Dick began driving to Gotham stadium neither really talking. Or at least Bruce wasn't.
"So do think the Rogues are gonna pull off the upset of the century today?" Dick asked, attempting to get a conversation out of Bruce.
"Don't care," the older man said in an aloof voice. He was never a fan of football anyways. His father used to take him with clients when he was young, back in the glory days of the Rogues. They were now a joke. He only kept the seats for sentimental reasons and to occasionally give customers in Gotham something to do.
"Well I think they can do it. The Monarch's star quarterback, what's his name?"
"Hanson," Bruce replied flatly.
"Yea that guy, he is past his prime though. I mean he still better than half the quarterbacks in the league but still he is not as good as he used to be. The Rogues got a chance if they can take him out of play…"
Bruce completely ignored Dick's attempts of conversation and kept driving. He was looking forward to when this stupid date would be over. If it was up to him, he would have just ignored it but the stupid press kept raising questions. Shayera and he were not always on the friendliest terms due to both being headstrong detectives. Also he always hated how she could outthink him sometimes, especially in chess.
She was not that hard to spot on the street to pick her up. Those wings of course were a dead giveaway. But also many people seem to try to go out of the way to avoid the winged woman, making her easier to be seen since she was not blended in the crowd. Bruce felt a surge of pity for her. He always liked to isolate himself like that but Shayera did not choose that lifestyle, he did. Traitor or not, she did not deserve to be ostracized anymore. She had done too much good for the world.
Bruce parked the car and got out, deciding not to go over the top like he always did when in playboy mode.
Shayera was a little surprised. She expected Bruce to put an all out idiotic performance like he usually did. Instead he approached her politely and asked if she was ready to go inside. She forgot this was probably as painful for him as it was for her.
There were some advantages of having special seats; they did not have to wait in line. Within five minutes they found their seats a few rows up from the 50 yard line. Most of the upper elite of Gotham usually sat in the club seats, but Thomas Wayne preferred to have his seats among the fans. It was a better way to get the real game experience he used to say.
They filed in, earning a few stares from the fans. Shayera was worried that her wings would block a few seats behind her but Bruce explained he thought of that and bought all tickets around the area so they could have some privacy. That was always like him. Always thinking ahead.
As they sat down, Bruce eyed Dick looking over his shoulder and checking his watch.
"Dick did you give your date her ticket?"
"Yea don't worry I sent it to her a while back. She should be coming soon."
In a manner of minutes most of the seats, except the ones around them were getting filled up. Despite the Rogues' abysmal playing, it was still a rivalry game and people would want to see it. Bruce was starting to think Dick's date ditched him when all of a sudden a familiar red head came by
"Hello Dick!" Barbara said.
"Babs!" Dick got up and gave her a friendly hug.
Shayera watched the two young adults embrace and then noticed Bruce's expression. It was not the idiotic playboy look or the apathetic look of the Bat. It was the look of shock. Dick was right, bringing the ex-Batgirl along would certainly throw Bruce for a loop.
"Hello Bruce," Barbara said a little less enthusiastically. She was still not too crazy about him kicking her out of the manor.
"Barbara," he said calmly thru clenched teeth.
Dick sensing mounting tensions introduced Barbara to Shayera. The two red heads had just shaken hands when Bruce interrupted them.
"What are you doing here Barbara?" he asked in the infamous menacing voice of the Bat.
"O I am sorry Bruce, am I not welcome in Gotham at all? My father used to be the police commissioner in case you forgotten. I still come down to visit all the time."
Bruce then shifted his glare at Dick. Even if her excuse was valid, there was no way Dick would have just invited without a good reason. They were ex-boyfriend and girlfriend after all.
Dick grin back, unfazed by the glare.
"I figured if I brought some airhead girl you couldn't act like you and Shayera knew each other before so I decided it would give you a meaningful experience out of it," Dick explained. He may have claimed good intentions but his eyes showed the malice. Bruce was so going to kill them when they got back to the house.
Shayera smirked. The kids were sticking it to the old man and he did not like it.
However the national anthem started to play so what she was going to say next was dropped. Pretty soon kickoff began. For the first quarter neither team scored which exceeded many Rogues fans' expectations. During that period none of the four adults said anything but just sat in awkward silence. Finally Shayera decided to go bold. She started to chant the "D-Fence!" Chant with the fans. That earned a lot of applause for all the resident Gotham fans nearby.
Whether by coincidence or something else, the Rogues' managed to force a surprise fumble from the Monarchs' quarterback. A safety managed to run it all the way back, not only giving the Rogues the turnover but a touchdown as well.
The fans went wild after that. Many of them who were near their seats were all looking at Shayera when they cheered. Some were starting to see her as a good luck charm. Shayera smirked to herself and sat back down as the ref's took a timeout for the next kickoff next to a clearly uncomfortable Bruce.
"What?" she asked, glaring at Bruce. "I like contact sports!"
Bruce just continued to stare at her. Dick and Barbara were holding back laughter at Bruce's blatant discomfort.
"You know you should try enjoying a few things sometimes Bruce."
"In my job, there is no time."
"Only because you do not allow it. And do not deny you enjoy it. I remember you having a good time at League parties we threw sometimes."
Bruce just continued to glare at her.
Shayera shrugged her shoulders and came engrossed in the game again. A pass inference penalty was called against the Rogues which put the Monarchs within 30 yards of the goal post.
"Bullshit!" Shayera screamed earning a few stares but nonetheless a lot of cheers still.
"He hardly touched him!" Shayera continued.
Bruce was too well train to show signs of embarrassment that easily, but Dick could tell he was. Whenever he was really embarrassed, Bruce would stare off into space, not attempting to make eye contact with anyone. Dick tapped Barbara on the shoulder signaling they should leave. Barbara followed suit, muttering about getting some food. Maybe being alone would make Bruce more comfortable talking to Shayera.
Shayera was yelling again. The Monarch's had just scored, the game was tied now. Not good for the Rogues.
"Enjoying yourself?" Bruce asked with sarcasm as he gave her a piercing look. Shayera just grin.
"Come on. I know you Bruce, you have a competitive spirit. Can you at least attempt to get into the game?"
Bruce just responded with a glare. Shayera sighed and decided on impulse to grab him and bring him up a few rows in the empty seats in front of them so they were closer to some Rogues' fans.
"Hey mind if we come a little closer? We are getting bored up there. It is too quiet!"
Many of the fans cheered and oblige the two to sit with them. The crowd was already warming up to Shayera. And plus it was not every day one got to sit next to a billionaire.
Bruce was out of his comfort zone but decided being among regular civilians who prevent Shayera from talking about League business. Bruce soon was forced to watch the game. After watching it for a while he was starting to grow an appreciation for it. He groaned when the Monarchs manage to stop the Rogues from scoring another touchdown and had to settle for a field goal. He even shared their frustration when the Monarchs gained more yardage on another bogus penalty.
"It's like this game is rigged man!" said an angry fan next to him.
"Actually it is probably because he is from a different vantage point than us. Plus they do not have instant replay…"
But Bruce's explanation was loss on the fan because the Monarchs managed to score another touchdown and made the extra point, leading the game 14-10.
The home team fans obviously booed because the Instant Replay played later on the jumbotron showed clearly that a Monarch offensive lineman was holding on the play but the none of the refs caught it.
"This is bullshit!" Shayera chanted followed by a bunch of fans.
Bruce was worried some parents would complain about Shayera's language choice but none of them seem to mind. In fact many of them were just as angry as her by the clearly bad call by the refs.
The Rogues however managed to just run the kickoff back in a surprising stunt. This was turning to be a wild game. To their left a bunch of fans started doing the wave in response.
"Come on," Shayera said grabbing Bruce's arm as the wave began to approach them.
"I am not-"
"Oh you so are!" Shayera interrupted and forced him to get up and down with the rest of the crowd as the wave came by.
Normally Bruce would get mad by a meta manhandling him like that but because of the current moment and the overall euphoria around him Bruce let it slide. A small part of him enjoyed it but he would never admit it.
Before the next kickoff began, the announcer's began to play the Gotham Rogues' fight song. It was a cheesy remix of a disco song, Bruce always hated it. But like all true Gothammites, he knew all the words.
The fans around them all began to sing a long except Shayera and Bruce. Shayera did not know the lyrics. Bruce smirked, she finally had shut up.
"Here I will teach you," Bruce said, taking pride for once he knew something Shayera did not.
When the chorus went along again Bruce sang along with the crowd while encouraging Shayera. Pretty soon the third time the chorus was played, the entire section they were sitting in was like a mini orchestra expressing pride in their team.
When the song was over, everyone sat back down, laughing. Even Bruce. Shayera knew a part of him was still forcing it, but she knew deep down he was having a good time. Zatanna was right; the best way to get to Bruce was make him actually have fun.
Bruce was reluctantly enjoying himself. He was so used to attending boring functions with the upper Gotham society he forgot what fun was. To him being the playboy was just part of his job, not as an outlet for entertainment. Here though, being at this game, with his fellow Gothamites, he was just Bruce. An ordinary citizen of Gotham who took pride in his city.
"So it is true, you do have an excellent singing voice," Shayera teased.
Bruce eyes narrowed again. Perhaps he was letting loose a little too much. The next thing he needed would be people finding about his little night club gig with Circe.
Shayera playfully punched him in the arm. "I am kidding, don't worry I won't tell."
Meanwhile Dick and Barbara had return from the concession stands a while ago and sat in their seats far away observing Shayera slowly goad Bruce into getting into the football game.
"I do not believe it," Barbara said.
"I know, he is actually smiling."
"He is actually having fun for once."
"Watch when we get back to the cave though he will play it off as an act but I know him better now. He is actually enjoying himself."
The game had reach hand time and Bruce decided would be a good time to get some food, he took Shayera with him. He was still a gentleman and was willing to pay for his date's food.
He led Shayera to a hotdog stand.
"I would not think you were a fan of unhealthy foods," Shayera said as she saw the two sausages in the buns Bruce had bought.
Bruce chuckled. "I do not usually eat them. I have Alfred usually cook my food or I eat at a restaurant that does not serve them."
"Oh the woes of the upper class," Shayera mocked.
Bruce smirked and began to put all sorts of condiments on his.
"But Gotham Stadium is famous for its hot dogs despite their unhealthiness. So in the spirit of tradition, we will eat some. We do not want to jinx the team by breaking tradition."
"I thought you do not believe in superstitions."
"I don't, but those rowdy fans we sit next to do. All we need is for them to blame the loss on the game for not eating a hot dog."
Shayera laughed at that statement and followed Bruce to their seats with the group of fans they had been hanging out with.
By the end of the third quarter, the score was now 21-17, Monarchs. They had managed to come back with another unanswered touchdown. Although there was still another quarter to play, the Monarchs seem to be carrying the momentum.
"Come on Rogues, finish strong!" Shayera bellowed as other fans said similar sentiments. As the quarter ended, the Jumbotron started resorting to its usual cheesy entertainment methods to keep the fans occupied during the quarter break. This time it was the kiss camera.
Shayera and Bruce laughed at the awkwardness that camera caught on some fans. Especially when it fell on a young couple. Bruce immediately recognized them as Dick and Barbara and grin wickedly, payback time. All the fans turn around and started chanting 'kiss her' to Dick.
Dick and Barbara looked at each other unsure. They were exes after all. Dick, deciding to take the middle route kissed Barbara on the cheek. A friendly kiss nothing more. Unfortunately that earned a few boos from the fans. Bruce shook his head grinning at Dick's discomfort.
But just as Bruce turn around to continue to watch the Jumbotron, the camera had panned on Bruce and Shayera.
"Crap!" Bruce thought as all the fans around them turned around to watch in expectations. The whole stadium was also chanting as well. Gotham's prince was on camera.
Bruce and Shayera simultaneously looked to each other, green eyes finding blue.
Shayera shrugged her shoulders and Bruce relaxed his posture. Might as well.
The two immediately began an over the top, dramatic, violent kiss. Obviously the most animated kiss the Jumbotron had shown yet. In fact the camera stayed on them longer than any other couple. Sensing this, the two just kept up their charade and Bruce decided to take it a step further.
He lifted Shayera up in a bridal carry. Shayera playing along acted all surprised but in love.
That earned a lot of cheers from the crowd. Bruce then sprinted up the steps carrying Shayera as the crowd got louder, cheering them on. After he reached the top of the stairs in the section, he gently lowered Shayera down and the two waved at the camera still focused on them. The two then headed back to their seats to be greeted by many handshakes and slaps on the back from the eager fans in their area.
Of course majority of the crowd knew that Shayera and Bruce were being overdramatic, but still many were sending text messages to their friends what they just saw.
"We are probably going to make YouTube now," Shayera joked.
"Finally you get some good press," Bruce teased back.
"With your name? I don't think so bud!" Shayera shot back, punching his arm again. The fourth quarter went on. There were ten seconds left. The Rogues managed to get a turnover on the Monarchs but they were still within fifty yards from scoring a touchdown. The whole stadium went silent. It was fourth down as well so this meant this was the last play of the game.
The Rogue quarterback dropped back for a pass. Predictable, in situations like this the Hail Mary Pass was the only option. The ball went all the way to the goal line, heading toward the direction of one lone Rogue receiver surrounded by two Monarch defensive backs. By some miracle or pure dumb luck, the receiver managed to catch the pass and get in enough to break the plane, earning the Rogues the six points to win the game as the buzzer was heard.
The stadium went wild. For the first time in almost a decade, the Rogues had defeated their rivals. Probably the loudest was where Bruce and Shayera sat because Shayera was leading the cheers. Before Bruce knew it, he found himself absconded to the local restaurant across the street from the stadium celebrating with the fans. What happened next was much of a blur but he did recall him and Shayera having a great time leading the celebrations among the fans.
Finally Bruce realized it was getting late and he should escort Shayera back to at least a safe place where she could teleport. Besides he had to call Dick who went back to the Manor with Barbara and the car. They walking around the street corner, Shayera was still humming that stupid fight song. She was no near drunk. Thanagarians had a high tolerance for alcohol, but this was the most wild Bruce had ever seen her.
Shayera sensed Bruce was picking up on her somewhat immature behavior and laughed.
"I am sorry. I have not had this much fun in a while."
"Me too," Bruce said with sincerity. As much as he dreaded going on this date, he could not deny that he and Shayera had a blast. Perhaps he would go to football games more often.
But before Shayera could respond the two were interrupted by a drunken yell.
"Traitor bitch!" yelled an obvious intoxicated Monarch fan. Bruce groan, this was ruining a nice moment.
Shayera just sighed. Some things may never change, and she was content with that.
"Excuse me sir, I think you have had too much," Bruce said, not bother to hide the threat in his voice.
The drunken fan laughed.
"O you think you can take me? Mr. Tabloid?" The man proceeded to spit at Bruce's direction.
Shayera was really tempted to use all her might to beat that man to the pulp, but thought better of it. As Superman said, she was on thin ice.
"Come on Bruce, ignore him," Shayera said leading Bruce away who reluctantly followed her. The drunken man however attempted to follow and kept shouting insults.
"I guess you have it rock bottom Mr. Wayne when all you can date now is freakin' winged bitch who is such a cu-"
Before Shayera could blink, the man was out cold with Bruce standing angrily over him. Shayera's mouth was agape. She knew Bruce could easily knock the basturd out, but Bruce never showed that side when he was in playboy disguise. She was looking around to make sure no one saw.
"Bruce what did you do that for? I am used to it. You even have made it clear how you do not trust me still."
Bruce slowly looked at her, his anger subsiding. "It does not matter whether you deserve trust or not. You have done enough to earn respect at least. And this," he kicked the passed out drunk, "garbage did not respect you."
Shayera smiled. "So you do care."
Bruce muttered, "It happens," and continued to walk along the street. Shayera decided it was now or never to make her pitch.
"Bruce, when you said you had a good time be honest, did you?"
Bruce looked at her gently and sighed, "I did Shayera. Believe me I did not came here expecting to have a good time. I guess being Batman I thought I would never have fun again."
"Or have friends?" Shayera bluntly pointed in.
That earned a momentarily surprise look on Bruce's face.
"Bruce. Be honest with me, do you miss being part of the League? Do not worry I will not tell anyone."
Bruce sighed, if asked a month ago he probably would have just ran away or denied it, but the past few weeks had changed him. Made him more vulnerable. Being reunited with the batclan had opened his heart again, and he did not like it.
"I do. But it is too late. I pushed Clark and the rest of them away. Just like everybody else. I would not blame them for not taking me back after everything I have done. They all hate me and I-"
"That is not true! They love Bruce. Sure you piss them off majority of the time, but they all love you, especially Clark and Diana."
Bruce snorted at the mention of her name.
"Are you kidding me? Diana probably hates me the most."
Shayera sighed, he had a point there. "Ok maybe she does. But Clark and the rest still consider you a friend! You cannot forget old friends like that especially what we have all been thru together."
Bruce sighed, Shayera had a point. He tried to push them away and was failing miserably. The only result was everybody was getting hurt.
"But I do not know how. I cannot just waltz back up in the Watchtower like nothing's happened. Plus you know I am not big on emotional apologies."
Shayera furrowed her brow, she was tempted to offer Batman a way to return to the League without looking like he was being overly sentimental, but realized that it would still probably be too soon. Not when he was finally starting to have an epiphany.
Shayera instead smiled and kissed him on a cheek.
"You will find a way. You are the World's Greatest Detective."
Bruce smiled, "Thanks Shayera. Thank you for reminding me despite being the world's biggest ass, that I still somehow inexplicably still have friends."
Shayera laughed at the joke. She was about to call Mister Terrific to beam her up but Bruce gabbed her hand.
"Before you go, I have a question…"
Shayera had a feeling what he was going to ask.
"Ask her yourself Bruce when you do your date with her. Besides, Diana and I are not on good terms right now so I would be a little bias."
"But what do I do? Where should I-"
"That is for you to decide. What is she to you Bruce? Family? Friend? Or something else."
No answer, Shayera decided to call it a night and called Mister Terrific, within a blink she was gone, leaving a lonely Bruce thinking to himself at the street corner waiting for Dick to pick him up.
Shayera yawned and sighed as she stepped off the teleport platform, it was a long day. She needed a shower. She ignored Holt who was giving her a curious look and made her way to her room. She was so tired she did not at first realize someone was in her room when she entered, but only for a moment. Immediately she turned around ready to knock out the attacker but found her hands gripped by two strong ones.
"What the hell John? What are you doing here?"
"I was checking up on-"
"I have said this before Stewart, what I do in my life only concerns me. You gave that right up a long time ago!"
"Only because you broke our trust!" John shot back angrily.
That really did hurt Shayera but she did not show it. Instead her eyes lit aflame and she broke free from John's grip.
"Get out John, now!"
"I was-"
"NOW!" she shrieked, the man was already damaging her heat enough. It was best if he just left. However John did not leave but just stood there.
Shayera took a step forward to John who was taller than her but not by much.
"You are so pathetic," she whispered harshly.
No answer, John continued to give her an impassive stare. That infuriated Shayera even more. She was determined to get a reaction out of him.
"Guess what, me and Bruce kissed at the game," she said wickedly. John's eyes widen in shock for a fraction of a second but quickly resumed their apathetic look.
"So?"
"Oh do not act like it does not bother you, why are you here?"
"I am just being concerned for a co-"
"Is that what I am to you? A co-worker? Well at least you acknowledge my existence in your life," Shayera replied sarcastically.
John sighed, although he did not show it, he was terrified on the inside. Scared of what he was doing here, scared that if he trusted her again she would break his heart again, but most of all scared how this was going horribly wrong and he was pushing her away, forever.
"I never would forget you Shayera," John whispered softly.
Shayera's blood boiled in that remark, she was sick and tired of this man. And yet despite everything, she still loved him.
"I hate you!" she shouted.
Still no reply from John who kept staring her down.
"Get out!" Shayera yelled again pointing to his door. John did not move, he was at lost. He had ruined it, maybe for good, yet his heart kept screaming he still had a chance.
"Do you hear what I said? Get ou-oompf!" Shayera yelled before John grabbed her and violently threw her against the wall, his arms pinning her shoulders.
Shayera, in spite of her pride, could not help notice how her heart rate was rising, and this was not due to the sudden unexpected response from John. She hated herself how her body seemed to be betraying her mind.
"What are you doing?" angrily.
John responded by kissing her. It was not a sweet kiss, but instead very violent and passionate. The two were locked in a crazy frenzy of love. A love that tried to be buried all this time only to re-emerge now. Finally John needed air and reluctantly broke the kiss.
"I am showing you how a real man loves a woman," he growled in his deep voice.
Shayera grin wickedly, and before John could respond, she had broke his hold and aggressively tackled him onto her bed.
"I got to warn you, I do not play nice," Shayera responded.
John grabbed her by the neck and quickly brought her down to him as the two resumed their violent act of passion.
