"Removing your wings was more than just a punishment," Bruce continued. "We have been so focused on you and your wings…but Earth has been the target this entire time." Shayera sat on the bench and hung her head in defeat. "So, even if you had handed me over, Earth would have still been invaded." Bruce sat down next to her. "I should have never brought you to the Watchtower." Shayera snapped her head up and stared at Bruce shockingly. "Yes, I know," Bruce caught her eye with a smirk. "It's not every day I admit that I'm wrong in doing something."
"You never admit when you're wrong."
"How often am I wrong?" he asked with a smirk. Shayera's breath caught in her throat as Bruce's bright blue eyes bore into her green ones. "Not often," Shayera said breathlessly.
"But I was wrong when I took you to the Watchtower that day," he said. Shayera saw a small, tiny, minute hint of sadness in his eyes.
"Then why did you?" she asked.
"Why didn't you fight me?" Bruce questioned with a slight smile.
"I asked you first," Shayera said. Bruce only stared at her with a raised brow. Clearly, he was not going to answer first. Shayera looked down. "I figured I deserved whatever was coming."
"You didn't-"
"I know that now," Shayera interrupted. "When I saw Issi, I immediately knew what to expect. I was just so tired of running."
"I don't know why I brought you to the Watchtower," Bruce said as he looked away from Shayera.
"I don't buy that for a second," Shayera said. "Whether you're dressed as Batman or Bruce Wayne – you always do things for a reason." Bruce inhaled and then exhaled. "I remember the first time we stood together as a group. I was watching you. When you thought everyone wasn't looking, you began studying each of us closely. Then your gaze landed on Green Lantern. At the time, I thought it was a smile. But looking back, it was a smirk. You were looking for a target. Why?"
"I needed to solidify my place in the group," Shayera whispered. "Becoming romantically involved with someone seemed to be the best course of action. Superman was larger than life and seemed to always have his head in the clouds." Bruce smirked at that. "Flash was too immature. The Martian Manhunter…I couldn't take the chance. Wonder Woman is gorgeous, but I don't swing that way. Also, she's just as dominating as I am. We barely got along in general. But Green Lantern – or John – he wore his heart on his sleeve. I remember thinking about how easy it would be for me to make him fall in love. A flirty, borderline sexual comment here and there - pretend to not understand the way of humans. Let him think he was rescuing me. Act tough; pretend I was setting up emotional walls, guarding myself, afraid to show the real me. The day I took off my mask and showed him my face…I knew I had him. I could see it in his eyes. Showing my face to him and no one else - he thought I finally opened up to him. He thought I had laid all my cards on the table. He thought he had my heart," Shayera whispered. "But he didn't. He had and saw what I wanted him to see." Shayera stopped speaking for a second. "Wow," she gasped. "I really am ruthless," she whispered.
"Ruthless or not. There is no doubting your intelligence," Bruce paused in thought. "You didn't know any better, Shayera. You were doing what you were programmed to do."
"Programmed? I am not a machine," Shayera contested.
"You were trained to do whatever was demanded of you, no questions asked. The way you were trained goes beyond brainwashing," Bruce said. Shayera reflected on what Bruce said. "How about me?" Bruce asked, giving her a gentle nudge.
"Hmm?" she said, not understanding.
"You never said why you didn't choose me."
"Oh," she said, "I took one look at you and decided 'no'. Your stance, your body language, the way you seemed to pick up on everything – I don't think I would have been able to fool you. Also, you looked imposing dressed in all black, with the pointy things on your head."
"I was resembling a bat," Bruce said wryly.
"I know that now. But you, standing there with your arms crossed, lips pursed, glaring at everyone – everything about you screamed dangerous," Shayera said standing up and stretching. Bruce stood with her. "And I couldn't risk my mission," Shayera finished with a yawn. "I need sleep."
"What about now?" Bruce asked, grasping her hand. He didn't want her pulling away. "What do you mean?" Shayera asked, not quite understanding what he was trying to ask.
"Am I still…dangerous?" he pulled her closer, his voice growing husky.
"Yeah," Shayera proclaimed, shocked he would even ask that. "You're Batman. Batman is scary dangerous."
"And Bruce Wayne?" he asked as he cupped her other cheek with his hand and stroked her bottom lip with his thumb. "What about Bruce Wayne?" Shayera really wished her hair wasn't in a ponytail. She wanted to cover the heat rising in her cheeks. She needed to…she didn't know what she needed to do, but she felt like she was she needed to do something. She thought about stepping away from him; but his piercing blue eyes pinned her to the spot. She swallowed thickly. Was it getting hot in here? "Y-you as Bruce Wayne are very dangerous," she whispered breathlessly.
"Are you afraid of me?" he asked, bringing up the hand he was holding, intertwining their fingers.
"Why would I be afraid of you?" Shayera managed to squeak out.
"You tell me," he said taking a step forward, crowding her personal space. "Every time I get this close to you, you runaway."
"I do not," Shayera protested softly as she inadvertently took a step back...or attempted to. Bruce had her in a vice-like grip. He held her tightly, yet gently and raised an amusing eyebrow at her. "I just don't – understand what you want from me," she said. Bruce slowly released and took a step back. "Shayera," he said, peering at her intently, "I don't want anything from you. When I helped you, when I kissed you – I don't expect anything from you. Maybe my flirting has been a tad bit overt, and I can dial it back. But Shayera, I don't want anything from you. I just…want…you," he finished softly. Shayera was speechless. Never in her wildest dreams did she think Batman would…her thoughts trailed off. "Do you want to know the real reason behind why I was always watching you?"
"You didn't trust me," she stated.
"No," he shook his head. "I was attracted to you, and I couldn't understand why. I don't…fall in love," Bruce continued. "Ever."
"What about Catwoman?" Shayera whispered. "Was that not love?"
"That romance was doomed from the start. But you, I couldn't understand why I felt the way I felt. Still don't. But make no mistake, Shayera, I don't want anything from you." Bruce placed his hands on her shoulders and bent down until he was eye-level with her. "I mean it, Shayera," he said. "I need you to understand, you owe me absolutely nothing," he emphasized. Shayera opened her mouth and then closed it. She opened her mouth again to say something, but then closed it. "It's okay. You don't have to say anything"," he gave her lips one last lingering look, before switching topics. We're going to have to start prepping for an attack. I know that we can't stop them from entering Earth's atmosphere. But we need to keep the fighting in the air. How long does it take to get from Thanagar to Earth?" Bruce asked her. Shayera's brain could barely keep up with subject change. "With ships, three days," she answered. Bruce began to pace, as he was deep in thought. "Bruce," Shayera said firmly. "It is almost 4 in the morning. You've been up longer than me; and I'm nearing 24 hours. You're not gonna solve this right now. You need sleep. I need sleep."
"You're right," he said. "I can't work if my brain hasn't had rest. I will see you at noon."
"Don't you have to go to work in three hours?" Shayera asked as she walked side-by-side with Bruce, exiting the gym.
"No," he said, "I own the company. Technically, I can work whenever I want."
"That's cool," Shayera said as they both left the gym.
Issi walked back and forth on the catwalk, glaring at whatever was in front of her. She was wearing her war helmet; her golden greaves were strapped on tight, as well as her gauntlets; she had the traitor's mace strapped to her side. "General Trogaar wants to solidify plans for the attack," Katar said to his betrothed.
"Are the troops prepared?" Issi asked, completely ignoring his statement.
"Yes," Katar said. "They are preparing. General Trogaar wants to talk terms. He's waiting now."
"He can wait longer," Issi replied. Katar grabbed Issi by the upper arm and pulled her to him. "Don't be stupid, Issi," he growled. "We are on the precipice of war with the Gordanians, and you want to keep him waiting?" he shook her with every word. Issi freed himself from his grip, giving him a hard shove. "You know I'm right!" Katar said, sticking a finger in her face. Issi growled, realizing her idiot "husband" was right. "Whether or not the Gordanians help us, we attack Earth within the week. I'm tired of waiting," she stated as she marched past Katar.
J'ohnn sat on the other side of the cell, staring at the dark-skinned hawk in front of him. "I did not get a chance to ask you…why are you able to take your wings off?" he motioned to the beautiful white wings on the bed. "My wings are not organic," Shri stated simply. "How long are you going to keep me here?"
"Thanagar can make wings that you can attach and detach to your spine. How do you control them?"
"With our minds. You cannot keep me here forever," Shri said.
"Interesting. And we have no intention of keeping you here forever." Shri rolled her eyes. "I don't understand why I'm still here," she muttered. J'ohnn said nothing. "I do have a question, though. Why did…she…betray us? Thanagar. We only wanted to help Earth," Shri said.
"Hmm," J'ohnn sat back in his chair thoughtfully. "I believe this is a question only Shayera can answer." J'ohnn paused for a moment, his eyes flashing. Using his mind, J'ohnn opened the door to Shri's cell. "Wha – what are you doing?" Shri asked.
"We are attending a meeting."
"A meeting? Are you not going to tie my hands together?"
"No need. You don't have your wings, and I highly doubt you'll be over to overtake over 100 leaguers." Shri stumbled when J'ohnn said "100 leaguers."
"That many?" Shri bit her lip, "Do they all have superpowers?"
"Not all of them," J'ohnn said as he steered Shri through the Watchtower. "Batman," J'ohnn called. The Caped Crusader paused and turned to look at the Martian Manhunter. "J'ohnn," Batman answered in a monotone voice. He briefly glanced at Shri. "I think she should be there," the Martian Manhunter explained.
"Why?" Batman asked gruffly.
'Trust me, Bruce,' J'ohnn answered telepathically.
"Fine," Bruce huffed before turning away. Shri scowled at Batman's back. "I can feel that," Batman grumbled loudly once again. Shri's eyes widened in shock and amazement. "Let's go," the Martian Manhunter said as he gave Shri a gentle nudge.