Started writing this on April 19th, and then saw someone left a comment on my Secondchance New Years story asking for it. So, this is for you - SunkissAngel. Thank you for your support and engagement.
As Giovanni and Artemis made awkward small talk, a thought occurred to Artemis.
"So, how did you two meet?" She asked, wanting to hear the story.
Giovanni chuckled, "well. It started like this.."
It was during the Injustice League's world wide gardening campaign. Batman, Red Tornado and Giovanni were trying to keep the spores from affecting the public. After stopping a large spore cloud, Giovanni's bubble shield was suddenly smacked hard, flying through the air in a really wide arch. He ricocheted around in the bubble as it began to fall down to the Earth and it crashed hard into a building.
Giovanni woke up, pain in his.. everything really, his ears were ringing as he looked around. Furniture, a woman sitting in a chair- was she looking at him? Oh God-
"Uh.." oof, pain in his jaw. Not good, he smelt magic in the spores and-
"Here."
Giovanni looked up to see a glass of water and a few pills. He looked up at her, caution in his movements as he took them.
"It probably won't be very effective." She said, "but it will help."
Giovanni looked at her, still not taking the pills. "Who are you?" She seemed very calm. What was going on here?
"My name's Paula." A smile crossed her lips.
"Paula.. I think I've heard that name before." If this was who Giovanni thought it was, he had to be safe. She's gone straight, right?
"I think you've met my daughter." Paula said. "Her name is Artemis." She looked at the pills. "I get it. You don't trust me. No one does. But, that's to be expected."
"It's because I don't know you." Giovanni said, looking at her hands- seeing she was wheelchair bound. So, she was good? Must have been lonely.. "but, I'd like to." He took the pills and drank the water. He could feel the same gross feeling of the pills and the relief of the water.
Paula's eyes were wide in surprise, before she smiled. "I'd like that." She held her hand out for the glass. "But right now, I think you have a job to do."
Giovanni smiled, handing her the glass back. "I do indeed. Thank you." He walked to the broken part of the building, and stopped to look at the damage. "Riaper eht egamad."
The wall that was broken began to repair itself, the bricks on the outside moving back into place first followed by the drywall.
He turned to her with a smile, "apologies for that. I hope you don't mind that I cleaned up."
Paula smiled. "I don't mind at all. Have fun."
He nodded, "I will." He opened the window. "Hope you have a good night. Call me if you want to be friends." He then left, flying off to help Batman and Red Tornado.
"Where were you?" Batman asked, landing on Giovanni's flight disc.
Smiling, Giovanni answered with, "I was making a friend."
Paula looked at the glass, seeing that it was dry. Smiling when she saw a playing card with phone number written on it.
"Well, someone finally got my card right."