A/N: I'm glad to see people are reading, but I am even more glad that thanks to the amazing Alverrann, I don't have to post this without having a single reviewer =P

Chapter One: Out of the Blue

July 2004

Batman looked the newcomer up and down, taking in every detail of the muscular man before him.

"I thought you retired."

"Yeah, well, I got shanghaied," was the gruff explanation.

"Shanghaied," Batman repeated.

"Exactly. Shanghaied. By two of the most stubborn women on the planet."

Batman raised an eyebrow. "As I recall, you're pretty stubborn yourself."

The other man snorted. "That I am, but there's just no telling these two no. I said to them I wasn't getting involved anymore, but they just kept badgering…"

Batman turned to look at Wonder Woman and Black Canary, who were both beaming, totally unrepentant.

"He'll be good for the team," Wonder Woman said to Batman. "He's got experience, skill, and the wisdom to make good decisions."

"Plus, he's tough as nails, and damn near impossible to kill," Black Canary put in. "And we could always use an extra Leaguer."

"Did you discuss this with Superman?" Batman wanted to know.

"He told us to check with you," Wonder Woman admitted, "but he's fine with it."

Batman returned his gaze to the man, who looked almost bored with the conversation. "Well," he said, "shanghaied or not, I don't believe even Diana and Canary could have convinced you to get back in the business if you didn't want to."

At this the man smirked. "Yeah, so maybe I'm getting bored. Watching Kent and Diana flying about doing hero stuff brings back memories of the old days. And Dinah never wastes an opportunity to tell me what I'm missing."

Batman shrugged. "You're a man who knows your own mind. I don't doubt that this is where you want to be. And your record speaks for itself."

The man rolled his eyes. "This fellow," he said, his voice taking on an exasperated tone that indicated he was familiar with bat-speech, "always talking in circles. Am I in or not?" he demanded.

Batman's expression didn't change, but there was a slight hint of amusement in his voice when he responded, "Welcome to the Justice League."

The JSA hero known as Wildcat grinned while Wonder Woman and Black Canary congratulated each other on a successful mission.

Hawkgirl spoke up from where she'd been observing the exchange. "So, this brings the number of Leaguers up to…" She made a quick count in her head. "Fifteen, right?"

"Yep," Black Canary confirmed.

"We're growing," Wonder Woman added. "We've doubled our members in the last two years."

"Princess, that's super slow growth," said Hawkgirl. "If the League were a military, we'd have issued conscription orders long ago."

"But we're not, are we?" Wonder Woman pointed out sagely. She noticed Batman and Wildcat walking off to another part of the Watchtower, already deep in conversation that was out of the women's earshot. "Dinah, does it seem to you that Ted is personally acquainted with Batman? They appear to be rather familiar with each other."

Black Canary shrugged. "Ted's never been to Gotham, as far as I know – he can't be…" She trailed off, her eyes widening as she appeared to remember something. "Oh, no, that couldn't have been…no way in hell…"

"What?" Hawkgirl asked curiously.

"Ted mentioned to me, once, very briefly, that he'd once trained a young man from Gotham – a moody, stubborn apprentice who insisted on pushing boundaries and questioning his methods at every turn."

Wonder Woman frowned. "So?"

"Diana, that fits the description of a young Bruce Wayne."

Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl both blinked, then their eyes grew large in comprehension.

"Oh, my," said the Amazon.

"So, let me get this straight," said Hawkgirl. "Our newest League member…trained Batman?"

Black Canary burst out giggling. "Oh, my God, he did. I never thought…Ted told me that story because he was hoping I wouldn't turn out to be as headstrong as that apprentice. I never thought he meant Bruce."

"So there's at least one newcomer who won't be intimidated by Batman," Hawkgirl observed.

"More than that," corrected Wonder Woman. "Aquaman is never one to be cowed, and Vixen is a feisty soul herself."

"Vixen acquitted herself very well in the mission in Africa," Hawkgirl agreed.

"It's nice to have more women on the team," Black Canary said happily. "With the three of us, Vixen, and Zatanna, the men only outnumber us two to one now."

"Speaking of men, when are you getting that husband of yours up here?" Hawkgirl inquired.

"No idea. Probably not for some time, if ever. He's quite happy being mayor and looking after Robbie and Artemis when I'm on League duty." The Queens' eight-month-old son and fifteen-year-old adopted daughter were the apples of Oliver's eyes.

"Also speaking of men…" Wonder Woman spoke up. "Hawkgirl, what do you think of the Atom?"

"Not my type."

"Seems like no one's your type," commented Black Canary. "I mean, it's pretty obvious who Diana's type is…" She and Hawkgirl smiled identical teasing grins at the expense of Wonder Woman, who rolled her eyes at yet another mention of her attraction to a certain dark knight. "…but in all the time I've known you, I've never heard you talk about a single guy you've found interesting." Her eyebrows rose as something occurred to her. "Or are you into women?"

"Hawkgirl's into women? When did this happen?" Flash appeared suddenly, fresh from beaming aboard.

"Yom shigureth!" Hawkgirl exclaimed crossly. "So what if I am?"

Wonder Woman's and Black Canary's eyes widened, and Flash's nearly popped out of his skull.

"Wait, you mean you really –?"

"No." Hawkgirl grunted. "Just because I don't flirt with men doesn't mean I'm not interested in them. Now will you get off my back?"

"Aha, so you are interested!" Black Canary pounced on her slip. "So if you're not flirting, does that mean you've already got someone?" she asked archly. Wonder Woman also looked interested; all three women appeared to have forgotten Flash's presence.

Hawkgirl said nothing.

"I do not hear a denial," Wonder Woman said with a smile. She was always happy when her sisters-in-arms found good men.

"Neither do I," Canary agreed. "Come on, Shayera, spill! Is it someone we know?"

"No."

"No, we don't know him, or no, you won't spill?"

"I am not having this conversation."

Both Wonder Woman and Black Canary noticed the warning note in their fellow female's voice, so they obligingly dropped the subject.

"Well," sighed Canary, "I'll tell you one thing: you're awfully good at keeping us in suspense."

Hawkgirl's lips twitched into a small smirk.

Canary had moved back to the general topic. "I wouldn't say Atom is my type either, but I'll say this: if I wasn't happily married, I'd be ogling Aquaman every time he comes up here."

"He's married too," Wonder Woman pointed out with some amusement.

"I can still appreciate his looks, can't I?"

"Married or not, you still ogle." Hawkgirl smirked. "I'm starting to wonder if one of us ought to warn Oliver."

"Oliver has no room to talk. He was a notorious womanizer before I finally pinned him down — and he's not oblivious enough to think I haven't noticed the way he looks whenever a pretty girl walks by him."

Wonder Woman raised an eyebrow. "Is that something to be concerned about?"

"Nah," Canary answered easily. "So long as all he does is look, I don't have a problem. Besides, he learned his lesson about that a long time ago. I trust him to do nothing more than I would." She winked.

The three women laughed as they headed for the cafeteria, leaving Flash shaking his head in bewilderment behind them.

"I wonder what else they talk about during these gossip sessions."

Hal raised his hand in a wave as he saw Ace approaching. Ace grinned and waved back, quickening his step.

One and a half months on since the Peregrine crash, Ace had fully recovered and was ready to get back to work. The investigation into the affair had found nothing amiss, and finally concluded that whatever unlikely blockage had prevented the plane from obtaining the fuel from the tank, it had been incinerated in the crash and the resulting flames. Carl Ferris had managed to salvage the contract with U.S.A.F. after substantial negotiations, and it had been back to business as usual for Ferris Air for the past three weeks.

As Ace reached the outdoor café table, Hal said, "Good to see you healthy, buddy."

Ace chuckled. "You can't get rid of me that easily," he bantered as he sat down. "I may not be U.S.A.F., but I'm a pretty fine pilot, if I do say so myself."

"You're a great pilot," Hal responded sincerely. If it hadn't been for his resourcefulness in the air, Ace might not have survived the failure of the Peregrine. "So when are you getting back to work?"

"Sometime this week, should be." Ace was about to say something else, but they both had to turn to waitress who approached them then.

"Hi, can I take your order?"

Hal asked Ace what he wanted, and Ace told him. As Hal ordered their food, Ace took the opportunity to study him. He hadn't seen much of Hal during his convalescence, but Tom Kalmaku — a mutual friend of theirs in Ferris Air — had told him about the huge row in Carol's office, and Ace had been worrying about Hal since.

Once the waitress had gone, Ace spoke up. "So, how are you, Hal?"

Hal shrugged. "I'm okay," he said lightly. "It's been a rather boring couple of weeks, to be honest. I've missed you."

Ace nodded absently, still wondering how to broach the sensitive topic. Finally, he decided to just be direct.

"How are you and Carol?" It was a frequent enough question from Ace due to the rocky nature of the pair's relationship, but in light of recent events it was more heavily weighted than ever before.

Hal gave him a long look. "Who told you?"

"Tom," replied Ace, totally unrepentant.

"I should've known." Hal shook his head. "Carol's office isn't the best place to have a fight."

"No kidding," Ace agreed. "But that was over a month ago, right? Have you guys made up yet?"

Hal sighed. "I don't think we're making up this time, Ace."

"Shit, really?" At Hal's nod, Ace muttered, "Damn. I didn't realize it was that serious – I know you missed the flight test, but…"

"It's not just the flight test, Ace." Hal rested his hands on the table. "Carol and I…we've had problems since the very beginning – as soon as one problem was solved, another one took its place. Our whole relationship has been one long series of fights with occasional peaceful breaks in between." Hal smiled humorlessly. "It had to end sometime."

"Hal, are you sure…?" Ace asked in concern. "You and Carol have known each other for eons – you've pretty much been with her since high school, even if you both have dated other people occasionally. I mean, I know you guys have problems – Lord knows, you have problems," he said wryly, "— but somehow you've always managed to work it out before. And as your friend, I have to tell you that you're throwing away what could be a really great thing."

Hal's tone was serious as he said, "Ace, trust me when I say there are obstacles – mainly on my part – which would never allow for a smooth relationship between Carol and me. After years of trying and failing to overcome those obstacles, I think it's time to let go – for my sake and Carol's. Hopefully with time, Carol can forgive me, and we can go back to being friends, like we were as kids."

"That's going to be a very long time," Ace observed sympathetically.

"I live in hope," Hal quipped.

"You're sure about this?"

"Yeah." Hal exhaled. "Carol and I are over, Ace. Actually, I'm kind of already seeing someone else."

Ace stared at him. "You don't waste any time, do you?" he said, with a teasing tone.

"I wasn't looking to get involved so fast," Hal defended. "It was a girl I'd known for a while, a friend – she showed up when I was down, she was supportive, and things just…happened."

Since that first night with Arisia, their connection had just sort of…progressed. Hal had to admit that part of the fun of the new relationship was the novelty of being with a non-Terran – but mostly, the reason his young romance with Arisia was already looking more solid than twelve years with Carol was the fact that he didn't have to hide anything from her.

Hal decided to change the subject. "Besides, why are we always talking about my love life, anyway? What's going on with you and Irene? You're coming up on three years now – am I going to get invited to a wedding soon?" he suggested cheekily.

"Shut up, idiot," Ace said good-naturedly.

"Oh, no, it's my turn." Hal smirked. "So, when are you –"

BANG!

Both Hal and Ace threw themselves out of the way of the blast that reduced their metal table to shards. Around them, the restaurant's other customers ducked as well, a few swearing, many more screaming. Hal's and Ace's eyes met across the ruins of their table.

"What the hell was that?" Ace exclaimed.

Hal shook his head, scanning the area. A shadow loomed over the ground, and he and Ace looked up to see a figured dressed in what looked like blue armor over a purple uniform, with a visored blue helmet covering their face.

"I am Doctor Polaris, and I challenge the Green Lantern!"

"Is this guy for real?" demanded Ace. He glanced back at Hal, only to find empty air. "What the – Hal?!"

Ace raised his head as far as he dared; the restaurant's customers were on their feet, dashing every which way to make their escape to another area. There was no sign of his friend.

"Hal!"

Upon hearing Doctor Polaris issue his challenge, Hal had quickly retrieved his ring from his pocket and slipped it on. Before Ace had turned to look at him, Hal had already used the ring to bend light around his body, rendering him invisible to Ace even though the other man was less than three feet away.

Hal knew very little about Doctor Polaris; the magnetism manipulator had been part of Darkseid's coalition of villains during the Parallax crisis, but he'd been recaptured by the Coast City police with Hawkgirl's help before the final battle. Hal had never encountered the man personally, and he had no idea why Polaris would want to challenge Green Lantern.

Still invisible, Hal rose into the air and flew to a spot several yards away from Doctor Polaris before opting to become visible, now as Green Lantern.

"You called, Doctor?" he said mockingly.

The visored head turned towards him, and Polaris' voice was jubilant as he spoke. "Ah, yes! The protector of Coast City! I require you to show a demonstration of my powers."

"Excuse me?"

"I will fight you, Green Lantern, and prove to all that magnetism is a force to be reckoned with!"

Hal had a brief second to wonder whether his current adversary was mentally unstable before a purple aura engulfed one of the restaurant's metal tables, causing it to rise and hurtle at him. Hal instinctively put up a simple barrier, but the impact of the table colliding against his will was jarring.

Doctor Polaris levitated more tables, and, more prepared this time, Hal encased himself in a protective bubble, letting the tables clang harmlessly off the green barrier.

At that point, Polaris revealed another weapon in his arsenal: electromagnetism. Drifting closer towards Hal, Polaris aimed his fist at him and let loose a bolt of electricity. Caught off-guard, Hal's shield wavered along with his concentration, and the electricity crashed into him. The force field that always surrounded him when he was Green Lantern prevented a lethal blow, but did nothing to avert the pain and shock of having 500 volts charge through his body. With a cry, Hal dropped like a stone.

"OW." Hal groaned as he slowly regained feeling in his extremities – feeling of the twitching, tingling kind, like there were a thousand pins and needles poking into his nerves. Ow was an understatement.

Surprisingly, Doctor Polaris had not pressed his advantage, and was instead hovering in the sky waiting for Green Lantern to recover.

"Come again, Green Lantern – I have not finished my demonstration." Doctor Polaris apparently had a point to prove with this magnetism stuff. The villain raised his hands to generate more electricity; a few secondary bolts strayed in all directions, threatening to break free of Polaris' control.

As he recovered enough to pull himself to his knees, Hal noticed movement near the restaurant wall. He inhaled sharply as he recognized Ace. What the hell are you still doing here?!

Doctor Polaris increased the voltage of electricity, and this time a loose bolt did break away, heading straight for Ace.

Hal extended his arm, willing an energy construct to push Ace out of the way of the electricity, but his ring chose that moment to remind him that he had forgotten to charge it – by flickering and dying.

Hal didn't even have time to be horrified before the electrical energy slammed into Ace.

A/N: Next chapter comes up Friday!