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Chapter II - A Long Way from Home
In the hangar of the Watchtower Hawkgirl performed preventive maintenance on the Javelin 7. John entered from an adjacent airlock. He looked at Hawkgirl for a second, but then continued into the station proper.
In the control center he spoke with Superman and explained that he was going to take a small vacation and use the opportunity to clean up the house he used to occupy before he joined the Justice League. John was trying to sell the property but the place needed a little upkeep.
Superman agreed and said that John should take a week or two off but John just wanted a day or two to get the house in order. He was also taking J'onn along who rarely ever got out of the Watchtower except for the usual emergencies.
With that, the duo left the Watchtower in a floating green bubble back to earth, all without saying goodbye to Hawkgirl.
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Back on Earth and about twenty miles outside of StarCity it was daytime in the summer and very hot.
A two-lane highway leads to a dirt road that leads through the woods to a house. Inside the house several bags of groceries have been put away. The red light of the answering machine blinks rapidly. The house is modernly furnished. All the rooms are immaculate and almost look like a model home with the exception of one bedroom that has some actual personal items in it.
Outside, John was stripped to the waist cutting the grass of a very unkempt lawn. He maneuvered the mower around a rusty real estate "For Sale" sign. J'onn wass in his true Martian form cutting hedges with an electric trimmer. He sometimes used a ladder despite being seven feet in height. The hedges and bushes were beginning to take on a beautiful, neat, well-trimmed, but unearthly spired shape. The bushes now had a Martian symmetry and geometry to them. John did not mind.
When they finished John fired up a grill on the deck patio that over looked the backyard. J'onn was trying communing with nature telepathically. John could overhear J'onn's thoughts as he tried to befriend the local backyard animals.
"Here rabbit. Here rabbit. Here rabbit. Oh yes. Here squirrel. Here squirrel."
John could not help but smile.
"I assume Jason Blood will be wanting steak?" John asked.
"Yes. I think Jason will want red meat very much. Very red."
John speared cubes of marinated steak along with some large cut vegetables onto four skewers. He followed the same pattern with some freshly caught salmon and catfish for himself. He then skewered together a bunch of vegetables for J'onn. He opened a nearby styrofoam cooler and cracked open a can of beer and took a swig. He then went to a cooler and poured a glass half-full of cranberry juice and then est of the way with pineapple juice. He inserted a straw.
"Hey, J'onn. Juice time."
The Martian left the backyard zoo and took the proffered drink.
It was early dusk as J'onn had his big green feet up on a reclining lawn chair that sat. John tended to the cooking.
J'onn was comfortable in his pointy headed hexagonal eyed form in front of John because John is truly comfortable with him. The galaxy-trotting member of the Green Lantern Corps had seen so many different life forms that a Martian in his true appearance did not register the slightest difference to him.
"John, you make good juice cocktails," J'onn complimented "This is a wonderful abode. I do not know why you wish to dispose of it. You have pleasing rabbits. What are their names?"
"J'onn, the rabbits aren't really mine per se. They are wild."
"What about the squirrels?"
"The squirrels are free agents as well."
"You are fortunate to have the confluence of so many natural rabbits and squirrels and birds and.other life forms too."
"Oh yeah. If you wait, sometimes you'll see a deer or two come floating through here. I noticed some as I was mowing."
"Fascinating. I shall observe."
"Yeah," John said. "There are rabbit, squirrels, deer, raccoons, hawks, groundhogs always messing around here. It's like a Disneyland cartoon sometimes. It seems to have gotten worse lately. That reminds me. That seems to explain why no one has been keeping up the grounds."
John ran into the house and pushed a button on the answering machine and turned up the volume. The distressed sounding voice of a clearly nervous woman screeched from the speaker.
"Mr. Stewart? This is Cathy from StarCity Realty calling you on Wednesday the 18th at 4p.m.again. Please call me a soon as you get this message. I have really tried and tried. I mean there are people who are interested to the tune of twice what you are asking. Twice! But it really is impossible. We all know you are a very busy man, but maybe you need to use some of your.well.you know. I mean if you can't solve this.ummm. I know I am not crazy because I have several other people who will tell you the same thing is happening to them. Listen Mr. Stewart you are frankly lucky the lawn service man thinks of you as a hero. I have always used them and they are completely professional and very experienced but never have so many men been attacked.so much equipment damaged. The deer, the bees, the rabbits, the birds, the raccoons."
"What about the squirrels?" inquired J'onn.
"Wait for it." advised John.
Cathy's voice continued, ".And what those squirrels did with their nuts. Oh my god. When I heard about it.I.I.well it's the most shocking thing I have ever.Mr. Stewart I don't want to alarm you but I don't think I can ever go into your house again. When I last managed to get across your yard I was showing a very prospective buyer the house and furniture started do move by itself, noises came from the atttic. I'm sorry Mr. Stewart but you have to understand I don't have any special powers or anything. Nor does, well. most anyone else for God's sake. I'm just a real estate agent. If you want your otherwise very lovely house sold please advise me on what to do. I don't think a regular pest exteminator company will be enough in this case. Oh.and.by the way. My daughter loved the autograph. It was most gracious of you to sign it and personalize it and to tell her to drink chocolate milk. That was very sweet. Have a nice day, Mr. Stewart. Please call." A click and the message ended
"I did not know you did autographs." J'onn commented.
John looked confused for a moment.
"Hmm.Chocolate milk? You know what? Flash was with me when I was showing her the house last year. And she left the house keys behind as she was pulling out the drive.flash ran after her.Gosh darn, he was only gone a second. That kid."
They both contemplated this for a second. John turned over the kebobs on the barbecue grill and then spoke.
"That is unacceptable news. How am I going to get this house sold with a shell shocked real estate agent?"
"What do you mean?" J'onn asked.
"This could drive the property value down. I mean, people think the house is haunted or something."
"That is the correct perception."
John stared at his Martian house guest for a second.
"Okay. What is this? Have you been in touch with something telepathically besides the squirrels? In the house too? Hey, J'onn I don't need that kind of thing right now."
"Yes. In the house and the yard. All over," J'onn said.
"Aha," said John raising his can of beer with new understanding. "So that explains why you're making toll phone calls to your demonic friend Jason Blood. Some sort of exorcism is in order, huh? You know, you gotta learn to dial down the middle. Couldn't you have just telepathically summoned him or something?"
"That would be impolite."
"My bad."
Just then the Demon in the form of a man Jason Blood arrived from around the side of the house. Despite the hot weather he is adorned in a black turtleneck sweater, a tweed jacket and slacks.
"Hey.speak of the devil. Welcome. Good to see you again, Jason." John extended a hand and helped Jason Blood up onto the raised wooden patio deck. "Thanks for coming over. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Well if it's not to much trouble"
"'Mi casa es su casa' or something like that. What can I get you?"
"Bloody Mary, thank you." Jason said.
"I will get it." J'onn said, enthusiastically departing for the kitchen. "I will serve, because Hawkgirl has taught me how to mix drinks."
"Oh, good." John remarked. "You can find the vodka in the refrigerator.in the freezer."
Jason looked at John askance. "You keep your vodka in the freezer?"
"Keeps the ice cubes fresh," John quipped. "Holy hell on wheels, Jason. How did you get here from Gotham city so fast?"
"That's a trade secret," Jason quipped back. He then took a deep breath and looked over the yard. After a second he said, "You know you have unsettled spirits here, don't you?"
John sighed and looked around too. He returned to tending the grill.
"How do you want yours done, Jason?" John asked
"Rare."
As the sun set, a human, a Martian and a man/demon lounged in three deck chairs on the lawn eating barbecue while watching the colors of the dusk. The local forest animals watched and brazenly approached them.
Later John got down to business.
"So, you gonna take care of my evil spirit problem, Jason?" he asked.
"Evil?"
"Excuse me. My righteousness-challenged spirit problem?"
"There is not evil. Your perception of evil is."
".Is based on a terrified real estate agent and a terrorized lawn maintenance crew."
"And, yet, here we sit, unmolested."
"Well, those little animals are getting a little close. Okay. Um.are you going to help me evict my non-rent paying, unfortunate and misunderstood Poltergeists? Oh yeah, and keep the wild kingdom over here from attacking people? I don't want to use the word exorci--"
"Then don't," Jason stated flatly.
"Okay. Okay, but I am okay with anything you have in mind." John talked over his shoulder, towards the house, as the beer was having an effect, "I mean I will stomp the silly ghost guts out of any poltergeist that needs and attitude adjustment in there! If whoop-ass is what Casper needs the whoop-ass is what Casper will get!"
"Not that kind of spirit," J'onn corrected.
"What? They don't speak English? No problem I can even hook them up with some high-school spanish." John yelled towards the house again, "Necesitas traer al aguacate del due¤o!"
"You just said it is time for them to `take the avocado from the owner'," translated Jason.
"I did?" John was only slightly disappointed. "Well, heck. Its time for that too."
The three laughed at the mistake. They got up and approached the house together.
"Hey, you two. Don't laugh!" John said while laughing himself. "Don't laugh at my bad Spanish. Look. I can street-talk those sheet wearin'-holes for eyes havin', non grave restin'.Hey anybody in there.who is in there.who is not paying rent, who is running up the cable bill.has got to get ta steppin' and that's that. I ain't playing. Gotta lay down the law. We're comin' in there and if you're still not feeling me, my crew and I are gonna show you the door and we are not gonna open it first!"
Green Lantern slid open the door and they entered.
"Yeah. I think that did it," John said inside the house. "What do you think?"
"Indeed." J'onn agreed disingenuously.
"We will make contact anyhow," Jason said, putting a hand on John's shoulder.
"Why? I deal with evil maladjusted personalities for a living." John spoke truthfully.
"Take a place around the table." Jason indicated a low coffee table in the living room in front of the fireplace.
"Fine ignore my suggestions. Just cause I'm the only action figure in this room whose got his Kung fu grip on straight." John tried to add a note of levity to offset Jason's very somber manner.
"Silence. You are disturbing the spiritual essence." Jason advised.
"Oh, heaven forbid. Or, maybe `hell forbid'. Whichever is applicable," John joked.
"Who will serve as the medium?" Jason asked.
John and J'onn only looked at him quizzically.
"The channel for the entity or entities to come," Jason explained.
"Uhh. Well, I've been drinking a little," John warned. "They probably don't like that."
"I will serve as the `medium'," said J'onn.
"Close your eyes. Clear you minds. Place you hands upon the table with your palms up," Jason began. John and J'onn complied.
"Would it not be more effective if we joined hands?" wondered J'onn aloud.
"Not until we are sure they are not demon spirits."
John opened one eye, and said in an accusing tone. "I thought you said there was `no evil'"
"Silence." Jason took on an overriding ministerial tone. "Clear your mind. Trust me."
John opened both eyes now.
"John, your mind is not clear," J'onn reported.
"Augh. Don't do that." John exclaimed while shutting his eyes quickly and tightly.
A few quiet seconds passed before J'onn reported again that John's mind was apparently on something else..
"John. Perhaps you should call her."
"Excuse me, Jason," John frowned at J'onn as he spoke. "But I was suppose to help a friend with a project, and I just remembereing that fact. I'll be right back"
John walked down the hallway, placed a commlink in his ear and began to speak. Jason Blood raised his eyebrows questioningly at J'onn. Jason maked a lashing motion with his hand plus a whip snap whooshing noise. Jason's pantomine and uncanny ability to make the sound of a cracking whip made J'onn chuckle slightly. John returned.
"Sorry `bout that guys. I'm ready now," John stated.
"It's okay." Jason now started again with a lofty tone in his voice, "Close your eyes. Clear your minds. Join hands."
"Whoa. What about `demon spirit' entities and all that?" John inquired.
"I can handle them. Clear your mind."
The trio tried with real sincerity and concentration on all parts. Jason Blood, true to his ability was interfacing with unsettled spirits of the void. J'onn J'onnz opened his body and soul to be the host of the particular entity that had settled in the house and grounds. They tried hard through the night.
Being that they were all in great concentration, they could easily have been forgiven for not being aware of Hawkgirl's entering throught the patio door. Jason was in mid incantation.
"Spirit foul or spirit fair,
We welcome well, for we have care.
One here waits, true flesh to try,
We feel your mist as you draw nigh.
Seekest thou blood, or vengeance due,
Knowest thou pain or suff'ring too.
Lost life's lost. Fear not the pit,
For the pit's my home and I conquered it.
Find peace in house and willing form,
In home and host. Be Reborn!"
A scream ripped through the fabric of the collective unconsciousness shared in the room. Jason first thought it must be J'onn channeling a spirit but then realizes the cry came from behind him. Upon opening his eyes, Jason saw John running to the falling form a winged woman who had been standing at the edge of the living room.
John carried Hawkgirl over the couch and set her down gently. J'onn transformed into his more conventional form. Hawkgirl's eyes remained closed but she spoke softly and slowly in a whispered voice. Her hands clutched her bare shoulders as if she were cold.
Her eyes squinted as she finally opened them slightly. She seemed to be talking to herself but not in any familiar language. John took one of her hands and rubbed it between his trying to bring her back to reality. She started to see him with recognition. She brought her other hand up to meet his.
"That's it!" John smiled at her, glad to see her regaining lucidity. "Hawkgirl? Did we surprise you, huh? It's not what you think, you know. We were just holding a s‚ance...if that's better." John gave a quick order to the still entranced demon man, "Jason, throw the show in reverse."
"What you wish'd, still holds sway.
And heart and magic, are fast to stay."
"Knock it off, Jason. This is not suppose to happen!" John snapped at Jason.
But Jason was still unreachable. He chanted more.
"A fair wish, is true-fair-trade.
Deal with the truth, for trade-was-made."
"Alright, J'onn, his poetry is getting worse," John stated "Wake him up."
Before J'onn could approach Jason, Hawkgirl suddenly sat up.
"Be calm, John" Hawkgirl spoke with warmth. "I am here. I am with you again, my love."
Hawkgirl now had John's complete attention. John perceived a dramatic change in the very core of Hawkgirl's being. Her usual fractious personality seemed calmer and serene. There was an unmistakable familiarity in the warmth in which she was now looking at him.
J'onn, for his part, could could see the new change in the invisible aura of Hawkgirl. However, he could not specifically identify the new presence within her.
Jason emerged from his trance. He walked over to where the others were on the couch. J'onn was kneeling upright next to the end of the couch and seated one cushion over was Hawkgirl. Kneeling on the floor next to her was John. His face was embraced in her hands.
"J'onn, who or what is possessing her?" Jason wanted to know.
"This, I do not know," J'onn said. "But it seems John knows."
John was now embracing Hawkgirl like a long lost love.
"It is Katma Tui," said John eventually. "My wife."
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Author's Note: Someone once let me read some old comics and some of them were Tales of the Green Lantern Corps. A really well written series with great art work in my opinion. Anyhow at some point they, Katma Tui, John, Killowog, Arkkiss and some other GL's start protecting Earth a lot more and through it all Katma and John fall in love, and get married. I liked this series and they were great.(cont'd next chapt.)