Chapter seven


"Hey, little bro."

Preston started and dropped a carton of orange juice, then watched in horror as it catapulted towards the floor, past his grasping fingers. A green beam shot seemingly out of nowhere and caught the carton, lifting it up to the adjoining counter.

"Dag, John, you could warn a guy....." Preston narrowed his eyes and turned, slamming the fridge. John was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, dressed for bed in a pair of pajama bottoms and an Old Navy tank top, but his eyes, though hooded, were sharp and alert. "What are you doing up?"

"I could ask YOU the same question." The Green Lantern raised a brow at his younger brother, and Preston suddenly felt as if he was a kid again, getting chastised by his older brother after getting caught. "And why are you in someone else's fridge?"

"Are you gonna let me off with a warning this time, or tell Mom?" Preston said mockingly. "Actually, Flash sent me. We're playing video games in the den."

Because of the lack of space for guests in the Watchtower, John had gallantly given up his former room to Katma, and bunked with Superman for the night, while Preston had doubled up with Flash- although the two, after discovering each other's penchant for the X-Box game Halo, had done anything but sleep. The two had began playing the game in Flash's room, then moved to the den. where the "better" T.V. was.

"Halo? At two in the morning?" John shook his head. "You and Flash were made for each other. Will either of you ever grow up?"

"Can't speak for Flash, being as I just met the guy, but as for me....nope!" Preston picked up the juice, along with a bag of Nachos and a box of Nabisco wafers, precariously balancing a can of whipped cream on top of all. "Wanna join us?"

For a minute, John was tempted; then he shook his head.

"Later, then." Preston gave his brother a high sign and headed for the door.

John watched him go, feeling a pang. Sometimes he envied Preston; the guy always seemed to have such a good time, no matter what was going on around him- it had been his nature since he was a kid. And, even at thirty years of age, he STILL looked a decade younger than John, who was only six years older. He shifted his feet. Would it really kill him to play a couple rounds with the guys?

"Pres!"

Preston turned around. "Yeah?"

"Just....wait for me. I'm coming."

Preston's eyes widened in mock surpirise, but he grinned. "Wanna give me a hand with this food, then?"

John caught up with him and did accordingly; and the two continued down the hall. "Preston,"John said.

"Yeah?"

"Look, i'm......sorry about the past few weeks. I know I haven't been myself and......"

"Say no more, John-" and Preston lay a reassuring hand on his brother's shoulder. "You had a lot on your mind, man."

"I'll make it up to you-"

"Look don't get all mushy on me, okay? Just get in here and let me beat your ass!"

John smirked. "Just keep thinking that."

They walked for a moment in silence; then Preston spoke, and his voice was low. "John?"

"Mmmmm?"

"What's going on.....I mean, what are you going to......."

"Do about Hawkgirl?"

"Yeah." Preston knew the basics of the story, as John had talked to him earlier. "What happened.......that was screwed, bro."

"Yes......" John looked up, and for a second, his eyes looked distant again. "We'll work it out."

Had Preston heard him correctly? "What?"

"I said, we'll work it out."

"So....you're staying with her?" Preston had to get this straight.

"Of course." John looked at him as if he was crazy. "Why wouldn't I?"

"I...you...." Preston paused in front of the den door, staring in bewilderment at the body of the alien that claimed to be his brother. "She betrayed you and the Justice league.....sold you out to a Thangerian force....is pregnant by her ex......."

John winced so abruptly that Preston immeadiatey wished he hadn't brought anything up. "I know. She made a horrible mistake- adn she's paying for it now, in the worst possible way. Why should I punish her even more..... add to her misery?" He shook his head. "We all have pasts.........and I do love her, Pres."

Preston felt his breath catch in his throat, feeling as if he was watching one of those stupid Lifetime movies he watched- and occasionally shed a tear over- on the sly, of course. He'd never seen his brother so....emotional before.

"When you love someone, and it's really....there," his brother continued, "you'll want to do anything to make that relationship work. So we're working it out." He folded his arms and managed a wry smile. "You'll know, someday."

"Please," Preston muttered. If he was ever foolish enough to fall in love, he was definetely doing it with a minumum of drama. "I'm glad for you, though," he managed to say. "Good luck- does she know, though?"

"Yeah," the Green Lantern said, the slight smile again on his face. "We still have a lot of talking to do, though. After she's recovered. Then, there's the baby to consider......."

Preston shook his head and pushed the den door open with his fist. Thinking about his brother's love life was excruciatingly mind-boggling; his head was beginning to ache. "Forget it; I can't take any more!"

John laughed and pushed his way into the den with Preston. Flash was lying on the floor, splayed on the rug, holding his controller. "Preston! Food! Where the hell were ya?!? Oh....hi, John," he muttered, the enthusiasm in his tone dampening signifigantly. "Um, how are you doing?"

"Fine, Flash." John sat on the floor and stretched his legs out on front of him, pulling out a Nabisco wafer and crowning it with a dollop of whipped cream. "So fine, in fact, that I decided to join you guys.....and kick both your butts." He popped the wafer into his mouth.

Flash froze in surprise.....then his trademark grin slowly crept over his mouth, lighting up his whole face. "Let's get to it!" He bent and popped the game in; then looked up at John, his "game face" melting into a look of concern. "Hey, man.....are you gonna be okay?"

"Yes." John grinned at him, folding his arms. "We're gonna be okay."

"Awesome."

*************************************************************

Hawkgirl rolled over slightly, woken from a sound sleep, by the sound of......snoring.

Alarmed, she rolled over slightly and sat up in bed, grasping her mace with one hand, ready to brain the intruder. Wings or not........

But the snoring man lying on her floor was......

"John?"

He opened his eyes slightly; his eyelids flickered, and he sighed, then resumed snoring.

Tears pricking behind her eyelids, Hawkgirl gazed at him, sleeping on her floor, a pillow and a thin sheet his only padding. They had talked earlier all that day, and although he had seemed resigned to the idea of her being pregnant by Kator, and also seemed to have forgiven her for her action of betrayal, she hadn't harbored a single hope that.........he still cared for her.....in that way......

She slipped out from underneath her covers and joined him on the floor, curling deep into his side. His body felt the same- hard, muscular, and so very, very warm......although it seemed so much leaner than before.......she nestled into his chest as she had that afternoon, closing her eyes.....and for the first time in a month, felt totally at peace.....and didn't feel so...filthy. Or violated. She rolled over, taking his hand in hers.......

.......and felt a lump, on his pinkie finger. She lifted the hand up, gasping sligtly in surprise at what she saw. Her eyes filled.

"He kept the ring....."

Everything was going to work out between them.

It just had to.

*************************************************************

Oh......my......God......

Katma grabbed the edge of the doorway, struggling to steady herself, wondering if for a moment she might faint. In her olther hand was a tray of hot tea, eggs, bread, and sausage, intended for Hawkgirl, who she felt some concern for- she hadn't heard a peep out of the girl since the night before.

Now she saw her on the floor of her room, nestled in the arms of a very sleeping...and VERY content-looking John Stewart.

Doing a passable imatation of one of Flash's goldfish, she backed speedily out of the doorway, dropping the linens and nearly dropping the tray. Pressing her back against the wall in the hallway, she made a controlled effort to compose herself.

This....can't......be!

What was going ON? As of yesterday, there seemed no hope for reconcilliation between the two....and now.......

"Well, what did you hope?" she chastised herself sharply. "That he would dump her when he heard about the father's identity and come crawling to you for comfort?"

The sick feeling in her stomach told her that that was exactly what she'd hoped.

Pressing her fist to her chest, she sucked in a deep breath. What was WRONG with her? She had been imagining impossible things again- and now was reacting like some vixen from Melrose Place. A tear- was that a tear? Oh, God.....

"I am a horrible person," she muttered, eyes filling- not that she cared about THAT anymore.....

"Katma?"

Katma immeadiately turned her head to the side in an attempt to hide her face- and a groan. WHY did he show up at the most inappropriate times? "Preston."

"You look like you just saw a ghost, girl......" then he saw the door, which was still ajar, the scene on the floor, and HER face. He hastily shut the door. "Oh, man......"

Then he stared at her, a look of dawning comprehension on his face. "You saw them, didn't you? And that's why you're all upset."

"Don't be an idiot, Preston," she snapped.

Sitting beside her, he grabbed her chin, trying to get her to look into his face. "Look, Kat. It's OVER between you two. You get it?"

Katma looked over at him in shock. Although he looked like a kid, dressed in his Tasmanian Devil boxer shorts and a white tank top, his face was earnest, his eyes serious. "you have to get over him......." seeing the expression on her face, his voice took on a frustated tone. "Dammit, Kat! Do you ALWAYS want what you can't have? Especially when there's something just as good right in front of you?"

Katma's heavy brows came down over her eyes, and they narrowed slightly. Wait. Was Preston saying what she thought he was saying? "Pres....."

But his eyes had darkened. "Just.....get up." He released her face, stood to his feet, and stalked down the hall.

Katma got up. "Preston!" Shaking her head, she headed down the hall, but the man was FAST. "Pres....."

Just as she caught up to the corner around which he disappeared, she bumped squarely into a large, muscular chest covered completely with gray spandex. Looking up, she met Batman's mask-covered eyes. "Er....good morning, Batman."

"Good morning, Ms. Tui." Bamtan did not looked surprised to be bumping into her in the hall. On the contrary, he looked downright pleased- which was more than a little frightning. "How did you sleep?"

"Er.......fine."

"You found your room satisfactory?"

"I guess so....." this was weird....out of all the Justoce League members, Batman was the one she'd least expect to inquire after her sleeping habits....."Um, if you don't mind, Batman, i've got to go and find-"

"You like the Watchtower?"

"YES!!! I mean...." toning down her voice a little, Katma sighed and resigned herself to her fate. Batman had either had a little too much coffee with his breakfast, or he was just in an EXTREMELY chatty mood. Either way, she wasn't getting away till he chose to let her.

"May I see you for a moment?" He gestured to the office door to his right. "Please," he said, when he saw the look on her face. "it will only take a moment."

"Whatever." Katma shrugged her slender shoulders and walked into the room he indicated. It was small, and empty, except for a desk and chair, a single chair, and a large mural of the Batman logo hanging on the wall behind the desk.

Batman took a seat behind the desk, indicating for her to sit.

She shook her head. She wanted this over with QUICK.

Bamtan had a hint of an amused smile on hsi face before cintinuing. "Miss Tui," he said, "you are aware, of course, that Shayera- Hawkgirl to you- is with child, and will not be able fight for some months?"

"Um....yes...."

"And that John Stewart has quitted the Justice League till further notice."

"Yes." Where was he going with all this?

"I will cut right to the chase, Ms. Tui." Batman leaned forward, eyes intent.

"I'd appriciate that," Katma said dryly. Batman gave that amused smirk again, then paused before speaking.

"Ms. Tui, would you consider joining the Justice League?"

Katma felt her jaw drop open.