The Justice League's new meeting room possessed all the trappings of the
most exclusive Fortune 500 board rooms. The latest in digital video
conferencing as well as a fully stocked refrigerator evidenced how the rich
and powerful could spend hours making decisions that would decide that
fates of corporations and governments. Despite these accoutrements, his
missed their old meeting place. He missed the slight exhilaration of flying
from his apartment to the Watch Tower. There was always something serene
about celestial space. No other place offered the chance to see creation
at its most primal and majestic glory. The trip renewed his spirit
especially when he met a certain ...
"Hey, GL," a goofy face zoomed into his view. "Miss me?"
"Like a root canal," came the tired response.
Flash's face fell like a 5 year old's when he couldn't have ice cream before dinner. "Come on, Johnny, you know ya missed me! Where ya been hidin' yourself?" Without waiting for a response, Flash zipped over to the door just as Wonder Woman walked into the room.
"Hey, Princess, how would you like a triple mocha frap for two?"
Diana giggled, "I would love one!"
"Good why dontcha whip one up for us?" Flash then flopped into one of the luxurious leather reclining chairs surrounding the brilliantly polished mahogany table.
Diana shook her head. "Men. You really are just boys in bigger bodies." She looked around the room and spotted the Green Lantern. "John?"
Stewart didn't turn his gaze from the bay window over looking the teeming streets below, "Hello, Wonder Woman."
Diana walked over to her teammate and touched his shoulder. She noticed the new facial hair, gaunt appearance, and civilian attire. "John..."
"It's pretty ironic huh, Wonder Woman? Meeting in here of all places."
"Yes, who would have thought that the Justice League would be welcomed in LexCorp headquarters."
"I bet old Lex had a heart attack," Green Lantern whispered.
Diana laughed softly, "True. Mercy Graves is a very savvy business woman. By advertising this place as "Justice League World Headquarters" she erased any doubts about LexCorp's innocence about collaborating with..." Her voice trailed off as she saw Stewart's head drop slightly. "Lantern? John?"
She lifted his head and turned his face toward hers. Her eyes scoured every inch of his countenance. Much to her amazement, Stewart seemed older, although a week had barely passed since the destruction of the Watch Tower. She noted how a few gray hairs sprouted among the black like brown weeds in a green lawn. She moved up his face and saw the same gray at his temples. But her review froze at his eyes. They no longer shined with the characteristic emerald green. Instead she saw pools of deep chocolate that formed wells of a lost hope.
Almost instinctively, she reached to grasp the Lantern's hand. Her fingers, searching for the power talisman, found only the dull warmth of flesh and blood. Slowly, Diana closed her hands around his. She gave the slightest nod of the head as if to say, "I understand."
Lantern quickly downcast his eyes. He didn't want to add to the burden of the others. Although, his teammates offered support on the outside, he knew deep down that they didn't regard him with the same level of trust. How could he be so gullible, so trusting, so unprofessional, so much a ROOKIE?
He broke Wonder Woman's grasp as the rest of the League took their remaining spots around the table. He sat down and quickly opened his meeting agenda. He glanced quickly at each of the faces seated. Without making direct eye contact, Stewart tried to ascertain what each member was thinking.
Flash doodled pictures of himself rescuing some damsel in distress while bashing some villain into submission. He made a silly face at Lantern. At least, the innocence of his immaturity seemed to be genuine.
The Manhunter's face remained the epitome of serenity and peace. Lantern felt a little unnerved by this calmness. Whenever the alien nodded, Lantern cringed on the inside. Was J'onn reading his thoughts or was he just giving acknowledgment of the statement just made?
Wonder Woman fidgeted in her seat. She looked longingly at Batman as if pleading for him to comfort her during this crisis period. When he didn't blink, she lowered her head and let out an almost inaudible sniff. She turned her attention to Lantern and gave him a warm but half-hearted smile. He nodded slightly at her.
Superman conducted the meeting just as he had all the others. The Kryptonian stood as the ultimate boy scout. It was unacceptable to him for the people of the Earth not to trust their protectors. He explained how he had worked tirelessly to gain the trust of his adopted home world. He called on each member to re-double their efforts to reassure the public that the danger of the invasion has passed. Superman's cast he gaze around the table to each member as a way to reinforce the directive. To the Lantern, the gaze lingered on him longer than anyone else. Superman then moved on to the rest of the agenda.
Batman sat he always did. He glared at Superman whenever the Man of Steel made a request that seemed too idealistic or infantile in his eyesight. He said nothing until the end of the meeting.
"I believe that you have something that you want to address, Lantern."
"So, at long last, their true feelings would be revealed." Lantern grimly frowned. He slowly rose from his seat. He fixed his stare directly at the Bat. To the naked eye, the two men were merely being rude, but the two principles understood this to be the ultimate battle for self-discipline. Neither man changed expression for a full minute. The other members sat transfixed at the spectacle except for the Martian. A small smile drew itself across his stoic face.
Finally, Batman broke the roaring silence, "Do you have something to say, John?"
"Yes, I do. I'm requesting an indefinite leave of absence to begin immediately," he said flatly.
"Huh?" Flash sat up. "Say that again."
"He asked for a leave of absence, Flash," Batman responded calling the Speedster an idiot with his tone.
"GL, you gotta be kidding. I mean ya can't leave now. We got so much clean up to do."
"You all have everything under control."
"True, we aren't having major headaches, but this is rather sudden, John. May we ask why?" Superman inquired.
"I have saved all my vacation time, and now I think would be the perfect time to take it."
"That's not all is it, Lantern?" Batman coolly asked.
The Green Lantern's expression didn't change "That is reason enough. But since some of you won't be satisfied with that, I'll tell you. I'm considering leaving Earth for Oa. For good."
"Huh?" Flash's jaw dropped.
"John, I thought you and the rest of the Lantern Corps weren't exactly on the friendliest of terms," Wonder Woman spoke.
"Katma Tui has taken over the Lantern Training Academy. She's asked me to become one of her instructors."
"That puts a new spin on 'teacher's pet', huh John-Boy," Flash cat called.
Diana shot Flash a death glance. "John, I know you have some...history with Katma but are you sure about this? I mean, isn't it a bit soon? I mean after all you shared with..." Diana bowed her head.
"Thanks for your concern, Wonder Woman, but I think a change of scenery just might be the ticket for me at this time."
Superman stood up. "John, you do have the leave time accumulated. Although, we will miss your presence, I can't see any objections to granting your request. Anyone else?"
Hearing none, Superman wished Lantern a safe journey and adjourned the meeting. Batman slipped silently out, and Flash slapped Lantern on the back and reminded him to send him the names, numbers, and pictures of the hottest babes to join the Lantern Corps. Superman went to visit Mercy Graves regarding rent for the facilities.
Diana embraced the Lantern. "John, I know you're hurting. But don't give up hope! Katma is no substitute for..."
Lantern cut her off. "I know what I'm doing, Wonder Woman." Then he saw the wetness in her eyes. He hugged her closer "Thanks, Diana, you really are a WONDER WOMAN. I just hope that cold-hearted, cowled idiot figures that out before too long."
Diana smiled. "Thanks, Lantern. Be safe!"
Lantern watched Wonder Woman exit the room. He sighed and started for the exit himself. He lost himself in preparing for his trip when a deep voice snapped into his consciousness.
"Lantern, we need to talk."
"Hey, GL," a goofy face zoomed into his view. "Miss me?"
"Like a root canal," came the tired response.
Flash's face fell like a 5 year old's when he couldn't have ice cream before dinner. "Come on, Johnny, you know ya missed me! Where ya been hidin' yourself?" Without waiting for a response, Flash zipped over to the door just as Wonder Woman walked into the room.
"Hey, Princess, how would you like a triple mocha frap for two?"
Diana giggled, "I would love one!"
"Good why dontcha whip one up for us?" Flash then flopped into one of the luxurious leather reclining chairs surrounding the brilliantly polished mahogany table.
Diana shook her head. "Men. You really are just boys in bigger bodies." She looked around the room and spotted the Green Lantern. "John?"
Stewart didn't turn his gaze from the bay window over looking the teeming streets below, "Hello, Wonder Woman."
Diana walked over to her teammate and touched his shoulder. She noticed the new facial hair, gaunt appearance, and civilian attire. "John..."
"It's pretty ironic huh, Wonder Woman? Meeting in here of all places."
"Yes, who would have thought that the Justice League would be welcomed in LexCorp headquarters."
"I bet old Lex had a heart attack," Green Lantern whispered.
Diana laughed softly, "True. Mercy Graves is a very savvy business woman. By advertising this place as "Justice League World Headquarters" she erased any doubts about LexCorp's innocence about collaborating with..." Her voice trailed off as she saw Stewart's head drop slightly. "Lantern? John?"
She lifted his head and turned his face toward hers. Her eyes scoured every inch of his countenance. Much to her amazement, Stewart seemed older, although a week had barely passed since the destruction of the Watch Tower. She noted how a few gray hairs sprouted among the black like brown weeds in a green lawn. She moved up his face and saw the same gray at his temples. But her review froze at his eyes. They no longer shined with the characteristic emerald green. Instead she saw pools of deep chocolate that formed wells of a lost hope.
Almost instinctively, she reached to grasp the Lantern's hand. Her fingers, searching for the power talisman, found only the dull warmth of flesh and blood. Slowly, Diana closed her hands around his. She gave the slightest nod of the head as if to say, "I understand."
Lantern quickly downcast his eyes. He didn't want to add to the burden of the others. Although, his teammates offered support on the outside, he knew deep down that they didn't regard him with the same level of trust. How could he be so gullible, so trusting, so unprofessional, so much a ROOKIE?
He broke Wonder Woman's grasp as the rest of the League took their remaining spots around the table. He sat down and quickly opened his meeting agenda. He glanced quickly at each of the faces seated. Without making direct eye contact, Stewart tried to ascertain what each member was thinking.
Flash doodled pictures of himself rescuing some damsel in distress while bashing some villain into submission. He made a silly face at Lantern. At least, the innocence of his immaturity seemed to be genuine.
The Manhunter's face remained the epitome of serenity and peace. Lantern felt a little unnerved by this calmness. Whenever the alien nodded, Lantern cringed on the inside. Was J'onn reading his thoughts or was he just giving acknowledgment of the statement just made?
Wonder Woman fidgeted in her seat. She looked longingly at Batman as if pleading for him to comfort her during this crisis period. When he didn't blink, she lowered her head and let out an almost inaudible sniff. She turned her attention to Lantern and gave him a warm but half-hearted smile. He nodded slightly at her.
Superman conducted the meeting just as he had all the others. The Kryptonian stood as the ultimate boy scout. It was unacceptable to him for the people of the Earth not to trust their protectors. He explained how he had worked tirelessly to gain the trust of his adopted home world. He called on each member to re-double their efforts to reassure the public that the danger of the invasion has passed. Superman's cast he gaze around the table to each member as a way to reinforce the directive. To the Lantern, the gaze lingered on him longer than anyone else. Superman then moved on to the rest of the agenda.
Batman sat he always did. He glared at Superman whenever the Man of Steel made a request that seemed too idealistic or infantile in his eyesight. He said nothing until the end of the meeting.
"I believe that you have something that you want to address, Lantern."
"So, at long last, their true feelings would be revealed." Lantern grimly frowned. He slowly rose from his seat. He fixed his stare directly at the Bat. To the naked eye, the two men were merely being rude, but the two principles understood this to be the ultimate battle for self-discipline. Neither man changed expression for a full minute. The other members sat transfixed at the spectacle except for the Martian. A small smile drew itself across his stoic face.
Finally, Batman broke the roaring silence, "Do you have something to say, John?"
"Yes, I do. I'm requesting an indefinite leave of absence to begin immediately," he said flatly.
"Huh?" Flash sat up. "Say that again."
"He asked for a leave of absence, Flash," Batman responded calling the Speedster an idiot with his tone.
"GL, you gotta be kidding. I mean ya can't leave now. We got so much clean up to do."
"You all have everything under control."
"True, we aren't having major headaches, but this is rather sudden, John. May we ask why?" Superman inquired.
"I have saved all my vacation time, and now I think would be the perfect time to take it."
"That's not all is it, Lantern?" Batman coolly asked.
The Green Lantern's expression didn't change "That is reason enough. But since some of you won't be satisfied with that, I'll tell you. I'm considering leaving Earth for Oa. For good."
"Huh?" Flash's jaw dropped.
"John, I thought you and the rest of the Lantern Corps weren't exactly on the friendliest of terms," Wonder Woman spoke.
"Katma Tui has taken over the Lantern Training Academy. She's asked me to become one of her instructors."
"That puts a new spin on 'teacher's pet', huh John-Boy," Flash cat called.
Diana shot Flash a death glance. "John, I know you have some...history with Katma but are you sure about this? I mean, isn't it a bit soon? I mean after all you shared with..." Diana bowed her head.
"Thanks for your concern, Wonder Woman, but I think a change of scenery just might be the ticket for me at this time."
Superman stood up. "John, you do have the leave time accumulated. Although, we will miss your presence, I can't see any objections to granting your request. Anyone else?"
Hearing none, Superman wished Lantern a safe journey and adjourned the meeting. Batman slipped silently out, and Flash slapped Lantern on the back and reminded him to send him the names, numbers, and pictures of the hottest babes to join the Lantern Corps. Superman went to visit Mercy Graves regarding rent for the facilities.
Diana embraced the Lantern. "John, I know you're hurting. But don't give up hope! Katma is no substitute for..."
Lantern cut her off. "I know what I'm doing, Wonder Woman." Then he saw the wetness in her eyes. He hugged her closer "Thanks, Diana, you really are a WONDER WOMAN. I just hope that cold-hearted, cowled idiot figures that out before too long."
Diana smiled. "Thanks, Lantern. Be safe!"
Lantern watched Wonder Woman exit the room. He sighed and started for the exit himself. He lost himself in preparing for his trip when a deep voice snapped into his consciousness.
"Lantern, we need to talk."
