"Undercover and Underneath it All"
By: The Angelic Temptress
Disclaimer: The usual. They're not mine, although I'd take them if they let me.
Spoilers: "Wildcard" and some for "Starcrossed" (Timeframe: Between those 2 Eps.)
Rating: PG-13 for language, drugs, and adult content.
Pairings: GL/HG (Of course!) BM/WW (Who knew I had it in me?)
A/N: I promise that there will be more Diana/Bruce stuff, but it's happening gradually.
A/N2: This chapter will be running on a fine line between PG-13 and R. BEWARE! ;)
)(
Chapter 3: The Mission
Diana and Shayera stood outside the owner's office, waiting for him to answer the door. Suddenly, the same woman with the silver hair left with a wrinkled slip and mussed hair. The princess could only conclude what the woman was.
"Let's go, Ladies," the disgusting man said and linked arms with both woman. He then led his employees to the bar and ordered drinks as they sat.
"I'm glad you enjoyed the show," Shayera told and sipped her beverage. "So, you're keeping us. Right?"
"Of course. I'd be an idiot not to."
The Amazon glanced around the café, searching. She could almost feel someone watching her, keeping tabs on her. When she couldn't see anyone staring, she focused on the conversation again.
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling.
)(
Batman had arrived at their room just minutes before daybreak and seconds before the females returned. To his astonishment, he found a wide-awake Green Lantern sitting on his bed.
"They all right?" he asked the Gothamite. When Batman nodded, GL let out a nervous breath. "Thank God."
Even though Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman were fully capable of taking care of themselves, the men were still worrying about their well-being. It seemed as if the Dark Knight and the Lantern had something in common.
A knock sounded at the door. Batman knew it was their teammates checking in. He had been watching them all night.
)(
"We got him to tell us that he's the only guy who produces Euphoria and sells in on Earth's black market," Shayera told the others. "So he's our man."
John nodded. "Bud did he tell you where he produces it?"
"No. I'll get that tonight," she assured and yawned. "What's-his-face said he'd like to take me out after the show. I think the three of you could do some digging around while he's distracted."
"I'll talk to some of the other showgirls," Diana stated. "Perhaps they'll reveal some information to one of their own."
Green Lantern then gave his agenda. "I'll scope out the club, and I'll be on call. If any of you need help, just holler." He then moved his eyes to Diana when she spoke again.
"What do you plan on doing?" she questioned the man sitting beside her. Interest was clearly written on her face.
"Don't worry about me," Batman answered flatly.
"I forgot that you do this all the time."
It was then that Lantern noticed the slight tension in the atmosphere around the duo. It was almost identical to his and Shayera's. Would they reluctantly admit their feelings for one another as he and Shy had? Would they give up if the uneasiness didn't disappear?
This Green Lantern wouldn't give up because of a slight apprehension. John Stewart would wait for Shayera Hol for as long as it took, but he wondered if she knew that.
If she did know, did she love that about him?
Maybe it all boiled down to how they really felt about each other. Maybe she didn't care for him at all; maybe she felt alone and missed Thanagar so much that she needed...
Needed what? A shoulder to shove? She had Flash for that. Someone to confide it? She had J'onn for that.
What they had couldn't have been a mere physical attraction; they hadn't even done anything yet. She was always the first at his side when he was injured, and she always had acted so strangely around him.
Shayera had been the one who wanted to ignore her true feelings, but John had seen right through the foolish walls she had built around herself. Did she understand that he'd do anything for her because he loved –?
"Hawkgirl?" Diana had interrupted John's thoughts. "Are you sure that you'll be –"
"Fine? Yeah. Did you forget that I'm Thanagarian? This kind of stuff is like a walk in the park for me." Shayera moved her emerald eyes to the floor and then to GL. "I need to take a shower," she shared and walked out of the men's motel room, leaving her teammates behind.
"Is there something wrong with her?" GL questioned his comrades, eyes raging. "Because if there is and you all are hiding it, I'll –"
"Stop it, Lantern," the brunette ordered. "At one time, Shayera had been addicted to the Euphoria drug. She had to take it because she was undercover."
He shook his head. "It's got to be more than that. We all know her. She doesn't get shaken-up often. There has to be something bigger."
Batman disagreed, "Drugs can have a lot of power over an individual, even if she's as strong as Hawkgirl."
"You're preaching to the choir, Batman."
Although frustrated, the former marine dropped the subject. They weren't people to talk to anyway.
If he wanted answers, he'd have to speak to Shy himself.
)(
"Good show."
Shayera nodded in response, still focusing on how Diana looked wearing the red bustier and garter belt. It looked so unnatural for the princess to dress in such a manner, and the Thanagarian felt as if she had corrupted the Amazon.
"You should get changed, Diana," Shy suggested and looked down at herself. She was wearing pink lace underwear, a matching push-up, and simple heels. She felt uncomfortable and wanted to go home.
To go back to John's apartment and lie in his bed.
To drown in his radiant eyes.
To allow him to make love to her and do to her as he wished.
The sky and its Heavens were all that knew what she desired, and it seemed that it would remain that way for quite a while. Shy couldn't talk to anyone about their relationship, especially not the perfect and gorgeous virgin who managed to attract attention wherever she went.
"Are you all right?"
The redhead's eyes shot up from their glazed stare into the abyss. To her surprise, the princess had already changed into a pale blue, off the shoulder dress that accented her beautiful eyes.
Shayera could see the difference between the two of them and remembered why she was the "agent" getting the information. She didn't want Wonder Woman to sacrifice her innocence to stop a drug ring.
"Goodnight, Diana. See you in the morning." Shy flashed a weak smile and left to change.
)(
"Scotch on the rocks."
"Does this look like Earth?" the bartender, who looked like a giant, red squid, asked with a chuckle that resonated in his throat for longer than it should have. "Come on now, Lantern. You should know better than that."
"Should I?" When the alien only glared, John sighed. "You've got anything close to scotch?"
"We've got slurge."
He winced, remembering when Shayera had gotten him to try some. "Anything else?"
"Bourbon."
"You've got bourbon but no scotch?"
"I get what travelers trade me."
"I'll have that." When he finally got his whiskey, Lantern swallowed the alcohol in one gulp. GL would be lying to himself if he believed he wasn't frightened for Shy. No one, not even his girlfriend, had actually told him what might go down that night. John knew she would go to any length to get what she needed, to do what was right.
The idea of another man, especially that grotesque club owner, touching Shy disgusted John. He didn't want her to feel degraded after it was all over. His girl deserved better than that.
There she was, on the arm of a green monster and wearing a form fitting, burgundy dress. She looked absolutely amazing, and John, as professional as he was, couldn't help but stare at her.
He couldn't help envisioning slowly unzipping that dress and following that same path with his lips. He not only wanted Shayera, he needed to hold her and love her like she deserved to be loved. She needed to know how much he cared for her, and he wanted to lose himself in her fascinating green eyes.
But that would have to wait. Right now, they had a job to do.
)(
"He's the only guy who makes the stuff," Asana, a blue-eyed, pale-skinned exotic dancer shared. "Nobody else knows what it's made of or how to make it. That's why he'd loaded."
Diana nodded with understanding and sipped her drink. She was sitting in a bar called Blood Alley, questioning some of the women who also worked at Café Erotica. They hadn't told her anything she didn't already know.
"Well, there's a rumor that says he hadn't come up with the formula," Eve, a brown-skinned brunette stated. "I heard he killed for it."
"Killed who?" Diana asked.
"Foreigners, a couple of years ago. They hadn't been around long, but I remember they had wings, like your partner."
Diana almost lost her grip on her glass. "They were Thanagarians?"
"A guy and girl."
Before she could continue with her questions, a man grabbed the princess' shoulder.
"Come on, Honey. Let's dance."
She fiercely narrowed her eyes. "Let go of me, little man."
"Hell no." He snatched her wrist and tugged her out of her seat, knocking the stool over. "We're gonna dance and then go to one of them bathroom stalls. You're a working girl; you could 'work' on me."
Diana's reaction was a simple maneuver: a slight twist of his fist. She instantly broke his wrist, and he cried out in pain.
"Find a stall and 'work' on yourself." She thanked the women and left for the next bar.
)(
"I can't tell you anything. He'll kill me."
Batman, getting even more aggravated with the owner's silver-haired mistress, clenched his teeth. The girl was used to being bullied. He could tell by the melancholy expression on her face; she was a broken woman.
"People are dying."
"Let them as long as I don't..." Her voice trailed off, and she lowered her tired eyes. He could see her true wishes; she wanted no part in this life.
Or any life, for that matter.
"Where does he produce the drug?" he demanded as he inched closer to her. "I need to know so he can be stopped."
She moistened her lips and reluctantly nodded. "Below the club. He's got scientists who do it. Every month, the women employees have to donate blood, but no one knows that the blood is actually used as an ingredient. I guess female blood possesses a toxin that reacts with another strange component. You can't smell the blood or taste it when you use it. It's –"
A knock came from her door, and she spun around in reaction. That was the Bat's cue to silently leave the room without attention.
)(
"You're acting a little loopy," Shayera told her boss as they walked toward his office. She had managed to get him drunk beyond belief and was trying to pry information out of his secretive mouth, but nothing had worked.
At least nothing yet.
"I want to show you something you'll most likely appreciate."
"What is it?"
"You'll see." He led her into the room besides his office.
Shy's eyes widened in horror. The monster had a trophy room, complete with two sets of very large wings.
Wings that were large enough to have belonged to Thangarians, the same Thanagarians Shayera had been tracking years ago. They had disappeared. Finally, after four years, she had found them...dead.
"I see you've noticed my favorite prizes."
"It's hard not to," she choked out.
"They had given me the recipe, you see."
"The Euphoria recipe?"
Before he could continue with his muttered explanations, one of his men interrupted them.
"Sir? What would you like done with the body?"
"Take it... downstairs. Drain it then dump it."
Shayera glanced at the doorway and saw two workers pushing a stretcher; she caught a glimpse of silver hair and had to prevent herself from reacting.
They had murdered the owner's mistress for only one reason: he wanted a new one.
He wanted Angel.
To get what she needed, Shayera had to give him what he wanted, so he'd get Angel.
For a price.
"You are a very beautiful women," the owner stated and poured a drink of some kind. "I could provide you with so much."
"Because you're the only one producing Euphoria?"
He downed the drink and chuckled. "Dear, I'm the king of the Euphoria Empire, the only one who owns the only lab and knows the only formula."
Bingo.
"I need to ask you something, Angel."
"Shoot."
"I need to ask you in my room."
"Why is that?"
The green club owner came closer to her, and she could feel his hot breath on her cheek. Although she wanted to shove him away and shout her signature war cry, she stood as still as stone.
His lips curled up into a smile, and he planted a kiss on her temple. She shuttered inside, but he couldn't tell. The son of a bitch lifted her chin and kissed her lips; he tasted like filth.
And Euphoria.
He circled her, running his fingers over her spine. She swallowed hard and tried to focus on something else... Something that would make her forget the position she was in.
John. She imagined John was studying her with eyes she'd gladly give her life for. He was smiling at her, like he couldn't help doing. The insignia on his chest was quickly rising and falling because his breathing had sped up.
She could hear the devil's heavy and horrid breathing pounding in her ears. She could detect his foul odor, but disregarded it.
Dashing, respectable John. The Green Lantern. Her hero. He guided her to his room. He threw her onto the bed. His hands were caressing her thighs, tugging at her undergarments. It was his chocolate lips she was kissing, his uniform she was ripping.
But it didn't taste like John. Her taste buds were sending warning signals to her brain, which immediately tried to paralyze the rest of her body. She had to resist, or he'd know something was wrong. He'd figure out who she really was, that she had met him years ago and that she had been the cop searching for the Thanagarians he had murdered.
John would be whispering her name into her ear and telling her how he felt about her.
"Angel..." he mumbled, causing her to tremble again. He didn't notice the tears welling in her eyes. He didn't see the pain she was going through.
With John, there was only one battle: Hawkgirl versus Shayera Hol. Her present versus her past. The so-called hero versus the lieutenant. John's girl versus Hro's fiancé.
Suddenly, it all stopped. The groping and the mumbling had ceased.
She managed to open her eyes and realized that the drug lord had passed out. Shayera stiffened; she worried that he really wasn't out cold. After what felt like ages, she pushed him off of herself.
He hadn't gotten the chance to really touch Shayera; he had suffered the consequences of consuming too many drinks, and she was silently thanking the Heavens.
The winged redheaded straightened her dress and rushed out of his room. Without thought, she pressed the tiny communicator in her ear and called for her savior.
"Hawkgirl to Lantern. Over."
"Lantern here."
"I need you right now."
"What's wrong?"
)(
John found her sitting before his door, hugging her knees. Her mascara had bled, the dress was torn, and her hair was mussed. GL knew this was coming, and he had prepared for it.
Either way, he hadn't been ready to see her trembling form slumped in the hallway of the inexpensive inn; he had never seen her so traumatized before.
Had they asked too much of her? Had she spiraled into a black hole of disgust and regret?
Could he pull her back out?
"Shy?"
She raised her jaded eyes to look at him. He bent down, slid his arms underneath her, and lifted her from the floor. Shayera instantly wrapped her tremulous arms around his neck and sobbed. He unlocked his door and took her into his room.
"It's all right now. I'm here," he whispered into her hair after he sat down on his bed. She sat in his lap with her wings tucked behind her. He smoothed her red hair and kissed her cheek, knowing he had to be her rock; she was going through so much.
"I didn't sleep with him, John," she quietly informed through her sobs. "I almost did. He passed out before he could..." Her sentence hung there, and GL didn't ask her to finish it. "God, John. I was imagining he was you so I could get through it... I feel so filthy."
The Thanagarian lifted her head from his shoulder and met his gaze. Under all the makeup and the curled hair, he recognized his Shayera. She was a lost little girl who needed something to hold on to.
"You aren't filthy," he reminded. "Go take a shower. Okay? I'll get you some clothes; you can stay here tonight."
She nodded and crawled off of him. After getting her a clean towel, John started the shower for her. He tested the water with his hand and adjusted the temperature before leaving the bathroom.
To his surprise, Batman was waiting by the window.
"Did she learn anything?" the Bat questioned from his frozen position.
Lantern clenched his fists and had to avoid socking the bastard. "She's fine. Thanks for asking."
Batman narrowed his eyes. "She said she could handle being a spy."
How could a hero be so heartless?
"Was that before or after you learned she was a recovering addict? Before or after you knew we were seeing each other?" GL sighed and shook his head. "I'm going to watch over her tonight. I think she needs some time to sort things out. You can stay with Diana."
Batman slightly nodded and left the room with Lantern following close behind. After using his ring to unlock the girls' door, John allowed Batman to step inside first. GL searched the dresser drawers and discovered a tee, undergarments, and sweat pants for Shayera to wear that night. Then he left Batman alone.
When he returned to his own room, he found Shayera sitting on his bed and wrapped up in a towel. Her hair was soaked, as well as the rest of her body, and she seemed to be staring at nothing. John carefully sat down besides her and placed her clothing on the bed.
"Do you need anything else?" he asked quietly.
She gave a slight nod and took one of his gloved hands into her delicate one. Unexpectedly, she brought the hand to her leg and guided it up her thigh. John's heart began to race.
"Shy..."
"I need you to make me feel like a woman, John," she told. "I almost let that monster –"
"You didn't have to."
"But I would have. God, I don't want to hurt you. You were all I could think about." A single tear escaped her right eye, and she murmured, "I never want to hurt you, John."
"You don't want this right now. Not yet. Not like this."
"But I do, John. Please?"
He kissed her quivering lips, and she instantaneously deepened it. He gently laid her down on the mattress and used his ring to make his uniform disappear.
John kissed Shy again, and he could taste the salty tears.
They were both crying.
)(
Chapter 4 coming soon...
By: The Angelic Temptress
Disclaimer: The usual. They're not mine, although I'd take them if they let me.
Spoilers: "Wildcard" and some for "Starcrossed" (Timeframe: Between those 2 Eps.)
Rating: PG-13 for language, drugs, and adult content.
Pairings: GL/HG (Of course!) BM/WW (Who knew I had it in me?)
A/N: I promise that there will be more Diana/Bruce stuff, but it's happening gradually.
A/N2: This chapter will be running on a fine line between PG-13 and R. BEWARE! ;)
)(
Chapter 3: The Mission
Diana and Shayera stood outside the owner's office, waiting for him to answer the door. Suddenly, the same woman with the silver hair left with a wrinkled slip and mussed hair. The princess could only conclude what the woman was.
"Let's go, Ladies," the disgusting man said and linked arms with both woman. He then led his employees to the bar and ordered drinks as they sat.
"I'm glad you enjoyed the show," Shayera told and sipped her beverage. "So, you're keeping us. Right?"
"Of course. I'd be an idiot not to."
The Amazon glanced around the café, searching. She could almost feel someone watching her, keeping tabs on her. When she couldn't see anyone staring, she focused on the conversation again.
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling.
)(
Batman had arrived at their room just minutes before daybreak and seconds before the females returned. To his astonishment, he found a wide-awake Green Lantern sitting on his bed.
"They all right?" he asked the Gothamite. When Batman nodded, GL let out a nervous breath. "Thank God."
Even though Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman were fully capable of taking care of themselves, the men were still worrying about their well-being. It seemed as if the Dark Knight and the Lantern had something in common.
A knock sounded at the door. Batman knew it was their teammates checking in. He had been watching them all night.
)(
"We got him to tell us that he's the only guy who produces Euphoria and sells in on Earth's black market," Shayera told the others. "So he's our man."
John nodded. "Bud did he tell you where he produces it?"
"No. I'll get that tonight," she assured and yawned. "What's-his-face said he'd like to take me out after the show. I think the three of you could do some digging around while he's distracted."
"I'll talk to some of the other showgirls," Diana stated. "Perhaps they'll reveal some information to one of their own."
Green Lantern then gave his agenda. "I'll scope out the club, and I'll be on call. If any of you need help, just holler." He then moved his eyes to Diana when she spoke again.
"What do you plan on doing?" she questioned the man sitting beside her. Interest was clearly written on her face.
"Don't worry about me," Batman answered flatly.
"I forgot that you do this all the time."
It was then that Lantern noticed the slight tension in the atmosphere around the duo. It was almost identical to his and Shayera's. Would they reluctantly admit their feelings for one another as he and Shy had? Would they give up if the uneasiness didn't disappear?
This Green Lantern wouldn't give up because of a slight apprehension. John Stewart would wait for Shayera Hol for as long as it took, but he wondered if she knew that.
If she did know, did she love that about him?
Maybe it all boiled down to how they really felt about each other. Maybe she didn't care for him at all; maybe she felt alone and missed Thanagar so much that she needed...
Needed what? A shoulder to shove? She had Flash for that. Someone to confide it? She had J'onn for that.
What they had couldn't have been a mere physical attraction; they hadn't even done anything yet. She was always the first at his side when he was injured, and she always had acted so strangely around him.
Shayera had been the one who wanted to ignore her true feelings, but John had seen right through the foolish walls she had built around herself. Did she understand that he'd do anything for her because he loved –?
"Hawkgirl?" Diana had interrupted John's thoughts. "Are you sure that you'll be –"
"Fine? Yeah. Did you forget that I'm Thanagarian? This kind of stuff is like a walk in the park for me." Shayera moved her emerald eyes to the floor and then to GL. "I need to take a shower," she shared and walked out of the men's motel room, leaving her teammates behind.
"Is there something wrong with her?" GL questioned his comrades, eyes raging. "Because if there is and you all are hiding it, I'll –"
"Stop it, Lantern," the brunette ordered. "At one time, Shayera had been addicted to the Euphoria drug. She had to take it because she was undercover."
He shook his head. "It's got to be more than that. We all know her. She doesn't get shaken-up often. There has to be something bigger."
Batman disagreed, "Drugs can have a lot of power over an individual, even if she's as strong as Hawkgirl."
"You're preaching to the choir, Batman."
Although frustrated, the former marine dropped the subject. They weren't people to talk to anyway.
If he wanted answers, he'd have to speak to Shy himself.
)(
"Good show."
Shayera nodded in response, still focusing on how Diana looked wearing the red bustier and garter belt. It looked so unnatural for the princess to dress in such a manner, and the Thanagarian felt as if she had corrupted the Amazon.
"You should get changed, Diana," Shy suggested and looked down at herself. She was wearing pink lace underwear, a matching push-up, and simple heels. She felt uncomfortable and wanted to go home.
To go back to John's apartment and lie in his bed.
To drown in his radiant eyes.
To allow him to make love to her and do to her as he wished.
The sky and its Heavens were all that knew what she desired, and it seemed that it would remain that way for quite a while. Shy couldn't talk to anyone about their relationship, especially not the perfect and gorgeous virgin who managed to attract attention wherever she went.
"Are you all right?"
The redhead's eyes shot up from their glazed stare into the abyss. To her surprise, the princess had already changed into a pale blue, off the shoulder dress that accented her beautiful eyes.
Shayera could see the difference between the two of them and remembered why she was the "agent" getting the information. She didn't want Wonder Woman to sacrifice her innocence to stop a drug ring.
"Goodnight, Diana. See you in the morning." Shy flashed a weak smile and left to change.
)(
"Scotch on the rocks."
"Does this look like Earth?" the bartender, who looked like a giant, red squid, asked with a chuckle that resonated in his throat for longer than it should have. "Come on now, Lantern. You should know better than that."
"Should I?" When the alien only glared, John sighed. "You've got anything close to scotch?"
"We've got slurge."
He winced, remembering when Shayera had gotten him to try some. "Anything else?"
"Bourbon."
"You've got bourbon but no scotch?"
"I get what travelers trade me."
"I'll have that." When he finally got his whiskey, Lantern swallowed the alcohol in one gulp. GL would be lying to himself if he believed he wasn't frightened for Shy. No one, not even his girlfriend, had actually told him what might go down that night. John knew she would go to any length to get what she needed, to do what was right.
The idea of another man, especially that grotesque club owner, touching Shy disgusted John. He didn't want her to feel degraded after it was all over. His girl deserved better than that.
There she was, on the arm of a green monster and wearing a form fitting, burgundy dress. She looked absolutely amazing, and John, as professional as he was, couldn't help but stare at her.
He couldn't help envisioning slowly unzipping that dress and following that same path with his lips. He not only wanted Shayera, he needed to hold her and love her like she deserved to be loved. She needed to know how much he cared for her, and he wanted to lose himself in her fascinating green eyes.
But that would have to wait. Right now, they had a job to do.
)(
"He's the only guy who makes the stuff," Asana, a blue-eyed, pale-skinned exotic dancer shared. "Nobody else knows what it's made of or how to make it. That's why he'd loaded."
Diana nodded with understanding and sipped her drink. She was sitting in a bar called Blood Alley, questioning some of the women who also worked at Café Erotica. They hadn't told her anything she didn't already know.
"Well, there's a rumor that says he hadn't come up with the formula," Eve, a brown-skinned brunette stated. "I heard he killed for it."
"Killed who?" Diana asked.
"Foreigners, a couple of years ago. They hadn't been around long, but I remember they had wings, like your partner."
Diana almost lost her grip on her glass. "They were Thanagarians?"
"A guy and girl."
Before she could continue with her questions, a man grabbed the princess' shoulder.
"Come on, Honey. Let's dance."
She fiercely narrowed her eyes. "Let go of me, little man."
"Hell no." He snatched her wrist and tugged her out of her seat, knocking the stool over. "We're gonna dance and then go to one of them bathroom stalls. You're a working girl; you could 'work' on me."
Diana's reaction was a simple maneuver: a slight twist of his fist. She instantly broke his wrist, and he cried out in pain.
"Find a stall and 'work' on yourself." She thanked the women and left for the next bar.
)(
"I can't tell you anything. He'll kill me."
Batman, getting even more aggravated with the owner's silver-haired mistress, clenched his teeth. The girl was used to being bullied. He could tell by the melancholy expression on her face; she was a broken woman.
"People are dying."
"Let them as long as I don't..." Her voice trailed off, and she lowered her tired eyes. He could see her true wishes; she wanted no part in this life.
Or any life, for that matter.
"Where does he produce the drug?" he demanded as he inched closer to her. "I need to know so he can be stopped."
She moistened her lips and reluctantly nodded. "Below the club. He's got scientists who do it. Every month, the women employees have to donate blood, but no one knows that the blood is actually used as an ingredient. I guess female blood possesses a toxin that reacts with another strange component. You can't smell the blood or taste it when you use it. It's –"
A knock came from her door, and she spun around in reaction. That was the Bat's cue to silently leave the room without attention.
)(
"You're acting a little loopy," Shayera told her boss as they walked toward his office. She had managed to get him drunk beyond belief and was trying to pry information out of his secretive mouth, but nothing had worked.
At least nothing yet.
"I want to show you something you'll most likely appreciate."
"What is it?"
"You'll see." He led her into the room besides his office.
Shy's eyes widened in horror. The monster had a trophy room, complete with two sets of very large wings.
Wings that were large enough to have belonged to Thangarians, the same Thanagarians Shayera had been tracking years ago. They had disappeared. Finally, after four years, she had found them...dead.
"I see you've noticed my favorite prizes."
"It's hard not to," she choked out.
"They had given me the recipe, you see."
"The Euphoria recipe?"
Before he could continue with his muttered explanations, one of his men interrupted them.
"Sir? What would you like done with the body?"
"Take it... downstairs. Drain it then dump it."
Shayera glanced at the doorway and saw two workers pushing a stretcher; she caught a glimpse of silver hair and had to prevent herself from reacting.
They had murdered the owner's mistress for only one reason: he wanted a new one.
He wanted Angel.
To get what she needed, Shayera had to give him what he wanted, so he'd get Angel.
For a price.
"You are a very beautiful women," the owner stated and poured a drink of some kind. "I could provide you with so much."
"Because you're the only one producing Euphoria?"
He downed the drink and chuckled. "Dear, I'm the king of the Euphoria Empire, the only one who owns the only lab and knows the only formula."
Bingo.
"I need to ask you something, Angel."
"Shoot."
"I need to ask you in my room."
"Why is that?"
The green club owner came closer to her, and she could feel his hot breath on her cheek. Although she wanted to shove him away and shout her signature war cry, she stood as still as stone.
His lips curled up into a smile, and he planted a kiss on her temple. She shuttered inside, but he couldn't tell. The son of a bitch lifted her chin and kissed her lips; he tasted like filth.
And Euphoria.
He circled her, running his fingers over her spine. She swallowed hard and tried to focus on something else... Something that would make her forget the position she was in.
John. She imagined John was studying her with eyes she'd gladly give her life for. He was smiling at her, like he couldn't help doing. The insignia on his chest was quickly rising and falling because his breathing had sped up.
She could hear the devil's heavy and horrid breathing pounding in her ears. She could detect his foul odor, but disregarded it.
Dashing, respectable John. The Green Lantern. Her hero. He guided her to his room. He threw her onto the bed. His hands were caressing her thighs, tugging at her undergarments. It was his chocolate lips she was kissing, his uniform she was ripping.
But it didn't taste like John. Her taste buds were sending warning signals to her brain, which immediately tried to paralyze the rest of her body. She had to resist, or he'd know something was wrong. He'd figure out who she really was, that she had met him years ago and that she had been the cop searching for the Thanagarians he had murdered.
John would be whispering her name into her ear and telling her how he felt about her.
"Angel..." he mumbled, causing her to tremble again. He didn't notice the tears welling in her eyes. He didn't see the pain she was going through.
With John, there was only one battle: Hawkgirl versus Shayera Hol. Her present versus her past. The so-called hero versus the lieutenant. John's girl versus Hro's fiancé.
Suddenly, it all stopped. The groping and the mumbling had ceased.
She managed to open her eyes and realized that the drug lord had passed out. Shayera stiffened; she worried that he really wasn't out cold. After what felt like ages, she pushed him off of herself.
He hadn't gotten the chance to really touch Shayera; he had suffered the consequences of consuming too many drinks, and she was silently thanking the Heavens.
The winged redheaded straightened her dress and rushed out of his room. Without thought, she pressed the tiny communicator in her ear and called for her savior.
"Hawkgirl to Lantern. Over."
"Lantern here."
"I need you right now."
"What's wrong?"
)(
John found her sitting before his door, hugging her knees. Her mascara had bled, the dress was torn, and her hair was mussed. GL knew this was coming, and he had prepared for it.
Either way, he hadn't been ready to see her trembling form slumped in the hallway of the inexpensive inn; he had never seen her so traumatized before.
Had they asked too much of her? Had she spiraled into a black hole of disgust and regret?
Could he pull her back out?
"Shy?"
She raised her jaded eyes to look at him. He bent down, slid his arms underneath her, and lifted her from the floor. Shayera instantly wrapped her tremulous arms around his neck and sobbed. He unlocked his door and took her into his room.
"It's all right now. I'm here," he whispered into her hair after he sat down on his bed. She sat in his lap with her wings tucked behind her. He smoothed her red hair and kissed her cheek, knowing he had to be her rock; she was going through so much.
"I didn't sleep with him, John," she quietly informed through her sobs. "I almost did. He passed out before he could..." Her sentence hung there, and GL didn't ask her to finish it. "God, John. I was imagining he was you so I could get through it... I feel so filthy."
The Thanagarian lifted her head from his shoulder and met his gaze. Under all the makeup and the curled hair, he recognized his Shayera. She was a lost little girl who needed something to hold on to.
"You aren't filthy," he reminded. "Go take a shower. Okay? I'll get you some clothes; you can stay here tonight."
She nodded and crawled off of him. After getting her a clean towel, John started the shower for her. He tested the water with his hand and adjusted the temperature before leaving the bathroom.
To his surprise, Batman was waiting by the window.
"Did she learn anything?" the Bat questioned from his frozen position.
Lantern clenched his fists and had to avoid socking the bastard. "She's fine. Thanks for asking."
Batman narrowed his eyes. "She said she could handle being a spy."
How could a hero be so heartless?
"Was that before or after you learned she was a recovering addict? Before or after you knew we were seeing each other?" GL sighed and shook his head. "I'm going to watch over her tonight. I think she needs some time to sort things out. You can stay with Diana."
Batman slightly nodded and left the room with Lantern following close behind. After using his ring to unlock the girls' door, John allowed Batman to step inside first. GL searched the dresser drawers and discovered a tee, undergarments, and sweat pants for Shayera to wear that night. Then he left Batman alone.
When he returned to his own room, he found Shayera sitting on his bed and wrapped up in a towel. Her hair was soaked, as well as the rest of her body, and she seemed to be staring at nothing. John carefully sat down besides her and placed her clothing on the bed.
"Do you need anything else?" he asked quietly.
She gave a slight nod and took one of his gloved hands into her delicate one. Unexpectedly, she brought the hand to her leg and guided it up her thigh. John's heart began to race.
"Shy..."
"I need you to make me feel like a woman, John," she told. "I almost let that monster –"
"You didn't have to."
"But I would have. God, I don't want to hurt you. You were all I could think about." A single tear escaped her right eye, and she murmured, "I never want to hurt you, John."
"You don't want this right now. Not yet. Not like this."
"But I do, John. Please?"
He kissed her quivering lips, and she instantaneously deepened it. He gently laid her down on the mattress and used his ring to make his uniform disappear.
John kissed Shy again, and he could taste the salty tears.
They were both crying.
)(
Chapter 4 coming soon...