"Silver Bells, Christmas Lights, and Angel Wings"

By: The Angelic Temptress

Disclaimer: None of the borrowed characters are mine. Those people who created the show and its stars own them, but they don't know how to "truly" use them to their full potential…

Rating: PG-13, I hope.

Spoilers: Through "Wake the Dead"

1

"It's the frost hour at three, ladies and gents. The countdown to Christmas is down to four days. Soon enough, Santa will be traveling the skies in this sleigh and delivering goodies to all the good boys and girls. But until then, CRW995 will be playing your favorite holiday hits.

"Now for all those unlucky folks who've managed to come down with the holiday blues, here's a little ditty by the King of Rock and Roll. 'Blue Christ –'"

Shayera Hol shut off her alarm clock and groaned into her pillow. The Watchtower received satellite radio, and ever since J'onn had given her a radio alarm, she's hated it. Well, at least now she did; Christmas music made her nauseous.

Today, she got a very late start because of her mission in Belize the night before, helping clean up after a terrorist attack that hit both the American and British Embassies.

The redhead rolled out of her messy bed and stumbled to her sad excuse for a dresser. The room was for guests, so it wasn't as state of the art as Green Arrow's or Kara's, but it was what she deserved. J'onn said that it would only be temporary, not that it mattered.

She needed a hot shower, but, unlike the other Watchtower, this place possessed communal showers; she wasn't modest, but she didn't enjoy hearing her co-workers spreading rumors about her.

"Computer," she spoke, "state my schedule for Monday the twenty-first of December." Shy knew that Batman had created the entire mainframe within the satellite; his Batwing and 'Mobile used the same technology.

A second later, it answered, "Shayera Hol. Not scheduled."

Her green eyes went wide. "Computer. Who is listed to go to Europe this evening?"

"Supergirl. Captain Atom, Hawk, and Dove."

She whirled around to glare at the computer, though she knew it wouldn't react. "What the hell happened? Kara hadn't been assigned yesterday?" Was there a last minute plan change? Did the "Big Six" not think she was capable enough to handle the situation in Paris? After all, they needed someone who could speak French.

And Shayera spoke French, English, Spanish, Japanese, and German.

Portuguese and Italian were still on her "To Do" List.

A knock sounded at her door, and she froze. Not many people knocked on her door. Actually, no one ever did. Those who wanted to speak with her usually waited until she emerged from her quarters.

Quickly, she tried to smooth her matted hair but gave up when it resisted the attempts. She took in a deep breath and asked, "Who's there?"

"It's Wally."

Although slightly disappointed, Shayera smiled and opened the door. The Flash stood on the opposite side, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk on his young face.

"Hey hottie. Didn't think Santa would leave me on your doorstep, did ya?"

She rolled her eyes and invited him inside. "What are you up to?"

"Zilch," he replied lightheartedly and waltzed inside, carrying a paper bag under his arm. "So, what are you doing tonight?"

"Apparently nothing. I had specifically asked J'onn to have me work the evening shift in Paris, but apparently he thought Supergirl would be more efficient… Why do I suddenly have the feeling that you had something to do with this unexpected modification?"

"Maybe because I did." Flash sat down in the only chair and tossed the bag onto her bed. "I pulled a few strings and made a deal with Kara. I'll work on Batgirl's birthday, so Kara can be at her party."

"And in exchange, she does the mission in Paris?"

"Yep."

She shook her head. "I didn't want this night off, Wally."

"That's too bad because I was thinking about being your escort to the Christmas party."

"Thanks but no thanks."

The red-clad speedster stood from his seat and strolled to stand face to face with his friend. "It will be good for you. I promise. If you feel uncomfortable, we'll leave and spend the rest of the night on Earth in a bar of your choice. Okay?"

"Wally –"

"Shy. You're going. I already paid the ten bucks for you." He started for the door but stopped when she asked about the bag he had left behind. "I borrowed a few things from Batgirl. She's about your size. Hope you like what she picked out for you.

"Be ready by a quarter till. The party starts at eight on Watchtower three."

VV

Wally, still in uniform because he had a secret identity to hide, knocked on Hol's bedroom door for the second time that day. It was about ten till eight, and he was a little nervous. Although he didn't care what the others said about inviting Shy, he still cared about Shayera's feelings.

He had noticed her tendency of being very reserved lately, which was completely understandable. There were only a handful of members of the JL who actually spoke to her.

Well, more like only four, including both him and J'onn.

The door slowly opened to reveal a showered and made up Shayera Hol. Although she generally never wore makeup, she had applied a touch of shadow to her lids to accent her eyes and some gloss to her lips. She was wearing a black skirt that barely passed mid-thigh, a black top, and black boots.

'Thank you, Babsy,' Flash thought and whistled. "You look absolutely gorgeous."

Suddenly, Shy hugged him and kissed his cheek. He blushed.

"I love you, kid. You're one of the best friends I've ever had. I just wanted you to know."

"Ditto, babe. Now, let's go. Supes actually allowed the serving of alcohol." They hooked arms and started for the teleporter.

"Who's all going?"

He knew exactly what she meant by the vague question. "J'onn is on monitor duty, Bats is in Gotham, and Diana is speaking to the Parliament in London."

"Leaving Clark and John." She bit her lower lip and sighed. "Well, at least I don't have to face Diana."

"Let's thank Hera for that one." The Flash smirked at the fellow redhead. "So, you ready for this?" he whispered as they walked into the teleportation room. "Because there's no turning back."

Shayera took in a deep breath and slightly nodded. "Sure. Why not?"

"That's the spirit."

VV

The "party room" had been decorated with lights, paper snowflakes, tons of presents, mistletoe, a tree, and whatever else humans related to the holiday season. Although she couldn't connect everything to Christmas, she noted how beautiful it all had been fashioned.

All eyes were on her, and she secretly shivered. Her grip on The Flash's arm tightened, but he didn't say a word. Shayera wanted to go back to her room, wrap up in the unfamiliar covers, and die.

This was not good. She didn't want to stir up this much controversy, attention, or muttering.

"I'm glad you decided to join us," Superman's strong voice said from behind her. She and Flash both turned to face him, and they were met with a grown superhero wearing a Santa suit, complete with a white beard and glasses. "You look nice tonight, Shayera."

"Thanks." Her voice almost got stuck in her throat, but she didn't know which reason to blame. "Flash talked me into coming."

"I'm glad you decided to listen."

She forced a smile. "I still have my doubts."

The Man of Steel placed a hand on her arm and squeezed. "Don't let them get to you. Ignore it. Now, get yourself some eggnog and start partying. There are not to be any holiday blues circulating tonight. Understood?" He walked away to meet with other heroes.

Shayera muttered, "That's the third time I've heard that word today, and I've only been up since three."

Flash pointed to the bar. "Get us something with a kick. I'm going to mingle."

"You said that you wouldn't abandon me," she reminded, her grip tightening with every passing moment.

"I'll meet you… there. I… ow…" he ripped from her hold. "I'm be with you in a sec." The scarlet speedster ran off, and she swallowed hard.

'This can be done, Shy. Just, keep cool.' The Thanagarian defensively pulled her wings close to her body and briskly strode to the bar table. "Can I have two Budweisers, please?"

The woman sporting the festive red top hat sent Shy a smile. "That all you want?" Zatana pulled the bottles from a fridge and took their caps off.

"Superman talked you into handling the bar tonight?"

She shrugged. "Yeah. I won the coin toss, though. Black Canary got stuck with the cookie and candy cane table, not that she minds much. Rumor has it that Green Arrow doesn't lack a sweet tooth."

"Thanks," Shayera said after forcing a laugh and slowly turned around to spot the archer near the pretty blonde. Black Canary was wearing a cute little elf outfit.

Good thing Superman hadn't asked Shayera to help out; she would have stuffed the brightly lit Christmas tree up his –

She suddenly stopped breathing. He was holding a bottle in his hand and wore a black turtleneck with gray slacks. For someone who had no hair, his head wasn't shiny at all…

He was standing on the opposite side of the room, and all she could think of was the reflective surface of his head? Shayera's palms were already sweaty. She couldn't move. Even with that ridiculous beard, he was absolutely gorgeous.

She tried to shake the pleasant memories from her head. She didn't deserve to even think about him; he was out of her reach, especially now.

Vixen, or Mari as he liked to call her, walked over to John with a glass of wine. She was wearing something straight from the runway.

Shayera tried not to tear her eyes away while attempting to stop hyperventilating.

She wanted to ring Flash's neck.