"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"
6
"But I'll have a blue… blue, blue, blue Christmas…"
John groaned and opened his eyes. The clock/radio had turned on, so he knew it was seven o'clock.
"Ladies and gents, it is Tuesday the twenty-second, leaving us three shopping days left until Christmas. I hope you're –"
He reached over to shut if off and then realized no one was lying beside him. Quickly, he sat up to survey his room but was relieved to see her sitting on the edge of his bed, stark naked and with her back to him.
The sun's rays illuminated her light skin, gray feathers, and auburn hair. He noted how her slightly curled strands were glittering.
Last night's reunion entered his thoughts, and he sighed happily.
Before he spoke, Shayera questioned, "Do you really want me?"
The Lantern glanced at his messy sheets, the pile of clothes on the floor, and the blinds they hadn't drawn. Part of him wondered if the neighbors had heard the two of them. "Doesn't last night answer that question?"
"No. That's not what I mean." She turned to reveal her perfect face, smeared with yesterday's eyeliner. "If we try this again, John… You'll get the whole package. You get Shayera Hol, not a sham under the name of Hawkgirl." She paused for a moment, probably to gather her thoughts. "The real Shayera Hol, complete with all her treacherous flaws."
"Nothing could please me more, well… except for that thing you… you know."
She rolled her eyes and ran a hand through her hair. "I'm trying to be serious, here."
John shot a large hand from his ring and pulled the woman to his side. He withdrew the aura and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I love you."
"I love you too."
He smiled. "I'm in love with you."
"I've been in love with you."
"Good. Then there's nothing to discuss."
She bit her lower lip and placed a hand on his chest. "I have to get to work. I'm on call this afternoon."
"Me too."
Her delicate fingers started on a path toward his navel but passed it up. "Luckily, that gives us some time."
"Yes. It does."
When her hand reached it's destination, John sucked in a breath and swallowed hard. "So, uh… What do suggest we do?"
Her tender lips nibbled his ear and then whispered, "You get two guesses."
VV
Shayera Hol, former lieutenant and former Hawkgirl, pulled her messy hair into a ponytail and piled her language volumes next to books Batman had sent her last week. She had resisted opening them, fearing they would involve something dealing with the execution of traitors.
Reluctantly, she lifted the package and ripped open the paper to find a text dedicated to the secrets of disguise and spying. A typed note was attached to the cover, and she read it aloud.
"After speaking with both J'onn and Superman, I think we may have a project for you concerning a new and 'particular' board in which your area of expertise would be significantly required. I would like an answer as soon as possible, but you may take your time considering."
In other words, Batman wanted Shayera to be the head of a special operations program involving infiltrators and scouts. She knew they were having troubles with government agencies lately; they needed the upper hand.
Who better to be left in charge of spies than a spy?
A knock sounded at the door, and Shy quickly put the books on her chair. Although she wished she had thrown away John's empty ice cream cartons, Shayera answered the door anyway.
To her surprise, Vixen stood on the opposite side.
"Morning, Shayera."
"Is there something I can do for you?" The redhead slightly narrowed her eyes. Since the Christmas party, the Thanagarian had thought of a few words she would gladly to say to the dark woman in response to her observations and demands.
"I wanted to apologize for the way I acted two weeks ago. I was a little drunk and hotheaded. The things I said, although somewhat true, were rude and uncalled for."
Shy moistened her lips and nodded.
"It's just that… he was in love with you, and I knew it. I usually don't have to try to gain the affection, let alone the attention, of a male. Typically, I get what I want with little effort, but John was a different story.
"He was a challenge that I failed to conquer. Perhaps I wanted to lose him on my own terms, and you were the prime scapegoat. It wasn't you I hated. I guess I hated him a little bit, even though it really wasn't his fault."
"Thanks, Vixen. I didn't want to –"
"You don't have to defend yourself, Shayera. You two have so much more of a past… I just wanted to set things right."
Shy offered a small grin. "New Year's resolution?"
"You know it."
Although a bit awkward, both females took part in some quiet laughter.
VV
The Green Lantern kept his eyes on Superman even though his mind was wandering. He noted how the six had seated themselves accordingly without thinking; he knew humans were creatures of habit but speculated those from Krypton and Mars were the same.
Superman was seated in seat number four with Wonder Woman and Batman to his right and left. Next to the princess, John and J'onn sat. Flash sat to the left of the Dark Knight.
An empty number seven separated seats one and six, Flash and J'onn.
It was Shayera's seat. It had always been her seat.
He wondered if it had always been planned to have her at the table again or if it was only a coincidence. Knowing Batman, it was no accident; no matter what anyone else believed, Hawkgirl or some form of Shayera Hol was supposed to be seated between the Martian and the hotshot.
John smiled.
"Lantern? Are you with us?"
Superman caught GL's diverted attention, and he focused on the topic at hand: Nightwing's admittance into the League.
Hopefully, the next topic voted on in the near future would be Shayera's position in the League.
VV
END
Happy Holidays Everybody. Thanks for reading, and may God Bless.
A.T.