"Questioning"

By: The Angelic Temptress

Disclaimer: DC Comics, Bruce Timm, Warner Bros. and others own all the characters, save one. No infringement is intended. The story idea is mine, and the characters are only being borrowed for practice. I'm not making any money.

Rating: PG-13 for language

Spoilers: "Starcrosssed" and parts of "The Return"

XX

Chapter 3: Faster than a Speeding Bullet

Special Agent Zorica stepped out of her yellow taxicab after paying the Arab man and wrapped the trench coat tighter around herself. Before she had ended her meeting with the obnoxious Flash the day prior, he had informed her of the next two appointments.

At noon, The Man of Steel would be waiting for her on the roof of The Daily Planet, Metropolis's leading newspaper. Wonder Woman was scheduled to be in a restaurant across the street at one thirty.

Metropolis was a much cleaner and brighter city than Gotham, but much larger than Central City. Of course, that made sense. This city had Superman to protect it.

She walked into the building that possessed the giant globe on its roof and instantly detected the smell of the newsroom. The aroma of sour frappaccinos, old take out, stale donuts, paper, and ink filled the hallways. She didn't like the stench at all.

"Jimmy!" a woman yelled from the elevators. "We need that photo of Supergirl for Kent's article! Hurry. We've got to take that to print."

Alexia continued through the room, passing the many desks that were either vacant or occupied by a typing reporter, and made it to the editor's office. She knocked on the door and was answered with a loud "Come in." She did as she was told.

An older man sat at his desk, reading through what seemed to be an article heading to print. An attractive brunette with unusually lavender eyes had perched herself on the edge of his desk with her arms folded.

"This is good, Lois."

"Thanks, Perry." Lois smiled and stood.

"Mr. White?"

"Tha'd be me, Miss…"

"Agent Zorcia. We spoke over the phone."

Lois's smile faded. "Agent?"

"She's here to meet with Superman," Perry White stated and stood from his seat to shake the newcomer's hand.

"About what?"

"Hawkgirl," Zorica answered and returned her attention to the editor. "I just wanted to let you know I was here."

"Thanks. Just take the elevator to the top, and there'll be a door to the left. It leads to the roof."

"Thank you." Before leaving, Alexia addressed the reporter. "You are Lois Lane?"

"Yes."

"The one who both interviews and is saved by Superman on a daily basis. Pleasure to meet you." As she walked out of the office, Lane mumbled something in response and then started a conversation of a "Smallville" who was getting her lunch.

When the detective reached the roof, she was surprised to see the Kryptonian already waiting for her.

His hard, dark eyes followed her as she strode toward him. The wind blew, causing his red cape to wave. He was the assumed leader of the League and truly looked the part. The "S" that sat upon his broad chest indicated he was much stronger than both Batman and Flash combined.

"Agent Zorica?"

"Yes."

"It's good to meet you." Superman extended his right hand, and she shook it. "Batman said that you have a few questions for me."

"I do."

"You want to know where Hawkgirl is."

Alexia nodded.

"Honestly, I haven't the faintest idea. When we shredded ties with her, it was her choice. We didn't force her to resign."

"Resign? I suppose she wanted to save whatever honor she had left."

"Perhaps."

The detective nodded again and stuffed her hands into her pockets. "Of all of the members of the League, who was she closest to?"

"Namely Flash, Lantern, and the Manhunter. I believe Hawkgirl found she had more in common with those three."

"In what aspect?"

"The Martian had lost his family a long time ago, and they shared a feeling of loneliness. The Flash was treated like a younger brother; it's tough not to get along with him. The Lantern –"

"Had been her lover," she finished for the Man of Steel. "Correct?"

"I wouldn't know."

Alexia pushed her bangs from her eyes and stated, "The Flash said that she hadn't been involved with the Green Lantern."

"As I said before, I wouldn't know."

"Who was the last person to speak to her?"

Superman thought before he answered. "The Green Lantern."

"Do you think he could be –?"

Her sentence died when screams came from the street, and Alexia whirled around to see what was happening. A public bus, without a driver behind the wheel, sped down the street. How coincidental and cliché…

"Excuse me," the superhero said and flew past her. The breeze he created nearly knocked her over.

As much as she wanted to watch the great Superman save the citizens of Metropolis for the millionth time, she had a job to do. Alexia headed for the stairs.