"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 5: Martian Encounter

It was early morning, about four o'clock, and rain was falling. Wrapped up in a warm, hunter green coat, Alexia stood on the roof of The Gotham Hotel. She was waiting for The Martian Manhunter to join her.

Of all the heroes she'd been assigned to meet, he was the most unnerving character. Perhaps the fact he was a telepath frightened her. The thought of another prying into her deepest thoughts sent chills down her spine; she hated being vulnerable and unprepared. He had the upper hand, and she despised him for that.

At exactly four, Alexia was no longer alone; he had arrived.

"Special Agent Zorica?" he asked in a monotone voice. "I am –"

"The Martian," she finished and tucked her hands into her pockets. "Thank you for joining me."

His green skin was quite different; he was the only member of the League that did not look human, and she couldn't help wondering how he felt about that. He, being the last one of his kind, might be a secure being and obliged to assist Superman and the others in their quest to protect the planet.

She didn't know.

His glowing orange eyes didn't appear to move much. Something told her that he was trying to read her, trying to discover her motives.

"I'm here to –"

"Discuss Hawkgirl's whereabouts," he interrupted. Before her jaw could drop, he added, "It does not take a telepath to decipher that."

A fake smile molded onto her lips. "Of course." After quickly pulling herself together, Alexia took a small step forward. "Were you close to the traitor?"

This time, the Martian's eyes did narrow. "If you do not object, I would rather you not refer to Hawkgirl as 'The Traitor.'"

"Please accept my apologies." When he didn't say more, she repeated her question, without using the single word that described Hol with complete accuracy.

"I like to think that we were friends. We would converse about our homelands and pasts, though I see now that she had stretched the truth relatively well."

"If you don't mind my asking, why didn't you just read her mind? I'm sure you would have learned of the invasion months, if not years, before it occurred."

"For some reason, it is rather difficult to read a Thanagarian mind. The process is extremely delicate."

"So Hawkgirl was immune to your powers?"

"Yes."

"Would it be possible for you to locate the Thanagarian?"

"Of course, but I am neither employed by the government nor the FBI. I did not agree upon meeting here to do your assignment for you."

Alexia's wry smile surfaced as she took another step toward the Martian. "Do you know where she is right now?"

When his answer was silence, she shook her head. "Withholding information from an officer is a federal offence."

"And how does this concern me?"

"Well," she shrugged, "you may not be an American Citizen, but I promise you that the government could find a way to punish you. Didn't they experiment on and study a Martian just a few years ago?" When his eyes slightly widened, she knew she had hit a nerve.

"You're threatening me," he stated. "I don't believe you have the right to be so confident."

"Do you honestly think that we don't have files on every single one of you? We know who they all are; they couldn't protect you any more than they could protect themselves."

"That is quite a bluff," the Martian admitted and, without strain, began to hover over the roof. "I truly hope you have the resources to –"

"Back up my claims?" she finished for him. When he flew away, she smiled to herself.

They all knew where she was hiding; they just didn't want anyone to find her.