Beginning Author's Note: Chapter 4 guys! Enjoy!
Comments:
Causeimbrokenandimlonesome: Glad you like.
Alhana-Antilles: I was kinda in a rush to post this. Next chapter I'll give you the websites. Sorry. I'm glad you're enjoying Tim. He's always been a favorite. I liked the breakfast dialog too.
Skite: Learn something new everyday. XD
Silverwolf: Glad you like the relationship between Shayera and Tim. A lot of people do. I was surprised so many would like it.
OooSupergirlooo: Glad you like it.
From-Heaven2Earth: You guessed it! I was saving it for this chapter. Lol. XD
HeyBats: Thank you.
Weapon x 61: Thanks. Yup Tim is the best reason to like Tim. Lol.
Chapter 4: Leaving
Tim sat frozen on the spot as he watched Shayera cry. How could the League do this? How could they? Tim wanted nothing more than to run down to Bruce and give him a good kick right in the stomach.
I'll give him a roundhouse kick… thought Tim devilishly, No! Even better I'll punch all those Leaguers right through wall! Yea! I'll go all kung fu on them… yea…
"Kid, what are you doing?"
Tim jumped at the sight of being caught and slammed his head hitting the top of the air vent. There was a hand wrapped around his foot as he suddenly found himself being dragged out of the vent. Rubbing his head from his bump, and cursing whoever scared him, Tim found himself slammed to the floor face to face with the Green Lantern.
He looked around, "Ummm…"
"What in God's name are you doing in the air vent?" John asked.
"Nothing…" said Tim standing up and brushing himself off, air vent are dusty.
"Kid…" the Lantern, said in an irritated voice, "What were you doing?"
Tim stiffened his posture, "First of all…" he said starting off very Batman-ish, "I don't have to tell you anything. My house… my air vents. I can go in them if I want… and secondly," he crossed his arms very angrily, "I'm not a kid…"
Green Lantern rolled his eyes. Reason number one why he disliked children: They're smart as—
"What are you doing here?" asked Tim loudly.
Yea… this is defiantly Batman's kid… thought Green Lantern bitterly, "What?"
"You heard me." All his anger built up from the League's harsh treatment was starting to show it's ugly head in the boy's tone of voice and body language. But Tim didn't care if his anger showed, the League had no right to completely drop Shayera off like a fallen villain. She was more than that… she wasn't a villain at all… she was a friend. His friend.
"Do you always talk to adults this way?" John asked, eyebrow raised.
There were some steps coming from the hallway. Tim opened his mouth to answer when someone answered for him, "Yes," said Bruce.
John and Tim turned their head towards Bruce, who was now Batman. The rest of the League was behind him, in costume as well.
"I could have answered it Bruce," said Tim frowning.
Bruce simply ignored Tim and turned to John.
"I'm on the other side of you…" Tim mumbled grumpily to his mentor, "In case you didn't notice."
He wasn't sure if Bruce heard him or not, if he did he was doing a great job of hiding it as always. Bruce was focused on John right now.
"We need you for the meeting," Batman said to John in his deep Dark Knight voice.
John nodded, "Alright… I'll be down in a minute."
Batman didn't nod in understand meant or say anything. The Green Lantern assumed he understood and heard him.
"I hope Tim wasn't distracting you from anything…" Batman said looking at his ward.
"Oh now you say something…" Tim groaned.
Lantern looked as if for a moment he was going to say something that yes Tim had been rude, but something told him he didn't want to get involved in this family fight at the moment.
"You should be more respectful of our guests," Batman told Tim as if he knew Tim had done something… after all… this was Tim.
Tim opened his hand and pretended it was talking, "Blah, blah, blah… you're one to talk about respect."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me…" Tim said bitterly, "You're one to talk about respect. It seems I'm not the only one guilty of not showing respect towards someone."
The League all exchanged glances with each other then looked back at Tim. They all knew who Tim was talking about… Shayera.
Superman started to talk, "Tim… I understand you're concerned for her but—"
"Don't waster your breath Clark," Tim said starting to walk down the hallway, "If you want to apologize to anyone… apologize to Shayera…"
And with that, the Boy Wonder walked down the hallway with glances of guilt, confusion and insecurities following him.
-Shayera's Room-
She looked at herself back in the mirror. She wanted to shatter it to a million pieces.
There was nothing good looking back at her.
A fallen traitor…
"Traitor!" shouted the Man of Steel as she walked by his cell.
A fallen warrior…
"Nothing but a fallen warrior and traitor…" said her Commander.
A fallen lover…
"Last time I turned my back on you, you sucker punched me…" hissed the Green Lantern at her.
Shayera sighed heavily as she took her fist and shattered the mirror into pieces. The glasses echoed through out her ears as the voices of her sins shouted at her too. As each piece fell to the ground she felt as if her heart was shattering with it.
"I'm guessing you and the mirror got into a disagreement?"
Shayera didn't need to turn around to see her new visitor. It was Tim. Who else would even think of stepping in her room as her hour of truth set in… her last hours as a Justice League member.
The footsteps of the young boy grew louder as she soon found him next to her while she stood up tall looking ahead at a sun setting scene out her window, arms wrapped around herself.
"Shayera?" Tim asked timidly.
That was the first time she had ever heard him talk to her like that. Shy… scared… confused almost… He should be… she after all almost did kill all of Earth.
"Shayera?" he repeated.
Shayera answered the child, "I'm okay Tim," she said knowing the boy's next question.
"Are you sure?"
She but her lip. She couldn't answer that question. She might be okay now… but what about in the future… would she even be alive?
"I don't know…" she confessed.
Tim walked around to face her and she lowered her head to the child. After a glance into his eyes she looked back to the sunset.
"What are you feeling?" he asked her joining her in looking at the sunset window.
She felt so insecure. How could this boy's simple questions break down all her defenses? No one could read her as well as he could, "I'm not sure. I'm feeling a lot of things."
Tim looked back to her, "Like what?"
Shayera hung her head down. She couldn't describe what she was feeling right now. She didn't even know what she was feeling right now. All she knew was she wanted it all to end.
"I don't know…" she answered again feeling a wave of tears behind her eyes. She desperately tried to hide them from Tim but it was no use.
Tim took notice almost immediately and looked up at his winged friend, "Shaye—"
But before the boy could finish Shayera was on her knees hugging Tim and crying on his shoulder. Tim looked around, feeling a bit confused and awkward at first. He looked around the room a bit lost then slowly patted Shayera on the back to calm her down.
She sniffled, and felt so young. Here… a grown woman crying on the shoulder of a child who seemed to have enough going on in his life with out a traitor spilling her eyes out on him. But yet Tim's reaction wasn't a push or a angry comment. It was a hug in return. She desperately wanted him to say it was okay, everything would turn out better.
"Shayera… it's—" Tim caught himself. He remembered Bruce telling him once never to tell a person it was okay unless it was. Tim wasn't sure of the Justice League's choice to remove her from the League (though he assumed she would be) but he didn't want Shayera to feed off of false hope. He had done that once and finding out the truth had hurt him greatly.
"Ohhh… I'm sorry Tim," Shayera said getting up and wiping her tears of her now wet cheeks with the back of her hand, "I didn't mean to—"
"That's alright Shayera," Tim told her smiling back at her, "Feel better?"
In truth, Shayera did feel better. She had let a lot of built up emotion of her chest right there and she did feel slightly relieved, "A little."
"Want a cup of tea?" he said.
"Tea?"
Tim shrugged, "I dunno. Alfred always offers me one when I'm upset…"
"Ohhh…" Shayera said giving a soft sniffle.
There was an awkward silence between the two for once. Tim had no comment to make Shayera laugh or forget about being a super hero, no comment to make her smile. And Shayera… she had no words to offer Tim back for his actions. The two looked at each other, trying see inside the other.
Then, with out words, Tim started to head towards the door. Shayera raised an eyebrow at his actions.
"Well… I guess I'll see you around…" he whispered.
Shayera felt her eyes narrow sadly, "What do you mean?"
Tim shrugged and shuffled his feet. He couldn't give her an answer. He just wanted it to all go away. Shayera was his friend and he just wanted all her pain to go away. He was beginning to think that if he left her alone they'd forget about each other and go on with their lives… as cruel as it sounded… Tim wanted only the best for Shayera and the best might if they never saw each other again… no reminders of heroism left for her to be hurt over.
But he would never share that with Shayera. He couldn't, "I was… um… gonna let you get ready for your meeting with the League."
Shayera looked at him, "I'm not going in costume," she informed him.
"Why not?"
"I don't need it anymore," she said firmly.
Tim was a bit shocked by her bitterness to the comment, "But—"
"That was nothing more than a costume hiding all my secrets… all my lies…" Shayera began slowly, "A cover up for me… I hid behind that mask and now I'm disgusted with myself for doing so. No… I can never wear that costume again…"
Tim let all her words sink in. She truly was hating herself for something that wasn't her fault. Tim desperately wanted to reach out to her, pull her out of the rut in her mind that was letting her believe that it was only her to take on the weight of what happened to Earth. There were many more to blame for the invasion than just Shayera… she was the only one brave enough to take on the guilt though.
Opening his mouth to say something to perhaps make her think other wise someone called to Tim from downstairs.
"Master Timothy!"
Tim rolled his eyes. What could Alfred possibly want?
"I guess I better go see what Alfred wants…" he tried to joke with Shayera, "Probably having a fit over some Bat-a-rang he assumes I left in the hallway…"
He saw the Thanagerian's lips curve but as fast as they were raised, the went back into a frown.
"I'll come back up," Tim told her.
Shayera nodded as she watched Tim walk off… her eyes filling up with tears once more.
-Downstairs-
"What!" called out Tim.
Alfred popped his head out of the Living Room holding a vacuum in one hand and a cleaning rag in the other, "Master Bruce wants a word with you in the kitchen sir."
"He does?" Tim said nervously.
"Yes," Alfred stated as he turned around to get back to cleaning the Living Room.
Tim felt planted on the spot. Why did Bruce want to see him? Whatever it was… he didn't do it. For once in his life the trouble in the house wasn't him. But maybe he didn't want Tim… maybe he was going to take Tim out… maybe Bruce wanted Robin!
"Uhhh… can you tell him I'll be a minute…" Tim told Alfred.
Alfred came back out from the Living Room, "But sir, he wanted to see you now."
"Tell him to hold his horses! I'll be right there," Tim said running upstairs.
If he was going to face Bruce… he wanted to be prepared, and who better not prepared then Robin.
-Kitchen, with the League-
"I'm here," Tim said walking in grinning… well Tim was no longer Tim. He was now Robin.
Batman looked like he was going to roll his eyes, and Flash tried to hold in the laughter from Batman's face.
"Tim why are—"
"Shhh! Don't say that name Batman…" Robin flipped over to Batman, "It's Robin… Shhh… we all have secret identities… don't ruin it."
"I won't ask why you're dressed up," Batman said flatly.
Robin snorted, "You're dressed up."
"That's not the point…"
"Then what is?" Robin asked slyly. All those years with Bruce were paying off.
"This kid's giving you a run for your money Bats," Flash said with a grin.
Batman turned around and silently scolded Flash. With the Batman, words didn't need to be spoken to get the message across.
"Sorry…" Flash whispered.
Batman turned his attention back to his ward that was beaming up at him, "Sit."
"What? I thought you called me down for some but kicking action!" he shouted gesturing kicks and punches into the air.
"He makes an impressive warrior," said Wonder Woman.
Batman spoke, "Don't encourage him."
Robin was now wondering… if Bruce hadn't have wanted Robin… what did he want? He wasn't in trouble he hoped. He decided just to make sure.
"What ever it is, I didn't do it!" Robin shouted.
The League looked at him curiously.
"I'm just clarifying with you guys," Robin said with a smile.
Superman let out a soft smile and Flash grinned like anything. He was finding Robin very humorous and wondering how he got stuck with Batman.
Robin looked back at the silent superheroes, "So… if you didn't want Robin… and I'm not in trouble…" he turned his head towards Batman, "What did you want?"
"Sit," Batman repeated.
Hesitantly Robin sat on the couch before him looking back at the League. He wiggled nervously in his seat. What did he do?
Then it hit Robin…
"This is about Shayera isn't it?" Robin said dully.
The League all looked at him rather sadly.
"Tim," Superman begun, "We're just concerned for you."
"For me!" he sounded surprised, "Why! Shayera's the one you guys should be worrying about! She's a mess and you guys aren't helping her!"
Superman answered him calmly, "There's nothing more we can do for her."
"What!" Robin stood up angrily only to get grabbed by the shoulders and pushed back down by Batman who was now sitting next to him, "She's your friend! Friends help each other!"
"We're sorry Tim," Superman said, "But… we can't…"
"So you've already made your vote then?" he asked timidly.
"No, but…" Superman stumbled over his own words, "Tim, we got off topic. Like we said, we're concerned for you. You seem to have taken a… a nice interest in Shayera… and—"
"And you don't want me to be friends with her anymore because you're kicking her out of the League is that it?" Robin said bitterly.
No on answered him.
Standing up, Robin turned a quick heal and with the swish of his cape was out in the hallway. Once he was in the hallway he started to make a run for it. He just ran and ran as far as he could go. Making his way to the backdoor, he pushed it open and ran for the ocean side cliff as the sun set.
-Shayera's Room-
She took a deep breath as she left her room. The first time today. Closing her door gently, she made her way down the well-kept hallway to go to the Living Room where she would wait to hear the League's answer on weather she was allowed to stay a member.
Going down the stairs she knew this would be the last time she'd be a League member. They'd vote her out for sure.
It was all over.
Was it worth it?
Was what worth it? She asked the voice in her head.
Staying loyal to your people?
Of course it was! They were my family…
That's right… they were your family.
I don't need them. I have others.
The League? No you don't… you'll never see them again…
Stop it. They might not vote me out.
Quit kidding yourself… you know they will. You've told yourself this many a time now. Think about it… Superman thinks you're a traitor…
He's not the only one in the League you know.
J'onn I'm sure will never talk to you.
But he will! He knows how it feels to be an outcast…
Just because he hasn't shared his opinion on the matter doesn't mean he doesn't have one.
Shut up!
Flash must think you're the biggest joke. Big tough Shayera… all along was evil…
Flash doesn't think that!
Diana wants to rip you limb from limb. How dare you lie to the Princess of the Amazons…
She can think what she wants… I'm sure she'll get over it.
You were the only woman she knew on Earth and you betrayed her? Imagine how hurt and angry she must feel… she can't even trust her own race.
I'm not an Amazon… it doesn't matter!
And I'm sure Batman won't even turn the other cheek on you ever again. He was never one to trust people… I'm sure you heightened his senses.
Shut UP!
And what must John think?
SHUT UP!
He loved you Shayera… and this is how you repay him? Nearly getting him and the Earth destroyed.
"SHUT UP!" Shayera screamed aloud in the hallway.
"Miss. Hol," came a voice from near by. It was Alfred, "Miss. Hol, are you alright?" he asked in a concerned tone.
Shayera then realized she had shouted out loud. She would have been embarrassed but she wasn't, "No…" she was destroyed from head to toe, "I'm fine…"
More lying? Why not… worked wonders before.
Shut up… she told the voice firmly.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Shayera told the older butler, "Just thinking out loud I guess."
Alfred nodded, "You're to wait out in the Living Room until they've mad their choice Miss."
"Thanks you, Alfred," she said sitting down.
Flipping on the TV, Shayera decided to calm herself down, she had gotten awfully worked up. But why wouldn't she? After all, her fate was in the League's hands.
After a few minutes of channel surfing she found the News. She wished she hadn't but she watched it anyway, they were reporting on the League's triumph over her people. Shayera had been mentioned several times as a traitor and other nasty names but she couldn't help but feel that they were right…
"This is Snapper Carr reporting… in a stunning turn of events… the Thanagerian forces have ended their occupation of Earth… departing for locations unknown… once again the world owes a debt of gratitude to the self-less heroism of the Justice League."
Shayera flicked off the TV… she couldn't take it anymore.
She heard footsteps behind her and turned up to see Alfred carrying a tray of what looked to be tea.
"They've been in there a long time," she said sounding worried.
Alfred responded, "Yes, Miss they have," he started to pour some tea in a cup, "But if I may be so bold Miss, I'm neither a super hero or a solider, so I'm hardly qualified to judge your actions by those standards," he stood up with tea in hand, "But I do know this…"
Shayera looked back at him, intensely watching him
"With out the great sacrifices you've made… we wouldn't be here to share this nice pot of tea."
He handed her the steaming cup. Shayera took the cup with a smile. Then he put his hand on hers and with a big grin the butler began to speak again.
"What ever they decide in that room… in my eyes… you'll always be a hero."
It was a simple sentence but Shayera felt a big smile being painted on her face. She wanted to just hug Alfred tightly and thank him so much. But before she could even begin to say a word he made his way back to the Meeting Room leaving Shayera alone…
-A Few Minutes Later-
Sighing inwardly to herself, Shayera knew it was all over. She looked hardly at the wall, hands cupped near her face waiting for her trail to be over with.
Seconds seemed like hours… minutes seemed like years…
A hand touched her shoulder. She looked up to see Alfred.
"They send for you Miss."
She got up taking in a deep breath, "Thank you, Alfred," she said before walking to the Meeting Room… he moment of truth awaiting her.
Her steps seemed as if she was carrying concrete on her back, her movements rough and jagged. She reached the Meeting Room and with a heavy heart opened the door.
There was the League… all standing around looking at her. Superman with his arms behind his back… it was obvious they had chosen him to tell her the news.
She didn't want the answer… she had to say something.
"Hawkgirl…" Superman began.
How could her call her by her traitorous name? If she wanted a word in edgewise, it had to be now, "Before you start," she swallowed hard, "I have something to say."
It was time…
"I came to this planet as a patriot," she began to walk forward, the League seemed so far away, "I had a mission… and I carried it out."
She looked at Flash and J'onn, both intensely listening. Batman looked unhappy and uninterested, Superman seemed understanding. John looked on sadly and Diana looked as if she'd what to be anywhere else, but here.
"What I couldn't know… was that I'd come to care for the Earth or her people…" this was starting to come from here heart, "That I'd care to come for all of you."
She meant that… she really did. The lump in her throat grew larger.
"I've spent the last five years torn between my feelings… and my duty… I won't ask you to do the same…"
Here was her moment of truth. Her moment of innocence. Not handed it her from the League… but handed off to them… this was coming from her heart more than any of them knew.
She swallowed, a look of grief on her face, "Therefore, I'm resigning from the Justice League… effective immediately."
They all looked at her a bit surprise. Even Diana's stone face of anger turned soft.
There was a silence next… a long deadly silence that filled the room like poison gas…
She had to escape the silence. She had to get away… and so she did. Shayera Hol turned her heel on what she had called friends and family for the last five years. She didn't even look back… because from now on… there was no turning back.
But before she reached the door, someone's arms came wrapping around her. She looked up to see Flash, his young face saddened as he hugged her. She couldn't help but hug him back. And to think all those years she had yelled at him. She was going to miss it.
But she had to go… she broke away from the hug, after a sad glance from Flash and made her way down the hallway. There was no turning back.
-Wayne Ocean Front Cliff-
Robin sat there on the edge of the cliff dangling his feet over it. He was looking out into the sea wondering how Shayera's vote went. He hoped she wasn't removed from the League.
Where would she go? Her people would not take her. The League would not take her if removed. The people of Earth would not take her.
She would be an outcast among outcast… no one to open up a friendly hand.
Sighing and lowering his head, the Boy Wonder then lifted it up when he heard the backdoor closed.
Turning, he saw Shayera coming this way.
He couldn't face her… yes he could… no he couldn't…
What if she was out of the League? What would he say? Sorry wouldn't cut it.
Thinking fast he jumped down to the ledge over the edge hoping she didn't see him. After a few moments he heard her stop at the edge. Peeking up, he noticed her eyes look hurt and upset. Her face couldn't be more painful.
What had the League done?
She let the sea breeze blow through her long red hair. Robin wanted more than anything to ask her if she was alright… but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"You never asked how we voted…"
Robin froze. He knew that voice… it was Green Lantern. He must have followed her out. Wait… she was upset and didn't know the vote. Robin was puzzled. What was Shayera up to?
With out turning around, Shayera answered him in a broken voice, "It doesn't matter…"
John answered what Robin was wanting to know, "So… where you gonna go?"
Bitterly and painfully, the winged woman gave her response, "I dunno."
Robin paused… he felt so bad for her now. But she continued on.
"Somewhere, where the world isn't in the fate of my hands," her answered sounded fresh, as if this is what she wanted, "Someplace where there are no more secrets… no more lies…"
Listening, Robin felt his shoulders slump… Shayera was emptying her heart out John… Robin only wished he could see the two together. The two romancers…
"Was it all a lie?" John asked.
Shayera turned around to face the man she loved. Robin held his breath… what would she say?
"I love you John," she said sounding confidant and true to her answer, "I never lied about that."
Robin slowly peeked his head around the corner. Shayera and John were in silence as they looked upon each other. Then, Shayera slowly pulled her head away, turned around, and with the flap of her wings soared up to the sun…
John made to stop her… then stopped himself, whispering, "I love you too."
Robin sat back down on his ledge of rock watching the winged woman, his friend, fly off into the evening wishing her the best of luck with all his heart.
Author's Note: So sorry for the long chapter! But there you go. There will be one more short chapter after this. Tell me what you think!
