Author's Notes: This story is set in between "Starcrossed" and "Initiation." This fanfic is in continuity with my other stories "Queen of Hearts" and "Half For You, Half For Me." I suppose for complete understanding of this tale you'd have to read those stories of mine in that order. I hope you enjoy this story and please leave a review.

Disclaimer: Justice League doesn't belong to me.

No Longer There

Chapter 1

The Martian should have realized that always, the Dark Knight has known. Both the nightmares and the Hawk, he acknowledges; nothing escapes the Dark Knight. Thinking it best in everyone's interests and a sacredness to privacy, he stayed out of it, but truly, he was just afraid, but only of the nightmares. The crying, the screaming, the sorrow, the pain, all echoing his own, but surpassing it in volume and scope. So yes, he was afraid. Too frightened to lend a hand, to show caring, any nurturing; the Dark Knight must preserve his coldness, his detachment, his power, and he must work harder and harder to do it in such company, especially since he has already faltered one too many times.

Let the Princess hold him too many times, her hands just above his waist as she flew him about the sky, the glorious feel of wind rushing past his face. Played too many chess games with the Hawk over competitive smirks and eyes glowing with laughter. Too many friendly rivalries with the Farm Boy, excessive private insider jokes shared between them when no one was looking. Shared too many cups of iced mocha and coffee with the Soldier and the Kid while secretly watching the elegant and pulsating beauty of the Girls, the Hawk and the Princess. Worked together too many times with the Martian, too many understandings between them, too many knowing looks shared, too many shared emotions, shared agony, shared grief, shared anger...

J'onn awakes, and slips out, unable to sleep in Batman's Mansion, unwilling to face his nightmares a second longer. He swiftly climbs down the rocks onto the beach, leaving behind footprints as he walks upon the sand. He looks out into the sea, pinpointing the spot where he saw Shayera fly away from the Manor's windows last week, leaving all behind.