"A Simple Kind of Life"

By: Angelic Temptress

Disclaimer: I bet you didn't know they weren't mine.

Rating: PG-13. Why not?

Spoilers: None really. (Um… I really hope EVERYONE saw the new episodes, though this doesn't have anything to do with them.)

A/N: Um… Bruce and Shayera had to pretend they didn't know one another. C'mon guys. Keep up, would ya? Hahaha… J/K! ;)

And thanks to Missy for the beta and taking my side. ;)

VV

Thursday

Shayera wakes and checks the clock. It is nearly eleven, and she yawns. After a few minutes of simply lying between the comfortable sheets, she slowly crawls out of the bed and to the bathroom. There are already clean clothes laid on the dresser, and she smiles to herself.

After a soothing shower, she puts on the clothing without thinking about who might've owned them last and walks downstairs. The aroma of fresh breakfast fills her nostrils, and she sighs happily.

"Good morning, Miss," Alfred greets as he pours a cup of recently brewed coffee. "How do you take it?"

"Black. Thanks."

He sets it down before her and returns to his cooking. "Do you consume eggs, Miss?"

"Yes."

"How would you like them prepared?"

"Over easy is fine."

"With your bacon well done, Miss?"

"Yes, thank you."

He then puts the dish in front of her, and she thanks him again before spreading jam on the wheat toast.

"Tell me you're going to sit with me, Alfred. I feel strange with you feeding me and not having a bite to eat yourself."

"It would be my pleasure, Miss Hol." Alfred sits down as well and sips his tea. "What are your plans for this evening?"

"Well, Dinah told me something about a poker game in Metropolis."

"That sounds enticing. Do you know how to play?"

VvV

The pub she strolls into smells of smoke and stale alcohol. She passes through with heels clicking against the hardwood floor. The biker gang at the bar table all turn to catch a sight of her ass, but she ignores them. She's not Shayera tonight.

She's here to play poker.

"Hey boys," she greets when she reaches their table. "Have room for one more?"

Oliver Queen, John Stewart, Ted Kord, Michael Carter, Ted Grant, and John Irons.

Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Wildcat, and Steel.

"Well, well. Look who came to pay us a visit." Grant stands from his seat and offers it to the woman wearing a black wig, a pink Marilyn Monroe tee shirt, black pants, and black boots. She gratefully takes the seat and watches him pull up another beside her. Across the table, John is staring her down with his green eyes. Beside her, both Teds are smiling.

"Why don't you boys quit drooling and deal me in?" she asks and crosses her legs. "Unless you're all afraid to lose."

Ollie laughs. "I thought I made it clear to Dinah that this was supposed to be a men's poker game."

She smiles. "You did, but from the looks of it… there aren't any men sitting here."

They all laugh at this, and she notes John shaking his head.

"Well little Miss, I think we need to set you up with a stiff drink!" Ted Grant turns in his seat and waves at the bartender. "Can we get the girl a…" He looks at her. "What did you want, sweetie?"

"If you're buying, I'd like a Johnny Walker Black."

"You heard her. And get me another Budweiser."

"So what are we playing?" Shayera asks the boys and leans on the table.

"Honey," Mike says, "do you know how to play cards?"

"One of the many things John taught me."

For a second, Stewart smiles at her.

"Hopefully, he got to learn some things in return," Ted Kord adds with a hint of laughter.

Shayera shrugs. "You should ask him that. I'm expecting a thank you letter from Mari any day now."

The entire group starts to chortle, spilling their beers and slapping their knees.

Everyone except John Stewart, and, oddly enough, John Irons. Shayera decides to think nothing of it.

"I'm only kidding, guys."

VvV

"I got you beat this time, sweetie." Wildcat Ted sets his cards on the table. "Come on. Give me what you got."

Shayera bites her bottom lip and shifts uncomfortably in her seat. The other four men have already folded, and a large pile of chips is sitting in the center of the table.

"What's the matter? Scared?"

"Actually, I wasn't sure what this was called." Shayera spreads her five cards on the table, and Ted curses. "Full house."

John Irons loudly takes a deep breath. "Well, I've been cleaned out tonight. Care if we call it a night, guys?"

The other John agrees. "Let's cash it out."

When everything is sorted and the chips are collected, the six separate. Only John Stewart and Shayera lag behind.

"I didn't appreciate that comment earlier."

"Sorry, John. Guys are rough. I couldn't exactly shrug it off." Shayera shoves the bills in her pockets.

"Why did you come in the first place?"

Shayera shakes her head. "I didn't know you were going to be here."

"First Mari's. Now the bar. I'm beginning to think you're stalking me."

"You wish, Stewart." She pushes the door open and holds it for John. "But anyways, I apologize for what I said."

"It's cool." John stuffs his hands into his pockets and fakes a shiver. "It's cold tonight. Where are you headed?"

"Blüdhaven, actually. I know a guy there. He's letting me crash."

He raises an eyebrow. "Really? Um, that's a while past Gotham."

"Yeah. I can fly there. Just need to keep myself out of sight." Shayera reveals her back to John. "Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they're not there."

"Right." He sighs. "I'd offer you a ride –"

"Why don't you get back to Vixen? I'm sure she's expecting you."

"Yeah… I saw you in the newspaper the other day." His smile grows. "You looked great."

"Thanks." She motions her head to the street. "I should be going."

"Of course. Have fun."

VvV

All right. Short and sweet.

And Steel's response was a nod to a friend's universe. ;)