"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.)
And thanks to Missy for the beta and taking my side. ;)
VV
Friday
"Isn't kind of early to already be here?" Dick Grayson asks Shayera as he takes off his mask. She snuck into his apartment only twenty minutes before he entered through the skylight. "I know I said Friday, but I meant Friday evening."
Shayera checks the clock on the wall. It's nearly half-past four. "Sorry." She pulls off her wig and tosses it into the trash.
"It's all good. Where were you?" he asks, looking her up and down. "I mean, the hair makes you look like Selina… never mind." Dick opens the fridge and offers her something to drink. After she declines, he pulls out a bottle of water. "Didn't want to go home?"
"Not really."
"I see." He takes a seat at his table and yawns. "Well, the pullout is comfortable, from what Wally tells me."
"Are you sure you don't mind?"
Dick sends her a glance she doesn't know how to read. "Any friend of Wally is a friend of mine. You've got a change of clothes?"
Shayera nods and smiles. "Thanks."
"You're welcome. Just don't tell Kara or Barbara."
"Are you hungry? I feel as if I should treat you to breakfast." She smiles. "Really."
"I could eat. There's a diner not a block from here."
VvV
It's seven o'clock, and Grayson's apartment is filled with other, younger superheroes: Wally, Barbara, and Kara.
Dick and Barbara are in charge of food and drinks, and both pay little attention to their guests. Shayera caught them kissing in the kitchen ten minutes earlier.
She's still grinning.
Wally runs a hand through his red hair and places an arm around Shayera. They are sitting on the couch, waiting for Rayner to show. When she glares at him, he removes it.
"Why don't you help Kara with the last decorations?" Shayera asks. "I mean, really. She's single. You're single. She's cute. You're not so bad. It could work."
Wally sighs. "I don't know. She's still a kid, and I think she's got crushes on Steel and Captain Atom."
"Really?"
"That's what I heard." Wally sips his cola and turns to look at her. "So, what did you do all week?"
"Stuff."
"Uh huh." He shows an evil smile. "I saw you in a magazine. You looked hot."
"Thanks."
"Did you run into John at all?"
She rolls her eyes. "Would you get over it, Wally? I have."
He just laughs.
"So, what of this Kyle? Is he a good guy?"
"One of the best. He's a Lantern, ya know."
"Yes. I know. John sent Kyle to Katma to be trained." She folds her hands in her lap and sighs. "Has John said anything to you?"
"Actually… no." He shrugs. "But, I see him spending a lot of time with Bats."
"They're an odd pairing. I should warn Mari. I'm afraid Bruce could convert anyone."
Wally makes a face. "Gross."
Shayera just shakes her head.
"Hey everyone!" a guy with light brown hair says as he strolls into the apartment. Kara and Wally both run to give him a hug. He laughs and then straightens his shirt when they pull away. "I can tell you missed me."
"Of course." Wally hands Kyle a beer and chuckles. "Who else is going to keep me occupied?"
"Well, maybe the redheaded number sitting on the couch." Kyle smiles in Shayera's direction. "I'm Kyle Rayner."
"Shayera Hol," she replies without standing from her seat.
"Hawkgirl."
"I don't go by that anymore."
"I heard."
"Kyle!" Dick and Barbara yell in unison as they stumble out of the kitchen. Each gives him a warm embrace.
"My two favorite Gothamites. You look beautiful, Babs." He plants a peck on her cheek and playfully punches Dick with his free hand. "You guys, this is great."
"So, how long before you leave us again?" Dick asks and sips his beer.
Kyle shrugs. "Soon. Maybe as soon as next week."
"That's terrible," Kara adds. "They should let you watch this sector."
"And replace Stewart? Are you nuts? I mean, what would Wally and Shayera do? He is a member of the original Justice League. That's not exactly fair." He glances at the only person sitting on the couch. "Am I right?"
"You are."
VvV
"So how are things?"
Shayera lifts her gaze from her can of beer. "Excuse me?"
"I mean, the last time I spoke to John… he wanted a transfer. Of course, that wasn't too long after the invasion and before he hooked up with Vixen." When her eyes widen, he smiles. "Let's just say Flash keeps me posted."
The two of them have somehow separated from the other four, secluding themselves in Grayson's kitchen. She didn't mind, and it didn't seem as if he did.
"What's with the interest?"
"I don't know. When the Guardians denied his request and shut me out of any chance of going home, I wanted to know why. The reason was you."
"I'm sorry."
"Hey. John needs to be closer to Earth than I do. I've got my own sector to deal with." He smiles a boyish grin Shayera can't help liking. "Anyway, I can see why your leaving left him a broken man. You're gorgeous." He then wrinkles his forehead. "But where are the wings?"
"Invisible. A little trick a magician did for me."
"Oh. Cool." He fiddles with his can and then asks, "What are you doing tomorrow night?"
"I'm with a co-worker."
"What about next week? Sometime before I leave for Oa." Kyle props his head in his hand, waiting for an answer.
"That's real sweet, Kyle, but I'm going to have to pass."
"Why's that?"
"I'm not sure myself, actually. I just know it's a bad idea."
VvV
Ah. The weekend…