A Ring and a Jealous Hawk

"You realize that this will change your life," Batman said, setting down his coffee cup on the table. Green Lantern responded by merely tipping his coffee cup until the coffee was nearly over the cups edge. The two were at the Metro-Tower, discussing things at the Tower lounge.

"I know but…something keeps telling me that this is the right thing to do," John said, lifting his cup up to his lips, gently taking in the brown liquid.

"What about Shayera? War Hawk?" Batman asked, his eyebrow rasied with curiosity. "You saw the future. You've been telling me about how you two were meant to be."

"Yeah but remember? The guys in the future said that they had no recollection of going into the future. Maybe taking that trip changed Shayera's future, as well as mine."

"Do you really believe that? You really think that one trip to the future can affect our futures? Even the lives of others?"

"Yeah. I mean look at you and Diana," John pointed out with a small smirk. For a second, John thought he had saw a blush creeping into Batman's cheeks.

"What makes you say that there's something between us?" Batman denied, trying very hard not to sound nervous. John smiled deviously at him and got up from his seat and was about to leave before Batman called to him. "Futures can change John but love isn't so flexible."

John stopped for moment and seemed to contemplate his choices. However, his answer still told Batman he disagreed. "I'll keep that in mind."

XXXXXXXXXX

John and Mari walked down the hall of Mari's apartment, the two holding hands. They stopped in front of Mari's penthouse door and John broke the connection between them.

"You seem a bit off today," Mari said, leaning her slender body against the wall. "Something wrong?"

"No, no of course not. Just…nervous," John lied, rather badly, his hands shaking in denial.

"About what?" Mari asked, concerned about her beau. "Is it League trouble?"

"Well no. It's about us..." John said, rubbing the back of his shaved head. Mari's worried expression quickly twisted into a fearful look. She quickly took a step forward with worry, putting her hands on his chest.

"Are you trying to say that we're breaking up?" Mari asked, her voice slightly altered, as if she had been expecting it. "I guess its Shayera, isn't it?"

"No, no I'm not saying we're breaking up. It's just…that I need to ask you something," John, said fumbling through his pocket as he explained to Mari. Pulling out a red box, he kneeled on one knee, forcing Mari too gasp. "Wi…will you marry me?"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Congratulations John, I'm real happy for you," Superman said, smiling supportively as he placed a firm hand on John's shoulder. He and many other of the League members had gathered around John in the lounge, all hearing about the marriage on TV.

"So, when's the wedding?" Green Arrow asked the superhero/fiancé.

"Haven't decided, Mari's more into planning into I am," Green Lantern answered, fumbling with his fingers nervously. "But it'll probably be by June. It always was Mari's favorite time of year."

"Well whenever it is, congrats GL. Although…I thought you and Shayera were going for each other."

"That's in the past," John said dismissively but Superman could tell that John seemed…regretful. John turned around to face the Man of Steel, the two exchanging awkward smiles.

Minutes, later, the crowd dispersed and John was alone in the lounge at last. He wasn't alone for long however. Batman entered the room, in his usual dark demeanor. He strode quickly toward John.

"I see you didn't take my advice," Batman said, crossing his arms over his bat-insignia. "I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."

"I do, and don't worry. I'm sure of my decision," John said, quietly. "You can relax."

"I'm fine. It's you that's the problem. You were sure that you and Shayera were meant to be. Now it's Vixen all of a sudden? I thought only Bruce Wayne was like that," Batman said and John could've sworn he had made a joke; Diana really did have an influence on him.

"Bruce, I know what I said. I know that's how I felt about Shayera but I'm with Mari. I have been all this time."

Batman stared at him for a moment and then turned toward the exit, leaving John to wallow in his thoughts.

As Batman passed through the hallways, he came across Shayera, who was in deep thought as well.

Noticing the Caped Crusader, she began to say, "Have y…"

"Lounge," Batman interrupted, passing by Shayera, who stared back at him, rather surprised by his answer.

Batman quickly came up to Diana's room, entering in the code as if he did it everyday. He quickly entered the room, making sure not to get caught. Inside, Diana was casually sitting on her bed, looking out at the stars. Batman sat down next to her, and she turned to face him.

"What'd he say?" Diana asked softly, putting her hands on Batman's shoulder as she moved closer to him.

"What I expected. What about Shayera?" Batman questioned, removing his mask.

"She says she's fine but she looks like she took the news hard," Diana said, removing her hands from his shoulder and then resting her head on it.

"I noticed."

XXXXXXXXXX

"I heard you're getting married," Shayera said, walking into the lounge. John turned around, who was taken by surprised.

"Yeah," John said, turning around to avoid Shayera's rather saddened look. She quickly dissimulated her expression with her usual stern, focused look.

"Congratulations."

"Thanks," John murmured. "How's Carter."

"Fine."

"That's good. Hope you two are happy," John said. Shayera tried to listen carefully to him, hoping to hear a tinge of regret.

Hearing nothing, she quietly nodded a thank you, walking away from the awkward moment between them, unwilling to face him any longer. As she left, John sighed dejectedly, staring at the powerful ring on his finger that would soon be accompanied by a wedding ring. But was it the right wedding?

"I hate it when he gets me thinking."

Don't you worry, they'll be together but not without incredible turmoil and the such. One more one-shot left and I'll post the finale of Drained. Won't be long now.