Disclaimer: I don't own Justice League Unlimited.

Priorities

Changes

Clark again looked around the room, although this time it was with a much more tired expression. It had been a while since the six of them had been in the same room together, and today looked like it would be no different.

J'onn had attended, but John was still absent. Wally said he was busy in Central City, and would be there as soon as he could. When Clark asked if he needed any help, Wally had answered with a 'no' verging on rudeness.

The door opened, and its four occupants looked to it in hopes of seeing the speedster. They all but gaped at who stepped through the door.

"Lantern," Diana said, getting over her amazement first.

"Hey," he said, slipping into a chair. When no-one said anything, he shifted. He wasn't particularly comfortable with being the centre of attention. "Something wrong?"

Clark snapped back to reality. "No. Nothing wrong."

"I like the beard," Diana said, "but the baldness will take some getting used to."

John's scowled. "I'm not bald." He ran a hand over the smooth surface self-consciously. "I've just shaved it off."

Silence descended upon them.

"So how have you been?" Diana asked gently.

He shrugged. "I'm okay. I just… needed some time."

She nodded, and Clark smiled, putting a hand on the Lantern's shoulder. "It's good to have you back."

John acknowledged the compliment with a slight smile, and then looked around the room. "Where's Flash?"

Clark, Diana and J'onn looked at each other. J'onn spoke first.

"Wally has elected to spend more time looking after Central City."

John opened his mouth. "Oh." He paused. "I heard about what happened with the Royal Flush Gang. Is he all right?"

Clark nodded. "He's fine, ego aside."

"Is he coming?"

"I-"

The door flew open and Flash rushed inside, sitting down at the table. "Sorry, Mirror Master was- WHOA! What happened to you? You fall onto a hedge trimmer?"

Everyone except Batman and John smiled.

"It's just a haircut, Flash."

"Looks like you got some kind of rodent stuck on your chin, too."

John glowered at the speedster, and then looked at everyone else. "Can we please move on?"

Wally grinned. "Why? There's just so much discussion area right there," he said, pointing at the beard.

Batman put a hand down on the table. "I think moving on would be a good idea."

"Spoilsport," Wally grumbled, crossing his arms.

Bruce continued on to talk about more aspects of League business than most of them knew existed. New members, expenses, relations with the government…

They all tried to ignore John's pained looks when he felt the empty space at the table.

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