Bittersweet

When John woke up from his medicated sleep, it was to a bright and sunny day. John groaned as he got up from his bed and began his routine in starting his day. He had been forced to return to his apartment after Shayera returned to her coma. The joy and relief that had flooded him quickly left when Bruce had informed him about Shayera's mental break. John was devastated to learn that she believed she was back in the Gordanian Prison and believed herself to be suffering from a delusion. It hurt to think that she was traumatized by the Gordanian Prison. He realizes now that it was not going to be like the old times so soon. Whatever they had done to her in that prison… he didn't want to know. Shayera spent five years of her life being tortured by those monsters and John stupidly believed that she will be alright, that she will rejoin the League like nothing has happened. John scolded himself mentally and began his day, unaware of the now awakened Thanagarian.

Superman was doing his daily patrols around Metropolis, getting ready for anything. His life as Clark Kent has taken a very sharp turn as everybody in the Daily Planet wanted to be the first to get an exclusive interview with the exonerated hero, Hawkgirl. Lois in particular wanted to know why the League and the United States government didn't investigate hard enough when the initial accusations were made. Lois had been one of the very rare people on Earth that didn't believe what was presented at trial. Despite the videos that showed the winged woman and the hawk feathers, she had tried to push harder in her investigation but was always blocked by people and by the League, telling her that she had no business investigating. Knowing that Lex Luthor and Brainiac was behind the deception had put everybody in Metropolis in a complete 360 degrees loop. People were feeling guilty for once again falling for Luthor's lies and Superman himself was working himself haggard trying not to make another mistake. He received a call from Steel about Parasite and made his way over to help

Diana was currently with Vixen and Steel, trying to stop Parasite from getting close to the nuclear power plant until Superman arrives. Diana was particularly aggressive, taking out her frustration in beating back Parasite, not caring how dangerous it was to be near him. She wasn't sure if her prayers to Apollo were being answered as Shayera was placed in another coma for the last six weeks. She was anxious and a little depressed when she still hasn't woken up yet. Diana was having a difficult time performing her duties as a Founding Member, afraid of making the wrong judgement call. She prayed to Athena and Hera for guidance but everytime she never gave clear answer. Shayera had lied to them but she never fully betrayed them, as Diana finally accepted to believe. Shayera lied, yes but she chose them in the end… she still defended them and helped them. She took the insults and the accusations with her head held high, allowing them to roll off her back. Diana had secretly marveled at her strength but thoughts of the past sobered Diana. It reminded her how quick and happy she was to have arrested Shayera and sent her away. To have been proven right, that she was not to be trusted. It haunted Diana to think about it. To know she was just as capable as any human to make a fatal mistake. Superman arrived and the issue with Parasite was soon quickly dealt with.

Flash sped around Central City, his thoughts distracting him so he had no clear destination in mind as he sped around Central City. If anybody could even see the Fastest Man Alive, he'd be just a red blur for one nanosecond before he is gone. Shayera was finally back home with them where she belonged. Wally should be happy that his sister was finally back with them. That they could hang out like they always did. Watch movies, eat junk food all night until the crack of dawn, and just be family again. Unfortunately, whatever delusions Wally fed himself was not going to happen at all. Seeing Shayera so afraid and so defeated six weeks ago reminded Wally why she was gone for five years and who had put her there. He should have believed her, he always believed in her and never once doubted her. The one time she needed him and he had failed her. He had failed his sister and she came back to them broken. The one time she needed them to be the heroes, and Wally had failed to do that. Nearly missing a bank robbery in progress, Flash quickly moved to stop it. He had the robbers all tied up in place in under five seconds and was back to his distracted running.

It was the call through the comm-link that made him skid to a stop outside Central City. Excitement and fear gripping at his heart. Superman and Diana had also received the call, the both of them looking at each other in a mixed feeling of happiness and apprehension. John was drinking his milk when he received the call and nearly choked on it, the glass slipping from his hands as he quickly changed and asked for a teleport to the Watchtower. Shayera was awake. She was finally awake.

J'onn called for the others to arrive at the Watchtower, telling them to meet him in the Founders' Room. They needed to know some new rules now that Shayera was awake. During his brief time inside her head, J'onn recognized several mental breaks in her mind that needed time to heal and with the right people. Despite her relief in knowing that she wasn't hallucinating, she still held fears regarding the League. She was afraid that they will turn on her just as quickly as they had five years ago. She was far from the headstrong and proud warrior of five years ago. She was timid, she was frightened of angering them, she was submissive, and she still couldn't walk. Bruce was currently with her, helping her with her first steps. Her adrenaline had fueled her, making her numb to the pain that had shot up her legs. Now that she wasn't in a serious danger, she tried to walk earlier but she began to cry when she realized that it was close to agony trying to walk.

While Bruce was helping Shayera, J'onn took over the responsibility to inform the rest of the League. Deciding that Shayera shouldn't be exposed to too many people at a time, it was better if it was just the Founding Members first before she was reintroduced to the rest of the League and then the world. As the others quickly made their way into the room, J'onn was almost overwhelmed at the amount of concern that was flooding out of them. He could still hear the echoes of their guilt and shame and he knew that it wasn't just Shayera that needed to heal.

"J'onn!" cried out Wally, "How is she? Is she alright? Can I see her?"

"Peace, Wally," soothed J'onn, "I only wish to speak about a few things before we go see her."
"Like what?" asked Clark, anxious for Shayera.

"She's not the same person she was five years ago," began J'onn with his explanation, "she's more timid, so I'd advise that you approach her with caution. She's terrified that we may send her back. I have said it before, she's not the same person that she was. Please, approach her carefully."

John felt J'onn's words stab him in the heart each time he brought up Shayera's condition. He knew that she wasn't the same but to hear it officially, it was numbing. They followed J'onn to the private rooms, having moved her from the Medical Bay to give her more privacy. J'onn telepathically called out to Bruce to help Shayera sit down. From what he can see through Bruce, she can walk five steps before she had to sit down. Shayera had little control over her nerves and muscles, her wings often flaring out without her consent. She was distressed to realize it but Bruce and J'onn comforted her that they will help her all the way, regardless of how much time is spent helping her.

As they knocked on her door, they heard footsteps and Bruce opened the door and let them in.

Wally sped in first, needing to see Shayera. He looked around to find her sitting on her new bed: Her first actual bed since her imprisonment. Wally and Shayera stared at each other, each one of them remembering the last time they had seen each other. Wally's refusal to listen to Shayera's pleas, her devastation that she had lost her brother's trust… Wally shyly waves at her, offering a weak smile. Shayera gave a shaky wave but couldn't muster a smile, terrified that Wally might still be angry. She was shocked when she felt Wally's arms around her, his face buried on the crook of her shoulder as tears fell out of his eyes. He had his mask off, wanting to see her fully for the first time. Shayera hesitantly raised her arms up and wrapped them around Wally. She was unaware of the others by the doorframe as she hugged Wally back.

Bruce led the others outside knowing that of them all, Wally had taken his own accusation the worst out of all of them. Wally was sobbing, "I'm sorry" repeatedly while Shayera hummed a nonsensical tune, trying to soothe him. She was grateful that he wasn't angry with her, so happy that he still wanted to be her friend. Shayera continued to soothe Wally and Wally held Shayera tighter, the two best friends enjoying the bittersweet moment.

Hey guys, Like or dislike? Next Chapter, Clark and Diana.