A/N: Hey guys, sorry it took so long. Still, here it is; I'm sure you've all been waiting anxiously ;) -Read and relax guy!
Only Human
Chapter 11
The Javelin's unscheduled departure set off several alarms in the Tower's monitoring station. Flash, who found the entire 'watch and wait' thing extremely boring, drifted into a very pleasant if impossible fantasy of zipping down to a beach in California and zipping back before anyone noticed his absence. The screaming alarm rudely yanked him out of this latest daydream and sent him frantically scrambling to locate the source of the call.
"J'onn?" called the Flash both mentally and physically, half hoping that the Martian would appear and save the speedster from the suddenly daunting number of controls on the panel in front of him. After several seconds with no sign of his erstwhile green-skinned savior Flash was finally able to locate the button that was blinking more or less in time with the annoying sound. He sighed when the noise stopped only to stiffen immediately as he absorbed what the information appearing on the central screen. J'onn was lying limp and unmoving in the middle of a hanger that normally held the Javelin Seven. Flash immediately flipped the emergency call signal that would notify all Justice League members to assemble as soon as superhumanly possible. He was halfway to the hanger and his downed comrade before the advanced systems of the Tower even registered the summons.
1…1
It didn't take Superman long to gather the basics of what happened. He took one look at the place where the departed Javelin should have rested, carefully picked up the unconscious Martian, and flew straight to the infirmary, Flash trailing behind. Bruce was not there.
Thankfully, for all involved, J'onn fought his way to consciousness before the Man of Steel decided to take a page from Batman's book and fly off to forcibly demand an explanation from Bruce.
"I do not think that his intent was to harm me, just force me to stand aside. The attack was unfocused, instinctual, and sloppy in execution. Not at all the Batman's preferred style," explained the Martian calmly. Clark had to agree with him. Everything Bruce did was carefully measured and he never expended more effort than was needed. "In fact, if it had been another telepath, I would have put the incident down to shock or total exhaustion, the overflow of raw emotions were very similar. I would not normally have been so affected. But I had somewhat lowered my defenses to try and read him better; never would I have expected such a strong reaction from a normal human. Even so, I sustained no permanent damage."
1…1
Clark was completely unsurprised to locate the missing Javelin parked on the outskirts of Gotham city. He rescinded the emergency call before the rest of the JL showed up prepared for an invasion, though he did request the Green Lantern to bring the Javelin back to the station at his first convenience. There was no rush as far as Clark could see…and Bruce had made it painfully clear that he would fight against any and all help offered. Superman knew that there was nothing more they could do until Bruce decide to rejoin them. Nothing, except…
Deep in the dripping confines of the BatCave- a telephone rang. Alfred glanced sharply in the direction of the incongruous sound. The 'Bat extension' to the manor was known by very few, and in the master's business 'few' meant no more than could be counted on one hand. He desperately hoped that it was not young master Dick calling to say that Nightwing had gotten tangled up in something he could not get out of on his own. Bruce was in no shape to help him and Alfred could do without the aggravation of explaining that to the Master. He gingerly lifted the hand set.
"Hello? Clark Kent calling for Alfred Pennyworth?" Alfred exhaled slightly, the League. He'd almost forgotten about them, a rather large failing for an accomplished butler such as himself. Still, it had been a rather trying day.
"Mr. Kent," replied the relieved Butler, "how good to hear from you again."
"Alfred, listen Bruce… escaped from the infirmary and seems to have made it to Gotham. Has he-"
"Yes sir. He's here, resting," Alfred interrupted kindly. Now it was the Kryptonian's turn to be relived.
"Thank heavens. I figured he would have enough plans to make it back, but I wanted to be sure… You know Alfred, as brilliant as Bruce is; sometime he's not very smart."
"As you say sir." The butler's small smile could easily be heard through the phone lines "is there any other way I might be of assistance?"
"Just have him contact me when he's up to it, okay? And… take care of him."
"Always sir." The connection clicked closed.
A/N: So that's what's been happening up at the Tower, in case you were wondering. Drop a note, comment, critique, (review), or just say hi- anything is appreciated!
On that note, special thanks to Manuel, Lynn, RedSoxGirl5, ljkingoh, monstez, Saibachick, thevigilante15, Batzlv, and Valandil for reviewing last chapter- I think that was the most reviews on any chapter so far, Thanks guys!