Shayera stood awkwardly with the other league members in the Watchtower. Everyone looked worse for wear; but they were all thankful to be alive and happy to have survived yet another Thanagarian invasion. Unfortunately, Shayera was once again the subject of harsh and wary stares. "Are they ever not going to look at us like that?" Shayera heard from behind her. She turned to see Chey-Ara sporting a few bruises and cuts here and there. Shayera could only shrug. Chey-Ara looked down at the broken helmet in Shayera's hand. "That's Issi's," Chey-Ara pointed out. "Did you kill her?"

"No," Shayera breathed. "Contrary to what you may have heard, I did not hate Issi." Shayera looked up at the younger hawk. "I may not have liked her; but I didn't hate her."

"What are you going to do with it?" Chey-Ara motioned to the helmet in Shayera's hands.

"Trash it. Unless, you want it," she held it out to Chey-Ara.

"I'm good."

"I heard you moved in with J'ohnn," Shayera said, changing topics.

"Yes," Chey-Ara's eyes brightened. "He took me to this…mall. He bought me clothes and a bed. He's helping me with my alias."

"Have you picked a name?" Shayera asked in interest.

"Kendra. Kendra Saunders. Kendra was my mom's name, and Saunders is the name of this small store near J'ohnn's house. I think Kendra Saunders has a nice ring to it."

"It does."

"What are you going to do?" Chey-Ara asked.

"I don't know," Shayera answered honestly after a moment.

"Maybe you can stay with your mate."

"My mate?" Shayera echoed.

Chey-Ara nodded. "The guy wearing all black with the triangles on his head." Shayera threw her head back and laughed. "They're ears," Shayera explained with a smile.

"Well, whatever they are, they're on their way here," Chey-Ara pointed out. Shayera turned to see Batman make his way towards them. The crowd of superheroes seemed to part for him.

"Shayera," he greeted. "Chey-Ara."

Chey-Ara continued to stare at the points on Batman's head. "Do you hear out of those?" Chey-Ara pointed to the pointy tips of Batman's cowl. To say Batman was taken off guard at the candor by which he was being addressed was an understatement. He wasn't offended; he was just shocked. Other leaguers were usually afraid to say 'hi'.

"I'll explain later," Shayera said to Chey-Ara in Thanagarian. Chey-Ara shrugged. "The founding members are debriefing," Batman stated.

"I'm no longer a founding member," Shayera said. Batman said nothing. He turned and walked away. "He wants me to follow him," Shayera said as she handed the helmet to Chey-Ara.

"How do you know?" Chey-Ara asked in awe.

"I just do," Shayera said. "I'll catch up with you later."

Shayera sat at the table with the rest of the founding members as they began to debrief, hours after the invasion. "Katar said he would deal with General Trogaar," Shayera finished as she recounted her fight with Issi.

"Do you trust him?" Superman asked.

"I doubt there's anything he can do," Shayera said instead of answering.

"The Lantern Corps will deal with it," Green Lantern said sternly. "I'll get on it as soon as we're finished here."

"J'ohnn," Shayera said, "thank you for pretending to be him." In truth, Shayera hadn't actually contacted General Trogaar. She had no idea how to get in touch with him. Thankfully, the Martian was able to read her mind as soon as she contacted him. Issi was none the wiser. "I am happy to have been of service," the green alien replied.

"Anything else?" Superman asked.

"Yes," Flash stood to his feet. "You said we'd discuss it later. This is late-"

"Flash-" Shayera began.

"It's a yes from me," Batman spoke up. Everyone turned to look the caped crusader.

"He didn't even ask a question," Superman said.

"Actually," Flash said slowly, "I was going to bring up Shayera's reinstatement, so…yeah."

"Well," Superman said, "now is as good a time as any."

"No, guys," Shayera said uneasily, "this can wait. We're all tired and –"

"I vote yes," Green Lantern interrupted.

"John –"

"I agree," Wonder Woman said. "I think you've more than earned your place with us," she said kindly.

"B-but –"

"It's a yes from me," J'ohnn said. Shayera opened her mouth to retort, but Superman said, "And it's a yes from me."

"Guys," Shayera tried again.

"Congratulations, Shayera," Superman said. "Welcome back to the Justice League." Emotions began creeping into her chest, and she had no idea what to do with them as tears came to her eyes. "We're glad to have you back."

(a few days later)

Shayera slowly and quietly crept out of bed, doing her best to not disturb Bruce. She grabbed her new uniform and wings from their place in the closet and began to dress. A moan from the bed caused Shayera to slow down. She stared at the billionaire who was snoring softly as he lay on his back with his eyes closed. Shayera studied him, blushing as her eyes were drawn to his bare chest. She also blushed as she remembered exactly what had taken place in that bed hours earlier. She wasn't completely ignorant on the subject of sex per say. As a member of the ruling family on Thanagar, she was taught that sex was a means to an end – that end being a child or two. Sex as an intimate act between two people who cared deeply for each other was a foreign concept. And…Shayera began to blush even harder as she remembered Bruce showing her all of the different ways to have…intimacy. And to say Bruce was more than eager to educate on every form of sex was an understatement. He even showed her a book called Kama Sutra. It even illustrated certain concepts and positions. This wasn't the first time Shayera marveled at just how into sex humans were.

"Shayera?" a sleepy Bruce called out. Shayera turned to him; his eyes were barely open. "What time is it?" he asked.

Shayera looked at the clock. "Six a.m.," she answered. His eyes slowly blinked open as he sat up, taking in her appearance. "Early morning flight?" he asked.

Shayera nodded. It was something she used to love doing – flying in the early morning. "It's been a while," she said as she pulled on her boots. "But you should sleep," she said. "You were up late last night."

"We were up late last night," Bruce said with a smirk. Shayera only rolled her eyes. Bruce stood from the bed, not bothering to hide his nakedness. Shayera felt her face heat up. "I won't be long," she said, looking everywhere but…him. Before she could leave their room, Bruce pulled her to him before kissing her deeply. Shayera couldn't stop her moan even if she tried. Her heart began to beat at an accelerated pace when she felt Bruce's tongue stroke hers. "Bruce," she breathed out as he pulled away from her. Shayera fought the urge to jump him right then and there. "Be safe," was all he said.

"I'm always safe," Shayera said with a smile as she got her breathing back under control. Bruce only said, "Get out of here," as he playful squeezed her behind. Shayera released a squeal before punching him in the arm.

After grabbing her mace from the batcave, Shayera took off from a secret entrance. She soared through the air, basking in the morning sun's rays. She glided high through the air, watching as mother birds fed their young while others kicked their young out the nest…literally. She laughed as she flew over the ocean, staring at the dolphins and whales beneath the surface. She stretched her wings out as far as possible as felt the wind in her hair. She flew through cities and towns and listened as a few spectators pointed at her asking, "Is that Hawkgirl? Is she back?" She smiled at their questions as she landed on a hill far away from civilization.

Yeah, she decided, I guess I am back. And it felt oh so good.