A/N: I don't own any members of the Justice League. They belong to Cartoon Network, Marvel, and DC Comics. I do, however, own Taipana.

Chapter 5: Detection

"Just a question, why'd you let me come along," Shayera asked as she stood next to Taipana on a rooftop. It was night and they were waiting for her to give the signal to go in. It was still Christmas Eve in the States, so it wouldn't be long before the building was clear.

"Why wouldn't I," she returned, barely glancing at her. "You're smart, a great fighter, keen senses, and you can fly, so we have an aerial advantage. And, besides Huntress and Fox, you're the only woman in the League that I can tolerate. Supergirl is okay, too, I suppose. But, then again, teenagers."

"Really," Shayera questioned with curiosity.

"Yes. But, don't worry," she assured her, looking at the Thanagarian with a smirk. "I actually like you. I remember when your people invaded and you left. When you came back everyone was afraid you'd betray us again, but I knew you wouldn't."

"How could you possibly know that? We"ve never even met before today, and we barely even know each other."

"Simple. I've been where you've been." The look on Shayera's face made Taipana realize that, that had not been the answer she was expecting. "I know what it's like to lose those that you love because of one mistake. I know what it's like to have to redeem yourself and not have anyone believe or trust you. I know what it's like to have to see the scrutinizing looks on the people I called friend's faces every single day. I've been where you've been, so I trust you."

"Besides Superman, Flash, and J'ohn, I think you're the only person to welcome me back. Thank you."

"Not a problem," she replied with a smile and both turned to look back at the building. "Can I ask you a personal question?" Shayera nodded and Taipana took in a breath. "Why don't you wear a mask anymore, besides the obvious?"

"I don't wear a mask anymore for a lot of reasons," Shayera stated firmly, catching the double meaning. "They make you itchy, they make you sweat –"

"They make your mascara run…" Taipana added jokingly, trailing off and making Shayera smile at the little. "It's a vanity thing. I, on the other hand, need to wear one. I prefer it that way."

"Makes it easier to hide," she questioned and Taipana just stared at her with a thoughtful look.

"Sometimes hiding is all I can do," she replied easily.

"Why'd you put one on in the first place," she asked curiously.

"A bad memory," she replied solemnly, "and a promise."

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"I think you'll be both pleased and surprised by what I found," Question stated as he stood at the end of the conference room table. He held up a semi-thick file in the air before tossing onto the table to slide it towards Superman.

"What is it," John asked as he watched Superman shifted through the papers of the file.

"Based on our last meeting, I asked Question to find everything he could on Taipana," Superman explained to everyone.

"You did a background check on Bats' ex," Flash exclaimed, sounding upset, but his trademark smirk gave away his amusement. "You sly dog, you," he added proudly.

"Flash," Superman warned with an edge then went back to flipping through the files and pictures.

"Well," Diana asked as Superman sighed and closed the file. "What does it say about her?"

"Nothing good. Apparently, Taipana hasn't been as honest about her activities as she said," he stated sadly, shaking his head in disappointment. "Seems like she's been involved in a few rather illegal activities, with some less than civil citizens of Gotham."

"Such as," John asked curiously, leaning forward in interest.

"I think it's time we call Batman, let him deal with her in his own way," he replied tossing down the open file. It lay open on a picture of Taipana, speaking with Jonathan Crane, the Scarecrow.

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"Let's go," Batman announced from his spot with Green Arrow.

"Wait," Taipana called as both she and Shayera running over to them. "Not yet. It's not time!"

"We've waited long enough," he stated forcefully.

"We go in now, and you're going to get us killed," she stated even more forcefully than he did. Green Arrow watched from behind Batman with a raised eyebrow, and Shayera watched in the exact same manner from behind Taipana. They could stand and glare at one another for hours.

"Um, as much as I hate to interrupt this, and, believe me, I do, but shouldn't we be watching the building for the perfect time to go in," Green Arrow ventured awkwardly.

"We have to wait until the last guard leaves. After him, all but the lights on the in the lobby will be off. The automated security will come on and I have the access codes to shut them off. We'll be in the clear," Taipana explained, eyes still on Batman.

"I can hardly wait," Batman said dryly, and Taipana scoffed with a roll of her eyes.

"How do you do that? Support me and undermine me at the same time," she asked to him, arms out wide before resting on her waist as she waited for an answer.

"It's a British thing. I learned it from Alfred," he said, smirking at her.

"Figures," she scoffed, rolling her eyes slightly but smiling at her memories of the old man.

Batman pulled out his binoculars and watched the building. He saw a rather fat guard exit the front doors, turned to lock them, stepped in his car and drove off. Raising the binoculars up the length of the building, he saw that the lobby lights were the only ones that were on. Sighing inwardly, he dared a look at Taipana. He groaned at the smirk on her face.

"Now we can go," she told them smugly. Shayera grabbed her hand, prepared to carry her over the building, Batman pulled out his grapnel, and Green Arrow one his special arrows.

"Batman, it's Superman," he heard in his ear.

"Wait a minute," Batman said, halting the other's movements. "Go ahead."

"There's something you need to know about Taipana."

P.S.: Three pages total.