AN/ A warning here, this one is a long one. I probably could have split it into two but it would have messed up the timeline a little. Anyway I hope you see what I was getting at with this one :D

Twelve Days o f Comfort and Joy

Chapter Eight

Grand Outings

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me

Eight Maids-a-milking.

"You look..." John gasped, catching his breath unexpectedly "...Wow."

Shayera smirked "Not...'Judas Priest' this time?"

The Green Lantern let out an amused sound that originated from deep within his chest "Maybe..." He paused unable to stop staring at her "Uh...so, you ready to go?"

"Whenever you're ready." Shayera replied with the currently ever present smirk firmly placed on her features. The reason for John's inarticulateness as well as his wandering eyes was a delicate pale green almost blue dress, off the shoulder, backless and slightly longer than her previous elevator number. Her red hair was carefully tied in a loose bun, the thicker more stubborn tendrils framing her face but thankfully for once staying out of her eyes, and of course her wings were behind her framing her entirely. She wouldn't say but she had carefully preened her feathers and ensured that they were all smooth with none sticking out oddly; it would seem that her efforts had paid off.

"...Right." John answered at last before awkwardly heading towards the apartment door and opening it, holding it to allow Shayera to pass. John himself was smartly dressed, a pair of dark jeans a green dress shirt and a dark jacket to finish the look, casual but smart and not quite off the catwalk...thankfully. Neither would admit it aloud but both were fully aware that the 'catwalk' look really wasn't John even if he was exceptional at carrying it off.

As Shayera walked past him she absently allowed a wing to brush against his front causing the immediate air to stir and fill her nostrils with the cologne he was wearing. A delicate scent that was neither overpowering nor too weak to notice, strong enough that it caught her attention but not strong enough to irritate her keen sense of smell.

"You smell good."

John coughed awkwardly as he closed his front door and locked it, rattling the handle to ensure security.

"Thanks..." Offering his arm "Shall we?"

John was starting to wish he had chosen to wear a more comfortable shirt the one he was wearing was feeling tighter and tighter by the minute. Without thinking he reached up and tugged at the collar with a finger in an attempt to free his airways. Currently they were both waiting in a small line to be given a table, specifically the one he had reserved on the roof for both of them to enjoy a romantic dinner.

"Here, let me." Before he could protest Shayera had already turned to face him, her hands reaching up for his collar where she undone the upper most button. "Better?" Her hands lingered slightly longer than was necessary not that either complained.

"Yeah...thanks." The half smile on her lips drew his undivided attention for a moment before he managed to shake himself back to his senses. "Are you warm enough?"

Her reply was for her to snuggle closer to him while tugging on her coat "Plenty."

John had to confess that he was more than happy that she seemed to feel comfortable in public now although he could still detect a certain amount of unease; for the most part she was far better than she had been the previous day. Her anger over that had subsided considerably to John's relief which stretched to accommodate his relief at her acceptance of his proposition...the romantic dinner they had never had.

"Your reservation sir?"

John cleared his throat "John Stewart."

The Maitre d' glanced up from his books and peered at the couple before him over his glasses, if he was surprised or at the very least affected in any way by what he saw, he gave no indication.

"Table fifty-one, upstairs on the right."

John nodded his thanks before leading Shayera onward towards the given destination, as they passed through the first floor of patrons there was a subtle hush before quiet talking resumed, both Shayera and John were unfazed.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, John." She pointed with her free hand "Over there."

Both of them climbed the extravagant stairs to the upper floor and roof. Being a gentleman, John pushed the door open for his companion and allowed her through before him, his eyes unconsciously drawn to the expanse of lean muscle over her back and shoulders. Again he shook his head. On closer inspection of the upper floor it would seem that the roof was not completely open but protected by glass walls and a glass ceiling, completely transparent giving an un-obscured view of Detroit's nightlife. Guiding her to their reserved table John pulled out the chair for her and slid it in as she sat down, his fingers gently brushing her shoulders. Before he departed John gently circled the back of her neck with the pads of his thumbs while leaning over behind her and whispering discreetly into her ear.

"You really do look beautiful tonight."

Without allowing her an opportunity to answer John withdrew and moved around the table to take a seat opposite her, smiling at her but making sure he could see her eyes clearly. On a whim he had decided to bring his ring but not to wear it, for now it was safely stowed in his pocket. It gained the desired affect because Shayera wouldn't look away from his now chocolate brown eyes, a slight twinkle present in her own comparatively green irises. After a short while they started talking, conversation coming easily between them and proof of the progress they had made since they had originally embarked on this Christmas vacation. The original and disconcerting awkwardness and clumsiness had faded by a combination of talks, time and a willingness to start over allowing them to break away from the agonising rut they had been in. Although John was reassured by this and he was sure Shayera was as well, he knew that they still had a lot of work to do.

"Would you like something to drink?" John asked as they concluded their conversation on the surrounding decorations, all extravagant and obviously expensive.

"That would be nice."

John smiled a little before picking up the menu, he was a little surprised by how quiet she was and wondered if it was the situation that was causing it, her taking part in another odd human ritual she probably wasn't sure about. The more he thought about it though as he slowly averted his eyes from the list of wines and looked over the top of the menu to watch Shayera as she looked out past the transparent walls, he realised how quiet she had been generally ever since her return. Opening his mouth he nearly made to ask her but instead filed it away for a later time, he didn't want to drag what was going to be a wonderful night into something gloomy and heavy.

"Are you ready to order?"

Looking up John focused on the waiter that was standing beside him book at the ready to jot down their requests. Oddly his mind drew a blank, he had a great deal of experience in restaurants but they had been with Mari, and it had always been Mari that ordered.

Shayera moved her head slightly so that she could look at John; she smiled just slightly before looking away again, the smile never leaving and it seemed a silent agreement to let him order. Referring to the menu John proceeded to order them both meals as well as a drink each, feeling certain that he knew Shayera well enough to know what she would like to eat. The waiter dutifully left to pass on their orders and while they waited they both began to converse again.

Easy conversation, comfortable, open, John enjoyed every second of it.

"Inza makes some really fantastic cakes..." Shayera paused and cocked her head to one side "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine...why wouldn't I be?"

"You looked like you were miles away." She observed.

"No, no, I'm..." He sighed as he fixed his eyes on hers never looking away in case he was swallowed whole never to see them again "We should have done this years ago."

Surprisingly she shook her head "I don't think so," He felt her foot come into contact with his calf and wondered if the touch was intentional or not "This is better than anything it could have been then." The touch was definitely intentional.

Once their meals arrived, John watched carefully for Shayera's reaction in the hopes that he had ordered something she would like. After her first mouthful he was relieved as she admitted her enjoyment with a sound of approval. John had selected something unpretentious and robust, but not too rich, while he himself had something a little more subtle. When finished they pushed their plates to one side and continued to enjoy each other's company, Shayera resting her elbows on the table and propping her chin on her hands. She wanted to mention how good he looked because she knew that he would appreciate the compliment, but she instead kept it to herself and continued to admire him.

In time John began to lean on the table as well and as he was now a little closer Shayera reached out and touched his bearded chin with a finger, dragging it downward and letting her nail scratch the path down and over until it fell away from his jaw. Seeing John shiver slightly she smiled.

"Thank-you for dinner."

"My pleasure," John replied as he decided to take her hand in his and run his thumb over her knuckles before kissing them softly "But the evening isn't over yet, I've got something else planned."

The apartment was dark as they entered and John didn't bother for the time being to switch a light on, instead he walked towards the bedroom, Shayera right behind him. As he entered he switched on the light and turned to her.

"Put something more comfortable on." Then he turned and left back towards the living room.

Shayera was bewildered if annoyed at his rather blunt choice of words, that and she didn't like being told what to do regardless of the situation. Still standing in the middle of the bedroom in debate Shayera was taken aback as John reappeared now in his Green Lantern uniform, she was surprised further as he tossed her work clothes towards her.

"John," Shayera looked at him and then to her yellow tracksuit that was now in her hands "You're giving me mixed signals here."

To her irritation he laughed "Just put it on." And he disappeared again.

Now she was a little disappointed having spent most of the afternoon getting dressed up especially for their romantic evening and now any indication of potential romance had just completely diminished. Letting out a huff Shayera obliged and changed out of her dress and into her tank and trousers before pushing the bedroom door open. John was stood by the window with a stupid look of childish excitement plastered on his face which only annoyed her more.

"What's going on? Am I missing something?"

"You better bring your mace."

"Fine." Shayera marched back to the bedroom and retrieved her mace halfway contemplating bashing him over the head. When she approached him by the window she watched as he pulled it open and clambered outside, the familiar glow of his ring suspending him in the night air.

"Come on Shayera, I know you're going to love this."

Sometime later they were zipping through space in a green ball of John's making, planets and stars shooting past them as they travelled along at high speed. So far John had refused to relinquish any information on where they were going and Shayera had decided to keep quiet in the hopes that it would make him uncomfortable enough to force a confession out of him. It dawned on her a little later that taking her into space wasn't the best of ideas.

"Don't you think this is a little stupid?" She asked frowning.

"Why?"

"Well...it's just..." There could be Thanagarians out here ready to kill me or worse "No one knows we're out here."

John seemed to read her mind "Don't worry, it's perfectly safe where we are going, besides," He threw her a grin "I won't let anything happen to you."

After that for a time they returned to silence until Shayera couldn't take anymore "Where are we going?" Before she let him answer she pressed on, unfolding her arms to glare at him openly "I mean, you took me away from a really nice restaurant and-"

"You'll see, trust me it's worth it."

There was an unmistakable growl "It better be."

"I'm sure you will recognise where we are soon enough."

Shayera frowned and looked out of the green bubble, as they passed a rather gloomy looking planet that seemed strikingly familiar, she suddenly recognised where she was.

"We're in the Omega Quadrant!"

"Soon to be the third moon of Galtos."

Shayera was stunned.

"But...but...why?" She stammered.

"I figured since we've been celebrating Christmas like humans, that you might like to celebrate like a Thanagarian."

She would have hugged him right there and then if she didn't think it would distract him from focusing on their transport bubble. None the less her heart swelled with warmth at his gesture, to turn a wonderful night into a perfect one by ending it in the best way.

When they landed Shayera chose that moment to express her appreciation, launching at him and nearly knocking him off of his feet, strong arms holding her in place as she held him tightly.

"I'm guessing you like the surprise?"

"Yes!" She kissed him fully on the mouth "Thank-you."

Taking her hand John lead her to the doors and pushed them open, his memories of the place holding firm as he realised that it hadn't changed a single bit since his first visit. Loud grating music emanated from every corner, aliens of nearly every race he was familiar with were present and Shayera regardless of past happenings loudly greeted some of them. Reaching the bar she slapped the table.

"Where can I get a warm flurb around here?"

The bartender turned around and shouted loudly in greeting "Wings! Long time no see!"

Shayera grinned as he passed her two jugs of flurb, Shayera then passing one to John who peered at it before pushing it away.

"I'm fine thanks."

The grin on her face was priceless. Instead of knocking back her drink like he had expected, she instead shuffled closer to him and whispered into his ear so that he would hear her over the din of music.

"A girl could learn to love you, Lantern."

"I was hoping one already had."

Shayera smiled and moved away slightly "I don't doubt it." It was the first time either of them had come remotely close to telling the other the depth of their feelings ever since she had confessed her own to him all that time ago. John watched her amused as she chugged back her flurb and just like before burped loudly, he knew that soon she was going to start a fight but he was fine with it now that he knew what to expect. It would be a perfect ending to an evening for her and he felt a deep sense of pride knowing that he had made her happy.

An aggressive looking alien that was rather large in size sat down beside John and for an instant he wondered what Shayera would think if he started the fight this time. Running off of instinct and he was sure, insanity, John snatched up his mug of flurb which he was never going to drink even if someone paid him, and proceeded to chuck it over the alien sitting next to him. Shayera grabbed his shoulder and pulled him towards her a fierce smile on her lips.

"Forget what I said earlier...I already learned years ago."

Before he could reply the distraction meant that he failed to see the rather large fist flying in his direction which on impact flung him across the room. As he scrambled to his feet he heard Shayera's distinct war cry before a dull thud signified that her mace had made contact, a beat later and numerous other shouts erupted as a full on brawl began.

Sometime later and the bar was quiet, the loud music from earlier had stopped when the DJ had been dragged into the fight shortly after it began and the brawl had by now, died down. Amongst the carnage of passed out bodies and aliens too drunk to be bothered with trivial matters such as movement, Shayera was sat on a stool at the bar, the only being in the entire place except the barman still standing. Beside her John was slumped over the bar, barely on his seat where she had put him a few minutes ago.

Quietly Shayera took another sip of her drink, something a little weaker than flurb seeing as she didn't have a strong desire to get herself drunk right now, the want to simply drink for enjoyment having escaped her for a long time. Absently she glanced up at the odd looking clock on the wall, automatically calculating and comparing until she worked out the Earth time and the minutes that had passed since their arrival, something she had learned to do when visiting this place when she was off duty.

"That the same guy you brought last time?"

Glancing up Shayera spotted the barman who regularly called her 'Wings'.

"Yes...although on this occasion he brought me."

The alien chuckled "He's a keeper in that case," He stacked one of the few unbroken glasses on the side "Anyone who brings you here is a keeper Wings knowing all the fights you've started here."

Shayera smiled as she looked towards John before her expression slowly faded.

"Did you hear what happened to Thanagar, Graivun?"

There was a pause "I did..."

Shayera nodded "It was my fault."

"I know."

"Yeah...I guess you would."

"Wings, there ain't nothin' I don't hear in this place." He set another glass down before leaning on the bar. "I'm guessing you don't want to talk about it? Talking has never been your thing."

She shrugged "I guess not."

Graivun resumed his clearing of the bar "I know you chose to save a planet instead of your own, you're not the first to ever go native."

Shayera glanced up and fixed her eyes on the barman, the alien had once been part of a military like unit himself, long since retired.

"I destroyed my people..."

Graivun shrugged "Want to know what I think?" He didn't wait for her confirmation "Either way Thanagar wasn't going to win that war...I think you know that deep down, you've always known it like every other Thanagarian too stubborn to admit it."

When he saw her fist clench around her mace he quickly proceeded "You saved a planet that might not have even guaranteed a victory."

"It doesn't matter." Shayera stated flatly "It's still my doing."

The barman shrugged "Whatever you think Wings," He gestured towards John "He seems decent enough." With that he moved away still laboriously cleaning up the mess.

Sighing Shayera leaned over towards John, turning on her stool so that her knee pressed against his outer thigh. Reaching a hand out she gently stroked the back of his neck, every so often scratching lightly with her nails. Slowly John started to stir, groaning loudly as his list of aches, pains and bruises rushed to the forefront of his mind. Still mumbling he cracked his eyes open and tried to focus on the dozen Shayeras he could see.

"How long was I out?" He asked dryly.

Shayera checked the odd clock "About fifteen minutes." When he groaned in disapproval she added "Not bad considering it was a Metekian that punched you out."

John grumbled again, rolling his shoulders awkwardly as he remained hunched over the table.

"Better give him this."

Shayera accepted the glass that had been passed to her by Graivan, a tall cylindrical glass filled with a cool blue and white liquid. Still keeping one hand against the back of his neck idly generating meaningless patterns, Shayera moved the drink towards him.

"Drink up, John."

"What is it?" He grumbled. His head felt like it was going to burst, next time he uses the ring, that is if he plans to start anymore brawls.

Shayera noticeably paused "Best I don't tell you, but by human standards it's more...digestible."

Groaning he managed to sit up and enclosed his fingers around the cool glass, without hesitation or pause to even sniff the concoction John slurped some down. Shivering as he felt it go down John was surprised that it didn't taste too bad, it was certainly a lot better than flurb that was for sure. Setting the drink back down he reached up to inspect his features but as he did so Shayera moved a little closer.

"I already cleaned up your cuts while you were out, that was a very good fight you started there." She almost seemed proud of him.

"I aim to please." He grimaced as his ribs protested slightly "I would have brought you earlier but I figured it was best if we had dinner first."

A nod confirmed her agreement "You were right about that."Her smile was amused but soft as her hand continued to trace the back of his neck.

"You had better watch yourself Green Lantern," Graivan muttered as he moved past sweeping up debris as he went "Thanagarians don't touch just anybody you know."

Despite his sore and bruised body, John laughed "Tell me about it."

Giving him a playful punch in the arm Shayera swivelled on her stool before she suddenly remembered something. The night had been perfect; a wonderful dinner followed by a spectacular fight but there was one more thing, just one last thing to make everything completely amazing.

"You know John," She leaned close to him and pushed his stool around so that he faced her "There's just one more thing that would make this evening perfect."

John had a headache and now a serious case of déjà vu "I don't think there is anyone left willing to fight Shayera..."

She chuckled "No stupid." Her hand grabbed the front of his uniform right over the emblem on his chest and proceeded to pull him forward, a moment later and she gently kissed him. "Thank-you for the best night...both human and Thanagarian."

"That..." John grinned "Almost makes this bruised face worth it."

"Almost?"

"Yeah...that, a hot shower and a bottle of beer."

"Well...I'm going to go to the rest room first and then we can leave."

"They have rest rooms here?"

Shayera gave him a look before shaking her head and walking off. John shrugged, grimaced and finished his drink, the alien barman returning to the bar.

"You won't tell anyone she was here." It wasn't a question or even a request...but an order.

Graivan turned and met John's eyes "One thing you should know Green Lantern," the barman didn't avert his eyes even as one of the unconscious aliens rolled onto his side... still unconscious "Everyone here is just passing through, no one gives their name, origin or destination and no one ever stays long."A moment later and he snatched up John's now empty glass "You have my word that no one will know she was here."

"Good."

Graivan nodded and turned his head as Shayera reappeared "So Marine, think you're ready to take us home?"

"I reckon so." John stood and slipped an arm around her "I'm going to hurt in the morning I just know it."

Shayera chuckled "That throw you performed midway through the fight was-"

"Hey Wings!"

"Yeah?"

"I was right, he is a keeper."

The bar echoed with her laughter.

AN/

Maitre d' - is the guy on the floor of a Restaurant who gives the tables and organises the staff :)

Also with Graivan...I have a story that's still very much in the planning stages but it will have (when I write it of course) an expansion on him as well as other things but its all 'hush hush' at the moment ;)

Hope you enjoyed this chapter :D