Should I be working on "Rann - Thanagar War"? Yes.

Do I have the mental capacity to handle the angst that's about to come forth from it? No. :)

But, for real ...I WILL be working on RTW here shortly. I just have a lot of other projects I'm currently focusing on, on top of fixing a couple of hiccups with the last few chapters, and I'd like to give RTW my full attention as we are nearing the end. I'm not going to rush it just to 'get it done'. It's too precious to me. So thank you all for being patient with me... I am also a slow writer. T_T

NOW, whatever THIS is... it's been sitting unfinished in my Docs for a good, long while. There are probably several other adaptations of this particular premise (the aftermath of Wild Cards) so that's most likely the reason I never went about completing it. But it's ...something. So, hope you enjoy!

She didn't know how long she had been staring at the electronic pad in front of her but she knew it must have been a while. Her eyes had unfocused and everything looked hazy.

Exhaling a breath, she forced herself to continue her report on the event that had led her to the med bay. Her heart had yet to settle since she had returned to the Metro-tower with John in tow. Over her years of being on this planet, she had learned enough about human anatomy to at least get John stable until he could receive proper medical care upon J'onn's return in the morning.

The muscles in her back felt like iron and her wings itched with tension. She simply couldn't get over the fact that John had almost died tonight. And to make matters worse, he had almost died trying to protect her.

Maybe if she had just -

"Hey," a low voice said, drawing her attention away from the readings in front of her. His eyes were open halfway and his gaze was fixed solely on her. An easy smile found its way on her face; she made no effort to hide it either. "Hey, go back to sleep."

"Not sleepy." Something washed over him as he lifted himself into a sitting position. She found it difficult to read him. "-Besides, we've got things to talk about."

Her heart clenched at his tone of voice. The determination written across his face was undeniable, and in her heart, she knew exactly what he was referring to. She tried to keep her voice even. "It can wait."

"Not anymore, I'm tired of waiting. You know how I feel about you."

"John," She pleaded, hoping she sounded firm enough to put an end to his current conquest.

Her attempt was for not. "And I know you feel the same way."

At the tip of her tongue was a lie, but she couldn't muster the energy to go about making it sound believable - not while he was looking at her with such vigor.

It didn't help that she was looking into his natural eyes rather than the powerful, green shade his ring gave. The moment she first saw the true color of his eyes, she felt as though she saw John Stewart for the first time. The relief of finding him alive was her lame excuse for the excitement that built in her chest upon looking into them. In all honesty - she found that she simply liked his true colors, making this even more difficult to hide how she did feel about him.

It was wrong of her to feel this way about John. Guilt ate away at the thought of Hro - her promised one. She felt even more guilty when she realized how unbothered she felt regarding her feelings - or lack thereof - for her commander. But it doesn't matter. I need to end this.

Sitting down next to him, she spoke hesitantly. "It's not that simple. John, this can't go any further."

"Why not?" His voice was sharp, with a touch of hurt behind it.

...Why not?

Dangerous thoughts shook all rational thinking, but she pushed them aside and buried them deep away. This wasn't the time to be conjuring ways she could actually be something more than colleges with the man sitting across from her.

"It's crazy. We work together."

"So? Gives us something in common." He shrugged, sounding quite pleased with himself for his speedy comeback.

She faltered, blurting out the next best thing she could think of. "We can't be worrying about each other when we're fighting the bad guys."

"Too late for that. What else you got?" He was smirking now, making her stomach flutter at the sight. He crossed his arms over his chest defiantly, adding to the overall charm. If he had a shirt on, I could actually think properly! ...Stop getting distracted!

He's being stubborn, and the gleam in his eyes is impairing her judgment. She needed to think of something to say before she could allow him this victory.

"We're so different... I mean, look at us!" Another wave of guilt twisted her gut.

She liked their differences, very much actually.

After watching that building rise up in flames knowing John was still inside, she forgot all about the effort it took to hold her feelings down. She was worried she would never have another verbal, sparring match with him over something stupid, that she would never see the line between his brows fade away as he laughed with complete abandon, that she wouldn't have the chance to express these strange emotions she felt when she was around him, or to tell him how much he meant to her.

And there were so many things she wanted to tell him. She wished above almost all else that she could let her guard down and show him the real her.

...But I can't.

A sigh escaped her, one heavy enough that she could feel it in her shoulders and wings. She could no longer maintain eye contact with him. His eyes were far too convicting.

He deserves someone better than me.

"-Just look at us," she whispered hoarsely.

His fingertips met the underside of her chin, gently lifting until her gaze was back on him. She felt powerless to stop him as he neared her, his face only inches away from her own. Her breath caught.

"I see a man and a woman." His hands lifted and touched either side of her helmet. Panic overcame her and she grabbed his wrists to stop him.

Only family or a beloved is allowed to see my face!

The scold nearly left her mouth, but she bit her tongue. Outside of her small family, she had only ever shown her face to Hro. And I only showed him after we were told of our promising to one another... I felt as though I was obligated to do so.

But, I want to show John.

Bowing her head slowly, she silenced the nagging voices in her mind and allowed John to remove the mask she wore.

A nervous flutter itched across her body as she realized he had stripped away her helmet and was now pushing back her bangs to see more of her barren face. She felt fear rise as she wondered what he thought of her?

Never one to dwell in her doubts, she tore away the bandaid and sought his gaze.

His eyes widened as the two settled in one another's presence for the first time. Her sinking feeling of fear melted away almost instantly at his awed expression, and a small smile followed suit. No one's ever looked at me like that.

She almost wondered if John could read her mind because his smile grew in return before closing the distance between them.

His lips molded with hers and she swore it felt like two pieces of a puzzle clicking together. He held her face so lovingly, and she couldn't wipe the smile off her face at his endearment. Winding her arms around his neck she pulled him closer to her. He wound his arms up her back, meeting at the place between her wings, and applying enough pressure to pull her closer yet - driving her crazy.

He most likely wasn't aware of her sensitivity there, either that or he somehow miraculously knew and was now deliberately tormenting her. Either way, he seemed to realize how much she liked the touch as he was now running his palms across her exposed skin.

A loud, repetitive, beeping noise startled the two leaguers and they parted and went on the defense.

Though still protectively trying to hold the Thanagarain close to him, she rose and rushed over to the heart monitor at his bedside.

Embarrassment flushed his cheeks upon realizing that he had been the in-direct cause of them having their first kissed ruined. He held his hand out for her, and pleaded, "I'm fine, Hawkgirl. I just, umm... I was," he cleared his throat awkwardly, unsure of how to explain without making a fool of himself.

She fixed her emerald eyes on his, and it seemed to make him even more flustered.

She watched as his outstretched hand unintentionally flexed, and a goofy-looking smile lit his features. She smirked at their misfortune, finding the situation hilarious and very them.

A realization dawned on her by his previous comment though and she tilted her head in wonder.

He still had his hand out to her, and she finally gave in to his request - sliding her palm over his own and interlocking their fingers. She sat back down beside him and looked him directly in the eyes. Without a shred of hesitancy, she corrected him. "Shayera Hol."

He looked perplexed as his brow lifted in obvious confusion. "I have no idea what you just called me, but I doubt I deserved it."

She punched him in the arm and he expelled a rhetorical, "ow". She had pulled her punch so it wouldn't necessarily hurt too bad, but he still rubbed at the spot and looked to her in wonder. "-What was that for?"

"I didn't call you a bad name," she retaliated, crossing her arms over her chest and narrowing her eyes. "-That was my name, you digrol."

"Your -" his eyes widened, and he grabbed her forearm. "-Wait, say it again!"

Keeping her arms locked, she huffed and pouted her lip. "Why? So you can make fun of it again?"

The laughter that followed her statement irritated her further, but she did allow him to continue touching her. His hand met her cheek, and he spoke in a gentle tone of voice. "I didn't realize you were trying to tell me your name. Now, say it again. Please?"

She sighed but made no move to uncross her arms. She whispered begrudgingly, "Shayera."

"Slower."

Whatever look she gave him in return, he must have found it funny. He chuckled at what she assumed was a confused expression on her face. Running his thumb against her cheek, he elaborated on his request. "-I want my first time saying your name to at least be the correct pronunciation. Now, will you say it slower so I can get it right?"

Her shoulders relaxed some, and she articulated the syllables of her name a final time. "Shay-er-a."

"Sh ...Shayera?" He said hesitantly, with an edge of questioning in his tone.

His smile grew as she nodded her head to him. "Okay ...Shayera."

He went to kiss her again, but she placed her fingertips over his lips before he could reach his initial target. The tingle spread throughout her entire body, but she ignored the sudden giddiness she felt. She smirked at his disappointed face.

"Uh-uh, we can't have your heart monitor going off again and alerting the others that you're in distress." He pouted, making her laugh. Her thumb slid across his bottom lip and she marveled in the smoothness of his skin. "-They're not allowed to see me like this. Only you."

Shayera watched as the crease between his brow drew in, indicating he was pondering something. She withdrew her hand and allowed him to come to whatever conclusion he was trying to make.

"So, I'm the only person you've allowed to see your face?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "No, but you're the only person on Earth who has."

He nodded as he processed the information. He didn't seem to notice that he had taken her hand and was now fidgetting with her fingers. A hearty chuckle passed his lips, and he let his thoughts free. "So, by Thanagarian rules ...does this mean I'm allowed to call you my girlfriend now? Or is there a whole other process to go about that?"

She fought the urge to smirk, and kept her voice low as she answered his questions "Not exactly. By Thanagarian law, seeing my face means we're bound for life. I'm basically your wife now."

She held her face taut as his mouth dropped and some color left his face. "Wh-What? Ugh, I don't ... but umm, we're -"

She couldn't hold back her smirk as his face was becoming tinted with a heavy blush, and his voice was rising in pitch with every syllable. It wasn't until she started laughing that he seemed to calm down and finally catch on to her. He crossed his arms over his chest, and attempted glaring at her. "-You were kidding."

Composing herself, Shayera inched closer to him, brushing her wing against his shoulder in the process. "Well - to be fair - we don't exactly have marriages where I'm from... so, I'd say you're in the clear."

Wrapping her arm around his bicep and interlocking their hands, she leaned her cheek against his chest and looked up into his eyes. His heart rate seemed to be returning to a normal rhythm, and she pressed herself closer to him as she spoke with a more serious tone. "Relationships on Thanagar are nothing like the ones on Earth. I'm not entirely sure how to be a girlfriend... but -"

She left the rest of the sentence in the air, and John pressed after curiosity won him over. "But?"

Their eyes locked, and she found a strange comfort in the gesture. "I'm willing to try... If that's what you want?"

Their gaze lingered as they settled into a comfortable silence. His smile was enough an answer as any verbal one could have been, but he spoke nonetheless. "I'd like that very much, Shayera."

Her heart did something funny. She suppressed the unfamiliar feeling, but couldn't deny that she very much enjoyed the way John said her name. She placed a tender kiss to his lips before nestling back into his side and listening to the soft thud of his heart against her ear.

His hand found its way to her shoulder and he lazily drew circles against her skin. His lips met her temple and he laid his cheek against her hairline, drawing her closer.

The peace that washed over her was unsettling.

Lifting herself out of his embrace, she looked to him and chuckled at his expression - obviously unhappy that she had ended their brief cuddle session.

"I can't stay." His pouting lip deepened, and she rolled her eyes. "-J'onn will be here in the morning and I don't want the others getting the wrong idea. Plus, now that the two of us are -" she frowned as she sorted through the possible English word to describe their current relationship.

His pout turned into a devious grin as she fought to find the correct term. "Dating," he offered.

"I was about to -" she growled indignantly, before mumbling under her breath something he couldn't quite make out. "Fine! Now that we're dating ...I'd like it to just be the two of us for the time being. You know? Let us figure things out without the others having a say in it?"

Taking a heavy breath through his nose, John carefully pondered her words. "So, you want to keep us dating a secret?"

"You don't think it's a good idea?" Shayera challenged, raising her brow.

"No, it is. It's just," he sighed. "-It's going to be hard acting like we're not in a relationship."

She shrugged, "Flash did say we acted like an old married couple, so it shouldn't be too hard. Besides -" she lifted herself fully off the mattress, but stayed close to the Lantern. She leaned in as though going in for a kiss, but veered out of reach last second to whisper into John's ear. With each word she said she could hear his heart monitor rising in waves and sounding off.

She kissed his cheek as she pulled away, feeling the heat radiating off his flushed skin.

She smirked as she brushed the back of her fingers across John's jawline. "That said, if you ever try to do that stunt you pulled tonight again, I will revive you just so I can divorce you, and kill you myself. Got it?"

John chuckled at the fault in her threat but thought against telling her otherwise. He knew she would just scoff at the correction, and say that it was close enough. He instead took the hand she had against his jaw and kissed the inside of her palm. "I don't doubt you would."

She seemed satisfied with his response and gave him a curt nod, her unruly bangs bouncing at the movement.

"Get some rest, Lantern." She ordered as she reached for her discarded helmet and placed it back onto her head - shifting back in her 'Hawkgirl' guise. "-I'll be back to check in on you in an hour, and you better be sleeping when I get back."

John beamed despite the threatening tone she used and the steely glint in her eyes. He thought about giving her a witty comeback but was honestly too tired to keep up their fun banter. The events of the past few hours having put a toll on his mortal body. "I'll be a model patient, Lantern's oath," he swore receiving another eye-roll from the Thanagarian.

"You're more trouble than your worth," Shayera teased as she turned to exit the med-bay, but not before turning her head over her shoulder and adding, "-unfortunately for you... I like a challenge."

His smile widened and she returned it. "-Good night, John."

"Good night, Shayera."