A/N: Well folks here is the next chapter for you all. I can't believe how many people have read the story and from all over the world too...thank you Fanfiction for opening a world to me I never thought existed. I own none of the characters or references here. Thanks again for your views and reviews. For those who do not like this story, no problem, good luck in your search for the story that suits you. We are all entitled to our own opinion, I thank you though for taking the time to read and letting me know how you felt. Enjoy as the story progresses.

Chapter 4

J'onn

Waves of tension, hostility and pain radiated through him as he quickly made his way to the Watchtower Cafeteria where the source was coming from. As the doors slid opened and he stepped in taking in his surroundings he realised it was not a single source but many in the room. Taking a look at the wider picture before him he noticed instantly amidst the many league members gathered there, that there was a lot of underlying scenes playing out.

He noticed Shayera stroking her mace with an evil grin on her face staring at John who was trying but failing miserably not to look at her. He saw Mari and Greg glaring at each other across a table that they were sharing with Shining Knight, Power Girl and Cyborg who were awkwardly sitting there looking between the two. At another table Helena was leaning against a wall with her feet crossed atop the table, lazily listening to The Question who seemed to be having a very animated conversation with her. Dinah who was next to her was facing Oliver who had her hand in his and he was nodding his head and Dinah was adamantly shaking hers.

At John's table, Wally was sitting there, J'onn took a closer look and it appeared he was vibrating slightly whilst staring dreamily at someone. J'onn didn't have to think twice of who it was, turning he saw Fire talking to Ice. Every now and then they would look over at Wally. Batman in the far corner of the room was alone at his table, unmoving but facing John's table across the other side of the room where Zatanna was sitting. Zee, meanwhile was staring daggers at him, every few seconds her head would tilt to the side then suddenly shake negatively and tilt to the other side.

He looked up and saw Wonder Woman make her way towards him with her tray of food. Her thoughts were loud and clear in his head.

"Does he think one apology will make everything alright? *rolling her eyes* As if!"

Superman was following her and attempting to talk to her, but she was ignoring him.

"What does a guy have to do to be forgiven? I have tried to apologise, pleading to the point of begging on my knees. Wait…maybe I should try that….nah don't want her to think she can win at everything. Sending her favourite flowers and chocolates didn't work, writing her a poem was too lame. *SIGH* Hmmm maybe if I try and make something for her with my two hands at the Fortress….yeah..YEAH good idea! But first she has to talk to me without anger or wanting to knock me out in her eyes."

She stopped in front of J'onn looking at him worriedly. She laid her hand on his arm and said, "J'onn are you alright?"

He blinked and looking at her said, "Fine thanks Diana, just a lot of activity in my head is all, nothing to worry about"

Smiling knowingly she said, "Tell me about it. As long as it doesn't drive you mad or make you want to punch something-"

"Diana, please I'm sorry-"

"Or someone"

She turned and gave a pointed look at the Man of Steel who stopped in his tracks. She turned to John with a smirk and walked over to sit with Shayera.

"Damn, this will be a lot harder than I thought"

Kal's shoulders dropped and he sighed audibly, turning to walk away J'onn's voice stopped him.

"Give her time Kal-el, I promise she'll be worth the wait"

Superman's demeanour suddenly changed, shoulders squared he turned to face Diana who was watching him with a quizzical expression.

"Why is he smiling at me like that? What the hell is he planning-OMG did he just…?"

Smiling slowly at her he then winked to which her eyebrows shot up, chuckling he turned to J'onn smiling.

"Yep he did"

"Thanks J'onn I needed that"

"You're welcome Superman", he smiled back and watched Superman walk out of the Cafeteria with an extra spring in his step.

Turning back he decided to check in on the other couples individually. He made it a rule to not invade people's thoughts unless given permission or they were forced on him. But he decided to forego it this time as they were constantly bombarding him and giving him a constant migraine that no Oreo seemed to fix. Well, not a packet anyway he smiled appreciatively. So with a deep breath he turned to face Batman and Zee whose thoughts were like stereo surround sound in his head.

"I am the night, I am the darkness"

"Maybe I should conjure up a sledgehammer over his head to knock some sense into him….NAH"

"She is so beautiful, I wish…"

"Maybe I could ask Diana to speak to Aphrodite for me ….NAH"

"No, Batman is my life, protecting Gotham is my mission"

"Look at him just sitting there, he looks like he is in the Twilight Zone"

"Maybe Zee and I should talk…NO!...I am the night, I am-"

"I know! I can turn him into a stuffed Batman toy and demand he give us a chance or I'll rip his arms off….*SIGH* definitely NAH"

"Yes we should talk and investigate the possible outcomes, maybe I can help her set up a contingency plan if we decide to go ahead"

"Oh what's the use the idiot won't listen anyway..*SIGH* I'll just give my all in Operation Sucker Punch and let the cards fall where they may…speaking of which gotta go and prepare for tonight's show"

Zatanna suddenly stood up and so did Bruce, she narrowed her eyes at him.

"What's he doing now? Playing Marcel Marceau with me?"

"Where's she going? I need to talk to her"

Zee excused herself from her table and taking her tray to the counter where Batman was waiting for her.

"Zatanna"

"Go away Batman"

Giving her tray to the attendant there she turned on her heel and walked away. Batman dogging her footsteps.

"Zee, please-"

"You have nothing to say that I want to hear Bruce", she said not slowing down.

"I want to talk about us"

Zee halted and turning slowly towards him, "There is no us, remember?"

"I-I want", Batman began.

Zee was surprised to hear Bruce stammering and in full Batman regalia too. She decided to throw him a bone. Hope beginning to flare in her heart.

"Say it Bruce please for us…"

"I want to-to"

"One chance….that's all..come on you can do it!"

"I want to discuss a case I am working on in your district"

"I couldn't do it….I tried…but my mission is important to me….YES but so is ZEE!"

"AAAARGHHHHH Bonehead….typical Bat brain response…maybe I WILL get Diana to punch him"

"Send me the details the usual way and I will look at them", she spat out and left the Cafeteria. Batman slowly following and leaving in the opposite direction. J'onn slowly shook his head feeling sorry for them both.

"OMGOMGOMGOMGsheissoooobeautifulOMGOMGOMGwonderifshewouldgooutonadatewithmeOMGOMGIWOULDdatemeOMGOMGOMGThankGodforOperationSuckerPunchIgettospendalotoftimewithherOMGOMGOMG*SIGH*"

John smiled and turned towards Wally whose vibrating seemed to be annoying John who was elbowing him in the ribs to no avail. Wally was in a world of his own.

"Wallace is so cute, look at him he seems to be radiating energy. I don't think he would go out with me, he is a founding member and is too smart. But I really like him, he's funny and polite and so generous. Maybe I should ask him if he would join me for lunch someday…"

"OMGOMGsheislookingatme…waitmaybesheslookingbehindme" he turns around to see Big Barda sitting there sipping a milkshake, his eyes went wide. Barda looked up and glared at him, he gulped and smiled weakly at her turning quickly around.

"*SIGH*OMGGGGshelikesgirlsOMGOMGIlikegirlstooOMGmaybeIcanmakeanexception-" he smiled dreamily again and propped his head on one hand, picturing the scenario.

J'onn quickly closed off their thoughts turning away blushing, "Ok Wally…too much information"

He turned to the table with Huntress, The Question, Black Canary and Green Arrow.

"Oh shut up Vic with your conspiracy theories, let's get outta here already this place is boring me to tears"

"Helena looks like she really understands about why I think every television has a hidden camera in it that leads back to a main one where THEY watch us all on. Every move we make once we turn them on, that the ads are hypnotising us to their will-"

"OMG is HE serious…wait til we get to his place I am going to take his 50 year old never-been-turned-on tv and break it over his head. ARGHHHHH why couldn't I fall in love with anyone else?", dropping her feet suddenly she looked around the room.

"She DOES understand….look at her scanning the room for a television to prove my point"

Sighing she returned to her earlier position and smiles at Vic.

"My baby may be a bit Poco-loco, but he loves me and I love him, now if he would just let us move in together-"

"My Helena, the only one who understands me"

Smiling at each other Vic continues to chatter away. J'onn smiles as the couple don't seem to have any real issue. On the other hand….

"Why is he trying so hard? I told him we need to take it slowly"

"God I love this woman, what else can I do to make her see she is the only one for me?"

"I know he is trying to make up for sleeping with that cheap hooker but he needs to gain my trust again."

"If only I hadn't gone to that party and kept my hands to myself. I never would have hurt my pretty little bird. Dinah I am so very sorry for hurting you my love"

"I still love you Ollie, but we can't get married if I don't trust you. Please give me space, only time will tell"

"Maybe if I take her away for a weekend where we can just talk"

Stroking Dinah's hand he said, "How about a weekend getaway so we can just talk, Dinah?"

Dinah shook her head, "I don't think so Ollie"

"Please pretty bird give me a chance"

"Ollie, I have given you a chance, we are still engaged remember? But I need to be able to trust you again, and until then you will have to give me time and space"

"But we will just talk-"

"We are "just talking" now"

"But-"

Sighing Dinah removed her hand out of his grasp and said, "Oliver Queen you don't know how much you hurt me and how much it took for me not to walk away. But hear this, keep pushing me and I will walk away from you and never look back. Understood?"

"Understood Dinah", he said dejectedly.

Taking pity on him she leant down and placing a hand under his chin tilted it up towards her.

"Oh Ollie I still love you, you idiot but what's done is done. We need to get past this…..I need to get past this, otherwise we will never work. Understand?", she smiled gently at him whilst stroking his cheek.

"Yes darlin, I understand", he smiled back at her, and Dinah then bent down and kissed his forehead.

"See you later Hel and Vic going to work on my motorcycle", she said to her best friend and her boyfriend.

"Laters baby"

"Bye Dinah, be careful not to watch your tv in the garage whilst-"

"Vic, I will strangle you this instant sugar if you don't shut up"

"Bye Dinah", Vic Sage smiled weakly at her.

"See you at home babe", she winked at Ollie who grinned.

"Of course pretty bird", Ollie said whilst watching her gorgeous form walk out of the Cafeteria.

J'onn smiled at least that table seemed to be working things out.

"Imbecile thinks he can control our destinies like he is Master of the Fates or something. Maybe I should show him who Mistress of the Mace is?"

"God she's beautiful….No John….stop it…you will not be destiny's puppet remember?"

"How can he deny us our son? Rex Hol Smith….no wait….Rex Smith Hol….that's better.."

"Her eyes….Rex's eyes….*SIGH*….that can't happen….I won't LET it happen"

"Maybe he's right….no HE'S NOT! I deserve happiness DAMN IT….I deserve to be a mother and raise our child!"

"Maybe we will be happy….should I?"

They both stood up staring at each other, emotions warring in both their heads. They left their table and marched towards each other with determination in their eyes. They met in the centre of the room.

"Shay-"

"John-"

They said in unison, then froze both struggling with what to say next.

"What are you doing? He's right there! Say it! Tell him to deny he loves you and set things right. Otherwise you will take him outside the Watchtower and use him for batting practice….you could bat a home run with him straight to Oa….yeah that's it…tell him girl!"

"I can do this, we can do this…come on John you are a soldier give her the order!"

"John, I-"

"Shay,I-"

They again said in sync then froze.

"OMG Shayera Hol….don't you dare….tell him or Mistress of the Mace will be beating herself up for a change….come on where is the warrior who took on her own people to save the Earth huh…..HUH?"

"Who are you kidding, it scares you to death, knowing how happy you both can be. You just have to reach out and grab it with her….go on"

Suddenly they turned away from each other and made their way out of different exits from the Cafeteria, literally running in their haste. J'onn sadly shook his head…Humans. He turned wearily towards Mari and Greg who seemed to be having a glaring contest.

"Mari, darlin you are not ready I tell ya"

"Greg are you blind? I love you, you buffoon not John. *SIGH* Men why do I even bother. I could have been happy with any of the Supermodels, Celebrities or members of the public who propositioned me. But nooooo…I had to go and fall in love with two morons who think they know what is best for me. Idiots!"

"Does she know how beautiful she is when she is spitting mad like that? Makes me want to go and jump in the nearest horse trough!"

"Maybe I should ask Justin out on a date", turning suddenly she looked at Shining Knight, "he at least knows how to treat a lady with respect and won't be afraid to tell her".

"My Mari, so much spirit and fire in her, look at her…wait a second….why is she looking at Justin like that? Mari….I'm over here *waving arms wildly*…she's making her way over to him…NOOOOOO"

"Justin?"

"Lady Mari, how can I be of service to ye?"

"Mari….think about this, he is Greg's best friend….you do NOT want to go there"

"I was wondering whether you would like to-"

"-go bowling with us tomorrow Justin", Greg finished for her.

"Oh hell no….was she about to ask Justin out for a coffee….worse a DATE! Over my dead body!"

"Huh?", Justin replied looking weirdly at them both.

"How dare you?", Mari turned around to scream at Vig.

"Now Lady Mari, I think if we just sit down and talk-"

"I dare because I care, darlin", Greg spat back.

"Now Greg that is not helping the situation-", Justin began but stopped when Greg turned to glare at him.

"Not enough to be with me, you moron"

"Now Mari it is not very ladylike to call people names", Mari turned and glared at him as Greg smiled, "even if they deserve it!", this time Mari smiled as Greg turned once again to glare at Shining Knight.

"Justin?", they both said.

"Yes my friends?"

"Shut up!"

"I will just be over there if you two need me", he then left their table and walked to the far end of the room, well away from them. J'onn chuckled at the resigned look on Justin's face.

"Mari, darlin-"

"Don't start Vig"

"You may think you are ready but you're not. It's all the way with me baby, you know that"

"Why is it you and John seem to think you know what is best for me? Why is that Greg? Do you two believe me to be a typical supermodel who can't think for herself? Forgive me but you are both fools."

"Mari-"

"No Greg", Mari remembered her plan regarding Operation Sucker Punch and said to him, "no more listening. You have one chance to listen to ME and you better listen real good. Because it will be my final attempt for you to see we can be good together and that there is no emotional carry-on baggage from my relationship with John. If you still want to be a lone wolf, so be it, we will go on living our separate lives and stay friends. Ok?"

"How will I know when to listen?"

"Oh honey you will know. There is no doubt about that", Mari crossed her fingers behind her back and quickly looked skyward. She then walked out of the Cafeteria leaving a very puzzled Vigilante in her wake.

J'onn sighed a huge sigh of relief as the pain in his head had subsided. He also looked heavenward praying to whatever God was up there as he had no clue, his race had not worshipped anyone in that manner. It seemed to be a way of the world though in times of a crisis, so he did it anyway. He hoped Operation Sucker Punch would result in all parties being happy with whatever outcome they chose and that he could finally get a good night's sleep.

If not, he was going to tell Batman to add a lifetime's supply of Oreo's to the Watchtower expenses. He bloody deserved it!