"Just hit him!"

He watched Shayera until she turned a corner and escaped from his sight. 'Time to face Mari.' He thought. He walked into the room. If something was upsetting Mari, she gave no indication.

"Hey Boo!" She greeted him getting up from her seat. "Where have you been? I was looking for you earlier." She said kissing him on the cheek.

"Uh I just got here." He replied confused.

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Oh well. It's fine. Anyway, I was thinking. You, me, dinner, tonight. Maybe Paris."

John continued to look at his girlfriend. "Uhm, tonight?"

'Darn' he thought. 'I was going to see if Shayera wanted to do something.'

Mari sighed and loosened her grip. "What's up with the frown Boo? Last night you canceled. You owe me."

'Maybe I do.' John thought.

He smiled. "Alright Mari. We'll go out tonight. But I can't stay over. Flash is stopping by later." He felt bad about lying but Mari grinned.

"Ok Boo. I'll see you later." She gave him a full kiss on his lips and walked out of the room swaying her hips left and right.

'Damn it John. What have you gotten yourself into?' He sighed and went to look for Shayera.

"Hyahhh!" Shayera yelled as she swung her mace. The poor robot didn't stand a chance. It hit the bot square in its chest. The metal ripped away, leaving the circuits to face the air. 'I think that's enough.' She thought with a grin. 'If only it was-'

"Shayera!" Her thoughts were interrupted. "I was looking for you." John said as he walked in.

Shayera turned to look at him. "And?" He stopped walking towards her and looked around the room. The only other people were Huntress and Question watching Canary and Green Arrow spar.

"Wanna spar?" He asked with a hopeful look.

With the smile of a predator about to catch its prey she replied. "Alright."

They moved towards one of the sparring mats. "If I hurt you, just let me know." She teased.

"I can handle myself." He grinned. "Just no sucker punches."

She flinched at that and hoped he didn't see. However, he did see it. And to make her forget it, he jumped and flew at her. Recovering quickly, she waited until he was right at her then flew straight up and slammed her mace down aiming for his back. He smiled. The move was familiar to him. Right before the mace hit him; he flipped so that his stomach was up and grabbed the mace. Fortunately for him she hadn't turned it on. As he grabbed the mace, he swung it along with Shayera away from him. Gracefully, she flipped in the air and landed on her feet. As soon as she touched the ground, she charged at him.

"I wanted to know if you'd like to watch a movie at my place tonight." He said as he dodged her. She looked at him in disbelief.

"John, you know why I can't. It's not fair to Mari." John looked at her as he put up a green shield to block her swings.

"It's one movie." He said.

"One movie you should watch with her… 'swing.'

…one night you should spend with her…'swing.'

Your girlfriend. Not

'swing'

me!" His shield broke at her last swing and he hit the ground. He looked at her angrily.

"You mean another night you can spend with Hall."

She gaped at him. "Carter? He's just a friend!"

By now, they had drawn a crowd, but they didn't care they didn't notice.

"He's a stalker!" He yelled right back.

"No." She lowered her mace as her shoulders drooped. "He's someone who has helped me. Someone who I can talk to without being judged or reminded of what I had and lost. He's given me advice and support." The room was quiet.

"Damn it John. Don't you see? Just forget about me. You'll be happy with Mari. And Mari will be happy with you. She deserves to be happy. And I'll...find happiness in solace." She left the room without looking at anyone and without hearing his response.