Nuclear Winter

Med Bay Watchtower, 5 minutes later:

-Keep the pressure on the wound! - J'onn screamed at John Stewart whose training as a nurse medic in the corps was some real help, but his mind was pretty perplexed since the ring was taken away from him… he remembers the promise to Hal Jordan to be the ring bearer in this world but the Green Lantern Corps however choose to take from him, that he has been a lantern for too long, it's power growing too strong in you (personally I don't think they trust humans)…trying to avoid uncomfortable situation they say, time to rest an have more time for you... What? Too old to be a soldier or have a regular job as an architect, maybe there still a lot of things I could do…his mind going away at the endless possibilities.

-! Come back please, we're in deep know!- J'onn laid the idea in his mind, all of the sudden John Stewart was cutting thought-out the once yellow shirt, removing tie and jacket and getting to business…just like in the battlefield, like some many times before... a comrade is in need, work fast! Vic's hands were severely burned; he had sustained a beating from Capt. Atom and probably had broken bones in his face and ribs… I can't get this off trying to pull the mask off...Can you get to the bullet? John asked to the Martian Manhunter.

-I'll try to get it out but is going to hurt! - J'onn said obviously distraught and anxious for what he was about to do.

-Can I help? - Said a third voice from behind. I'll do whatever you tell me to do…

It was superman, he took the uniform off and was wearing a single white t-shirt with some doctor green pants... you can still see where Batman punch landed, it was red and with a greenish look to it, he moved closer not wanting to divert the attention on the patient.

-Do you think he is going to be ok? - Said superman trying to get an answer from Former Green Lantern John Stewart.

-Yes- This fanatical kook has a strong will to live; he is tough as a Bradley tank, and they're not conspirators in heaven… but he is loosing a lot of blood, he pucked his hand in and found the artery…and looking at J'onn he said –Now-

J'onn put his hand under the arm to go though the rib cage, he had to catch the bullet and get his hand out before Q had a cardiac arrest… he catch unwillingly some of his feelings and the physic connection push him away...

What happened? Asked John obviously upset – Did you get it?-

The martian manhunter still shaken by this man pain open his hand showing a small bullet… the tried to catch his breath… and said very miserable tone: His mind is crying Helena where are you? I can't see you? I almost couldn't break free…

He has other injuries besides the bullet wound, we have to get her, she very may be the only one who knows how to take the mask off…

Not even a split second later…Superman had just vanished.

Alfred has been working non stop with Batman's arm… the damage is severe…his right elbow and wrist are crushed…his once powerful muscles are turned to mush… couldn't tell with the suit on. he wouldn't be jumping on roof tops anytime soon; he has mend his bones into place, cleaned his injuries… but he has never see him in this condition, is like Bruce Wayne never came back from the watchtower, just this monster… the Batman; he's suffering that's for sure…but there is something else, a sense or inevitability in an outcome, like someone expecting the end of a road, but keeps it to the metal.

I'm a butler even if I have a play a father…not a good one, I guessed my father would like to see his son endure this punishment; he is not going to die…I keep telling myself, but I'm petrified… I have to call the others.

John Stewart got out of he medical clothes… he is not needed there right now, it's four o'clock in the morning and the halls are cold and empty, clean up duties most be assigned early on, in a couple of hours everyone would be awake, hopefully… his hands goes through his head and face, he must clean up he admits… probably looking as crappy as he feels, he finds the lost sidearm in the floor and goes to the kitchen while taking the magazine out, old habits really die hard… he listens to movement inside and opens the door in a cautious way.

-Want some coffee? - Flash said on a cheerful mood.

-You have some? – He asked on a deep tone.

-NO, but we can brew some cappuccino- I have this beans imported from Colombia.

-Ok, anything to eat around here? - John stomach was killing him.

-Oui, monsieur-

-What?- John reply.

-Donuts- You' re not into French language, you're more into Thanagarian.

-Shut up- -What is wrong with you? – John was getting concern with the Flash, he was acting well…pretty normal.

I don't know, got into reading this traveling book about Europe and for the moment felt like cleaning up and getting the breakfast ready, don't get use to it.

-You mean you cleanup the debris on the Control Room? - No he knows something is wrong, Flash have never done anything without been told to.

Well, you guys had your hands full with The Question. May I dare to ask you who is the Watergate Freak?

-He'll be finding conspiracies in no time- He took the cup of strongly brew coffee and went to the room, you take first watch?

-Cool, I love the graveyard shift- and -I'm a sucker for late night commercials- He said.

John couldn't shake the feeling that he needed someone right now… that is all he could think about in the E.R., he knows her name but she choose to go away and soon we'll all be gone off this tin can.

But what John couldn't see was the trembling in Wally's hands… he has never been more terrified in his life, he had to cleanup when they left to the Med Bay, he had to take care of the youngsters? Who would do it if not him? He paged Diana on the emergency band…she has to come right away… I must admit I never seem the big fellow so upset, and to be honest I don't know if Bats was alive when I beamed him away to the cave…

Why do we have to grow up?