LOOOOONNNNG time, I know... BUT! I now have my computer fixed and my updates will be more on a schedule. The story is almost complete! let me know what you think!

Days had passed. Work was lifeless. Home was filled with drinking alone and just being alone. Sure, the phone had rang and rang, but Shayera made no move to answer. She knew it would be one person. The only one who called her. The emptiness reminded her of her days following the invasion. At least this time, she had a roof over her head. Not some cave that only had one exit and could potentially be used against her, should someone wanted to hurt her.

Which is exactly what happened.

Shayera shut her eyes in pain. 'No. Don't go there. I refuse to go there.'

Shayera sighed.

How did her life get so complicated? How had she become so broken? Only a few years ago, the only pain she had felt was a little homesickness and the occasional beating by criminals, who of course would end up far worse than her. Now, it engulfed her, swallowed her whole until she couldn't breathe and the only relief came when she curled into the fetal position. With her wings wrapped tightly around her, obscuring her from the outside world. And in her arms, the one picture she had of John.

Shayera stood from her couch before she could revert back to her cowering. She felt disgusted with herself. Once, she was the most feared lieutenant. Now, she was a traitor hiding in plain view.

She sighed again.

Just then, her phone ring. Not her personal one, but the one Bruce had given to her once she left the manor. She repressed a suffering sigh. Taking a deep breath, Shayera became Scarlet Hall and answered the phone.

"Good morning, Mr. Wayne. I hope you realize that today is Saturday." The venom in her voice was only recognizable by those who made it their business to catch every detail. People, like Bruce.

"Ms. Hall, I apologize." He replied. The lightness in his voice almost fake. "Ms. Reeves, are you still there?"

"Yes Mr. Wayne." Katie's voice joined the conversation.

"Good. As I was saying, Ms. Reeves, I need the both of you to spread word to many, most likely all of my colleagues and business partners and give them their official invitation to the Wayne Foundation's Annual Ball. It is one week from tonight and I expect you both to be there."

"Yes, Mr. Wayne." Katie said again immediately.

"Ms. Hall?"

Shayera blinked. A ball? Really? "Yes, Mr. Wayne, I understand. We'll get right to it."

"Excellent. I suggest that the both of you meet up and meet with each guest or send their invitations out."

"Yes, Mr. Wayne." They two girls said at the same time.

The line disconnected. Not a second later, Shayera's personal line rang. She accepted the call but didn't have the chance to say a word.

"Okay missy, it has been days since that day at work where you checked out of life. What the hell is up with that? You said you were going to tell me, and because I trust you, I didn't push it. Now I am. It's only because I'm worried. So will you please tell me what's going on? And don't say you're fine. If that were true, we would've gone to the gym for boxing."

Shayera allowed a small smile to appear. Katie was right. She had promised her an explanation. But when would be the right time to tell your friend that you slept with your ex-lover when you were drunk?

"Katie… I don't know what to say. My life has just gotten even more complicated."

"Scar- Shayera, I'm your friend. I know your whole life story. Just as you know mine, so I'm not going anywhere."

Even though she knew Katie couldn't see her, Shayera nodded. All of a sudden, Shayera felt her throat close up. "I slept with him. On that night he came over."

The seconds ticked by in silence.

"Damn."

"I know, anyway, I feel terrible about it. I don't sleep around, but when it comes to John, it's not just desire. It's a need."

"Shayera, it's alright. I completely get it. But, what are you going to do? What does this mean for you two?"

"I'm not sure. I know that I can't be with him. I'll only hurt him again."

"Shay… you don't know that. This time, things could be different. There's no mission to be worried about. No fake identity, well a bad one anyway, just you and John. You don't even have to be a superhero anymore! You could just stay and be Scarlet Hall."

As Katie painted the image into Shayera's head, Katie's voice seemed to fade. What took its place was the sweet, sweet image of her and John. She'd still work with Bruce still, maybe, and she'd come home. Grabbing a few beers or some wine, which she began to enjoy recently, and the John would come home and the two would live in sweet marital bliss.

Suddenly, the picture cracked. She couldn't do it.

House life wasn't for her. She could hardly stand only having boxing as her only outlet. She had already begin to feel Life swallowing her whole. Insanity wasn't far off…

"Shayera?"

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she put a hand to her face and shut her eyes.

"Can we not talk about this? I'll meet you at Pete's Diner to make a game plan for this ball." She looked at her clock. "How about 10 minutes from now?"

Katie sighed. "Alright, fine." The line disconnected.

At the diner, it was packed. It was around 7 and the families swarmed the booths and tables. Seeing Katie sitting at the bar with a seat beside her, Shayera began to walk in that direction. She was glad that her seat was between Katie and the wall, she couldn't stand sitting beside another person. Human contact had never been on her Top Ten List.

"Hey." She said as she sat down.

Katie nodded and handed her a menu. "Hey."

The next few minutes were filled with the irritating sounds of babies crying, children screaming, and forks scraping across the plates. Finally, Katie sighed.

"Okay Scarlet, I'll go first."

Shayera turned her stool to face Katie. "I'm hurt that you didn't tell me. I know that we've only known each other for about six months, but we've grown so close. You know that whatever happens, I won't judge you. I'll always be here if you need to talk."

When Shayera opened her mouth to reply, Katie held her hand up and cut her off.

"No. I'm done. That's all I had to say. We have a job to do and I'd like to keep my job. Mr. Wayne doesn't like it when his work is late."

Shayera let out a breath and nodded.

The two worked for about an hour. Calls were made to caterers, guest lists checked and rechecked, and security guards were let known where their posts would be. A few words were exchanged between the friends. The fact saddened Shayera. Why was she always messing things up? As she picked up her last check list, a few names caught her eye.

"Approved press?"

Katie looked up from her own paperwork. She nodded. "There are always people who want to tear Mr. Wayne's image. Those at the Daily Planet, like Ms. Lane and Mr. Clark, just tell the news and life of the only remaining Wayne." She smirked. "I know for a fact that Mr. Clark does, I read his articles. Ms. Lane however," More chuckles. "Let's just say they were close for a while, veery close. So That's probably why she's on the list."

Shayera was a little shocked. Batman…with another woman…who wasn't Wonder Woman? Wow. She couldn't imagine it. A few minutes later, she reached the VIP guest list.

"The Justice League?" Shayera felt her stomach dropped. "As his assistant, I don't have to be there right?"

Katie gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm afraid you do. But don't worry girl. I'll be there with you."

"Well." Katie put her last sheet of paper onto her pile of checked lists and stretched. "I'm done." She looked at Shayera's cone pile and nodded. "And you are too. Let's head on over to the office and drop these off to Mr. Wayne."

She nodded and the two grabbed their own papers and went out to the parking lot. At the office, Mr. Wayne was there but not for long. By the time the two stepped out of the elevator, Bruce pushed past them and went down.

"Geez. What's his problem?"

Katie only shrugged and walked on to the office.

Back with Diana and Kal

Her personal cell ringing saved her from answering her best friend. Unfortunately it was the one Bruce gave her. She looked at Kal apologetically. He only nodded. So Diana quickly stood up and stepped a little ways from him.

"Hello?"

"Diana!" His voice was filled with happiness and Diana couldn't help but smile herself. "Listen, there's a ball coming up and, well," He let out a nervous chuckle.

Diana's smile grew wider. "Mr. Wayne, are you…nervous?"

"No!" He immediately denied. "I just have a lot on my plate and I'm a little distracted." He cleared his throat and put on his 'Batman' voice. "."

Through her laughter, Diana hadn't noticed that Superman had stood from his spot and was standing behind her. "Wayne?"

Diana nearly dropped her phone. "I can explain!"

"Diana! Is the Kent!"

"So it is you! How could you not tell me?"

"Kal, I'm sorry."

He grabbed her phone. "Bruce, you better get your butt here now!"

In a spacious office in Gotham, Bruce sneered. "Who are you to tell me what to do?

"Now!" Superman's face had gone red.

Diana took the phone. "Bruce, he's right. You should come. Then, we'll be able to talk this out and cleared up."

Bruce sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. I'll be there in a little bit." He let out a small smile. "You never answered me by the way."

Diana smiled too. "I would love to be your date."

"Great. I'll see you soon, Princess."

The line disconnected and Diana was left in the room with a very upset Kryptonian.

After they dropped off the papers, Shayera stopped Katie from getting into her car.

"Listen, I…I've made a decision in the last few days and I need to tell you. Hell, you're the only one I want to tell."

"Well?"

"Come to my house. Now. Then I'll tell you. This isn't a 'Scarlet' thing."

"Alright. I'll be there."

At the little house, Shayera let loose her wings and grabbed a few beers. Handing Katie one, she began to tell her friend what she was now going to do.

"No matter where I go, he seems to be right around the corner. I can't get away from him. And after some thinking, I think I've found the perfect place to be."

"You're leaving?"

Shayera sighed. "I have to. If I continue to see him, the only thing that comes from it is pain. I can't take it anymore."

Katie took a long drink. "Well fuck, Shayera. Damn. This is completely unexpected. I don't want you to go. I'll miss you."

Nodding, Shayera reached out a hand and put it on Katie's now drooping shoulders. "I'll miss you too. But don't worry. I will be back. I just need to sort out my head. The place I'm wanting to go will be able to do just that."

"Where will you go?"

The question brought a quick flash of memories. Shayera shook herself out of them.

"Fate. The League worked with him before and hopefully he'll be able to help me."

"Alright, I give you my blessing to leave, just promise me two things."

"Anything."

Katie smirked. She held up one finger. "First, don't you dare forget me. Once you come back, I demand a drink and a boxing match."

Shayera laughed as Katie held up a second finger. "Finish the ball with me. Don't make me go stag by myself."

"I promise."

Katie nodded. "Ok good." She wiped at her eyes. "You bitch; you went and made me cry."

Shayera felt her own tears forming and hugged Katie. "The minute I'm back, I'll buy you all the drinks you want."

"You better."

The two laughed and drank many more beers.