Chapter Seven

Midtown

Metropolis

United States

05:37 – Eastern Standard Time

March 12, 2007

Emil Hamilton and Galatea made their way over to the elevator which lay just off of the foyer of the tall skyscraper. With a press of a button, Emil called the elevator and they both awaited its arrival.

"I could have flown us up there," Galatea muttered under her breath.

"And people would probably have seen us," he replied calmly, knowing that she had always hated the slowness of humans.

Thankfully, the elevator soon arrived. They both stepped inside, and Emil selected the eighteenth floor.

"I doubt anyone else is awake at this time of day," she continued, once the doors had closed. "Why did we come here so early again?"

"She has a job to get to. Besides, this is Metropolis so there's always people up. Didn't you notice the amount of traffic there was? Regardless, I don't want to draw unnecessary attention to Pauline."

"Is that your friend?" Galatea asked him. "Pauline?"

"Yes, it is."

"Where do you know her from?"

"From way back," he said. "When we were children, we were neighbours and friends. We kept in touch."

"You weren't ever more than friends?" Galatea asked him. "You never dated her or anything?"

"No," he said simply.

"Why not?" she asked, genuinely interested.

"I'm not her type."

That confused her. "What is her type?"

"Not male."

"Huh?" Galatea said before her eyes went wide with realisation. "Oh, right. I don't have to watch out, do I?"

"I don't think it's likely she'll try to hit on you. She's rather reserved when it comes to that. Or at least she was."

"Oh, okay," she said quietly.

"Don't sound so disappointed, Tea."

"I'm not." She said defensively. "Just surprised."

"She's a very nice person. I think you'll like her," he said. "As a friend," he quickly amended.

A brief silence fell between them, which was soon filled as Galatea began to tap her foot. "Is this thing still elevating?" she questioned looking up. "Why do they build these things to move so slow."

Emil refrained from rolling his eyes. "We're passing floor sixteen. You won't have to wait much longer."

Just as he'd said, the elevator slowed to a stop and the doors slid open. The two stepped out and Hamilton led them down a short hallway and over to a door. He pressed the doorbell firmly and they both waited until it opened revealing a greying blonde haired woman.

Pauline smiled at them. "Been so long, Emil." She looked at Galatea. "And this must be her."

Emil leaned forwards and gave her a quick hug. "Good to see you again."

"Yes, it is," Pauline replied as they released each other. "Come on in, you both must be tired." The two entered, and she closed the door behind them.

Galatea looked around the main room. "Nice place."

"Thank you. I would offer a drink or something, but I have to get off to work." She reached for her coat. "There are only two bedrooms in this apartment. Mine's the front left. The one on the right is free."

"Galatea will be taking the bedroom. I'll sleep on the couch," Emil told her.

The Argoan clone shook her head. "I don't need as much sleep. You should take it."

Pauline grabbed her car keys from a drawer. "Well, whatever you decide, it's good to see you again and it was good to meet you Galatea. Take whatever food you want. I also have fast internet, if you need to use it. Just try not to do anything that'll draw attention." She opened the door. "I'll see you tonight." She stepped out closed the door behind her leaving Emil and Galatea alone.

After several moments, Galatea turned Hamilton. "So, that's your friend," she commented.

"Yes."

"She seemed busy."

"She's a doctor. So yes, she's busy."

"Where does she work?"

"Metropolis General Hospital. Or that was where she was working the last time I asked."

"You want me to follow her, to find out?"

Emil frowned, shaking his head. "No, that's not necessary, Tea. I trust her, and she's letting us stay in her home. We should be grateful. I know I am."

Galatea didn't respond. She simply walked over to the window and looked out of it, down at Centennial Park. It was a fairly large park full of trees, grass, pathways, a playground and a fairly large waterway complete with swan boats.

Emil stepped up beside her. "I know a lot has happened in such a short time," he began. "I'm sorry for how you were treated before. They just saw you as a commodity, and when they deemed you no longer necessary, they wanted to-" he trailed off. "I had to take action."

"It almost came too late."

"Sorry about that," he apologized.

"You don't have to apologise. It was them that were responsible."

"I feel I do. I should have come sooner, I should have found a way to tell you what was going on."

"Everything turned out fine," she assured him.

"No, it didn't. You destroyed that building when you should have fled."

"Why?" she asked with a shrug.

"Because some of those people you injured helped me smuggle the EMP into the building."

"They should have been smart enough to run away," she said coldly, staring down at the people in the park. "Not my faut if they were stupid enough to stay."

"And what if I'd been in there?" he asked her.

She turned to look at him. "I wouldn't have hurt you. It was they that were responsible and they paid the price."

"But you were so out of control, you could have easily done so by accident," he pointed out.

Galatea looked back down to the park. "I was angry," she told him. "They wanted to kill me. I wanted to show them how stupid they were to try. How insignificant they were compared to me."

"Galatea," he said with a sigh, "No sentient life is insignificant."

"Mine was to them," she retorted. "They were just going to get rid of me like I didn't matter. I showed that it was them that didn't matter."

"I don't know what to say to you," Emil muttered as he turned away from the window.

"I don't understand what your problem is?" she said back, watching him as he slowly walked away.

"No, of course, you don't. You were raised by Cadmus and with their sense of morality."

"You raised me too," she pointed out.

"I know." He sat down on the couch and rested his head in his hands. "I tried to give you a sense of morality. Tried to teach you right from wrong. Their methods were superior and it was there's that has stuck."

"So you think I'm broken or something?" she said heatedly. "You want to try and fix me, is that it?"

He raised his head and looked over at her. "You don't need to be fixed. You just need more understanding of the world. I want to help you learn." He stood back up, and strode over to her, resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll pull through. Things will get better, I promise."

"Better?" she questioned, unsure.

"Yes, Tea, better. You deserve it, you deserve the chance to live your life. I promise you that things will get better for you."

"It will when I kill those that oppose me."

"No, Tea, that is not the way," Emil said, turning away. "You cannot kill anymore."

She was genuinely confused. "Why not?"

"It is wrong to take a life, Tea."

"If it's so wrong, then why did you send me to kill people."

"I did not send you to do anything. Cadmus did. It was wrong then and it is wrong now. People have lives, perhaps not good or moral lives, but they are still people."

"Okay," she accepted. "If you think it's best, then I'll leave them be. But if they come after us, then I won't hesitate to end their lives and that, dad, is a promise."

New Brighton

Central City

United States

06:24 – Central Standard Time

March 12, 2007

Wally West awoke slowly and to the pleasant smell of toast. He wasn't in his bed, like normal, but on the couch. He had also slept in his Flash costume, something he didn't think he'd ever have to do in his own apartment.

While He had taken the couch, Giganta had slept in his bed. He wished he could make a joke out of it, but he honestly felt things were progressing at an uncomfortably fast rate. Him complaining about something being too fast really said something.

Waking to the smell of toast was nice, though.

He sat up and looked around, seeing Giganta in the kitchen area, toasting some bread. She looked around and smiled.

"Good morning Wallace," she greeted.

Wally's mouth fell agape. His mind began to race. Had she been rummaging through his stuff to find out who he was? What did he do now she knew?

"Don't look so surprised. You leave your mail strewn about all over the place. I found out entirely by accident, Wallace West."

"I prefer Wally," he muttered, now feeling much worse about the situation.

"I also found a photograph. So, you were the creep that followed me around the museum and into the alleyway."

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"You're forgiven."

"I am?"

"Yeah. A bit creepy, but whatever. I guess you had to check up on me to see if I was being a good girl." The toast popped up out of the toaster, and she pulled it out and put some sliced cheese on top.

"Um, yeah," he said, his stomach starting to rumble from the smell.

"You aren't happy I found out who you are, are you?"

"No, not really," he admitted.

"We've only been going out for a few days now, so I understand."

"Yeah," he said, thinking back.

About a week ago, Flash had been on patrol here in Central City. Of course, as he did every patrol, he stopped off to buy half the stock of hotdogs from a stand. He was halfway through them when he had spotted her.

Previous to then, the last time he'd seen her was after Darkseid's last invasion. She and the rest of her cohorts had been given time to flee, after they had helped the league with said invasion. She had wasted precious time by running over to him to give him a kiss. At the time it had shocked him and when he had seen her again, he decided to try his luck.

In all honestly, he had expected hostility. Apart from that one time, every interaction with the woman had been her trying to stomp him to death.

Surprisingly, she had reacted warmly to him, and the two started talking. She of course knew the Flash was from Central City, and he had been the reason she was even there.

Flash had been unsure how to feel about that. This villainess had sought him out, and more than that she had asked to meet up with him again.

They had agreed on the when, and Flash showed her the alleyway near the Flash museum, giving them the where. As the saying goes, the rest was history.

Since she already knew his name and had seen his photo, Wally decided to pull back his mask, revealing his actual face to her for the first time.

"Aw, you're even cuter than in your photos and especially when you're not creeping on my in alleyways. Also, being a redhead like me is a bonus. We'll get on great, I'm sure of it."

"Um, thanks. Now since you know who I am, mind if I know who you are?"

"Giganta."

"Yeah, I know, but your real name."

"That is my real name. I don't go by any others."

"Seriously?"

"You know where I came from, right? That Grodd made me what I am, right?"

"I heard a rumour about your origins, but I wasn't sure if that was just a joke or not."

"Oh, it's true. Does it put you off, knowing my history?"

"That you used to be a smart ape like Grodd?"

She nodded. "Yeah, does it put you off?" she asked again.

"I'm not sure. If I'm honest, it does weird me out a little bit."

She smiled. "I've never had a man be so honest with me before. And I'm glad you're able to admit and get over your prejudices for me."

"Hey, I'm not prejudiced," he objected.

"Your the one who thinks I'm weird because I wasn't born human."

"I never said you were weird," he protested.

"Aww, you're getting all defensive."

"I'm not getting defensive," he argued.

"Sure you are. Anyway, now I know who you are, we can go on proper dates without drawing attention. And since I barely have any money, you can buy me a nice dress."

Flash groaned inwardly. His day job didn't offer him a big enough payday to start buying expensive gifts, not with his appetite, and the league's pay-check was even worse. He spent nearly every cent on food. Even though when he was in his Flash guise, he got a discount. Being the fastest man alive had its downfall when it came to metabolism.

"Sure thing," he said, referring to the dress he would inevitably have to buy. "We'll go and find something for you sometime." He faked his best smile.

"We could go today unless there's anywhere you need to be?"

"Actually, I have to do my non-Flash day job today."

"Can't you call in sick?"

"I've used up my sick day allowance and used up my boss' goodwill allowance too. Sorry, babe, but I have to go to work."

"And where do you work?"

"With the CCPD."

Giganta rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised by that," she commented, before smirking. "So when are you putting handcuffs on me? I've been a very bad girl."

He stood up rapidly. "I've got to get ready for work," he said, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.

She laughed at him, before bringing him a plate with the toast on it, with the now melted cheese clinging to the top. "Here, before you go, I made you this."

Wally smiled. "Thanks, babe."

Tower of Fate

Salem

United States

10:07 – Eastern Standard Time

March 12, 2007

Shayera Hol looked up, as Inza Nelson passed her the cup of herbal tea. The other woman then sat down beside her, her own cup in hand.

When she had left the league, after the Thanagarian invasion, she had spent quite some time here. This had been where she had looked inside herself, to try and figure out who she really was. Inza and Kent Nelson had helped immensely, though Inza's help and friendship had been far more valuable to her.

The two of them were currently sat in Inza's garden, a place Shayera liked coming when she was feeling down. Right now, she was feeling downright miserable.

"You still love him, don't you?" Inza said to her, before taking a sip.

"To a fault," Shayera replied solemnly. "He's like my perfect match. This hard-ass soldier, with a real soft caring side, that most people just don't see."

"Perhaps you can't let go because you're unwilling to?" Inza suggested.

"Of course I'm unwilling to let him go. I fear that more than him marrying and living the rest of his life with Mari."

"Do you think your love for him, is becoming a problem?" Mari asked, cautiously.

"Yes, it's a problem. I just can't get over him. It's starting to affect my sleep."

"So you want to be able to move on?"

"Maybe, I don't know," Shayera said, feeling confused. "I just don't know."

Inza slowly nodded in understanding. "I see what the issue is. You hate the fact that you're still in love with him, but you're also deeply afraid that you'll stop loving him."

Slowly, the Thanagarian nodded in solemn agreement of the assessment. "Messed up isn't it?" She said.

"Don't be so hard on yourself."

"How can I not be?" she asked more herself, than her friend. "He's with her, he loves her. The thing is, I don't even think they're a good match."

"You're waiting for him to leave Mari and get back with you, aren't you? That might never happen."

"I know," Shayera mumbled, not wanting to fully admit it to herself.

"Then it's time you started looking for love elsewhere. You can't hold on to him forever. You have to move on, and maybe finding someone else will help."

"I don't want anyone else, Inza," Shayera said in frustration. "I want John Stewart."

"You can't have him, Shay," Inza told her firmly. "He loves someone else."

"I know," the former Hawkgirl said, before downing the rest of the tea, not caring that it burned her throat.

"Do you really?" Inza asked seriously. "Do you honestly know, or are you still holding on to the chance?"

"Of course I am!" she snapped. Shayera turned her attention to the garden, looking at the various flowers, all sorted into pleasing arrangements. "Sorry," she apologised. "It's just that recently, the two seem to have been so serious about their relationship. They've been going out on dates more frequently and it scares me."

"You're afraid that John's close to asking her the important question."

"Yes."

"There's nothing you can do about it if he does, Shay. You need to try and put him behind you," Inza urged one final time.

"As I said earlier. That's hard to do when I see him all the time."

"It will be difficult, but it's something you have to do."

"Yeah, I know."

"Perhaps you need some time off from the league?" Inza suggested.

"I'd love too, but I'm needed."

"Are you? Or is it that you wouldn't know what to do with the free time?"

"I guess you're right. I wouldn't know what to do. I'd probably end up sitting alone somewhere, dwelling on John."

"Then get to know people. You're part of this gigantic organisation, but you keep mostly to yourself and the founders."

"I'm friends with Green Arrow," Shayera pointed out.

"He likes being friends with everyone," Inza pointed out. "He's a friendly person."

"I know others, too. I talk to Zatanna on occasion."

"On occasion," Inza repeated. "You keep a distance from others. I have heard that you've even developed a particular hostility to Hawkman."

Shayera clenched her jaw, shooting the woman a glare. "I can't see how people don't understand my problem with him? He's a fraud, stealing the life of someone else, who lived millennia ago. That person shared my name family name and was possibly related to one of my ancestors. He stole it because he was mind-blasted by an Absorbacron, that was meant for a Thanagarian brain, and he believes he's Katar Hol. It's absurd."

"You once told me you were unsure whether you believed it or not."

"Well, I don't anymore."

"You have to admit, that it is quite the coincidence."

"Coincidences happen all the time. It means nothing. Besides, Hol isn't an uncommon family name on Thanagar."

"But it's not particularly common either, I assume."

Shayera shrugged. "It doesn't matter. All Thanagarian names are uncommon now." she pinched the bridge of her nose. "And I'm to blame."

"You're only to blame because you decided to save this world instead of condemning it. Your people would have sacrificed Earth so that they could win a war."

"Yes, I know. I was there."

"But what if it hadn't worked?" Inza asked her. "What if you had let them go through with it and they had still failed against the Gordanians?"

"If they had sacrificed the Earth, I don't think I would have been able to live with the guilt either way if we won or lost." Shayera shook her head. "How did we get onto the topic of the war between Thanagar and the Gordanians?"

"We were talking about your last name and Hawkman."

"I think I'd prefer to talk about something else," Shayera said sourly.

"We can discuss anything you wish."

"How about you? Things okay here?"

"I am content," Inza told her.

"Just content?"

"Yes. I don't require much. My Kent, my garden, and my magic."

"Which is why I left my mace back in the Metro Tower. Don't want to disrupt your magic."

"And I truly appreciate it. I know how hard it is to be separated from your weapon." Inza finished the rest of her tea, before standing up. "I'll take your empty cup."

Shayera passed it over. "Thanks."

"It's no problem." Inza turned to take the cups inside.

"Hey Inza," Shayera said, stopping the woman, who turned around and looked back at her. "You're always here, ready to listen. Thanks for that."

"No thanks necessary. I'll always be here if you need to talk," Inza assured her.

Shayera rose stood up out of the chair. "Thank you," she said again. "I should probably be off. I don't want to waste too much of your time."

"You're not wasting my time," Inza assured her.

"I should still be heading off. Thanks again."

"I'll see you later then."

"Yeah, see you, Inza."

Metro Tower

Metropolis

United States

11:43 – Eastern Standard Time

March 12, 2007

"Now, how did you do this?" Doctor Pauline Lester asked Speedy, the young red-haired protégé of Green Arrow.

He had a long, nasty gash along his face. It wasn't deep, but it looked rather nasty. She had some antiseptic and was cleaning it of dirt and bacteria.

"Bowstring snapped," he mumbled.

Green Arrow, who was stood with them snickered. "I told him he needed to replace it several times. As usual, he thought he knew best and ignored me."

"It didn't look fatigued," Speedy protested.

"Oh, it looked fatigued," Arrow argued. "I've been at this game longer, kid. I know what to look for." He looked back to Pauline. "The thing snapped at full tension," he told her. "It slashed his face like a bull-whip."

"You're lucky it didn't take out your eye," Pauline told him.

"He has his eye-mask to thank for that," Green Arrow said.

Speedy muttered something under his breath.

"Well, he's a trooper," Pauline said. "Most people whimper and moan when I'm cleaning wounds."

"He's tough, ain't ya."

"Sure," Speedy responded with gritted teeth.

"All clean," she told him, putting the antiseptic aside. "You'll be glad to know that you won't need any stitches."

"That's good."

"It will need dressing, and you'll have to be taken off the active duty list for a few days."

"Why?" Speedy demanded. "It's not that serious."

Arrow folded his arms. "Trust me on this. You don't want the bad guy's to see you with bandages on your face. It'll make them do things they wouldn't normally do. They'll try to push their luck that bit further."

"I'm an archer. If I do it right, they won't even be able to see me, let alone what's on my face."

"Maybe not," Arrow conceded. "But I'm using these few days to show you what to look for, so this doesn't happen again."

"Hold still," she told the young archer as she put on the gauze and the bandage onto his face which was held on by porous tape. "That's everything," she told the two. "See you in two days.

As the two stepped out of her office, she made sure to add a note to have Speedy taken off of active duty for the next few days before deciding to head for lunch.

First, though, she wanted to check up on something.

She headed out of the building, and walked over to the waterfront, looking out across the river to the cityscape. After looking around to make sure no one was in earshot, she pulled out her cellphone and called home.

A few moments later, the cautious voice of Emil Hamilton responded.

"It's Pauline," she told him. "Just checking up to see how things are going?"

"Going fine," Emil replied. "I'm making us some sandwiches. Everything okay there?"

"Fine. Listen, if there's anything you'd like food wise, tell me and I'll see about picking some up on the way home."

"We're good, thanks for the offer."

"You sure you don't want me to grab some takeaway on the way back?"

"I didn't know you liked takeaway."

"Sure I do. I have it a lot these days, considering my busy schedule."

"Don't medical doctors have a self-imposed ban on fast food?"

"I'm not like most medical doctors. Besides, I don't go the burger route, more the ethnic route, like curries."

"Well, if you bring it, we'll eat it."

"Okay then, that's what I'll do. Well, I have to get off now. My lunch break's only so long."

"See you tonight, then."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Pauline hung up the phone and headed back inside.

Updated December 2017