Downtime Part 1: Acceptance

Matthew Spectre's Apartment, Happy Harbour, 7:19am, August 21st, 2010:

P.O.V Change: Jade Nguyen/Cheshire

Happy Harbour. Who ever come up with that name either deserves to be fired or shot. It's so corny and what. What's so happy about it. I walk down the street as I gaze at the large mountain in the distance, oh right. The original home of the Justice League, whoop dee fucking doo. I reach the apartment block as I see so many police cars around, what happened here? Suddenly, glass breaks as a couch is thrown from near the top floor. I trace the trajectory and by with ease the couch was thrown, it must have come from Matt's flat.

I slink into the darkness of the alley as I put on my new mask. After my sister and her little squad of sidekicks sabotaged my mission, they took my mask as a trophy. Now, I'm not someone who find valuables in items but to take my mask as a goddamn trophy. That's just insulting. I scale the fire escape and make it to the floor. I enter through the corridor window as a cop flies out of the apartment. His back connects with the wall as the fibre and paint peels off. Jesus, fucks going on? I stand in the doorway and see the entire apartment absolutely ruined, furniture is either broken or upturned halfway across the flat. Every window is shattered, the floor looked like a fucking giant went to town on it, the walls were broken. It looked like a tornado had come in and absolutely wrecked it. "What are you doing here?" I hear a voice and I turn and see Matt sitting against the wall with a beer in his hand, I notice that all around him, beer bottles, caps, cans etc. "I... I came to ask you how Artemis is doing from the last time we saw each other." I say carefully, I don't want to piss him off any more than he clearly already is. "She's doing fine. There, done. Now get out." He says with a growl as he takes a swig of the beer. I take my mask off as I hear footsteps. I turn around and see a cop which I more quickly and place him into a choke head, when he struggles I elbow him at the back of the head, effectively knocking him out. "You're getting sloppy." I hear Matt say as I turn to him.

I watch him as I realize the bags under his eyes, looks like he hasn't got any sleep. "What happened to you?" I ask as he turns his eyes to me. I see the anger, the hurt and the reject in his eyes. Something really bad happened. "Why do you care?" He says as he leans against the wall. "Cause you're my friend." I say as he scoffs. "We're not friends. You don't have any friends. Nor family. You have no one." He says which really gets to me, I scowl as I walk over and take the bottle out of his hand and throw it against the wall. He stares at me before looking at the bottle. "Struck a nerve, did I?" He says as I swing a kick at his head but he catches it. He stands up as I balance on my one leg. I jump and spin a back kick which he dodges out the way of. My foot connects with the broken wall which forms a hole. I feel the air getting sucked out of me as he grips my neck and lifts me above his head. A scowl on his face. "You are nothing more than a pest that I can't seem to get rid of." He says as he throws me across the room. I see him turn and glare at something, when I follow his gaze after getting my breathing, he is glaring at a broken window shard. He picks it up and throws it at the wall. With his back turned, I run and jump up, wrapping my legs around his neck in a modified choke hold. He grunts as he tries to reach for my face. "Get off me!" He yells as he backs into the wall, the force of the impact forces me to break the hold. He turns sharply and punches me in the gut, I'm sent flying through the wall all the way to the outside to the hallway.

He stand over my as I spit out blood. "With all that power...I thought you would hit harder." I say as he picks me up and throws me back into the flat. I stand up as we face each other. I raise my hands in a martial defense. He simply raises his arms in a box stance as I strike, he dodges and bends down and throws me up into the roof. I'm able to move my body before I make connect and fall back down onto him, raining strong technical strikes against him, it doesn't seem to faze him as he grabs me and swings me down into the ground. I land with a thud and a grunt as I dodge at the incoming fist. The force of his fist makes a brand new hole in the floor. I swing my feet as leg sweep him onto his back. I straddle him as I pull him into an arm triangle, while also forcing pressure on his arm. "Come on, Matt. Give up! Just tell me what is wrong!" I yell at him as he goes slack and taps me on the leg. I break the hold as he slumps to his back as I do to mine.

I regain my breathing as I notice that he isn't. It's like he wasn't even trying. "I don't know whether to punch you or thank you for this morning workout." I say as I hear him give a light chuckle before sitting back up. He moves to the semi undamaged wall and rests against it. I sit up as I move to sit in front of him. "What's wrong?" I say as he shakes his head. "Why do you want to know? Honestly, tell me the truth. Why do you want to know?" He asks as I sit and ponder for a minute. "Maybe because I want a friend. Maybe because you're the only person that I can talk to about my sister or maybe because I want to help. I don't know. Maybe I...I want to do better." She says as he looks away. I sit there as I move beside him.

I look at the carnage of the flat as I wait for him. He really got angry about something for it to be this bad. "The Rider told me about himself. About his history." He says as I turn to him. "Is that it?" I ask as he turns to me, I raise my hands apologetically as he sighs. "His name is Zarathos and apparently he is a multi universal entity known as an Angel that was corrupted by a demon which turned him into what he is now. When he first met me, he saw me as a means to an end and manipulated me into believing that once my vengeance was satisfied and he felt that he didn't need me anymore he would let me go. Turns out, he's not going to let me go because I'm what he considers "balanced spirit" and that my potential as a host is far greater than any that has come, or will ever come. He told me that I will live for centuries because of my potential as a host." He finishes as I take it all in. And here I thought my problems were bad. Horrible father, neglectful mother, hopeful sister. I see that my issues are outweighed by his. "And you're angry because he didn't tell you?" I ask as he shakes his head. "No...more about the fact that he kept his history from me, manipulated me into believing I could have a normal life when our deal was done. He lied about his promise and changes the terms of the deal. He stole my life from me, and I don't want anything to do with him anymore." He says as limps against the wall.

"I'm truly sorry, Matthew." I hear a voice as I stand sharply and see a lightly fiery figure step out of the kitchen. The figure is all flames with sharp black eyes and sharp teeth formed from the fire. Matthew stands as he pushes me away from the figure. "What do you want, Zarathos? I told you that I wanted nothing to do with you and to leave me be." Matt growls at the entity who hangs its head. "Yes... you did. I'm here to make amends." The figure says as Matt scoffs. "This should be good. Alright...let's hear it." He says. "Yes... I lied about the deal. When I found you that night, I did think you as a means to an end. A disposable body until I find a better one." The figure speaks as I watch in silence. "After feeling your soul, I felt that you were suitable for the time being...but things started to change. Your will was greater than anything I've ever felt before. You managed to reel my darkest tendencies in, something that no other host had ever done before. You managed to convince ME, to spare lives. Lives such as that woman." The figure says, his black eyes trailing to me. My eyes widen at that knowledge. "I'm sorry about not explaining to you my history and my purpose. I protect the innocent by punishing the guilty and I should never have...used you like a toy." He says as Matt scoffs. "You have the potential to be great. Your spirit is so powerful, I could live off it for centuries, millennia even. But to not tell you that and to manipulate you into servitude is...one of, if not the most regretful thing I have ever done. You have shown me that there is more to me than just a monster. Your actions, as a hero and as a person have made me feel like...an Angel again. I might not ever be like again but I welcomed the change that you brought. So...it is now said. If you want me to leave, I will leave. I don't know where I'll go or who I find. But if this is the last that we see each other than I wish you good fortunate." The figure says as it starts to shimmer out of existence. "Wait."

I turn to Matt as the figure solidifies again. Matt walks over and stands in front of the fig-no, Zarathos. "I hate how you manipulated me, manipulated my vengeance and went back on your deal. So...I propose a new deal." He says as looked shocked. "You owe me a lot so how about this. You help me defend my friends, protect Earth from dangers both from within and outside its borders. You no longer keep secrets from me and in return...I help you settle your scores...all of your scores." He says as Zarathos ponders before nodding. Zarathos places a hand on Matt's shoulder as he collapses to his knees. "Matt." I say as I run over and check on him. His eyes glow in fire as they change back. "Yeah...I'm alright." He says as he struggles to get to his feet.

"That was pretty intense. Talking to a demon like that and winning. You should write that down somewhere." I say as he laughs. "Maybe but probably leave out the part of him being a demon. He probably complain about it for the rest of the day." He says as I chuckle. We sit agaisnt the wall as we just watch the ceiling. "You wanted to know how Artemis is doing?" He asks me as I turn to him. "Well...yes. But there is also another reason that I'm here." I say as we hear sirens coming from outside. "Maybe we should take this conversation elsewhere." Matt says as I walk out with him following me. We walk down into the garage, dropping any cop who crossed us. We get in the Charger as it roars to life. "Purrs like a kitten. I like it." I say as he smirks at me. We drive out of the garage as the cops try to stop us but Matt barrels into two cop cars which fling to the side of the street as we make our grand escape. "You're not very subtle, are you?" I ask him as he smirks. "Why would I be? I can make my skull burst into flames so what's the point?" He says with a smile as I laugh. "Turn here." I say as we enter an abandoned warehouse. "This it?" He says as I smirk and get out of the car. I walk over to a toolbox and pull on the spanner. The floor opens up as I turn to Matt. "Ok, I'm impressed." He says as he follows me down the stairs. The lights flick on automatically as we enter a large living area. "Welcome to my home." I say as he nods. "Certainly better decorated than what mine was." He says as I laugh.

"So, since you dragged me here. What is it that you wanted to talk about?" He asks as I pull out a photo of my father and Ra's Al Ghul. Matt looks at the photo. "Your father has a lot of fingers in a lot of pies. Santa Prisca, Cadmus, now the Shadows. Something is up." He says as I nod. "Ra's keeps on going to meetings, I'm not high enough rank to know for sure but there are rumors amongst the shadows that say that these people he is meeting with are very powerful and influential. My father has been hired by numerous people but lately its be all hush hush." I say as Matt looks at the picture again. "A secret organization." He says as I raise an eyebrow. "Bit much, don't you think?" I question as he shakes his head. "Cadmus taught me that the enemies of the League are getting smarter, and Santa Prisca taught me that those same enemies are getting stronger as well. It's all too much of a coincidence to be anything else than enemies of the league combining resources to either control, eliminate or replace the Justice League." He says as I nod at his logic.

"Why are you showing me this? What do you want out of this?" He asks as I breathe a sigh of anticipation. "I want out of the Shadows but once your shadow, you're a shadow for life. So, I want your word. If I provide you and only you with information on Ra's and his buddies, whoever they are, movements and if I can, correspondences. Then I want a guarantee for a pardon." I say as he gets a look on his face. "That's a tall order and I don't have that weight to pull something like that." He says as I hang my head in defeat. "But I can say something to Batman. He and I have correspondence anyway and if I can explain to him your situation and what you're willing to do at the risk of your own safety, then the least he or we can do is give you an opportunity to start fresh." He says as I smile. "Thank you...truly I am." I say as he walks over to me. "While I might not know you well enough to fully trust you, believe me, I'm having a hard time too but your Artemis's sister and plus, I've read your soul, you're in the clear." He says as I just laugh at him. "I want to help you. Not just for you but for Artemis's and your mother's sake as well." I say as he stands in front of me and gazes down at me. I stare up at him as he lowers his head down to me. I feel his breath on my face as I'm surprised that I can't smell the alcohol that he drank.

"What did you do to get rid of the beer on your bre-." I don't finish as his lips crash into mine. I feel his tongue reach out and caress my lips as I grant him access. I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck. He places his hands on my hips, being this close to him, his lips, his body. He's a blazing fire that is more comforting than what I have ever felt before. He breaks from me as he leans his head onto mine, our eyes meet as I see a gentle blue flame in his eyes. I can see the lust that he has for me and based on what I'm feeling, he's probably feeling mine. "You are the bane of my existence." He says as I tilt my head at him. "You're a vixen, did you know that?" He says with a smile as I chuckle. "Yes, I did. Let me show you how much." I whisper to him as I initiate the kiss this time, our passion drowns out our senses, his hands go low and grips the back of my thighs and lifts me effortlessly. I moan softy as he carries me to my room.

Lemon* skip to *End lemon* to continue story:

He lays me down on the silk cover as he places kisses down my neck. His hands reach and grope for anything that they can find. I grip his shoulders and force him into his back, I straddle his waist as I lean down a give him a passionate kiss on his lips. His arms wrap my body as I groan in discomfort. "You ok?" He asks as I nod. "Still a little sore from when you beat me up." I say as he apologizes. "I'm sorry." He says as I smile seductively at him. "Don't be. I like it rough." I say as I sit up and start removing my shirt. Matt leans up and helps me get my shoes off as he places quick kisses on any exposed skin that I reveal. I moan at the pleasure of his caress and attention to my spots. How he found them, I have no idea.

He flips us over as he forces my hands above my head. "Stay." He says commandingly as I feel a spike of arousal shoot through me. He removes my shirt as his arms reach around and unhook my bra. He gazes at them as he reaches forward and gropes with them as I moan in pleasure. He places his lips over my nipple as I scream in pleasure. My goes curl at his work. He moves down and pull my pants and underwear off as he sits up and removes his shirt and his pants. I like what I see and I bite my lip in anticipation. He leans down and kisses me as he lets me wrap my arms around him. He hooks my leg over his hip as he looks deeply into my eyes. I reach up and kiss him as he pushes inside of me. A muffle moan from me and a groan from him as he sinks into me. We sit for a minute as he starts rocking. "Ah. Ah. Hmm." I moan as I teach down and grip his ass, telling him to go faster. He groans as he picks up speed. He leaves love bites on my neck as I continue moaning.

I grip his shoulders and force him onto his back again. I straddle him as I place his cock back inside me. I start rocking back and forth as he reaches for my tits. As he gropes them. I cover his hands, keeping them there as I ride him faster. He sits up suddenly as he wraps his arms around, pulling me in close. Our fast-paced fucking becomes slow as he focusses on me. I stare into his eyes as he stares back. I lean my head against his as he grips my hips, he moves me around him as I moan in pleasure. I lean my head back, exposing my neck. He leaves love bites and actually bites down on my jugular. I moan in both pain and pleasure. "You're wild." I say as he laughs. "You're one to talk." He says as I force him back down as I level against him. My tits against his chest as he still keeps my close. We stop of a moment as we stare into each other's eyes. I admit, I'm attracted to him, he's very handsome and has that dangerous aura about him. I'm only wondering what he is saying if not the same thing. I rock slowly, sliding up and down him as I sit up on an angle. "Tell me...how long have you wanted to get me here?" I ask him while moaning. He smirks and flips us around again with me on my back. "Since I first saw you." He replies back to me with a smirk, I smile at his answer before bringing back down to my lips, he starts to move again, sliding further within me at a quicker pace, now. I moan wantonly as he groans into my ear.

*End Lemon*

He spoons me from behind as I angle my head to look at him. "You know. I wanted to do that ever since I saw you at the bar during the gala." I say to him as he smiles. "You certainly were the highlight of MY night, that night." He says as I laugh as I stroke his jaw. His eyes are always the thing that I'm attracted to when it comes to him. When I look at his face, it's his eyes that draw me in. I see myself reflecting off his dark eyes. "What do you feel for me?" I ask, finally getting the courage to ask the question. He sighs as he brushes his hand against me. "I'm attracted to you, of that there is no doubt. Do I have feelings for you...I don't know." He says as he looks away from me. "Would you want to be with me?" He says to me as I ponder for a minute. With everything going on, this... impromptu session has made everything that slightly more difficult. "I am attracted to you. But right now, with everything that happening with the Shadows, with my father. It's not the right time and honestly, there probably won't be a 'time'." I say as I roll over, facing away from him, shame and anger at myself building up within me. All of my choices, all the decisions that I have made has forged a path of life that I can never escape. I can never face my mother, my sister again without judgement and anger being pointed at me. I can leave this life, settle down with someone. Go old together, love until the end of time, watching children as they laugh and play within an open, green field...I scoff internally at the dream that can never be a reality. My self-loathing is broken when I feel his arms wrap around and cuddle me up to him as I turn my eyes back to him. "If you feel like we won't work then we won't. I don't know if I have feelings for you but I do care about you Jade. And if I can't be with you like that, then at least...let me be your friend." He says as I smile up at him. "I'd like that." I say as he leans down and kisses me again. "Feel like another round, huh Rider?" I say to him as he leans over me. "Don't say that you don't want me, because I know you do." He whispers to me as I wrap my arms around him. Round 2 it is.

Later:

After having our fun and getting dressed, I escort him back out to his car as he prepares to leave. He stands in front of me as he passes me a burner phone. "If you need me, just give me a call, ok?" He says as I nod. "I'll talk to Batman about your plan. I am semi confident that he'll agree but in the case that he doesn't, I'll still try everything in my power to make sure that you get your second chance." He says as I smile up at him. "Thank you, Matt." I say as he leans down and gives me a quick kiss but I feel every emotion behind it, lust, care, worry, acceptance, fear and hope. I return the passion as he breaks the kiss. "Until we see each other again." He says as he walks to the car. "If we fight again, don't expect me to go easy on you." I say to him as he opens the door. "Good luck then." He says cheekily as he starts the car and drives out of here. I watch him go as I turn back to my base. I think about all the things that he has done for me, even barely knowing me, he helped when I wanted to know how my sister was doing. He helped me with my injuries after he caused said injuries. And now he has agreed to help me earn a clean slate with the information that I hopefully can get. Honestly, being a double agent sucks. But like they say, high risk, high reward...hopefully. I sit down on the bed that we had our fun in as I feel something in my pocket. I pull it out and read what it says, 'Sprang Boulevard Apartment 302, Gotham. You have family, don't waste the opportunity'. Tears well in my eyes. He told me that they were in Gotham, but he never got the chance to tell me where exactly. I wipe the tears away as I hear a ping on the burner phone. 'You're welcome.' It says. That tricky, light-fingered bastard. I should thank him more...passionately, next time. Yeah...next time.

Mount Justice: Zeta Hanger. 11:21am, August 21st, 2010:

P.O.V Change: Matthew Spectre

"Recognize. Ghost Rider. B-07." The automated voice sounds as I drive through the from door and pull up to the zeta hanger and see everyone, including Batman, Green Arrow, Manhunter, Canary, Flash and Aquaman standing present. "Oh shit." I say to myself as I get out of the car as a green blur runs into me, hugging me out of dear life. "I'm so glad that you're back. I was worried sick about you. Artemis told us what happens and how you fought the Witch Boy and how the Rider explained everything to you. We were worried that you aren't coming back!" M'gann says quickly as I pull her into another hug, that finally shuts her up. "I was taking a break. Me and...Zarathos needed to sort some things out. But now, I can say in full confidence that I'm back and I'm not going anywhere." I say as she squeals and pulls me over to the group. Everyone welcomes me back as the mentors approach me. "We do not appreciate you abandoning the team like you did. You should have remained in focus. However we can overlook this one as the revelation of being a host to a primordial being of the universe would be a lot to take in at a single moment." Batman says as I nod. "Thank you. What I did was wrong, and I should have waited until the mission was completed before running, or not run off in general. I'm sorry." I say as Batman puts his hand on my shoulder. "It's ok...what's not is the rampage that nearly levelled your apartment building." He says as hologram screens with camera angles of the apartment building are shown. "Ahh. Yes. Sorry about that. Me and Zarathos...had a... disagreement?" I say awkwardly as Batman narrows his eyes as I hear everyone chuckle under their breath. " The damages are already being paid for but because of your behavior, you are suspended from further missions until I decree that you can come back. Your suspension you will have mandatory therapy sessions with Black Canary. Am I understood!" He says as I nod my head. Can't really challenge it...I fucked up. Big time. The mentors leave as I turn to everyone. Robin walks up to with a smile on his. "So, you have an Angel in your head? Where's your halo?" He says as my eyes glow. "You're dead now." I say as I chase after him as everyone laughs. "Ok, guys. He's actually trying to kill me!" Robin shouts as inswing a chain at him but deliberately miss. We all begin laughing as everyone joins in on the fun. I smile as I watch them. Yeah...this is the life. My mind wanders back to Jade as I smile. I'm suddenly wrapped in a net as Artemis looks down at me. "Caught myself the most dangerous of all the beasts...didn't seem so bad." She says as I rip the net open. "You are so dead." I say while laughing as I rejoin the fun.

To be continued