Shayera released the breath she'd been holding as soon as she exited the room. Pulling her fingers through her hair, she inhaled and exhaled, taking deep breaths. "Relax, Shayera," she muttered, strolling through the empty halls before stopping in front of a ginormous window. Shayera stared longingly at the stars in outer space.

So, this is what her life had come to – staring out of windows like one of those angsty, emo teen singers whose music Jason enjoyed. Only, this was real life. There was no stage, nor were there screaming fans. And, she frowned, no check to cash at the end of a long day. She had no purpose. No reason to live. Shayera didn't want to end up with the Gordanians, but she couldn't hide out on Earth forever. It was only a matter of time before the Gordanians or Lobo found her. Maybe I can find a boom tube to teleport me to the other side of the universe, she thought. Shayera had no idea where she would find one, but…she was running out of options. "You okay?" Shayera heard a deep voice ask her. It belonged to the very last person she wanted to see.

"John," she stated, turning to face her past.

"You looked like you were about to be sick," he said, taking a few steps closer to her.

"I'm fine," Shayera said in a clear, firm voice. "You can go back in there."

John studied her for a few moments before turning on his heel. He took a few steps forward before suddenly turning to face her again. "You really did a number on me…on all of us." Shayera looked down at her feet. She was so tired of apologizing. The words I'm sorry were beginning to sound redundant. "Was any of it real?"

Shayera swallowed thickly. She did not want to have this conversation…ever. "Does it matter?" she asked. "You seemed to have recovered just fine."

"I need to know," John said, taking another step closer to her, "I love Vixen, but my feelings for you…" his voice trailed off. "I want to give my all to Vixen, but I didn't - I thought I'd never see you again. Shayera," he seemed to beg, "I need closure."

Shayera began playing with her fingers. "I liked you, John; truly, I did. I don't know if it was love, but there was a definite attraction there."

"And?" John said, standing almost in her space.

Shayera looked up into John Stewart's light brown eyes. His emotions were always so visible and easily read - which is why it was so easy to manipulate him. "I think," Shayera began slowly, "if I wasn't who I was…a traitor…I think you and I would have had a wonderful life together." John's face softened exponentially. He was no longer looking at her hard or indifferent or with hopeless longing. Instead, he was looking at her with a different type of softness than she was used to seeing from him. "You're not a traitor," John said, stepping back from her and giving her a thankful smile. "Just misguided. The others will come around."

"That's what Batman said," Shayera said with a small smile.

"Yeah, it's annoying and a bit unnerving how correct and insightful he can be at times," John said thoughtfully. Shayera gave another small smile. "I'm gonna go back in there," John said before turning and walking away.

Shayera turned to stare back out the window at the stars. That…had not been painful. She expected him to yell at her, curse, and maybe even swing at her. A part of her thought they'd both rip their clothes off, subjugated to their passion. Their relationship had been passionate – not many deep conversations. There were a lot of inter-terrestrial bar fights, started by her. Shayera nearly smiled at the memory. She used to have so much fun with him, but - someone is – "How long have you been there?" Shayera asked, sensing his presence. How does he do that?

Batman stepped out of the shadows to stand beside her, studying the stars as well. "I left the room shortly after you did," he stated. "I learned everything I needed to while you were talking to her; there was no need to stay. Shayera," he turned to look at her. "The Gordanians won't get you. I won't allow it."

"Really?" Shayera scoffed. "And if they threaten Earth? If they give Earth an ultimatum. Me or war?" Shayera looked into his masked eyes. "You're going to have to give me to them."

"No," Batman replied as if it was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard.

"I am not worth losing a planet over. If they come here- "

Batman grasped her forearms firmly and said, "If they want you, they will have to go through me." The intensity with which he spoke surprised even Batman.

"Bruce," Shayera whispered his name in a desperate attempt to make him see sense, "I'm not worth it."

"If they want you, they are going to have to fight for you," Batman crossed his arms, taking a stance that clearly said the conversation was over.

"Careful, Batman," Shayera said with a smirk, "your feelings are starting to show."

"Is that a bad thing?" he asked her point blankly.

"I – uh – I –" Shayera had no idea how to respond.

"Are you two done doing…whatever it is that you're doing?" both heroes turned to look at Flash, leaning against the wall, watching them with a bemused expression. "Clark wants to discuss our next steps."


"Well, what now? The Gordanians, Lobo, and Thanagar – we can't fight a war on three fronts," Wonder Woman stated. They had all moved to a meeting room that held one table surrounded by seven chairs. Shayera sat uncomfortably in between Batman and Flash. Her chair was also directly across from Wonder Woman, who openly stared at her with hostility.

"Then we don't," Batman said in his deep, gruff voice that Shayera now found oddly comforting. The realization terrified her. "We deal with each of them one at a time."

"That is prudent," Martian Manhunter concurred. "Divide and conquer. Lobo is the easiest to deal with as he is already on Earth."

"How?" Green Lantern asked. "The guy dresses like an idiot but can go toe-to-toe with Superman on his best day. We've seen it."

"We catch him on one of his off days," Flash said. The rest of the founding leaguers, except for Shayera, audibly groaned.

"Can you please contribute something…useful?" Wonder Woman asked. Flash glared at her.

"Dolphins," Shayera spoke up. The leaguers turned to stare at her questioningly.

"Oh look, she's lost it mentally," Wonder Woman deadpanned.

Shayera rolled her eyes before continuing. "When I was studying on Thanagar – "

"To betray us, no doubt," Wonder Woman interrupted.

"Diana," Superman shot Wonder Woman a warning look before giving his attention to Shayera. "Please continue, Shayera."

"There was a footnote in a scout's report. Lobo has shown a peculiar liking to space dolphins in the past."

Green Lantern slammed his hand on the table, surprising everyone except Batman. "Why didn't I think of that?" he muttered to himself. "I went to a gathering of Lanterns on Oa last year. I overheard a Lantern complaining that Lobo constantly kept trying to break into various districts and kidnap space dolphins in an effort to liberate them."

"Then that's what we use. Space dolphins," Superman said.

"You're kidding," Wonder Woman disagreed. "That is ridiculous."

"Yeah," Flash spoke up. "Where are we going to find space dolphins?"

"I know a guy," Green Lantern responded. Martian Manhunter looked up sharply and said, "No, not that guy."

"We have to ask him. He's the only one who knows," Green Lantern explained.

"Who are you guys talking about?" Flash asked.

"Guy Gardner," Batman said with a painful moan, echoed by the other leaguers.

"Don't worry," Green Lantern reassured his teammates. "I'll deal with him."

"Well, that takes care of Lobo," Superman said. "That leaves the Gordanians and Thanagarians."

"Once Lobo is out of the way, there's a chance that the Gordanians and Thanagarians will team up to get Shayera," Martian Manhunter said.

"You think Earth may become another battleground?" Wonder Woman asked worriedly.

"It's possible," Superman said with a shrug. "What do you think?" he asked Batman, who had been sitting in silent contemplation.

"I think we prepare for another war. Once Lobo is out of the picture, we need to keep round-the-clock surveillance on Earth. All hands-on deck."


After a few more minutes of planning, the leaguers left the room. Batman and Shayera once again ended up alone in the Watchtower's lift. "We need to work on getting you back into shape," Batman said as soon as the lift doors closed.

"I am in shape," Shayera argued, crossing her arms, slightly offended.

"I mean fighting shape. Sparring against Jason and Tim will only get you so far. So, you will spar with me from now on."

"Oh," she said, her face a perfect picture of calm, giving nothing away to show the uneasiness and butterflies she felt in her stomach. "Well, don't go easy on me," she said, trying to exude toughness and confidence. Batman turned to look at her with a heart-melting, devilishly handsome, and – dare she say – a panty-dropping smirk. Is it hot in here, or is it just me? Shayera felt like she was melting.

"I don't plan to."