"I thought I was the only one who couldn't sleep," Shayera crossed her arms, leaning against the gym door as she watched the human known as Batman. He was the only one she couldn't read. It was infuriating. This was going to be her 18th attempt at connecting with the Dark Knight. "Why are you still awake?" Shayera tried again. He finally paused the training and turned to Shayera. Shayera just knew he was glaring at her from behind his mask. The thought made him smirk.
"Do you need something?" Batman growled.
"Ooh, he speaks," Shayera stepped into the room. "I was wondering if you wanted an opponent?"
"Excuse me?"
"I watched you spar with Flash earlier. You didn't seem to break a sweat. Thought you'd appreciate a real fight."
"Hmm," is the only response Shayera receives before Batman turns on his heel and walks away. Shayera bit her lip in frustration. This guy was impossible! "You coming?" Batman asked, looking over his shoulder. Shayera smirked. Gotcha!
Shayera's eyes fluttered open. She found herself staring at a very familiar ceiling. "Yo, B, she's awake!" Shayera flinched as either Jason or Tim screamed near her ear. "Sorry," he apologized. Shayera looked over. Jason. She should have known. "What happened?" she asked, slowly sitting up.
"No, no, no, Miss Shayera," Alfred came rushing into the room with Bruce close behind, "not by yourself. Let us help." Bruce and Alfred helped Shayera into a sitting position, fluffing the pillows behind her. "There, there," Alfred said, "and here's some water," he handed her a glass of ice-cold water.
"Thank you," Shayera smiled.
"Thanks, Alfred," Bruce said, shooing both Alfred and Jason out with his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know," Jason rolled his eyes before dragging himself from the room. "Have fun," he added. Alfred smirked before shutting the door behind him, leaving Shayera and Bruce alone.
Bruce sat on the edge of the bed and studied Shayera. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Fine," Shayera answered honestly. "What happened?"
"You don't remember?"
Shayera thought hard. "You need to sit," she remembered Bruce saying. "I need to get stronger," she remembered arguing. Furrowing her brow, Shayera thought harder. "I remember," she said, "falling to the floor. I couldn't breathe." A warm mouth on hers, breathing life into her body. Shayera's face flushed. "Did you…give me mouth-to-mouth?" she asked, embarrassed.
"You over-exerted yourself. Your body nearly completely shut down. Oxygen stopped flowing through your body. I was breathing for you for a good 45 seconds." Bruce frowned. "It…worried…me," he begrudgingly admitted. "I briefly thought you were dying."
"I feel fine."
"You were rambling. Sounded a bit nonsensical. It was like your brain short-circuited. You were sweating so much. I've never seen you sweat that much. You were soaked."
Shayera looked down at herself. She was no longer in gym clothes. She was wearing an oversized shirt, most likely Bruce's. "Who changed me?"
Embarrassment filled Bruce's face for only a split second. "Alfred and Tim offered. Jason was too eager. I didn't see anything if that's what you're worried about. I know how to respect boundaries. But as I said, you were soaked. Your hair was…why would you push yourself like that?"
"I have to push myself," Shayera replied.
"Why?"
"My wings were great for blocking attacks, for comforting me. They gave me a sense of freedom and completion. Now…now, all I have are my fists to protect me and my arms to comfort me. I feel…naked and exposed and weak. You tell me that Thanagar is most likely going to attack again, and…there's nothing I can do."
"Shayera," Bruce gripped her upper arms. "Breathe. Inhale deeply, exhale slowly." Shayera did as she was told. "You pushed yourself beyond your limits, you need to remain calm." Shayera rolled her eyes but listened. "Now," Bruce began, "try not to worry about the Thanagarian invasion. Try not to think about your wings."
"How am I supposed to do that?" Shayera gave him an annoyed look. "It's all I think about. Shouldn't you be at work?"
"You're very concerned about work habits."
"I just want to make sure you're not putting your life on pause."
"I'm not," Bruce replied, "but," he leaned forward, "if I want to put my life on pause for you, that's my choice."
"You don't want your business to suffer."
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"Clearly, I'm not going anywhere today. There's got to be something you'd rather be doing."
"The fact that you don't want me here just makes me want to stay even more."
"You're behaving immaturely right now."
"Well, I can't be Batman all of the time, and my CEO persona is only good for Wayne Enterprise business. Also," Bruce thought about whether or not he wanted to say what he was about to say, "I think you could use a friend."
"You?" Shayera couldn't help but scoff. She immediately felt guilty. Bruce had been nothing but hospitable the last six months. "I'm sorry," she apologized.
"It's fine," Bruce smiled, "I know I'm not the 'friendly' type."
"Superman considers you his best friend."
"Superman forced himself on me; I didn't have a choice. He would show up to every major Wayne event as Clark; he would invite himself on my patrols. I couldn't shake him. He was like a…puppy."
"Well, since I can't get rid of you," Shayera ran her hands over the blanket, "what would you like to talk about?"
"You."
Issi walked back and forth on the catwalk. She was wearing her war helmet; her golden greaves were strapped on tight, as well as her gauntlets; she had the traitor's mace strapped to her side. "General Trogaar wants to solidify plans for the attack," Katar said to his wife.
"Are the troops ready?" Issi asked, completely ignoring his statement.
"They're preparing as we speak," Katar said. "General Trogaar wants to talk terms. He's waiting."
"He can wait longer," Issi replied.
Katar grabbed Issi by the upper arm and pulled her to him. "Don't be stupid, Issi," he growled. "We are on the precipice of war with the Gordanians, and you want to keep him waiting?" he shook her with every word. Issi freed himself from his grip, giving him a hard shove. "You know I'm right!" Katar said, sticking a finger in her face.
Issi growled, realizing her idiot "husband" was right. "Whether or not the Gordanians help us, we attack Earth within the week. I'm tired of waiting," she said as she marched past Katar.
Katar rolled his eyes. Gods, I wish she were Shayera.
