Categories > Cartoons > Justice League Unlimited > Alien
Chapter 12
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Whatever else there may be in our nature, responsibility toward truth is one of its attributes.
~Arthur Eddington
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The sudden shift of her rolling over woke John up. He laid quietly in bed, listening to the sound of breathing coming from the body snuggled up against his own. It wasn't every day that he was awake before her. Normally she was up and enjoying the view of the sunrise. He looked over at the digital clock. It was quarter to seven and she had missed another sunrise.
She shifted a bit and pressed her body further against his. John wished that she would just talk to him but reminded himself that he was dealing with Shayera. Really, he wanted to know what happened during the hearing a week before. He tightened his arms around her.
"John," She whispered groggily as her eyes fluttered open.
"Go back to sleep Shay." He smiled as she actually listened. He was ready to fall back asleep himself when his commlink went off in his ear and he saw Shayera immediately frown.
"J'onn, Wally, Bruce, Diana, John, Shayera, meet in the main hall conference room now." Superman did not sound happy. It was probably just someone threatening him with Kryptonite again. It wasn't like Lex Luthor and Darkseid were back.
"Shay," He said softy.
"I don't wanna go," She mumbled as she pulled the covers over her head. "Tell them I'm sick."
"You sick? That'll never fly," He kissed the part of her head he could still see. "Come on Shayera, we have to go."
"But John," Shayera's head moved so that one tired eye could be seen.
"Come on, the meeting can't take that long." He moved to get out of bed only to be pulled back down. "Shayera!" She just gave him a sly smile before pulling his head down until their lips met in a soft kiss. When he was finally released from her grasp, John knew that he had a goofy grin on his face. "Loved the kiss but bribery won't work. We still have to go." He pulled her out of bed as she groaned.
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"So anyone know why we're here?" Wally asked as he looked around the table consisting of six out of seven founding member. Superman had yet to make an appearance and he was the one calling for the meeting. He had a lot of nerve in their perspectives.
Diana shrugged. "Superman must have a good reason. He doesn't call meetings like this very often."
"Agreed," J'onn stated. "Superman is not one to waste our time with trivial matters."
"Yeah since he only called us in here fifteen times a week when Luthor was around," Shayera sarcastically added as she crossed her arms over she chest but then lowered them. "I can't imagine what he wants this early in the morning."
Wally tapped his chin for a few moments before snapping his fingers together. "Bet he's going to come running in here screaming 'I finally told Lois Lane my secret identity'. Why are you guys looking at me like that? It's possible! What do you think Bats?" Wally nudged him and Bruce simply glared at the speedster. Wally nervously smiled back and scooted a few inches away. "Right, you seem like you're in a bad mood so I'm just going to leave you alone now."
"We mustn't cut into his brooding time," Diana joked as she smirked over to Bruce but his frown only deepened. "Oh come on Bruce, it's been awhile since all seven founding members were together in one room at the same time."
"You can have your little reunion by yourselves. It's a waste of my time," He said. "I have better things to do than sit here and wait for Kent to show up. I know what he's calling us here for and I'm already working on fixing it."
"If you know so much then please enlighten us," John gestured with his hand for Bruce to continue.
"Read Gotham Gazette's front page," Clark said as he stomped in, slapping the paper down on the table.
Engaged Hawkgirl Seeking Citizenship With the Help of Gotham's #1 Billionaire Bruce Wayne!
By Vicki Vale
"Is there something the three of you would like to share with us?" Clark asked with a raised eyebrow. "I've read the article and there's a few things you three have kept from the rest of us." His gaze shifted towards Shayera and John. "Like you two getting engaged and having Bruce help Shayera obtain an U.S. citizenship."
"Oh no," Shayera whispered as her head fell into her hands. This wasn't supposed to happen; this wasn't supposed to go public. She looked critically at Bruce. "You said this wouldn't happen."
"Alright, it's about time!" Wally fist pumped but received stares from the other six. He looked around with a small smile, "I'm happy for them and I don't see why you guys aren't. You can't say you didn't see this eventually coming."
"Flash does have a point," Diana said as Wally beamed at her. "I don't see the big deal in this really. It's a matter of privacy after all and we should respect that. I'm sure they were going to tell us when they were ready to."
J'onn spoke up, "Marriage is a time of happiness, not anger. I'm sure their intentions were not meant to be malicious in any way."
"I know that. It's just that the two of you should have told the rest of us right off the bat. I mean," Clark had a hint of disappointment and sadness in his tone as he sighed. "We all consider each other as family and I thought we were going to be honest and not keep secrets on matters that are this important."
"We didn't mean to not tell you guys. It was a spur of a moment decision on our part and we readily take the blame for that. We were going to tell you guys only if we got the marriage license. Obviously we didn't," John said as he glanced over at Shayera. "It was her idea."
"Yet you agreed with me," She retorted. "Still, how did this get on the front page? We were so careful. There's no way this should have gotten out."
"Ms. Vale must have seen the two of you together and bribed someone to talk." J'onn theorized.
"I didn't see her at all." Bruce stated.
"Neither did I." Shayera affirmed.
Bruce continued, "I don't think she personally saw us though. If she had seen us then she would have made a scene so that everyone else would take notice. Stealthy reporting isn't her style but playing dirty is. I can easily see her bribing someone if they offered her the information."
"Then someone with a personal vendetta against Bruce Wayne must have went to her and told her everything they knew about the situation." John said with a frown. He knew Shayera was mortified right now. He knew that she didn't want this to happen. She especially didn't want this thrown out for the viewing pleasure of the public.
"Or someone thought they had the story of the century and sold it to her," Clark opined as he thought about it in a reporter's point of view. "Big stories often equal a lot of money. I've seen it plenty of times at the Daily Planet. If someone thinks they can get famous or rich quick then they'll spill their guts out. Nothing talks more than the possibility of a lot of money and fame."
"What about your ex-girlfriend that's helping us?" Shayera asked Bruce. "She's the only one that knows almost every single detail and, from what I've seen, you two aren't on the best of terms. Lawyers are cutthroat; it's part of their job description."
"Rachel wouldn't tell anyone!" Bruce said defensively. "She wouldn't do something like that. I know and trust her. Vicki Vale has her own vendetta against Bruce Wayne, along with a whole line of other women and disgruntled former business partners. It could have been anyone. It could be someone with a vendetta against Hawkgirl."
Shayera glared at him, "If it makes you feel better then keep telling yourself that. Why don't you go ask that Rachel girl how this happened? I bet my mace she knows."
"How about we not point fingers?" Clark suggested, trying to calm down the Thanagarian and Dark Knight "What's done is done. Arguing amongst each other isn't going to undo or change anything. We have to concentrate on helping you out Shayera. Everyone here wants to see you and John happy."
"Thanks for the offer but Bruce has it covered," Shayera answered. "Or at least I thought he did."
"It's not Bruce's fault that this happened." Diana said to her. "Take your anger out on Vale when you see her. She's the one who wrote this"
"When we catch the person that told her, you can be the first one to deal with them." Clark offered.
Shayera seemed to seriously contemplate this but instead said, "The article, what does it say exactly?"
"Nothing except that you're applying for citizenship and that you're engaged to John." Clark stated. "Why, is there something you're worried about getting out?"
"No," The Thanagarian answered quickly. "There's nothing else."
"She means yes," Bruce said. "There is one major thing and it can't go public. That's why we have to find who told Vale and stop them now."
"There isn't anything else!" Shayera argued as she narrowed her eyes at Bruce. "All of the facts are in that article, end of story."
"Either you grow a pair and tell them or I will." He threatened. "I'm sure you don't want everyone, especially John, finding out because it's another headline on the newspaper. The choice is yours. Who are they going to hear it from, you or me?"
"You wouldn't dare!" Shayera growled but Bruce remained unfazed.
"Shayera, what is he talking about?" John asked her.
Bruce answered instead, "She's pregnant." All eyes were on Shayera.
~Arthur Eddington
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The sudden shift of her rolling over woke John up. He laid quietly in bed, listening to the sound of breathing coming from the body snuggled up against his own. It wasn't every day that he was awake before her. Normally she was up and enjoying the view of the sunrise. He looked over at the digital clock. It was quarter to seven and she had missed another sunrise.
She shifted a bit and pressed her body further against his. John wished that she would just talk to him but reminded himself that he was dealing with Shayera. Really, he wanted to know what happened during the hearing a week before. He tightened his arms around her.
"John," She whispered groggily as her eyes fluttered open.
"Go back to sleep Shay." He smiled as she actually listened. He was ready to fall back asleep himself when his commlink went off in his ear and he saw Shayera immediately frown.
"J'onn, Wally, Bruce, Diana, John, Shayera, meet in the main hall conference room now." Superman did not sound happy. It was probably just someone threatening him with Kryptonite again. It wasn't like Lex Luthor and Darkseid were back.
"Shay," He said softy.
"I don't wanna go," She mumbled as she pulled the covers over her head. "Tell them I'm sick."
"You sick? That'll never fly," He kissed the part of her head he could still see. "Come on Shayera, we have to go."
"But John," Shayera's head moved so that one tired eye could be seen.
"Come on, the meeting can't take that long." He moved to get out of bed only to be pulled back down. "Shayera!" She just gave him a sly smile before pulling his head down until their lips met in a soft kiss. When he was finally released from her grasp, John knew that he had a goofy grin on his face. "Loved the kiss but bribery won't work. We still have to go." He pulled her out of bed as she groaned.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
"So anyone know why we're here?" Wally asked as he looked around the table consisting of six out of seven founding member. Superman had yet to make an appearance and he was the one calling for the meeting. He had a lot of nerve in their perspectives.
Diana shrugged. "Superman must have a good reason. He doesn't call meetings like this very often."
"Agreed," J'onn stated. "Superman is not one to waste our time with trivial matters."
"Yeah since he only called us in here fifteen times a week when Luthor was around," Shayera sarcastically added as she crossed her arms over she chest but then lowered them. "I can't imagine what he wants this early in the morning."
Wally tapped his chin for a few moments before snapping his fingers together. "Bet he's going to come running in here screaming 'I finally told Lois Lane my secret identity'. Why are you guys looking at me like that? It's possible! What do you think Bats?" Wally nudged him and Bruce simply glared at the speedster. Wally nervously smiled back and scooted a few inches away. "Right, you seem like you're in a bad mood so I'm just going to leave you alone now."
"We mustn't cut into his brooding time," Diana joked as she smirked over to Bruce but his frown only deepened. "Oh come on Bruce, it's been awhile since all seven founding members were together in one room at the same time."
"You can have your little reunion by yourselves. It's a waste of my time," He said. "I have better things to do than sit here and wait for Kent to show up. I know what he's calling us here for and I'm already working on fixing it."
"If you know so much then please enlighten us," John gestured with his hand for Bruce to continue.
"Read Gotham Gazette's front page," Clark said as he stomped in, slapping the paper down on the table.
Engaged Hawkgirl Seeking Citizenship With the Help of Gotham's #1 Billionaire Bruce Wayne!
By Vicki Vale
"Is there something the three of you would like to share with us?" Clark asked with a raised eyebrow. "I've read the article and there's a few things you three have kept from the rest of us." His gaze shifted towards Shayera and John. "Like you two getting engaged and having Bruce help Shayera obtain an U.S. citizenship."
"Oh no," Shayera whispered as her head fell into her hands. This wasn't supposed to happen; this wasn't supposed to go public. She looked critically at Bruce. "You said this wouldn't happen."
"Alright, it's about time!" Wally fist pumped but received stares from the other six. He looked around with a small smile, "I'm happy for them and I don't see why you guys aren't. You can't say you didn't see this eventually coming."
"Flash does have a point," Diana said as Wally beamed at her. "I don't see the big deal in this really. It's a matter of privacy after all and we should respect that. I'm sure they were going to tell us when they were ready to."
J'onn spoke up, "Marriage is a time of happiness, not anger. I'm sure their intentions were not meant to be malicious in any way."
"I know that. It's just that the two of you should have told the rest of us right off the bat. I mean," Clark had a hint of disappointment and sadness in his tone as he sighed. "We all consider each other as family and I thought we were going to be honest and not keep secrets on matters that are this important."
"We didn't mean to not tell you guys. It was a spur of a moment decision on our part and we readily take the blame for that. We were going to tell you guys only if we got the marriage license. Obviously we didn't," John said as he glanced over at Shayera. "It was her idea."
"Yet you agreed with me," She retorted. "Still, how did this get on the front page? We were so careful. There's no way this should have gotten out."
"Ms. Vale must have seen the two of you together and bribed someone to talk." J'onn theorized.
"I didn't see her at all." Bruce stated.
"Neither did I." Shayera affirmed.
Bruce continued, "I don't think she personally saw us though. If she had seen us then she would have made a scene so that everyone else would take notice. Stealthy reporting isn't her style but playing dirty is. I can easily see her bribing someone if they offered her the information."
"Then someone with a personal vendetta against Bruce Wayne must have went to her and told her everything they knew about the situation." John said with a frown. He knew Shayera was mortified right now. He knew that she didn't want this to happen. She especially didn't want this thrown out for the viewing pleasure of the public.
"Or someone thought they had the story of the century and sold it to her," Clark opined as he thought about it in a reporter's point of view. "Big stories often equal a lot of money. I've seen it plenty of times at the Daily Planet. If someone thinks they can get famous or rich quick then they'll spill their guts out. Nothing talks more than the possibility of a lot of money and fame."
"What about your ex-girlfriend that's helping us?" Shayera asked Bruce. "She's the only one that knows almost every single detail and, from what I've seen, you two aren't on the best of terms. Lawyers are cutthroat; it's part of their job description."
"Rachel wouldn't tell anyone!" Bruce said defensively. "She wouldn't do something like that. I know and trust her. Vicki Vale has her own vendetta against Bruce Wayne, along with a whole line of other women and disgruntled former business partners. It could have been anyone. It could be someone with a vendetta against Hawkgirl."
Shayera glared at him, "If it makes you feel better then keep telling yourself that. Why don't you go ask that Rachel girl how this happened? I bet my mace she knows."
"How about we not point fingers?" Clark suggested, trying to calm down the Thanagarian and Dark Knight "What's done is done. Arguing amongst each other isn't going to undo or change anything. We have to concentrate on helping you out Shayera. Everyone here wants to see you and John happy."
"Thanks for the offer but Bruce has it covered," Shayera answered. "Or at least I thought he did."
"It's not Bruce's fault that this happened." Diana said to her. "Take your anger out on Vale when you see her. She's the one who wrote this"
"When we catch the person that told her, you can be the first one to deal with them." Clark offered.
Shayera seemed to seriously contemplate this but instead said, "The article, what does it say exactly?"
"Nothing except that you're applying for citizenship and that you're engaged to John." Clark stated. "Why, is there something you're worried about getting out?"
"No," The Thanagarian answered quickly. "There's nothing else."
"She means yes," Bruce said. "There is one major thing and it can't go public. That's why we have to find who told Vale and stop them now."
"There isn't anything else!" Shayera argued as she narrowed her eyes at Bruce. "All of the facts are in that article, end of story."
"Either you grow a pair and tell them or I will." He threatened. "I'm sure you don't want everyone, especially John, finding out because it's another headline on the newspaper. The choice is yours. Who are they going to hear it from, you or me?"
"You wouldn't dare!" Shayera growled but Bruce remained unfazed.
"Shayera, what is he talking about?" John asked her.
Bruce answered instead, "She's pregnant." All eyes were on Shayera.
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