Joey Luca was driving from the Gotham City International Airport to the Gotham Auditorium when his cell phone rang.

"Hello? Oh, hi Ma! Yes, I had a good flight! No Ma; and you should know better; I’m under contract, I can’t just walk out. I know you worry Ma, we have that conversation like a hundred times a month: I’m trained to do this. I run a greater risk getting hurt driving this car than I do in the ring. Yes, I know Dad and Marc worry too. Listen Ma, I need both hands here, I got to go. Love you too…yes, I’ll be careful! Bye Ma!" He said as he hung up.

He felt a bit annoyed but could not be mad at her. "35 years old and the family still worries about me, according to them dating the wrong woman and spreading myself thin between a desk job, moonlighting as a Studio Musician and risking my neck as a pro-Wrestler." He thought with a smirk.

Since Metro Cities Wrestling had taken their show on the road, he was seeing less and less Studio work and balancing MCW with his Office schedule was becoming much trickier. And of course, his girlfriend Charlene was giving him a hard time over it too.

"Dad can’t stand her, feels she’s too superficial and snobby. At least they both agree on one thing: both want me to quit MCW. The one and only thing she shares with my folks is the fact that they can’t stand seeing me as a pro-Wrestler, if I were to quit they’d have nothing in common." Joey thought, feeling a headache budding at the back of his skull.

His cell phone chimed again, letting him know he had voice mail. He accessed his voicemail and the message left for him left him feeling a bit queasy. He pulled over and replayed the message.

"Hi Joe, it’s Charlene. Listen, there’s really no easy way to say this, and I sure wish there was a more pleasant way…but when you return to our apartment in Montreal, I’ll be gone, so will all of my stuff. Your time spent touring; I can’t take it any longer. I’ve asked you so many times to quit, just put an end that ego trip of yours you know?" He could hear her panting. Her voice was now sobbing,

"Do you even realize I’ve been having an affair since you started touring? Or that the man I was having the affair with is leaving his wife for me, and that he’s a lawyer? He’s willing to change his life for me, you can’t even quit Wrestling! I’m young, and I think I deserve better than waiting at home for you while you risk your neck trying to satisfy your ego. My new boyfriend’s covered all matters of removing my name from the lease. No big deal, I know you can afford it." Her voice had now become cool and collected.

Joey became livid. "That lying cheating BITCH!" he screamed, opening the car window, throwing his cell phone with all his might to the pavement, smashing it to bits. He drove on to the Gotham Auditorium grinding his teeth. "God I need to let out some steam now!" He thought, narrowly avoiding another car as he got back into traffic.

About twenty minutes later, he parked at the Gotham Auditorium’s underground lot, and made his way to the main floor, gym bag slung across his shoulder. If looks could kill, passersby would have collapsed at his sight.

He nearly jumped as a familiar voice spoke to him.

"Joey? Ed says he wants to see you about the booking tonight!" The voice said. Paul Scalzo, a burly man in his late 50’s, had been the official MCW referee since the promotion had been started.

"Thanks Pauley, I’ll see him right away." Joey replied.

He found Ed’s makeshift Office- a storage room converted into an office by the Auditorium’s Management- and couldn’t repress a grin in spite of his foul mood. Ed was lying down on the floor, flat on his back. His lumbago had flared up again.

Charlene’s voice echoed in his head, and Joey remembered why he was in such a nasty mood in the first place.

"Ed, all I have to say is you’d better have some good news for me. Charlene just broke up with me, threatened to have a restraining order taken out on me if I try to see her and I’m so pissed off I need to blow off steam. You promised me an Inter-Cities title shot; please tell me it’s today?" Joey said in one breath.

"Hate to burst your bubble Lucas, but the gates are low. I’m trying to groom Frankie Anderson into a main eventer and he could use the rub from you. He’s a local talent and he might boost attendance. I need you to put him over tonight." Ed said.

Eddie Delgado had once been a top performer in Mexico, the Southern U.S. and Japan. He had found a second home in Montreal, but since founding MCW, his efforts resulted in constant frustration. A great wrestler does not a great promoter make.

Joey stared a hole in Eddie’s face, looking furious.

"I didn’t just hear you say that. If you’re ribbing me it ain’t funny Delgado, I ain’t laughing. I’ve been walking on thin ice coordinating my office schedule with yours, I just lost my Girlfriend over Wrestling for you, I’ve turned down thousands of dollars in Studio gigs, I even changed my last name for you; all in hopes you keep your promises!" Joey hissed.

Eddie gave him a nonplussed look.

"Business is business; you wouldn’t be the first one to be denied a title shot or to have his woman walk out on him. And all I did was add an ‘s’ to your surname, give a nicer ring to it, I did you a favour." He said.

"Oh you’re all heart! Joey said, "I guess all of your promises are worth crap. You promised Mike and me a tag-team title shot – you broke it, and broke up our team. When I threatened to walk out you kept teasing me with an Inter-Cities Title shot, the proverbial carrot dangled in front of the mule’s head to keep it walking …" Joey shook his head, disgusted.

"But there’s one thing you can’t deny me pendejo, since it’s in my contract! You want Anderson to win so badly? Then he’s going to have to earn it. I’m calling in my shoot match clause. See if Anderson’s worth your faith in him." Joey said, turning his heels and heading towards the locker room, just as Paulie Scalzo was walking in.

Ed looked like he was passing a kidney stone. He could not afford an injury to young Frankie due to a no holds barred shoot match. Joey was a consummate technician who could break an arm or a leg if you were not careful.

"Paulie, go after him; try to talk some sense into him." Eddie said.

Paulie nodded and went after Joey.

Joey was changing into his gear, slamming his locker’s door as if to blow off steam, mumbling to himself. Pauley walked in, putting on his old Mobster hit man act.

"Now look-here, Lucas…" pointing a finger in Joey’s face.

He did not get a chance to finish. Rookies usually backed off with their tails between their legs when Pauley pulled the mobster act, but it was lost on Joey, who knew old Pauley too well.

Joey stared him in the eyes, stone faced, a look that would have made the Dark Knight himself proud had he seen it. He grabbed Pauley’s extended finger, slowly bending it upwards.

He said in an even tone, "That’s Mr. Luca for you, Scalzo. You had better call this thing down the middle. You try to throw this match and I’ll sue both you and Ed for breach of contract. The shoot clause was ratified in my contract when I signed up, so it’s just tough luck for Fabulous Frankie! Now get the hell out of here, I’m sure Ed needs more sucking up to!" He screamed, eyeballs bulging.

Pauley left the locker room massaging his sore finger, looking terrified out of his wits, which looked rather comical on the old roughneck.

"You should really switch to decaf Joey!" A familiar voice said.

Joey looked up to see his former tag team partner. He smiled at his friend.

"I’m just fed up Mike. First, I get a voicemail from Charlene: she’s dumping me for some lawyer, then our favorite Luchador breaks his promise and denies me my Inter-cities title shot. " He said.

"Dude … that’s harsh." Mike said shaking his head too. "Did Ed know Charlene broke up with you?"

Joey looked at his former tag team partner with his eyebrows raised and shrugged.

"Oh, I told him. He seems to feel that putting over some local talent would be better for business, to hell with his promises." He said.

Mike looked at Joey, scratching his beard. "And of all things he wants you to put that butt kisser Fabulous Frankie Anderson over?" He shook his head. "I don’t blame you for calling the shoot clause. Between you and me, I hope you break his leg!" He said.

Joey smiled. "Tell you what, why don’t I stand in your corner as you face Pit-bull Thompson for the MCW Championship tonight? At least one of us is getting a freaking title shot! It’ll give the public a sense of continuity, and we could eventually turn it into a feud between us?" He said, looking happy for the first time that night.

Mike smiled "Dude that’d be huge! We know each other’s moves so well we’d blow the roof off whatever arena we’re in! I could drop the belt to you, and then you back to me…" He said.

Joey continued "And we could milk it for as long as we can, making old Ed more money than he ever dreamed, I’m sure he wouldn’t complain about that!" Joey said, grinning.

The two friends shook hands. Little did they know that this would be the last night they would appear on the same wrestling card for quite a while.

Angela, Ed’s secretary, walked in the locker room. She had the look of a woman who would rather have been elsewhere.

"You’re on in 5 minutes Luscious!" She said.

Joey nodded and took in a deep breath. He needed to channel his anger and frustrations. Mike put a hand on his shoulder and said, "I got your back brother, if Ed tries anything funny I’m there."

They stepped to the curtain. The voice of Angela, who was also the ring announcer, resonated through the P.A. system.

"The following contest is scheduled for one fall or 20 minute time limit; introducing first: from Blüdhaven, weighing in at 235 lbs, Fabulous Frankiiie Andersooon!"

Joey inhaled again and walked through the curtain. The applause he received walking to the ring with Magnificent Mike surprised him, sending a shiver down his spine. Angela continued:

"And making his way to the ring accompanied with Magnificent Mike, from St-François Canada, weighing 220 lbs, Vanity Fair’s own, Luscious Joeyyyy Lucas!"

"When did I become a fan favorite again?" he wondered. In spite of the anger boiling in him, he smiled, waving at the fans. It looked like Fabulous Frankie was not such a draw after all.

Encouraged, Joey decided to walk to the fans around ringside, giving out high-fives, Mike following suite.

He hopped in the ring facing his opponent. He looked at ringside; Mike made a gesture with his hands, mouthing, "break his leg!"

He looked at his opponent, jaws clenched.

The rookie gave him an arrogant sneer.

"Think you scare me? I can shoot-fight too!" He yelled at Joey.

That was the breaking point. Before the bell had a chance to ring, they were at it like mad dogs. Joey’s experience showed right away as he took advantage of Anderson’s momentum to take him down with a drop toehold.

It was all Luscious Lucas from there, as he picked his opponent apart piece by piece. Ankle lock, kick to the ribs then elbow drop to the small of the back. Joey got up and did his strut to the delight of the fans.

Anderson got to his feet and walked right into a side headlock. He made it to the ropes; Joey broke the hold and slapped Anderson behind the head, making a comical gesture, meaning, "cry baby".

Frustrated, Anderson charged again, but ran into a big boot to the chest. With Anderson doubled over, Lucas stepped behind him and swung him overhead in a German suplex.

Joey got up again, doing the strut, playing to the crowd who was enjoying every bit of it.

Fabulous Frankie tried to pull himself up using the ropes. Joey stepped behind him, grabbed his arm, and wrapped it around the top rope. Holding Anderson’s right arm in an arm lock around the top rope, Joey once more played to the crowd doing a thumbs up thumbs down a la Julius Caesar.

The crowd voted thumbs down, and Joey followed through with an elbow to Anderson’s collarbone.

Before Pauley could call for the bell - Fabulous Frankie was too proud to say ‘I quit’ anyway - Joey flung Anderson in the center of the ring with relative ease, the adrenaline in his blood giving him that extra edge.

Once more, Joey played to the crowd. He heard a few fans chanting, "Figure Four! Figure Four!" He slapped his massive quad and pointed at his opponent’s legs. The crowd cheered louder. So he obliged, slapping a figure-four leg lock on the rookie that had him screaming in pain.

Pauley had called for the bell as the rookie tapped out. The fans were standing, screaming. Carried away in the moment, still playing to the crowd who was eating this up, he refused to release the hold just yet.

"What? I didn’t hear the bell!" he screamed in his best tribute to the Destroyer.

Anderson passed out. Flustered, Pauley ended up having to reverse his decision and disqualified Joey. The crowd began booing and pelting the referee with empty pop cups and hot dog wrappers.

Mike had to jump in to break the hold.

"Easy brother, you don’t want a lawsuit on your back now, right? The shoot clause ends once the bell rings. Ed’s likely to sue for you refusing to break the hold after the bell!" Mike said.

Joey finally broke the hold. The crowd applauded him, chanting, "Lucas got robbed! Lucas got robbed!" He waved to the fans, enjoying the applause. He took one last bow, smiling in spite of himself. Those wonderful fans had never given up on him.

They walked back to the locker room, waiving at the fans.

"Eddie’s full of it, he said the gates were low, that Auditorium looked pretty full to me!" Joey said, opening a bottle of water, taking a long sip.

"I’m sure he’ll argue the crowd came to see Frankie and you just beat the snot out of him. And I’m sure he’ll ignore the fact they were applauding you." Mike said.

"Oh I’d like to see him try and sue after this!" Joey said, cooling off. "He’s piled up too many lawsuits from too many of his former employees to even dare!"

Mike smiled "All the same. You breached your own contract when you refused to break the hold after the bell rang. Ed might not sue, but he might still terminate your contract. And we both know he’s too stubborn to admit he’s wrong, cheering crowd or not." Mike said.

Joey slumped on the bench. Mike was right: he had been too angry to think straight. His conscience was beginning to kick in. He had just beaten the tar out of a guy who had nothing to do with his misfortunes. Ed could not sue, but…

Ed walked in, throwing an envelope at Joey’s face. He was wearing a back brace and supporting himself on a cane.

"Here’s your money for tonight. You’re done with this outfit. Get the hell out of here! I’ll see to it you never wrestle again!" Ed said.

Joey looked at his old friend "How prophetic. You missed your call Mike; you should have been a fortuneteller! Sorry. I really wanted to be in your corner tonight." Joey said, looking at his friend and ignoring Ed.

In a moment of awkward silence, he put his street clothes and shoes in his gym bag, fishing his car keys from his jeans pocket.

"Dude, aren’t you going to shower?" Mike said.

"You heard the man, I’m no longer welcome." Joey replied.

"Damn straight! I should have gotten rid of you years ago! You’re a nut job!" Ed sneered.

Mike took a warning step towards the booker.

"Ed you’re a real piece of trailer park trash when you want to, do you know that?" Mike said, in a cold tone of voice.

"He broke his own contract! He injured one of my rookies!" Ed yelped.

"And you’ve broken every promise you’ve ever made to us! The Tag-Team Championship, the tours of Mexico and Japan, all amounted to a hill of nothing! Joey stays on staff in spite of his old lady wanting him to quit, she leaves him over it and you screw him of his Inter-Cities Title shot! To add insult to injury, you ask him to do the job! Do you have a conscience Delgado? Or are you plain too stupid to hear that cheering crowd out there?" Mike yelled.

"Save your breath Mike." Joey said. "Ed sold his conscience along with his heart years ago. And we both know he’s deaf to the fans."

Ed looked flustered for a second, feeling some remorse. But his pride would not let him admit he had done anything wrong.

"You have 10 minutes to vacate Lucas." He said, and then limped away.

Joey sighed, picked up the envelope with his pay, and slipped on a dry T-shirt from his bag.

"You better get to the curtains Mike, before he decides to break your contract too." He said.

"I’ll call you later tonight at the Hotel, see how you’re doing." Mike said.

"I appreciate it. I’m sure I’ll be drunk out of my head, but yeah, do call!" Joey said.

Joey slung his gym bag over his shoulder, T-shirt becoming damp with his sweat, still wearing his wrestling gear. He walked to the Auditorium’s parking lot and got to his car.

As he neared his car, a dark-haired man with a muscular build was waiting for him. For a moment, he thought Ed had sent one of his goons on him as a going away gift.

"Mr. Lucas?" The man said.

Joey felt like screaming "It's Luca you brainless goon!" but saw the camcorder in his hands. He was not a hired goon, but one of the fans from the attendance. He smiled in spite of feeling down and out.

"Yes, can I help you?" Joey asked, looking at him.

"That was one hell of a performance out there; you really played to the crowd, and gave Frankie Anderson a wrestling clinic! You had the crowd eating out of your hand!" the man said, sounding excited.

"Thanks! I wish the promoter shared your enthusiasm: I was just terminated." Joey said, opening the trunk of his car, putting away his gym bag.

"You’re kidding!" the man said, "We came to see the over hyped debut of Fabulous Frankie Anderson, but I ended up cheering for you, so did my Girlfriend in fact!"

Only then, he noticed the pretty girl with the gold tan and the thick mane of fiery locks in a ponytail by his side. She was wearing a souvenir MCW cap with the visor pulled down, hiding her eyes. She was smiling but did not say a word.

"You’re far too kind." Joey said, shutting the trunk of the car, smiling in earnest. "The promoter was expecting to groom Fabulous Frankie as the next big thing, I kind of threw a monkey wrench in his plans I fear. Altogether, I’m having a very bad day – my girlfriend left me, I just lost my job with MCW…ever had a day like this?"

The fan looked somber at that question, his girlfriend putting a hand on his shoulder. "Yes I can say I have," He then smiled, "But I grew stronger from it!" looking at his Girlfriend.

Joey got into his car, and looked up at his fans.

"Then I have nothing to fear I guess!" he said, forcing a smile. "Take care… I don’t even know your names!" He added, giving the fans with a quizzical glance.

"I’m Dick, and she’s my loving girlfriend Kory." The fan replied, smiling at his girlfriend.

"Take care of yourselves Dick and Kory, now if you’ll excuse me, I’m in dire need of a drink … or two." Joey said. They watched him drive away looking concerned.

Life as he knew it was about to take yet another drastic turn.

Joey drove away from the Gotham Auditorium. He wanted to get drunk, maybe find a strip-bar, and lose himself among the pretty girls.

"It won’t make the heartache go away, but it will make the pain a bit sweeter." He thought. Then he looked at his reflection in the windshield and moaned. He had not showered, was soaked with sweat, and his once dry T-shirt was now plastered to his torso.

"Well, so much for the strip-bar." He mumbled.

He headed towards the Hotel. He would go there, relax his sore muscles in a hot bath, tidy up, and then go to the Clubs … just a temporary setback. He wanted to get even with his cheating ex, turn the page on her.

Bright flashing lights caught his attention. "Now that’s a weird time of the year for fireworks!" He mumbled, turning the radio on. He drove on, music blasting, feeling empty.

He wanted to feel angry – anger could help keep him from feeling sad, betrayed and empty. The clubs did not sound so attractive any more. He wanted to wash up, have a few drinks and crawl under a rock … or in bed.

The flashing lights were becoming brighter, and closer. He noticed the noise too … similar to gunfire, and metal scraping on concrete…and then, the impact.

From the blind side, an ambulance struck the passenger side of Joey’s rental car with great force. He drifted in and out of consciousness. He could vaguely hear voices:

"They’re in there, Bats, bruised up but in one piece, looks like the Legion of Doom will need to find another new leader!" The first voice said.

"Smell of gasoline…blurry vision…hurting from head to toe..." Joey thought, mind drifting.

"Yeah Bats, I’ve cuffed them, let me have a look at the car they just hit…Oh my God there’s a man trapped in that car!" The voice said again.

"Smell of gasoline overpowering, hearing voices…so this is how it ends?" Joey thought, unable to move.

"Let me, I’ll get him out!" A second voice, a female voice said, followed by a loud grunt.

He looked up, thinking he was hallucinating: he saw the roof of his car ripped off like foil paper. What followed made him think he had died and gone to heaven. A beautiful woman, a red-haired woman –with wings – was lifting him out of his wrecked car.

In disbelief, Joey raised a hand to touch her face but realized he could barely move. He mumbled "Mon Ange …" Looking up at her with a vulnerable, helpless look on his face, and then passed out. His rental car caught fire moments later.

As the Police was booking the Joker, Harley Quinn and their cronies, sending them back to Arkham Asylum, Paramedics were loading Joey in an ambulance.

Hawkgirl turned to Batman, Wonder Woman and Flash.

"That look on that poor man’s face…I don’t think I’ll be able to forget it any time soon. What did he say to me? He tried to touch my face and said ‘moan awhj’ before he passed out?" Hawkgirl said.

Batman thought about it for a second then smiled, "Mon Ange is French for ‘My Angel’!"

Hawkgirl smiled. Somehow, in the confusion and turmoil of her personal life, that small compliment from that stranger touched her deeply, and the helpless look on his face haunted her.

Unable to resist teasing her a bit, Flash said, "I can see how he’d say that: pretty girl with wings pulls him out of a car wreck … he don’t know you very well does he?"

Hawkgirl raised her mace threatening to hit Flash, eyes bulging out, grinding her teeth; Wonder Woman and Batman holding her back.

"Just this once… let me pop him one, just this once!" She said.

"Sorry!" Flash said, hands raised, "I was only kidding Shy, Geez!"

Flash zoomed out of sight and popped back into place holding out a flower, looking sheepish "Shy? I’m sorry!" He said.

No longer able to help herself, Hawkgirl relaxed and snickered. She took the flower from Flash. Wonder Woman and Batman looked at each other, sighing with relief that Hawkgirl was calming down, and chuckled along.

Shayera had grown increasingly moody as of late. While work helped her cope with her own personal issues, she often seemed as if she were ready to snap.

The following day, Marc Luca, Joey’s younger brother, had taken a flight to Gotham City and paid his brother a visit at Gotham General. The Doctor on watch, a Doctor Walters, briefed him.

"Your brother pulled out of that car accident with whiplash, a minor concussion and some bruised ribs. He lucked out – if Hawkgirl hadn’t pulled him out when she did he’d be in a body bag now. Truth be told, a lesser man would be in a wheelchair. Whether you like it or not, his conditioning as a pro-Wrestler helped him keep his injuries minimal." Dr. Walters said.

"Whether I like it or not… how on earth do you know that?" Marc said.

"Your brother’s been pretty vocal on how his family would be pleased that his career as a Wrestler is over, the promoter fired him just before he got into the car accident you see. Try not to upset him. He should recover quickly, but he’s still in shock." Dr Walters said, showing Marc to Joey’s Hospital room.

"Hey Joe, can’t keep my eyes off you, or else you get in trouble!" Marc said, the sight of his brother bandaged up and wearing a neck brace upsetting him.

"Oh sure, just take another shot at the man when he’s down, eh little brother?" Joey said, smirking. "What a day from hell yesterday was: Charlene leaves me, Ed terminates my contract, and I get into a car accident…"

"At least you still have a high paid job waiting for you in Montreal," Marc said, "Just count your blessings your boss is a Wrestling fan!"

Joey’s smile widened. "Oh I am counting my blessings Marc. I’ve turned a new page. And I have a beautiful Angel to thank for it." He said.

"You mean Hawkgirl?" Marc said.

Joey’s smile turned into a grin. "Call it karma, call it fate, call it what you want. When she saved my sorry hide, it made me appreciate how precious life is little brother. You remember that promotion with product development my Supervisor has been trying to talk me into? I’m going for it. Life’s too short to waste an opportunity." Joey said.

"It would also move you to Gotham City, where the Justice League has been known to appear every once and again. Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t have an ulterior motive?" Marc said, grinning.

"Marc, this is the beginning of my new life. I owe Hawkgirl that second chance. All I want is to tell her I’m grateful, in person. Thank her. I owe her that much." Joey said, in earnest. Marc nodded.

"I’ll let you rest and update Mom and Dad. Get better Joe!" Marc said.

"I’ll try my best!" Joey said.

He dozed off.

He dreamed, a vision he could not get rid of since the night before, quite vivid, Hawkgirl pulling him out of the car wreck. Even in his dream, he still could not touch her face, and repeated these few words in his native tongue: "Mon Ange … my angel!"

He would wake up feeling upset it was only a dream, drifting between sleep and full awareness. "I got to get that transfer. I got to find her, thank her for saving my life and turning it around…" he fell back to sleep.

Between the day of his rescue and the day they would meet again, four years would pass.

During that time, personal problems had driven Hawkgirl once more to seek refuge in Dr. Fate's domain, for reasons only truly known by the Justice League's founding members.

During those four years, Dick and Kory had gone through hard times: Kory leaving Dick to get married to another man on her home planet, Tamaran, to prevent a war. After a few years, Kory returned to Dick.

During those four years, Batman and Wonder Woman also had their ups and downs as lovers, with Batman's pride getting in the way and breaking Wonder Woman's heart. Ultimately, with a lot of outside help, their relationship would be stronger than ever, sealed by Aphrodite herself.

During those four years, Joey had adjusted well in his new position with Wayne Enterprises and he had kept in shape. He had even met head CEO Bruce Wayne once or twice at Office gatherings, which was about towards the end of year three. Mr. Wayne was a friendly enough fellow.

At the end of year four, he saw Mr. Wayne at the Christmas party accompanied by an attractive young dark-haired woman, save for her taste in eyewear and hairstyles. Regardless, Joey could not help but feel she looked familiar. Little did he know who that dark-haired woman was and how she had turned Bruce Wayne's life around.

To his disappointment however, there had been no Hawkgirl sightings in Gotham City since his move, unaware of her exile, or that she had only returned to the Justice League around the same time Bruce and Diana were patching things up.

One day, in early year five, Hawkgirl had requested to return on the Justice League's active roster. Little did she know she would cross paths again with that man who had called her "Angel."

For Joey, that particular morning had started as many of the previous ones. He was sitting at his desk sipping a cup of coffee, analyzing the latest testing statistics from the Research Labs … more unmarketable prototypes that would end up in storage due to above budget production costs.

His radio was playing at low volume when a News Bulletin interrupted the song,

"We interrupt this program for a News Bulletin – the Legion of Doom has attempted a Heist at the Gotham Museum. Details are sketchy as fighting is currently happening near the Business District between Members of the Justice League and the Legion of Doom. We will keep you posted as more details become available…"

Joey smiled, heart palpitating, locked his computer and got up. The Museum was only a few blocks away. His supervisor glared at him "And where do you think you’re going Lucas?"

Joey rolled his eyes, the ‘Lucas’ spelling of his surname kept following him.

"Cashing in all of the breaks I haven’t taken in the past three months Al. Unless you’d like to explain to HR why I haven’t taken a break in three months?" Joey said.

His supervisor blushed redder than a beet, all the way up to his bald spot. He stammered: "Well…Just be back after lunch."

Joey ran around the block and towards the Museum. He would have ringside view of this battle; and he did not want to miss a thing. If he was really lucky, Hawkgirl would be there, and he would have his chance to thank her.

As he neared the Museum, the battle was winding down. The bad guys that had not escaped were being restrained and police reinforcements were showing up.

His heart skipped a beat, he saw Hawkgirl, she was there. She had her back turned to him as she was talking to Wonder Woman and Batman. He walked closer, unseen by the police, excited like a teenager.

He could hear her voice, "That was almost too easy, I have a bad gut feeling about this, something plain doesn't feel right." she said, with Batman nodding pensively, and Wonder Woman frowning. He took a few more steps, and noticed something peculiar, a red dot between Hawkgirl’s wings.

"Laser dot?" he thought, perplexed.

He turned and saw him, the sniper, hidden behind garbage cans between the buildings, unnoticed due to the chaos of battle. While Joey could not see that far, his subconscious mind filled in the blanks: the sniper’s finger getting ready to squeeze that trigger.

As far as the sniper was concerned, Joey was an unimportant bystander of no consequence to him.

The entire world seemed to go in slow motion in Joey’s mind as the reality sank in. This had all been an elaborate trap. While the Justice League members were busy fighting, a hired gun would shoot at the members not invulnerable to bullets. Hawkgirl, the one he wanted to talk to, was the first one in the line of fire.

Before he even realized what he was doing, he was running at top speed towards the sniper who still disregarded him as unimportant.

The sniper’s focus was on one task only: kill as many Justice Leaguers as he could, as soon as he had a clean shot. Thus far, there had been too much movement, but as soon as that running man moved out of the way, he could …

"Wait up…is he running right at me?" The sniper thought, shocked.

Joey leaped over the garbage cans screaming in a grunting voice, "NO YOU DON’T!"

The sniper froze, disbelieving what he was seeing. Joey’s right hand grabbed on to the gun, deflecting the shot away from Hawkgirl, Wonder Woman and Batman, the bullet lodging itself in a telephone pole.

The Justice League was now aware of the sniper, and of the man who had just put himself in the line of fire to assist them.

Wind knocked out of him, the sniper dropped his gun, and Joey was showering him with his right fist, screaming, "YOU-DO-NOT-SHOOT-THE-HEROES-AND-YOU-DO-NOT-HURT- MY-ANGEL!"

Joey’s knuckles bloodied. A broken tooth had torn a gash in his knuckles. He never even felt it. Flash was the first one to reach him, holding back his fist.

"Easy there fella, leave some for the Cops!" Flash said.

Joey looked up, recognized Flash, and could not repress a smile. Flash helped him up. The Police picked up the sniper, hand cuffing him.

Batman, Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl had joined Flash, as did Superman. Hawkgirl looked as if she had seen a ghost.

"That's him, the man with the haunting, helpless look! I haven’t been able to push it out of my mind! In fact, every time I'd bring it up, Dr Fate would tell me events were set in motion that would change my life for the better, but that I'd have to be back on active duty for it to happen...that man just saved my life, could it be?" She thought, still in shock.

Batman stepped up to Joey and said in his gravelly voice, "My friend, that was one brave thing you just did, you saved our lives!"

Joey smiled, "She saved mine first, Batman!" he said, looking at Hawkgirl. "Four years ago, the night of the big Arkham Asylum break-out, you pulled me out of a car wreck!"

Hawkgirl smiled back at Joey. All of a sudden, many things were beginning to make sense to her.

"Yes, I do remember, you looked up at me, reached up to touch me and said, 'Moan awhj!' and then you passed out!" She said.

Joey looked at her in surprise, "‘Mon ange!’ You actually remember that? It happened four years ago, I was afraid you would have forgotten!" He said, with a blush on his face.

"Forgot it? Your helpless look haunted me for the past four years!" Hawkgirl thought.

He drew in a deep breath, gathering his wits.

"Look, I’ve been waiting four years to tell you this Hawkgirl, thank you for saving my life. You made me realize how precious every moment is, and words can’t do justice to how grateful I am!" Joey said; surprised at how well he had phrased it.

Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman and Flash smiled at the scene: it was Hawkgirl’s turn to blush, an unusual sight. He had just saved her life as well as Batman’s and Wonder Woman’s yet he was thanking her! He had jumped in the line of fire and never even flinched!

She wanted to say something, anything, but found herself speechless. Superman broke the silence.

"Your hand is injured," Superman remarked. "I see no broken bones, but there is bruising and some abrasion, you may need some stitches."

"Oh great, I can hear my supervisor getting on my case for taking an extended break!" Joey said, rolling his eyes, and then looking at his bloody knuckles.

"Don’t be silly," Batman said, noticing the Wayne Enterprises security card pinned on Joey’s shirt. "You need stitches, and probably a tetanus shot: that cut came from the sniper’s teeth. Don’t worry: I’ll personally handle your supervisor." He said in all seriousness.

They walked towards the Batmobile, where Batman took a medkit from its trunk. Joey sat down as Batman himself was attending to his injured hand. Flash and Superman were looking on. Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl were talking on the side for a few minutes and then walked up to the men.

Hawkgirl looked at Joey with a concerned smile and asked: "How are you feeling?"

Joey looked up at her as Batman stitched up his hand, and smiled back at her.

"A bit shook up. Whatever anesthetic Batman gave me is very effective." He said.

She smiled. "Wonder Woman agrees with me," Hawkgirl said, "You have the heart of a hero. You stepped in the line of fire at the right time and did what you had to do. You have shown no hesitation in spite of wearing no armor, and having no weapons of your own. You were on that criminal before he knew what hit him."

Joey winced as Batman gave him the tetanus shot, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I owe you my life, Hawkgirl, I saw that red dot between your wings, saw the sniper... I couldn't just stand idly by!" He said.

"Well, you could have yelled 'duck!'" Flash thought, but elected to remain quiet. After all, that man had indeed acted heroically, putting himself in harm's way.

Hawkgirl nodded and smiled charmingly at Joey, Flash giving her a quizzical glance, resisting another urge to tease her. She ignored him, keeping her focus on Joey.

"We have a recruitment program – as you could see today, there is no such thing as too many crime fighters. The training is hard, but Wonder Woman and I think you’re a good candidate. Few are offered this chance, and I’m willing to sponsor you if you’re interested." She said, giving him a smile that floored him.

Joey could not believe his ears.

"Are you serious? Of course, I’m interested! I know of people who’d kill for an opportunity like this one" … he looked up at the faces looking at him "Figuratively speaking, of course! I’m not exactly a Spring Chicken though…" He said.

Batman grunted at him "Bite your tongue! Neither am I!"

The other Justice Leaguers stifled a giggle. Joey could see Batman hardly showed any signs of aging.

"All right then, when do I start?" Joey said, excitedly, then his expression darkening "But what about my job, and my apartment?"

"No worries, I’ll have a chat with Mr. Wayne, we have an arrangement." Batman said, pointing at Joey’s security access card. "But be aware: this will be intensive training, and I will personally run several background checks on you."

Superman rolled his eyes "There he goes again with his paranoid streak!" he thought.

Joey just looked back and nodded. "Understood, I’d do the exact same thing in your place." He said.

"Then go home and rest. I will talk with Mr. Wayne and advise him you’re our newest recruit. Your rent and expense money will all be covered. We will send for you tomorrow morning." Batman said

Joey smiled feeling overwhelmed.

"I…thank you all!" Joey said.

They smiled; Hawkgirl stepped up to him, put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"And thank you for saving my life," She said in a low voice, looking at his security access card, "Mister Lucas!" she winked at him before taking her leave. She had called him "Lucas"... but he did not care. His Angel of mercy had just kissed him, and winked at him!

Flash gave her a quizzical glance and mumbled something to her, no longer able to resist teasing her, which resulted in her punching him in the arm. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman chuckled. Joey went to get his car, feeling like he was walking on clouds.

A few months later, Hawkgirl was looking for Wonder Woman in Watchtower 1, and finally found her, in the Upper Deck Lounge, relaxing to the sound of Classical Music.

"There you are Diana … I need to discuss something with you, privately." Hawkgirl said.

"But of course my sister," Wonder Woman said, "Shall we go to my quarters or can we discuss things here? We are quite alone."

Hawkgirl sat down next to Wonder Woman, looking a bit nervous. Wonder Woman smirked.

"Well Diana, here goes: I ...the new recruit, Joey Lucas, I like him, a lot." Hawkgirl said, blushing.

"No kidding? I never would have known!" Wonder Woman said, giving Hawkgirl a wink.

"Please Diana, I’m serious!" Hawkgirl said, looking annoyed, "this is the first time I feel I can open my heart to a man since John and I broke up. I’ve been so confused …"

"I know Shayera," Wonder Woman said, smiling, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I apologise for teasing, Joey’s a fine young man. Have you told him how you feel?"

"You know me Diana: talking about my feelings isn't easy; let alone stepping up to the man I’m attracted to and telling him I’ve grown quite fond him, or that I think I'm falling in love with him. I did drop him several hints though…," Hawkgirl said, her voice trailing off.

"Trust me Shy, men and hints often don’t mix very well." Wonder Woman said with a grin, "sometimes a more direct approach is best. No matter how flamboyant he may have been before the car accident, he became a changed, humble man from the moment you rescued him. He’s in awe of you; put you up on a pedestal and worships the ground you walk on, or have you missed that?"

"No, Diana I haven’t." Hawkgirl said with a smile, "it’s cute, flattering, endearing and annoying all at once!"

Wonder Woman nodded, "He feels you’re above him; that he’s way out of his league with you as the male saying goes, and that he doesn’t deserve you … I know that was a hurdle between Bruce and me."

Hawkgirl smiled. "Human males … must I throw myself at him so he understands the way I feel about him?" She said.

"Probably," Wonder Woman snickered, "but be careful, the male ego is very fickle. Be firm but gentle: coming on too strong might frighten him."

Hawkgirl nodded and smiled. "Thanks Diana, I will take a more direct approach!" She said, getting up.

"What are you planning?" Wonder Woman asked, with a curious frown.

"Joey Lucas is about to receive a personalized training session from yours truly." Hawkgirl said, with a grin.

As she left, Wonder Woman thought, "I’ve seen the puppy dog-eyed looks Joey gives Shayera… he’s already as good as hers…if she doesn’t kill him trying to seduce him!"

Joey was in his quarters, getting some rest. The physical training was tough, but nothing he could not handle: years spent learning Karate as a teen, then amateur wrestling training in College were not lost; neither were the years performing in MCW.

Wildcat was a great teacher and coach, if a bit gruff at first.

His sponsor, Hawkgirl, checked up on him frequently … and one day he would work up the nerve to ask her out.

"Business is business; don’t read too much into it when she’s being nice to you!" He thought, trying to rationalize his feelings.

On the other hand, the detective training, both done by Batman and Hawkgirl is what made him a bit more nervous.

"They haven’t thrown me out yet, so I must be doing something right! I haven’t seen much of my apartment lately though …thank God the rent’s covered by Wayne Enterprises …who knew training as a future Justice Leaguer had such great benefits?" He daydreamed.

He startled and bolted out of bed as his intercom buzzed.

"Hawkgirl to Lucas, are you there Joey?" Hawkgirl said.

Joey could not repress the smile on his face.

"I’m here Hawkgirl, what’s up?" He said.

"How would you feel about a one on one training session?" She asked.

"When do we start?" Joey asked, heart beating faster.

"Right now, meet me in the gym a.s.a.p." She said.

"I’ll be right there, let me change!" Joey said.

Joey put on his tracksuit and ran. "It’s only a training session; don’t read too much into it. I don’t care…I’ll be with her, one on one!"

Joey nearly collided with Flash.

"In a hurry there pal, where’re you off to?" Flash asked, jokingly.

"The Gym, Hawkgirl wants to see me there right now." Joey said, looking like an excited teen on his way to his first date.

"Say no more my friend!" Flash said, grabbing Joey by the arms. Before he knew it, Joey was in front of the Gym entrance, Flash standing by his side, smiling.

"Wow, how did you?" Joey asked Flash, a shocked expression on his face. He then shrugged, "Never mind Flash, thanks for the lift!"

"Any time buddy!" Flash said and zoomed out of sight.

Joey took a deep breath and walked in. Hawkgirl was there, waiting for him; smiling. Her helmet was off revealing her pretty face and her mane of red hair.

"Sweet Lord in Heaven she’s gorgeous, truly an Angel!" He could not help thinking.

"Joey, you were fast!" Hawkgirl said.

"I ran into Flash who gave me a lift," Joey said, "I wouldn’t have missed this for the world Hawkgirl!"

Hawkgirl smiled and said, "Do me a favour will you? Fist off; please call me Shayera from now on, unless we’re on duty. Secondly, pay close attention and you may learn something."

Joey comically gave her a military salute, "Aye, aye Shayera!" He said.

She chuckled. "Come closer to me Joey, on the training mat." She said, extending her hand to Joey who took it

Swiftly, she hip tossed him to the mat. He grunted as he hit the mat, giving her a puzzled look.

"Lesson number one when facing a female opponent: always be on your guards. Even the prettiest, sexiest women can be deadly. Think Star Sapphire, Cheetah, Cat Woman, Poison Ivy or even Harley Quinn. They’ll kill you if you let their looks distract you." Shayera said, grinning.

Joey got up, rubbing his lower back. He nodded.

"Always pay attention to body language, make sure you read the signals. Whether your opponent is male or female, you can tell what your opponent is up to …" She said, lunging to grab him by the shoulders, but he ducked and rolled, catching her legs in a drop-toe hold, taking her down face first, rather hard.

She let out a loud "Oomph!" as she hit the mat.

"Nice move!" she grunted, in a husky voice that went through him like a sharp knife through melted butter.

"Shayera, are you okay?" he asked, concerned, releasing the hold.

In a move too fast for him to register, she rolled on her back, catching his waist between her legs in a body scissors, not hard enough to be painful, but firmly enough to be uncomfortable. She rolled him on his back, straddling his hips.

"You see?" She said with a teasing grin," you’re letting my gender get in the way, don’t hold back, I won’t!"

Unexpectedly, he thrust his pelvis upward knocking her off balance; she grunted and rolled to the mat. He took advantage of her fall to get back up, assuming a defensive stance.

"Okay then sweetheart," Joey said, with a focused look on his face, "let’s dance!"

Shayera smiled, enjoying the sparring. Joey was not backing down and it was turning her on, like a good old-fashioned Thanagarian seduction dance.

"Joey’s not Thanagarian though, this may not be his idea of flirting!" she thought.

"You just called me ‘sweetheart’ are you flirting with me Joey?" She said aloud, throwing a punch at him, which he blocked.

"Is it working?" he replied, attempting a knee to the stomach, which she sidestepped with ease. Joey smiled at her agility; she was good, very good, considering she was not using her full strength.

"Keep swinging Joey, you’ll be the first to know if it’s working!" She replied, still smiling, attempting a kick of her own, which grazed his chin.

"Nnh, bit my tongue!" Joey said, holding his mouth.

Shayera looked at him with concern, "Joey, I’m sorry! I didn’t realize I hit you that hard! Are you okay?" She said, dropping her guard.

She came closer to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. He caught her in a bear hug and followed up with a textbook belly-to-belly suplex, falling on top of her.

"Gotcha!" He said with a grin, looking into her eyes.

"Why you sneaky …" She said, also grinning.

She rolled him on his back, using her strength, pinning his arms above his head, smiling, panting. She looked in his eyes and brought her face closer to his, wanting to kiss him. To her disappointment, he moved his head back a bit.

She looked angry, squeezing his wrists.

"What is it Joey? Don’t you want me? I usually don’t give personal one on one training sessions you know, and unless you haven’t noticed, I’m throwing myself at you! Why are you rejecting me?" She nearly shouted at him, hurt and angry.

"No Shayera, that’s not it at all!" He said, wincing as his hands were going numb.

"Then what, Joey, explain yourself and make it good, why won’t you kiss me?" She said, with her voice near tears.

"Damn, Shayera, I’ve been wanting you since day one," Joey said, "I never realized you felt the same way. In fact, I thought you and Green Lantern still had feelings for each other, that’s why I never had the nerve to approach you! Just now I wasn’t sure if you were trying to teach me how to resist a female Super-Villain if she tries to seduce you!"

She relaxed her grip on his wrists, her expression softened. Looking into his eyes, she said, "John and I gave it a shot, it failed. We gave it a second shot, and it failed again. He’s moved on with is life, he’s in love with Vixen and we’re all cool. I’m trying to move on with my life now Joey. What you say next will decide if my life moves on with you or not!"

Joey raised his head and kissed her, long and passionately. She released his wrists, gently holding his face between her hands, allowing him to put his arms around her, beneath her wings. They kissed some more, lying on the gym mat. They gasped.

"I take it you’re interested Mr Lucas?" She said.

"Definitely!" Joey said, smiling.

They stood up. "I hope this isn’t your idea of foreplay, I don’t think I could survive!" He said.

Shayera laughed good-heartedly, and put her left hand on his face, squeezing his cheeks to pucker him up.

"I promise I’ll take it easy on you!" She said and kissed him.

"Wow, that’s some grip you have!" He said, rubbing his face.

Shayera laughed some more, and held his right arm. They left the gym.

"By the way Joey, when’s your birthday?" She asked.

"Why do you ask?" He said.

"Oh, no reason," She said with a smirk, discreetly putting her left wing around his back, "perhaps I’d like to know when to wish my new boyfriend a Happy Birthday?"

"You first Shayera!" He replied.

She whispered her answer in his ear. He nodded.

"Memorizing…smack me behind the head if I ever forget okay?" He said. She laughed. They paused in front of the locker room.

"Now your turn!" She said. He whispered the answer in her ear. She smiled and nodded.

"Just promise me you won’t make a fuss over my birthday okay?" He said.

"I promise!" She said, grinning, keeping her fingers crossed behind her back. "See you later boyfriend, try to get some rest, I have an early Monitor Womb Shift tomorrow morning, but I promise I’ll see you later!" She kissed him again.

They went to their respective showers.

Later, Joey was returning to his quarters, a dreamy look on his face, hair still damp from the shower. Shayera Hol – Hawkgirl; was now his girlfriend. All it took was for her to wrestle him to the ground in order to get it through his thick skull that she liked him … and all bruises aside, he was happier than words could tell, it all felt too unreal.

"My Angel loves me, she really does!" He thought, nearly bumping into Flash for the second time that day.

"Dude, I know we’re in space but you really should keep your feet on the ground!" Flash said, smirking.

Joey looked up at him, smiling beatifically.

"You scored with her, didn’t you?" Flash teased.

"Scored is such an ugly word!" Joey said; all smiles. Flash grinned.

"About sweet time: we had a poll going on trying to figure out who’d make the first move!" Flash said, still teasing.

Joey gave Flash an annoyed look. "A poll huh? Not that it’s anybody’s business, but she did! Boy, did she ever!" He said, putting one hand to his face and the other to his sore back.

"Damn, the ‘Shayera makes the first move’ pollsters win, I had $100.00 riding on you!" Flash said with a chuckle, feigning annoyance and doing a bad job of it.

Joey chuckled along. "Sorry to disappoint you!" he said.

They walked leisurely back to Joey’s quarters.

"All kidding aside Joey, why did it take you guys so long?" Flash asked, "Everybody could see how much you like her, and she didn’t make it a secret she liked you!"

Joey gave Flash an incredulous look.

"Don’t tell me you never noticed: Shayera’s never been the touchy-feely type, yet she always has been with you." Flash continued, smirking. "That peck on the cheek when she recruited you, the way her expression lights up whenever she sees you, the way she’d sit right next to you during detective training for no apparent reason but never with the other recruits."

Joey stared at Flash gape-mouthed.

"And let’s not forget the way she’d always answer your questions with a big smile on her face and would always put a hand on your shoulder whenever she had the chance … for her that’s very touchy-feely." Flash said, with a smirk.

Joey shrugged, looking sheepish. "What can I say; I’m a twit, a certified, card-carrying twit who couldn’t take a hint if it saved my life!" He said, giving Flash a sideways glance.

"But I have an excuse: I’ve always felt way out of my league with her, pardon the pun. And let’s face it: her history with Green Lantern is no secret either. She had to beat it through my thick skull that he’s moved on with his life … and that she wants to move on with hers, hopefully with me! I’m walking on clouds Flash!" Joey said, with the beatific expression back on his face.

Flash gave Joey a genuine heartfelt smile. "I’m happy for you both, Shy has always been like the big sister I never had, I felt bad for her since she and John broke up." Flash said.

"I’m still a bit worried about Green Lantern," Joey said, "he hasn’t exactly been friendly to me since I started training, heck he’s been downright rude at times…usually right after Shayera would give the detective training!" Joey looked at Flash dumbfounded.

"Duh," Flash said, "he knows how Shayera thinks, and he could see she was attracted to you! Add to that the fact she sponsored your application to the Justice League recruitment program! Agreed Batman helped with that but still …"

"Well gee, what’s his problem then?" Joey said, looking frustrated, "has he moved on with his life or not?"

"You got something to say to me rookie?" Green Lantern said. He had turned the corner and heard a good part of their conversation.

"Now take it easy John, Joey makes a point," Flash said, "You’re with Vixen, why the attitude with Shayera and Joey?"

"Butt out Flash, if the rookie has something to say to me, he’ll say it to my face won’t he?" Green Lantern said giving Joey a stern look.

Joey crossed his arms, maintaining Green Lantern’s stare. He had been practicing Batman’s poker face stare and was glad to try it, even if it was on Green Lantern.

"Very well then, since you’re asking so nicely," Joey said calmly, "you’ve been in my face from day one, and it stops now. Whatever your past with Shayera has been, it’s just that: the past. You were able to move on with your life and that’s great, now do Shayera the same favour and allow her move on with hers. By the way sunshine, like it or not, her life is moving on with me."

"You’ve got some serious cojones talking to me that way!" Green Lantern said, frowning, fists on his hips.

"Come on John, back off!" Flash said.

"Butt out Flash!" Green Lantern repeated. "Care to put up or shut up rookie?"

"I’m still warmed up from sparring with Shayera brother; care to step in the gym?" Joey said, becoming angry.

"Guys please, let’s discuss this rationally - I can’t believe I’m the one being mature again!" Flash said, trying desperately to defuse the fight.

"No, no Flash that’s fine," Joey said, "Hot shot wants a piece of me? I’m right here!"

Flash zoomed off to get help.

"Gotta find Shy, Bats, or the Princess, anybody …those two are about to tear each other to pieces!" He thought.

Green Lantern and Joey stomped their way back to the Gym, still arguing. Neither one had taken a cheap shot at the other out of mutual respect. They would do this, but they would fight clean.

"Just so you know this’ll be a fair fight!" John said, removing his power ring and putting it on the floor neat the mat. Joey nodded.

"Face it Lantern, you’ve had a problem with me since day one, you’ve been rude, pushy and a grade A jerk. If you’d really turned the page with Shayera you wouldn’t care either way." Joey said.

Green Lantern charged Joey and fell in the same drop-toe hold Joey had used on Shayera earlier.

"What makes you think I do?" Green Lantern said, managing to wiggle free of the leg lock. "Maybe I just don’t like you!"

Green Lantern took a swing at Joey, who used his momentum to take Green Lantern down with an arm drag, holding him down with a hammerlock.

"So the brave and righteous Green Lantern is acting petty?" Joey said, "I don’t believe it!"

"Why you condescending glorified stuntman! Just you wait until I get my arm free!" Green Lantern said struggling to break out of the hold.

"What do you two think you’re doing?" Wildcat said, arriving in the gym, trying to break the fight. Hawkgirl, Batman and Flash soon joined him.

"Have you both lost your mind?" Hawkgirl said, "What’s the matter with you two?"

Wildcat and Flash were holding Green Lantern back, while Batman and Hawkgirl held Joey back.

"Acting like a pair immature of teens, what else?" Batman said, unimpressed. "I don’t care who started it, it ends now, am I making myself clear? Neither one of you is above suspension; think about that before getting into another pissing contest!"

Looking embarrassed, Green Lantern picked up his power ring and walked out of the Gym.

"John, come on!" Flash called out after him.

"Let him go Flash," Batman said, "Give him a chance to cool off."

Shayera gave Joey a quizzical glance. "Care to explain?"

Joey sighed. "Lantern’s been in my face from day one, so I asked him to back off … and we ended up here." He said, omitting the part where the fight was mostly about her and him becoming an item. "No point in upsetting her, I’ll try my best to make peace with Green Lantern." He thought.

"See to it you keep your personal resentments in your quarters," Wildcat said, "fighting with other League members, especially senior members, is a sure way for you to get a one-way ticket back to your desk job at Wayne Enterprises, you’re still on probation here, don’t blow it."

"Agreed," Joey said with a remorseful look on his face, "I’ll see if I can’t try and smooth things over with him."

"How do you propose to do that?" Wildcat asked.

"The only way pair of headstrong, testosterone-for-brains jack-asses like Lantern and me would know how!" Joey said, with a smirk, eyebrows arched.

Batman, Wildcat, Flash and Hawkgirl exchanged a puzzled look as Joey exited the gym.

Alcohol consumption was discouraged in the Watchtower, but in this particular case, Joey felt it was just what the Doctor ordered. He made a special transport request to his apartment in Gotham City, and transported back with 24 cans of beer and a bottle of tequila.

He stopped by his quarters and took a white towel with him. He walked to Green Lantern’s quarters and knocked at the door. As the door opened, he waved the towel.

"Couldn’t find a white flag, will this do?" Joey asked.

Green Lantern chuckled in spite of himself. "Yeah Lucas, what do you want?" He said.

"Seems to me we have a lot of talking to do, the brew and tequila might help loosen up our tongues." Joey said with a smirk.

Green Lantern sighed and let him in. Joey noticed the mess in Green Lantern’s quarters.

"Don’t ask," He said, "Mari, that’s Vixen’s civilian name, got wind of our little impromptu sparring session and she stormed out." Green Lantern said.

They sat down, each opening a beer.

"Look John – do you mind if I call you John?" Joey asked. Flash had called him John when he left the Gym.

"We’re kicking back having a drink, sure." Green Lantern said.

"If you still have feelings for Shayera, I understand. However, you must understand this John, she chose me. No matter how you feel about me, you must let her go and give her a chance to be happy."

John took a nice long sip.

"I promised Shayera she’d be the one to tell her next boyfriend about ‘that subject’. All the same, why do I feel this overprotective? She doesn’t need me to protect her. Still, I’d like to be sure he won’t drop her like an old habit when he finds out. I’m in love with Vixen but I don’t want to see Shy’s heart broken again." He thought.

John sighed. "First off, about my being rude and pushy towards you, that’s the military background in me. It’s nothing personal – I love discipline and team work. I’ve told Flash off more than once, ditto with Supergirl, even with Shayera. Hell, you should have seen the angry look Wonder Woman gave me when I referred to her as an inexperienced rookie!" He said.

"No way, even Wonder Woman?" Joey asked, nearly spilling his beer.

"Yes way José, or should I say, ‘yes way Joey’!" John said finally smiling.

Joey chuckled.

They both emptied their first beer and opened up a second one.

"As far as Shayera goes, well…it’s a long story. You see, when Thanagar invaded Earth, she was torn between her ex-fiancé and me. Ultimately, she chose to betray her own people when she realized they had lied to her and wanted to destroy Earth. In the end, she lost both him and me." John said. "Shy is on friendly terms with Carter Hall – you know him as Hawkman – but she’s made it clear to him she doesn’t share his feelings." He took another long sip.

"Yes, part of me does care for her, but not in the way you think- more like a brother cares for his sister. I’m in love with Vixen, but I’d really hate to see Shy’s heart broken again." John said, taking a deep breath.

"Trust me John," Joey said, also opening another can, "if anyone gets hurt in this relationship it’ll be me." Joey rubbed his jaw for good measure. "I worship the ground she walks on; the fact that she likes me still feels a bit surreal to me!" He took a gulp.

John smiled, "You’re all right Joey," he said, "I’m sorry if I’ve given you a hard time."

Joey nodded, "And I’m sorry our sparring session got you in trouble with Vixen," Joey said. "But it only goes to prove we needed to clear the air: how much longer do you think Vixen is going to tolerate you acting all overprotective of Shayera before she walks out on you for good?"

"Not long," John said, sighing. "I have a lot of apologizing and making up to do!"

"Shooter!" Joey said, opening the tequila bottle.

"Wait, let’s do this right!" John said. He pulled out a pair of shot glasses; a saltshaker and a lemon form his quarter’s fridge. He sliced the lemon into wedges and came back to his chair.

Joey poured tequila in the shot glasses. "Of course you realize we’ll be hung over like hell tomorrow morning!" He said.

"We’ll just make sure we drink plenty of water between shots!" John said.

They raised their glasses. "To pretty women, and the trouble we get ourselves into for them!" Joey said.

John chuckled, "Here, here!" he said, going through the Tequila shot ritual.

"After burner!" Joey said.

"You ain’t kidding!" John said, "Need water!" once more, John got up and returned with a pair of water bottles.

Outside the door, Vixen, Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman were trying to eves drop.

"You did say Joey said he’d try to smooth things over with John, Shy?" Vixen asked.

"Yes, he did, beats me how he proposes to do that after the scuffle they just had." Hawkgirl said.

"Shush, could you two be quiet? I can’t make out what they’re saying!" Wonder Woman said.

"Oh this is ridiculous," Vixen said, "I overreacted with John, let’s get in there, follow me!"

They entered, and stared gape mouthed at the sight of Joey and John, laughing; empty cans of beer on the floor and an opened bottle of tequila on the coffee table.

"Have the two of you been drinking?" Vixen asked, in disbelief.

"Juss a little …" John said.

"Yeah just a few teensy-weensy …" Joey added.

They looked at each other and burst out laughing again.

"You said ‘juss’ instead of ‘just’!" Joey said, "I thing you’re drunk dude!"

"Yeah, you ‘thing’ I’m drunk!" John said, "I thing you’re drunk too chuckles!"

They laughed again.

Hawkgirl, Vixen and Wonder Woman looked at each other, shaking their heads and began chuckling along.

"Does this mean we’re all cool now?" Hawkgirl asked.

"Oh, yeah, azzolutely!" John slurred.

"Yeah man he’s once cool dude, he’s .." Joey said, and they burst out laughing again.

"I think you boys have had enough to drink!" Wonder Woman said, capping the bottle of tequila as Vixen and Hawkgirl picked up the unopened cans of beer.

"Think we’re in trouble John?" Joey asked.

"Oh yeah!" John said. Once again, they burst out laughing.

"At least they’re happy drunks!" Vixen said.

"Diana, would you mind disposing of that liquor while we sober up those two lushes?" Shayera said.

"Now wait a minute…" Joey started.

"Shut up Joey, quit while you’re ahead!" Shayera said.

"Yes ma’am!" He said, looking sheepish.

Wonder Woman clenched her teeth, repressing an urge to laugh. "I will leave you lovebirds then, while I dispose of it!" She left with the bottle of tequila and the unopened beer cans.

"I’ll get some coffee started!" Vixen said, rolling her eyes. "Men!" she said, with a hint of frustration.

"Yeah, we’re definitely in trouble Joey!" John said.

"You two be quiet!" Shayera said, in a near shout. "Vixen and I are glad you two have made your peace, but you have to promise us that from now on there will be no more macho man contests between the two of you!"

"Yes ma’am!" John and Joey replied in near unison.

"Well make sure it doesn’t happen again," Vixen continued, "crime fighting is dangerous enough without having team members at each other’s throats!"

"You’re right baby," John said, "I promise we’ll behave."

"Don’t you ‘baby’ me, John Stewart; you’re not out of the dog house yet!" Vixen said.

"I told you we were in trouble!" John mumbled to Joey. Joey nodded and opened his mouth to say something, but never got the chance.

"And you," Shayera said to Joey, "I’d better not smell alcohol on your breath the next time I kiss you!"

"Yes Hawk … I mean, Sh…I mean, er … yes dear!" Joey stammered, looking embarrassed.

Shayera snickered in spite of herself, and puckered him up with one hand again, kissing him anyway.

"Wow," Joey said, feeling his jaw, "it’s not as sore when I’m drunk!"

He looked at John. Once again, they burst out laughing.

"Oh brother," Shayera said, rolling her eyes. "Mari, be sure to make that coffee nice and strong!"

"Oh it will Shy, it will!" Vixen said from the kitchenette, "men, can’t live with them can’t shoot them!"

"I can’t help but feel they’re annoyed with us!" Joey mumbled to John.

"Go figure!" John said. They burst out laughing again.

Shayera let out a frustrated sigh and went to the kitchenette to help Vixen bring the coffee.

"Thanks!’ John and Joey said, once more in unison.

"Look, I know my method wasn’t the smartest, but it worked: John and I cleared the air. And if we do get hung over tomorrow, it will be well worth it if I can call John my friend." Joey said, sipping his cup of coffee. John smiled.

Vixen put her coffee cup down and smiled. "I can’t say I agree with your methods Joey, but I have to admit I’d rather have you and John be drinking buddies than beating each other to bloody pulps." She said.

"I’ll second that," Shayera said, "but remember boys, you must promise us: no more fighting."

John and Joey looked at each other and nodded. "I promise." John said.

"I promise too." Joey said. They shook hands.

They sat back, enjoying their coffees. Vixen sat next to Green Lantern, showing she was no longer mad at him. Once more, Shayera put a wing around Joey’s back, drawing him closer to her. She smiled at him. For the first time in a long while, she felt optimistic about the future.

"We’ll finish coffee and then I’m taking you back to your quarters." Shayera said to Joey. "I told you I had to be up early tomorrow morning, why are you pulling a stunt like this on me?" She gave him a teasing look. She kissed him again.

Vixen smiled and followed suite, kissing Green Lantern.

A few weeks later, Wildcat was supervising a training session at the Watchtower 2’s gym. He noticed Batman looking though the bay window. "All right rookies keep the sparring going, watch those falls." He walked out the gym to meet Batman.

"What’s up?" He asked Batman.

"How’s our new guy doing?" Batman asked.

"He’s a quick study for sure. I take back every bad thing I’ve ever said about pro-style wrestling: he might be a bit rough around the edges, even a bit off balance at times; but his heart’s in the right place, and he carries himself well." Wildcat said.

Batman surveyed the gym. Tim Drake- Robin - showed up at the Watchtower every once and again for a sparring session. Joey had become his regular sparring partner. Both seemed to enjoy the sparring, he could read off their lips, "Sweet move man! Yeah, let’s try that again!"

"Ask Lucas to meet us in the Upper Deck Lounge of Watchtower 1 after he’s showered." Batman said with a hint of a smirk on his lips.

"Is he in trouble?" Wildcat asked, tilting his head.

"Hardly!" Batman said, smirk widening on his lips, and turned to go.

Wildcat watched him walk away feeling puzzled. He returned his attention to his rookies.

"All right guys and girls hit the showers! Lucas?" Wildcat said.

Tim Drake and Joey Lucas shook hands. Joey walked up to Wildcat.

"‘Sup Coach?" he asked wiping his forehead.

"Batman just dropped by," Wildcat said. "He wants you to go to the Lounge, the Upper level one, in Watchtower 1." Wildcat smirked.

"Oh boy, did I mess up? Am I in trouble?" Joey asked.

"Batman wouldn’t elaborate, but I don’t think you’re any trouble." He said with a smile.

"Okay Coach, will do." Joey said, and then headed for the showers.

"Still, I wonder what it is the founding members want with me." He wondered.

In the locker room, the rookies were showering. Joey was toweling off. Tim was still showering.

"Say Joey, have you thought of a name or a gimmick for your alter ego yet?" Tim asked.

"Damned if I know. I kind of jumped at the opportunity when Hawkgirl asked me to join, but I didn’t have much more than good intentions when I ‘joined the ranks’." Joey said. "Besides, a lot of names are already taken: Wildcat, Lynx, and Timber Wolf…"

Tim replied, "I know what you mean: there’s already an Atom, an Atom Smasher and a Captain Atom in the League. You used to be a wrestler though; there might be a related name!"

"Yeah," Joey said "The Grappler, or the Shooter, or the Hooker!" They laughed.

Tim was toweling off as Joey was getting dressed in his trademark black jeans and T-shirt.

"But you know something, you might have something there," Joey said. "There was one possible gimmick I wanted to use when I first joined the MCW called ‘Reverend Lucas’ – a Preacher who demanded confession from his opponents and took it out of their hides … the idea was dropped as being too offensive for the Religious folk out there, but…"

He paused, as if a great inspiration had touched him, "…how about Reverend Justice?" Joey said, smiling.

Tim said, "You know what? I like it! The Fighting Preacher in a bulletproof suit riding his Chariot of Fire!"

Joey said, "Hey, I’ll settle for a sweet ride like your Redbird! Thing is I can’t afford any of it: bulletproof suit, sweet ride motorcycle or chariot of fire…" he sighed.

Tim clapped him on the shoulder "Hey man, don’t get discouraged. You’ve come too far. The Justice League has great resources, I’m sure they’ll help get your Reverend alias on its feet- I got to get you to Alfred, get your measurements taken, and get that outfit done!" Tim said.

"Who’s Alfred?" Joey asked.

"Never mind, I’ll explain later … oh dude, aren’t you supposed to meet the founding members in the Watchtower 1’s Upper Deck Lounge?" Tim said.

"Dang, you’re right!" Joey said.

Just then he noticed Tim was putting on his Robin uniform rather than his street clothes, but did not question.

In Watchtower 1’s Upper Deck Lounge, it was obvious to a select group that Shayera did not intend to follow Joey’s instructions not to fuss over his birthday.

Among that group was Batman. He had run many background checks on Joey, and nothing fishy had turned up.

Joey was after all a Wayne Enterprise employee: the background checks were tight just to work for a Wayne Enterprise subsidy, let alone the main Gotham City Office where Joey was working.

Joey had even volunteered to have Wonder Woman question him with the Magic Golden Lasso, to prove he had nothing to hide.

If anything, Batman found this little gathering quite appropriate. Besides, Shayera had insisted. He had not seen her this happy in quite a long time.

The select group of guests also included Wonder Woman, Superman and his wife Lois, Martian Manhunter, Flash and his wife Linda, Green Lantern and Vixen, Nightwing and Starfire.

Robin’s newfound friendship with Joey also put him on the guest list, as he was escorting the unsuspecting future Reverend Justice to his Birthday party. They were frequent sparring partners and got along like old pals, their age difference never being an issue.

Batgirl and Oracle were also on the guest list; as Batman intended to groom Joey as a key member of a special unit he was about to create, he had dubbed ‘The Gotham Knights’.

This could be an opportunity for the future team members to meet and mingle, but Batgirl was being fashionably late, and Oracle politely declined, quoting family business. In all likelihood, she felt uncomfortable being in the same room as Dick and Kory since they had reconciled.

Hawkgirl put a hand on her forehead, realizing she had forgotten someone.

"Wildcat! I forgot to invite Wildcat!" she told Wonder Woman, not believing her own oversight.

"Hurry up, call him now before Robin brings in Joey!" she replied.

Wildcat had returned to his quarters. If something was happening in Watchtower 1’s Upper Deck Lounge, no one was letting him in on it. Agreed, Batman did tell him he had plans for Joey Lucas, but it did not help him from feeling left out. He pulled his mask back.

His Intercom buzzed.

"Wildcat here." He answered.

"Ted where are you? You’ll miss the reception!" Shayera’s voice scolded, too embarrassed to admit she had forgotten.

"Sorry Shayera, I didn’t realize I was invited! I thought this was a Founding Members only reception." He replied.

"An oversight on my part Ted, I apologize. Of course, you’re invited, it wouldn’t be right to celebrate Joey’s birthday without his Coach being present! He’s not here yet; J’onn told us he sensed Joey stopped by his quarters to change before he comes here. If you hurry you’ll make it in time for the surprise!" She said.

"I’m on my way!" Wildcat said with a smile, pulling his mask back on.

In his quarters, Joey was rummaging through his closet; furious with himself he did not have dressier threads.

Robin tried to hide his impatience. "Don’t delay too much dude; you don’t want to keep them waiting." He said.

"I’ll be quick Tim," Joey said.

He picked a black shirt and pants. He smirked.

"I might as well start dressing the part as Reverend Justice, tie or no tie?" He said, looking at Robin.

Robin smiled. "Add a few accessories and you’re cooking! Skip the tie; I don’t think anybody will be wearing three piece suits anyway. Hurry up and get changed!" He said.

Joey took off his ratty looking T-shirt and cast Robin an amused glance

"What’s up Tim? You’d think it’s you they’re expecting to meet with!" Joey said, suspecting Shayera was ignoring his request of not fussing over his Birthday.

True grace under pressure, Robin smirked and said,

"Hey, you’re the one who was all panicked about the meeting upstairs!"

Joey looked at him from the corner of his eye as he buttoned up his black shirt.

"Yeah, I guess I am a bit curious." He tossed his jeans aside and slipped on his black pants. He smirked and chose to wear the pair of black combat boots Wildcat had given him, rather than black shoes.

He had to admit the back clothes were giving him an austere look, the combat boots added an edge of danger to him. He looked in the mirror, using the Poker face he had learned from Batman, "Want a piece of me punk?" He said.

Robin clapped him on the back: "Okay Dirty Harry, you look real tough, now can we get going?" He said.

"I’m coming, Kid!" He said, using the same voice.

"Don’t call me Kid!" Robin said, in a mock tone of annoyance.

"I’m just kidding Tim, just kidding!" He said.

They laughed, heading towards the Upper Deck Lounge.

As they left Joey’s quarters, Batgirl had just made it to the Upper Deck lounge, clad in her new uniform. It was a departure from her old suit, the one with no cape or opening for the mouth. This new one was more comfortable; and was closer in looks to Barbara’s classic Batgirl suit.

This one was all black and had longer bat-ears. The new mask exposed her mouth and chin, making it easier for her to breathe and communicate. Barbara had also added an opening at the back of the cowl to let her hair flow out, which made it much more comfortable to wear.

She had a new utility belt and a cape, which her old suit did not have. She was curious to meet that Joey character Bruce and Tim had told her so much about.

"I just hope no make fun of speech impediment!" She thought, morosely. Batman had warned her that while Joey knew of the secret identity of a few Justice Leaguers – Hawkgirl, Green Lantern and Vixen being those few -and while he knew that Tim Drake and Robin was the same person, Joey was not yet in the confidence of Batman.

"He has been sworn in and he has signed a non disclosure agreement, but until he’s officially on the active duty roster, the identity of the other Justice Leaguers is on a need-to- know basis; that includes my own Cassandra. I will tell him myself in due time" Batman had told her.

The same applied to her…Joey would eventually learn her real name was Cassandra Cain. And perhaps that she had the biggest crush on Tim Drake for the longest time now. She blushed in spite of herself at the thought.

Batman noticed her. "Batgirl, I’m glad you made it!" He said.

"Silly me got wrong coordinates, transported to Watchtower IV…Dr Light told me where Upper Deck Lounge was!" Batgirl said, still blushing.

"Here Batgirl," Shayera said, "Help yourself to some Punch and to some snack food, the birthday boy should be here any minute…what’s keeping Wildcat?"

As if on cue, Wildcat walked in the Upper Deck Lounge, smiling. He also grabbed a glass of punch and waited with the rest of the guests for Robin to take Joey Lucas to his Birthday Party.

Robin and Joey were getting closer to the Lounge.

"Now Tim, ‘fess up, Shayera hasn’t decided to ignore my request not to fuss over me on my Birthday has she?" Joey asked Robin.

Robin looked back at his friend, the image of innocence, "Today’s your Birthday?" He said.

Joey shrugged, thinking "Oh even if she did decide to celebrate my birthday, lighten up, stop being such a grouch!"

They opened the door to the Upper Deck Lounge. He noticed the lights were out, anticipating what was coming up next. He took in a deep breath.

He grinned, as confetti floated in the air, Robin and Green Lantern clapping him on the shoulder, handshakes from the other guests and a big hug from Shayera.

"You guys darn near gave me a heart attack!" Joey said, laughing.

"Here Joey, have some punch!" Shayera said, smiling.

He took a sip. Nice and tart with a splash of rum, just the way he liked it. He could not resist teasing her a bit,

"Great party Shy, next time I want one I’ll be sure to ask you not to!" He said, grinning.

She laughed, giving his arm a swat.

Superman tapped on his glass, and spoke up.

"Joseph, about a year ago you stepped into the line of fire, saving the lives of Hawkgirl and Batman, probably Wonder Woman’s too. Not surprisingly, Hawkgirl sponsored you in our recruitment program. You have shown great discipline, determination, and more: you have shown great team spirit, you have become a good friend to many of us. As your friend, I wish you a happy birthday, and welcome you among our ranks." Superman said, smiling.

The rest of the guests all joined in saying "Happy Birthday Joey," making him blush.

Batman spoke up next. "As soon as you have figured out what your alter ego will be, I will pull a few strings and get that secret identity up and running. I have plans for you Lucas!" Batman said, smiling cryptically.

Hawkgirl was the next one to speak, "How about it Birthday boy, how about a few words?" She said.

Joey took another deep breath, speaking in public made him nervous.

"Oh great, speech time, first of all, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Five years ago, this angel of a woman saved my life." He said, looking at Shayera. "My entire perspective on life changed from that moment on. Today, I stand before you feeling like the luckiest son of a gun on the face of the planet. I’ve made so many friends in the past year; I'm afraid I'm going to wake up and realize this was all just a dream!"

His friends chuckled.

"As far as my alter ego goes…Robin and I had a brain storming session a few minutes ago. Finding a name that’s not already taken is a chore, but I think we found something original: Reverend Justice…of the Church of Hard Knocks." Joey said, unable to repress a smirk.

"We’ll get that outfit made for you; I’ll take you to Alfred tomorrow to take your measurements. We’ll discuss your gear too." Batman said.

In a low voice, Joey asked again, "Who’s Alfred?"

"Shayera, do you mind if I borrow him for a few moments? I would like to discuss a few things with him." Batman said.

"Don’t be too long, we’ll wait for him to cut the cake!" Hawkgirl said, with a wink.

He led Joey to Robin and Batgirl who were chatting.

"Joey, you’ve already met Robin; this is Batgirl. Batgirl, this is Joey Lucas." Joey shook Batgirl’s hand, smiling.

"I am very pleased to meet you Batgirl!" Joey said, smiling.

"Likewise Joey!" She replied, returning his smile. Joey certainly made her feel at ease, that was a good start.

"Short version, since Shayera needs Joey back in a hurry," Batman said with a grin, "I am about to form a special unit called the Gotham Knights. Robin and Batgirl are obvious choices, and since you’re based in Gotham, you’re a natural fit Joey. Reverend Justice will be a welcome addition to keep Gotham City safe. I used to go it solo, but as of late I’ve discovered the value of team work, interested Lucas?"

"Absolutely, but how will that work with the Justice League schedule?" Joey asked.

"Martian Manhunter and Mr. Terrific will be sure to coordinate the two. Green Arrow and Black Canary have also offered to lend a hand, as did Wonder Woman. No worries, your schedule will be clearly laid out." Batman said.

Joey looked at Robin and Batgirl. "Gotham Knights, I like that!" He said.

Robin and Batgirl smiled.

"Can I have him back now?" Hawkgirl said, lips pursed in a teasing pout.

"He’s all yours Shayera!" Batman said.

"Oh you got that right!" She said, taking Joey by the arm. Tim and Cassandra giggled.

Joey blushed again.

"Now everybody have some cake and gather around the big screen TV, we have a surprise!" Hawkgirl said.

She led him by the hand to a couch and they sat down. He looked at her with a hint of fascination; the bottom part of her wings seemed to be flexible enough for her to sit down on the couch.

Agreed, she could not lean back comfortably, but she could sit. He had always assumed she could not use conventional chairs or couches because of her wings.

He looked at the TV … and recognized the old MCW logo and backdrop.

"Oh no!" He groaned, getting chuckles from the other guests.

"Oh yes!" she replied with a smile, "Now be quiet and enjoy Mister!" she said.

She adjusted her posture and discreetly put a wing around his back, bringing him closer to her. He carefully scooted closer, being careful not to spill his punch. She held his free hand. "I thought Flash said she wasn’t the touchy-feely type?" he thought. "No matter, I like it."

Everyone sat around the TV.

"May I ask where you got that footage from?" Joey asked.

"I have connections everywhere pal! And what I couldn’t find, he did!" Batman said, pointing at Nightwing.

Nightwing was sitting besides Starfire, enjoying a slice of cake. Joey looked at them for a moment.

"I’ve met you before, haven’t I, the fans from the parking lot? I wouldn’t have figured Starfire for a wrestling fan!" Joey said, smiling.

"Guilty as charged!" Nightwing said, smirking.

Starfire added with a smile, "I come from a race of warriors. I enjoy a good fight!"

Hawkgirl pressed the ‘play’ button on the DVD player.

Joey felt embarrassed at first. His character of Luscious Joey Lucas was flamboyant and arrogant, a persona he wanted desperately to leave in the past. As the DVD played on, Joey’s athleticism was on display.

Whether or not you were a fan, there was no denying his abilities. Joey’s embarrassment was making way to a slight sense of pride. Yes, that was him on screen, getting the fans all riled up, along with his old pal Marvelous Mike.

Hawkgirl discreetly pulled him closer and kissed him. He cast her a quizzical glance that meant "I though you didn’t like public displays of affection?"

She smiled and whispered, "Shut up it’s your birthday!"

Joey smiled back, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

The MCW DVD ended, the guests applauded, Wildcat exclaiming "One hell of a performance Lucas!"

"And now Mr. Lucas, another surprise," Hawkgirl said, changing DVD’s.

The scenery on the TV screen was now that of a small club. Joey smiled.

"You’re also quite the accomplished musician and singer!" She said.

"That’s from the benefit concert to save the old Capitol Theatre my brother organized in my home town of Saint-François some 10 years ago! How on earth did you get your hands on that?" Joey asked.

"Like I said," Batman said with a smirk, "I got connections everywhere!

Joey nodded, tentatively letting go of Hawkgirl’s hand and slipping his left arm around her back. To his delight, she leaned on him and put her head on his shoulder, slipping her right arm around his back.

They were treated to a performance featuring himself, his brother and a few high school friends. This portion of the DVD brought back many fond memories.

More punch, cake and sharing stories. It was a wonderful celebration.

The party ended. The guests had left, and all had a great time. Hawkgirl had joined Joey in his quarters for coffee and a bit of privacy.

"Shy? Thanks. I really enjoyed this. Sharing memories with you all was a blast." He said, smiling at her.

"You’re welcome!" she said, returning his smile. "Batman will see to it you get your gear soon. I can’t wait to go on mission with you!"

She grabbed his face with one hand to pucker him up and kissed him.

"Ouch! I know they say love hurts, but I wish you stopped doing that!" Joey said, rubbing his face.

"Kissing you?" she asked innocently, her left eyebrow arched.

"No, squeezing my face like that! One of these days you’ll leave bruises and we’ll have to explain to the others what I’ve done to tick you off!" he said.

She laughed heartily, putting her coffee cup on the night table. He put his coffee down too.

"I have a birthday present for you!" she said, in a husky, sultry voice; pushing him on his back. She began unbuttoning his shirt, her silky red hair caressing his face.

"You’re making it awful hard for me not to fall in love with you!" He said.

"Dimwit, why did you have to say that?" He thought, dreadfully.

To his relief, she replied in the same husky, sultry voice,

"Then don’t fight it. I’m not! I’m not afraid of falling in love with you Joseph Lucas!" she kissed him.

"Idiot!" She thought. "You know it makes him uncomfortable when you come on too strong!"

To her relief, he kissed her back, passionately. And a happy birthday it was. Coffee cups forgotten on the night table, they made love.

.