Joey was returning to his quarters, a dreamy look on his face. In an unexpected turn of events, Shayera Hol – Hawkgirl; had now become 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. "The way her expression would light 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…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!" 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 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, do I make 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 Wally," 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. "No point in upsetting her, I’ll try my best to make peace with Green Lantern."

"See to it you keep your personal resentments in your quarters," Wildcat said, "fighting amongst League members is a sure way back to your desk job at Wayne Enterprises, don’t mess up your probation."

"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, "Vixen 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.

"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, I’ve never really given it a second thought. Mari – that’s Vixen’s civilian name – even gave Shy and me a second chance a few years ago; she wanted no doubts, no second thoughts between us. Thanks to her, Shayera and I tried to patch things up, but we soon saw the magic was gone. I knew then I was in love with Mari, so I came back to her." John said.

"‘We gave it a second shot, and it failed again.’ Shayera told me earlier…" Joey thought.

"The thing is, part of me does care for her, but not in the way you think- more like a brother cares for his sister." John continued.

"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.

"I guess part of me wants to protect her?" John said, shaking his head, "I don’t want to see her heart broken again." He opened another can.

"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, as they licked the salt from their hands, gulped their shots, and bit on lemon wedges.

"After burner!" Joey said.

"You ain’t kidding!" John said. "Water!" John said, once more getting up and returning 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 chuckled along.

"Does this mean you’ve made your peace and that 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 thought with a hint of frustration.

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

"You two be quiet!" Shayera said, in a near shout. "Mari 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.

"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, 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."

"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.

End of missing Scene 2