A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME -  by BILLA1

Copyright August 2004

 

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The characters Batman, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Superman & Flash and their respective secret identities are all owned by DC Comics. This story is intended for my own pleasure and is not for profit. It has been posted to this site for others to read. This story is based on an idea from the Justice League Animated Series episode: StarCrossed Part 3 written by Rich Fogel & Dwayne McDuffie and is a sequel to "Changing Focus."

 

 

A Rose by Any Other Name...

Rating: (PG)

 

(Takes place the day of Starcrossed.)

 

"Just a minute," Shayera Hol, also know as the Hawkgirl, said in response to the knock on the door of her quarters in the Watchtower. She put her helmet on and adjusted it. She inspected herself in the mirror and satisfied that she had passed inspection, smiled the huge grin of a giddy schoolgirl.

 

She took a deep breath and wiped the smile from her face. Must stay in character she thought. Maybe tonight I can tell him about my mission. She attached her mace to her belt clip and answered the door.

 

"Am I too early?" John Stewart, the Green Lantern of Earth, asked as he stood outside her quarters.

 

"No, John, you're right on time." She stepped back to allow him to enter her quarters. When he was fully inside the room, she closed the door and turning to face him took off her helmet.

 

Stewart marveled at the chills of pleasure he got every time she exposed her face to him. He smiled in the knowledge that he may be the only person on Earth who has seen her face. And the joy of that knowledge was overwhelming. He stepped into her embrace and kissed her. Holding her gently, he said, "Good. Did you want to finish this game or start another?"

 

She allowed herself to get lost in his radiated green eyes for the moment, taking in his scent and then said, "I want to finish this one.  Besides, I just might win this one tonight."

 

Stewart let her go, took her hand and led her to the small coffee table in the living room area of her quarters. On the table was a chess board with a game in progress. She knelt on one side of the table and he knelt on the other.

 

"Shayera, you certainly are getting better, but I think you may have a way to go before you beat me," he stated confidently. He grinned at her and she returned the smile weakly. He added, "I think it was your move when we stopped."

 

She moved a bishop on the board, briefly smiled at Stewart and then looked toward her bedroom. Stewart noticed her glance.

 

As Stewart moved a knight on the board, Shayera said, "What would you think about me changing my name?"

 

Stewart looked into her green eyes. She was smiling. He hesitated before answering, "Do you mean from Hol to Stewart?"

 

Her grin broadened. "Why Mr. Stewart," she said in mock shock, slapping the palm of her hand to her chest. "I didn't think we were THAT familiar?"

 

"Ms. Hol, how much more familiar do you think I have to get?"

 

The smile never left her face. "John, concentrate on the game.  I can see checkmate in seven moves."

 

"Well now. When did you get so good that you can now predict checkmate?" Stewart studied the board and then made a move.

 

Her face lit up a room he thought. It would be so easy to get lost in her. To get lost in the smell of her hair, the feel of her skin, the sounds she made when they made love. These were things that made his heartache when he wasn't in her presence and made his heart jump when he was.

 

"No, John, really - how would you feel if I changed my name?"

 

This was serious, he thought. "Change it to what?" he asked slowly.

 

"I'm not sure...but I can't be Hawkgirl forever," Shayera said putting special emphasis on the word girl. "I mean I haven't been a girl in years."

 

"Well, you certainly are all female...and more." John said laughing trying to lighten the mood.

 

Shayera was having none of it.  She moved another piece on the board. "I am serious, John. Check!"

 

John studied the board and then moved another piece. "Shayera, you can be called anything you want and I'll be okay with that."

 

Shayera smiled a weak grin after Stewart's move and brought her hands to her lips to conceal her pleasure of a trap well executed. "Well I was thinking about calling myself Hawkwoman. Maybe change the costume so it is a little more like the justice lord Hawkgirl but not too much. What do you think?" She moved another piece on the board and announced, "Check!"

 

Stewart showed visible signs of consternation. Nobody, he thought, plays so badly for so long and then blows the opponent away like she is doing. He had one, maybe two moves left in this game.

 

He made the only move available to him, and looking at her with stunned disbelief said, "Hawkwoman. It kind of rolls off the tongue.  It's a good name.  I guess I could get use to it."

 

She smiled broadly, her green eyes laughing. "Good. Hawkwoman it is.  I guess I'll announce it to the League when we get back from the Washington, D.C. mission tonight.  Oh, by the way - checkmate!"

 

END