See You Later

Arisia:

With my ring charged now, I could talk with Harleen. I made sure we were both in the back, away from everyone's sight.

"I don't know how," I say, staring at my glowing green lantern ring, "But The Man did it. He somehow recharges our rings, and not just ours, but theirs as well."

I look at The Man as he shakes his with a smiling Kilowog.

"It has been a long time since I've last seen Kilowog smile. It has been a long time since I felt something besides tiredness and worry."

"I'm happy for you," Harleen says, looking at Kilowog, Laria, Saint Walker, and Atrocitus. "So you're going with them, aren't you? You're leaving us to go and find other lanterns."

I take a deep breath before answering.

"Yeah. I guess I have to."

"You don't have to," Harleen says, "You could stay with us. You know, come back to Earth. Punch and kick a few Earth soldiers and betas. I know it's not space travel, but hey, it's not half bad."

"Thanks," I say, smiling as I look at Harleen, "But I think you and everyone else can handle those bastards just fine. I think with them is where I'm needed right now."

Now, Harleen takes a deep breath.

"Oh well. I tried. Just, please promise me one thing before you go seeking out more green, and I guess red lanterns."

"What's that?"

"Please, oh please, be careful. After all, you don't have us watching your back."

"Yeah," I say. "That's the sad part. I don't have you watching out for me."

I feel my chest beating as Harleen laughs. I couldn't take my eyes off her lips as she tries to hide them behind her hands. I don't know what is happening. I can't be sure what is going on but something is telling me to lean in.

Leaning in closer and closer, until my nose is touching Harleen, I close my eyes and lean in just a bit closer. It then happens.

I feel Harleen's soft lips against my own. Our tongues play with each other as we kiss. As we do kiss, I feel something in my chest beating like crazy. I don't know how long we stay like this. It could have been for a few seconds. It could have been for years. I don't know. All I know is that when we pull back and I open my eyes, I see a red, panting Harleen.

"Wow," she says. "That was--"

"Something," I say.

"Yeah," Harleen says. "That was something alright."

"Bye Harleen."

"So long Arisia. See you soon."

I nod my head and make my way through the crowd. Reaching the railing, I jump and join the others.

"You did that," Laria asks, looking down at her ring. "How?"

"Stop asking me that," The Man shouts. "Just be happy I know secrets that even the Guardians don't know."

"I guess we should be at this point," Kilowog says with a sigh. "Hey, at least we don't have to worry about running out of power while in space. I mean, if The Man really did turns your ring into a battery."

"I didn't turn Laria's ring into a battery," The Man shouts. "I just taught it a few new tricks to make it self-sufficient. Your and Arisia's ring will be able to draw power from Laria."

"Meanwhile," Saint Walker says, taking over. "I and Atrocitus still have our battery. We will be fine."

"So I guess this is bye," Supergirl says.

"No," The Man says. "Something else I've learned over the years. There are no such things as byes. There is only see you later. I'll see you later."

"See you later," Supergirl says.

"See you later," Barry and Oliver and Cheetah, and especially Harleen say.

"See you later," I say to everyone as the five of us turn. With a deep breath, a fully-charge green lantern ring, and a new sense of hope, I leave with the other.

"There are no such things as byes," I repeat to myself. "There is only see you later."

The Man:

The lanterns turn into twinkling stars as they disappear. The second they're gone, I turn to face everyone.

"Okay," I say, clapping my hands. "Well. More or less, we gain some new allies."

"Less," Cold says, "Definitely less."

"Hey," Professor Stein says with a raised hand. "Uhh, what about the Guardians? What do we do with them?"

"Yes," Ranakar says, "What about us Guardians? What are we to do now?"

"For now," The Man says, "All of you will be staying with us back on Earth. Until we figure something else. My hidden base had plenty of spare rooms."

"Yeah," Reverse-Flash says with a scowl. "Just beware of all the traps."

I bump Reverse-Flash as I past him.

"Speaking of extra rooms," I say, "I'll go and make up some beds for all of you. I don't trust any of you to steer so the Rusted is on auto-pilot. Until we reach Earth, do whatever you want."

With a wave of my hand, I leave the main deck and disappear below. I walk through the hallway before coming upon one of the spare rooms of the Rusted.

"The Guardians aren't very big," I think as I pat down the pillows and clean the blankets. "I hope they don't mean sharing beds."

As I look around the small room, I hear footsteps and then the sound of a creaking door. Immediately, I reach for a kunai and hold it over my head.

"Really," Kara asks, stepping in the doorway with her hands on her hips.

"Force of habit," I say, putting my kunai away. "What are you doing here?"

"I just came in here to tell you," Kara says before stopping. She scratches the back of her head and coughs before going on. "I just came in here to tell you I think you're a really awesome person."

"What?"

"I mean," Kara stutters as she goes on. "I think you're a really amazing person."

"You already say that."

"No, I didn't."

"True. First, you said I'm an awesome person. Now, you're saying I'm an amazing person. No offense Kara, but I have things to do for people I hate."

"That's it right there," Kara says. She shakes her head and takes a breath before talking again. "Despite all the mean things you said and do, I know from experience that you really do care about people. I mean, if you didn't care about the Guardians at all, then you wouldn't be making beds for them. And Kilowog. When he and Arisia and Laria all lost hope, you did that unbelievable thing where you use the power from three rings to charge the green and red rings and make them go find others who are worthy of these powers."

Out of breath now, Kara had to stop for a little bit.

"Not to mention when I was under Darkseid's control. I remember how you help me."

Kara steps forward, the distance between us closing.

"I can't even begin to express how grateful I am. You're an amazing, wonderful person and I'm glad to know you."

As she talks, Kara starts to lean in closer and closer. Somehow, I feel myself leaning in closer and closer. The distance between us is gone. Our bodies are pressed together. I can feel Kara's breath as she edges closer and closer.

Our lips about to meet, I remember something and pull back. As I pull myself back, I accidentally fall against the wall and collapse.

"Are you okay," Kara asks. She runs to me but I stop her.

"Kara," I say with a raised hand. "Please. Please, just leave me alone."

"What?"

"Please," I shout, Kara jumping. "Please, just leave me alone. Get out."

Kara stays still for a few seconds. She just stares at me as I lay on the floor. Eventually, she nods her head and leaves. As soon as she leaves, I pick myself up.

"I can't believe it," I think, slamming my fists against the bed. "I can't believe it! I'm so sorry Kara! I want to. I want to but I can't!"

I look down at my shaking hand. I then look at the wall I bumped into. Screaming as I run up to it, I punch the wall, my hand going right through it.

Kara:

Somehow, I'm able to walk out of the room. Somehow, I'm able to walk away from the room. Somehow, I'm able to walk away from the room. Once I'm far enough away, I fall against a wall, slowly sliding down it. Once on the floor, I curl up, my knees pressing my face.

I couldn't hold it back anymore. Now that I'm alone, now that no one could see me, now that The Man couldn't see me, I start to cry. I let it all pour out. I feel the tears pouring down my face as I cry alone.