Hawkgirl's request

“Mary Jane Watson. I’ve been eager to speak to you,” Hawkgirl told the surprised redhead. “Although I wish it was under better circumstances. Hello, Koriand’r – I’m sorry to intrude upon both of you like this.”

“...Hawkgirl? What’re you doing here...? And the whole ‘sitting in the dark waiting for the superheroes to come home’ thing... kinda cliche, don’t you think?” MJ asked.

“Yeah, I know. Fury does it all the time. If you’re an Avenger or Justice League member, you’re guaranteed to get this greeting at least once... I guess it was in my subconscious.”

“Not to mention, you could’ve just texted me. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for a while,” MJ admitted.

“The feeling is mutual. Your friends speak highly of you,” said Shayera. “Especially Koriand’r here. Unfortunately, I’m not here to make acquaintances, as much as I’d like to be. I hate to do this –especially since this is our first meeting – but I... have a favor to ask of you.”

MJ furrowed her brow in confusion, wondering what Shayera of all people needed from her. “A favor? What could you need from me?”

“It’s Thanagarian business,” Shayera began. “The Emperor of Thanagar – my father – granted asylum to a Tamaranean exile, a man by the name of Norrand’r, some time ago. Recently, guards found him in our palace, **** and badly beaten. We have no idea how it happened or how the intruder infiltrated his safehouse, but security footage caught a woman looking exactly like you on the grounds...”

As Shayera played the security footage for the couple, MJ couldn’t help but look on in horror. Could she have done something like that under Blackfire’s influence? Maybe it was a post-hypnotic suggestion implanted in her mind? “No...”

Kori placed a reassuring arm around her girlfriend, her belief in MJ absolute. “There’s no way you could have done something like that, MJ... this has to be the work of my sister.”

“I believe Mary Jane is innocent too,” said Shayera. “Nevertheless, I would ask that she come with me to Thanagar, so that we can sort things out...”

“You will have to go through me, first,” Kori said defensively, her hands beginning to glow green. MJ put her hand on the Tamaranean’s shoulder and nodded, signalling for her to stand down.

“Babe, it’s OK... if I was somehow responsible for this, I need to answer for it. If not, I need to find a way to clear my name.”

“All right... but I’m coming with you,” insisted Kori. “I refuse to stay here and worry about you. I trust that won’t be a problem, Shayera?”

Shayera nodded in agreement. “Not at all. In fact, having the exiled princess of Tamaran vouch for her will go a long way in Mary Jane gaining my father’s trust. And believe me – I think that Miss Watson is completely innocent, and that there are other forces at play here. You will both be under my protection while on Thanagar – I personally guarantee that no harm will come to either of you.”

“Thank you, Shayera – I appreciate the gesture,” said MJ, shaking Hawkgirl’s hand. “I look forward to seeing your homeworld.”

Shayera smiled, grateful that MJ was as willing to help as she was. “Thank you, Miss Watson. I promise you that I’ll do everything I can to get to the bottom of this.”

“I trust you, Shayera. And I suppose you’re gonna need the full story... so I guess I should tell you, then, that I was recently under the influence of a Tamaranean control chip under the command of Blackfire herself.”

“I see... that is cause for worry. Do you remember anything while under her control?”

“Most of it... there are a few gaps here and there, though. That’s what I’m worried about myself.”

“Hmmmm... that doesn’t help our case. Perhaps a telepath could fill those gaps, though.”

“We have a friend who I’m sure could help with that -- a Martian by the name of M'gann M'orzz,” Kori pointed out.

“Good... would she be willing to come to Thanagar to vouch for you, though?” Shayera asked.

“I think so,” said MJ. M’gann had become very close to the couple over the course of their relationship, especially since that delightful poolside threesome a few months ago. She would certainly want to be there to help MJ & Kori in any way she could.

“Excellent – she may be key in us proving Miss Watson’s innocence. I’ve chartered a Javelin to take us to Thanagar -- we leave in a couple of days,” Shayera told the couple. “I promise you both, I will prove Mary Jane’s innocence to my father.”

Shayera left MJ & Kori’s apartment, leaving the lovers to prepare for their trip.

MJ saw the look of worry in Kori’s eyes and took her girlfriend’s hand reassuringly. “It’s OK, babe... I’ll be fine. I trust Shayera.”

“I know. I do too. It’s just that... after what my sister did to you... I worry. The thought of losing you terrifies me.”

“I completely understand, Kori. I feel the same way. But I need to get to the bottom of this, especially if I did do something. Even if I didn’t, someone’s out there using my image to do harm... I can’t stand by and let that happen.”

Kori looked into MJ’s eyes and gave her a knowing nod. “You’re right, my love... you are doing the right thing. But I’m not letting you do it alone.”

“I know you won’t,” MJ smiled warmly, giving Kori an affectionate kiss. “I guess this isn’t the type of getaway I’d pictured for us, but what do you say we try and make it as romantic as possible?”

Kori grinned at the comment – in a way, this would be their first “vacation” together. It might not have been the incredible space trip she’d envisioned, but Thanagar had some amazing sights. Hopefully she and MJ would get to see them.

“Sounds good to me,” Kori grinned.