𝐓𝐚𝐨𝐬
𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟗, 𝟎𝟎:𝟐𝟎 𝐦𝐝𝐭

"𝐈'𝐌 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒. 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 into your mind. It... it is an intrusion." M'gann told Green Beetle nervously. After what happened with Kaldur she didn't trust herself with her telepathic ability.

"You have my permission. We must be able to trust each other." Green Beetle attempted to smile at them, M'gann gasping in surprise.

"I don't know if I trust someone who smiles like that." Lily whispered to M'gann, who gave her a look.

"Does my smile displease? Is this not how humans convey friendship, and put each other at ease?" Green asked as he kept smiling.

"Depends on the person I guess." Lily shrugged in reply.

"There has to be another way." Conner said to Nightwing.

"Look, I'm not sure what the Martian etiquette is here but Green Beetle is right. We need to trust each other, which means we need to confirm he is who he says he is. Miss M. is our only real option."

"Go for it, Angelfish." La'gann urged as he put his hands on M'gann's shoulders, "Reading this guy will be a piece of crab cake."

"Please, proceed with the mind link." M'gann took a deep breath as she did so. Green Beetle made a few movements as they "talked", but nothing else happened.

"Green Beetle is on our side."

᪥᪥᪥

"This consumable contains the Reach's additive, which combines microscopic quantities of two chemicals. One is a dopamine polymerase the other, an adrenaline inhibitor. Taken over generations, they will slowly addict the entire population to Reach and make the people of Earth, placid. Literally, incapable of revolt." Green Beetle explained as he held up the two drinks.

"That matches up exactly with Lily and Bumblebee's analysis of the additive sample acquired from Lex Corp." Nightwing told him.

"Ah, I see. Still I am... tested." Green Beetle sighed.

"Look, we're sorry, but-"

"No, it is wise. As they say on your world, "All cards must be off the table."

"On the table." Uh! I-I mean, never mind. Ignore me." Blue quickly shied away.

"On the table. Yes. That does make more sense. So here is my final card on the table. My scarab informs me that the additive also contains a mitochondrial marker, which works as a meta-gene tracer, allowing The Reach to identify and isolate potential superpowered individuals."

"Making it easier to harvest and weaponize the meta-gene! Our analysis didn't reveal that. Thank you." Nightwing told him.

"Can't we go public with this?" Blue asked him.

"I'll pass it on to Captain Atom but the League's credibility is at a record low right now. We'll probably have to bide our time. Good work, everyone. Meeting adjourned."

᪥᪥᪥

𝐅𝐚𝐰𝐜𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲
𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟗, 𝟏:𝟐𝟔 𝐞𝐝𝐭

Lily stared up at the ceiling, everything running around in her head. Sometimes, she just wish her head would stay quiet, just for one night. Instead, she was tossing and turning in bed.

"Can't sleep?" Billy asked her.

"Did I wake you up?" She questioned in reply.

"No, I can't really sleep either. What's on your mind?"

"Way too much." She answered, putting her hands to her face in frustration. That's when Billy got an idea.

"Let's go on a walk."

"At one in the morning? Plus, it's raining." She covered her face with one arm as her other hand pointed towards the window.

"And?" She looked at him with a smile, before getting out of bed.

᪥᪥᪥

Billy held the umbrella over them, each of their steps against the pavement making a splash. Lily held onto his hand as they walked down the street. There was a nearby store, its dimly lit light shining on them as they heard music from inside.

"I have an idea." Billy spoke up.

"What's your idea?"

"Dance with me."

"And what about the umbrella, lover boy?" She asked, raising an eyebrow as she smiled.

"Who cares? It's better with the rain." He closed the umbrella — the two instantly getting soaked by the rain — setting it down on the sidewalk as he held out his hand towards her with a smile.

"You're such a dork." Lily lightly laughed with a loving smile as she took his hand.

"Just for you." He replied with a smile in return, pulling her in as he put a hand on her waist while holding on to the other. Lily placed a hand on his shoulder as they danced to the music.

And if it's right,

I don't care how long it takes.

As long as I'm with you,

I got a smile on my face.

Save your tears, it'll be ok,

All I know is you're here with me.

Billy twirled her around, Lily letting out a soft laugh as he did.

Watch the sunrise as we're getting old, oh-oh-oh.

He dipped her, pulling her into a loving kiss. Lily held onto him tightly, the feeling of the rain against them as they kissed. It was like fate had everything to do with it. Like everything in this moment was perfectly planned, just for them.

And it was.

᪥᪥᪥