"We will prepare a ho for you Starfire. But this will take so ti. Until then, you'll have to live here," Black Canary said.
"No need, I'll be living with him," Kori said, raising their linked hands.
The Justice League stared at them in awkward silence.
Martian Manhunter cleared his throat. "Are you sure? The League can provide you with an introduction to Earth and help you acclimate to the culture while you wait."
"It's fine. J—Nova already told a lot about Earth," Kori responded with a radiant smile.
Flash crossed his arms. "How about a civilian identity? And you'll have to have one of us supervise you for a period of ti to make sure you are not a danger to yourself or to others. We can't have a superpowered individual walking around unattended. I hope you understand."
"John also said his ring didn't detect any diseases harmful to humans on you but it's always good to check in at S.T.A.R. Labs just in case." Black Canary said.
Kori glanced at Joseph, then shrugged. "I've got Nova with , but… okay. I accept your terms. Who will supervise ?"
"I volunteer," Wonder Woman said.
Hawkwoman, who had been checking sothing on her communicator, suddenly spoke up. "Alright, that should cover everything. Let's wrap this up." She was in a hurry—probably so League business that required her imdiate attention.
Or maybe it was sothing to do with the Gordanians. Thanagarians and Gordanians did have so enmity between them.
With that, the eting was dismissed, and the other heroes filed out.
Joseph and Kori prepared to leave when Batman and Wonder Woman stepped forward.
"Nova. A word. Privately."
Joseph turned to Kori who was going to discuss sothing with Wonder Woman and gave her a nod.
She nodded back, and Joseph followed Batman to a corner in the Hall of Justice room.
The Dark Knight's voice was quiet, yet heavy with aning. "Flux… or should I say, Joseph Bell?"
Joseph stiffened. He shouldn't have been surprised—he was still wearing Black Spider's self repairing suit. His mask, now a golden colored Gordanian helt, wasn't enough to fool the World's Greatest Detective.
Batman continued, his tone unreadable. "Selina was worried sick looking for you. She told everything she knew to help track you down."
Selina. He hadn't even thought about her. She must've feared the worst—Leviathan, Cheetah, or one of the many gangs he'd fought alongside her, Batwoman, and Interpol could have taken him out. Or maybe one of the many villains he'd stolen from had finally co for revenge. He owed her a call.
Batman placed a firm hand on Joseph's shoulder. "Good work making it back alive." His voice softened just slightly. "I know you were at that orphanage to donate money. I traced the hundreds of other places you donated to." He paused, then added, "You have good in you, Joseph. And the world could use more good people."
Joseph didn't know what to say.
Batman let go and turned away. "I'll be watching."
Then he left the doors and was gone.
Joseph took a deep breath, collecting himself before returning to Kori who had finished talking to Wonder Woman.
"Batman let know that he knows who I am. What did Wonder Woman say?" he asked.
"She told she will be supervising for three months."
Three months? Well if she's with Wonder Woman she should be alright.
"Do you want to teleport back or fly? It's about a forty-minute flight from Washington D.C. to Gotham if we go fast."
Kori's eyes lit up. "I'd like to explore the architecture first. And then—taste Earth cuisine. We can finally eat real food!" she added excitedly.
Joseph smirked. "Yeah, thank God the grey goo is gone."
They lifted into the air and, after gaining altitude, accelerated to the speed of sound toward Gotham.
**
They arrived unnoticed, slipping into Joseph's apartnt through his window using a hidden key.
Joseph pointed Kori toward the bathroom and showed her how the shower worked. While she freshened up, he pulled out his phone and dialed Selina.
The call barely rang twice before she picked up.
"Joseph! Thank God you're alright! What the hell happened to you?"
"I guess I got kidnapped," he admitted. "I promise I'll tell you everything later."
"You better. Leviathan's been laying low, and Cheetah is still off the grid. Be more careful, okay?"
"I will. See you later."
Hanging up, Joseph went to his fridge. One glance inside told him everything had spoiled. He sighed and grabbed a trash bag, dumping out the expired food. While it had felt like two and a half months to him, only a month and a half had passed on Earth. So ti dilation effect from the planet's stronger gravity, maybe. Either way, it was now February 5, 2010, a Friday.
He changed to casual clothes, tied up the trash bag, and opened the door to take it to the chute—only to find himself face to face with a blond man about 6'2".
Joseph was two inches taller.
But the man was built. Broad shoulders, dense muscle. And, more importantly, he had the presence of soone who knew how to fight.
The stranger studied him. "You seem familiar."
Joseph stayed relaxed but kept his guard up. The last thing he wanted was a commotion in his apartnt complex.
Then the man snapped his fingers. "Ah! You played in that basketball ga—Gargoyles vs. ts, right? Good ga. You held your own."
Joseph blinked. "Uh—yeah. Thanks. It was a team effort," he responded, surprised the man had recognized him just from that. He must've been a big fan of the team. Maybe even an alumni.
"Well, I'll be going then," the man said casually before walking to the door across his. So he was Artemis father. Interesting guy.
Joseph exhaled and tossed the trash before heading back inside.
He had prepared so spare clothes for Kori—sweatpants and a loose shirt, the closest thing to a comfortable fit until they could go shopping tomorrow.
His stomach rumbled, and he was grateful he still had instant ran stocked up. Once upon a ti, that had been his only al before Nova. He filled a pot with bottled water (Gotham tap water was not to be trusted) and set it to boil on the stove.
Then Kori walked into the kitchen.
Wearing only a towel.
Joseph froze.
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