Author's Notes: This story is set in between "Starcrossed" and "Initiation." This fanfic is in continuity with my other stories "Queen of Hearts" and "Half For You, Half For Me." I suppose for complete understanding of this tale you'd have to read those stories of mine in that order before this one. I hope you enjoy this story and please leave a review.

Disclaimer: Justice League doesn't belong to me.

No Longer There

Prologue

He tosses and turns at night, in the Manor by the sea. Nightmares of blood and tears and screaming and crying haunt Him into the night, tearing at Him, torturing Him. No one comes though, no one; He never tells anyone, no one has ever noticed, except Her. But She is gone now, and He left alone to fend against the nightmares, the ghosts. Ghosts of Black and White Thieves, Vanished Race, Young Children and Lover, Manhunter Mother and Scientist Father, and Shattered Twin Brother. And fire of course. So much fire, so much burning, so many ashes and embers smelling of death.

Now a brand new ghost plagues Him, and its Her, the one that had once comforted him after the ghosts' tortures. How ironic that She who had helped Him before, now tortures Him. She is a ghost of emerald eyes and silver wings and crimson hair, and oh so tender skin. Only now does He realize that She is like the flame, filled with scorching, fiery spirit, embers and ashes coated on Her wings of silky feathers. She is a clever Ghost, just like the others, using His own desire for Her against Him, using it to torture Him. He wants Her so bad, misses Her so much, his Fallen Angel. His Phoenix.

"Shayera."

Batman freezes as he hears her name as he passes J'onn's temporary room. After a few seconds, he continues toward his cave, a knowing frown set onto his face.

Author's Ending Notes: Reading between the lines, this story has an HG/MM flavor to it.