Land of heroes: DC Style.

REJOICE FOR I HAVE RETURNED BEARING GIFTS OF THE HALO VARIETY!

But in all seriousness, it is good to dust the old cobwebs on this story, hopefully it is to the liking of my supporters and I haven't lost my touch.

Now in all fairness, there isn't much action in this but I think that what you all come to see is the aftermath of what the Chief did in Gotham, which I hope it is to your satisfaction because that was probably the hardest part of this chapter and even looking at it now I still feel like something more could be added but I don't know what.

BTW I can't find the PM but a reader did give me some good inspiration using the stance that John is a soldier and operated as such, so while I apologize I can't properly do this shout out I do appreciate your comments and thank you for them so I hope this will be enough.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to DC or Halo (God, I wish I did though.) enjoy.

"Whispering – Cortana speaking in the armor"

"Redeeming Bias speaking"

*Thoughts*

*Sound effect*

-Media or transmission—

Chapter 12: Shore leave.

New York, Manhattan, Warehouse 17…

When the small crew of the Forward Unto Dawn had gotten their bearings they set out to integrate themselves into this world by first finding a place to call home. In time that soon changed with the arrival of Diana whom they decided to aid as it was only right to do so for the woman who had never set foot of her home.

While Miranda and Cortana took to teaching her how man's world worked in a more social setting, John had taken it upon himself to train her in more modern military tactics and weaponry.

Doing so usually took place either on the roof of their apartment building or in the wilderness far from prying eyes.

However, with the arrival of her sister Donna and her sister Amazons Alexa and Artemis a change in venue was required. Hence during a lull in both crime and League business Cortana saw fit to purchase an abandoned water front property that served as a backup HQ for their more heroic activities.

On the outside it did not look any different from the other warehouses, dilapidated walls, fusty doors, half functional cameras and inside did not look any better with the many boxes that had seen better days… but below the building? That was another thing all together.

Through the careful usage of construction Sentinels, Huragok and two very creative A.I. they were able to construct sublevels that ran under building.

The first level was designated for their ground vehicles while also functioning as a repair bay for them and John's armor while also having an entrance that lead to the outside.

The second level was made into a gym and gun range/armory, essentially making a place they could train in peace and not be discovered by outside forces.

The third level was more akin to a bunker with all the necessary commodities such bedrooms, fully stocked kitchen, bathrooms and a small but advanced med day.

The final level is where they could gather information, monitor the city, hold meetings and in case of emergencies act as a bunker with an underwater escape tunnel should it be necessary to exit in a timely manner.

Currently the Master Chief, Cheetah and the Amazons were making use of the gym, more specifically John was training to use the weapons given to him by the Olympians Ares and Hephaestus. When the Hades incident had come to a close and Diana's sisters arrived, John had asked them for help in how to wield the weapons given to him as he admitted that swordplay was more suited to Frederic who was a master in edged weaponry.

Artemis had confessed to being surprised by such an admittance as in her experience men were a prideful lot and would never admit weakness or ignorance in anything, they involved themselves in, it didn't help it was coming from the very same man who had defeated her in CQC back home. John however replied that it would stupidity on his part to go into battle without the necessary knowledge to use the tools given to him, especially considering they were mystical in nature, something he had no basis to learn from as of yet.

So here we are now with John wielding a wooden sword and shield tailor made to the dimensions of his own, which in part helped though given the seemingly weightlessness of enchanted weapons he took it upon himself to compensate for that the moment he called upon them.

In front of him was Artemis wielding her own makeshift weapons with an air of experience born from years of combat and training the many warriors of Themyscira. When it came to combat of this nature Diana, Donna and Alexa all agreed that she was the best suited to train the Spartan in swordplay.

Of to the side the other 4 women looked on with interest, Diana and Donna geared up for a workout themselves while Alexa while geared up for training (much to her chagrin) also carried a medical bag just in case anyone was hurt during the spars with Cheetah looking on calmly while giving the more scholarly Amazon a discreet look.

To be honest with herself, Barbara had taken a liking to the inquisitive woman as she asked her all manner of questions in regards to modern day medicine and techniques the former criminal knew of. It reminded her of her youth back when she had first started off in the medical field with the goal to make the world a better place before her world was cruelly taken from her by Chiron Pharmaceuticals.

Alexa had quite a thirst for knowledge, whether it was driven by innocent wonder at all the new sights before her of it was just part of who she was Barbara didn't know nor care to ask, what the former criminal did care was to help her along and not be overwhelmed or conned as she learned about the world outside her home.

It also helped that Alexa was a quick and creative learner while also looking to solve problems with her mind first and not her fists, being the opposite of Artemis though the feline powered woman wouldn't anywhere near the amazon warrior, of course that didn't mean Alexa was some dainty flower as Barbara found out having often sparred with her that had her 9 times out of 10 on her back or trying to catch her breath while the other woman was still rearing to go.

*Probably her sister's doing, and speaking of…* Cheetah thinks idly as she focuses her attention on the Master Chief and Artemis on the mat.

John and Artemis eyed one another as they each waited to see who made the first move, after a minute John was the first to strike with an overhead swing Artemis blocked with her shield and counter with a horizontal slash that he deflects as he back stepped to gain distance.

This was followed by Artemis thrusting her makeshift sword and John deflecting the attack with his shield and using the added momentum to shift into a back spin kick to that pushed the warrior woman back but not down, hence he quickly charged in and shoulder tackled her in a way that forced her into a back rolls in order to recover.

Artemis then went on the offensive and charged in with a quick horizontal slash that was blocked followed by an attempted stab on his leg which he dodged before he counter with his shield bash to her head to which she spun around while flipping her makeshift blade and trusted it towards his exposed flank and earning kill shot.

"Again." She ordered as she moved back to her starting point and John doing the same.

Once more they resumed their position to resume.

"He is progressing very nicely isn't he sister?" Donna comments to her.

"That he is Donna, he should be soon giving Artemis quite the challenge eventually."

"I wonder how she will take that; she was in quite the mood after their bout in Themyscira." Alexa adds as she recalled how grumpy her sister was after her loss, something her sparing partners lamented afterwards or so they told her when she was done healing them.

"Well I think that after a time she would appreciate the challenge, I mean besides mother who has really given her one?" Donna comments to the group to which her sisters concede to the point, given that not even Donna, Diana or both had given the woman much trouble. Maybe Diana could give her gifts but it would not be fair or honorable to Artemis who had honed her skills as a warrior for centuries, probably why her defeat to John stung her so much but in retrospect perhaps that is what she needed to further grow and not become complacent.

"Besides, it's not he doesn't have a lot of free time now after…well you know." Barbara bitterly remarks.

*I almost wish I could forget about that. * Diana thinks as her mind goes back to the meeting that took place in the aftermath of John's rescue mission.

Flashback…

It was time.

They all knew the moment the Dark Knight returned from his mission to stop Ra's Al Gul latest scheme that he would demand answers for what John had done while he was away.

The fact that he had the entire League present was a surprise though as they assumed, he would want to face the Spartan one on one. Still there was a certain air of calm and reserve much akin to a military tribunal that the UNSC crew and Wonder Woman felt as they walked to the main meeting room of the Watchtower.

Inside they found the other members sans Batman seated around the table looking over files which they could only assumed contained the grisly details of John' brief time in Gotham. Batman himself stood looking at the Earth from the window, only the handful of people truly close to him would be able to tell just how tense the man was in relation to the Spartan.

Diana, Miranda and Cortana all took their respective seats minus John who felt better to stand at attention for what was to come. It briefly reminded him of the time he was debriefed for his and Blue team's actions during a battle at the museum in Azure where the Covenant attempted to take what was at the time an unknown alien artifact.

This seemed worse in his view though why eluded him.

"Have you any idea what you have done?" Batman began tersely earning the attention of the group.

"I will need specifics Batman, to what do you refer precisely?" The Spartan replies calmly though he has a good idea where the man is going.

"You came into my city, and went on a killing spree!" He spat as he turns to face him with an irate look on his face.

"I will admit to the former however to the accusation of the latter I disagree, it was tactical assault on an enemy stronghold to enact rescue operations on innocent civilians, a killing spree would just be wanton slaughter with no purpose."

*WHAM!*

Batman's fist slamming into the table caught Superman, Flash and GL by surprise they jumped as they had never seen the man so irate before. The other while also surprised kept their cool though as they continued to follow this debacle as it unfolded.

"You killed! In my city John!"

"In my defense I did my best to avoid inflicting casualties however the situation called for immediate action and I responded accordingly to it as per my training dictated I should."

"Did you ever stop and consider the ramifications? With Cobblepot and Falcone dead you've created a vacuum every power-hungry low life will look to fill."

"Not necessarily." The Spartan replies earning a look of surprise from the irate man.

"What do you mean not necessarily?"

"When I executed Cobblepot I raided his files both physical and digital and had it sent that information to Commissioner James Gordon, DA Janet Van Dorn, Detectives Bullock and Montaya."

"I assume they are the cleanest officials in Gotham?" Flash asks the soldier as he was well aware, due to his talks with Nightwing of course, of the GCPD's reputation for being rather corrupt due to the various crime organization located in the city.

"Correct, in our estimations are right they will see to it to use the information to flush out corrupt elements of the police force as well go after any criminal elements or at the very least force them to postpone any thoughts of filling this power vacuum you worry of Batman."

"And this is supposed to appease me Spartan? You took that information after executing the man." The Dark Knight gruffly says as he was far from pleased from his response given the way he obtained the information.

"Oh, for the love of…!" An exasperated Cortana let out as she rolled her eyes at his statement before she finally decided to add her two cents on the matter.

"The fat SOB got what was coming to him and his little heiress as well, they would betray John at the drop of a hat if it meant lining their pockets with more blood money. And I'll have you know that the Chief tried to be diplomatic at first but the bastard pushed it too far, the fact is that if you want us to feel bad for those psychos and killers well I am sorry to burst your bubble but I for one think the world is a better place without the likes of Cobblepot, Killer Croc and Bane." The A.I. rebuked to the hero who was glaring daggers at her.

"Ok let's all calm down before things are said and done that can't be taken back all right?" Superman calmly and gently requests as he does not want this to further devolve from a shouting match to something worse.

"…did you know what he was going to do?" Batman asks Miranda who looks back at him with the same air of command she had when sending troops into battle. If she was intimidated by the masked man, she was showing one hell of a poker face.

Then again when one faced the potential extinction of their species at the hands of technologically advanced zealots or ancient cosmic horrors, well a man dressed as a bat rates rather low on the totem pole.

"Regardless of my membership to this group I still consider myself an officer of the UNSC and I am the highest ranking official to him Batman. And furthermore, I was the one who told him what Falcone had done to that family so not only did I knew, I fully supported the rescue mission and the means by which he achieved the objective because of two reasons." She stood as she addresses the caped crusader who only glared in response to this.

"Firstly, because I have come to learn and accept that his word is his bond and no matter how I wish it weren't so at times given the trouble it gets him I would never stand in his way to keep. The second thing you must realize is that first and foremost he is a soldier, and regardless of the circumstances behind his recruitment or his training he is at heart a soldier."

"When you asked us to be a part of the league you were told this and you accepted that fact as well as the potential for him taking a life. The difference between now and the time he fought Deathstroke was that he got better and the others did not."

"This is not a joke Keyes! These people are dead." Batman harshly rebukes only to be glared at by the Commander.

"Do not ever take that tone with me again Batman, now I am fully aware of what Chief had to do in order to fulfill the mission. But are you I wonder?" She suddenly asks the man, given his blank look he didn't so the Commander nods to Cortana who uploads the AAR the Master Chief filed, old habits die hard after all.

"What you are seeing is the after-action report Chief gave me after completing the rescue mission." She spoke as the file was given to each member.

"You will find all the actions he took during the course of the mission as well as footage taken from his neural implants by Cortana, take a moment to digest them before we continue." She spoke as the League did as she requested to look over the information.

For men like Superman and Flash it was a rather quick affair given the gasps they let in certain parts.

"You got shot in the head!?" Flash exclaimed in shock.

"Yes…it hurt." John replied in perfect deadpan.

"How did you know it wouldn't kill you?" Superman had to ask as he couldn't fathom what was going through the super soldier's mind when he took that gamble.

"I did not, at least not with 100% certainty, but the situation required an immediate course of action lest she kill the family so I weighed the odds and chose the most logical outcome."

"Yeah but what if it hadn't worked?" Flash asked while the others look to him for his answer.

"…I think we both know the answer to that Flash, while in armor my endurance is more notable without it, I am just as easily killed as any other man. My augmentations simply give me better odds than most and I trusted they would see me through." John replies though he can tell the crimson speedster is not exactly pleased with how cavalier he treats what could have been his death.

"Don't worry Flash…" Cortana comments as she gives John a mild glare "…I gave him quite the tongue lashing for that little stunt."

*That was putting it mildly, I was not even aware she knew that many swear words though in retrospect she could have very well looked them up.* The Spartan can't help but think dryly as once the family was safe and secured in New York, Cortana proceeded to rip into him about that decision under the watchful eye of the Commander, Cheetah and the Amazons.

Barbara, Alexa, Donna and Diana had been notably shocked given the risk he took, Miranda just rubbed the bridge of her nose wondering what was going through his head when he thought that intercepting a bullet with his reinforced skull was a good idea and finally Artemis just looked at him for a moment before nodding to him.

He had briefly wondered just what she meant by the gesture, thinking perhaps he had earned a modicum of her respect.

"That aside I need you all to realize that this horrible chain of events that took place shows not his willingness to kill but the strength he shows and the lengths he will go to in order to protect the innocent, I mean he literally took a bullet to the head to protect that family and yes, he bloodied his hands in the pursuit of this but you need to ask yourselves if you really want to punish him for being what he is and fully knowing that this day would come." Miranda says to the League in a firm tone that makes it clear she backed the Master Chief in his actions.

After the others went through this new information, they asked John to step outside so they could deliberate. Miranda and Cortana joined him while Diana stayed despite already making up her mind that John did not wrong here.

The remaining members were silent as they tried to put their thoughts together, so it was a surprise when Flash stood to face them all with a serious look upon him rarely seen by any except those close to him.

"I am just going to throw this out there…I am not voting to kick him out of the League ok? I want that to be very clear and I also want to let this be known because after looking at all the information provided in regards to the circumstances behind his actions I think he made the right call."

"Are you mad!?" Batman exclaimed while the others were surprised by this.

"Hear me out ok?"

Batman was about to refuse but Superman intervened by placing a hand on his shoulder and a look that said to hear the man out.

"Ok so little known fact about me, and I hope you don't go spreading this out, when I'm not chasing bad guys around Central City, I work at the CCPD."

That got a round of looks from everyone.

"Oh, come on it is isn't that shocking right?" Wally can't help but feel a bit hurt by that, then again Richard had warned him that his usual attitude would give him trouble at times.

"Sorry Flash, please continue." Clark responds apologetically to the speedster.

"Anyway, I'm not a beat cop but despite that I am issued a piece and training to use it."

"Have you ever…?" Stewart asks for the obvious, the military man in him driving him to ask and the hero in him hoping the answer is no.

"No, not yet I haven't but I would be deluding myself into thinking a day won't come where I won't be forced to." Wally truthfully responds with a hint of melancholy the other would never have believed if they hadn't seen it.

"But you wouldn't have to due to your powers, right?" Shayera comments as she doesn't see the issue given the man's speed.

"As the Flash of course not, but what if I'm not the Flash at the time? What if I'm in a situation where I have to choose? You think it would be easy then?"

She never thought of that, in all honesty she was starting wonder if there was more to the man than just flirting with any pretty face and making light the situations, they found themselves in.

"And how does this apply to the Spartan?" Batman asks him, not quite as angered as before but hardly in a conversational way either.

"Because he was in a situation where he had to make a choice based on his training Batman." Flash stood up at this as he grabs the report and places it on a specific page.

"The report he gives shows that Bane came not with the intent to kill him but be brought to Falcone, now I never fought the man but Nightwing told me just how intelligent and dangerous he was…something you know firsthand Batman given what he did to you." Flash partly regrets reminding the man of the incident that nearly ended his life at the hands of the hired killer.

Batman is no less pleased as he clenches his fists at being reminded of the man who literally broke him over his knee after wearing him down. Regardless of this Flash continues with his explanation to the group.

"Bane was beating him to a pulp, he had no armor and could not use his full capabilities or else he outs himself as the Spartan, and sadly Bane killed several security guards who tried to get between him and the Chief…what choice did he have when the opportunity presented itself to end the threat? How is that any different than a normal cop looking at a way out if he was in the crosshairs of Joker or Two Face?"

Batman wants to retort; he truly does but for the life of him he can't.

"And in regards to what happened with Falcone and the others?" John asks as he wanted to see what the Flash thought of that.

"I agree that there could have been a better way, but he was working against the clock and he was facing bad odds. I wish there had been a better way to save the family without having to pull the trigger, I truly mean that Batman but I also agree with Miranda that he did what he could the only way he could by falling back on his training."

At this point Diana could see the struggle the Dark Knight was facing with this dilemma and chose to speak her mind.

"Batman, John is not a mindless killer nor is he some unfeeling machine, he is a warrior and an honorable one at that."

"How can you defend his actions Wonder Woman?" Batman asks her while holding back the urge to snap at her.

"Because I know he is a good man, a good man who had to make hard choices to rescue people he felt responsible for and who literally gambled with his life to see them to safety. I am not saying that we should start meting out judgement as if we were gods or tyrants just because of our skills and powers, but we must look at all the facts presented with a clear mind and realize that he had to act accordingly to who he is and how he was raised." The Amazon replies calmly and diplomatically to the man.

"So, we just ignore this and continue on as if nothing happened?" Bruce can't help but openly asks.

"No one is saying that Batman, but Commander Keyes, Flash and Diana raise valid arguments." Clark says to his counterpart as while he too finds it difficult to accept John's actions, he also understands what the others are saying.

The heroes were pensive for a while as they when over all that was said until a decision was reached.

End Flashback…

In the end and after much discussion a decision was reached by the group though it was hardly unanimous but felt fair to most save Batman. That decision being indefinite suspension and also be limited to scheduled monitor duty until such time the group felt he could be field active with the team again or in the case of a high-level emergency that required John's aid.

This was hardly enough for Bruce who felt it was too light a penalty for the man's actions but knew a losing battle when he saw one and after the it was announced stormed out of the meeting despite Superman's request to talk this out further.

While Cortana felt it was rather unfair to punish the Master Chief, John willfully accepted the judgement given and to be more inclusive of them when another situation like this came up with the hope of less bloodshed in the future.

*All things considered, it could have gone much worse.* The warrior princess thought to herself as Artemis and John finished their latest bout with John favoring a limp on his right leg while Artemis sported a black eye on the left but showed no malice towards the Spartan and in fact wanted to continue.

*Seems like she is starting to enjoy these spars. * Diana thinks with mirth as she knew firsthand how into it the head trainer got when sparring with their sister and finding one who pushed her limits.

"Diana and Donna, you're up next." The redhead orders while her sister fuses over her, as is her way, and Barbara approaches with a bottle of water and a towel towards John who is looking better thanks to the nanites.

"How are you feeling John?" The former criminal asks.

"I am well Barbara; it was a good spar." He replies to her with a small but still noticeable smile. Which was true enough as he often enjoyed sparring with his brothers and sisters during downtime both to hone his skills and spend time with them outside of combat.

"Well you did seem to enjoy yourself their John…" Barbara says before giving him a sly look that confused him before speaking "…or maybe you enjoyed getting sweaty with a beautiful woman mayhap?"

That got a reaction just not the one she was hoping for from him as he simply raised an eyebrow, whether that was the way he expressed shock was beyond her. The Amazon's reaction was funnier as Artemis spat her water she was drinking, Alexa gaped while blushing and Diana failed to block an overhead strike from her sister which led to a meaty whack to the head while Donna was wide eyed by the woman's daring.

Later on, Cortana would get a good laugh from Barbara's actions plus the sight of Artemis chasing the feline woman around the gym with her makeshift sword while the others watched on.

Meanwhile on board the Watchtower…

Currently Flash and Superman were on the space station for what was their rotation of monitor duty before they would be relieved by J'onn and Shayera. So far no major incidents were happening that required their immediate attention so things were rather lax at this point.

"So far everything seems pretty quiet on the western front eh?" The Crimson speedster comments as he looks at all the screens briefly, or that was what one without the tyoe of perception he had would think, and saw all the monitors before looking back at a game device he had on hand for these occasions.

"Knock on wood Flash." The Kriptonian hero says with mirth before smiling as he hears just that within a blink of an eye.

"So, what are you plans after this?" Wally can't help but ask the man as true to his nature and powers can never sit idle.

"Do a quick patrol around Metropolis, visit the family back in Smallville, the usual."

"Right, by the way, tell your mom that those cookies were delish." Wally compliments as he still wishes with them.

"They just as good as Agent A's blueberry muffins!" He can't help but think.

"Will do Flash, so what are you planning?"

"To be honest I was thinking of going to New York to make good on a promise I made." Flash replies as he thought on how to approach Alexa to make good on his word of showing her more of man's world.

"…just make sure her sister doesn't catch you around her." Clark chuckles as the man looks at him in surprise.

"How?"

"Super hearing is a blessing and a curse, as much as I want to at times, I can't help but listen to everything."

"Well it isn't what you think, I just want to be a friend to her and I enjoy talking to her." That got him a deadpan look from the man of steel.

"Ok so I do think she is pretty but this is totally platonic!"

Nope, the deadpan now had a raise eyebrow added to it.

"I shouldn't have to take this from you Mr. I can't confess to my personal damsel in distress!" Wally finally snapped back as he huffs at the other man who had the decency to blush at the comeback.

"Ok I apologize but still remember she comes from a different background." Superman comments.

"Look I am not out to do something inappropriate with her ok? Despite what you all think about me I just want to show her around and get her better acquainted with the world. I mean first off she comes from a place with zero male presence and who knows where she stands on that, also look at Diana and how she acted when she first got here, if it wasn't for the Chief she wouldn't know how to make heads or tails of anything outside her homeland." Wally says truthfully in regards to his thought process when it comes to Alexa, yes, he was attracted to her, who wouldn't be? But despite what many thought he was not some chauvinistic pig thinking with his libido.

Back when he was in the Teen Titans and dated Jinx, he had been a gentleman with her and did what he could to make her happy. While they didn't last it didn't mean she cut him out of her life and he still made time to visit the reformed criminal just to check up on her from time to time.

This was sort of the same thing only he wasn't planning on dating the Amazonian healer, not that the prospect didn't appeal to him.

*Going to have to think this through though, I do want her to have a good time after all. * He privately thinks before the doors open where both Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl arrive to relieve them.

"Hey guys! Ready for another fun filled day looking out for world ending cataclysms?" He idly comments as he and Superman stand up from their seats to greet them.

"The only cataclysm I see here is your sense of humor Flash." Shayera dryly comments.

"Words hurt Hawkgirl." The speedster replies in mock hurt, earning an eyeroll from the Thanagarian, he just goes along with it before greeting his Martian colleague.

"Hello Flash, to answer your question, I am hopeful the day remains peaceful and quiet."

"Let's hope it does J'onn, anyway you two know where to find us if you need us." Flash cheerfully says as he departs while Superman gives the two his own goodbyes and follows the man, with the former already looking into his plans with a certain redheaded Amazon.

The next day, in New York…

Flash had been racking his brain for a while the past day on how to make good on his promise to Alexa before finally deciding to just throw caution to the wind and wing it. So with that thought in mind he let his power loose and race towards New York with the intent to meet up with the woman.

As he speeds along, he stops a few small crimes here and there like a would-be mugger, carjackers, drug peddlers and such.

As he continues, he spots the Master Chief flying in his armor, more than likely on patrol and decides to say hi to the man and check on him as well. Racing up a building in defiance of the laws of gravity he reaches the roof and waves him down.

The Spartan was surprised by the hero of Central city but didn't think much to it as he flew down towards the man who greeted him with a wave and a smile.

"Top of the morning to you Chief."

"Hello Flash, is there something that requires my presence?" He asks just in case he needs to prep for a fight.

"Not at all, just wanted to visit Alexa and keep a promise I made her, but seeing you I thought I'd make a pit stop and say hi." Wally cheerfully replies to his more stoic comrade.

"I see."

"So how are you all things considered?"

"I am well enough; I understand the reason behind my suspension and accept them as to do the contrary would lead to in fighting within the League and thus weakens us as a whole." John replies in all honesty.

"Still don't feel right to me, don't know if you heard but I was against the whole thing, you were just doing what you were trained to do. Am I happy you had to take lives? No, but you did tell us beforehand it could happen and I guess we never really thought about what that would entail or we never gave the proper thought." Wally was honest to the man as she says this.

John appreciated the words even though he couldn't express it properly he was grateful for the support.

"It's in the past Flash, I cannot change what is already done and I can only hope to not be forced into a situation where such actions must happen again."

"Still I just wanted to let you know I got your back MC." Flash replies with a smile at the man.

Odd nickname aside he valued those words, teamwork meant a lot to the man.

"The same to you Flash, you have my word on that." The Chief responds with an extended hand to his colleague who gave it a firm hold and pump in agreement.

*Already know how much that means to you John, hope I can show the same level of resolve. *

"So, I hate to bother you further Chief but you happen to know where I can find Alexa by any chance?"

"She is more than likely still at the apartment complex she shares with Donna." John kindly replies.

"I would have thought it would have been with her sword happy sister?" Flash can't help but asks as Artemis seemed like the overprotective type.

"Diana and Donna convinced her to let Alexa have some breathing room or so I was told."

"Well that takes a load of my mind, I mean I get she means well but that woman is scary as hell." Flash can't help but suppress a shiver at the image the redhead.

"She is actually quite inciteful and well-adjusted once you get to know her, we have had many talks about proper fire arms usage and effective strategies in close quarters combat using multiple blade types, though I feel she has an overreliance on spears and long swords and not enough usage of short swords and knives." John replied in utmost seriousness though Flash couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the armored man.

"Chief I say next I say this as your friend, you need a hobby man."

*Why does everyone keep telling me that? First Cortana, then Commander Keyes and now Flash? * John asks himself in confusion.

Meanwhile Flash was suddenly struck with an idea.

"Chief you doing anything while your off duty so to speak?"

That caught the Spartan for a loop but he known the less answers no. Frankly his time was divided in maintaining his training regime in the morning, work at the agency, spar with Artemis, patrol the city and then sleep. Anything in between was empty though given his current suspension he had more free time than he knew what to do with.

"Well why don't you come with me to Central City? I can show you around town and see the sights maybe stop some bad guys." The crimson clad man asks jovially to the soldier who was surprised by the offer.

"Do you mean as civilians? What of your identity?"

"Hey if I can trust anyone with my real name it's you Chief." Flash replies before quickly searching around the area and then looking back at the Chief and lifting his face mask.

"Wallace Rudolph West, but you can call me Wally, all my friends do." Wally says before donning his mask again, John for his part was stunned by the gesture but after thinking it over he replies.

"…thank you for trusting me with this, I shall not betray it…and I need to clear it with the Commander first but perhaps I will take you up on the offer."

"Sweet! Might as well see if I can see if Alexa wants to come as well, I mean it isn't New York but Central can be pretty fun if you know what to look for."

John didn't comment on that as despite living in the Big Apple he had very few outings that were not related to being the city's protector or the agency.

Later…

In the apartment both Alexa and Donna shared the two could be found in the main living room. Alexa was, as she was known for, currently enthrall in Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea while Donna was taking her current past time of watching animal documentaries on TV, while not as fantastic as the species that dwelled on the island she did have a fondness for all living creatures and was enthused to see more of what was out in the world plus she found the concept of photography interesting as well as she sees men and women venture out into the world to capture singular moments in time and record them for posterity.

*KNOCK!* *KNOCK!* *KNOCK!*

"Hmm, I wonder who that is?" The raven-haired Amazon voices as she gets up to answer the door while her roommate watched her.

She soon got her answer when she sees the unarmored form of the Master Chief standing before her.

"Oh, hello Spartan, we were not expecting you to visit, is there something you need?" She asks him while moving to the side to let him in.

"Hello, I specifically do not but my colleague was looking to speak with Alexa." He replies as he moves in and shows Flash waiting behind the larger man.

"Good day ladies!" He greets cheerfully with a smile.

"Flash, it is good to see you again." The redhead greets, frankly she had been wondering if she would see him again and was pleased by his impromptu visit.

"Likewise, I stopped by to check up on the Chief here and thought to see you as well after promising to show you around." Wally replies in all honesty to her while nods in greeting to Donna who does the same, though she was curious about how he and the healer knew each other.

"You wish to do so now?" Alexa asks him, frankly she was wondering if he forgot but was again pleased that the man had remembered, after all she would not have ventured outside the confines of their island had he not given her a small push to do so.

"Well I actually I wanted to propose something before doing so, see I asked the Chief if he would like to visit my home in Central City while he uh…well you know." Flash wanted to avoid the details of the man's suspension out of respect for him though given the looks the women gave it seems they were in the know.

"Anyway, I felt that I should ask you if you wanted to come as well so I can show you around my hometown and see the sights."

*I didn't expect that! * Alexa thinks in surprise, though a part of her wonder if her sister would allow it before shaking that thought and deciding that this was to good to pass up.

"I will have to speak with my sister of this but I would to see your home Flash." She replies with a smile that he couldn't help but mirror. Though before more could be said a voice cut in…

"Can I join you?" They both her Donna ask.

That earned her some looks of surprise from the three that made her feel a bit self-conscious but still she remained firm in her question.

"You want see Central City?" She heard the crimson clad man ask her.

"I wish to see and learn more of the world, while I have enjoyed what I have been shown in the territory my sister and the Spartan protect I would like to see more if possible." Donna replies in earnest to the crimson speedster.

"Well I have no issue with it but I think you need to ask Diana first as well."

"Then I shall do so."

"I believe we should do so together Donna, strength in numbers and all." Alexa adds as she hopes such a strategy yield better odds in convincing her sister.

"Aw it will all work out Alexa, you'll see." Flash can't help but express with a confident smile to the redhead who can't help but take comfort in the action.

John while silent had to give the man credit for boosting the Amazon's confidence.

*Perhaps I should add my two cents when they speak to their sisters as well. * He can't help but think while watching Flash speak with the two women of the place, he can show them in his city.

It would be quite the outing for the group when the time came.

To be continued...

A/N: So now we have John venture into Central with Wally as his guys and two Amazons tagging along. Now he is going to be going on a rampage or anything but rather it's like that episode on JLU where Bats and Orion go with him for the opening of his museum. A bit of Rogues showing around the place, some light hearted moments and maybe build something up with Alexa and Wally, and I've been thinking how to get Donna into uniform so to speak.

Well I hope you enjoyed this and I can't say when it will come but Marvel is to be updated as well in the coming months.

PEACE OUT!