Confrontation

[lanternslight]

Hal sits on the edge of his balcony, looking out on Coast City. The spreading of the Blue Lanterns and the Star Sapphires bothers him... but even more so is the reaction of the Guardians. Potential allies, with power levels to challenge their own, being attacked as enemies because of... what? A lack of "purity

Comments

[carol_ferris]

Accepting the Star Sapphire hadn't been an easy choice for Carol, but she wasted no energy worrying about it. After the suggestion of war party, she was back in her office to clear things a little for Tom so he wouldn't have too much trouble in case she was gone for an extended period of time.

[lanternslight]

He's got a lot on his mind. And while Hal's never been the most communicative of sorts, he can usually talk to Carol about nearly anything. And he wants to. The Scarecrow's toxin, the Star Sapphire corps, the paranoia of the Guardians, Travis vanishing...

...what he learned about himself after the Star Sapphires took them to that false world... and his thoughts about Carol.

He can't run from it anymore.

But now he needs to wait for Carol to get back to Earth... and hopefully check in with him.

[carol_ferris]

Carol was reviewing the next pay schedule when she wondered if Hal was back. Those blasted Smurfs seemed anxious to keep their Green Lanterns under control, but she went ahead and called his number. She could always leave a message.

[lanternslight]

He answers quickly, and, noticing the caller ID, speaks with a quiet voice.

"...Carol? You're back?"

[carol_ferris]

She frowned at his tone. "Yes, I'm back. They aren't holding me prisoner. How's Henry?"

[lanternslight]

"Asleep," he whispers. "On the couch nearby. Can you meet me here?"

[carol_ferris]

She looked at the deskful of paperwork, to the phone, to the door. It was time for break anyway. "I'll be there in twenty minutes. Have you eaten? I can pick up something on the way."

[lanternslight]

"Sure," he replies. "See you then."

He hangs up and carefully picks Henry up off the couch, then moves him to his bedroom. He pauses at the door, considering... and slips off his ring and places it on the top shelf of Henry's closet. He wouldn't put it past the Guardians to spy on them through the rings. Especially now.

[carol_ferris]

Twenty minutes later, Carol was his door with a bag of Chinese food she'd ordered before leaving the office and picked up a few blocks away. Her mind was set on Argue. Hal was not going to change her mind about the Star Sapphire.

[lanternslight]

As she comes in, he nods at her.

"Nice costume," he observes with a sly wink.

[carol_ferris]

"Say that again when you manage to lift your eyes north of the neckline," she said with a sigh. "I brought a lot of food. Henry might like noodles when he wakes up."

[lanternslight]

"Probably," he nods. He looks her in the eyes, and his momentary trace of flirtatiousness and joviality is gone.

"Carol... are you sure about this?" he asks.

[carol_ferris]

She gave him a look and carried the food to the kitchen. "This is something that was a long time in coming. What happens tomorrow I don't know, but right now I'm sure."

[lanternslight]

"I don't trust the Zamarons, Carol," Hal points out. "They're just as crazy as the Guardians, but they're totally unpredictable."

[carol_ferris]

"Yes," she agreed. "Do you trust me?"

[lanternslight]

"Completely," he replies instantly. "Always."