JSA Brownstone

[jla_goldenage]

While the team is away, other members of the JSA have remained behind. One in particular received a visitor who has a "rotating" sort of admission.

And he's not happy at the moment.

"Do you know...no. That's a stupid question. I know you do. But you want to tell me one good reason why there's been no change yet

Comments

[anaturalgreen]

She can't stop fidgeting. Tapping the fingers, the toes, shifting in her seat, crossing her legs one way and then the other.

Tiny green flames are dancing from one finger to the other, as Jennie tries to keep herself occupied during what is bound to be a long surgery.

A surgery she has a vested interest in.

[jla_goldenage]

"Miss...Miss...you're Alan's girl, right?" The older man a few seats down from her leans to the side and offers something. "Here. Usually Jay and the guys frown down on this but. You look like you could use a nerve calmer."

He opens his hand, showing an hourglass engraved flask.

[anaturalgreen]

She reaches out for the flask with flame-entwined fingers, extinguishing them before grabbing the small bottle.

"Thanks, um... I really appreciate it." As she uncorks it and takes a deep draught of whatever's inside, a sigh escapes her.

"I'm Jenny. I'm sorry, you look really familiar..."

[jla_goldenage]

"I am too. I haven't seen a gal take Jim Beam down like that since Joanie Dale." He gives a bemused face to her shot. "I'm Rex Tyler. And I'm just a bit overwhelmed. That's three legends down there working on my son." He rubs his hands together.

"They're using something I created. A casing that should help his valves pump like they should. So I guess I'm in there in spirit, right?"

[anaturalgreen]

"Oh! His fath-- of course you'd be here." The flask is paused halfway back to her lips, before Jennie hands it back over. Probably not entirely OK to drink more in front of his Dad.

"Do you think your casing will work?"

[jla_goldenage]

"Its better than anything I've done before. Including Miraclo. I just don't understand how it failed and...we ended up here." He rubs his face, studying the operation.

"I make sure to keep up with the newspapers, so I know how you all have been. My wife won't let me watch televised battles or reports though. Thinks I'll throw the cape on and go right back out there. She's RIGHT, but still...So Jennifer. How is he? From a teammate's perspective?"

[anaturalgreen]

Peering down at the operation, Jennie doesn't reply for a moment, focusing on the delicate handiwork.

"He took a blast that was aimed at me. Did you know that?" She looks away from the scene below and to Rex.

"He's lucky we were able to get a Lantern to him quickly. I don't know what happened with the Miraclo, but I think it had run out."

[jla_goldenage]

He glances back, forming his own words. A nod and then "Hourman is...doing what we do is different. For twenty three hours and fifty nine seconds a day, we're normal. But for that hour, we're Superman. Which...makes us want to do more, jump higher, hit harder. And save everyone." Rex focuses down on the surgery now. "And...this comes as part of the deal. We don't see our own limits. Just how to live for the now."

"You're special to him. I'm sure of it. But I'm sure he'd do the same thing tomorrow if it came up."

[anaturalgreen]

A smile, a little weary, and she nods.

"I don't think he considers what he does to be good enough, if that makes sense. Like..." She turns to face him directly, tucking her legs to the side to be more comfortable.

"Like he feels like he can't protect me well enough."

[jla_goldenage]

"I understand. I do. Wendi used to feel like I put her in a bubble more than anything else. Rick grew to resent that I overdid it when I was there, and when I wasn't...there just wasn't anything. You can probably guess which was more often." Tyler's words aren't directed at her, or anyone else truly.

"It was an easy excuse at the time. The JSA, The All Star Squadron, Icicle, Ragdoll, Shade, any of them at any time. Its much easier to be a cape than a father, or a husband. But this...this is his fight."

A nod. "We're Tyler men. Its what we do."

[anaturalgreen]

She snorts softly.

"Did you ever find a balance? Or is that even possible?"

[jla_goldenage]

"I'm watching a genius, a blind surgeon, and my dead partner put a mechanical shield over my son's heart. Nothing's impossible." He offers with a smile.

[anaturalgreen]

Jennie laughs at this, the oddity of the entire situation.

"It does kinda seem like we could change the world after something like this. Though I think I'd be content with a boyfriend without a hole in his chest..."