re: Bard's Poor Attempt at a Combined Marvel/DC Universe (an ongoing project)

“LAST CALL! THAT MEANS YOU TOO, HIGHBALL!”

The few patrons of the Oasis Bar grumbled a bit, but Hal wasn’t one of them. He and Sally had been… friendly… a couple of years back but she had been wanting more of a commitment than Hal could give. The only thing Hal Jordan had ever been able to commit to was flying.

Sally wasn’t the type to settle for being a runner-up so she had ended things between them, but just because she had been the one to end it didn’t mean she didn’t hold a grudge. Sally, being the owner, manager and head bartender at the Oasis, had let Hal back in only because she had started dating Hal’s friend Wendell recently and he had apparently put in a good word for Hal. Indian Springs, New Mexico wasn’t known for its extensive variety nor large collection of bars, so Hal was thankful for Wendell’s help. He grinned at the thought as he raised his drink to Sally as an acknowledgement.

“I’m going to settle up then be right back”. Hal was halfway to the bar before his companion realized what was going on. She and Hall had known each other years ago, but had lost touch. She had been in the bar to meet some other guy she thought she had a burgeoning romance with, but he didn’t show so Hal considered his running into her as a stroke of good luck. He wasn’t sure if it was something about the night, something about her hair, something about how she carried herself, but as Hal made his way to the bar he realized he was genuinely attracted to her. He knew that because of who she was; getting involved with her could end up being a problem for him professionally, but no one had ever accused Hal Jordan of having an over-abundance of caution. As he pulled out his wallet he told Sallie “I’ve got hers too” as he motioned to the woman at the table behind him.

Sally looked at the woman who had been talking with Hal all night, then looked back at Hal. She knew who the woman was. “I think that’s a mistake.”

Hal put on his best innocent smile, “why does everybody keep saying that to me?”

Sally shook her head but took his money for both tabs.

“Keep the change,” as he began to turn away he said “love ya, Sally!” It was something he had said for years before they had ever gotten involved. There were many nights he had drank too much and tried to overpay, nights where Sally steered him away from hitting on the wrong woman, and nights where she had let him sleep it off in a booth or on a pool table with nothing left but the keys to the bar and a note saying “lock it up and leave the keys in the mailbox”. He had loved her as a dear friend but had overstepped that boundary by pushing it into being more. It hadn’t worked and he had lost a good friend over it. He hadn’t meant to fall back into the pattern, but in the moment it just felt so… natural.

He regretted it the moment he said it.

Almost immediately she responded, “no you don’t.”

He turned back to her, with what he thought must be the millionth apology to her on his lips when he saw her smiling broadly at him. “I ain’t a jet, flyboy.” With that, she winked at him then turned back to closing down the bar.

Hal was elated at the idea that his friendship could be mended, he briefly wondered if this night could get any better then realized it absolutely could as her turned and his eyes rested on the woman he had been drinking and talking with all night.
“I know it’s late, but tomorrow is Sunday so neither of us have to work. I’ve really enjoyed tonight but I’m not quite ready for it to end and I’m hoping you feel the same.”

She gave an amused, yet skeptical smile to Hal. “What do you have in mind?”

“I know this great place out in the desert where it’s quiet and there’s no light pollution. On a night like tonight you feel like you can see forever.”

“I’ve always been a big fan of the stars.”