Aero *Completed Story*

Chapter 10

These wounds won't seem to heal, this pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase
When you cried, I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream, I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me

"This is a personal investigation Dove, so I would appreciate your discretion in the matter." J'onn waited for the man standing beside him to give him some sort of acknowledgement.

Dove turned to face J'onn. "Am I allowed to know why you are digging further into this? I don't think you are going to like what you find." Not only had Dove been personally tortured and tormented by what happened in Africa, but while he was imprisoned there he could feel what everyone else was going through as well. He wasn't sure which was worse, dealing with his own feelings or those of the heroes around him.

Everyday Dove tried his best to keep the incident from his mind by whatever means necessary. To see that someone had a desire to dig further into the horrors that he had unwillingly experienced, chilled him to the bone.

"What did Strange inject Preston with?"

"A deal then. I will be discreet about this matter if you do something for me in return."

J'onn was taken aback by the rawness in Dove's voice. This was a side of the man he had never seen, and it sent a tremor down his spine. Something inside of him was warning him about what could come next. J'onn usually gave into his intuition, but he didn't have a choice this time. He had to ignore it. "What is it?"

"Tell me where he is. Where is Dr. Strange?"

With much trepidation J'onn answered him. "He is in solitary in Blackgate." As soon as the words left his mouth, J'onn felt a wave of uneasiness wash over him.

"Thank you, J'onn."

Anxious to finish this conversation J'onn asked, "What was Preston injected with?"

"There's only one person who can answer that question for you. And he's locked up in Blackgate."

***

The things J'onn found himself doing these days reminded him of what his desperation drove him to when he was on Mars fighting the White Martians. A part of him was lost on his home planet. He gave into emotions and actions he never before had allowed himself to think about. But war changes you. And trying to save the ones you love could turn you into a dangerous man.

J'onn had many regrets in his long life, but admittedly what he did for his planet was not among them. He did all he could to save his home. Sometimes that included taking actions he would never again do, let alone mention. Since then he worked very hard to fight the tendency to regress to that man who was driven only by passion and hatred. But lately the fight was turning into more of a war.

He didn't know exactly when he had dropped his wall and let Preston into his heart. Looking back, she had always been there. In a way he was thankful to her. After he lost his daughters, he wasn't sure if he would ever feel that way toward anyone else. But there she was, a lost girl who had her whole life ahead of her. A girl who had already been through a lot in her life and had taken it all in stride. Her personality reminded J'onn of his girls. She was the best of both of them.

He chuckled to himself. He never had a chance against Preston. The love that had developed for her in his heart drove him to do anything for her. And that scared him. He knew giving Dove the location of Strange was a mistake. But right now, he wanted to do all he could to help Preston, damn the consequences.

J'onn knew to confront Dr. Strange he would need some assistance. Someone who was adept at not only reading people but gathering information discreetly. As he left the teleporter pad located inside Wayne Manor, he transformed himself into Hank Henshaw, the human form he took as the occasion called for it. He quietly left the mansion and got in one of Bruce's cars and made his way to Hub City.

***

Hank Hall paced back and forth in front of the couch in the living room. He never felt nervous like this, but he wasn't used to dealing with feelings. That was his brother's department. Punching bad guys, that he was comfortable with. But confronting Don because he had been acting different lately, completely out of his comfort zone.

He loved his brother. And he knew his brother. From what he had seen lately, something was wrong with him. And that worried Hank. It took all his strength to deal with how uncomfortable he was waiting for his brother. It made him so anxious he couldn't stop moving about the room. He would sit on the couch one minute then get up and quickly pace around it the next. Rubbing his hands together vigorously trying to remain calm, Hank sighed in relief when he heard the key turn in the front door.

He decided to sit on the couch and act casual. He didn't want to put Don on guard right away.

As Don entered the house, he threw his keys on the small table beside the front door and rested his cane up against the opposite wall. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it letting out a long breath.

"Hey bro."

Startled, Don looked up at his brother trying to look casual sitting on the couch. "Hey. What's going on?"

Hank shifted on the couch. "Nothing really just thought I would stop by and say hey."

Don raised his eyebrow skeptically. "I know you better then anyone Hank. I can tell when your lying or hiding something. But even if I didn't know you I could tell you were lying. I can sense emotion remember?"

"Oh yeah. Forgot that." Hank bit his bottom lip in thought.

"Why are you really here? I'm kind of in the middle of something."

"Oh, really what is it?"

"Just a," Don immediately put his guard up and lied through his teeth. "project I have been working on."

"Ok well can I help with it?"

"Hank, just tell me why you are here."

Hank stood up and closed the distance between them. He placed his hand on Don's shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes. "I'm worried about you."

Brushing his brothers hand off him Don slowly moved to the other side of the room, obviously in pain from overuse of his leg. "Please. I'm fine."

"Right. Now who's lying. Look I came over to check on you because you haven't been yourself since..." Hank couldn't finish his sentence because he was afraid how Don would react.

Don responded quickly, his voice laced with animosity. "Since Africa?"

"See that's exactly what I'm talking about. You're angry and you never get angry. You're the most peaceful man I know. Seeing you like this worries me Don." He paused a moment to think about how to phrase his next sentence. "I think you should see someone. A psychiatrist maybe?"

The look on Don's face could only be described as suspicious. He formed a small smile to try to reassure his brother. The next thing he said would almost guarantee that his brother would leave him alone. In fact, he was counting on it. "That's a great idea. In fact, I have an appointment to see one early tomorrow morning."