Thunder and Lightning
by  John O'Connor
Disclaimer:  The characters are owned and copywritten
by DC Comics & Time Warner.  This story is for
entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged
hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The
original characters, situations, and story are the
property of the author.
The name's Thunder.  I'm a P.I.  You know, like
"Magnum, P.I."?  Except that instead of a hot red
Ferrari, I drive an old Ford.  And instead of speeding
around Hawaii, I crawl through the smog and traffic of
the greater Los Angeles area.
And I certainly don't have a mustache.
About the only thing I have in common with the
fictional TV detective is that we're both smart asses
and we both have an affinity for lovely young ladies.
Unfortunately, that hasn't been a factor in my life
lately.  Much like the ready cash I never seem to
have.
I hadn't had a good paying client in too long.  I was
able to pay my bills, the ones that were printed on
pink paper anyway, by taking on surveillance jobs for
the divorce attorney down the hall.  Dirty work but it
helps.
This particular day, a quiet Thursday afternoon, was
much like the days before.  Lots of nothing. This
Thursday however was the start of a new chapter in my
life.  Not a welcome start but I've learned to adapt
and roll with the punches.
I was sitting at my desk, surfing the internet for
free pictures of naked women, preferably with other
naked women (did I mention I'm a lesbian?) when there
was a knock on my door.  I immediately minimized the
browser and called out, "Come in."
The door opened slowly and my breath caught in my
throat.  There, in the door, was a vision.  The woman
had long, curly, black hair and lovely eyes.  Her
figure was exquisite and absolutely perfect.  Well,
what I could see of it under the long, jade-green
dress.
And I was pretty sure there was nothing fake or
artificial underneath.  Live in La-la-land as long as
me, hitting on starlets and wanna-be's, and you'll get
an eye for that kind of thing too.
There was something about her.  Something familiar,
like I should know her.  But much as I tried to recall
why or where I knew her, the thought slipped away.
Clearing my throat, I stood and held out my hand, "Hi,
I'm Jonni Thunder.  May I help you?"
She stepped up and took my hand.  "I am Zatanna."
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Zatanna."
"Just Zatanna."
Zatanna?  Now the bells were starting to ring.  She
had some kind of career in show business.  Singer?
Actress?  I wasn't sure but the single name, like
Madonna, told me show business and, maybe, big bucks.
'Don't blow this one, Thunder,' I warned myself.
And it wasn't just the possible money talking either.
She may have a single name like Madonna but this woman
was so far her superior in every way.  She was
absolutely stunning!
Gesturing towards a chair when I really wanted to take
her back to my cramped studio apartment in Venice, I
asked, "How may I help you?"
"I need help recovering something that was stolen from
me," she replied.  She sat as she said this, crossing
those long legs.  She spoke with a slight accent I
couldn't place but it was definitely alluring.
I grabbed a legal pad I used to doodle on when I was
surfing the internet and, turning to a blank page, I
began to get details.  Some people are nervous and
hold back information when dealing with detectives.
Some give too much.  I have yet to figure out if
that's because they're nervous, embarrassed, or were
testing me to see how much I, being female, could
figure out.  (Damn Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe!)
"What was stolen?  Could you describe it?  Maybe give
me some idea of it's value?"
"It is priceless.  To me.  Someone stole my powers."
Red flags and skyrockets went off in my head!  Powers?
 Another goddamned metahuman!  I swore after the last
time, I'd have nothing to do with them anymore.  I'd
already lost too much dealing with those freaks!
I suppose I should explain.  Because of familial ties,
I stumbled upon a living Thunderbolt.  It came from
some old, moldy Inca statue and ended up merging with
me.  I would change into it when I had to but I really
hated it.   Due to their supposition that I was
related to Johnny Thunder of the old JSA and the
damned demon, I became affiliated with Infinity, Inc.
for a short time.  And it cost me.
The Star-Spangled Kid, AKA Sylvester Pemberton, had
been a member of the Justice Society and disappeared
into limbo with the Seven Soldiers of Victory long
before I was born.  When the Soldiers had been freed
by the Justice League and some of the JSA, Syl decided
to hook up with the kids of his former teammates and
joined Infinity Inc.
During an operation I participated in with the damned
Thunderbolt, Syl, the only man I might have come to
love, was killed.  I left the group for good shortly
afterwards and spent quite a bit of time trying to get
rid of the damned demon.  Once I had, I found I'd lost
even more when my father, Jim Thunder, had passed away
and left me this detective agency.
I vowed to my father's spirit and to myself to stay as
far from superheroes as I could.  And I was pretty
good about it too.
Until the day Jade walked back into my life.  She was
another Infinity kid, the daughter of the original
Green Lantern.  She has the most beautiful green skin
and hair when she uses her power.  We started fooling
around almost from the beginning.  That changed into
an exclusive affair that lasted for almost a year
before circumstances caused her to head east to live
in Manhattan.  And, until she fell head over heels for
one of the new Titans, we would still get together
occasionally.  The last time was six months ago when
we met at a hotel/casino at Lake Tahoe.
Tahoe has everything on Vegas.  The table stakes are
lower (a must for a P.I. on a shoe-string), the
mountains, and the women.  They are so much more real
than the silicon jobs in Lost Wages.  The last time we
were there, Jade and I hooked up with a cocktail
waitress, a blackjack dealer, and a Keno girl.  What
that Keno girl could do with her tongue...
Well, another time for that.  I need to get back to
the matter at hand.  The tall, sultry dish who wanted
me to help her find her missing powers.
"You say you lost your powers?  What exactly
happened?" I asked.  I decided to find out more before
refusing the case.  And yes, it had to do with those
long legs and those deep, dark eyes.
"A rival, Marion Baldwin, who goes by the stage name,
Marion the Mystic, used an ancient talisman, the Orb
of Omagotta, to rob me of my powers," the beauty
explained.
"The Orb of Oh-my-God-da?" I asked stupidly.  "I've
never heard of it."
"It's an ancient talisman but few even knew of it's
existence.  I myself believed it had been destroyed
centuries ago."
"So this Marion the Mystic stole your powers?  And you
want me to get them back for you?  I'm sorry Ms Za-
uh, Zatanna, but I'm just a simple gumshoe.  I don't
have any special powers or abilities.  I think you'd
be better off..."
"No, I know you are the person I need to see.  It
was...shown to me," Zatanna interrupted.
"Shown?  But you said you're powers..."
"I consulted an old friend and she illuminated the
path I should follow," she explained.
"This old friend, she's a magician too?"
"A seer.  A very powerful seer."
"Why can't she help you?" I asked.
"She cannot.  The one to help me cannot have
any...shall we say, ties to me," she said, staring
deeply into my eyes.
Well, that certainly explained absolutely nothing.
See why I hate dealing with metas?  They either go
into a situation with fists flying or are so
convoluted in anything they say that your head ends up
spinning like a top.
But, with my eyes locked onto hers, I felt an urge to
learn more.  "Riddles and evasive statements won't
help.  How 'bout some straight talk?"
She inclined her head in a very discreet, but very
sexy, nod.  Yes, even her nods were sexy.  I had the
sinking feeling I was already in this case up to my
hips...
"Very well.  The problem is two-fold.  X is an old
lover.  Because of our history, she cannot become
involved without endangering herself.  The Orb is very
powerful and uses a person's powers and emotions
against them.  If that person has magical abilities,
the problem is more than compounded."
I sat there in silence.  To be honest, I was a little
stunned.  This woman had once been in a lesbian
relationship...  So that means...
I shook my head.  No!  No metahumans.  No matter how
hot and sexy...  I kept telling myself that as I
followed the line of her calf up to her thigh until it
disappeared into the shadows of her tight, slit skirt.
"You, having once had experience in the metaphysical,
already have contacts in that world.  And, since you
have no ties to me other than monetary, and no
residual powers, you would not be in danger.  At least
not to the degree Xanadu or myself would be."  She
opened her purse and pulled out a roll of bills.  If
my eyes had jaws instead of lids, they'd've been on
the floor when she unrolled the wad.  The smallest I
could see was a $50.00 bill!  "Please, money is no
object."
Well, since she put it that way...  But I could never
take advantage of a beautiful woman.  Well, at least
not financially.
"Uh, well, it's not that..."
Again, she interrupted me.  "You're concerned with
dealing with superheroes?"
Stunned, I nodded.  "How...?"
"Being a magician, I learned to not rely solely on my
powers but also on the subject's body language."  Did
I detect a gleam in her eye?  "But, I'm not in
the...game anymore, as it were.  After I left the
League, I decided to stay with show business."
No superheroes is fine but we're still dealing with
meta-weirdness.  I tried not to let the money, the
legs, the body, or her eyes get to me.  I failed.
"Okay, you hired yourself an investigator.  Now, tell
me more about this Orb," I said.  I was surprised that
I wasn't more surprised at myself for accepting.
Then it fell to dickering about my fee.  Well,
dickering isn't exactly the right word, she agreed to
my terms and even gave me part of her wad of cash as a
down payment.  With the green stuff on my desk, I felt
I owed it to her to get some information.
"So, any idea where I can track down this Marion
chick?  And her Orb?"
Zatanna told me the Orb was used by certain sorcerers
to strip their enemies of their power.  It wouldn't
give that power to the user, but held it like a
storage battery.  And it had an aura when it contained
someone's power.
"She was playing some small club in Long Beach.  The
Magic Chest," Zatanna said.
"Okay, why did this Marion take your power?" I asked.
Zatanna smiled, a rather sad but cute smile, "She and
I worked a double bill for a time.  We also became
lovers.  Unfortunately both situations ended badly.
She felt I overshadowed her and her abilities.  The
last time I saw her, she swore she'd become a better
magician than I could ever be."
"And...?"
"She called with the premise that we could reconcile.
I wasn't interested in renewing our romantic situation
but I did want to try to repair the rift between us.
She waited until I was unprepared and used the Orb.
Since then, the core of my magic has been missing.
It's like I've lost a part of myself..."  Zatanna took
a deep breath, her eyes closed.  I was entranced.
"Here is my cell phone and pager numbers.  Please call
if you learn anything.  Anything at all," she asked,
handing me a piece of paper with phone numbers on it.
Even her handwriting got to me...
She stood and as I walked her to the door, she took my
hand in both of hers.  I felt an erotic little tingle
shoot right down to my crotch.  I hoped my white pants
wouldn't stain...
"Thank you for your help.  I am playing at Morton's on
Wilshire this week.   If you find out anything, please
come see me.  And should this resolve itself
satisfactorily, you might come see me anyway..."  She
smiled and I knew I saw a sparkle in her eye that
time.
"But if your magic is gone...?"
"Like I said, I learned long ago not to rely too
heavily on my magic.  I, um, well let's just say I am
more than just a pretty face..."
And so she left.  And left me in a state...
I decided to take the cash and deposit most of it.  I
keep a few hundred for expenses.  After finishing my
banking, I headed towards Venice.  I felt there was a
link somewhere in Venice.  Don't ask.  I just knew.
Near one of the old canals, I saw a series of small
shops.  None looked familiar and I'd lived here for a
few years.  Most had dusty windows with faded Closed
signs.  One near the middle of this weird block was
open.  I guess.  The old sign in the door said Open.
I pushed in on the door and it opened to the
accompaniment of small bells.  A magic shop!  Why did
that not surprise me?
Considering the state of the exterior, the interior
was spotless.  Cluttered but spotless.  And at the
back of the room sat a woman with dark hair and dark
eyes.
She looked at me and said, "I am Madame Xanadu.  You
are here to assist a friend.  Please, be welcome."
Xanadu?  Zatanna's one-time lover?  Gotta say the
magician definitely has taste.  This woman had the
patent on dark and mysterious.  And she was damned
sexy to boot!
She gestured to a chair in front of the table she sat
at.  On the table, cards were spread in a classic
Tarot array.  Now, I have little use for Tarot
readings.  Like astrology columns, they can mean
whatever you want them to.  But something in her
voice, sultry and deep, compelled me to sit.
"I have been made aware of the situation," she said.
"The cards?" I asked in a mocking tone.
"Yes, the cards are an indicator to those who know.
But I do not rely on them.  Anymore than I rely on..."
 She gestured to the side and on a small table I saw
what had to be a crystal ball!  This was too much!
"You are concerned by the strange, unusual aspects of
this case.  You are no longer comfortable with the
supranatural or the supernatural."
"No, you're wrong," I corrected her.  "I was never
comfortable with any of that crap!  I like things down
to earth."
"Then why did you take this case?"
How could I answer?  Tell this woman I had the hots
for her old lover?  And that I really liked actually
having money in the bank?
Her next words shook me.  "You are attracted to
Zatanna.  That and your financial problems compelled
you to take on this task."  I found myself nodding
dumbly.  "You are afraid I will be outraged that you
find my former lover attractive.  You are afraid that
you find her attractive.  You would do almost anything
to avoid anything with a metanatural or supernatural
aspect."
"Uh, listen.  I just walked in 'cause I never saw
this..."
She waved me to silence.  "You seek she who has the
Orb of Omagotta.  This can be very dangerous.  The Orb
can sense even the slightest interest you have in it's
victim.  Zatanna can no longer fight against such
dangers and so that interest must be purged.  There is
a way but, unfortunately, due to my closeness with
Zatanna, I cannot help you in this either."  She
almost sounded disappointed.
"Go to Madame Chang's.  You know this place?  Good.
Go there and the protection you need will be granted.
You should find it very pleasurable," Xanadu added
with a wicked grin.
"That is all I have for you."  As I rose, she added,
"Help our friend and I shall be indebted to you.
Remember the difference between forwards and
backwards."
With that cryptic statement, I found myself outside.
The street was strangely foggy.  In the middle of the
day.  I turned to look at the shop and saw old
familiar canal-side housing!  What the fuck did I get
myself into?
I had to admit I was scared.  I was completely out of
my depth but I had taken the retainer.  And I think,
if I backed out, this Xanadu chick wouldn't be too
happy.  I don't think many people survived seeing her
unhappy.
So, I got in my old beater and headed towards the city
center and on to Little Tokyo.  I did know Madame
Chang.  She was of some help when I had that
double-damned Thunderbolt.  She might be of some use
in this goofy case...
I cruised the neighborhood but couldn't find anything
close by.  Finally I decided to park on Alameda near
Union Station and walk a few blocks.  Exercising in
that chunky LA air is good for you...
As I walked up First Street, I realized I hadn't eaten
yet.  The aromas of the various diners and restaurants
assailed me.  And I'm a sucker for Chinese food.  I
even know how to use chopsticks!
First things first.  Madame Chang's was sandwiched
between a Japanese book store and a wholesale toy
outlet.  Funny thing, Madame Chang is Chinese and has
her shop in Little Tokyo instead of Chinatown.  But
then, Little Tokyo does have an authentic Chinese
restaurant or two that are quite good.
Once inside, you wouldn't know you were in southern
California though.  All sorts of magical nicknacks
hung from the walls and the shelves had jars of exotic
herbs.  As I got used to the dimness, a voice called
from the back.
"May I help you?"
I turned to see a gorgeous lady in a bright silk gown.
 She had very long, straight black hair and lovely
almond-shaped eyes.  This was new.  "I'm looking for
Madame Chang.  Is she available?"
The young lady shook her head.  "No, I'm sorry.
Grandmother has gone home to her mother."
Her mother?  Madame Chang is at least sixty years old
if not more.  Her mother must be...  Never mind.
Concentrate instead on this gorgeous young thing.
"So, may I help you?"
Clearing my throat, I nodded and said, "Perhaps.  I'm
looking for a talisman of sorts.  I was hoping
Mada...your grandmother might know where I can find
it.  And possibly some charm to protect someone who
gets near it."
She smiled and it made me weak in the knees.  "I have
trained under Grandmother for several years.  I would
be willing to try to assist you.  What is this
talisman you seek?"
"It's called the Orb of
Omagadda...Omigatta...Omi-something."
"Omagotta?  That is a very powerful relic of an
ancient, long-dead race.  Why do you seek it?"
For some reason, I felt I could come clean with this
girl so I told her about the case.  I omitted my
client's name but otherwise, I told her more than she
probably needed to know.  I get that way around
beautiful women.  Torture has nothing on beautiful,
sexy ladies to get me talking.
"You are aware that the Orb works on feelings as well
as powers.  You seem to have some feelings for your
client.  That could be dangerous.  We need to remove
or replace them before you go any further.  By the
way, my name is Li."
She took my hand in greeting, "I'm Jonni.  Jonni
Thunder."
"Grandmother has spoken of you.  You once were
possessed of the spirit of a Thunderbolt, were you
not?"
"Yeah, but that's in the past.  What can you tell me
about this case?"
She walked smoothly to the door and turned the sign to
read 'Closed' from outside.  My eyes were riveted to
her backside as it moved silkily under her dress.
When she turned back to me, she said, "Come.  Let us
adjourn to the back.  We will have more privacy."
I happily followed that sexy rear to the rear of the
store.  In a room dominated by an old oak desk and a
large, comfortable couch, Li turned and said, "Jonni,
you must discard your interest in your client.  At
least until you have dealt with the Orb.  That will
not be easy as I can tell you are already aroused by
this woman."
"How did you know it was a woman?"
"Nothing mystical, I can assure you.  When you
explained the case, you mentioned 'she' and 'her' a
number of times.  Now, the only way to remove this
distraction that I am aware of, is to replace it."
As she was saying this, Li closed the distance between
us and slid her arms around my neck.  Her perfume was
intoxicating.  And her eyes...
"I believe I can do this," she whispered before
pressing her lips to mine in a deep kiss.  Her tongue
snaked into my mouth and parried with mine.  She then
retreated and my tongue followed to explore her mouth.
She was delicious!
I don't know about you but I love kissing beautiful
women.  They have such soft lips and tongues.  And
they taste so sweet...
As we continued to explore each other's mouths, my
hands quickly pulled the long silk skirt up and began
to enjoy the luscious curves of Li's soft ass.
Meanwhile, Li's hands slid under the waistband of my
white pants.  One down to my very wet sex and the
other up under my dress shirt to cup my breast.
Before I realized what had happened, my clothes were
strewn about the room and Li's dress was pooled at her
feet.  She slipped two fingers into me and gently led
me to the couch.  Without removing her fingers, she
pushed me back onto the soft cushions with her other
hand and knelt between my legs.
Kissing me once more deeply, she trailed kisses down
my chest to my hard-as-a-rock nipples.  I was on fire!
 Her tongue and lips were magical.  She gently bit my
nipples before running her tongue all over them,
bathing them both with her sweet saliva.
Li proceeded further down and finally hit my blazing
center.  All the breath rushed out of me as her tongue
delved into me!  She stroked and tickled places with
her tongue that drove me wild!
"You are so wet...  And so delicious!" Li said as she
smiled up at me.  Then she dipped her head again and
sent me several times to the brink of ecstasy before
pulling back.
Finally, I managed, in a lust-filled voice, to say,
"Please.  Don't stop..."
She didn't.  When Li slipped her magical tongue around
my clitoris, it was like a 4th of July festival in my
head.  Then the starbursts merged into one nova-bright
light...
When I could finally open my eyes, Li was right there
in front of me.  We kissed again.  A soft, deep kiss
this time.
"You should go now," Li said as she stood.
"But, I haven't...  I want..." I stammered.  And I did
want to.  I wanted to please this lovely woman.  I
wanted to taste her essence.  I mean, hell, she had
just given me one of the best orgasms I've had in a
long, long time.  I felt I owed her, owed her a debt I
was more than willing to repay.
"No, not at this time.  Perhaps later," my Asian
goddess said.
I pulled on my white pants and shirt, stuffing my bra
and panties into the pocket of my jacket with my tie.
Then, I slipped on my white loafers and left Madame
Chang's shop.
As I walked along Spring, I was suddenly ravenous and
headed for an old favorite.  The Far East Cafe.  They
had the best Chinese food...  And in Little Tokyo, no
less.
As I sat in one of the smaller booths, a young girl
served me.  She was lovely.  Small framed but
delectable.  Normally I would be trying to figure out
some way to get her into bed with me, but for some
reason that urge was not there.  All I could think
about was Li.  How much I wanted to please her...
After finishing my meal, I paid the bill and left the
girl a decent tip (something I haven't been able to do
much lately).  As I walked to my car, I thought about
this Marion the Mystic and the Eye.  She's supposed to
be in Long Beach.
I found a newspaper box that had copies of the free
weekly with the inciteful name the Los Angeles Weekly.
 The Weekly had an entertainment section and I managed
to find a club listing for Marion the Mystic at some
club I'd never heard of before.
Pulling an old, ragged LexOil map from my glove
compartment, I found the street the club was on.  It
was between the Signal Hill oil fields and the ritzy
Belmont Shore area.  Looked closer to the oil field.
I headed south on the Harbor Freeway, thinking about
my options.  I could confront Marion, backstage or
during her set.  I could find out where she's staying
and ransack her room while she's on stage.  I could...
>From there, my options became less and less legal.  I
had to stay legit if I wanted to keep my PI license.
Even too many traffic tickets could hurt.
As the Palo Verde highlands loomed ahead of me, I
turned off and took the San Diego Freeway towards the
eastern part of Long Beach.  I hadn't been here in
years.  The downtown area looked pretty nice now.
What I could see from a distance at sixty-five miles
per hour.
For some reason, at that point, I realized that I had
no idea what the damned Orb looked like!  Was it some
large cats' eye?  Onyx?  A freaking crystal?  I could
only hope it was unique enough to stand out.
With visions of the Holy Grail choices in the last
Indiana Jones movie dancing in my head, I pulled into
a parking lot for a sleazy little joint near the base
of Signal Hill. I quickly retied my tie and shoved my
undies in the glove compartment before getting out of
my car.  I could hear the creak of the oil pumps up
near the crest of the hill.  The stench of spilled
crude oil was heavy in the air too.
The neighborhood fit the atmosphere, dive bars, pawn
shops, and a boarded up greasy spoon.  This place, the
Magic Chest, fit the neighborhood too.  Marion must be
hurting if this is the type of place she was stuck
playing.
It was only about thirty minutes until her first set
so I entered and paid an extravagant cover charge of
five dollars.  The moose who took my money gave me the
once over and made me glad X-Ray vision only came from
Krypton.
The place was just as disreputable inside as out.  I
suppose, once upon a time, when burlesque was still
popular, this place might've been a showplace of
comedians and exotic dancers.  Now it was a cheap,
tawdry strip club.
I went to the bar and got the bartender's attention.
He came over with a smirk on his face, "Yeah, what'll
it be, Blondie?"
"Gimme a beer.  Bud.  In a bottle," I said, not
wanting anything in a glass or from the taps behind
that bar.  God knows what kind of biological horrors
were growing in this joint.  "Hey, you know Marion the
Mystic?"
"Yeah, she's about the only thing good on the stage
lately.  That'll be two-fifty."  He placed the bottle
in front of me, "You interested?  I hear she prefers
the ladies and I'd say you do too."
Glaring at him, I slapped down three singles and said,
"The money only covers the beer, not your sleazy
fantasies."
The goon threw his head back and laughed, "I like you.
 You got spirit."  What am I, a horse?  "Remind me of
my old lady.  She was spunky too."  Spunky now...it
just kept getting better.
"Listen, the show itself starts in about twenty
minutes but Marion don't come on for almost an hour.
If ya wanna, go back there," he pointed to a dim
alcove near the stage.  "She'll be back there gettin'
ready.  She does this slinky witchy thing...  Hot!"
As I started to move away from the bar, he needlessly
added, "And she loves her fans, if ya know what I
mean..."
I ignored him as I made my way backstage.  That was a
joke.  It was a hallway and one large dressing room.
The dressing room had a couple of racks of various
types of outfits.  One wall was a long table and
mirrors for the women to slap on the makeup.  Towards
the back was a bathroom stall with no door.
Nothing like playing the Ritz...
One older woman was ladling the pancake makeup on.  I
guess she thought the stage lights were kinder than
the makeup mirror lights.  I certainly hoped so, she
needed it.
"Hey, you know Marion?  The Mystic?"  Grandma gave me
a blank stare but rubbed her fingers together in the
eternal sign of greed.
As I resigned myself to paying the woman, another
stuck her head out of one of the clothes racks.
"Marion?  She's out back in the trailer.  Why?  She
screwin' your old man?"  The half-naked woman came out
from the rack, "Or your old lady?"
"Those natural silicon?" I fired back as I headed
towards what looked like a back door.  I smiled when I
heard "Bitch" and it's echo at my back.
Back out in the stench, I saw a fairly clean camper.
Knocking on the door, I was greeted by a redhead.  She
was about my age and, from what I could see beneath
the robe, not a bad figure.  With some care and far
less makeup, she'd be quite a looker.  "Yeah?"
"I'm looking for Marion the Mystic."
"Look, I don't entertain before shows.  If you're
still here after my sets, maybe we could work
something out.  I think I'd like that," she said with
an appraising look in her eye.
"Uh, thanks, but I was hoping for a chance to talk.
Just talk," I said.  "Can I come in?"
"Just talk?  Yeah, okay.  I gotta finish putting my
makeup but I can talk."  She stepped aside and I
entered what had to be her home.  This wasn't just
traveling RV but her permanent address, I was
guessing.
"What do you want to talk about?  Want a drink?  Help
yourself."  She gestured towards the kitchenette and a
well-stocked liquor rack.
"Thanks, no.  I'm from the Metropolitan Museum in
Central City.  We heard you might have an artifact
we'd love to talk about putting on display."
"Yeah, what kind of artifact?" Marion said as she sat
at a small desk she had converted to a makeup table.
"It's the Orb of Omagotta," I said.
"Alright!  Who the fuck are you?  What do you know
about the fucking Orb?"  Marion had risen from her
table and was trying to stare me down.
"I told you..."
"Yeah?  Well, show me some credentials!  What museum
was it again?  What city?"  There was a nasty gleam in
her eye that I definitely did not like.  She grabbed a
nail file and was coming towards me.  "How 'bought I
work the information outta ya?  You like that bitch?"
"Whoa!  Hold the phone!"  I took a step back and my
butt hit the kitchenette counter.  She kept getting
nearer with that little file...
Stupid!  I was so befuddled by the events of the day
that I completely forgot about my gun.  I pulled the
old Army .45 caliber from the holster at my back and
pointed it at Marion.  Wisely she stopped.
"Just hold it, sister.  Drop the nail file..."  There
are times I amaze myself at how much I sound like some
bad detective movie, like now.  "Now, just sit your
cute little butt down and tell me where the Orb is."
"Fuck you!"
What a mouth on such a little thing.  And, since I
knew it wasn't an invitation, I declined to respond in
kind.
"Fine, you wanna play it that way, I can just knock
you out and search the place," I lied.  I could never
whack someone on the head unless it was self-defense.
That didn't play here since she already dropped the
file.  "Maybe I just need to tie you up...  Then I
have all night to tear this truck apart."
That, the darting glance, was what I was waiting for!
She looked at a cabinet over the small sink.
With an order to stay where she was, I slid my piece
into the waistband of my pants and pulled open the
cabinet.
As I rummaged through it, I saw that there wasn't much
there.  Some cans of soup and baked beans, a box of
Uncle Ben's, an old Cracker Jack tin of flour
(according to a masking tape label on the side), about
a gross of SweetN'Low packets, and some peeling shelf
paper.  Nothing that looked like a mystic Orb.
I took a bowl from the counter and poured out the
rice.  Nothing there but what looked like some kind of
bug parts...  Ugh, remind me never to eat dinner at
Marion's place!
Opening the Cracker Jack tin, I saw it was only about
half full.  I shoved my hand into the few inches of
flour groping blindly for a prize inside.  Nice thing
about wearing white in situations like this, flour
blends in much better than a dark suit.
Wait...my fingers brushed something.  It felt like it
was about the size and shape of an egg.  I reached
around the unseen object.  Just as my fist closed on
the thing in the flour, the bitch screamed and slammed
into me from behind.  Flour exploded everywhere and I
heard the Orb (or whatever was in the flour) slide
across the floor.
I turned and slugged her.  What a surprise, she had a
glass jaw and folded.  Then I could only shake my head
at my own stupidity.  How could I let some psycho
chick get the drop on my by turning my back.
I found the ruby-red jewel near the door.  It did seem
to glow internally.  The aura Zatanna told me about, I
suppose.
I grabbed it and suddenly my mind was full of Li!  All
I wanted at that moment was to take her in my arms and
worship her.  The need to hold her and feel her was
the sum total of my existence.  I was having trouble
breathing and I knew it was because Li wasn't with me.
 Despair and a sense of sadness engulfed me.  All I
wanted was Li.  That wasn't too much to ask, was it?
Maybe the Thunderbolt could help.  It could bring me
to her or...   I wished, for the first time ever, for
the bolt to show up and felt a rush of power around
me.
[Hey!  How did I get here?  You don't have any control
on me.  I don't have to listen to you anymore.  You
refused me...] the living lightning said.
"No, wait!  Just bring me the girl.  Li Chang.  I have
to have her, be with her...  Please..."
[Nope!  No can do.]
"What?  Why?"
[You're no longer my master.  And she has some
powerful wards to protect her from me.  Anyway, you
said you wanted to be yourself and do things for
yourself.  Well, now's your chance...]
With that, the pink Thunderbolt was gone.  I was alone
and I wanted Li!  That damned Bolt!  I was gonna get
him...it...  I'll get that damned thing!
Of course!  Now I realized that was why Li did what
she did.  It was her ward for me against the magic of
the Orb.  And Li could protect herself from what the
Orb could do, like compelling my Thunderbolt to
return.  As long as I desired Li, Zatanna didn't
matter and the Orb couldn't use that against me.
Also, since Li wasn't directly involved in the
situation, she was safe from the Orb's power.
And my anger at the Thunderbolt broke the spell the
Orb had on me.  Now, I needed to try to see how to
free Zatanna's magic from the Orb.  Smash it?  Give it
to her?
No.  None of those.  I don't think it'd be safe to
give the Orb to a defenseless magician.  Look what it
almost did to me.  Smash it?  Not freaking likely!  I
wasn't about to chance recklessly unleashing whatever
power was held within it.  And that wouldn't guarantee
that Zatanna's power would return to her.
So there I was, in a stripper's trailer, covered in
flour with some ancient evil talisman in my hand.  In
Long Beach of all places!
Marion started to stir.  I punched her again.  No need
to deal with some psycho lesbian stripper while
contending with this hunk of crystal.
My mind was racing.  Trying to remember what I knew
about Zatanna.  She used to be in the Justice League.
Her father was a magician too.  They both used to do
stage acts and she returned to the stage after her
superheroing days.
Her act...I saw a TV special with her once.  It was a
long, all-star charity gig with Copperfield, Lance
Burton, Siegfried and Roy, Zatanna, and a bunch of
others.  I remember watching it, trying to see past
the smoke-and-mirrors angle.  Hard to do on a crappy
ten-year old television.
Backwards!  What that weird Xanadu chick said.
Backwards.  All of Zatanna's and her old man's spells
worked when they said things in reverse.  Hell, it was
worth a shot.  Right?
I held the crystal up at eye level and said, "Zatanna
to return, magic."
Nothing.  Well, I guess.  Finding Marion's phone was
tricky but I finally discovered it under some heavily
perfumed lingerie.  I made a point of putting the Orb
down on the far side of the room.
"Hello?  Zatanna?"  Oh God, her voice was sending
shivers...even on a recording.  "This is Jonni
Thunder.  I found the Orb and tried to send your
powers back to you and didn't know if it worked.  I'm
leaving here and heading to the club.  Morton's on
Wilshire.  I should be there soon."
I wish I had been able to replace my old cell phone
after it was broken by a jealous husband.  (Hey, she
never said anything about being married!)
Wait.  It's not just the words out of sequence...but
the pronunciation.  Okay, worth a shot.  I grabbed the
jewel again.
"Anna-zat... to nurt-er...ci...gam."
Still nothing as far as I could tell.  I guess I could
try one more time.  Maybe I can't send it to her from
here.
"Jonni to...emoc...cigam..."
Damn it!  'Jonni to'!  That's not backwards...
"Innoj...to...  Damnit!  Innoj ot...emoc...cigam."
Suddenly there was a roaring sound and blinding lights
all over the place.  What was...?
The roar hit a peak and the windows of the RV blew
out.  And I staggered as if one of the old L.A. Rams
Defensive Line had slammed into me.  What the hell
happened?
Then I felt it.  The power was inside of me.  This was
different that the damned Bolt.  This was strong but
not aware.  It was like some super talent or ability.
I wonder if this is what Superman feels like?
I decided to give it a try.  "Ria-per swod-niw..."
The windows were all back intact.  This was kind of
cool.  I could get used to this...
I looked at Marion.  I felt sorry for her in a weird
way.  She was basically pathetic.  A no-talent
stripper who somehow had latched onto Zatanna and got
a taste of the Big Time.  Maybe...
"Nruter ytinas.  Reappa tnelat neddih snoiram."  I
figured it was worth a shot.
She quivered for a second.  I quickly felt for her
pulse and it was strong.  Good.  Maybe I better be a
little more careful with this stuff...  I could ask
Zatanna...but she'll want it back.  Wonder if we could
share it?
I almost grabbed the rock from the floor but
fortunately I paused and thought about it.  Grabbing a
dirty dish towel, I wrapped it tightly and shoved the
small bundle into the only bag I could find; a
grease-stained brown paper one that reeked of french
fries.
"This is going in the trunk," I said aloud as I went
out to my car.  Then I pulled away from the sleazy
club, only partially wondering how they'd fill their
star's spot.
As I headed north towards L.A., I began to feel
light-headed.  Even a little feverish.  This was
definitely not good.
I pulled into the alley behind the club.  I wasn't
about to pay valet rates for this clunker.  Parking
between two dumpsters, I headed for the back door.
Even from here, I could tell this was the exact
opposite of the fleabag joint near Signal Hill.  A
wave of nausea hit me just as I pulled on the locked
door.  "Rood nepo!"  And the door opened for me.  This
backwards talking was getting easier.
I was stumbling down a corridor behind the stage area
when I saw a vision ahead of me.  A tall woman with
long, dark hair.  She had on a white man's shirt and
white bow tie under a black vest and man's tuxedo
jacket with tails.  Below the waist was a pair of very
short black hot pants and long legs encased in fishnet
stockings.  On her head was a black top hat and on her
feet were black, spike-heeled shoes.
Things were getting foggy at this point and I knew I
was going to hit the floor.  As it came rushing up to
meet me, something stopped me and everything went
black.
Cool, wet.  On my forehead.  My cheeks.  Cool.  Wet.
I managed to open my eyes to see the tuxedoed vision
smiling down on me.  It was Zatanna.  She must have
been getting ready to go on stage.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better," I croaked.
"Good.  I believe you have something of mine?" she
asked in that sexy accent.  She lifted my head off her
lap and stood over me.
"Is...is that what's...?"
"I'll explain it but first you should..."
"Say the secret word?" I managed to joke.
In a harsh, grating voice I said, "Annataz
ot...nruter...srewop."
I suddenly saw bright lights and felt something leave
me.  Something hot and powerful.  The lights swirled
around like some manic laserium show until it all came
together around Zatanna's head.  Then sudden silence.
I felt one thousand percent better but Zatanna looked
like hell.  I got up and reached out to her.  Her eyes
snapped open and she reeled for a moment before I
caught her.
"Gods and goddesses above!  I feel whole again...
Thank you, Jonni."
"Your powers are back?" I asked.
"Yes, they have been returned to me.  Thank you."
Already I could see she was recovering from the power
blast.  Or whatever you wanna call it.
"What happened to me?  I felt like I had a fever and I
could barely even see anything."
"You are homo sapien.  Your body, without proper,
extensive training, cannot contain the power it had.
I am homo magus.  And such power is my birthright.
While I could survive without my magic, you would have
perished with that same magic."
She stepped to a mirror and I realized we were in her
dressing room.  This alone put the entire Magic Chest
to shame.  She brushed a few spots in her hair and
picked up the top hat that had fallen earlier.  And
offered me a lovely view of her ass as the tux tails
slid to the sides.
Brushing off nonexistent dust, she smiled at me.  Now
I know what people mean when they call it a bewitching
smile.  "Thank you, Jonni.  Please stay until I
finish?"  I nodded.  "Good.  If you wish to watch,
stand in the wings.  I think you'll enjoy the show..."
Dumbly I followed her and stood off Stage Right as she
performed.  The crowd, mostly upscale, well-to-do
professionals, ended up giving her several standing
ovations.  Zatanna did two curtain calls and was about
to do a third when she looked at me.
She strode over to me and asked, "What did you think
of the show?"
"Marvelous," I said, only half lying.  She was
marvelous but I hadn't been paying attention to the
performance.  Only to her.
"Come to my room with me?" she asked.  "I believe I
owe you a bonus."
"Sure," I said, like I would give myself any other
choice, bonus or no.
Once back there, she set her top hat on the small
makeup table.  Then she picked up a bottle of
champagne from a silver ice bucket.  "Chateau
Rothschild.  And a very good year.  Would you honor me
by joining me?"
I nodded again.  It was becoming a damned reflex.
"Krocnu elttob!"  The cork popped out and fell to her
hand.  She picked up two glasses and poured the pale,
effervescent drink and handed me one.
"A toast to you, Jonni. You did me a tremendous
service.  Cheers."  She drank deeply from the glass.
I tipped the glass towards her and drained my
champagne as well.  Now, I'm a beer and shot kinda gal
but that was delicious champagne.  I happily accepted
a refill.
"Jonni, I feel explanations are in order.  Then we can
discuss your bonus," Zatanna said as she sat on the
white loveseat.  Patting the cushion next to her, she
continued, "I never realized how dangerous this
could've been for you.  I apologize."
Sitting next to her, smelling her sweet sweat mingled
with her subtle perfume, I said, "I'm a private
detective.  Danger comes with the territory."
Okay, so that's a cliche mainly used in comic books
and movies but it sounds good.
"Perhaps but you were in grave danger.  I never
guessed you would take on my stolen powers.  I should
have told you to bring the Orb to me."
"But you said it would be dangerous for you to touch
it?" I asked, confused.
"Yes, but we could have accessed my powers more safely
with a closer proximity between us.  I do apologize."
Waving off her apology, I asked, "Why didn't it affect
Li?  If Xanadu was in danger, why not Li?"
"While both able to wield mystic power, Xanadu was the
one I had been close to.  I don't know Madame Chang.
I only know the reputation..."  I nodded as Zatanna
confirmed some of my suppositions.  But something she
said confused me.
"Wait.  Li Chang was the girl I...I was, uh, with," I
asked.  "Madame Chang is in her sixties, at least."
"Li is Madame Chang.  Her grandmother returned to
their ancestors after passing on her knowledge and
powers to Li.  I take it this is not a complaint?"
The last was said with a small, sly smile.
"No," I replied.  "I...well, I kinda like the new
Madame C, but I never...  Li said she was with her
mother...Oh!  Anyway, you were saying."
"Yes, the orb can be dangerous to those close to the
one trying to use it.  I was vulnerable without my
powers.  Xanadu was vulnerable because of the intimate
nature of our former relationship.  But as it was my
power the Orb was using, it had no way to attach
itself to her."
"Your power?"
"Yes, the Orb utilizes the most recent power it
absorbs," Zatanna explained.
"Okay, why did the Thunderbolt show up?  I thought it
was banished from me..."
"The Orb can exercise control over imps, including
lightning demons.  But only to the extent that you do.
 It called the Bolt forth but, again, due to the
limitations of the Orb, it could not compel the demon
to bring you your desire."
"Why Li?" I asked, already thinking I knew the answer.
 Then I added, "Not that I'm complaining."
Zatanna smiled and said, "Madame Chang, Li, already
has strong wards in place to protect her.  Xanadu
could have done the same, has done the same actually,
but there was always the chance that those wards would
fail due to our sentimental attachment.  If that had
occurred, she could then be taken and we all would
have lost.  I will tell you that X regretted she could
not help you."
"Really?" I smiled.
"I did, as well."
I smiled even wider.
She leaned over, her scent filling my senses, as her
soft, warm lips brushed mine.  I felt a tingle, like a
mild electric shock.  I pulled back momentarily.
Looking into her dark blue eyes, I saw a longing and
need that mirrored my own.  This time I leaned in and
kissed her.  This was a deeper, longer kiss.  First
our lips slid together then, almost at the same
instant, we opened our mouths and our tongues met.
The rapture I felt from that contact was, I hoped,
only a prelude to what we would experience.
Zatanna's tongue had a magic all it's own as it
explored my mouth.  Her breath, as it puffed into me,
was creating a practically subconscious sensation of
the finest perfume.  Her hand danced under my jacket
and across my shirt, barely touching but exciting my
nipples.
After a long, passion-filled kiss, Zatanna sat back.
"I enjoyed that."
"So did I," I managed to say.  "Are we...?"
"Do you want to?"  I simply nodded.  "As do I.  But
first..." Zatanna looked towards the door.
"Kcol rood.  There, that should give us some privacy,"
she said.  "Now, where were we?"
I helped remind her.  I slipped my hand across her
cheek and into that black mass of hair.  So soft, it
was like silk on my skin.
I cupped the back of her head and brought her mouth
once more to mine.  I fell back on the loveseat and
she followed.   Her hair fell around our faces like a
curtain.
I've loved women with all types of hair.  I've even
made love to a bald girl.  But I love to have a woman
with long hair above me as we kiss.  The way their
hair falls and cuts us off from the rest of the world
so that all that matters is our kiss.  Just the
thought of that makes me moist.
As the raven-black tresses gave us the illusion of
privacy, I could feel her heavy breasts through the
material of our shirts and jackets.  But I wanted to
feel her.  All of her against me.
As if she read my mind, Zatanna pulled back and said,
"I believe we have too much impeding us.  Wouldn't you
agree?"  Again, I nodded.  "Shall we do this the
traditional way or...?"
"The quickest way," I said, cupping her firm ass under
the tails of her tux.  I pulled her firmly against me
and I was certain I could feel her heat even through
all the clothes.
She nodded, her eyes flashing with gleeful lust.
"Sehtolc ruo yawa ekat.  Edun su ekam."
Suddenly I felt the soft heat of her flesh pressing
mine.  Her large, round breasts nestled with my
smaller boobs.  And the heat of her core was searing
my thigh pleasantly.
"How is that?" she asked with a giggle.
I answered her with another devouring kiss.  I loved
kissing her.  And from her response, I guess she
enjoyed it too.
Breaking the kiss for a moment, Zatanna said "Afos eht
ot su evom."
Suddenly, we were in the air!  And floating across the
room!  Zatanna resumed kissing me and I didn't even
notice when we settled onto the longer couch.  I
didn't care either!
After we had settled, we moved so that our thighs were
pressing against each other's mound.  Then we began to
move against each other.  As the wetness built up, the
movement was easier but more and more exciting.
As we humped each other's leg, we never broke our long
kiss.  As our tongues danced, our breathing quickened
and we were panting into each other.
As the pleasure within us built up, Zatanna pulled
back gasping.  She left out a breathless scream and I
felt her warm climax on my leg.  That was all it took
for me; with my heart racing and my eyes clenched shut
I shouted out and exploded against my new lover.
We lay in each other's arms for several long minutes
as our pulse rates returned to normal.  Our
sweat-slicked bodies were pressed tightly together as
we held each other.  While we recovered from our
initial passion, we shared long, slow kisses and
quietly gazed into each other's eyes.
I have to say, much as I loved Jade's deep green eyes
(when she was powered up) and Lyta's beautiful blue
eyes, this creature's dark blue, lust-filled eyes were
wonderful.  I felt like I could lose myself happily in
their depths for an eternity.
Finally, Zatanna spoke.  "I could find myself quite
comfortable if I never had to move again."
"Yeah.  This is nice."  Nice?  I said nice?  It was
wonderful, stupendous, even magical.  (But no pun
intended.)  It was all of that and more.  And all I
could say was nice?
"Zatanna, I, uh, I'm not good at saying what I mean
but..."
"I know.  I can see it your eyes, darling.  Do not
worry."  She smiled that fantastic heart-melting smile
and said, "I would like to experience more of you.
Would you like that?"
This time I allowed my enthusiasm to show, "Yes!  I
want you too!"
She lowered her head and began to suckle on my
breasts.  I have never been overly proud of them but
she lavished such love and tenderness and made me feel
like the most beautiful woman in the world.
Her tongue traced patterns on my bosom and I finally
realized she was creating patterns.  When I glanced
down at the top of her raven-black hair, she stopped
and spoke into me, her voice exciting me further.
"I am making Celtic love symbols on you with my
saliva.  I hope it will heighten our pleasure."
"Come up here," I said.
"In a moment.  Only a touch more to do..."  She
applied her tongue directly to my right nipple and
sent jolts of pleasure through me.  Then she repeated
her tongue work on my left nipple.  No one has ever
made my breasts feel so...electric.
I opened my eyes and saw her looking down on me.  she
kissed me deeply and tenderly.  Then I pulled her up
until her soft, round breasts were in front of me.
They were absolutely gorgeous.  And absolutely real.
I glanced up and said, "I'm sorry.  I don't know any
Celtic designs but..."  She smiled again and I took
one of her magnificent orbs in my mouth.
Washing all around the nipple with my tongue in random
patterns, I felt the goose bumps as I brought her some
of the pleasure she had brought me.  I loved the feel
of her hard nipple against my tongue.  The soft warm
flesh filled my mouth as I held her other heavy breast
in my hand.
I started switch back and forth, wishing I could take
both in my mouth at the same time.  Biting quickly and
pulling her left nipple, I heard Zatanna growl low in
her throat as her head fell forward.  Her long black
hair fell around us in fragrant waves.
She whispered, "I want you."
Glancing up, I saw lust-darkened eyes staring intently
at me.  I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her.
Kissing, we acknowledged our mutual desire.  Her
tongue was insistently dancing with mine, raising my
temperature and heart rate.
"Tfil dna nips," she muttered against my cheek.  I
felt her weight disappear as she floated up from me.
Disappointment gripped me until I saw her lush body
turn so that she was looking towards my feet.
"Rewol em."
Her body slowly dropped back onto me, her thick black
bush right in front of me.  I ran my fingers through
the dark fur as I felt hers combing my blond curls.
I could see into her, a lovely, wet cavern that I
wanted to lose myself in.  Inhaling deeply, I could
smell the heady perfume of her need.  A need I was
going to do everything to sate.
I both heard and felt her mutter, "Tiaw msagro."  Her
breath on my wet lips felt wonderful and I didn't
bother to try and figure out what she said.  I had too
much to occupy myself with...
My fingers curved around the curves of her ass as I
pulled her to my waiting mouth.  When her nether lips
pressing against my mouth, it was as if we were
sharing a close-mouthed kiss.  Opening my mouth, my
tongue snaked out and tasted her essence for the first
time.  Wonderful, tangy and spicy.  There was an
exotic texture to her sexual honey that I had never
before experienced.  It was almost addictive.
My tongue explored her outer labia before delving into
the hidden treasure of her womb.  I quickly learned
where she was most sensitive and returned to those
spots again and again.  I was scooping out her dew as
fast as she gave it to me, a sure sign that I was
pleasing her.
While I was making love to her lovely sex, she was
doing the same to me.  Her tongue, lips, and fingers
were lively and exciting.  I knew I was flooding her
mouth with my own juices and that further excited me.
I slipped two fingers into her as I began to suckle on
her clitoris.  It swelled even more between my lips as
I sucked!  She was obviously really into this.
So was I.  And I normally do not like 69's.  Too
distracting trying to give and get pleasure at the
same time.  But this felt perfect.
Her body tensed slightly and I knew I had found that
special spot inside of her.  Brushing my fingertip
against the G-spot again caused her to moan into me.
Those vibrations sent shudders through me.
And our pattern was set.  I licked the nubbin in my
mouth, caressed the sweet spot inside Zatanna, Z
quivered and moaned into my mound, and I shivered at
the vibrations.  I could do this all night.
Waves of pleasure and joy washed through me, each one
nearer to cresting but ebbing just before I would
climax.  That was fine with me.  I love having a
beautiful woman's face between my legs.  And I love
pleasing a beautiful woman.
We kept on in this wonderfully delicious pattern for
quite a while.  But I knew I'd soon have to come.  I
was pretty sure Zatanna did too.  I don't know how we
managed this long.
Again that pleasant bussing against my labia as my
magical lover whispered something into me.  I felt her
body clench and a flood of her honey cascaded over my
face as my body went rigid and...
Ecstasy!!!
The only word to describe the feelings blasting
through my body.  It became so intense, I actually
passed out.
When I opened my eyes, I looked down into Zatanna's
bright blue, smiling eyes.  Somehow, probably
magically, she had rearranged us so that I was laying
on her.
"You are exquisite," Zatanna said.
"So are you," I replied.  It's hard to stay
hard-boiled when you're in the arms of a woman you
just shared an incredible sexual experience with.
We kissed again.  This was was a slower, more languid
kiss.  Simply our lips and tongue sliding gently
together.  We wanted to share our feelings in this
most intimate way.
Finally, Zatanna said, "I think we might find a more
comfortable place, don't you?"
I nodded and climbed off her.  Looking around, I spied
our clothes laying on the love seat, folded neatly.  I
began to dress as Zatanna said, "I am sorry.  I don't
know what could've happened to your underwear.  They
don't seem to be here."
I smiled and said, "They're in my glove compartment.
It's not important...   But the Orb is still in my
trunk."
"We'll just have to take care of that, won't we?"
We left the theatre and took my car down to the shore.
 There, I held the greasy bag up as Zatanna said the
right words to cause it to disappear into the
Mariannas Trench.   Then we headed back to her hotel,
cuddling in the front seat of my car.
We went to her hotel and made love the rest of the
night.  The sky in the east was turning pink when we
finally decided to rest.  We slept in each other's
arms for most of the day.
"Will you come to the show tonight, dear?" Zatanna
asked.
"Sure.  I don't have any plans..."  Then, realizing
how cold I sounded trying to regain my 'tec attitude,
I said, "I'm sorry.  I'd love to come."
"You will..." Zatanna promised with a wickedly
delicious gleam in her eye.
"Hey, was this my bonus?" I asked lightly, indicating
the thoroughly used bed.
"No, it was mine."
Several weeks later, Zatanna and I attended a
performance at an upscale club in Huntington Beach.
It was a new singing sensation and she was...well,
sensational.   To be honest, I was more than a little
nervous going to see her.  It was Marion the Mystic.
You see, it turns out I was able to cast a worthwhile
spell before giving Z back her powers.  Marion had
been discovered.  She dropped 'The Mystic' and was
back to being Marion Baldwin.  Her first cd, "Lost the
Magic" was about to be released and her show consisted
of a live performance of those songs.
When she sent a special invitation to us, I was leery
about going.  Too cynical?  Maybe, but it's kept my
sexy butt alive.  Z persuaded me, if you know what I
mean...
Let me tell you, she is well worth the time and money
to see live.  She is gorgeous now and her voice...
The songs, all written by her, are hauntingly
romantic.  She even dedicated one about new love to
us.  I was blushing all through the song.  Zatanna
just smiled and held my hand.
We ended up thanking her in private, after her show.
Marion and I still occasionally see each other.  She's
hired me to lookover her security for the upcoming
concert tour.
Shortly after that, Z's run at Morton's ended.  It was
only a limited test run before she did a national
tour.  Knowing about this ahead of time didn't help,
we still had a tearful last night together.  And,
while she promised to write and call and we would
undoubtedly get together again and again, we knew the
singular nature of our love affair was over.
Ah well, this is Los Angeles after all.  There are a
lot of fish in the sea, so to speak.
You know, I really have to work on those cliches.
 (c) John O'Conner
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