A/N: This popped into my head. It's not connected to A Lone Duet, so don't worry about any plot holes you come across. I don't own Shania Twain's That Don't Impress Me Much, so no lawsuits please!
That Don't Impress Me Much
My memory has come back. I didn't expect it to, but I do now remember things. Zatanna showed me the song, but the rest has returned on its own. I remember blocking a bullet with my bracers, I remember running away from a bright light. I remember burying my face in Zatanna's fruit bowl. I remember hearing their conversation above me.
I've known a few guys who thought they were pretty smart
But you've got being right down to an art
You think you're a genius, you drive me up the wall
You're a regular original know-it-all
I didn't understand the words then. But now I do. He said - admitted? - that his emotions regarding me ran deeper than he claimed.
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're something else
But I can't get him to tell me that. I've been dropping hints now for more than an hour. He's glared a few times, smirked during others. Not once has he said anything. Now he's gone from the monitor room, to his quarters.
Enough is enough. I follow him, catching up just as he turns down the corridor. There's no one around, so I call his name. "Bruce?"
He doesn't respond. "Bruce!"
Okay, so you're a rocket scientist
That don't impress me much
So you got the brain but have you got the touch?
Still nothing. I lose patience, raising my voice again. "You said 'maybe there was'."
He stops. Doesn't turn, but looks over at his shoulder. "What?"
Don't get me wrong, yeah I think you're alright
But that won't keep me warm in the middle of the night
That don't impress me much
I lift my chin. "When Zatanna said there was something between us, you said maybe there was." I step closer. "Is there, Bruce?"
His posture doesn't relax, but I feel his shoulders slump inwardly. "Diana." Don't do this.
I'm about to let him get away with this. I'm either important to him, or I'm not. Though I can't pretend his silence isn't irksome. I follow him inside. "Even if there isn't, at least have respect enough for me to be honest."
He sighs. "Diana, even if there is-"
"So there is?" I interrupt.
He pushes back his cowl. His glare isn't any less fierce. "You know there is, Princess."
I never knew a guy who carried a mirror in his pocket
And a comb up his sleeve-just in case
And all that extra-hold gel in your hair oughtta lock it
'Cause Heaven forbid it should fall outta place
My heart leaps, but I know he isn't finished. I'm going to like what he says. I force my arms to remain at my sides. "But?"
"But what I told you on the rooftop still stands."
I nod. "So, what? You're going to stand there, admit you have feelings for me and... walk away?"
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're something else
His silence is all the affirmation I get; it is all I need.
"Bruce, you-" I run my fingers through my hair, grasping at the strands. "You can't just do that!"
Another silence, but this one clearly says: Watch me.
I shouldn't be surprised. Who knows how many women he's done this to? I think bitterly. No, this isn't fair. Bruce may be many things, but he isn't cruel. "Next time," I say finally, "lie to me."
Okay, so you're Brad Pitt
That don't impress me much
So you got the looks but have you got the touch?
As I head for the door, he stops me by taking hold of my wrist. "Lie to you?" he asks. "Diana, I don't lie to the people I respect!"
"You respect me?" I ask. "I beg to differ."
His eyes glitter dangerously. "Why so?"
"You've just deliberately toyed with me," I say, "and you have to ask?" I take my wrist out of his grasp. "If you're willing to admit you care for me, then be willing to do something about it. I'd rather be embarrassed around you for a while than know you want me too. Because now what's to help me move on?"
Don't get me wrong, yeah I think you're alright
But that won't keep me warm in the middle of the night
That don't impress me much
He opens his mouth to say something, but I put a hand up. I'm not finished. "So if you're not prepared to be with me, why give me that hope? The only conclusion I can come to in this case is that you like it." I step closer again, not raising my voice in volume but pouring as much of my anger into my tone as I can. "You like it," I repeat, annunciating my words carefully. "You like the idea of me pining over you."
"Don't be-"
"It's funny, I never thought of you liking the idea of having an Amazon on a string. But then I guess you get off on the power." I let my eyes sweep over him, my lip curling up in a disgusted sneer. "Mother was right. All men are the same."
You're one of those guys who likes to shine his machine
You make me take off my shoes before you let me get in
I can't believe you kiss your car good night
C'mon, baby, tell me - you must be jokin', right?
I get closer to the door than before. But he still stops me. This time, though, he pins me against the wall, forearm pressed against my collarbones. I glare, but don't push him away. We both know he cannot hold me. "Take your hands off me."
He blinks, and I wonder if he's even aware of having moved at all. Certainly he looks ashamed when he lets go. "Not a good feeling, is it?" I ask. "Being toyed with."
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're something else
He steps back and narrows his eyes. "You're better than this, Diana."
"So are you," I snarl.
"What do you want from me?"
Okay, so you've got a car
That don't impress me much
So you got the moves but have you got the touch?
"If you haven't worked that out yet, then you're no detective," I spit. Recognising that I am being childish and petulant, I fold my arms and answer him. "I want you to do what you want. And if you want me, show me. And if you can't do that, then back off. Take your 'part-time' member status and shove it to a non-member. If you respect me, I need you to disappear until I'm ready to look at you again."
"Don't you think I would if I could?" he demands. "It's too dangerous - we work together, Diana. And look at what John and Shayera went through-"
Don't get me wrong, yeah I think you're alright
But that won't keep me warm in the middle of the night
"We are not John and Shayera, Bruce," I say earnestly.
"Even so. Can't you see that, Diana?" he asks, voice quiet again. "If I lost you tomorrow it would be terrible. If we were... I couldn't do that again. I wouldn't survive."
I look down, feeling the surge of sympathy I always do when something reminds me of his parents. I know far better than to express it, but sometimes it feels painful. An ache inside my chest. The difference between us, I know, is that in Bruce's chest... the ache doesn't go away. But still - I know I can help him. If he'd only let me in.
He lifts my chin, deep blue eyes searching mine. "It could go so wrong."
That don't impress me much
You think you're cool but have you got the touch?
Don't get me wrong, yeah I think you're alright
But that won't keep me warm on the long, cold, lonely night
That don't impress me much
In any other circumstances, he would back away, or I wouldn't dare to, but right now I just do what feels natural. I put my own hand gently to his face, kiss him softly, quickly. "Or it could go exactly right." I pull away, looking at him sadly, my hand curled around the back of his neck. "But as long as that's what scares you, it's futile. I recognise that." I drop my hands. "I won't bother anymore, Bruce."
I walk to the doors, press the button to open them. As the phlorescent light from the hallway spills in, I turn my head. "I realise that I view the world too much in extremes. But this is a case of all or nothing. I could hate you so easily, Bruce. But equally I could love you. Your indecision is pathetic."
Okay, so what do you think you're Elvis or something...
Oo-Oh-Oh
His voice is heavy with derision. I know it is a defence mechanism. "So what am I supposed to do?"
I turn my head a little more, meeting his eyes. I can feel my own blazing. "Impress me."
That don't impress me much!
A/N: Well I hope you enjoyed that. Part II will be up in a few days. Review please!