"When I was young, my mother used to call me suns and stars," Diana sighed, "she said it meant I would always be in her world regardless of time," she finished. She looked over to Bruce who was studying her intently. He had his hands rested on each of his thighs, his black hair was pulled back neatly, and there were heavy bags under his blue eyes with a few scars being healed from his last showdown with the Joker.

"Diana," Bruce said quietly. His fingers twitched as if to reach out for her but he sighed looking down at his bruised fingers.

"I always thought she would be with me forever even though I was exiled to man's world," she continued and she wiped a tear from her eyes. She had not expected her mother to sacrifice her life for man's world. For so long Hippolyta talked about the destruction man always created and scorn the race. She saw the Amazons above the fighting and for so long Diana believed her mother. Themyscira was always peace. When she'd left for man's world, she'd seen how much her mother had been right. There wasn't a day where she didn't think about returning home, begging her mother for forgiveness because she did miss her sisters, but she saw the good in man's world. She'd found friendship, ice mochas, family, and love for mankind. She always wanted to prove her mother wrong. She wanted her to see that mankind wasn't as bad as she thought it to be.

And maybe Hippolyta finally had. Maybe she'd seen the good in mankind when it rallied against Hades and his legions of the undead. But it had been too late. Diana blew out a breath and tried to hold her cheek up high, but she could not keep the shaking from her limbs.

Hades had sought to destroy the world; he'd used Themyscria as the land for his plans and his weapon of choice. She'd been too late to sense something was wrong with her gods and her people. She'd been too focused on fixing man's world with the League; she'd stopped praying to Hera and Athena. She ran a trembling finger over her lips to keep from crying. Her gods were gone; Themyscria was nothing but a destroyed land. Groaning she got up off of Bruce's couch running her hand through her hair.

She shouldn't have listened to Kal. She should have gone straight to Themyscria and fought Hades herself. She should have charged Olympus with whatever army she could create and rescue her gods before Titans—released by Hades—destroyed them.

"Diana," Bruce said again and she shook her head no.

"This is my fault Bruce," she choked out turning to face him. "I was too late. I didn't feel it," she said pounding her chest.

"Princess, it's not your fault."

"I didn't sense it Bruce. Hera and Athena, they're gone. My mother is dead. The Amazonian race dies when I do. There's nothing left of us."

"Then go back and rebuild," Bruce told her rising to his feet and she shook her head at him. She couldn't return to Themyscria, not now. It was only three weeks since the battle, but she still heard her sister's cries in her ears. She still saw Hades plunging his sword through her mother's heart and tossing her aside like she was nothing every time she closed her eyes. Everything about her home hurt. If she were to return, she would break.

She was struggling, as it was, to remain conscious and sane. Luckily for her, Bruce had offered her his guest wing to stay in and avoid the eyes of the public. Alfred kept her company on most days, but she often hid from the man—she was sure he let her—to mediate and pray for forgiveness. She couldn't be on the Watchtower. She hated seeing the stares from everyone. She couldn't go to the embassy because she kept hearing "I'm sorry" and "thank you" when the words in truth, meant little to nothing to her. She did not want to be angry at man's world, but if she continued to show herself in public, she would, as Wally would say, go bonkers. What she needed was isolation.

"I can't. I can't Bruce," she breathed looking away from him. He nodded and walked over to her. He slowly pulled her into his arms and at his touch Diana crumpled because she knew Bruce would be the only person who would understand. He wouldn't try to tell her it was going to be okay, or sugarcoat the hurt and damn it, everything did hurt. She clutched onto him tightly he slowly stroked the back of her head as her sobs got louder and louder.

Quiet footsteps walked into the living room and Bruce looked up to see Alfred. The head of the household nodded and backed out the living room. It was about time the Princess started to let go of her emotions.

Hello All. After some thought and asking (just a few and I'm flattered) I'm going to expand this one-shot. I cannot get the plot bunny out my head so I will indulge it. As of right now, I am currently outlining the entire story, from start to finish, so I can finish it. I will be writing mostly from Diana's point of view, as I find it difficult to get into Bruce's head and I do not want to make him OOC. However, I might slip into that chaotic mind of his a few times if I find it necessary to drive the plot forward. I hope you all like what you've read. Please leave a comment about improvements or so and let me know what you think. I'm excited about this journey.

-Ash