Okay, here's the deal. This is chapter one, the same as it was before but with a few added parts and it is edited. So hopefully any spelling mistakes were caught. Thanks go to everyone who has stuck with this story and I hope that you can hold on a while longer while I finish editing the rest of the chapters. I just don't feel like I can continue with them like this. To me, as the author, it just feels like I need to assure myself off having a firm foundation for my story. Please dont be angry.
If youre new to this fic and wish to read despite some of the chapters not yet being re-edited, go ahead. Just know that things may be added or deleted later on. Thank you. :) Proper public thanks will be executed once I reach the last of the already posted chapters.
The city lights continuously flicker in the darkness, casting long shadows across the streets and building walls. I breathe in deeply, filling my lungs with the night time smog. There is nothing particularly relaxing about Gotham City, yet every time I look at it and walk among her, I can feel myself beginning to calm down and notice everything around me. But right now, not even Gotham can calm my frayed nerves.
The cause of my moody state is, due to things that have happened recently. Usually I can forget about it and act like I normally do. Not right now though. Now I am annoyed and slightly upset, because two "men" did not think me capable enough to help figure out their situation. And to top it all off I am stuck with them on this night watch while they both act as if nothing had happened just an hour or so ago.
Men and their infuriating ways. Even though I have lived here for at least three years, men and their ways still manage to leave me puzzled and angry.
Out of the corner of my eye, I silently watch both Batman and Superman as they dutifully stand watch for any sign of Intergang.
Batman. Now there is a man who is more complex than any other I have ever met before. Tall, dark and brooding, he manages to get under everyone's skin, particularly mine and I do believe that he secretly enjoys it. I study his figure closely. My eyes rove over his body which is hunched over. His right leg is firmly placed on the ledge with his cape loosely flowing around him, making him resemble the likes of a living shadow. The only movement from him is the slight, subtle changes in his posture, as he repositions his binoculars to thoroughly scan the area.
Superman shuffles forward on my right, and my attention is suddenly captivated by him. Kal-El, the last son of Krypton. He has strength and swiftness that can slightly surpass my own. Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American way, Kal represents America and its people. Even though it is night time, his muscles manage to bulge out nicely, accented just right with the help of his costume. The red "S" insignia on his chest seems to glow, strong, steady and bold, just like him. In every way that Batman can be cold, and dark, Superman is equal in strength and truth.
Two very different men, yet they manage to be the same in their own ways. They may not know it, but they have many things in common. Such as their stubbornness. "Especially that." I think to myself wryly. And their looks. I think to myself slyly almost as an afterthought.
I let out a slightly frustrated breath. Slowly I walk up to the ledge and peer at it closely. Finding it safely intact, I hop unto it and swing my legs over, leaving them to dangle freely in the night air. Lazily slinging my arm across the horned gargoyle's head located next to me, I practically snort out loud in my smoldering agitated state.
"Patience Princess. Intergang moves in mysterious ways." Batman's low, gruff voice cuts through the silence.
Turning my head to see him better, I note that he still looks as rigid and as unmoving as before. A habit so perfected by experience that one who did not know the Batman, would easily doubt that he had spoken at all.
"Tell me about it. What use could they possibly have for the Rosetta stone?" I ask, not wanting to miss this opportunity for small talk. No matter how upset I am with either of them, conversation is better than silence. But what surprises me is the fact that it's Bruce talking, and not Kal. I glance at him, only to find him lost in thought. The sight causes me to frown slightly. What could have him so eerily quiet this night, usually he is more talkative and alert. Bruce's voice penetrates my thoughts and my attention is soon focused on him and what he has to say.
"We'll find out soon enough. And in the meantime…" He trails off slowly.
"I know. Patience." I reply somewhat flatly, finishing his sentence.
Knowing that Bruce is talked out for the moment, I decide to occupy myself with watching the couples who are currently milling out of the small café across the street.
They look so happy…
And in love.
Something that I have lost. The pain returns and to divert my attention from it I do something that I know I should not do.
I don't even realize that I have blurted out the question until it is already out of my mouth.
"Don't you ever wish you were down there?"
Knowing that I can't take it back, I slowly push my hair behind my ear and risk a glance at Bruce. He lowers his binoculars and stares at me, stoic and unnervingly emotionless.
I can sense Kal's gaze at the back of my head, and then it disappears, only to become refocused on Bruce as we wait for his reply. Apparently my question or rather…
His answer is one of great importance.
Finally, after what seems like much glaring, Bruce speaks.
"I'm down there all I need to be." He then returns to what he was doing before; quite clearly telling us that the conversation is now over.
That is it. That is all he has to say on the subject. Plain and simple. To him at least.
I can't help but feel disappointed in his answer. I look at Kal with an inquiring gaze. He has all but lost interest in the conversation. Does he not have anything to say on the matter?
Frowning I resume my observation of the couple's below and begin to dwell into my own thoughts. I lean more heavily against the gargoyle next to me and almost break it in my frustration.
Why does it have to be so complicated? Is he so naive that he is not able to notice my growing feelings for him?
"Don't forget the other." Nemesis. He is one of the reasons for my unhappiness. How ironic to think that almost all my problems lay within the situation of men. Almost.
"Don't bother asking him Di. All it will do is break into his brooding time. There is no such word like fun in the Bat's vocabulary."
I can't help but grin at him. It's true. Anyone who has known him for as long as we have can confirm it.
He grins back at me and I can feel the rush of slight warmth fill my inner being. Kal who has always been there to cheer me up. Who I can talk with, and share my deepest, most secret of confessions with. And there it is, yet another man that I hold dearly close within my heart. A man that I cherish spending my time with. Along with Bruce, he is the only other male team member that I have ever spent any other extra quality time with.
I sigh through my nose and try to think back to the last time we had spent an evening together. I tilt my head slightly to the right, as I realize that it has been a while since we have had really sat down and had a conversation. Perhaps after this mission he and I can go somewhere and talk privately? Hera knows that I need someone to talk to, and since Bruce is clearly not the best choice...
I unclench my hands and incline my head slightly forward, while grinning at Kal. He grins back at me wider in response. He can see it in my eyes. He could sense that something had happened, that something was bothering me. He also now knows that I am finally ready. It is time that I tell someone, and Kal will do perfectly.
"Stop smiling you two. The gleam in your teeth will alert Intergang that we are here."
My eyes widen in slight surprise and I whip my head around to look at Bruce. He just looks back at me, cool and calmly.
Tightening my lips, I glare back at him.
"Stop mocking me you little…"
A realization suddenly strikes me. My eyes widen slightly and my mouth goes somewhat slack. Bruce Wayne-The cold hearted Batman has just made a joke. A quite rude and dry joke, but a joke never the less.
"Why you…" I gasp out. His lips ever so subtly twitch and I grit my teeth in annoyance. I am frustrated that I happen to be the source of his amusement. Like always. The Amazon Princess, live entertainment for the dark bat.
"Bruce…" I growl out, frowning at him, but just then an alarm goes off, and before I can question him he is already swinging into the air and lost among the shadows.
"Saved by the bell." I mumble under my breath, before I to take into the air. Leaving behind a smirking Kal, as he intensely watches me go.
So what do you think of this newly edited chapter? Hopefully the spelling is even better than before. Meaning that there's less mistakes. :D
