Preludío: Aspirir, Espirir (Breathe in, Breathe out)
I do not own DC nor its characters. I just use them as plot devices. More at the bottom. Dedicated to every parent, physically and spiritually, who would do absolutely anything to protect their child.
In a hero, there lives a heart seeking home
Home is where the heart is, the hero's left to roam
The heart searches for a hero, home is a cold tomb
Alone stands a hero. A heart needs a home.
In the middle of the madness / When the time is running out and you're left alone / All I want is you to know that / It's strong still / Can't pull us apart...
"I didn't even have a clue. When did this happen?"
"Do you want the short version or the long, convoluted explanation?"
"Ah, whatever you got. I'm lost here."
"Well, let's just say this has been simmering for a while now. It only really began two days ago, but it feels like longer. Wouldn't you agree?"
"That sounds about right."
"But how long is 'a while now'? I need a frame of reference. Help me out."
Trinity - Two days: Friday Morning
En una isla, hace miles de años... (On an island, thousands of years ago...)
The little girl curled her body into a small ball, her long blond hair draped over her bare shoulders. She huddled in a cave and hid within its shadows. Sobs echoed through the cavern in a short, light staccato. She tried stifling her whimper, but the sound escaped before she could stop it.
This started off another round of crying.
"Pssst! Hey, are you in there?"
"Leave me alone! Go away."
"I will not! Scoot over, you're hogging up most of the cave."
"What are you doing out here? Mother will be mad if she discovers you snuck out in the middle of the night."
"I came to check up on you. Catch anything yet?"
"Of course not! You know I don't know how to hunt."
"But you're so good with a bow and arrow, how come you couldn't hit them?"
"Because I can't find any animals! They run away before I can even see them."
"That's because you're so loud walking through the woods. You think you own the entire place."
"But we do."
"No, Mother does. She's the queen, we're only her daughters. You should remember that."
"She remembers YOU'RE her daughter. You're the next queen. I'm just an afterthought."
"You are not! Not to me, anyways. You're my sister. I love you."
The young blond couldn't see her older sister, but she felt her wrap her arm around her shoulders. The girl snuggled towards the body heat to warm her chilled skin. The affection sparked off another round of crying.
"Awww, don't do that. You don't cry over anything. Tell me, what's wrong, Polly?"
"I'm sorry I made fun of you. I didn't mean to make you cry. I just wanted to show Mother that I was good at something, too. You're so good at tracking prey, it's all she talks about. She doesn't even notice what I can do."
"Well, I know you're great at archery! You even out shoot some of the guards. They hate that they get beat by someone so little."
"I'm not little!"
"Yes, you are, but you're growing. Hey, how about this - we'll hide out here in the woods! I'll teach you how to track, and you'll show me how to shoot a bow and arrow. We'll live off the fish in the stream. It'll be fun!"
"Really? You would do that? But Mother would be furious if you went missing."
"If she says I'm the next queen, then I'll tell her she was wrong for sending you out into the woods by yourself. That was mean! You're going to rule by my side when we grow up, so no one messes with my princess. Together forever." The blond couldn't see her, but she knew her sister drew her head up in a regal manner, and then sharply nodded to solidify her decision. Just like Mother.
"One day, I'll own these woods, so we should get to know them. How about that, Polly? We'll be like Artemis and Orion hunting our prey."
"I get to be Artemis!"
"Hey! How come you get to be the goddess and I'm the sidekick."
"Because you're going to be queen and I'll be your sidekick. I got to be important somehow."
"Not fair. Why do I have to be the man?"
"You started it, I just called it faster than you. Nyaaa!"
"Look, Pigeon, I should be the goddess."
"Would you stop calling me Pigeon? I'm not a bird."
"But you like shooting at them. Pigeon shooter!"
"Imma tell!"
"Tattle tail, tattle tail...sshh! Someone's coming!" Both girls hunkered down as they heard footsteps approach.
"HIPPOLYTA! ANTIOPE! PRINCESSES, WHERE ARE YOU?!"
Both girls stifled their giggles as the royal guard searched for them. Both even covered the other's mouth to reinforce their silence. They scooted closer to the cave's entrance and hid in a nook along the wall. Fast enough to avoid a torch's light as a woman peered in.
"Come on, you little rabbits. This game has gone far enough. You're mother is worried sick over both of you." The torch swayed back and forth, inspecting for evidence of young girls. Those tidbits stood in a corner, breathless as they watched the firelight cast shadows over their favorite hiding place. The fast-moving light drew a line in the air before disappearing quickly.
With the brightness, Hippolyta saw her dark-haired sister had brought their cloaks and a bag. She hoped there was food in there, she was starving! But Antiope only brought one bow and arrow set. They'll have to make another one.
The guard exited the cave, obviously frustrated that she didn't find them. "Damn it, Your Majesty! You shouldn't have sent the young one out by herself. You knew Antiope would go find her little Polly. You should be the one out here looking for them." The girls continued to hide until the woman's footsteps retreated farther away.
"Hey, Anti. Whatcha got in the bag? I'm hungry!"
"I raided the kitchen before I snuck out. We were having roast pig, your favorite! I wrapped it in some flatbread. Stuffed them with olives, too. Got some fruit and more bread for later."
"Yay! Should we build a fire? I'm cold."
"Not yet, the guards will see us. Here, there's your cloak. Better, right?"
"Anti, you're the best."
"You're not so bad either, Polly. Now, let's eat like queens!"
Both girls greedily tucked into their dinner. Thoughts of loneliness, fear, and sibling rivalry disappeared as they enjoyed each other's company. Completely in the dark, two Amazon princesses giggled over their future adventure.
So it truly is a good thing / And I always wanted you to know / There is always this / And this is everlasting / Hold on...
'Why am I still feeling lonely and hurt over a betrayal thousands of years ago?'
La Magia de Las Tres - Baila Conmigo
En la Isla de Themyscira (In the island of Themyscira)
"Please, I just want a child. Grant me this and I promise, she will be raised to honor you." Closing her eyes, the Amazon Queen inhaled...then exhaled over the the sculpture of a baby, one she made in her heartache with help from another.
The clay grew warm in her arms. Feather soft skin, gentle flower scent, pillowy flesh...limbs flailing in their search for comfort...fists punching in indignation through the cool air...tiny lungs inhaled one great breath...
The babe's lusty cries mixed with the joyous sobs of the woman holding her. "Oh, don't cry! Your mitera has you, your momma has you. Oh, my little baby girl, you're so beautiful! Thank you! Thank you Great Hera, all of you! My daughter, my Diana."
• • • • • •
"Ma? Why did they take that horse away from its momma?"
"Because we have to teach it how to be a good steed for our warriors."
"But it's going to miss its ma! Look, it's sad!"
"How do you know, Diana?"
"I can feel it. I would be sad, too, if I was taken from you."
"Alright alright. How about we let its momma go with it?"
"Yes! Thank you, Ma! I love you!"
• • • • • •
"Mother! Mother! I finally did it! I beat Artemis in a race. Mother? Why are you crying?"
"Hmm? Diana, I didn't hear you come in. It's nothing, really..."
"No it's not. You don't cry over anything. Tell me, what's wrong?"
"It's just something that happened before you were born. Someone who left, who I thought loved me.
"Oh Mother, don't cry. You have me, I'm here. Hey, you want me to make you laugh? I can mimic Artemis pretty well!"
"Don't you let her know you still do that. Remember what happened last time."
"Then don't tell her! Our little secret!"
• • • • • •
"These omens don't bode well, Mother. Mankind might be facing its darkest hour."
"Then mankind will have to face it alone."
"How can you say that!"
"Whatever happens beyond these shores is not our concern. Here the gods protect us."
"I hope you're right."
• • • • • •
"Diana, Princess of Themyscira, stand forth. As your mother I am overjoyed that you have finally returned to us, but as your queen I'm obliged to hold up the laws of Themyscira. And in bringing these outsiders to our island, you have broken our most sacred law. This cannot be overlooked."
"But Mother..."
"Diana, I have no choice. It's with a heavy heart that I have to exile you from Themyscira."
"No, Mother's right. I did break the law and I humbly accept your judgment. The fates were against us, Mother. Good bye."
"May Hera watch over you, my little sun and stars."
• • • • • •
"Thank you for taking the time to attend Kal's funeral. It means alot to me, to all of us."
"He saved you from the fate he suffered himself. He should be honored as the hero he was. I just wish it was while he was still here, and not like this."
"Yes, Mother. We should acknowledge those we care about while they are with us."
"A very wise thought, daugher. So, my sun and stars, how about you acknowledge who it is you're pining over."
"Hmm? What are you talking about?"
"Don't play coy, Diana. I'm your mother, I can tell. I thought it would have been your friend Kal-El, but he had another mourning over him. You seemed to have eyes on someone else. Perhaps the one who kept to the shadows."
"Batman? Well, he doesn't believe that Kal's gone. I think he's in denial, but he's stubborn. He's investigating all the possible angles and trying to figure out what happened."
"You seem pretty sure about his actions. Paying that much attention to him? Hmmm?"
"Mother!"
• • • • • •
"Well, that was an interesting visit. He has to be one of the most obstinate, combative, confusing individuals I've ever met. I felt like I was arguing with the entire Themysciran senate!"
"I know, Mother, but he's also one of our best fighters, smartest tacticians, and..."
"Oh, you don't have to defend him, I know what he's capable of. He's adorable, Diana. I can see why you like him, even though he's a man."
• • • • • •
'He'd still be beautiful to me.'
"We're going to make our own future perfect, our way. No matter what."
Hippolyta jumped out of bed and ran to the window. She was startled to find that it was still dark, only a few hours until dawn. She had heard Diana's voice, but she wasn't outside looking up as she was known to do sometimes. In fact, Diana hadn't visited Themyscira in months. Had she been dreaming, or was this something else entirely?
"We're going to make our own future perfect, our way. No matter what." Such a declaration of love and devotion - wait. That wasn't Diana's voice; that was a man speaking. She recognized it as the one her daughter had feelings for, the one named Batman.
Hippolyta placed a hand over her heart and wiped tears from her eyes before they could spill down her cheeks. She almost felt jealous of her daughter; how was Diana able to find true love among so many mortals? Perhaps by leaving was she truly able to live, unlike the rest of her people who chose to separate from Man's world.
Choosing to leave - is that what Diana was doing? Hippolyta felt a wave of grief. It was one thing for her to run away for a mission of peace; at least the mother knew her daughter thought of Themyscira as her home. Even after being exiled, Diana remained loyal to the immortal kingdom. But now, was she choosing another over her people? Did she prefer the love of a man over the devotion of her tribe? Was she losing a daughter, or gaining a...
'Mother...thank you for letting me love who I wanted. You were never alone - I was there.'
Diana's love flowed over her like a soothing balm. Of course she would be there to comfort her, she always had, ever since she was born. Hippolyta recalled those first few minutes holding her daughter as Diana cried out her first breaths. She had quieted down after being wrapped in a warm cloak. Demeter blessed the new mother, and she was able to feed the babe at her breast. Diana stared up at her with light, innocent eyes before falling asleep. Never had Hippolyta felt so needed.
She suddenly felt an intuition that her daughter needed her again. Hippolyta stared out over her kingdom, and noticed activity towards the temple grounds. After so many centuries, she knew the location of every place of worship, even if she couldn't see their columns. Those of the main Amazon patrons and Diana's creators had been built closer to the palace. These were the ones that caught the Queen's attention.
Aphrodite's temple glowed brighter than all the others. Hippolyta raised an eyebrow; the love goddess must have been pleased by a particularly good honoring. The queen mother blushed, realizing that she had been woken by her daughter's thoughts. So Diana finally caught her Dark Knight. Well, it was bound to happen. When that woman had a will, she found a way. She could ask her daughter about it the next time she visited.
Movement caught Hippolyta's eye, drawing her attention away from Aphrodite's Temple. The torches from other temples were having problems staying lit. Indeed, the acolytes at the temples of Hestia, Demeter, and Hermes seemed to be at a loss at why the lights were flickering at all. A fresh, gentle breeze flowed in from the sea, not a gale force wind strong enough to be felt that far inland.
Hippolyta heard shouts from the temples of Athena and Artemis. Their lights had extinguished entirely. Those acolytes rushed to find more oil to relight the fires. Then the queen noticed an ominous glow emanating from inside each temple. The goddess' statues seemed to suck in the darkness around them, as if calling upon their darker sides.
It had been eons since the gods have shown such activity, and Hippolyta found all this most peculiar. They hadn't seen happenings like this since times of legends. The gods must be disturbed indeed. She wondered about the catalyst for such strange behavior.
Wondered...wonder...wonder wom...oh no...
Hippolyta bolted out of her room dressed only in a thin shift for nightclothes. She ran without shoes through the palace halls, startling the night guards by her sudden appearance. She gave no glance at their shouted inquiry as she raced towards the temples. Fear gave her feet wings. Fear for her daughter.
She tore across the palace grounds. Her breath expelled in gasps as she yelled at the top of her lungs. "Oh no you don't! She just got him! This will not happen to her! I won't let it! Stop, please!" She ran into the plaza that marked the beginning of the holy grounds, indicated by a tiled mosaic of the zodiac.
"Paúō Hippolyta!" The queen's mad dash screeched to an abrupt halt. She couldn't move forward. Knowing that this was a warning, she fell to her knees and waited to be acknowledged.
"You forget your place, Amazon Queen. It is not up to you to tell the gods what they can or cannot do, especially to the one they created." Hippolyta kept her head down in respectable abeyance. The goddess stood right in front of her. She could almost touch the hem of her gown.
"Yes, Great Hera, of course. But she is my daughter, and it is my duty to protect her. I can feel that she is the source of the current disturbances. Please tell me, what is happening?"
"Diana, Princess of Themyscira, has chosen to take a lover among the mortals. Instead of deciding to follow the dictates of the Amazons, she has followed her heart to align her life with the hero they call Batman, otherwise known as Bruce Wayne. This goes against the vow to separate yourselves from Man's World made by you and your sisters. Diana has been judged and stripped of her championship. Another must be found."
"No, wait! I mean, please, Great Hera, I humbly ask you to reconsider. I made that vow. My sisters did, too. She did not. She was born into this culture, has been taught our ways, but did not promise herself to Athena or to Artemis. She is not bound by our laws in that way."
"And why is that, Amazon Queen? Why have you neglected that one portion of her education, when you have done so well in everything else?"
"Because such a decision cannot be made by anyone else but her. She has always been a devoted servant to the gods, but follows her own path. As you can see, she has made good decisions, even if they have been against our people and me. She should be allowed to follow her heart. Doing so would be honoring many of the gods, including you, Great Hera. I would hope you would be pleased."
"Was this any other woman, then yes. It would even please me if an Amazon chose to unite with another in accordance with your traditions. However, this is Diana. She is special among the immortals, and you know it. We made her for our own reasons, and she had been chosen as the earthly representative of the Olympian gods.
"We've received barely a whisper of worship until she came forth among these modern mortals. Now they look to her as a hero, and she is being held at a higher standard than others. She is our symbol, and we needed her untainted. While we are not without fault when it comes to our sexual dalliances, she needs to take caution with whom she places her alliances."
"Diana has never compromised herself in a way that has shamed you, nor herself," Hippolyta defended her daughter. "She can be headstrong sometimes, but she always has others at heart. If she has chosen to take a lover, then maybe she found him worthy. I've spoken to him, and he is a noble man." Hippolyta hoped her faith in that man was well founded. She trusted her daughter immensely, but history showed that Amazons and men did not mix well.
"You make a compelling argument. This is unlike you Hippolyta; usually you take our pronouncements humbly and without question. Something has changed in you. Perhaps Diana is not the only one that has been affected by exposure to Man's World."
"Yes, My Queen. Perhaps that is so. But it has been a long time since Zeus' son attacked us. Things have changed. Batman showed me that not all the things we believe about men are true. Even if a handful are like him, maybe we should open our ears and listen."
"So Diana's beloved has caught your attention as well. Strange that you should approve of her pairing with one so dark. Seems familiar, doesn't it? However, she is making choices that will not only affect her, but your people and the gods as well. We need to know that she is still worthy of being the Amazon champion. She needs to face the proving trials."
"Mighty Hera, I humbly ask instead of the required trials, that you allow me to plead her case. She is a proven warrior; having her fight her sisters will confirm nothing. Even if another won, they do not have the worldview that Diana has to be champion. She's the only one with the compassion and understanding to fulfill that role."
Hippolyta waited many heartbeats for an answer. All she could hear was the pounding in her chest and her own breathing...
"Very well. You have spoken so passionately for your daughter, I will let you argue for her. However, she will be stripped of her powers until you have otherwise convinced us that she deserves them. Though I think she still has Aphrodite's favor; seems our gentle swan is finally getting what she wanted from her. Can't fault her for that. Even I can feel the love they are sharing."
"I thank you for allowing her that happiness, Great One. Should I prepare myself for my argument?" Hippolyta motioned towards her clothing, realizing that she should be properly dressed while in the presence of the divine.
"No, we will take care of you during this time." Hippolyta found herself standing in front of the goddess, dressed in her finest royal attire. She kept her head down, unwilling to stare the Queen Goddess in the face. "You have all the time you need to make your argument. Think about what you want to say, because you will have only one chance."
Hera motioned towards the tiled mosaic under their feet. The ground disappeared, replaced by a yawning void that made Hippolyta feel as if she were falling into the sky. Slowly, she looked up and turned in place. Her palace was gone. The sea breeze disappeared to a heavy silence. Stars twinkled under her feet. Constellations beaconed for her to approach.
"Speak clearly and sure, Hippolyta. Each god had a stake in creating Diana; they are as invested in her future as you are. But know this, if even one disagrees, then Diana forfeits her championship. If more oppose, she loses her immortality. If they all abandon her...she dies. And know whatever decision we make, you will share it with her."
I always hope that you remember / What we have is strong and tender/ In the middle of the madness / Hold on...
"...Here, I want you to visualize something. Close your eyes, keep dancing...I want you to think of your man - and you're on top of him. Nice, yes? So, you're going to make him happy..."
"Or drive him crazy, whatever comes first."
"You two are trouble for each other, I can tell. But yes, you have the control. You want to please him, but you don't want to hurt him. And with hips like these, darling, you could do some damage. It must be that Greek heritage of yours."
Baila Conmigo - El Primer Baile
En la casa de Wayne...(Wayne Manor)
Moonlight streamed in through the palatial room's window. The pale light fell onto the bare skin of a woman, seemingly causing her to glow. Her dark hair cascaded down her back as her body rose and fell, slowly and to her own rhythm, her generous hips rotating languidly. She ran her fingers through her locks, bracelets flashing in the light, luxuriating at the pleasure she brought herself and torturing man she straddled. A large hand reached up to touch her; she caught it and lowered it back down.
"Come on, Bruce."
"...no."
Breathe in...
"Say it."
"I don't...want...to."
Breathe out...
"I'll stop."
"Don't you...mmm...dare."
Breathe in and hold...
"You want me to keep going?" She twisted her dangerous hips for emphasis.
"Yes. Dear Lord, yes."
Breathe out with a sigh...
"Hmmm, that's not even close to what I want to hear."
"Why? You already know...you're...wonderful." He tried forcing her to move faster, but she smacked his hands away. Forbidden to touch her, his fists clenched the sheets at his side. He was perilously close to ripping them apart in frustration.
Breath hitches in a throat...
"I'm beyond wonderful, Bruce. I am divine. I am royalty. And you, my dear prince, are where you deserve to be." Diana continued to rotate against him at a tortuously slow place, making the man underneath her writhe. He wanted to take over, to move, to touch her. Except where their bodies joined, she wasn't letting him do any of that. "Give in, admit you worship me. I'll make it worth your while."
"That's bribery. That's coercion. That's..." she squeezed him from the inside, adding a twist in the other direction. "Oh...my...god Diana..."
Breath rushes out in a huff...
"Close enough." She started moving faster, lifting almost totally off him then lowering swiftly. Bruce's pleasured groan filled the room, finally receiving relief from the torture. She ground into him again, and again, and again.
Taking a chance, Bruce grabbed her by the waist, thrusting upwards as she descended. Diana threw her head back, loving how his hardness filled her. Her hips start rocking on their own accord, gyrating with her man inside. He pushed upwards again, filling her to the hilt.
Diana immersed herself in making love to him. Her hair covered them like a canopy as she leaned forward and kissed him deeply. His large hands caressed her body, rubbed her back, squeezed her ass, fisted her hair as he reached to suck on her neck, her shoulder, her breasts. She continued to ride him.
Breathe together...and in...and out...
He sat up swiftly and crushed her body against his. She wrapped her long legs around his waist, their bodies colliding in their vertical position. He snatched her lips with his, kissing her with rabid hunger; she wanted to throw him back down and devour him. She draped her arms around his neck and threading her fingers through his hair. She couldn't get enough of him.
Bruce wrapped his arms around her, holding onto her shoulders from behind. He began thrusting upward, pushing as hard as he could into her. Diana moaned as she met his upward motion with a twist, rocking their bodies back and forth. He answered by lifting her higher with each push. She responded by pulling him further into her.
Breathe in out up down shared breath...
He grasped her firm, round bottom, almost fitting perfectly in his palm. Her hands roamed his broad shoulders, strong back, muscular chest. Lips locked in battle, eyes closed in ecstasy. Someone moaned. The other answered.
Breathe pause gasp pause sigh pause breathe...
Bruce surged forward, trying to throw her down, to finish them. Diana pushed back, keeping her dominance. The movement pushed them harder together, almost causing internal injury. So painful. So nice.
Breathe in don't let go...
Their rhythm increased. Faster their bodies rocked. Lips parted, their breathing becoming panting, gasping inhalations of excitement. Bruce nestled his face into her neck, burying his grunt into her hair. He reached in between them, towards where their bodies joined. He found her pleasure center, touched her, fondled her...
Out from the middle breathe...in...
Diana's keening cry filled the room, matching the overwhelming delight of a Bruce-induced climax. Before she could crash down, Bruce pushed himself into a Diana-provoked ejection. He roared his pleasure for all of Gotham to hear.
And...exhale.
Bruce held onto her, supporting their bodies as they descended from their high. He rubbed her back in a loving gesture, pushed her hair from her face, and gazed into her aquamarine eyes. He started to smile his satisfaction when he noticed the mischievous smirk on her lips.
She wasn't finished yet.
Breath inhaled in surprise...
Legs firmly wrapped around his waist, Diana held her lover in her inescapable grasp. She rotated her generous hips again, despite Bruce's attempt to disengage. He wanted to push her away, to have time to recover. But he was still hard for her, even after he came.
Damned divine sexual gifts.
Blow out in exhaustion...suck in with exhilaration...
Bruce clutched at her, using her as an anchor as she rode out her second climax. He wanted to satisfy her but, Sweet Aphrodite, she was insatiable.
Amazons have incredible endurance.
Breathe in with exasperation...breathe out look for exit...
Really, he wanted to be proud that he was able to strike lightning thrice in one session. Nothing would please him more to know that he matched 1.21 gigawatts of energy three times. But all he wanted now was...
"Diana, please, let me go!"
"But I don't want to. Gods, Bruce, you feel so good."
Breath shakes...body quakes...senses ache...
"Diana, touché. Goddamn, you won! You're a goddess, you're the freakin' queen of the world. Have mercy on a poor mortal's soul!"
"Oh, my sweet one, am I hurting you?"
"Hurting me? No...but there's only so much I can give...take...oh shit."
Breathe in satisfaction...breathe out sated...
"Fine. For now." Diana loosened her legs, releasing the pressure from Bruce's groin. Raising her arms in the air, she allowed her body to fall backwards onto the bed. She bounced a few times, then settled into the crumpled coverlet. She writhed in ecstasy, enjoying the afterglow of the intense lovemaking session.
Bruce, finally allowed to rest, rolled sideways onto the pillows, and curled into an exhausted lump. Truly, if this had happened earlier, he would have no problem keeping up with her. But the moon began its descent into the western horizon. Soon there would be russet rays of sunlight tingeing the clouds. They've been making love all through the night.
"What was that, my dear? I couldn't hear you through the pillows." Diana crawled towards her lover's prone body, trying to peek through his dark locks and feather-filled cushion. She watched as he turned his head, gazing at her with his beautiful sapphire eyes.
"Water. Please. Your Majesty." Diana kissed him lightly, then jumped up from the bed. Padding to the bathroom, she cleaned and filled a glass, then returned to serve her loyal subject.
She found Bruce with a pillow at his cheek, facing the window, fast asleep. She set the glass onto the nightstand, then reached down to the coverlet and pulled it with her as she scooted across the bed. Diana covered both their bodies, then wrapped her arm around his waist, cuddling contently against his back. Burying her face in the crook of his neck, she sighed.
Almost 24 hours since they met at the Watchtower cafeteria, they finally slept.
In...out...
Breathe.
Nothing can come, can tear, can pull us apart /
It's about faith / It's about trust - Nothing Can Come Between Us - Sade
A/N Hey. How ya doin'? As you've probably figure out, I'm starting this with a bang. Just so you know, I'll give no warnings for fluff. Know they're peppered throughout the story. You've been warned. (This is an "M" rating! Woot woot!)
This was about to be a long, drawn out explanation about the story and its format. I'll let you read and draw your own conclusions. If I did it right, it would make sense. If not, I'm still learning, be patient with me! For now, I want to remind you of my...um...interrogation tactics:
1. Establishing the Crime Scene
2. Line Up the Suspects
3. Witness Testimony
4. Offers and Counter-Offers
5. Taking the Counter
6, Cross Examination
7. Confessions
8. Crime and Punishment
9. Undercover Surveillance
10. Debriefing the Case
Let's add three more:
11. Stake out the mark, find the pattern.
12. Find the clues in the suspect's answers.
13. Ask questions of the evidence.
Timing: The Bruce and Diana story flows straight from their date night in "Baila Conmigo", before "Tuesday Morning Breakfast."
All three stories within this fic work together but can be read separately. Clues and Easter Eggs hidden in each one. See if you can see the various pop culture references. I already gave one up there!
As usual, I will post once a day as I can. Chapters are gathered into Books depending on their theme. You'll find the pattern. I hope.
Review if you feel like, though no need to ask "More!" The entire story is finished. I will give it all to you day by day until it's complete. I will post music inspiration on my profile page. Resources will be listed at the end of the story. Much research went into this.
One last -
"Baila Conmigo" was a hidden fairytale; can you figure out the inspiration behind this one?
Enjoy!
D. Nox :-)