Disclaimer: I own nothing, and no infringement is intended. The characters I refer to belong to DC.
Rating: R. For later smut and other great things. Now it's PG-13.
It was midnight.
Rain was drumming on the roof of Wayne Manor, and Wonder Woman could not sleep.
Normally the sound of rain was welcome. It was soothing, and reminded her of hunting trips with her sisters in Themyscria, sleeping huddled together under crude shelters as the summer rain fell above in gentle rhythms…she rolled onto her side and sighed. Tonight, the rain offered no relief- in fact, it seemed to be mocking her sudden bout of insomnia.
Diana tossed and turned among her hot, sweaty sheets, but relief would not come. Every time she closed her eyes she saw the figure of a young woman staring at her, large green eyes both accusing and apologetic, shimmering with unshed tears.
Hawkgirl…
Opening her eyes, she sat up and kicked back her covers impatiently. It was no use.
Pulling herself out of bed, she headed for the door. She'd go crazy if she stayed inside that room another minute…
Diana moved silently into the hallway, her feet padding gently against the polished wood floor. Maybe I should head to Batman's room and surprise him, she thought with a smirk. He probably would never recover, for all he thought he was so great. Nahhh. As much as she did like Batman, the last thing she needed to do was give him the encouragement needed for his male ego to rear its ugly head. He knows what I feel for him, and we'll see what happens. With that thought, she resolved to put him out of her mind- at least, for now.
Reaching the landing at the top of the staircase that led up to her wing of the house, Diana paused in front of a large window and peered out at the storm. Sheets of rain fell from the sky to the ground. She leaned forward and pressed her fingers against the cool glass, then pushed it outward. The window opened easily.
Diana knelt on the sill and stuck her head out the window, glancing up at the night sky. "Morpheus," she breathed. She closed her eyes, allowing the water to cascade down her face, neck and shoulders. It was cool, wet, and cleansing- in a way, she could imagine it washing away all the week's previous events. "Give me rest," she said, softly, picturing the dark, gentle god of the night.
A rustle behind her made her open her eyes and pull her head and shoulders back in, twisting her heavy, dark hair behind her neck in a loose coil. It was wet, dripping with rainwater. The drops ran down her back and face.
"Hey." The intruder's voice was low, mild, male…Flash. Wally, really. I should get used to calling him that…
Wally stood in the hallway, barefoot as well, dressed in only a pair dark green pajama bottoms hanging low on his hips. His hair was rumpled and standing on end. "Couldn't sleep either, huh?"
Diana felt a flash of irritation that such a private moment had been intruded upon, but shrugged. "Nope." She reached out and closed the window. "It isn't the rain, though. I've always loved thunderstorms, since I was a little girl. I couldn't sleep because of well…everything, really."
Flash nodded and leaned against the wall. "I hear ya." He ran his fingers through his hair, making the red spikes look even more intimidating in their uncombed state. "I wonder where she is…think she's okay?"
"Only the Green Lantern knows that, and he isn't talking," Diana said brusquely. She didn't want to discuss her rouge teammate with anybody. Not yet.
Flash surprisingly didn't push the issue; he merely nodded. "You'd…you'd better change before you catch…like, a cold…" he lowered his gaze.
Diana looked down. In addition to her wet hair, her thin nightshirt was now soaked through to her skin, clinging to her breasts and belly. She pulled the sodden fabric away from her body, and it made a sucking sound. She laughed, low. "I didn't even notice."
Flash joined in her laughter somewhat uneasily and averted his eyes. I did. Kind of hard not to, since you're totally-…okay. Not going there. Not tonight, anyway… He'd definitely had…well…inappropriate thoughts about his Amazonian teammate in the past, but they were usually swift and fleeting. It seemed almost…sacrilegious to fantasize about her…"Um, yeah. I'm going to the kitchen."
"Let me come with you," Diana ducked into her room, pulling off the shirt and dropping it on the floor, replacing it with an oversized sweatshirt. She opened the door and followed her teammate through the dimly lit halls of the manor. Flash seemed to know his way to the kitchen (no big surprise) and walked in quickly, opening the fridge. "Man, that's cold," he muttered, stepping back from the icy air.
"For the love of Zeus, put a shirt on," Diana sat down on a stool, crossing her long, bare legs and studying his naked back absentmindedly. "You have much better chance of catching cold than I do."
Flash shook his head, inwardly grateful that the coolness of the fridge had pretty much taken care of any…embarrassing problems caused earlier by Diana's appearance. I mean…what was that? She's totally hot, yeah…but this isn't exactly the time to be thinking about it…right?
He emerged from the fridge, both hands filled with food. "Got to give the ladies something to look at," he said, flashing her his trademark grin. When Diana shook her head, he dropped his load on the countertop and flexed his abs from side to side. "Eat your heart put, Prince."
Diana's response was to roll her eyes and chuck a roll of paper towels at his head, but inwardly she was relieved. Flash, had been unusually quiet since Hawkgirl's resignation- quieter than the GL, even. She remembered the tender glance he'd given Hawkgirl after releasing her, and briefly thought that…perhaps he'd been closer to her, had thought more of her than anyone had ever suspected.
Feeling Diana's eyes on him, Flash looked up and blinked. "Do I have something on my face?"
"I…no!" Slightly flustered, Diana tucked her hair behind her ears. "I was trying to figure out what you've got there." Her brow creased. "I got lost somewhere around the…" her upper lip curled slightly. "What is that?"
Flash'd face cleared, and he smiled and rubbed his hands together. "Alfred keeps that sucker stocked. I've got three kinds of lunchmeat, hero bread, four kinds of cheese, mayo, jalepeno peppers, chocolate syrup, pickles, half of a chocolate cake…"
"You sound like a pregnant woman's dream and a nutritionist's nightmare." Diana reached over the counter. "You can start me with the chocolate cake." She eagerly unwrapped the wax-paper package and dug in, much to Flash's amusement.
"What?" she said, spraying a mouthful of chocolate crumbs across the table in a decidedly, un-princessey manner.
"Never thought the lady Di could chow down half a chocolate cake at midnight. That's it."
Diana managed to swallow before she laughed. "You don't know me very well." She wiped her hands on her sweatshirt, stood and stretched. "I'm headed for bed. You okay in here?"
"Yeah, yeah." Flash was now engrossed in his sandwich.
"Night, Flash." She reached over and ruffled his hair (it was quickly becoming habitual, she thought) and headed for the door.
"Night."
"So…is everyone clear on what's going on for the next two weeks?"
The Justice League were all seated around the dining room table of Wayne Manor, finishing an elegant breakfast that had been served up in a singular style by an impeccably-dressed Alfred. When the last of their cheese-and-egg puffs, fresh fruit, sausage and granola had been consumed, Batman pushed back his plate and began conversation in his usual matter-of-fact tone. "I want to thank you all for being my guests this weekend," he said, formally.
Superman snickered and elbowed Wonder Woman in the side. "That's Batcode for, 'get the heck out of my house.'"
Batman cleared his throat and continued. "Plans for a new Watchtower are in effect; it's actually being built as we speak."
"Financed by who?" the Green Lantern asked warily, his eyebrows drawing together. "I can't imagine that you footed the bill again, Bruce."
Batman shook his head. "No. It's being financed in part by government funds, in part from our…team funds." He paused. "However, it won't be ready for another two weeks or so."
Superman whistled under his breath. "Pretty short time, considering that a new satellite has to be built and launched."
Batman shrugged. "Those are the days I was given."
"Well," said the Green Lantern testily, "you seemed to have squared everything away quite well without us. What is this meeting for?"
Batman ignored the sarcasm in John's tone. "I just wanted to tell you all that you can consider yourselves off for the next two weeks," he said, smoothly. "The Teen Titans can handle things during our sabbatical- actually, they're very pleased to get their feet wet on some real cases- and I want to get some candidates ready for interviews."
"Interviews for what?" Wonder Woman asked.
"Interviews to join the Justice League." Batman's eyes scanned over them. "As you all know, we do need a replacement. Possibly more than one person."
John looked at him sharply, but said nothing.
J'onn's voice broke over the silence, mellow and deep. "If we have any recommendations-"
"Give them to me." Batman's tone allowed no argument. "I'll take care of them, and screen them. We can vote on the final candidates."
"Kind of a Justice League American Idol," joked Superman weakly, but no one felt like laughing. Too much was going on…he was tempted to protest the Bat's blatant takeover of all the team matters, but, honestly, he didn't want to deal with anything after what he'd just been through, and two weeks of nothing but R&R sounded so good…
A glance around at his teammates seemed to prove that most of them thought the same thing. Let Batman handle it if he wanted to…they all needed a rest…
"You are all welcome to stay here, if you want to." Batman's eyes fell on Diana, then shifted away quickly. "Please feel free."
She smiled.
They finished up and headed to their rooms to pack, talking quietly among themselves about their various plans. The Green Lantern was headed to his place in Detroit; he had some family there he wanted to visit, and then possibly to Oa for a few days. Superman was planning to take Lois to Smallville for a couple weeks; he welcomed any opportunity to visit his hometown. J'onn was going there too, on special invitation by Mr. and Mrs. Kent. Flash, presumably, was headed back to his bachelor pad Keystone, and Wonder Woman-
Wonder Woman was looking for Batman.
After all her teammates had disappeared, she headed back towards the door in which she'd seen Batman disappear, knocking hesitantly before pushing it open. The door opened to reveal a fair-sized study, whose furnishings consisted of only a rather large desk and high-backed leather chair. Batman was seated in this chair, pushing papers around. He raised his eyebrows when she walked in.
"Hello," she said softly, walking up to him.
"Princess." His gaze lingered on her for a moment, slipping briefly down her body, and she shifted, feeling warmth spreading downwards. But he shifted his eyes to the papers in his hands.
Diana leaned forward, her long hair brushing his desk, a hint of perfume wafting over him. "What are you doing?" her voice was low, and slightly husky, despite her efforts to keep it still.
"Working." He frowned slightly and looked up, his eyes unreadable behind his cowl. "Is there anything you wanted, Princess?"
Slightly taken aback, Diana straightened up. "I just wanted…to talk."
"About what?"
"Us."
Batman sighed, as if he already knew where the conversation was headed. "Diana, I have quite a bit to do tonight, and-"
"I understand." Diana stood to her feet. "Don't worry. I'll just talk to you later. I mean, we have two weeks, and-"
"You have two weeks, you mean," Batman said. He picked up a particular page and held it up to the light.
"We'll be able to talk, and…..what?"
"I said, you have two weeks." Batman carefully folded his selected paper and placed it in an envelope. "I'm leaving here tomorrow."
"You're leaving me in your house?" Diana's comment came out much more incredulous-sounding than she would have liked it to, but she WAS shocked. "You're leaving me here?"
Batman shrugged impatiently. "You know you're welcome to stay if you wish, Diana. I really don't have much to do with it. Alfred will see to your needs." He stood to his feet.
Wonder Woman was so shocked she couldn't speak, and in a moment became just as angry. "Why-" she sputtered. "But I thought-" was Batman really this callous?
Batman sighed again. "Look, Princess. I know what you're thinking- and it wouldn't work out. It just wouldn't."
Diana was speechless.
"I…have issues. So do you. And this whole…mess the Justice League is in complicates everything as well. Sometimes I wish…" a faraway look crossed his face, and he shook his head as of to clear it. "I mean…" he looked her in the eye. "You do understand what I'm trying to tell you."
For a long, unbelievably still moment, Wonder Woman just stared at him, her blue eyes as dark and as still as two pools of water, a crimson flush covering her face. When she spoke, her voice was icy- and carefully controlled.
"I will be out of here within the hour." There was no anger in her tone, no resentment. It was cool, collected.
"You don't have to do that."
"Oh, yes, I do." Diana turned on her heel and went out, her long hair brushing her back.
Batman looked after her, pulled off his cowl. An expression of pain crossed his face for the briefest of instants, but it quickly cleared.
After another moment, he sat down- and resumed his work, but with considerably less motivation than before.
Wonder Woman strode through the halls of the Manor at top speed, heading for her room. Barreling across the floor, she didn't even notice Superman, J'onn and Lantern until she had crashed squarely into Superman.
"Damn," she hissed, rubbing her shoulder. She had bounced right off of him. Amazon warrior or not, hitting a 250-pound Kryptonian while going at full speed did hurt. It hurt a lot.
"Di, I'm sorry!" Superman dropped his bags, and the three men gathered around her where she was now sitting on the floor.
"I'm fine!" growled Diana, hoisting herself to her feet. Se was more sore and angry than actually hurt. "Why don't you watch where you're going, Clark? This hallway is big enough for all of us, you know."
Clark opened his mouth, but shut it when J'onn shot him a warning look. Apparently, he'd picked up on some of Diana's thoughts- and incensing her further probably wasn't the best idea at this point. Instead, he assumed a polite tone. "Sorry, Diana. Um, we're just going to get a car to the airport- want to carpool with us?"
She bit her lip. "No," she snapped. At the looks on her teammates faces, however, she forced herself to use a politer tone. "I mean, I'm not done packing yet. You guys go ahead."
"Oh, I get it," Superman gave her a wink, nudged his teammates and moved on down the hall. "Have a good time, Di."
Diana gave him a brittle smile. "Likewise, Clark. See you in a couple weeks. Bye, GL, J'onn."
"Goodbye, Diana."
"Later, Princess."
The men moved down the hall to the stairwell and disappeared down it. She could hear their voices grow lower and lower as they reached the bottom; then she heard the front door slam.
Diana marched to her room, shoving her few belongings into the duffel bag that Alfred had provided. Despite the pounding she gave her clothes, though, she felt even worse when she emerged from her bedroom. She paused for a moment to massage her aching temples- now where would she go? She had no apartment, no home outside the Watchtower, and it was too late to jump on the bandwagon and go with another Leaguer…Superman already had guests; the Green Lantern was in way too dark a mood to get along with for two weeks…and Flash? No.
Besides, she'd done enough invading on the hospitality of others. She shot a competuous glance in the general direction of the study downstairs and quickened her steps. Perhaps I can stay with Audrey, give her a call…but her friend was completely engrossed with her fiancé. Plus, as much as she loved Audrey, she really didn't feel like seeing her. Audrey would likely drag her to every formal event under the son, and the truth? She just wanted to rest…and sort out the thoughts that were now swirling through her mind.
"Diana?"
She turned.
Flash was standing at the other end of the hallway, presumably having just emerged from his room. A duffel was slung over his shoulder, across his chest. He was dressed in cargo pants, a blue cotton button-down that just screamed J-Crew, and Converses. Even from a distance, she could see that his hair was standing up every which way.
"You're getting better at sneaking up on people than Batman is," she said, crossly.
Flash shrugged. "Sorry." He began to walk towards her, and she frowned. That was quite unusual- Flash never turned down the opportunity to run down a long hallway. "Are you okay?"
He shrugged again and nodded, but Diana wasn't so sure. Besides the rumpled hair and college-frat-boy clothes, his face held a…lethargy she couldn't place, one that surpassed ordinary tiredness. A sadness, even. When he lifted his blue eyes to hers, they were decidedly lacking in emotion.
He didn't say a word all morning, Diana realized, remembering how her usually gregarious teammate had behaved during the morning meeting. Is he sick? She searched his face, trying to find traces of the merry-faced kid she'd shared a midnight snack with the night before, but all were gone. He looks…so much older. We probably all do, she realized with a jolt.
"Where are you going to go?" Wally asked tonelessly, breaking into her reverie.
"I…" Diana started. "I have no idea, really." She leaned against the railing. "I was going to call Audrey, but…" she shook her head.
Flash didn't question her further. "You're not staying here?"
"No." her tone was decisive. "I really don't know, Flash. Maybe I'll head to New York…stay at the Waldorf for a couple days. They always are excited to have another celebrity." She managed a smile. "It's sweet of you to ask, though."
Wally raked a hand through his rebellious hair. "Look…if you want to, you can come to Keystone with me."
"What?"
"Come to Keystone. To my place." He lifted his head. "It's small, but there's plenty of room for two people."
Diana frowned. Two weeks ago she would have taken this suggestion as a blatant come-on, but Flash wasn't flirting with her. Not today. On the contrary, he seemed to barely care which way she answered.
"I…are you sure?" Diana paused. "I don't want to intrude."
For the first time that morning, a ghost of a smile appeared on Flash's face. "Oh yeah, you'll be intruding all right. On my TV time and McDonalds midnight runs. Come on, Diana. I really…" he paused. "I really would love to have you."
Diana smiled, albeit a bit uncertainly. "Well…all right." I can always leave if it gets too weird…besides, it's Flash. It'll be like rooming with a little brother for a couple weeks…
"Cool." Flash reached down and picked up her bag for her. "Let's get going. If we start out now, we can get there by tonight."
Diana nodded. "After you." She followed her teammate down the hall, marveling at the change she saw in him. He didn't speak; his jaw was tight; his skin lacked it's usual high color; and dark circles under his eyes made them look tired. I really should ask him what's wrong…
But…she really didn't want to get involved with other people's problems. Not while she still had her own.
Hello all, this is my first fanfic here so please review! And please be advised, the RATING WITLL CHANGE in later chapters, so keep an eye out for it!
