So I had a choice; post now, or answer reviews and post in two days. Figured you'd rather have the first ^^

I'll do better next time, promise!

Un beta-ed work; so all mistakes are mine. Please read and enjoy !

Five Dates

Second Date - Part 2

Lois usually hated seeing her friends getting hurt in any way, shape or reason. She avoided Bruce's training room when he was practicing, else she might jump on his opponent and give them a beating of her own. But when Clark had offhandedly mentioned their common friend was receiving a girl at the dojo, she dragged him to the place, wondering why he would bring a date there of all places.

The bashing had already begun when they arrived. Lois crept in quietly, wanting to observe her friend using his usual seduction techniques and for once, was stunned on spot. Bruce was lying on the back while his date pinned him down. Her smile definitively made her understand why he had asked her out. They parted after a short exchange and, still not noticing them luring behind the door, resumed their fight. They were a spectacle to watch, fast and smooth and strong, like two ballerinas dancing a dangerous choreography around each other.

Until the girl hit him in the face and he bumped his forehead against the wall.

After a quick call for Alfred, who had dragged his charge to the infirmary for examination, and a quick confirmation that he would survive, Lois hadn't stopped smirking. The situation was kinda ironic; after all, girls tended to hit him before the break up.

"So I take it the second date is going marvelously well?"

Bruce was positively sulking now, slouched on a chair. His head was bandaged where Alfred had tended to him, biting back a laugh the whole time, and had to leave the room to gather himself. Bruce shot her a glare that would have been intimidating had she not grown immune to them.

"I let my guard down," he muttered. "And she's faster than me."

"No kidding." Lois went on. "I rarely saw you having your ass kicked so swiftly. That girl can give a mean punch, I approve." Her smile faded slightly as a more serious matter came to her mind. "Who is she, Bruce? You ever brought any of your past flings here. You only told me about this place last year. She can't be that special –I know you don't believe at love at first sight."

Bruce's sulking shifted into a more pensive expression.

"She surprised me," he admitted. "She wasn't quite what I expected."

"Why, did she sucker punch you on the first date?" He shot her an incredulous stare. Lois shrugged: "Hey, that's the only way a girl really manages to hold you attention. Inquisitive mind inquiring here."

"I'd rather you not," he retorted dryly.

"Why? Because I might find out that you have a nefarious motive behind your actions?" he raised a questioning eyebrow at her. Lois decided she knew him too well and pushed a little more: "Tell me Bruce, are you planning to involve her in your little pet project?" His reaction –tightening fists, clenching jaw, narrowed eyes –told her everything she needed to know. Lois felt a budding anger growing in her chest and growled: "You can't be serious!"

"I won't," he snapped. "I won't get her involved, alright? I don't want her to get hurt."

"You can't promise that. No matter what you say, you can't promise that. I swear Bruce, if you are only using her and end up breaking her heart, that thing-" she pointed at his bandaged head. "Will be nothing compared to what I'll do to you." Bruce glared back defiantly, and she knew that no matter what, she couldn't change his mind. "I'm warning you Bruce, I'll be keeping an eye on you. Diana seems to be a nice girl, I will follow through."

"And how do you intend to keep up?"

Lois snorted. Bruce was one of her closest friends; one of the smartest too but sometimes, his interrogations made her laugh.

"You and I both know how talkative Arthur can be when he's drunk. Send Clark outside, we'll leave you to your romance."

She felt his glare burn through her neck the whole way out.

Five Dates

There was an awkward silence in the dojo, mostly alimented by the lack of knowing what to say. Diana stared at the teenager sitting on the matt across her. He was tall, as tall as Bruce, and just as broad. Quite handsome too, with his short cropped hair and the large dark glasses on his nose. All she knew was his name, 'Clark', and his tie to Bruce as a friend from Metropolis. He had remained with her when Alfred had carried Bruce out, mostly so they wouldn't crowd around the butler. Lois had followed because, according to Clark's own words, she was a bullhead who would not stop until she got what she wanted.

And they had fallen into silence after short introductions. She was racking her brain to find a starting point when he beat her to it:

"So, I had no idea Bruce's new girl could fight."

His countenance felt open, friendly even. He vaguely reminded her of Steve in the way he smiled.

"Yes, I can." She replied, and cleared her throat. "How long have you been watching us train?"

"You got up from the floor and then launched into a new routine. You have impressive moves."

Diana knew not what else to answer but:

"Thank you."

Silence fell again, but not for long.

"Is it a hobby or…"

"My mother manages the training of bodyguards and stuntmen, along with occasional private tutoring," she replied easily. "I've had to learn a few things."

Clark grinned.

"Finally someone who will give him a run for his money," he said, amused. "And I've spent years listening to him complain about how high-school was a waste of acceptable challengers and if it was up to him, he'd be home-schooled."

Diana raised an intrigued eyebrow.

"Really? What stops him from quitting public school then?"

"Alfred wants me to socialize with kids my age," Bruce himself interrupted as he stepped into the room. Diana's attention snapped back at him. "You done talking in my back?" he added, glaring at Clark.

The teenager rubbed the back of his head, almost embarrassed.

"Well, we had to start somewhere," he said apologetically. "Will you be alright? How do you feel?"

The brooding expression returned, which was somewhat puzzling to Diana: he never showed anything besides smirks or guarded neutrality at school.

"As great as someone who's been hit over by a truck," he replied grumpily. "You have a mean elbow, princess."

She ignored the sarcasm and asked:

"What's the diagnosis?"

"Slight concussion," he said. "No more strenuous activities for me."

No more sparring then, and no swimming in view. He didn't sound particularly angry, more like annoyed. Diana thought she could lift his mind with a little tease:

"Shame. And here I was hoping to parade in that brand new bikini I bought after you told me about the swimming pool."

Bruce blinked owlishly, as a circuit in his brain had just fried. Clark swallowed uncomfortably.

"You know, you could still parade-" Bruce started before his friend elbowed him in the ribs. Diana laughed, knowing he was only halfway serious. "When are you leaving?" he demanded, glaring at Clark. The other teen smirked.

"Lois wanted to see your new girlfriend."

"And I told her to fuck off. She's expecting you outside."

Clark shook his head in mock offence and waved at Diana.

"It was nice to meet you. I hope we'll get to talk more sooner or later."

Diana gave him an answering smile as he walked out. Soon, she and Bruce were left alone again.

"That was mean," she said. "Lois is his girlfriend, right?"

"Yeah," Bruce confirmed. "And they're annoyingly perfect for each other." They glanced at each other, short on comments. "So…"

"So," she echoed with a smile. "What now?"

He shrugged.

"Do you want to tour of the manor?" he offered. "We didn't really get the chance last time."

Last time she had been upset and very close to make a mistake, so she hadn't taken advantage of the beauty of his home. Now that he was offering again…

"Sure," she said. "Lead the way."

Five Dates

The manor had been built in the early nineteenth century and its owners had done little to change it. Her own house back in Greece was an old building, but the differences between the two architectures were interesting. Wayne Manor retained some minor gothic influence, still surrounded by huge gardens while she was more used to antiquity décor. The front door still impressed her when it opened and Alfred was already there to take their coats.

"Will you have refreshments?" the butler asked kindly. "The weather is lovely today."

Diana saw Bruce roll his eyes and glanced at her. She had to admit she was a bit thirsty.

"Sure old man, we'll have a tea on the terrace first," he said.

"May I use the bathroom first?" she asked, a little embarrassed.

"Bathroom's two doors down that hallway," Bruce said, pointing down a corridor. "I'll wait in the living room, if you remember where it is." She pointed at the opposite hallway. He grinned. "Good princess." Diana rolled her eyes. "See you in a minute."

She gave him a light shove before following his direction. A row of four doors stood apart. She stopped at the second one and pushed it open. Her first thought was: 'that's not a bathroom'; her second: 'even Bruce mistakes the rooms in his own house', and her third: 'damn, that's some painting'. She had actually stumbled into an office with an actual desk and files of papers spread around the working space. Behind it, a huge frame hung on the wall, nearly her size, portraying three people posing in a very formal manner: two adults and one child.

Diana hesitated, glanced behind her to make sure no-one was looking, and turned the light on to have a better glimpse. It was, as she suspected, a couple with their child and she would easily bet these were Bruce's parents. The man appeared to be tall, dark-haired and blue-eyed. His broad shoulders reminded her of Bruce's, a physical trait he had already inherited. His mother had dark blonde hair and a pleasant face. Her green eyes seemed soft and smiling. The boy standing between them had to be under ten years old. Very solemn, sitting straight and proud, his father's hand on his right shoulder, his mother's on his left's. Diana took in all the details, committed them to memory. They looked nice, she thought with a hint of a smile, and wished she'd had met them. She lowered her face on the woman. Something bothered her about her posture, but she couldn't tell what.

"You're in here princess?"

She watched as Bruce avoided looking at the painting and hurried outside. He had his hand on an opened panel that mixed with the wall and thus became quite invisible for unknowing people.

"Sorry; you said two doors down, I didn't realize that was a door."

"I should have mentioned it. This was my father's office," he said instead. His voice tightened slightly, which made her feel even guiltier.

"Sorry," she repeated, and touched his hand. Their eyes met, and he smiled a little.

"You didn't know," he repeated softly. "Why don't you go to the bathroom and then we'll get our drinks and check out the rest of the house?"

Diana eagerly nodded. As she headed to the true aim of her visit, she didn't miss the mournful glance Bruce shot back inside the office before closing it and swore to get him into a better mood before the day was over.

Later…

Diana had been right in her first impression upon arriving at the Manor a week earlier; Bruce's house was a typical manor. They spent hours wandering through the rooms, Bruce showing off the artwork and talking of the impressive history of the building. He seemed to know everything there was to know about the house, even showed her a secret passage that had been built for servants in the past century.

"It seems there are tunnels underground too," he added excitedly. "When I was younger, I use to stumble upon them accidentally all the time. I know there are more, but I don't have as much time to look for them."

"Maybe we could explore someday," she offered, intrigued. Bruce gave her a boyish grin that somehow managed to make him look like an overjoyed kid.

They ended up returning to the living room where Alfred had dutifully placed refreshments on the table. Diana slowed slightly upon arriving in the room as her gaze settled on the couch. A brief flashback of the last time they had been here came to mind; she couldn't help her cheeks flushing.

"No strenuous activities," Bruce reminded her with a half-smile. Obviously he remembered too.

"Does making out counts as strenuous activity?" she asked innocently. Her boyfriend smirked.

"Depends on how, I suppose."

Diana felt bold enough to push him on the couch. He fell dramatically and when she straddled his laps, Bruce reached for her hips instinctively. Now, she stood a head taller than him so he had to look up. His eyes had darkened slightly and the corner of his mouth curled upward.

"I guess this is acceptable," he said, his voice an octave deeper.

"Good." She leant forward and kissed him. He responded right away, slow and savoring, his hands moving up and down her back and sides. Her hands were entangled in his hair and the back of his neck. Bruce was starting to move down her collarbone when a phone buzzed. Both parted, cursing, to check their respective screens. Not hers.

"Just a sec," Bruce apologized. "Mah, it's Lois, nevermind," he grunted and reached to pull her down on him. Before they could resume their making out, Diana couldn't help but ask:

"Is Lois an ex-girlfriend?"

Bruce rolled his eyes, feeling the session was to be put on hiatus.

"We dated once. It didn't work out."

"Why?"

"We are too alike, she and I," he said. "If we actually went out, we'd be at each other's throats all day long." He smiled, amused. "She's a riot though."

"She did not look like the usual kind of girl you date," Diana pointed out with a hint of curiosity.

"Lois's a league on her own, but I can't help it," he ran a hand over her face, chasing a few strands of hair away. "Truth is, I have a secret thing for intelligent women," he gave her a wink, and she couldn't help the light flush on her cheeks. "Just like my dad."

"Will you tell me more about your family?" she asked quietly. Bruce nuzzled her nose and started whispering:

"Dad was a surgeon, a good one at that. Mom was a…I wouldn't say a housewife, but she managed dad's estate and organized events, charities mostly. I remember dad saying he hoped I'd inherit her brains." A soft, sad smile grew on his face. "What about you?"

Fair was fair and since she was almost sprawled all over him, she decided she could share some details of her own background with him.

"Mother -well, you know mother's reputation. She's a true character, I respect her a lot." Diana went on: "You've met Antiope; she is mother's younger sister. She took care of me when mother had to go elsewhere. Menalippe is Antiope's wife…and then there are the girls at mother's school. Most of them have been working for mother for years, some I've known my whole life." She thought of Philippus and Mala. "We call each other sisters during the training."

She quieted, expecting the question everyone asked. When it didn't come, she decided to get out with it before he heard rumors from anyone else.

"I don't know my father," she confessed. "I don't know his name, or what he looked like. For a while, I thought mother adopted me. Antiope showed me the pictures of her being pregnant, of her holding me as a baby, so I know I am her flesh and blood." She paused, realized he had paused in his caresses. He was listening. She went on, her heart beating louder. "Given her hate of men, I thought she might have been…you know."

Diana couldn't say the word; couldn't imagine the consequences in her mind if she acknowledged the possibility. Bruce pulled her back so he could meet her eyes.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Talk to me," she pleaded; anything to distract her before she became too emotional. "Just say anything."

Bruce seemed to contemplate his next move.

"I didn't think I'd like you," he admitted. "When I asked you out and you said yes, I thought you were just one of those girls. Easily swayed, easily taken, easily dumped." Diana raised both eyebrows. Bruce gave her an apologetic shrug. "Smart people do dumb things, it wouldn't have surprised me if all you wanted was a one-night stand." She focused on the irritation at being called easy and considered pulling back but his arms had a stronger grip on her that she expected. "I changed my mind when you gave me your reason. Still thought it was a bit dumb, but I wasn't about to complain." The seriousness faded and was replaced by an outrageous flirty grin: "I was out with the most gorgeous girl who could not only carry on a conversation, but also kick my ass with a stick."

"You are very lucky you have a way with words," she scowled, but at the same time felt her cheeks heat again. The urge to shake herself returned in force; she did not become infatuated because he gave her a compliment, especially when many others had before him.

He shifted underneath her so she had to lean more heavily on him. The move brought their faces closer.

"I have hard time opening up to people." His hand played with the tip of her hair. "Believe it or not, I've been hurt before. It made me…cautious. For some reason, it's different with you." He met her eyes and she was stunned by the sincerity in them. "You're honest and caring. You don't hide behind a mask." Fingers slid into her hair. "You're like…a flame. You draw people to you. I'm no exception."

Diana wondered if her skin reflected the heat she felt in her chest and belly.

"You really have a way with words." She mumbled.

He grinned.

"Well, they did land me a date with you in spite of my colorful reputation, so I suppose you're right."

She smiled back.

"Silly man."

Their lips met again and neither spoke for a while. Diana pulled back when his hand started wandering under her shirt and caressed her abdomen. While she didn't think she'd mind him touching her, she didn't want to let this get out of hand.

"I should go home," she said reluctantly. "You need rest." He pouted, but relented. They headed together to her car, not speaking, just quietly happy to be together. When they reached her vehicle, Bruce suddenly spoke:

"I could find out, if you want."

She eyed him, intrigued. He cleared his throat and went on:

"One of my acquaintances is a private detective. I could ask him to investigate. About your father."

Diana felt a wave of affection run down her spine, and a slight one of fear. The question of her father's identity had never kept her awake at night, but she had been curious at times. On the other hand, her mother's curt words about him being dead and her refusal to mention him tended to cool her down.

"It's very kind of you, but I'd have to pay him," she pointed out. "I have some savings, but I don't have that kind of money."

"He owes me," Bruce interrupted. "And if he does ask for compensation, I'll take care of it."

"Bruce, I can't let you," she protested. "You don't need to do this"

"I don't need to," he agreed. "But it's important to you, so I will because I can."

She clenched her hand.

"I'll think about it," she conceded reluctantly. Bruce's words echoed with her as he shut the door behind.

"Just say the word, princess."

Five Dates

Dinner at the Prince household had somewhat managed to become a tense affair. Hippolyta was upset by something but wouldn't mention it to Diana. She deduced it had something to do with her work; her mother was usually very opened when she was the source of discomfort. They ate in silence, savoring a meal their family cook had come up with as neither could actually make a decent dish. By the end of their dinner, Hippolyta finally spoke:

"Were you with that boy?"

The question, though it didn't sound much like it, came so out of the blue Diana was startled a few moments. Then she remembered that 'that boy' was more likely Bruce than Steve, as she tended to nickname him…well, 'him'. Diana stared back at her mother, not defiantly but just calm enough to show she was not ashamed of not mentioning it earlier.

"Yes."

"You will be seeing him again?" She nodded firmly. Hippolyta stiffened visibly, her eyes narrowing in anger. "Even though he has the reputation of a…" her voice trailed off. Ah, Diana thought; so she had heard of his playboy tendencies. "You will still-"

"You don't know him," Diana snapped and picked up her glass. "He's not like that with me."

Hippolyta went on, seething:

"Of course he isn't. Men are never like that until you give them what they want. After that, they are just a bunch of wild animals. Why couldn't you have stayed with Artemis?"

Diana chocked on her drink.

"You knew about that?" she asked faintly.

"There is little that escapes my attention; this is my company after all and you are my daughter. That boy will break your heart, and I won't stand for it."

"Antiope approves of him," Diana said on a more quiet tone, hoping the mention of her aunt will sway her mother's harsh opinion.

"Antiope spoke to him ten minutes," Hippolyta dismissed. "That is hardly enough for her to fully measure someone."

"And what if you met him?" Her mother stared at her as if she had gone mad. Diana was not deterred. "He is smarter than he looks, he is good at sparring, he is respectful-" I'm sure he can be if he wants to, she added mentally. "And yes he is a charmer, but his heart is in the right place." She thought of the children's eagerness when he had promised to return the next day, of Cassie sleeping peacefully in his arms. "He is a kind sort, mother. I wish you could trust my word."

Hippolyta stared in her eyes.

"I didn't want to believe Menalippe, but she was right. You are smitten." Diana didn't deny it this time; she was growing to like him. Bruce had showed her parts of himself that she had never seen before, and she wanted to know more. Her mother would soon have to learn to deal with it. Hippolyta met her daughter's gaze unflinchingly. She was brewing something, Diana could feel it.

"See that he comes for diner Wednesday."

Next chapter: The Gotham Fair, Part 1

And it's not quite what you think ;)