Text and Talk: Because one of the best things about a new relationship are the long conversations about everything and nothing.

"So all of this was to catch my attention and to...what? What do you want from me, Princess."
"Your time. To actually have a meaningful conversation with you. Maybe, also, to learn more about what's under the cowl."
"You've seen me without the cowl."
"But have I seen you without the mask?"
Interrogation Tactics - Chapter 4: Offers and Counter Offers

Diana sat at her desk at the Themysciran Embassy, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. Instead of wearing her uniform to work, she wore a salwar kameez, an Indian two-piece pant and tunic outfit. She had it made from the same white fabric as her traditional robes, so the cloth was soft and familiar on her skin. The pant outfit allowed her to sit in her current position; perched in her chair, one leg folded underneath her, the other bent, letting her rest her elbow on her knee, chin in hand. Her shoes were left under her desk.

She tried to concentrate on her work, but her mind kept reviewing the previous evening's events. She needed to snap out of it; it was silly for the Amazon princess to be pining away for a man. Even if that man was handsome, powerful, sexy as hell...

Slap! Diana's hand hit the surface of her table to force herself to concentrate. She frowned at the slight crack she made. She ran her hands over her face, then rubbed her temples to get rid of the tension she felt. This was ridiculous.

What did Green Lantern call me? Oh yeah, a shy schoolgirl. Got over the 'shy' part, but definitely feeling a little overwhelmed by a boy...man...urgh!

An assistant ran into the office at the sound of the desk cracking. "Is everything okay, Madam Ambassador?"

Diana subtly moved her report over the damaged table. "Yes, everything is fine. I was just swatting at a fly." The assistant nodded to her, then looked around the room as if she could spot one. So eager, these young ones. I'll have to get a fly in here just so she can find it.

Diana started writing notes when she heard the gentle chime of her personal JL communicator. She kept this with her for when any of the junior leaguers needed help. They could approach her no matter her status or the situation, and she prided herself on being available to them. She wrote a last thought onto the report before picking up her communicator to read what was needed.

::Want to hear your voice. Can't stop thinking about you::

Diana perked up and looked around. She didn't know whom she expected to see, but this was a surprise. One - that he even sent it to her, and two - he was admitting to thinking about her. She put her pen down and started tapping away.

::Really? Where are you?::

::At home in bed. Just woke up:: Diana glanced at the clock, it was almost ten in the morning. Late for her, but she realized he went out on patrol. Even during the storm, he watched over his city. He must be tired if he fought through that all night.

A sly smile spread across the Amazon's lips. She was definitely passed the 'shy' label if she was about to send her next message...

::You're lying in bed thinking about me? I like that::

::I'm sure you do. You busy? Can you talk?:: Diana glanced down at her work. Yes, she was busy, but whatever was she doing could wait. She was about to reply to his text when she had an idea. She knew the direct number to his room. She wondered if he knew that she knew...

Diana picked up her office phone and dialed the number from memory. She heard the dial tone ring one...two...three...four... She was worried that she had the wrong number when a familiar voice answered.

"Hello?" Bruce answered hesitantly, as if he couldn't believe she was calling him. He also sounded pleasantly husky and sleepy.

"Hi. Good morning."

"Hey!" She heard rustling in the background, like he was sitting up in bed. "This is a surprise. I was about to ask you for your number."

"Figured I'd head you off at the pass. How are you?"

"I'm okay, a little sore. That was a monster of a storm last night. Wind knocked me into a few buildings." Diana smiled at that image. Bruce must feel pretty comfortable with her to admit any fallacies. She imagined Batman swinging through the air when her communicator chime.

::I could go for one of your massages right now.:: Diana's eyebrows rose in surprise again. It's been only three minutes and he's already thrown me off-balance. How does he do that? She pictured him sitting in bed, perched on his pillows, giving her that smoldering smile he uses so well...

"Well, ahem, it sounds like you had a rough night." She didn't want to address the text out loud. Her assistants were right outside the door and very attentive to whatever she needed. She would have to be careful about what she said. Texting was a great idea.

::Wish I was there, you would get one. Where does it hurt?::

::Wish you were here. Sore all over:: "So, how's work? Not planning an invasion, are you?"

The juxtaposition of the two statements had Diana's brain flipping. Seems he caught on to the game. And the image of giving him a massage...delicious. This was going to be so much fun.

::Yes. Going to invade your room:: "Sort of. I'm going to send the Marines to Themyscira. Want to sign up?"

::Bring it:: "Trying to take over the throne, Princess?"

::Only if you're ready to give it:: "Thought a change was in order. You know - get my way after all these centuries."

::Really?:: "Really?"

"No, not really." She smiled at his grunt. "But I am setting up an exchange program between the U.S. and Themyscira. I ran the idea by Green Lantern since he has some experience with intergalactic cross-cultural diplomacy. I wanted to find a group of women that would be able to integrate with the Amazons and learn their methods. He recommended that we send a group of female Marines first since they're a disciplined group. See if their training style can be mixed and matched to our own for a beneficial sharing of knowledge."

::GL the trouble maker:: "That sounds interesting. Who do you have in mind? Fleet Marines or newly graduated recruits?" She was pleasantly surprised that he was ready to take on the problem and showed instant knowledge of the issues. Having discussions with him was going to be very stimulating.

::GL my ally. Helped me get you:: "Well, John suggested that I learn about Marine Corps Recruit Depot's Fourth Battalion. He said that it was the only all female training battalion in the U.S. military. He figured that the Amazons would be most receptive to a culture already expected to train women exclusively."

::That he did. I'm all yours:: "That's a good start, Princess. Will it be both drill instructors and recruits? Or drill instructors only. Figured it would be awkward for Amazons to have green recruits after centuries of expert fighting experience."

"That's a good point, I haven't thought of that. We do get the occasional child that washes up on our shores, but we haven't had fresh warriors to train in a long time. What do you think?" She didn't feel undermined by asking his opinion. He was one of the smartest people she knew and she valued his feedback.

"Well," he exhaled. She imagined him settling into his pillows and leaning back in thought. She wished she was cuddled up beside him having this discussion. "This could be a boon for Marine recruitment, too. Maybe suggest that a call go out for candidates to join with the understanding that they would have a chance to be a part of that first group. But they would have to know that they are also signing up for service, so if they don't get picked their country still needs them."

::How'd you get so smart?:: "Wow, I didn't know you were so patriotic, Bruce."

::Got it from Alfred:: "A dedicated defense force makes our jobs easier, Princess. There's only so much of us to go around. And what about the exchange? I don't think your Amazons would be susceptible to basic recruit training. What would they gain if they were to come over here?"

::Good job Alfred:: "Err...having a hard time coming up with that one. Seems the Themysciran senate is concerned about exposure to patriarchal philosophies that may corrupt any Amazon coming over here."

::Look in a mirror. Corrupted right there:: "Yes, that could be a problem."

Diana's snort escaped before she could stop it. An assistant peeked her head into the office.

"Are you okay, Princess?" Both Bruce and the assistant asked at the same time. The assistant sounded concerned. Bruce didn't.

"Um, yes. Just, uh, saw something funny."

::You have a mirror in your office?::

"Stop that!" Diana whispered into the phone. "Not you," she said to the young woman. She was getting confused which part of the conversation she was on. "I'm okay here. Carry on." The assistant looked concerned but left with a bow.

::Not so loud. She might come back. I want you all to myself:: Diana quickly ducked her head as if she was reading the report. She didn't want the assistant to see her blush.

"So, any thoughts on what we could offer the Amazons?" The minute she said it, Diana knew she had opened up the door to all kinds of comments.

"I can offer a few things to my Amazon. Damn, didn't mean to say that out loud." Diana felt better knowing he was as confused as her.

"Sounds like an opportunity to open negotiations. Military tactical knowledge for maybe...peacekeeping strategies?"

"So is that like saying I'll invade and you'll let me?"

"Aaahh...hold on." Diana leapt up from her desk, ran over to the door, and slammed it shut. The last thing she saw was her assistant's head bopping up in confusion. She nearly tripped, landing hard on her chair as she put the receiver back to her ear.

"You are such a man!" Diana tried saying this with some venom. Really she did.

"So you've noticed. And you like that about me, too."

"Yes and yes." Diana was glad he couldn't see her. She was sure her blush was radioactively bright.

"So, how are you doing? How was your evening after...you know?"

"It was good. But you know what happened right after you left, don't you."

"Yes I do. It was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen. Did you go see J'onn for your rash?"

"Ha, ha. Seems I didn't need to go to the infirmary. It went away on its own."

"Damn, I was hoping it would still be there. I would have like to have seen it again." Diana's neck started to tingle just thinking about it.

"Benefits of supernatural healing powers. What about you? How were you after last night?"

"Me? I felt great. Its not everyday I get to kiss the woman of my dreams." Diana knew he heard her surprised gasp. He really is letting me see everything now, isn't he? Her communicator chimed again and she looked at it eagerly.

::Wish I was kissing you right now:: She was glad he couldn't see how her hands started to shake. She closed her eyes, slowly exhaling the breath she had been holding.

"What are you thinking about, Princess."

"Of kissing you again." She could hear him exhaling a breath of his own. "Why did it take so long for us to do this?"

"Hm. I honestly can't remember. Probably some stupid idea of mine."

"Yes, I'm blaming all of that on you."

"And yet you still kept trying."

"Like I said, anything worth having is worth fighting for."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Thinking that I'm worth it." Diana smiled at the sincerity of his answer. "And for understanding that I need to tell you things in my own way, in my own time." She ducked her head at his statement. She still felt guilty for forcing him to speak the truth. Well, not too guilty. She's getting the results she's wanted. She could be patient for other information.

"You're welcome, and you're welcome." Diana pushed forward to the question she really wanted to ask. "So, did you catch what else was on the video?"

"What do you mean?"

"Flash asked me a question that I answered truthfully."

"Ah." Diana knew that was all he was going to say about it. And that was that.

"Just thought I'd ask." If he could play coy, so could she. How old are we again? Her communicator chimed.

::Please be patient with me. I'm trying::

::You just made it even more worth waiting for. I'll be here::

::Thank you and thank you:: Diana's heart swelled.

"So, I'm going to have to explain to Superman what happened in the lab last night."

"What? Why does he need to know? Its not like we have to report all our personal business to him..."

"I mean the experiment. The one I jettisoned into space. Not...that."

"Oh." Diana covered her face in embarrassment. "Right...of course."

"Can you join me in the lab? You were there, maybe you can help me with the report?"

"Ah, but I was otherwise preoccupied. I'm not really sure how much help I could be."

"Then just keep me company. Clark will be there, too, so I need you there to run interference. He tries to help too much."

"That I can do. You know, Bruce. We're going to have to tell him about us sometime. He's already going to hate himself for not noticing the tension between us for the past few years. He'd be really hurt if we kept him in the dark about this."

Bruce groaned into the phone. "I guess. But I don't want this to become common knowledge. Just the senior leaguers. I don't want anyone else to know."

"Well, we already have three of them on our side. Still can't believe they went through all of that to get us together. What about J'onn?"

"He already has a clue. I've gotten so many mental pushes from him to talk to you, I've learned how to tune into him without even trying."

"Wait, you were getting encouragement from J'onn to talk to me? And you didn't? I don't know if I should be insulted by that or not."

"Don't be insulted. He was also counseling me on why I was hesitant in the first place. He wanted to make sure I wasn't passing up a good thing. I learned a lot about him and his family in the process. I think he wants to make sure I have the same thing when its time."

"Do you want that? A family?"

"It's one of the reasons for my mission. To make sure no other family goes through what I did. I would like to reap those benefits, too, one day." Diana felt her heart go out to him.

"I hope to see that sometime. You with a family."

"You just might, Princess. Ahem, anyway...how'd you get my number?"

"Where what?" Diana's heart jumped when he abruptly switched the subject. She wanted to continue talking about family when he turned the attention back to her. Just flipped it, like a batarang.

"How did you get the number to my room?"

Diana could feel her knees getting weak. She was glad she was sitting down. "Um, I looked it up?"

"Are you sure? You don't sound too confident about that."

"Why not? It's probably listed on the directory by the phone in the kitchen. The one Alfred uses to transfer calls to you. I think I wrote it down from there once." Please believe me, please believe me...

"I don't believe you." Damn. "The manor phone system uses extensions, for internal use. The full number isn't listed. Anywhere."

"Oh, well, its not that hard to figure out a number if you know the extension. I already know the main number, so all you have to do is enter the extension as the last four numbers and that's the direct number." Sounds logical, right?

"That's not how my system works, you know that. Its not connected to a civilian line. You dialed a line wired through the cave." Uh oh. "Diana, it's really sexy when you try to get over on me. You keep trying but you're not quite there yet."

Diana twirled her hair around her finger again. But this time, she twisted it into a tight lock around her forefinger. When she let it go, it bounced around unraveling as it let loose. That's pretty much how her insides felt - bouncy and unraveling.

"You have to admit, I'm getting better, right?"

"Stick with me, Princess. I'll teach you a thing or two about cover and misdirection. But enough about me; let's figure out our little mystery." She didn't like how his voice went into detective mode. This was the second time in less than 12 hours she's getting the interrogation treatment. She felt sorry for his suspects.

"You've been in my room, haven't you?" Diana started smiling at his question. She knew it would come out eventually. She wanted to see how far she could take this.

"Yes, I have."

"When?"

"When do you think? I lived there for a while, Bruce. You left for the office around noon, or earlier if you were leaving to supervise the Watchtower reconstruction. All I had to do was wait for my days off, which ironically coincided with the days you stayed in Gotham." I was on to you by then. Take that Mr. Detective.

::Good one, Princess. Stake out the mark, find the pattern:: Diana wiggled in pleasure at his compliment.

"So, I was gone and you were...curious?"

"You could say that. I wanted to learn more about you, so I went to investigate."

"And what did you find?"

"A few things. Your room is your sanctuary. There is no TV or computer in there, so you use it mainly for rest. But there's sometimes a book on the side table, so you read in bed, too. Usually it's a book regarding a case you're working on, or a classic."

"How many times were you in here?" He actually sounded surprised. Good job Princess!

"Enough times to know that you read the Iliad and Odyssey in week." Silence. Diana picked up her communicator.

::Are you okay, Bruce? Need a minute?:: She heard the chime sound from his side of the phone. She knew he received her message.

"Um, okay. So, you were in my room, and you visited a few times in the week." She heard a rustling sound over the phone.

"What are you doing?" Diana asked.

"I'm getting out of bed. Why?"

"Just picturing what you look like. Boxers or briefs?"

"Oh, wouldn't you like to know!"

"But I do. I've looked through your dresser, too." She heard a thud along with muffled cursing.

"Sorry, dropped the phone."

"Happens. While you're up, go put a robe on. It can get drafty in there." She heard him chuckle under his breath. "Wear the blue one, not the grey one. The blue one matches your eyes." Chime!

::Okay, you're better than I thought:: Diana sat up proudly at that text. She'll teach him!

"So you visited my room, explored it thoroughly. Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Mm hmm." She wanted to draw him out more.

"And that was..."

"I wondered what it was you wore in Paris that made you smell so divine." She heard him groan, followed by a creaking sound. He had just sat heavily onto the bed.

"And you found it." He didn't have much on his bureau top, so it was easy to find.

"Not quite. I found the bottle and took a sniff. But it wasn't the same."

"No?"

"No. You weren't wearing it." She heard the bed move again. He had fallen back onto the mattress. "But I did find the exact scent that I was looking for. Would you like to know where?"

He was silent, but she could hear him breathe. A second later, he muttered, "yes."

"On your pillow." Chime

::You're driving me crazy woman::

"I found it on your pillow, and I snuggled into it wishing it was you. I laid there, just imagining we were together. I wasn't there long, but it was enough for me to find what I was looking for." Chime

::I want you, right now::

"It was while I was leaving that I saw the phone by your bedside. I called my phone from there and saved the number. I memorized it, just in case I needed to find you. It was too tempting an opportunity to pass up."

"Diana, I really wish you were here."

"Did you smell me on your pillow? You're always so aware when I'm around, I wondered if you did."

"God, Diana, why are you torturing me?"

"Answer the question, Bruce. Did you smell me on your pillow?

"Yes."

"So you already knew I was there. Why didn't you say anything?"

"I thought I was dreaming at first. But when the scent lingered, I knew it could've only been you. It was my favorite pillow for a few days."

"You were so close, but you couldn't have me. You slept with the idea that I was there, but I really wasn't."

"I..."

"Then you know how I was feeling when I stayed there. Seeing you, even smelling you, but I couldn't touch you. I'm torturing you, but you've tortured me so much longer."

"I almost came to you." Diana flinched at that revelation. "The night we played chess, when I had you try the bourbon. After drinking that much, I was feeling too loose. I nearly reached over and kissed you that night."

"Why didn't you?"

"J'onn stopped me. He told me later that if I respected you, I had to approach you with a clear mind."

"Damned well-meaning Martian."

"I agreed with him. Now I wish I hadn't."

"What, respect me?"

"No! I've respected you from the moment I saw you. I wish I had gone with my instincts and kissed you that night."

"Hmmm, well you kissed me last night, and then some. What stopped you?"

"Um, the loud alarm and the dissolving experiment. You were there, too."

"True, that stopped us the first time. But we could have easily continued. You stopped us the second time. Said we should slow down. Why?"

"I care about you too much to make your first time a hot and heavy session on a laboratory table. Is that what you want to hear?"

"Yes. Well, the part about you caring about me. The part about the lab table sounded...nice. What about before? We were so close to...you know."

"Having sex?"

"Making love. Don't think I don't know the difference. I saw it in your eyes even if you don't say it."

"You asked to see me without the mask. No more lies, no more excuses. I wanted you and you wanted me. There wasn't anything else to do but...let it happen."

"Do you regret any of it? Do you wish I never came there?"

"No and no." Chime ::You're scared, aren't you:: Diana read the message and closed her eyes.

"Yes, I am."

"Don't be. I won't make you do anything you don't want to."

"I know. You think I'd let anyone take advantage of me? It's not the action I'm afraid of. It's afterwards." Chime

::I'll never push you away again::

"Promise?"

::Promise:: "Promise." Diana wiped away the tear that escaped from her eye.

"Thank you." Diana cleared her throat, stretching her neck to loosen up her shoulders. "Ah, this has been a very enlightening conversation."

"That is what you wanted; a meaningful conversation. To see what's under the cowl."

"Yes. And you're very easy to talk to. When you actually talk, and when you're not trying to call me out, that is."

"I aim to please."

"Well, then, Mr. Wayne. You'll have another chance to please me tomorrow. I can't wait to go out with you."

"I can't wait to see you in a few hours. It's going to be so hard not to grab and kiss you the minute I see you."

"You think I'm going to make it that easy? You have to work for it."

"Really now. Is that a challenge?"

"Yes it is. And if you catch me, you better satisfy me. I don't think I'll be able to catch another lightning bolt while on the 'Tower." The minute she said it, she realized she had slipped.

"Lightning bolt? What does that mean?"

"Um, nothing. Forget I said it."

"Whoa! Now I need to know. What would you need a lightning bolt for?" Silence. "Diana, were you out in last night's storm, too?"

"Maybe?" Before Bruce could answer, Diana flung up her hand and pressed it to her forehead. "Oh, what am I dancing around it for. I'm just going to come out and say it. Yes, I was in last night's storm. I was so frustrated after leaving you, I couldn't rest. It was to the point that I was so aroused, that nothing was going to make it better unless I found you or it was pounded out of me some other way."

"Diana! Wow, I'm not sure if I should be hearing this..."

"Why not, you're the one who caused it! Anyway, the only thing I could think of was getting numb enough where I would be able to calm down. Fortunately, there was a storm coming through. I can withstand a lightning strike if I can catch it with my bracelets. So I did."

"You..." pause "You voluntarily got struck by lightning because I had aroused you so badly you needed relief?"

"Yes."

"I think that was the best compliment I've ever been given. Ever. In my entire life."

"I caught lightning three times." Silence. Chime

::Now I'm feeling a lot of pressure to perform. Not sure if I can live up::

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be more than up to the task."

"Ah ha, there's that bad influence from your friends again."

"They are helpful when trying to find the right words, no?"

"They are...something. Ah crap, what time is it?" Diana looked over at the clock and laughed.

"It's going on eleven o'clock. We've been talking for about an hour."

"You are such a distraction. I have a meeting with R&D in half an hour. I'll take me that long just to get to the city limit, if traffic is light."

"Then it helps to be the CEO, doesn't it? I'm sure they won't start the meeting without you."

"Its the principle of the matter. I'm trying to get away from the whole 'irresponsible playboy' image. I hate playing that role."

"Then tell them you were talking with the Themysciran Embassy about a knowledge exchange and it became a heated discussion. If they ask, I'll tell them it was definitely a productive conversation."

"You're a gem, you know that?"

"Hmm, just for you, my dear. Can you wear that charcoal suit you keep in the front of the closet? That's my favorite one."

"But you won't see me in it."

"I can imagine, though. And the cologne, wear that, too. I'll be able to smell it later."

"Of course. And what are you wearing? Your uniform, a toga?"

"Cute, Mr. Wayne. I'm wearing a white salwar kameez with my bracelets."

"Ooh, exotic. I bet it brings out the beautiful blue in your eyes. Put the scarf over your head and you'll look like an Indian love goddess."

"How do you know so much about everything?"

"I read a lot in bed, remember? Now stop talking to me, I have to go."

"Right, because I'm there stopping you from doing anything."

"Princess..."

"Okay, okay, hanging up. Have a great day, see you later."

"Okay, see you then. Bye." Click

Diana held the receiver to her ear a few seconds longer, listening to the dial tone. "Love you." She lightly placed the earpiece back on the phone. Sighing, she prepared to call an assistant to take notes for a memo to the Pentagon. Chime

::I can't wait to see you later. Meeting in Lab Two 1800 hours. Come earlier. I will get a kiss from you tonight:: Diana grinned at the challenge. Typing back...

::We'll see. You'll have to catch me first::

::Start running, white rabbit. Because when I catch you, I will kiss you:: Diana's laugh had the assistants running.

You love me especially different every time / You keep me on my feet happily excited / By your cologne, your hair, your smile, your intelligence / You woo me, you court me, you tease me, you please me - He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat) - Jill Scott