Trapped Hearts

Boston, Wonder Woman's Press Conference

"Thank you all for your questions this evening."

"Wonder Woman?! "Wonder Woman?!"

"Um...yes, Miss?"

"Hi! I'm Taylor Buchanan from the Boston Buzz. Many of our viewers have asked the same question and I hope you don't mind but could you shed a little light on the dating life of superheroes?"

Wonder Woman paused trying to choose her words wisely.

"That's an interesting topic. One that I am often asked of. Our personal lives take a backseat sometimes. Though, we try to find balance."

"Are you involved with someone?"

Steve Trevor who was sitting in the audience smiled confidently.

"Even I try to find balance, however my first priority is my mission."

Steve's smile dropped. She didn't answer like he would've liked her to, as solidifying something between them to the public. To him, she was implying she isn't involved with anyone period.

At that moment, Steve felt rejected and betrayed. He thought he did everything in his mind to help her and be there for her. However, his helping and being there for her meant she had to be with him, she owed him, and he felt a sense of possessiveness of her.

"What about Superman?"

That question caused a knee-jerk reaction from him.

Wonder Woman smiled. "Superman and I work very closely as a team to ensure the safety of the world."

Suddenly, Wonder Woman got an alert from the WatchTower.

"Thank you all again, but I must go. Duty calls."

Meanwhile...Metropolis, Beckley's Wine and Dine

Clark awaited for Lois. He wanted to try to make this work out. Slowly but surely sort out his feelings and move forward.

"Yes...reservations for Kent?"

"Right this way, Mrs-"

"Ms. Lane. And thank you."

The waiter guided Lois to the table and without a word, she walked passed Clark and to her seat. The awkward tension was thick in the air.

The waiter cleared his throat. "And would you two like to start off with our appetizer special for this evening?"

"No thank you. Just give us a moment," Lois gave a small smile. "Oh. I would like your finest wine."

"Yes ma'am. And for you sir?"

"I'm good with the water."

"Alright. Be back momentarily."

When the waiter left, still nothing was said.

Clark sighed. "What's on your mind, Lois?"

"You tell me, Clark."

"We can make this work out."

"I agree but before you say anything else, I want to let you know I have annulment papers."

"You what?"

"I've thought about it and I haven't found the reason of why."

"Why what?"

"Why did we get married? What is our purpose together when it feels like we are stagnant? It feels like there is so much distance between us, even now and I don't know you like I thought I did." Lois paused. "I haven't signed them yet. Maybe we don't have to. But your priorities are somewhere else and my priority is not to play wife, especially when you have unresolved feelings."

Clark thought for a moment. "You're right and I agree. For now we just need time. Whatever choice is made, there won't be any argument against it."

"We stay as is..you in the guest room."

"Fine by me."

The waiter came back.

"Alright, Ms. Lane. Our finest wine and are you ready to order?"

Lois smiled. "Yes. I'll have your most expensive dish." She glanced at Clark. "I think I deserve a little splurging for myself."

Back in Boston, Themyscira Embassy

Diana sighed as she finished writing her proposal for new community housing.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in," she said not looking up.

She heard the door open but still didn't look up.

"Just put the papers here and I'll look over them later."

The person walked up to her desk and placed a small box in front of her. She glanced at the box then glanced up then did a double take, looking back up with a confused frown.

"Hey, Angel," Steve smiled.

"What are you doing here?"

"I brought a gift."

Diana looked down at the small box.

"Well...open it. I think you'll be very happy and satisfied."

Diana took the box and opened it. Inside was a diamond engagement ring.

"So?" He walked over to her and kneeled down on one knee. "What do you say? Will you make me an honest man and marry me?"

Diana stared at the ring then shook her head slowly.

"Steve-"

"This is what you wanted. I'm giving you what you want."

"This isn't genuine."

"What? If I wasn't genuine I wouldn't have bought this ring."

Diana shook her head and stood up from her chair.

"All you've done is try to buy me. You do things, expecting something in return. You say you have given me what I want but that's just a reaction to try to pacify me like I'm a child."

"I love you, Angel. You know that."

"No, I don't know because your actions have said so much otherwise. This isn't love. This is you wanting control over me."

"How is trying to help and guide you stay on the right path control? You have only been here for 7 years and you think you know everything? You don't," he snapped.

"I'm not incompetent! No, I don't know everything but I know enough! I know enough to know this is not the way to be! Why do you want to marry me, Steve? Another tactic of manipulation?"

"Why can't you see how good I am for you? I'm not good enough for you? Why? Because I'm not some God? This has always been the problem. Not being good enough. Not listening and giving me respect."

"Oh...so you have proven my point. You wanted control of me because you thought I didn't know any better. You want me to listen and obey. I'm not accepting anything like this from you. You are not about to guilt and force me to feel a certain way towards you. And I am not going to apologize for anything."

"So nothing I do will ever be good enough?" Steve was pissed with his mind racing with so many thoughts. "If I was him. If I had his powers you wouldn't hesitate, right?!"

"Why do you think it's about power? Clark is so much more than that. He understands."

"How? He wasn't the one that brought you here."

"You crashed on my island. My sisters would've killed you if I didn't convince them to spare your life."

Steve frowned. "You know what? Never mind. Screw this. You will see how much better I am for you than him."

Steve snatched the ring box and stormed out of her office slamming the door.

2 days later: West Palm Beach Docks

Siren, Captain Cold, Metallo, Mirror Master, Lady Shiva, and Rampage was the second random group of villains the League has had to stop but had no idea why they were teaming up nor who was behind the groups.

Wonder Woman and Mera tagged teamed Siren.

"I don't think this is the kind of family reunion you were looking forward to, Mera."

"Ha! I never look forward to such a thing. But you know, family reunions don't go on without a little drama!"

"Both of you are getting on my nerves!"

"At least we agree with a mutual feeling, Sister," Mera said sarcastically as she blocked her hit. "Why are you doing this?"

"Pay off will be good."

Mera and Diana glanced at each other questionably.

Superman was able to finally knock out Rampage and Metallo. Flash and Green Lantern handled Captain Cold and Mirror Master. Lastly, Batman and Robin took down Lady Shiva.

Suddenly Superman heard a clicking noise but right before he could zero in from where it was coming from a boat exploded creating a domino effect with other boats.

"Everyone down now!" Batman ordered.

"Wonder Woman!" Superman shielded Wonder Woman with his cape.

Near by, on top of a roof, was Deadshot. He took a shot quickly before the smoke of the explosion got in his way.

"It's done," he said as he left from the roof.

When everything seemed to be clear, everyone stood up looking around.

"What the hell was that?" Flash said.

"Dammit! They're all gone!" Shazam said seeing the villain group vanished.

"A distraction," Batman said.

Wonder Woman noticed Superman still had her covered. "Kal, I'm fine. But I have to say the cape is-" she gasped. "Kal!"

In the middle of his chest was a shard of Kryptonite.

"It...hurts like hell..." he coughed out looking at her.

"Hold on. I'm going to get-"

"Pull...it out."

"What?!"

"I need...you...to-" Superman coughed up blood.

"I'll make it worse. We need to get to the Tower. Bat-"

Superman took her hand, guiding her.

"Just look at me," he whispered faintly.

Tears welled up in Diana's eyes as she looked into Kal's.

"I-"

"Yes...you...can."

She slowly started pulling the shard.

"Di...don't...look away... from me..." Kal winced when she was about to close her eyes.

"When I look into your eyes, Diana, I see a world I never thought could exist. A world so beautiful and pure. We've fought side by side for so long. My feelings for you have evolved and I don't want everything we've gone through to get to this point to go in vain."

"What are you saying, Kal?"

"I love you and I want to be the man I hope you want to spend eternity with."

"Now and eternity. I wouldn't want it any other way."

Kal cupped her cheek, capturing her lips into a passionate kiss.

Finally having pulled it out, Diana deep breathed and tossed it to the side.

"You did it, Di," Kal whispered giving her a weak smile and slumped more against her.

"What happened?!" Arthur asked. "Kryptonite? Where did that come from?"

Batman picked up the shard.

"Woah! Someone was really trying to take out Big Blue," Barry said looking at the shard.

Batman frowned. "We need to get him to the Tower."

WatchTower

As Kal laid on the examination table, Diana was right by his side. Kal was half conscious, staring up at Diana, holding her hand. He was thankful for her. He squeezed her hand as much as he could to let her know he will be okay.

"It was deliberate. The way the shard went, it was shot from a roof."

"Hmm." Batman pondered.

Suddenly, Kal went into shock.

"Kal! Kal!"

"Diana, get back!"

"No, Bruce!" Diana held Kal down as J'onn tried to telepathically calm him down. "Kal, please..." Diana whispered holding back her tears.

His body suddenly stilled and he looked up at Diana. He could barely see her but knew she was crying.

"Di...don't...cry..." he whispered barely able to hear him.

His eyes closed.

"I can't get a reading in his mind."

"What?!" Diana frowned then looked down at him. "Kal? Kal, open your eyes for me. Please."

"He is in a comatose state. His body is trying to heal itself. The shard was very close to his heart. Still managed to cause a negative reaction from him. If you didn't remove it when you did..."

Diana caressed his cheek. "How long...will he be like this?"

"I am not certain."

Just then, Lois' voice was heard outside in the hall.

Bruce noticed Diana wiping her tears and trying to keep her composure.

Lois barged in. "You idiot! You-" Realizing Clark wasn't responding she gasped. "What is wrong with him?!"

"He is in a comatose state, Ms. Lane."

"What? How?"

"He was shot," Diana said staring down at him still trying to keep her composure. "He was shot with a Kryptonite shard."

Diana deep breathed then slowly walked away leaving the room. Bruce followed.

"Diana? Diana, wait."

"I can't stay here, Bruce."

"You have to."

"Lois is in there and I doubt she'll leave his side."

"You know what I mean."

"Yes and as I said, Lois, his wife, is right there."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I told Vic to contact her. I didn't realize you needed more time with him before."

Bruce knew Clark and Diana have had feelings and knew they haven been trying to downplay it and all.

"I need to find who did this to him."

"I'm already on it. Diana, you really need to stay here just in case he wakes up."

"Why?"

"Because that's what he would want."

Gotham City

"Big bank, big bank, let's get this money. Baby girl needs a couple new stuffed unicorns."

Deadshot aimed his sniper. As soon as he was getting his shot focused, he was hit with something.

"Ah! What the hell?!" He looked down and saw a batarang. "Oh, sh-"

Batman was gliding fast toward him and kicked him in his face knocking him to the ground. Batman then kept him pinned down on the ground stepping on his head.

"Who sent you?"

"It's...confidential."

Batman stepped harder on his head. "Who sent you to shoot Superman?"

"I couldn't pass up the offer to see my daughter."

"Who. Was. It?"

"Trevor...Colonel Trevor! Dammit! Let me up!"

Batman was taken aback. He took his foot off Deadshot's head then slung him up. He narrowed his eyes then punched Deadshot as hard as he could knocking him out cold.

Bruce sighed deeply. He couldn't believe it. Sure as hell didn't want to believe. How he was going to tell Diana, he didn't know. But he knew, when he does, she will be hurt and blame herself.