04. The Liaisons

Author: BatmanWolverine
Rating: PG15
Summary: Diana get her surprise and gets ready to give one of her own.

"That teleporter of yours', it's a real nifty thing," he stopped short, his eyes narrowing behind his cowl. "We could use a couple of them, maybe one each in the White House and the Capitol, would save a hell a lot on Presidential security."

'What is he doing here? What is he doing on the Watchtower?' A growl burbled in his chest. It had been three days since he had last been here, three days since he last saw Diana, face to face, three days since he breathed her naturally sweet scent…..three days since her date with him, the man whose voice was still ringing in his ears.

---

"Like I was saying…." King Faraday stopped mid-sentence, his trained eyes catching the sudden stiffening of the Amazonian beauty accompanying him. "Diana….." He lifted his hand to her shoulder, stopping at the guttural voice from the door. "Wonder Woman. Conference room."

That was all the voice said as the shadow it came from disappeared from view.

"What's he doing here?" King turned towards a still tense Diana, her eyes stuck at space where the dark form had been. "I….We didn't know he was with you guys, was a member of the League."

"He isn't," Diana's answer was clipped. Smiling an equally tight smile, she took the air. "I am sorry King…."

"No, no…no big deal," the silver haired man flipped his hand. "I know, duty calls." That got a small but real smile for him. "Just point me to the nearest coffee machine and I'll be set."

"There is one in the cafeteria. Just take the first right that way," Diana pointed to the corridor going left. "And you'll be there."

"Okay then," a set of pearly white teeth flashed at Diana. "See you there. Maybe we could do lunch?"

"I…I'd like that," Diana responded after a second's hesitation, taking off the next moment, with King taking the path to the cafeteria.

----

"Out," Seated at the conference table, Flash, Fire and Supergirl, almost leapt off the ground at the way Batman barged through the door. Seeing them frozen, Batman sent a particularly cold Bat-glare their way, his lips uttering just one word. "NOW."

"Sheesh, what's his problem?" Kara muttered under her breath, shutting up at way Batman's head jerked towards her. 'He heard me!' This time her words were just thoughts. 'How did he hear me? At this volume, only Clark or Krypto should be able hear me….not normal hum….uh, well, not even him.'

At the door, they were met by an equally ticked off Diana, except in her case; she wore her emotions on her proverbial sleeve.

"Better get ready Diana, he's in a mood." For his joking heads up, Wally got gritted teeth and a very un-Diana but incredibly Bat-like scowl.

Whatever it was that had both Bats' and Diana riled up, it wasn't going to be pretty.

---

Entering the conference room, Diana found Batman tapping away at the computer.

"Sit." He grunted without even looking up at her.

"I prefer to stand," Diana managed to answer. What she really wanted to say was that I am not your pet to command.

Already on her guard at King's sudden appearance, she wasn't sure whether the answer had come out of her annoyance towards King or the infuriating man sitting before her.

Having finished with whatever he was working on, Batman stood up, vacating his seat for Diana.

"Read this," his voice was as emotionless as ever.

"What is this?" Diana stepped forward, wondering what the information was all about.

"It's the League protocols for all members, general as well as executive. Read point seven."

"Bruce….." Diana started by was cut off by a cold reminder from the Dark Knight.

"Batman, Princess," he corrected her. "Read the seventh point."

"I know what it says, Batman," Diana's shields were up. "And its not what you think?"

"Its not?" White eye-slits narrowed at the Amazonian. "If you remember what it says, then you should know that personal guests are not allowed on the watchtower. This is not a public place….or a Japanese restaurant."

----

Diana felt as if he had just slapped her. 'How did he…?' She stopped that thought midway. 'Of course he would know. He knows everything.'

"He is not my guest," she fired off at him. "He is the new appointee liaison between the US government and the League."

Early that morning, King Faraday had arrived at the Themiscyrian Embassy with his 'surprise'. Just like many other countries around the world, the US government had also appointed it liaison for better contact and relations with the League. The liaison would be responsible for setting up and facilitating smooth relations. This was in an effort to avoid the whole Luthor-CADMUS debacle.

---

Batman had no answer to combat this; however, being the escape artist that he was, he found a way to find a way out, but not before listening to Diana's next words.

"And moreover, Batman," again she stressed on the Batman. "It is none of your business what I do in my personal time. Now if you excuse me, I have someone waiting for me." With that she turned around and started for the door, her steps halting at what Batman said next.

"It is when it affects the league."

"What do you mean?" She whirled around to face him, stepping back at the sudden proximity. Taking two quick steps, Batman had spanned the distance between them and was now standing precariously close to her….closer than he usually did.

"Its interesting that it's Agent Faraday who has got the liaison post," his commented sarcastically. "Seeing that he has no prior experience in this field."

"So?" Diana asked in confusion. Before taking up the ambassadorial position for her homeland Themiscyra, she also didn't' have any experience. "He'll get it now."

"I am sure he will," the upturned corner of Batman's lips wasn't to portray his happiness, rather his amusement. "That's why he got the job. That and his close personal relationship with a League founding member."

"What do you mean Bruce?" To hell with codenames, Diana had had enough of it. As far as she was concerned, Batman's paranoia had just stepped over the boundaries.

"There have been reports in various newspapers and other media outlets about your recent soirees with Agent Faraday," the cold, hard Bat was in full force too. "I am sure his seniors must have taken into account his relationship with you and the advantage that it would provide to their man inside the League."

"We are NOT in a relationship," The scrunch of superhuman fingers closing around metal accompanied Diana's bellow.

----

Calming herself, she repeated her previous answer…slowly. "My familiarity with Agent Faraday had got nothing to do with his appointment."

"Of course it hasn't," Once again his tone said otherwise. "That's why a position that had been vacant for the last six weeks was suddenly filled by a man whose name wasn't even on the list."

"How do you…?" This time the words did come out before Diana could stop herself. Knowing from experience that she was fighting a losing battle of words, she decided to give and leave.

However, stopping at the door, she did make one last comment.

"Even if it is," She acceded that much. "It will work in our favor…otherwise the League will handle it."

"It will have to," Batman shot back, cursing himself at not being able to contain himself. Normally the prime example of self-control, he was still trying to find that control with Diana. He had tried time and again, using everything he knew….only to fail, forcing him to start from scratch.

"Then we will see it when and if it comes to that," Diana returned just as heatedly. "Until then, I suggest you keep your attention on your little city….and stop snooping around and interfering with other people's lives, especially mine." With that, she did leave.

---

The next day,

'I don't have to do this,' Diana told herself, only to have her newly formed inner doppelganger chuckle at her.

'Oh yes, you do,' the leather clad inner Diana nodded her head at her. 'Its either that or sit around talking to me.'

'I don't even know how or what I am supposed to talk about,' the plain clothed zero-number glasses clad Diana stepped away from the door of the building she was standing in front of.

'Oh yes, you do,' once again the same answer. 'You are here to confirm that what Bruce has said is true. Oh, sorry, my mistake,' her twin seemed to reveal at her wallowing. 'Not Bruce, Batman. He told you to call him Batman.'

'Shut up,' Diana threatened, getting only an amused shake of the head in return.

'I'll do that,' the other softened slightly. 'Just talk to someone. You know it will help you. Even if what he said is wrong, which we both know isn't likely, it will help you relieve some of your burden. You made it till here, now its just a question of a few more steps, and you'll be there. Do it Diana….for us.'

Surprised by the unexpected support, Diana steeled herself and stepped through the revolving doors, making her way to the high-speed elevators.

----

A couple of minutes later,

"Good morning and welcome to the Daily Planet," the overtly happy, caffeine hopped welcome-lady greeted Diana. "How may I assist you?"

"Good morning," Diana returned the greeting.

"Ms. Lois Lane, please."