Hi, everyone. New chapter for you. Thanks to those who reviewed and to those who haven't I gratefully accept any criticism or encouragement. I do not own DC Universe, Justice League, or any of its characters.


Dinner continued with the same strained conversation and guarded words. I wondered if this was the norm for Wayne family dinners, or if it was merely my obtrusive presence making it so. When the meal finally ended Dick excused himself to his room to study and I was left alone with my brooding companion. Standing I began to clear the table, braving a glance at Bruce before speaking. "I really don't think he deserved such a terrible grade, Bruce. The teacher singled him out because he dared question the mundane."
"He still needs to understand that I will not tolerate less than the best that he can give me. Dick is extremely intelligent and if I don't hold him to a certain standard he will become lax."
"I understand, but he was also very worried to how you'd react, Bruce. He loves you, but sometimes your punishments are a little extreme."
"Extreme? Diana, every punishment I give him is a lesson to keep him alive. What we do every night isn't a job for children. If he wishes to take on adult responsibilities he must face adult consequences."
"But he is only a boy, Bruce. A young man at the most."
"Then what do you suggest I do, Princess? Enlighten me with your mighty wisdom."

I closed my eyes, slightly hurt by the coldness in his gaze and the condencension in his voice. "I agree that this punishment, the lack of patrolling until his grades meet your agreed upon standards, is apt. Just make sure he knows that you understand and though you are disappointed with this result, you still love him. That's all he needs." Bruce was quiet and I thought I had angered him until I felt his hand lightly grasp my wrist. "Diana."

I set down the plate in my hand, cringing as it clattered to the table, and turned towards him. His features were no longer stony and cold and I immediately knew that I had said the right thing. "Thank you. I'm sorry for getting so uptight. It's just, raising Dick has been harder than I thought it would be. I would probably have given up by now if it wasn't for Alfred. Don't get me wrong, Dick is wonderful. I'm the problem. I swear the older I get the more I lock myself away." I placed a hand softly on his cheek.
"Then don't. Start with the little things. Spend some more time with Dick. Go out sometime to actually have fun instead of just pretending. And you can always talk to me." He smirked at me. "Don't sound so nonchalant. Talk to you...you would enjoy that, wouldn't you?"
"Immensely."

"Would you enjoy going out to dinner tomorrow? I know a great restaurant that Bruce Wayne hasn't been seen in for quite some time. And with a date like Wonder Woman, it sounds like someplace he would go."
"I would love that, Bruce." I wanted to relish the fact that our relationship had just moved two steps forward instead of three steps back, but I could tell there was something else on Bruce's mind. "There's something else bothering you, Bruce."
Bruce dropped my wrist and stood, beginning to help me with the table. "This whole thing with Dick and Barbara. I was livid when I first found out that Robin and Batgirl, my two protégés, were going out behind my back. I had prepared for them the same speech I had prepared for you, warning them of the dangers of teammates dating. Then Alfred talked me down, telling me that they were just children and would grow out of this within a week or two. That was months ago! Now they're telling each other they love each other?! They're fifteen, Diana! They don't even know what love is yet."

"Alfred's probably right, Bruce. They are children. If they truly love each other it will mature as they age and they will end up together as Barbara apparently believes they will. If they aren't meant to be they will grow apart. There will be no harm done and they will hopefully be friends even into adulthood."
Bruce growled. "They are fifteen, Diana. Fifteen!"
"In my world they would already be considered fully grown. They haven't eloped or anything. Just keep an eye out for them and keep fighting the good fight." Our conversation was interrupted as Alfred came bustling into the dining room with an empty silver platter. "Ah, Master Bruce, don't worry about the dishes. Why don't you and Miss Diana go warm yourselves in front of the fireplace in the main parlor." Bruce's eyes twinkled as he took my hand and guided me from the room. "That's a great idea."


The parlor truly was cozy, but just because I loved Bruce didn't mean I was going to make life easy for him. He had women throwing themselves at him all his life for his money, his name, and all the perks that came with it. I wasn't going to follow in their footsteps. We shared the large plush couch that faced the fireplace, but I sat some distance away. "So...am I meeting you here tomorrow?" Suddenly I was nervous. I knew I cared about Bruce, but I hadn't really thought what I would do if he did something about it. "That would be for the best. Bruce Wayne isn't exactly a regular in the Watchtower and you don't exactly have a street address."
Butterflies rose in my stomach. Would Bruce embrace my new identity? Or would he reject who I had become? I finally choked, unwilling to tell him of my mission for the last week. "What should I wear?" Bruce stood and made his way to the bookshelf on the far wall, grabbing a box from the lowest shelf. "Something dressy, but nothing too formal. Don't worry so much, Diana. It's just me."

His words made me freeze. What was I worried about? Bruce had known me since I had come to Man's World. I expected him to trust me, confide in me, and I couldn't admit that I went behind his back and earned myself a secret identity. Then again...he was the world's greatest detective. "You're right, Bruce. Shall I meet you here at six o'clock, then?"
"Six will be fine. Is that a good night?" He held up the box in his hands. "I was going to see if you would care to challenge me to a game of chess." I leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Another night, Bruce. I've already overstayed my welcome. Thank Alfred for dinner, and remember what we talked about."
"Let me walk you to the door." He set the box containing the chess set on the couch and followed me out. "I'm really glad you dropped by, Diana. Even if it took Alfred's scheming to do so."
"So am I. See you tomorrow, Bruce."


Watchtower's alarms stayed silent through the night and I was finally able to catch up on some much needed sleep. I even managed to have a lazy Saturday morning before a soft knock sounded on my door. When I opened it I was surprised to see Black Canary waiting on the other side. "Hello." She looked very uneasy as she tugged on the hem of her dark purple jacket. "Green Arrow asked me to bring you these." She reached into her coat and withdrew a small blue case. "He said it would solve the problem."

"Thanks." I reached out nervously, kind of worried about what Oliver would send me to 'solve the problem'. I began to turn away, but Black Canary stopped me. "He asked me to tell you that your mutual friend needed to meet today, that something came up." Jonathan Trevor moved up the meeting? Canary fixed her jacket once more. "Why is Ollie so interested in you all the sudden?" Jealousy poured off of her in waves. "I needed someone to help me create a secret identity. Oliver had the means and the talent to do so."
The woman let loose a small scream, her powers tinging the edges of her voice softly as she kicked the wall angrily. "Stupid man! He kept alluding to something more and I believed him because it's usually true! I'm sorry, Diana. This has nothing to do with you."
"That's all right. I'm sorry I was part of Oliver's game." Canary frowned. "I know you're not from around here, so I'm going to give you some advice. Don't fall for their crap. Men can be pond scum. They lie and cheat and do everything it their power to beat you into the ground. They lead you on and, just when you think you can trust them, they stab you right in the gut." I was taken aback. I didn't know exactly what games Oliver was playing with her, but she was not having fun.
"I'm sure there are good men out there, Canary. And I'm sure whatever Oliver did he didn't mean to-" She furiously swiped a hand in front of me, cutting me off. "Don't excuse him, Diana. He knows what buttons to push to rile me. He enjoys it. I'd better go. I need to work off some of this anger before I explode."

Without another word she stomped off in a fine fury, leaving me dazed and slightly confused about whether or not to take her biased warning to heart. I looked down at the small case in my hands and opened it slowly. Inside was several oval cases alongside a note. Oliver's hasty scrawl met my eyes. Diana, these should help with your disguise. Hope you like the color brown. Trevor would like you to meet him at the Greek embassy in Metropolis sometime before two o'clock. Have fun. Opening one of the smaller cases I discovered a pair of colored contacts. I inserted them, blinking a couple times as I was unused to the sensation of something touching my eye, and gazed into my mirror. Day one of my secret identity had arrived.


The Greek embassy reminded me of home. The front was decorated with stone pillars etched with common motifs and the trees planted outside emitted a comforting aroma. I lingered on the stairs slightly longer than I needed to, but for a moment I could believe that I was back on Themyscira. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the thoughts of home from my mind. They wouldn't help matters. I forced myself to climb the stairs and as soon as I set foot into the building I recognized the man I wished to speak to. He was speaking with a young intern, a smile on his face as he explained some sort of document, but it was his looks that spoke volumes. He was almost the spitting image of his grandfather. The blond hair, brilliant blue eyes, chiseled features. It was as if the past had come alive right in front of me.

I made my way over to him, reminding myself that I no longer looked like Wonder Woman to the outside world. I had worn my contacts to this meeting and pulled my hair up into a messy ponytail. I had yet to try any glasses, but with a simple change in posture and gait I could already notice the difference in myself. "Excuse me, I'm here to speak with a Jonathan Trevor."
The man turned away from the intern, who scampered away file in hand. "I am he. And with whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"
"My name's Diana Prince." His smile grew. "Well, of course you are, Miss Prince. Would you like to speak in my office?"
"That would be lovely, Sir."

His office was only a few doors down and so we were spared an awkward silence until we could speak in private. As soon as he shut the door he became so excited I thought he was going to have a breakdown. "My grandfather always told us stories of his angel, but my parents always said it was a tall tale until the day you came to save us from the alien invasion. Grandfather pointed to the television and just said 'I told you'. I never believed I would have a chance to meet you."
His flattery was overwhelming and it made me uncomfortable. "Thank you, Mr. Trevor. I was quite grateful that you were able to create an identity for me so quickly."

"No problem, anything for Grandfather's angel. As a matter of fact I would like to offer you job in my department at the United Nations. My department is responsible for providing aides and translators to foreign diplomats and dignitaries. My grandfather said he had heard you speak several languages during your brief time fighting together, and having seen you in interviews since your return I know that you can handle upset old suits who try everything in their arsenals to start a war. What do you say?"

"Would I be able to take personal days on a moment's notice the need arises?"
"As long as the 'need' pertains to being Wonder Woman. Any other personal days have to follow company policy."
"I would be reporting to you, correct?"
"Yes. I would be your supervisor. Anything else?"
"Would anyone besides you know that I am Wonder Woman?"
"That would be completely your choice."
"Then I accept." Jonathan nodded. "Great, you start Monday morning."


It was already four o'clock when I returned to the Watchtower. Jonathan had a seemingly endless supply of documents that required my signature and had talked me through the main tasks my new job would entail. It summed up to pretty much whatever needed to be done. As I made my way back to my room, I yanked the hair tie from my hair and stood up straight. It was only a few moments later that I ran into Zatara. He seemed agitated and I was almost hesitant to bother him, but he noticed me first and beckoned me over. "Ah, Diana! I have been meaning to speak with you."

I was slightly confused. Though Zatara and I had worked together on several League missions, such as the adventure two nights previously, we had never really conversed. "Doctor Fate and I finally managed to capture the cult for questioning. They call themselves The Harbingers of Darkness."
"That's fantastic news!"
"Of course, of course." He waved his hand in annoyance, beckoning me to let him continue. "The more Fate and I questioned them, however, the more concerned we became. They wield powers of which they possess seemingly no knowledge. It is simply beyond their intellects. It's as if a simple lab rat learned to play one of Beethoven's symphonies on a violin. Impossible. Someone instructed them to do this act, told them how to perform such a high level of dark magic. Someone with more knowledge and power than Zatanna, Doctor Fate, Constantine, and I combined."
My heart sank. If this foe was truly as powerful as Zatara claimed the entire world was doomed. And there would be nothing the Justice League could do to stop it.


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