Chapter 4

Introduction: Here it is. Apologies for the two month wait. I'll just say that my inspirations and desires for writing again are creeping up. Make sure you read the prologue. Enjoy this chapter. It's been on my mind and planned out for a long time. I wrote it and now it's time for it to be published. Notice, the T-Rating, you'll see why in the next chapter.

Enjoy.

Diana stood at the top of the massive staircase.

The Amazon was alone as she looked down the path that would lead to the man she wanted to speak with. Alfred had escorted her to the library and through the old grandfather clock that led to the Batcave. The butler informed her that he would leave them both alone, but he would be ready to bring any refreshments if need be.

Diana rubbed her hands in front of her nervously. Unsure of whether this was the right choice. She had decided to do this after sitting atop Wayne Tower, alone and crying. She felt lonely and scared. Feelings she dreaded, but understood that it was part of life. As she looked up into the night sky and the crescent moon, she asked her Gods what was the best course of action.

Realizing she would get no answer from Athena, Aphrodite or any of her deities. She stood up and steeled herself for the biggest risk she was about to take. She just hoped it would be worth it. After flying to Wayne Manor, she thought the direct approach of flying through one the many secret entrances to the Batcave was a good idea. She changed her mind and decided to enter through the front door. She was relieved inside that it was Alfred who saw her and escorted her to the cave.

Very few words were said between her and the older man, but she clearly saw how pleased he was when she arrived. That he looked relived that she had chosen to come on this night. She remembered watching him opening the massive clock and let her walk in, telling her that she was making the right choice.

Alfred gave her that gentle and caring smile, and she actually was able to smile back at him.

Now, she found herself standing at the top of stairs.

It's now or never, Diana. Thinking to herself and shutting her eyes.

Taking a deep breath to calm down, she reopened her eyes and took a step. She slowly descended the stairs, as the seconds ticked by, her pace picked up and she moved quickly. She could have easily floated down, but her energy level was lower than usual and that was because of all the emotions of the night.

Upon reaching the atrium of the cave, she let her eyes adjust to the level of brightness. Rubbing her eyes with her thumb and forefinger, she looked around and noticed how despite the number of trophies, armor, various computer consoles, workstations and the advanced technology, it had that cold and empty feeling to it. She noticed the giant 'Joker' card and large gold coin, even the giant T-Rex that he kept inside the cave for whatever reason that was beyond her.

Diana looked around taking everything in before she finally found what she was looking for. The immortal woman looked at the massive computer with the large screen that was also surround by several dozen medium-sized to smaller ones. As she ascended the short flight of steps, she could hear the sound of a news broadcast being played, she wondered why she hadn't heard it when she first entered. Maybe being as deep in thought as she was, was the primary reason.

Upon reaching the top, she saw Bruce with his back to her staring at the main monitor. She was probably less than twenty feet away, but she could hear his gentle breathing. For a moment he looked to be at peace with everything going around him. But after paying closer attention to the broadcast, she noticed it was about earlier tonight. She saw the news crew and listened as they talked about the shootings and then showed footage of her with the boys. Many questioned why she came after the killer of the boys' parents and how Gordon wouldn't arrest for interference with a crime scene.

Diana shuddered at the thought of earlier and how close she came to killing the man. She realized how worse it was when she saw the scared look of the boys when she came close to ripping the man's head off. And the final moment when she embraced them both and the cameras caught her flying away.

"You should have listened to me and left when you had the chance." Bruce spoke as he hit a button to shut off the feed, the Bat symbol appearing in its place. She was broken from her thoughts upon hearing his voice. He hadn't turned around, but noticed he had leaned forward and knew he was resting his palms on the console.

Diana said nothing in reply as she stood and waited for Bruce to continue. She was well aware of what she did earlier might very well have upset him. Gotham was his city and everything that happened was his alone to deal with. He never liked asking for help and only relied on the Bat-family and never liked asking Superman for help regardless of the circumstances. Or even her.

"You realize how much of a media firestorm you've potentially started?" He asked her with a neutral and unemotional tone of voice. Still not looking back at her.

Her eyes went wide briefly, she never thought about the ramifications of her sudden appearance. The rage she showed on camera when she dealt with the man who had killed the boy's parents. The moment of tenderness she shared with them. She knew that the world trusted the Justice League even after everything that has happened over the last year or so. But having Wonder Woman appear in Gotham after Batman took care of a violent crime scene would cause an uncomfortable media ruckus.

She pursed her lips before opening her mouth. "I didn't think about any of that at the time."

He simply nodded his head or at least she thought that's what she saw him do, as he still hadn't turned to look at her. It was very uncomfortable for her and she had no clue as to what would happen during this conversation. Diana exhaled quietly, resisting the urge to walk up to him, reminding her that the distance between them was more than appropriate at this moment.

"Why?" Bruce asked.

"I wanted to know what happened." She answered, watching his every move, she noticed he began to stand erect, but his hands had not moved form the console. "I talked to those boys, Patrick and Greg." She paused and looked away for a moment, remembering the pain and sorrow those two had gone through earlier. Losing the two most important people in their lives right in front of them.

She looked up and steeled herself, feeling her chest swell in pain at what those boy's lost. "You should have seen them, Bruce."

He sighed loudly and deeply before responding. "What?"

"They cried, they needed someone, I was there. I hugged them, held them tight, tried to comfort them." She fought back the tears that were starting to form and sucked in some air to calm herself down. "Then they showed me who it was that took their parents away."

"And you reacted." Bruce stated in simple terms. "By going after him."

Diana knew it wasn't a question. "Yes, I did."

"Why did you go after him?" This time he actually turned his head to the right to peak over his shoulder at her.

Diana felt a small sense of relief that he was slowly making eye contact with her. "I was angry. I wanted to punish him accordingly."

"Judging from the newsfeed." Bruce replied as he turned to completely face her, his hands now at his sides, the look on his face was devoid of any emotion, but his blue eyes showed the anger within. "You almost killed him."

Lowering her head to the ground, she shut her eyes and grimaced at the thought of how close she came to kill the man. Looking back, she wanted to beat him to death, slowly, painfully. If it wasn't for Gordon, she might very well have done just that.

"You would have, correct?" He asked her, a small hint of disgust noticeable in his tone.

She didn't look up, embarrassed by her behavior. As she stood looking at the metal floor beneath her blue and white boots, she knew that this wasn't going to be easy. Her original intent was to come and talk to him about the botched robbery, the boys losing their parents, how clearly she knew he was in pain about his failure to stop it from happening, the heartbreak she was going through. How after all these long years, she finally understood him and why he handled things the way he did.

"Wonder Woman, answer me." The baritone of his deep voice changed into a low and angry growl.

Upon hearing him call her Wonder Woman, she looked up and stared into his face. His eyes had narrowed into tight slits and his jaw was square. His anger was reaching a boiling point and she knew that she was running out of time. He would push her away, just like he had done before, like he did with everyone else when he was suffering.

"Answer me." He said again, harder, angrier.

"Yes." She said sternly, remaining as calm as possible and not backing down from him or his rising anger. "But Gordon stopped me, calmed me down."

Bruce stared at her waiting for her to continue.

"He helped me realize that whatever I did to him would make me no better than him." Diana replied in a tone that was both somber and hurtful. "That once I crossed that line, I could never come back."

The look on his face softened somewhat, but he still glared at her.

"I realized that no matter how much pain I inflicted on him, it would never bring those boys parents back." She told him in a sad voice.

There was a long and awkward silence between them after her answer. They simply stared at one another; the only sounds were of their breathing and of the waterfall that was in the distance. Both could feel the tension in the air. Diana felt her heart beating faster, nervous and scared about what was to come next.

"Is that all?" Bruce asked, still in that dark tone of voice.

Diana swallowed. "No." She felt her heart stop and then start up again upon realizing what she had just said. That she wasn't in the Batcave to speak to Bruce about her actions. That she wanted to speak to him about how much the boy's loss affected him. She wanted to reach out to him tonight. Diana, though, wanted the chance to cope with him, to heal, to find a way to comfort one another.

Diana noticed the eyes of Bruce open wider when she said 'no'. Yet, his angry glare and posture had not changed. Though, Diana swore, that for a brief moment, she saw surprise in those cold blue eyes of his.

"What do you mean by 'no'? Bruce asked her.

Diana looked away for a moment and rubbed her elbow, she knew this would be difficult. She just hoped it wouldn't be that way. Holding back a sigh, she shut her eyes and felt different waves of emotion overcome her.

"Answer me." He asked again, trying to hide his irritation.

Realizing that the baritone of his voice was going to change quickly, she knew it was now or never. Looking back, she steeled herself and walked towards Bruce.

"Diana?"

With a confident look on her face she walked to the main console and stood to Bruce's immediate left and faced up towards the screen. Gently brushing her fingers on the cold metal edge, she took a few breathes before finally speaking.

"I wanted to talk about how you feel about all this. How you're handling this situation." Diana said, cutting right to the point.

Bruce turned his head to look at her and held back the surprise that attempted to creep up. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Sensing an opening, Diana continued. "Alfred told me how you've been handling this situation. How upset you are. How angry you've been since it happened."

Bruce simply looked at her and patiently waited for her to continue. He still didn't quite understand why she was here and why she was worried about him. And given who he had become in his life since his parent's death, emotional conversations were never his forte.

"I've felt so much anger inside me after what happened to those boys." Diana's voice cracked as she was again reminded of the earlier tragedy. She blinked a few time and felt her lower lip quiver for a second. Exhaling, she looked down and watched her fingers make circles on the console.

"I spent the next hour on a roof crying, I felt so alone, hurt, sad…" Diana said in a weak tone,

She tilted her head to look back at Bruce and noticed his blue eyes staring at her. His face was as emotionless as it was when she first appeared. Staring into his eyes and trying to find any sign of his feelings or a hidden person inside of him, she pressed on.

"That's why I came here." Diana said as she turned to face him keeping one hand on the console and placing her left hand on her side. "To talk to you, to help you cope with this."

Bruce turned away and stared at the metal floor beneath his feet, now he understood what this was about. Her reasoning for being here, not just to answer for her public display at the crime scene, but to heal. He understood that he could help her cope with this and she sincerely thought she could help him as well.

Deep inside, he could hear a voice tell him to open up to her, but the part of him that shunned that feeling told him to tell her to go away. That he had no time for emotion, no time for feelings or love. That his mission to rid Gotham of crime, to protect the people from the evils that took away his parents, his childhood, his life were the priority. He realized as she stood there waiting for his response, that he had to tell those exact things, but not be hurtful or about it.

Sighing loudly, he steeled himself for what he was about to say next. Yet, he couldn't hold back what he really wanted to say to her.

"If you felt so alone and hurt." He began in a cold and almost jealous tone lifting his head up to look at her and turning his body towards her. What he said next was something he knew would hurt both of them and anger her as well.

"Then why didn't you go and talk to Clark?" Bruce's tone became icy. "I'm sure he would have been happy to console you and lend you a shoulder to cry on."

He quickly realized how wrong it was to say that to her.

Diana looked at him and her face went from sad and hurt, to angry and disgusted in only a few short seconds. Bruce noticed her eyes turn into tight slits and he could hear her hard breathing and saw her left hand curl into a tight fist.

"What did you just say?" Diana asked angrily.

There was no going back and Bruce knew it. He had angered the most powerful woman on earth and an Amazon raised to not take any attitude or disrespect from men.

"You heard me." Bruce shot back turning to face her completely now. He clenched his fists and heard the Kevlar as he squeezed. "Go visit Kent, I'm sure he'd love to comfort you."

Diana snorted like a dragon would in a fantasy movie, her jaw squared and she glared back at him.

"How dare you." Diana hissed, using her right hand to grip the smooth metal surface, she bent the metal and held firm. "You know it ended between us months ago."

"I'm well aware of that." Bruce began, he held back the relief in being reminded of that, even if he and Alfred discussed it earlier and was only brief. He knew he had to stop this conversation from becoming an all out brawl, judging from how angry she was becoming. "I'm sure he could take time away from Lois to help you."

"You self-centered, egomaniacal, stubborn, selfish, arrogant son-of-a-bitch!" Diana said through gritted teeth and gave him a menacing stare as she curled her right hand into a fist and slammed it down onto the edge, leaving a massive dent and bending the edge ever so slightly. "How dare you imply that Clark and I had a relationship that was anything more than platonic."

She took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "Clark and I knew what we had wouldn't work out long term. He always had feelings for Lois. You and I both knew that."

Bruce didn't take a step back, but steeled himself for a possible fist or hold by her. Though a part of him was somewhat afraid of what she would do to him.

"True." He replied. "But you know that people would love to see you two together again."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She said with another hiss, a bit louder than the last. "I think the world understood why our relationship ended."

"Yes." Bruce answered, she was only a few feet away from him now, but that still didn't make him feel comfortable. "But he'd be better suited to help you through all of this."

Diana noted the change in his tone, as if he felt that Clark would help her better, understand her situation better. She quickly realized that he wouldn't bring this up unless he had an ulterior motive. Bruce was always calculated in what he would say. His statement about her past relationship with Clark was totally out of the blue.

After a brief moment, Diana calmed down and her anger dissipated, but still lingered. She pursed her lips before finally speaking again.

"Bruce," She said calmly, but still mad at him. "I came to you because I know how much seeing those boys losing their parents hurt you." He simply stared at her again as she spoke.

"I've felt pain, suffering, loss, loneliness." She continued, pouring out a part of her soul to him. "Heartbreak, but I've never been through what you go through everyday. Clark never went through what you or I have been through, he's only lost his Kryptonian parents, his adoptive parents."

"He's just like us," Bruce cut her off. "Just from another world."

"I know that." Diana answered. "But not what you've been through. You live with something everyday that neither of us could understand."

Bruce's eyes went wide for a split second before he narrowed them. "I don't expect anyone to do that."

"Why?" Diana asked, realizing that she had an opening to Bruce's most deepest held thoughts and feelings. "Why won't you let someone understand?"

Bruce took a step back and lifted a gloved hand to rub the space between his eyes. With a deep sigh he looked back at her. "Don't push this, Diana, I don't want to explain why. I'm not sure I could."

"Why, Bruce?" Diana pressed him further. "Please, let someone in, I know that even Alfred isn't as close as he would like to be, not even Dick."

He stared at her and said nothing, but he felt all the emotional wheels spinning inside him and it was taking all his mental discipline to hold them down. He had no idea how close he was to losing control and saying or doing something he'd regret later.

"Bruce…" Diana whispered, she wanted to reach out and caress his cheek, hold his hand, comfort him, but she made sure to let him have his personal space. "Let someone in, let me in, I want to be here for you, I want us to heal together…"

Bruce looked up at her and shot her a glare. "I won't let anyone in." He told her. "We all deal with this in our own way."

"Bruce…" Diana tried to speak up.

"Enough." Bruce cut her off sharply. "Don't dig too deep, I'm the last person you should push."

"Why?" Diana asked, clearly not backing down or giving up her opportunity to understand the man that she admired, respected and considered a dear friend. And many years ago found him to be incredibly mysterious and attractive with all the darkness he had surrounded himself in. "What are you afraid of?"

"Afraid?" Almost laughing upon hearing that question. "I'm afraid of nothing. I fear nothing."

"Not from what I can tell." Diana shot back.

"What?" Bruce asked with a low growl.

Diana held back a smirk. "Your afraid to open up to me."

Bruce felt his nostrils flare up and a deep swell of anger built up inside him upon hearing those words. He took a step back and gritted his teeth. He turned to face the stairwell that lead back to the cave entrance. He let her get to him like this. The animal inside him wanted to break free, but he used every bit of willpower to hold it down.

He stared at the Amazon in front of him. "You dare call me a coward?" He said to her darkly.

She didn't back down from his sudden burst of anger. "Yes, I do. You're afraid."

"How dare you." Bruce said through gritted teeth.

"You always are so courageous, but," Diana paused letting her words sink in. "When it comes to matters of the heart or personal matters." She took a deep breath before finishing.

"You are afraid." She finally said.

"You…" Bruce said as he felt the blood boil inside him. Without another thought, he balled his left fist and punched a massive hole into one of the keyboards of the main console. Sparks flew and circuits could be heard snapping and popping. He twisted his arm to pull it out, mindful of the heat and the circuits and broken pieces.

Diana steeled herself for combat after the outburst and watched as Bruce slowly pulled his fist out. She could sense the rage that was inside him and prepared herself for what was to come.

Bruce continued to glare, he could feel his heart beating faster and his adrenaline rising. He knew he did some damage to his glove and might feel a little pain in his hand and wrist later, but he didn't concern himself with that now. Diana had taken a shot at his feelings, mocked him, calling him a coward. He would not stand for it. She stood across from him in what looked to be a fighting stance, her arms raised and her hands balled into tight looking fists.

As they stared each other down waiting for the other to make the first move, Bruce ran through different ways to get out of this, without either hurting the other. His analytical mind ran through the different options and decided that the best way was to challenge her to do something he knew she would never do.

Moving his left hand to the right side of his utility belt, he flipped open a compartment and took and slowly took out a batarang, he could feel the sharpness of the small metal weapon and knew he was taking a tremendous risk. Yet, he knew that he had nothing to lose at this point.

He watched as Diana's eyes followed his left hand as he slowly pulled out the batarang. Twirling it around, he gripped it hard in his left hand.

"What are you doing?" Diana asked, slightly confused, but still maintaining focus on Bruce.

Without a word, he tossed the batarang at Diana who quickly caught it in her hands and looked down at the small metal object. She gently ran a thumb over the smooth metal surface and noted how sharp it was.

""You think I'm afraid of opening up?" Bruce asked her, standing straight with his arms to the sides. "If you think that, then you must think I'm afraid of dying."

Diana stood up and looked at Bruce with a horrified expression. "Bruce… …What? What is this about?"

"You said I'm afraid." Bruce elaborated. "I'll show you." He threw his arms out in a gesture that dared her to make a move with the batarang. "Use that to try and kill me."

Diana let out a stunned gasp and her eyes widened. "Bruce! I… No… What you're asking is…"

"What, Princess?" He cut her off, not having any of her excuses or stalling. "You're an Amazon aren't you? You kill without remorse or mercy."

Diana held the batarang in her right hand dropping her left to the side. She was slowly starting to understand what he was doing, this mind game he decided to play with her. Looking at the small black object, she shut her eyes. He wanted her to make an attempt at his life. It was a challenge to her Amazonian heritage, her upbringing, her people were known to kill in cold blood, but she had chosen many years ago not to. To show mercy after defeating her enemy, she didn't kill the minotaur as a child, she didn't kill in her time spent on Man's World. Why would she kill her friends? She would turn into the same people she fought against.

She was reminded of the words that Gordon had said to her earlier in the night.

Doing so makes you no better than him. His words echoed in her head as she thought back to being stopped from killing the murderer of Greg and Patrick's parents. You cross that line by killing him and you can never come back.

She wouldn't do it. Bruce knew her better than that.

"What's wrong, Wonder Woman?" Bruce asked coldly. "Afraid to kill me? Afraid to do something you would enjoy?"

Diana opened her eyes and a sad look immediately formed. "I… I… I can't. You know that." Dropping the batarang to the floor and hearing it clank against the surface beneath her feet.

Bruce calmed himself and watched her change in demeanor. He felt the tension lift from his body and a huge feeling of regret and sadness overcome him. The Dark Knight quickly realized what he had done, how he had taken advantage of the Amazon Princess' fragile state and twisted it into something that he shouldn't have.

"I would never kill. I'd be no better than that monster who took those boys' parents." Diana said as looked to her right at the screen that flashed the symbol of the bat. "Or the ones that you have faced."

Bruce stared at her and felt even worse inside. He tried to hide the sadness that was about to develop on his face, but he couldn't, not when he had hurt someone he cared about as more than a friend.

"Bruce…" Diana said looking at him with tears forming in her eyes. "I came to you for comfort, to talk to you. I couldn't do this alone." Diana hugged herself as she took a step back. Several streams slid down her cheeks and onto the floor.

Bruce looked at her with a sad expression now, unable to hold back how much pain he felt for her, for the boys and his own. But seeing the woman he had found to be the most beautiful and wonderful creature on this planet, so hurt and so small was devastating to him.

"Diana…." Bruce whispered.

"I knew this would be hard." Diana said through tears and a sniffle. "But I didn't think you'd be this cold…"

Bruce looked down and stared at the batarang that was between them now. The symbol he used, but also a symbol that could have done harm to the both of them.

"I care about you." Diana said quietly. "I didn't want to see you hurt or suffer. I wanted to find a way to heal and get threw this together." Tears streamed like a river now and she felt so alone again.

"Bruce, I…" Diana tried to continue, but she started bawling, burying her face in her hands.

"Diana…" Bruce whispered her voice again. He looked away and stared out into the expansive cave before him. Lost in his thoughts, he quickly saw the display case that held his Father's letter. He looked at the folded note, written in his Father's near-perfect handwriting, he couldn't read it from the distance he was at, but knew the contents like the back of his hand.

His Father wanted him to take steps in moving on from his childhood tragedy. In that moment, Bruce realized that this could be one of those steps. Quite possibly the biggest one he has ever made.

Turning, he looked at Diana, who was still crying. Bruce nodded his head, knowing that what he was about to do was the right thing. He was no coward. Not when it came to matters of the heart.

He slowly approached the woman before him. Placing both hands on her smooth, crème colored shoulders, he watched as she looked up at him.

He gave her a soft smile and a warm look.

"Diana." Bruce began, lifting a thumb to wipe away a few tears from her perfect face. "You are not alone. I'm here."

"Bruce…?" Diana questioned, the tears had stopped for the moment.

"I'm sorry for everything I've said tonight." Bruce told her sincerely, she didn't need the lasso to confirm that. "Please, let me help you."

"Bruce…" Diana said, she started crying again and collapsed into his arms, burying her face onto his shoulder. "T-t-thank you." Was all she could muster.

"Your welcome." Bruce said softly as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, keeping her safe, keeping both of them safe. Bruce shut his eyes and felt something inside him that he hadn't felt since his Mother held him when he was sad.

Hope, love and a sense of true happiness.

He felt a tears stream down his cheek. He wasn't sure why it fell down his cheek, but it was for a reason.

Bruce and Diana stayed this way for a long while, words weren't necessary. Holding each other quietly in the darkness of the cave. They weren't alone, not tonight, not ever again.

Next: The morning after…

Special Author's Note: This chapter turned out completely different from what was intended, but it actually worked out better this way. I hope you enjoyed and will have chapter four up in a few days. If you want to know what this chapter was originally meant to be, send me a private message and I'll let you know.