Chapter 7

"Oh," said the president as she hurried toward them, "Bruce, why don't you and Diana take a turn around the dance floor?"

Somehow Diana managed not to shriek with laughter at the suggestion. 'Amazons do not shriek,' she reminded herself sternly.

"Yes, your Highness, why don't we?" he said to her, his eyes lit with mischief she could only attribute to the Bruce Wayne side of his personality. He offered her his arm and she remembered Paris when he had asked her to dance.

"Alright," she said and slipped her hand into his. Nostalgia was her justification for not turning him down cold.

As they stepped out on the floor the band began a slow romantic song and Bruce pulled her close against him. His hand was on the small of her back, which was covered by her dress. The backline, however, dipped low and his thumb occasionally traveled up and caressed her bare skin. It was terrible, and wonderful, and sent shivers through her. Rational thoughts were nearly impossible for her. She was aware of every part of him, of the sweet torture of his thumb as it stroked the sensitive skin of her back, his breath against her ear.

"We should probably be talking," he said after a moment, his voice somewhere between Bruce's and Batman's. "Don't want the press speculating about us too."

She tried to pull back slightly but he held her in place. "Maybe you shouldn't hold me so close," she suggested. "Of course, you have a reputation to uphold."

"The rumors about my love life are greatly exaggerated," he said, his cheek brushing against hers. Her vision began to tunnel slightly and she hardly noticed any of the other couples on the floor now.

"I'm sure that isn't my business, just like mine isn't yours," she said softly, hoping to remind him of the distance he forced between them. His hand tightened on her back, but just for an instant.

"You know how I feel about relationships, Diana," he said. "I have my reasons."

"I know," she said sadly, "so just shut up and let's enjoy this dance."

And he did just that, not saying anything to her even as he released her and walked back into the crowd. Soon another set of arms was holding her and she had to force a cheerful smile to her mouth and pretend that her soul did not ache. 'Amazons are not weak,' she told herself again and again as she danced with partner after partner. It was the only defense she had between raging sorrow and blinding anger.

After three more dances she was walking back toward the president of the charity when Lex stepped in front of her and asked her to dance. Her immediate reaction was to refuse but she saw the speculative glances of the other guests, and saw the peering eyes of the few members of the press allowed inside the function and nodded.

As he led her out to the floor the band began an up tempo tune and she thanked the gods for it. She had absolutely no desire to slow-dance with Lex.

"You are a wonderful dancer," he said.

"Thank you," she responded, not offering him a return compliment. With some satisfaction she noted his mouth hardened for just a second.

"What will it take for me to earn the League's trust?" His face was a mask of concern but she hardened herself against him. He was a well-known liar.

"I'm not sure you could ever do enough good to earn it. We have seen this all before. There is always an ulterior motive."

"So harsh, Princess," he said and tisked. "Well, I will just have to prove that I have changed."

The song was ending and she was already stepping out of his arms. "You do that Lex," then she leaned in and whispered, "but when you fall back on your 'old ways' we will be there to take you down. Count on it."

Holding her head high she walked away. She scanned the room for Bruce but she did not see him anywhere.

Diana entered her hotel room and slipped off her shoes. They were beautiful but were sheer torture to wear, and she was relieved to have them off. Walking into the bathroom she unzipped the gown and hung it on the padded hanger on the back of the door. She then slipped into a thick cotton robe and went back into the bedroom to get ready for bed. She took her laptop from the desk to bed with her and checked her email.

She scanned them quickly, not wanting to get involved in international politics right before bed, when an email from Queen Audrey of Kasnia caught her attention. It read:

Diana,

How are you darling? It has been so long since I have seen you, and I am simply wretched from missing you!

I am pleased to tell you that construction of the new palace is complete and I am planning a party to celebrate. I will be sure to send you an invitation and I hope you will find time to come.

My father's health is stable, but his progress has stalled. The doctors tell me he may never improve above his current level. He is able to get around in a motorized chair but he will never walk again. It is terribly sad.

Now, for the real reason I am writing. I was attending a party last night and during the party I mentioned to one of the guests how I would love to visit Greece, since I am friends with the esteemed Wonder Woman, and he offered me the use of his villa in Mykonos for a whole month! The weather will be warm and I plan to work on a nice winter tan. Do you think you would have time to join me there? I could not ask for a better ambassador to Greek culture than you. Please say you will?

I plan to go out beginning next week, but I will not be able to stay the whole month. The Senate will be in session and I must be home to keep an eye on things. You may stay as long as you please. I have already spoken with the owner and he does not mind at all. He actually seems to think it will improve his property value!

I am going to arrive there next Sunday night. Please, at least think about it?

Audrey

Well, the timing could not be better. The UN was not scheduled to be back in session until the end of the year. All she would have to do is ask Superman if she could have the month off of her regular League rotation. Really, she could not ask for more considering she would be able to spend a few weeks alone on a Greek island. She did not hesitate before sending an email to Audrey that she would love to go, and wanted to spend the full month there.

She then emailed Clark to inform him of her plans, asking him to keep the details between just the two of them, before shutting down her laptop and setting it aside. Lying back against the pillows she opened the novel she had been reading when her League Communicator beeped.

"This is Diana."

"Hey, it's Superman. I just read your email."

"Why are you still up?" Her concern was difficult to disguise.

"I'm working. I have a deadline at The Planet and I have League paperwork. Why are you still up?" he countered in a friendly tone.

"I was at a charity ball. It is after 2am. Didn't we discuss working too hard?"

"Yes," he admitted. "I'm working on it, I promise. Looks like you took your own advice."

"Yes," she said and waited for him to list the reasons her plans were not going to work.

"I hope you have a good time, Diana." He said, surprising her. "I already sent Shayera an email asking her to shift your rotations but I didn't tell her why. I'm sure you will be hearing from her tomorrow."

"I know a week is short notice," she said, feeling just a little guilty now.

"Not going to hear me complain," he said. "What I don't understand is why you want to keep the details between us?"

She sighed and said, "It's complicated."

"It's about Bruce, isn't it?" His voice was filled with quiet concern. Diana suspected he knew about her feelings even thought they had never discussed it.

"Not entirely," she hedged. "I just need some time away from all this. I can't seem to think anymore, I just process and act. I need time to just … be."

"I know," he said. "That's why I go to the Fortress. Sometimes I forget you don't have a place like that."

"I do," she said sadly, "but I am forbidden to return there."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."

"What's done is done." She waved a hand she knew he could not see. "Anyway, thanks for taking care of this for me. I owe you when I get back."

"Anytime. And, if you need to talk, you know I am always there to listen."

"Thanks," she said and clicked her communicator off. Turning, she turned off the lamp by her bed and pulled the covers up.

Tomorrow she had to finish all the correspondence she had been neglecting and she had her date with Steve that night. Thinking of it made her glow with happiness. Yet, thoughts of Batman threatened to creep into her happy contemplation. She ruthlessly pushed them away. This was her time to be happy and she was going to take it, no matter how good it felt to be held in his arms tonight. He had made his decision long ago and it was time she moved on.