Notes and disclaimer in first chapter
Chapter 7
They were in Java, Indonesia trying to divert the lava flow from the Merapi volcano and keep it from destroying the nearby city of Yogyakarta, not to mention the smaller villages that were located alongside Merapi. Since Java was not a very wide island, they were attempting to find a short route to the ocean that did not go through the villages. Most of the people had been moved away from the volcano, but there were still a few stubborn people who refused to leave their homes. Batman kept a mental note of where those people were in case the lava did not cooperate with the direction in which the League tried to corral the molten rock.
Ice was doing a fairly passable job of hardening the hot material into a bridge of sorts that would allow the lava to travel over the villages and not through them. Other Leaguers were positioned at different points beside the bridge to ensure the lava did not boil over the sides or melt the frozen bridge and seep through. Batman supervised, calling Ice to different places where problems arose. Not a perfect solution, but better than allowing the villages to burn.
As he viewed the bridge from the cone to the sea, he allowed his eyes to linger on Wonder Woman and the enigma that she was. It was the first time Batman saw Diana after her latest journey into his city. He knew he would have to reprimand her in public in order to keep up appearances.
No one was allowed in his city. Everyone in the League knew that.
Once all the villages were safe, and the lava was flowing harmlessly into the ocean, Batman walked up to Diana, who was watching the progress of the hot substance.
"I need to talk to you," he said in his best Batman growl.
She turned her head slightly toward him and then put her attention back on the fiery goo. "What about?"
Batman stood silent until she turned fully to face him. He noticed her eyebrows raised in question. Luckily, Ice was within earshot, which is just what he had been waiting on. "You need to stay out of my city."
Diana rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation. "Hera! I have done nothing in your city except help out a few charities."
"A meta seen in my city will allow the criminals to believe I cannot handle them without help." Batman could see Ice's eyes widen at the sight of the two of them arguing. Apparently, she decided to watch the lava in a different area. Far away from the two founders. This did not bother him for he had achieved his objective.
"I am not even allowed inside your city to enjoy myself?"
Batman's eyes narrowed. "I thought you were helping charities, not partying."
"I happened to be having a little fun dancing while helping out the charities. It is possible to do both. You should try it sometime."
His answer was a glare that would have left any other Leaguer shaking in their boots, Superman included.
Diana was not affected in that way. Instead, she seemed more annoyed than anything else. She sighed and shook her head. "I promise to leave the crime fighting in Gotham to you, unless asked, all right?"
"As long as you understand, Princess, you are not welcome there."
As he turned to walk away, Diana spoke up. "Bruce Wayne appears to want me there. In fact, he asked me on a date."
Batman stopped, but did not turn around. "Bruce Wayne is a fool who has too much money and doesn't know what he wants."
Diana walked up to Batman and then around him as she replied to his statement. "He has been a gentleman to me both of the times I have seen him. And he seems to enjoy my company. So until Bruce decides what he really wants, be prepared to see me in Gotham again."