Chapter 7

Diana stood firmly planted as Bizarro barred down upon her like a red and blue semi truck, unwilling to back down from a fight. She would defend herself and protect her baby at all cost while still keeping her warrior pride and heritage intact.

"I don't need protecting, Bizarro," she scowled, her fists balled tightly at her sides. "I'm warning you to back off."

"Yes, Bizarro protect pretty lady," he eagerly grinned as he drew near. "Keep lady safe."

"You were warned," Diana angrily mumbled under her breath as her fist swiftly connected with his face.

Bizarro flew backwards, crashing into a wall causing bricks to crumble down upon him from the force of the impact. He quickly stood to his feet, shaking the cobwebs loose from his head as he staggered towards her again. "That's bad, pretty lady," he frowned. "Me want to help you. Now let me help you."

"I don't need your help," she firmly stated, casting a fleeting glance at Shayera who was in a fierce battle with Mr. Freeze and Cheetah, barely avoiding being frozen in a block of ice.

Bizarro quickly reached out for her, Diana grabbing his arm and twisting it, flipping him onto the concrete. "Me no like this," he grumbled as he suddenly broke free from her grasp with a grunt, throwing her off of him like she was nothing more than a gnat and causing her to fall backwards.

She landed on the ground hard, hitting the back of her head with a groan. She opened her eyes to find Bizarro leaning over her, a forlorn look on his face. "You such a pretty lady," he smiled. "Bizarro might keep you for himself."

Diana kicked her legs out, striking him directly in the chest and shoving him away from her. She knew this was pointless. It was like fighting Superman, their strength nearly equally matched. At the same time, she couldn't let him get his hands on her. She needed to keep him moving, dodging his attempts to grab her.

Besides, Bruce would no doubt be showing up here any moment. He would be beyond upset with her when he finally saw her. Her skirt was already torn, dirt streaking her white shirt. She was never going to hear the end of the scathing lecture that was no doubt going to come.

"Bizarro want to help you!" he yelled as he got back on his feet and began to storm towards her.

"I said I don't need your help!" Diana angrily ground out as she leapt to her feet, circling him as her mind raced with something that she could use to slow him down without any bodily contact.

"I save you…keep you for Bizarro," he insisted.

"I am not yours to take," Diana scowled, grabbing a nearby metal light post and ripping it out of the concrete. Using it like a baseball bat, she slammed it hard against his side, sending him careening into a store front.

She quickly turned her attention to Shayera who had taken out Cheetah, but wasn't having as much luck with Mr. Freeze just yet. Diana began to make her way towards them when the sound of crunching glass caused her to turn back around.

Stepping out of the rubble and back into the afternoon sunlight, Bizarro growled, growing enraged by Wonder Woman's resistance to his help. "You make Bizarro mad," he yelled at her, suddenly grabbing her by the throat and lifting her up off the ground.

"Let her go, Bizarro."

Batman's enraged voice filled Diana's ears, causing her to grimace. This was definitely not the assistance she had hoped would arrive. She couldn't draw air as Bizarro swung around to face the Batman, holding onto her like she was nothing but a ragdoll.

She clawed at his steel grip around her neck, trying to break free before he crushed her windpipe. She repeatedly slammed her fist on his arm, forcing him to finally release his hold on her. He dropped her with a sneer on his lips, a batarang suddenly cracking against his forehead.

Kneeling on the ground, Diana coughed as she fought to catch her breath again, doing her best to avoid making any eye contact with Batman. He would definitely not be in the mood to hear any explanation for what had happened regardless of how it hadn't been her fault. She had been involved and that would make him more than irate no matter the reasons.

"Leave Bizarro alone!" he stomped his boots. "Pretty lady mine not yours!"

"That's what you think," Batman muttered under his breath as he threw another batarang, an electrically charged wire suddenly releasing from it and wrapping around Bizarro, shocking him senseless and containing him for the moment.

Turning, Diana saw Superman helping Hawkgirl finish off Mr. Freeze, Cheetah already lying on the ground groaning from the feel of a mace to her skull. Diana was more than thankful it hadn't turned out to be any worse than it could have been.

She felt a gloved hand firmly gripping her arm as she slowly stood to her feet, her hand finding the back of her head and the knot that had already begun to form. She winced as she lightly rubbed it, her gaze finally locking with the white lens of the Batman's cowl as he released his grip on her.

"Are you alright, Princess?" he brusquely asked, keeping a measure of distance from her now.

He didn't want anyone to link the Batman to Wonder Woman in any romantic way since she was already engaged to Bruce Wayne and pregnant with his baby. He couldn't afford the association coming back to the Dark Knight of Gotham in any way no matter how desperate he was to know if she was alright, their baby safe.

"I'm fine," she reassured him, looking down at her ruined outfit. She looked much worse than she actually felt.

"You need to see Dr. Leslie right away," he growled at her, his voice low and barely audible but his fury more than apparent.

She could practically feel his anger roiling over him as he quickly turned his back to her as if she was nothing more than a stranger on the street. She wanted so badly to explain to him what had happened, how she'd had no other choice but to fend Bizarro off in order to protect their baby.

Right now, though, he could barely look at her let alone speak to her.

"Batman, I'm…" Diana began, her hand falling apologetically to his shoulder.

"Tell Superman and Hawkgirl to get out of my city," Batman curtly stated as he shrugged her hand off, shooting his grappling gun and escaping before he was forced to face the overwhelming horror that was devouring him on the inside and stealing his breath.

Diana watched as he swiftly landed on the top of a nearby building before disappearing from view. She released a ragged breath, feeling defeated and frustrated as Superman hauled Bizarro onto his feet to deposit him and the others at Arkam.

Hawkgirl raced towards her, concern etched in her face. "Are you alright, Diana?" she asked before quickly looking around her. "Where did Batman go?"

"I'm fine," Diana sighed. "He left."

"He left?" she repeated, her voice rising. "He didn't stay to make sure you were alright?"

"He was too angry to stick around," she admitted, wrapping her arms around herself as if holding herself together.

"I'm sure he's just upset about what happened to you," Hawkgirl attempted to reassure her, rubbing Diana's arm. "He loves you, Diana. Just give him a little time."

"Are you alright?" Superman asked as he landed beside his female teammates, concern lining his face. "Did you need to go back to the Watchtower for medical treatment?"

"No, I'm alright," Diana insisted. "Nothing a hot bath won't fix."

"What happened to Batman?" Superman asked as he looked around, suddenly noticing his absence.

"He had to leave," Diana replied, rubbing the back of her head again. "He told me to tell you two to get out of his city."

Superman snorted as he folded his arms against his chest. "You can tell him I said 'you're welcome'," Clark said with a roll of his eyes. "Does he know yet about the party?"

"No, I don't believe so," Diana shook her head.

"I just hope Flash can keep his mouth shut and not ruin the surprise," Hawkgirl scowled.

"You know Flash," the Amazon smiled. "He can hardly ever keep quiet especially when it comes to a party."

"Well, he'll have a personal meeting with my mace if he lets it slip," Shayera sneered.

"Alright, I've got to go," Superman said. "I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Thanks for the help," Diana told him.

"Any time, Di," he smiled warmly. "Just try to stay out of trouble next time. I don't think Bruce's heart is going to be able to take it."

Diana tucked a raven lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm not sure he's going to survive this pregnancy at all at this rate," she agreed.

"We'll get you two through it," Shayera promised. "I'll check on you later. We still have shopping to finish before next weekend."

"I'll see you tomorrow," Diana nodded, watching as her two friends took to flight.

Walking over to the smashed tables and overturned chairs, she bent over and picked up her forgotten packages and purse, her mind swimming with dread and guilt. She was going to have to face Bruce tonight about what had happened this afternoon and she knew it wasn't going to be good.

She was going to have to face the music and it definitely wasn't a happy tune.

XXX

Batman peered over the ledge of the building, his eyes locked solely on the raven-haired goddess standing on the sidewalk talking to Hawkgirl and Superman. His heart felt like it was galloping out of control and right out of his chest at that moment.

Flying in at the sight of Bizarro clutching Diana by the throat, swinging her around like she was nothing more than a toy had very nearly pushed him right over the edge of reason and sanity. All he could think about at that terrifying moment was how he was going to lose her…lose their baby, everything that he held dear in his life.

It had rattled him to his core in a way that he'd never felt, making him curse himself for needing her so desperately and yet knowing deep down that they were somehow just meant to be together despite the overwhelming odds. He was not meant to live this life without her. That he finally knew…understood.

Watching her now, he could barely think straight, the grim expression on her face tugging at his heart. He could tell from the way that she rubbed the back of her head that she had taken a nasty blow, one that could have cost him everything.

He shuddered to think of what could've happened had he not come when he had, if he had been a few moments later.

No, Diana was strong, the strongest person he had ever met and not just physically. He knew she could've handled Bizarro on her own, but at what cost? That was a price he wasn't willing to pay, not with the life of the woman he loved or their baby.

He regretted leaving her so abruptly like he had, not personally taking her to Dr. Leslie to make sure that she was truly alright, but the sheer intensity of his rage at that moment hadn't allowed him to stay with her.

He had wanted so desperately to rip the cowl from his face, to clutch her to him and kiss her like he'd never kissed her before. He had wanted to hold her, to feel the brush of her warm breath against his face, the beat of her heart pressed against his chest letting him know beyond a doubt that she was alive and that she was safe once more.

Instead, he had let his fear and his anger reign inside of him, taking control of his actions. He had left her with an obvious frosty chill to the air between them, blocking her out of his emotional turmoil at that moment as he allowed the grappling to carry him away from her and safely back into the shadows where he could brood alone in the solitude that was like his second home.

She shouldn't have been there, shouldn't have gotten involved in that fight in the first place, tangling with Bizarro of all people. What had she been thinking putting her life as well as their baby's at risk like that?

She was Wonder Woman that's who.

Her nature wouldn't let her stay out of a fight no matter what, her warrior heart leading her into battle every time no matter the odds, not matter the cost…even their baby though?

His scowled deepened with his hurt. He knew she could take care of herself, could fight harder than even him or Clark sometimes, but that didn't make it any easier watching her throw herself out there so willingly, so sacrificially.

She was his now, belonged to him. She had given her heart to him, had agreed to marry him, was carrying his baby. Didn't she understand he couldn't go through losing someone he loved more than life itself again?

Diana had forced him to face his feelings, feelings he had wanted to leave hidden, ignoring them and suffering in silence regardless of how miserable it had made him and look what it had brought him. Nothing but sick dread coursing through his veins every time he saw her in trouble, his stomach roiling with terror that fate – something he didn't even believe in – would strike again in his life, depriving him of something he thought he was never meant to have in his life – love.

Maybe he should just walk away now before it was too late, before he got hurt again, his fragile heart being crushed by yet another horrifying loss. He tried to steel his heart again, to force logic over feelings, dissecting and analyzing things once more.

Grinding his teeth, Batman watched as Superman and Hawkgirl left, leaving Diana standing there all alone in the midst of the mess and debris that the super villains had created. She looked so small, so hurt by his absence and yet he couldn't force himself to go back down there no matter how much he wanted to. His pride wouldn't allow it.

Diana looked around at the rubble and remains that littered the street, the Gotham PD cleaning up the aftermath of yet another disastrous crime gone bad as her hand went to her abdomen to gentle stroke the small bump there. Damn, she was so beautiful, completely captivating him and yet always keeping him on his toes.

She slowly turned and gathered her belongings; bags filled with things for their wedding…their baby…maybe even for him if he was lucky. She began to walk away before lifting towards the skies to return to their home.

Watching her leave, Bruce was yet again stunned by how vast and deep his love ran for this woman, knowing he could never leave her, never lose her.

XXX

Finally getting her hot bubble bath, Diana was feeling much better and more than thankful that she and the baby had escaped unscathed for the most part. The biggest battle still awaited her, though. She still had to face Bruce.

Dressing, her heart even now felt the overwhelming heaviness that had pervaded it since seeing Bruce's face this afternoon. Even though partially hidden beneath the fierce cowl of the Batman, she could read him like a book, knew his every expression…or lack of one…down to the minutest twitch of his jaw.

Bruce was beyond furious with her and a part of her couldn't really blame him. She deserved his ire not his love tonight no matter how badly she had missed him these last few days or the red negligee she had bought especially for him earlier that day to show him how much she loved him.

Holding up the red lace panties and garter belt, she couldn't help replaying the events of this afternoon, wishing that she and Shayera had picked some other place to stop for an iced mocha, preferably on the other side of Gotham.

It wasn't her fault that those three had decided to rob a bank at that exact moment. Besides, what was she supposed to do? Stand there and let Bizarro throw her around like his personal play toy?

Placing her present for Bruce back in the bag, Diana drew a deep breath, steeling herself for the cutting lecture that no doubt awaited her downstairs. Alfred had been kind of enough to let her know that Bruce was home and that dinner would be served shortly.

Running a brush through her hair one more time before leaving, she made her way downstairs, ready to face whatever awaited her and yet prepared to logically debate the Bat on every point in order to defend her decision to face Bizarro.

She passed by the library where had proposed to her just over three weeks ago to find Bruce standing before the portrait of his parents hanging on the wall above the fireplace. His back was to her, his hands stuffed into his pockets as he silently brooded before his mother and father.

Staring at him, Diana knew that he would never get over the senseless loss of his parents, but she hoped to give him more hope to look forward to and less pain to look back on. She knew she couldn't heal his every hurt, but she intended to erase the scars that she could.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

His voice was choked with emotion, both fear and anger, and the guilt inside of her swelled like a dark thunderhead. "I'm fine, Bruce," she softly said, knowing that he would know she was standing there despite her silence. "I promise."

"How's your head?"

"Hard as always," she replied, hating speaking to his back, but he obviously still couldn't face her yet.

She heard a soft snort of amused agreement coming from him that startled her. Maybe it wasn't quite as bad as she had first thought it was.

"I know you didn't have a choice, Diana," he said, his hand finding the mantle and gripping it as if searching for support.

Diana. Not Princess. Diana. She was still in trouble despite his words. He must have reviewed the video footage. It would have been the only way that he would've known.

She slowly made her way to him, coming to a stop behind him. She wanted so desperately to touch him, but didn't dare just yet. "Bizarro didn't really leave me much of a choice," she told him.

"You could have flown away," he pointed out, but his argument sounded lame even to his ears. Bizarro would've no doubt tried to follow her if she had fled. Besides, leaving a teammate to fend for herself even went against his own code of honor let alone an Amazon's.

Bruce turned around before she could even voice a counter attack, swiftly enveloping her in his arms and burying his face in her luscious hair, clinging to her for dear life. He breathed deeply, inhaling her heavenly scent that seemed to reach inside and soothe his soul like nothing else ever could.

Diana held him close, gently rubbing his back and giving him whatever he needed from her in that moment. "I'm so sorry, Bruce," she whispered. "If there had been another way, I would've taken it in a heartbeat. You…this baby…means more to me than…" her voice suddenly broke off, cracking with emotion before finally able to speak again. "You both mean everything to me."

Bruce pulled back, kissing her deeply the way that he had wanted to so badly this afternoon after stopping Bizarro. Pulling back, he pulled her close again, his lips against her ear. "There had better be a present for me in the packages you had earlier. I believe you have some repenting to do."

Diana's lips curled with his teasing words, the hurt and fear still lingering in his voice but it was definitely less than what it had been. And hopefully after she was through with him, it would be full of nothing but ecstasy instead.

"Oh, I most definitely have something reserved especially for you," she purred seductively in his ear. "In red."

"Want to save dinner for later so you can begin atoning for scaring the life out of me this afternoon?" he playfully asked.

"I love how you think," she grinned, her heart suddenly feeling lighter as she released him. Grabbing his hand, she quickly led him back upstairs, more than eager to begin to make it up to him.