Heya everyone! One chapter left after this, I hope you like where it's heading! Thank you so much for all the awesome feedback. :)

Geeky- Thank you, friend! You won't have to worry about KF anymore (well, not too long from now). Thanks for hanging in there. You are the best! You get a GNS with C.RO filled dreams:D

Disclaimer: Not mine! I disclaim it all.


Chapter Eight: If I had Eyes

"If I had eyes in the back of my head,

I would have told you that you looked good,

as I walked away..." -Jack Johnson


If anyone had asked Diana how she had slept the night before the event, she would would have insinuated that it was perfect, and that she was well rested and ready for anything.

However, she would have been fudging the truth a bit, ... because Diana, for what it was worth, was quite nervous.

She had no idea what to expect, and the unknown rattled her nerves.

Either way, she was going to have fun. And that was final.

After a quick, early morning stint of catching Cheetah sneaking ... with sticky fingers... through a famous Los Angeles art gallery, Diana returned to the Watchtower and readied herself. She also needed to occupy her mind with something that could have been fruitful.

The only thing she could think of was training.

Walking into the room, Diana closed the door behind her with a soft swish. The walls still bore residue from Shayera's destructive rampage from the night before, and the signature smell of fried drones lightly hung in the air. Even after the continuous recycled air-flow from the ducts in the space station, the smell stayed around enough to remind individuals of what the room was established for.

Smiling to herself, Diana took off her red boots slowly, while deciding to use the room for a good, and well needed, stretch.

She closed her eyes and lifted her arms into a firm pose, only to move her legs forward and keep her stance.

After the course of a few minutes and a few more varied poses, Diana turned to face the main wall, and she closed her eyes to focus.

The deep breath she took in was greatly cut short by two foreign arms that encircled her waist from behind. Her eyes snapping open, Diana grabbed one of the arms and flipped — whoever it was — over her head, and onto its back.

Diana then stared in shock... at Batman.

She should have known.

"Bruce!" She shook her head while pulling him onto his feet. "What are you doing?"

"Forgive me... I was..." He seemed out of sorts and he started to back away. "I came here ... to..."

He was stammering. It was odd. It wasn't like him.

Diana gave him a reassuring smile. "If you wanted to say hello to me... it's alright."

His uncharacteristic nature disappeared so fast, it was though it had never happened, and he nodded stiffly. However, he never returned her smile with one of his own.

"Need a sparring partner?"

Raising a brow at that, she quickly said no.

"I was just stretching. I hadn't planned on anything else."

He seemed unconvinced. "You're positive?" He backed away a bit more, and almost readied himself for a sparring session.

"Yes. I'm sure."

Just so slightly, and very intentionally, he was pushing her buttons. He was challenging her.

She didn't know why.

Even though Diana had declined his invitation, she was ready to go for it. They weren't a couple, they weren't involved, and they could spar like any other League members. It was a normal situation. Right?

After giving him a quick nod, Diana lunged forward softly and jabbed at his torso. He swatted her hand away easily.

Seconds passed by and each person was in a quick motion of attacking and evading.

He would kick, she would block... she would punch, he would evade. It was a perfect harmony. But they weren't getting anywhere.

"You're telegraphing your punches," Batman said; he was almost bored.

"And I can predetermine your advances." Diana then punctuated her point by blocking his palm heel strike and then planting a single knuckle on his chest, sending him into the wall behind him.

She hadn't used much force, and he noticed immediately.

"You're going easy on me."

"No, I'm no--" She didn't have time to finish her sentence, as Bruce was quick to recover and he was at her with a barrage of forward strikes, at once catching her in the stomach and causing her to tumble to the floor below with a loud thud.

Sitting up, she narrowed her eyes at him.

It was on.

The next few seconds, though passing by rapidly, felt like an eternity and both Diana and Bruce let loose and attacked full force.

It was hard to find a weakness on him. He was too prepared. He was almost flawless. But he wasn't perfect. No one was.

Diana faked a round-house kick, but went down low and kicked his feet from under him, landing him squarely onto the floor. Before he could take the time to react, Diana was on him and pinning him.

The sparring excitement quickly decreased when both parties realized their slightly uncomfortable situation. Albeit, neither made a move.

"That was fun..." Bruce stated, the smile he could have shared with her before, finally making an appearance.

"Uh huh," Diana added distantly. She stared down at him and a thousand and one ideas ran through her mind.

Batman sat up a bit, leaving hardly any room between him and his captor. "It seems as though we've been in this precarious situation before."

Diana remembered that too easily. She never stopped remembering that. The kiss they shared in the cave... it left everything opened and unsettled.

She should have stood up and left him there on his back, on the floor. But Diana stayed, staring down at him.

Bruce brushed his gloved-hand across the bare skin of her slightly sweat-dampened arm, making her shiver in the process.

"Diana," he said quietly. "I... I'm sorry for everything."

I'm sorry.

Those were words she had said to him in Gotham, the very last words. It reminded her of why she had said it in the first place, and why she didn't want him or need him.

Oh, but how she needed him.

Still, she knew moments like this weren't going to last. And Bruce could... and more than likely would... return to his usual self, shutting her away from his life.

"No. I ...can't.." The corners of Diana's mouth lowered slightly, and she shook her head. "I have to get ready."

Before either individual could say more, Diana took off.

And Bruce stayed on the floor.


Getting ready for her date was all Diana could do to forget what had transpired beforehand.

After taking her shower and relaxing under the hot water, Diana was putting a final touch on everything.

She put her hair up in a loose bun, while cascading strands framed her face.

It didn't take long for her to decide upon an off-white Grecian style gown with gold accents. It was fitting considering her background, and she felt more than comfortable while wearing it. Simple, yet elegant, gold sandals added to the ensemble.

Diana made sure she looked presentable, and she waited quietly till her clock said 5:15pm. She was meeting King at 5:30. At their spot.

Before walking out the door, Diana took a white flower native to Themyscira from a vase and placed it gingerly in her hair. It completed her look, and she felt ready to take on anything.

Even another Bruce encounter.

Thankfully, she hadn't stumbled across him, or anyone, hardly, while she marched down the corridors of her Leauge home.

After getting the 'ok' from Mr. Terrific, and after taking in a deep breath, she was beamed down to New York and into an awaiting hug from a dashing King Faraday.

All of Diana's jitters melted when she saw King in his suit. He looked impeccable and Diana admired him more so.

Arm in arm, they walked to their awaiting cab.

King, for the millionth time, stole a glance at his date. "Can I state the obvious?" Before Diana could answer, King added, "You are more beautiful than I remember. I'm not sure if it's scientifically possible, but... you become more beautiful each time I see you."

Diana smiled while blushing, and she vocalized a thank you.

"You are too wonderful," she added with a soft smile.

It solidified why she liked him. He treated her like she was lovely, and that's all she really wanted.

Or was it?

Diana's doubt had encroached on her far too many times that day. She quickly dismissed it and decided to enjoy the evening. For whatever was to come .


Bruce had taken special means to get himself ready.

His encounter with Diana wasn't planned. It was as if he were acting on emotion and desire, more than careful planning.

He wanted to see her again so greatly, he had almost risked everything to do so.

It was pathetic, but that's what she reduced him to.

Bruce hadn't had time to occupy his thoughts with the event itself.

It was a newly established annual meeting or soiree between billionaire entrepreneurs and foreign dignitaries. And whatever else came in between.

Bruce was invited for his name alone. He usually took appearances like this with a grain of salt.

King Faraday was invited because he represented his history with the American government and the numerous task force missions had taken on so many occasions.

He was a regular James Bond. But that thought alone made Bruce roll his eyes in annoyance. Men like King hardly phased him, but King now held someone that Bruce valued more than life. He needed her back.

His Rolls Royce pulled up front of the Waldorf-Astoria. His driver ignored the other cars waiting in line, and they received a few loud honks for their intrusion.

Gearing himself up, while remembering Clark's advice for what lay ahead, Bruce stepped out of the car and flash bulbs went crazy.

Plastering on a grin, Bruce strolled his way up the stairs and towards the entrance.

"Bruce! Bruce! Mr. Wayne! Over here!" A few reporters called out. Bruce pretended not to hear them; he only widened his toothy smile.

"Mr. Wayne, are you dateless this evening?" One woman asked him.

Bruce took the time to give a straightforward answer to that one.

Another reporter who hailed from a reputable magazine became louder than the others, "Mr. Wayne, are you still denying rumors that you are, in fact, a homosexual?"

Now he was aggravated.

He took the door, while rolling his eyes... he muttered, "I just haven't found the right woman yet..."

Or rather he had found the right one, but some other... man had her.

Although, that was all going to change.


Diana found the Waldorf-Astoria simply stunning. It was beyond compare to many of the buildings in Man's World she had seen in the past.

At times, the grandeur and splendor reminded her of home, making her smile.

Still arm in arm, Diana and King met and greeted many. After only a few minutes, Diana felt she knew half of the room.

And many wanted to meet her, as well, since she was a rare commodity. Also because, of course, they recognized her.

The Grecian dress was a hit. She had lost count of the numerous compliments she had been receiving. It was all too much at times, but Diana smiled through everything.

She had also lost count of the numerous 'Justice League liaison' references she overheard when the conversation shifted to King dating Wonder Woman.

At some point, a British Navy commander had kissed her hand gently and told her that her eyes reminded him of the most beautiful sea waters he had ever seen.

"Thank you." Diana wasn't sure what else to say.

"And besides," he nodded to King, "you picked a great fellow. He deserves a woman like you."

Diana started to blush, and she thanked him again.

The commander's young date squealed as she marched up. "I just saw Bruce Wayne." She then eyed King up and down. "I think he's wearing your suit..."

Now Diana shifted uncomfortably. Her initial reaction was to get angry and irritated, but she didn't.

She knew Wayne was only there to represent his family name, the city of Gotham, and his company, however Diana couldn't explain the feelings passing through her.

As much as she adored King, she felt a twinge of resentment in her gut. She wished only a bit that Bruce was at her side instead.

"Are you going to be ok?" King asked quietly in her ear.

Diana was busy craning her neck to get a better look, and she noticed a gaggle of women around Bruce like he were made out of gold itself. The twinge in her gut turned to jealousy in a over a matter of seconds.

But she brushed it off and looked over at King. "I'm perfectly fine."

Diana hated that she was getting better at lying.

Excusing herself to the accompaniment around her, she turned to King.

"I'm going to visit the lady's room."

Before he acknowledged this, she was off, running through various groups of people and soon gliding up a massive staircase.

Once at top, Diana looked down below from the balcony to catch sight of Bruce again. But she didn't see him anywhere.

After straining her eyes over the throng of people, Diana shrugged it off and headed to the bathroom.

The lavish powder room was empty, despite the amount of women attending the event.

Relieved she had a moment alone, Diana stared at her reflection in the mirror, giving herself a good once over.

She didn't look bad at all, she had to admit. But she hated feeling the way she did.

Clenching her jaw, she leaned forward and stared herself in the eyes closely.

"If you're trying to find a flaw, you'll be in here for hours..."

The familiarity of the voice made her heart skip a beat. Diana turned around and she saw Bruce standing there.

"You enjoy sneaking up on me, don't you?"

Bruce flashed her a playboy-esque grin. "Only a little."

Diana simply glanced his way, drinking him in from a far. And then it dawned on her. "Bruce, you're in a women's bathroom."

As if they needed it to be more awkward, a young socialite walked in and seemed shocked to find him standing there.

Before she could react, she turned to look at Diana and flipped out. "Oh my Gaaawd...You're Wonder Woman!"

The girl, somehow, had a camera phone appear out of thin air and she quickly took a picture of Diana while giggling profusely and walking out of the bathroom.

Diana chuckled. "People seem to like me..."

Bruce's expression hadn't changed much. "I like you."

Diana caught his eyes with hers, and they seemed to be pleading with her.

She started to brush past him, but he caught her hand with his and pulled her closer. "I mean it, Diana. I ..."

She waited for him to say more, but he seemed to be at a loss. Bruce simply gazed upon her face.

"Yes? My date's waiting..."

Bruce heaved a sigh at that. "We need to talk."

Diana pulled her hand away from his grip. "Now isn't a good time."

"Well, we've had better times before... but now is as good as any."

"What is it, Bruce?" She asked quietly.

His playboy persona disintegrated, and Diana felt as though she were seeing Bruce for what he was.

Diana wished she had the willpower to walk away, but she lacked it greatly. However, Bruce was getting closer while she stood still.

"Diana, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me... " Not what she was expecting. She waited with baited breath as he inched closer. "I want you. I need you... I -"

Now she was hanging on every word. It was almost unbelievable.

"I love you." It was simply put, but Bruce meant every word.

Diana opened her mouth, unsure what to do next...

However, a loud crash from outside the room threw her back to reality.

Both she and Bruce stormed out of the bathroom.

Onlookers on the balcony seemed shocked that Bruce Wayne came out of the women's bathroom, but their interest in it faded.

Something was happening outside of the hotel. Through the massive plate-glass windows, Diana saw a few recognizable villains.

"Grodd." She was now extremely angry.

Diana turned to Bruce, and he gave her a nod.

"Go do what you can."


Ouroboros- Thanks:D

E- Yeah, poor King lol... but thank you!!

princess- Don't worry! It'll all work out. :D Thank you!!