Chapter 8

Washington D.C.; November 8th, 17:55 EST

I fly over one city after another, a single destination in mind as I head towards the nation's capitol like a missile. Batman requesting backup is a rare occurrence, but, when it does happen, I know that it's very real. I can still hear the urgency in his voice when he requested support as well as something more that I don't want to think about.

It may have been fear, but it was never for himself. He never feared for himself. He's too selfless to ever fear for his own life. It was fear for others—the citizens, his teammates. It makes my heart surge with urgency and a sense of fear for him, knowing that he'll do everything in his power to save another life at the expense of his own.

I push myself harder as the Pentagon comes into view, growing larger the closer I get. Past it, billows of smoke rise up into the air in plumes of gray and black, obscuring the battle from my sight. It quickly becomes suffocating as I approach it, the wind rushing in my ears as I dive through the blinding smoke that burns my eyes. I don't care, though. I have to find my teammates. I have to find Bruce.

I fight back a choking cough as I fly blindly into Hera knows what. I can hear the screams and cries of people below, but I can't see the cause of it. I brace myself for anything as I draw nearer. Something hits me out of nowhere, blindsiding me and causing my left shoulder to throb mercilessly, but I ignore it as I turn my attention to whatever is attacking me.

Through the thick curls of dark clouds, I instinctively reach out with my right hand, slamming my fist into something only to discover it's made of some kind of metal. I stifle my surprise as I wrap my fingers around wires and steel and pull hard as I remove my fist. A shower of sparks explodes around me, a deafening whirling sound piercing the air and making my head ring.

I raise my bracers to block my face from the explosion, but I can still feel the searing burn of bits of metal against my skin as it rains down on me like burning ash. I curse as I feel a burn like a bolt of lightning hit me between the shoulder blades. Whatever these things are they're definitely relentless in their attack…and there are more of them than I can imagine.

With a furious cry, I spin in the air, slamming my fists into the metal that is set on my demise. I quickly hinder its plans by ripping it to shreds with my bare hands, enraged that it's keeping me from getting to my teammates. The mechanical menace explodes as I tear it apart, spitting more burning pieces of metal on me.

I can feel the countless burns, but ignore it as I grow more furious by the second. I manage to hit my commlink with one hand as my other hand grabs another flying object that looks like a huge metal spider. "Wonder Woman to Batman. Come in."

Static fills my ear before the sound of Bruce's voice replaces it much to my relief. "Diana! Where are you?"

"Above you…somewhere…I…I think," I reply.

My words come out halting and breathless as I whip my head back from a claw that unexpectedly comes out of its head straight for mine. I do my best to hold it as far away from me as I can, but its protruding arm only seems to extend with its determined attempt to kill me.

"Are you all right?"

I can hear the worry in his voice and it pricks my annoyance. "I'm fine," I snap, crushing the metallic spider in my hand and tossing it aside. "Where are you?"

"Lincoln Memorial," he reveals. "We're trying to take the fight out over the Potomac."

"Where are these flying spiders coming…"

I'm unable to finish my sentence as another one strikes. I grab my side, immediately feeling something wet and know it's blood. I decide that I've had enough of this as I reach for my lasso. Bruce is yelling in my ear, asking if I'm all right, but I don't have time to answer. I use my lasso to wrap around it before spinning as fast as I can.

Through the thick clouds, I can hear the crash and scrape of metal against metal as it connects with several other metallic spiders. My movement clears a path through the dense haze, allowing me to see better and to actually get a momentary breath of fresh air.

It also allows me a clear view of the source of all this madness. It's a larger version of the metallic spiders, standing at least five stories tall. It's shooting powerful beams at my teammates who are trying to mount a counterattack but it's useless. It's long, spindly legs are planted deep into the concrete as if determined to be a part of the historic memorial that surrounds it, but it doesn't belong here.

"Diana!"

I finally register Bruce's voice still filling my ear as I loop my lasso and attach it to my hip, my sights set on the source of this chaos. "I'm going after that thing," I inform him, my entire body consumed with blinding rage that I can no longer contain. I will not allow this new threat hurt any more people.

"Diana, no!" he yells in my ear. "We need to regroup and…"

"Just stay clear," I tell him before flying towards the monster attacking my friends.

I hear him curse before yelling my name again, but I ignore him as I fly straight for the metallic giant. It quickly turns its attention on me, shooting its beams directly at me and giving my teammates a reprieve. I throw my bracers up before me, expertly blocking each beam that comes my way.

I fly in circles around it, diving in and out of the dangerous beams that are destroying the area. Flying in close, I slam my fist into one of its eyes, effectively disabling one of the beams trying to take me out. I glance down to see Batman, Green Arrow, and Doctor Light fighting the smaller flying spiders. Flash shows up in the next second to assist, a red streak that zig-zags in an attempt to take out the spiders.

A swarm of flying spiders come straight for me, intent on stopping me, but Doctor Light is right on their tail and giving me the time I need to end this. I rip out the second eye, effectively stopping its ability to shoot anymore of my teammates.

I grab my lasso once more, whipping it around the monstrous entity and allowing it to settle around its legs. I tighten the lasso and pull with all my might. I grit my teeth as sweat forms on my brow and trickles down my back, my heart pounding in my ears. I feel it beginning to teeter and waver, its legs buckling.

I swiftly fly past it, forcing it to fall into the Potomac to keep it from causing any more destruction than it already has. It lands in the river with a splash, creating an enormous wave. Retrieving my lasso, I hook it on my waist before flying towards my friends who are finishing off the pesky flying spiders that have invaded our nation's capital.

Landing on the ground, I punch one coming for me, my fury still pounding through my veins. I'm almost disappointed that the fight is over is soon. I was finally beginning to feel like myself once more, the recent events that have been gnawing at my soul momentarily forgotten as the warrior born and trained to save has resurfaced once more.

"Diana!"

I turn to find Green Arrow coming my way, a grim expression on his face. "Is that all of them?" I ask him.

"I think so," he says with a weary sigh. "Boy, are you a sight for sore eyes. We were overwhelmed with those flying bugs."

"Where did they come from?"

"Not sure," Batman states with a hard edge to his voice. He looks pissed and I have a feeling I'm the source of it. "It just showed up an hour ago. It's probably from some other planet. I've never seen technology quite like it."

"We should probably get these metal spiders back to the Watchtower so Cyborg can run tests on them," Doctor Light suggests.

I cross my arms against my chest as my gaze darkens, ignoring the way that Bruce is staring at me through the narrowed slits of his cowl as if he's about to explode into a scathing lecture the likes of which I've never heard before. "Are we done here then?" I ask.

Flash races up beside me, his hands coming to rest on his knees as he breathes heavily. "Wow!" he exclaims. "That was quite a workout. Wondy, why didn't you tell me that you were leaving to come here?"

I sheepishly evade everyone's stares, my jaw tightening with the anger I still feel. I do not now nor will I ever require a babysitter to go on missions despite what Bruce thinks with his stupid two week probation requirement. "I thought we were done with our mission in Louisiana," I attempt to convince him.

"Well…I guess we kinda were," he reluctantly concedes as he straightens up, rubbing his shoulder. "I took care of the last couple of sandbags before following you here."

"You had it in hand and they needed help," I state, hoping to diffuse the tension that fills the air around us.

"Wondy, you look like hell," Flash notices. "You should go to the infirmary and have J'onn treat those burns."

I look down at the various burns that mar my skin. I finally notice the blood that stains my side. "I'm fine," I insist. "It looks like you all need to go the med bay."

Batman's uniform is torn in places, blood seeping from a wound on his shoulder. Arrow is holding his side and Doctor Light has various wounds on her legs and arms. Flash appears to be the only one who doesn't need some sort of medical attention.

"I have to return to Gotham," Batman angrily growls, turning on his heel and storming away.

I know that he's pretty furious with me, but I did my job and I did it well. He cannot argue with the results. "I need to leave too," I inform them, taking to the air as various emergency crews arrive on the scene to help.

I don't bother to stick around to see Flash and the others helping with clean up. My thoughts are too consumed with anger and the warrior spirit that is still singing in my veins. I want another fight, to pound something into oblivion, but I know I need to return to the manor and deal with Bruce.

Flying towards Gotham, I have plenty of time to think…too much time. It only seems to resurrect feelings and images that I'm trying so hard to bury. My mother's words continue to fill my mind as well, reminding me of what I need to do to deal with these dark feelings storming inside my soul.

"Never show weakness, my sun and stars…"

"Bury your pain…hold your head high…"

"It is the way of the Amazons…"

I attempt to steal myself against these unwanted emotions as I had been trained all my life, but it doesn't seem to be working this time. I am filled with so much ire and an overwhelming need to tear something apart with my bare hands. I want to scream and pound my fists, but I cannot do that. The only outlet I have now is in battle, but the battle is over and now I must rein it all in once more.

Flying through the secret tunnel, I enter the cave to find Batman climbing out of his Batwing. His posture is like bottled fireworks about to explode as he stalks straight towards me. I can't help the small shiver that races through me, the cave practically vibrating with the angry pound of his footsteps. He tears his cowl off and tosses it aside as he draws closer, his gauntlets swiftly following his cowl's fate.

I open my mouth, ready to argue my case when he roughly grabs me and pulls me hard against him. He mouth crashes against mine the next second, hard and urgent as he devours me. His hands roam over me, seemingly finding every burn and wound, but I ignore it as I melt into the harshness of his kiss.

After several dizzying moments of passion, he pulls back with a sharp gasp, both of us struggling to catch our breath. He releases me just as swiftly as he grabbed me just moments ago, running his hand over his face and mouth as he turns his back to me. I can see the internal war that is being waged inside of him, the way he's wrestling to figure out how to express what he's feeling at that moment. I know it's something that's not easy for him to do.

His chin falls to his chest and I feel a surge of guilt welling in my throat. "Bruce…" I begin.

"You scared the hell out of me," he interrupts with a deadly calm air that causes tingles to ripple through me. The barely restrained fury that's consuming him makes me take pause.

"I didn't mean to scare you," I tell him.

"You were impulsive," he presses as he at last turns to face me, his blue eyes dark and haunting.

I frown at him, not appreciating his rebuking tone. I am not a child nor am I a rookie. "I saw you were in trouble and I reacted."

"I told you we needed to regroup," he angrily countered.

"I had it under control," I insist, my anger thundering through me once more.

"You could have been killed, Princess," he growls, each word punctuated by his fear as he closes the distance between us. Even his name of affection that he always uses for me holds nothing but anger right now.

I refuse to back down as we stand face-to-face. His stormy emotions are right there in his eyes for me to see. It's shocking to see in someone who keeps his emotions tucked safely behind a thick wall reinforced with an icy demeanor and terse comments.

"I'm sorry, Bruce," I apologize. "I'm sorry that I scared you, but I refuse to apologize for saving your life. I will never apologize for that. You mean far too much to me to not try to save you no matter the situation you're in."

"I know, but I don't want you to," he yells. "You don't understand what it does to me…in here."

He pounds his fist against his chest just above his heart. The intensity of his emotions momentarily takes me by surprise before fueling my own anger. "This isn't just about today, is it?" I demand to know. "This is about me allowing myself to be kidnapped in order to protect you…what Callahan and MacCaffrey did to me."

He whirls on his heel, turning his back to me. His chest is heaving as he holds his head in his hands. "It's not just about that," he claims.

"Then what is it, Bruce?" I question him. "You're allowed to protect me, but I'm not allowed to protect you?"

"Diana, you don't understand," he seethed, wrestling with something far darker and buried far deeper inside of him than I'm afraid I can reach.

"Then help me to understand," I plead with him.

"You want me to talk and to help you understand, but you refuse to talk to me about what those animals did to you," he tells me with a brokenness that takes me by surprise as he faces me once more.

It feels as though the air has just been sucked from my lungs as he looks at me with anguish swimming in his eyes. "I…I told you," I softly maintain, afraid to test my voice.

He slowly shakes his head as he stares at me. "No, you haven't, Diana," he states. "You can't ask me to bear my soul to you when you still can't talk to me about what happened to you."

I feel my eyes grow moist, but I slam my eyes shut against the unwanted tears. An Amazon does not cry no matter how much it hurts inside. "There's nothing more to talk about, Bruce," I reply, trying desperately to convince him. "They touched me and tortured me…I survived it and now I'm okay."

He releases a weary sigh as he pulls me into a fierce embrace, one that would've crushed a normal woman. As it is, it just reminds me of my injuries that are now screaming at me. It also reminds me how much he truly cares for me.

"I wish I could believe that, Princess," he murmurs into my hair. "I want to more than anything, but I know that you're not. You're not okay no matter how much you try to convince everyone or yourself, but I'll be here when you're ready to talk to me."

He pulls back and gently presses his lips against my forehead. My eyes fall closed as a thousand years of training that has been ingrained into my very soul wages war against what my heart is telling me. I tighten my hold on him, refusing to let go just yet.

He taps his commlink as he releases his hold on me. "What is it, Oracle?"

His face expresses his growing rage as his hands clench tightly. I'm afraid I already know what he's going to tell me, but I have to ask anyway. "What is it?" I whisper.

"Another girl has been reported missing from GU," he informs me before turning his attention back to Oracle. "Send me all you have on Kennedy Jamison. I'll go investigate her dorm room. Batman out."

"Bruce, what in Hades…is going on?" I ask him, angry with myself as my voice cracks against my will.

"I don't know, Princess," he states, "but I'm going to find out."

I can only nod as he turns to leave, rubbing my arms and taking comfort in the pain that I feel from the countless burns on my skin. I'd rather feel physical pain right now instead of the emotional pain that gnaws away at my insides day and night. Another girl has gone missing and the nightmare that haunts me every night is just beginning for her.

PRESENT DAY

Batcave; April 8th, 23:53 EST

I review the case files for what feels like the thousandth time, trying desperately to find something…anything that will help me break this case wide open before any more girls are taken. Besides, the sooner that we solve this case the sooner Bruce can come home.

I check the time on the computer again, anxiously anticipating his call. I can't stop thinking about him. He's been lingering there in my mind and weighing heavily on my heart. While I always worry about him, I can't shake the feeling that something horrible has happened.

It makes my heart beat a little harder, my apprehension rising. I need to hear his voice, to know that he's all right and coming back soon. I try to remind myself that he's only been gone for three days, but it doesn't help. That's why I like to be down here in the cave in his chair. It's where I feel closest to him.

Pulling the collar of Bruce's sweatshirt that I'm wearing to my nose, I inhale deeply. His masculine scent drifts over me once more, wrapping me up in him even though he's not here. It's as close to him as I can get right now with him out there in Gotham somewhere.

I check the clock again, disappointed to find that only a couple of minutes have passed since the last time I had checked. I begin to drum my fingers impatiently on the desk, hating the fact that he can contact me, but I can't contact him. I have no way to find him if he is truly in trouble. He left his commlink behind much to my furious frustration with him.

I swear sometimes that stubborn man is going to be the death of me. He is so consumed with helping everyone at the risk of his own life; making foolish decisions in order to make sure no one else's life is put in jeopardy but his own. I could have gone with him, could have helped him, but he already fears that I'm going to snap at any moment. He doesn't trust me to handle this, but I know that I can.

I force myself to focus on the list of names that Bruce had complied that he was investigating. Michael Kozak has turned into a dead end for the moment. He's MIA and nowhere to be found. His apartment is empty and so is his bank account. For now, he's in the wind until we can find him.

My impromptu meeting with the head of security at Gotham University didn't yield any information either. I had discreetly tried to find out about Kozak's sudden unemployment, but he had no idea about his unexpected leave. I'd offered whatever support Wayne Enterprises could provide which he readily appreciated, but, at this point, it was mostly in the hands of the Gotham Police Department.

I scroll through the list of names, hoping that something about one of them will jump out at me. Bruce has already crossed a few of the names off the list, but there are many more people that still need to be investigated. I know that Oracle is working tirelessly to cut down our lengthy list, but the work is slow and tedious.

On top of that, Gotham hasn't slowed down in the least despite this latest crisis. Crime is still happening on a daily and nightly basis. Thankfully, Robin has been able to focus on it with the help of Black Canary and Huntress, Dick showing up as Batman when he can.

Despite all of this, I'm sure his beloved city still weighs heavily on Bruce's mind despite his focus on this case. I know that he had to go undercover in order to find his childhood friend's daughter and that is what is taking precedence in his mind at the moment, but I'm sure that his heart is torn between his duty to his friend and his mission to protect his city.

He doesn't want anyone to go through any sort of trauma like he did at eight years old, for a child to lose his parents or even for a parent to lose a child. I just wish I could be out there with him, but he doesn't want to share his pain with anyone…especially not me.

We make quite a pair. Both of us so broken inside, both of us unwilling to share our hurts and our fears with one another….both of us trying so hard to carry it all on our own without dragging each other into our private hell for fear of destroying the other.

"Superman to Wonder Woman."

The sound of Kal's voice in my ear only intensifies the anger smoldering in my veins. I still haven't forgiven him for agreeing with Bruce for putting me on inactive duty. He's the last person I want to talk to right now, but if he knows something about where Bruce is then I need to know too.

"This is Diana," I respond after several moments. I can't answer as Wonder Woman. That title has been benched along with me. Right now, I'm only Diana.

There is a pregnant pause before he speaks again, one that is fraught with tension. "How are you doing?" he tentatively asks.

"What do you think?" I snap, immediately regretting my angry retort. Kal is still my best friend despite the fact that we aren't exactly on the best of terms at the moment.

"I'm sorry, Di," he gently tells me and I hate the pity I hear beneath his apology. "I know this has been very difficult for you."

"You have no idea, Kal," I coolly state. "I need to be Wonder Woman now more than ever and you and Batman took that away from me."

"It wasn't a decision made by just the two of us and you know it," he firmly replies. "It was a decision made by the Founders. We care about you, Diana. We're all very worried about you."

"I know…you've told me that already," I remind him. "Do you know where Batman is?"

There is an audible sigh on the other end and I know that he's as frustrated as I am, but I don't care. I have bigger things to worry about now. "No, he only told me he was going undercover for a few days in Gotham and that he wanted me to check in on you."

The corner of my lips twitches in amusement as I shake my head. "It seems that he told everyone to check on me," I reply with a weariness that is bone deep. "I wish that he wouldn't worry so much about me."

"He loves you, Diana," he tells me. "In all the years that I've known him, I've never seen him this in love with anyone. You two are good for each other. Don't ever forget that."

I feel my anger begin to falter as I blink back the tears that seem insistent on coming no matter what, but I refuse them once more. "I love him too," I softly admit.

"Then you need to talk to him when he gets back, Di," he encourages me. "You two can't make this work if you both continue to keep each other at arms' length. You need to let him in as much as he needs you."

"It…it's not how I was trained to deal with things, Kal," I reveal with a sudden openness that surprises me.

"I know, but I also know that you're the strongest woman I have ever known and, if anyone can get through this, it's you," he reassures me. "Just think about it. I'll check in on you later. Superman out."

I sit back in Bruce's chair, hugging myself as his words continue to play over again in my mind. I glance at the clock again to find it's well after midnight and still there's been no communication from Bruce. I try not to let my imagination run away from me, but it's difficult after the things I've seen and experienced since coming to Man's World over two years ago.

With a sigh, I go back to reviewing the list of suspects, absentmindedly reaching for my cup of tea. I read over the notes that Bruce has made on each of his suspects, smiling to myself at his detailed remarks and how thorough he truly is when it comes to each investigation he undertakes.

Hector Ortiz works in the Information Technology support department at GU. There have been a few complaints from female students about some inappropriate comments and behavior. It appears that he'd been warned about this in the past and had been on probation, no more complaints from students over the last six months.

Peter Sutton is a registered sex offender who had been paroled from prison three weeks before the first kidnapping took place. He has been regularly checking in with his parole officer and appeared to be keeping his nose clean for the most part. Bruce has a note out to the side to follow up on him.

Mark Bennett is an ex-boyfriend of Willow Stevens. He has a documented history of prior violence and an uncontrollable temper. Willow had gotten a restraining order against him two months before her disappearance. It looks as though Bruce has cleared him, Mark having a solid alibi for the night that she went missing.

Adam Henry is a known drug dealer with several stints in prison. His car was seen on campus security cameras the night of the third girl's disappearance. Bruce made some sort of mark next to his name that leads me to believe that he's not very high on his suspect list.

Trevor Mills works as a barista at a Starbucks a couple of blocks from the GU campus. He has a prior for sexual assault that was later dismissed, his accuser dropping the charges for some unknown reason. He started working at this particular Starbucks about a month before the kidnappings started.

Jamal Brady runs a prostitution ring several blocks from the Gotham University campus. He has not been seen for the last four months, his whereabouts unknown at this point. Bruce was questioning if Jamal was working on expanding his business or if he had left town for some unknown reason.

I thread my fingers through my hair, twisting the long strands as I stare at the list. I know that at least one of these guys is involved in this, but which one is it? These appeared to be the main ones that Bruce had been most focused on, names that still needed following up on.

I pause to rub my eyes that burn with fatigue, doing my best to ignore the fact that it's now past one-thirty in the morning and I still have not heard from Bruce. I hold my head in my hands, my mind racing with dreadful thoughts that I cannot begin to contain.

I try to remind myself that this is Bruce and he knows what he is doing. He is the strongest of us all, the most intelligent and resourceful especially in times of crisis. If anyone can solve this case and come out of it relatively in one piece, it's Bruce Wayne.

The beeping of an incoming message makes me look up sharply, my heart leaping into my throat. I quickly answer the call. "It's about time," I say, annoyance lining my voice. "Are you all right?"

"It's Nightwing, Diana," he responds. "Has Batman not checked in yet?"

My shoulders slump with a renewed wave of fear as I force my voice to work. "No, not yet," I reply. "He should've checked in by now."

"It's okay," he tries to reassure me. "It's not unusual for him to miss a check-in or be late in calling. He probably just got tied up and couldn't get away to check-in with you yet."

"Yes…you're probably right," I hear myself utter, but my words hold no conviction in them. "Have you been able to find Kozak yet?"

"No, but we had a body turn up in an alley tonight," he admits and I can tell by his tone that I'm not going to like what he's about to tell me.

"Who is it?" I ask, my heart beginning to hammer in my chest.

"It's Willow Stevens," he reveals.

My fingers involuntarily curl into fists, my fingernails biting into my palms. Nausea begins to rise in my throat as I try to battle the dread churning in my stomach. "What happened to her?" I murmur so softly I'm not even sure I've even spoken the words until Dick answers me.

"It appears that she was strangled," he informs me. I can tell he's reluctant to say anymore than that, but I need to know.

"What else?"

"Diana…"

"Tell me," I heatedly demand, my voice gaining strength once more.

"She was raped and beaten," he grudgingly tells me. "They're going to do an autopsy later today to find out the official cause of death, but there are ligature marks on her throat so strangulation is my best guess until we know more."

There are several long moments of tense silence that settles between us, both of us caught up in our own thoughts right then. "Diana, try to get some sleep," Dick suggests. "You won't do anyone any good if you don't get some sleep."

"No, I'm coming to help you," I insist. "I need to be there."

"Diana…" he tries again.

"I'll be there in ten minutes," I tell him before cutting the communication link before he can utter another word.

I leap to my feet, racing to the bathroom by the changing rooms. Willow's unexpected death has hit me far harder than I anticipated, causing me to deposit what little bit of supper I had eaten. Sitting back on my heels, I draw a shaky breath, running my fingers back through my hair. My eyes fall closed as I let my head fall back. Despite how this case is affecting me, I need to help find these girls no matter what Bruce or anyone else says.

I know in my heart that the key to overcoming my own trauma is to help save these girls from living the horrifying nightmare that I share with them. Nine girls taken, one now confirmed dead. There are eight girls still out there in need of help, who need to be found and I'm not about to give up until they are.

A/N: Okay, I have a confession. I really love the fact that both Bruce and Diana are broken in this fic, both haunted by their pasts and struggling to come to terms with it. They just need each other so badly!

UP NEXT: Diana moves some things into her quarters on the WT and in the present Nemesis helps Nightwing investigate Willow's death...and where is Bruce?

Thanks so much for reading! Much love to my BMWW peeps! WE HANG TOGETHER NO MATTER WHAT! :)