Loss of Control

Chapter 10 Aftermath

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the original storyline that I am spinning off of. They are property of DC comics and probably a lot of other people I'm not aware of to credit.

Author's note: Finally a time of piece. Well kinda. Enjoy the pairing interactions, it's not a go yet but it's fun to tease it and watch the stubborn character's start set up, even if they are baby steps. ^_~ Listening to The Flash's "Running Home to You" song while I wrote it. Seemed to set a good mood.

Batman looked at the hand he cradled in his own black gloved one. His eyes locked on the infirmary bed he sat beside. Diana was strong, she was no damsel, just as he was no wimp. That being said, their work placed them in danger all the time… This time she had had it bad. His eyes narrowed in both rage and disgust at the stitches and shaved portion of her ebony locks. He let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. Wally had given him the transmitter that Luther had wanted to 'install' in her brain… Not vengeance but justice…. Part of him wanted to install the transmitter in Lex's head next time they met. Bruce knew he'd need to leave to try and get to his technical to do list with his Wayne tech engineers…. But part of him didn't want to leave, at least not until he saw her wake up. Her back had some damage but having bed rest and no further battles in the next couple days should help her system to mend itself… She was a meta after all.

Bruce started to tick off the reasons why he couldn't keep holding her hand, why he should just get up and go back to Gotham to fix the tech… He mentally repeated them over and over, his eyes kept tracing her resting form, locking on her hand inside his.

'She's immortal… I'll grow old and die and she'll still be young… but she could still be killed. She could be taken from me- from this planet. She's part of the team. If they dated it gets messy and complicated- I'm only a part timer… Still part of the team. My enemies would go after her, but her own enemies already do, in fact many of my enemies were also her enemies now. Look what just happened.'

He also still had lots of issues. He could write a book, issues and brooding for the rich and dangerous. A 500 page how to book, volume 1.

His thoughts faded as his eyes fell to their connected hands again. It was infuriating! His reasons were enough, there were good solid points and barriers there – so why the Hell can't he force himself to release her hand…

Lowering his head to hide his eyes, to get the vision of their touching hands out of his direct line of sight. He'd just hold her hand until she woke up. Then he'd wish her well and go home to fix the tech… yeah that would work.

Flash laid back in the infirmary too. The speedster had been right, two broken ribs, a fractured right wrist and 37 other fractures within his right hand. Severe bruising on his neck, a sore throat, large areas of black and blue on his sides and arms, and a black left eye. Not to mention the burns… He'd be out in about two or three days with his system. He was a little upset though, he wouldn't get to visit Fire or Diana or Shayera in the med bay. At least they might be better way before he was. The only one he might beat was Diana, but that was a maybe. Besides, he didn't like to sit still. He'd try to chill for a while and then he'd just sneak out, the meds they gave him must be working their magic. Waiting thirty seconds Wally got up and tried to run when the pain in his side shot through him enough to make the speedster pause and clutch his side in pain. Yeah maybe he'd rest a bit longer – though those thirty seconds had felt like an eternity.

John was there. Shayera looked at him from her infirmary bed, not sure how to react. She was torn. Part of her wanted to smile like it would break her face that he was here, the other part of her knew he wasn't here for her as a lover, only as a friend. He had someone else… That thought burned worse than any of her injuries.

"How do you feel?" John asked, arms crossed trying to keep a barrier between the two of them.

"I'll heal." She answered easily enough, she knew she'd be out sooner than Diana or Wally….

John just stared at her, saying nothing – just looking at her… What on Thanigar was he thinking? "Is there something else?" She asked trying to hide the bitterness from her voice. It was just uncomfortable to have him standing there drilling holes through her with his eyes, looking so tense himself…

Shaken out of his thoughts, John shook his head and rubbed the back of it, embarrassed, "uh- no. Get well soon." He quickly tossed out before hurriedly walked out of the room.

Why did this always have to be so hard? Shayera thought laying back… Frowning Shayera looked up at the ceiling, a wave of loneliness swept over her. Hurt or not, she wasn't too bad off.. decision made she decided to go visit Wally.

Diana felt light on her face, resisting the urge to open her blue eyes, Diana forced her breathing to remain even. Last she recalled Lex was threatening to operate on her and she had tried to fight. Why was she awake now? Had they succeeded? She felt her hand being held by something, firm, but soft and warm… She was debating if she was restrained or not. She'd love to punch anyone nearby and try to make an escape again- wait she'd called –

Bruce felt her hand twitch experimentally and Diana's face was fairly unaffected and peaceful, he started to think he was imagining things, but the tips of her lips started to slide into a frown as worry lines started to twitch and appear for a fleeting second or two then restore before reforming on her face. She's awake and trying not to panic… "You're safe Princess." He breathed out loud enough to be heard but in a way Batman hoped was comforting.

Bruce. She'd called Bruce! Her eyes sliding open Diana felt her eyes collect moisture from her relief, she blinked a few times trying to banish the tears. She couldn't cry, she was a warrior of Themisca, and Bruce had enough reasons to not let her in, crying even to release the stress that was no longer needed would just make her look weak. But she didn't think she'd have the strength to go train herself to release that tension for a few days.

Bruce was about to pull his hand away when her eyes opened, but the stormy oceans he saw there, that were watery tear filled made him pause, how could he take his hand from her when she looked like that. Leveling her with an assessive gaze, Bruce decided to try a tiny bit of humor himself, he wasn't Wally but maybe she'd find it a good enough distraction. Using his free hand, he opened a compartment on the utility belt and pulled out a gag gift Barbra had given him, it was a small handkerchief that had the bat symbols on it… it was the batchief. He'd rolled his eyes and stuffed it in his belt intending to toss it in his mini museum of wins but never gotten around to it. Now maybe, just maybe it would be useful… Bruce mentally sighed when they came out as a team to the world a TV show was put out about him and Robin. It was very light hearted and the Batman there always had ridiculous gadgets like bat shark repellent…. (Of course they had created alter egos for the pair that were far from the truth) Having the gag batcheif made him feel like he was reaching that level of idiocrasy.

Taking the batcheif with his right hand, Bruce tenderly brought it to Diana's face and helped to dab at the moisture. "It's okay Princess, you're back and safe." – I'm here. He wanted to add the last part but held back.

The amazon princess felt her tight hold on the tears start to slip as she redoubled her efforts and decided to try and find out what happened while she was out. "Batman," she took a shuttering breath, "Lex was going to… going to operate…"

Bruce sighed, she knew… part of him had hoped she didn't know and they could just keep her away from mirrors while she recovered and discuss the matter with her once she was well. "They tried." He answered squeezing the hand he held a bit tighter, "but Wally was scouting the building and stopped it before they could put the transmitter in your brain." Bruce swallowed recalling when his group had met with Wally's at the compound.

Batman heard steps coming and saw shadows around the corner, not sure it they were friend or foe, he clicked open his utility belt and grabbed a baterang just in case. Vixen and Shayera saw Batman stop and followed suit. John finally catching up also followed stopping and waited.

Captain Marvel had rounded the corner. Relaxing and about ready to read the 'boy scout' the riot act for running off on his own, Bruce took a step forward, mouth open. The words died in his throat when his eyes finally registered the limp form in the Captain's arms… "Diana!" he'd breathed worry and panic trying to rule him. Slamming that part of him to the side he walked quickly to close the gap between the two and relaxed a bit when he saw her chest raise and fall. "You found her." He stated trying to get his feelings under control.

"They tried to operate." Came a scratchy voice that coughed a bit from the effort. Turning his gaze, There stood Wally leaning on Superman to walk, the Speedster's costume had several rips, and burned holes where Flash would need some time to recover.

Shayera was quick to go to Flash. She and Diana had always seen the flirtatious, reckless speedster as a younger brother and while she was worried about Diana too, she doubted Batman would share her much for a while… So she contented herself to go make over Wally by Superman. "If this is you, is the other guy worse?" She asked, letting a small smirk of pride picturing how bad his opponent must be.

Both Wally and Clark seemed to shift uncomfortably at her remark. Smile fading, "Who did this?" she demanded holding her mace. Her muscles were sore and she still had her collection of bruises, but she'd give payback 10 fold to whom ever did this if Flash had been unsuccessful.

Superman lifted his gaze to her, it looked pained, "It was me."

Hawkgirl drooped her wings, "Oh." She shock herself out of her shock and carefully placed a hand on Wally's shoulder, "Hey you came out alive, with Superman coherent! When you get well, we'll celebrate."

Wally gave her a weak lopsided grin then winced as he shifted wrong, "Sounds great."

Bruce had glanced at Wally and seen the damage. He was half listening to the conversation between Shayera and the others, but his gaze was glued back on the princess. Looking up at the slightly taller meta, Bruce spoke to Billy, "Let me take her."

Captain Marvel had wanted to say no, as he was stronger, but looking at how serious Batman was thought better of it and shifted the slumbering princess into Batman's arms.

Shaken out of the past by Diana's voice, Batman refocused on the present, "One more time Princess?" he asked slightly embarrassed that he had been so lost in his thoughts. When he eventually left her bed side, he'd take care of the tech but he'd go hunting - he needed to hit something…

"So, they didn't operate?" She asked again, her eyes finally noting what was on the handkerchief he had used to dry her eyes, it was so cute, and unlike Bruce… biting back her laugh, she needed this answer before she could relax…

"They started, they cut your hair…. And started to, but they turned around and stitched it closed before they actually did anything…" Bruce felt his throat dry out as he spoke. He hadn't wanted to tell her this.

Taking a deep breath, Diana closed her eyes before opening them again, "They must have me on some pain killers." She said with a ghost of a smile.

"The best." Batman let a slight smile reflect back at her.

The pair just kept their eyes locked with each other in companionable silence. It felt so right how Diana wanted this… but then his comment registered to her mind, they'd shaved her, and stitched her up… She never really focused on looks but, did it bother him at this moment. She searched his eyes relieved to find no disgust. She shouldn't have doubted him…. Deciding to break the silence Diana chose to tease him a bit. "I love the handkerchief." She commented lifting her free had to place over their still joined hands.

Bruce let out a breath, feeling a tiny bit of the tension leave his shoulders, she took it rather well, and she had saved him from making a mistake… part of him desperately wanted to cover her lips with his own, but that couldn't happen. Her light hearted comment had shaken him back to his senses. If she ever knew what she had just done he knew she'd be mad… smiling he replied, "You can keep it Princess."

John had left Shayera's room, he was mentally chiding himself that he had been a fool to go see her, but he couldn't help it. He was worried. He wanted to ask her what her relationship with Flash was. They seemed so close recently and it bothered him deeply. I mean Wally was a playboy he was too busy flirting with everything female… he was a good teammate, though that was questionable at times too, but not good enough for Shayera! He had watched the way she had flown to him when he was hurt and offer to celebrate his victory when he was well once more. Her delicate hand resting on Wally's shoulder so easily, naturally…. John let out a flustered growl. It was infuriating. When Wally was well he'd have to talk to the speedster. What were his intentions with Hawkgirl? He could recall a celebration at Christmas with Shayera… The snowball fight and the bar…

So lost in thought, thoughts he kept rehashing he didn't notice what was in front of him until a voice being cleared caught his attention.

Vixen had decided to take a shower and get cleaned up before talking to GL. When she came to find the Lantern he was visiting his ex… She had patiently waited but he had started to walk right by her fists clenched seeming to be rather flustered about something. "Not going to say hello?" She asked, her own arms crossed.

John snapped his attention to Mari. His girlfriend. "Sorry Mari…" he murmured turning to fully look at her.

She waited a few beats to see if he would say anything more, or ask how she was, but he was just looking at her- no through her, past her, not AT her.

"What is it Mari?" he finally asked, his eyes finally seeing her.

"We need to talk," Mari said trying to keep the frost out of her voice. "Let's go someplace more private."

John sighed, "Not now Mari." He sighed rubbing the back of his neck, he wasn't in the mood to be romantic or cuddle with her. He was so focused on his own thoughts he was missing what was happening in front of him. But then again, ever since Hawkgirl's return it had been an increasing condition of his…Why had she not seen it? Because she didn't want to…

"No John, we need to do this now." Mari put her foot down walking down the hall, if he didn't follow, she didn't want to do this in the hallway…

John sighed, and trailed after the African protector.

Once in a more private chamber, Mari turned to John, looking at him. She loved him… she knew part of him loved her too, but not as much as he loved her…

"John, I don't think this is working…" she told him softly, her voice staying steady while her inner most feelings were tearing her to shreds. Her fists clenched tightly and trembled a bit trying to lock in the inner turmoil.

That got John's attention, "Mari- what do you mean?" He asked taking a step towards the model, hand lifted towards her.

"I mean, I'm done John." She said her soft gravelly with emotion voice carrying throughout the room as clearly as if she shouted.

"W-W-Why?" John asked looking at Mari in shock. He couldn't imagine why she would be calling it off. "Let's talk about this…" he pleaded trying to take her hand in his.

Vixen yanked her hand away, tears starting to prickle in the corners of her eyes, "Why?" she breathed darkly, "WHY?" she bit, "because John you don't See ME. You are always looking at HER." She took a couple of ragged breaths lifting the hand to her chest that he had tried to take cradling it like she had been physically burned.

John froze looking at her and the hurt in her eyes. He swallowed not sure what to say, it was obvious Mari was hurt… "Mari-"

"No." she bit, "save it John. I saw you at the battle, you rushed to help her, you just went to visit her first, you saw if she was ok," she took another deep breath tears silently falling down her cheeks, "I'm fine by the way, John, thanks for asking."

"Mari. It's not like that!" John tried again. He was panicking on the inside, he didn't want to lose Vixen.

"Isn't it?" she demanded.

John looked at her a deer in the headlights look sliding across his face, "Mari, I love you."

Mari let out a hiccupped whimper as she bit back the pressing desire to sob, "I-I love you too…" she forced out another sob slipping out, "but I see it now, you love her more. You prioritize her!" The room was quiet except for the pounding of both hearts and the occasional hiccupped sob that squeaked out from Mari. "You should go back to her John. I see that now." She sniffled a bit as she straightened her shoulders and walked to the door.

John stood motionless, not sure what he could say, opening his mouth to call her name again he was cut off when Mari paused at the door with her back to him.

I wish you the b-best John, but we are over." With nothing more to say she exited the room to go hide in her chamber and work through the pain…

"Mari!" John cried out, racing towards the door, "Mari wait!"

Exiting the room he found her already gone… tears pricking the corners of his own eyes John stood there unsure what to do at this moment. He'd lost Mari…

To be continued…