Part XIV

Sleep had never really been a problem for him. Considering he hadn't slept in the last forty-eight hours you would think he wouldn't have any trouble now. It bothered him. He believed the problem was lying next to him in the form of a former-goddess. He'd been lying propped up on his arm for nearly two hours watching her sleep. She slept silently except for a few soft snores that escaped her occasionally. He smiled every time, because she seemed more human than he had ever seen her. When she was softly snoring in his bed she wasn't an Amazon princess or the goddess of truth. She was just Diana. She seemed unfazed by their current sleeping arrangements. Sure it was a massive bed and she was a few feet away from him, but still they were sharing a bed.

Clark would have a stroke. He was exhausted, but he couldn't sleep. Too much was racing through his brain. How did she feel? Did she understand how he felt? How would this affect his life? Would it affect his work?

"Bruce?"

Her eyes were still closed as if she were sleeping.

"Yes?"

"Quit thinking and go to sleep."

He merely grunted in response and rolled over onto his back, but kept his eyes locked on her sleeping form.

"Please Bruce."

He turned his head away and closed his eyes. He tried not to focus on the amazing being beside him and let sleep fall over him.

He felt the subtle shift in the bed as she rose, heard the fabric rustle as she eased it off her form. He kept his eyes closed, unsure of what she was doing. He had an idea and his logical mind told him it was probably the best thing that could happen. His heart told him totally different. She was leaving. He heard no foot steps but the air shifted slightly to his right.

Floating, he thought.

She was going to her things in the chair. He heard the metallic clicks of her bracelets as she put them on. He kept his breathing even, trying to keep his body from betraying him.

"Open your eyes." She said flatly.

He remained motionless under her scrutiny. He focused on his breathing and the repetitive rise and fall of his chest. The air shifted again as she floated closer to the bed and lowered herself to the floor.

"Bruce?"

Her voice was closer now. He could feel her breath on the side of his face. He guessed her lips were only inches from his cheek.

"I know you're awake. You were awake the moment I moved from the bed, now quit faking so I can talk to you."

Slowly opening his eyes he turned his head to look at her. Her face was impassive, not at all like it was earlier. She looked strained and disappointed. Eyes that were so blue and clear were now shimmering with what he could only guess were tears.

"Diana…?"

She looked away from him and towards the French doors that led to the balcony. She shifted uncomfortably on the bed, clearly wanting to exit the room.

"You're leaving?"

She hesitated slightly before she spoke and then turned to look him in the eye.

"Yes."

"Can I ask why?"

"All I can tell you is that we can't start this now. You don't know how bad I don't want to say that Bruce. "

She held a hand up silencing him

"Let me finish please. I'm not saying we're done. Believe me we are far from done." She added with a small smile, before looking back toward the doors.

"The Oracle revealed to me a great crisis is coming for all of us. I'm not sure how it will happen or what happens for that matter. I do know that after is when we are supposed to start. I want 'us' now but my head and my faith is telling me to trust in the Oracle."

Lifting her hand she placed it softly against his cheek.

"Even though my heart tells me now is a good time. I've been fighting this for months, Bruce. I didn't want to believe it. I wanted to be wrong or that maybe I'd heard it wrong..

She rose from the bed a walked over to the doors. Lifting her hands she placed them lightly on the door handles before pressing down and pushing both doors open. She kept her back to him as she continued.

"But I didn't. I know the truth. It's a central part of me and the truth is now is not the time, but I have faith that our time will come. I believe it with every fiber of my being and I hope that after this crisis our feelings will still be whole. I have faith that the gods and goddesses that blessed me would not deprive this of me. That they would not deprive me of 'us'. I need you to understand this Bruce.

As she stepped onto the balcony she did not turn back. Her feet lifted but inches before a strong hand grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into a tight embrace. She'd tensed as his arms wound around her, but he could feel her slacken as his face moved closer to hers. Without hesitating he pressed his lips to hers and deepened the kiss as her hands stroked from his hair down onto his neck. As quickly as it began it was over and he stepped back from her leaving her still a bit caught off guard.

"Come back to me Diana"

She smiled and rose off the balcony once more before replying.

"You can count on it."

She turned away from him and towards the gardens once more.

"Diana, wait. Where do we go from here?"

Without turning she replied to him.

"I'm open to suggestions."

He was left standing there as she flew away leaving him wishing more than ever that her gods would prove to be real.