A/N—I heard the song that is the title of this chapter months ago when I started writing this fic and it made me think of Dick and Donna. Thanks to Hepburn for being my wonderful beta and helping me with this story. Also thanks to Chaosmob for his encouragement and The-Lady-Isis for her input and suggestions. Please read and review.
Disclaimer—All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
What day is it? And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
All of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right
I'm tripping on words
You've got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
There's something about you now
I can't quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right—You And Me by Lifehouse
Chapter 21—You And Me
She momentarily became lost in the kiss. She had missed him so much and he tasted so good. Donna was completely aroused in moments and her heart thundered with desire. She loved being in Dick's arms again because she loved him with all her heart. She let out a small moan as he pulled away to gasp for air and hearing herself snapped Donna out of the moment.
She pushed him away and he stumbled back and fell on his rear. Her fury returned and she hissed, "Get back in the boom tube and go home! You are not supposed to be here you, you idiot!"
Dick smirked up at her and said coyly, "I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart."
Donna let out a small growl of frustration but before she could speak Batman was there and barking orders at Dick.
"Nightwing you are officially suspended from the League. You will return to Earth immediately or face expulsion," he commanded.
"He's not going anywhere, and neither are we Batman," Barda hissed. "How dare you not contact us about this threat to New Genesis!" She moved toward him as she yelled and she was a fearsome sight but Batman held his ground.
"You are not members of the League and we contacted New Genesis. They should have informed you," Batman said coldly.
"Listen you pointy eared freak of the night, I wasn't a member of your stupid league when you needed help training Wonder Woman junior and you had no problem calling me and I had no problem helping you! So I think your reasons for excluding us are bullshit and..."
Scott Free decided to step in before his wife and Batman came to blows. "What my wife is so eloquently trying to say is that we are here to help." Barda shot Scott a quick glare before turning back to Batman who was looking stone faced and about to launch his full arsenal of sarcasm on Barda. Flash chose that moment to intervene.
"Come on Bats, Big B is right. We should have given her and Mr. M the heads up. And they're here now and man do they have skills that we can use!" Flash shot Barda his trademark grin her grimace twitched a little. She had a hard time resisting Wally's charm.
Batman let out a small growl and said, "Fine you can help me go over the information I gathered from this last battle so that we can plan an offensive attack as soon as possible. Donna get some rest, I want you fresh for the next fight. Flash tell everyone to rest up."
"I'll help you with strategies. I have studied all the information contained on the orb," Nightwing stated.
"And I think you can go help fix the shuttle and..." Batman began.
Donna didn't hear the rest of their argument as Orion came up to her and asked, "Wonder Girl have you seen Artemis?"
"She was injured and knocked out in the battle. I brought her to triage," she replied and at his concerned expression added, "J'onn thinks she'll be fine."
Orion gave her a nod and headed off. Mnemsoyne came up to Donna and said, "Welcome Troia to New Cronus. I will show you to your chambers where you may rest."
"What about the others?" Donna asked.
"Do not worry, we will show hospitality to all our guests. We are most grateful for your assistance and we are happy to welcome our lost child home," Mnemsoyne said.
Donna didn't know what to say so she said nothing. While she felt a connection to this place and it's inhabitants it wasn't home. She started to follow Mnemsoyne.
"Wonder Girl wait up," Batgirl yelled as she ran up to her. "I'll come with you."
Donna gave her a quick smile grateful to have Barbara with her as her mind whirled with anxiety at Dick's arrival. They both followed Mnemsoyne into the city. They entered the palace and she led them down a corridor off the main hall. She opened a door to a large and beautiful room that reminded her of her room on Themyscira but this one was much larger.
"I will have some food brought to you very soon and there is fresh water in the pitcher beside the bed. There is a larger private bath through the archway. I must see to your comrades but I will be back later if I get a chance," Mnemsoyne said before leaving.
Donna paced around the room feeling agitated and worried. Dick was here and all Donna could see was the vision of his death. Tears pricked the back of her eyes as she looked over at Barbara who had removed her cowl and was looking at her with concerned blue eyes.
"He has to leave...he has to return to Gotham, Barbara! He cannot be anywhere near Sparta. I cannot watch him die," Donna ended on a whisper as two tears rolled down her cheeks.
Barbara walked over and hugged her. "He won't leave. He loves you and he would do anything to protect you. I know because a few years ago he would have and did do the same for me."
Donna felt a rush of guilt as she looked at Barbara. "Barbara I..."
"You don't need to say anything Donna. Dick was my first love and I will always love him but I have moved on," Barbara said and smiled before adding, "And you helped me with that."
"I did not do it because I wanted Dick, I hope you know that."
Barbara laughed. "I know that Donna, I wouldn't be friends with you if I thought you were that kind of a bitch. And I seem to recall that at the time you and Dick were barely friends."
Donna smiled back at her. "Yeah I really wanted to kick Short-Pants' ass back then. Hera, I really want to kick his ass now for coming here! What am I going to do to keep him safe?"
"There is nothing you can do. He's here and he is going to fight. I suggest you take this downtime and be with him. In this business you never know if one of you will die the next day so take what you can while you can."
"I am scared," Donna whispered.
"I know and there is nothing I can say to make that fear go away. Why don't you take a bath and wash some of that blood off of you and I will pry Dick away from Bruce. I'm sure the two of them need someone to intervene by now," Barbara said before putting her cowl back on and leaving.
Donna took her advice and removed her armor and headed for the bath.
Artemis became aware of two things as she regained consciousness. One that her head hurt like Hades and two that somebody was holding her hand. She slowly turned her head and looked into the concerned eyes of Orion.
"Welcome back, how are you feeling," he said softly.
Artemis felt warmth spread through her body as she looked into his eyes but it was immediately replaced with pain as she tried to move and felt a burning in her shoulder.
"I feel like somebody shot an arrow through my skull and I ache all over to be honest," she said with a grimace. Then concern rushed into her mind as she asked, "Where is Donna?! Is she well?!" She tried to sit up but felt dizzy and Orion quickly grabbed her to keep her from falling off of the cot.
"Easy now do not try to move so quickly. She is fine and she was the one who brought you here. Sparta ordered a full retreat after we arrived from New Genesis. She realized that she was overwhelmed. Batman is working on a strategy to mount an offensive on Synriannaq as soon as possible," he explained
"You should be there conferring with him," she said.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay," Orion said softly as he looked into her eyes.
Artemis felt the color rising in her cheeks and the heat again in the pit of her stomach. She grimaced at feeling the pull of attraction to him. While she knew he was honorable, brave and trustworthy he was still a man. She should not be lusting after him. She was a pure virginal warrior like Artemis and Athena. What would her mother think if she could see Artemis now?
"I am fine. You should not forget your duty to New Genesis to worry about me. Now go," she said tersely as she suppressed her attraction and gave him an angry stare.
Orion, taken aback by her sudden anger, rose and put his helmet back on. "If that is what you wish, then so be it." Artemis thought she saw hurt briefly flash in his eyes before he covered them with the helmet.
"That is what I wish," she said in a cold voice. She was an Amazon and she did not need a man in her life. Of course that did not stop the strange tightening in her chest as he stalked away.
Artemis was not going to fall for some man like Diana and Donna. She would not compromise her values and all the lessons that Antiope had taught her. She would honor the mother who had taken her under her wing and taught her to be a proud warrior and Amazon.
You do honor her but what of your own dreams and desires? You are not your mother and you have your own life to live. Do not let her fears rule your life, as you are more than what she wishes.
Phillipus's words suddenly cut into her thoughts and she realized that for the first time since she was a child she was not sure what she really wanted.
"Listen Batman, I know Wonder Girl and you were trying to protect me and I can appreciate that but I didn't get into this business to play it safe. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere so you may as well as use the skills that I bring to the table. You trained me to be an excellent strategist."
Batman glared at him. On the one hand he understood why Dick had come. If Diana had been in the same danger nothing in Heaven or on Earth would have stopped him from coming. But he was also worried about Dick being killed as foreseen in Donna's vision. As contentious as their relationship could be he loved his son. Finally he hissed, "Fine, come with me." He stalked toward his makeshift command center. He joined Superman, Mister Miracle, Big Barda, Oceanus, Tethys, Crius, Hyperion, Thia, Coeus and Athyns. They were all looking over the information gathered by the sensors on the Javelins and the drones that Batman had released on arrival. Orion and Lightray soon joined them.
"I have ordered my technicians to set up a defense shield around New Cronus. It should protect the city from anymore surprise attacks," Orion explained.
"Excellent, now we can focus on mounting an offensive within the next few hours on Synriannaq. We do not want to give Sparta too much time to call in reinforcements and to establish an impenetrable defense but we need to have the best plan of attack before going after her. It is not the time to be sloppy and impulsive."
"Sparta's main stronghold is in the capital city Mykenae. She has imprisoned the Senator Prime, Aetes Pelops and declared herself queen and absolute ruler of Synriannaq. Aetes is a good man and great leader and if we can rescue him he may be able to get the Synriannaqians to stand down," Coeus said.
"I would be happy to lead a team to rescue the Senator," Orion stated.
"Good, Coeus who would be best to guide them in the city?" Batman asked.
"Xanthi has the most knowledge of the palace and senate forum. He has also spent the most time with the Senator Prime and other senators. He would be the best choice," Coeus replied.
"Okay then he will be part of your team. Wonder Woman and J'onn can accompany you since you seem to work well together," Batman stated. He didn't notice the small grimace that Orion made at his statement and Orion said nothing to contradict him.
"Lightray I would like you to accompany us," Orion said.
"I would like for your team to leave within an hour from now. I want you to try to get the Senator Prime before we mount the main assault on the city," Batman ordered and Orion and Lightray left to gather the others in the team and to plan with Xanthi the best strategy to get to Aetes.
They swiftly moved to planning the main attack on the city. They discussed all their resources and Batman started layering a plan of attack. Over the next twenty minutes different plans were discussed. Finally he dismissed everyone but Superman and Batgirl.
"I am going to work up a final plan with Superman. Batgirl will handle all the communications. I have assigned team leaders. I would like you to assemble your teams in two hours and report back here for your assignments," he said and they others started to move away. Many headed toward the main hall were food was being served.
"Nightwing could you hold up a second," Batgirl said as she ran toward him.
Dick turned to his friend and waited for her to catch up. "Donna is in the palace and I know she would like to see you," Barbara said.
Dick smiled at her because he had been planning to find Donna. He just needed to be with her one more time before all hell broke loose.
"Thanks Batgirl, I'll see you soon." Dick headed straight for the palace and asked a servant to show him to Donna's room. He didn't bother to knock as he didn't want to give her the opportunity to not let him in. The room seemed empty and he was about to leave when he saw movement through an archway. He walked through it and stopped as his breath caught in his throat. Donna was standing in a large bath with the water up to her waist. Her back was to him and her mass of raven curls were piled on top of her head. She was splashing water on her face and Dick was awestruck again at her beauty. Desire and arousal pumped through his body.
Donna suddenly stiffened as if she sensed his presence and looked over her shoulder. She gave him a smoldering stare and Dick wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms. As if sensing his desire she walked up the steps out of the pool and grabbed sheet to wrap around herself. Then she turned to Dick.
"Donna, I read the letter and I know you love me and I know about the vision. I couldn't leave you to face her alone. I love you," he said as she walked toward him.
"I know and you are here now and I take it you are not leaving," she said.
"No," he replied simply.
She stopped right in front of him and said, "Then promise me that no matter what you will avoid Sparta. Help in the battle but stay away from her."
"Donna, I…" he started.
"Please, promise me please," she pleaded and her voice broke as a couple of tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Shh Donna don't cry," he said softly as he pulled her into his arms. He kissed the tears on her face and then pressed his lips against hers. She melted into his arms and kissed him back with all the passion she had bottled up since the party. Dick's mind ceased to function and all he could think of was being with her.
The sheet fell to the ground and he picked her up and carried her to the bed. She helped him to quickly remove his clothing and soon they were making love as if there was no tomorrow. Passions flamed and bodies writhed with pleasure as they lost themselves in each other. Need and hunger were slowly sated. All they knew was that they loved each other and in that moment it was the most important thing. Too soon they would face what could be their last battle.