Chapter 24: The Ties That Bind

Gotham City, Wayne Manor

Part 1

Talia refrained from smiling, refrained from glancing behind her to see the scowl she knew had to be on Steve Trevor's holier than thou face. Her little impromptu strategy had worked much better than if she'd planned for days. Having seen Clark sitting by himself, Talia had seized the opportunity to add a dash of sexual mischief to Lex's plan.

He need not know all she did while she spied for him and her father. Clark Kent would be her plan and her plan alone. The man was, after all, bodybuilder gorgeous. Bedding such a fine specimen would give her much pleasure. But not as much satisfaction as taking him from Diana would give her. Diana Wayne, that stuck up, meddling bitch.

She despised Diana. Bruce had the nerve to leave me for that whining momma's girl. And he had paid. Talia had made sure that Bruce Wayne had paid dearly for the insult. No one treats the daughter of Ra's al Ghul like trash and get away with it.

Now she had a chance to dig yet another knife into Diana's back. Clark, good ole Clark Kent and his dreamy blue eyes never failed to turn all pathetically moony when Diana was around. Talia had seen that same look in Bruce's face when he'd come to her ten years ago after a trip to Kansas. He'd come to her apartment and had broken things off with her, saying he was sorry but he was in love with someone else. And he'd replayed that hurtful record when Talia had told him she was pregnant with his child.

It had been a lie, of course, but he'd only said, "I take care of my responsibilities. Let me know what you and the baby require and I'll make sure you'll have it." And that had been it. No offer of marriage or declaration of love, nothing but a suspicious stare that had called her a liar.

He'd called her bluff and had won. His frigid words of, "Don't ever call me again. I'm married now. It's over, Talia. It's been over for two years. Stay away from me and don't you dare think of coming near my wife," was a blade driven into her heart by a man she'd loved. But he'd abandoned her. For Diana Prince. The whore.

But now there is Clark Kent. Talia didn't know their backstory but it was obvious Diana and Clark had once been more to each other. For a woman who never seemed to take an interest in any man, Talia had seen the way she looked at Clark when Diana thought no one was watching. Those few times she'd caught it, the wistful longing had been unmistakable. And while Diana seemed quite indifferent to Trevor's interest, Clark was another matter entirely.

So, seeing Clark by himself, Talia sought to slake an appetite. And sex had always been an easy tool to seek one's revenge. But jealousy and betrayal were also nice. And from the way Trevor had just stormed off, she had no doubt he would carry the tale of Diana's scantily clad Executive Assistant and the man she treated with controlled, cautious desire, back to the queen bitch herself. Delicious. Utterly delicious.

At the thought, Talia licked her lips.

"Nicely done. I suppose you did that on purpose."

Talia bestowed her most charming smile on the frowning Clark Kent. Men were too easy, especially men like this one who had more respect than sense. He should've never permitted her to get so close, to touch him. Had he really thought no one would notice? Hardly. The people who worked at Wayne Industries noticed everything. And the rumor around the office was that Diana and the novelist were dating.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." She touched the arm of the chair beside her. "Why don't you come back down here so we can finish our conversation?"

He didn't move. And her false smile wavered just a bit when he said, voice low and menacing, "I don't know what you're up to, Ms. Head, but I assure you, any plans you have will not succeed. I won't allow it. Try me. Just. Try. Me."

Talia glared at Clark Kent's back as he turned and walked away, putting distance between them and dismissing her as recklessly as Bruce had. Your mistake, Mr. Kent. Your mistake . . . and your funeral.

Part 2

"What else have you discovered about the so-called League of Assassins?"

Victor tapped several keys on his laptop, and then a series of pictures appeared on the flat screen mounted on the wall. Diana, like everyone else in the conference room, stared at the images before them.

"Who are they?" Arthur asked.

"They look dangerous," Hippolyta said, voicing Diana's opinion.

Donna and Dinah nodded, as did Ollie, who leaned forward in his chair, his face taut with a seriousness he reserved for the most important of business and personal matters.

Ollie twisted one end of a long, blond mustache and asked, "Yeah, Vic, who are those creeps?"

"The older man at the top of the hierarchy chart is the one and only Ra's al Ghul. From what Steve and I have been able to scrounge up, Ghul, also known as the 'Demon's Head,' founded this band of assassins. Apparently, Ra's al Ghul is an international criminal mastermind whose ultimate goal is a world in perfect balance. He believes that the best way to achieve this balance is to eliminate most of humanity. The bastard has a preference for biological weapons."

"Kill the people; leave the land - quite tidy for a megalomaniac."

"Yeah, Dinah, and Ghul is a genius." Victor highlighted the row under the picture of Ghul. "This, as we all know, is one Talia al Ghul, a.k.a. Talia Head. She's the Demon's Head's lying little spawn."

Diana listened as Victor identified the other members of Ghul's League of Assassins: Nyssa Raatko, another daughter of Ghul, Ebeneezer Darrk, a master manipulator, and a martial artist simply known as "The Sensei." That guy had piqued Dinah's interest. But there had been more, so many more.

"That's all I know. I'll keep searching, connecting with the new Leaguers around the world. That Amnesty International speech of yours, Diana, led to much of this. We've been inundated with phone calls and e-mails. The Justice League hotline has been on fire."

"That's because people are tired of being weak and feeling helpless," Donna said. "They need something to believe in. They need hope. They need justice."

"This is going to get worse, isn't it?"

Everyone turned to the speaker. Mera, her hair as fiery as her spirit, and the red tresses were as wild and wonderfully bright as ever. Her husband covered her hand with his own, a sweet protective gesture that brought a stab of envy to Diana's heart.

"Try not to worry, Mera," Arthur said.

"I'm not just worried. I'm angry. We are so few and they are many, yet we are all that stand between them and everyone else. We go places, do things that law enforcement will not or cannot. And that puts us all in danger, especially Diana."

"I'll take care of Diana." Steve, who'd been quietly standing by the door, stepped forward. "No harm will come to her."

"You can't be everywhere, Steve, even though you try your best. My point," Mera said, looking directly at Diana, "is that sooner or later Ghul or maybe even Luthor will send someone after her. They have to know by now that we know who they are and what they did to Bruce."

"But we can't prove anything," Hippolyta cut it. "Everything we know or think we know about the night of the attack and the party or parties responsible are sheer speculation. Once we have proof, we can go to the authorities, until then, we have nothing but our good sense and gut feeling."

"Bruce had proof," Donna added. "He saved it on a file and sent it to John, Ollie, and Arthur. Surely that is enough to call in the FBI." She looked to Steve for confirmation.

He shook his head. "At most it proves someone at Lexcorp bribed Bruce's Board of Directors to get information on Wayne Industries' projects. It doesn't implicate Ghul at all and the documents were illegally obtained. No way will the FBI use illegally acquired evidence to build a case against someone, especially someone as high-profile as Lex Luthor."

"So where does that leave us?" John asked. "I still have connections with the Corps. If we need it, I can get us help on that front. There are some good, tough guys who wouldn't mind getting their hands dirty for a good cause."

"Or," Diana said, not liking the way the men in the room eyes sparkled at John's suggestion. At one point or another over the last three years, they had all suggested going that route. In the beginning, even Hippolyta had thought it a good idea saying, "For what they did, they deserve to die."

Diana hadn't disagreed. In truth, a part of her, and not a small part, had wanted to nod her head, close her eyes, and let them do their worst. And while, on the face of it, it would have been the easiest and quickest approach to take, it also would've been the hardest to live with, to reconcile with her own heart and mind. No way would Diana sanction such actions. No way would she condone the killing of anyone, even a murderer. And no way could she allow her family and friends to condemn themselves to the Blackest Night that would surely come the moment they stepped across that line.

"Or," she repeated, "we could use Talia to set a trap."

Hippolyta eyed Diana with suspicion. "What kind of trap? And," she said, getting to her feet and walking the length of the table until she stood next to Diana, "it better not involve my daughter using herself as bait."

All eyes were now on Diana and Hippolyta. And there was nothing friendly in their hard, searching gazes.

"Diana would never do something so stupid," Steve said.

"If that's what she's planning," Donna said, "it's not a stupid plan. In fact, it makes too much sense. It's just a damn dangerous one that no rational person should ever consider. Isn't that right, sis?" There was a warning to Donna's tone that was unmistakable, as was the quaver of fear that hummed beneath.

Diana knew her plan to be a sound one. She also knew it to be insanely risky. She'd first thought of it right after the murder of her family, and it had stayed with her. Back then, the only thing that had kept her from putting the plan in motion was the thought of how her death would pain her mother and sister. Her life meant little to her then, she could have easily laid down beside Bruce and Briana and fallen into an eternal sleep. But what of the ones you will leave behind, the ones who will mourn and miss you? Her conscience had pleaded.

Now, well now she had no desire to die. But she would see no harm come to her family and friends, and if that meant she had to risk sacrificing herself to save them, well, so be it.

What about Clark? her damn conscience asked now.

What about him?

Your death would crush him. You know how he feels about you.

I don't.

You do. Stop lying to yourself, stop being so damn afraid.

I'm not afraid.

Ha, another lie. You don't fear death, true. But you fear life. You fear love.

Shut up and leave me alone.

I can't.

Why not?

Because we're one and the same. Where you go, I go.

"The meeting's adjourned."

No one moved.

"I said the meeting is over. We'll pick up this discussion tomorrow. For now, get out and have fun. Alfred and Martha put in a lot of work to make this event enjoyable for all. You can skewer me alive on Friday. But for now just go."

No one was pleased, least of all Hippolyta and Donna. But they all did as she'd asked and left, grumbling their displeasure as they went.

"What are you still doing here?" she asked.

"We need to talk."

"Not now, Steve. Didn't you hear what I said? Tomorrow."

"Not about that; although, hell yes, we will talk."

Already he was pissing her off. More and more, he managed to do that, taking liberties and crossing lines.

"What then?" She glanced at the wall clock – ten after two. She was late for her date with Clark. "I have plans so make this quick."

"With Kent?"

"How did you . . .? Never mind. Just tell me what's bothering you."

Pulling out the chair to her right, Steve sat.

"I saw Clark earlier with Talia."

"So?"

"They looked awfully chummy. She had some slinky bikini on and was damn near straddling him. I swear, if I'd come on the scene five minutes later, they would've been making out."

Dumbfounded, Diana could only stare at Steve. Was he crazy or drunk?

"I saw them with my own two eyes, Diana," he said with vehemence. "I. Saw. Them."

"I'm sure you saw something. But I doubt it was anything like you would have me to believe."

"Talia was all over Clark."

"I'm sure she was. And what was Clark doing?"

That stopped him, his eyes dropping just for a second, and then they were back on her. "He let her."

"That doesn't answer my question. What was Clark doing?"

"Nothing," he gritted out. "He was doing nothing, just sitting there letting her grope him."

Diana should have been angry with Steve for bringing such foolishness to her. She should've burned his ears with words of disapproval. Instead, she cupped his chin and said with feeling, "Don't be that guy, Steve."

"What guy?" he asked, dawning understanding drawing his eyes downward.

"Please look at me."

He lifted his eyes.

"Do you have any idea how much I value and respect you?"

He nodded.

"Good, then you must also know that I trust you."

"I do."

"Then you'll understand when I tell you that the opinion you have of Clark Kent holds no merit with me. He is not your rival for my affections. I will not be swayed by foolish male pride and possessiveness." Diana dropped her hand from his chin. "We both know Talia is a first-class liar and manipulator. We also know that she hates me because Bruce married me and not her."

"I know but—"

"Clark may have his faults, Steve, as do you, as do I. But unfaithfulness is not one of them." Not that he owed her fidelity. But such details were for Clark and Diana to muddle through not Steve. He didn't factor into this at all – except, of course, his false accusation that was meant to cast Clark in a bad light.

"I'm going to assume your intentions were honorable and that you weren't deliberately trying to stir up trouble for your own selfish gain."

"He's not right for you."

So he'd said before. So she was tired of hearing.

"I'm a big girl. You can't protect me from everything." Even from your jealousy. Careful, my friend, jealousy has felled many a good man.

"Is Shayera Hol still assigned to Talia?"

"Yeah." He looked down at his watch. "Zatanna will take over second shift in about an hour."

"Good. I want to know her every movement while she's on the property. I don't think she'll try anything, but I don't put it past her to take advantage of the crowd and festivities and do a little snooping."

"Neither do I. I'll call Zee and give her a heads up."

Steve stood, began to walk toward the door, and then stopped and looked back at Diana.

"Leave it. I'm not in the mood."

With an annoyed grimace, he left it and the conference room.

A moment later, Clark strolled through the door Steve hadn't closed.

"Sorry, I'm late."

"I'm pretty sure I'm the one who's late, Clark."

Diana rose, her foul mood beginning to ebb the longer Clark smiled at her with that delightfully boyish grin of his. It was distracting and altogether too appealing. Then like a receding tide, it disappeared.

"We need to talk about Talia."

"No need, Steve already told me."

Clark swore under his breath. "I just bet he did. If you'll give me a minute, I can explain."

"There's nothing to explain, Clark. I told you already, I don't trust Talia."

"That's not the same as trusting me."

No, no it wasn't.

Diana made her way to Clark's side. "I don't distrust you, Clark. If I did, I would have never invited you to the home I shared with Bruce. That wasn't an easy decision for me, I will admit. Nothing about seeing you again has been easy."

In truth, it had been damn hard but also surprisingly rewarding. Diana had always wanted closure between the two of them but feared it would never happen. And when she was finally given the opportunity, she'd been afraid to embrace it. Just as she was still afraid to fully embrace the possibility of a second chance. But she was no longer opposed to the idea. Despite everything, she had never completely purged Clark Kent from her system. And now Diana knew she never truly would. It was as much an impossibility as the idea that Clark was having a tryst with Talia al Ghul.

"Talia," she said, drawing Clark to the couch upon which they both sat, "was an old girlfriend of Bruce's."

"It seems he had a thing for brunettes," he said sardonically.

"If I'm not mistaken, so do you. Your ex-wife is a brunette, isn't she? And you also seem to have a thing for women whose name begins with a 'L.' Lois. Lana."

Diana laughed when he smirked down at her, his terse, "Point taken," Clark's concession.

"Anyway. Bruce broke up with her but she didn't take it well. From what he told me, she tried to trap him with a false pregnancy, and when that didn't work, she tried to seduce him into having an affair with her after we were married. That's when he told me everything. He found out she'd been lying to him, which was one of the reasons he broke up with her."

"And you were one of the other reasons, I assume."

"Yes. But that was months before I returned from Greece."

Diana didn't want to get into this with Clark. She wanted to keep the nasty, treacherous part of her life separate from the untouched newness of being with Clark again. But Diana was too smart to even try to convince herself that she could keep all from him. It would eventually have to be told. But not all today.

"The men who came into our home did not break in. There was no evidence of forced entry. Alfred swears he turned on the alarm system but it never went off when the intruders entered. Commissioner Gordon and Steve believe the killers somehow managed to turn the system off."

"How would they have done that? I'm sure Bruce wouldn't have had a run-of-the-mill system in his house."

No, the system was top-of-the line, a Bruce Wayne invention – intruder proof and uncrackable.

"They think the men had the security code."

"How?"

Diana sighed and leaned her head against the back of the supple leather couch. "I can't be certain, but I think it's possible that Talia managed to get the code when she and Bruce were dating. It's complicated," she added when Clark's eyes widened.

"I don't get it. What does Talia have to do with those killers? And why in the hell would you hire your husband's ex-girlfriend?"

"Maybe you should ask yourself why my dead husband's former girlfriend would seek to become my Executive Assistant."

And hadn't it been awfully convenient when Mrs. Grayson had been hospitalized when a car ran a Stop sign and slammed into her tiny Prius, leaving Diana in need of a temporary EA. Then along came Talia Head with a handy recommendation from one Lex Luthor. The business mogul who'd Bruce discovered had been stealing Wayne Industries' secrets.

"Yeah, that makes no sense either."

"It does if you know that Talia Head is really Talia al Ghul, daughter of a man wanted by the CIA, MI5, Interpol, and Mossad."

Clark slumped on the couch beside her. "That's who you have working for you? No wonder you don't trust her."

Of course she didn't trust Talia. She could barely stand the sight of her. If the woman didn't serve a purpose, Diana may have let her sister loose on her. An angry Donna Prince was a scary sight to behold, her temper as much a part of her as her infectious laughter.

Clark slid his hand across the cushion that separated them and found Diana's hand.

"No more heavy lifting. I don't think my head can take it. Besides," he said, giving her hand an affectionate squeeze, "we're supposed to be on a date. And talking about criminals isn't my idea of a fun time."

She couldn't agree more.

Clark bent down, opened a backpack he'd placed between his legs and pulled out a book. He handed it to her.

"It's my latest novel. I didn't know if you had a copy so I thought I'd bring you a signed copy."

No, she didn't have a copy, but Donna had already read it, telling Diana that it was a "must read."

"Thank you." Diana read the title aloud. "In Search of Clark Kent: One Man's Journey of Faith, Family, and Forgiveness." She smiled - her heart happy for him. "You went to see them. The Els, your parents, you finally met them."

"Thanks to you and Ma." He brought one of her hands to his mouth and kissed it with tender gratitude. "When you get a chance please read it. I think it will explain a lot, help you understand the man I've grown into."

She didn't doubt it would. But she could already see the man he'd become. A man not so different from the Clark she'd known and loved. But this Clark, the one with strong, confident eyes was an emotionally stable force he hadn't once been. She knew the feeling well.

Clasping the gift to her chest, Diana said, "I look forward to reading about your journey. Thank you."

The air fairly crackled around them, so deeply did Clark stare into her eyes.

Unable to hold his unwavering gaze, Diana glanced down. His eyes saw far too much, revealed even more. His desire.

She hazarded a look back at him. Those sapphire orbs of his had not changed. And neither did the rapid pulse of her heart.

"I want to kiss you."

"I know."

"But it's too soon."

"Yes."

"So I'll do this instead."

He stood and reached down for her hand. She allowed him to pull her to her feet, already knowing what he'd accept in lieu of a kiss.

He hugged her . . . and she lifted her arms and hugged him back. And he felt too good. He was too good, far too good for a woman who could never be free to love him until she brought her family's killers to justice.

Diana stepped out of his drugging embrace.

Placing her gift on the conference table and making a mental note to grab it before she turned in for the night, Diana asked Clark, "Are you ready for our second date?"

He smiled his wicked, boyish smile, and then twined their fingers as he'd done at the Founder's Day Festival.

"I can't wait."

Neither could she.

TO BE CONTINUED