SO SORRY for the long delay in posting an update. Unfortunately, my laptop got a nasty virus. I just got it back today and it's going to have to go back in for repair again tom b/c it's still not working right. I'll update again as soon as I can! Also have a one-shot BMWW Christmas fic for you all that I'll post when my laptop is working again. Hope you enjoy the update and Merry Christmas to you all! :)

Chapter 53

"I can't believe our own government is still out to get us," Flash crossly muttered, an atypical scowl on his masked face. "We're the good guys. We risk our lives every day and this is how they thank us?"

"They're scared of us, Flash," Superman softly responded, his eyes distant but the sense of betrayal was more than evident in his blue depths.

"It still doesn't feel right," John spat out, his arms crossed against his chest. He had given his all in the military and now they were building weapons that could possibly destroy him and his family. "Didn't they learn their lesson with Cadmus?"

"Nothing about this is right," Batman stated. "I don't believe that they intend to start an all out war with the League, though. They merely want to be prepared in case we go rogue for some reason. That is why can't let our guard down...ever."

"It is sad, but it is a fact of life," J'onn stoically added from his position at the end of the table. "People always fear what they do not understand. They see us as another potential threat."

"Although I don't agree with the things they're creating, you can hardly blame them," Batman stated, causing every single head to turn sharply to stare at him in shock except for Diana. They'd already had many conversations about this very thing.

"You can't be serious, Bats!" Flash cried in shock. "We're the freaking Justice League. We wouldn't turn on our own country or the world. It's just as much our home as theirs."

"The Justice Lords did just that, Flash," Batman reminded them, casting a furtive glance at his wife who had been uncharacteristically silent through the whole meeting. He was growing concerned.

She didn't appear to be in any pain at the moment, but with a little over two weeks left until she delivered their daughter, he knew that could turn on a dime. More than anything she looked deeply saddened. Kent must have noticed it too because he was the next to speak before Bruce could even open his mouth again.

"What are your thoughts, Diana?" Superman asked.

Diana looked up from her tablet lying on the table before her, sorrow swimming in her eyes. "It makes me sad that we haven't been able to build stronger bridges of trust with the world. One would have hoped that after all of these years of our willingness to lay our lives on the line day in and day out that they would've seen our true intentions by now.

"At the same time, I think that we have to tread very carefully, make sure that we don't allow ourselves to become like the Justice Lords. We don't want to give the government any reason to use these weapons against us or our families."

"We won't," Flash adamantly stated. "We aren't like the Justice Lords."

"I'm sure they thought the same thing, Wally," Diana softly replied. "We walk a very fine line every day in our efforts to uphold justice. We have to make sure that we don't ever cross it by becoming judge, juror and executioner."

"That still doesn't give them the right to build these weapons to try to destroy us," Shayera ground out, her eyes flashing with anger. "We have families on the Watchtower…children…civilian staff. We can't allow them to become a target. We have to be ready to defend ourselves if necessary."

Bruce could feel Diana growing tense beside him with Shayera's fears. He reached over placing a gauntleted hand on her thigh and squeezing it gently in reassurance. She immediately captured his hand, gripping it fiercely almost to the point of crushing it. He understood her fear, shared it with her.

He would do everything in his power to protect their family, ensure the safety of the League. He would not allow the Watchtower to become a floating target for destruction. "I have already begun working on new security upgrades for the Watchtower as well as vetting all civilian staff all over again who work here to make sure that none of them have any ties to the government or fanatical groups," he announced.

"We appreciate your careful attention to this, Batman," Superman said with a nod of his head. "We will all have to do whatever we can to make sure that this League does not lose focus of our goal as well as keeping our eyes open for any possible threats. I'm sure there are things going on right now within the government that we know nothing about, plans on neutralizing each and every one of us in case of an emergency."

"Were you able to find out any more about the black substance or the weapon that they had created?" John asked.

"The black liquid is a form of an incendiary substance," Batman explained. "They were able to create bullets with it that causes extreme damage and immediate death on impact. I haven't been able to find a way to neutralize it yet or to prevent the amount of devastation that it creates. It appears as though this liquid can be used in more ways than just one."

"Like what?" Flash piped up, his usual jovial mood long gone after hearing what their own government had been up to.

"I'm not sure yet, but I was able to obtain some of the research they had been working on when we had captured them," Batman replied. "It isn't pretty. Bombs, grenades, drones, machine guns, long range rifles. You name it, they were testing it and it didn't matter where the point of impact on the body. The results were always the same – massive damage and instantaneous death. It can basically eat through anything. I doubt Meta powers would even be able to protect from the amount of damage it can cause."

The room grew deathly quiet, the tension nearly suffocating as each silently considered the ramifications of such a destructive weapon being unleashed not only on them, but the whole world if it ever got into the wrong hands.

Superman finally broke the silence. "Keep us updated on your investigation," he said. "If there's nothing more, we're dismissed until next week."

Everyone soberly stood to their feet, no one really looking at each other as they gathered their things, trying to process the news. It was difficult to imagine their very own government secretly creating ways to destroy them after all that they had given and sacrificed to help preserve peace and promote justice.

They'd always known that Amanda Waller and Cadmus was up to no good, but now it felt as though they'd been stabbed in the back by the very people they had all sworn to protect at all cost.

Batman waited as Diana gathered her things, awkwardly getting up onto her feet before turning to leave. "Care to have a lunch date with me in the commissary?" he asked.

"That sounds good," she agreed, forcing a smile. "I'm starving."

"Try to restrain yourself in the commissary, Princess," he teased. "No trying to hold my hand or kissing me. You're married to Bruce Wayne, not Batman."

Diana looked at him with a frown as if she hadn't heard him as they made their way down the corridor. Seeing the playful quirk of his lips, she suddenly realized what he had just said. "Don't worry," she replied, hooking a raven curl behind her ear. "I'll try to control myself in public. Wouldn't want to tarnish your image of being cold hearted and aloof."

"Or that Bruce Wayne's wife was sneaking around with the Batman behind his back," he pointed out, still somewhat concerned with how distant she seemed.

Entering the commissary, they filled their plates before taking their trays to a private corner where they were less likely to be noticed and could have some alone time. Thankfully, it wasn't unusual for Wonder Woman to be seen eating with Batman as they usually had working lunch meetings long before they had even started sleeping together.

Settling into chairs opposite each other, Batman finally asked the question that had been burning on his tongue since the beginning of the founders' meeting. "What's wrong, Diana?"

The tender tone of his voice…the voice of her husband and not that of the formidable Batman…drew her out of her troubled thoughts. Looking up from her tray of untouched food, she found herself under the intense scrutinizing white slits of his cowled face and yet could feel the gentle concern in his unseen eyes.

"This whole thing with Amanda Waller…the weapons they were creating to destroy us if needed," she began, pausing to swallow back the thick knot of tears that had suddenly lodged in her throat. She softly shook her head, searching for the words that could even come close to describing what it was that she was feeling, what she was struggling with in her heart. "Bruce, what's the point of all of this? Do we even matter anymore? Have I even made a difference?"

"To all the lives we've saved over the years, the parents who have gotten their children back or the spouses we've been able to reunite after a catastrophe…yes, I think they'd say that we've made a big difference," he told her.

"When I came to Man's World, I had hoped to bring a message of love and truth…peace," she said, her gaze falling to her plate in defeat. "I feel as though I've accomplished nothing in the time that I've been here."

"Nothing, Princess?" he said with a small smirk, his hand stealthily sneaking across the table to capture hers. "I think you have changed and touched more lives than you can possibly begin to imagine, the most important being mine. I was lost in a downward spiral into darkness that I thought I'd never escape or deserved to break free from, but then I met you and you shined a light so dazzling and intense that I just couldn't look away or help but be affected by it.

"When I look at you, it's like looking into the sun itself. You healed a broken man's heart…his life and for that alone I'm so thankful that you came to Man's World."

Tears began to escape from the corners of her eyes against her will as she squeezed his hand. "I love you, Bruce," she whispered before suddenly chuckling softly as a lustful thought crossed her mind. "If you weren't in the Bat suit, I would jump you right here and now."

"Hmmm…" he thoughtfully hummed with a growing smirk as he released her hand. "I wonder what your husband would have to say about that, Mrs. Wayne."

"I have a feeling he'd be insanely jealous," she teased, wiping away the remnant of her tears. "He'd probably hurt you."

"I don't know," he replied as he began to eat his lunch. "I bet I could take him. He seems pretty wimpy to me. Those blue-bloods are all alike. Because they have money, they think they're invincible."

"I'm not sure about that," she thoughtfully said. "He's very strong and highly intelligent. I wouldn't underestimate him if I were you."

"Alright," Superman said as he sat down next to Batman. "You two are looking a little too cozy over here. I think I better act as a chaperone so people don't start to get the wrong idea about you two."

"I think you better," Batman agreed. "The pregnancy hormones are becoming too much for her to handle. The Princess here threatened to jump me and ravage me right here in the commissary. I don't think her husband would be too pleased if that happened."

Superman's eyebrows shot up in surprise mixed with sudden embarrassment with Batman's words. "Well, I guess I arrived just in time to save Diana's reputation as well as her marriage."

Diana giggled at her husband's playfulness on top of the slight blush that adorned the Kryptonian's cheeks. "I think I can restrain myself," she reassured them.

"I don't know whether to be relieved or offended," Bruce shot back with a frown.

"Hey, I forgot to tell you," Clark said, interrupting the flirtatious banter between his friends. "Lois and I wanted to know if you two would like to come over for dinner this coming Saturday night. We've been meaning to have you both over for a while now."

"We'd love to, Kal, but we have plans Saturday night," Diana told him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "There's going to be another Greek exhibit at the Gotham Museum again tomorrow night that I'm more than anxious to see."

"I don't know, Diana," Batman said. "I think we should go to Clark and Lois's. It sounds like fun."

Diana looked up sharply from her plate, suddenly suspicious of her husband. It wasn't like him to be excited or enthusiastic about a get together with friends. It was usually like pulling teeth to get him to go to the Kents.

"You planned this didn't you?" she demanded to know, her gaze narrowing suspiciously at Batman before turning her glare on Superman.

Batman sat up a little straighter in his chair, ignoring the chuckle that had escaped Superman's lips. Clark's attempt to stifle his amusement had failed miserably. "Me? Why would I plan it?" Batman questioned her.

"Because you don't want me to go to the museum gala Saturday," Diana shot back. "It would be just like you to plot something else in an attempt to change my mind about going."

"Sorry, Batman," Clark said with a chuckle as he lowered his head, "I tried."

Batman rolled his eyes in irritation. He never should've gone to the Boy Scout for help. He was horrible actor. "It's not that I don't want you to go to the museum, Princess. I just don't want you to go Saturday night."

"Why don't you want her to go?" Clark interrupted the beginning of the lovers' quarrel.

"Because, first of all, she's two weeks away from delivering our daughter," Bruce counted off of on his fingers. "Second, I have a gut feeling that something is up with this gala and the sudden finding of these Greek artifacts that no one has heard about before now. Third, she hasn't been sleeping well again and she's exhausted."

"He has a point, Di," Clark told her, taking a bite of his hamburger.

"We'll only be there for a couple of hours," Diana tried again, putting down her fork as she sat back in her chair, her hands falling to her belly. "Besides, if I don't get out of that house soon, I'll go stark-raving mad."

"You're out of the house now," Batman pointed out.

"You know what I mean," Diana ground out through clenched teeth. "I'd like a night out with my husband, one that doesn't include League business or him wearing his uniform or talk about the baby."

"She has a point, Batman," Clark agreed.

"Whose side are you on?" Batman growled as he shot Clark a patented Bat glare.

"Neither," he smartly replied. "Your arguments are legendary among the League. I'm staying out of it. I like my head right where it is thank you very much."

Batman scowled at his friend. "I knew I never should've asked for your help."

"It'll be fun," Diana promised him. "You enjoyed the last museum gala."

"I know, but you weren't as pregnant as you are now," he huffed.

"You worry too much," Diana told him. "It's a wonder you don't have an ulcer by now."

"He's probably already had his stomach lined with Kevlar," Clark joked.

"Funny," Bruce snapped.

"We'll only stay for two or three hours," she told him. "What could possibly happen in that amount of time?"

XXX

"Okay, keep me posted," Bruce said before ending the communication through his commlink.

"What's wrong?" Diana asked, turning her focus from the rainy streets of Gotham to her husband sitting next to her in the back of the limo.

"J'onn said they're having trouble with the transporters," he told her. "They're going to have to take them off line so that Mr. Terrific can do repairs."

"How long will that take?"

"At least a couple of hours…possibly more," he replied, his worry simmering just beneath the surface.

"I hope there aren't any major emergencies between now and then," she said.

"They'll have to use the Javelins if there are."

Bruce shifted closer to her, taking her hand in his. The sound of the limo's tires slicing through the heavy rainfall was loud, but not nearly as deafening as the periodic cracks of thunder. "You know it's not too late to change your mind," he lightly told her, leaning in close and brushing her raven hair aside in order to nibble on her earlobe. "I can take you some place romantic…an intimate dinner for two, some dancing if you like and then back to the manor where I can thoroughly ravish you all night long."

Diana moaned softly despite herself, unable to contain the warmth that his touch as well as his mouth stirred deep inside of her. "I have a better idea," she managed to say, her eyes fluttering closed.

"What's that?" he asked between slow tortuous kisses along her neck.

"We go to the museum gala and then you still ravish me when we get home," she replied, her lips curling into a grin as he growled low in his throat.

"Damn stubborn Amazon," he grumbled under his breath as he pulled away, ending the intimate moment.

Diana chuckled softly at his response. "Bruce, why are you so against going to this museum event? We've been to hundreds of these things. I don't know why you're so worried about this one."

"I just have a very bad feeling that I can't shake," he muttered in annoyance, his brow furrowed in thought.

"A bad feeling about what?" she asked, caressing the palm of his hand with her thumb in an effort to soothe him.

"I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen and I'm not going to be able to stop it," he confessed, turning his attention to the window and the rivulets of water streaming down the glass.

"Bruce, nothing is going to happen tonight and even if it does, we'll deal with it just like we deal with everything else – together as a team."

Bruce drew a deep breath, releasing it slowly. He was doing his best to be as optimistic as her, but the gnawing feeling in his gut was still there. "You're right," he finally agreed, kissing her softly. "It'll be fine."

"You don't sound very convincing," she teased him. "Trust me; you aren't getting rid of me any time soon, Bruce Wayne."

"That's one promise I'm holding you to, Princess," he told her, feeling the limo pull to a stop.

The back door to the limo opened, allowing Bruce to exit beneath a large umbrella being held by Alfred. Bruce immediately turned, offering his hand to his very pregnant wife. She looked stunning tonight dressed in a white Grecian inspired dress that looked as if it had been made of gossamer. Golden sandals adorned her feet, wrapping their way around his toned legs.

Diana stepped out of the limo to a loud roll of thunder, lightning streaking across the stormy Gotham sky. Reporters shouted an endless stream of questions as Bruce escorted his beautiful wife inside beneath the protection of the umbrella as well as the arm he had wrapped securely around her shoulders.

"Diana! How much longer till the baby comes?"

"Bruce! Are you sure you're really the father?"

"Diana, you look stunning! How are you feeling?"

"Bruce! Are you ready to be a father again?"

Bruce kept a smile plastered on his face, ignoring the string of ludicrous questions as they entered the museum. "I swear the questions get more ridiculous every time," he growled low in her ear as he handed the umbrella off to the doorman.

"They're trying to goad you into responding so they can have an exclusive for their papers," she replied.

"Do they really think you're carrying another man's baby?"

Diana chuckled at the anger and jealousy that flashed through her husband's blue eyes. "I can assure you that this baby is all yours," she said as her hands found her belly, grimacing as her daughter kicked in response.

Bruce paused, placing his hands on her belly as well, loving the feel of his little girl moving beneath his fingers. "She's really active tonight," he commented, amazed with how his wife was able to handle such powerful kicks day in and day out without complaint.

"She was pretty quiet all day today until just now," she admitted. "She was probably just saving up."

"Come, let's go find both of you something to eat," he suggested, kissing her before taking her by the hand. "Maybe that will settle her down."

Making their way towards the Greek exhibit, neither of them noticed a certain woman watching the couple from afar, her eyes burning with hatred and jealousy.

XXX

Bruce kept a sharp eye on his wife as they mingled, not allowing her out of his sight. Despite her optimism, he couldn't shake the overwhelming feeling that something was going to happen tonight. He didn't know why he had this dreadful feeling, but he was never wrong when this sensation cropped up.

He took a sip of his champagne that he'd been holding onto since they had first arrived. He continually scanned the crowds, looking for anyone who could possibly cause trouble, hoping to intercept it before it actually hit.

"Bruce," James Cosgrove greeted him, slapping him on the back. "Good to see you. How are things at Wayne Enterprises?"

Bruce forced a smile he did not feel. Cosgrove was a pompous ass, loud and obnoxious. He also didn't like the way that he always leered at Diana, making some lewd comment that was always borderline inappropriate about her. He'd wanted to knock the man's teeth down his throat on more than one occasion over the years, but more so now with his obvious appreciation for Diana.

"Good," Bruce pleasantly replied, looking past him to make sure that Diana was doing alright. "How are things with you?"

"Things are going better than expected what with the economy the way it's been," James told him, his wandering gaze falling on a pregnant Amazon. "Diana looks fabulous as always. Pregnancy has not diminished her sex appeal in the least."

Bruce tightened his hold on his champagne flute, the image of Cosgrove having to eat through a straw for the rest of her life a little too appealing at the moment. He didn't have time to dwell on it for long as Sienna Conti appeared, making a beeline for Diana.

Ice water trickled through his veins as he watched her approach Diana, a drink in both hands. His stomach lurched and twisted as she greeted Diana with a smile, handing her one of the glasses.

He watched in horror as Diana took the drink with a smile that was definitely forced. "If you'll excuse me, I need to check on my wife," he muttered as he quickly made his way towards her, praying that she wouldn't drink from that glass.

He watched as she chatted with Sienna, raising the glass to her lips to take a drink, his legs suddenly feeling like lead weights. "Diana," he called to her, hoping that she'd catch his voice above the loud chatter of the crowded room.

For every person he dodged around, another seemed to take their place, blocking his path and keeping him from getting to her. He cursed under his breath as the rim of the glass touched Diana's ruby red lips. His insides seized with blinding panic as he tried calling her name again, a fleeting sense of relief fluttering through him as she lowered the glass again without taking a drink, laughing at something that Sienna had just said.

"Bruce, wonderful party isn't it?" Caidence gushed as she grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him close. "Come dance with me, Brucie. I never get to spend any time with you since you married that Amazon."

"I have to check on Diana," he growled, jerking his arm free as he fought to keep the desperation from choking him.

Caidence rolled her eyes. "Your wife can share you with me for a little while."

Bruce didn't bother responding as he pushed his way through another group of socialites. He finally broke through the crowd, not caring how rude he had appeared. All that mattered to him at that moment was Diana and his daughter.

Reaching her, Bruce immediately grabbed her by the wrist holding the drink, his hand like a vice grip. "Bruce!" Diana exclaimed in surprise.

"I've been looking for you," he evenly replied with a flirtatious smirk, leaning in and kissing her deeply in front of Sienna. Finally breaking the kiss, he turned to finally turned to her. "Excuse me, but I want to dance with my beautiful wife."

Bruce took the glass out of Diana's hand, giving it back to Sienna before swiftly escorting his wife away. Sienna's eyes burned with hot jealousy as she watched them make their way to the dance floor hand in hand.

"What's going on?" she asked, her forehead creased.

"I don't trust Sienna Conti," he murmured low in her ear as he began to lead her in a dance. "I wouldn't be surprised if that drink she gave you was laced with poison of some kind."

"I know that's why I didn't drink it," she reassured him. "You told me you thought she was involved with Penguin and the weapons so I didn't want to take any chances."

She could feel Bruce physically relax in her embrace, a measure of tension leaving his body. "I thought for sure you were going to drink from that glass."

His fear was more than evident in his voice, horror haunting his eyes. Diana's hand gently caressed his cheek, forcing him to meet her gaze. "It's alright, Bruce," she promised him, kissing him softly.

Bruce reluctantly released his hold on his wife. "Can we get out of here now?" he asked as the song came to an end.

"I guess I'm ready when you are," she relented. "Just let me say goodbye to a couple of people."

Alright," he agreed with great relief.

Before he could follow Diana, Bruce was taken by surprise by someone suddenly grabbing his arm, keeping him from leaving the dance floor. He turned to find himself staring into the green eyes of Sienna Conti. "You aren't leaving so soon are you, Bruce?" she sweetly asked, pulling him into a dance. "You still owe me a dance."

Bruce immediately stiffened as he found himself dancing with the daughter of the one and only Carmine Falcone. "Actually, Diana isn't feeling well. I'm going to take her home."

"That's a pity," she pouted. "I was hoping for a chance for us to get to know each other better. You're a very fascinating man, Bruce Wayne. I'm dying to get to know you better. Why don't you come by my apartment after you take Diana home?"

"I'm happily married, Sienna," he firmly stated, his piercing blue eyes flashing dangerously. "I'm in love with my wife and nothing is ever going to change that."

Sienna smiled like a Cheshire cat with a secret, allowing her body to rub seductively against his. "I can do far more for you than that pregnant Amazon," she practically purred. "I can give you pleasure beyond your imagination."

Bruce firmly pulled her to a stop. "What I have with Diana is perfect and I'm not about to give it up for anything in this world."

The smile he gave her both heated her anger as well as her desire. Just as he turned to walk away from her, the skylight suddenly crashed down upon them, raining shards of glass on everyone to the loud cacophony of screams by frightened guests.

Men dressed in black descended from the ceiling as people began to run in every direction at once. Diana quickly sprang into action, herding people towards the fire escapes only to be brought to a stop by a sharp pain that gripped her abdomen. A gush of warm wet fluid abruptly coated the insides of her legs as she grabbed hold of a chair, fighting to stay on her feet.

She began breathing hard, the pain that crashed over her in a sudden knee-buckling wave threatened to take her to the floor. "No…no, not now," she gasped as a contraction gripped her body again. "This can't be happening now."

She quickly began searching the mass chaos for Bruce as men in black descended on them, guns waving as they shouted threats, herding people into a corner on the far side of the room. Six of them suddenly turned their attention on her, racing straight at her with guns armed and ready.