Bruce sat down on the couch of the Manor. He'd been in and out of the hospital for the past two weeks. Ever since Diana was shot, he still didn't like to think about it. The thought of ever losing her chilled him to the core. He'd hoped she would be home by now, but her body took a while to heal. As for Frank, he was supposed to be home a week ago, but due to infection, he might get to come home this week. He sighed as he looked to the boys who were quietly playing in the floor. This was there first day home since the incident. They stayed with Barbara the night it happened, and then spent the past few weeks with their grandmother. And although he and Hippolyta didn't see eye to eye, Bruce knew that he owed her for eternity for all her help with the boys.

He would have been at the hospital today, but Diana threatened to straggle him if he didn't get away from it for a while. She told him to get Frank's room ready. Well, that part was easy. He had just pulled out the old crib and put it back in the boys' room. Today, the goal was to get supplies to turn two of the guest rooms in the Manor into fully furnished rooms for his twin sons who were getting ever closer to being four. He smiled at the pair. Brendon stood in his favorite red shirt with a graphic of Joe Cool, overalls with mud and paint splatter covered it. He held up a can of red paint, ready to build his room. Deidara was much more subtle in his excitement. He wore a tattered pair of jeans and black shirt covered in skulls. He wore a backwards black ball cap. He had dark blue paint sitting beside him, "So, boys, are you ready for your own rooms?"

Brendon nodded enthusiastically, running up the stairs to the guest room he'd picked. It was at the end of the hall, something Bruce had originally objected to, but Brendon was insistent that he was a big boy and he needed to conquer his fear. He opened the door to the now bare room. The only thing left in the empty room was plastic to cover the wood flooring. Brendon picked up his brush, opening the paint. He ignored his father's warning to wait as he started on one of the walls. Bruce shook his head, thankful he'd bought special paint so the room wouldn't look wrong if he painted both up and down and from side to side. Brendon turned to face his father as Deidara started on the other wall, "Daddy, is Mommy going to be okay? I asked Grandma Hippo-lady and she wouldn't tell me what was wrong with Mommy. Is Mommy going to die?"

Deidara stopped painting, speaking for perhaps the first time since his mother went in the hospital, "Of course, she's Wonder Woman. Don't think like that Brendon."

His words were harsh and cold. Not the usually calm and comforting tone that Bruce normally heard Deidara use when speaking to his little brother. Bruce made eye contact with his son. There was so much held in his emotionless green eyes. Deidara might only be a few months from four, but he knew so much in how he could read people. He realized how serious the situation with his mother had been. Bruce could tell the fear of losing his mother, scared him so much, "Deidara is right. The doctors think your mother will be just fine. She might even come home this week. She'll just have to take it easy for a while."

Brendon's sad face turned quickly back into a smile, "Okay."

Bruce watched in amazement as his son went back to pure happiness in an instant. Brendon was so loving and accepting. If you told him the sky was green, he might contest you for a while. He might even get upset, but when he was over something. It was right back to smiles and laughter. Bruce only hoped that he kept that innocence forever. He looked back to Deidara, a solemn look on his features, "Hey Brendon, why don't you run and get the paint for Deidara's room."

Brendon ran out of the room, and Bruce sat next to Deidara, "What's bothering you, Dei?"

Deidara turned to face his father. His green eyes carried such sorrow and paint, something that Bruce felt was extremely unusual for a three-year-old's eyes. His features were solemn almost like a man negotiating in a business meeting, "Tell me the truth about her. I want to know what happened."

"Your mother was shot at the meeting she went to," Bruce took a deep breath, knowing he could not lie to his son, "The bullet hit your little brother. But Frank is fine other than an infection from where he had surgery. Basically, bad things got in his body since he had an open cut. Your mother may really come home this week. Her body needs time to recover. We can go see her if you'd like."

"I got the paint for Deidara's room!" Brendon smiled, bubbling over with excitement, "We should get to work!"

"We should," Deidara placed a hand protectively on his little brother's shoulder, "I'd like that Dad."

Bruce nodded, watching his boys walk together. Brendon was so innocent and naive to things now. He didn't know how close to death his mother had come. Dei, however, realized the severity of the situation. His eyes were opened to the world from a young age. The world was black and white to Brendon. It was sometimes that way to Diana, but for himself and Deidara the world was a constant shade of gray. Bruce stood in the doorway, watching as the boys painted Deidara's room blue. Bruce knew the furniture would be arriving soon. Brendon wanted everything red in his room with a small trampoline next to his bed so he could jump into it. Deidara, he just wanted a race car bed. He sighed as he picked up a brush, painting with the boys. He couldn't help but think that Diana should be there. He sighed as he saw Alfred standing in the doorway, "Come on boys. Let's go see your mother. I think Alfred can finish up here."

Bruce smiled at his father figure as he passed him, "Thanks, Alfred."

"Anything for family, Master Bruce," Alfred picked up a paint brush, "You better get going before visiting hours are up."

The car ride seemed longer than it actually was. It was quite. The boys hadn't wanted to see their mother at first. To them, she was always Wonder Woman. She was strong and courageous. She was nothing less than a hero. To see her in a hospital bed, the thought had been too much for them. But now, they missed her so terribly...just to see her alive...to know she was okay. It was all they really wanted, "We're here."

Deidara solemnly nodded, taking his little brother by the hand and leading him into the white building. It was so void of color...kind of like there house had been without their mother there. Brendon didn't beg to press the button for the elevator like he normally did, but Bruce let him anyway. They didn't even stop at the reception desk as they walked to Diana's room. She had been moved to step down days earlier, so the boys could see her. Brendon stood on the chair by her bed to get a good look at her. His mother was paler than usual. Her lips a faded shade of red. Sweat covered her brow as if she had finally broken from a fever. She was asleep now...so quiet, "Is Mommy okay?"

"I'm fine, my little prince," Diana opened her eyes, a pale blue, but still with that same spark of life. She pulled Brendon to her side, smiling softly and motioning for Deidara to come join her, "I'm so happy to have all my boys here."

Brendon nodded, remembering the conversation he had with Deidara earlier that week. Mommy didn't need to know he missed her and that he was afraid. Mommy was sick and didn't need to be stressed, but a few stray tears fell down his face, "I want you at home Mommy."

Deidara nudged him, but Diana only smiled, "I know, baby, but I have to get better first, so that I can take care of you. The doctor is going to try and let me come home tomorrow. You know it's okay to cry. No matter what anyone tells you. Now, I want to know what you've done this week."

Deidara smiled, "Grandma is teaching us to fight with swords. I beat her and so did Brendon."

"That's because you are both great warriors like your Daddy. He told me you've been painting your rooms this week. I can tell by the paint all...over you clothes," Diana stopped speaking to yawn.

"Diana, you need a break. You're still very weak, and I know the boys can be a bit..." She interrupted him

"Bruce, I am fine. It was just one little yawn. Yes, I am sore and tired, but I want to spend time with my children," Diana smiled, "So, you both get to start pre-k next month. I'm really happy for you. You're going to make so many friends."

"I'm nervous Mommy," Brendon pouted as his mother ruffled his messy brown hair.

She flashed him a smile, "Don't worry. You are a prince and a sweetheart. I'm sure that they'll be some little boy or girl who will love being your friend. And even if you don't find someone there, then you've always got Michi, and Deidara, and you've always got me."

"But you almost died," Deidara spoke up quickly, realizing what he said in front of Brendon and covering his mouth.

Diana looked at Deidara with sadness. Sometimes she hated that he was so smart. It robbed him of innocence and opened him up to all the hurt of the world, "I know I did, but you know what." She waited until the boys moved in closer, although she yawned and started to doze off, "I'm always right here."

Her hand covered each of the boys hearts as she drifted off. Dr. Leslie entered the room, "Diana's been very anxious lately. She's been worried about the boys and Frank. We gave her a sedative so she could sleep. She needs it if she's coming home tomorrow. You are welcome to stay, but she really needs her rest. I need to talk to you alone Bruce."

"Go get in the car boys," He handed Deidara the keys, watching as they walked to his car and sat in it.

"We've had some issues with Franklin though. The infection was causing him a lot of pain. We had to drug him with twice what you would give a normal infant because he has his mother's metabolism. We've finally weaned him off it, but it will be tough around the house for a while," Dr. Leslie sighed, "He's like an addict coming off a drug. He will cry often, but you can take him home tomorrow with Diana provided he has a breathing monitor. Diana is doing well Bruce. She talks about you everyday. She tells everyone about how good you are with the boys. Bruce...don't screw this up."

Bruce nodded, "I won't. I feel the same about her."

The ride back was just as quiet. Both boys snuck up to their rooms, putting on pajamas. Neither one was hungry, although Bruce offered everything. They wanted the pasta that their Mommy fixed. He couldn't do that. Bruce sighed, laying back in his bed. He watched the door creak open and Deidara entered the room. He'd been so quiet with Diana. He hadn't opened up at all..

Deidara sniffed a bit, "I miss Mommy."

"Me too, Dei...Me too," Bruce sighed, rubbing his son's back as he cried. Bruce softly sang, "La luce che tu hai. Nel cuore restera. A ricordaci che. L'eterna stella sei."

Deidara cried harder, "It's not right Daddy. It's not right without Mommy singing her part...it's just not right."