Chapter 12

Watchtower (MU)

"How do you think Batman's search is going?" Green Lantern asked as he poked at his lunch, wishing now that he'd gotten the spaghetti.

"I don't know," Shayera replied with a frown. "He won't return any of my hails or my calls."

John snorted in amusement, looking at her with raised eyebrows. "Did you really expect him to?"

"Well, not exactly, but I was still hoping for at least a growled 'leave me alone' or a string of curses," she said with a chuckle. "Then, we'd at least know Batman was still alive."

"Yah, he hasn't shown his cowled face up here since the day Diana disappeared," John reminded her. "Everyone is talking about it too. They think he's quit the League because he couldn't deal with his grief."

"Why wouldn't they think that?" she said. "Batman and Wonder Woman were the hottest topic in the rumor mill for years. Since she disappeared, he's been nonexistent. The only news we get about him is the stories that trickle out of Gotham and even that has been pretty sparse."

"He's been spending all of his time on that transporter."

"He's obsessed with finding her and getting her back."

John smirked as he poked a piece of meat with his fork. "Did you really expect anything different from him?" he asked. "He's in love with her…has been for some time. He just doesn't want to admit it to anyone let alone himself. Admitting it makes it real and if it's real he has to face it and you know he hates doing that."

"Well, maybe this will be the wakeup call that he's needed for the last four plus years."

"Hey guys!" Wally greeted them as he suddenly appeared at the table with a loaded tray in hand. He slid into the seat next to Shayera. "I'm so glad you're both here. I have an awesome idea I want to discuss with you two."

"Whatever it is the answer is no," John immediately replied. "Anyway, I really think that Batman will come around once she—"

"You didn't even hear my idea yet!" Flash declared, interrupting John.

"I know you and I know your ideas," John told him. "They're always bad or they get me into trouble of some kind. That is why the answer is no."

"When was the last time I got you into…wait," Wally began only to stop mid-sentence as he was struck with a recent memory. "Don't answer that."

"Like I said," John murmured.

"Please, listen," Wally pleaded. "This one is really good. It's about Wondy."

"Fine," Shayera relented. "What's your idea, Wal?"

"I was thinking maybe we could redecorate her quarters for when she returns," Wally suggested.

"It could take months or even years for them to find her, buddy," John gently reminded him.

"I know," he softly replied, "but at least it'll be all ready for her whenever she comes back. I think it would be a super nice surprise for her."

"I think it's a great idea, Wally," Shayera agreed with a smile. "I think we should do it."

"I guess I'm in then," John said, "but will Diana appreciate us going through her things like that?"

"She'll be so thrilled to be back where she belongs, she won't even care," Wally assured him. "Besides, it won't be like we'll go through all her personal items. We could just paint and put up some nice pictures…maybe a new comforter for her bed to redecorate it."

"I love it," Shayera decided. "It'll help us feel better too knowing we're doing something for her."

"That's what I thought too," Flash said. "Maybe we could decorate it with pictures of Greek sword fights or female mud wrestling."

John and Shayera both wrinkled up their noses in disgust. "Why would Diana want pictures of female mud wrestling?" Shay demanded to know.

"Don't Amazons mud wrestle in the nude?" he asked, looking from John to Shayera for confirmation.

"I don't think so," John ventured.

"Let's just see if we can find something a little more…peaceful and soothing," Shayera suggested. "There's no telling the hell that she's been going through in whatever universe she's found herself in. I'm sure something tranquil will be best."

"Yah, sure…I guess," Wally said with a shrug of a shoulder. "I still like the idea of the female mud wrestlers."

"We can put that up in your quarters," John told him.

"Do you ever wonder what she's doing right now?" Wally asked.

"All the time," Shay admitted. "I just hope she's safe and happy wherever she is."

"Me too," Wally said. "It would make it so much worse if she were in constant danger…always fighting for her life just to survive. I want her to at least be happy."

"I wonder if she found a world like ours," John ventured. "Wouldn't it be something if she's already started a new life?"

Shayera gave him a curious look. "You mean like a new identity and all…a home and a job?"

"Why not?" John said. "If I couldn't find a way back home, that's what I would do. There comes a point when you just have to move on and accept what life has dealt you."

"You think she's waiting tables somewhere?" Wally asked. "That sounds crazy. I can't picture Wondy as a waitress."

"I know, but she still has to survive somehow," John pressed. "She'll have to earn money to live."

"Maybe she's working as a secretary," Wally thoughtfully guessed. "I could see her a secretary."

"I hope she's found a friend," John added.

The corner of Shayera's lips quirked. "I hope she's found herself a boyfriend."

"Oh, please," John muttered. "She's in love with Bats."

"They're not married," she reminded them. "They're nothing more than friends because that's the way Bats wants it. There's nothing to say that she can't find herself a little love while she's there."

"I never took you for a romantic at heart, Shay," Wally said.

"I'm not, but for Diana's sake, I hope she's found some love and happiness," she told them. "I told her once not to knock it until she tried it. I hope she took me up on my suggestion. That girl needs to let her hair down and have some fun…get some loving."

"Bats would not be happy if she found someone else," Flash muttered with a shiver of dread. "He would go ballistic."

"Not to sound cruel, but that's his own dumb fault," Shayera decided. "He's the one that decided to sit on his hands and not do anything about what's been so obviously growing between them for years now."

"Poor Bats," Flash murmured. "He's doomed either way, isn't he?"

"How so?" John asked.

"He didn't go after Wondy when she was here and now, she's gone," he said. "He just can't win when it comes to matters of the heart."

"Hopefully, Batman will still get the chance if he can just find her," Shay replied. "He just needs to be brave enough to finally tell her how he feels."

Wayne Manor (AU)

"I can't believe we're doing this now," Diana said, looking around the room as her hand came to rest on belly.

She couldn't help but feel somewhat overwhelmed by all of it. Bruce was just so excited about the baby that he could hardly contain himself. She was excited about the baby too, but it just felt as though everything was moving so fast…all so final.

This was her life now and she needed to acknowledge it, learn to adjust to it all. Being pregnant was already life-changing enough without having to adapt to a new world where the people weren't the same that she had grown to know and love.

She couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that continued to cling to her like a second skin, thoughts of Batman finding its way to the forefront of her mind. She felt as though she was losing a piece of herself in this world, in this life that she was living. She was almost beginning to forget what it was to be Wonder Woman, to have her gifts. It was unsettling.

She knew that being with Bruce probably wasn't the wisest decision, but what was done was done and she wasn't going to second guess herself now. They had a baby to think about, a new life growing within her that depended on them now. That had to be her first priority.

"Why not do it now?" Bruce asked, breaking Diana free from her thoughts. "Don't you think we should get started on the nursery?"

"Bruce, the baby isn't going to be here for another five months," she reminded him. "I think we have plenty of time to put together a nursery."

"I know, but I wanted to get started on it right away," he told her. "That will give us plenty of time to redecorate it if we decide we don't like it."

Diana chuckled as her arms slipped around his neck, her head tilting as she gazed lovingly at him. "What am I going to do with you?" she asked.

Bruce stole a kiss, brushing his nose against hers. "I can think of several things right off the top of my head, but it would require removing our clothes and I'm not sure we have time for that."

"You're incorrigible," she teased as her lips found his in a slow burn that quickly stole his breath away. She took her time, nipping and nibbling on his bottom lip. She was rewarded with a low groan as the kiss became more heated.

"Hmmm…maybe we do have time," he readily decided as he backed her up against the wall to continue what she'd started.

Diana quickly lost herself in the kiss that steadily intensified, deciding that maybe they did have the time as his hand found her breast with a gentle squeeze. His arms slipped around her, pulling her closer to him. He wanted to feel her soft skin against his, the sound of his name on her lips.

She murmured his name as he kissed along her throat, losing herself in the feel of him when an unexpected voice carried from outside the room.

"I'm coming down the hall! I don't want to see anything I'm not supposed to see! I'm very impressionable at my young age!"

Bruce broke the kiss with a growl, his forehead coming to rest against hers. "Isn't he supposed to be in class right now?"

"Class got out early," Dick announced, leaning against the doorway with a smirk on his lips and his arms folded against his chest. "What are you two up to in here? It certainly doesn't look like you're painting."

"Funny," Bruce growled as he gave his brother a dirty look, trying to regain some semblance of control. "Don't you have something you could be doing that's not here?"

"Yah, I came to help paint," he told them as Diana extricated herself from Bruce's embrace, pausing to smooth her hair.

"We would appreciate the help, Dick," Diana replied, elbowing Bruce in the ribs. "Wouldn't we?"

"Yah, I guess…whatever," Bruce grumbled as he turned his attention to the cans of paint on the floor, vowing to get revenge on his brother for interrupting what was turning into a passionate stint of love making. Now, he was forced to think cold thoughts as he pried open one of the cans.

"Wow…that certainly is lavender," Dick commented as he picked up a paint roller.

"That's what we wanted," Bruce maintained. "If we decide we don't like it later, we can always repaint the nursery."

"Why not pink?" Dick asked. "Don't all girls love pink?"

"We wanted to do something different," Diana replied. "Besides, not every girl likes pink."

"I'm a boy and I love blue," Dick teased. "Isn't that the way the world goes?"

"You're incorrigible too," Diana decided with a shake of her head. "It must run in the Wayne blood."

"You know that means our daughter probably will be too," Bruce pointed out with a grin.

"Hera, I'm going to have my hands full with the three of you," she muttered under her breath.

"I don't know why you didn't just have this hired out," Dick mentioned. "A lot less work and worry."

"No way," Bruce adamantly stated. "I want to be the one to paint my daughter's room."

Diana smiled at his enthusiasm as she spread out a paint cloth. It warmed her clear to her toes to know how much he loved her and this baby they'd made. Still, an uneasy feeling continued to swirl just beneath the surface, something akin to dread. Something wasn't right.

"I think it's really sweet," Diana said.

"I think it's sappy," Dick quipped with a grin.

"Don't listen to him," Bruce told Diana. "Dick doesn't believe in doing much that includes physical labor. If it can be hired out, then all the better for him. It means he can run around and goof off with his annoying friends."

"Roy and Conner aren't annoying," Dick claimed as Bruce handed him a tray of paint. "They're just…energetic."

"They love to pull pranks," Bruce pointed out. "Still, doesn't disprove the fact that you don't like work."

"Hey!" he exclaimed. "I put more windshield wiper fluid in my pickup truck the other day."

"Garage closed?"

"Yes, but that's beside the point," Dick maintained, chin lifted in indignation. "I still did it myself."

"When are you going to start working for the company?" Bruce asked as he began painting one of the walls. "You know I can put you to work on Monday."

"Once I get settled into my classes," Dick replied.

"You're halfway through your freshman year at Gotham University," Bruce pointed out.

"I'm still adjusting."

"Adjusting with Barbara," Bruce muttered.

Diana couldn't help but laugh at their banter as they started to paint. "You two are definitely brothers."

"I thought you could use some sandwiches while you work," Alfred announced as he entered the would-be nursery with a tray of sandwiches and a pitcher of iced tea.

"Alfred, you are amazing," Diana praised him. "How did you know I was starving?"

The British butler's eyes twinkled with affection as he shared a knowing smile with her. "Let's just say that I had an inkling," he replied. "Missus Wayne was hungry all the time too during her two pregnancies."

"That might explain why I'm always hungry," Dick supposed.

"Why? Are you pregnant too?" Bruce quipped, ducking as a sandwich sailed past his head.

"Do not throw food," Diana adamantly stated, her blue eyes flashing with annoyance. "I'm eating for two here you know. No wasting food."

"You tell them, Miss Diana," Alfred agreed. "Someone around here needs to rein these two in. Heaven knows I've tried for years."

"I'm more than happy to, Alfred," she replied with a conspiratorial grin.

"Hey, I think we turned out pretty awesome," Dick decided. "You know the Wayne brothers are considered the crown princes of Gotham."

"Well, some of us turned out better than others," Bruce joked.

"Do you want another sandwich flying by your head?" Dick threatened.

"I think I'll leave these two for you to handle, Miss Diana," Alfred told her as he left the room.

"I'm happy to do it, Alfred," she assured him as she took another sandwich.

She grimaced as a cramp took her by surprise, causing her hand to fall to her lower abdomen. Bruce noticed, dropping his paint roller before making his way to her side. "Are you all right?" he asked, his hand coming to rest on her back.

"I think so," she murmured, momentarily closing her eyes. "It just caught me off guard."

"Should I call Leslie?" he questioned her as Dick ran out of the room.

"No…no, it's passing," she tried to reassure him despite the worry that continued to linger. "It's better now."

"I don't like this," Bruce muttered, a worried frown on his face.

"Leslie said it was completely normal," Diana reminded him.

"Mild cramping," he pointed out. "This one did not seem mild at all to me. You looked like you were in real pain, Diana."

Dick returned to the room a couple of minutes later with a chair. "Here, why don't you sit down and rest while we paint?"

"That's very sweet of you, but I want to help," she insisted. "This is my daughter too."

"Why don't you rest for a little while," Bruce suggested. "If the cramping doesn't return, you can help paint the trim around the baseboards."

"In the meantime, you can be our supervisor…boss us around and tell us what to do," Dick told her as he poured her a glass of iced tea.

Diana chuckled with his suggestion as she took the glass from him. "I'm sure there would be a few people back home who would say that I'm very good at that…especially Batman."

Bruce tried not to think about Diana's relationship with Batman despite how platonic it might have been. He refused to be jealous about her feelings for the Bruce from her world. Instead, he was going to focus on the happiness that Diana had brought to his life. He knew with every fiber of his being that Diana loved him. He was just lucky that his twin from her world had been too afraid to make a life with her.

"Are you sure you're feeling all right?" Bruce asked again, his worry simmering just beneath the surface.

"Stop worrying," she told him, taking his hand and squeezing it in reassurance. "I'll tell you if I feel you need to call Leslie. In the meantime, get to work."

Bruce grinned at her, relieved that she was doing better. "Yes, ma'am."

"I wouldn't mess with her, Bruce," Dick advised. "I have a feeling she's not someone to argue with."

"You learn quick," Diana teased with a smirk as she sipped on her iced tea.

She reached for another sandwich, another cramp coming on. Thankfully, this one wasn't nearly as strong. It was mild and bearable, but it was still concerning to her, nonetheless. Leslie had assured her it was normal, but she still wished she had another woman she could talk to that's been through this before. It would bring a measure of comfort that she was lacking at that moment.

"When are you going to shop for furniture for the nursery?" Dick asked.

"This weekend," Bruce replied. "We're going to dinner this coming Friday night with Oliver and Dinah, so it looks like Saturday is the big day."

"I was thinking it might not hurt to put a bassinet in our room," Diana suggested. "I think for the first few weeks she should sleep in our room before we get her settled into the nursery."

"That sounds like a great idea," Bruce agreed. "I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait five more months until she gets here."

"Jacey is going to be the most spoiled baby in the entire world," Dick commented. "You know we're all going to spoil her rotten. I mean the kid's not even born yet and she already has Bruce wrapped around her little finger. I'm sure Alfred isn't going to be any better."

"Diana, you're going to have to do all the punishing," Bruce teased, glancing at her over his shoulder. "I'm not going to be able to do it. I'll just end up caving. Although, I'm never allowing her to date. Boys are off limits."

Diana chuckled as she began to look through some fabric swatches for the curtains and bedding. "Great," she replied. "Make me be the bad guy…and you know you'll eventually have to let her date."

"Yah, that's not going to work, Bruce," Dick pointed out. "You can't play good cop, bad cop with your own daughter."

"Maybe Alfred could be the disciplinarian," Bruce suggested with a laugh.

"Well, don't look at Uncle Dick," his brother added. "I'm going to be her favorite. I'm just putting that out there right now."

"I'm going to be her favorite because I'm her father," Bruce maintained.

"Yes, but I'm sure she's going to love her Uncle Dick more."

Diana laughed to herself as the brother's argued over who was going to be Jacey's favorite. Her mind drifted to thoughts of home. She couldn't help wondering how her Bruce would respond to having a baby with her. Would Tim, Dick, and Damian argue about who would be her favorite? Would he be this excited about the baby or want to paint the nursery lavender?

The thought caused her heart to constrict with a longing that refused to diminish. Would she ever be able to get over him? He'd made it perfectly clear that he didn't want to be with her. She'd tried to tell herself that he was just lashing out at her out of fear, but maybe the time had come to move on. Maybe being sent to this universe was the push she'd need to do just that.

She could feel tears beginning to well in her throat as her hand fell to her abdomen, but she swallowed them back. That life was gone…her past. This was her life now. This was her home and her future. She needed to accept it and let her Bruce go once and for all.

But she found that she didn't want to. She would always love him no matter how hard he pushed her away or if she never returned to her world. She still believed in him…loved him, and always would no matter what life would bring or what her future held.

XXX

Diana came out of the bathroom towel drying her hair. They were able to finish painting the nursery in one afternoon thanks to Dick. She knew Bruce hadn't appreciated the fact that Dick had interrupted their intimate moment, but the help had cut down on the amount of time it took to get it finished.

She was surprised to find Bruce in bed reading a book about becoming a father. It brought a smile to her lips as she tossed the damp towel into the hamper. "You already bought a book?"

Bruce looked up, a shy smile on his face. "I just want to be completely prepared for everything."

She couldn't help thinking how alike her two Bruce's were in that respect. They always had to be prepared for every eventuality. It was an endearing trait that had only grown more charming to her. "You are amazing," she told him as she made her way around the other side of the bed before crawling in beside him. "Do you know that?"

"I don't see it, but I guess all that matters is that you do," he replied.

She leaned against his side, her head resting on his shoulder. "What are you reading about?"

His lips quirked into a mischievous grin. "How having a baby can affect our sex life," he revealed.

"Oh, well, we definitely can't let that happen," she said, her fingers lightly circling his pectoralis.

Bruce shivered involuntarily as he tried to focus on the book in his hands. "It says that we need to make time for each other day or night," he continued, giving her a mischievous smirk.

"I agree with that," she softly murmured in his ear before teasing the lobe.

"Definitely," he managed to utter as she kissed behind his ear. "It's very important we don't forget to focus on each other too…stolen moments in the kitchen or in the library."

"Or maybe a little afternoon rendezvous in your office at work," she suggested.

Bruce leaned over and placed the book on his bedside table before rolling over to face his lover. He kissed her with a passion that took her by surprise. His fingers tangled in her hair as his tongue slid sensually against hers and stealing her breath.

He retreated just enough to brush his nose against hers, his desire for her intensifying. "I want nothing more than to marry you," he murmured against her lips, kissing her once more. "I want you to be my wife."

Diana jerked back, stunned by his admission. "Marry me?" she questioned him.

Bruce opened his eyes, confusion evident in his face as he stared at her. "Yes," he confirmed, capturing her hand in his. "I would love to make you my wife someday. Don't you want that too?"

"Bruce," she muttered as she shook her head, pulling her hand free.

He watched as Diana climbed out of their bed, moving to stand before the window. She looked so small and frail standing there, but he knew that she was anything but. It hurt him to see her struggling with all that had happened to her. He was afraid that he'd just made everything that much worse by revealing his dreams for their future together.

He got out of bed, coming around the bed to stand behind her. "I'm sorry, Diana," he softly said. "I didn't mean to upset you. It's just something that I've been thinking about lately…especially since finding out about the baby."

Her eyes fell closed as she lowered her head. She was struggling with the emotional torment that continued to wage war between her heart and mind. She felt as though she was being pulled between the two worlds that she belonged to now. It was tearing her heart in two.

"I…I can't marry you, Bruce," she replied, her voice fraught with anguish. "It's too much too soon."

"I know…and I'm so sorry," he apologized, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders as his forehead came to rest against the back of her head. "I shouldn't have said that, but it is true, Diana. I love you and I want to marry you more than anything, but I don't want to push into something you don't want."

"Please, don't ask me to marry you," she told him, tears stinging her eyes. "I'm sorry, Bruce. I just…I can't."

Diana pulled away from him, leaving him standing there all alone in his bedroom. Bruce rubbed his face with his hands, angry with himself for not waiting until after the baby was born to tell her his plans to ask her to marry him. He'd just ruined everything by pushing her too far.

He wrestled with the urgent need to go after her, but he ultimately decided that he needed to give her some space and some time to think right now. He moved to sit on the edge of his bed, holding his head in his hands. He knew that he'd upset her with his confession, but he'd hoped that she'd be at least a little excited about the idea.

He'd accepted the fact that she still loved the Bruce Wayne from her world, but she was here in his universe now, giving herself to him and creating a new life together. He knew that she loved him too. He felt it in her kisses, in the passion that they created when they made love. It was much more than just simple attraction or lust. It was love.

He just needed to trust in what they'd found together and hope that they could make it work.

Batcave (MU)

Bruce was focused on his work and yet his thoughts were still consumed with Diana, hoping that she was safe. He wanted her home more than anything in this world. She'd been missing for over a month now, but it felt like a year or more since he'd last seen her smile or heard her laughter.

He'd always known that he needed her in his life, but he'd never realized just how badly until she was no longer here. She filled a chasm inside of him that had been achingly empty for far too long. He longed for the warmth and light that she always bestowed on everyone around her, ached to finally make her his.

Unfortunately, Constantine hadn't been able to find a way to discover which universe she was or a way to bring her home. Opening a portal would be a last resort measure, one that was considered dangerous, but necessary if they wanted to bring her home.

"I got it!" Tim suddenly yelled, causing Bruce's head to snap up.

"What is it?" Bruce asked, looking up from the transporter that was growing closer to completion.

"The interface is done," Tim excitedly told him, glancing at him over his shoulder. "I'm ready to finish putting this thing together."

Bruce slowly shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe we're this close to being done with it. It feels like an eternity since we started it."

"Now, we just need Lord Batman to find which universe she's in and we can bring her back home," Tim confirmed with an exited grin.

Tim and Diana had grown quite close during the time that she had lived at the manor while the new Watchtower was being built. He'd greatly missed her when she'd moved out, hardly seeing her afterwards. Knowing that she was alive, and that Bruce wanted to start a relationship with her made him even more anxious about getting her back.

With any luck, she would be living at the manor with them again if Bruce didn't screw it up once she returned.

"I know he's been working on finding her almost non-stop," Bruce informed him. "When he isn't working on it, Diana is searching for her."

"That's pretty cool that you two are together in other universes," Tim commented.

The corner of Bruce's lips quirked slightly with the thought, readily agreeing with Tim. "It wasn't like that in every universe Lord Batman has checked."

"I wonder what it's like in the dimension that Diana's in," Tim thoughtfully wondered out loud. "Maybe the Bruce and Diana of that world have been helping her."

"I'd love to think so," he murmured, not daring to dwell on it for too long.

"Unless there is no Diana in that world," Tim suggested. "I'm sure that Bruce would still help her, or Diana would if there's no Bruce."

Bruce frowned as he thought about Diana meeting the Bruce of whatever world she was in. He hoped that he'd help her. He shook his head, not wanting to think about it any further. He didn't want to consider anything more happening between them. Then again, he'd made it abundantly clear he didn't want anything more with her before she had disappeared.

He couldn't think about that right now. He needed to focus on finding her and bringing her safely back to their world where she belonged. He couldn't wait to feel her in his arms, for her jasmine scent to assault him like it did every time she walked into the room.

"I'm ready to install my part whenever you are," Tim said.

"I'm almost done," Bruce told him. "I just need to finish this part and then we can add the interface."

"We're so close," Tim stressed.

"It'll all be for nothing if Lord Batman can't find her," Bruce groused.

"Not for nothing, Bruce," Tim stated. "He's going to find her and we're going to get her back."

"I hope you're right," he murmured, wishing he could be as optimistic as Tim. Unfortunately, his gut told him otherwise.

A/N: Hmmm...something's up. What will happen?

UP NEXT: Batman finds Diana, but will it be in time? And how will he react to finding out she's pregnant?

NOTE: First, a huge thank you to those who are still hanging with me in this fic. I know I've lost a ton of readers because it's not my typical fic, but it's been a great experience writing something very different from my norm.

Also, to the two guests who think it's stupid I don't post all the chapters that I have written: I have always written several chapters ahead of what I'm posting on all my fics. It's what allows me to post every week. I'd be more than happy to post everything I've written, but you will all have to wait weeks between updates. It also allows me to post the remainder of a fic while I start working on the next one so there isn't a long wait between new fics.