Hunter's Night

By Serena

A/N: Thanks so much, guys! Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving! And I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

NOTE: I complied a cast for Hunter's Moon Universe, it's on my Facebook. So you can see who I picture playing each character.

Also: I think Mila Kunis would be a great Helena. And I picture Charlize Theron as Dinah, I think - how she is in the Italian Job. I'm going to compile a cast list and post it on Facebook and Tumblr.

And I appreciate your comments so much. I was honestly worried about the response to Diana's bloodlust, that some people would say it would be uncharacteristic. I think one of the criticisms of Diana in the past is that she's too perfect, too regal, with her only character flaw being her pride. I'm an avid Wonder Woman comic book reader, as I'm sure you know, and I definitely think that a lot of writers don't give her an actual character.

That's one of the MANY reasons Bruce Timm is my favorite DC person ever. He gave her a character. She nearly kills Toyman. She gets angry, very angry, and almost loses control a number of times. She has a personality. She's definitely what I'm basing Diana's character off here. I don't think any other comics or movies/cartoons really do her justice. She's still a person, and, growing up in a society of warriors, of AMAZONS, who were the fiercest warriors of their time, I don't see her being this perfect princess who does nothing wrong and never has clouded judgment.

As we've seen before in Hunter's Moon - Diana is not perfect. She makes mistakes. She's human. And growing up NOT an Amazon, in GOTHAM, in the Narrows, she's going to be rougher around the edges, more intense.

Excuse the rambling, but I'd just like you guys to see where I'm coming from.

Also... something very important to note... Diana has KILLED Ares, the god of war. She hasn't come out of that situation unchanged.

Follow me on:

FACEBOOK - Facebook/serenakenobi - Get updates on the Hunter's Moon series!! And please stop by to ask me anything or to say hi! I love talking with all of you! :) We're an awesome community. And check out Hunter's Moon fanart - including the full-size BM/WW cover for this story! - LOTS OF BM/WW art! :) And more planned.

- ALSO FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK TO GET MORE UPDATES ABOUT THE HUNTER'S MOON SERIES! And ASK me anything you like about the story - i.e. characters, plot, DC character cameos, etc. Lots of great stuff.

DEVIANTART - serena-kenobi . deviantart . com

TUMBLR - serenakenobi . tumblr . com

TWITTER - serenakenobi

Dick Grayson

So close. He was so close. All he had to do was smash his staff onto Zucco's head... onto the head of that quivering, pathetic, cowardly scumbag. And his parents would get their justice. Zucco deserved it. He'd done nothing but hurt people. Kill people. He was a murderer... and murderers deserved to die.

"Robin." Wonder Woman's voice had quieted. "Robin... don't."

He tried to ignore her soothing, low tone, pleading for him to spare Zucco's life. But how could she? After Zucco had destroyed his life, murdered his parents... taken away everything that had ever meant anything to him? How could she ask him to do nothing?

"It's justice," he muttered, not even realizing he was shaking.

"It's not," Batman's voice entered the room. "It's revenge. There's a difference."

Robin's hands shook, his knuckles white under his gloves. It would be so easy. Zucco cowered in front of him, whimpering. Robin didn't care. He didn't care if Zucco died. He deserved it. He deserved everything he got and more. He took Mom and Dad away from him. He killed them... he murdered them... The blood was everywhere... It was already on Zucco... why not just finish it?

"Robin." Batman and Wonder Woman spoke together.

Robin felt himself hesitating at their voices. Not justice. Revenge. Cold-blooded murder. If he killed Zucco... wasn't he just as bad? Then wouldn't he deserve to die?

That hesitation cost him; and Zucco suddenly whipped out his fist, snarling, "DAMN BRAT!" And tried to punch Robin in the face. Robin dodged the blow, whirled around, and with one swift move, roundhouse kicked Zucco and sent him sprawling back against the wall, unconscious. Complete silence overtook the room aside from Robin's harsh breathing. He lowered his staff, felt his insides crumble. He could feel the tears coming back...

But Diana's warm hand settled on his shoulder, and another tiny one threaded itself through his own. Cass stood beside him. Only the sound of approaching sirens broke the quiet.

"Gordon," said Batman. "Robin, Batgirl, go wait in the car. You've done good work. We'll do the cleanup. Go upstairs and make sure they're all cuffed before the police get here."

Robin nodded jerkily. "Yes, sir."

Batman placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm proud of you," he said. "Now let's bring these men up and finish up before the police get here."

Batgirl tugged on Robin's hand, and together they led the way up out of the dark basement. However, as they reached the top step, there came an agonized shout of pain, followed by the sound of something hitting the ground. Robin glanced backward into the darkness; and a second later, Batman and Wonder Woman followed, unconscious men in tow. Wonder Woman was dragging a bleeding Zucco behind her.

"What was that?" Robin demanded, reaching the top of the stairs.

Diana's eyes were cold as she passed by him, carrying Zucco's body as if it were weightless. She dumped him on the ground and cuffed him. "Nothing." She rose to her feet.

"It didn't sound like nothing," said Robin dubiously.

"Just making sure Zucco stays down," Diana answered smoothly. "And that there's no chance of him ever having children again." The corners of her mouth twitched upwards into a dangerous smile.

Batman's lenses narrowed, but he said nothing. "Let's finish up here," he said.

It only took a few minutes, but by the time the police arrived, Robin was watching on the roof with the others as Gordon and the police came to assess the scene. Gordon glanced up, as if looking for them, and then turned down a dark alley. Batman and Wonder Woman saw this as their cue and soared down to talk with him. Batgirl hesitated but jumped down onto a fire escape a few levels above ground; and Robin followed her, curious.

"... Knew you'd find him, one way or another," said Gordon grimly. "Thanks."

"We did what needed to be done," said Batman. "But unless there is sufficient evidence - "

"Maroni walks yet again," Gordon said with a nod. "I know. Dent's on it. He says he'll get Maroni for good this time, lock up most of the mob and get the Russian next."

"How impressive," said Wonder Woman dryly.

"It's a start," said Batman sharply, glancing at her. "If we get the mobs off the street, it'll be a huge relief for the people of Gotham. The mobs have corrupted this city for generations. Of course it won't happen overnight, but we're making good progress."

But Diana just scowled. "If it's not the mobs, it's someone else. We can't get optimistic."

Robin and Batgirl exchanged looks. Batman was never optimistic. Even though Robin had only been in Wayne Manor for a few months, he knew all too well that Bruce was probably the most pessimistic person known to man. Diana was usually the optimistic one. It was strange to actually see her in action, though. She was much more deadly and intense than he would've imagined. Not that she was barbaric... but he definitely understood that she was an Amazon, came from a warrior-based culture. Both Batman and Wonder Woman were terrifying in action, but Robin saw something in Diana's eyes that he hadn't seen before. A raw bloodlust.

No wonder criminals cowered at the sight of the vigilante couple.

"Not that either of you are optimistic," said Gordon dryly, "but you're both right. We're making decent progress, but there's still work to be done. Speaking of which... we have another problem on our hands," said Gordon. "Deadshot."

Wonder Woman stiffened; her eyes flashed dangerously. "What about him?"

"He just made another hit. First it was... well, Bruce Wayne and his fiancee," Gordon said. "Then again tonight, during your raid. Looks like he's come to stay a while in Gotham."

Batman and Wonder Woman exchanged grim looks.

"We'll get him," said Batman. "But more importantly, the source. He's got to have a lot of clients in this area."

"And we still don't know who was targeting the Waynes," muttered Wonder Woman.

"It wasn't Maroni?" Gordon demanded.

"No. Someone else. This is different," Batman growled. "This is... more personal."

Gordon's eyes widened. "Are you thinking..."

"Bane? No," said Batman. "It's someone else. Something more elusive, more subtle. We'll find whoever it is."

"Well, let me know if you need anything. I - " Gordon turned as Officer Lawrence called his name. But as Gordon responded and turned back to Batman and Wonder Woman, they had already disappeared into the shadows. Gordon shook his head and muttered something under his breath, turning and heading back out to the waiting police cars. "All right, everyone. Let's head out."

"You're gonna pay for this, Jimbo," Maroni snarled. "I ain't goin' to prison anytime soon."

Gordon eyed him coolly. "We'll see about that." And he slammed the door on Maroni's face.

Helena Bertinelli

As far as Helena Bertinelli was concerned, the only things that mattered in life were family and good food. She needed to pay a visit to the Wayne estate; she hadn't been there in a while. But both parties had been incredibly busy, but Helena felt it was time to check in on the ever-growing Wayne family. Right now, however, she was racing across Little Italy on her bike, patrolling the area. She got a quick message from Diana to tell her that they'd caught Zucco and Maroni; but Diana hadn't seemed overly excited by the fact.

"At least you got Zucco for the kid," Helena said, trying to ignore her growling stomach. Man, she needed a big bowl of gnocchi. Mmm... some hot pasta with chicken and a good glass of wine... She licked her lips and tried to bury the chill of the night.

"Right," replied Diana flatly.

"Don't sound so happy," Helena shot back.

Diana sighed. "Maroni wasn't the one who hired Deadshot."

That perked Helena's interest. "You're kidding."

"Do I ever kid?" Diana sounded pissed.

Helena's lips thinned. "All right, don't get an attitude with me."

Diana sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm just -"

"I know, don't worry about it." Helena's mouth watered as she passed another restaurant. "Pasta."

"What?"

"Nothing. Listen, I'll stop by one of these days. You stay safe. Keep me updated."

"Will do. You stay safe, too." And Diana ended the link.

Helena drove a little farther and was about to pull over and get some food when her phone rang. She touched her bluetooth. "Go."

A pause. "It's me." Sage's voice.

Helena rolled her eyes. "Oh, for the love of -"

"This isn't what you think," said Sage.

"Oh, really?" Helena resisted a sigh; her stomach was grumbling. As Sage started to speak, she cut him off, demanding, "Listen, Q, I know you're a paranoid, neurotic weirdo, but do you like Italian food?"

Another pause. "Why?" His tone, as ever, was cautious.

Helena groaned. "Yes or no. I'm starving, and I'm going to eat some food. I know you're close by; grab a bite with me before you start your Q-patrol. The roof behind Mama Lucia's, ten minutes. Pasta or pizza?"

"Huntress, I don't -"

"Pasta, then. Chicken Alfredo."

"Helena!"

"See you then!" Helena hung up and grinned, revving her bike as she turned around and headed back towards the restaurant. She shed her costume and went in to order a few entrees to go. She knew the owner, Mama Lucia, quite well, and was greeted with warm hugs and "You gotta eat more, honey, you're too thin!" And half an hour later, she left the small restaurant with a good large bag of free, deliciously hot food. Licking her lips, she hurried up to the roof and plunked down, immediately digging in. Question was late; but she was too hungry to wait for him. However, a few minutes later, she got the feeling that she was being watched. She rolled her eyes.

"Q, get over here."

Question stepped out of the shadows, tipped his fedora. Helena motioned to the boxes of food.

"Sit. Eat. The night's young, and we gotta lot of work to do."

"Do you even know what's in that?" Question demanded.

Helena stared up at him, her mouth full. "Chicken?" she said, talking with her cheeks stuffed. She slurped up a noodle. "Pasta? Food?"

"There are so many chemicals in that food that they can't even label them all on the nutrition facts," said Question flatly. "To start. Secondly, pasta has no nutritional value aside from empty carbs -"

"No, please, tell me more of your diet secrets, Dr. Oz," Helena cut in dryly, stuffing more food into her mouth.

"Furthermore," Question growled, "There is no guarantee that any of this food -"

"Oh, shut up and eat," sighed Helena. "Before I eat it all."

Question stiffly stood there for a long moment before grudgingly taking a seat beside her. He chose the tortellini with chicken gratinati. She'd already dug into everything, but she was surprised to find that he took a plastic fork, apparently not caring about her germs. But first, he'd have to take off his mask. Helena watched curiously as he took a small spray bottle out of his pocket, sprayed his face, and then peeled off his mask. He glanced at her with those sharp eyes and actually started to eat.

"Not bad," he muttered.

Helena grinned and socked him on the arm. "Told you."

They ate in silence for a moment, before Question finally said, "I'm assuming you heard about the raid on Maroni's hideout."

"Indeed I did. About damn time."

"Then you also heard that Maroni is not the one who hired the assassin to kill Wayne and Prince?"

Helena nodded, scowling. "Yeah, Di told me. You have any idea?"

"Not yet. I'll find the connection, though. Maroni is connected in some way, maybe not directly. But Maroni is definitely hiding something. We'll interrogate him; and if nothing surfaces... I'm sure we can find alternative forms of persuasion."

"Q, I'm surprised at you!" Helena crowed. "Advocating vigilantism? What will be next?"

Sage rubbed his stubble-covered jaw; and it dawned on Helena just how exhausted he looked. He probably hadn't slept in days, knowing him. "Gotham's been a pit of corruption for too long," he said grimly. "Things are changing, and if this city is going to recover, they need to change drastically."

Helena studied the strange man and was astonished and somewhat horrified to find that she was tempted to press a kiss to Sage's haggard face. She mentally kicked herself, wondering if she should really try to get a steady boyfriend before she did something ridiculously stupid and insane. After a pause, she lightly touched Sage's shoulder. "They are. And you make a pretty good vigilante yourself, Vic." When she suddenly found his gaze on her, strangely intense and hungry, she pulled away, hating herself even more. "Anyway. I just want to know who would want to kill Bruce and Diana."

"We'll find out," said Question. "One way or another."

They finished their food in relative silence; Question put his mask back on; and together, they headed down the dark alley. Question opened one of the dumpsters to put the food inside, but he did a double take and threw the lid wide open. Helena frowned, came up beside him.

"Q? What's - " She halted, eyes widening at the contents in the dumpster. It was the body of a man. But unlike any dead body she'd ever seen. "What the hell?" Helena's blood ran cold. "Q..."

The dead man's entire facial skin had been taken clean off. Precise, clean... and the most gruesome thing Helena had ever seen.

Bruce Wayne

In the early hours of the morning, the Tumbler raced back towards Wayne Manor, its occupants quiet. Bruce, caught up in his own thoughts, his own questions about the Deadshot case, eventually realized Diana was stonily silent. He glanced over at her out of the corner of his eye, wondered if she were thinking the same as he. Likely. But there was a strange, dark satisfaction gleaming in her eyes behind her grave expression. He hesitated, then peered in the rear view mirror to see the two kids sitting in the back, also quiet. Dick was tired, but he saw a somber relief in the boy's eyes.

Dick had done well, Bruce thought with pride. He'd been through hell, but tonight, he'd done well. Bruce looked over Dick's red and black outfit, adorned with golden touches, as well as a deep gold lining of his cape. Bruce normally wouldn't have suggested gold - too easy to be seen in the dark - but it made for good distraction during a fight, and would only flash and reflect if billowed out a certain direction. The specialized fabric made it look almost black under normal circumstances. A small, red "R" was set onto Dick's chest, and Bruce knew there was more to Dick's choosing of the title than just Robin Hood. It was personal. It meant something.

Good. That would keep him grounded.

When the Tumbler finally came to a stop in the cave, Bruce touched Dick's shoulder; and the boy turned to face him.

"You did good tonight, Dick," Bruce said. "I expect the same in the future."

Dick looked tired, but his eyes lit up. "Thanks, Bruce. I won't let you down."

"I know. Now get some rest. You still have school in the morning."

Dick groaned. "Aw... can't I take a sick day?"

"Not if you want to keep doing this," said Bruce, pulling off his cowl. "We'll see how you balance out your time. Once Zucco and his thugs are in prison, you'll be going to school. You won't get to sleep in like you do here," he warned. "You'll need to be up and ready. But if this is too much for you - "

"No!" Dick argued instantly. "I'm okay! I'll be fine. I don't need much sleep anyway."

Bruce raised an eyebrow. "We'll see. Get on upstairs." He nodded to the elevator.

Dick saluted loosely and hurried on after Cass into the elevator.

The cave was quiet aside from a few bats chirping; Bruce turned to see Diana taking off her boots. His chest tightened; she was so beautiful. Almost painfully so. They needed to get married soon... They practically were already. Just needed to make it official. If they could only find a spare moment where they weren't beating up thugs or getting shot at by assassins...

"They're good kids," Diana quietly remarked.

Bruce managed to rouse himself from his more intense thoughts. "They are. They both have a long way to go."

"You're so hard on them," Diana sighed, pulling her hair up into a loose, messy bun. "They're just kids."

"So were we."

"We were teenagers when we met," Diana reminded him. "Older than either of them. Give it time. Dick already showed more maturity and strength than I would've even imagined..." She trailed off. "I know I wouldn't have been that merciful." Her voice had grown darker.

"Diana..."

"Bruce." Diana's voice carried an edge. As she pulled off her golden gauntlets, followed by her arm-length black gloves. She glanced back at him over one bare shoulder.

Bruce ignored her warning. "Ever since you killed Ares, you've been different."

"And ever since your parents were killed in front of you, you've been different," she retorted instantly.

Bruce's eyes widened. "You're comparing my parents' - " He started to snarl, but she cut him off, rising to her feet in one fluid motion.

"I can, and I will," she interrupted sharply, her blue eyes flashing. "Trauma changes you, one way or another. I was different when..." And her cool broke, and Bruce saw pain dart through her eyes. "When he almost killed me."

Bruce sucked in a breath. He hadn't even... No, he had. How could he not have seen it? It had taken her weeks to recover. "Diana..."

"Uh.." Another voice cut through the silence.

Both turned to see Dick standing there in his pj's, his mask in one hand. "Sorry," he said lamely. "I... forgot to put my mask away."

Diana's face crumpled, she shot Bruce one agonized look and disappeared into the elevator.

"Bruce?"

Bruce glanced down at Dick.

"Is Diana... Is she okay?"

Bruce stared after his fiancee. "Yes," he said. "She'll be fine."

But he knew she wasn't.

Once Dick had returned upstairs, Bruce followed Diana up into the master bedroom, where she was already curled up in bed, the lights out. After undressing, brushing his teeth, and slipping a pair of pajama pants on, he joined her, curling an arm around her waist from behind.

They lay in silence.

After a long several minutes, her hand curled tightly over his.

"I keep having nightmares," she admitted.

He already knew this. It was impossible not to hear her, or feel her thrashing around as if someone were attacking her. He said nothing, let her continue.

"It's not Ares, though," she went on quietly. "It's Athena."

Bruce tensed. He hadn't known this.

"She wants to hurt me," she said. "Hurt us."

Another pause.

"It's my mother," she said bleakly. "Hippolyta. She wants to hurt me. Both of them."

Bruce's hold tightened on her, and he turned her over to face him. He raised himself on his elbow, staring down at her eyes gleaming blue in the dim light of the moon. She looked so tired, right down to the bone. "You think Athena will try to do what Ares did?" he demanded. "Come here? Use others to get to us?"

"Neither of them is stupid, Bruce," she said. "They're both smarter than Ares. He wasn't exactly subtle. I don't think either of them would attack us directly. Or maybe not even at all... I don't know. I just know I saw the hatred, the bitterness in Hippolyta's eyes. Athena, too. Not to mention Artemis." She rubbed her eyes. "Three very vengeful goddesses after me."

Bruce drew her close against his chest. "It's not your fault."

"How is it not?" Her voice broke. "If I'd just stayed on Themyscira... None of you would be in danger."

"That's a lie. Your mom would probably have died. I would still be Batman, and would've been more reckless. Who knows what would've happened to Cass, or even Dick if you hadn't come back." Bruce didn't want to think about it.

"Still." Diana sighed into his chest, her breath warm on his bare skin. But she sank into him, her cold hands curling against his chest.

"No. It's not your fault. It's theirs. And if they are trying to get to you, we'll stop them. One way or another."

Silence fell over the room, but this time, it was more relaxed.

"Bruce," Diana murmured. "I know we caught Maroni and Zucco... but why does it feel -"

"As though something else has just started?" Bruce muttered gravely. "I know."

Both fell into an uneasy sleep.

Thoughts?

Man, I love writing Huntress/Question moments. Looking forward to writing more of them as the story progresses. We've got a ways to go; the troubles are unfortunately just starting.

Sorry for the long delay! I'm off school for about a month, so I'll update hopefully a few times before I head back.

- Serena