How Much is the World Worth?
Chapter 1:Unwinding
By: Babs Laumer
A/N: Sorry Crazy Queen 101; I didn't have anything planned for after 'It Has to be Done'. However, I've had this in mind for a while, and it's in the same vein, so I hope you enjoy! It will most likely be much longer than the other one. Oh! And thanks for the suggestion; I'm new here. :)
Disclaimer: I don't own the Justice League; they're the property of DC comics and whoever does the cartoons. Unfortunately, I don't get paid for this. I just think up stories and write them down for myself and others to enjoy. Oh, yeah, I'm just a college student, so you wouldn't get anything if you sued.
I stormed through the halls of the watchtower, trying to keep my Amazonian temper in check. If I saw Flash too soon....
I just needed to escape him for a while. After that prank he pulled, I'm just not in the mood. The trouble was, he was everywhere. Even when he KNEW I was mad at him. Where do you go to escape the fastest man alive? As soon as I asked myself the question, I veered to the right and made for the secondary computer room. When not on monitor duty, Batman could usually be found there researching something. If he's not in Gotham. Batman's "cheery" attitude was the best Flash repellant in the world. Besides, Batman wouldn't insist I talk about it either, and I could stew until I got myself under control without having to explain. For all Superman's a pretty nice guy, I don't feel like sharing right now.
At the door, I slowed down so the door had time to open before I crashed through it. No point in getting Superman's tights in a twist. The door wooooshed! Open, and, sure enough, Batman sat staring intently at the screen, and typing intermittently. He was apparently unaware that someone just invaded his silent room. I knew better. The doors closed behind me, and the silence continued. It was blissful. I felt some of the annoyance flow away with the peacefulness of the room, and became suddenly curious as to what Batman was working on. Softly, I stole up behind him to get a better look.
"Diana."
I stopped in my tracks like I'd been caught with my hands in the cookie jar. His voice had that effect on people. The only person on the Justice League with no powers, and he could stare down Superman or keep Flash quiet. I smiled. It had taken some time, but I learned eventually that it is supremely hard, if not impossible, to sneak up on him.
"What are you working on?"
If he could play it cool, so could I. I stood just behind his chair, making sure to give him his space and stared at the screen. There were pictures of various people I didn't recognize, and under each collection was a country and city name.
He leaned back in the chair, steepling his fingers under his chin after hitting a last key a bit harder than I thought necessary.
"People have turned up missing around the world. Not enough in each country to cause more than the normal quota of alarm. But," he hit a couple of keys and a number scrolled across the screen, "...enough that together, it looks rather more serious. Some of the people are from fairly high positions, but none REALLY high. Gotham had several disappear this last week."
"Any pattern?" I was becoming even more interested and, frankly, a touch concerned. When Batman started taking an interest, it rarely turned out as something short of important.
"Aside from the manner they disappear and the thoroughness which with they do."
"Any luck?" I stopped studying the screen and watched for his response. His jaw clenched tighter.
"No."
It sounded suspiciously as if he was in as much need as I to pound something. If his abruptness had anything to do with it.
"Well," I started casually, examining my nails with apparent unconcern, "I need to get some training in. Want to join?"
"Flash again?"
I prayed to Hera that he didn't just see my jaw rebound off the floor. Pulling myself together, I answered coolly, "That's neither here nor there. But," I added a bit of humor to my voice, "you can only shadowbox yourself for so long before you can out maneuver yourself." And, I added privately, before that poor computer becomes a sizzling heap under your piercing stare.
I could see he was tempted. I think he really needed a break, because he gave the computer a routine to do while he was gone, stood up, and gestured.
"After you."
I smiled after I had turned to the door. Batman's MUCH better than the Flash.
"What rules should we spar under?" I had heard there were rules for this kind of thing, but since we weren't really going to do any damage anyway (besides to our pride), that I wasn't sure if it was necessary. Batman finished warming up, and faced me.
"Any fighting style goes, but we'll avoid permanent damage." Pretty much as I figured. Well, I can handle that. Except, I have to be careful not to hurt him. He can use more force because it won't hurt me nearly so much as it would a non-powered person. A thought struck me.
"Are gimmicks allowed?" He didn't move out of his crouch, but he paused.
"Not unless ABSOLUTELY necessary." I was starting to feel much better, and I hadn't even started. Grinning, I decided I was crazy enough to up the stakes.
"Loser makes the winner dinner?" Heh. It even rhymes. When the corner of Batman's mouth twitched upwards, I started to worry. What had I gotten myself into, anyway?
Three seconds later, I found out.
Chapter 1:Unwinding
By: Babs Laumer
A/N: Sorry Crazy Queen 101; I didn't have anything planned for after 'It Has to be Done'. However, I've had this in mind for a while, and it's in the same vein, so I hope you enjoy! It will most likely be much longer than the other one. Oh! And thanks for the suggestion; I'm new here. :)
Disclaimer: I don't own the Justice League; they're the property of DC comics and whoever does the cartoons. Unfortunately, I don't get paid for this. I just think up stories and write them down for myself and others to enjoy. Oh, yeah, I'm just a college student, so you wouldn't get anything if you sued.
I stormed through the halls of the watchtower, trying to keep my Amazonian temper in check. If I saw Flash too soon....
I just needed to escape him for a while. After that prank he pulled, I'm just not in the mood. The trouble was, he was everywhere. Even when he KNEW I was mad at him. Where do you go to escape the fastest man alive? As soon as I asked myself the question, I veered to the right and made for the secondary computer room. When not on monitor duty, Batman could usually be found there researching something. If he's not in Gotham. Batman's "cheery" attitude was the best Flash repellant in the world. Besides, Batman wouldn't insist I talk about it either, and I could stew until I got myself under control without having to explain. For all Superman's a pretty nice guy, I don't feel like sharing right now.
At the door, I slowed down so the door had time to open before I crashed through it. No point in getting Superman's tights in a twist. The door wooooshed! Open, and, sure enough, Batman sat staring intently at the screen, and typing intermittently. He was apparently unaware that someone just invaded his silent room. I knew better. The doors closed behind me, and the silence continued. It was blissful. I felt some of the annoyance flow away with the peacefulness of the room, and became suddenly curious as to what Batman was working on. Softly, I stole up behind him to get a better look.
"Diana."
I stopped in my tracks like I'd been caught with my hands in the cookie jar. His voice had that effect on people. The only person on the Justice League with no powers, and he could stare down Superman or keep Flash quiet. I smiled. It had taken some time, but I learned eventually that it is supremely hard, if not impossible, to sneak up on him.
"What are you working on?"
If he could play it cool, so could I. I stood just behind his chair, making sure to give him his space and stared at the screen. There were pictures of various people I didn't recognize, and under each collection was a country and city name.
He leaned back in the chair, steepling his fingers under his chin after hitting a last key a bit harder than I thought necessary.
"People have turned up missing around the world. Not enough in each country to cause more than the normal quota of alarm. But," he hit a couple of keys and a number scrolled across the screen, "...enough that together, it looks rather more serious. Some of the people are from fairly high positions, but none REALLY high. Gotham had several disappear this last week."
"Any pattern?" I was becoming even more interested and, frankly, a touch concerned. When Batman started taking an interest, it rarely turned out as something short of important.
"Aside from the manner they disappear and the thoroughness which with they do."
"Any luck?" I stopped studying the screen and watched for his response. His jaw clenched tighter.
"No."
It sounded suspiciously as if he was in as much need as I to pound something. If his abruptness had anything to do with it.
"Well," I started casually, examining my nails with apparent unconcern, "I need to get some training in. Want to join?"
"Flash again?"
I prayed to Hera that he didn't just see my jaw rebound off the floor. Pulling myself together, I answered coolly, "That's neither here nor there. But," I added a bit of humor to my voice, "you can only shadowbox yourself for so long before you can out maneuver yourself." And, I added privately, before that poor computer becomes a sizzling heap under your piercing stare.
I could see he was tempted. I think he really needed a break, because he gave the computer a routine to do while he was gone, stood up, and gestured.
"After you."
I smiled after I had turned to the door. Batman's MUCH better than the Flash.
"What rules should we spar under?" I had heard there were rules for this kind of thing, but since we weren't really going to do any damage anyway (besides to our pride), that I wasn't sure if it was necessary. Batman finished warming up, and faced me.
"Any fighting style goes, but we'll avoid permanent damage." Pretty much as I figured. Well, I can handle that. Except, I have to be careful not to hurt him. He can use more force because it won't hurt me nearly so much as it would a non-powered person. A thought struck me.
"Are gimmicks allowed?" He didn't move out of his crouch, but he paused.
"Not unless ABSOLUTELY necessary." I was starting to feel much better, and I hadn't even started. Grinning, I decided I was crazy enough to up the stakes.
"Loser makes the winner dinner?" Heh. It even rhymes. When the corner of Batman's mouth twitched upwards, I started to worry. What had I gotten myself into, anyway?
Three seconds later, I found out.