((authors notes: Woo hoo!! This Chapter's done! And, after a several-month-long hiatus I am back! Without a vengeance! This Ch. Was brought to you by Adam Ant, Novus Canticus, No Doubt, The Goo Goo Dolls, Fleetwood Mac, Moxie Fruvous, and countless more examples of my questionable taste in music. Special Thanks to Noah, for just being there, and to Gamma Xmen for intelligent conversation, informing me of the upcoming JLA 90, and listening to me vent my frustration.))

Diana heard the knock at her door and turned toward the sound, seriously contemplating not answering it. The knock came again, more insistent this time, and Diana sighed, stood up, feeling tired. She walked over to the heavy ebony door and pulled it open.

She wasn't sure precisely whom she had been expecting to be standing there--Kal, maybe, or even Kyle--but it certainly wasn't the King.

Her eyes were wide in surprise for a split second before she schooled her face into a mask of unemotion.

"My Lord," She bowed. "Come in." She made way for him and he swept past her with the serious manner only he could affect, his black cape billowing behind him.
He stood in the center of the room, and she was struck with the thought that he was uncomfortable. She quickly dispelled that errant thought. The word uncomfortable was more than likely not in his vocabulary.

"Sit down," She offered, and waited until he did so to do so herself. She sat rigid, her back upright, her body tense. She wasn't sure quite what to expect.

Their chairs were across from one another, and Diana crossed her legs uncomfortably, suddenly acutely aware that she was wearing only a short, linen, sleeping tunic.

She kept her eyes on his face, but he remained silent.

"Did you…need something, Your Majesty?" Diana ventured at last.

"Why did you lie to me?" He asked abruptly. Diana was slightly taken aback.

She sighed, folded her hands in her lap and looked down at them. She stayed like this a moment, wondering how to answer.

"It was the only way." She said softly, but with an air of firmness. She then looked up at him.

"You didn't think I would have helped you if I had known you were a woman?" He asked.

She looked him straight in the eye.

"Exactly," She said. His lips thinned.

"If you had come to me at first, told me the truth, I would have helped you." Diana leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. Who was he to judge her motives?! How dare he?

"It was hard enough to gain your trust as a man, Your highness, so please respect my intelligence and don't tell me it wouldn't have been twice as hard had you known I was a woman!"

She watched his jaw clench. "I--" he began, but she interrupted him.

"No. It's my turn. Listen to me, Your Majesty. Would you have accepted me into your confidence had you known I was a woman?"

"No, but--" He began.

"Oh!" She stood up and began to pace. "Well then would you have given me a seat at the High Table if you had known I was a woman?"

"I hardly see how this--"

"Would you have trusted me, accepted me, had you known I was a woman?!"

"It has nothing to do with--" He began again, but she interrupted him yet once more.

"Answer the question!"

He very nearly lost his temper, but by some miracle managed to keep it in check.

"No," He replied his voice steely.

"Ah. Well, then what about my position as your chamberlain? I don't suppose that would be in effect either?"

He was silent.

"It is a simple question, Your Majesty!" She said.

"No," He said again.

"Well," Diana's voice was almost sad, but mostly bitter. "Well then I suppose that tells you why I don't think you would have helped me."

He stood up, and she was once again reminded that he was taller than she was. Slowly he advanced toward her, his eyes hidden in shadow

When he was a few feet from her, he stopped. His voice was soft as he spoke. "You're right." He said. "You're absolutely right. I would not have trusted you as much. Neither would many of my court." He sighed. "It's just that…It hurt, when I knew you had lied."

Diana looked away from his eyes. "How did you know, anyway?" She asked, her voice more subdued. Bruce gave a sigh that was part chuckle and, hesitantly, with the ill grace of one who is not a practiced storyteller, relayed the events that happened in the woods.

"…That's how I knew it was you." He could tell by her expression that she believed him. "Trevor was…a good friend of mine. And if he thought so highly of you that he had to come back and tell you that he loved you one last time…Then I truly don't see how you could ever have meant to hurt or betray any of us." His voice was surprisingly gentle, and had lost much of it's typical gravelly tone. Her eyes had tears in them as she looked up at him. He was…so handsome.

"You…you seemed perfectly ready to accuse me this afternoon." Diana said, unwilling to let a few sweet words take away her anger. Although to be sure, he did look very sorry…

He smiled at her, soft and genuine. "I was still in shock over the fact that you were--are a woman," he replied.

"You didn't seem to be in shock when you kissed me." She replied without thinking, and instantly regretted it.

His smile widened, almost imperceptibly, and he reached across the distance between them to touch her face.

"I was simply glad to realize that I didn't have a preference for men after all." He said softly.

Diana tried, unsuccessfully, not to smile.

Wit liitle warning, he leaned down and touched his lips to hers, for a second only. Wide-yed, she looked up into his eyes, and realized it was one of the biggest mistakes she'd ever made. His gaze, full of crushing longing, swept over her. He pulled her close, brushing a thick strand of her hair out of her face with trembling fingers.

"My Lord..." Diana whispered. "I…"

"Shhh." Bruce gently laid a finger across her lips. "My name is Bruce," he insisted quietly, and kissed her.

***

fin

BTW: I'm not sure if I should continue this story. It could end here or I could write on. Either way's okay with me, but someone sent me an email telling me that it was getting "monotonous". I won't say who cause I'm nice like that, but email me and tell me wheather or ton I should continue this. Thanks. -Cat