Ch. 3 Dialogus Productum

Zatanna and Wonder Woman sat together in the Watchtower dining hall.

"He cares about you."

"I know, Zatanna. But what's the point? I have better odds setting foot in Themyscira than I do sitting at a table eating dinner or going dancing with the Batman."

"Ok, that's quite a vision," Zatanna giggled, visualizing Bruce in his cape and cowl, dancing. "Batman isn't what I'd refer to as romantic. His alter ego may be, but that's all pretense, what he'd call an occupational hazard. I've known Batman for a long time. His feelings for you are different. Different than he what he had for Talia, Selina or even for me in a universe far, far away."

Munching on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Supergirl sat down next to Diana. "Whatcha talkin' about?"

Diana and Zatanna remained silent.

"Oh come on," Kara squealed. "The only ones who talk to me up here are Clark and Ollie..."

Zatanna was quick to hush her. "We usually use their stage names here."

Diana felt sympathy for Supergirl. She was considered Clark's cousin, had similar powers and probably felt very alone and young in the Watchtower.

"I'm sorry, Kara. I've just had a lot on my mind lately. Are you still having those nightmares?" Diana tucked a strand of hair behind Kara's ear.

"I get it, you're changing the subject. That's ok, but I know you were talking about boys...a bat-boy in particular. I have superhearing, you know."

In other circumstances, Diana would have loved to talk to Kara about men. She was curious about male and female interactions in Man's World and had no doubt that Kara's perspective would have been fresh and interesting.

Realizing that Diana was uncomfortable speaking to her about Batman, Kara reluctantly answered, "The nightmares are getting worse, more intense."

Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow walked into the dining hall. He sat down at a table near Black Canary so that he could see her without being too obvious in his admiration for her.

Supergirl continued, "I see Ollie has chosen to sit by himself instead of sitting next to Black Canary. I think I'm going to go over there and talk to him."

"Take care of yourself, little sister," Diana said softly as Kara got up and walked over to Green Arrow.

As Wonder Woman was finishing up on monitor duty, Batman stealthily approached.

"Time's up."

"It's about time you showed up." She noticed that Batman looked fatigued and had some blood on his cheek. "You look exhausted."

"I'm fine." He wiped the blood off of his cheek.

"Seems you had quite a night. I saw you visit the Iceburg Lounge again."

"Business."

"I would never assume otherwise. At least she was pretty."

"They're all pretty. And don't spy on me."

"Maybe I like watching you," she said with a hint of seduction. "I haven't seen behind the mask since the Thanagarian invasion."

"There hasn't been a need to take the mask of in front of members of the League."

Diana put her hand to his cheek to wipe a spot of blood he missed.

"Don't."

"Sorry." Her heart sank as she waiting for another "don't be" reply. But there was no such reply from Bruce. There was just Batman and no charm. "I thought that Black Canary was taking over monitor duty tonight."

"You were mistaken."

"Ollie must be disappointed." Diana chuckled. "I think he might have been planning to finally ask her out tonight."

Batman continued to immerse himself in monitor related duties, not paying attention to Diana.

"Once again, engaging in conversation with you has proven futile."

Batman switched to monitor view to ultra-violet. "I'm trying to concentrate. You're not helping." He was emotionless.

"And I'm leaving," she snorted and walked out of the monitor womb.

Batman stopped pressing buttons and flipping switches. "Finally, some peace." As much as he truly enjoyed her company, he had resolved himself to remain focused. Concentration was key. Saving lives, making sure that no child endured what he had to endure left no room for missteps or miscalculations. And emotions made people sloppy. Distracted. He breathed in deeply. "Diana."

"Uh, no, it's Zatanna."

How she slipped in the monitor womb without him knowing was beyond belief.

"Zatanna, what do you need?"

"A good man. Handsome but not arrogant. And funny. A sense of humor is absolutely vital."

"For humor, see Flash. I'm on watch. Leave me alone."

"I see Flash enough as it is." She wondered why so many men were preoccupied by her legs. "I haven't talked to you for some time...not since that historical utterance of gratitude from you. I still can't believe you sang in public. In your cape and cowl! She must be someone special."

His whole body tensed. That damn phrase again. Do all women think alike? He continued to switch views on the monitor screen.

Zatanna pushed further. "Bruce?"

"This isn't Gotham, Zatanna. Here I am referred to as Batman. Remember the cape and cowl? I'm still wearing them."

"Fine...Batman. No, the hell with that. We've known each other for years, no one is around so sit tight and listen...Bruce."

His back was to her face so she was unable to see the classic Bat grimace. She knew that he wasn't about to say anything.

"Bruce, I wouldn't dare tell you how to live your life. I wouldn't dream of advising you to do anything that would prevent you from fighting the good fight. I know you think that if you let Diana in your heart, somehow you will let down those whom you have sworn to protect. That in order for you to be effective in your quest against injustice, you must feel requisite pain, loneliness and anger."

As Batman continued to stare at the monitor screen, Zatanna felt herself control her frustration. Anger was already a too formidable force in this man's world.

"It must kill you that she can make you smile." She remembered looking into her crystal ball. She had seen the stoic man's reaction to Diana humming his song.

Finally, he voiced a reaction. "If I had wanted advice about love, I would have sent a letter to Dear Abby."

"So he does have a voice," she quipped.

"Make your point and leave, Zatanna."

"Haven't you been listening to me?" She paused. "On second thought, don't answer that." She walked over to the chair Bruce was sitting on, his eyes still fixed on the monitor screen. "Bruce," she placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're the most courageous man I've ever known. Show a little courage now, for her and for yourself." She added, "She's on the loading dock about to board her invisible jet."

Diana was about to step into her jet when she heard a voice that could make a vestal virgin tingle.

"Here."

She turned around to face Batman - without the cowl.

"Here," he urged softly, handing her a small white envelope.

Trying to appear disaffected, Diana casually asked, "What's this?"

"Don't push it, Princess. It's a gift, just open it."

Diana opened up the envelope to find a lifetime voucher to the Coffee, Bean and Tea Leaf. "I don't understand..."

"You can get your iced mochas from there from now on." Bruce looked at her eyes, but just for a brief moment, hiding the subtle blush that had crept on his face. He turned around and walked out of the loading dock.

Flabbergasted at his offering, Diana was increasingly desirous of this man's intentions as she was starting to conceive the most confusing of sentiments.

Love.