Disclaimer: The usual…no money is being made from this, I don't own any of the characters and copyright infringement is not intended.

Chapter Four

If Love Somebody Set Them Free, Or So They Say

"Hello Diana!"

She almost dropped the book as Supergirl cheerfully greeted from behind. "Oh…hello Kara."

She tried not to look too obvious as she closed the hardbound edition of When The Time Comes while the teenager eagerly pulled up a seat beside her.

"Slow night?" she asked.

"A little."

In her mind, as she stared at the youngster's face that smiled sweetly back at her, she knew there was something lurking behind those bright young eyes.

"What are you reading?" The too obvious grin was still on Kara's face.

Uh…oh! An alarm sounded from inside her mind. "Oh…just…reference materials." She tried to put on a not guilty smile.

"Reference? To what?"

My…isn't she nosey. "Nothing…that important. Which reminds me…shouldn't you be with---"

"Kal gave me a little time off."

"Oh…did he?" She made a mental note to talk to Superman about giving preferential treatment to cousins.

"Yes." An even sweeter smile appeared on Kara's face. "Isn't he the nicest? Don't you just love him?"

She just shrugged. Am I supposed to answer that?

"Well…don't you?"

"Who wouldn't?" The words almost came out as a cough and she tried on a smile. "Of course I do…he's my best---"

She was caught by surprise as the young superhero lunged at her and covered her in a powerful hug, that she thought, if she was not a Meta, her bones would have been pulverized.

"Oh, Diana! You don't know just how happy this makes me." Kara kissed her on the cheek before flying away, somewhat excitedly.

Too excitedly she noticed with a certain amount of concern at what Superman's cousin was up to. Then she remembered that she should be concerned about a more important matter and with that, she opened the book once more.

Her hearing was always above that of an average human, but since she was so engrossed in reading about the miracle of childbirth, she failed to notice someone just behind her, all the while studying her.

She almost jumped, and wondered why she had been jumpy lately, when his figure appeared from behind, his dark and imposing cape brushing past by her. She thought about hiding the book but…too late, nothing escapes the Batman and she did not bother, knowing his eyes had already seen it when he approached. And his mind was probably working overtime now about why I am reading this sort of material. Well, let him deduce this and deduce that!

Still with his broad back to her, with the huge monitor serving as the backdrop, she observed him. He appeared to be looking for something or checking up if I'm doing my job, she thought. How long had he been here? Was he able to overhear my chat with Supergirl?

Who cares? She ignored him and resumed her reading.

Strangely, the fact that he was still standing a few feet away without uttering a word made Diana look up from her book and study his unmoving form. What's wrong with him? Just then, when she felt he was about to turn, she hastily averted her eyes and pretended to read even though the words were now a blur as she wondered what in Hera's name was bothering him.

He finally faced her. "Dian---"

His words were cut short when she put down the book and noticed his eyes taking in what she was wearing. She suddenly remembered she was still wearing Superman's shirt! Oh…my, from the look on his face, I'm getting a memo this time.

She dismissed the thought. "Yes?"

It felt like the air circulation to his brain was suddenly cut off as she realized that he had been holding his breath. Without another word, he abruptly turned on his heels and left. With a raised eyebrow, she did not bother calling after him. She had more things to worry about, like a Thanagarian in labor, than a man with issues.

Was he jealous? It was somewhat a pleasant thought, though farfetched, and it brought a sheepish grin on her beautiful face. Then, a frown appeared. Or…does he know about Shayera? I mean…he's Batman, he has ways of knowing…or Kal might have…she shook her head. Kal would never tell their secret.

After a few minutes, when she was in the middle of Signs of Impending Labor, he was there again. He was in front of the monitor, pushing a few buttons, then, he was somewhat pacing from here to there. She had to suppress the laughter when she thought that he looked like someone who was in labor.

Seconds stretched by and it was getting…uncomfortable. She finally stood up and moved next to him. "Something wrong?"

In reply, he pushed a few buttons again. In a few strokes, he disabled the security cameras and audio in the area. Then he straightened up and removed the cowl covering the upper half of his handsome face as a look of confusion settled over hers.

"Whatever is bother---"

Her words were cut off as in one swift movement he did something that he should have done that night. He pulled her close and claimed her open mouth in a passionate kiss. Her initial reaction was to push him but decided against it since she knew he would be sent flying to the far side of the room. Besides, in a few seconds more, none of her was struggling against him. Instead, she moved with him, her hands boldly traveling up to meet behind his neck as his hand held her head in place while the other placed itself on the small of her back, pressing her even closer.

Her mind was caught in a whirlwind of mixed emotions as his kiss continually ravaged her willing lips. Then his mouth left hers to explore the smooth skin of her neck and she arched, giving him access to a part of her that no man ever touched before. The hand on her hair took another journey as it traveled sensually down her side, lingering a moment on the curve of her hips before tracing its way up, just below the perfect swell of her left breast. A moment of hesitation, then he inched his hand a little higher, tracing the shape of her well rounded bosom.

His hand finally closed over her heart, warming the flesh underneath her shirt. A moan escaped from deep inside and then all of a sudden, as if her voice brought him to reality, he stopped. They stared at each other through glazed eyes and his expression slowly changed from pure desire to something else she did not want to name. She removed her hands from him as his lips drew into a sinister grin only Bruce Wayne could master.

"Can Kent make you moan like that?"

Anger quickly took over as she raised a hand and slapped him across the cheek. She did not put too much force in the action but it was enough to almost make him fall. The irritating grin never left his face as he touched the part where her hand painfully stung. An angry red mark was beginning to show as he replaced his cowl and pushed a few more buttons to reactivate the security cameras. Then he walked away, leaving her seething in anger.

Suddenly, she felt the room was spinning. The intense way she was feeling right now, her fury and the fact that she was still not eating made her feel dizzy. She held onto the chair for support but her eyelids were getting heavy, her limbs felt very weak and she felt very, very tired. Her hands slipped from the chair as her body gave in, falling down on the cold floor.

She was inside some sort of a manufacturing plant, running from…someone. Then she had nowhere else to go. A man holding a shotgun aimed at her. She heard gunfire and on instinct she raised her arms to deflect the bullets. But her arms…they were not her arms…

She turned sideways and in horror saw a reflection on a cold, steel surface. Her face was gone…and staring back at her was…a pig!

Then the man moved towards her as she shook her head in disbelief. His hands took hold of her piggy arms.

No! She cried out, but it came out as a piggy snort!

She heard a sinister laugh as she was placed in a conveyor belt. Circe was laughing at her.

She felt helpless as a pig, crying, snorting. Then she heard Shayera crying in pain, about to give birth.

"Diana! Help me…"

But she could not help her friend. Her fat piggy hands were bound and she could not escape.

Oink! Oink!

"No!" She sat abruptly, her eyes opening at once.

"Diana…it's alright."

She found herself staring at orange eyes and a green face. It was J'onn and she was in sickbay.

"J'onn…"

"Shh…you're safe now," the Martian assured her. "John found you lying on the floor in the monitor womb. You passed out from hunger."

She sighed. "That was why…" she looked J'onn in the eye. "Why I…I couldn't eat…meat."

A green hand covered hers. "From what I've seen in your dreams, you were turned by Circe into a…"

"Pig! Of all the animals she could think of!" she complained. Then she remembered if J'onn saw her dream then he must have seen Shayera too. "J'onn…about…"

"I've seen her in your dream too."

She tried to sit up. She looked at the Martian intently as she thought of the words to say, though she need no words.

I understand. No one else will know.

She placed her other hand over J'onn's. "Thank you."

The Martian smiled. "Get some rest. I'll prepare you a…what would you like to eat? A ham sandwich, maybe?"

She grimaced as the thought was still a little…revolting. "I'll settle for a vegetable salad, for the time being." Then added, "J'onn…can you contact Kal for me?"

"I will."

She smiled a thank you as J'onn left the room.

Superman was on his way when an irate Batman contacted him.

"We need to talk," the deep voice barked in the commlink.

"About what?"

"Relationships among teammates."

If it was about world peace, Superman would have given it time. "Later, Batman."

This was one of the few times that Superman was not in the mood. He disregarded it. "We have to talk. Now."

"I'm on my way to the watchtower. Diana's in sickbay. Superman out."

Upon hearing the words, he immediately contacted the Martian as he prepared to follow Superman.

J'onn…is she..?

She's fine now. She just woke up.

I'm going there.

A brief silence. She asked for Superman.

He felt as if a knife stabbed him in the heart. I'll be there in a few minutes.

She had just finished her food it in a time that would make Wally proud and was drinking milk when Superman arrived.

"Hey…you okay?"

"I'm fine for someone who was almost a…breakfast item," she smiled. "Passed out from hunger."

Superman sat by her bed and looked at her friend. "That's not…what the others think."

"Kal…I'm afraid to even ask." She covered her face in her hands. "What is it this time?"

"Well…from what I've super-heard," Superman was trying to be funny to ease some of her anxiety. "There's this talk about how Flash and the rest…thought that…because you nearly…vomited on Flash this morning at the cafeteria…"

"Thought what?"

Superman cleared his throat. "That you were with child…preggy."

"What!" She shook her head. "I should have hurled on Flash if I knew he would tell half the watchtower of his recent discovery."

"Half? I don't think it's just half." Superman laughed at the idea. "So…are you?"

"Kal!" she playfully slapped him before joining him in handling the ridiculous situation they were in the best way they could, by laughing.

"Just kidding," he replied. "I just had to ask since I am the supposed father."

"Sorry about that…and about the tabloids." She felt the blood rise to her cheeks in embarrassment. "Wherever do they get the idea anyway?"

He shrugged. "Maybe…they see something we don't?"

For a strange moment, they stared at each other, searching each other's faces for a while, as if contemplating on what he just said.

"Diana?"

"Yes Kal?"

"There's a way to find out," he began awkwardly, trying to keep a straight face. "Kiss me."

"Kal!"

"Is the thought that revolting?" He tried to sound hurt.

"It's not that…I mean…" It was very hard to find the words.

He was laughing now. "I'm just kidding, Diana." Then he looked at her intently. "I just wanted to make you smile."

"Thank you for the concern," she replied.

"That's what best friends are for." He gave her hand a squeeze. "So what do we do about the rumors?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Maybe it's best that we let them be. I mean…the more we deny it, the more they might suspect we are hiding something. And we are…hiding something."

Then her face grew serious as she remembered something else. "Kal…about…you know who. I don't want to compromise her situation."

"Don't worry, I'll cover for you, even if I have to play the boyfriend," he remarked with a smile. "But when the time comes, they have to know."

"I'll try to convince her," she replied. "Thank you."

While they were talking, Batman made his way to laboratory where J'onn was. He caught a glimpse of Superman and Diana in one of the observation cameras and although there was no sound, he noticed painfully that they were happy.

"How is she?"

"She is doing well. She passed out…but I don't think from hunger alone," the Martian commented and he nearly winced at the words. If J'onn felt it, he did not show. "Her Amazonian strength would not give in that easily. But given the fact that she was physically exhausted, as well as mentally and…emotionally as a result of recent events, her hunger only served to weaken her more to the point of passing out."

"Did she found out about the curse?"

"Yes…in her dream she recalled all the events. From the point where she lost consciousness, during her transformation," J'onn replied.

He felt guilty. "I did not want her to know."

The Martian reassured him. "You only meant well, Batman. If I were transformed into…livestock too, I guess I'd prefer it if someone spared me the details."

He looked at the two figures on the screen again.

"Why don't you tell her…everything?"

"There's nothing to tell."

"If you keep telling yourself that…you might just convince yourself."

He took a deep breath before answering, knowing all along that the Martian was aware of what he was feeling, his eyes never leaving the monitor. "How can I compete?"

"What I see there are two people who developed a strong bond in such a short time, stronger than most friendships I've ever had the chance to encounter in my lifetime," the Martian admitted. "But a lot stronger are the emotions that I feel from you, whether you admit it or not. And hers, are no different."

He closed his eyes, thinking of what he lost. "I had my chance, J'onn." He turned to leave. "She deserves someone better."

"We don't always get what we deserve," J'onn remarked before the door closed.

A few minutes later, Superman excused himself so that she could rest and get some needed sleep. As the lights dimmed, she found herself drowsy and a little while more, she was deep in slumber. Nightmares no longer haunted her in her dreams, instead, she dreamt of a man that she loved.

A faint sound disturbed her in her sleep. She opened her eyes and recognized a figure in the dark, faintly outlined by the starlight.

"Aren't you supposed to be somewhere else?" she asked finally when he made no move. She sat up, not bothering to turn on the lights.

"I delegated."

How sweet! She thought sarcastically and wanted to lash out on him, remembering what he thought about her earlier. But instead, she remained passive and just stared at him not wanting to be the first to speak anymore. They remained that way for a time.

He cleared his throat. "How are you?"

She took her time in answering. "Fine."

She looked away from him, facing forward, staring at nothing in particular.

"I'm…sorry about earlier." It was almost a whisper.

"It's okay."

He took a step forward, nothing more.

"About the curse…do you want to know everything that happened?'

"No…thank you." She looked up at him. "I have all that I need to know."

She heard a sharp intake of breath but she ignored it, instead she looked away again.

"Diana…"

"What?" Her voice sounded tired.

"Don't be like this?"

"Like what?" Her voice never wavered as she sought his eyes in the dark.

He made a move and sat at the chair next to the bed. Their eyes never left each other.

"Be mad…be angry at me," he reasoned. "Just don't be…"

"Unemotional?" she finished for him. She looked at her hands folded on her lap, feeling the edge of the blanket with her fingers. "It's a trait I learned…from someone. I just recently found its advantages."

Her implication was not lost on him. "I'm like this because I need to be. I can't afford---"

"You've already told me," she interrupted him.

"Then I hope you understand."

I can't make you love me…what is there left to do? she wanted to tell him. Then she realized…he was right. He had to be this way, their lives had to be this way. It was all about making sacrifices.

"I've accepted it. I understand." Her voice no longer held the coldness, instead, it spoke sincerely. A sad smile appeared on her face.

It was so very hard to bring herself to say these things to him. But it was what he wanted, and because she valued what he asked for, she was going to set him free, set both of them free. This was the closure they both had to go through.

"You don't have to worry about me. I'm moving on." In the dark her hand sought his. "I hope we are still…friends."

A friend…moving on…suddenly he realized what she was offering. She was ending whatever started even before that night on the roof. She was ending whatever that could have been between them and was starting over with someone else. His other hand closed over the one that held him.

He should be relieved. But why was it suddenly so hard for him to answer?

After what seemed like an eternity, he finally found his voice.

"Always."