4. Fall from Grace
Shayera shot up again and walked over to where Batman stood.
"What game are you playing Batman?" she said, pointing an accusing finger at Batman.
Batman kept silent and glared at her. Diana came to her side.
"Shayera please don't blame Batman. It was my idea; he only offered a safe house of sorts."
"Yeah, 'safe house' my ass. Like anything would be safe in Gotham" countered Hawkgirl.
"Shayera, its Wonder Woman's decision and we have to respect it" expressed J'onn Jones.
"J'onn not you too" she said, turning to face J'onn. "She needs us at this time."
"No, what she needs is our support. And Batman is providing just that. The rest of us should do the same" replied J'onn calmly.
"I agree with J'onn" stated Superman.
"Me too" came Green Lantern's reply.
Everyone turned to Flash, who shrugged his shoulders, "Whatever Diana decides is fine with me. If she thinks she needs some time alone to sort out things for herself, then who are we to block her way."
"Thank you Flash" responded Diana, smiling at him. She then turned to Shayera, "Shayera…."
"I don't like it, but as Flash said 'you need to time to sort out things'. But if you ever need any of us, just give us a call."
"Thank you Shayera, you have been a real sister." Diana hugged Hawkgirl.
She then turned to Batman. "When do we leave?"
"As soon as you have something to eat and gather your belongings" came the gruff reply.
"But I am not…." she stopped when she saw Batman glaring at her.
"Alright, Flash I believe you had fruit salad and milkshake for me. I'd like to have that now."
"That, the milkshake must have gone all flat and would the fruit salad. You wait ten seconds and I'll make you new ones." With that Flash was off and ten seconds later was back with freshly prepared fruit salad and milkshake.
Half an hour later,
"Thank you Flash. The salad and shake were simply outstanding." declared Diana, getting up from her chair. Turning to Batman she said "I'll grab my stuff and we can be on our way." With that she started towards her room. Batman followed her leaving their observing team members.
"Is it just me or does Batman look concerned about Diana to you too." Asked Lantern.
"Please, Batman and concerned, don't you have to have a heart to do that?" scoffed Hawkgirl.
"Shayera, not everyone is as emotionally charged and hot headed as you" came Lantern's return.
"You would know Mr. I-am-marine-am-lantern-strong-with-no-heart man." With that she walked off to the recreation room.
Green Lantern huffed and walked off to the monitor room.
Observing his team members' actions, Flash remarked, "I don't know anything about Wondy and Bats, but I definitely don't see those two ever getting together."
J'onn gave a small smile and closed his eyes, while Superman look bewildered at what had just occurred.
An hour later the entire league stood in the hanger bay. Batman had finished packing Wonder Woman's luggage in the Batwing.
"What's the address of the place where you'll be staying?" asked Hawkgirl.
"I don't know" answered Diana.
"Well Batman, where is this 'safe house' of yours?" questioned Hawkgirl, turning to face Batman.
"Gotham" Batman said, before turning around and climbing into the Batwing.
"Stupid Bat" muttered Shayera.
Diana smiled and hugged everyone before joining Batman. Soon they were taxing out of the landing bay. Sometime later they broke into Gotham airspace. Batman guided the 'wing towards his 'safe house' penthouse.
Dawn was just breaking as they landed on the building's roof.
Diana turned to Batman, "Should have known that you would have the penthouse."
"Easier to enter and exit from" stated Batman dryly.
Once they had unloaded all of Diana's belongings, Batman pulled Diana to him.
"You have to leave." Stated and questioned Diana.
"I did offer the manor."
"Yes. But…." started Diana.
Batman cut her off with a kiss. Breaking away a few moments later, he spoke softly, in a very un-Batman like way, "I know, you need time alone. Don't worry I'll ask Alfred to come in the day to help you get settled in."
"And you?" questioned Diana.
"Bruce Wayne is going to be very busy today." answered Batman. "Tomorrow I'll set my whole day apart, just for you." With that they kissed again.
Batman left soon and Diana started to explore her new residence. It was a huge apartment with five rooms, each with their own bathroom, a huge kitchen and dining area, living area, gym, study and recreational room. 'Fit for royalty or a multi-billionaire' thought Diana as she settled into one room.
----
Landing the Batwing, Batman got out and walked to the main cave area.
"Long night sir"
"Yes Alfred"
"Miss Diana settled in the new apartment?" questioned Alfred.
"Yes Alfred. Would you get her settled in?"
"Gladly sir, although it would have been desirable if the Princess would have agreed to stay at the Manor" expressed Alfred.
"Indeed, but she is very strong willed and stubborn." responded Batman, taking off his cape and cowl.
"Sound familiar sir."
Bruce Wayne disregarded Alfred, "I don't like leaving her alone in such a fragile state."
"She will recover sir" consoled Alfred. He knew his master and surrogate son's feelings for the Amazonian Princess. Over the past few months they had gotten close to each other and Alfred has high hopes for both of them.
Four hours later, Alfred was standing outside Diana's apartment.
Diana answered the door, "Good Morning Miss Diana" wished Alfred.
"Good Morning Alfred, please come in. Bruce just called saying that you should be reaching soon, and here you are."
Alfred entered the apartment. He had two huge bags with him. "I took the liberty of preparing some breakfast and lunch."
"Thank you Alfred."
After Diana finished her breakfast the rest of the day was spent getting Diana settled in. Diana chose one of the rooms as her weapons room and another one she setup as her temple. Bruce Wayne called ever hour asking about her progress.
------
Batman visited her that night before starting his patrol.
Next morning, Wayne Manor, Bruce Wayne was finishing breakfast, "Are the things I asked for ready?" he questioned Alfred.
"Yes sir" he answered producing a large box. "Do you think these are necessary?" he enquired.
"Alfred, she looked very lost yesterday night. I hope it doesn't come to it, but I don't want to take any chances.'
Soon he was driving towards Diana's apartment. Once there he spent time checking out Diana's setting as she had her bath and got ready. She had taken off her silver bracelets, necklace, tiara and earrings.
Once she was settled down, "So what are we going to do today?" she asked.
"Whatever my princess commands. But before that I have something I want to give you" with that he opened the box and took out several file folders.
"What's this?" questioned Diana.
"This is your new identity. Atleast while you stay in Gotham. I would like to introduce to you Ms. Diana Prince" with that he started to explain everything to her. She had a new license, credit cards, social security and other documents.
"So you want me to change who I am?" said Diana, looking at Bruce.
"No" he answered frankly "You are perfect the way you are. But you wanted privacy and this will help you to retain it even when you move around in the general public. If you don't want to use it, it's up to you."
Diana smiled "I'll use it." She kissed Bruce, "Although you didn't put too much thought into the name."
Bruce shrugged his shoulder, "It was Alfred's idea" he said running a hand through his hair.
As they were about to leave when Bruce stopped her. He then opened a box and took out a gold necklace, earrings and two gold bracelets. Diana looked at him questioningly.
"I have got used to seeing your arms, ears and neck not bare," he answered, sliding on the bracelets.
"Promise me, you won't take them off, till the time you are in Gotham" he requested.
Diana kissed him, "I promise."
They spent the rest of the day, shopping and sight seeing around Gotham. Bruce left around 9 PM for the night.
-----
An hour later, Diana Prince entered one of Gotham's many rundown and seedy bars. She spent the next couple of hours getting drunk. She had noticed many of the bars patrons giving her leery stares. She got up and walked up to a large, middle aged, gruff looking man.
"What are looking at?" she questioned, placing a hand on his and bending slightly.
"You babe" came the answer.
"Like what you see?" she asked, opening the top button of her shirt, giving him a view of the top of her cleavage.
"Oh Yeah…" he replied tightly.
"Want to have a go at it?" she continued, opening another button.
"How much?" he asked, contemplating her offer.
"It's on the house" she stated, opening another button. Her white lace bra was visible now.
The man's pants tightened further at the view. He got up, threw money on the table and started walking towards the door holding Diana by the waist.
Once they were outside, he turned to face her "Where?" he asked, thinking that she would have a place nearby.
"Anywhere……how does your car sound? I don't want to waste time." she stated nonchalantly.
The man grabbed and squeezed her ass. 'Nice….very nice, tight ass, large tits….man I must have done some great deed in my last life.' he thought, thanking his good fortune.
They reached his car, he unlocked the door and they got in.
He started to reach for her breasts but she stopped him.
"What's the hurry, you are about to have an experience of a life time, take your time and enjoy it" she said huskily.
"I don't have a condom" he offered hesitantly.
"Did I ask you for one…..thank your gods for what you are about to receive"
"Ok baby" he said, opening his belt buckle and unzipping his pants as he saw Diana opening the remaining shirt buttons.
'Thank you GOD' he prayed again.