9. Memories

Batman looked back at Diana as she lay to the bed, holding belts across her ankles, thighs and arms. They had just broken through the earth's atmosphere and were on their way home.

"Another hour….just one hour and we'll be home" he said to an unconscious Diana.

He sat in silence contemplating what he going to do now. He couldn't bear the thought of Diana dying. He had never thought about it. She was supposed to be immortal and yet here she lay not five feet from him, fighting a losing battle for her life.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted. "Bruce," came the hoarse cry from the bed.

Batman immediately plotted in the course and set the 'wing on auto-pilot and reached for Diana.

"Bruce" she cried out again.

"I'm here Diana" he said, holding her hand, trying to reassure her.

"I'm sorry Bruce….I'm sorry….I'm sorry….." started mumbling.

Batman realized she was entering the next stage – fear and paranoia.

"Hold on Diana. A few more minutes and we will be home and everything will be alright." He was trying to help her hold onto something, and in her current state that something would be a happy memory.

"Home" she whispered. "I should have listened to you Bruce. You always told me to be careful; you always said that I shouldn't just rely on my powers. But I didn't listen. But it is too late now...I am sorry." tears had starting flowing from her eyes.

"Don't think about that Diana" he hoped she would last long enough for them to land. "Think about something happy. Think about the dance we had in Paris or the first time we met or our first 'date' on the Gotham Towers building. Think about that."

"Yes" a watery smile on her face. Suddenly her smile fell. "I can't remember it Bruce. I am trying to remember but everything is going blank………Help me remember...please, help me."

Batman removed his mask. "What do why want to remember? Tell me."

"Our first time together. My first time with a man……" she gave a small smile, "….with you."

Bruce ran his hand through her hair. She still had her wreath on. Taking a deep breath he began.

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"We had first met publicly in Paris. I knew I was taking a risk but seeing you standing there, glowing in the night like a goddess and yet looking so innocent and lost surrounded by all those people, I couldn't stop myself. I approached you and blew my secret. Should have known better than trying to fool you."

He noticed that Diana was smiling but her eyes were starting to glaze over. He would lose her soon. Choking his own fear back, he continued.

"As we grew closer I tried to avoid what was clear as day and what you had already realized. But finally I got off my high horse and admitted the truth. After that we starting meeting. It took some planning, but nobody suspected anything as we always used to partner together for missions. Although I suspect J'onn knows. After all he is a telepath."

Suddenly Diana squeezed his hand, "BRUCE" she cried out louder this time. "I can't see you Bruce. Everything has gone black."

'She's losing it and it's too soon' he thought.

"Diana I am here, I'll always be here." Turning around he reached for the medical box while still holding onto Diana's hand.

"I'm going to hell for what I have done….I don't want to leave you….save me Bruce" she pleaded, her eyes starring into space.

Batman let go of her. She immediately tried to grab it. "Don't leave me Bruce….please don't leave me….I'm sorry I hurt you….please……" she trailed off as the drug he had just injected started to take affect.

Wiping her tears off, he caressed her soft hair and leaned down for to kiss her gently. He then sat down next to her and continued speaking to her even though she couldn't hear him anymore.

"Our first time together…….We had been in Gotham. You liked patrolling with me. You said it gave you a chance to be a part of my world, my night just as I was a part of yours in the day. We returned around 4 AM in the morning. You had fallen asleep on the way back and I didn't want to disturb you, so I worked silently, updating my records while you slept in the batmobile. When I finally woke you up, it was almost six. Alfred had prepared a room and bath for you. We had our breakfast and then retired to my room. We were too tired to do anything and just fell asleep in each other's arms. When I woke up, I saw you lying next to me on your elbows, just looking at me."

The batwing proximity alarm sounded.

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"Ten more minutes, Diana. Then we'll be home and I'll tell you the rest of it." He kissed her once again before getting up. He deactivated the auto-pilot and guided the 'wing to its final destination.

Landing the batwing Batman turned to Diana. "We're home. Everyone will be happy to see you. Everything is going to be fine now". With that he opened he hatch and stepped out.