4. Old Friends

"Get in"

Diana silently got into the bat-'mobile', if you could call it that. It was more like a bat-tank. Missile resistant triple layer metal plating, amphibious capability, enough power to break the sound barrier if needed and able to carry up to eight passengers in relative luxury. All this and enough firepower to take out a whole city, with eight nuclear tipped variable range missiles, twenty surface to air and surface to surface missiles each and a usual turrets and guns. All this and a nice anti-radar stealth and environmental camouflage system making the bat-'mobile' virtually undetectable.

Batman drove in silence, continuously checking the sensors for any unwanted activity. Diana sat quietly observing him. Physically he didn't seem to have changed at all, same strong shoulders and broad chest. His costume had changed, gone was the dark blue-grey costume, it was all black now, including the bats on his chest and utility belt. Also there were other enhancements. Diana could sense the maze of electronic wiring hidden under his cowl and through his entire costume. He looked more foreboding than ever.

"Where are we going?" she asked, trying to start a conversation, but when there was no answer from him, she decided to remain silent.

/Flashback/

Diana was standing on the roof of Gotham Towers. She had been standing there for over twenty minutes, waiting for him to come. It had never been this long, he usually got to her within ten minutes of her setting foot in Gotham. But so much had changed over the past week.

The league had broken up. Batman, Hawkgirl, Nightwing, Huntress, Oracle, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Zatanna, The Question had all left the league 'The Lords' as they called them and formed a separate group, composed mainly of non-meta powered heroes. J'onn Jones had left for parts unknown, while Flash had returned to Central City as an independent operator.

Superman's announcement had affected the other members as well. Many of them decided to leave and return to their own cities and/or countries. However, they had said that incase there was an 'alien' emergency of planetary proportions, they would return and fight for the people of the earth.

Someone landed behind Diana. It couldn't be him, or any of his protégés, too loud. Given the present conditions there was only one other choice.

"Hello Diana" the feminine voice of Hawkgirl reached her ears.

"Shayera" she responded back. "Where is he?"

"He's not coming?"

"Did he send you to give the message" asked Diana testily.

"No" "I came as a friend."

Diana was silent at Hawkgirl's reply. When she finally spoke it was about him.

"How is he?" she asked quietly.

"He's….worried" "Worried about the future…..of the league, the earth….you"

"Did he say that?" Diana asked hopefully.

"No" "He hasn't spoken a word to any of us in the last week. He's always working; he falls asleep on his chair. Thank god for Alfred. He takes care of him and of us."

"Oh…So you are staying at the manor now" Diana asked dejectedly.

"Yes" answered Shayera.

There was an uncomfortable silence between the once best-friends and sisters.

"Don't you want to know about John?" asked Diana.

"No"

"Why…I thought you loved him."

Shayera smiled ruefully. I still do and some part of me will always do. But both of us have made our choices…..just like you and him. The only difference is that even after all our time together; John didn't know me well enough to guess my decision…not like him."

Diana was stunned by Hawkgirl's revelation. "He…knew…"

"Yes. He knew that if the choice came between him and Superman, you wouldn't choose his side…..but….." Hawkgirl stopped.

"But" asked Diana wanting her to continue.

"But…after all you two have been through, he had the slightest hope that he would mean enough to you for you to reconsider your decision. His heart gave him that hope even if his mind was sure you wouldn't."

Diana felt her heart breaking. She had betrayed his love, his confidence by not listening to her own heart.

"I chose the league" she said, trying to console herself.

Shayera nodded her head and started to walk away. Just before taking off she turned to Diana and spoke.

"We each make our own choices and have to live with them. I made mine and don't regret it for one instant; I hope you can say the same for yours."

With that she took off into the night.

/End Flashback/

'Regret' that is all she had for all these years. She had crossed all the pain, loathing and hurt and all that was left was regret. If only she had heeded to her heart. If only.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden halt of the batmobile. Looking at the view screen she could see a building. From the data it seemed that it was about hundred meters below them and about three kilometers away. Batman zoomed in with the external cameras and they were able to see that it was heavily guarded. The could count eight anti-aircraft guns, a high voltage double layer electric fence, several dozen armed security personnel and a dozen of what looked to huge silico-organic robots. From all this security Diana concluded it to be a place of importance.

Batman checked all his defense and offense systems one last time before getting up and going out leaving Diana alone in the tank. Diana looked around and found an extra batsuit. Her own costume was too bright and would draw attention immediately. She didn't wear the cape, cowl and gloves; instead she braided her long black hair into a ponytail. Once she was ready she followed him into the dark night.

Batman looked at her attire, "Go in" he ordered.

"I can help" she offered.

"No" he said bluntly.

"Batman…." she started, but was silenced by his raised hand.

Diana turned to look in the direction Batman was looking. For a few moments there was nothing.

But then a familiar figure started materializing right before her eyes.

A figure she had least expected to see.