Disclaimer: Still don't own Justice League, Batman, Diana, or any of the rest of them. Although wishes do sometimes come true!

All comments appreciated!

Short chapter this time. Personally, it's one of my favorites that I've written, but feel free to disagree.

Chapter 6, Who Will You Run To, by Heart (one of the best bands ever, in my humble opinion)

"You found a new world and you wanna taste it, but that world can turn cold and you better face it! Who will you run to when it all falls down? Who's gonna love you, babe, as good as I?"

Diana's perspective…

After we informally disbanded the Justice League, I walked woodenly out one of the side entrances to the factory, intent on escaping as quickly as possible and holding my feelings firmly in check. This day had turned into a nightmare of emotions, of hurt feelings, and of anger, and I simply couldn't handle it anymore. I needed to breathe, to relax and regroup and just be with myself, just be Diana for a few moments.

I headed out into the night, feeling a breeze stir my hair and wash over my cheeks, mingling with the wetness rapidly appearing there. I had no idea of where I was headed, knowing only that I needed this time to recover from the emotional outpouring I had just left and the loss of another family for myself.

I was in a similar situation to J'onn, having come from a foreign land, being unable to return to my home, and seeking solace in my new teammates, forming bonds of friendship and family with them that I had sorely been missing since my departure from Themyscira. And now my family was disbanding, abandoning me once again and in the midst of all this anguish, all I could think about was Bruce.

His actions this afternoon had been cowardly, running away without facing me, and now, without my teammates, I was unsure of where my relationship with Bruce would stand, if it was there at all. To my everlasting chagrin, I knew that Bruce would view this as an ideal opportunity to forget about Princess Diana of Themyscira, to concede victory to a solitary life without ever giving us a chance.

He was so stubborn! The man truly defined the word and although I knew that I had handled our confrontation this afternoon with as much patience as I could muster, looking back, I couldn't tell if I had managed to get through his thick skull and make my point clearly and rationally.

I meandered aimlessly into the night, taking slight consolation in the stars and the moon that lit my wanderings, finally collapsing beneath a strong oak tree, taking comfort in the strength that now shielded me, the mighty backbone of the tree pressed against my side as I lay my cheek against its trunk. It seemed that indeed, some things persevered no matter what and Gaia gave strength to this magnificent world, to its flora and fauna. And perhaps tonight, I would find my own strength through nature.

I lay there for a few minutes, my tears having long since dried and my thoughts turning again to this afternoon, to the fight I had somewhat provoked with Bruce. Alfred had been so sweet, turning to wipe my tears and console me when I had finally realized that the fading taillights meant that Bruce had run away from me, from our relationship. I had long since known the man was emotionally scarred, but I had never taken him for a coward. Until today.

His abrupt departure did not bode well for our future and I knew that every step we tried to take together would be a challenge, a winding staircase to our future with every step more difficult than the last. And although he may not have realized it yet, I was a woman who thrived on challenge, who enjoyed the difficulties that made life all the sweeter. If I had been a wallflower, a meek simpering creature, I would have remained in Themyscira, no matter the danger that faced the world or threatened my homeland.

I was a warrior. I backed down from nothing and no man and certainly not the Batman.

I stood for a moment, moving quietly in the night to a patch of grass just beyond the tree's leaves and tucking my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around them, I sat in full view of the stars, taking a minute to praise Hera and my pantheon of gods for the bounty of the world and for letting me experience a new family and love, even if only for a short time.

The landscape was beautiful – dotted with stars and buildings, the light of the moon waxing into fullness and I couldn't help but think that the formation of our team had made a difference in this world, that what we had done together had mattered. Were we truly willing to give that up because of our egos and our distrust? I was saddened to realize that it was so and I recognized that my own ego had played a part in the dissolution of the Justice League, no matter how much I wanted to absolve myself of the blame.

At least part of my anger at Bruce had been taken out on my teammates, particularly the men of the group. Because of my frustration at not being able to corner the Bat in his cave, I had accused the male members of the League of being isolationists, of having to do everything on their own – I had accused them of exactly of what I had accused Bruce. I had reflected my anger at Bruce onto my teammates and for that, I was ashamed. They had not deserved my spiteful words and I was certain that Bruce and I could work out whatever problems were between us if only he would talk to me, if he would stay rather than flee.

Indeed, I had taken heart in Alfred's words, because I know the truth down to the depths of my soul – that Bruce loved me and through loving me, he tried to protect me. To Bruce, that protectiveness was part of his love, part of that all encompassing emotion that he often pretended that he was immune to.

But with me, at least lately, things had been different. He had actually spoken the words to me, actually said out loud that he returned my love, and I recognized that for Bruce to echo my words that he felt a surfeit of affection, that the depths of his feelings for me were not perhaps limitless, but certainly that he placed me alongside the other things that he cared for – his protégés, his family, and Gotham City.

I understood Bruce; at least, I understand the reasoning behind his protective measures, particularly once I had calmed, once Alfred had taken me under his wing and allowed his words to wash over me. But I still felt it necessary to address my concerns with the way that Bruce had treated me on the practice field – I wanted to be sure that he recognized me as an equal and respected my abilities, not seeking to restrict or check me in any way.

Love was not a reason for depriving someone of what lay in their nature, but a reason to celebrate their accomplishments and strengths, no matter how difficult or discomforting.

And it seemed that my love was uncomfortable with me, with my particular set of skills and abilities and that was something that we would have to address if we…if…

My mind couldn't even process the thought – I refused to consider that somehow Bruce and I wouldn't pull out of this quagmire we had found ourselves in. With a little faith and a little dialogue, I knew we would continue on this path we had found ourselves making.

Wrapping my arms tighter around my knees, I rested my chin on top of my wrists, studying the ground in solemn contemplation as if the answers to all my questions could be found in a single blade of grass. The wind had picked up, draping my bare shoulders and legs in quick gusts and spurts and I shivered with the drop in temperature. And then, suddenly, I found myself in the midst of heat and warmth, enveloped by a dark cape, the scalloped edges fingering my knees while the source of that formerly elusive warmth wrapped his arms around me, resting his chin on my head and pulling my face into the heated place where his neck met his shoulder. I cuddled closer, dropping a small kiss on his neck, realizing that this was Bruce's method of apology, that this was the moment I should truly take to heart. He was choosing to abandon his solitary existence and had not only sought me out tonight, but had chosen to share his heat and his heart, wrapping me in a sweet and silent apology and I knew that whatever difficulties lay between us, we would face them together, connected, linked.

"Thank you," I whispered and his only answer was to pull me closer. We hadn't solved our problems, but we had solved our separation and for right now, I was content with that.

Anyone else catch the VERY SUBTLE reference that good things are coming? (Hint, think Moon!)

Also a subtle reference to a DWParsnip story – Just one word, but it always makes me think of his story… Thanks for all your comments and inspiration (and emails), DW!

Next Chapter: I Need You – Bats and the others are in for a surprise…