Diana didn't know how to feel now that the fight was over. Everyone had left but him, the man responsible for taking her away from her only home and into Man's World. The Themysciran princess circled around the towering man who was naught but a few inches taller than herself, looking at him with narrowed eyes as she wondered what would happen now.

Sighing internally, Bruce couldn't help but wonder at how things had gotten to this point. In a day's time the Justice League had been formed with its Founders, the world had been saved from the Imperium…and then there was her. The woman he traveled the world in search for.

Bruce pulled back his cowl as he turned to face Diana. She knew his identity from when he went to request her help, a necessary condition on her part as she wouldn't agree to anything otherwise.

''Until things get sorted out you'll be staying with me, princess. Before we leave it's important that you do as I say and follow my rules, understand?''

A strong gust of wind blew over the two. Diana's hair danced wildly in the wind, the temperature visibly dropping as her red lips began to frown. ''And if I don't?''

''Then things won't end well for either of us, princess. Outside of Themyscira you know next to nothing, and I can't have you flying around revealing your identity to everyone you meet. Not now at least.''

Diana tilted her head in confusion. ''Even if my identity is revealed, what can Man's World do to me? Even though the machines in your world are very advanced, it is impossible that your most powerful weapon would be used in highly populated areas. No government would do that to their own people,'' replied Diana calmly. Within a short period of time she had already begun to comprehend what could and couldn't be done from what little she saw.

''It's for my own sake that you keep yourself hidden, princess. I don't want my identity to be exposed, and I won't be taking you anywhere until I know that you won't be a threat to that.''

Diana pondered over Bruce's words briefly and found them to be acceptable. If barely. She didn't like being ordered around, but Diana considered things from his stance, giving in as she would be under his care until the so-called Watchtower was built.

''Fine then,'' replied Diana softly. ''We'll do things your way…Bruce.''

Bruce felt his heart skip when he heard her say his name. The towering man turned away, not wanting Diana to see his pained expression. Bruce's eyes were full of sorrow as he closed them, his jaw clenched tightly with gritted teeth. He knew why he felt this way. Like a moth to a flame he couldn't help but reach out, knowing that in the end he'd only end up hurting himself.

''Bruce?'' Diana took a step forward, her voice tinged with concern. ''Are you alright? Is something wrong?''

The Dark Knight shook his head slowly, more so to himself than to her. When he opened his eyes the sorrow was gone. His heart was calm. ''There's a lot for you to learn, princess,'' said Bruce in a low voice. ''Think before you act, and inform me before you do anything.'' Just as he finished speaking, a roaring engine could be heard piercing the skies above them.

''Time to go,'' said Bruce as be backed away from the open field, making space for the aircraft to land.

Diana smirked as looked thoughtfully to the man by her side. ''This is that machine you rode when you left Themyscira. Even now I still find it intriguing, the capabilities of Man.''

Diana took the hand of Bruce, who helped her to get settled into the jet. Bruce had expected her to refuse, even ready to argue why it wouldn't be a bright idea for her to be flying, but he was mistaken as Diana readily climbed in. Like a child the Amazonian princess looked around with sparkling eyes, her fingers itching to touch everything she saw.

Bruce's lips curled up faintly at the sight as he helped Diana to get strapped in, though his features quickly turned to his typical aloof expression as he felt Diana's breath on his neck, her deep cleavage right before his eyes as he fastened the harness. As soon as he finished he moved immediately to pilot the Batwing, the sleek jet taking off as he pulled back against the throttle.

High above the clouds laid the moon in all its splendor, shining down on the two. Diana rested her head against the canopy of the jet, basking in the moonlight as she thought back to home in melancholy.

Bruce frowned when he looked back to check on how the Amazonian warrior was doing. Seeing Diana so lost in thought, he could guess what was on her mind. To leave one's home with the thought of never being allowed back, it was a painful burden on the soul. With a steady and reassuring tone, Bruce spoke.

''Everyone can make a choice after they have learned what it will result in. It's easy to say we should have done it this or that way afterwards. But you can't know what your choice will result in before actually choosing.'' Bruce looked to the moon, his eyes far away as he spoke. ''Things you have now, things you've lost. People who're nearby, people who've gone far away. No matter what you choose – truth is – both regret and reluctance are going to follow you. The people who have the ability to change something in this world, all, without exception, have the will to abandon things important to them if they have to, Diana.''

There was a silence that descended upon the two. There had been no time to think about what came after with the threat of annihilation looming over their heads by the Imperium. Bruce wasn't sorry for what he had done. He knew he had made the right choice in persuading Diana to come with him. Without her they wouldn't have made it to tomorrow.

But even though what he did was correct for the removal of the threat, it didn't mean it was good for Diana. Diana gave up the only home she ever knew. Exiled from Themyscira, she was seen as a traitor by her people for leaving with him, a man. Bruce wouldn't find it strange if Diana resented him for everything that had happened.

Just as he thought the silence would continue, Diana spoke softly. ''When I was a child my mother would tell me stories. She would hum to me late in the night to lull me to sleep. Mother taught me a great many things, and I never doubted her. From birth I was raised as a warrior. An Amazon. Told the unbidden sins of Man, I grew to hate them. To hate you.'' Diana looked at Bruce's figure largely obscured by the pilot's seat. She could hear his heart steadily beat. She placed a hand over her own, her heart inexplicably in tune with his own.

''I envisioned a grotesque monster from the depths of Hades when I pictured Man. Something that should be condemned and killed without much thought. But then I saw you. My heart pounded something fierce when I did. All that hate festering within me for millennia was so easily forgotten when you came before me that night. A night just like this one.''

Diana smiled warmly as she thought back to that fateful night under a starry sky and full moon. ''By the sea I stood, and you emerged from the darkness. You offered me your hand and I took it, not knowing where you would lead me. Indeed you are right, Bruce. We can't know what our choices will result in before actually choosing. I chose to see the beauty of Man's World and embrace it, rather than see its cruelty and reject it. I have yet to see the conclusion to my choice, but I do not regret it, nor do I resent you for any part of it. Rather I am grateful towards you, Bruce. Without you I'd still be without a purpose. Hidden away on Themyscira when I could instead be helping people and saving lives. So thank you, Bruce. For everything.''

Bruce continued to pilot the Batwing, not saying anything or acknowledging her. Diana felt disappointment creep into her heart as she waited to no end, but then Bruce whispered ever so lightly, ''You're welcome, princess.''


A/N: This isn't the whole chapter, but a small teaser. I was of the mind to wait until I finished the entire chapter, but decided to release a snippet just so that all of my readers know I'm still active and writing. I'll be picking up the pace to further along the story now that I have some more time on my hands. I've fallen in love with this story that has yet to be written. I've planned out so many events both lovely and heart-breaking, all I need now is to write them and bring it to life.

I do apologize for the long wait. I do feel a bit of guilt when seeing that people even after so long between uploads still come back to read my story. For those who reviewed and asked me to update, here's your wish come true (sort of). There's a lot more to come. I promise you that. This story will be completed no matter how long it takes. It warms my heart to know there are people out there wanting more, and it encourages me to continue to write despite the rough times.

On a side note, I swear you this my fellow readers and writers, one day I will find a Diana to call my own!

In kind regards,

A romantic at heart looking for his true love.