Chapter 4

Batcave (MU)

"Do you really think it'll work?" Bruce asked, trying to keep his paranoia at bay.

"It should, but what other choice do you really have?" Lord Batman asked. "You want her back and this is about your only hope."

"Of course, I want her back," he snapped with overt determination. "There is no other acceptable outcome."

"I'll begin searching different universes to see if I can locate her while you work on the transportation machine."

"I'll get started on it right away," Bruce confirmed.

Lord Batman's expression grew solemn and more than a little pessimistic. "This isn't going to be easy," he warned him. "There are hundreds of thousands of universes and those are just the ones that we've found so far. There could be at least a million…maybe more. It could be years before we finally find her if we even do."

"I know," Bruce said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not giving up."

He knew this was going to be an arduous undertaking, one that was fraught with so many obstacles and uncertainties. Even if they worked non-stop for the next ten years, there was still no guarantee that they would ever find her. The thought made his heart stutter out of rhythm.

"You look like hell by the way," Lord Batman stated with a frown.

"Thanks," Bruce growled. "I already feel like I've been to hell and back."

"I understand all too well, Bruce," he responded, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I know what it's like to lose her. I was granted a second chance with her. I hope you get a second chance as well."

"Me too," he agreed with a weary sigh, raking his fingers back through his hair.

"Go get some sleep," he told him. "You're going to need it if you're going to get that transporter built any time soon."

"I don't have time to sleep," he stated. "I have to find Diana."

"Hey, I'm going up to eat dinner so I can get ready for patrol," Damian suddenly announced as he came to stand beside Bruce.

"Go," Bruce told his son. "I've got work to do."

"I know…I know," Damian said with a roll of his eyes as he walked away. "You have to find Diana. It's all I've heard about for the last week."

"Who was that?" Lord Batman asked with a curious frown.

"My son…Damian," Bruce reluctantly revealed. He didn't want to give away too much of his life to his double, but he was willing to help him find Diana so a little exchange of information could go a long way in continuing to build trust between them.

"Who is his mother?"

"Talia al Ghul," he stated, studying the man on the screen before him for the least bit of response.

"Interesting," he thoughtfully replied with a slow nod of his head. "She was not a love interest of mine. Found her to be a little too attached to her father…and not in a good way. Don't get me wrong. She tried repeatedly, but she was too clinging for my taste."

"I'll contact you once I get started," Bruce told him, not wanting to travel down that path. Talia was his past. Hopefully, Diana would be his future if he could find her.

"I'll be here," he confirmed. "I'll contact you as soon as I find anything. I hope you get her back."

"Me too," Bruce said before ending the transmission.

He tilted his head back, staring up into the black abyss of the cave. Diana was alive. The thought alone caused his heart to soar, his lips nearly curling into a slight smile. His hope had been renewed, his resolve in finding her further solidifying in his soul. He didn't care if it took him years. He was going to find her and bring her home to him.

He growled to himself as the alert sounded on his computer, letting him know he had a visitor entering the secret tunnel of the cave. He knew without looking that it was Clark. He was coming to give him an update on how the Founders' meeting went that he'd flat out refused to attend.

He was sure that he was going to ask him what his recommendation would be to take Diana's place. He was not going to give any recommendations, would not vote on any replacements. Diana didn't need to be replaced. She needed to be rescued.

There was a subtle shift in the air of the Batcave as Superman exited the tunnel and entered the cave itself, flying up to the platform and landing silently behind Bruce. "Diana is alive," Bruce stated before Clark could even open his mouth.

"Are you positive?" Clark asked, wanting to believe him, but was still skeptical without hard proof. He couldn't bear getting his hopes up only to lose her all over again. It had been hard enough as it was without going through it again.

"Yes," Bruce said without turning around.

"Bruce, this isn't just your refusal to believe that Diana is dead, is it?"

"No," he snapped in response. "Diana is alive. She's been transported to another universe."

"Okay…where's your proof?" Clark questioned him, folding his arms across his chest.

"I've been working with the Batman from the Justice Lords' universe," Bruce revealed, bracing himself for the scathing lecture that would no doubt be coming.

"You what?" Clark nearly yelled. "Bruce, how can you trust him or anything that he's telling you?"

Bruce was up and out of his seat in a flash, turning on Clark with a fury that had been locked inside of him since the day Diana vanished. "I had to if I was going to find Diana," he growled with a venomous edge. His eyes were like blue flames of fire, begging the Kryptonian to tell him he was wrong. "Lord Batman's help has been invaluable. He reviewed all of my research and confirmed that Diana was still alive. She's in another universe. We just have to find her now."

Superman still looked skeptical; his lips pursed in disbelief. "So, she's alive and trapped in a different universe, but you two have no idea which one?"

"Yes," Bruce confirmed. "Lord Batman is searching each universe for her while I begin building a transportation machine to bring her home."

"Do you understand how crazy this all sounds?"

"I don't care how it sounds," he snapped. "The only thing that matters is finding her and bringing her back here to our universe where she belongs."

Clark drew a deep breath, considering what Bruce had learned. The more he thought about it the more he realized it really wasn't that outrageous. The Justice Lords' Batman had built a machine that allowed them to study other universes, finding their Justice League and transporting them across dimensions. This situation with Diana was really no different.

"What can I do to help?" Clark asked.

"Don't replace Diana," he stated.

"How long do you think it'll take to find her?"

Bruce shook his head, wishing he had better news. "I have no idea," he conceded. "It could be next week. It could five years from now."

"Bruce…"

"Don't, Clark," he interrupted him, holding a hand up to him to stop him. "I'm not going to give up so don't even waste your breath trying to persuade me."

"We really need to think about who can fill Diana's place with the Founders even if it's just temporary," Clark argued. "Gorilla Grodd is no doubt rebuilding his gun and he's going to use it to again to eliminate the rest of us. We need to be prepared."

"We can be prepared for Grodd without having to fill Diana's place as a Founder," Bruce countered. "We have plenty of members in the Justice League to cover for her until she comes back."

"You don't think extending an invitation to Donna might not be a good idea?" he pressed. "I think it would really help to have Donna fill in for Diana until her sister returns. It would be seamless transition."

"Sure, Clark," Bruce spat out, turning his back to his friend. "Go ask a grieving Donna if she wants to take her sister's place in the League?"

"I wouldn't be that cold about it!" Clark exclaimed with rapidly growing exasperation. "Have you even contacted Donna yet to let her know Diana is alive?"

"I just found out," he revealed. "I haven't had a chance yet. You're the first person I've told."

"We could tell her together," Clark offered. "You can tell her that Diana is alive, and I'll offer her the option of filling Diana's shoes until she returns."

"The others wouldn't give you a suggestion to vote on for a replacement, would they?"

"No," he admitted, averting his eyes. "I'm making an executive decision."

"Then you can see Donna and tell her when you ask her to take Diana's place," Bruce told him, settling into his chair once more. "I've got too much work to do. I have to get that transporter built as soon as possible."

"But you said yourself it could take years for Lord Batman to find which universe Diana is even in."

"He could also contact me tomorrow and tell me he found her," Bruce argued. "I have to be ready as quickly as possible."

"Fine," Clark relented. "I'll let you get to work then. Keep me posted on your progress."

"Are you going to make an announcement about Diana being alive?"

"What do you think I should do?"

"Keep the circle tight," Bruce told him. "Make sure Donna doesn't breathe a word of it to anyone. Don't even tell the Founders."

"Are you kidding me?"

"No, I'm not," he stated, turning his chair around to face the Kryptonian. "The fewer people who know the better. If it gets out to the world that Diana is still alive, there's no telling what Grodd will do. It's best to keep this close to the vest for the time being. Besides, there's no sense giving everyone hope when we don't even know for sure where she is at. Let's wait until we have a little more information."

"I don't like this," Clark groused, a rare scowl forming on his face.

"I never believed for one moment that you would," he replied. "It's for the best for now and you know it even if you won't admit it."

"I'll go along with it for now, but you contact me the second you have more information," Clark insisted. "I don't like keeping our friends in the dark. Everyone is really hurting over Diana's apparent death, Bruce. They deserve to know that she's alive."

"They already know that I believe she's alive…possibly transported to another dimension," he pointed out. "As far as you know, I just don't have solid proof yet."

"I don't want to lie to anyone."

"It's not lying," Bruce said. "It's just delaying telling the truth a little."

"That's still lying."

"Fine, ma Kent," Bruce spat out. "Do what you want. I've got work to do."

Clark drew a deep breath, releasing it slowly through his nose. "Let me know what you find."

Bruce didn't respond, waiting until Clark had flown away before finally scrubbing his face with his hands. He was exhausted, but the thought of getting Diana back spurred him on and renewed his spirit. He could hardly wait to see her…to take her into his arms and kiss her like she's never been kissed before.

He would do whatever it took to make her his, giving her everything that he had in order to prove to her that he genuinely loved her. He had come too close to losing her forever this time…closer than he had ever come before. He wouldn't take that chance ever again. She meant too much to him.

He loved her and he was going to make sure she knew it the moment he got her back. He was prepared to make a life with her and build a future for the two of them. He just hoped that she shared that same love and desire with him.

Wayne Manor (AU)

Bruce adjusted his cufflink before smoothing his hair with his hand. He couldn't keep the flicker of nerves at bay that had erupted in his stomach. He didn't know why he was so nervous. He'd known Diana for three months now, but he felt as though he'd known her his whole life.

They had formed a quick bond almost from the moment she had awoken, only growing stronger with every passing day. He was more than relieved that she had agreed to attend the event tonight with him. It was one that had always held a special place in his mother's heart and therefore his own. Attending it with Diana on his arm only seemed to make it that much more extraordinary.

He inhaled deeply as he glanced up at the staircase, catching a glimpse of shimmering blue as it descended. His breath caught in his throat as he watched Diana coming down the stairs. She looked amazing, her raven hair pulled up into a twist and his mother's diamond necklace around her throat.

He had laid it out especially for her to wear if she decided to. The fact that she was wearing it meant more to him he could begin to express. He was completely entranced by the vision that came to stand before him, subconsciously reaching out to take her hand in his.

"You look so beautiful," he softly murmured.

"Thank you," she replied with a faint blush, reaching out and adjusting his bowtie. "You look very handsome yourself."

The smile he gave her was near blinding, taking her aback a bit. She wasn't accustomed to seeing that enormous of a smile on Bruce's handsome face. She readily decided that she loved seeing it there. Someday, she hoped to see it on her Bruce's face if she found a way back home.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to be out in public?" Diana asked as he led her to the front door and the limo waiting for them outside. "People are going to ask questions and I don't want to cause you any trouble."

"Diana, you are no trouble at all," he reassured her as he helped her into the back of the limo. "You have been nothing but a pleasant distraction from my mundane life."

"Bruce, your life isn't mundane," she corrected him. "I love all of your inventions and the things that you're doing at Wayne Enterprises is exciting. I think adding Victor Stone to head up your Research and Development department is a great move."

"Well, you did say that he was a genius in your dimension," he reminded her. "I'm hoping it carries over to this one."

"You did say that he was more than qualified for the job," she pointed out.

"He definitely is," he confirmed, wanting to return to the previous topic. "Diana, I want you to get out into Gotham. It's not good to be cooped up inside the manor all the time. There's no telling how long you're going to be here in this world. We need to get you established in Gotham to some extent."

"I know…you're right," she reluctantly agreed, turning to look out the passenger window as she thought of home. She deeply missed Bruce and her friends…her mother and sisters on Themyscira. They were never far from her thoughts, especially a certain dark hero who had a penchant for wearing black.

Bruce reached over to cover her hand with his. "I know this has to be difficult for you," he gently told her. "I'm sure you miss everyone especially your mother and sister."

"I do," she confessed, turning to meet his worried gaze. "You and Alfred and Dick have all been so wonderful. I really don't know how to thank you."

"You don't have to," he reassured her. "We've all loved having you here with us. I just wish that there were something I could do to help you find a way back home."

"I know," she replied with a smile. "Hopefully, Doctor Hamilton will have something that will help. In the meantime, let's just focus on having so fun tonight."

"I couldn't agree with you more," he said with a grin.

The limo pulled up in front of the ballroom, Alfred exiting and opening the back door for them. Bruce exited first, offering his date a hand which she readily took. Exiting the limo, they made their way up the steps and through the doors, avoiding a couple of reporters who had camped out there despite the fact they weren't supposed to be there.

"Come," Bruce said, taking her hand. "There are a couple of people I'd like for you to meet."

Tightening her hold on Bruce's hand, Diana couldn't deny the face she felt somewhat out of place here. Whoever she met here may not be anything like the people that she knew in her universe, Wally West not necessarily the Flash here. She was going to have to be extra careful about not revealing any secret identities.

Her biggest fear, however, remained raising any suspicions about herself that would draw unwanted attention to Bruce, Dick, and Alfred. She didn't want to create a whirlwind of interest around a dimension-travelling Amazon who had appeared here out of nowhere.

She had no idea who she could trust and who she couldn't beside Bruce, Dick, and Alfred. She was leery about the criminals here who might want to know what she knew or want information about how she got here. She didn't have her gifts in this universe. While not incapable of defending herself, she didn't want to put her friends in danger.

"Oliver! Dinah!" Bruce called as they walked towards a couple that looked identical to the couple Diana knew.

They were Green Arrow and Black Canary in her world, but who were they here?

"Bruce!" Oliver responded with a grin, raising his glass of champagne. "Come join us."

"It's good to see you out again," Dinah said, hugging their friend. "We've been worried about you."

"I'm sorry to have worried you," Bruce replied, kissing her cheek. "I've been busy recently."

"I can see that," Oliver teased, looking at Diana. "Who have you found here?"

"This is Diana," Bruce introduced. "She's a…friend."

"A friend…right," Oliver said with a cheeky smile. "I'm Oliver Queen. This is my fiancé Dinah Lance."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Diana replied, shaking both their hands.

"Are you from around here?" Dinah asked.

Bruce quickly swooped in, rescuing her from the onslaught of questions that would no doubt be coming. "She's here from Greece," he told them. "She's staying with me at the manor for the time being until she can get adjusted and settled into a place of her own."

Diana cast a sidelong glance at Bruce, wishing now that they had worked out some sort of cover story that they both knew the details about before arriving here tonight. She wanted to make sure that they were on the same page during her stay here.

"Are you enjoying Gotham so far?" Dinah questioned her.

"Very much so," Diana told her.

"Have you two finally set a wedding date yet?" Bruce asked, wanting to change the subject and get the focus off Diana.

"Ask him," Dinah said with a roll of her eyes, tilting her head towards Oliver.

Bruce frowned at his friend. "Are you dragging your feet, Ollie?"

"No, not all," Oliver insisted. "I just think we should have a spring wedding and Dinah wants a late summer wedding."

"What's the difference?" Bruce questioned them. "They're close enough that it really doesn't matter does it?"

"I think autumn is a beautiful time for a wedding," Diana commented. "It's not too hot and the changing leaves is a perfect backdrop."

"She's right," Dinah thoughtfully decided. "I think autumn would be the perfect time."

"I can't argue with that," Oliver said with a grin. "Let's get married in October of next year."

"I love it," she softly said, leaning in and kissing him deeply.

"Okay, don't get all mushy in front of us," Bruce interrupted them, glancing at Diana.

"Come," Dinah said, looping her arm through Diana's "Let's go get you a drink. Then, you can tell me all about what's going on with you and Bruce."

Bruce turned to follow in an attempt to save Diana, but Oliver was already moving to intercept him. "Okay, spill it, Bruce," Oliver said. "Who is she and are you in love with her?"

"Hey, what's up with the third degree?" Bruce asked.

"Because I've not seen you smile in months…not since before Talia left you with fragments of your heart in your hand," he reminded him.

"She's just a friend," Bruce insisted. "Nothing more is going on between us. I'm just helping her get settled in town."

"Okay, that last part I buy, the first part about just being friends I don't," Oliver told him. "You are clearly in love with her."

Bruce looked to where Diana stood talking to Dinah in front of the bar, his eyes revealing far more than he'd like. "I am in love, but I don't think it'll work out," he softly confessed, an overwhelming sense of sadness washing over him.

"Doesn't she feel the same way about you?"

"I…I'm not sure," he responded. "I think her heart belongs to someone else, but she hasn't come out and admitted as much."

"Then, go after her, my friend," Oliver encouraged him. "It's obvious she makes you happy. Don't let her get away."

"I'd love for her to stay with me, but she wants to return to the man that she loves," he cryptically replied.

"Change her mind…make her want to stay," he told him. "You are a great guy, Bruce. You deserve to be happy and to find true love. This could be the one."

"I think she is the one, but—"

Oliver put his hand on Bruce's shoulder, squeezing it. "No, no but," he insisted. "It's time for you to go after what you want. Don't let her slip through your fingers."

Diana looked over at that moment, the smile she gave him nearly buckled his knees. He smiled in response, trying not to notice the way his heart seemed to stutter with the way she looked at him. He wanted more than anything to believe that Diana had feelings for him, but he knew those feelings were meant for the man who looked identical to him.

His twin was a remarkably lucky man to have the love of this woman. At the same time, he was incredibly stupid for not falling on his knees and asking her to marry him. The reasons why Bruce had not done so remained a complete mystery to him. It was an enigma that he'd never unravel.

Diana and Dinah made their way back to their dates, holding a glass of champagne in each hand. Diana handed Bruce a flute before taking a sip of her drink. "I hope Dinah didn't harass you too much," Bruce said to her.

Diana smiled as she glanced at Dinah. "Not at all," she reassured him. "Just a little girl talk."

"That's what worries me," he replied.

"I think it's time you danced with me, Mister Queen," Dinah informed him, taking their glasses and setting them on a nearby table.

"How can I turn down a beautiful proposition?" he flirted, taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor.

Bruce looked down at his polished shoes, a subtle sense of apprehension and uncertainty rising within him. He wanted to dance with Diana but felt a little awkward about asking. She'd already agreed to come with him as his date. He didn't want to force her into doing more than she was comfortable with.

"Are you going to ask me to dance too?" she asked.

He looked up sharply, her words taking him by surprise. "Would you like to dance with me?"

"I'd love to," she agreed, taking their glasses and setting them down with Oliver and Dinah's.

Bruce reached out and took her hand in his, leading her to the dance floor. He couldn't deny the nervous flutter that had suddenly returned with a vengeance as he pulled her into his arms. She gave him a gentle smile as her hand came to rest on his shoulder, the fingers of her other hand lacing with his.

He felt himself begin to lose himself in her cobalt blue eyes that sparkled in the lights of the ballroom. He knew he shouldn't…knew it was only going to lead to a broken heart, but he was falling hopelessly in love with her. How could he not? She was the most amazing woman that he'd ever met—beautiful beyond imagine, full of warmth and charm, incredibly intelligent and compassionate.

She was everything that he'd ever wanted in a woman, a companion and a wife. After Talia had left him, he'd pretty much given up hope of ever finding someone to share his life with. He had thought Talia was his soulmate, but now he knew better. What he had believed was love had been nothing but a delusion.

True love was here in his arms, gazing at him with what he felt and hoped was true affection in her eyes. He wanted it to be more than just a friendly affection. He wanted it to be so much more than that. He wanted her to share the same feelings that he held for her.

How could he hope for such a thing when he knew in his heart that she loved his twin back in her own universe? She had never come right out and confessed her love for Bruce Wayne who was the Batman in her world, but he could see it in the way that she spoke about him and the way her eyes lit up. It was impossible not to recognize it.

Was it possible for her to love both of them?

He quickly pushed that thought from his mind as he twirled her, melodic laughter spilling from her red lips as he pulled her back into his embrace. He couldn't help reacting to her infectious laughter as her hand came to rest against his chest, chuckling along with her.

Bruce glanced over her shoulder, noticing the way that Oliver and Dinah were watching them. The smirk on Oliver's face told him that he was certain that Bruce was love in Diana. He tried and failed to deny it to his friend, but he couldn't deny it to himself.

Despite the pain that he knew would eventually befall him if she ever returned to her world, he couldn't help wanting to try to make a life with her even if it was for a short time. He selfishly wanted whatever time he could possibly have with her no matter how long it lasted, wanted that time as far more than just friends.

He instinctively pulled her closer to him, closer than he should. She came willingly causing his heart to beat harder. Her cheek brushed against his, an almost imperceptible sigh escaping and filling his ear. He dipped his head slightly rubbing his cheek against hers.

He never wanted this moment to end. It felt so right…so perfect. It was as if she had been brought to this world specifically for him. He wanted to believe that to be true. He wanted to believe that she could love him as much as she loved her Bruce back home.

Diana gasped as she abruptly pulled back causing Bruce to pull back enough as well to find out what was wrong. "What is it?"

"It's Vandal Savage," she murmured, clearly taken aback by his appearance.

Bruce looked to the right to find Vandal Savage shaking hands with the Claytons who had been close friends of his parents. "Yes, that's Vandal Savage," he confirmed. "What's wrong with him?"

"What's not wrong with him?" she icily stated.

"What's he like in your world?"

"He's a criminal mastermind," she spat out. "He's a monter."

"He's not like that all," Bruce replied with a frown, stunned by her revelation. "He's a well-loved and highly respected man. In fact, he's the mayor of Metropolis."

"Mayor?" she repeated. "Are you sure he's sincere? No skeletons in his closet?"

"No, not at all," he confirmed. "There was this reporter…Clark Kent…who tried to look for any secrets that Vandal was hiding, any vices or problems. None could be found."

"I find that hard to believe," she murmured more to herself than Bruce.

"He's a really good friend of mine, Diana," he told her, his tone revealing his annoyance.

Diana looked back at Bruce, regretting her words. "I'm sorry, Bruce," she apologized. "I know things in your universe aren't the same as they are in mine. It's just difficult to believe after all the pain and chaos that he's caused that there could be a version of him somewhere else that wasn't like that."

"It's all right," he replied, shaking his head. "I shouldn't be so defensive. I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you to see people you know, but they aren't the same."

"It's a little disconcerting at times, but you've become my anchor," she confessed. "You help keep me grounded."

The corner of his lips curled with her compliment. "I do my best, but I admit that it's hard at times to remember that this world is not your own. It just feels so right having you here…like it was always meant to be like this."

Diana gazed into his piercing azure eyes, feeling the same way at times. It was something that she struggled with constantly, wanting to give into the feeling growing inside of her and yet knowing how unfair it would be to the Bruce holding her in his arms.

At the same time, she loved her Batman, but he didn't seem inclined to allow her a place in his life. Could this be the opportunity that she'd been longing for? She just felt so confused by it all, having feelings for two Bruce's. One was a universe away and one was right here before her, looking at her with love in his eyes.

"Bruce!"

Their dance forgotten, they both turned to find Vandal Savage coming towards them. Diana had to remind herself to be polite to this version of the villain who had tried to destroy her friend. This was not that the Vandal Savage who had attacked Audrey. She had to give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.

"Vandal, it's good to see you," Bruce greeted him with a handshake.

"How have you been?" he asked.

"I've been doing well…thanks," he confirmed. "I'd like you to meet my friend. This is Diana."

"It's pleasure," Vandal said as he took her hand, kissing the back of it.

Diana did her best not to recoil in disgust, smiling pleasantly at the man. "It's nice to meet you."

"Where have you been hiding this beauty?" Vandal asked.

"She's a friend of mine from Greece," he explained. "She recently relocated to Gotham. I'm helping her get situated. She's staying with me at the manor in the meantime."

"I know Bruce will take good care of you," Vandal told her. "If you'll excuse me, I need to chat with Oliver. It was a pleasure to meet you."

The couple watched as he walked away, Bruce's hand coming to rest against her back. "See, I told you he wasn't like your Vandal."

"I hope you're right," she softly said, her eyes following the doppelgänger of the madman she knew.

A/N: Hmmm...things are starting to heat up. Will Diana make a good choice?

UP NEXT: Diana, Clark, and both Bruce's are struggling for a multitude of reasons. Will things work out for all involved? (Answer: not likely...at least not yet) :)