Chapter 31: Something In The Air

She couldn't believe it. She was running late to pick up Alessandra yet again. This instance was going to make the third time in the last month where Diana had been pulled away longer than she'd anticipated as a result of tending to League duties. For his unintended role she'd been almost ready to strangle Kal for his insistence on continuing the latest in the expansion meetings.

Diana could understand the desire to finish off with the person they'd begun discussing for a potential offer, but she thought she'd made it clear that non-emergency instances needed to be shelved when it came to being a parent. Instances such as that caused Diana to briefly wonder if Bruce's decision to handle his business and leave the Justice League to theirs wasn't all too crazy a notion after all.

Although she also knew that she'd never leave the Justice League in the end. She might've been frustrated at the moment, but there was no way she could maintain the reach around the world that she had already been established. She knew she just had to accept there would inevitably be times, and even certain points where it seemed completely trivial, that she'd have to lean on others to help with her baby girl.

Besides, it wasn't as if Alessandra weren't in good hands. Over the past three months Bruce had more than proven himself a devoted father to their child, and Alfred a happily doting grandfather. They all worked together to ensure her baby girl was loved and well taken care of. There were even a few times where Diana had been invited to stay with them like she had the day Bruce first met his little angel.

Angel had been a somewhat surprising moniker he'd come up with for their baby. She was after all royalty based upon her mother's lineage, and when the topic arose Diana couldn't help being caught off guard by Bruce's explanation.

"I'm curious Bruce. Why do you call her your little angel, and not something more fitting for her like your little princess?" She remembered asking him after hearing Bruce calling Alessandra his angel a handful of times.

Bruce stood up straight to look Diana in the eyes, having completed fastening their little girl into the car seat and kissed Alessandra on the nose. "She might honestly be a princess Diana, but it just doesn't feel right." He answered without much detail.

"What makes you say that?" Diana pressed.

Bruce looked uncomfortable for a moment. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, and looking downward as if something had suddenly grabbed his attention away from her. Diana could read his body language easily enough, and clearly saw that he was reluctant to reply. She decided it was information for perhaps a later date, and opened her mouth to excuse him from answering until he cleared his throat.

"Because in my eyes, that name's already been taken." He murmured almost under his breath.

Diana assumed he'd begun referring to Hannah as his former pet name he'd used with her, and instantly felt an emptiness in the pit of her stomach. She didn't want to hear him saying anything along those lines. Especially after Alessandra and she had spent the entire evening with just him, but he once again spoke up.

"Her mother is the only one I've ever called princess, and it...it wouldn't feel right for me to refer to anyone else with that. Even if proper etiquette calls for it."

Hearing him say that had lifted a weight from Diana's shoulders that she hadn't realized had been pulling her down every time she was around Bruce. But then that weight became replaced by utter confusion. Ever since that time, there were some rare moments when she and Bruce were alone. He would say or do something so simple, and yet so much could be read into it. At times it felt like he had intimate feelings for her. They were the kind of feelings that caused her to want to believe there was potentially more that could be had between the two of them.

But then there were more moments when Hannah was around, and Bruce seemed to be completely head over heels for that woman. Diana didn't want to be petty, but deep inside there was a small piece of her that wished Hannah would just disappear. Bruce was still an affectionate father for Alessandra while Hannah was around, and the only difference was where the remainder of his attention seemed to be when Hannah was there and when she was not.

Through the three months since they'd all been introduced, Hannah had done nothing to prove any malice toward Diana, and especially so toward Alessandra. She treated the little girl as if she were her own child, and those instances caused Diana's gagging reflex's to rear its ugly head. She felt badly for her perception toward Hannah, and would often internally scold herself for being so petty and jealous, but she just couldn't stop herself at times.

Diana knew that Hannah was going to be a mainstay in Bruce's life, and as such she worked hard to come to terms with it. But there were moments where she just felt like something wasn't quite right. She could never pinpoint anything to it aside from an internal feeling, and each time she experienced such a feeling, she fought to squash it away.

Being with Hannah seemed to make Bruce happy, and Diana forced herself to accept that as justification for accepting Hannah into her own life as an acquaintance. She wasn't going to allow an odd feeling to dictate her actions toward someone who'd done nothing to deserve them. Allowing a paranoid feeling of apprehension toward a person was something Batman would do, and even Bruce ensured that the Bat remained at bay for the most part when it involved Hannah. It was only fair that Diana return the favor.

Diana glanced down at her watch as she arrived, checking to see just how late she'd actually been, and became even more frustrated. She knew she was going to be late, but still couldn't believe just how late she was. She rushed up to the front door while straightening her outfit, only to once again be beaten to the punch. Just like clockwork, Alfred was already opening the door before she could even raise her hand to attempt knocking. "I swear to the Gods Alfred, one day I will catch you unaware of my arrival." She said with a small smile.

Alfred continued to open the door as he stepped aside while giving the princess a confirming nod. "I'm certain you shall Miss Diana." He replied. "And I anxiously await such a day, just to bear witness to your celebration madam."

"I hope I haven't held anyone up too much." Diana said as she entered the foyer. "I'm truly sorry, but I simply couldn't convince Kal to reconvene his meeting. Things have become rather strained as a result of the recent uptick in League required involvement around the world. We're a little more desperate for available heroes these days I'm afraid."

"I can certainly understand my dear." Alfred said as he offered his arm to lead the lady in through the house. Diana, of course readily accepted and followed his lead despite knowing full well where he was taking her. "I'm afraid however, that Master Bruce was forced to depart a few moments ago. He waited as long as he possibly could, but unfortunately his schedule couldn't be held up any longer."

"I'll have to apologize to him if he was late because of waiting up for me." Diana said sheepishly.

"Nonsense." Alfred practically scoffed. "Master Bruce is well aware of his schedule, and as such, should he choose to be late because of waiting to see someone he cares for, the fault lies entirely on himself."

Diana stopped in her tracks upon hearing Alfred's words. Had it been a slip of the tongue from the faithful butler and father figure? If not, then why would he say something like that when Bruce was already with another woman? Was he unhappy with his current relationship? It certainly didn't appear to be that way any time Diana shared the same area with the couple. Bruce and Hannah appeared to be the epitome of happiness. They were affectionate toward each other, and he was always smiling while she was around.

It took a couple moments for Diana to realize that she'd been standing in place as Alfred continued down the hallway leading to Alessandra's nursery. She moved quickly to catch up, but Alfred still happened to notice that she'd fallen behind. The look on his face when she returned to walking the final few steps said as much. As she took notice of the questioning look pointed her way, she suddenly found the floor to be an incredibly interesting place to focus on.

But then her sense of Amazon pride soon took hold. She'd been caught off guard initially and reacted to it, but decided there was nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, she was probably just overreacting as it was. So she cleared her throat, and stood tall. "Yes." She said. "We are still friends, and share a daughter. And I agree that it is nice to see each other when possible."

That time, Alfred didn't scoff. He actually snorted as he opened the nursery door. Diana couldn't be certain, but she could've sworn she heard him muttering the word "children" under his breath as he gestured for her to enter. She looked at him questioningly, if not a little insulted as he led her into the nursery where baby Alessandra was napping peacefully. "Perhaps the Miss would like to share a spot of tea while little Alessandra continues to nap." He suggested in a voice that sounded more like a whispered order than anything request.

Diana thought Alfred was acting rather peculiar, and that in and of itself was more than enough to pull at her curiosity. "Very well." She said quietly. "I don't have anything critical planned for the next couple of hours."

Alfred nodded and vacated the room, heading straight toward the kitchen. Diana followed silently behind, wondering just what had overcome the butler. He'd always reserved any snarky attitude or words for the master of the house before, but he'd just thrown some in her direction for the first time. It sent a feeling coursing through her that was oddly similar to that of any time where she believed she'd disappointed her mother.

Diana continued to study Alfred while he went about placing a kettle of water onto the stove top, and then pulled out two mugs along with some packets of tea. At that point he finally turned and looked directly into her eyes, holding a look that confirmed Diana's feeling. He was looking at her as a disapproving parent would their child, and he only broke the look when the water warmed to the appropriate temperature, causing the kettle to begin whistling.

As he poured steaming water into the mugs, Diana's patience from the look she'd been on the receiving end of finally ran out. "Why would you say something like that to me Alfred?" She asked.

"Miss Diana, you've been communicating with Bruce these last three months, and you're honestly going to try convincing me that you don't feel it?" He asked incredulously.

"Feel what?" Diana replied with her own question. She didn't understand what he was getting at.

"That something is wrong." Alfred answered.

"What's wrong?" She asked, tired of the games and just wanting him to just come out with it.

Alfred sighed. "It is astounding at times just how blind love tends to be." He said seemingly to himself before taking a sip of his tea as he sat across the counter from Diana and gathered how he wanted to approach the topic. "You love him."

"Yes." Diana admitted without hesitation. "But he's with someone else, and for the first time I can recall, he seems to be honestly happy. After all the tragedy he's dealt with, all I could ask for is that he finds some happiness, and perhaps some peace. He deserves it more so than many others who've already achieved it."

Alfred threw his hands up in frustration and stood up, seemingly too upset to remain seated any longer. Now he was definitely acting completely out of character, and it threw Diana off instantly. Normally he was the very definition of control, and carried a professional air about him at all times. It was a response that Diana figured she would never ever witness coming from him.

Despite the outburst, almost instantly Alfred collected himself, and placed his hands onto the countertop that had been previously separating him from Diana. He took his time, looking her directly in the eyes to ensure there would be no misunderstanding. "Miss Diana." He said softly. "I am one of the few that has ever witnessed Master Bruce when he was truly happy. I can assure you that recent events are not that time. I'm not certain how to describe it, but I'm certain this version of happiness is not whole or true."

"Let's say that I believe what you are saying is accurate." Diana replied, humoring the concerned father figure for his concerns. "That still doesn't give me any right to try and destroy what he and Hannah have built together."

"He loves you Diana." Alfred blurted out. "He may not have shown it well at all to you, but if you had seen how he slaved away searching for you while you were removed from the world. I can assure you there would be no doubt at all. He practically went mad in his efforts to locate you."

"He did find me." Diana said. "His finding me was the reason I was able to come back as soon as I did. In fact I still would have been isolated if not for him finding me, and I'm truly grateful for that. I've said as much to him already."

"Yes." Alfred said in agreement. "He did find you, but instead of returning with you, he returned with her. Everything changed from that moment on."

Diana didn't know what to do with that information. She'd seen the way Bruce smiled when Hannah was around. It was always a fully encompassing smile. Not only did it reach his eyes unlike any time he was playing the part of the playboy fop, but it seemed to even permeate through his eyes and extend outward. She could almost feel his happiness.

She knew that his smiling was genuine regardless of what Alfred was telling her. "I'm sorry Alfred." She finally said as she stood from her seat. "But I don't believe it's my place to step in and confront him about something that may or may not actually be true. Bruce and I have a daughter to think about, and I won't risk creating unnecessary tension between us for something that may never be. I can't do that to Alessandra. She's missed enough time with her father."

"And I would never want you to put forth the risk of something so very important for the child." Alfred said as he followed Diana out of the kitchen to her daughter's nursery, where she quickly picked her up, and headed toward the front door. "I wouldn't have even brought it up, but I can tell that something is wrong. I've run out of avenues to reach him myself as Master Bruce stopped hearing any of it from me well over a month ago."

Diana paused after opening the door and glanced back over her shoulder. She could almost sense a desperation coming from the butler. "Why are you telling me this?" She asked. "Why are you wanting my help when you couldn't even be bothered to help me in contacting Bruce in the first place?"

Alfred opened his mouth to speak, but then quickly shut it as he contemplated how best to answer. He remained silent up to the point where Diana's patience had once again run out, and she started for the door again. "I...regret my involvement in having to turn you away before Miss Diana." Alfred hastily began. "But as you are sure to understand, duties sometimes supersede one's desire to do otherwise."

"Explain." Diana commanded, closing the door once more and facing the older man directly.

"I was following orders Miss." Alfred offered, but Diana was clearly in no mood for any more cryptic answers, and in seeing this from her, he quickly began to spill. "I was instructed shortly after Master Bruce's resignation from the Justice League that under no circumstance was I to permit access to any members of the League whatsoever. Apparently the Batman had his say with them, and that was to be the end of it from his perspective."

"Why now?" Diana prodded for the true answer she wanted.

"I've been witness to changes in the young man's demeanor." Alfred explained as best he could. "These changes have started to become more and more out of character from the man that I have watched over since birth. Soon enough I'm afraid, even other members of the Justice League will take notice."

That final statement had Diana wanting to dig deeper into interrogating Alfred, but she still didn't feel that it was her place to get involved. "Perhaps this is something you should be discussing with Hannah." She suggested, and then re-opened the door and stepped out to indicate the conversation had reached its conclusion.

Superman paused briefly, allowing the doors to the training room to slide open before him. There was an occupant who had been inside the room for quite an inordinate amount of time already, and upon stepping inside and confirming with his own eyes, it appeared that she wasn't even close to being done yet. She was already completely drenched in sweat. It was enough that the the fabric portion of her armor had darkened considerably in color. There was no doubt that her armor was completely soaked.

He realized then that he probably owed Bruce a thank you for having already implemented the use of light energy to replace using training droids before he left the League. If not for that change, Diana would've been the direct cause of an incredibly large bill to be paid for droid repairs and room damage. However with the use of light energy, even the walls of the training room had been saved. Before, massive dents would've been the result of droids slamming into the walls. But now the light energy constructs were simulating the strength of the hit, and disappearing upon impact into the walls. The computer was programmed to take into account the force of the blow, and from that it would determine if such a blow was strong enough to have incapacitated the programmed combatant, causing the construct to disappear.

Superman continued to wait patiently as Diana seemed completely focused on taking down the constructs. She was striking much more violently than he could recall her ever doing before while training, and often times while in actual combat. She had to know of his presence. He was after all making no effort to hide his presence. Normally she would at least pause the program to speak with him, but this time she was completely ignoring him.

He wanted to respect her apparent need to vent , but couldn't wait any longer once he heard her ordering the computer to begin another program. "Diana." He called out, interrupting her from continuing with her voiced commands. "A moment, please."

She was breathing heavily, sucking in large pulls of air as her shoulders animatedly raised up and down. She couldn't hide the fact that she was winded even though she appeared to be trying valiantly to do so. Superman gave her a knowing look that he wasn't buying her attempt at deception, and she finally gave up trying, knowing it was pointless. Instead she turned to face him directly, wiping some sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. "What...do you need Kal?" She asked in between breaths.

"I'm concerned." He said, which was met by a raised eye brow. But he didn't continue until making his way over to the main control panel to confirm what he was already fairly certain of as he read aloud the readouts. "According to the log, you've been training for over five hours without a break. I know you like training the most out of all of us, but I'm pretty sure after the third hour, whatever you're trying to work is going to need something more than just exercise."

Diana sighed, plopping down onto a nearby bench. She shot him an angry look, but knew that he'd done nothing to be on the receiving end of her current irritation. "I'm not sure what to do or say at this point, Kal." She finally said.

"How about you try just telling me what it is that's bothering you?" He offered.

Diana let go another breath of frustration as she continued to slump in her posture. Her best friend just waited patiently for her to open up in the seat next to her. "I guess..." She paused momentarily, wondering just where she should start before settling on just telling him everything. "It started two weeks ago after a conversation with Alfred."

"He seems convinced that Bruce is acting differently." She recalled. "He wanted me to confront Bruce about his concerns, but I wasn't willing to risk the potential strain in our relationship because of the potential impact with Alessandra."

"I can certainly understand your concerns, Di." Superman said. "But when Alfred is honestly concerned about Bruce, there's usually good reason behind it."

"I have to agree." Diana responded. "At least now I do."

Superman's brow furrowed in question at Diana's words, and she continued to elaborate. "Ever since a conversation he chose to have with me, I haven't been able to look at Bruce without at least the thought of something being off or out of balance with him. But nothing was really enough to sway all doubt from my mind until I saw Bruce had been injured while on patrol the night before."

"Had it been anyone who didn't know him well, they would've missed it, but I could see it in his eyes. I noticed it when he went to pick Alessandra up, and there was a sliver of time where I could see him in pain."

"I know it's true that Bruce never wants to reveal he's hurting, but there have been times where I've noticed him wincing." Superman pointed out. "That's hardly reason to think something isn't right about Bruce though."

"It wasn't just the look though Kal." Diana explained. "That was only the beginning."

Diana stepped forward in brief concern once she noticed Bruce's discomfort in picking up their little girl. "Are you alright Bruce?" She asked as she gently placed a comforting hand on his right arm.

Bruce quickly switched their daughter over to that same arm before rolling his left shoulder in an attempt to help stretch out the tightness. "I'll be fine." He offered in reassurance. "Bullet went through and through. Didn't even hit bone."

Diana released a breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding. She knew it was an irrational feeling, being concerned for someone who was still standing right in front of her, but she simply couldn't help it. Perhaps it was merely human nature. She didn't know for certain. "How?" She asked.

"Wrong place at the wrong time." He answered. "Bullet ricocheted off a dumpster, and managed to hit just the right spot to bypass the suit's armor plating."

"It sounds like you'll have to look into the placement of your armor again." Diana half teased, but she instantly regretted it when she saw the look on his face. He had a defeated look on his face, and it was startling to see coming from a fellow warrior. This mere mortal had taken on gods and come out on top. Why would a simple flesh wound cause doubt to fester? He'd been injured before as well, and still bounced back each time.

Bruce sighed as he found a nearby bench to plop down onto, and waited there quietly until Diana took a seat next to him. "Things are different this time." He said quietly.

"What do you mean?" Diana asked, confused.

"You and I each have a little girl." Bruce explained. "I know you're immortal, but it's like you've told me before. Even immortal beings can be killed. What happens if something happens to either of us? To both of us?"

"We have to have faith that our loved ones will step in for Alessandra, and keep her best interests in mind." Diana replied. "But you shouldn't think like this Bruce."

"I...I can't help it P...Diana." Bruce stammered. He'd attempted to correct himself from the slippage, but Diana caught it. He was about to call her Princess. It would've been the first time since she'd returned to the world she'd been forced to leave behind, and while at times his referring to her as royalty grated against her nerves, she had to admit that she missed hearing him call her that.

"I suppose the saying is true." Diana commented with a smile. "Old habits do die hard."

Bruce chuckled just a little at Diana's comment. "I guess so." He said before turning serious once again. "Things have changed Diana. Before, all I had was the mission, but now I have this little girl. I don't want her to grow up the way I did. It's not fair to Hannah either."

"Hannah?" Diana questioned in disbelief. "Isn't she already aware of your late night activities?"

"Well...yes she is." Bruce admitted. "But she was never really comfortable with it. She's been helping me come up with other ways to help Gotham where I'll have a much better chance at coming home every night. It will be best...for everyone."

"No it won't." Diana argued. "It won't be best for you Bruce. You've been the Bat more often than you've been the playboy, and most certainly more often than you've allowed time to be just yourself."

"And look where that's gotten me." Bruce countered. "I've been broken most of my life Diana. Hannah's helped me to confront my personal demons. She's helped point out a way to find some peace and happiness."

"Look Bruce, please believe that my opinion is that you of everyone I've known is the most deserving of finding happiness and peace, but not at the expense of changing who you are." Diana said. "You have the heart and will of a true warrior. You can't expect to just let such a large piece of you wither away and expect to be completely happy with what is left. Hannah should love you unconditionally, and not try to change you into something you're not."

"She didn't try to change me." Bruce argued.

Diana sat there glaring at him. That was the worst lie he'd ever tried to get past her, and she certainly wasn't buying it. Not for a single second. "She asked you to give up being Batman, didn't she?"

Bruce remained silent, unwilling to say anything more about this topic. Instead, he abruptly stood from the bench, and turned his back to Diana. "I'll meet you back here after I've had my time with Alessandra." He said angrily before storming away.

Diana considered giving chase, but without the Lasso of Truth on her possession, she'd never be able to pry any other information out of Bruce, and so decided the next best thing to do was take out her frustration on some training droids. Once she cleared her mind, she would decide what to do with this new information.

"So, do you know what you're going to do?" Superman asked.

"Yes." Diana answered without hesitation. "I'm going to figure out what is happening with Bruce, and put an end to it."