Title: Battered Heart
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Bruce/Diana
notes and summary: see part one

Bruce was amazed by the speed of things. In an hour it was all over; the world was safe. Superman had made short work of Steppenwolf and once he and Cyborg separated the mother boxes the ancient being was a shell of his former self. In fact his own demon minions swarmed him and took him back to where ever they had come from. Once the civilians were safe the group gathered in the transport.

"Alfred, how is she?"Bruce asked.

"No improvement."The older man replied sadly.

"Wayne technoligies has a medical facility near by, don't we?"Bruce asked.

"Why not take her home?"Superman suggested. "I'm sure the amazons could help more than anyone."

"Wouldn't happen to know where their secret island is?"Bruce countered.

"No, but I could find it."The man of steel replied. "Fortress of solitude has a number of resources I could use."

"Curry don't your people know..."Bruce began.

Suddenly Diana's body jerked with seizure like convulsions. Everyone ran to her but Bruce and Superman reached her first both holding her down on either side of the small bed.

"Diana."Bruce whispered hating to see her in pain.

As swiftly as they started the convulsions stopped. The vital monitor on the wall above Diana beeped and Bruce frowned at it.

"She has a fever and it's spiking."Bruce reported grimly.

"To answer your question my people have stories of their island but it's all legend; no specifics."Aquaman said solmenly.

"Get her to your facility."Superman ordered quietly as he moved to the transport's exit. "I'll meet up with you as soon as I have something that'll help."

"What if you don't find anything?"Barry asked worriedly.

"Then we find another way."Bruce replied as he watched Superman lift off into the air.

Minutes later the transport was airborne too.

"I'll call the facility let them know we're coming."Alfred said quietly as he left the main area.

Barry appeared with a first aid kit, small towels and a bottle of water. Bruce sent the kid a grateful look as he took the items and sat down in a chair by Diana's bed. He doused one of the towels in water and placed it gently on the Amazon's forehead. She stirred as if dreaming but didn't wake.

"Fight this."Bruce said softly. "Come back to us, Diana."

Part of Diana knew she had to be dreaming. She'd had this dream many times over the years. Her mind going back to a happy moment. Then as now she was in Steve's arms as they danced in the snow in the small French town.

'Is this what people do when there are no wars to fight?'

'Yeah, this and other things.'

For a moment Diana forgot it was a dream. She just enjoyed Steve's smile, his blue eyes and being in his arms as the snow fell.

"Unless your facility has a magical power divison it's not going to be able to help her."Arthur stated grimly as he leaned against the wall near Diana's bed.

Bruce didn't glance up as he wet the towel once more and put it back on Diana's forehead. Barry and Cyborg and moved to another part of the plane to eat and rest.

"I'm hoping the farther she is from the battle scene the more of a chance she'll have to recover from whatever he did."Bruce replied tightly.

"It's a good theory."Curry acknowledged with a sigh. "But with power as old as their's is we're guessing pure and simple."

"You have any guesses to contribute or just negativity?"Bruce snapped his gaze fixed on Diana's still form.

"Their powers combined in that shockwave and she got hit with the aftermath."Aquaman said grimly. "Best case her body just got overloaded and needs a reboot."

"Worst case?"Bruce asked though he didn't want to know.

"Shockwave fried her powers and she's as mortal as the rest of you."Arthur continued pushing away from the wall."Would explain the fever."

Bruce nodded as he put a fresh cold towel on Diana's head once more and removed the other. Curry left and the billionaire was suddenly grateful for the privacy. His thoughts and emotions were spinning. Setting the medical kit aside Bruce took Diana's right hand in his and squeezed it. Then he put his left hand on top.

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier."Bruce said softly. "I shouldn't have brought up Steve I know it's still painful for you. We all have ghosts that haunt us."

Diana remained still and silent. That bothered Bruce more than anything. She was always so full of life even when she was angry with him. He squeezed her hand tighter as if that action would keep her with them.

"I need you to wake up, Diana."Bruce continued his voice barely above a whisper. "I need you to tell me how to help you."

The only sound was the plane's engines and Bruce settled back in the chair. He didn't release his hold on Diana's hand.