A Never Ending Battle

Several days passed…

All the while Chelsea never stopped fighting. They kept her in constant battle for days, never allowing rest, once and a while there would be crackers and water served to keep her alive, but she had to eat and drink and fight all at the same time just to stay alive. The doctor was testing her limits, which as he found out turned out to be quite a lot. Even in moments where it looked like she would give up and break down, she never did. Her expression was stone cold. Her body unwavering. Her body had certainly took a beating, and was missing the usual nutrition necessary to stay strong. On the fourth day she felt it, and they saw it. Her patience finally snapped. She started to beat these people to an inch of their life.

She had the male twin in her grasp, eyes glowing hollowly. Dr. XYZ's voice echoed over the intercom, "Go ahead my dear… kill him."

Chelsea realized the position she was in and instantly let him go. She stared at him for a moment, "I apologize."

"She's almost ready," whispered Dr. XYZ to himself, and then came over the intercom once more, "You may take a break for the rest of day. Show her to her room."

Shadow guided her to a cell gate. Instead of protesting Chelsea just went inside and sat on the cold floor without a fuss. She hadn't had rest in days. Her body collapsed the moment it had stopped moving. As she rested her cheek against the concrete ground she wondered just how long it had been? What she figured to be a few days felt like it had been at least a month. She did enough fighting for that stretch. In this place you died if you didn't fight, or you died while fighting; Whatever came first, but she had learned some interesting facts.

The doctor only had perhaps four followers: the twins, Shadow, and some boy who apparently was some Superman rip off because he only had super strength. She also noticed that perhaps the reason XYZ was so bent on having her, was because these all seemed like failed subjects. The twins could not make a perfect transformation. They would fool the average human being, but they made errors that anyone could notice. Wonder Boy with the super strength wasn't very bright mentally, and while he could lift tons of pounds his fighting techniques were lacking and he was very slow. Shadow was perhaps their strongest, but the boy could only hide in shadows. What was the point if your strength was still just that of a humans? Not to mention in these empty white rooms there weren't many shadows cast.

Chelsea was the only experiment that went right. That must have burned the doctor to no end. Even Nick and Sam had been their own demise. What could she do to improve this mess? She wanted to go home. She missed her friends. She was so numb by this point she couldn't feel the tears pooling underneath her cheek as they cascaded sideways down her face. Within minutes she was out cold, so very tired from the past four days.

At the Watch Tower, everyone had done their best to pull their weight around and try to figure out exactly where Chelsea was being held. They were all well aware that the longer it took the less likely she was to survive or worse, become a lifeless droid like the others.

Something had occurred to J'onn as he sat quietly at the monitors, "The realm for which we seek… we are perceiving it incorrectly. It is not a place after all."

"What do you mean J'onn?" asked Superman, confused by his words.

J'onn turned to face everyone, "My theory is this… the first evening Chelsea spent with us. Do you remember what happened?"

Wally did, "Everyone was going bonkers because of some sound waves being put off by the computers… right?"

"You're on the right track," Batman commented, "but-" he instantly realized what J'onn was getting at, "It was that doctor! We never did find out who infiltrated the system, so-"

"So when you jammed the motherboard, it created an opening. A doorway into…" J'onn motioned his hand to the monitor, "a realm inside our very communication system. Inside that evil man can find whatever records he wants about the Justice League. Old cases, weaknesses, even footage on what we're doing every second of every day. He was watching us. This whole time he's been watching…"

"How is that even possible?" Wally wondered.

"My only hypothesis is that… the man Chelsea referred to as Dr. XYZ has the power to create his own dimension. One under his discretion and judgment." J'onn replied.
"The real question is… how do we get inside?" wondered Batman with narrowed eyes.

"Hello Justice League," the doctor flashed up on the screen, a smirk upon his face.

"We want our member back," Superman instructed.

"Unfortunately, she's now a former member of the Justice League. She has much bigger things ahead of her, like leading her own league…" said XYZ casually.

"She'd never work for you," Wally growled.

"See for yourself," he nodded, as his image disappeared and a live feed took his place of Chelsea in a city with the rest of the evil members.

"That's Gotham!" cried Superman.

Batman was already out the door. The others followed suit as they gathered in an aircraft and immediately were in pursuit of what they didn't want to believe with their own eyes. No damage had been done yet, but this new league of evil doers were standing inside a ballroom of a Gotham Hall, awaiting their dance with destiny.

"You will lead them," the doctor told Chelsea, "or you will regret it." he slapped a bracelet on her wrist.

"What is this?" she asked.

"Consider it an amplifier. Your powers will increase exponentially. This is the start of a new age… a new race… a new you." he disappeared.

Her new members stood behind her, ready to fight whatever came through the doors in front of them.

"Lucky us you decided to come out of hiding," Superman said, nearly busting the heavy doors off of their hinges. The rest of the league was behind him, unsure of where Chelsea's loyalties lie anymore.

"No need to hide anymore," said the male twin stepping up. His sister waved to Wally once more.

"Chels," Wally took a step forward, and then was in front of her, "tell me it isn't true."

Chelsea looked down at her wrist and then up to Wally, her eyes glowing a radiant light, "Wally, I'm sorry," She swung her fist intentionally, knowing Wally could duck in time and instead pounded the female twin into the wall. Ripping off the bracelet she destroyed it with a bolt of light and smiled at Wally, "but your new girlfriend's a real bitch."

"What are you doing?!" barked the doctor appearing out of thin air behind his subjects.

"You really thought this would work, didn't you?" Chelsea asked, turning toward him and the other failed excuses for villains, "You really think I'm afraid of you? I've seen your fleet! I've battled them for days on end and I continued to win… I don't have to worry about them or the well being of my friends! Your threats are hollow, your efforts are in vain, and you will burn for the problems you've caused." The Justice League members all stared in awe. How did someone so small have such courage? Superman smiled with pride. She was just what this team was missing after all, "Clark if I may…" Chelsea's eyes started to glow once more, "Justice League… let's do what we do best…." a smile spread across her face.

Within moments XYZ's children had either fallen or retreated. Things grew serious when the sound of a revolver was fired into the air. Everyone stopped. The doctor had his gun pointed directly at Chelsea, "You will die, with this dream…" he fired, but the bullet's projection was swayed by Wally's speed. However… Wally's legs went out from under him as he hit the ground hard. He started to hold his knee and wince with pain.

"No!" cried Chelsea, coming to his side, "Why did you do that? What were you thinking?"

He continued to hold his leg, "I had to redirect the bullet somehow… I just didn't mean to redirect it at me," he laughed lightly. His leg was bleeding profusely.

"Your knee… how will you be able to run anymore?" tears burned down her cheeks.

"You know I bruise like a peach," he smiled at her, "Come on, I haven't seen you in days. Don't cry…"

"This is all because of you," spoke the doctor to Chelsea, "if you had just done what you were told." He set his aim toward Batman, "I suppose this is poetic justice really… the Batman, falling the same way his mother and father did before him."

Chelsea stood up quickly. When the next shot was fired, she moved quickly enough to pull Bruce out of the way. The gun attempted to fire again, but instead it clicked, "I really got to thank Wally for the speed training sometime," she was staring up into Bruce's eyes, when she looked back to the doctor, "that's the problem with guns doc," she started to walk toward him, "they run out of bullets…"

The doctor didn't look worried, "Fall." he instructed. The gun fired once more, blasting a hole into her side. The hot lead burned her insides. Chelsea couldn't blink as she felt her heart start to spasm in a panic. Blood was gushing from her body. He had placed the bullets in the chamber in the exact order he wanted: Bullet, bullet, blank, bullet… he figured he'd get at least one hit. Chelsea's blind admiration for the two men she loved, he knew she'd protect them and they would protect her. There would be no negative outcomes for him, "I'll say it again… they are your weakness, child."

Chelsea collapsed to the floor in front of all of her teammates.

"No!" Wally screamed, forcing himself to his feet and coming over to her.

Batman was frozen. It felt like he was a helpless child again. Like it was happening all over again.

"I'll get her to a hospital!" Wally said, picking her up.

"But Wally your leg," Wonder Woman protested.

"I can't feel a thing," he assured.

"Go now!" boomed Batman, "She's on blood thinners. She's going to bleed out in minutes! Go!" he repeated.

Wally moved as fast as his legs could take him.

Batman watched as he disappeared out of the door and stared at the pool of blood she left behind.

"Go with him," Superman instructed, "You need to be with her."

Batman's stare was hollow and distant. He felt himself giving up. Did the bad guys actually win this time? If she died, they would indeed.

"I'll handle it," Superman instructed.

"We'll handle it," corrected Wonder Woman. Hawkgirl and Green lantern stood beside her, ready to avenge their fallen comrade.

Batman watched his friends take off after the man who was now on the run from the Justice League. He couldn't move. He was still in the moment. Watching blood burst from her body over and over. Quickly he turned to the emergency exit, hitting a button on his utility belt. The batmobile waited for him outside. Jumping in and setting the location, he immediately turned it to autodrive and let it go.

Wally had arrived at the hospital still in flawless time, "Please, you've got to help her," he pleaded with the receptionist. They brought a rolling bed out for her and took her back immediately.

"She's on Warfarin. She needs a blood transfusion now." a voice said from behind Wally. A man in a black leather jacket, white shirt, and dress pants came forward, with his usual shiny black shoes on his feet, "I'm blood type O. Take as much as you need."

The receptionist gasped, "Bruce Wayne? I mean, right away Mr. Wayne!" she scurried off to the nurses' board.

Wally's face scrunched with confusion. How did Bruce Wayne know Chelsea was in so much trouble?

Bruce's gaze turned to Wally as he glanced down at his leg, "Get this man a bed now!" Bruce barked out more orders at the other receptionists and they all took heed to his words.

Wally had heard that booming voice before. His jaw fell open, as a girl started to help him into a wheelchair.

"We'll talk later," Bruce told him, as they wheeled him off. Once they got Wally settled in after managing to remove the bullet and stitch up the wound, Bruce came into his room. He knew it was his because the door white board read, The Flash. He was still a bit groggy from the medicine they put in his system, "The doctor told me there was minimal damage done to your knee. The run here managed to lodge the bullet further in, but there's no permanent damage. A couple months without running and you should be back to normal. You're lucky."

"That bites," Wally groaned, "Running is sort of my thing, you know?"

"Not anymore. At least, not for a while." Bruce told him.

Wally looked him over, "I can't believe I never put two and two together… Does Chelsea know you're- you're-?"

"Yes," Bruce rolled his eyes, "she just found out recently."

Wally started to chuckle as his gaze went to the window, "I really don't have a chance then…"

"You've lost me," mumbled Bruce.

"Oh come on Bats!" Wally shook his head, "For being a smarty pants you're really dense."

Bruce gave him a cold look.

"Chelsea, is totally crazy about you," Wally told him, "According to Diana, she's been in love with Bruce Wayne ever since her scholarship reception, and she's been in love with Batman for half of her life! It was one thing to be competing with some rich boy-"

Bruce's gaze never faltered.

Wally decided to change his original wording, "Successful business man, but Batman?"

Bruce took a deep breath, "She's been gone for hours. They haven't told me anything. They've taken as much blood as they can without knocking me out cold," Bruce stumbled back into a chair beside Wally's bed, "she could very well die tonight, Wally. If she isn't now, she probably will be dead by morning…" he covered his face with his hands.

"Man, how do you live that way..?" asked Wally, giving him a confused look. Bruce peeked through his fingers at him, "You can't give up on her like that… she'd never give up on you. I think… you were always her hero, Bats…"

Bruce sat back in his chair and sighed, "And look where that got her."

Hours passed. Bruce took to the rooftop of the hospital to collect the thoughts that bounced around inside his head. He had never felt this lost before. As a child he was lost without parents, as a man, he was just lost.

"Hey," greeted Superman quietly, landing beside his long-time friend. He sat down beside him. He always knew when Bruce was sulking, because he'd always find him staring off into space at his city, "Gotham actually doesn't look too bad lit up at night, does it?"

Bruce covered his face with his hand, "Clark…" his tone was rough, "There's something we have to discuss."

"I'm all ears," Clark told him, "Did you hear anything yet?"

Bruce shook his head, "No," he looked out at his city. The very place he was sworn to protect, but he couldn't even protect one young girl, "Consider this my resignation…"

"What? But Bruce you can't-" Clark stood up quickly.

"If she dies Clark…" Bruce stood up without turning his gaze from the city, "then Batman will die along with her." with that hanging in the air Bruce walked off without another word. Bruce made his way back to Wally's room. He actually felt sympathy for the very man he had been envious of for some time. Now he didn't envy him at all. As he walked into the room, Wally greeted him with a smile and turned down the TV.

"Man, someone has got to tell the owner of this place that the food here stinks," Wally joked as an icebreaker.

Bruce crossed his arms, "Noted."

It took Wally a moment to realize he was talking to the owner, "Seriously yo?" he shook his head, "You've got to be kidding me."

These two men were so different. One older, more refined, and classy. The other young, naive, with all the love and kindness in his heart. Both so in love with the same woman they could hardly see straight. Wally pulled his cowl back revealing his face, "Wally West," he held out his hand, "I figure it's only fair… since I know who you are now and everything."

Bruce stared at Wally's hand, "I already knew who you were."

Wally pulled his hand back and crossed his arms, "I hope you're nicer than this to Chels."

Bruce took a seat in his chair once more. He was so tired. He wanted so badly to know her condition. Suddenly the door opened and Chelsea's bed was wheeled into the room beside Wally's. She had an IV drip and a bag of Bruce's blood handy just encase there were any sudden complications. A doctor followed in to let Bruce and Wally get the rundown, "You got her here in great time. We gave her a shot that reversed the effects of the Warfarin, which helped with some of the bleeding. She won't be able to take blood thinners for a while, but I don't think she'll need to. Her lungs and heart look healthy. No clots to report. The bullet didn't hit any organs or anything vital so she was incredibly lucky. Her system is very malnourished and she could stand to put on some weight to help with the shock on her body, but I think she'll pull through. It's strange, but I know they don't call you superheroes for nothing," he gestured to Wally, "but her systems were already in the phases of fixing themselves. It's a waiting game now."

"Thanks doc," Wally flashed him a smile. The doctor and nurses exited the room shortly after.

Bruce quietly stood up and looked her over. They had gauze wrapped around her stomach, but it looked very neatly done. These doctors had to be the best in Gotham to work for Bruce Wayne. Everyone around him had been bending over backwards for him. If this girl was important to him, she was important to every single staff member here. Taking her small fragile hand in his, he felt himself start to tremble. That's when he felt her grip his hand. Her eyes half opened slowly, "Hello Mr. Wayne…" she joked half-heartedly.

He smiled at her and pressed his forehead to hers, "Don't ever," he whispered, "scare me like that again."

Wally smirked at the both of them, "Hey I was worried too ya know!" he waved his hands frantically.

"Oh Wally your leg…" Chelsea looked at him sadly.

"I just can't run on it for a while," he shrugged.

"That's awful… I'm so sorry… it's all my fault," Chelsea sighed.

"No," he shook his head, "it'll heal and I'll be faster than before." he winked at her. He reached his hand out to her and she grabbed it welcomingly, "I missed you… so much." he admitted, getting teary eyed.

"Aww Wal, don't cry…" Chelsea said softly, "I'm alright guys," she looked at Bruce, "really."

"Why? Why did you jump in front of a bullet for me?" asked Bruce, "I'm plenty capable of running, dodging… something."

"I know better. You'd never run…" She replied, "You'd stare the devil himself down, Bruce. I'd do it every time if it meant to keep you from harm. I'd do it for either of you." she looked back to Wally, squeezed his hand, and then squeezed Bruce's hand with her other, "I'm so glad… I woke up and you were both here with me."

The rest of the Justice League filtered into the room with hopeful smiles, "Look at you two." Superman grinned.

They were all still in their crime fighting uniforms, "So that's what Batman looks like," joked John Stewart.

"Haven't I seen you somewhere before?" grinned Wonder Woman.

Chelsea looked at Bruce apologetically, "It's my fault they know…"

Bruce looked irritated, "I'll take them finding out over losing you any day." He straightened his back and gave them all cold stares, "but if it leaves this room…"

"Remember your blood pressure Bruce," teased Clark.

Chelsea glanced up at the blood bag that hung beside her IV bag. It wasn't attached to anything so she assumed it was for emergency purposes.

Wally caught her staring at it, "You can thank the billionaire for your consciousness."

Chelsea looked at Bruce confused, "What does he mean?"

"They took my blood to keep you alive. I'd had given them every last drop if it would keep you safe." Bruce brushed her hair back with his hand.

"Looks like you've got Batman's blood rushing through your veins now," grinned Clark, patting her on the shoulder.

"Did you find Dr. XYZ?" the question had been terrorizing Bruce for hours.

Superman frowned, "Sorry, Bruce…"

"I cannot sense his presence anymore." J'onn said out into the open, "he has even erased the realm he created in our computer systems. I am not sure how he did it, but I will continue to search for him," he placed a reassuring hand on Bruce's shoulder, "I promise you that."

After some idle chat Chelsea had drifted off to sleep. She was so exhausted. The last few days had proved to bring about many trials and tribulations to her life. She never counted on getting shot, but who ever does? Bruce was about in the same boat. His head was rested back against the wall, between the two beds, sitting in a god awful chair. His eyes would close for a time, but open some time after.

Wally finally spoke up, "You look awful Bats. Why not get some rest?"

"It's hard to sleep knowing he's still out there." Bruce murmured. His gaze turned to Wally and a small smile appeared on his face only momentarily, "I want to talk to you about something Wally."

Wally raised an eyebrow, "Sure, what's up?"

Bruce looked back at Chelsea and watched her sleep, "I didn't understand it at first, and once I realized it, I denied it with every fiber of my being." He looked back to Wally, "I love her very much. I've never loved anyone. I tried to make myself incapable of that emotion. Caring for individuals was hard enough. Any spilled blood would be on my hands," he reflected on Dick, Barbara, Alfred, and Tim who he loved and cared for very much, just not in the way he loved Chelsea, "I don't know how she did it… but for the longest time I've felt like there were two worlds... mine, and everyone elses. She so openly welcomed me in hers, and forced her way into mine. Without realizing it, I let my guard down around her, because I was so fascinated by her… so moved by her talent."

He thought about her artwork and how beautiful it all was, "What I'm trying to say is…" Wally swallowed, awaiting to hear his next words, "I will never be the man she deserves." Bruce looked into Wally's eyes hard, "You should be with her. With you she can have a normal life. A normal relationship filled with love, and closeness, and tenderness, that I simply cannot provide. There is truth in what everyone says about me. I'm cold… I gave up on emotion because it only held me back."

"Woah- Bats…- Bruce," Wally waved his hand at him, "First of all, I don't think it's your decision on who Chelsea decides she wants to be with. Maybe it will be me, maybe it will be you, or maybe it'll be some guy we've passed on the street." Wally wanted so badly for it to be himself, but he didn't want to feel like Chelsea was some prize being handed to him, "Secondly man, what are you talking about? I've never met someone more emotional than you."

"I've been angry before, but-" Bruce tried to protest, but Wally cut him off once again.

"You're human. You get mad… but that's not what I'm talking about. Batman… that whole thing is based on emotion, right? Losing your parents hurt in a way you never knew existed, I get that. Almost losing Chelsea tonight resurfaced those emotions. You love Gotham. You love her. And don't think I haven't noticed the glares you've shot at me when I'm with her," a laugh escaped his lips, "When I heard she went out on a date with Bruce Wayne do you have any idea how intimidated I was? For the first time I wasn't the only one she wanted to be around, and it hurt me in a way I didn't know existed…" Wally had been envying him too, "You're not emotionless Bruce… you're not a robot. You've just got a lot of baggage… who doesn't?"

"Baggage Chelsea doesn't need," Bruce sighed.

"Say what you want… eventually, one of us is going to end up hurting… but you know what?" Wally grinned at him, "I'm okay with that. Even if there's a chance I'll end up empty handed… there's also a chance I'll have perhaps the most wonderful thing in the world…"

Bruce looked at Wally, so moved. If he couldn't be with Chelsea himself, he didn't trust anyone else with her heart except Wally. He meant everything he said. Why couldn't he reach inside himself like Wally could?

"She's my best friend Bats… Nothing, not even her breaking my heart, could change that. I'll still be right there beside her… even if she decides I'm not what she wants as something more than what we have." Wally stared at Chelsea's slumbering state as he spoke, "I love her, that much."

Two days later Chelsea was released from the hospital. Her recovery was quite rapid. Guess it pays to be scientifically enhanced once and a while. She wasn't 100%, but she was getting there. Wally had been released the day before, but he stayed with her all the same. Bruce would be pulled away on business and even disappeared to do research in that time over Dr. XYZ, but otherwise he was by Chelsea's side as well, during her hospital stay.

Once settled back home at the Watch Tower, everything seemed to slowly gravitate back to normalcy. Wally and Chelsea were back to being thick as thieves; playing video games and watching old movies every Friday night, and pretty much being attached at the hip as always. Everyone was just relieved they hadn't lost her, or anyone else for that matter. The only real difference was that everyone was aware of Batman's true identity now. Ever since Chelsea's release, Bruce had been spending less and less time at the Watch Tower. After about four days of his absence, Chelsea decided she was going to see if he was alright.

"Where are you off to?" asked Wally, flopping down on her bed as she packed an overnight bag.

"I'm going to head home and work," Chelsea told him.

Wally half-smirked at her, "Why don't you just say you're going to go check up on him?"

Chelsea looked at him surprised, "I'm… just worried…" she admitted.

Wally stood up and wrapped his arms around her, "Make sure big ole grumpy bats is okay for all of us, alright?" he took a deep breath through his nose, taking in the scent of her shampoo. Nothing had surfaced about Chelsea's feelings, but he knew she had a special place in her heart for Bruce. It just couldn't be overlooked.

Chelsea embraced him back and kissed him softly on the cheek, "I'll be back, don't worry. If he didn't make me worry so much…" her voice trailed off, "Hey… Wal..?"

"Yeah?" he replied.

"Did he say anything to you about… being mad at me?" she asked.

"That's a silly thing to ask. I think out of everyone in the world Chels… you're the one person that makes him happy…" it was true what Wally said. Knowing that burned him in a way that seemed to linger in his heart.

Chelsea arrived at the Wayne Manor some time later. She landed on the doorstep and rang the doorbell. Within minutes Alfred came to the door, greeting her with the same welcoming smile he always did, "Ah, Miss Chelsea… it's been a while." He moved to the side and gestured for her to come in. Once she was inside he closed the door behind her, "I regret to inform you that Master Bruce is at a meeting right now."

Chelsea glanced at the grandfather clock nearby, "Meeting or… meeting?" she asked.

"The kind with CEOs, not psychos, my dear…" Bruce had told Alfred she knew about his identity, so it didn't catch him off guard.

"Got it," she nodded with a sigh.

"You know," Alfred started as he came to her side and put his hand on her shoulder, "Master Bruce never gave you the full tour. Are you aware we have an indoor pool?" he started to walk forward to show her what he was referring to. As they walked he showed her the ballroom, the entertainment room, as well as the other rooms Bruce had never introduced her to. Their final stop was the giant indoor pool with three hot tubs lined up on one side of it and a high dive on the other into the pool with three separate levels.

Wayne Manor was beautiful. It had such an elegance to it one only found in castles, "You look stressed. Why don't you take a swim and relax for a while? At the very least a hot tub ought to relax your body some, hmm?" wondered Alfred.

"But I don't even have a bathing suit with me Alfred," said Chelsea with a laugh of disbelief.

"That door over there is a changing room with a walk in closet that might resemble a swimsuit display room. Pick whatever you like. There's quite a variety for men and women." He informed her.

"What's the purpose of that out of curiosity?" asked Chelsea.

"Contrary to belief, Master Bruce is quite popular," he winked at her, "it was a gift from a line of clothing that wanted Wayne as their brand name…"

Chelsea smiled at him, "Oh really?"

"Please, enjoy yourself. I have some work I need to tend to." he bowed to her and then exited the room.

Chelsea took to the changing room and started skimming the vast selection it had to offer. She decided on a black bikini that tied in the back over her shoulders. The bottoms were boy short style. She started to walk down the steps of the pool and descend into the water. It was a heated pool so the water didn't shock her system very much. It was actually quite soothing. Perhaps Alfred was right. This was just what she needed. She pulled herself under and imagined herself falling. It was almost like she was meditating the stress away. What stress was it? She felt so plagued by emotions. Worry over the doctor still roaming free, fear that Bruce was upset with her, and confusion over her feelings. It had finally come to fruition in her mind: she was in love with two very different men.

She forgot she was under water and came to the surface when she needed air. Taking in the oxygen rapidly and then steadying her breathing she heard a voice from behind her that sounded like what she could only imagine an angel sounded like, "You alright?" Bruce asked.

She turned around to see him flopping his briefcase on a nearby lawn chair and loosening his black tie. He looked stressed and tired as usual. She swam over to the edge of the pool closest to him and stared up at him thoughtfully, "I came to check on you. No one's seen you in days."

He sat down in a lawn chair in front of her and leaned forward, "I've been busy."

"Is that what avoiding me is called nowadays?" she asked.

His eyebrows scrunched at her words, "I'm not avoiding you."

"Could have fooled me…" she murmured, turning away from him and leaning back so she could float on her back.

He tilted his head with a pained look on his face, "I've been trying to locate Dr. XYZ as well… but it is like he's simply vanished." he stood up and crossed his arms, "But I would never intentionally avoid you." he was offended she thought so.

She looked at him puzzled, "No," she disagreed, "that is exactly what you would do. You can't fool me Bruce. I know you better than that." She levitated out of the water in front of him and grabbed his arm, pulling him forward, into the water. When she resurfaced, she looked over to see him slicking back his now wet hair. He looked like he was modeling without even trying. She almost fell into a trance for a second.

His expression was cold, but it faded when he looked at her once more, "Was that necessary?" he asked. His white button up shirt was sticking to his skin, revealing the very toned physique he had underneath.

She snapped back into focus, "I guess it was uncalled for… considering how much that suit probably cost you."

He chuckled at her logic, "Again, you worry about my money." It humored him. She was the only woman to ever care how his money was wasted. He walked toward her, all the while his shiny black shoes filled with water. He looked over her entire body for the first time. He was enthralled by her beauty, "Why did you choose black?" he wondered.

"What can I say?" she shrugged, "You inspire me."

His eyebrow perked, "Your favorite color is red though," he decided to play with her a little. He had been missing her desperately after all.

"How do you know what my favorite color is?" she wondered. She had never told anyone what her favorite color was.

The corner of his lip arched upward, "You always have some garment of red on, so I just assumed."

"Oh yeah?" she asked, impressed by his detective skills once again, "What else have you assumed?"

His lips spread into a confident grin, "I know your favorite flower is the iris. I know you love rainy weather the best, but winter is your favorite season. I know Italian cuisine is your favored choice. You can't go anywhere without chapstick in your left front pants pocket, and your strangest phobia is the dark."
Chelsea stared at him completely confused. How did he know all of that?

"Shall I continue?" he asked, running his fingers through her wet hair, down to her shoulder and tilting his head.

"Are you messing with me?" she asked.

He chuckled at her again, "Your left arm is double jointed. You…" he cupped her face in his hands, and took a deep breath, "are so beautiful…" his expression turned serious, "You put everyone you care about before your own well-being… you're intelligent, brave, and have the kindest heart I've ever known…"

"Bruce…" she whispered, her eyes shimmering as she placed her hands on his.

The pain returned to his face as he searched for the right words to say. Pulling his hands away he frowned. Looking down at his shirt, he realized he must have looked rather silly. Soaked down to his skin, fully dressed. He pulled himself up onto the edge of the pool and started to strip off his shoes, emptying the remaining puddles that stayed concealed inside them. Setting them neatly to the side, he wrung out his socks and set them on top of the shoes, then sat leaned to his right, like he was posing for a photograph. Needless to say the perfection alarm was sounding off in Chelsea's head.

Bruce took note that she was staring at him once again. Her eyes were glancing at every part of his body. Running his fingers through his hair he spoke up, "Has anyone ever told you it's impolite to stare?"

Chelsea blushed, realizing how obvious she was making it, "I'm sorry," she admitted, "you're just so…" she stopped herself and looked away.

"Don't be shy now. You've already been caught. You might as well own up to your crime." he teased, lowering himself back into the water and stepping toward her. He had never seen her so nervous around him. It was really cute to see her face light up red like that.

So many words came to mind, "It's hard to describe you with just one word, Bruce…" she smirked, trying to play it off like her heart wasn't jumping around inside her body. Down to her stomach and then up into her throat, and everywhere in between.

He grinned, tilting his head the same fashion he always did when he playfully interrogated her, "Try me." he cooed.

She looked deeply into his eyes. Reaching up to the collar of his shirt, she slowly started to unbutton his shirt, one button at a time, from top to bottom. He wasn't expecting this. He watched her gently undo each one, carefully, slowly, almost seductively. For her eyes never left his as she worked. Once she had worked the last button loose, she levitated high enough out of the water to be at eye level with him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pressing her lips to his ear ever so slightly. She started to whisper sing softly to him, "For once, in my life, I have someone who needs me… someone I've needed so long." she ran her lips across his earlobe and continued, "For once I can go where life leads me, and somehow I know I'll be strong," she let a breath escape into his ear, "For once in my life, I won't let sorrow hurt me, not like it's hurt me before. For once I know, I've got someone who won't desert me… I'm not alone anymore." Tears sprang from both their eyes in succession. She pulled back to look him in the eyes.

She pressed her forehead against his, and sighed, "Oh Bruce…" she shook her head, "I…" she lowered her head in defeat, "I'm having this familiar feeling…"

He stared at her, without a word. He wanted her so badly right now. He wanted to kiss her, he wanted to hold her, he wanted to be apart of the parts of herself she was afraid to reveal. He had grown so weak in the time he met her. It's like he became a different man with her around. Like the man he should have been all along.

She looked him in the eyes once again, "I'm sorry… I've got a lot of issues… things I need to work out on my own before I… act. Please don't be upset with me I'm just so… lost." she lowered herself back into the water, trembling with shear emotional pain. She wanted to kiss him too. She wanted to put her trust into him. She wanted to share the parts of herself she had always been afraid to share with someone, but then again, there was another person she was just as willing to do all of these things with as well and it damaged her from the inside out.

Bruce reached out and cradled her face in his hands, "Issues I've got plenty of," he admitted to her, "Chelsea… you deserve so much better than all of this." he wanted to be what she deserved, but he just didn't feel like he was. There would always be a part of himself he'd never be able to surrender. He pressed his lips to her forehead, "No matter what… I'll always be there for you. Whether that be by your side, or from a distance."

Author's Notes: So she's still deliberating on who she wants to be with. I wanted to thank all of the loyal readers once more. Also, who do you like Chelsea with? Bruce or Wally? Also if anyone has any ideas or things they want to see happen (like some event, some date, etc) leave it in a review and if I think I can make it happen I'll add it into the story. See ya in the next chapter.