Bruce closed his eyes shut from the bat computer's glare. He's been behind the screen for hours - reviewing, researching, piecing things together. Seemingly random isolated cases were weaving faint, rickety ties. He ran a frustrated hand over his head. At this stage, it's a toss up between astute intuition or plain paranoia.

A beep signaled an incoming call.

Superman's face appeared onscreen. "Do you know how hard it is to get hold of you?"

"Go away."

Clark gave a mock hurt look. "Is this how you greet a friend you haven't seen in weeks?"

"I'm working."

"It's time to get out of the cave, Bruce. You're not showing up for the Founder's meetings."

"How many times do I have to remind you - ," he growled the next words, "Part timer."

"That's the official title in the roster, but we all know you're secretly a full time member."

The urge to hang up was so strong, but he spoke evenly. "Why the hell would there be such a thing as a secret full time member?"

"Because you don't want people to know you care."

Bruce wished he could reach through the screen and wipe the earnest look off Smallville's face.

"No, Clark. Sometimes I really just don't care."

"If you say so..."

Clark continued to give unsolicited updates. "Things have been pretty busy lately. An additional pair of hands would be useful. We actually asked J'onn if he can spare a few days a month from his sabbatical."

Then he said oh so casually, "Diana's back by the way. From the off world mission."

Damn Kent.

"It was pretty rough. She was with John and they were joined by sector 3 Green Lanterns - "

"I know. I keep tabs from time to time."

Clark's face shone. "I knew you care."

Bruce began to rub his temples. "If I attend the meeting, will you stop pestering me for a year?"

"6 months maybe."

"Fine, I'll be at the Watchtower," he said gruffly, cutting off the feed.

Superman smiled. It was too easy.


"Bats!" Flash exclaimed. "We miss you buddy. I didn't think I'd miss the grumpy guy in the room, but I do."

"Wally," he acknowledged.

He took his usual seat next to Clark and scanned the room before letting his gaze fall on her.

She looked well. A gauze on her left upper arm, but otherwise ok. She caught his eyes and gave a small smile.

Before he can stop himself, he gave an unBatman like smile in return.

It has been a while. The incident at the gala happened 6 months ago. Bruce had apologized not long after, explaining it was indeed part of the playboy act. Diana accepted the apology, albeit curtly. Life in the League went on. And between the string of earthquakes in the South Pacific, the nth incarnation of the Injustice gang, not to mention the off world missions, they barely saw each other.

Which was perfectly fine with Bruce.

Clark droned on with recaps of last week's events. John and Diana gave a report on their intergalactic assignment. J'onn talked about the upgrades in the Watchtower's security. And Wally commented on the declining quality of hamburger buns in the cafeteria.

Finally Clark began to hand out mission cases.

"Recon work. There's rumors Kasnia is becoming more aggressive with their space program. The UN is worried it might lead to another global threat. We don't have anything in black and white, hence the need for utmost discretion. Diana, your connections in the royal family will be useful. Bruce, you investigated their space program before. Both of you would be the best persons for the job."

Bruce glared at Superman who was pointedly not looking at him.

"I'd love to, but I'm busy in Gotham."

"It'll only take 3 days or so. A week tops," Shayera spoke. "Nightwing and Robin can easily hold down fort."

Bruce directed his glare to Shayera. He doesn't like it when the League talks about Gotham.

Before he can answer, Diana spoke, "I can go alone. We're stretched out as it is. It's best to conserve our numbers. Besides I have Audrey's confidence. It won't be difficult."

"Back up is still recommended even for a quick mission." Clark looked straight at Bruce. "You can help out Diana, can't you?"

Bruce had to hand it to Clark. Getting him to join a meeting is one thing. But using Diana to push him to become more active in the League? Downright shameful. Not to mention idiotically brave. He's Batman, for goodness sake. He's not going to let the Boy Scout strong arm him into anything.

Bruce was about to send a barb flying when he noticed Diana watching him and Clark. Irritation mar her usual calm features.

Suddenly he's reliving the awful scene in the ballroom - how she stood there so radiant and beautiful. How he greeted her with farce and theatrics. And how she looked at him with such disdain.

After months of brushing it off, the guilt came rushing back sharp and deep.

"I can do it myself Superman," Diana replied tersely.

"No," Bruce spoke. "He's right. We always operate with back up. I'll go."

Diana looked at him with mild surprise, then just as quickly her expression became unreadable. There was absolute silence in the room, before she replied.

"Fine, we leave tomorrow."