A/N: Back to the story – and thank you SO much to everyone who reviewed. I honestly can't tell you how happy it makes me. I haven't stopped smiling in days, it's creeping my family out!

Anyway, Happy New Year – I hope 2009 is a wonderful year for you!

Chapter Six – A Slow Night

She'd been onboard the Watchtower for no more than ten minutes before someone drove a railroad spike through Diana's skull. At least, it felt that way.

As she'd expected, and been dreading, Shayera was waiting with an enormous smile on her face. The pain wasn't unexpected, and she could tell from the look on Hawkgirl's face that she was in for some serious interrogation and laughter at her expense. What she did not expect was to begin laughing herself, as Shayera so obviously wanted to. The grin faded from the redhead's face. "Ok…I know why I'm laughing, why are you?"

Diana shook her head, feeling slightly hysterical. "I don't know!" she exclaimed, tears beading in her eyes. "Oh Hera I have no idea!"

She carried on laughing, and Shayera got worried. "Diana? Are you alright?"

"I was," she answered. "When I was with Bruce I was absolutely fine, but now-"

Suddenly Shayera's amusement was back. "Oh, it's Bruce tonight is it? And how long have you been with Bruce?"

Diana grimaced, feeling embarrassment, an intense curiosity and the urge to giggle mesh, as well as being utterly confused about where all this was coming from. "It's not what you think, I-" She cut herself off, really not knowing what to say. "I went to him because I needed help, I…"

Her friend suddenly sobered. "Help?" she repeated, coming forward to put a hand around Diana's shoulder. "With what? Are you alright?"

Really not needing to headache that Shayera's concern brought, Diana shrugged off her arm and took a stop away. "No, I am not. I'm not sure what happened, but for some reason around anybody I am in pain – apart from Batman, for some reason."

"Have you been to see J'onn?"

She nodded. "Yes, but he confirmed that medically there is nothing wrong with me and that I wasn't a telepath – that's what I thought it could be."

"Are you picking up thoughts?" Hawkgirl asked.

"No, it's more…it's less…refined than that." She turned back to Shayera, her expression perfectly miserable. "I don't know what it is, but I… It's getting worse," she finished in a whisper. "I…I need to sleep," she said, sounding more decisive than she felt. "I'll get some sleep, and everything will look better in the morning."

"Well Greenwich Mean Time it is morning," Shayera pointed out.

"Well Eastern Standard Time it's not," Diana said, worried and not liking it. "It's been a long day," she sighed finally, knowing how anxious her friend was and feeling guilty about it. "I just need to rest."

"Maybe you should sleep in the infirmary tonight," Shayera suggested, following her as Diana stepped into the hallway. "If you're not-"

Diana gasped as she entered the hallway, which was full of people. Railroad spike time. There were at least fifteen people she could see, and fifteen different emotions hitting the Amazon. Half a dozen heroes, led by Flash, all looked sad and tired and guilty – oh Hera did they feel guilty. "W-where are they coming from?" she whispered.

"Bolivia," Shayera answered. "There was a rockslide onto a village."

Flash heard and came over, his face glum. Unknowingly increasing the pain Diana was in, he spoke, his expression totally without his usual smile. "A dozen people were killed before we got there," he told them. "Before I got there."

"Wally, it's not your fault," Shayera told him. "You did everything you could."

The guilt Wonder Woman felt only got worse, and when Shayera reached out and squeezed Flash's shoulder comfortingly, Diana simultaneously felt the urge to run away and comfort her friend. The pain in her head was so intense, she couldn't begin to think straight, and her only clear impulse was to head to the infirmary, swallow as much pain-relief as possible, and curl up in a corner somewhere.

Flash shook his head, his tone angry at himself. "I wasn't fast enough," he said. Opening his mouth to issue another self-deprecating sentence, Diana beat him to it.

"You should have tried harder," she said, her voice far harsher than she meant it to be. In fact, she hadn't even meant to say that at all. She blinked, then felt guilty for saying it. Flash looked at her, hurt showing clearly on his features even through the mask, and Diana felt tears well up in her own eyes at the emotional injury she'd inflicted. "Flash, I…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that, I-"

She cut herself off as GL came toward Shayera, grief and guilt on his face. The redhead took him into her arms, both of them closing their eyes in a rare moment of peace. It was obvious the solace that their love for each other brought to them, and within ten seconds the lines had smoothed out from John's face. As they softly kissed, the smile came back into Diana's heart. She felt warm and safe and…in love. Ignoring her friends, and fighting back tears of utter frustration, she turned and sprinted to the infirmary.

When the doors opened, her determination to enter wavered, and it was an act of sheer will to make her feet walk inside. Anyone watching closely would not have said it was Wonder Woman at all – just a very small and very frightened little girl in clothes and under a reputation too big for her. J'onn was too busy to spare her more than a glance, since he was stitching a wound on Booster Gold's forearm closed, as well as directing Zaatnna to get more supplies from the drug store. Diana found the corner furthest from everyone else and sat down, putting her hands to her head in a vain effort to block out the pain. She didn't even notice as one by one, the newly repaired heroes filtered out of the Medical Bay. As J'onn came forward in concern, however, the pain intensified like fire behind her eyes, and she looked up unable to stop the tears.

"What is wrong, Diana?" he asked quickly.

She shook her head. "J'onn, I have no idea, I…It's worse – it's so much worse, I…"

J'onn frowned – he knew from her thoughts how much pain she was in, though he did not feel it himself, but couldn't understand what was causing it. "Diana, may I enter your mind again?"

She nodded. "If it'll make whatever it is go away, do whatever you have to do."

---

It had been a fairly slow night – only three attempted rapes, five muggings, one armed robbery and a couple of drug busts – and now at three am, Batman was on his way back to the Batmobile, and home. He'd just shut the door and started the engine when his League communicator went off, and J'onn's voice came over the connection. Knowing that if he was onboard the Watchtower then the Martian was in the infirmary, Batman cut short his greeting. "What's wrong?"

"Have you had any success in analysing the gem found in the Brazilian cave?"

He cut to the chase. "Is she alright?"

There was a pause. "No. She is not."

Batman put his foot down. "I'll be in the Cave in three minutes. Transport me up from there. Batman out."

Normally he wasn't one to heed the rules of the road, but neither did he normally open up the throttle to full. At top speed the Batmobile was capable of almost two hundred mph, which he'd found useful only once or twice – on a straight road it was good, but around corners it was a speed impossible to maintain. Bruce maintained an average speed of 187 mph on the way back to the Cave, and then leapt from the car as soon as the engine was off. The next forty eight seconds were interminable, and he spent them cursing himself. Damn it, he knew something wasn't right, he knew she came to him for help, so why had he just let her go without running every possible test on her? Forget regretting inviting her to stay for dinner, why the hell hadn't he insisted on her staying in the manor until she was safe?

By his calculation, it had been far longer than three minutes, and he still hadn't been teleported up yet. "Batman to Watchtower."

"Watchtower here," a male voice answered. He placed it as Hawk. "Just about to transport you up."

"Then hurry up about it," he snarled.

He was gone from the Cave within half a second, and didn't waste time glaring when he got there. Finally.

Hawk may or may not have said something before the Dark Knight disappeared around the corner. Anyone who'd ever stated with derision that Batman couldn't fly would have been eating their words. On average, it took Flash 0.5 of a second to run around the Watchtower. It took Bruce roughly 5 seconds to get to the infirmary. Outside the doors, he stopped, took one deep breath, calming himself slightly. Or at least regained the image of calm. His heart was still pounding – but as long as Clark wasn't in the room, no one would be able to tell. He passed a hand over the motion sensor, opening the door and stepping inside.

It was empty apart from J'onn and Diana, facing away from him. Her shoulders were hunched, her head down. His hands curled into loose fists at seeing how…wounded she looked.

J'onn came over immediately, his voice hushed. "Thank you for coming, Batman," he said solemnly.

"How is she?" he demanded in a low tone.

"I have enabled a meditative state for the moment," the Martian said. "But it will not last for long. She is in increasing pain."

"What's causing it?"

"There is no evidence as to the cause, but considering recent events it seems likely it is something to do with the events in the cave. I have a theory, however, that I think I should discuss with her."

Batman nodded, then frowned. "Why did you call me?" If he'd had word Diana was in trouble he'd have come to the Watchtower as fast as he could anyway, but there seemed little he could do.

J'onn evidently did not need to be a mind-reader in order to see the thoughts passing across his friend's masked face, but elaborated. "From what Diana told me, she did not feel the effects of whatever it was around you." He didn't ask for permission to delve into Batman's mind to find the reason – it would certainly be refused, and there was no way he would be able to do so without permission. "Again, I have my theories, but perhaps we should include Diana in the discussion.

Batman walked down the infirmary toward Diana. J'onn hung back, ostensibly to get some water for Diana. Whatever his true motives, Bruce was inwardly grateful. Standing in front of Wonder Woman, he observed her for a second. Her eyes were closed, and she was frowning. Her breathing was shallow, and she did look as though she were in pain. "Diana," he said softly, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She took a deep breath and straightened, opening her eyes. The tenseness in her expression smoothed out too, melding into one of pure relief. "You came," she whispered.

He nodded. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," she answered. "But it's getting worse."

"What about now?"

She shook her head. "No. But it doesn't when you're around."

J'onn joined them, handing Diana some water. "I believe I may know why, and what it happening to you, Diana."

"What?" they both asked.

J'onn took a deep breath, and began explaining. "You said that you could not hear thoughts, only feel emotions."

"Yes, but the emotions of others," she said.

"I believe that you have somehow become an empath."

"Empath?" Batman questioned. "Related to telepathy?"

"Yes, but far less sophisticated than that – and far harder to control. In the most basic sense, telepathy evolved from empathy. Emotions are less complicated and more primal than thoughts, and so can more easily be transmitted; normally completely unconsciously. It is unusual to find a sentient being able to guard his or her emotions – but it is, I believe, an ability that you have, Batman."

"Which would explain why I can't feel anything from you," Diana said wonderingly. "But, J'onn, it's more than that." She turned to Bruce. "Tonight, when you were with Tim and I, I did not feel his emotion – but when you left to answer the telephone, I felt his disappointment. Around you, I don't feel anything from anyone else. I'm not in pain." She smiled wanly at him. "I guess you're my own personal shield."

Not replying, Bruce looked at J'onn. "Do you have an explanation for that?"

"Hmm. I'm afraid not," he answered. "But my main concern is that it seems to be getting stronger. You said you were in more pain this evening than you have been before?"

She nodded. "The happy emotions aren't so bad," she said. "When I saw John and Shayera together it felt wonderful, but with Flash's guilt…" Diana looked down, ashamed of herself. "He blamed himself for being unable to save everyone on a mission today. He was angry and I felt it. I snapped at him – told him that he should have done better, been faster…" She bit her lip. "I need to find him and apologise." She tried to get up, but Batman's hands settled on her shoulders, pushing her back down.

"Not yet," he commanded.

She opened her mouth to protest, but he'd already turned to J'onn. "What could happen if it continues increasing?"

"I am afraid that there is no way to tell." He looked at Diana. "Before Batman arrived, could you feel anything?"

She nodded gravely. "Yes – but not as acutely as when I am around others. More like…a dull ache of over-fatigue than the migraine it was earlier."

"Does the bad outweigh the good?" Bruce asked.

She nodded miserably. "It's…agonising. I can't think of another word for it."

"There is one more thing that concerns me," J'onn said. "If your power as an empath is growing-"

"I wouldn't call it a power," Bruce interrupted.

"More like a curse," Diana said in agreement.

"Whatever we may call it, if it is still growing," the Martian continued, "then it is still growing now."

"But Batman is with me," the Amazon pointed out.

Bruce, however, saw where J'onn was going. "For now, Princess."

J'onn nodded. "Precisely. Until Batman leaves, it is impossible to gauge how bad it will be."

---

A/N: Dun dun dun! Just so you know, there will be cliffhangers at every POSSIBLE opportunity, 'cause I love 'em! Review this one please! Also, I need to know approx how many people are in the JLU – I was thinking like 50? Too many? Not enough?