*A/N: Thanks for the positive feedback! I hope I'm updating quickly enough. I don't have much to say on the chapter, I just hope you like it. As always, please leave me a small review. Thanks!*

CHAPTER TWO

"Yes, they're all certainly captured." Diana told Bruce.

From her left side, Barry nodded. "It wasn't that big of a fuss. A bit of swooping here, sweeping there, wooshing all over the place and we were done!"

"This is the fourth attempt in reviving the Legion of Doom this year." Batman commented as they walked along the Base's corridors. "Luckily our rapid interventions have ceased its resurfacing."

"This new patrolling system seems to be working all right." The Flash said. "Good thing more and more heroes are willing to help, 'cause let's face it, no matter how quick I may be, I can't really be everywhere."

"You're more suited for the action field, not the investigation and not the stake-outs." Batman said. "We wouldn't base the patrolling on you."

"Bitter, Bats, as always." Barry said, half-smiling. "I'm perfect for everything!"

"So, how is your new romance going along?" Diana asked, turning to the speedster.

"Woo-hoo-hoo!" Barry exclaimed. "It's explosive, baby. Ex-plo-sive!"

Diana grinned at him. "Good to know."

"So, what do you have on your schedules now? I am to report at Metropolis… What a bore."

"I'm in for some new recruits' training." Wonder Woman said.

"Wonder Woman, can I have a word?" Batman said and they exchanged a hasty but meaningful look.

"So, I'll get going. Catch ya later, folks!" Barry said and started running the way the came, while Bruce and Diana walked a bit further, passing from the Leaguers' chambers. Barry would have reached the teleporters by then, if he hadn't slowed down on purpose. He wasn't the one for noticing things, Batman was right, but, strangely, he hadn't missed the peculiar look shared between the brooding nocturnal hero and the Amazon princess. And so he found himself itching to find out what was that about, because he was curious by nature and being discrete was certainly not one of his traits. He turned back and ran behind them, coming to a halt just behind the point the corridors made a turn. He could see them if he popped his head a little and with a little luck, they wouldn't see him. Thinking that his bright red suit might be a problem, he pressed the center of his chest, entering camouflage mode and his suit turned a dark shade of grey. He slowly popped his head and watched. They were standing out of Diana's chambers-which, if he came to think about, had been vacant an awful lot recently- and talked. Bruce had his back to him. He could only hear very few words here and there, so he needed to settle for body language.

"So, what is it?" Diana asked, once they were out of her chambers.

"For how long are you on duty today?"

"I thought you would have memorized my schedule by now…" She said, grinning a bit and putting her hair behind her ear.

"Tell me."

"For another four hours if nothing comes up. Otherwise you know, it's up until I'm done." She said, placing her hands on her hips.

Bruce nodded. "I had the night shift so I'll be leaving now. Don't forget the-"

"Oh, Bruce. Don't tell me not to forget the thing I've been reminding you for the past three days."

"Fine. I'll see you at the Manor."

Diana turned her head left to check the corridors and then right. Barry's reflexes were unnaturally quick too, so he managed to stick to the wall before Diana turned to look his way. She saw no one and almost jumped on Bruce, wrapping her hands around his neck and stealing a hasty but passionate kiss. Barry managed to take a small glimpse and his jaw dropped. She stopped kissing him after two or three seconds and wiped her lips, laughing.

"Diana, you must be more careful." Bruce said, looking around as well. Barry stuck to wall again, until Batman had stopped checking.

"I really don't get why we must be so secretive about it… You know, they will find out sooner or later."

"The later the better."

Diana shrugged and rolled her eyes. "I'll go get changed now. See you home." Bruce nodded and left the way they had originally walked to. Diana entered her chambers. Barry ran to the teleporters, heating up a bit, but grinning goofily. He had the hottest piece of gossip the League had probably heard in a year. He wanted to scream it out but thought that he should probably keep it to his own…Or not.

He used the teleporter and was transferred to the Little Bohemia Police Station of Metropolis. The Station was crowded as always but he spotted John Stewart quickly.

"Hey, Lantern!" He greeted ecstatically. John arched an eyebrow. Barry was being unusually hyper, even for his own standards.

"Hey…"

"I'm here to report for duty!"

"Dealt with the other call?"

"Yeah! Fire, Power Girl, Wonder Woman and I beat them alright!"

"Good…" He said, squinting his eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Oh-ho-ho, yeah!"

"You sure?"

Barry almost squealed. "Yeah!" He said in high-pitched voice.

"Too much coffee, eh?"

"Nu-uh!"

"Then?"

"I-I learnt something and-and-and I don't know if I should tell you but I-uuuh- I want to so much!"

"If you're going to act like a child on sugar rush, then you'd better tell me and calm down. I can't have you like that on the prison check."

"Guess who are an item now…" He giggled.

"Who?"

"Mister I-will-never-have-a-happy-day-in-my-life and Miss I-am-supposed-to-be-a-sworn-manhater."

"Bruce and Diana?!"

"Oh, yeah! Finally!"

"I can't say I didn't see it coming, but… they really went for it. Hm. For how long has this been going on?"

"I don't know. They could be tying the knot soon for all we know!"

"No, they can't be dating for that long."

"Oh, it's such a relief to be able to tell you!"

"How did you find out?"

"I saw them kissing."

"What?!"

"Diana initiated it, of course. Bruce seemed a bit tense. I bet he's the one wanting it to be a…secret."

"So you spied on them."

"I, um, no, I didn't say I 'spied' exactly…I just happened to randomly but cautiously stand behind them a little when they did it…"

"Yes, so, you spied."

"Whatever…"

"Okay, we need to get going now."

"What? No more comments? Nothing to say? Nada?"

"What do you want me to say? You know I don't like to gossip."

Flash sighed. "Fine. Whatever. I should have told Kara. She would have said something funny."

"Mm-hm." John nodded, as they walked to the exit.

"I bet Dick and Barbara and maybe Clark knew as well, but told us nothing!" Barry exclaimed.

"For a reason…"

Barry would have never imagined that his inability to keep a secret would lead into the whole League talking about it in less than an hour, as Captain Marvel, who had 'accidentally' eavesdropped their conversation, went around the Metropolis Police Stations and the Base humming 'Bruce and Diana sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage!'

OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO

"I'm home!" Diana announced, entering the Manor.

"Welcome, Princess." Alfred greeted.

"Good evening, Alfred! Are the preparations complete?"

"Of course! We still have much time left, though."

"Yes, yes. I'll go shower now. I'll see you then."

Alfred bowed and Diana flew to the master bedroom, removing her suit and entering the luxurious bathroom. She needed a warm bath after brawling with the rookies.

She turned the faucet, letting the bathtub fill with hot water. She added some bathing salts and tested the temperature with her foot. It was perfect. Slowly, she slid inside, letting her head rest on the side of the marble tub and enjoying the feel of the frizzing salts. The bathroom door was opened and Bruce came inside, shutting it after he entered.

"You're home early." He said.

"I was done with the recruits sooner than I thought. J'onn let me leave earlier."

"I see." Bruce replied.

"So, will you join me or what?" Diana said, stroking her calf and looking at him. He half-smiled and quickly discarded his clothes, getting into the large bathtub too.

"You sure like it hot…" He commented.

"What's the meaning of a bath if it's not?" Diana rested her head back again and sighed blissfully. Bruce followed her example. "I have been getting some weird looks today."

"Mm, what?"

"I said, some people have been looking at me weirdly at the Base."

"Any reasons why?"

"I have no idea. After you left, I got changed and practiced. I checked my clothes, they had no holes or stains. My face was okay, I had nothing weird on me."

"It must have been your imagination."

"I hope so." Diana said, slowly running her foot up Bruce's leg.

OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO

"Hey, baby." John said, entering his bedroom.

"Hi…" Shayera replied affectionately, breastfeeding their son.

"How are you?" He said, changing into his PJs.

"Tired a bit, but you know how it is…"

"I do." He said, kissing her on the forehead. He grinned a bit, feeling a strange urge to share with her what Flash had told him.

"What's with the goofy face?"

"I heard something today…"

"So?"

"Bruce and Diana are dating." He blurted out. Shayera laughed.

"It was time! Hahah! How long have they been doing the do?"

"I don't know. Flash kind of saw them kissing for a second or something."

"This is…nice!" She said, handing him the now-full baby and grabbing the phone. John cradled him a bit, before putting him into his crib. Shayera dialed a number.

"Hey, girl!" Vixen said on the other end of the line.

"Hi!"

"How's it going?"

"Good. Guess what I learned!"

"Is it the Batman and Wonder business news?"

"Yes! How did you know?!"

"Honey, the whole League is buzzing about it. The Shazam dude overheard your hubby and Flash talking and now I doubt there's a single person not having heard."

"Damn! Impossible how gossip travels this fast…"

"Gossip like that certainly does! I heard they're preparing something for the…couple."

"They? Who?"

"Some guys at the League. Flash, the Shazam one, Green Arrow and Black Canary… More, probably. If you want to take part, talk with Barry."

"I'll pass."

"Your call. Hey, I need to run now. Talk to you later?"

"Sure thing."

"Bye, sugar."

"I won't pass!" John said. "Give me the phone. I'll call Flash."

OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO-OOO

"After our entrees, then," Alfred said, approaching with a silver tray, "we move on to the main course. Wild boar, in orange, honey and mustard sauce, cooked with wine and roast potatoes." He left the tray on the dining table.

"Oh, Alfred, it looks amazing! Thank you!" Diana said, as the butler served their plates.

"The pleasure is all mine, Princess."

Alfred sat down with them, testing the meal.

"It's very nice, Alfred." Bruce said.

"Incredibly tasty!" Diana added.

"Thank you."

"Let's have a toast." Diana proposed, lifting her wine glass. Bruce and Alfred followed her. "To our precious Alfred. Happy birthday! Many returns of the day!" They toasted and took a sip of their red wine.

"I'm glad you could join me in this birthday dinner." Alfred said.

"Of course we'd come!" Diana said. "You didn't go in all this trouble to prepare this for us not to show up."

"I appreciate it, my lady. I do understand that your lives as superheroes are hectic, so I must be thankful for whatever hour you spend with me."

"Of course, what kind of birthday would it be without presents?"

"Oh, my lady, you shouldn't have!"

"Of course I should!" Diana insisted. "You will find my gift at the library. I got you the whole collection of Agatha Christie's novels in a rare, leather-bound edition. I believe they are among your favorites, right?"

"Indeed they are. Thank you! I will read them right away, I assure you."

"Bruce got you something too…" Diana said, turning to look at him. Bruce simply slid a piece of paper towards Alfred.

"Master?" Alfred asked.

"It's nothing." Bruce said. "Just to refurnish the kitchen with everything you like."

"A check?" Diana asked and Bruce nodded. "Incorrigible."

Alfred took the check. "I am most thankful, sir. I truly am." He had a sly grin on his face.

"What is it, Alfred?"

"The dinner looks very nice and you're both dressed nicely too. It'd be a shame not to capture this moment, sir." Bruce rolled his eyes but Alfred insisted. "Let me grab the camera."

Alfred rushed to the sitting room, where he took his camera and returned. "Please, come closer." He instructed. Diana scooted her chair closer to Bruce's and they held hands on the table. Alfred smiled as he pressed the button and took the photograph. The same moment he turned the camera off, some bright green lights shone over the windows, as they swung open and to their utter surprise, dozens of Leaguers stormed inside the Manor. Diana laughed but Bruce frowned deeply.

"Hope we're not disturbing anything…" John Stewart said, hovering.

"What are you doing here?" Diana asked, examining the crowd. She spotted Black Canary, Flash, Green Lantern, Captain Marvel, Booster Gold, Hawk and Dove, Supergirl, Fire, Static, Hal Jordan and many others as well.

"We came to see for ourselves," Green Arrow replied, "if the rumors for you two were true."

"Apparently they are." Black Canary said, winking at Wonder Woman.

"Well, indeed they are!" Diana announced. "There's no point in hiding behind our finger, right?" She placed her palm over Bruce's and turned to see him glaring at Flash, who had a silly grin on his face.

Alfred was peculiarly happy to have so many unexpected guests on his birthday, so he soon proceeded with inviting everyone to join, since he had plenty of food to serve them all. He insisted, though, that they took a photo, so all the new Leaguers came to stand behind the seated-like-before Diana and Bruce, who had turned his gaze on his plate, feeling extremely awkward. Yet his colleagues were happy for this new true gossip and the evening went extremely better than what they expected, with many teases, even though they all avoided speaking with the red-faced Bruce.

Alfred printed the photos on the next day and was quick in placing them in his personal album. He found immense joy in watching his last photo. Diana and Bruce, sitting very much like Martha and Thomas once, holding hands over the table, looked in love. Or at least anyone could say they looked judging from Diana, who smiled at the camera, as Bruce was staring at his meal. Behind them stood approximately twenty five Leaguers, all laughing and smiling at the camera and at the couple. Pure curiosity had led them to 'break into' the Manor, but happiness for their friends was all Alfred could see in their faces and he was thankful that so many people cared for his master, even just for the sake of a gossip.

*And here is how the League found out! Hope you liked it! Don't forget to review! Thanks for reading!*