DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. This is a femslash story. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like this.

PART 4

Zatanna looked at her reflection in the mirror, at the massive bruise that was hiding her eye. Yep, that was a beaut, all right.

She sighed as she thought back to the past couple of days. After the Kyle-Zataras had gotten the all-clear from J'onn and returned home, Selina had begun to slowly revert to her normal self. Once the ex-burglar apologised for what seemed like the trillionth time, and Zee had repeatedly - repeatedly - assured her they were not breaking up, Selina had gone into... denial was not the right word. But she flat-out refused any further discussion on the matter. It seemed as far as the Catwoman was concerned, that day at the Watchtower was in the past.

Zee tutted at the idea. She knew very well it would plague Selina for a long, long time. Her wife was just putting on a front. Sooner or later, the magician would have to bring it up again, so that Selina could better come to terms with it. But not now: Zee knew the guilt and shame were still too raw for Selina. However, Zee was determined not to let this fester too long. They had to get past this - and they would. Zatanna knew they would overcome this, eventually.

Zee turned away from the mirror and slumped into bed. As always, she knew it would take considerable effort - given her size - to get in a position where she was comfortable. She loved being pregnant, but she was about ready for the five babies to arrive now, that was for sure.

As she waited patiently for her spouse to finish in the bathroom, Zee glanced back at the mirror - then frowned. She sharply turned away - she would not let this black eye get to her. Not that she was angry with Selina - nothing could be further from the truth - but she was angry over what it represented. For a couple of weeks, at least, Selina would be forced to see it. And there was nothing Zee could do.

Indeed, she no longer had the energy to cast a healing spell. Several months carrying quintuplets, plus Poison Ivy's attack, and now this - it was too much. Her magic was gone. For how long, she did not know - nor did she particularly care, to be honest. As long as the children were alive, then Zee could live without magic. She was just upset she could do nothing to hide her injury from her beloved. She knew it would be a constant reminder to Selina of that terrible day.

That said, Zee decided to face the middle of the bed - after much determined rolling. She would not sleep with her back to her wife: she wanted Selina to know she supported her, that she did not blame her. Sure, Selina could have kept back that crack about Dinah, but it was not as if Ollie did not have it coming: he just kept sniping at Selina every chance he took. And he was not the only one. Eventhough the Leaguers who still had a problem with Zatanna's wife were very few now - time had finally proven to most of them the Catwoman's intentions were true - as far as Selina was concerned, just one person giving the magician grief was too many. But those that shout the loudest are the easiest heard... and Ollie was never shy of giving his opinion.

But what happened in the aftermath shocked Zatanna. Ollie had quit the League. If he chose to leave of his own accord or been "persuaded" to by Bruce or someone else, was unknown. But regardless, the Green Arrow had resigned. A similar thing happened when he learnt about Dinah's coupling with Barbara: he quit over protest. Looking back now, it was quite sad. And while the loss of Arrow was a blow to the Justice League... personally, things would be alot more calm. For one thing, Zee would not have to keep Selina from trying to murder the archer. But more seriously, there would be alot less criticism of the Kyle-Zataras now.

And it was already showing. Powergirl was another doubter of Catwoman, and let it be known she was less than thrilled with Zee's marriage... but just today, the Kyle-Zataras got a formal invitation to Karen's wedding to Atlee - signed and everything. Zee could not help but grin. The news about what happened must have spread like wildfire; and, more to the point, whom was responsible. Add to that Selina's reaction - hysterics - and she was gaining supporters by the day.

The bathroom light going off brought Zatanna out of her musings. With a final sigh, she decided to focus on now. Forget Ollie. Forget the League, even. All that mattered was her family.

Selina climbed into bed - still in her nightie, much to Zee's disappointment - and rested her head looking at her spouse. "I... "

Zee stroked her cheek. "Yes, my love?"

Selina stared at the black eye... and the tears started. "I'm... "

Zatanna smiled lovingly. "I know, sweetheart. It's alright. Do you want to talk... ?"

Selina tried to blink away the tears. "I... I can't. Not yet. I just... "

"It's OK," Zee soothed, wiping her beloved's cheek dry.

Selina took the hand at her face and brought it to her lips, kissing it tenderly. "Th... thank you for understanding. And... thank you... for still loving me."

Zee felt her own, working eye well up. "Now and forever."

THE END