A/N: I owe a big apology to all my readers. As a high school student, there comes a time in my career dedicated to AP's. During this time, I suffer as I cram chemistry, calculus, Spanish, and American history into my brain. As of today, May 6th, 2011, I am done with that suffering. Now I can get back to the fun stuff! I'm really sorry for the huge delay, but I promise updates will be much more consistent now that all that tortuous testing is over. Thank you for understanding! (That is, I'm assuming you're understanding(: )

Again, I don't own.

He watched Diana fade away into a million pieces to be transported up to the Watchtower. She was as beautiful as always, a shining beacon of light in the darkness of the cave… but this time no smile graced her lips. For a full minute, Bruce's gaze lingered where the princess had been.

Easing himself into his chair, he closed his tired eyes and massaged his temples. At this moment there was too much information to be processed, even for the Batman.

"Do not blame…" Philippus attempted to talk to him. In the midst of contemplating his newfound knowledge, Bruce had just about forgotten that there was an Amazon – albeit not his favorite – in the Cave. Bruce mustered up his energy to glare at her. Turning away, she swallowed her words.

He sighed. My parents were murdered before my very eyes because of Diana's mother. Now the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place. It made sense. Joe Chill hadn't just killed the Waynes for some pearls and money. That was the reason the police had concocted. Instead, he had been aiming for…

Me.

The knowledge hurt, especially now, after he had more or less reconciled himself with his parents' deaths. Though they were never far from his mind, Bruce had accepted the truth and used his grief and frustration to fuel Batman and his mission. It was… unsettling to know that his whole way of life was built around one event, and that that one event was triggered by the mother of the woman he loved.

He knew it wasn't her fault. Even as Diana had relayed the tale to him, he had not for a second questioned her. Logic wasn't necessary to deduce that Hippolyta was the true offender, that her selfishness had been the cause of everything.

Even so, the truth had hit him like a ton of bricks. Worse, actually, since he actually had been hit by a ton of bricks before. He smiled grimly to himself. Ironic, wasn't it, that after finally going the selfish route and choosing to accept Diana, choosing happiness, choosing to ignore logic… that it had all come back to bite him in the butt? He couldn't deal with it…

Fuck karma.

"Master Bruce?" Alfred would have liked to claim that the younger man hadn't detected him because of his stealth, but the butler knew better. It wasn't distraction so much as utter concentration that had his charge staring blankly into the palms of his hands. He hadn't seen him like this since before the Princess had started visiting regularly… "Oh, no."

When Bruce looked up, Alfred was dismayed to see the physical weariness etched onto his face. Even worse, though, was the utter lack of emotion. The original Batman had returned.

"Patrol." Bruce stood and walked briskly to change into his suit, before Alfred could say a word.

She hadn't expected Bruce to attempt to talk to her. She wasn't even sure she wanted to see him… she didn't think she could handle the look of disgust and anger that she was sure he would give her.

For the past two days, Diana had thrown herself into work, pushing herself harder than she had before. She made sure she saved one more person during every catastrophe, that she threw one more punch at every criminal… Her mind was constantly in turmoil, and she spent her nights tossing and turning. Some days she woke up content, thinking that it had all been a dream. Others, she greeted the early hours with open eyes staring at the ceiling. Thoughts were running through her mind at the speed of light as she tried to find the solution to her… his… problem. She would say she missed him, but she didn't think she had the right anymore.

When the next Founder's meeting rolled around, she was ready.

By the time Diana had made her way into the meeting room, the other six were already seated. She didn't dare to steal a glance at Bruce… she wouldn't be able to think clearly then.

Superman talked about Lex Luthor. J'onn discussed new safety procedures. Shayera and John whispered to each other. Wally complained about his hunger.

Bruce and Diana remained silent. They barely noticed when the meeting adjourned and the rest of the members filed out of the room.

Finally, Diana ventured a glance.

Bruce looked the same as always. As if nothing had ever happened… as if nothing had ever happened.

He rose to his feet, not hiding the fact that he was avoiding her eyes.

She spoke softly. "Bruce…"

He stopped, still facing the door.

"I'm sorry that my people have caused you so much unhappiness." She gave him a small, regretful smile that he didn't see. "I'm even sorrier for the part my existence played in hurting you. It's the last thing I would ever want to do to you."

It's not your fault, Princess. He said nothing.

Hesitating, she took a step towards him.

Nothing. Not even a flinch.

Inwardly, Diana felt her heart break a little. Bruce was ignoring her. It was as if her thirty-eight days of happiness had just disappeared in an instant. It was as if he had never teased her, never kissed her, never smiled at her. She swallowed. It could only be expected.

She repeated the sentiments she had expressed to him three days before. "For what it's worth… I'll try my best to make it right again."

Before he could even consider not reacting, she was gone.

Bruce allowed himself a sigh. As much as he wanted everything to return to normal (not that any part of his life was normal), as much as he wanted to grasp her hands and tell her it was all right, he knew it couldn't happen. This whole event had proved to him that being with Diana just wasn't as right as he had once imagined… This is my punishment for accepting her.

No. He didn't really believe that…

…but he told himself to.

Diana pushed the jet a little harderas the island came into view up ahead. She had said she would not return… but she needed to. To help him.

The lush, verdant trees near the sandy beaches gave way to gray stone buildings, harsh and unforgiving. She had timed her trip so that she arrived in the dead of the night. Flying quietly, Diana scanned the columns and steps, heading for the crumbling, restricted ruins that had resulted from the Themyscirans' little tryst with Felix Faust. She didn't have the leisure of wasting time. She sent a silent prayer to Hera that the object of her search was still lying around somewhere beneath the stone.

Rocks strewn across the dirt floor... weeds sprouting from the cracks... Where was it?

Relief nearly overwhelmed her when she saw the stone pieces together at the edge of the wreck. Under any other circumstances, she would be angered that the remnants still existed and provided for a potential relapse of the incident with Faust. Now, though, she was glad. Gathering up the parts, she swiftly fitted them together.

The key.

Before she could change her mind, Diana marched to the middle of the space and inserted the ancient contraption into the stone formation in the ground.

The smell in the air was overpowering, the heat emanated from the two opening doors…

The Underworld.

A/N: I couldn't manage to find the full episode of 'Paradise Lost' online to review for facts, so I don't actually know what happened to the key that Diana and the other Leaguers found for Faust, or to the whole building... so for the story's sake, let's just imagine that the Themyscirans decided to leave the place alone because of its evilness. (:

Thanks for reading as always, and please review!