A/N: I know it has been a really long time since I've updated. And although I have excuses like school, extra-curricular activities, etc. The main reason I haven't been writing is because I've been really lazy. :P I hope to start updating weekly again. This chapter contains spoilers from JL #12, which was pretty bad, to be honest. The whole series has been written poorly, and I am at the point where I don't care what they write anymore. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy the chapter! And don't forget to review!

Also, if anyone knows a beta, or wants to beta for me, please let me know. I have some works written that just need another set of eyes before publishing. Thanks.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to their rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 6:

Identity

"Where are you going? You can't leave!"

Batman and Wonder Woman turned around to see the rest of the League alongside the spirits of their dead loved ones.

Each League member was still enamored by the spirits, as if under their spell. Flash was crying as he apologized over and over to the spirit of his mother. Green Lantern was speaking to his father. Cyborg stood silently, staring at himself. Aquaman was debating with an old man. And Superman was on his knees, looking up at Ma and Pa Kent.

The spirits of Thomas and Martha Wayne spoke again.

"Please come back. We want to speak with you, son. It has been far too long."

Batman responded quickly and angrily, as if trying to convince himself that his words rang true. "You are not my parents. You can't be."

"We are, Batman." They practically spat his name out in disgust.

"No. You are not." He turned to the rest of the League, "We have to go."

This time, Superman spoke up. "Why? Why do we have to leave?"

"They aren't real. This is a trick. Graves is here, we have to find him and put an end to this madness."

"How can you say that? Look at them." Superman gestured to the spirits with his arm. "This could be the last chance I get to talk to them. And you are not taking that away from me!"

"Superman," Diana began, "We have to get focused. These spirits aren't real. We must leave. Time is running out."

"Is that so, my sun and stars?" That voice. Diana turned around to face a blond woman dressed in armor. "You wish to leave before we get a chance to speak?"

"M-Mother?" Her voice was weak, disbelieving.

"Yes, my little sun and stars. It is good to see you again."

Graves and the mission forgotten, Diana took two steps toward her mother only to be stopped by a gloved hand.

"Diana. That isn't your mother." He turned back to the League. "And they aren't real!"

Overjoyed at seeing her mother again, she broke through his hold and walked towards her.

Thomas and Martha walked up to their son. With still hands they reached out to caress his cheek. Their touch was unnervingly cold.

"Bruce," They pleaded. "Why do you do this? We don't want you to avenge us. Torturing yourself for Gotham, we don't want this!"

"You know why I do this! I made a vow! My real parents would never ask me to give this up." Batman said angrily.

"My little sun and stars, Why are you still here in Man's world? It is time for you to return to Themyscira, your true home." Hippolyta spoke.

Each of the spirits started condemning their hero. Each trying to dissuade them from the path of justice, trying to stop them from being a hero. They will of each League member began to fade as grief and sadness overcame them.

That's when Batman understood what they were trying to do.

"Don't listen to them. This is Graves' plan. He is trying to take away our will to fight." He said as he broke away from the spirits hold.

Diana spoke against her mother. "I have a purpose here. My real mother would understand what I am trying to accomplish! How dare you impersonate her!"

She threw a punch at the spirit in front of her, but as her fist reached the spirit, it simply went through it. Then the spirit changed from the form of Hippolyta back to the dragon-like creature from before.

Batman decided to end this lengthy and useless argument. Steeling himself, he reached into his utility belt for two batarangs and threw them into the spiritual bodies of Thomas and Martha Wayne.

Just like Hippolyta, they changed forms.

Good. That meant he didn't really throw batarangs at the souls of his dead parents.

He then took out more batarangs and threw one each at the other spirits. Their forms reverted and the League finally started to get their bearings together.

"Ma…Pa…" Superman whispered as he got to his feet. His hands clenched. "We need to end this now. I won't let him get away with dishonoring their memories."

"Nor will I." Aquaman spoke, holding his trident tightly.

Each member was outraged at what Graves was trying to do. These spirits poisoned the memory of each loved one.

However, before they could go anywhere, the spirits circled them and the League was backed up against each other. They were surrounded.

"You insolent, ungrateful disgraces!" A voice boomed from above.

They all turned to see Graves as he walked down the steps to the middle of the cavern. His steps were full of arrogance, but his face seemed to be etched with anger.

"How dare you? I give you back those lost to you, and you try to destroy their souls? Who gave you the right?"

"These spirits are not human souls. They are only tricks, poisoning the image of the fallen." Diana stated as she pulled her sword from the hilt on her leg.

"You do not understand. These are the real souls. This is where they are trapped." Graves paused as the spirits of his family materialized beside him, "I am going to set them free and then everyone will be reunited!"

As Graves spoke, Batman whispered to the League, "Our attacks can't pierce his armor. We need something to penetrate his skin. Aquaman, when you get the chance, throw your trident at his chest. It should be able to break through"

He turned his face to the left, facing Superman and Green Lantern slightly. "After his defense is weakened you two need to hit him hard. Superman use your heat vision where Aquaman' trident struck him."

"Your plan will not stop me. You are surrounded, soon these souls will infect you, forcing you into a continuous cycle of your worst nightmares." Graves reprimanded as he laughed.

"We will stop you. This isn't right!" Flash said, his hands shaking from anticipation and anger. "Those we lost have found peace, we shouldn't disturb them."

Ignoring him, Graves said, "I must say though, you have gotten here much faster than anticipated. I'm sorry to say you have wasted your efforts."

As if on cue, the circling spirits all attacked the League. Each member was hit and the cycle of nightmares began.

"We have to fight it!" Batman ordered as he was overcome with misery. "We need to remember this isn't real." He stated through gritted teeth.

This time, though, the League didn't go down right away. With each member focusing on their mission, on the anger coursing through them, they tried to get back up. But the sense of dread, pain, and misery overcame them.

As Graves watched them struggle with an amused expression, the spirits of his family merged into one giant ghost.

It went flying towards its closest target; Wonder Woman.

Diana was struggling to keep her mind intact. Images of her mother set in stone, of a dead Steve, flooded her mind. She couldn't take it, gasping her head with both hands, she didn't notice the ghost coming towards her.

Batman looked up to see the ghost as it flew towards Diana. He knew if it hit her, she wouldn't be able to recover. She had barely snapped out of the trance last time. He also knew he could handle the pain a lot more than she could.

With all the strength he could muster, he willed his muscles to move.

Just as the ghost was about to strike Diana, she was pushed out of the way.

The ghost hit Batman instead.

He let out an agonizing scream as he fell to his knees. Slouched over, he sat there motionless.

Diana looked over to see Batman. Her blood boiled. Rage overcoming her, she called, "Arthur! Give me your trident!"

Warily, Arthur managed to pick up his trident and toss it over to Wonder Woman. Taking aim, she called upon her goddesses to give her strength as she sent the trident flying towards Graves.

Her aim true, it struck him in the center of his chest. His armor cracked.

And as he screamed out in pain, the spirits were weakening. The chilling feeling paled, the sense of hopelessness left, and their minds regained focus.

Remembering Batman's orders, the team set out to work.

Superman flew to Graves hitting the baby-shaped gauntlets with his heat vision. Green Lantern took aim with his ring and blasted Graves in the back. The light filling the holes left through the armor.

And as Cyborg tended to Batman, scanning him to see his vital status, Arthur got up and ran over to Graves. He leaped and, in the air, grasped the handle of his trident, thrusting it even further into Graves' chest.

Wonder Woman came in for the final blow. She flew into the air and punched Graves with her strength.

His armor shattered, and as it fell to the floor in pieces, the screams of children filled the cave. Its sound echoing through the walls.

Stopping their barrage, the team crowded over Mr. Graves as he lay on the floor sobbing.

"They weren't his children." Batman said as he stumbled over to the team, his arm over Cyborg's shoulders for support.

"Why?" Graves cried out from the floor. "Why did you take away my family again?" His voice wasn't filled with anger anymore, just pain and sadness. His shoulders began to shake with the sobs. Through tears, he screamed, "I miss them so much! Give them back! Please!"

And as the team watched him cry out, the anger began to dissipate. This wasn't his fault. He didn't want any of this to happen. Graves was just a regular man who had his loved ones taken from him too early. Already unable to deal with the pain of losing his family, he was also diagnosed with an incurable disease. This wasn't his fault.

The League had failed to save him.

"Graves..." Superman began. He was cut off by another scream.

"I'm so alone." Graves stated, tears trailing down his face. His eyes closed, he raised himself onto his knees. "I beg you. Just kill me. Let me be with them again. I don't want to live anymore."

He grabbed onto Wonder Woman's wrist, imploring, "Please. Just kill me."

She kneeled down beside him. "I'm sorry, I won't." She paused before continuing, "Those things weren't your real family, Mr. Graves. But you already knew that, didn't you. Deep down, even though you tried to bury the knowledge, tried to forget, you already knew. No matter how much you wanted to believe otherwise."

She laid a tentative hand on his shoulder. "You just wanted to convince yourself, and the world, otherwise."

Before she stood up, she asked, "Graves, where is Steve?" Her voice was small and she dreaded his answer.

"Steve? Oh, Steve. The fool who wouldn't betray you no matter what I put him through." Graves smiled slightly. "He's probably dead. Go through the corridor to the left if you wish to find his body."

As Superman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Cyborg stayed with Graves, Batman, Wonder Woman and Flash searched for Steve. Walking through the left corridor, they saw a number of rooms. Flash quickly searched each room on the side, before finding nothing.

There was one room left, all the way at the end of the hall. Slowly, Diana approached the door and reached or the handle. With her fingers gripped on the handle, she hesitated, as if wondering if she should open it or not. She was afraid of what she may find on the other side.

The whole time, Batman was observing her reactions, as if contemplating just what Steve was to her.

She opened the door slowly. Stepping into the room, the three heroes found Steve lying on the floor in front of them. He was sprawled across the floor as if he fell when trying to reach for the handle. Several feet behind him was the chair in which he had been tortured. There was a blood trail from the chair to him.

He looked dead.

Speeding over to his body, Flash placed two fingers on Steve's neck.

His sigh was audible. "He's alive. there's a pulse." He stated.

As Batman waited by the door, Diana made her way over to Steve, releasing the breath she was holding.

She kneeled down to him and turned him over. His eyes slowly opened. Relief washed over her, but it paled in comparison to the amount of relief and compassion Steve felt.

His voice hoarse, he whispered, "Angel...I knew you'd come...I love you..."

And with that, his eyes closed and he fell to unconsciousness, a smile on his face.

Shocked, and unsure how to respond she sat there, still and unmoving. When she turned around, Batman had already disappeared.

Flash and Diana carried Steve back to the group.

For a while nothing was said as the heroes contemplated what just happened.

Finally, Batman's voice broke through. "Cyborg, get us out of here." Batman stated, before falling into unconsciousness. The spirits may have affected him more than he realized.

Immediately, Diana made her way to his side to support him.

And in a beam of white light, they were gone.

She entered his room as quietly as possible, not knowing whether he would be awake or not.

Peering into the room, she noticed his eyes were closed. She made her way to the seat on his side. She knew they needed to talk. They needed to clear things, no more misunderstandings, no more harsh feelings, no more pain.

She sat there quietly, her hands folded on her lap.

He woke up within 2 minutes. She contemplated whether she should hold his hand or not. She settled for placing her hand on the sheet next to his, not touching, but close.

As his eyes opened, she leaned forward, wondering what he would say.

"Angel..." His voice was hoarse, tired, but also seemed to be relieved. It only made her feel guiltier.

She smiled slightly at him, "Steve." She paused, trying to think of what to say next.

She felt that he would want to know the extent of his injuries, the injuries that she was at fault for.

"You have several broken ribs in addition to several broken fingers. There is also some internal bleeding as well as head trauma."

He chuckled. "How bad do I look?"

"You look fine, Steve." She tried to instill as much sincerity as she could into her words.

When he tried to place his hand on top of hers, she pulled away. Her hands rested in her lap, her head held down.

"I'm so sorry, Steve. This is all my fault."

"You're not doing this again, are you?" His voice held a bit of anger, as if he didn't understand why she had to do this.

"I know we haven't spoken much for a while, but I care about you, Steve. You were my first friend here in Man's world and you've helped me so much." She looked up at him, her eyes pleading. "But I refuse to put you in danger."

"I've been hurt before-"

"You nearly died, Steve." She stated, her voice firm.

"I've nearly died a hundred times, Diana!" His voice rose, and he said through gritted teeth, "And I was out in the field a long time before I met you."

"But this time, you were tortured, beaten, and almost killed because of our relationship."

"What relationship?" He demanded. "You never even gave it a chance, you threw it away before anything even started!"

"You're still too close, Steve. I don't want you getting hurt because of me."

"Too close?" He was practically yelling. "Like you said, we've barely talked for weeks. Last time we were together, I poured my heart out to you and you just-just...you broke me, Diana."

"I never meant to cause you any harm, Steve. But you must know that although I do care for you, those feeling are entirely platonic." She said, she was hoping he would understand. there was just nothing there between them.

"And why? Why can't you be in love with me? Is it because I'm not good enough? Do you need a superhero to make you feel like a woman?" He spat out angrily. He was lashing out at her without thinking.

Infuriated by his words and their implications, she replied, "How dare you? Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?"

"Exactly! I'm just a human. I shouldn't be able to speak to you as if we are equals!"

Sighing, "Steve. You know that I am not like that. You know that I don't put myself on a pedestal. At least, I thought you knew." Her voice was filled with sadness, as if she didn't know who she was speaking with anymore.

"Just tell me the truth, Diana!"

"The truth." She chuckled mirthlessly. "The truth is that you are one of my closest friends, but we were never anything beyond that, and I have never wanted anymore than that from you." She paused. "I'm sorry, Steve. But friendship is all I can offer you."

He didn't say anything. Just sat there. His face wasn't etched with anger anymore. It seemed as if he felt defeated.

Silence filled the room.

"I don't want you getting hurt because of me." She said, suddenly. "I think you should stop working with the League."

"I can't." He stated, his voice hard and controlled. "The League needs me. I protect it from all the bullshit that goes on in Washington D.C. Just like I've protected you since the day you got here." He muttered under his breath.

She heard it, but decided to ignore his remark.

"The League doesn't need protection. We can take care of ourselves. You know that." I can take care of myself. You know that.

"Tell me then, Diana. Why do you think I'm still here?"

"Truthfully, Steve, I don't know." She responded.

"Well, it's not to follow you around. I haven't been here because I'm pining for you like some sick puppy." He stated, coldly.

"I never insinuated as such." She paused. "Nevertheless, we are going to ask for a new liaison."

"A new liaison?" He laughed bitterly. "The press is going to have a field day, 'Steve Trevor, dumped by Wonder Woman...AGAIN!'."

"Steve-" She began.

He cut her off. "Please, Diana. Just go." He rolled over so that his back was facing her. "I don't want to talk anymore."

Even though he couldn't see her, she nodded and made her way towards the door. Before stepping outside, she looked over her shoulder back at him.

"I truly am sorry, Steve. I never meant to hurt you. I hope you find someone very special to make you happy." She smiled sadly. "Goodbye."

And with that, Diana left the room, and took to the night sky, hoping to clear her head.

She found herself on the roof of the Lincoln memorial.

This was the last time she had seen Steve, before the Graves incident. It was also the time she broke his heart. She didn't know why she came, she just hoped to find a sense of peace from this place.

The full moon shone brightly in the night, it's light illuminating her in the darkness as she sat there, thinking of everything that had happened these past few years. She never regretted leaving the island. She had learned so much, and had helped so much.

She had a purpose, a mission.

But along with this new life, came many of Man's World's problems.

She wondered if she would ever see Steve again. She didn't want to cut off communication, but it was better this way. Safer.

She sighed, she had done enough thinking about Steve for the moment. What happened has already occurred. She made the choice to cut him out of her life, she would just have to accept the repercussions.

Her mind wandered to their first encounter with Graves aboard the Watchtower. The sense of dread, misery, and pain that overwhelmed her, that almost swallowed her up completely. She still remembered the image of her mother, on her knees, set in stone.

She didn't think she would ever forget it.

But she knew that her mother had loved her, had wished the best for her, and she would continue to do her best.

She also remembered how hopeless she felt. She would have been under the influence of Graves for who knows how long, if it weren't for Batman.

He had saved her. Somehow he had overcome all the pain, all the sadness, all the grief, he pushed it aside and saved her. She remembered the way he looked at her. For that split -second his mask had fallen, and she saw him.

The memory made her feel giddy inside. But with that happiness came the shame she felt about the fight with Hal. She had acted rashly, she didn't stop to think or plan. She just wanted to find Steve. And it may have cost the League everything.

Not to mention the fact that she almost beheaded Batman.

She also knew he didn't particularly enjoy the way Steve reacted to her when they rescued him. Now she had to explain this to him as well.

She only hoped that Batman would-

"Diana?"

She looked up to see Superman floating down towards her, his cape flowing in the wind.

"How's Steve?" He asked.

"Angry."

He sat down next to her, and for a while neither of them said anything.

Finally, she broke the silence. "Growing up under the influences of Gods, I knew that relationships could be complicated. but after coming here to Man's World, I never realized how complicated a relationship, or non-relationship, could be when you were a part of it."

Diana continued, "I had hoped that things would be simple. That truth and honesty would prevent all misunderstandings, but I was wrong."

"Relationships are always complicated." Superman replied. "Even more so, for people like us."

She sat there, contemplating his words.

He spoke again. "I have another identity." Superman figured that since they would all find it out eventually, he would let Diana know.

"The reporter?"

"My name's Clark Kent. I work for The Daily Planet in Metropolis."

"Why do you have an identity like that?" She asked.

"Because, it keeps me grounded." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "It allows me to be with them, to be a part of them. It helps make sure that I'm not always Superman all the time, that there are times where I can be just me. And I have people who care for me, because I'm just Clark Kent."

"It sounds nice."

"It can be. But there are times when I still have to keep people at length, for their own safety."

"Would you ever..." Would you ever give it up? Her voice trailed off, but he understood.

"No. I wouldn't. Because although it can get complicated, it allows me to be myself. By putting on my glasses, the mask comes off." He smiled.

"Glasses, huh?" She teased.

"I need some way of keeping my secret identity." He chuckled.

"I don't even understand how anyone could be fooled by that." She laughed too.

They sat there in silence for a while.

"Do you-do you ever feel lonely?" She wondered aloud, her voice small.

He looked up to the sky as he answered. "There are times when I do feel alone. But then there are people..." He paused to think of Lois and how much she meant to him. They might not be together, but he knew she was unlike any other, and he wouldn't give up on her. "Who keep me going. They bring out my humanity. And those moments makes everything worth it."

"She's a lucky lady." She smirked at the way his cheeks flushed. Who knew Superman could blush? "I've been feeling lonely quite a bit recently. And I want to have someone here with me, to help me, to bring out my humanity."

He didn't respond. She continued.

"I don't need a man, but I do want to be in a relationship. Not just for the sake of being in a relationship, but because I want someone to help me figure out who Diana is..." She stated, hesitantly.

And Superman noticed that this wasn't Wonder Woman, speaking. It was a woman speaking from her heart, of fears, of goals, of desires.

"I know it can be hard to deal with. But you can get through this. You are a strong independent woman. You'll find love, Diana."

He looked at her and stated sincerely. "But when you do find someone, make sure you don't want to be with him because you are lonely. That won't do anything to help either of you."

She looked up to the sky meaningfully, he knew she was thinking of his words.

"Make sure you want to be with him, because he makes you happy. Not because he is just there."

She didn't say anything for a while, and Superman began to worry he may have overstepped a boundary.

"Thank you...Clark." She smiled. "I really needed that."

Surprisingly, she hugged him. As he hugged her back, he said, "Anytime, Diana. I'll always be here when you need a friend."

After breaking away, he stated, "It's getting late, I should head back to Metropolis."

"Ok. I'll see you at the next meeting."

"You too." Superman said before lifting off the ground. Before he went too far, however, he turned back towards Diana. "And don't worry, Diana. You might find that special person tomorrow!"

He smirked before flying away, Metropolis-bound.

And as the night sky enveloped him, she thought of the man who lived, thrived, and shined in the darkness.

Maybe I've met him already...

A/N: Please review.