The Marketplace of …

Gotham

The Royal Gotham Hotel was the sort of place those who had money for more than a couple of minutes stayed in. It wasn't trendy, always chasing the latest fashions, but quietly elegant and timeless. Helena had grown up with money, lots of money, so even though she was in a different universe her tastes remained the same. It always helped to have a very rich best friend you helped start in her business. That tended to make her look the other way at certain rather generous travel expenses. Well, Karen could always deduct them from her taxes as another business expense Helena rationalized.

In a way this trip was business related to Helena. She had told Karen she would deal with their situation involving Bruce Wayne, so she was dealing with it. That didn't mean she couldn't have a little fun doing it though. Back home she wasn't even sure this part of Gotham was still there. Most of it had already been destroyed, so there was a bit of nostalgia and sadness as she walked into the main lobby. By now, who knew what was left of her world, really?

Focus on the task at hand.

It was one of the voices in Helena's head, repeating a lesson drilled into her by countless hours of training. It was of course her father's; her mother would have let her enjoy this for a little while. She could still remember the first time she went on a date; he had practically scared the guy to death before it even started. He'd made sure she was carrying mace, pepper spray and brass knuckles in her purse before he let her out of the house. Although she never found it, Helena was sure he put a tracker in some part of her clothes. If it hadn't been for her mother finally stepping in her dad would have insisted she wear Kevlar under her dress just in case.

Focus young lady.

Oh, all right, she thought, as she pushed the memories away and signed in at the desk. Helena followed the bellhop into the elevator and up to her room. She gave him a tip and thanked him. She had already gone on line and checked out all the exits, entrances, sight lines and escape routes, but she still did a quick check of the room just to be sure. Next she unpacked and put away her suitcase in the closet. Checking her watch, Helena knew she still had some time. Kicking off her shoes, she sat down on the bed and picked up the house phone.

"Front desk?" A young female voice said.

"Yes, this is Miss Pennyworth in Room 421?" Helena replied.

"Of course, Miss Pennyworth, how may I help you?"

Helena glanced at her watch again.

"I'm expecting someone to ask for me at the front desk in about an hour and twenty minutes. Could you not tell them my room number, but ring me when they arrive?"

"Is this something the police should be involved in Miss Pennyworth?" The desk clerk asked. "If someone is harassing you, we can have the authorities here in no time."

Helena almost laughed at the thought, but maintained her calm.

"No, no, nothing like that,' she said. "It's a business acquaintance, but I prefer to meet him in the lobby rather than have him come up to my room. I'm sure you can appreciate as a young woman I wouldn't want that or how it might look."

"Of course I understand,' the desk clerk replied. "We appreciate all the proprieties here at the Royal Gotham. I'll handle it personally, Miss Pennyworth."

"Thank you so much."

As she hung up, Helena smiled and slipped off her jacket. Glancing at her watch again, she figured Bruce Wayne would be stopping by soon enough, so there was nothing else to do but relax and wait.

Washington D.C.

Steve Trevor had been having a bad day. The constant grind of the bureaucracy and red tape seemed to feed on itself. He always seemed to be going from one subcommittee to another, always answering questions and more questions. He was the good soldier though and did his job. Occasionally someone did push just a little too much.

"Hey, Trevor, I heard you and Wonder Woman had a thing going. She wear those boots in bed?"

Steve acted on instincts he'd honed over many years. He didn't break the man's hand, but it would be sore for quite awhile. Luckily his new assistant showed up or he might have been tempted to make the damage a little more permanent. That wouldn't do, as he had to go to another subcommittee and answer more of their questions about the Justice League. He kept his temper for the most part, especially in from of the cameras, but he ended the meeting with what amounted to a threat.

Another shitty day in an increasingly long string of shitty days.

He asked his new assistant for a cup of coffee and opened his laptop. This was the bright spot of his day.

"Hello Steve."

Wonder Woman. The smile came automatically to his face.

"Hi, Diana."

She was just the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He knew this was a business call, so he started to inform her about what had been happening at the meetings, but there seemed to be constant interruptions from the other members. The smile started to slip from his face. He finished the summary, but didn't want to finish the conversation. He finally was talking just to her.

"I guess that's it, then,' he said, hoping it actually wasn't.

"Steve?"

"Yeah?"

"How are you?" She asked.

"Fine."

"At a desk, managing people and answering to Congress? Why are you still doing this?"

"Because someone needs to cover your asses,' he offered.

She looked at him for a moment, as if she wanted to say something. He gave her a smile and whatever she had wanted to say, she let go.

"All right, have a good night, Steve."

And then the screen was blank again. He checked his watch. It was twelve minutes this week. He didn't feel like smiling. His new assistant brought his coffee in. She seemed hesitant, but then asked about him and Wonder Woman. Instead of his usual denials, he just admitted the truth.

"I'm in love with her."

"Why don't you tell her that,' his new assistant suggested.

"That's the problem, I did,' he quietly replied. "That will be all."

His new assistant left his office. Steve leaned forward staring into the paper coffee cup.

The Watchtower

Clark moved down the hallway heading towards the exit. After he'd left the press conference, he'd wondered if he'd done more harm than good. He waited awhile, and then made a trip up to see the mood of the other members. No one seemed to have a problem with what he said, although some thought he was hogging the spotlight a little too much. Actually only Hal thought that. Batman had made a brief appearance but something in Gotham seemed to be preoccupying him and he left. Clark talked with Arthur just to make sure he hadn't overstepped himself, but he too seemed okay with it. Relieved, Clark figured he'd head back to the city and maybe catch up with Jimmy and see what he was up to.

He happened to glance into the communications room and saw Wonder Woman sitting quietly in front of a blank screen. The lights were low in the room and something about her body language made Clark stop.

"Wonder Woman, um, ah, I mean Diana, is everything okay?"

"Oh, yes, Superman, everything's fine."

She flashed him a brief smile, but he noticed it didn't reach her eyes. His first instincts were to let it alone, but something in her expression made his hesitate. Other than a brief conversation a few weeks ago, they really didn't talk that much. Clark realized from her sitting in front of the computer screen she'd probably been talking to Steve Trevor. Like most he wasn't aware of the current status of their relationship. It was none of his business really, but he'd heard the same rumors everyone else had.

He stood a moment longer and then realize it was sadness he saw in her eyes. He glanced around but no one else was there. Whether it was out of compassion or just simple kindness that motivated him, he wasn't sure, but somehow it just felt wrong to walk away.

"If you want to talk, I'll listen,' he finally offered.

She looked at him and he thought he saw a little surprise in her expression. He guessed that was to be expected. They'd worked together for five years and he'd never made this offer before to her or anyone.

"I can tell something's troubling you,' he said. "I don't mean to pry, but I'll listen if you want."

She seemed to weight this and then glanced at the blank computer monitor again. Finally she seemed to come to a decision.

"Steve."

"Did something happen?" He asked.

"Yes, but that was a while ago."

He wasn't sure what she meant by that, so he just waited for her.

"This job as liaison is killing him,' she offered.

"He seems like a capable guy,' Clark replied. "He's certainly done a great job."

"Yes, he has,' she admitted. "But he hates it."

He was about to ask why, but she looked at him with such sadness in her eyes, words wouldn't come.

"He's doing this because of me,' she continued. "He'd never admit it to anyone, even himself, but I know that's the reason."

"Okay, but are you sure about that?"

"He's a soldier, not someone meant to be stuck behind a desk shuffling papers and answering endless questions,' Diana said.

"What he's doing is important, I'm sure he believes that,' Clark replied.

"Yes, I'm sure he does,' Diana admitted. "I just fear part of it is because things didn't work out the way he thought they would between us."

She paused before continuing.

"You know he's the first man I ever saw?"

"I'd heard something like that,' Clark said.

Diana smiled as if she were remembering their first meeting.

"I was eighteen when he arrived on the island,' she continued. "He caused quite a stir, as you can imagine. I was drawn to him almost immediately, but I really didn't know anything about relationships back then, especially between a man and a woman. I care for him deeply, but it was only later I realized his feelings were different than mine. I wanted to feel those things towards him, I did, but it wasn't the same."

"It's complicated for everyone,' Clark offered.

"I understand that now,' Diana replied. "I thought, well, I believed because of him being so much older with more experience, he would understand. This was all new to me. I didn't even understand all the attention it would bring. I know it hasn't been easy for him, any of it, but his taking this job hasn't made it any better. He hates it and it's putting him in danger because of it."

"He's a soldier, Diana,' Clark stated. "A damn good one from what everyone says, so he'd used to danger. It's part of the job."

"Yes, but because of me and his connection to me, he's put a target on his back,' she said. "As good as a soldier as he is, he should know better than that. If something were to happen to him, I'd be responsible, because I couldn't say the words he wanted me to say. I didn't feel the same way he did, but I do care for him deeply and I worry about what this is doing to him."

"Have you told him this?" Clark asked.

"Yes, but he just says someone has to protect the League and watch our asses,' she replied. "I'm sure he believes that, but I fear if you do something for the wrong reasons it will end badly. I'd be responsible."

"No,' Clark stated. "You can't blame yourself for someone else's actions. You've been honest with him and that's all you can do. Look, I'm hardly the one to be giving advice on this sort of thing. I'm more confused at the moment about relationships than I've ever been. I do know you can't push someone into feeling something they don't feel or want to feel. It's frustrating and maddening, but I guess some times you have to accept that just tonight, means just tonight, or that it is what it is."

She seemed to think about this for a moment and then gave him a small smile.

"That doesn't make it any easier."

"Like I said I'm hardly the one to be giving advice on this,' he replied with a smile. Another moment passed and there wasn't really anything else for him to say. He'd said more than he expected to say and now felt a bit uncomfortable standing there. "I should go."

He started to move off, but she called after him.

"Thank you, Super … Kal."

"You're welcome, Diana."

Diana looked back at the blank screen for a moment, but then turned and watched Superman walk away.

Gotham

The phone rang and Helena picked it up on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Miss Pennyworth?'

"Yes?"

It was the front desk clerk and the young woman sounded excited.

"Um, well, you asked me to ring you if anyone asked about you? Someone just did and it's Bruce Wayne!"

Helena smiled at the way the woman said his name. He must have tried to charm Helena's room number out of the girl.

"I didn't tell him what room you were in,' the clerk added quickly.

"Yes, thank you, is he still in the lobby?"

"Yes!"

"Tell him I'll be right down,' Helena replied. "Thank you."

Helena hung up the phone and went over to the mirror. She straightened her outfit and ran a brush through her hair. Slipping her jacket on she took one last look in the mirror to make sure everything was in order. She smiled at her reflection.

"Game on."