Chapter 4

Thanks again for the reviews! Once again, I don't own these characters.

A/N: you might detect some Artemis/Batman fluff but I sure as hell don't intend to pair them and it's more or less unintentional, although I find the pairing intriguing. Maybe that can be saved for another story.

Present Day

Something isn't adding up, thought Bruce as he sat in the Batcave looking through some files on his ex-fiancee. He had spent the last three weeks going through every log recovered from the Hall of Justice and what was left of the Watchtower to catalogue and store every bit of information on the now-disbanded Regime, though something wasn't adding up in Diana's case.

"I see you've gotten back into the routine of brooding, sir," mocked Alfred as he walked down the stairs to the Batcomputer, carrying a large dish. Placing the dish on the counter, Alfred stood on the left of Bruce's chair and managed to have a swift peek at what his ward was investigating. "Trouble with the Amazon princess sir?" Alfred inquired.

"Possibly," Bruce answered without even bothering to look up at his father-figure. "Diana's records aren't making any sense. Do you remember Captain Atom's death?"

"Quite so, sir. I believe that Diana was seriously wounded after Mister Adam's suit couldn't contain the radiation, thus causing a nuclear reaction. Wasn't the Princess in a coma for 8 months sir?"

"Indeed. But the logs say she was only in intensive treatment for about 3 weeks before she seemingly disappeared off the face of the planet. I haven't managed to look through Superman's personal files, although I began a decryption of his files over 3 hours ago."

"I see sir. But how could have a senior member of Mister Kent's Regime have fallen of the face of the Earth sir?" Bruce finally turned to look at his butler.

"That's what I'm going to find out." It was then that Bruce smelt the dish on the other end of the counter to his left. "What's this Alfred?"

Alfred waltzed over to the dish and brought it closer to Bruce. Opening the dish's lid, Bruce was almost overpowered by the beautiful scent of chicken and Indian spices.

"This sir, is butter chicken with rice. I wasn't exactly in the mood of making anything more luxurious for you so I decided to make this simple dish." Taking the plate from Alfred, Bruce wolfed down half of the food in thirty seconds.

"Mmm, this is delicious Alfred," Bruce finally said after swallowing. "Thank you."

"A pleasure as always, Master-" Alfred was cut off by the computer suddenly beeping. Setting the unfinished food aside, Bruce got back to work sorting through Clark's personal files. Alfred stood there patiently, waiting for his master's call. Ten minutes later Bruce frowned.

"Something isn't right. Why would Diana go to Themyscira when the Watchtower has the latest in medical technology?" Bruce asked Alfred.

"Most unusual sir," Alfred replied. "Perhaps her injuries required her to receive a blessing from her patron gods?"

"It's a possibility," said Bruce. "Although the reports state that she would have made a full recovery within weeks of the incident." Bruce leaned back on his chair, resting his chin on a hand. It wasn't like Diana to go to Themyscira for a simple reason as an injury, and he knew that she'd suffered worse injuries.

"If I may be so bold sir, but why do you continue to obsess over Miss Diana?" Alfred asked.

"I'm not obsessing over her, Alfred. I'm just trying to sort through these files but her injury doesn't fit the equation."

"Well Master Bruce, you cannot expect the Princess to have catalogued everything, especially during these past few years."

"But why would Clark put this information in his personal files?"

"Perhaps Clark and Diana did not want you to know where she had gone," said Alfred.

"That much is obvious," Bruce retorted angrily.

"Very well sir," Alfred calmly replied. "I'll take my leave now sir. However, I do recommend visiting your son in Belle Reve. I'm sure you can try to-"

"Wait a minute," Bruce interrupted for the second time that night. Bruce checked the time span that Diana was on Themyscira again.

"Eight months, plus the 8 weeks between the Metropolis incident and Captain Atom's detonation..." Bruce looked at Alfred in shock. Then his face turned grim. "Contact Queen Hippolyta, tell her I'm coming to Themyscira."

XXX

She sat on a rock outlooking the beach whilst she sharpened the blade of her sword. The wind blew softly, but just enough for her fiery red hair to blow into her face. By the outside world's standards, she would be considered one of the most beautiful women on the planet, though that isn't saying much considering where she comes from. She had an athlete's body, curves in all the right places. She wore a midriff singlet, revealing her finely toned abs and slender yet muscular arms. Her skirt was short, exposing much of her muscular legs as she stretched them. She had been sent by Queen Hippolyta to welcome and chauffeur a man who would be arriving soon. Looking at past the surf, she heard something approach from the ocean.

Standing up, she walked to the shoreline and beheld a large black jet in the shape of a bat fly closer to the beach. As the jet landed, she walked to where the bottom of the ship was supposed to disconnect. As the plane's bottom lowered, she saw a tall dark figure approach. He moved towards her and stuck his hand out. "Artemis," he said.

"Bruce Wayne," Artemis replied as she shook his hand. "What brings you to Themyscira?"

Batman checked some readings on his gauntlet. "I'm here to commune with your queen," he answered.

"I figured as much," Artemis murmured. There was silence as they walked through the jungle towards the home of the Amazons. After 20 minutes of walking Artemis decided to break the ice.

"How is Diana?" she asked. Without hesitating, Bruce replied.

"She fine. Although she isn't taking her imprisonment well."

"So she shouldn't. Diana deserves Amazon justice, not the judgement of Man's World."

Bruce's eyes narrowed slightly. "She is suffering the consequences of all the world. Your time will come to punish Diana."

Artemis tuned her head to face Batman. "She could at least be imprisoned here," she said.

"And what? So you can still treat her like a princess despite locking her away?" Batman retorted.

"She would face the same justice any traitor or man would face here, besides you of course," Artemis snapped.

Batman had helped save Themyscira from the fury of Poseidon when Ares, the god of War manipulated the Amazons and the Gods of Olympus to wage war against Superman's Regime. Added to the fact that he was Diana's former lover, Bruce had been granted immunity to Themyscira's harsh laws against males and had even gained the friendship of most of the island's inhabitants due to his fearlessness in battle and outstanding leadership.

"That's not your call, Artemis. It's the queen's," said Batman.

"I know. But I can't help but feel betrayed whenever I think of Diana," Artemis quietly replied. "I can only imagine the heartache you went through." Bruce stiffened at that. But he wasn't in the mood to dwell on his heart.

"I didn't know you were one to wear their emotions on their sleeve," Bruce mockingly remarked with the barest hint of a smile.

"I don't. But I'm still a woman am I not? I have to let it out sometimes," Artemis cockily replied. She thought for a moment. "Why are you here, Bruce?"

"To see my child."