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. As always, I'll point out this was written over a decade ago. Here in the UK, Season 2 of the JL cartoon had yet to air, so Hawkgirl had not been revealed as a spy. And the massive, every-hero-in-the-DCU roster of Unlimited wasn't a factor. My timeline picks up after the Season 1 finale, The Savage Time. All my Wayback Wednesday stories are numbered chronologically, if you get stuck.

3. There are aspects of these stories that, in hindsight, I would change. However, I have kept them as I originally wrote them for history's sake. Not laziness.

PART 3

01:54.

"How did you figure it how? HOW? TELL ME!"

Batman watched the Riddler rant and rave from inside the pickup van. His thugs were also inside, sitting quietly. A couple of cops went into the front of the van and started the engine.

Commissioner Gordon looked away from Peter Mannings, who had a cup of coffee in his hand and a cop at his side. Gordon went upto the front of the van. "Wait a minute," he said.

Riddler forced his face out of the window of the van's back door as much as he could. "Well? How did you know I'd go to the bank?"

Batman looked at him. "Your clue was, 'Places we go, places we've been, we went from green to green'. The 'places been' referred to Mannings' previous job at the bank, and the 'green to green' referred to him leaving the bank, the place of money, and starting his own company, where he made millions."

Riddler was silent, then stuck his hand out of the window and pointed at Batman. "I will outwit you, Batman! I will win one day! You haven't seen the last of me! One day I will beat you! You hear me? ONE DAY! I will prove that I am your better, Batman! I will…"

"Take him away," Gordon said.

The van started moving, and as it drove off, Riddler was still shouting. He disappeared round the street corner, going to the station.

Gordon went upto Batman and Robin. "Pretty cut-and-dried. We'll take Mr. Mannings' home, and have police watch his place for the next couple of days."

Batman removed his grapple from his utility belt, and pointed it at the rooftop. However, before he could press the fire button, Gordon spoke again. "There's something else."

Batman looked at him. "Yes?"

Gordon smiled. "You're getting an award."

Batman was surprised. "What?"

"For all the help you've done after the quake," said Gordon. "The Gotham Health Service has recommended you for a medal."

Batman lowered his grapple. "What are you talking about?"

"Dr. Leslie Thompkins has personally put your name forward," Gordon said.

Batman sighed. He would have to have a word with Leslie.

Robin stepped forward. "Do I get one?"

Batman glared at him. "Robin."

Robin went quiet.

"It's happening at the Policemen's Ball next month," said Gordon. "Will you be there?"

Batman sighed. He raised his arm again, and fired his grapple. The hook attached itself to the building's roof.

Batman looked at Gordon. "My wife will be so proud."

With that, he flew up, closely followed by Robin.

Gordon watched them disappear into the night sky. "Did he just crack a joke?"

/

04:45.

Bruce carefully opened the door, and immediately noticed something wrong. He looked closely at the door's lock. It had been snapped. The locking bar lay on the floor.

He smiled. He instantly knew what must have happened. He just wondered how Alfred would survive the Amazon's rage in the morning.

He went into the bedroom as quietly as he could. He looked over at the kingsize bed, the moonlight shining through the window, illuminating the sheets. Diana lay in the bed, her back to him, facing the other side of the bed.

He walked around the bed, removing his jogging jacket as he went. He went to his side of the bed, and looked at Diana's position. She was laying almost in the middle of the mattress, her arm spread over the other side. The duvet was draped over her, and her head was resting on the pillow, her hair falling behind her. The sheets rose slightly as she breathed, and she sighed as she breathed out. Her outstretched arm stroked his side of the bed, as if trying to find him, and she frowned and moaned slightly, as if disappointed that she had not found him.

His smile widened as he stared at her. He loved her with all his heart, and he was overjoyed that they were spending their lives together. She was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he only hoped he made her a fraction happy that she made him. She was his new reason for being, and she made his life worth living.

He removed his jogging pants, and pulled back the duvet. He slipped into bed, delicately lifting Diana's arm. He then lay down, and put her arm forward, until it was resting against her own body. However, as soon as he let go and settled down, her arm immediately flew out and rested itself on his chest.

He looked at her. Her frown was now gone, and the smile widened on her face. She sighed satisfactorily.

Bruce moved his arm up and stroked her hair. They had more than just a physical bond. It was as if they felt eachother's feelings. They knew what the other was thinking. He had never had that bond with anyone before. It only strengthened their bond, and their love.

He stroked her hand on his chest, then held it lightly. He slowly lifted it and brought it to his face. He kissed it gently, and looked at the face of the woman he loved. She was the most beautiful thing in the world, and he would always be there for her. As long as she lived, she would not feel pain.

He did not sleep for the rest of the night. He just lay there, holding the woman he adored close…

/

05:34.

"Check it out – 'Acquired'. That's all of my pieces used up, and a Triple Word score. Your move."

J'onn J'onzz sat cross-legged on the floor, his hands arched infront of his face. He stared at the scrabbleboard, thinking about what to do. He looked at his letters on his little tile holder closely, wondering what would be the best word. He was winning the game – 250 to 229 – but he had to keep on his toes. His opponent was clever, and could easily beat him.

Although, he had yet to in all the months they had been playing…

J'onn picked up seven letters and put them on the board. As he removed his hands, he smiled and looked at his opponent. "You're move."

His opponent looked at him. "That's not a word."

J'onn remained unfazed. "It's a Martian word."

"Prove it."

J'onn sighed and reached for the scoresheet. "You know very well I don't have a copy of the Martian dictionary," he said. "You'll just have to take my word for it."

His opponent raised his arm. "Maybe I should take this claw and stick it up your…"

"It's your move," J'onn interrupted. "Unless you wish to admit defeat…"

Aquaman smiled. "Oh no… you're not getting out of it that easily…"

"I believe it would be you who would be 'getting out of it'," said J'onn. "I am undefeated."

"Only because you make up words…" Aquaman replied.

"Do I complain when you use Atlantean words?" asked J'onn. "Besides, aren't you telepathic?"

Aquaman folded his arms. "Maybe. And you complained last week."

"You used a false word," said J'onn.

"Says who?"

"Says the Atlantean dictionary."

Aquaman frowned. "You've read that?"

J'onn smiled. "I memorised a copy during our first game." He wrote his score on the paper. "I'm winning, 270-229."

Aquaman sighed. He then picked up some of his letters and put them on the board. J'onn raised an eyebrow. "Impressive." He handed out the scoresheet to the Atlantean King.

Aquaman made no effort to take it. "Why do you come here?" he suddenly asked.

J'onn looked at him. "Because you insist on weekly games because you keep losing."

Aquman chuckled. "No, I mean… why did you come here in the first place? Is it boring at that satellite of yours?"

J'onn was silent. He considered not answering, but knew the Atlantean would just keep asking. "It is… crowded there."

"I'd have thought you'd like the company," said Aquaman. "Though I can see that they might not be the best company…"

"They are fine people," said J'onn. "It's just… they're very close."

"And you feel left out," Aquaman pressed.

"No," J'onn responded. "But… it just reminds me of what I've lost… it can be painful. And they're so close and personal together… I feel too uptight around them. That's why I come here… we're very much alike."

Aquaman looked puzzled. "I'm uptight?"

"You know responsibilities. You look over an entire civilisation. You know it's a serious business. And I apparently don't have much of a 'funny bone'."

Aquaman put his hand on the Martian's shoulder. "I understand. Rather you than me. Heck, if I was around them 24/7, I think I'd kill them."

"Then we would not be friends anymore," J'onn said flatly.

"We're friends?" Aquaman seemed surprised.

"I assume so," J'onn answered.

"Well, in that case," Aquaman said. "Let me be a good friend and kick your butt at Scrabble."

"I would not be a good friend for letting you have an easy victory," J'onn said, smiling. "I'm afraid you'll have to beat me on your own…"

Aquaman frowned. "Darn."

TO BE CONTINUED