A/N: Many thanks again to DaisyJane for the beta. This story is looking to be longer than I had expected – the ideas keep coming.

To all the reviewers – thank you so much for the feedback and encouragement. There were a few comments that popped up after the last chapter – all wanting one very specific scene – and since this is going longer than expected, I'll see what I can do to satisfy before the story ends.

Minor spoiler for "World's Finest"

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

INAMORATA

Tonight, Bruce was in no mood for distractions and he was clearly agitated. He wanted off the Watchtower right away. The others were kicked out of his room immediately – and rather unceremoniously.

"You four – get out."

Granted, he wanted to get dressed and two of his visitors were female – Shayera and Donna - however, Superman looked more than a little irritated at being dismissed. He crossed his arms in front of his chest in his trademark pose, refusing to budge. J'onn just gave Dick a sympathetic look and dematerialized through the floor.

When Batman was in this kind of mood, almost everyone was afraid to do anything except exactly what he what he wanted. Not that they didn't also do exactly what he wanted when he was in any other kind of mood. The exceptions being Diana, Dick and, of course, Alfred. You could probably count Selina as well; she never did anything she didn't want to do. Today, Superman appeared to be up to the challenge of defying the Batman.

Nightwing knew better than to argue this time. Sometimes he would argue, but that was usually just to have a little fun at Bruce's expense. He rarely expected to win an argument, but he did like to push the old man's buttons. Dick left the infirmary to retrieve the suit, leaving the two men glaring at each other.

He was gone for less than five minutes, just enough time to run to Batman's quarters and grab one of the back-up suits he kept on the Watchtower. Dick returned with the suit and was approaching the infirmary when suddenly something – or someone – came crashing through the door and hit the opposite wall.

Superman sat on the floor, stunned, looking back at the doorway he had just been thrown through. Batman stood, also stunned, looking back at Superman sitting on the floor.

"What happened?" Dick asked.

"He pushed me," replied Superman, still looking at Bruce incredulously

"I pushed him," said Bruce. He looked annoyed.

"How hard did you push him?" Dick asked.

Bruce looked at Dick, frowning. "Not that hard."

Sensing the commotion, J'onn rematerialized through the floor in the hallway. He looked from Clark to Bruce and then back to Clark again. "Have you told him?"

"He hasn't given me a chance," Superman replied as he floated from the floor to his feet. He turned to Bruce. "Now will you listen to me?" he asked

"No. I don't have time for this. Any discussion can wait. I threw you across the room the first time I met you," Bruce grabbed the suit from Dick and walked back into the room, pulling the privacy curtain between himself and the others who were now standing just inside the open doorway.

Superman pushed the issue. "That was different, Bruce. You surprised me back then. I wasn't expecting to be tossed like a rag doll by a guy dressed up like a bat. And it was just across the room, not through a heavy-duty, reinforced steel door."

Dick smirked at Superman's comments and pushed Bruce a little more, "You do seem in awfully good health for a guy who just two days ago got beaten to a pulp and then hit in the head with a steel beam."

There was no response from behind the curtain. After several silent moments, Bruce flung the curtain to the side and stood glaring at them, blue eyes blazing.

"What did you do? I have had more knife wounds, bullet wounds and dog bites than I can even remember getting. I've had shards of glass, metal rods, sheet metal, rocks – and Alfred only knows what else – removed from my skin. Hell, I've got scars left by the whip of a very pissed-off cat burglar. Where did it all go?"

The three just stared at him for a minute. During this time both Superman and Dick attempted to suppress the mental image of how and why Catwoman's whip would have made contact with Bruce's skin.

J'onn was the first to reply. "We are not sure of what caused your…healing. It happened while you were unconscious in the infirmary."

"That's not all of it though, Bruce. On your x-rays, it looks like you've never broken a bone and yet your skull had a hairline fracture just days ago," added Dick.

Bruce glared at Superman. Somehow understanding the look he was getting, Superman sighed and did yet another quick scan of Bruce's internal anatomy before replying, "It's true. I've checked three times now. There's not even any evidence of the back injury from Bane."

Bruce sat down on the bed, looking almost as if he was no longer able to stand on his own. Nothing could have been further from the truth. A memory flashed of his last few minutes with Diana. It was barely an hour ago but seemed like forever. 'A connection beyond that we've experienced in our dreams.' He remembered what Diana had told him about her sister. He stood and looked at Dick.

"Javelin bay. Twenty minutes. Bring Donna."

"Where's the fire, Bruce?" Dick asked the question as he turned to leave.

"Themyscira."

X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X

Exactly nineteen minutes later, Batman stormed into the Javelin bay, cape swirling behind him. Dick and Donna were standing beside the Javelin that Batman typically commandeered when the need arose. It was the most technologicallysophisticated of the fleet. Donna was leaning with her back against the wall while Dick stood facing her, leaning forward and bracing himself with his right hand on the wall just above her left shoulder. She laughed softly and something Dick was telling her.

Donna swallowed her mirth and went wide-eyed as Batman stalked toward them. Immediately taking a cue from her change of expression, Dick straightened and turned around. As usual, Batman rejected the use of social niceties.

"What happened when you acquired Diana's powers?" He directed his full attention to Donna, ignoring Dick.

Donna squirmed a little under his scrutiny. She had been in the presence of Zeus and felt less intimidated. "I had fallen from a tree and was badly injured. Conventional Themyscirian medicine couldn't save me. The Gods agreed to do so by taking a piece of Diana's soul and giving it to me."

"And the effect?"

"I healed. Quickly. It also gave me strength, speed, and the ability to fly."

"On her?" Bruce's obvious impatience clearly indicated he was only really interested in what had happened to Diana.

"W-well, she said it hurt like Hades."

"Long-term?"

"Nothing that I'm aware of. She still has the same gifts the gods blessed upon her and she is still immortal."

"Fine."

With that, he turned on his heel and climbed into the Javelin. Dick and Donna backed away and watched him prepare to launch.

Donna breathed a sigh of relief that the inquisition was over. "He's very much lacking in social skills isn't he?"

"Oh, he has them but rarely as Batman. Then he doesn't use them unless he thinks it's necessary and he rarely thinks it's necessary. Don't take it personally. If he's really nice to you, it's probably not a good thing. It's a neat trick for freaking out criminals in Gotham. He is the only person I know that can be both good and bad cop at the same time," Dick quipped.

"He acts that way with Diana?" She could hardly believe her sister would put up with it.

"He has. He's usually a little softer with her though – but you probably wouldn't notice unless you know him. She understands him. It used to be strange to me how easily she seemed to get him. I guess not so much anymore." Dick hesitated for just a moment before he asked, "Now that Diana is coming back, will you have to go back to the island?"

She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Probably not. It was always the plan for me to come to man's world as an emissary. But I guess the Justice League doesn't need two Wonder Women?"

Dick grinned, resuming his earlier position leaning over her bracing himself on the wall. Donna smiled up at him as he started talking. "You know, I've been thinking lately that there are advantages to being part of team but I'm not interested in going back to taking orders from Batman. So, I was thinking…"

X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X

The last rays of the sun were slipping behind the edge of the darkening water along the horizon. Once again, Diana watched the sunset as she stood on the balcony outside of her bedchambers. Finally, when her world became completely enveloped in darkness, she turned and walked into her room.

Her intent was to seek out her mother and have dinner. She made just halfway across the room when she felt the air shift behind her.

It stopped her in her tracks. She sensed that she was no longer alone. She struggled to suppress a feeling of hope that the intruder might be who she desired it to be. Her struggle was brief. When she turned she immediately felt strong, gloved hands on either side of her face as she was pulled into a passionate embrace.

At her gasp of surprise, he quickly took the opportunity to push past her parted lips to kiss her deeply and taste her fully. This kiss was real, intense, and desperate. She felt Bruce drink her in like a man who had spent days in the desert and was dying of thirst.

This wasn't an angry goodbye. This wasn't a strategy to avoid capture. This wasn't a dream. This was real. This was perfect.

When finally they pulled apart, Diana lifted her hands and slid the tips of her fingers beneath the cowl to push it back and reveal his intense gaze. Their eyes locked and they read the look in each other's eyes as the emotions sweep through them. She watched intently as he closed his eyes at its power as he allowed himself experience it. They both sensed it. This was new.

Still holding her face in his hands, he slid them down to her shoulders, then down her arms. He opened his eyes and he held her hands in his.

"I love you," he said, as he watched her face intently for a reaction.

For a moment, the direct simplicity of his statement took her by surprise. "I know," she said finally and smiled at him. "I love you too."

"I know." He did know it, but Diana still felt the wave of relief as it washed over him.

She tried to raise her hands to pull him to her again, but he grabbed her wrists and halted her movement.

"No, Diana." He tone and his look was serious. "We need to take this slow. Something has happened to me. I need to understand it and how it affects you before we take this any further."

Her blissful expression was swept away and replaced by one of concern.

"Why Bruce? What's wrong?"

He paused, as if searching for the right words. He didn't find them. "Nothing's wrong…exactly."

Her forehead crinkled as confusion was added to her concerned expression. Anything less than precise and articulate communication from Bruce was out of character.

He dropped her hands began to take off his gauntlets. "Diana, you've seen me patched up after battle enough times to know. I have many scars from many injuries…"

She nodded as she gave him a heated look and raised her hand to caress his cheek with her palm. "All markings of a true warrior."

He smiled back very briefly. It was very much like her to say such a thing. Shaking his head, he continued, "They're all gone, Diana. I'm completely healed – outside – and inside – according to J'onn and Clark. There's no evidence of me ever having any injuries – superficial or internal."

"I don't understand…"

Bruce sighed and turned away from her and faced toward the bed. He removed his cape and cowl, and then proceeded to detach the top of his suit from his waistband and pull it off, over his head. He tossed the Kevlar onto the bed and turned toward her.

"Princess. Look." He held out his hands, palms up, exposing the inside of his forearms. "No scars from bullet wounds, stabbings, dog bites, shrapnel…or anything else –"

His breath hitched as Diana reached out to him and ran her right hand over his chest, her focus suddenly diverted from what he was saying. With her hands and her eyes, verified for herself the now-flawless planes of his muscled chest.

He looked down at her hand as it smoothed over his chest. His eyes closed when she moved her fingertips over the slope of his collarbone and into a serpentine pattern down his pectorals. Diana swept from one side to the other, pausing briefly to brush across his nipple with the pad of her thumb. She flattened her palm and circled back towards his abdomen, running her hand over the taught muscles. Bruce logical mind shut down as his body started to throb at her touch.

She had forgotten about the scars and busied herself in memorizing every ridge and slope. As her hand moved lower, he broke out of the trance her touch had triggered. His hand stilled hers just before her fingers dipped below his waistband.

"Diana."

The stern, almost reprimanding tone of his voice caused her to pull her hand away as if she'd been burned. Stepping back and standing with her hands on her hips, she defiantly asked, "What is it exactly that you need to know Bruce?" She'd had enough of self-restraint and was more than ready to just take what she wanted.

"I can only assume this happened because of these dreams. I need to know how it happened and why. I need to know what other changes there will be. But most of all, I need to know if any of this can hurt you or diminish your powers – because if it will do either, in any way, this – us – it stops now."

"Hurt me? Why would you think it could hurt me?" She didn't feel any different. No, that wasn't true – she did feel different. Metaphorically she felt even stronger. To her it felt like together they were more than what they were alone. There was a feeling of interdependence that, as an Amazon, was completely unfamiliar to her. However, though unfamiliar, the feeling was not unwelcome. She enjoyed its warm embrace.

"Donna said that what happened to her hurt you a lot."

"That was entirely different," Diana replied in a dismissing tone.

"You don't know that."

"Well, I am the one who experienced what happened with Donna and this is nothing like that. Then I really felt as if a piece of me was removed and given to her. It was incredibly painful at first but with time I recovered and felt pretty much the same as before. But now, nothing's been taken from me now." Diana reached out and again cupped his cheek with her hand. "This time, I've only gained something and I feel more powerful than I have ever felt."

He put his hand over hers, although the tender gesture did not match his expression. His frown reflected that he was deeply concerned that this would turn out badly for her.

"That's not all Diana. Earlier –" he stopped.

"Earlier?"

"I put Kent through a door."

"Oh? Why?" Her hand dropped to her side.

"He tried to stop me from leaving the infirmary."

She silently waited for him to continue.

"All I was thinking was that I needed to get you back and he was in my way."

She smirked a little, but didn't respond and didn't look impressed.

"Diana. The infirmary doors are made from reinforced steel. The hinges broke off. They were designed to withstand meta-level strength. He dented the wall on the other side of the hallway."

"Is he ok?"

"Of course. He's Superman," Bruce scoffed.

"Then what next? Should we see if you can fly?" She was trying hard not to smile. He caught it anyway and something inside him seemed to snap.

Bruce grabbed her roughly by the arms and pushed her against the wall. Scowling, he said, "Diana. This is not funny. We didn't ask for any of this to happen but it is anyway."

She glared back, tired of his resistance and tired of the rampant paranoia. "So now what, Bruce? Why did you even come here? Maybe you shouldn't have bothered. It looks like if you want me, this comes with it."

His grip tightened as he gave her an intense look. "I want you, God do I want you," he said softly as he desperately took another kiss. "But I need to understand this."

She sighed, frustrated. Having no patience left for further debate, she walked over to the altar in the corner of her room. Kneeling, she uttered under her breath several phrases in Themyscirian.

Bruce watched her as he retrieved his armor, cape, and cowl from the bed. Without the cowl's enhanced amplification technology, he couldn't make out what she said.

It must have been a prayer, because suddenly, a flash of light rushed through the window. Instinctively, Bruce reached for his belt. In a split second Diana was next to him and stilled his hand with hers.

Diana bowed her head, "Hermes. I had expected Lady Aphrodite or Lady Athena."

"Yes, Diana, I know. I'm here to deliver a message from them. It is what I do," he smirked cockily.

"My apologies."

He brushed it off, "There's no need Diana. I've only come to tell you that you will not be getting the answers you seek."

Diana's eyes widened in surprise. Bruce's narrowed.

Hermes turned to Bruce, apparently unconcerned with hateful glare being directed his way. "You have caused Aphrodite a great deal of vexation. She has decreed that your heart and emotions are to guide you, rather than a misguided sense of duty or responsibility. You two are on your own."

And then they were.

They stood for a moment of shocked silence, staring at the empty air where Hermes had stood just seconds before.

Bruce pulled the cowl over his head and walked out onto the balcony.

Batman shot the grapple gun into the air toward the Javelin now hovering overhead. Diana stood in shock as she realized he was just going to leave. But before lifting into the air, he turned to Diana.

"You coming?"