A/N: Final chapter. Expect a short epilogue in the next few days. Many thanks to DaisyJane for her support and wonderful betas throughout the writing of this story.

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.

SURRENDER

Batman and Nightwing had provided an air escort from the mine to Gotham, securing Bane at Arkham for the time being. The psych evaluation was to determine if he should stay for "treatment" or go to Blackgate Penitentiary. There were multiple murders he had to account for in other states and the federal government would soon be wanting their pound of flesh. However, Batman had no intention of letting him ever leave Gotham again.

Five days after watching Diana leave the mine, Batman was in the Batmobile, racing at breakneck speed back to the cave. He glanced over at Robin, who lay bleeding in the seat beside him.

It had not been a good week. Bruce's days had been spent trying not to think about Diana, yet still hoping that she would come to him. She did not. His nights, after patrol, were spent hoping that when he went to sleep, she would come to him. She did not. On the outside, he was as cold and emotionless as ever. Inside, he felt like he was falling apart.

He didn't delude himself by thinking that this connection, desire, and need for Diana would ever fade. Being emotionally crippled was familiar to him, though. He'd been that way for years and was prepared to continue to be. However, he wanted rid of these new abilities.

Zatanna had been of no help. She didn't believe he could just 'make it go away' and she was more than clear about the fact that she was not inclined to help him even if she thought it was possible. Her exact words were, "Don't be a dumbass, Bruce."

Dick hadn't been much better. He had agreed to help with patrols and with missions but never passed up an opportunity to state his unwanted opinion, "Get over yourself and ask you know who to help you train."

Alfred remained silent but in the most annoyingly judgmental way.

Regardless of what Zatanna, Dick, Alfred, or any of them thought, it was still a problem. He was becoming ineffective on patrol. Bruce had come to fear his own strength and worried that he would cross the line with some criminal or make a mistake that would get himself and Diana killed. As a result, he held back. He began to focus more on the detective work, reluctantly relying Dick or Tim to provide the muscle until he found a way to rid himself of Diana's 'gifts'.

Tonight on patrol he had hesitated for a second too long before jumping into a gang fight with some adolescent street kids. They had been young and he had underestimated them. His heart nearly stopped when he saw the gun pointed at Tim. Fortunately the kid with the gun had very poor aim.

As they returned to the cave, Batman was very aware that his protégé was watching him closely and with growing concern. Bruce knew he had been behaving erratically all week – ever since he and Dick had returned Bane to Arkham. Tim was no doubt worried that his getting shot had pushed Bruce over the edge. Tim had cause for concern.

"Hey, it's just a flesh wound, Bruce," Tim uttered next to him. He continued to try and be reassuring, "Alfred will put a few stitches in my leg and I'll be good as new. I won't even have to miss a night of patrol."

Batman ignored Tim's attempt at a comforting gesture, "Until further notice, you will not be patrolling." Bruce knew that Tim would not easily acquiesce to this mandate. Nevertheless, he wanted to keep Tim out of harm's way until he could resolve his problem.

Fortunately, Tim just sighed, evidently deciding that he wouldn't get anywhere arguing with Bruce at the moment.

When they arrived in the cave, he helped Tim out of the car and took him to the cave's sick bay so Alfred could sew up his wound. As soon as Tim was on the metal table and be attended to by Alfred, Bruce left them and went to change. He stripped out of his suit, pulled on a pair of cotton pants, and stalked to the training room to burn off his frustration. At least he would make the attempt. He went straight to the punching bag reinforced for training meta-humans. It had been necessary to bring several down from the Watchtower. He had already destroyed six that week.

He began to hit the bag – furiously – while he ruminated about the situation with Diana. He was angry with her. He was angrier with himself. He was also completely miserable. He missed her desperately. The anguish, it seemed, was a byproduct of the gaping hole in his soul that her absence caused. Each day, the hole grew bigger and the anguish grew deeper.

After an hour of violently pounding the bag, he landed a hit that caused it to break wide open, sending the material inside everywhere. Seven.

Something has to give. It has to stop. Tonight. Now.

Bruce stormed out of the training room and went to the supercomputer. The cave was quiet. Tim and Alfred had left and were both probably asleep upstairs.

He picked up his discarded communicator lying on the desk. "Batman to Wonder Woman," he barked. He had not spoken to her since they'd left the mine five days ago. At the last League Founder's meeting, she had watched him intently but he had ignored her – or so he had made it appear. As much as he tried, he hadn't been able to really ignore her since the day they'd met – for the second time.

After a few long moments, he heard her respond. "Wonder Woman." She sounded as if she had been asleep. He glanced at the computer screen. It was 2:00 AM. Of course she had been sleeping. It was early for him, but it wouldn't be for her. He suppressed the wave of guilt, determined to see this through.

"I need to see you in the cave. Now."

A pause. "It's two in the morning, Bruce. I'm in New York. Can it wait?"

"No."

Another pause. Longer, this time. Then a sigh. "Fine," she said. He heard the click that indicated she had terminated the connection. She sounded annoyed. Good. Maybe it will help her to just forget this.

While he waited, he tried to talk himself into believing that was what he wanted her to do.

Diana rolled over and looked at the clock again, confirming that it really was 2:00 AM. She collapsed back onto the bed and stared up into the darkness. He had ordered her to come to him. Now. It could have been so tempting to ignore his summons. She wished that she could. She didn't like being ordered around like one of his partners. She couldn't ignore it though. The yearning to see him was still there, regardless of the reasons why. It was there despite the fact that probably all her trip would amount to was another round in Bruce Wayne's theater of pain. With a groan, she sat up.

Slowly, she got up, showered, and dressed. She decided to forgo the uniform that she had just peeled off a few short hours ago and opted for a casual black halter dress and flat sandals. It was not necessarily practical for a short flight down the coast, but it was comfortable and easy to move in if she had to deal with some League-related problem along the way.

She went to the living room of the new apartment she now shared with Donna. It was simple and comfortable. After taking a day to recover from their missions in the Gulf and the Southern Appalachians, they had gone to New York and quickly found the perfect apartment. It was a penthouse – yet modest as far as penthouses go – allowing them more freedom of movement in the air. It had also been empty and since they didn't own much, Diana ordered some furniture and they moved in right away.

Setting up their home had kept her busy over the last few days, especially when Wally, Dick and Roy Harper had shown up to help. No one could clean and paint faster than the Flash and the boys added an element of fun to the experience. It was also nice to see Donna developing her own friendships in Man's World. She had been over the moon talking about the team that Dick, Roy and she were founding called The Titans.

But through it all Bruce had still been constantly on her mind. She ached to see him, even under unpleasant circumstances. Based on the tone of his voice tonight, she guessed tonight would more than likely be exactly that - unpleasant.

Before flying off toward Gotham, she wrote a quick note to Donna in case she hadn't returned before her sister woke up. Diana held herself back from flying full speed. Yes, even if she expected another argument, she was desperate to see him. But again, she was not inclined to let him see that desperation.

Diana knew that Bruce's security systems would make him aware of exactly when she made it to the Wayne Manor grounds. She flew into the cave using the tunnel built for the takeoff and landing of the Batwing. As she touched town, she immediately noted that he wasn't sitting at his desk. Based on experience, the most likely place to find him would be the gym.

Bruce stopped hitting the bag the instant she stepped into the room. He stood with both hands resting on top of the bag, leaning his forehead against it and staring down at the floor. It was several moments before he turned his head to look at her. She crossed her arms in front of her and looked steadily back at him. They stayed that way for several more moments, eyes locked, simply drinking in the sight of each other. They both attempted to maintain emotionless expressions, although neither was very successful. Even angry, the emotional and sexual tension was palpable.

Finally, Bruce sighed and straightened, turning toward her. She watched him shake his head as if to clear it of all thoughts except for whatever reason it was that he had called her here. She stood there silently, waiting for him to tell her what that reason was.

"Take it back," he finally said, in Batman's low growl.

She raised her eyes in surprise, knowing deep down that she shouldn't be surprised at all. Diana knew what he meant and she knew exactly what he was asking of her.

"I can't," she replied.

"Diana. I need it gone. Now."

"Even if I wanted to, Bruce, I don't know how to do that." Diana was growing weary of their tug of war and her face clearly reflected this.

"Tim was shot tonight on patrol. It was my fault – our fault".

Hera, she thought as her expression immediately transformed, showing her shock and concern. "Is he okay?" she whispered.

"Flesh wound," Bruce replied brusquely, without elaborating further. "But it should never have happened. Your so-called gifts are making me a liability to my mission. Ineffective. Tim got shot because I don't know how to use them," he growled. "Take them back."

So, he blamed her. Again, not a surprise. Diana, however, was through being guilty over something that was beyond her control. She couldn't stop being in love with Bruce any more than she could stop breathing. "Bruce," she replied gently. "I told you. I don't know how to take it back. It isn't something that I can do."

"It went away before."

Diana closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them and responding, "I know it did. I think that... maybe before…I still believed that we might not be together. I don't believe that anymore." Despite all they had been through and how he had behaved when they had last been alone in that mine, she had in fact, come to a realization over the last few days. She gazed back at him affectionately. "And I think even though your will tries to deny it, your heart wants us too much to let it go. We will be together. "

She watched his expression as he flinched and looked away before turning back to her, his expression still angry. "No, we won't, Diana!" he snarled. She could see he was having a hard time seeing the emotion she knew reflected in her eyes. Nevertheless, he forced himself to maintain eye contact with her and his voice and eyes continued to reflect only agitation. "This needs to stop. Now. I'm trying to protect you, damn it!"

Although his need to protect her was not new, his response stirred the anger of the Amazon warrior within her. "And I'm also trying to protect you!" she shot back at him. "My so-called gifts helped you defeat Bane and get out of that mine. Alive."

"I would have gotten out on my own," he ground out.

"Maybe, Bruce. But it would have been much more difficult and much less likely."

Diana watched as his barely controlled anger erupted into full-blown rage. He took several steps toward her. In spite of herself, the look in his eyes and his threatening posture caused her to back up a few steps as he approached. She recovered quickly though and stopped, allowing him to come toe to toe with her. She looked back defiantly as he glared at her, his face just a few inches from her own.

"Don't force your will on me, Princess."

At his words, Diana snapped. She let her Amazon instincts take over. She abruptly pushed him away from her, sending him flying across the room to hit the wall right next to the punching bag he'd been using earlier. He collapsed onto the floor.

She quickly followed him to the other side of the room. "But you want me to bow to your will little man?" she said, standing over him with her hands on her hips, her anger matching his.

He slowly stood and turned to her, eyes ablaze with rage. "It's not the same," he said, through teeth clenched as tightly as his fists.

"Yes it is," she said before she turned toward the door. "When you are ready to actually talk and not just make impossible demands, call me." She was beyond irritated with all his alpha male nonsense. Just as she passed through the doorway, she felt a large hand wrap around her bicep and roughly yank her back into the room. Although he let go of her almost immediately, he stood close, forcing her back against the wall and again standing with his face again just inches away from hers. Diana had no choice but to be caught in his deathly glare.

"We. Are. Not. Done."

Her eyes now also burned with anger as she lifted her chin and met his fierce glare. "Even if I could take it back, Bruce, I wouldn't. If this stops you from repeatedly putting yourself on suicide missions, so be it." She reached up to push him away from her again.

This time, he was ready. Bruce quickly spun her around, turning her back toward him. He pressed his forearm across her shoulders and pushed his hip into the small of her back to hold her against the wall.

"I said we're not done," he whispered savagely into her ear.

Diana's breathing grew heavy and ragged as the telltale tingling of physical need swirled through her and pooled low in her belly. She fought her arousal, unwilling to allow him to have the upper hand. Suddenly, she snapped her head backward and connected with his forehead, causing him to release her and take a few steps back. She quickly brought a leg up and around, attempting to connect with his head.

"Tim got shot tonight because I protected myself in order to protect you!" he spat as he ducked and grabbed her ankle. At the same time, he swung his own leg around, knocking hers out from under her. She hit the floor face down – hard. Before she could move, he was on her, pinning her to the floor and capturing her wrists above her head with one large hand.

"So then stop protecting me!" Diana yelled as she turned her head to the side, struggling under his strong grip. "You are brilliant and incredibly skilled. You're just much stronger and much more durable now. All you really need to do stop thinking about how your actions might affect me, and do what you always do. You'll be fine – and so will I."

"Stop thinking about you?" he said, his breath was hot against her bare neck as she continued to struggle beneath him. He growled quietly in her ear as he pressed himself down against the entire length of her, "I've not been able to get you out of my thoughts since the day I met you. What makes you think I'll be able to do it now?"

She stopped struggling as now a wave of hot, wet desire flooded through her. Instinctively, she raised her hips up against him to increase their contact. The instant Diana felt how badly he wanted her too, she began to slowly rub herself against him. A soft moan escaped her lips.

Her actions broke through his defenses and in a flash he flipped her over and devoured her mouth with a hard, fierce kiss. She responded fervently, parting her lips to allow his tongue access to spar with hers. Wrapping her arms around his neck and lifting her knees to brace his hips between her thighs, she pulled him closer to her.

Only parting for need of air, he bowed his head above her right shoulder. His breathing was ragged and heavy against her collarbone as he spoke. "How can I protect you if I'm protecting my city, Princess? For the first time in my life, I can't plot, plan, or strategize out of this. I don't know what to do."

"I do," she whispered. "You protect your city and we'll protect each other. We've always accomplished more together than we ever have apart. You know that. I will help you learn how to use this. Just stop fighting it, Bruce."

He pulled back slightly to look at her, still pinned to the floor beneath him. For a long moment neither moved. Through his eyes, she watched the war rage within him. They both knew that they were on the brink some something larger than themselves. Predestined, preordained, meant to be…whatever term was used, it was beyond all resistance. Diana had long come to accept this. He was about to accept it too. As she steadily met his gaze she found reflected back in his blue eyes the storm of passion about to erupt.

Finally unable to be still for another unbearable second, Bruce crashed his lips into hers and again kissed her frantically. Soon the war that had waged between them became a battle to touch and taste as much of each other as possible.

Yes, it began as frantic and desperate. Both now so eager to consummate their connection – their bond – neither wanted to delay a second more. It wasn't champagne and roses, but there would be time for that later. Truth be told, neither was willing to stop now for fear that they would somehow not find their way back to this moment again anytime soon.

He moved slide his hand gently up the inside of her thigh. When he pulled his hand away, he took the small scrap of satin and lace with him. Overwhelming need then took over.

There was no hesitation as he joined them, the action simultaneously breaking their last physical and emotional barrier and making their final connection. The feeling of completion was overwhelming. They both stilled and closed their eyes, blown away by the intensity of it. They were still closed, but she felt the hot tears streaming out of the corners of her eyes, making wet trails down her temples and pooling into her hair that lie in a curtain across the floor.

"Princess?" he whispered.

She opened her eyes slowly to find him looking intently at her. She knew he could read in her eyes the honest and open emotions that had always been there – love, desire, need, affection. As she gazed up at him, Diana could read those same emotions in his. She had known he loved her for a very long time. Now though, his blue eyes revealed something new – something that had been missing for a very long time. Something that she often believed would be impossible to find in them. Something she had been longing to see for so very long.

Surrender.