Part XIV

Batman emerged from the transporter in a swirl of dark cape. He hated the transporters, they were one of the many reasons he preferred to attend meetings via video screen. Of course that wasn't an option now. He crossed the room to the nearest computer console. His fingers danced across the as he tried to key in on Diana's location. A small red beacon that indicated her JLA communicator's location appeared on a map of the Watchtower. She was in her room. His pace was quick as he navigated through the base's inner hallways. He only slacked when it was necessary to avoid the other leaguers along the way. Finally he was at her door. It looked like all the others. What lie on the other side was something completely unlike all the others. Something that had influenced him not only as Batman, but also as a man. Why did he let her though?

He knew why.

Since he had laid eyes on her that first time he had been captivated. To him she was easily the most beautiful person on the planet. That wasn't it though. When she was around he tried harder. Harder to be a good man. Just being near her always seemed to make him strive to be something better than he was. No other woman had been able to do that.
Batman stood outside her door, uncertain if he could go through with it. He raised a leather-clad hand up to knock.

"Hi, Batman."

Faith. He'd heard her coming, but had prayed she would pass-by to her room. silently. No such luck.

"You looking for Diana?"

He turned to look at her without responding. Her posture stiffened significantly under his gaze. She hesitated for a moment then nervously continued.

"I think she's in the training room on level four. I mean, I'm pretty sure she is. I saw her go in there earlier."

Batman's cowl shifted slightly as he raised an eyebrow at her indecisiveness.

"I haven't seen her in a couple of hours so I'm just assuming she's still in there. I wouldn't bother her if I were you though, she seemed pretty pis.."

Batman didn't wait for her to finish as he turned away. His long cape billowed around him as he stalked to the nearest elevator. To Faith it appeared as if he was floating away from her.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to him."

Diana felt her fist connect with the simulacrum of Circe. The purple haired sorceress's head snapped back from her blow. As she pedaled backwards from the blow, Circe tripped over the now still form of the Cheetah. She hit the ground with a resounding thud.

"Had enough?" Diana said smiling.

Circe said nothing as she picked herself up from the ground and charged Diana once more. Diana blocked her first volley of punches, but Circe managed to get a hard kick to her midsection in. She doubled over as the breath was nearly knocked out of her. Circe took the opportunity and continued her onslaught.

Diana raised her arms trying to defend herself from the scratches and punches that were being thrown at her. Her screams filled Diana's ears as she struck at her again and again. Diana used what was left of her strength to push Circe away. Before the sorceress could attack again, Diana rushed forward and landed a series of harsh blows to Circe's to face, before ending her threat with a fierce strike to the temple. Behind her, Diana heard several whizzes and then the crackle of circuits frying. She turned to see the now flickering image of the Silver Swan stagger then fall at her feet. Several gleaming Batarangs littered her back. Roughly twenty feet away Diana saw Batman drop from a perch high in the rafters.

"I thought I had locked that door, Batman?"

Diana saw him smirk. She really, really wanted to wipe it off his face.

"I have ways around those sorts of things."

"Obviously. Listen unless you plan on apologizing I've got nothing to say
to you."

"I take it your still angry?"

"I'm not angry, Bruce."

"You seem angry."

"And why shouldn't I be?

"I thought you said you weren't angry."

"Fine, I'm angry. Why shouldn't I be? I share myself with you and then treat it like a one night stand. Is that all I am to you, Bruce?

Batman was shaken. Not visibly enough that anyone one would notice. That is unless they know him extremely well. Diana fell into that category. She noticed his discomfort and stood there with her arms crossed waiting for his answer. He could swear that the heat was turned all the way up in this room.

"You know that's not true Diana."

"I do? I guess I should considering how open you are with you feelings."

"Sarcasm does not become you, Princess."

"Neither does a man playing with my emotions."

Batman said nothing as she spoke, her words hurting him more than he thought they should. This was what he had wanted. It was what they both needed. He focused on these thoughts as he steeled himself to finish what he had started.

He stepped towards her until mere inches separated them. He noticed Diana take a sharp breath and her posture had gone from combative to anxious. That made it a whole lot harder. From beneath the folds of his cape he retrieved a folded piece of paper. He held the paper out to her silently. When she took it he turned quickly and headed towards the nearest exit. He paused only at the doorway.

"Meeting starts in ten minutes. I expect you there."

He waited for Diana to nod before continuing down the passage.

Diana looked down at the piece of paper. She forced down the hopes that rose up inside of her as she unfolded it. Her face grew flush as she read the letter.

Diana:

Meet me on the level six observation deck after the meeting. We need to discuss compensation to damages done to the Batmobile.

B.

Diana reread the letter again. He had to be kidding. He had basically given her a bill for the Batman. Yet again he had infuriated her more than she thought anyone ever could. She stormed out of the room in the hopes that she could at least clean up before the meeting. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of looking like he had gotten to her. Even if he already had.