Disclaimer: I do not own Justice League or Justice League Unlimited. I merely write this for my own entertainment and the entertainment of others.
A to Z, an Anthology
Eavesdrop
Wally zipped toward the Metro Tower conference room, two iced mochas in his hands. The meeting wasn't due to start for another hour, but he figured this was the best time to catch up on the mission reports he'd been putting off for the past week. When he approached the door, though, Wally could hear raised voices coming from inside.
"… don't know what you're talking about." Wally immediately recognized Bats' cranky and unemotional drone.
"Oh please, Bruce," a second voice replied, which he identified as Diana's, "you know exactly what I'm talking about."
"We're not having this discussion here, Princess."
"If not here, then where? The Watchtower? The Cave? You keep avoiding the subject by avoiding me," Diana snapped.
Wally blinked. He hadn't known that Bats and Wondy were having problems. He'd actually thought they were two of the more tightly-knit Founders. Bats was hardly the type to get along with people, but Diana had always seemed like an exception for that, even in the early days. While Bats was known to growl and snarl at the rest of them, he never really seemed to do so at her. What was happening to get them so out of sync?
"Bruce," Diana continued, her voice quieter, "I can't carry this all by myself. You promised you would do your part –"
"I said that I would do what I could, but Gotham came first. You knew that when we started this, Diana. You went into this with your eyes open."
Wally swallowed hard. Holy shit… If they were talking about what he thought they were talking about, then Bats and Diana were… dating? Doing the naked mambo? Both? Apparently Bats wasn't carrying his part of the relationship. He winced.
"I know that Gotham comes first, Bruce," Diana replied, sounding as though she was speaking through clenched teeth. "I am not disputing that. You know I never would ask you to neglect the city's needs. Not for this, not for anything. Still, I don't think I'm asking too much for you to put some effort into this."
There was a moment of silence, then Bats shot back, "Well, obviously, you were wrong. If you can't handle that, then find someone else."
Ouch. Damn, Bruce, tell her how you really feel. Don't hold back or anything. Though, Wally had a feeling that if Bruce kept this up, Diana might end up showing how she felt as well, starting with punching him in the face.
In the interests of harmony, though, Wally figured he better go in now. He didn't think Bats would be able to hide a broken jaw from the rest of the gang or the idiots he pummeled on a nightly basis. Taking a deep breath, he kicked the door open and walked inside. "Hey Bats, Princess," he said cheerfully, "whatcha up to? Meeting doesn't start for a while yet."
Now that he was in the room, Wally got a good look at what they were doing physically. Bruce was over at the computer terminal, typing furiously with his back to both him and Diana. Wally tried not to glare at the other man. He hadn't even given the princess the courtesy of looking at her? Being a prick today, Bruce? Wally thought angrily.
"Hello, Wally," Diana replied from her spot at the table. She had various papers spread out around her. He moved closer, holding one of the iced mochas out to her. She took it with a grateful smile, and then nodded at the paperwork. "I'm trying to organize the surprise party for Clark's birthday. Some people, though," she said while glaring pointedly in Bruce's direction, "are not helping out when they promised that they would."
What? Clark's birthday? Wally stared at the princess. That was what the whole argument was about? Bruce was dumping all the preparations for the party on Diana? Jeez, the man was hardly known for being the life of the party when he was in costume, but Wally knew very well that the man could plan a bash in a heartbeat, seeing as his everyday cover was that of a notorious party man.
After several moments, he slowly began to grin. If Bats wanted to be an asshole about it, then Wally could make sure the other man got as good as he gave. "Well," he said, taking the seat and scooting it close to Diana before sitting in it, "if you really need help with a party, then look no further! You're talking to an expert in putting together parties that'll be remembered for years!" He waggled his eyes at her. "Think about it, Wondy. You 'n me can cut a million rugs while Bats stomps in, glares at everyone, hands Supes his cash, and stomps out like a drama queen."
Diana stared at him with an amused look, but Wally heard the key-tapping suddenly stop and Bats growl faintly.
Wally just kept grinning.
Eavesdrop: v. listen secretly.
Author's Note: When I was writing the chapters for this story, I did so in a rather ramshackle order. It's because of this that Bounce and Eavesdrop -- both from Wally's point of view -- are so close together. It was not done intentionally.