Chapter 26
Diana sat in a chair across from the Martian Manhunter, a nervous flutter of dread in the pit of her stomach. She was more than anxious to be rid of these horrifying memories that weren't even a part of her life, created from the depths of madman's mind and transferred into her own.
She could feel Bruce pacing behind her, the gentle swish of his black cape as he moved one direction only to turn and continue the same path he'd been taking for the last ten minutes. J'onn hadn't even begun the process yet and Bruce was about to wear a path in the steel floor.
She had to admit it felt good to be back on the Watchtower, to be wearing her uniform once more. It felt like an eternity since she'd been with her friends and teammates, back to herself at long last after everything she'd been through.
She had to admit that as difficult as the last several weeks had been, she'd willingly go through it all over again if it helped Bruce admit his feelings for her, bringing them together after all this time.
"Alright, Diana," J'onn began. "I want you to close your eyes and focus on everything that happened the a few nights ago with Luthor."
Diana heard Batman momentarily falter in his step with J'onn's request. He knew how much what had happened to her had upset her, the nightmares that haunted her now. She hadn't been getting very much sleep and he even less in an effort to calm her fears.
She longed to get past all of this, to just be able to enjoy her growing relationship with Bruce. They still had so many things to work out, things that they needed to discuss such as whether or not to tell the League about their relationship and what to do about his public image as the playboy bachelor.
She knew that J'onn was about to find out about her and Bruce whether they wanted him to know or not. Once he looked into her mind, he'd discover her feelings for the Dark Knight; witness how intimate and heated their relationship had already become.
The thought caused a faint blush to rise to her cheeks, remembering how passionate things had been between them. She hoped Bruce was ready for this.
J'onn leaned forward as he placed his hand lightly on her knee. "Diana, you need to relax," he calmly said.
Diana opened her eyes and frowned at the Martian sitting before her, titling her head to the side with obvious skepticism. "You really think I'm going to be able to relax right now?" she asked, crossing her arms against her chest.
She suddenly felt a familiar gloved hand on her shoulder, his warm breath caressing her ear and sending tingles through her as his masculine scent filled her senses. "Would you like me to help you relax?" he softly whispered in her ear so low she couldn't help but shiver.
"You're not helping," she murmured, trying to keep the heat of desire out of her voice as she looked at J'onn only to find him grinning at her. He knew.
She felt Bruce's hand squeeze her shoulder affectionately before returning to his pacing. She closed her eyes again, forcing her body to relax as she allowed her mind to take her back to that warehouse where she had lost a large piece of herself. She just hoped she could get it back.
Batman couldn't help the fierce tension that was eating away at him at that moment. Even though he had donned the formidable bat suit, he was still a man on the inside, worried greatly about the woman he loved.
He was anxious for her to be rid of the dark memories that Luthor had so kindly bestowed upon her in order to turn her against them. They had led to violent nightmares that had only grown in frequency and brutality since rescuing her, but Dr. Leslie had wanted to wait until Diana was fully healed before tackling the mental aspect of her healing.
It had been far more difficult than Bruce had expected, being forced to watch her battle the terrifying demons in her mind, knowing that one of those demons hurting her was him. Even though they both knew it wasn't real, it didn't make him feel much better especially when she woke in a frantic cold sweat, fear flooding her eyes when she first looked at him before realization finally sunk in.
Despite all that had happened over the last several weeks, he knew that he had never been happier since admitting his love to Diana, discovering that her feelings for him ran just as deep, just as intense.
Why an amazing woman like Diana ever chose to fall in love with someone as broken and utterly difficult to love as him was beyond anything that his analytical dissecting mind could ever begin to process. All he knew, though, was that it was true, clearly visible in her sparkling blue eyes, in the passionate way that she made love to him. It was unimaginable and yet she was all his.
"Alright, I'm going to link our minds so I can try to flesh out all of the false memories Lex Luthor imprinted in your mind," J'onn calmly explained to her. "It shouldn't cause any physical pain, but if it becomes too much to bear just tell me and we'll stop."
Diana nodded her head, drawing a deep cleansing breath to prepare herself for the emotional onslaught that was about to bombard her. She could feel the gentle caress of J'onn's telepathic touch on her mind like a soft cool breeze drifting across her thoughts.
J'onn was being extra careful with her, first and foremost because she was his close friend and second because he had heard from both Superman and Batman the traumatic invasion into her mind that she'd been forced to endure.
He began to probe her mind, slowly sifting through the memories both recent and ancient, detecting the ones that were created by Luthor by the internal grimacing that each of them invoked within her. He couldn't help but feel sorrow at the sheer intensity of her emotions that the false memories created within her, the fear and frustration, the immense anger and hurt.
Bruce finally stopped his pacing to silently stand behind her, his arms folded against the bat insignia emblazoned on his chest. His chiseled jaw was locked with utter helpless frustration as he watched J'onn wince with the painful things that he was finding in Diana's mind, the strain of it evident on his face as he worked to extract them.
He moved to stand beside Diana to find silent tears sliding down her cheeks. She was biting her bottom lip, fighting against the emotions storming inside her that J'onn was further stirring up, doing her best to stay in control.
Without a second thought, without worry or fear of someone possibly witnessing them, Bruce grabbed her hand, holding it tightly in his and lending her his silent strength and support.
He knew that Diana was strong and could handle anything that came her way, but there was a part of him that liked to think that she still needed him in some small way, wanted him there to lean on.
His heart lightened as she squeezed his hand in response, silently thanking him for being there for her as she held onto him as if he was her only salvation. And he would be because for her he'd give everything he had…even his life.
Diana relaxed somewhat with the feel of Bruce's gloved hand wrapped protectively around hers. As independent and self-sufficient as she had always believed herself to be, she found it surprisingly comforting to have someone actually there for her, who cared about her enough to stand with her even when she felt like she was in so many pieces right now.
And she knew that every one of her teammates would stand with her, be there to fight alongside her, but there was just something different about it being Bruce…her Bruce. She knew that he would be there to catch her when she fell. He had always been there and she knew that he always would be.
She tried to stifle the sudden cry of anguish that caught in her throat as darker more painful memories were once again resurrected by the Martian Manhunter, things that she was desperate to never see or relieve again.
Superman repeatedly beating her bloody and broken while she begged for him to stop, telling him that she was his friend…Batman tearing at her uniform with only dark hateful lust in his eyes before spinning her around and pinning her against the wall to take her, his actions inspiring terror not desire to spark deep within her.
J'onn couldn't help but gasp sharply at the sheer pain and brutality that had been inflicted on her in her mind and not by villains but by trusted colleagues, friends. He could think of no greater betrayal than to believe her friends or that the one that she loved above all else had turned against her. It hardened his resolve to eliminate the madness from her mind for her, allow her the happiness with Bruce that she so deserved.
Diana tried her best to relax, but she couldn't stop the overwhelming fear and loneliness that was humming through her body as she watched those false moments in time playing out in her mind. She heard a faint grunt of pain coming from the Caped Crusader standing next to her and immediately realized that she was probably close to breaking his hand.
She quickly relaxed her hold on him, brushing her thumb soothingly against the back of his gloved hand in an unspoken apology. Bruce released the breath that he'd been subconsciously holding, concerned that she was going to accidently break his hand, but he had refused to let go of her, refused to let her endure this alone.
If she crushed every bone in his hand so be it. It would eventually heal in time, but right now his biggest concern was mending her heart.
Diana had already begun to repair a small part of his heart, filling the dark void inside with her beautiful light that shone brighter than the sun and a passion that blazed even hotter. Now, he was determined to do the same for her, healing the broken parts that Luthor and the Joker had caused with their wicked scheme to take down the Justice League.
The Justice League was more than just the three of them, running far deeper and wider with a mutual determination cemented in the belief that justice and peace must be upheld against the face of perversion and evil. The League would go on long after they were all gone…he had no doubts about that.
A soft sensual murmur of his name from the Amazon Princess's lips pulled him from his thoughts. He knelt down beside her chair, his gaze intently studying her face. He was somewhat taken aback by the sudden peaceful expression that veiled her face, replacing the heart-wrenching ache and fear that had just been there.
He watched with fascination as her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, no doubt a particularly intimate moment spent with him rising to the surface now as well.
"Keep it clean, Princess," he softly teased her, his mouth suddenly against the shell of her ear. "I'm the only one who gets to see what's hidden beneath that sexy uniform."
Diana felt her insides flush with his words, the flutter in the pit of her stomach suddenly turning from dread to hot need that demanded to be quenched. His deep voice never ceased to stir her desire, the ache inside of her to have that mouth of his on her…
"Diana…focus…" J'onn's chiding voice filtered through her brain, a tinge of amusement coloring his words.
"Right…sorry, J'onn…" Diana responded to his prodding thought.
Bruce couldn't hide the smirk that rose to his lips as he watched the rosy flush of Diana's cheeks suddenly deepen to a bright red that spread to her chest, her breath catching in her throat. He could only guess at what thoughts had suddenly risen in her mind with his words or the remark that J'onn had made to her.
He watched as her brow quickly furrowed in determination, her cheeks still wet with her tears as she forced herself to focus once more on the daunting task at hand. He would be so relieved when this process was finally over and she was free once and for all.
XXX
Standing on the rooftop of a building, Diana studied the desolate streets of Gotham, the darkly cloaked Batman standing silently at her side. They had been there for nearly an hour, neither speaking, each deeply absorbed in their own thoughts.
It had been a long day spent with J'onn, removing the insidious memories that had corrupted her mind. After several long hours, J'onn had finally decided to stop, both of them exhausted and needing a break to process everything that had taken place, promising to meet again tomorrow afternoon if she was up to it.
Bruce had taken her to room on the Watchtower to sleep for a while, tucking her into bed with a kiss full of promise of much more to come later. She had grabbed hold of his hand as he had tried to leave, trying to entice him to stay with her as her eyelids grew heavier, a murmured plea on her lips.
Unfortunately, it had been his turn for monitor duty, forcing him to leave his sleeping beauty by herself. He had brushed his lips against her temple, his fingers stroking through her hair before finally turning the lights off to leave her to some much needed rest.
She had been awaken by the feel of those same lips against hers several hours later, teasing her senses awake and stirring her desire for him all over again. He had taken her by surprise then, inviting her to come on patrol with him.
It still amazed her that he was allowing her…a Meta…to be in 'his city' on patrol with him now. It went against everything that he'd ever dictated about Gotham and the Justice League, the two never to cross no matter how dire the circumstances. This was definitely a big step for him and especially in their relationship and she didn't take it for granted for one second.
Diana cast a furtive glance at her handsome teammate, her lover. His steely gaze was locked solely on the quiet street below, his defined jaw clenching and unclenching. She could tell that his mind was working through something, scrutinizing and breaking something down to see the finer minuscule points that no one ever paid attention to but him.
But that was part of what made him so brilliant, so superior at what he did.
She suddenly found herself lost to sensual thoughts of what she'd like to do to that jaw of his that drove her absolutely wild, to nip and tease with her mouth as they drove each other crazy with a need so overwhelming that either one could hardly catch their breath.
Focus, she mentally chided herself. There would be time for that later. Now, she needed to be at her best. She didn't want to let the Batman, or Bruce, down tonight. She wanted to make him pleased that he had invited her out here with him, not regretting the decision and banishing her from accompanying him any future patrols.
She squared her shoulders, pulling curly locks of hair that had abruptly cut across her face with the wind, hooking them behind her ear as she patiently waited with the Dark Knight. She fought the overwhelming urge to make conversation, not wanting to distract him when he knew that he needed to focus.
They had talked little since he had waken her in her room on the Watchtower, his brooding silence making her wonder as to what he was thinking so hard about. Had something happened while she had been asleep, something that had upset him?
"Stay sharp," he suddenly muttered, tapping his earpiece.
Diana glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, curious as to whether he was actually talking to her one of his teammates over his commlink. His hand slipped to his utility belt, pulling his grappling gun free before shooting it towards the building across the street.
"Keep up, Princess," he rasped. "I have a present for you that should be arriving any moment now."
Diana turned sharply to fully look at him only to be staring at the now empty space where he had just been. She quickly took off, following the black billowing cape that was rapidly disappearing into the dark shadows of the night.
Curious, she stayed close to her colleague, her anxious gaze searching for signs of trouble lurking within the mysterious silhouettes that hid the evils of Gotham from obvious sight. She would be prepared, prove herself a worthy partner in every aspect of his life, from twilight until dawn and everything in between.
Batman suddenly came to a stop outside a small rundown house in the slums of Gotham, the decidedly seedy part of the city over-ripe with lawlessness where Diana was positive even some of the most hardened of criminals feared to tread.
She landed soundlessly beside the Dark Knight, her hands finding her hips and determination set in her jaw. Batman cast a sidelong glance at her, an appreciative expression on his cowled face. His heart stuttered at her beauty, the wind whipping her raven tendrils giving an even fiercer air about her, one that only served to turn him on even more.
He could tell that she was doing her best to try and impress him, but she didn't need to worry. She had fully impressed him long ago and every encounter with her since had only cemented his respect for her even more, leading to the profound love for her that pulsated hotly through his veins now.
"Your present awaits, Princess," he smirked something devilish at her, his hand gesturing for her to enter first.
Diana stared at him for a long moment, incredulous about what was going on. She finally turned away from him, making her way to a house that appeared to be completely deserted. Approaching the door, she turned the handle and opened it, finding a dozen large tattooed men sitting around a table playing cards.
Stunned, they all stood to their feet, their hands going for their guns only to suddenly begin to back away at the site of the menacing bat looming larger than life in the doorway behind her. Some growled while others' mouths fell open, some trying to decide whether to risk an escape or to try to fight their way out of here.
Diana took a threatening step towards the men only to come to an abrupt stop when a back door suddenly opened, the Joker walking into the room. His face froze in shock at the site of Wonder Woman and the Batman standing there in the middle of his secret hide-out.
A large smile broke across her face as her heated gaze fell upon the second half of the living nightmare she'd been forced to endure. Her hands instantly curled into fists bent on extracting a little revenge before handing over what was left of him to the Gotham Police Department.
She immediately strode towards the men, her eyes locked solely on her target. The Joker began backing up, stumbling over his feet in an effort to make an escape and falling into the doorframe.
"Don't just stand there, you nitwits!" the Joker screamed. "Get them!"
Batman swiftly moved into action, his batarang flying and disarming one henchman after another, drawing all of their attention on himself. "What do you say we let the little lady here have a heart-to-heart talk with your boss why you guys chat with me?" the Batman's gravelly voice rang through the room.
The Joker's henchmen recovered from their initial shock, storming towards the Dark Knight as Wonder Woman stalked towards the Joker who ran like the coward he was into the other room, barring the door closed behind him.
Her fist punched through the wooden door as if it had been made of paper, pulling it back through and ripping the door off of its hinges before tossing it aside. She entered the room and earning a blood-curdling scream from the Joker as her fist connected with his face.