Chapter 27

They walked in comfortable silence back to the Batmobile that was waiting for them in a dark deserted alley several blocks away. The night sky above was blanketed with millions of stars shining down upon them and sparkling just as brightly as the Princess's cobalt eyes Bruce decided.

It felt as if his parents were somehow looking down upon them, giving their silent approval of the choices that he had recently made, giving their blessing on his decision to finally allow this beautiful, amazing woman into his life. He couldn't help but smile to himself with the thought that warmed his heart.

Bruce knew that his parents would've loved Diana, welcoming her into the family with open arms and open hearts as if she'd always been a part of their lives. And in a small way, it almost felt as if she had always been a part of his life. The notion of her had been planted deep within his heart long before her unexpected arrival into Man's World and rocking his own world, though he had been loath to admit it at the time.

Diana's radiant presence completed him in a way that had never even expected, taking him by surprise and making him feel as though he had finally found his way home in her. Only an Amazonian Princess as amazing as her could have done something like that to the reclusive Batman.

He couldn't help the sense of quiet peace that pervaded him at that moment, knowing that ultimately Diana was the reason. He was relieved that he had finally been able to find the Joker, allowing her the chance at some much needed retribution. It had turned out to be the perfect night in every way imaginable, surprising him.

He had always sworn to himself that he would never allow any member of the Justice League into his city or a certain Amazon Princess to accompany him on patrol. He had vehemently declared on numerous occasions that the two would never cross paths.

Of course, he had also sworn to himself that he would never fall in love with a teammate let alone pursue a relationship with one. And yet, he had. Somehow, though, it had just seemed right tonight, comfortable in a familiar sort of way.

They had always worked very well together, teaming up on missions and tackling villains with an equal passion and tenacity for justice. They were so in sync at times it was uncanny, almost reading each other's minds instinctively and working as if they were one.

They had been the perfect partners along without him even realizing it at the time or refusing to admit it. Recognizing it had meant acknowledging the passion that teemed inside his heart for her and he had feared having to face it.

But now they were developing a true partnership in every way imaginable.

Glancing at the Amazon walking beside him, Bruce was awestruck by the warm glow that seemed to encompass her as a sudden breeze gently blew a lock of ebony hair across her beautiful face. She thoughtfully pulled it away from her face and tucked it behind her ear, completely unaware of the utter sexiness that she exuded or the way she so deeply affected him.

He ached to run his fingers through her long silky hair, loving the feel of it in his hands as he kissed her, the way her lips readily responded to his. He had never known that beneath the beautiful sweet naivety lay an equally innocent seductress who could create such unadulterated passion and lust within him like he'd never known.

Watching her now, he could tell that Diana's mind was miles away, making him wonder what was occupying her thoughts. Were the fabricated memories still lingering in the dark recesses of her mind, fighting to take over again?

Maybe letting her take in the Joker hadn't been the right decision after all, conjuring up bad memories all over again. He had hoped to provide her the necessary resolution to a horrifying experience that he knew she needed, allowing her a measure of power over a situation that had stripped her of all control.

They turned down the alley to the waiting car that would take them home, his worry for her beginning to stir with her silence. He walked to the passenger side of the Batmobile, opening the door for her and stepping aside to let her in.

Batman looked up at her when she didn't get in to find her standing there staring at him, the sultry look in her eyes instantly heating his blood. The distance between them wasn't great, but it suddenly wasn't nearly close enough for his liking.

Before he knew it, Diana was closing the distance between them, her lips crashing into his as she turned and pinned him against the Batmobile. He quickly responded, kissing her back with equal fervor, plundering her mouth with his tongue as his hands roamed over her back.

She ground her hips against him, letting him know how desperate she was to have him right then, surrounded by the menacing shadows of his depraved city. In that moment, their love shone in that alley like a dazzling diamond in a filthy dark coalmine.

Finally retreating for air, Diana pressed her forehead against his cowled face, the soft panting of her breath against his skin setting his heart to pounding harder than it already was. Her nearness was driving him positively wild.

"Thank you," she softly murmured, kissing him deeply once more.

"For what?" he asked, his hands settling firmly on her hips.

"For this…being in your city on patrol with you," she explained, keeping him close. "For allowing me to bring down the Joker."

Bruce smiled softly, pleased with her words. It hadn't been as hard as he thought it was going to be allowing her to accompany him on his nightly patrol. It somehow felt right…natural, as if she had always belonged at his side.

"I'm so sorry for all that you had to go through the last several weeks," he told her, unable to keep from touching her hair any longer as his hands buried themselves in the silken strands. "I wish you had never been hurt by the Akusu or Luthor and the Joker. I should've…"

Diana swiftly silenced him with her lips, her tongue sliding sensually against his before pulling back. "Don't," she whispered, her nose nuzzling against his. "I'd do all over again because it meant I got you in the end."

Stunned by her confession, all Bruce could do was stare deeply into her gorgeous blue eyes, the truth of her words shining brightly back at him. Shame swiftly washed over him, causing his throat to clench painfully. It had taken Diana almost dying in order for him to finally face what he had refused to acknowledge for so long.

Swallowing hard, he lowered his head, unable to meet her penetrating gaze. "Diana," he managed to choke out, shaking his head in regret. "I'm sorry it took nearly losing you forever for me to finally face what my heart had been telling me for years."

"It's alright," she reassured him, her fingers tracing his chiseled jaw and forcing him to meet her eyes. "We're together now and that's all that matters to me. You're mine now and I'm not going to let you go or let you try to push me away."

"I don't know what I ever did to deserve you, Princess," he sighed, trying to rein in the overwhelming emotions that she always seemed to stir within him.

"You're an amazing man," she told him, brushing her lips lightly against his. "Don't sell yourself so short."

"You're pretty amazing yourself you know," he smirked at her.

"Let's go home and I'll show you just how amazing I can be," she leaned up to whisper seductively in his ear.

A low growl vibrated deep in his chest as he gripped her bottom, pulling her hard against him. She kissed him again, nipping at his lower lip before sucking gently on it, finding herself more than anxious to return to the Manor herself.

XXX

Diana smiled to herself, lazing in the sense of accomplishment that permeated her very being as they returned to Wayne Manor. Trees lining the road became nothing more than a dark blur as they sped home, leaving Gotham behind and more than anxious to continue what she had started in the alley.

She had not only been able to burn the midnight hours patrolling Gotham with the elusive Batman, but she had been able to apprehend the Joker, he and his men wrapped like a present and awaiting pick up by the Gotham PD. She'd even managed to leave the Joker in one piece…for the most part.

It had been just about the best gift that Bruce could have ever given her, allowing her to be the one to apprehend one half of the scheming duo who had kidnapped her, tormented her and twisted her mind against her best friends.

It had brought her a certain sense of closure that she had been lacking the last few days even if Lex Luthor was still on the loose somewhere. Clark had been unable to locate him as of yet, Lex likely having gone deep underground into hiding until everything had blown over. He would no doubt eventually reenter society, disavowing any knowledge of what had happened to her and smelling like the rose that the Justice League knew he was anything but.

And yet, Diana couldn't keep the contentment she felt humming inside from touching her lips as the moonlight filtered through the windows of the Batmobile. Staring out at the beauty of the early morning hours just before dawn, she found herself more than content, happier than she had ever been.

The loneliness that had once occupied her life had been completely banished by Bruce's love for her, making her feel wholly a part of Man's World now in every way instead of just a lost stranger in a strange world that she was still struggling at times to grow accustomed to.

He had managed to anchor her in a way that she hadn't even realized that she had truly needed. She was more than just a powerful Amazon Princess from Themyscira, more than just a founding member of the elite Justice League.

She had another identity now, one that she almost cherished above all the others. She was actually someone's lover.

And it wasn't just any man that she had fallen in love with and loved her in return…it was the cold, detached Batman. It was Bruce Wayne, the man who had so brutally lost his parents as a little boy, forever sealing off his heart and sealing his fate as the future Dark Knight of Gotham so long ago.

It still amazed her that she had managed to capture the heart of a man who everyone thought incapable of love, incapable of feeling anything but bitterness and pain and anger.

But Diana had known better. She'd been able to see past the brusque exterior and arrogance, the cold detachment and fierce determination that spoke of his sole purpose and focus on his Gotham. She was unafraid and unabashed in the face of his rudeness and occasional cruelty, discovering that his actions spoke louder than his cutting words.

She had seen that his heart, though broken and in dire need of repair, had been bigger than anyone she knew because of his dedication and absolute resolve to sacrifice himself for his city night after night with little or no recognition.

She had discovered a man worth the daunting challenge and more than worthy of her love, a formidable warrior with a compassion that rivaled even Eleos. She had also discovered a man who was very much like her in so many ways, making her anxious to learn even more about him.

Out of the corner of her eye, Diana saw Bruce punch a couple of buttons on the mini-computer in the Batmobile, wondering who he could be contacting at this hour of the morning. It would be another couple of hours before dawn's imminent arrival.

Bruce unexpectedly reached over then, stealing her hand and lacing his gloved fingers through hers as the dark outline of Wayne Manor sitting on a hill began to come into view in the distance. She slowly turned to look at him, a soft smile playing on her lips and a look of love dancing in her eyes that swiftly heated his blood once more. He suddenly found he couldn't get home quick enough.

Racing towards home, he couldn't help the growing excitement inside, hoping that Diana would enjoy the surprise that awaited her. He honestly didn't know how he'd ever survive in life without Alfred's help.

Pulling into the Batcave, Bruce parked the Batmobile and climbed out, making his way around the car to open Diana's door to find her already climbing out. If Alfred had taught him anything in life, it was proper manners and how to treat a lady.

He quickly captured her hand, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as he pulled his cowl off and tossed it on the desk before swiftly leading her to the stairs. She happily followed, ready for some private time with him alone in his bed.

Something in his sudden eagerness, though, caught her attention, piquing her curiosity. "What are you up to?" she finally asked as he led her up the stairs and into the Manor.

"You'll see," he mysteriously replied as he tightened his grip on her hand, refusing to divulge anything yet.

Diana smiled at his sudden playfulness, wondering just what the Dark Knight could be up to. He'd already hand-delivered the Joker to her and she already knew where tonight's activities were going to lead them next, but she couldn't imagine what he was up to now.

Coming up the stairs, she noticed Alfred heading back down, dressed in his robe and a grin lighting his face. She watched as he nodded his head at Bruce before bestowing her with a beaming smile.

"Good night, Miss Diana," he pleasantly greeted her on his way back to bed.

She couldn't for the life of her begin to figure out what Bruce had concocted with the obvious help of Alfred. "Bruce, what are you…"

Bruce suddenly stopped outside his bedroom door, scooping her up in his arms and kissing her passionately, thoroughly silencing her questions. Her arms slid around his neck, grasping the nape as she deepened the kiss.

He toed the door open as he carried her inside, turning to kick it closed before locking it. He took her by surprise when he bypassed his large bed and carried her directly into his enormous bathroom.

Entering, she gasped at what she found waiting for them. Red rose petals created a velvety carpet on the tile floor as steam rose from the bathtub full of bubbles. Next to it was a bucket of ice with a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. Candles of every shape and size were scattered here and there throughout the bathroom creating a positively romantic glow.

Bruce studied her beautiful face as she watched her drink it all in, more than pleased with the awestruck expression that veiled it. He gently set her down on the floor, his arm wrapping around her shoulders and pulling her close against his body.

"Like it?" he whispered in her ear.

Unable to form a coherent thought at that moment, Diana slowly nodded her head as she stared at the romantic scene before her. "But what…why?"

Bruce chuckled softly at her loss of words, turning her to face him again. "You were too sick to remember the first time we took a bath together and I promised you that we'd do it again," he told her as he bent down and lifted first one leg to remove her boot and then the other. "I wanted this time to be one you'd never forget."

Stunned, Diana could hardly think straight over the hammering in her heart with the love for this man that she felt flooding her. She took in the beauty of the bathroom as he removed his cape, his boots following and ending up in the growing heap of clothes on the floor as he continued undressing her too.

She shivered at the feel of his hands running lightly down her arms and removing the last of her uniform before reaching up to remove her tiara. He carefully set it on the bathroom counter, knowing how much it meant to her.

Turning her attention to the now nude chiseled form before her, Diana slowly ran her hand down his chest, lightly tracing each scar earned in battle, each dip and curve of his defined muscles that even the most talented of gods couldn't have been able to carve out of stone to this perfection.

Bruce's eyes fell closed as he grasped her shoulders, allowing her to explore his body all over again, her lips softly brushing against his. His hands slid up her slender neck and into her raven hair, wrapping the tendrils around his fingers and holding onto her for dear life as she softly grasped his hardened length.

He firmly planted his feet on the ground, his toes nearly curling into rose petals and the hard tile floor beneath in an effort to not lose control as she gently stroked him, her tongue sliding across his as her hand slid over his hot skin.

He was hard like steel and soft as velvet in her hand, making her throat go dry with a need so hot and demanding it was making her knees weak. She wanted to feel that steel buried deep inside of her, to hear her name as a breathless moan on his lips once more.

Unable to stand it another moment, Bruce grasped her hips and lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his waist before turning and pinning her roughly against the wall. Diana gasped as he bucked against her, showing her exactly what she did to him just by being his Princess.

Her fingers snaked into his hair, tugging on the short strands as he ravished her mouth before suddenly thrusting deep inside of her. They both groaned with the sudden connection, of bodies joining and becoming one.

He began to drive into her as he kissed and nipped along her neck, the passion that had began as a spark now rising into an inferno as they made love in the quiet of his bathroom. Sweat began to glisten on their bodies as they moved, the air filled with the heady scent and sounds of their love making.

Panting, Diana arched her back, moaning something so sinful Bruce nearly came undone right there. He pressed his forehead against her shoulder as he continued to pump into her with wild abandon now, the ecstasy beginning to take over pounding through his system in a way it never had before.

Making love with her had always been incredible, better than anything that he had ever experienced in his entire life, but this was different somehow now – stronger, more passionate than ever before, binding them even closer than before and consuming his heart.

Diana suddenly came with a cry of his name, her fingernails raking over his back and propelling him right over the edge with her as he emptied himself deep within her heat. He turned his head, kissing her slowly, passionately as he held her trembling form close to him.

"I love you, Princess," he whispered so sweetly in her ear it caused a shiver to race up her spine.

Body sated and humming with euphoria, Diana smiled softly as she captured his mouth and kissed him again. "I love you too, my Dark Knight," she murmured against his lips.

Wrapping her up tightly in his arms, he carried her over to the waiting bathtub, anxious to continue this in the water. He knew this time would be so much better than the last.