Bruce opened his eyes and felt some weight on his chest. He looked down, and he smiled. Diana was still asleep. Her raven black hair covered most of her face and only her lips were visible. Lips slightly parted and light snores were sights and sounds he had grown so used to in the last few months. With his right hand, he brought it to her face and brushed his thumb against her bottom lip. He smiled again.

After John left to pursue Shayera, Bruce and Diana had just stared after him in shock. They had been prepared to go out on a date, another secret kept from the League. Alone with Diana, he was met with an accusing glare. Instead of going to the posh restaurant he had reservations at; he took Diana to his study where he knew she would want answers. "What the hell was that?" Diana shot at Bruce.

"It was…an unplanned event."

"Bruce." She said his name in an exasperated voice. She sat down on one of the couches. "Please, tell me the truth."

And so, Bruce let his walls come down. It had taken Diana ages to get through them. To Bruce's dismay, he found that once she was in, she could find her way back just by changing the tone of her voice and the look in her eyes.

"…I got her the job and when she wanted to move out, I helped her too." Bruce had finished his story. By this time, Diana was lying on the couch and Bruce had lain beside her with his head on her chest, her fingers going through his black hair. All throughout his story, Diana had not said one word. Now that he was done, her questions came out.

"Those men," The hate in her voice evident. "They…attacked her. Humiliated her. How could they?" Her hands had started trembling in rage. Bruce got up and looked into her eyes.

"Diana." He took ahold of her hands. "Please, calm down. It's in the past. She's over it."

Her shaking stopped and she took her hands from his and used one hand to cup his face. "You are an honorable man. Worthy of the Gods." She kissed his forehead. "A hero."

Bruce closed his eyes. "I'm no hero." The words had pained him as memories flashed back. Two gunshots, white pearls and death.

Diana recognized the pained expression. "There was nothing you could do." She spoke to him softly. In the way she had learned to in order to get him out of his horrible memories.

He nodded and a tear slipped out. Abruptly, he stood up and moved away from her. She sighed and let her hands fall. The walls were closing again. Soon, the Bat would be back. Not wanting the inevitable to happen again, Diana stood after him and wrapped her arms around his waist and burrowed her face in his back.

"Please Bruce, don't shut me out. Let me in."

She felt, more than heard, his deep sigh. "You know me better than anyone." He turned around and kissed his princess with all the passion he possessed.

"Wake up." He spoke softly and his companion began to stir. Bruce chuckled and one of his rare smiles graced his face. Eyes as blue and deep as the most amazing ocean opened and looked up at him.

Then they closed as Diana grabbed the sheets, pulled them over her head, and turned away from him. "Nooooo." She groaned. "Can't you sleep in today? Aren't you the boss? Tell them you're staying home."

Again, Bruce chuckled. "Oh Diana. You know I would love that, but we both have places we need to be."

Diana leaned up on her elbows and prepared to speak. Bruce watched as the sheet went down her back, revealing the smooth, perfect skin that he had long grown accustomed to. He leaned over to her and began to kiss her back. She moaned in appreciation and hung her head. "Bruce. If you want me to leave so we can go on with our daily routines-" She stopped as she felt his teeth graze her skin. "Oh Hera, Bruce. Don't tease me."

With one last kiss, Bruce got out of bed. "You're right. We need to go." He looked at the clock beside his bed. "As a matter of fact, I should've been arriving at the office."

Diana smiled. She turned on her side and propped her head up. "I think I'm going to stay here for a little bit. I'm sure Alfred won't mind."

Bruce chuckled then went over to her. "I'll see you later Princess." He kissed her forehead.

Diana closed her eyes. "As Batman or Bruce?"

"Whoever I need to be." He walked away from her and began to get ready for the day. All he had to do was attend a few meetings, meet with a reporter, and see Shayera. After John, who knows what trouble she'll get in to.

She was naked. She could feel the light breeze from an open window and could see the sunshine peeking through what seemed like a curtain. Panic began to set in. Had she been attacked again? She opened her eyes. Bad idea. She cringed in pain from the light. No. She wasn't attacked. Slowly, the memories from last night played in her head.

John.

He had come here. She had been drinking, and they talked. Apparently that wasn't all they did.

"Oh God."

She brought her hands up to her closed eyes. The bedroom door opened and she heard faltering steps.

"Shayera? I brought some breakfast."

She adjusting her fingers and saw John. He stood close by the door holding a tray. Form her position on the bed; she could only see a tall glass of orange juice on it.

She sat up. The sheets fell from her body and remained on her lap. She heard his sharp intake of breath but ignored it. Last night, he probably hadn't noticed them. They last time they were together, she made sure the lights were off before any clothing was removed. Her body was covered in scars. There was no denying that. Scars from her war on her planet, scars from the invasion, and scars from her trauma 8 months ago. She hid them from him because they would bring questions, now, she couldn't care less.

"About last night…"

"No." She looked up at John. "Don't tell me it was a mistake." He set the tray on a table and sat on the other side of the bed. Not sitting towards her though, his back almost faced hers. "I love you Shayera. Nothing's changed that."

They sat in silence for a little, neither knowing what to say. This had happened abruptly. Shayera broke the silence.

"I'm sorry."

When John looked at her, she was already up and picking out clothes for work. "Wait."

She turned pivoted and gave him an icy glare. "This happened. We both know that and there's no denying it. This isn't right." He opened his mouth to protest but she went on. "No! I can't do this. I want you to go home and forget this. Forget me."

She left the room and shut herself in her bathroom. She took her shower and prepared for work. Even though she was late, way late, she didn't care. Once she was finished in the bathroom, she dashed into the living room, grabbed her keys and her bag, and flew out the door. Revving her engine, she prepared to leave. She didn't know if John was still inside, but she wasn't going to find out. She hit the gas and the tires squealed as she sped away.

At work, Shayera was greeted with a "What the fuck?" look from Katie. She sighed and went straight to her desk and began logging on to her computer. Katie wasn't going to let her off that easily.

Thankfully, Katie had the decency to speak with a low tone. She leaned close to Shayera. "What the hell happened last night?"

"Nothing."

Katie scoffed. "Like I'm going to believe that." She grew serious. "It was bad wasn't it?"

Shayera stopped typing and stared blankly at her screen. "I…" She took a deep breath and as she was about to speak, she saw Bruce walk in. "I'll tell you later."

She got up and followed Bruce into his office.

"Ms. Hall, sorry I'm running late." When Shayera closed his office door and leaned against it, giving him an angry look, he dropped all pretenses. "How was your night Shayera?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You asshole. Look, I need a favor." She strolled over and sat down in one of the two chairs in front of Bruce's desk. Leaning back, she kicked up her feet. "I need you to get John away from me."

"I would have thought that you would be happy."

Shayera grimaced. "I can't let him be around me. He needs to go on with his life. Without me. I'm not going back."

"There's nothing I can do. He's been looking for you ever since you left. I've been expecting his rage anytime now. Now that he's found you, he's going to make sure he never loses you again."

Shayera stood up and began to walk away. "Tell him to stay away. I don't care what it takes. Nothing more can happen."

"Nothing more?"

Shayera cursed under her breath. With her hand on the door, she spoke softly. "I won't hurt him again. Help me Bruce."

He nodded. "I'll try, but I probably won't be able to help."

Feeling lower than she had ever felt before, Shayera sat back at her desk and finished logging on. Katie was seated at her desk but made no move to go to Shayera. Good. Shayera thought.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Katie and Shayera stayed at their desks. Really, they had no reason to be there for Bruce had left earlier due to some unplanned event. He had rushed out of his office with an annoyed expression. Shayera deduced that there was a League issue. When lunch came around, Shayera decided that it was just better to stay home. Katie had argued against it, but Shayera didn't feel like listening to anyone. At home, she was glad to see that John had left. In her room, she saw a note on her pillow. It was short and only said two words.

I'm sorry.

Shayera stared at the words until the letters seemed to blur together. Her head began to hurt and her heart began to hurt in a way that it hadn't hurt since the invasion. Ignoring life, Shayera stripped her clothing and her little device and dove into her bed.

While Shayera was in the shower, John had quickly scrawled out a note and left it on her pillow. He knew she didn't want him there. He assumed that she would leave without even seeing him. So, after the note was written, John left. With no idea what to do with himself, John went home. It seemed the same as it did every day. Cold. Empty. Nothing like it had been when Shayera was here and his heart was still in one piece. But it didn't help. John couldn't get Shayera out of his head. What they did last night had been amazing.

But it was wrong.

It was wrong because Shayera was drunk. It was wrong because she didn't want him there. He needed to talk to someone. His first thought was Wally, but John knew that Shayera would have his head if he told anyone. So, thoughts of Bruce came. After hours of sitting at home and debating on calling Bruce, John made up his mind. He called Bruce.

Bruce was annoyed, but what was new? He had been sitting at a little café in Gotham waiting. Bruce had wanted to meet here instead of going to Detroit. John didn't mind. He was on leave for a little anyways. When Bruce strolled up to him, John chuckled at the sight of his annoyed expression.

"Hey Bruce."

"What do you want?"

John leaned back with a fake pained expression. He put his hand over his heart. "You wound me Bruce. I just wanted to have some time with a friend of mine."

He narrowed his eyes. "I know this isn't a social call. Something happened. I know."

"How mad is she?"

Bruce turned and waved over a waitress and ordered a drink. Then he faced John. "She wants you gone."

John looked away. "I can't let her go. You know that." He gave Bruce a sharp glance. "You've already talked to her. Right? So you know what happened."

Bruce gave nothing away. He his face was impassive and he looked bored. "What you and her did is none of my business. I'm not her protector and neither are you. I've done all I can for her and-"

"Why did you help her? What do you gain?" John cut him off.

"I helped her for my own reasons."

The two men glared at each other for a few minutes before Bruce stood up. "This was a waste of time and you know it. Leave her be. She doesn't want any contact with you."

John felt his blood boil. "But she wants you?" He demanded.

"You idiot." Bruce said through clenched teeth. "I'm sure she told you why she doesn't want you around. Do everyone a favor and listen to her."

John watched as Bruce walked away. He thought as he did. Maybe Bruce was right. Staying here while she's so close, it killed him. Especially since she didn't want to see him. Did she even have the right to tell him to stay away?

Would he listen?

No. No he wouldn't.