Diana walked in when Alfred moved aside allowing her access. "I hope you don't mind Bruce." She said as she approached the bed. "I called Alfred earlier and asked if you were allowed to have visitors."
Bruce looked over towards his butler who was standing as still and proper as he normally would, not even flinching under his master's heated glare. While Bruce was unable to use his arms or legs, the glare had certainly not faded. Diana smirked upon seeing that glare once again. "I see the situation hasn't changed your outlook." She commented as she gently sat on the bed next to Bruce. "It's nice to know that there's another person that's unaffected from your glares."
Bruce's eyes moved back over to look at his guest. "You're not here to try and change my mind on resigning are you?"
"Hera Bruce." Diana replied. "I might be immortal, but even that wouldn't be enough time to convince you to change your mind."
Bruce groaned at hearing the joke pointed at his expense. He tried to keep his focus, but the pain medication made it difficult to keep his thoughts in order. He was already becoming exhausted just from the short conversation with Diana. She leaned forward giving Bruce a closer examination before she pulled out a USB drive and held it out in front of him. "I brought you the information that you requested." She said. "I know it's too soon, but I also wanted to check up on you."
"Why?" He asked.
"At first I wouldn't have been able to explain it myself Bruce." Diana answered. "But after thinking things through, even though I'm still angry with you I also still think of you as a friend. Friends should do things such as check up on one another shouldn't they?"
"I wouldn't know." Bruce responded. "Batman doesn't have the luxury of friends, and Bruce Wayne only has rich socialite parasites that follow him around." He then looked over at Alfred. "Would you bring me my laptop Alfred? I may as well make myself useful."
Alfred nodded and departed to retrieve the laptop for Bruce. While he knew that Bruce shouldn't be working on anything, he also believed that Diana wouldn't let him go too far or too long without rest. By the time he'd retrieved the laptop and returned Diana had situated herself in a manner that the laptop could be held by her and Bruce would be able to see the screen easily. He gave her the laptop and input the password so that she could maneuver with it. Diana stuck in the USB and began opening files for Bruce to review. She leaned back against the headboard, using a spare pillow to keep her as comfortable as she could. She didn't want to force Bruce to move around anymore than necessary.
As Bruce worked through the first few files, Diana began to absentmindedly run her fingers through his hair. He paused for a moment when she first started, but then realized Diana wasn't even aware that she was doing it, so he focused back on the files displayed on the computer screen. He didn't know how long Diana would be able or willing to stay and he wanted to get to as much information as he possibly could. However barely half an hour had passed when the weight of his eyelids overtook him and brought him into a deep slumber.
Diana stayed there quietly looking over Bruce as he slept peacefully with her next to him. A small smile grew on her face as she watched him sleep. When she was certain he wouldn't wake up, she slowly moved the laptop off of her and placed it onto the nightstand beside the side of the bed she was sitting on. She stayed there for a few more minutes before she began to slowly slide off of the bed, being careful not to disturb him. As she started to walk away from the bed, she could hear Bruce mumbling something. She began to wonder if he was waking up, and she returned to the bedside for a closer inspection, but he was mumbling something while he slept. Diana couldn't quite make out what it was that Bruce was saying, but he had a content look on his face that caused her to smile. She sent out a silent prayer to her gods to let Bruce have a peace filled slumber before she left the bedside again and headed out of the bedroom. She went down the stairs and walked around seeking out Alfred until she could make out some noises that sounded like a conversation between two people. As she got closer she could make out that Alfred was one of the two speaking, and he was talking to a female.
Diana continued quietly approaching the other two as they continued to talk to each other. She listened to the conversation taking place as she continued to get closer. "I'm sorry miss." She heard Alfred say. "Master Bruce simply isn't available at the moment."
"He would certainly make an exception for me if you would let him know that I'm here." The woman responded. "I demand you let me speak with him."
Diana wasn't about to let Bruce be disturbed while he was resting, and she decided to walk into the foyer where Alfred and this woman was and put a stop to this. "What's going on Alfred?" Diana asked as the two people she appeared around the corner. Diana looked at the woman and noticed that she was a beautiful woman with long brunette hair that covered a portion of her face. She wasn't quite as tall as Diana, but the way she seemed to carry herself almost spoke as though she were royalty or at least believed herself to be.
When Diana spoke, both Alfred and Talia looked over to her. Talia was not happy to see this woman in the Manor. "And just who are you?" She seethed. "Has my beloved hired a maid service as well?"
"I am not a maid." Diana fired back. "My name is Diana. Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
"My name is Talia." The woman answered. "And I'm here to see Bruce." She turned back to Alfred. "Obviously he is permitting guests, though I cannot fathom why he would want to be associated with such a harlot." Venom was practically dripping from her every word as she pointed in Diana's direction.
Diana was becoming quite aggravated with this woman and her insulting words. "Bruce is resting at the moment." She stated with her hands clenched into fists at her side. "I will not allow you to disturb him until he is awake, and tells one of us that you are welcome here. So you can try another time….."
"I will do no such thing." Talia interrupted. She turned back to Alfred. "If what this woman says is true, then I will wait in the library until he is awake." She then stormed off towards the library, leaving Diana and Alfred in her wake.
Diana waited there until the woman was gone before she turned towards Alfred. "Just who was that?" She asked.
Alfred let out a calming sigh. "I'm afraid that is an old acquaintance of Master Bruce's." He answered.
"How close of an acquaintance is she?" Diana requested. "And why did she refer to Bruce as beloved earlier?"
Alfred paused for a moment until Diana began to glare at him. "There was a time where Miss Talia and Master Bruce were quite a bit closer than they are at the moment." Alfred responded. "If not for Miss Talia's familial issues, she might have been closer still with Master Bruce, but that was simply not meant to be."
Diana wasn't sure why, but she had a bad feeling about this woman. There was also a different feeling that she had just experienced. She wasn't sure how to describe the feeling, but this woman was the trigger for it and she was certain of that. Especially upon hearing Talia call Bruce her beloved. She was going to keep an eye on the woman until Bruce woke up so that he could decide if he wanted to see Talia or not. Diana took it upon herself to follow Talia into the library so that she could ensure that Talia didn't try anything funny until that time came as well.
The two women sat at different ends of the library with books in hand to keep them occupied. Diana made sure to remain close to the doorway so that Talia wouldn't be able to slip by unnoticed. She found some Shakespeare to keep her occupied as she took a seat in one of the lounge chairs and began to read the famous pieces of literature.
Talia was not taking much time in reading through any book that she picked out. She didn't like being made to wait. Especially with this tall and infuriating woman that seemed to refuse to stay away from her. And having to spend the better part of three hours in the same room with this woman was driving her crazy. She wondered if her beloved had bedded this woman, but that thought sickened her to her bones. She peered over the top of a book that she was holding and gave this other woman an appraising look. At a second glance, she concluded to herself that this woman simply wasn't the type that her beloved would keep with him as a party distraction. While the woman was beautiful, she was taller and much more muscular than any of the debutants that Bruce had paraded around in front of the cameras with before. Not to mention that her choice of attire did not do anything to say she came from riches. Perhaps she was a body guard for Bruce, not unlike the woman named Mercy was for another billionaire tycoon named Lex Luthor. She initially scoffed at that idea, which caused the woman to look up at her for a moment. Talia quickly averted her eyes back to the book in front of her, and after waiting a few moments she turned the page and glanced up again to see if the woman had returned to her own book. It was in that split second glance that something clicked for Talia. There was something very familiar about the woman sitting there. Talia placed her book back on one of the shelves and walked towards the other woman with an appraising look. She hadn't made but three steps, and the woman looked up and shut her book before standing up to block the doorway, placing her hands on her hips. That was all it took for recognition to kick in. "You're Wonder Woman." Talia stated matter of factly. "And being Wonder Woman while visiting Bruce Wayne indicates that you've figured out beloved's secret."
"Or he chose to tell me." Diana countered.
Talia shook her head. "You must think that I do not know my love very well if you think I'd believe for an instant that he would tell you his secret willingly." Diana knew she had a point there. Had she not discovered it on her own, Bruce very well might have always kept his secret from her or anyone else for that matter. Talia smirked in satisfaction as she continued on. "Bruce would never tell anyone about his nighttime activities. So how did you find out?"
Diana thought about not answering Talia. She clearly knew about Bruce being Batman, but Diana didn't know how she would have found out. If she and Bruce were ever lovers, then she knew that he wouldn't willingly tell anyone, did that include her as well? Talia chuckled as she walked over to a window and looked out at the Manor grounds. Diana decided to play along for the moment to see what she could discover herself about Talia without giving anything important away at the same time. "Recent events that weren't under his control allowed me to discover Bruce's secret." Diana answered. "And just how did you learn about it?"
Talia smiled at Diana. "He told me of course."
"Since you know that I'm Wonder Woman, you should also know that I'm a beacon of truth." Diana fired back with a frown and her arms now crossed in front of her chest. "I know that you're lying to me now, and if you prefer the hard way, I can easily get the lasso of truth and force the answers from you."
The smile on Talia's face drained into a small smirk at hearing that. "My father discovered Bruce's secret and infiltrated his cave to meet him." She conceded.
"Why would your father seek him out like that?" Diana asked.
"Father, like Bruce detests crime in this world and seeks to expunge it entirely." Talia explained. "He saw the same qualities in the manner with which the masked vigilante of Gotham City worked, and thought that the man would make an excellent heir to his empire. Father then orchestrated a kidnapping of Robin and myself so that he could test Batman. And beloved not only passed the test, but impressed my father as well. But when father made the offer to him, even with his love for me and my love for him, it wasn't enough to convince Bruce to join us. It was truly unfortunate. Beloved is quite the wonderful lover if you've been lucky enough to share a bed with him."
Diana tried to hide the anger that welled up inside her from the last comment Talia made, but knew that she had failed when she saw the smirk on Talia's face grow. "Then if he refused your offer, why are you here?" Diana questioned in an almost snarling growl.
"I've come to see if beloved is in fact harmed as I've been informed, and to offer him a seat next to me once again." Talia explained. "I may also have a solution for beloved if his injuries are severe and long lasting."
"Just one last question Talia." Diana said as she had heard enough about how this woman wanted Bruce to join her. "If Bruce chose to decline your father's offer, what does that say about the type of man your father is?"
Before Talia was able to answer, Alfred and Dick appeared in the doorway to the library. "Pardon me Miss Talia and Miss Diana, but Master Bruce is awake." He declared. Talia didn't waste a moment's time as she bolted around Diana and made her way to the staircase that led to the bedrooms. Diana was caught off guard by the look she noticed on Dick's face when he saw Talia in the room. It was an unwelcoming look, and appeared as though he was surprised that Talia had the nerve to be there. Diana was curious about why that would be and instead of following Talia up to the bedroom, she instead followed Dick as he went straight for the Batcave entrance.
When Bruce woke up, he was slightly disappointed to find that Diana had gone. As much as he hated to admit it, there was something about being around her that made him feel more at ease. Perhaps it was because she was the most powerful woman in the world and she was watching over him. That had to be what it was he'd convinced himself. It was with great surprise when he saw Talia burst through the bedroom door. "What are you doing here Talia?" Bruce asked as his guest as she slowed and walked into the bedroom before sitting next to him on the bed. Talia reached her hand over and cupped Bruce on the cheek as she gazed upon him warmly.
"I'm sorry to see you in such a state beloved." She said.
"You can thank your father for this." Bruce seethed. "Now answer my question."
"I missed you beloved." Talia answered. "Seeing you like this troubles me my love. I hope that I can now convince you to finally join me with my father and take your place as his rightful heir. The Lazarus pits can heal you of your injuries if you would join us. I beg of you to accept our offer. Then we could create this world in a model of peace."
"Have you dipped in the pits with your father Talia?" Bruce asked in a low growl. "You're starting to sound just like him with his delusions of grandeur."
Talia pulled her hand away from Bruce's face as though he had burned it. "Please beloved." She almost pleaded. "There is no stopping father this time. I only want what is best for you and I."
"Then you should have left Ra's to his own vices and stayed with me when you had the chance Talia." Bruce replied. "Any opportunity that we could've had to be happy together vanished by your willingness to follow the plans of a mad man as if you were a slave to your father's orders."
Talia lowered her head so that she was looking at her own lap. "I'm sorry that you feel this way beloved." She said with a saddened voice. "Know that I will always love you, no matter the consequences." Talia then looked Bruce in the eyes and slowly lowered her face closer to his. She watched carefully for any signs that he was uncomfortable. "You believe that, don't you beloved?" She asked as her lips paused just inches away from his. She still didn't see any response, positive or negative from him. She took that as a sign to continue and leaned the rest of the way in until her lips pressed gently against his own. She didn't deepen the kiss and neither did Bruce, but he also didn't make any attempt at telling her to stop so she continued kissing him gently for a few moments before finally pulling away. "I must go now my love. I will pray for a quick recovery and that you change your mind and come to be at my side, if not in this life then in the next."
Talia stood up and gave Bruce one last glance before she turned away and began to walk out of the room. She paused at the doorway for a moment and Bruce couldn't stay quiet any longer. "Tell your father Talia, that I will find a way to stop him." She turned and gave Bruce a sympathetic look at hearing his words.
"He would order Bane to stop you beloved." She responded. "The only way you will see father before it's too late is if you join us." After she said that she left through the doorway, leaving an incredibly frustrated Bruce behind. He looked down at his right hand as it just laid there next to his body. He tried to will his body to move his hand in any fashion. Even just a twitch from a finger would suffice. He gritted his teeth as he fought with his mind to get any reaction from his body, but nothing happened. Bruce puffed out a frustrated breath of air as he began to think about what he could do to stop the Demon's Head. He'd need help from others, but he would have to be careful about who he allowed to get that close to him.
Talia walked slowly down the stairs to the main foyer where Alfred happened to notice her. "Leaving already Miss Talia?" Alfred inquired.
"I'm afraid so Alfred." Talia answered. "Bruce wouldn't accept my offer and chooses to stand against my father still. I fear there is nothing here for me."
"I beg your pardon Miss, but I dare say that there is more for you here than there ever could be outside those doors." Alfred countered as he gestured towards the front doors that Talia had been headed towards.
Talia looked over at the doors for a moment before she sighed and turned her attention back to Bruce's servant. "Beloved is lucky to have a man so devoted to him such as you." She said. "Take care of him Alfred."
"I shall indeed madam." Alfred declared as he watched Talia turn and head to the front doors where she made her exit. He sighed once the doors had closed. She was such a lovely girl, and he knew that Bruce cared deeply for her still. He even believed that she cared very much for Bruce, but she would never go against her father, and that meant that she would never be with Bruce for very long. It was unfortunate that Bruce seemed to only have these types of women to look towards for a serious relationship. Surely there had to be one that would see Bruce's ideals and compliment him. He only hoped that he would live long enough to see the day where Bruce actually found that someone that could bring true happiness into his life. For the moment, Alfred pushed such wishes and hopes aside as he continued on his way to the kitchen so that he could fetch Bruce a meal. His master needed to eat and regain his strength.
Diana finally caught up to Dick as he entered the training area where Tim was still located. Even though Diana hadn't been officially told of the identities of Nightwing, Robin and Batgirl, she had been able to figure them out easily enough. Dick was after all Bruce's adopted son, Tim basically lived in the Manor, and Barbara Gordon had been the female that accompanied Bruce to the Charity Gala when Diana had first met Bruce officially. She was brought out of her reverie by the stiff punches being thrown by Dick onto the innocent punching bag. "I can't…..believe…..she has….the nerve…..to show here!" Dick yelled in between each left-right combo that he threw at the bag.
"What's going on Dick?" Diana asked, but Dick continued assaulting the punching bag. "Please answer me." She requested. When he ignored her again that time, she flew to the bag and smashed it with one of her fists so hard that the side ripped apart, dumping out the contents of the bag. She turned to look Dick in the eyes. "I asked you a question." She stated.
Dick took a few deep breaths. He hadn't seen a bag torn apart like that since his days as the Titans with Kory. "After what happened to Bruce, I can't believe you'd leave her in one piece." Dick seethed.
"I thought the one that harmed Batman was named Bane who was hired by Ra's al Ghul?" Diana questioned.
"You mean to tell me you don't know who she is?" Dick asked incredulously. When Diana still had a questioning look on her face, he continued. "Her name's Talia, Talia al Ghul. Ra's al Ghul is her father, and he's the one that hired Bane."
Brilliant anger lit up on Diana's face. This whole time she'd been in the same room with a daughter of the man that was behind the volcanic attacks and Bruce's current condition. She could have gleaned the information out of Talia with the lasso of truth instead of finding out how close this woman was to Bruce all that time. She immediately took flight and headed straight through the cave entrance and up the stairs to the master bedroom. She slammed the door open expecting to strangle the answers from Talia, but she instead only found Bruce there. "Perhaps I should know things about your previous relationships so that I don't allow them to walk away when they have answers that I need." Diana seethed as she lowered to the floor.
Bruce gave a cold look at Diana. "Talia would never give her father up." He stated. "She'd sooner take her own life than answer your questions, even if you used the lasso on her."
Diana stormed up to Bruce, and noticed the small smear of lipstick across his lips and she became instantly furious. "I can't believe you Bruce." She gritted through clenched teeth. "You let the daughter of a man who wishes to destroy the world just walk out of here, and allowed her to kiss you as well? What kind of man are you?"
"How was I supposed to stop her Diana?" Bruce yelled back. "I can't even fucking move! What do you want from me?"
Diana stopped for a moment as she tried to quell her anger, but her efforts were in vain as she was too angry to stop herself. "I want you to be you damn it!" She yelled as she began to pace back and forth with Bruce watching her.
"What you want may not even be possible Diana!" Bruce fired back before wincing in pain. He hoped that Diana wouldn't notice so that she wouldn't feel compelled to increase the pain medication running through the IV attached to his left arm. Diana did notice however, but she didn't make a move towards the IV control panel. Bruce centered himself to calm down before he began to speak again. "Yes." He said quietly. "She kissed me, and I know that her father is planning something. But I also know from past experience that no matter how close to her I might have been or could be now, she would never double cross her father. Not even for me. Questioning her would be wasting my time just as it would be for you. I also didn't know that she was even here until a few minutes ago when she came bursting into the bedroom."
"Are you in danger with her having been here?" Diana asked as she finally began to calm down from seeing Bruce already calm himself.
"No." Bruce answered. "Talia won't harm me, and she won't allow anyone from the League of Assassins to either. So long as I stay out of her father's way, neither will he. He seems to think that I can be swayed into taking his place one day, but even if I heal, that's never going to happen. He's a mad man."
Diana huffed out some of her frustration before she took a seat next to Bruce, and gently grabbed hold of his right hand before setting it on her lap. "I know Bruce." She said with a sigh. "I'm sorry for the way I acted just now. I didn't know."
"It's alright princess." Bruce said with a small smile on his face.
Diana felt something which made her turn to look at the man lying next to her. She couldn't help but to return the smile when she saw the look on his face. "I'm actually glad to hear you call me that Bruce." She said. "Hearing things like that from you makes it so that I can still see and feel the man that I fought beside. If it's alright, I'd like to be able to visit again. Perhaps we can continue with the investigation?"
"I'll be right here when you're available." Bruce made a half hearted attempt at a joke and Diana smiled again. Something about her smile made him feel as if the weight of the world wasn't pressing down on him at that moment. It was a pleasant feeling for him, and he reciprocated the smile.
Diana once again felt something, and she slowly moved Bruce's hand back by his side before standing to leave. She looked him deep in the eye, and he could have sworn for a moment that he saw tears building in her eyes. "In that case, I'll return tonight, and we'll go over the rest of the files." Diana said before she turned and left the bedroom. When she closed the door behind her, she stood just outside the bedroom door for a moment as she thought about what she'd felt two times before she gathered herself and made her way down to the cave to transport up to the Watchtower.