DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. As always, I'll point out this was written over a decade ago. Here in the UK, Season 2 of the JL cartoon had yet to air, so Hawkgirl had not been revealed as a spy. And the massive, every-hero-in-the-DCU roster of Unlimited wasn't a factor. My timeline picks up after the Season 1 finale, The Savage Time. All my Wayback Wednesday stories are numbered chronologically, if you get stuck.

3. Again, sorry about my depiction of Diana.

PART 4

Diana rushed through the corridors of the Watchtower. Her mind was running a mile a minute.

She had messed up. BIG time.

Not only did J'onn and Hawkgirl now about her and Batman's relationship, but the entire League probably knew now.

She ran into the Monitor Room, expecting to see Batman sitting behind the console on his lonely Monitoring Duty. "Batman, I'm sorry! I…"

But he was not there.

Diana took a moment to examine the room, to make sure he was not hiding behind the door. She then turned round and ran out back down the corridor.

She navigated the corridors of the complex, switching running for flying, as it made the journey quicker. Still, it took her an eternity to reach Batman's room.

When she finally reached it, she set down and knocked on the door loudly. She immediately realised she was not being discreet again. She frowned. She tried to be careful, really she did, but she loved him so much that being quiet was not that much a concern. She just wanted to be with him.

"Batman, are you there?" she asked through the door.

No answer.

She frowned. That was it. She would not be treated this way, when she had done nothing wrong. So she had probably revealed their relationship – so what? If he did not want that public knowledge, then that was HIS problem.

Diana sighed. Even if it WAS a problem, after all, she would still be with him. She would not end their relationship for anything.

She opened the door and walked into the room. There, standing infront of the window, was Batman.

She walked up to him. "Bruce…?"

He remained unmoved.

"Bruce… I'm sorry. It was an accident. It's just that… I've been so happy these past few weeks. I don't want to sneak away and keep it private. And… if you don't want people to know, then maybe that's YOUR problem." She folded her arms, but she was really scared out of her wits. Had she gone too far?

Batman slowly turned around and faced her. His expression looked no different from how he usually looked.

Diana's stern face softened. HAD she gone too far?

Batman pushed his cape back slightly. "Your tiara is still upside down."

Diana instantly put her hand to her head again, and pulled her tiara off. "Great Hera, Bruce, just talk to me! I've been understanding these past few weeks. I never asked, but I assumed you wanted to keep this private. But I don't want to hide it anymore. I love you, and I want people to know. So, just tell me what YOU want." She folded her arms again and frowned, but she was really praying that he did not end it right there and then.

"I want to be with you," Batman said quietly. "And if that's what you want – if you want to tell people about us… then fine. I don't want to lose you, Diana. And that's more important than discretion."

Diana closed her eyes and tried to hold back the tears. The relief was incredible. She rushed up to Batman, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Oh darling!" She rested her head on his shoulder as she felt his arms wrap around her back. "Don't ever do that to me again."

"Just had to show you what happened when you mess with the Bat," Batman joked quietly.

Diana looked at him. "So you really don't mind if people know about us…?"

"No," he replied. "But… just try and keep it to just our friends…"

"I promise," she said.

"I meant what I said," Batman said. "Being with you is more important than anything." He gently stroked her hair, and with the other hand, took her tiara out of hers. He then delicately put it back on her head… the right way up.

Diana smiled. Her fears were unfounded.

He was not ashamed of their relationship. And he wanted to be with her no matter what.

Nothing would ever split them up.

/

Finally, Snapper had an interview he knew would go well.

It was with the Man of Steel himself.

They had already talked for over ten minutes, about several things: Krypton, Superman's early exploits, the formation of the League, and other topics. The only subject that he was not happy about talking about was the Darkseid event, but Snapper knew that was understandable.

Eventually talk turned to the inevitable: his relationships with his fellow Leaguers. "How do you get on with your teammates?" Snapper asked.

Superman appeared in thought for a moment. "I like to think I get on with all of them," he said. "I can think of at least one thing to talk about with each of them. Of course I sometimes find them hard to get on with – we're only Hum… er, I mean, we're only people. But I haven't had a crossed word yet."

"I'd like to go by each Leaguer one by one," Snapper said, "And if you could, give your comments on each."

"Sure thing," Superman answered.

"Green Lantern."

"I share a lot in common with John," Superman began. "We both have very professional outlooks on our business – what we do isn't fun. It's a job, plain and simple. And I've learned a lot from him. We've had several strategy discussions, and I've found him to be very forthcoming. He's a very intelligent man. We also have experience in non-Human affairs, though his expertise in that area far exceeds mine. The only thing I'd say that's different about us is that… he's sometimes a bit TOO professional. He rarely just relaxes and hangs out."

"Hawkgirl."

"Hawkgirl is very… interesting. She's very fiery, and can sometimes be hard to control. That said, she's very good at what she does, and she's a valued friend. She lets her hair down regularly, and is comfortable enough to have permanent residence at the Watchtower."

"Flash."

Superman smiled. "Flash is the kid of the family. He's very good at his job, but he can be… distracted easily. That said, we never feel like we have to keep half an eye on him. When it comes down to it, he can be relied on to perform excellently. I can't say enough about him… about ALL of them."

"J'onn." Snapper was glad he finally mastered the proper pronunciation of the Martian's name.

"J'onn is a fine man," Superman answered. "I can't tell you how honoured we are that he's in our team. He's an outcast, but in many ways, he's more Human than any of us. He's kind, considerate, respectful, and very friendly. He's what we will hopefully become."

"Diana."

"Diana is a lovely person," said Superman. "Warm, kind, considerate, and very, very caring. At the same time, she's a very strong and independent woman. She won't take any nonsense from anyone. We're honoured to have her in our ranks."

"Batman."

Superman smiled, and Snapper could tell he knew the Dark Knight like no other. "Batman is very… complex. He's very professional, very serious, very to-the-point, very hard to understand. And yet… he's arguably the most caring of ALL of us. And I truly mean that. He has a dedication that rivals all of ours put together… for him, protecting people isn't a job. It's his LIFE."

As the interview came to a close, Snapper found it amazing how Superman saw his teammates. Here was arguably the greatest hero of all time, the man revered around the world… yet all he did was compliment his friends. There was not an ounce of egotism in him. It seemed that he was always saying what made his friends BETTER than him. He was generous to a fault.

But what else would you expect from Superman?

/

Batman stared out of his bedroom window, at the stars beyond. To the left was the planet Earth, shining like a beacon in the midnight sky.

Why did he come here? He was not an official member of the team. He did not want his own quarters. He did not want to be so closely associated with the group. He did not want to be tied down to a superhero team. He never planned to be here as often as he was.

But then again, he never planned on falling in love.

Batman looked down at the object in his hand. He had acquired it weeks ago, shortly after he and Diana had begun their relationship. He did not know how he got the nerve to get it… but… he did.

Batman smiled. Ironic, the Dark Knight, nervous to go into a shop and buy a product.

But he knew – he KNEW – it was not a mistake. He knew that someday soon, he would use it. He just hoped it would not be rejected.

He heard the door open behind him, and quickly palmed the object. He did not want anyone to see it. Not yet.

When the time was right.

When the time was right…

"You OK?" Diana asked from the doorway.

Batman kept his gaze at the stars outside. "Yes," he said. "Why do you ask?"

Diana walked up to him and rested her chin on his shoulder. "You've been reclusive all day," she said.

"You call earlier on reclusive? I thought you found it OK."

Diana smiled. "No, not THAT. I mean in general. And believe me, you were more than OK…"

Batman tried to compose himself, but he could not help a blush.

"He's gone," said Diana quietly. "He seemed annoyed that he never got to talk to you."

"So if I get threatening letters, I'll know who they're from?" Batman joked.

Diana shook her head. "You really don't like people, do you?"

"Certain people," he replied. "But then again, the people I DO like, I let them know."

Diana grinned. "Don't I know it…"

They stood there in silent for a moment. Diana walked up to his side and leaned in. Batman wrapped his arm around her waist as she rested her head on his chest. He gave a little kiss on her hair.

Batman sighed. "I have to go soon."

He could feel her shoulders sink against his chest. "Oh."

"It's nearing 5pm," he said quietly. "I have to take care of some business back home, then I'm on patrol."

"Can't the others do it without you?" Diana asked.

"Dick and Barbara are still recovering from their break," Batman said. "Of all the holiday resorts for the Riddler to disrupt…"

"So when will I see you again?" Diana asked. Batman could sense a little pleading in her tone, and could not help but feel honoured. They truly loved eachother.

"You can come by the Manor in the morning if you like," he said. "We can have lunch or something."

Diana grinned. "How about something first, then lunch?"

Batman looked at her. "I love you," he said.

Diana looked puzzled, and her nose crumpled slightly. He loved it when she did that. "What made you say that?"

"I just thought I'd mention it," he said softly. "I can't say it enough. Even if I said it every minute of every day for the rest of eternity, it wouldn't cover how much I love you. You've given my life new meaning, Diana, and I never thought that would happen. And you have no idea what that means to me."

Diana stroked his cheek. "You know I love you too, right?"

Batman smiled. "Well, I don't recall you ever saying it…"

Diana shook her head and grinned. "Oh, stop it you. I love you more than anything. I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Batman stared into her eyes. "You asked me a few weeks ago to never leave you. Do you still think that way?"

Diana frowned. "Of course I do. If you ever left me, I'd find you. Because you'd be wrong. You're MY soulmate, Bruce, and I'll always be with you, no matter what."

"Do you mean that?"

"Of course I do," Diana said, a slightly hurt expression on her face. "I can't live without you."

Batman looked down. "I need to hear the words."

Diana looked puzzled, and her nose crumpled in that lovely way again. "What do you mean?"

"You asked me if I'd ever leave you," Batman said, "and I said I wouldn't. I… need to hear the same thing."

Diana put her hand to his head and turned it so they were facing eachother. "Bruce," she said, no trace of joke or fun in her voice. It was completely serious. "I will NEVER leave you. I love you, and I ALWAYS will."

Batman looked at her, and he felt himself losing control. He leaned in, and his lips touched hers delicately. He took her cheek in his hand, and the kiss became more passionate. They melted into eachother, and time stood still.

Suddenly, the Watchtower speaker system came on, and Hawkgirl's voice filled the room. "Hawkgirl to Justice League. Meeting in five minutes. All Leaguers present please… er, be present."

Their kiss ended, and their lips separated. They looked at eachother.

For Batman, the moment was ruined.

Diana sighed. "We better get going," she said. "I take it you'll be going when the meeting's over."

Batman could see the disappointment in her face. "I'm afraid so. But I'll see you tomorrow… I promise."

They had a quick kiss, then Diana reluctantly removed her arms from around him. She then slowly walked towards the door. "You coming?"

Batman turned to face her. "I'll be there in a minute."

He watched as she left the room.

Batman raised his hand, and opened his palm. There, in his hand, was the object.

He opened it up…

And looked at the $1 million engagement ring.

When the time was right.

When the time was right…

THE END