Chapter Two
Diana had traveled a lot since she'd come into Man's world: London, Paris, Berlin,Athens; she had become a regular globetrotter. Some of it had been business, others had been pleasure, but one thing always remained the same.
Airport customs were always a headache.
Sometimes, all it took was a wad of cash or a flash of a smile to get security guards to look the other way from her sword and shield stashed away in her carry-on.But even that had lostitscharm.
It was upon befriending Bruce that she no longer had to worry about such matters. Having a friend who owned his own private jet hadits perks.
She was greeted by Alfred on a private air field where he promptly ushered her onto the plane and helped get her bags stashed away.
Before takeoff, Diana had gotten comfy in her seat and was greeted with a glass of champagne from Alfred.
"I'm surprised Bruce hasn't joined us." She commented.
"Master Wayne has some matters to attend toback home before the gala tomorrow evening," Alfred replied, seating himself across from her. "Invitations, catering, and the like. Typically, I take care of things like that. But he insisted on sorting it out himself."
"Sounds exactly like him," Diana chuckled. "As stubborn as ever."
"Stubborn and pigheaded," Alfred addedwith a laugh. "Not to mention he has a habit of running into action without thinking everything through.But, his heart is in the right place."
Diana knew that well. Her first encounterwith him on the battlefield had proven as much; once he'd come to realize that Clark truly hadn't been a threat.
"Speaking of which, what type of charity is this gala supporting?" She asked Alfred.
"Master Wayne will be donating all the funds he receives to the Gotham City Orphanage. He plans on auctioning off some art pieces, as well as dances with some of our more… Prestigious guests."
Big heart aside, Diana had to admit to herself that she was impressed with Bruce's choice of charity. "Any particular reason why?"
"Aside from the kindness of his heart?" Alfred chuckled. "Well…Let's just say that Master Wayne has a special connection with that orphanage. Some good friends of ours have come from there, and I assume that it's time for us to pay our respects to it."
"Looks like I'm not the only one with a story to tell."Diana thought to herself. It was ironic, considering how Bruce had been hounding her for hers.
For the rest of the flight, Diana and Alfred made idle small talk. The two seemed to enjoy each other's company throughout the long flight.
When they had touched down again, Alfred and Diana were greeted by a chauffeur before finally being taken to Wayne Manor.
Nothing had changed since she'd last visited the manor. The rosebushes that Alfred prided were as beautiful as ever; the fountain in the middle of the front courtyard babbled away with its cascading water. The large front windows gave the outside world a sneak peek of what Gotham's Golden Boy kept in his home, sparing noexpense when it came to luxury. The house was opulent, but nothing compared to the palace of Themyscira.
Diana stepped into the foyer, noting how open and spacious it was. She was greeted by a large, unlit fireplace and a grand piano sitting in front of it. Despite herself, she found herself fiddling with the keys and producing a couple notes. A small smile played on her face.
"Diana."
Bruce's usualgrufftone met her ears, and she turned to meet her friend.
"It's good to see you." He said, ascending the stairs in a rather warm looking sweater and jean ensemble. He gripped herforearm, and Diana returned the greeting.
Her smile turned to a grin. "The feelings are mutual, Bruce. We really shouldn't put off these visits so often."
"Well, once we get this team of ours figured out, we'll be seeing a lot more of eachother," He chuckled. "But you must be exhausted. You should rest up a bit, and maybe we could have dinner?"
"Shall I prepare something, Master Bruce?" Alfred chimed in.
Bruce shook his head. "Not tonight, Alfred." He replied. "Take the rest of the night off. Jet lag has never been good on you."
"Much appreciated," The butler responded, sounding pleased with Bruce's answer. "If you need me, I'll be in my room."
Bruce nodded at that, and turned to Diana again.
He led her upstairs to one of the many guest rooms,ultimately leaving her along for the evening.
Diana set her suitcase down with a sigh, deciding to prepare herself for tomorrow night. Despite it being a presumably safe event, she had to prepare herself for the worse.
The dress she'd chosen was a wine-red color, stopping just short of her knees with a slit up the thigh to provide mobility and easy access to the thigh holster for her lasso. Sewn into the back of the dress was a sheath to encase her sword; a trick she'd learned long ago for sneaking weapons into fancy parties.
Her bracers, minus the leather wrappings, were an absolute necessity. She'd planned everything to provide her an arsenal, yet appear fashionable. She smiled as she looked over her attire for tomorrowevening. She couldn't help but wonder what Etta would think, seeing how she'd adapted to modern day fashion.
She'd joined Bruce down in the dining room a few hours later, greeted by the smell of lamb and traditional Greek spices. She couldn't help but be amazed as she sat down, especially upon realizing that Bruce had done all of this without Alfred's help.
"So, the star of Gotham City can cook?" Diana teased him as she got herself comfortable.
"You know, both my parents could cook too," He commented. "As much as I value Alfred's help, I can't exactly let him have all the fun."
He seated himself across from her, helping her prepare a plate. Something told her he'd been planning on this since he'd called her.
The two drank and ate to their heart's content, enjoying each other's company. It was nice to not have to have dinner alone; it was something both Diana and Bruce knew to well.
"So…. Who's the guy?" Bruce asked.
Diana nearly choked on her drink from the suddenness of the question. "I'm sorry?"
"The email," He replied. "You told me 'thank you for bringing him back to me'. I just wanted to know who I was being thanked for."
She sighed, dabbing at the corners of her mouth with her napkin. "That photograph was of myself and some friends…. One of whom I had come to care for, if you really must know."
Bruce's face softened, and instantly Diana caught onto hints of regret in his features.
"Diana, I-."
"It's alright," She said. "Really, it is. I just… Haven't talked about it in a very long time. I'm so used to keeping it to myself. I hope you understand."
A small, sad smile played on Bruce's face. "I do, and I'm sorry. I really shouldn't have pressed it… It's just…. I need to know who I'm working with."
"And yet you keep secrets yourself." Diana pointed out. "If you're allowed to keep yours, I should be allowed to keep mine."
Bruce winced at that, realizing that she was right. A long, dreadful silence had fallen over the two of them; and with a sigh he rose to his feet.
"Tell you what," He said. "By the end of this weekend, I'll tell you everything you want to know. No more secrets; all cards on the table. Does that sound fair?"
Diana mulled over the idea in her head. She really hadn't wanted to come to this. But Bruce was determined to clear the air with her.
"Alright. Tomorrow night then." She replied. "In return, I shall do the same. No more secrets."
Bruce nodded in agreement before turning to look at the clock. It was getting late, and he had to get plenty of rest for tomorrow.
The two departed with sincere "goodnights" before ultimately turning in.
The next day, everything had changed.
Diana had never been one to enjoy the types of parties that attracted Gotham's socialites. All the laughter and drinking amongst the privileged while others had to scramble to get by made her blood boil. She understood why Bruce maintained connections with these people, but it still bothered her to know he was allied with such awful people.
She knew not all the wealthy were like that, though. There were a select few in Bruce's inner circle that Diana didn't mind getting to know. People like Harvey Dent and Jim Gordon were always a welcomed sight.
Still, she stood at the edge of the ballroom in the middle of the Gotham City History Museum, feeling just as out of place as she had since the first day she had entered Man's world.
"Enjoying yourself?" Bruce asked her, striding to her side with a drink in his hand.
"Hardly," She replied, taking the drink from him. "I look forward to the event being over. Even if it is for a good cause, these people are just…"
"Insufferable?" Bruce chuckled. "Believe me, I know. But when you're one of the richest people on the Eastern Sea Board, you have to play the part."
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a smile. "Don't worry. It will all be over soon. I just need to make a couple of speeches before Alfred starts bringing out the auction items. Until then, just try to enjoy yourself."
Diana nodded, looking up at the podium at the front of the room as a man announced for Bruce to step forward.
"That's my queue. Try not to have too much fun without me.
Diana sighed at that, shaking her head as she was once again left alone.
Bruce strode up to the podium, putting on a smile that would put a flight attendant to shame, and waving to his crowd as they applauded.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming tonight,"Heannounced, his voice booming over the microphone. "All donations will be given directly to the Gotham City Orphanage; benefiting our city's troubled youth, and guaranteeing them a safe place to stay and be taken care of."
Diana couldn't help but smile at that. Despite his shortcomings, Bruce really did have a big heart. His charity work showed that.
There was clapping, laughter, and sounds of boisterous approval from the crowd. Bruce flashed his award-winning smileyet againand rose his hand to wave at his adoring audience.
And then, Diana saw something.
A small, red light almost hidden amongst Bruce's tie.
Diana's eyes widened; but before she could even move, there was the sound of a gunshot. A sniper rifle.It was a sound Diana knew well.
Bruce dropped to the floor almost instantly, and two more shots rang out.
There was blood pooling around him on the floor.
Diana rushed to his side, unbuttoning his shirt to examine the wounds.
He'd been wearing a bullet proof vest. But whoever had fired the shots had aimed directly under where the vestended; just below the stomach.
Alfred rushed towards Diana, helping her keep pressure on the wounds. He was on the phone, frantically calling 9-1-1. It was strange to see him break his normally calm demeanor; but given the circumstances, Diana couldn't judge.
Above the commotion, Diana could see a flicker of movement out of the corner of her eye. Almost like a flash.
She paused, slowly turning her head tosee someonemoving in a building across the street. It was the exact same directionthat the bullets had come from.
"Alfred, watch over him." She said, rising to herfeet.
Alfred looked up to her in confusion, but that soon changed into awe as she procured her sword from the sheath tucked into the back of her dress. She kicked off her heels, knowing that they would be more of a hindrance than a help.
Without another word,she rushed towards the window.
She smashed into it, sending glass flying outwards and into the street. Pushingoffthe window ledge with her foot she launched herself towards the building, crashing through the opposite window and landing with a roll into a hallway.
She could hear heavy footfalls running above her, and she immediately bolted for the stairs.
Her pursuit led her to the roof, where she saw a man dressed in dark clothing, protected by pieces of black combat armor. He had a sniper rifle strapped to his back, and his entire demeanor read as someone not to be crossed.
But Diana was never one to listen.
Just as she was about to rush at the man, she suddenly felt her feet sweep out from under her by a harsh kick from behind. She face-planted into the ground, quickly trying to regain her composure once she heard the man attempting to rush away.
"Go, go!" An electronically masked voice hissed. The assassin leapt from the roof, dropping into the building below.
Diana immediately jumped to her feet again, only to have her path cut off by another intruder.
A man dressed similarly to the assassin stood before her, his face obscuredby a red metal helmet.
"Well, well. Diana Prince. Call me starstruck."
His voice sounded as if he was speaking through some kind of voice modulator. He stood at least a foot taller than Diana, and held the same idle stance as the assassin. Cold and calculating; stiff and intimidating.
But he did nothing to dissuade Diana. She was determined to catch the assassin, and this manwasn't going to get in her way.
She attempted to rush past him, deeming him as not much of a threat compared to the assassin, but he proved her wrong.
He landed a punch on her jaw sending her stumbling.
As she glared up at him, she regained her footing and attemptedto slash at him with her sword.
He jumped back, dodging every attack she made towards him.
"I gotta admit," He chuckled. "You're just as feisty as the stories say.I was a fan of yours as a kid."
Diana wasn't here to talk. This man was in her way, and she was determined to remove him.
His martial skills were impressive. Hecouldpredict most of her attacks before she couldevenexecute them.
Before Diana could react, the man landed a swift kick to her abdomen.
Her sword went flying from her hand, and she slid across the rooftop, managing to standher ground despite the attack.
"This is pretty much a dream come true," The man admitted. "But I gotta warn you, Diana; you're in way above your pay grade."
"Enlighten me, then." Diana retorted. "Let's skip to the part where you tell me who you're working for, and why you're trying to kill my friend."
"First off, I'm not trying to kill anyone. Not today, at least. Secondly: your friend has more blood in his hands than you realize. He's had this coming for a long time."
"That is not for you to decide." Diana retorted, as she thumbed the button of her lasso's holster through a slit in her dress. Her lasso fell into her hand, and with a flickof her wrist she casted it out.
The man was taken by surprise, ensnared in the lasso's grip as Diana pulled it tight.
"Now, tell me who you are." She demanded.
The man went rigid, his fists clenching as he fought against the lasso's hold.
"The more you struggle, the more this will hurt you," Diana explained. "Just make this easy for yourself. Please,just tell me who you are."
He let out a heavy breath, clearly at the end ofhis rope in terms of resisting.
Before he could answer her question, Diana suddenly caught a glimpse of red out of the corner of her eye. A small, red dot reflected off her bracelet, telling her that a sniper had her in their sights.
The sound of a gunshot went off, and Diana was quick to deflect the bullet.
As she did, the helmeted man took this opportunity to pull himself free from the lasso.
The sniper kept firing, and Diana ultimately had to give up on the lasso altogethertoprotect herself.
The helmeted man rushed to the edge of the roof before turning towards Diana again.
"It's been a pleasure, Princess," He said. "But my friend and I will be wishing you a good night. Say hello to Bruce for me."
He stepped off the roof effortlessly, dropping to the fire escape below him and making his way to the alleyway. Diana couldheara motorcycle revving, and taking off into the busy Gotham traffic. The sniper's laser left out of sight, and Dianawas left alone on the rooftop.
She found herself standing on the edge of that roof, trying to catch sight of the helmeted man, or the mysterious rifleman.
But, much to her dismay, they were long gone.
But they were the least of her worries now. She still needed to make sure that Bruce was alright and that he was receiving proper medical care.
More importantly, she had to make sure that no one tried to finish what the man with the sniper had started.