Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Thank you, Kipling-Buddy. You be the bestest beta in the universe. :D

Um, I make reference to a joke about Batman that I don't really share with the reader. You needn't ask me about it; I don't know what it is. :D

Madly

Chapter Two:

Lost

"Master, shall we leave him here?"

"Yes, my daughter wishes him alive, and I want him out of the way."

The voices cleared through the fog of Bruce's mind, waking him. He opened his eyes to darkness, but he could smell and hear some…thing. The muscles in his body coiled, ready to attack at the unknown. Seething, he ran in the direction of the scent, but chains arrested his movement.

A light flicked on, revealing two men. They were both bald, but the big, hulking one was completely without hair. The tall, thin one had black and gray wisps on the back of his scalp.

He did not know them, but he hated them. Bruce snapped at the chains again, snarling.

"Like an animal," Ubu spat. "Pathetic."

"Yes, for now his mind is completely gone. Submerging him repeatedly in the pit prolonged the process of madness, among other things."

"Are you sure he will not be found?"

"There is no one for miles."

"And their telepath?"

"The Martian? His mind is too far gone to be recognized, and probably will remain this way for many months."

Not understanding what they were saying, Bruce kept fighting against his chains.

"Sedate him, and then unlock his chains. I will be waiting in the helicopter."

"Yes, Master."

After the older man left, the bald man approached Bruce, a sharp object in hand. As he neared, Bruce roared incoherently, wanting to frighten and intimidate the enemy, but it was ineffectual. His attacker's face contorted in a wicked gleam. "Not so brilliant now, are you?"

And then there was a sharp pain stabbing in Bruce's arm. He stared down at it, blinking at the syringe still embedded in his skin. Five seconds later, he collapsed to the ground.

Page Break

Diana stared across the table at the attractive man with the disheveled blond hair, trying not to smile.

"What?! You know it's funny." Her date, Tom Tresser, gesticulated wildly with his hands. He had a lively and open personality; she liked it.

"That's not the kind of joke I'm supposed to find amusing. He is a teammate and respected colleague."

"But he's also a heartless bastard. That's what makes it funny. Batman would never even own a diary. Come on. Laugh. I promise not to tell."

Diana ruefully shook her head and reached for her drink. Taking a sip through her straw, she contemplated her next action. It had been so long since someone had flirted with her.

Tom cleared his throat. "Actually, I've been meaning to ask you…"

Diana raised her brows in amusement, wondering what would make him so uncomfortable. "Yes?"

"Was there ever anything between you two?"

Diana laughed. "Usually everyone thinks there is something between me and Superman."

Tom dismissed the idea with a wave of his hands. "Nah. I always figured you for the bad boys."

"I was not created for any man, good or bad."

"I didn't mean it in that way. I'm sorry if I offended you."

He sounded contrite, and she was sure it was a misunderstanding. Besides, she knew her comment wasn't really meant for Tom. Diana decided to play along.

"According to your joke, Batman is a big softie, and therefore does not qualify as a bad boy."

"You're evading answering the question. In my book, that's a yes."

"And what about you? Do you have any significant others in your past that I should know about?"

Tom pursed his lips, eyes suddenly serious. "So it was significant?"

Diana took another sip of her soda. "Was. It isn't any longer."

"Good to hear."

His confidence was attractive, and she found herself smirking. "And why exactly do you think you stand to benefit from my singleness?"

"You're here with me, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Well, there you go. And it only took me asking you out five times before you said yes." Tom laughed. " I'm surprised you didn't think I was stalking you."

"I did."

Tom coughed on his drink. "Really?"

"At first, yes, but Hawkgirl convinced me I should go out on one date with you."

"So I guess this is my one and only chance to impress you."

"Pretty much."

"How am I doing?'

Diana smiled. "Fair to middling."

"You wound me, Princess."

Her grin faded slightly. Bruce was intruding once again. She repeated the firm reminder that he was her past. And this present wasn't so bad. Tom was handsome, funny, charming. He wasn't Bruce, but she didn't want Bruce.

"Did I say something wrong?" Tom asked.

Nope, he was definitely not Bruce. His thoughtfulness was…nice. She wasn't accustomed to it, but it was a welcome change. "No, not at all."

"So, tell me a little more about your teammates. I heard some rumors about the Flash getting kicked out of an all-you-can-eat buffet."

"It's possible. Just the other day, I saw him eati—"

"Diana?"

Clark's voice sounded in her ear. Looking apologetically at Tom, she said, "Just one second."

Tom leaned back, throwing his arm across the top of the booth. "Take your time."

Touching her com link, Diana said, "I'm on a date and specifically requested not to be disturbed."

"It's Batman."

Diana's stomach twisted, acid rising and roiling and causing her pain. "What about him?"

"He's gone missing."

"For how long?"

"Over a week."

Diana gripped the table, trying to steady herself as a wave of panic threatened to drown her.

"How long have you known?"

"…Diana, I wouldn't keep something like this from you. Alfred just informed me."

Turning to Tom she said, "I have to go," and then rushed out of the restaurant.

"Superman, transport me to the Watchtower. Now."

A/N: Thanks for reading!

Anonymous Review Reply

Nightwatcher'sunknowngirl- Hi there! Just wanted to tell you thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you're finding it exciting, and hope the future chapters don't disappoint you. :D Be well!