TITLE: Inquiring Minds

AUTHOR: LOTSlover

CHARACTERS: Batman / Wonder Woman

RATING: T

WARNINGS: Author Chooses Not to Use Warnings

DISCLAIMER: I love Justice League, but especially Batman and Wonder Woman. Unfortunately, I do not own the characters and, if I did, things would be much different for them.

SUMMARY: While Batman is busy investigating Special Agent King Faraday, Wonder Woman is busy investigating the enigma known as Batman. Pre-BMWW.

Inquiring Minds

Diana sat all alone in the Monitor Womb, propping her head up her hand, her elbow resting on the desk. She scrolled through countless articles that she'd found on the internet, scrutinizing one website after another in hopes of uncovering as much information as possible. Her inquiring mind wouldn't let her rest until she had found out everything about her.

Her monitor shift had been absolutely dead which was a blessing and a curse, allowing her time to do a little investigating. She was glad it was actually quiet for a change, but it also made for a very long shift. It didn't help that it was also…what had Flash called it? The grave-something shift?

It was supposedly considered the worst shift to be stuck with, but she actually didn't mind it. It gave her time to sort through her thoughts and to meditate when it was slow, to have a little alone time without the hustle and bustle of Flash that was usually going on around here.

She released a deep sigh as she continued with her research project, wondering what a certain superhero was doing right now. Even if she was free at that moment, she couldn't exactly just show up in Gotham to see what he was up to.

Everyone was banned from Gotham unless personally invited which made absolutely no sense to her in the least. It seemed to her that he would want help with his city if it was truly as miserable and depraved as Kal had told her it was. Superman had explained that it had something to do with metas and his criminals, but she was still a little confused on the details. It had absolutely no sense to her.

She paused to tuck a raven curl behind her ear, her brow creasing in thought. Ever since she'd first met him, she'd found herself more than a little intrigued with the enigmatic Batman, curious as to what drove him to dress and act the way that he did, what made him so reserved and difficult to get close to.

There had to be a reason that he was so closed off towards everyone, something in his past that caused him to allow people to only get so close to him before his defensive walls deterred them. Had there been someone special in his life that had brought him immense pain? Had he lost a wife? A child?

It broke her heart to think that he had suffered some traumatic loss or a horrific event that had caused him to become so distant and closed off to personal connections. Something made him keep everyone at arm's length, choosing rather to keep to himself and speaking only when and if absolutely necessary.

Despite all this, Batman had done the unbelievable the other day, something that still amazed her even know. It had occupied her thoughts ever since it had happened.

While trying to stop a missile from destroying Gorilla City, she had suddenly found herself pinned beneath a deadly rocket that had burrowed its way into a deep trench in the earth's crust. Once she'd regained consciousness, it had taken her several moments to realize where she was—the jagged rocks digging into her back, the inability to draw a breath, the heavy missile trying to crush her into dust, the heat of the metal against her skin.

The world that she had just been a part of was suddenly so distant. It seemed to have ceased to exist, the missile encasing her in darkness and dust like a coffin. She had to admit that the first thing that had entered her mind was the hope that no one had been hurt, but the second had been a certain black-clad superhero. She had felt immense sadness with the thought of not seeing him again if this was truly the end.

Batman both baffled and fascinated her to no end, leaving her a little flustered and unbalanced at times. She'd never met another man like him since coming to Man's World over six months ago, no one else coming close to creating the puzzling feelings that sparked inside of her whenever he was around her.

It was after she had escaped her would-be grave that she had noticed the soot on Batman's gauntlets, exposing his heroic actions to her despite his wish otherwise. He had then tried to hide his attempt to rescue her, fully cloaking himself within his cape, but she had noticed.

A man who always thrived in the darkness had just been exposed in the light. The frosty Batman did have a heart. It was actually large and it felt far deeper than anyone had ever realized.

Without a second thought, she had leaned towards him, softly pressing her lips against his partially exposed cheek. Lightly touching her lips now, she swore she could still feel the electrifying tingle that had enveloped her in that singular moment of friendly gratitude.

What had started out as a simple gesture of appreciation for his efforts had awakened something inside of her that she couldn't quite describe, something that both excited and scared her. It was as if all these unusual feelings and thoughts that she'd experienced since meeting him had suddenly been woven together in one defining moment.

She felt an indescribable pull towards him as if an invisible force was drawing her to him. She couldn't help wondering if he felt it too. Did he notice the faint shift in the air around them when they were in the same room? Did he feel the subtle stirrings inside that she experienced every time he was near?

Diana rubbed her forehead, trying to ward off the pull of fatigue that was nagging at the corners of her conscious mind. She really needed one of those iced mochas that Batman had taught her how to make, but she knew she couldn't leave to get one. She'd never hear the end of that lecture if he ever found out.

Sitting up, Diana stretched her arms, rolling her neck in an attempt to get the kinks out. Since returning from Gorilla City, Batman had been more than a little scarce around here, his disappearing act even more impressive than ever before.

It was as if he was avoiding her, doing his best to keep from having any interaction with her. With his dark demeanor and brusque bearing, Batman was an enigma to say the least, his icy exterior concealing a warm heart that he didn't seem to want anyone to know that he possessed.

She frowned as she considered it, trying her best to understand him. She couldn't figure out why he hadn't been on the Watchtower since that happened over two weeks ago. Had she embarrassed him by kissing him on the cheek? Had she made him mad…crossed some invisible line that she didn't yet know about in Man's World?

She did her best to clear her mind of the conflicting thoughts swirling around in her head. She wasn't going to get any answers by replaying everything that had happened in Gorilla City. She was going to have to find out more about the elusive Batman if she was ever going to understand him and these feelings she was experiencing.

Diana pulled up another article that focused on how Batman had rushed into a burning building to save a little girl still trapped inside. He had barely made it out in time, escaping with the girl in his arms just as the building fully succumbed to the flames.

The next article was about a sex trafficking ring that Batman had been able to take down, sending several men to prison and saving many women's lives. The next told of his help saving some Gotham policemen who had been trapped in a shoot-out with some criminals. They had been pinned down and under heavy fire when Batman had come to their rescue, saving their lives and helping to capture the criminals.

One newspaper clipping after another spoke of the heroic deeds of the Dark Knight of Gotham and yet no one would ever have guessed that he was a mortal man, performing the deeds of a god without any concern for his own welfare. He was truly the bravest man she had ever known, his razor-sharp focus on his duty and his city beyond compare.

She had witnessed his immense bravery firsthand when they had first fought together during the alien invasion. He was truly a heroic man in every sense of the word, one that defied all odds and everything that her mother had ever told her about men.

"Who are you beneath the mask?" she murmured to herself as she stared at the computer screen.

XXX

Batman sat at his computer in the Batcave, his cowl and gauntlets lying on the desk next to him. He'd finished patrol already, coming home a little earlier than usual thanks to a somewhat quiet night. He had filed the last of his reports, turning his attention now to the research he'd started a few weeks ago.

He glared at the picture of Special Agent King Faraday, his jaw clenching and unclenching. He definitely hadn't cared for the way the agent had stared at Diana at the government gala last month or how he had held her close while they'd danced.

He hadn't been able to get that night out of his head no matter how hard he had tried. Not only could he not forget how exquisite Diana had looked that night, but the way it had made him feel when he saw her and Faraday together.

He didn't like the fact that a government agent was showing special interest in one of his teammates, especially when he knew so very little about that agent. It could seriously compromise the League if Diana began seeing Faraday in a personal manner, opening them up to a lot of issues that they couldn't afford to deal with.

He definitely didn't want the government sticking their noses into League business. They already had a tenuous relationship with the government without having them send some spy into their midst. While he was beginning to trust Diana, he didn't trust this Faraday as far as he could throw him.

There was something about him that he just didn't like, something that he couldn't quite put his finger on. While he didn't believe that Diana would intentionally give any information up, he knew that she was still very naïve and trusting, full of immense curiosity and endless questions.

Bruce felt the corner of his mouth twitch in amusement as he thought about her and her fascination with the world around her. She never ceased to amaze him, intriguing him more than any of the other women he'd ever known…and he'd known countless women over the years.

He leaned back in his chair, thoughtfully running his finger back and forth against his bottom lip as he stared at the computer screens before him. One screen held everything he'd gathered so far on King Faraday, the other screen a picture of Diana from the government gala.

His mind quickly took him back to two weeks ago and their mission in Gorilla City. A shudder of dread trembled through him as memories of that missile burying Diana in the ground replayed in his mind for the millionth time. It still unnerved him to think of how she'd nearly been crushed in her efforts to save the city.

Her courage and compassion knew no limits, surprising him time and again. She consistently threw herself into danger without pause, without concern for her own welfare. She was fearless, facing everything that was thrown at her with unbelievable strength and a fiery spirit to match.

He'd never known another woman like her and he was sure that he never would again. There was truly something special about her, something extraordinary and rarely found in another. She radiated so much light and warmth and energy that just naturally drew people to her.

Bruce raked his fingers back through his hair as he drew a deep breath, recalling the fear that had torn through him like a bolt of lightning as he'd watched her being slammed into the ground by that missile. His heart had nearly stopped beating in those few seconds of realization as it finally skidded to a stop.

Without a second thought, he had raced to her aid, leaping into the trench and frantically moving the rubble out of the way in an attempt to get to her. Now, he realized how futile that attempt had truly been, but at the time he'd have given anything to save her.

He couldn't help remembering the absolute relief that had washed through him when she had thrown that missile off of her, gracefully landing on the ground beside him with only a few scrapes for her heroic effort. His body had been rigid with tension as he stood next to her, trying his best to slow his pounding heart, but it had become next to impossible when she had kissed him on the cheek.

His hand unconsciously moved to lightly stroke his cheek where her lips had touched him in that moment when time had seemed to abruptly stand still. He swore she had burned him with that kiss, his entire body flushing with a heat so intense it startled him.

It had awakened something inside of him that he had long thought dead, a part of him that he had summarily locked away and buried where no one could ever find it let alone reach it. Somehow, she had managed to breech his walls and he had no idea what to do about it.

So, he did what he knew best—he ran. Ran away from her, ran to the safe seclusion of his sanctuary, ran away from the feelings that she stirred inside of him.

He couldn't keep running forever, couldn't avoid her much longer. He needed to return to the Watchtower to do some maintenance work and system upgrades. He had to quite thinking about her. He had more important issues to deal with then the Princess of the Amazons who had somehow managed to get under his skin and capture his attention.

He didn't know why she continually invaded his thoughts like she did. He'd already put to rest his suspicions about her true heritage as well as his concerns about her motives. She'd done nothing to convince him that she was here for reasons other than to promote peace and help protect Earth.

And yet, there was that kiss so sweet and so innocent, born out of gratitude and bestowed out of camaraderie.

He found it rather startling that she was already gaining his friendship let alone his trust. Very few people had ever managed to fully do that and in such a short amount of time. Diana wasn't just his teammate, but his friend. It sounded and felt right and at the same time it didn't feel like quite enough, bringing with it a sense of peace and yet a desire for something else that he couldn't quite give voice to…or maybe he just didn't want to.

Whatever it was that lingered in his veins for her was inconsequential. He couldn't deal with it now. He had Gotham to think about, not friends or Amazon princesses. It was officially time to close the file on Wonder Woman, confident now that if trouble ever did come their way from her gods or the Amazons, it wasn't going to be Diana's doing.

Bruce rubbed his eyes, knowing that he needed to get a couple of hours of sleep before leaving again. Shutting down the computer, he got up and made his way to the medical bay of the Batcave. Stripping off his uniform top, he laid down with a weary sigh, closing his eyes in an attempt to fall asleep, but he found her there behind his eyes waiting for him.

He ran through a few meditation exercises to clear his mind, sleep finally taking him only to find her there again waiting for him in his dreams.

XXX

Diana ran her fingers through her hair as she attempted to stifle a yawn. She'd spent the last three hours reviewing everything that she could possibly find on Batman, her respect and admiration for him only deepening and expanding.

She had always known him to be an impressive hero, but it had somehow taken root in her heart in a way that she hadn't expected. She wished she knew who he was beneath all the black Kevlar, the extraordinary man hidden beneath the cape and cowl. All he allowed her to see was that chiseled jaw line of his, his mouth that barked orders in the field, and the occasional glimmer of deference that he paid her.

"Who are you?" she asked no one in particular.

The sound of the monitor doors swished open and closed, causing her to instantly straighten up in her seat. She quickly closed down her online search, spinning around in surprise to find Batman standing behind her in the Monitor Womb.

"Batman," she nervously greeted him, feeling a flutter in the pit of her stomach.

"Princess," he greeted her, noticing the blush that suffused her cheeks.

"You know I'm technically not a princess anymore," she reminded him.

His expression hardened with the reminder of her exile and the cold cruelty of her mother. "I don't care what your mother says," he stated with a razor-sharp edge to his voice. "You are still Princess of the Amazons."

Diana smiled softly, touched by his words. She averted her eyes under his intense gaze, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I have monitor duty," he replied as he closed the distance between them, wondering what she had been up to before he's arrived that had her acting so flustered now with his presence here.

"I haven't seen you for a couple of weeks," she commented.

"I've been busy," he evenly replied.

She studied him for a moment, knowing deep down there was more to it than that, but she ultimately decided not to push it. "Anything I can help with?" she asked instead.

"No," he adamantly stated, relieved that she didn't bring up the kiss in Gorilla City. "It's my city, my problem."

Her shoulders slumped slightly with his brusque demeanor, wondering what had him so tense this time. She couldn't help wishing that he'd open up to her a little. "Well, I'm here if you need me, Batman," she told him. "Even if it's just to talk or—"

"That won't be necessary," he snapped, immediately regretting his harsh response as sadness filled her blue eyes. He adjusted his tone, softening his rigid stance. "Thank you, but I'm fine."

Her eyes brightened slightly as she stood to her feet. "Well, I guess I'll get some breakfast before heading to bed," she said, standing so close to him.

They stared at one another for a long moment, so many things waiting to be expressed hanging silently in the air between them. His fingers twitched to touch her silky raven hair. Her lips yearned to kiss him again, but not on the cheek.

"Glad to see you back," she softly murmured.

"Sleep well, Princess," he told her.

She smiled as she turned to leave, feeling his gaze boring into her as she exited the Monitor Womb. Batman released a long, slow breath in an effort to calm his racing heart. Sliding into the vacant chair, he did a brief check on things before turning his attention to the computer on the left.

"Let's see what you've been up to, Princess," he muttered to himself.

He quickly brought up the various sites that she had been on before he arrived, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he discovered what the Amazon Princess had been up to. She'd been doing some research of her own—on him.

Batman sank back in his chair as he considered this new revelation. He couldn't deny the feeling of pleasure that filled him, knowing that she had been secretly researching him. At the same time, it created a sense of panic, awakening his fear.

He couldn't afford to allow any distractions in his life and she was most definitely becoming one. He was going to have to keep his distance from her, make sure that he kept her at arm's length. He reminded himself that nothing but friendship could exist between them. The problem was going to be trying to convince his heart.