TITLE: Absentminded
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: Bruce and Diana find themselves on opposite sides as the government and the world turn against the Justice League. (Based on episodes Flashpoint, Panic in the Sky, and Divided We Fall)
Absentminded
Shifting shadows danced on the walls of Wayne Manor as Bruce made his way to his bedroom after a night of crimefighting. He was filled with an almost dizzying sense of anticipation of finally seeing Diana. Of course, knowing she was going to be there waiting for him in his bed when he got home this morning had made for a very long, very tedious patrol.
They'd been pulled in opposite directions as of late, creating a growing sense of longing for her that he hated to admit to. He didn't appreciate the notion of needing anyone in his life or becoming dependent on her in any way. At the same time, even he knew that he couldn't deny his building desire to see her when they were apart for extended periods of time or the happiness that abruptly filled him when she walked into a room.
Reaching his bedroom, he silently entered, closing and locking the door behind him. The corners of his lips quirked at the sight of her sleeping so peacefully in his bed, her raven locks splayed on her pillow as well as his. Her arm was laying across his side of the bed as if awaiting his arrival.
He found it warmed his heart in a way that he hadn't predicted, taking him by surprise once more. He was still trying to get used to these powerful emotions that she always managed to awaken within him. He wasn't accustomed to these feelings of happiness and peace or the anxious anticipation of just being able to see her or making love to her all over again.
Thankfully, he would get to spend a few hours with her now before being separated to attend to their daily duties, not sure when he would be able to see her again.
Between League missions, dangerous rogues and Wayne Enterprises, there was always something coming up that seemed to keep them apart. At first, it had been quite difficult finding time to be together, but it was becoming a priority to him that he hadn't expected…she…becoming a significant priority to him.
Silently making his way to his bed, Bruce slid off his workout shorts and boxers, kicking them to the side. He gently took hold of her wrist, lifting her arm as he climbed in beside her. Settling in on his side of the bed, he pressed a kiss to the palm of her hand before trailing kisses to her wrist and along her forearm.
"Wally…" she sleepily groaned. "I've missed you."
A husky growl was Diana's only warning before being pounced on by her lover. She suddenly found herself on her back with a very jealous Bruce hovering above her, forcefully pinning her wrists to the bed. "Care to explain, princess?" he rasped something dark and utterly possessive.
A burst of lilting laughter escaped her lips as she grinned up at him, breaking free from his grip. Her hands came to rest on his waist before slowly dragging her fingers up and down his sides. "I was only teasing, Bruce," she reassured him. "You know you're the only superhero I love."
"And only man," he added. "Don't forget that part."
"You're the only one for me," she promised him, reaching up to brush a lock of ebony hair from his forehead.
"That's better," he murmured as he lowered his lips to hers.
She lifted her head to meet him and claim her kiss, anxious to taste him all over again. The languid kiss of greeting was kept deliberately slow and sultry, Bruce not quite ready to allow things to heat up too much just yet despite how anxious was to lose himself inside of her.
"How was your day?" he asked, placing nipping kisses along her jaw to her ear.
"Oh, just the usual," she breathily replied as her eyelids fluttered closed with the feel of his muscular body pressing into hers, spreading her legs further in an unspoken request for him to take her. She was beginning to grow impatient to feel him so very hard and demanding inside of her. "Run-in with Cheetah…tsunami in the Indian Ocean…lunch with Wally."
"What do you have planned for today?" he asked as his left hand slipped down between them to stroke her.
Diana gasped sharply, arching her back with the feel of him teasing her like this. "I…I'm on standby and I…Hera!"
Bruce chuckled softly as he kissed along her throat, pausing to bite down and suck hard on her pulse point. "I don't think she has anything to do with this," he teased against her collarbone as he increased the pressure.
"Bruce…" she growled fiercely, her fingernails digging into his shoulders as she tightened her hold on him.
"What else are you doing today?" he continued, finding it difficult to keep his voice even when all he wanted was her.
"Mo…monitor duty at noon," she managed to utter as she squeezed her eyes tightly against the pleasure bordering on pain that was thrumming through because of his hand alone. She knew how much more mind-blowing it was going to be once he finally joined them as one.
"Hmmm…" he hummed against her breast, pausing to suckle her flesh before finally finishing his thought. "Well, that gives me a few hours to have my way with you before we both have to leave."
Afraid that she was going to break him, Diana removed her hands from his shoulders, grasping hold of the sheets beneath her instead. "If you…don't stop talking…and give me what I want…I swear I'll—"
Bruce thoroughly silenced her as he crushed his mouth to hers, completely filling her with himself in one powerful thrust. He swallowed her satisfied groan as he began to make love to her, hoping against hope that League business didn't interrupt their plans for this weekend.
XXX
"What have we done?" Superman asked.
"We haven't done anything," J'onn reminded him.
"We aren't here to be liked," John brashly pointed out, his tone militaristic. "We're here to make the world a safer place."
"I don't see the two goals as mutually exclusive," Diana interjected with a shake of her head. "We should make a jester of cooperation."
"That's not a bad idea," Superman agreed with a nod.
"We could dismantle the binary fusion generator at least until our innocence has been proven," J'onn suggested.
"Okay, getting rid of that thing is a start, but it's not going to be enough," she continued, wishing once again that Bruce was here. Unfortunately, a crisis in Gotham kept him from being here. "We have to regain their trust."
XXX
Diana could hardly believe the turn of events that had led to this nightmare. Everything had been perfect two days ago. She and Bruce had spent the pre-dawn hours in his bed making love and making plans for their free weekend. They'd finally fallen asleep tangled in each other's arms and looking forward to some quiet time spent together in a few days.
Now, they were discussing turning themselves into the US government until their innocence was proven. She already knew that Bruce was not going to like how the vote had gone. Her heart sank with the thought of him. Their plans for the weekend had just been obliterated.
She absentmindedly played with a curly lock of hair as she lost herself in her thoughts, allowing it to wrap around her forefinger before releasing it only to start all over again. She had to find a way to help Bruce see the necessity of what they were doing by turning themselves in. The problem was that she already knew what his reaction was going to be…and it wasn't going to be good…at all.
"You want me to what?" Batman growled as he raced through Gotham in his Batmobile, staring at the computer screen in absolute disbelief.
"Turn yourself over into US custody along with the rest of us," Diana repeated, hoping to appeal to his logical side. She knew appealing to his emotional side was a lost cause that held absolutely no hope of succeeding.
"Yah…that makes sense…okay," Flash reluctantly agreed.
"Meet us at the coordinates I'm sending first," Superman told them. "We should all go over together."
"This is the single, dumbest plan I've ever heard," Batman spat out like venom. "If you're feeling guilty, clear your own name. Don't stand on the sidelines waiting for someone else to do it."
"We've already voted," Diana responded, silently pleading with her lover to side with them instead of against them. "Five in favor."
"Six," Flash added.
Diana smiled softly, wishing that Bruce would try to understand just this once. This was something she felt very strongly about, something that she knew in her heart that they had to do in order to show the world that they were not above the law. It was the only way to help stem the mounting tide of animosity and distrust that was running rampant. She knew that a united front by the seven Founders would go a very long way in helping ease the tension that was swelling beyond their control.
"You have to come with us, Bruce," she tried again, hoping that he would listen to her.
While she was deeply in love with him, she wasn't such a romantic to believe that Bruce would ever choose to side with her just because they were in a relationship or shared a bed. She knew him far better than that. She wouldn't change him even if she could. They respected each other too much to ever try to sway one another's opinions just because they were lovers.
"I don't have to do anything," he growled with a sneer. "I'm a part-timer…remember?"
The screen suddenly went blank, effectively ending the communication. "Actually, he took it a lot better than I had expected," Diana ultimately decided, releasing a sigh of resignation.
Bruce was beyond furious and she could hardly blame him. The Justice League was being accused of something they didn't do and, instead of fighting, the Founders were turning themselves over to US custody until the matter was resolved. That was definitely not how Batman operated.
The only bright spot she could find in any of this was the fact that she knew Bruce wouldn't just sit back and take this without a fight. Normally, she'd be right there with him, fighting this with all that she had, but even she had come to realize after being in Man's World all this time that there was a time to fight and a time to be a bridge builder in the crusade for peace…and this was one of those times.
XXX
"We've got business, Waller," Batman bit out, flinging a Batarang with his left hand and knocking the gun out of General Eiling's hand without even sparing a glance at him.
General Eiling lunged at Batman only to receive a fist to his face that sent him careening over the top of the conference table. "You told me once that you were a patriot," Batman seethed as he stalked towards Waller. "Well, it's time to step up. You have to know that the Justice League would never have fired that weapon at you."
"Sure you would," she countered with a sneer. "It was retaliation for kidnapping your man The Question."
"And yet you weren't home," he shot back. "We've had you under surveillance for months. You don't think we saw you evacuate your offices?"
"A warning shot then," she suggested.
"Don't be dense," he spat out. "Someone took over our fusion cannon by remote control. There are maybe three people on Earth smart enough to pull that off. Two of them were already on the Watchtower and that leaves…"
"Luthor," Waller snapped. "That's where you're trying to lead me, right?"
"You're too smart to trust him," he told her.
"Who says I do?" she asked. "He provides off the books funding for CADMUS. Far as I'm concerned, that's all he's good for."
"Then you must know he's got his own agenda," he continued, glaring down at her.
"He wants to be president," Waller revealed. "That's agenda enough for anybody."
"Almost anybody," Batman growled as he leaned further over her, causing her to draw back. "If I were you, I'd start look at him—hard."
The sound of groaning coming from the other side of the conference table, Amanda glanced over to see General Eiling pulling himself up off the floor. Turning back, she found the Batman already gone.
XXX
Alfred approached the platform where his surrogate son was working feverishly on his computer, carrying a silver tray with a large carafe of coffee and a sandwich. He stood there for several long moments, wondering if he was even aware of his presence. He was definitely not on his game if he was able to come up behind him without being noticed.
"You're obviously a Bruce Wayne impersonator or the Master Bruce I have come to know and love has had some sort of stroke," Alfred finally said as he set the tray down on the desk.
"What?" Bruce asked, looking up at him in confusion.
"Something has made you quite absent minded," Alfred replied. "It wouldn't happen to be the fact that Miss Diana is in US custody and you aren't with her?"
Bruce scowled darkly at his surrogate father as he reached for the hot cup of coffee, downing it in one gulp. "No," he flatly stated. "She's doing what she feels she has to do and I'm doing what I need to."
"And yet, you can't help worrying about her," Alfred ventured with a slight upturn of his lips.
Bruce released a weary sigh, his scowl deepening as he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. "I wish she hadn't turned herself in with the others, but there's nothing I can do about it now except try to exonerate the League and get her out of there."
Alfred placed a reassuring hand on Bruce's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "I'm sure she's fine, Master Bruce."
"I know she is," he revealed. "I just can't help worrying the government might try something stupid in an attempt to neutralize their powers and decrease the threat that they pose. I don't trust them not try to make some sort of example out of the Founders in order to send a message."
"I guess the sooner you get to the bottom of this the sooner Miss Diana can come home," Alfred told him.
"I still can't believe they turned themselves in," Bruce bit out, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "It was a ridiculous move that either came from Diana or the boy scout."
"You know Miss Diana has a very compassionate heart, sir," Alfred reminded him. "I'm sure she and the others see this as a way of extending an olive branch so to speak…to show that not even the Justice League is above the law."
"I understand why," Bruce stated. "That doesn't mean that I agree with it or like it. They should be fighting to prove their innocence, not sitting in some government facility while the real perpetrator is running rampant."
"Miss Diana and you are not always going to see things eye to eye," Alfred pointed out. "It's about how you deal with each other's differing opinions with mutual respect and acceptance that will reveal the true mettle of your relationship."
"I know, but my foot still somehow ends up in my mouth," he grumbled.
Alfred chuckled softly. "I'm sure clearing their names will go a long way too."
"So will finding Luthor," Bruce muttered, suddenly sitting up straight in his chair. "And I have a feeling he's hiding in plain sight."
XXX
"That was the last piece I needed," Batman stated as he revealed his presence.
"Got it all figured out have you?" Luthor said.
"When you and Atom worked together to stop the first Amazo, he showed you the blueprints," Batman deduced. "And I suspect you have a photographic memory."
"I'm too modest to boast," Luthor replied with a sardonic grin.
Batman took a step closer. "The real purpose of CADMUS was to give you superpowers."
"And to ruin Superman's reputation," Luthor added. "Imagine how sweet it will be when I save the world from the menace of the Justice League. Now, when I kill Superman, they'll build statues in my honor."
"Maybe next time," Batman responded as he suddenly threw a Batarang.
Luthor caught the weapon in midair before it could hit his Amazo creation, the Batarang exploding in his hand. "That…was uncalled for," he evenly stated, turning and picking up a piece of metal equipment and raising it above his head.
Luthor swung the piece of equipment at Batman, causing him to duck and roll out of the way. Batman swiftly sprayed gas in Luthor's eyes before clasping his fists together and smashing them into his face. Recovering, Luthor picked up Batman, throwing him straight through a glass window.
Batman immediately fired his grappling gun only for the hook to bounce off the building. As he plummeted towards the street below, a hand abruptly grabbing him by the shoulder. Bruce released a sigh of relief, thankful to find Diana and their teammates had been released.
"It's about time," Batman growled as Superman flew them back inside of LexCorp.
Luthor chuckled as he stared down Amanda Waller and her gun. "Did you really think you could take me down all by yourself?"
"Actually yah…but on the off chance that I might've been wrong…" Waller replied, her voice trailing off.
Luthor turned around to find all seven founding members of the Justice League standing directly behind him. He growled to himself, furious to find the Founders attempting to thwart his plans all over again. He wasn't about to let them ruin his plans to run for president this time.
"It's over Lex," Waller told him.
Lex Luthor suddenly began to twist and transform right before their very eyes, Brainiac showing his true self and taking everyone by surprise. Things had just gone from very bad to worse as the Founders assumed fighting stances, prepared to take on the extraterrestrial cyborg.
Brainiac blew the Justice League out the window, all of them in a freefall. Shayera flew after Flash while John captured Waller in a green bubble, keeping her from falling to her death. Diana immediately looked for Bruce, his grappling line flying past her to anchor in the building they'd just been blown out of.
Diana immediately turned in the air, anxious to get her hands-on Brainiac. Metallic tendrils grew out the building, wrapping around the League members and effectively trapping each one of them. They were bound by their arms and legs, strung up on display like trophies.
"You are defeated," Brainiac stated. "Any unique information that dwells within you will be digitized. Your physical forms will be deleted. Such is the ultimate fate of this world, but for you the end comes now."
Seven metal tendrils grew out of Brainiac, slamming directly into each teammate's chest. One by one, they screamed out in pain as an electrical current shot through their bodies. Diana tried to struggle against the metal cables that held her taut, desperate to break free in order to save her teammates, but the pain was too immense.
Thoughts of Bruce raced through her mind, fear of what this was doing to him clawing at her heart. She needed to get to him, needed to stop Brainiac before he destroyed her friends. The pain that coursed through her was mind-numbing, her entire body screaming out in pain.
"No!" J'onn cried out, phasing through the cable.
He flew straight at Brainiac, ripping the cables out in order to free his friends. "No!" Brainiac responded. "I was not yet prepared for this battle."
Brainiac flew to the top of the building as the Leaguers broke free from their bonds. Diana immediately flew straight towards Bruce, gently grasping hold of him. "I've got you," she softly murmured, releasing a silent prayer of gratitude to her gods that he appeared to be okay.
Luthor glared down at the Justice League, using his metal tendrils to destroy the building. Chunks of metal and concrete broke away to reveal a spaceship. "Now, I am prepared," Brainiac stated.
The spaceship began firing at various buildings, causing mass destruction. Batman watched as his teammates flew straight at it, ripping pieces of the ship apart before Green Lantern and Superman completely sliced the ship apart. Brainiac's ship crash-landed in the street, smoke curling up into the air from it.
All seven Founders slowly approached the ship as Batman knelt down to run his gauntleted fingers through a pool of liquid. "That was too easy," he growled, his suspicions running high as he thought through the events that had led up to this moment.
"Easy?" Shayera exclaimed. "Then I guess I went to the wrong fight."
"No, he's right," Superman declared, turning to gaze at them. "Brainiac isn't here. He suckered us."
XXX
"No sign of Brainiac," Flash announced as he sped to a stop before them.
"My ring can't trace him either," John stated.
"Okay…he's weakened and damaged," Shayera said, clutching her mace. "He'll need to repair himself."
"He may just dump Luthor and find himself a new body," Diana suggested, her ego bruised with how the last fight had just gone with Brainiac.
"No, he'll head right for the highest technology available," Superman spat out, his arms folded against his chest.
"Higher than LexCorp?" J'onn asked. "Then, he'll go to STAR Lab."
"He'll got to CADMUS," Waller interjected, capturing everyone's attention.
"Sure," Shayera agreed. "He's all nanotech now, right? What's the most advanced nanotech on the planet?"
"The Dark Heart," Batman stated, turning to glare at Waller. "We destroyed it, but your people confiscated the remains."
"We've never been able to get any of it to work again," Waller revealed.
"Are you willing to bet that Brainiac can't?" Batman challenged her.
XXX
"Watchtower," J'onn hailed. "Send rapid response teams to the transmitted coordinates. We need backup."
"That's going to be a problem, J'onn. The Ultimen ripped apart every Javelin in the landing bay and the teleporters—"
"…are still down. They hardly seem worth the trouble sometimes," J'onn stated, ending the communication in order to begin to transmit a new one. "All Justice Leaguers please report to the transmitted coordinates immediately. This is an Omega Level alarm. All available members and associates please respond immediately."
"We're scrambling now, but at top speed we're still an hour away," Green Arrow informed him.
"I doubt any of the others can get here any faster," J'onn said, glancing at Superman.
Batman looked back over his shoulder at them, his jaw set with steel-like tenacity. "Then the seven of us will have to be enough."
Diana could hear the unmistakable determination in Bruce's voice, echoing the sentiment. They would not go down easily this night. She swiftly landed the Javelin, her blood singing in anticipation of the battle that was looming on the horizon. She sent up a silent prayer to her goddesses, beseeching them for protection for her teammates and a quick victory in their fight.
Her blue-eyed gaze narrowed as she stared at CADMUS, knowing that Luthor was going to curse the day that he'd gotten involved in any of this by the time they were done with him and Brainiac.
XXX
"You guys can handle this," Batman told Diana, keeping his expression emotionless. "I've got work back in Gotham. You've got my number."
"I think so," she seductively teased with a sexy lilt to her voice and lustful gleam in her shimmering blue eyes.
Batman looked at her a moment longer, doing his best to suppress the quirking of his lips and the overwhelming desire to kiss that smirk right off her face. He was growing impatient to return home to the manor knowing that Diana would be coming soon, and they would finally be able to enjoy their weekend together.
Diana watched him walk away, wishing that she could follow him, but there was still PR work that needed to be done before she could thoroughly enjoy her time with him. She was anxious to find out all that had happened while she had been locked up in US custody. She had no doubt that he had quite a story to tell about what led up to their release.
She knew that he was the reason that the Justice League had been exonerated for the attack on CADMUS. While she had wanted him to come with them to turn themselves in, she knew that they both had to do what they felt was best—she the symbol of peace and he the great detective.
After spending a couple of hours talking with fellow Leaguers and giving an interview to Lois, Diana finally found herself arriving at the manor. The rumbling of her stomach reminded her that it had been far too long since she'd last eaten anything. The fight with Luthor and Brainiac had been intense to say the least.
She was anxiously anticipating a gourmet meal by Alfred before hopefully coaxing Bruce into sharing a relaxing bubble bath with her. Her stomach caused her to fly faster down the secret tunnel regardless of the dangers of running into a rocky crag sticking out. She was too hungry and too tired to care at that moment.
Entering the Batcave, she was disappointed to find it empty, no sign of Bruce anywhere. The Batmobile and Batwing were parked in their usual spots, letting her know that he was around here someplace…or at least she hoped that he was. He had promised to let the others handle patrol this weekend so they could have some time to themselves.
Deciding he had to be in the manor, Diana flew up the stairs, entering through the grandfather clock. "Bruce?" she called as she made her way down the hallway.
"Princess." Bruce's deep, baritone voice filled her ear as his hands slipped around her waist from behind.
She shivered despite herself, wishing she wasn't so obvious about the way that he always affected her. It only served to feed his ego which definitely didn't need to be fed. She leaned back into his possessive embrace as he pulled her firmly against his muscular body.
"Hera, Bruce!" she chided him. "You could be eighty years old and you'll still be able to sneak up on me."
"If I live that long," he growled in her ear.
"You will if I have anything to say about it," she ground out.
"I was thinking more along the lines of surviving making love with you," he clarified with a smirk.
"Are you saying you can't handle an Amazon in your bed?"
"I can handle an Amazon in my bed," he reassured her in a low, husky voice. "It's the fierce and fiery Princess of the Amazons that's part wildcat that keeps me on my toes."
Diana chuckled with his response, leaning her head back against his shoulder. "You knew what I was like before we ever made love," she reminded him. "I hope Alfred made a lot of food. I'm absolutely starving."
To prove her point, her stomach rumbled as if on cue causing Bruce to chuckle with her. "I planned the perfect menu tonight just for you, princess."
She seductively slid her fingers along his arm wrapped around her waist, turning her head to kiss along his jaw line. "You're too good to me, Dark Knight," she replied, her voice taking on a sexy lilt as she changed the subject. "I was hoping that maybe I could persuade you into enjoying a hot bubble bath with me after dinner."
Bruce made a noise low in his throat that sounded like a cross between a hum and a growl as his mouth descended on her throat. "I believe you could definitely persuade me," he huskily agreed.
"If you two can find the will to untangle yourselves from each other for a few moments, I have dinner ready for you," Alfred announced with a knowing grin.
"You don't have to tell me twice," Diana decided, swiftly pulling free from Bruce's embrace as all thoughts of romance were quickly quelled by her hunger.
Bruce just shook his head in amusement as he followed his girlfriend towards the formal dining room. Taking her chair out for her like Alfred had taught him to do so many years ago, Bruce pushed her chair in before taking his own beside her. A bouquet of roses adorned the table along with lit candles around the room, creating a romantic ambiance.
Diana looked down at her uniform, suddenly feeling very out of place. "I should go change," she said as she began to rise from her chair.
"No, you're perfect," he reassured her, placing a hand on her forearm to keep her from leaving. His hand slid down to lace his fingers with hers. "Besides, the sooner we eat the sooner we can take that bath."
Her lips curled as she repositioned herself in her seat, squeezing his hand appreciatively. "I like how you think, Mister Wayne."
Alfred entered at that moment carrying two large plates covered with silver domes that gleamed in the romantic lighting. He placed one tray before her before placing the other before Bruce. He removed the doom covering Bruce's plate first with a flourish, revealing a feast that had Diana's mouth watering in anticipation.
"You choose very well, Bruce," she practically moaned as she studied his plate. "Alfred, this looks heavenly,"
"Thank you, Miss Diana," he replied with a grin as he removed the dome from her plate.
Diana looked down in stunned disbelief to find a couple of pieces of bread and a glass of water, nothing more on her plate. "What in the name of Hera is this?" she cried in shock, her manners completely forgotten.
Digging into his own plate with his fork, Bruce gave her his best innocent look. "What? You were in jail, princess. I thought you would appreciate being served what jailbirds typically eat."
"Bruce!" she exclaimed, picking up the piece of hard, crusty bread and inspecting it closely. "You can't be serious!"
"Bread is what jailbirds are alleged to be given while in custody," he told her, having a difficult time keeping his expression serious. "Isn't this what you got when you and the others were in US custody?"
Diana watched as he took a bite of a pork medallion, chewing it slowly and humming appreciatively. She could scarcely believe that he was eating like this before her, not even offering her any. Her eyes narrowed into dangerous blue flames of ire as she threw her crusty piece of hard bread at him.
"Bruce Wayne!" she growled. "They gave us food…real food, not bread and water. Besides, I'm not a jailbird. I turned myself in willingly and we were all cleared…including you."
Bruce couldn't contain his laughter as the piece of bread bounced off his chest and fell into his lap. "Still, you've technically been in jail now, Diana," he pointed out. "I don't know if I can associate with a known criminal. It could be pretty damaging for my image. You know I have to be very careful who I'm seen with."
Her glaring expression slowly morphed into a very wicked smile, her blue eyes gleaming with mischief. "You know what? You're right," she replied as she stood to her feet, leaning in close to him as her hand settled on the arm of his chair. "You just sit here and enjoy your meal all by yourself. I'm going to go take that bath…alone."
"What?" he said, snatching her hand before she could leave. "It was just a joke, princess. Right, Alfred?"
"Here is your meal, Miss Diana," Alfred announced as he entered the dining room with another covered plate.
Diana sank into her seat mostly because of hunger but partly because Bruce had pulled her back down into her chair. "Thank you, Alfred," she primly responded with chin held high.
"I'm afraid this was all Master Bruce's doing, miss," Alfred informed her, removing the dome before exiting the room.
"Thanks for throwing me under the bus, Alfred," Bruce yelled.
"Anytime, Master Bruce," Alfred called back from the hallway with amusement in his voice.
"Now can I join you in that bubble bath?" he asked.
"I don't know," she responded. "It depends on how you plan on making it up to me for playing such a cruel trick like that."
"Come on, princess," he chided her. "You have to admit it was pretty funny."
"You're just lucky I didn't throw you through a wall and steal your plate from you," she told him as she took a bite.
Diana moaned softly as the meat practically melted in her mouth, her eyes falling closed with pleasure. She suddenly felt the caress of his breath warm against her cheek a moment before his lips found her ear, his five o'clock shadow rough against her face. He placed lazy kisses along her jaw, his hand drawing absentminded circles on her bare thigh that caused her skin to tingle.
"Are you sure you wouldn't like some company in that bathtub?" he huskily inquired, his teeth grazing along her jaw bone. "I scrub your back, you scrub mine?"
"Maybe," she ultimately decided with a breathy air, her eyelids fluttering open as she turned to face him. "Let me satisfy this appetite first and then we'll take care of other appetites."
"Sounds like a good plan…jailbird," he teased with a mischievous grin, giving her a quick kiss on the lips before settling back into his seat. "I got you a new pair of pajamas."
"Really?"
"Yes…they're black and white striped," he told her, ducking away to avoid the back of her hand.
Diana attempted to give a look that told him she didn't appreciate his humor but found it difficult to keep the amusement from reaching her blue eyes. She rarely got to see such a mischievous side to him, but it was steadily coming out a little more the longer they were together. She had to admit that she loved it even though it was at her expense.
"Good," she replied with a shrug of a shoulder. "It'll replace the lingerie that didn't survive your impatience the other night."
"You know being seen with an ex-con is really going to stir up the rumor mill in Gotham," he continued despite the risk to life and limb that came with goading her. "We may have to lay low for a while. No dates around town."
Diana shook her head in amazement as she rolled her eyes, a Greek curse escaping her lips. "This ex-con is going to teach you a lesson you won't soon forget," she threatened with a growl and a glare.
"I can hardly wait, princess," he murmured as he straightened up to finish his meal. "Just remember you're only allowed one phone call around here."
"Bruce!"
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this. I would've liked to include the scene where all the Founders try to save Wally and Bruce grabs Diana's arm to help, but this was turning into quite the beast and I have other Wonderbat fics to work on.
Thank you guys for all your support. I don't take it lightly that you guys take time out of your busy schedules just to read my fics or to even leave a review. I'm truly honored by that fact. There are so many other things pulling at your attention or other fandoms and the fact you support Wonderbat and our fics amazes me. You're the best! :)
UPDATE: Family Reunion: Working on Chp 3 right now. Hope to start posting by the end of the month.
Wonderbat Anthology: I have like six different one-shots started. Hope to post one this coming weekend.
The Wayne Family Chronicles: I have two or three different updates started. Just need to finish one and I'll get it posted.
Be sure to buy Justice League vs Fatal Five! Susan Eisenberg (the voice of Wonder Woman) assured us on Twitter that if the Fatal Five movie does really well, we'll get our JLReunion AND WONDERBAT! So, support the movie by preordering the DVD/Blue Ray OR buy it digitally on iTunes! :)