Hi again! This next chapter pretty much wrote itself and so I decided to post early. Thanks again to everyone who reviewed! Anyone who hasn't reviewed, I gratefully accept any criticism, encouragement, questions, or comments. I probably will start writing the next chapter as soon as this one is up so the wait probably won't be too long. Finally, I do not own DC Universe, the Justice League, or any of it's characters. Hope everyone enjoys!
Six o'clock finally arrived and I found myself standing outside of Wayne Manor, disguise in place, dressed in a purple satin cocktail dress that fell softly to my knees paired with warm black shawl to protect me from the cold Gotham air. It was to my satisfaction that Alfred failed to recognize me when he answered the door. It was only when I spoke did he realize who I was.
"My, my, Miss Diana! A secret identity! Quite impressive to say the least. Master Bruce is going to be quite-"
"Furious." I cut him off. No one lied to Batman. "Perhaps, but this old butler is quite proud. Whom may I say is calling, Ma'am?" I grinned. "Miss Diana Prince, here to see Mr. Wayne. We have a dinner date this evening." Alfred matched my grin. "Of course, Miss Prince. May I show you to the parlor to wait for Mr. Wayne?"
"That would be lovely, kind sir."
It was about five minutes before Bruce came tumbling down the stairs, adjusting his cufflinks as he entered the room. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep you waiting, Diana. I had a meeting that couldn't...wait..." His voice trailed to a stop when he finally laid his gaze on me. My raven hair was pulled away from my face and my now brown eyes were definitely unsettling. "What is this?" Bruce's normally pale features were flushed with anger and I felt my own rage stirring. "It's called a secret identity, Bruce! If we are going to give this thing between us a go, I needed a secret identity and you know it."
"Explain. Now."
"You and I both know that in a few day, when the reality of what you've done hits you, you will try to push me away again. You always come up with the same excuses. We're teammates. They'll use us against each other. You have a split life while I'm Wonder Woman all the time. I can't do anything about the first two, but I can change the last one. I don't want to date just Batman or just Bruce Wayne."
"Did you think this through, Diana? Is this identity foolproof?"
"I had Green Arrow create it through one of his governement contacts. I spoke with the contact myself and he seemed pretty sure it was legitimate." Bruce didn't look any more pleased. "My name is now Diana Prince. Oliver obtained all the documents I would need. Now, can we go to dinner? I'm starving and I'd rather not spend the night arguing with you." Bruce made his way over to a side table and grabbed a set of keys. "Let's go." Without another glance he stalked out of the room. Tonight was going to be simply delightful.
The restaurant was gorgeous. It was very ritzy and definitely could be considered one of Bruce Wayne's typical venues. The moment we entered the host led us to the best table and served us a very expensive wine. Bruce had yet to speak to me since we had left the Mansion and I was beginning to think he was going to be a grump all evening. Once the server made his way to the table, however, his mask fell into place and the playboy persona was in full play. "My lovely date and I will have whatever the Head Chef recommends. If it is served in a timely fashion there will be a little extra for you, my good man." The young man, who couldn't have been more than twenty, beamed and performed a small bow before hustling to the kitchen.
"Are you ready to talk about this, Bruce?"
"No."
"Then what would you like to talk about?" He remained silent and his blue eyes refused to look at me. "Fine. I suppose, since you are already upset with me, that now would be a delightful time to tell you that I have also obtained a job at the UN. My supervisor is the government contact who created my identity and he has promised me immediate leave if Wonder Woman requires it. I start Monday and I am quite excited about it." Still no response.
"I went on that League mission to the African jungle, I'm sure you read the briefing. Zatara came to me today and told me they caught the culprits, but the real perpetrator was someone beyond the cult. He sounded terrified, Bruce. I hope that whatever is preparing to come up against us the League is ready for." I could tell I sparked his interest.
"Does this cult have a name?"
"The Harbingers of Darkness. Have you ever heard of them?"
"No. That's what scares me. Did he say anything else?"
"Only that whoever is behind this is more powerful than Zatanna, Zatara, Fate, and Constantine combined. Who knows what kind of threat this might be?"
"We'll need to proceed with caution." Our conversation halted abruptly as the waiter brought a seafood dish to our table and placed it before us. "The chef hopes that the meal is to your liking. If there is anything else you require, just let me know." Bruce dismissed him and began to eat. "Come on, Bruce. I understand that you disagree with my actions, but you need to talk to me about it, not ignore me. I refuse to be anything less than your equal." Bruce wiped his face with his napkin before looking back at me. "You are right, Diana. I apologize. I will agree to accept this new identity after I do my own background check. After I know for sure that your secret identity is rock solid and that Oliver's man didn't leave any loose ends I will accept it."
"Thank you, Bruce. And I apologize for not being more up front with you in the first place. I guess I kind of wanted to surprise you. I wanted to show you that I was able to do this on my own. I also have to admit some feminine pride. I wanted to prove that though you were the man I chose, I didn't need you to establish my life for me." For the first time that night his icy blue eyes softened. "I do like to take over, don't I."
"That's kind of an understatement."
"How about we start this night over? Diana, your hair looks beautiful and that dress is positively gorgeous on you."
"And you, Mr. Wayne, look as handsome as always." He smiled. "I try. Now that we have our argument and awkward dinner conversation out of the way, what would you like to talk about?"
"Is Dick back on patrol? Or is he still working on that grade?"
"Still working on it. It's probably going to be a couple weeks before he can submit enough extra credit to even make a dent in that F."
"Are you keeping up alright without him?"
"Well, I've done it before and I'm sure I'll have to do it again. It's just too quiet sometimes without him. He talks more than he breathes sometimes and it drives me crazy, but when he's gone it's worse. I'll get by."
"If you need any help, feel free to ask."
"Gotham's still my city, Diana. You know how I feel about other heroes in my city."
"I understand, Bruce. The offer still stands if you need to take me up on it." Just then Bruce's cell went off, shedding off a dim red hue. "I'm sorry, Diana. The red light means Alfred transferred this call from the Batcomputer. The only person who has this number is the commissioner."
"Go ahead." Bruce answered the phone, placing the receiver on his ear after pressing a few buttons. "Commissioner." Our side went silent as he listened to the head of the police department on the opposite end. "What!" Bruce stood so suddenly he bumped the table, sending silverware to the floor and spilling wine on the white table cloth. The other guests nearest to our table looked at us awkwardly. "I will be right there."
He hung up the phone and tears were welling into his eyes. "It's Barbara. The Joker entered the Gordons' apartment and shot her in the spine. She's in Gotham General's ICU right now and she's not doing well."
My heart plummeted in my chest. Poor Dick. "What are we waiting for? We should be anywhere but here."
"I need to go as Batman first. After I speak with Gordon as Batman I can bring Dick in as Bruce." He opened his wallet and began to shovel money onto the table. What do you need me to do?"
"Once I tell Dick he's going to need someone more comforting than me to stay at the hospital with him. Especially into the night. Someone needs to bring Joker in and Jim Gordon won't be in any shape to conduct a manhunt. Will you stay at the hospital with them? I don't think Dick will want to leave that waiting room until Barbara's out of surgery at the very least."
"Of course, Bruce. It's the least I can do." In a rush we left the restaurant and headed back toward the Mansion.
The ride back to Wayne Manor was excruciating. All I could do was sit and watch as tears slid down Bruce's normal placid features. He tried to hide them, but it was no use. His fingers clenched the wheel so tightly his knuckles were white from the force and when he finally spoke his voice was choked. "I don't know how to tell him, Diana. You heard him the other night, he loves her." I placed a hand lightly on his arm. "It's going to be alright, Bruce. Barbara is a strong girl...a fighter. She will pull through."
"You didn't hear Gordon on the phone, Diana, he's a wreck. This doesn't sound like something she's going to walk away from." He let out a deep breath. "How am I supposed to tell him something like this? I am supposed to protect them! Dick and Barbara! I failed! I go around night after night seeking justice and trying to protect Gotham from itself and I can't even protect two teenagers!"
"Joker is a madman, Bruce! If you could follow his thought pattern completely I would be worried." Bruce's foot weighed heavily on the gas pedal and the sports car began to speed around the curves. "Slow down, Bruce. This isn't the Batmobile."
"I can't be too late. I can't. Not again."
"This isn't the same as with your parents."
"Isn't it? I was powerless then and I'm powerless now."
"This isn't your fault, Bruce! You can't watch them twenty-four seven. You are a wonderful man, but a man nonetheless. You can't be everywhere at once."
"What's the use trying to clean up Gotham's streets if I'm no closer to my goal than I was at the age of twelve watching my parents bleed out into the alley?"
"Don't think like that, Bruce. The moment you lose hope is the moment you truly lose the fight. Hope is all we have, hope is what separates us from them."
"What if I'm already out of hope, Princess? What if I am tired of fighting for a city that refuses to change? What if I'm just done?" He pulled to a sudden stop and I blinked. I hadn't realized that we were already back at the Manor. I grabbed his hands tightly. "Then let me be the one who hopes now. I understand that you are worn down. I have enough hope for the both of us. We will get through this. Barbara is going to make a full recovery and will be able to fight at your side before you know it."
Bruce squeezed my hand before letting go. "Thank you, Princess. Now for the real challenge. Dick is going to be heartbroken."
"Do you want me to be there when you tell him? Or would you rather I wait outside?"
"Come in. We'll probably both need you before the night is out." Without another word we climbed out of the car and made our way somberly into the house.
Though the mansion usually felt slightly cold and lonely it was downright frigid as we made our way into the study where Alfred informed us Dick was working on homework. Sure enough, he sat at Bruce's desk with his head buried in a book, his pencil scratching notes on a scratch piece of paper as he read.
"Dick." Bruce's voice cracked as he spoke and I wished desperately that I could take this pain away from them.
"Just a minute, Bruce. I have, like, two more questions and another extra credit assignment bites the dust."
"Dick." The boy looked up and his eyes widened as he seen the tears streaming down his adoptive father's face. Dick stood and made his away around the desk. "B-Bruce? What's the matter?"
"Gordon called Diana and I during dinner. There's been an incident."
"Bruce, you're scaring me. "
"Barbara was shot in their apartment. The bullet's lodged in her spine and she's in surgery right now." Dick's features were a mix of rage, pain, sadness, and fear. "Is she going to be alright?"
"Gordon doesn't know yet."
"Who did it? Who shot her?!" Dick's eyes flashed and for a moment he looked terrifying. There was an uncontrollable anger rifling through him and for a split second I was extremely glad that I was not the Joker.
"Joker. I need to meet Gordon up at the hospital as Batman. If you'd like Diana has offered to take you up to the hospital."
Dick nodded, beginning to cry himself as the reality of the situation sunk in. "Why Barbara? Why not one of us?"
"I don't know...I just don't know." Dick continued to break down and Bruce looked toward me helplessly. "Hug him." I mouthed silently. With very awkward movements he pulled the young man into a hug and slowly his tears began to fall as well.
"Give me a few minutes head start and then you and Diana follow me up to Gotham General. I'll let Gordon know I've informed you." He extricated himself from Dick's arms and triggered one of the passageways to the Batcave. He gave me an appreciative nod and then vanished from view, the secret door closing behind him.
