Request (DCAU)

Batman made his way towards the Javelin Bay, second-guessing himself which was something that he rarely if ever did. However, this particular request that he had to make was something that had put him on edge, especially since it involved the beautiful Amazon that occupied his dreams on any given night.

He paused as he approached the doors to the Javelin Bay, deciding that this was a very bad idea. He couldn't believe that Alfred had convinced him this was a great answer to his dilemma. No, he was not going to go in there and make his request. He was just going to find another solution to his problem.

Just as he was about to turn around to leave, the doors slid open to reveal Green Lantern. "Hey, Bats," John greeted him. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," he lamely replied. "I just needed to speak with Diana."

"She's in there helping with inventory," he informed him, pointing back over his shoulder with his thumb. "The supplies just arrived about a half an hour ago."

"Thanks," Batman muttered as he forced his legs forward despite his misgivings.

Batman spotted Diana across the bay with tablet in hand, her eyebrows knitted in concentration. He immediately decided this was a bad idea, turning around to leave. "Hey, Bats!" Flash greeted him as he appeared around a stack of crates. "Are you here to help too?"

"No, I was just checking to make sure everything arrived this time," he explained.

"If you're looking for Wondy, she's over there," Flash told him with a grin, pointing over his shoulder.

He instantly froze, his heart sinking as he compelled himself forward. He made his way towards her, making note of the five civilian crew members working with her. He definitely didn't want an audience when he made his request known.

"Diana?" he softly said her name, not wanting to draw attention to them.

"Hi," she replied with that heartfelt, inviting smile of hers that always felt like a warm blanket being wrapped around him. "What are you doing up here?"

"I…I was just checking on the delivery of the supplies," he tried to tell her, silently cursing himself. Somehow, somewhere his typical cock-sure confidence had deserted him, leaving him to babble like a fool with lame answers. "I know there was a mix-up last time. I just wanted to make sure they got it correct this time."

"It's going well," she replied, hooking a raven curl behind her ear as she glanced down at the tablet in her hand. "We should be all done in a couple of hours or so."

"Good…that's good," he murmured, averting his eyes under her scrutinizing gaze.

"Is there something I can do for you?" she ventured, sensing that he wanted something more.

"No…well, actually yes…" he began, pausing to gather himself. "Actually, there is something that I wanted to talk to you about. It's technically a request."

"What is it?" she asked, concern on her face as she drew closer.

"Well, there's this wedding tomorrow night that I have to attend," he attempted to explain. "She's a good friend of mine and I need a date for the wedding. If I show up alone, she'll hound me all night about finding a good woman and finally settling down and I—"

"Yes," she replied, interrupting his rambling.

"And I don't want to go through that," he continued on, not registering her response. "I've asked all the usual women, but they all hate me for breaking their hearts so now I'm—"

"Yes," she stated more forcefully, her hand coming to rest on his arm. "Yes, I'll go with you."

"You will?" he questioned her, stunned as the slits of his cowl narrowed suspiciously. "Alfred called ahead and put you up to this, didn't he?"

"No," she insisted. "I haven't talked to Alfred in weeks."

"So, you're serious about going with me as my date?"

"Yes, I'd love to go," she reassured him. "What time and where?"

"Be at the manor at five o'clock tomorrow evening," he told her. "Come dressed for a formal wedding."

"Who is your friend that is getting married?"

"Ronnie…Veronica…Vreeland," he clarified. "We've run around in the same social circle at charity events and fundraisers for years."

The corner of Diana's mouth quirked slightly. "Ex-girlfriend, huh?" she teased.

Batman grunted in amusement. "She always hoped for far more than friendship, but no, nothing more past that," he revealed. "I believe she is marrying number three this time."

Diana chuckled softly. "So, you dodged a bullet so to speak?"

"For certain," he agreed. "She's a good friend, but there is no way we would've ever worked out as something more than that."

"I'm anxious to meet her," Diana replied. "I'll see you tomorrow evening at five."

"Thanks, Diana," Batman softly said. "I really appreciate it. You're saving me from a major headache."

"Any time," she assured him, turning back to her tablet and the task before her.

Batman turned to leave, more than relieved that Diana had agreed to go with him. He would be off the hook with Ronnie and her well-intentioned, meddling questions about his love life or her attempts at trying to set him up with every single bridesmaid in the wedding party.

He didn't have time for romance and love. He was far too busy and his work as Batman was far too important. It's what he had told John over lunch at one time, and he still felt that remained the case despite any feelings that may or may not be lingering beneath the surface for a particular woman.

They would just have to be suppressed for the greater good no matter how strong they were becoming.

XXX

"I really appreciate you doing this, Diana," Bruce told her as he adjusted his bowtie. "I'm sure you have better things you could be doing tonight than going to the wedding of someone you don't even know."

"Not really," she replied. "It'll actually be nice to have an evening out. I've felt kind of couped up lately on the Watchtower."

Bruce tilted his head slightly as he appraised her, not realizing how difficult it could be for her. He'd allowed himself to become so wrapped up in his work that he'd forgotten how lonely it must be for Diana at times. He knew that feeling a little too well, but he'd chosen to ignore it instead of doing something about it, choosing work over his loneliness.

"To be honest, I know how you feel," he found himself confessing.

Diana looked at him in disbelief. "You do?"

He nodded his head, faintly wondering how she always managed to get him to open up to her. It was still something that he hadn't been able to figure out even after all of this time. "I allow himself to get too wrapped up in my cases that I don't take the time to just be me," he admitted. "I can't tell you the last time that I was able to spend an evening just being myself without having to plan how I'm going to ditch my date or cover for my alter ego."

Diana graced him with a tender smile as she reached over to place her hand on his resting on the seat between them. "Well, you don't have to fake anything with me tonight," she reassured him. "Feel free to just be yourself."

"I appreciate that," he softly said, the tension in the back of the limo growing stronger as they looked at one another.

"Try to ditch me tonight and you'll have to relearn how to walk," she threatened him with a smirk.

Bruce chuckled in response, feeling so at ease with her. "I'll remember that," he promised her. "Just swear that you're not with me just for my money."

It was Diana's turn to laugh. "That's terrible, Bruce."

"It's far more of a reality than you can imagine."

"I can't believe that women can be so shallow," she commented. "Why can't they look beyond that to see what an amazing man you are? You're so benevolent and self-sacrificing."

He was taken aback by her praise. He didn't get a chance to respond as Alfred announced they had arrived. "I should warn you," he began, checking his bowtie once more. "Ronnie can be a little over the top. Don't be offended by her."

"Good to know," Diana replied as the back door of the limo opened.

Bruce exited, turning to Diana to help her out of the car. Exiting the limo, Diana thanked Alfred before being led by Bruce up the front steps of a mansion that was enormous in size and stature. The doors were opened for them by two men dressed in tuxes.

"Remember," Bruce murmured. "Don't feel like you have to answer any questions. We've been friends for a couple of years after meeting in Paris. We've kept in touch over the last couple of years."

Diana smiled broadly, tightening her hold on Bruce's hand. "You worry too much," she replied. "It's going to be fine. Just relax and enjoy the evening."

"Right," he groused, giving her an incredulous look. "I haven't relaxed in years, Diana."

"Maybe tonight would be a good chance to do just that," she encouraged him.

"Really?" he questioned her, a single eyebrow raising. "At Ronnie's wedding?"

"Yes," she insisted. "Look, you don't have to worry about me as your date because I already know your secrets. We're close friends so you don't have to be concerned about putting on a show for anyone least of all me. Gotham is being covered tonight so you don't need to think about doing patrol."

Bruce's shoulders relaxed minutely. "I guess you're right," he murmured.

Diana pulled him to a stop, her hand coming to rest against his cheek. "Relax and have fun," she told him. "Let the evening take its natural course whatever that may be."

Bruce silently snorted to himself. That was going to be easier said than done. "I'll try," he replied, trying not to react to the feel of her hand against his skin.

"Good," she said. "That's all I ask. Now, let's go get our seats."

Bruce followed behind as the usher offered Diana his arm, leading the couple to the bride's side of the ballroom that had been decorated for the wedding. Taking their seats, Bruce smiled and nodded to several familiar faces, a wave of whispered excitement filling the room as recognition swept over the guests.

Bruce Wayne was there with Wonder Woman as his date.

Bruce internally groaned, realizing the rumors that this was going to generate throughout the city. On the one hand, it was going to cement his playboy image of being seen with Diana again since Paris. On the other hand, he was going to be bombarded with questions about his relationship with Diana by the Founders and those who know his secret identity. This could prove to be a headache. He was going to have to be very careful about how he played this.

He cast a sidelong glance at Diana who was chatting with Missus Kirkpatrick about the wedding flowers and decorations. She was completely oblivious to the stir she was creating around her as she laughed at something the older woman had just said to her.

He couldn't help but notice once again how beautiful she looked this evening. She had nearly buckled his knees when she had arrived at the manor, momentarily rendering him speechless. He had done his best to hide his reaction to her, but she had to have detected something.

Thankfully, she hadn't indicated that she had noticed anything. He had been able to keep things professional between them over the years, closest of friends but nothing more. He was going to do his best to maintain that professionalism tonight at all costs.

The violins began to play as the groom and his groomsmen entered the front to stand to the left of the minister. He couldn't believe Ronnie was getting married for the third time. Then again, he really wasn't surprised. She'd always been on the lookout for the right one and she was determined to find him no matter how many times she had to get married to do it.

The bridesmaids entered next, followed by the flower girl and ring bearer. They stood as the music changed, Ronnie entering in her white wedding dress. She was beaming as she glanced at the guests, causing Bruce to smile to himself. She looked really happy, causing a wave of relief to wash over him. He'd always wanted her to find real happiness and it looked as if she finally had.

Ronnie grinned at Bruce only to nearly stumble in her step when she spotted Diana. She managed to recover as gracefully as possible despite just finding out that Wonder Woman was attending her wedding. He'd have to apologize to her later for not giving her a heads-up beforehand.

The wedding ceremony was beautiful, proceeding without a hitch. They were dismissed to the extravagantly decorated gardens where servers provided glasses of champagne as guests mingled. Taking a glass, Diana thanked the waitress.

"It was a beautiful wedding," she told Bruce, bringing the glass to her lips to take a sip. "You never would've guessed it was her third."

"Don't be surprised if there's a fourth in the future," he quipped with a small smirk.

"Bruce!" she chided him, elbowing him playfully in the ribs. "The third wedding isn't even over with yet and you're already predicting a fourth?"

"You don't know Ronnie as I do," he replied with a chuckle. "I do hope this one is forever. I want her to be happy."

"Bruce!"

Diana turned around to find the bride approaching them, a look of shock and indignation on her face. "I think you're in trouble," Diana murmured.

"You don't know the half of it," he muttered under his breath.

"I can't believe you know Wonder Woman and you never told me!" Ronnie exclaimed, poking him in the chest. "You brought her to my wedding and never even warned me!"

"Hello," Diana politely greeted her.

Ronnie continued her rant, not even realizing Diana was talking to her. "If I had known, I would have done more to prepare. I would have gotten a better wedding dress."

"Ronnie, you look perfect," Bruce attempted to tell her.

"You still could have warned me!" Ronnie cried. "I'm so embarrassed! I nearly tripped over my gown when I saw her sitting there with you."

"Hi, I'm Diana," she tried again.

"I could have fallen flat on my face right at my own wedding!" she nearly shouted, throwing her hands up in the air. "How graceful would that have been?"

"Ronnie!" Bruce yelled. "This is Diana Prince."

"Oh, right," Ronnie replied, doing her best to compose herself. "Hi, I'm Veronica. It's a pleasure to meet the real Wonder Woman."

"Please, call me Diana," she told her.

"Did you hear that, Bruce?" Ronnie said. "She told me to call her Diana. I'm on a first name basis with Wonder Woman!"

Diana glanced at Bruce with a faint chuckle before talking to Ronnie again. "Congratulations on your marriage."

"Thank you," Ronnie replied, taking Diana's hand, and shaking it. "I'm so honored to have you here at my wedding. Bruce, you never told me that you were friends with Wonder Woman."

"We've been friends for a couple of years," he reminded her. "We met at a gala in Paris."

"Oh, right," Ronnie remembered, her eyes growing wide with realization. "Are you two dating? Oh, my word! You two are dating! Are you on a date at my wedding? Wait until I tell David. He's going to flip out to find out you two are on a date at my wedding."

"Ronnie," Bruce interrupted her tirade. "We're just…"

"It's actually our third date," Diana interjected, rendering Bruce senseless by her response.

"Bruce, you dog," Ronnie groused with an annoyed glare, slapping his chest with the back of her hand. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well, I…" he began, not knowing what to say.

"He requested that we keep it a secret," she told her, smiling at Bruce as she reached over to straighten his bowtie. "He wasn't ready to let anyone know about us just yet, but I guess it's all out in the open now. Sorry, honey."

"I can keep it a secret," Ronnie assured her, lowering her voice. "I can't say how the other guests will react, but I promise not to tell anyone but David."

"Thank you," Diana said. "We appreciate your discretion."

"Ronnie!" David called, waving her over to talk to a couple he was speaking with.

Ronnie murmured her apologies before going to her new husband, leaving Bruce and Diana alone. Bruce turned to Diana, his mind still reeling from what had just taken place. "I thought we had agreed we were telling everyone we're just friends."

"I changed my mind," she revealed with an impish grin before she suddenly pressed her lips against his.

Bruce was initially taken aback by the kiss, reduced to being dumbstruck for the third time that evening but not for long. His arms willingly slid around her waist, pulling her close and kissing her back with a passion that had been forbidden for longer than he cared to think about. Everything around them seemed to disappear, leaving only him and her and the feelings that had been simmering beneath the surface for years now.

Diana pulled back slightly, her mouth hovering near his. She kissed him once more with a sensual, underlying burn that hinted at something more, savoring the moment and the taste of him. She didn't want it to end, but she knew this was not the time or place for anything more.

"Ah! They're kissing at my wedding!" Ronnie squealed in excitement.

Bruce and Diana couldn't help but laugh as Diana pressed her forehead against his, both beginning to wonder if Ronnie was going to survive this evening. "We better get something to eat before Ronnie has a heart attack," Bruce softly said, finding it difficult to let her go.

He kissed her again before taking her hand in his, the couple making their way to the tent as they passed by Ronnie and David. "Can I make a request?" Ronnie asked. "Can I be a bridesmaid at your wedding?"

Bruce and Diana looked at each other in stunned disbelief, neither knowing how to respond to her request. "Elope," they both decided at the same time with a definitive nod and a grin.

Bruce found it unbelievable how a simple request and a kiss from an Amazon had completely shattered his resolve, turning his world upside down. He had intended for them to remain friends after tonight, but now, he couldn't wait to make her his lover.

He hoped she agreed to his next request.

A/N: Just a fun little romantic one-shot. I needed some Wonderbat kissing. Hope you enjoyed it! :)