Ambassador (DCAU)
"Stay alert," Batman instructed his team. "Keep a close eye on Diana."
"I thought you already appointed yourself to that job," Flash quipped.
A low, menacing rumble was the only response, causing Flash to grin. If there was anything that he lived for it was needling Batman. He knew he was taking his life into his own hands, but he couldn't help it. Getting under Bats' cowl and evoking a reaction brought him great pleasure.
"You know he's to physically maim you one of these days, right?" Green Lantern told him.
"He'll have to catch me first," Flash replied, clearly unfazed by the prospect.
"You have a death wish, don't you?"
Flash shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe," he admitted, "but it's just so much fun I can't help myself."
"Wow!" John exclaimed as the Ambassador from Themyscira arrived. "Diana looks gorgeous."
"Wondy is smokin' hot tonight," Flash agreed.
"Focus," Batman warned them.
John and Wally smiled at each other, knowing they had poked the bear once more.
"How are we going to know who we're looking for?" Wally asked. "There's like hundreds of people there."
"Diana is going to give us a signal if she figures out who wrote the letters," Batman informed them. "Otherwise, we're going to have to be prepared for anything."
"You really think they're going to strike tonight?" John inquired.
"It makes the most sense," Batman replied. "Diana is here without any Amazonian delegation, and no Justice League presence."
"Don't they realize Diana can kill them with her little finger?" Wally pointed out.
"Hatred can make people act without thinking about the consequences," Batman told them.
"Who could possibly hate Diana?" Wally asked. "Everyone loves her…even you, Bats."
Another ominous growl emanated through their commlinks, warning Wally to back off or else. John just shook his head in amazement at Wally's fearlessness…or foolishness depending on how one looked at it. "You're really pushing it," John whispered to him.
"Why doesn't he just admit he's in love with her?" Wally whispered back.
"I can still hear you," Batman snapped.
John decided that taking the heat off Wally was in everyone's best interest at this point. "No idea who the threatening letters came from?"
"None," Batman responded. "I did extensive testing on them and came up with nothing. Whoever wrote them harbors a deep hatred for the Amazons. They're not happy about Themyscira joining the world federation."
"Let's hope Diana can narrow the list of suspects down for us tonight," John said.
"Before it's too late," Batman murmured to himself.
XXX
Diana smiled as she took an offered glass of champagne. Taking a sip, she carefully began navigating the enormous room, hoping to discover the identity of the writer of the threatening letters. They had been typed, full of hatred, and left at her embassy office, completely anonymous.
She couldn't begin to think of anyone who would be against Themyscira joining the federation. Everyone had been so welcoming so far, sending flowers and well-wishes to her newly opened embassy office…except for this one person or persons. She didn't even know for certain if it was one person who hated her or if it was the whole country that was against her and Themyscira.
She smiled and nodded to another ambassador she had met just last week, hoping it wasn't her behind the letters. She had liked the woman very much and felt they could make some real progress towards world peace. She was anxious to set up a meeting with her.
Normally, Diana wouldn't have been bothered by the letters, blowing them off and letting them go, but she had decided to take them to Bruce to analyze just in case it turned out to be something. She didn't want any innocent bystanders or one of her staff to be caught in the crossfire if they proved to be true.
Bruce had been quite troubled by the letters, feeling they needed to be taken seriously. The threats had become increasingly dangerous and violent with each succeeding letter, causing Bruce further concern. They decided attending the ambassador's gala tonight could prove to be the best way to draw out the threat and apprehend them before someone was seriously hurt or worse.
Diana didn't think that having Bruce, Wally, and John watching from outside was necessary, but there was no arguing with Bruce about this one. She had finally relented just to appease him, knowing that wouldn't happen until the perpetrator had been caught.
Whoever was behind the threats obviously didn't know who they were dealing with, or they were arrogant enough to think that she wouldn't be able to stop them.
Diana turned to find a waiter offering something from his tray. "Hors d'oeuvre, miss?" the waiter asked.
Diana smiled as she took a napkin and a couple of Hors d'oeuvres. "Dick," she greeted the waiter, knowing it was Dick Grayson in disguise. She wasn't the least bit surprised that Bruce had planted one of his boys inside the gala.
Dick smiled in return, giving her a small wink. "It's Ricardo, ma'am," he politely replied.
He quickly moved on, not wanting to draw any unwanted attention to himself or Diana…although Diana was garnering plenty of attention without even trying. The whole room seemed to be enamored by her presence. It was as if she was this swirling glow of energy that drew everyone to her.
He knew, though, that there was someone here who wasn't impressed by the Amazon and wanted her dead. He intended to find that person and take them down before it was too late. Why anyone would want to hurt Diana was beyond comprehension.
He kept a careful eye on everyone that he met, making mental notes of anything that stood out to him. So far, there had been nothing of interest, but he knew that could change in the blink of an eye. Gotham had proven that to him countless times.
Diana smiled to herself with the knowledge that Dick was a waiter. It made sense, though. He'd be able to mingle and interact with the crowds without really being noticed. He could overhear conversations, not to mention the waiters gossiping in the kitchen.
Leave it to Bruce to think of everything.
She couldn't help but wonder who else could be here that Bruce had planted. She felt as though someone was watching her, but then again, it could be Bruce or the others outside. She took a moment to clear her mind, feeling as though Bruce's paranoia was beginning to wear off on her. She needed to stay sharp.
Diana still couldn't shake the feeling there were eyes following her every move. Then again, she was surrounded by hundreds of people.
She needed to focus and not let herself be caught off guard. She finished her champagne, setting the glass down on a nearby table. She wanted her hands free in case she needed to throttle someone or kick some ambassador's ass.
Diana couldn't help but remember the social event in Paris that had ended in an attempted kidnapping of Princess Audrey. It had been quite an eventful evening. She had ruined her dress, made a new friend, and learned Batman's identity all in one unexpected mission. Batman had refuted it for days after their return home only to finally give up denying it altogether.
"Ambassador Diana!"
Diana turned to find a tall man walking briskly towards her, a determined expression on his face. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Dick pausing, tension filling his body in preparation of making a move if needed.
The unknown man was middle-aged with dark hair and a mustache with bits of gray beginning to make itself known. His face portrayed some agitation, his gait annoyed as he approached her. She remained completely calm as he stopped before her, keeping a tight rein on her self-control. She didn't want to grab the man by the throat unnecessarily if he wasn't truly a threat.
"What can I do for you?" she politely asked.
"I've been trying to schedule a meeting with you for days, but I'm afraid I haven't had much success," he told her, his accent thick and his frown deepening as he reached into his tux pocket.
Diana silently willed Dick and the others not to make a move, wanting to give this man a chance to show his true intentions. "I'm Ambassador Muller," he introduced himself as he pulled a business card from his pocket. "I would be most pleased if you would be willing to schedule a meeting with me. I'm afraid our secretaries aren't making any headway. I was hoping you might help me rectify that."
Diana smiled brightly, taking the offered business card. "I would love to meet with you and learn more about your country, Ambassador Muller. I'll be sure to give you a call this week to set up a time to meet."
Muller released an exaggerated breath, relief visibly washing over him as he began to relax. "I'm happy to help you in any way I can," he told her, shaking her hand. "Themyscira is lucky to have you as its ambassador."
"Thank you, Ambassador Muller."
XXX
Batman released a ragged breath himself as he listened to the conversation unfold. He had worried that the man was prepared to attack her but had proven to be anxious to meet Diana. He had vetted every single person in that room—every ambassador, staff member, organizer, and assistant. Not one of them had stood out to him as being a possible source of the letters.
He's studied the history of each ambassador, going through meeting records to see who started arguments and made threats to other nations. While there had been a fair share of quarreling and bickering between nations, there hadn't been anything that had pointed to one person constantly looking to cause trouble or making good on any threats.
There had been a couple of staff members working in the kitchen who had criminal records, but it had been nothing but petty crimes several years ago. One of the ambassadors from a little-known island nation had been arrested for shoplifting as a teenager, but his father had gotten him off without jail time.
Bruce had learned long ago, though, that it was the most unassuming person who committed some of the greatest crimes. It's the one you never see coming. That was why he was so paranoid and trusted only a few.
He watched Diana through his binoculars, listening to Wally and John banter back and forth about basketball. He had to admit that Diana looked amazing tonight. The royal blue dress she wore seemed to flow like liquid around her, making her appear ethereal.
He observed her as she interacted with one ambassador after another, laughing and smiling and drawing everyone in with her beauty and charm. She was mesmerizing to behold. He couldn't imagine anyone wanting to hurt her or take her life.
The thought caused a knot to form in his gut.
XXX
"I would love to meet for lunch," Diana replied. "Contact my secretary and we'll set something up soon."
"It's been a real pleasure meeting you, Diana," Anita said, shaking her hand once more.
Diana was becoming more impatient as the night wore on. Everyone had been nothing but welcoming and more than kind to her. Ambassadors were eager to help her get settled in her new role and establish relationships with Themyscira.
She was beginning to think that maybe the letter writer wasn't here tonight. Either way, it was proving to be an enjoyable evening meeting new people and making new friends. She felt bad that Bruce, Wally, and John were stuck outside waiting for something to happen that didn't appear to be coming while she was having a lovely evening.
Dick was being hit on by quite a few of the younger women and a couple of the older females. He didn't seem to mind working the gala which brought her a sense of relief. She didn't want everyone to go to all this trouble just for her, especially when she was more than capable of taking care of herself.
"Ambassador Diana Prince."
Diana turned to find an unexpected man in attendance tonight. "Agent Faraday," she greeted him. "This is an unexpected surprise."
Faraday took her hand, bowing and kissing the back of it. "Call me King…and I was assigned to work security tonight," he replied, keeping a hold on her hand. "I've been busy working, but I had to come to greet you. You look gorgeous tonight."
"Thank you," Diana replied with a warm smile. "You don't look too bad yourself, King."
Faraday looked down at his tux. "Not really my style, but I guess I make it work."
"The night seems to be going well," she commented, politely pulling her hand free from his grasp. "It doesn't appear you're going to have anything to worry about tonight."
"I had no doubt that I would," he said. "With the magnificent Wonder Woman here, no one would be brazened enough to plot an attack."
Diana shook her head with a laugh. "I'm just an ambassador tonight, not Wonder Woman."
"I'm certain you'll do just as amazing as an ambassador as you do as a heroine."
XXX
"Is this guy for real?" Wally asked his teammates, pausing to stick his tongue out as if he was gagging. "What a cheeseball."
"Man, if he lays it on any thicker, I'm going to puke," John agreed.
"Just keep your eyes open," Batman cautioned. "Faraday is the least of our worries."
"Not for you, he isn't," Wally told him. "He's trying to get your girl."
"Diana is not my girl," Batman snapped. "She can date whoever she wants to."
Wally looked at John and rolled his eyes, neither of them believing him for a second. "Whatever you say, Bats," Wally replied. "We just don't want you to miss your chance with Diana."
"There is no chance with Diana," Batman stated. "We're just friends."
"You could be more if you gave her a chance," Wally pushed.
"Diana deserves better than me," Batman growled.
XXX
The Themyscirian Ambassador was beginning to think that the letters were nothing more than idle threats, trying to scare her away and send Themyscira back into hiding. Little did they know that neither she nor her Amazon sisters scared easily. They never backed down from anything. They would soon learn that lesson if they chose to follow through on their threats.
Diana smiled as she passed several people, deciding that she needed a little break. She had finally managed to escape King Faraday, dodging an invitation for dinner. It had been hours of smiling and greeting seemingly without end.
Ducking into the ladies' room, she was surprised to find it empty except for herself. She went to the sink, checking her appearance in the mirror. Tapping her commlink, she decided it was time to send her overly protective team home.
"What's going on?" Batman questioned her.
"Don't worry," she assured him. "I'm alone in the ladies' room. I was letting you know I think you should go home."
"We're not leaving," Batman stated.
"Nothing is going to happen tonight," she replied. "I'll probably stay for another half hour or so and I'll be going home too."
"I don't like it," he told her. "Something isn't right."
Hearing the door open, Diana turned her back on whoever was entering. "I'll talk to you when I get home tonight."
Ending the conversation and the commlink connection, Diana began to turn around only to immediately raise her right arm, using her magical bracer to block a knife blade coming at her. She spun on her heel to find herself face-to-face with Ambassador Anita.
"Hera!" Diana exclaimed. "Anita, what are you doing?"
"You don't belong here, Amazon," she hissed as she slashed at Diana with her knife, cutting her dress. "Go back to your magical island."
Diana grabbed Anita's wrist, stunned to find the woman possessed incredible strength that rivaled her own. Anita wrenched her wrist free, her appearance transforming into her true form. "Hecate!" Diana ground out with fury.
"In the flesh, so it seems," she quipped. "Time to die, Diana of the Amazons."
"Not today," Batman interjected, releasing a bola that wrapped around Hecate.
With her arms trapped at her sides, her knife dropped to the tile floor with a loud clank. "You think this can hold me?" she uttered with a bitter laugh.
The bola instantly dissolved into dust as she turned her attention to Batman, Flash, and Green Lantern who were standing by the door. Diana didn't hesitate to grab her from behind and restrain the evil goddess with her arm around Hecate's throat.
"I can hold you down," Diana told her. "This is between us, not them."
Hecate attempted to throw Diana over her shoulder only for Diana to tighten her hold around her threat. Hecate knew she had to do something before she passed out. She began to struggle, wrangling herself free.
Diana and Hecate traded blows, each throwing the other across the bathroom. One woman attempted to enter the bathroom only for Green Lantern to reach behind him and slam the door shut in her face before she could get one foot inside.
"Shouldn't we try to stop it?" Flash asked.
"You want to get between a furious Amazon and an evil goddess?" John questioned him.
"Right…we just watch."
Hecate slammed Diana's head into a porcelain sink before grabbing her by the hair and shattering the mirror. Diana kicked her leg out into Hecate's abdomen, sending her flying back into one of the stalls. She quickly grabbed hold of her, slamming her down onto the floor.
Hecate picked herself up from the hole in the floor that Diana had thrown her onto, picking pieces of tile out of her hair. "You haven't seen the last of me, Amazon."
With that, Hecate disappeared from the bathroom.
Diana sighed as she looked at her teammates. "You realize you are standing in the women's bathroom, right?"
"Whoa, we better get out of here," Flash decided.
"See you later," John said. "Glad you're not dead, Diana."
"Thanks," she replied.
Diana looked around the destroyed bathroom before looking down at her ruined dress. "Why can't I ever go anywhere without ruining my clothes?" she asked with a shake of her head.
The corner of Batman's lips tilted up as he drew closer to her. "You do manage to make quite the scene everywhere you go, don't you?"
She couldn't help but laugh as Batman picked pieces of porcelain and parts of the mirror out of her hair. "Well, I'm glad that's over. No more threatening letters."
"For now," he agreed. "I'm afraid she'll be back."
"Yes, but hopefully I won't be wearing an expensive gown when she does return."
Batman stared at her for a long moment, using his gloved thumb to wipe the dust from her cheek. He found himself more than relieved that she was safe once more. He found all the reasons not to get involved with her disappearing as quickly as Hecate.
Bruce offered her his arm. "Madam Ambassador, may I request a meeting with you at Wayne Manor tonight?"
A bright smile spread across her face as she took his offered arm. "That is one meeting I'd be more than happy to attend."