TITLE: Keep in Mind

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: Set during the episode Ultimatum, Bruce can't help the jealousy that he feels when Diana takes an interest in Long Shadow.

Keep in Mind

Batman stood like a silent sentinel in the shadows, his watchful gaze once again catching every single detail and missing absolutely nothing. Instead of watching over his beloved city, he was intently watching over the woman that he loved. Though the words had yet to be spoken it had been felt and thoroughly communicated in the most intimate of moments.

The expansive room was empty save for him and her, her feminine form having captured not only his attention but his heart as well. He watched as Diana sat in the front row reserved for the founders all by herself, soberly staring at the long black casket before her.

Gone was the bright twinkle that usually permeated her eyes, missing was the typical upturn of the corners of her red lips that defined everything about her. Her hands so delicate appearing and yet so very deadly laid clasped in her lap as she sorted through her thoughts and the events of the last couple of weeks. There were some things that he wished she would forget about…words said in the heat of anger that he desperately wanted to take back.

His mind was clouded with doubts, questions lingered in the recess of his mind demanding answers that he feared. The genuine love and happiness that he had finally, selfishly allowed himself to have felt as though it were slipping through his gauntleted fist.

He could feel her sorrow radiating off her in painful waves that nearly made him flinch in reaction to it. He swallowed past the thick knot that unexpectedly filled his throat as he stood leaning against the wall watching her from the shadows, struggling with feelings of his own…feelings that he'd sooner not have to deal with or face.

It would be so much easier to just run away—run back to Gotham, run back to the safety of his Batcave, run away from this pain and doubt and fear…run away from her. But he knew that he couldn't, not any more. He was in too deep, too much of him connected to her now.

He loved her too damn much.

And to keep her, he'd have to face them, and he would for her even if it meant that he might still lose her in the end.

Watching the woman that he loved grieve over the loss of a fallen hero only seemed to resurrect his own painful memories, intensifying the pain that was permanently carved into his heart. All of this reminded him too much of his own sense of perceived failures over the years, the one that loomed the largest and the most damning being the death of his own parents.

The slits of his cowl narrowed as Diana rose to her feet, approaching the long, sleek casket that seemed to glow in the artificial light of the Watchtower auditorium. The white of her ceremonial robes made her appear as though she were a breathtaking angel sent from heaven, gliding towards the casket with such grace that very few could ever begin to possess. Her silken curls hung loosely, unhindered by the royal headdress she had chosen not to wear today.

Her raven curls spilled over her left shoulder as she bowed her head, her eyes falling closed. Prayerful words softly spoken in Ancient Greek permeated the empty room like a shadowy specter, casting a warm blanket of respect and grief over one lost so young.

The words seemed to drift through the room, reaching his ears and breaking through yet another wall as if the words were being spoken for him instead of a fallen hero. He knew that she needed this time alone but the urge to comfort her was growing stronger despite their heated argument that now left the status of their relationship in question.

Ever since beginning a relationship with Diana, he had finally found the happiness and contentment…the true love for a woman that had eluded him ever since a dark alley, a gun, and a string of pearls had come to define his life. It had directed him down this dark and lonely path that was not so lonely now.

He had never dreamed that a mission to assist Aquaman almost two weeks ago could have turned out quite like this. However, all that happiness and contentment had been unexpectedly turned on its head by the appearance of a young superhero and the love that Bruce had found was suddenly in question.

XXX

"The new Bermuda Platform is under attack," Aquaman reported. "If it collapses, we're going to have the worst oil spill in history on our hands. I've told those idiots to stay out of my ocean."

"ETA is three minutes, Aquaman," Superman responded.

"Right behind you, Superman," Diana said.

"See you there, Diana," Batman told her with a taunting lilt to his voice, performing a complicated spin as he soared past her in his Batplane.

They had spent a very passionate morning together in his bed, making love over and over again. It felt as if they couldn't get enough of each other, one heated session immediately leading into another, neither knowing where I ended and the other began.

He had reluctantly let her out of his bed, only to take her again in his shower before finally making it downstairs for a late breakfast. He had hoped to spend the entire day with her only for them both to be called in for a mission.

Now, they were heading towards an off-shore oil rig to assist Aquaman in an attack. It was time to focus on the mission at hand and put thoughts of Diana aside for the time being.

Batman exited his plan, quickly taking one creature after another as he came to Aquaman's aid. "These geniuses dug right into the Earth's magma," Aquaman spat out with fury. "It never occurred to them that there might be anything living down there."

Diana suddenly landed to Batman's left, Superman to his right as they prepared to take on the magma creatures. Their backs were to each other as the creatures began to circle around them.

"Not to worry, fellow heroes…the Ultimen are here!"

"Not them again," Aquaman snapped with unmistakable contempt, glaring darkly at the newly arrived young heroes.

Diana sprang into action, using her lasso to capture several creatures before landing among them, delivering punishing kicks and strikes. Long Shadow turned to watch in awe as Diana fought with great skill and fearlessness, adoration shining in his dark eyes.

"It's really an honor…to be working with you Wonder Woman," Long Shadow said to her as they fought the creatures side by side.

"Thank you, Long Shadow," Diana replied with a warm smile.

Checking on Diana, Batman watched in horror as Downpour turned into a large tidal wave of water that abruptly converged on the platform, taking some of the creatures as well as Diana over the edge and into the ocean. He stifled the cry of her name that sprang to his lips, forcing himself to give her a chance to recover from the unexpected attack.

A sea serpent abruptly shot up out of the ocean, emerging from the water with its body wrapped around Diana. It safely deposited her back onto the platform much to his relief. She appeared furious, but unharmed as far as he could tell.

"Don't be afraid, Wonder Woman," the serpent said. "It's only me—Shifter.

"Any chance you can warn me before you try to drown me?" she ground out, clearly angered.

"We were only trying to help," she replied, her voice laced with hurt.

Batman growled under his breath as he fought off magma creatures left and right, his back to Aquaman's as they attempted to stem the tide of the fight. "Can you make telepathic contact?" Batman asked, glancing over his right shoulder at the King of Atlantis.

"Do they look like fish to you?" Aquaman derisively snapped.

"Don't despair, old chum!" Wind Dragon reassured him, creating a burst of wind that quickly froze every single magma creature, taking everyone by surprise.

"I didn't know you could do that," Long Shadow said, stunned.

"Neither did I," Wind Dragon confessed.

Diana, Superman, Aquaman, and Batman stood silently off the side, watching as the Ultimen spoke to the press. "He's certainly…earnest," Aquaman noted.

"I think the word is corny," Superman amended, thoroughly irritated by the situation.

Deciding it was time to try a measure of diplomacy, Diana made her way to the Ultimen, taking two of her male teammates by surprise. Batman wasn't the least bit stunned by her actions, knowing how compassionate his princess could be. She was always the first to extend a hand in friendship in an effort to build bridges.

"Our paths keep crossing and our goals are very much the same," she told them. "Isn't it time you accepted our offer?"

"All right!" Long Shadow cheered, throwing his arms up in the air in undisguised excitement.

"We're truly flattered, Wonder Woman, but we're simply not ready yet," Wind Dragon eloquently stated, his hand coming to rest against his chest in a dramatic fashion. He paused, taking Diana's hand in his and holding it much to Bruce's annoyance. "All of you in the Justice League stand as shining examples of what true heroism is. I only hope that one day the Ultimen can live up to your legend."

"Oh, for crying out loud," Superman groused as he turned away in revulsion. He'd had more than enough from the Ultimen and their artificial façade.

Batman watched as Diana pulled her hand free from Wind Dragon's hold, turning to make her way back to her waiting invisible jet. The white slits of his cowl narrowed dangerously as Long Shadow called Diana's name, not missing the way that he looked at the Amazon princess.

"Wonder Woman," Long Shadow called to her, causing her to stop. "I…I think it'd be terrific if one day we could join the League, but…"

"Maybe you could come with me on patrol some time," Diana suggested, Batman silently bristling with her offer.

"Oh…oh, that would be…" Long Shadow stuttered.

"Let's go, Romeo," Juice said as a band of electricity snaked around Long Shadow before dragging him away.

XXX

"I can't listen to any more of this," Clark groused as he turned the screen off and turned to face his teammates sitting around the round table in the conference room. "This guy is dripping more oil than that platform ever did."

"And he has the gall to take cheap shots at us," Aquaman added.

"I know Maxwell Lord," Batman commented. "All he cares about is money."

"Well, it takes money to do what we do," Diana pointed out from her seat on Batman's left, glancing at him. "Not everyone is independently wealthy."

Batman took her jab in stride, knowing that she was playing the devil's advocate. Besides he knew that she would take the Ultimen's side. "Lord's a walking ego who would do anything for a buck and some free publicity," Batman shot back, still irritated by the attention that Diana had paid to Long Shadow and vice versa. "If he's involved in this, it isn't about helping people."

"I don't know about Lord, but I think the Ultimen have potential that should be encouraged, especially Long Shadow," Diana said, noticing the three glares she was receiving from her teammates. "I admit they're a little…over eager, but they're really a nice bunch of kids."

Batman ground his teeth as he glared at his girlfriend, not liking the fact that she was defending the Ultimen and therefore Long Shadow. It rankled him that she refused to see how Maxwell Lord and his superhero team were trouble.

He had an unsettled feeling about all of this, knowing that this situation was not going to go away any time soon. The more the Ultimen showed up on missions the more trouble was going to follow. The fact that Long Shadow was mooning over Diana like a teenager with a crush only gnawed at him even more.

XXX

Sitting before the array of computer screens in the Monitor Womb, Batman brought up a video feed of Diana's mission to stop Giganta from freeing Grodd from prison. He knew she could handle the situation but wanted to be prepared to call in back up for her if more of Grodd's friends decided to show up.

He grimaced as he watched Bizzaro hit her square in the jaw, sending her flying backwards into a wall and causing her to land face down. She paused for a moment to gather her senses before flipping her raven hair back out of her face. Looking up, she found Bizzaro standing over her.

Bizzaro landed in front of her, prepared to finish her off when the security guards opened fire on Bizzaro and Giganta. Diana quickly got to her feet, hitting Bizzaro with a right hook that caused him to stumble backwards.

Batman smiled to himself as he watched his princess, knowing that Bizzaro was not going to last much longer in this fight. Diana suddenly flew up, her left fist connecting with his jaw. He flew through the air only for Long Shadow to use his palm to slam him into a wall.

Batman's smirk fell away with the appearance of Long Shadow. He gritted his teeth as he watched Diana and the Ultimen team member talk for a moment before they took off together. He immediately cut the feed as he sat back in his chair with a scowl on his face.

He did his best to rein in the sudden wave of anger that threatened to overtake him. His jaw clenched tightly, knowing that Diana was just being friendly to the young hero who obviously idolized her. It wasn't in her nature to turn someone away or outright dismiss them. Everyone was a friend until they proved themselves otherwise.

"What's wrong?"

Batman looked up to find Superman approaching him. "Long Shadow showed up to help Diana with Giganta and Bizzaro."

"Those guys are nothing but trouble," Superman groused. "They either need to join the League or stay out of our way."

"You know that's not going to happen," Batman rasped. "Not with Maxwell Lord running things."

"Maybe Diana can at least persuade Long Shadow to join us," Clark thoughtfully said. "He seems excited about the prospect of joining the League. If joins, maybe the others will follow."

Bruce grunted derisively with Clark's comment as he checked more satellite images for possible trouble. He didn't want to think about Long Shadow or his reasons for wanting to join the League. It was already quite obvious where the majority of his interests already lay.

Clark smiled knowingly at Bruce as he crossed his arms against his chest. "What's the matter, Batman?" he asked, amusement lacing his voice. "Not appreciating the way that Long Shadow follows Diana like a lost puppy?"

"I don't care what Diana does," Batman ground out. "I have more things to worry about then who is in love in Wonder Woman."

"Right…" Superman drawled with a roll of his eyes. "I gotta run. I'll talk to you later."

Batman didn't respond as Superman left, his teeth grinding together in anger. He hadn't appreciated the way that Long Shadow stared at Diana with stars and adoration in his dark eyes and yet he was not the first and definitely not the last. She had adoring fans everywhere she went, awestruck and lovestruck and prickling his ire at any given turn.

It was something that he was struggling to come to terms with. Typically, he took the jealous looks in stride, knowing that she belonged with him and no one else. The problem was that no one knew that Batman and Wonder Woman were together, Bruce and Diana lovers.

Their relationship was still a well-kept secret, no one aware of the change in the status of their relationship except for Alfred. He was the one who had chosen to keep it that way, the one who had insisted they keep it between them until they could figure out what they wanted.

Now, he was regretting that decision.

XXX

Diana made her way towards the commissary to get some lunch and hopefully spend a few minutes with Bruce before he needed to leave. While they couldn't appear to be too close, there was nothing wrong with two Justice League founders having lunch together…at least that's what she had told him the other day.

He had made her promise to show some self-control and not to kiss him when they were on the Watchtower among the other Leaguers. She had laughed when he had told her that, swatting him on the shoulder for even presuming that she had so little self-restraint.

He had begun to tickle her then, climbing on top of her and pinning her to his mattress. That had led to another wild round of love making before finally leaving his bed. It was soon after that they had been called in to assist Aquaman and the appearance of the Ultimen.

She smiled softly as she thought about Long Shadow and his excitement over being a superhero. She sensed a great deal of compassion in him, a kind heart and humble spirit that didn't really want or need to be in the spotlight like his fellow teammates.

He reminded her so very much of the man that she loved.

"I hope I'm the source of that smile on your face, princess."

The soft, sensual rasp of his voice near her ear caused a shiver of desire to race up her spine. She could feel her cheeks grow warm as she glanced at the Dark Knight who had fallen in step beside her on her way to the commissary.

"Batman," she formally greeted him as she shyly tucked raven tresses behind her ear. "I was just thinking of our young group of superheroes that seem to show up everywhere we go."

Bruce immediately stiffened with her words, misunderstanding her meaning. "I see," he curtly replied, his spine ramrod straight as he glared straight ahead of him.

Missing his abrupt change in mood, she continued down her path of thought. "I was wondering if we should extend an invitation for them to take a tour of the Watchtower," she suggested. "Maybe if they could see what it's like here, they would be more apt to accept our offer. I know Long Shadow is very anxious to join us."

"I wonder why," he ground out under his breath.

"What?" she asked with a curious tilt of her head as they entered the comm to find it had already emptied out quite a bit from the early lunch crowd.

"Nothing," he snapped, going straight for the coffee bar.

"You should've seen Long Shadow in action last night," she continued as they filled their trays. "He really handled Giganta like a seasoned hero. It was rather impressive. He's really sweet."

"Where did you go after your mission?" he demanded to know, wanting to change the subject.

"Long Shadow and I talked," she replied as she gathered her lunch. "It was a beautiful night. We sat under a tree overlooking the city and talked for a while. He's so earnest and eager to be a—"

"Can we talk about something?" he growled, nearly slamming his tray down on the table they'd chosen.

Stunned, Diana took her seat across from him. "What's wrong?"

"You just seem a little obsessed with Long Shadow," he found himself admitting, hating himself for the petty comment that seemed to escape against his will.

"He's a very nice young man," she maintained. "I think if we can get him away from the others he'd be a great asset to the League."

"Of course, you would," he spat out.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she demanded to know, growing angry with his attitude.

"I'm just saying that you've been a little too quick to defend the Ultimen," he stated in a low voice as he leaned towards her. "Makes me think that maybe you like the idea of having Long Shadow on the Watchtower."

"I would," she said, exasperated. "He has a real talent and a genuine willingness to help others."

"Yah, and it doesn't hurt that he's practically swooning over you every time he's near you," Batman growled.

Diana stared at him in stunned disbelief. "Are you jealous?"

Batman chuckled derisively as he looked away from her. "Of him? Never."

"Well, it certainly sounds like it," she snapped, folding her arms against her chest as he glared at him. "He's a nice young man, Bruce. He's just eager to do what's right and to make a real difference in the world. He wants to be a part of us but he doesn't want to betray his friends. I don't see what's wrong with him wanting to learn from us."

"From you," he grumbled.

"This jealous possessiveness is not you," she icily stated. "I thought you would be above such pettiness. Are you going to jealous of every single male friend I have? Are you jealous of Kal?"

Bruce bristled with her use of Clark's Kryptonian name. He'd always hated it when she used that name. It made it feel as though there was some special bond between her and Clark, one that no one could ever understand or compete with.

Batman downed his cup of coffee in one scalding gulp before tossing his napkin down. "I've got to go," he abruptly said as he stood to his feet without touching his food.

"Running away again?" she questioned him with a glare.

"Have fun with your new friend," he shot back as he stalked away without another word.

Diana fumed as she watched him storm out of the commissary, wondering what in Hera had just happened. She swore for someone who was so arrogant and self-assured Bruce had so many insecurities that they were going to have to work through.

The problem, though, was getting him to stick around long enough to work on them.

XXX

"Project Cadmus?" Superman repeated. "And that's all you know?"

"Everything else is an implanted memory," Long Shadow confessed to the League members gathered around him, Batman refusing to make eye contact with Wonder Woman.

After their argument at lunch, Diana had come to the cave after dinner to talk only for things to dissolve into an even more heated argument. She had ended up storming away, returning to the Watchtower and leaving him alone in his cave wondering if they were even still together or not.

"How much time do you have left?" Diana asked, tears shining in her blue eyes.

"Who knows," he softly replied, his head lowered in grief. He looked up to see three trucks approaching to take them away.

"We'll take it from here," Amanda Waller stated. "They belong to us."

"Belong?" Diana repeated, outraged by her words. Between this and her fight with Bruce, she was itching to unleash her fury on someone and Waller fit the bill.

"A poor choice of words," Maxwell Lord interjected, trying to diffuse the situation. "We'll see to it that their last days are comfortable. We will take care of you. You have my word…for whatever it's worth."

"All right, Max," Wind Dragon agreed.

Soldiers approached Long Shadow only to come to an abrupt halt when Diana stepped in front of him. "No," she ground out with fists clenched, refusing to allow him to be taken away like some lab rat.

"You need to step back," Waller stated, approaching Wonder Woman only for Batman to stand in her way. Despite their fight, Bruce knew that this was wrong. No matter their differences, Long Shadow didn't deserve this. Besides, he was doing this for Diana. He wasn't about to let her be hurt any more by this.

"Not gonna happen," Batman ground out. "Long Shadow is with us."

"Safeties," Waller ordered, the soldiers immediately adjusting their weapons.

Superman and Aquaman moved to stand in front of Long Shadow as well, ready to protect the young man. "Mine are bigger than yours," Batman rasped with a devilish smirk, the slits of his cowl narrowing.

"Stand down," Waller finally ordered. "He's free to go with you…for however long he's got."

"Who are you people?" Batman demanded to know, hands fisted at his sides.

"That's a national security matter," Waller responded with a smirk of her own. "And if I were you, I wouldn't probe the situation too closely…rich boy."

Bruce felt his heart leap into his throat with her softly spoken words. She knew his real identity. He watched as she turned and strode away, his mind racing with questions that would demand answers no matter how long it took. This woman was dangerous, and he was going to find out everything he could about her.

"Watchtower," Superman hailed over his comm. "Five for transport."

Long Shadow appeared on the transport pad on board the Watchtower, staring in stunned disbelief with what he saw. "Welcome to the Justice League," Diana greeted him with a warm smile.

Long Shadow swallowed hard, his lips spreading into a grin. His dream had finally come true.

XXX

Batman gritted his teeth as thought back on that moment. If only he had known that meeting between Long Shadow and Diana would lead to arguments and a myriad of doubts, an endless string of questions that his paranoid mind couldn't begin to escape.

He folded his arms firmly against his emblemed chest as Diana continued to pray over the casket, bidding the fallen hero safe journey to Elysium. Long Shadow had only lived for another week, but they had made sure that it had been the best week of his life as a Justice League member.

Bruce resigned himself to the fact that he had probably destroyed the best thing that had ever happened to him with his paranoia and jealousy, his foolish insecurities that would forever be his greatest vice in life. He silently turned to leave, taking a couple of steps when her voice caused him to freeze.

"I know you think that I had feelings for him, but I didn't…at least…not the way that you think," she said.

His heart hurt as his chin fell to his chest, the sorrow in her voice pricking his guilty soul. Her words had stopped him dead in his tracks, but his pride kept his boots firmly cemented to the floor instead of allowing him to go to her and beg for forgiveness.

"I felt a sort of kindred spirit with him," she continued, knowing that he was still there listening to her. "I know you don't want to hear that, but it's true. He reminded me so much of myself when I had first come to Man's World.

"Fresh from Themyscira, I was wide-eyed and naïve about the world around me, so intent on making a difference no matter what the cost. I feel like I've lost so much of that innocence over the last three years…becoming world-weary to some extent. I wanted to take him under my wing…to keep him from losing that sincerity of spirit."

Bruce could hear some of her weariness in her words, cynicism filling her voice. He'd never once stopped to consider the notion of Diana ever becoming jaded. She was always so happy and at peace, exuding such confidence and love. It never occurred to him that she would grow tired with the endless battle against evil.

He had taken her for granted in a way, always looking to her as his bright beacon of hope and faith. She was his strength when he thought about giving up, his source of hope when he had none. She had given him faith that he had lost that fateful day in that dark alley.

He felt his shoulders slump in overwhelming guilt, feeling as though he'd neglected to see so much about his beautiful princess. Did she cry at night when she returned home from a grueling mission?

Did she slam her fists against the wall in anger when it seemed the tide of evil could never be stemmed?

Did she have nightmares about the injustice that riddled this world they all fought so hard every day to save?

Did she ever think about leaving Man's World to return to Themyscira, never looking back?

The thought made him ill to his core, nearly buckling his legs.

She was always so strong and in-control, confident and unfaltering in her beliefs. She was the heart and soul of the entire League, the very thread that stitched the different fabrics of heroes together into a seamless team that could take on the worst the universe had to offer.

And he had been so very blind…so foolish to believe that she never doubted, never experienced uncertainties and moments of weakness, never cried. His gauntleted fingers curled into fists as he steeled himself, resolved to be there for her just as she had always been for them…for him.

Batman turned around, finding her shoulders and head lowered towards the casket, a single hand resting on top. He made his way towards her, his heart pounding in anticipation of what the next few moments held for the two of them. He was determined not to fail her, not to lose her. He would always fight for her with everything that he had.

"I'm so sorry, Diana," he softly said, standing to her left and bracing himself for her response.

His apology held so many layers, so many facets that he didn't even know where to begin to explain. Thankfully, he didn't have to. Diana lifted her head to gaze at him, her sapphire eyes bright with unshed tears as she stared at him. The corners of her red lips curled sadly.

"I know, Bruce…me too," she choked out.

Securing the room, Bruce pushed his cowl off to rest against his back, removing his gauntlets and tucking them into his utility belt. He drew a deep breath, releasing it in a frustrated sigh. "I…I'm not very good…at this, princess," he began as he shook his head.

She chuckled softly, laughter not filled with amusement but sadness and understanding. "I've never been in a relationship before," she confessed, averting her eyes as she abruptly reached up to brush away a tear. "I'm afraid this is all new for me."

A gentle smile touched his lips as he slowly closed the distance between them. He took her hands in his, turning her towards him. "I guess we'll have to figure it out together then," he decided, relieved that she wasn't giving up on him…on them.

"I wasn't in love with Long Shadow," she told him, wanting no room for doubt in Bruce's mind. "I only wanted to help him…to train him and teach him."

"I understand that now," he said. "It was stupid of me to think otherwise. I guess I'm just still trying to accept the fact that you would want to be with someone so broken like me. I'm afraid I'm a work in progress, princess. It's a pretty daunting task that lays ahead of you…that is if you…decide to…you know…stick around."

She gave him a dazzling smile that conveyed her answer, her eyes shining brightly. "I'm afraid you can't get rid of me that easily, Bruce," she replied, leaning in to brush her lips against his. "You're stuck with me, Dark Knight, whether you like it or not."

His eyes fell closed as his lips connected with hers in a slow, sensual kiss that conveyed so many thoughts and emotions in that moment. After several long minutes, he finally pressed his forehead against hers in an effort to catch his breath. "Would you care to have dinner with me at the manor tonight?"

"I'd love to," she confirmed, her hand coming to rest against his cheek. "Let me go change first and I'll be right down."

He nodded in response, kissing her again before reluctantly releasing his hold on her. "I'll see you soon."

She smiled in response, caressing his cheek before turning to leave. She suddenly stopped to look back at the man that she loved. "Do you want to know the other reason I liked Long Shadow?"

"What?" he asked, tensing.

"He reminded me of you," she confessed. "I think he is who you are deep down beneath all the walls that you've built up, the real you that you're afraid to let anyone see."

Batman stared at her in stunned disbelief, words unexpectedly failing him.

Her smile grew, knowing that she had taken him by surprise. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

Batman watched as she left him all alone with the fallen hero. Putting his gauntlets back on, he thoughtfully turned to look at the closed casket, wondering if Long Shadow was who he could have been if he had not lost his parents.

Would he have been so openly passionate about his desire for justice, so willing to fight in the light instead of brawling in the shadows?

Would he still have been a superhero, or would he have worked on the side of the law in the form of an attorney or judge?

He placed a gauntleted hand on the black casket before him, wishing the young hero a safe journey to Elysium. He was more than relieved that he and Diana had survived their first major setback as a couple. Replacing his cowl, he reminded himself that he needed to keep in mind that his princess wasn't like the other women that he had known or dated over the years.

Diana was priceless…unlike anyone he'd ever known before, shining brighter and warmer than the sun itself.

He loved her and she was all his.

A/N: I'm so in love with how this turned out! I hope you all enjoyed it too!

UP NEXT: May do the ep Dark Heart or a creation of my own that fits within the animated series. :)