The look on Bruce's face seemed to be the same as always: void of emotion. Diana's heart constricted slightly, as if wincing from pain inflicted. However, she chose to ignore the hurt and keep to the task at hand. Besides, she could not afford to become emotional, she had her vow after all. That small reminder and a mental shake of her head had Diana back on track; totally focused.
But does he really have to wear that? I mean, seriously, the cape is a little much when we are just around the Tower.
"So, anything at all?" Diana sincerely hoped that Bruce had found at least something.
"I've only had the opportunity to interview one person. Why are you back so fast? Did you check every locker?" Bruce's eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion, but then they immediately went back to their original position. Why be suspicious of her?
"You are correct, I am back much more quickly than originally anticipated. And yes, I did check every single locker in the entire Tower. However, I came across something...interesting. There is not a thing in any of the lockers. No cleaning supplies, no random articles of junk, nothing. That's why I was so fast in looking through them. There was nothing to look through. What do you make of it? Because I have no idea."
Bruce had become slightly worried at the information. He honestly could not think of any specific reason as to why someone would go through all the trouble of emptying the lockers, as well as pilfering all of the toilet paper. None of it made any sense.
"I'm not sure either, but I do know where we need to go next."
"Wally." Diana was nearly to the point of tying the young man to a chair and placing it in a corner. Bruce saw the anger in Diana's eyes and was almost afraid. Almost, but not quite. He knew to whom the emotion was directed, so had no real fear for himself. Or Wally for that matter; the kid deserved what was coming. Now that they were both thinking the same thought- Find Wally -they simultaneously started down the hall. Unfortunately, Diana's foot got caught in Bruce's cape, and as she fell, she took him down with her. The two were a tangle of legs, cape, and fierce blushing. Diana was apologizing profusely for knocking Bruce down, and he was apologizing for tripping her with his cape in the first place. Finally, both stopped talking and looked at each other. Somehow Bruce had managed to turn them over, so he was on top of Diana, looking down into her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat, and her very first thought was: Oh Hera, did I brush my teeth after lunch? In retrospect, not very romantic, but extremely practical given the situation. Bruce's first thought was: Dear Alfred, have I ever thanked you for the inspiration for the cape? He was fully aware of how much trouble he could find himself in if he gave in to the emotions whirling around, demanding that he perform the deed that the moment provided the opportunity for. Yet, how could he let that kind of cosmic gift go to waste? Wasn't there some kind of karmic law against such a thing? Slowly, he began lowering his face toward Diana's, all the while staring deep into her sapphire orbs. Diana was sure that Bruce could hear her heart practically beating out of her chest. Never before had she felt so intensely in any situation. Not even when she had been captured by a previously unknown species of humanoid from a distant planet, whose only claim to being human was its facial features. Everything else...well she really didn't want to revisit that memory any time soon. But here, now, she was experiencing something that she had never thought possible. True desire. Not the lustful infatuation that so many falsely assume is 'love', but the type of feeling that comes from the bottom-most part of your heart and just seems to bubble out of your chest, making you light-headed and slightly incoherent. Diana was definitely experiencing both symptoms to their full extent. Tunnel vision had set in and all she could see was Bruce's face swimming in front of her. She could see his mouth moving but couldn't quite make out what he was saying. He had moved closer to her face and at first she was absolutely positive that he was going to kiss her. The look in his eyes had changed though. Why is he looking at me like that? What is he trying to say?
"Diana, can you hear me? Are you alright? Diana!" Bruce was starting to panic, something that he rarely ever does. The stars in Diana's eyes were captivating at first, then he noticed the very large, very purple lump forming on her forehead near her hairline. Shit! Did she really hit her head that hard?
Diana slowly began to realize that the look on Bruce's face was one of concern, not one of want. Slightly confused by this she tried to sit up, but the world began to spin and she laid back down. Then the pain revealed itself. Intense throbbing coming from near her right temple caused her to wince and instantly Bruce called J'onn.
"J'onn, Princess Diana has suffered a possible concussion. Can you come and take care of this?" Bruce didn't want to admit that he had been frightened when she hadn't responded at first. Now that he knew she was at least conscious, he felt a little better; he could breathe again. A moment later, J'onn appeared with a first aid kit and began to assess the wound. There wasn't a cut, but the bruise was deep and serious. Bruce felt like kicking himself because he knew it was his fault. And the fact that for a moment he was grateful for the very thing that caused Diana to be harmed. That made him feel like an ass, and rightfully so from a female's point of view. He watched as J'onn levitated Diana down the corridor, missing whatever it was that he told him. Instead of following and asking again, he turned around and walked in the opposite direction.
Things were going so smoothly...for the most part. How could I screw that up so badly? If ANYONE finds out about this I'm screwed. Hopefully Diana didn't realize that I was about to kiss her.
Even though his thoughts were flying around in total panic, his face held not even a hint of emotion. Those years of training proved to be effective in more ways than one. Unfortunately, this ability was also a hinderance. Somehow he managed to hide his emotions so well that even the one who should know couldn't tell. Case in point: The Cat. Even though their fling was extremely brief he had really felt something for her. Whether it was lust or love remains to be seen, but he could barely get out the words "Good morning sweetheart" without a dull look on his face. That woman would purr and coo and tease, but to no avail. He physically could not smile and be genuine about it. Maybe that thing Alfred used to tell me really is true. I frowned so much my face is stuck that way. It isn't scientifically proven, but look at Dick...he has that dumbass smile plastered to his ugly mug all the time. Great, yet another problem with me. And this is all due to the fact that my parents were brutally murdered before my very eyes. Everyone leaves me. Will I ever find someone who cares enough to stay...forever?
"I see someone needs a little company." The smirk on Shayera's face wasn't so much annoying as it was creepy. Neither being the effect she seemed to be going for. Hawk Girl, as she was so accurately called, had taken advantage of Bruce's distraction and sidled her way up next to him. She had been trying to get his attention for a few weeks, but to no avail. Ever since she and John had it out over something or other she'd shown up wherever Bruce was. Most times succeeding in becoming the most annoying thing in the vicinity. Bruce didn't really have time for her, but after a moment's pause he figured that he should probably give Diana some time to recover before they resumed the investigation. And she'd most definitely be more than miffed if I continued without her...
"What do you want Shayera?"
"Are we talking short-term, or long-term?" She tried another smirk, but somehow only managed a lop-sided grin. She looked like a fool. Suddenly, a miracle happened. Bruce began to feel an iota of sympathy for the girl. Seeing her desperate attempts time and again to gain his attention and it wasn't Bruce's attention she wanted. No, even Bruce could tell that what she was doing was putting on a show for her ex-lover, John Stewart. From what Bruce had heard, completely inadvertently, the two had quite an argument about two weeks before ending in tears on Shayera's part and more than a few broken...chairs? Tables? Bruce couldn't really remember that part.
"What are you thinking about, Bruce?" Shayera looked truly curious.
"About the argument you and John had and how any interest you show for me is only a tactic to gain his attention."
Shayera's face fell into a look of despair mixed with heartache. "Surely you didn't think that make John jealous just by pretending to like me. There are many flaws in that strategy."
"I know, I know. But how else do I get him to notice that I even exist anymore? I suck at verbally expressing any emotion besides anger so I can't talk to him. I figured that if I could make him feel jealous then he'd realize that he still loves me and would take me back without me having to say anything. I guess if you had shown any signs of reciprocation it would have gone a little smoother."
It was the most she had ever spoken to Bruce, without it being filled with anger or fake seduction. In all honesty, he was surprised that they had something, anything, in common.
"Shayera, you should talk to a woman about this. And no, making him jealous will not solve the problem. So please, leave me alone." He may have mentally acknowledged their similar plight, but that by no means meant that he was about to strike up a camaraderie with her. That was just asking for trouble, mostly for him. Shayera nodded, somewhat relieved, and walked away towards the cafeteria. Bruce watched her leave then made his way back to the infirmary. He knew it would be uncomfortable to see her there, but he needed to think of the investigation and therefore needed to know if she was well enough to continue. As he approached the door to the infirmary, he took an uncharacteristic deep breath, then took a step forward so the sensor would recognize his presence open the door... Damn. It. All. To. Hell.
