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Rich Kid with Issues	By : AthenaPhoenix Category: DC Verse Cartoons > Justice League Views: 11139 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Justice League, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it's not our character and is used without permission. We aren't making any money from this story.

Part Four: Consultations

They knew.

From the moment Batman set foot on the Watchtower, he could swear that he saw people eyeing him. How could they know? Diana didn't seem the sort to kiss and tell. She was a warrior, after all, and that generally came with an understanding of honor.

Maybe it was just caffeine-induced paranoia. He could remember Alfred's retort, “Master Bruce, three cups of espresso are enough for any man. Five are fit for an elephant. I will not make you a sixth.”

He was not looking forward to seeing Diana at the regular meeting of the original seven Leaguers. He hadn't seen her since the evening he'd spent in her apartment, and that had hardly ended well. How would she react to his presence? Would she continue her usual banter, or would she treat him coldly, indifferently? He didn't know the mating customs of Amazons, aside from the supposition that any heterosexual contact had to be done in secret or at the very least, required considerable effort to arrange.

Opening the door to the meeting room, he was pleased to see Green Lantern already sitting there, alone. Must be the military habit of always arriving ten minutes early. John greeted him with a nod and a simple, “Batman.”

“Lantern,” Batman responded in kind as he took his usual seat facing the door. He picked up the pen laid out at his place, started to write on the notepad, then put it down. Finally, reluctantly, he spoke again, “Are you free for lunch after the meeting?”

Green Lantern cracked a smile, “Two lunches this month? People might think you were becoming sociable.”

“Don't count on it,” Batman retorted. “Do you have time?”

“Yeah, I've got time. What's going on?” But before Batman could respond, Shayera walked in and Green Lantern's attention was instantly diverted. “Been meaning to tell you – I like the new outfit.”

“Thanks,” she replied dryly, as she sat down. “I still hate the beard.” She opened her bag, brought out the Midway City Gazette, and began reading, obviously not desiring further conversation.

Shayera didn't have long to read, though, as the remaining four members of the original Justice League arrived within the next few minutes. “Why didn't anyone ever tell me that Martians play dirty?” Flash groaned as he and J'onn J'onzz entered, still carrying the Rock 'Em Sock 'Em robots. “Now I owe this big lug five mega-packs of Oreos!”

“You did not ask,” J'onn answered calmly, a trace of amusement on his normally impassive face.

Diana and Superman came in together, laughing. She punched him playfully on the arm, making the room vibrate slightly, as if a heavy weight had been dropped nearby. “Oh Kal, you're terrible! Such language from a Midwestern farm boy!”

Will those two ever stop flirting?! Shayera thought, impatiently.

Batman's fists clenched inside his Bat-gauntlets.

Diana's laughter had subsided by the time she slid into a seat between Shayera and J'onn. Although the women greeted each other cordially, a distinct frost hovered over their section of the table.

Superman jotted a note on his pad to talk with Diana again about the importance of forgiveness and the value of second chances. That done, he cleared his throat and began the meeting.

* * *

Tray in hand, Green Lantern steered his way through the crowded commissary looking for Batman. He found him where he had expected: in the corner furthest from the entrance. Setting his laden tray on the table, he took the seat across from Batman.

“So what's going on with you and Diana?”

“What makes you think I want to talk about her?” Batman returned.

“Somehow, the looks you were giving her this morning made me think you didn't want to talk about improvements in Watchtower security. What's up with you two, anyway? For a day or so, you actually seemed…I don’t know…. human. Now you're giving her the Bat-glare half the time.”

Batman looked evasive, his gaze not meeting the other man's. A sudden thought struck Green Lantern. “Don't tell me you two finally knocked boots?”

Batman's eyes narrowed, but he did manage a nod and a muttered “Yeah.”

Lantern laughed, “About time! Congratulations!” Then, remembering their behavior toward each other during the meeting, he added, “I guess it didn't work out?”

“Oh, it worked…too well,” Batman said darkly.

“So, what's the problem? Is her Amazon attitude too much for you?”

“There's no future in it.”

Lantern looked at Batman, incredulous. “The future…!” He dropped his voice and continued, his tone vehement. “Bruce, you idiot, we've been to the future! If we learned anything from our experience, it's that nothing is certain. I found out that Shayera's going to have my child, for God's sake!”

A humorless smile cracked Batman's face. “About time. Congratulations,” he said, his words a mocking echo of Lantern's.

Lantern shook his head and cradled it, exasperated. “Man, you are impossible. I've known my share of self-destructive loners in the service, but you are the gold-plated champion of self-pity!”

Batman's eyes widened in surprise, but he said nothing.

“Got you, didn't I? I mean, I thought seeing yourself a lonely, bitter old man would snap you out of it, but nooooooo,” Lantern continued, hearing his voice rising steadily. “You probably consider it only fair that you end your life like that – in some twisted way you probably thought it was noble,” he spat out the word. “Forever fighting crime and injustice! Forever unbent! Immortal warrior! But you know what? As a soldier, let me tell you something – your war is not winnable!”

Batman narrowed his eyes to slits. “Says you.”

Thank God. A reaction. “Says reality! For all our beating up on perps and running around in our underwear, all we can do is take out the trash today. There'll be more trash to take out tomorrow. That doesn’t mean we quit cleaning up and live like Wally.”

Despite himself, Batman smiled. So did Lantern.

Batman's voice was a slow drawl. “Comparing me to Wally. Them's fightin' words, Army boy.”

Now it was Lantern's eyes that narrowed. “I'm a Marine, rich boy. We eat Army boys for breakfast and crap civilians like you.”

Batman opened his mouth, as if to retort. Instead, he made a short, sharp sound which sounded suspiciously like a stifled laugh. “Fine. Far be it for me to argue with a purportedly straight man wearing a ring, a shaved head, and a goatee.”

Green Lantern laughed, shaking his head. “So – what about Wondy, man?”

Batman sighed. “I'll think of something.”

“Think fast – or you'll have plenty of time to regret it. Remember?”

* * *

“When should I expect Miss Diana for dinner?”

Alfred's question snapped Bruce out of his post-dinner reverie. “Subtlety was always your strong point.”

“You do owe her a gift, Master Bruce. Something to thank her for her…hospitality the other night.”

Hospitality? Is that what they called it back in your day, Alfred? Bruce sighed wearily, “Any suggestions?”

Alfred chose his words carefully. “I believe that the best present you could give Miss Diana would be your…presence, sir.”

Bruce gazed off into the distance, thinking, as Alfred finished clearing away the dishes. “I can't have Wonder Woman patrolling with me. People will start thinking that the Batman can't handle Gotham's criminals anymore.”

“Wonder Woman doesn't have to patrol with you, sir.” He paused to let his meaning sink in. “I still have my sewing machine, you know.”

“I know. Let me think about it.”
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Rich Kid with Issues