Diana, Ambassador of Themyscira and Wonder Woman, sipped her iced mocha, content for the moment to just watch the wind dance with the leaves in the trees around the Justice Leagues headquarters. Next week was the first anniversary of the opening of the North American Headquarters.
Over the last year she had taken a greater leadership role within the League, training with new members as well as overseeing missions and mission reports. She was also working as the UN Ambassador to Themyscira, a job that required much of her free time. Days off were now few and far between, and she was beginning to feel tired. She enjoyed her work within the League and knew what she did was making a positive impact.
It was the diplomatic issues that faced the Earth that made her head ache. Recently there was a movement brewing to have all heads of state report to the UN rather than be solely accountable to the people they governed. While the intentions of the UN were noble, at least they appeared to be noble, she and other member nations rejected this proposal. She had found staunch allies in the Ambassadors from the United States, Great Britain, France, and Japan. A single supreme world order was not necessary for peace. Could they not imagine how a single ruling body would eventually become corrupt? And how could such a governing body be effective for all people? The Justice Lords had proven that a supreme ruling body would lead to disaster.
As an Amazon she respected democracy and freedom. Their Queen and their senate, not an all-powerful body made up almost entirely of males, would rule her sisters. Besides, some members of the UN saw women as nothing better than window dressing, or worse - property. No, that would never do.
Sighing, letting the worries of the diplomatic world fall away, she turned and headed down for the founder's weekly meeting and a new set of problems. Superman had been edgy lately and who could blame him? The pressure of leading this ever-expanding group of heroes in such a way as to be completely transparent to the people and the world was not easy. From her position as leader she knew first-hand that it took more tact than she possessed to convince heroes who would normally work alone to work together.
She also knew Lex Luthor was testing Superman's patience with his recent reincarnation as philanthropist and religious guru. Trusting nature aside, Diana saw through his latest ruse just as she had seen through the last. Hera help her, she was trying to remember how she was raised but sometimes she felt she was slipping further into mistrust and suspicion. Sometimes.
Sipping the iced drink she entered the conference room and found Superman was alone. He looked tired and Diana's expression softened.
"Clark," she smiled and walked toward him.
"Diana," he said with a nod. "How have you been? I feel like we hardly see each other anymore."
"I'm well," she said, deciding not to burden him with her diplomatic troubles. Drawing closer she could see the lines around his eyes were deeper than usual. He was tired. "You are working too hard. You should take some time off," she said quietly.
"I plan to get to that," he said, unleashing his boyish charm in a crooked grin.
The charm was lost on her and with a sternness of a mother said, "I'm holding you to that. What kind of example do you set for the new members of the League if you …"
"I get it, I get it," he said, cutting off her kindly meant words of censure, raising his hands in surrender.
"I worry," she said and smiled, "because I care. We all care, Clark." With that she crossed to him and enfolded him in a hug.
He sighed against her hair and said, "It's so difficult, Diana."
"Yes, and you shouldn't shoulder the burden alone. Lean on us. On me."
Releasing her far enough to look into her eyes he said, "I will. I promise. Thank you." He brushed a kiss on her forehead.
The doors opened behind Diana and she saw Superman's eyes warm as he released Diana. "Hello Batman."
Nerves skittered down her spine as she turned, a smile in place. It was the same each time she saw him. The feelings she had expressed to him well two years ago were still alive in her, yet since the quiet moment in the portrait gallery a year ago he had avoided being alone with her and was less often paired with her on League mission. Clark would never admit it, but she knew Batman had made sure they had as little contact as possible. It hurt her pride knowing the lengths he went to avoid her, but she refused to let him know that.
Batman merely nodded and took his seat at the conference table. Diana and Superman joined them as J'onn and Shayera entered, going over schedules for the next two weeks, followed by Green Lantern and Flash who were debating the merits of the Samurai Jack versus Johnny Bravo.
"Flash has been hitting the cartoons a little hard," Superman said in response to her puzzled expression. She smiled and shook her head. Wally would always be Wally. She hoped he never changed. Batman, who had said nothing up till this point, looked sternly at Flash and said, "Some of us have better things to do that argue about cartoons."
"Sorry Bats, but I think Johnny Bravo is a better show. You gotta agree …" he smiled innocently but it withered under the Bat-glare.
"Ok everyone, let's get started," Superman said and the meeting was underway.
…
Three hours later the meeting was over. The meeting had run long because during the last two missions Batman had discovered a plot to steal uranium and kryptonite in order to form a super-dirty bomb that would, in effect, render the entire league useless. Information about the plot was scarce, but if she knew Batman they would uncover something soon.
Diana was dying for another iced mocha and she had just enough time to stop by the commissary and get one before she met with team leaders to go over mission reports. Walking briskly down the hall she did not see the man hiding in the shadow until he stepped in front of her.
Being close to Batman always caused a little flutter Diana's belly, and this time was no different. Looking up, offering him a smile, she said, "I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." Moving to step away he stepped over, blocking her escape.
"Is there something going on between you and Superman?" The white lenses of his cowl narrowed.
Unsure what he was talking about she said, "I'm sorry?"
"You, and Superman," he said darkly.
"Me and Superman … oh." He had walked in on them when Superman had been holding her, she remembered. But, he knew that she and Superman were just friends. Didn't he?
"I was reminding Superman that he did not have too shoulder so much of the responsibility of this organization alone." When Batman said nothing she added lamely, "It was nothing."
"What would Lois think?"
His words and harsh tone were like a slap. Diana stepped back and raised her chin. "Are you insinuating that I would interfere with a happy relationship?"
He did not immediately respond and Diana frowned. "That's insulting," she said with all the regal pride and indignation she could muster. "I expect better from someone I have considered a friend."
Turing on her heel she walked with purpose to the elevator, now three minutes late for her meeting. And, damn him, she didn't get her mocha!