The Inexplicable - Ch 4

He headed straight to his quarters, and Superman followed him. Diana however decided to stay back with Long Shadow. The others dispersed too.

“I am sorry, Diana, I…I just got too carried away,” Long Shadow said after he regained enough composure to speak.

“He gets to your nerves; I don’t blame you,” Diana sighed, “but today, I think even he got carried away.”

“I had a strategy, believe me I did,” he said earnestly, “it worked on Green Lantern, but may be Batman could read my mind.”

“Let it go,” she said peevishly, “you go get some rest.”

Long Shadow stood silent for a moment and considered her. She was not with him, her mind was still on the happening.

“Do you think he’ll ever forgive me?” he said slowly.

“For what?”

“For…the entire crush the opponent part. I…didn’t mean him. I just, something snapped in me when he spoke like that… to you.”

“To me?” Diana frowned.

“When he snapped at you,” he said, “and I just couldn’t take it.”

Diana put a hand on his cheek.
“It’s ok; he didn’t mean to insult me. It’s his nature.”

“I don’t think that is an excuse.” Long Shadow glowered.

Diana smiled weakly and patted his cheek.
“Go get some rest.”
She began to walk away.

“So, will you go talk to him?” he asked, as she reached the threshold.

She turned around briefly and smiled.
“I guess I will.”

</i>In Batman’s quarters</i>

“Are you ok?”

Batman breathed purposefully and let it out through his lips in a small whistle. He had been sitting with palm against his forehead.

“I will be fine,” he said, “he… just pressed the right button.”

Superman considered. He knew what he meant.
“You were going to say Jason, weren’t you?”

He remained silent, his thoughts drifting back to the training.
Strategies are for the weak!!!

Superman began to say It’s ok when but was cut off by the other’s reverie.
“Our training sessions usually ended this way.” He said.

Superman simply nodded. He had to let it out.
“It was my fault.” he whispered, “I shouldn’t have let…”.

“I am glad you admit,” came Diana’s voice.

“Diana, now is not the time,” Superman interjected, “we were not discussing Long Shadow.”

“Then who were you discussing about?” she demanded.

“It’s none of your business, Princess,” Batman rose, “I’d appreciate if you defer your concerns.”

“You don’t have to be so arrogant, Bruce,” she said, “What happened today is not healthy for the team.”

“What is not?” he demanded, “I was only asking him to -”

“He knows what to do,” she said, “and if he needs your advice, he will come to you. You cannot impose yourself onto him. He is not…one of your Robins.”

“Enough!” he said gruffly and raised his arm, “That’s enough. Just…leave me alone.”

And he stormed of the room, leaving the other two bewildered.

Diana was the first to recover.
“What’s with him?”

Superman sighed.
“You should know. Why did you have to bring up the Robins?”

“What is wrong with that?” she retorted, “He was treating Long Shadow as if he was one of his Robins. He needs to understand that not everyone would be up for that kind of a treatment. It better be me who breaks it to him that someone else.”

“You don’t understand do you?” he snapped.

“Don’t understand what?” she demanded.

“What he is going through…”

She paused for a while, but the heat of the situation got to her. She was not going to be the understanding and forgiving one this time.
“I don’t care what he is going through. In fact, I have cared enough.  I am not going to read his mind and I am not going to compromise.”

“You are blowing this whole thing out of proportion.” Superman grunted.

“The only reason why Long Shadow retorted was because Bruce snapped at me. He was just standing up for me.”

“And you think that Bruce would not stand up for you if needed? Since when did you start bringing your personal life into your professional relationship?”

Diana drew a deep breath and gulped purposefully. She did not reply.

“Listen, Diana,” Superman said, “I appreciate your concern towards Long Shadow. But when he is in the team, he has to be one with it. He just cannot run around doing the things the way he wants to.”

“That’s exactly what Batman does,” she muttered.

“And he is never wrong,” he said, “I know we don’t disagree on that.”

She remained silent.

“I am not judging you or him. But I think you are getting too involved with Long Shadow and that is clouding your judgment.” He placed a hand over her shoulder, “Think about it.”

“Does he think the same?” she muttered.

“I don’t know, may be.” He said, “But I do not want this to repeat.”

“What do you not want to be repeated?”

“The little show you two put up in front of everyone.”

She nodded curtly.
“I’m glad that you are not taking his side this time.”

“I am not taking anyone’s side,” he said peevishly, “He has his issues to sort out and so do you. So think about it.”

He turned around to walk away.

“Is he jealous?”

He stopped and turned around, bewildered. This conversation was taking a whole new course.

“Is he jealous, Clark?” she pressed, encouraged by his attention.

Superman shook his head in dismay.
“Listen to yourself, Diana.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“And I am not going to,” he said sternly, “I will leave it for you two to settle the matter.”

*****************************************************

She was calmer now, calm enough to feel silly about the conversation she had that afternoon. Calm enough to recall Batman’s last statement before he walked away, calm enough to remember the pain in his eyes as he walked away. Clark was right, she shouldn’t have brought up the Robins, she thought, not the way she implied.

Sleep eluded her. She recollected the conversation she had with Alfred a few months ago. It was about the Robins, the first Robin, Dick Grayson. Bruce never told her anything about his past life, and it bugged her that he did not trust her enough. She had short interviews with Alfred hence, when Bruce wasn’t around. Alfred had told her the circumstances under which Dick Grayson had left his guardian. Bruce was devastated, but he just wouldn’t express, or admit. That made the pain even worse for him. He then spoke about Tim Drake, the current Robin, not at a great length though.

She could not hold herself anymore, it was not like her. Bruce was clearly upset about something; she had heard him say that it was his fault. She had to find out what it was.

May be Superman knew.

But no, she wouldn’t ask him. She would ask the man himself.

Without further ado, she headed for the Wayne Manor.

****************************************************************

“Ms. Diana is here to see you, Sir.” Alfred said.

Bruce wasn’t asleep either, but he did not want an intervention.

“Not now, Alfred,” he said, “I am trying to sleep.”

“How do you intend to sleep?” came Diana’s voice.

He sat upright in his bed. The room was dark and he could only make out the silhouettes of Diana and Alfred. He saw Alfred turn around to leave and Diana make her way towards the light switch. She flipped it and the room was flooded with yellow light. He squinted and covered his face.

“She did not really ask for permission, Sir,” Alfred smiled inwardly and left them.

“I thought I had asked you to leave me alone,” Bruce said, his voice muffled through his fingers.

“You know I couldn’t.” she said, making her way to his bed. She sat down in one corner. She could feel his eyes boring into hers, but she could not meet them, not yet.

“I had a few questions.”

“I know,” he said, “Kent asked me to clear them up for you.”

She felt ashamed.
“I…”

“No.” he said bluntly.

“I beg your pardon.” She frowned.

“The answer is no. I am not jealous.”

She tried to smile but couldn’t.
“I know.” she said weakly. “I didn’t come here for that.”

“I know.” He nodded.

“You know?” she stared.

“I do.”

“I…I don’t know what to say.”

“You can go back home and get some sleep now. I hope I have helped you.”

“No, no you haven’t,” she shook her head; “I still need answers.”

“I’m sure it can wait,” he said as he pulled the covers over himself. Diana caught them midway and pulled them away.

“No they cannot,” she said stolidly.

“Some of us need to sleep,” he said with a hint if exasperation.

“And some of us need some help getting to sleep,” she said evenly.

He sighed and turned away. And just as she tried to speak again, he put his palm over her mouth. He then brought his face close enough for her to feel his breath.
“I had a hard day, Diana,” he whispered, “and I do not want any more talk.”

She flinched as he came closer and before she knew, his other arm was around her waist and his palm had disappeared from between their faces.

“NOT ANOTHER WORD,” he whispered huskily, as his lips touched hers. And then they were locked for what seemed like eternity.

It was Diana who pulled away first. She was smiling more easily now.
“You can’t get away with everything by doing that, Mr. Wayne.”

“Somehow I feel I have succeeded this time,” he smiled impishly, “tell me if I did not.”

She blushed.
“Well, for tonight, may be.”

“Good,” he said, “I think we can both sleep easy now.”

“I’ll get you tomorrow, Bruce,” she said as she rose, “in the watch tower.”

“Good night,” he said, trying to draw the sheets on himself again.

“I don’t know what is stopping me from punching you in the face,” she gestured in mock anger.

“Simple, I’m charming,” he smiled. “And do you mind getting the lights for me, please?”

“I’ll get you Bruce,” she said, as she flipped the switch again, “I’ll get you someday.” It was difficult to wipe off her smile now. And it was difficult to stay mad at him.

How do you do this?

She left the manor; her sense of determination to get answers was fading away. May be she would not have to have this conversation with him after all. She was glad that it was over.