DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. As always, I'll point out this was written over a decade ago. Here in the UK, Season 2 of the JL cartoon had yet to air, so Hawkgirl had not been revealed as a spy. And the massive, every-hero-in-the-DCU roster of Unlimited wasn't a factor. My timeline picks up after the Season 1 finale, The Savage Time. All my Wayback Wednesday stories are numbered chronologically, if you get stuck.

3. Readers of my non-JL:TAS stories will notice a notable change in my usual pairings - I always pair Dick with Kory and Babs with Dinah. But not here. I considered rewriting this story to accommodate those two couplings, but decided not to - my Wayback Wednesdays stories will remain unchanged from how I originally presented them on the JL fansite in 2002-2003.

3. Again, sorry about my depiction of Diana. I really treat her like a teenager. Ugh.

PART 1

"He was WHAT?"

Alfred Pennyworth shrugged his shoulders. "He was singing."

Dick Grayson looked at the butler, his face creased in disbelief. He turned to look at Barbara Gordon, who was smiling heartily.

Dick held his head. "What… I mean…. WHAT? What was he singing?"

Alfred held his chin in thought. "Well, if I'm exact, he wasn't singing, per se. He was humming."

"What was he humming?" Barbara asked.

"I believe it was the Bolero," Alfred said. "He was in good tune, too."

Barbara rested her head in her hand. "Aw, that's sweet."

Dick looked at her incredulously. "You're taking this rather well."

"Well, how do you want me to take it?" Barbara asked in a mock angry tone. "You can't honestly be that surprised, Dick. He's been like this for months…"

"Like what?"

"Happy."

Dick blinked a couple of times. "It's just… man. I'm shocked, that's all. I've known that man for years, and he never so once as quoted a verse, let alone sing. It's kinda hard to believe."

"Well, I think it's great," said Barbara. "He's been so different these past few months, ever since he started seeing Diana. She's the best thing that ever happened to him."

"Hey, if I was dating her, I'd be happy too…" Dick said. He suddenly stopped, and looked at Barbara.

Barbara looked at him, one eyebrow raised. "Just remember who you ARE dating, mister," she said.

Dick held the back of his head, and tried to change the subject. "Say… the Bolero… that sounds familiar…"

"How so?" asked Alfred.

Dick appeared in thought for a moment, then groaned. "Oh maan… he was playing that yesterday, wasn't he? When he and her were…"

"Easy, Hunk Wonder," Barbara teased. "What were you doing listening?"

Dick looked at Barbara. "I didn't need superhearing to hear what was going on in that roo…"

"IF I MAY," Alfred interrupted. "It is hardly a crime for Master Bruce to sing. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm late for my tights washing session…" With that, the butler walked off.

Dick and Barbara looked at each other. "Guess that just emphasises our decision," Dick said.

"Yeah, it does," said Barbara. "Have you told him yet?"

"No," replied Dick. "I don't know how to. I have a feeling Bruce won't take it too well…"

"Take what well?"

Dick and Barbara spun their heads around. Bruce Wayne was standing behind them.

Dick appeared uncomfortable. "Er… hi, Bruce…"

"Is there something you want to tell me?" Bruce asked simply.

Barbara prodded Dick in the side, and Dick took a deep breath.

"Bruce… Barbara and I have something to tell you…"

/

The doorway opened, and light shone down the staircase.

Bruce Wayne slowly walked down the steps, into the depths of the Batcave. He looked down as he walked, his mind elsewhere. However, when he reached the bottom of the stairs, his eyesight saw a pair of red boots…

He slowly looked up, and the woman he loved was standing a few feet away.

"Hi," Diana said with a smile. "You nearly going, are you?"

Bruce gave a faint smile. "Yes." He then went to his costume chamber.

Diana frowned and quickly ran up to him. She put a hand on his shoulder. "Is everything alright?"

Bruce sighed. "Dick and Barbara are leaving."

Diana blinked. "Leaving?"

"Yes," said Bruce. He kept his back to her. "They've rented an apartment in downtown Gotham. They leave next week."

"Why?" Diana asked.

"They said they wanted their own space," Bruce said flatly. "Their own lives."

Diana's face fell. "This… hasn't got anything to do with me, has it?"

Bruce turned to her. "No. Why would you think that?"

"Well…" Diana said, shrugging. "I've been spending an awful amount of time here. Maybe… they don't like me."

Bruce frowned. "Don't be ridiculous. They love you. It's just… I think they just want to move on."

"And what about Nightwing and Batgirl?" asked Diana.

"They said they weren't quitting," Bruce said. "Just relocating. I can't blame them, really. They've lived in my shadow too long."

Diana smiled softly. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Bruce gave a faint smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Just… a bit of a shock, that's all. I… better get going." He quickly turned around and walked to the costume chamber.

He reappeared a few minutes later, in the full costume of the Batman.

Diana stood up from the chair she had been waiting in. "My hero…"

Batman tried to remain unfazed, but a blush appeared on his face for a split-second. He then walked towards the Batmobile. Once within a foot of it, he activated the cockpit opening mechanism, and turned around. Diana was now an inch away from him.

"Anything special tonight?" she asked quietly.

"No," Batman said flatly. "Just routine. I'll be back in the morning. I'll… meet you at the Watchtower later."

Diana quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. "You promise?"

"If I can't think of anything I'd rather do," he said with a smile.

Their head leaned close to each other, and their lips met. They kissed passionately for nearly a minute, neither wanting to break the embrace. Eventually, they reluctantly tore their lips apart.

Diana sighed. She looked at him lovingly. "Be careful."

Batman gave a quick smirk. "I always am."

They separated, and Batman hopped into the cockpit of the Batmobile. He gave one last look at the woman he adored.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you two," he whispered back.

The cockpit then closed, and the engine started. The car then roared up the rampway, and left the rockface of the Batcave, into the outside road towards Gotham…

/

Batman looked at the night sky.

It had been a quiet night.

Just when he wanted some distraction.

Dick and Barbara were leaving the Manor. It was the end of an era.

He was not surprised, really. The two were a natural couple, and a great team. And they were in love… it was no surprise. But still… to actually HEAR them say it…

But as Batman looked at the moon, he knew that was not the real reason he was anxious.

Dick and Barbara were adults. They could look after themselves.

But in many ways… Batman was still a child.

He loved Diana. Truly he did. She was the best thing that ever happened to him.

But Dick and Barbara had been like a wall. A protective barrier so that Diana did not get too close.

Now, with them gone, there was no reason to put it off. He had planned to do it for months… but now, he had no excuse not to.

He loved her more than anything. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her…

And he had the ultimate symbol of that commitment, right in his belt…

He slowly opened a compartment in his utility belt, and took out a small object. He looked at it, and slowly opened it.

The $1 million dollar engagement ring sparkled in the night sky.

It was a massive step. To be completely committed to another person… something he had never been able to do. Not completely. But he loved Diana with all his heart. He knew he would ask her sometime…

But could he really do it now?

He had to make a choice. And he had to make it quick. He was not the kind of person to let things linger. He would make a decision soon. Diana deserved nothing less.

Could he admit his feelings, both to himself, to her, and most uncomfortably, his friends? Could he make the ultimate commitment?

And could he make it… right now?

/

"He was WHAT?"

Diana remained unfazed. "He was singing."

Hawkgirl blinked in disbelief. "Singing… BATMAN? You can't be serious."

"What's so unusual about Batman singing?" Diana asked.

"You ARE serious, aren't you?" said Hawkgirl. "Man, talk about changing a man…"

Diana frowned. "What do you mean?"

Hawkgirl shook her head. "Batman's changed so much seen you've been seeing each other. He pretends to act the same, but everyone's noticed little changes. He hangs out here WAY more than he ever did before. He actually listens to our opinions now during missions. And once, I swear I saw him smile."

"Well, what's wrong with that?" Diana asked. "Isn't he allowed to show a little emotion? And if I helped in that regard, then I'm pleased. You're seeing a fraction of what I see."

"I don't doubt it…" Hawkgirl whispered.

"I beg your pardon?" Diana said, eyes widening.

Hawkgirl smiled. "Nothing."

There was silence, as they both sat at the kitchen table. Diana took another slurp of her milkshake. "Don't you ever drink anything else?" Hawkgirl eventually asked.

"Of course," Diana responded. "But I like these best."

They heard footsteps approaching, and turned to see Flash strut into the room. "Hey, ladies," he said. "How are the two most gorgeous women in the universe this fine day?"

"I wouldn't let Linda hear you say that," said Hawkgirl. "We're fine thanks. How are things?"

Flash shrugged. "Oh, you know, the usual. Signed a hundred autographs in forty seconds, opened another supermarket, took out a couple of world-conquering supervillains… no biggies. Just thought I'd pop in before my date with Linda."

"How are things with you two?" asked Diana.

"Great, thanks," Flash said with a smile. "I'm meeting her folks next week. They're gonna check out the Flashter, see if he's good enough for their girl. I'm sure they'll come to the right decision pretty quickly."

"Meeting the parents…" Hawkgirl mused. "Quite a big step. Could wedding bells be far behind?"

Flash suddenly froze, and his eyes widened. "Er… um… will you excuse me? I have to… fight Captain Cold…" With that, he disappeared in a flash.

Hawkgirl shook her head. "Men. Always afraid of the big 'M' word."

"I don't see why," said Diana. "Marriage is a wonderful thing. To show that much commitment to another person. It's just another reason why I find Man's World so fascinating."

Hawkgirl grinned. "So… when are you and Batman gonna tie the knot…?"

Diana darted her head at her. "W-what? I… we… that's ridiculous. We're not even… you know…"

Hawkgirl frowned. "I thought you were?"

Diana blinked, then realisation hit her. "No, not THAT. We've done… THAT. What I meant was… we're not, you know, living together."

Hawkgirl rolled her eyes. "Not officially, maybe, but where do you go every day?"

Diana looked at her. "Er…"

"You used to spend your entire free time here," said Hawkgirl. "But for months now, you're only here for Justice League business, or when Batman's here. As soon as he leaves, you leave. You're obviously spending most of your time with him…"

Diana looked at the ceiling. "Well… I… er…"

Hawkgirl sighed. "Exactly. Has he ever… hinted at it?"

"No," Diana said. "But we're… you know, too busy for that right now. I don't even know where this relationship is going…"

"But you do like him, right?"

Diana looked at her. "I love him."

Hawkgirl stood up. "Well, if you love him, and he loves you, what's stopping you?" With that, she walked out of the room.

Diana stared at her milkshake.

What, indeed?

TO BE CONTINUED