Linda Park liked to think of herself as a serious woman. She was focused on her career, driven and ambitious; all qualities a reporter needed, she had. So how was it that Wally West managed to turn her world around? He was nice, sure; but she'd met nice men before. He was funny and charming, but that wasn't anything new under the sun either. In the end, Linda supposed she couldn't pin it down to only one thing. What she did know was that she had, quite surprisingly, fallen in love with Wally and he seemed to like her well enough if the dates he kept inviting her on were anything to go by.

As all good things went, there was a catch. Linda knew there was a catch. Wally made her weak in the knees but she couldn't help feeling he was holding something back. It wasn't something he did that tipped her on. Call it intuition or whatever else; Linda knew there was something underneath that polished image of his. And she was going to find out what it was at some point. She wasn't a reporter for nothing. Instinct took over when returned with two tall glasses. If he had his secrets she would keep hers.

"So, Wally, how's the case going? Anything new?" Linda asked, offering one of the glasses to him.

"Not really." the copper haired speedster answered. "The last tip we got proved to be a false lead."

"What are you going to do now?"

"Officially?"

"Of course."

"It's too soon to say for certain but from the way things are going I think this case will go cold." Wally sighed. Unsolved cases gave him a bad feeling. Like he failed the people involved by not uncovering the truth. "Maybe something will come in."

Sensing his unwillingness to discuss the subject any further Linda complied, at least for some time. She'd get it out of him when she would. Wally wouldn't keep her in the dark for long.

On his part, Wally breathed inaudibly in relief. He couldn't really concentrate on the case these past few days. Like any male living on borrowed time, the Flash was aware that he'd have to make a choice soon. The problem was that he still remained caught between two great women and had no desire to hurt one or the other. He glanced unobtrusively at his date. Linda was marvellous; a brilliant, courageous woman bent on getting the information out there, making it heard. But Beatrice was also beautiful and brave; a woman working hard to protect those around her. His heart tightened at the indecision.

He couldn't have both. That much was obvious. Not because he couldn't handle it; he was the Flash. The reason was a more morally rooted one. Since a young age Wally had been thought to respect others. Cheating on a woman was a form of disrespect, and he wasn't ready to trample all over his childhood lessons. No, Wally would have to choose, even if that meant letting go of one or both. But would he even be the one to let go? Who was to say that Linda, or Beatrice, wouldn't eventually grow tired of waiting for him to make up his mind?

"What are you thinking about Wally?"

The speedster flashed a smile her way. "You." he answered automatically, a little flirty. "And how beautiful you look right now."

"Flatterer." Linda retaliated with a small smile.

"It's the truth."

The smile still in place on her face, Linda raised an eyebrow. "Are you always this smooth at talking your way into a woman's heart?"

Wally shrugged. "Only when I like them this much."

"Good. Because I like you too."

"I knew it. I'm irresistible." he said good-naturedly.

"A bit overconfident, I'd say."

Wally had this sinking feeling that his time was running out. Beatrice would be back in two day's time and he'd have top answer her. Yet he had no idea who he was going to pick. It was a never ending cycle with him. He would see Linda and have a great time with her and then he'd remember Beatrice and guilt would fill him. And Linda was staring at him with trust in her eyes at this moment, completely unaware of his inner battle. He wondered if he could take advantage of that very same trust. On impulse he leaned in.

The reporter took a second to make her own move. Linda closed the distance between them, silently accepting Wally's invitation. She felt the electricity in the air, heard the soft whooshing around them and closed her eyes in anticipation. Her heart skipped a beat and her mind decided that in order to enjoy the experience her thoughts had to be nonexistent. Linda relaxed fully, a mix of impatience and calmness settling inside her. While not a romantic, she was able to recognize a special moment when presented with it. And this was definitely such a moment, which she intended to enjoy.

The blankness of his mind surprised even him, Wally decided as his lips moved against Linda's. There was something different about kissing her. They just fit together, in a way Beatrice hadn't. The realisation made him pull back. He had known he was attracted to Linda but maybe it was more than that. Could he be in love with her? It was a possibility. But he wasn't sure, and he owed Beatrice the truth. He owed Linda the truth. How would he even begin to explain things?

Confusion gripped Linda as Wally retreated swiftly from the kiss. It had all been going so well. What was the matter? She watched as he rose and sputtered a few apologies while promising to make it up to her. What was going on? She no idea why he was making his way to the door while firing off excuses, she couldn't understand. Only then did it click to her that he was leaving. Something crumbled inside of her and she tasted ashes in her mouth, on her tongue.

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The best and worst thing about Bruce Wayne, Diana had to admit, was that the man was irresistible, and he knew it. And he frequently used it to his advantage. Like now for instance. That man dared to use his charm to convince her that following him would be in her advantage. Not that spending time with him was a burden to her. Not in the least. Quite the contrary actually. But it was driving her insane, his inability to decide. Today he was getting closer to her and tomorrow he would most likely say he hadn't meant to and that it did not mean anything. Trying to understanding him was a making her climb the walls.

"What are we doing here?" she enquired, a hopeful smile on her lips.

Bruce took a moment, and she could tell he was analyzing the question in his head. "Having dinner. I though it would be a beneficial experience to our friendship."

There it was. He was retreating behind his walls again. Diana desperately wanted to strangle him for being so stupid. She took a sip of her water instead. "Good idea. Perhaps we should have invited Kal too."

That seemed to get him. "Next time maybe."

The answer had been calm but Diana could feel something underneath it. She shrugged it off. "Yes. So, tell me, how's Gotham? Busy, right?"

He shrugged. "Same as always."

"Really?" Diana asked in an overly sweet voice. "Isn't Selina making it al least a little bit interesting?" She could see the colour leaving his face. "Pity." Now he looked hurt and she almost pitied him. Almost.

"What are you trying to do?"

"Have a conversation. Obviously. Don't get so defensive, Bruce. We're friends after all."

"How do you know about Selina?"

Diana smiled but offered no answer. "Well, if we're not to talk about Selina, then we'll have to search for another subject."

Blue eyes cut through her. "Let's." The atmosphere tensed.

Despite his earlier agreement, Bruce refused to volunteer any other topic. He was still thinking about her barbs. For someone who said she loved him, Diana could sure play cruel. From whim had she heard about Selina's return to Gotham. Perhaps Zatanna' the magician had a bad habit of sticking her nose where it didn't belong.

"I've been thinking of this a lot lately, "Diana started, "I would like to visit my mother sometime soon. I miss home. I might even take my leave for awhile."

"What?" She had taken him by surprise. "What about your job."

"Well, I can always have someone cover for me. Besides it's not like I'll be gone forever, just some time. I think it will do me good; a little distance between me and my worries."

As a detective Bruce was hyperaware; the jab didn't escape his notice. "Perhaps it is for the best. " Even the smile on his face was gone. "When are you leaving?"

"Not right now. Perhaps not even for a few months but I will."

"Good. It will give us time to work something out."

Soft laughter filled his ears. "Really, Bruce. You are acting as if I've just told you that we will never see one another4 again. You disappear on us all the time and you don't hear us complaining."

"Who is complaining? I was merely concerned that you will neglect your duties."

"Rest assured that I won't." She paused. "This is a very nice restaurant. I'll have to remember it for when we set that outing with Kal."

"No worries, I have that covered. How do you like your job?"

Ignoring his polite coldness, she answered, "I like it just fine. Actually, I took it because contrary to what some may think, money just doesn't grow on trees, even for the likes of me." He cracked a smile. "I'm glad you find it amusing. Not all of us have your good situation Bruce."

"Are you really bent on going?"

"Yes. Why?"

"What if you can't come back?"

"They can't keep me there, Bruce. Not even if they wanted to."

"That's what you said now." He had a bad feeling about it.

"Trust me," Diana smiled while speaking, "while I love that place and I will always love it, I have a life here now. I have friends and responsibilities. I wouldn't just leave. You worry too much."

"And you don't worry enough."

"I worry more than you know."

"Perhaps."

"Definitely. Bruce, as I've said already, we're friends. If something is bothering you, just talk to me. Ok?" Not a word answered her question. "Humour me."

"Alright."

"Well, that's a stone off my chest. Now, I won't have to drive myself crazy with worry for you."

"I never asked you to."

"Bruce! It's what friends do. Really, you'd think you've been living in a cave all this time."

A warning shone in his eyes. "You don't say?"

There was always a good dose of danger to her meetings with Batman, as Wonder Woman, but now as Diana, she felt ominously relaxed with Bruce. She wasn't used to letting her guard down very often, not even when it came to her friends and the man she loved. She was after all a warrior, first and foremost, taught to never make herself vulnerable under any circumstances, or so she liked to think.

For a moment something warmed in Bruce's stare and Diana felt herself sliding. This wasn't the best of times to fall back on that path, her mind re minded her. Bruce wasn't one to be pushed into anything. She couldn't really force him and he didn't seem to want anything more than her friendship at the moment. Diana knew she would have to wait, perhaps forever, and she didn't have the time. Neither did he, stubborn man. She wanted to shake him and tell him to make up his mind already, that she was tired and confused and not likely to keep waiting for much longer.

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Zatanna rolled her shoulder, wincing at the wave of pain. "I have to be more careful next time." She glanced at Fire who had prostrated herself on a bed and was dozing off. "She has to more careful too."

Truth be told, Fire had fought like a madwoman. The opponents still had the burns to prove it. Secretly, Zatanna knew the mission had been an outlet for the Brazilian's frustrations. She could understand the need to let it all out. The magician felt it too. But there was something else. Something a bit more dangerous. Her senses alerted her; they warned her to stay away.

And normally she would've done just that. She would've have listened and kept her distance but this was Beatrice. This was Fire, her friend. Fire needed her. A group meeting was in order. Perhaps she could call one once they were back and had a few hours of rest. That sounded like a good plan.

"Fire." she called.

"What?" The Brazilian was in no mood for small talk it seemed.

"Come on, girl! Get up. We're leaving."

"Make me."

"You're impossible. I'm tired and I want a shower."

"Then leave."

" I can't just take off and leave you here alone."

"I'm not alone."

"Are too. The others left already."

"Then go. Leave if you want to leave. Don't let me keep you here."

"Bea, what's wrong? Talk to me."

"Nothing is wrong, Zee. I'm just tired."

"Okay. Me too. Let's go then."

"I don't want to go. Just head on."

"Okay, you know what? I'm not leaving you here. Just get that already. Stop being difficult and come on."

"I can't."

"Nonsense. Sure you can. I'll show you."

"You don't get it. I can't. I can't face him, Zee. Every time I try to talk to him there is this knot in my throat and I feel like throwing up and I'm afraid I'll say something stupid and he'll figure out just how damn much I miss him. I can't, okay?"

"Then let's go somewhere else. We could go to my place or we could call the others up and meet somewhere."

"You actually think I'm well enough to be in public without the aid of a generous amount of alcohol?" Beatrice asked snappishly.

"Point taken." Zatanna conceded. "So, it's my place then."

"Definitely. I'm so tired. Of everything."

"I get you."

"Why are they so complicated? I just want to know if I should keep waiting around for him and I'm not even asking for anything serious. I hate men."

"Me too. I second that."

"You can't." Fire deadpanned. "You're into Martians, not men."

"Same difference."

"Not from where I stand."

There was a brief silence during which Fire smirked and Zatanna paled. There was something about the Brazilian's comment that made the magician shudder. Sometimes she was very, very afraid that Fire would eventually snap. Heaven forbid. Wally would never be able to run fast enough.

"Thank you for the grossly inappropriate mental image."

"You're welcome."

More to come in the next chapters. Hope you enjoyed it.