Chapter 1: Wonder Woman is my best friend?
Steve Trevor kissed the woman on her neck. He felt her body shiver as he slowly moved his kisses down her body. The woman grabbed his hair and looked at him. His blue eyes were so bright that the woman felt his stare pierce her soul. Her hand began to move towards his crotch which made Steve moan. He then threw her on the bed and went on top of her. The woman giggled in excitement as she proceeded to remove his pants. Steve's hand was busy caressing her legs and kissing her chest. He slid his body in between the woman's thighs and started to grind her. "I can make you a very rich man." She said in a heavy Russian accent. Steve merely grinned as he placed his hands outside her underwear and began to rub it. The friction made a tingling sensation which made the woman wet. "I don't want your money." He whispered against her ear. "What do you want, then?" She exhaled in ecstasy while her torso subconsciously reached for Steve's crotch. She smiled as she felt Steve's manhood stiffen. "But I do want to know the time when the drugs will be shipped later." Steve grinned as he placed her wrist in a handcuff and locked the other end of the cuff on the railings of the bed. The woman was stunned and tried to slide off underneath Steve. "You son of a bitch!" She screamed as she struggled to uncuff herself.
Steve stood up and did his pants. He began to rummage the woman's purse and took out her cellphone. Despite the woman's protest, he took her hand and placed her thumb on the home button which unlocked the phone. Steve searched for whatever useful information he could find on her phone. He checked her messages, notes, and every app found inside. Jackpot, he thought. There was an accounting app where all of their transactions were recorded. The last entry was the destination port of the illegal drugs from Russia. In two hours, the largest shipment of the Guchkov Group would be landing in the territory of France through Paris. Steve started to put his shirt on when he noticed the woman crying. Irina Guchkov, the third wife of Vladimir Guchkov cried silently on the bed. Her mascara had melted down her eyes. "Just kill me." She told Steve. "I'm good as dead anyway."
"What? No." Steve said as he knelt near her.
"Why do you think I am the third wife?" She sobbed. Steve figured out that much but did not say a word. "He killed his second wife in front of me so he could marry me." Irina wailed. "I should have just stayed in Russia."
Steve heaved a heavy sigh as he placed his hand on her knee. "Look, the U.S government will protect you, okay? I will protect you. Guchjov will be tried and sentenced and you can be a witness for the prosecution."
Irina slapped Steve's hand away from her. "You want me to betray my husband?" She screamed.
"You already did when you entered this hotel room with me." Steve said.
Water filled Irina's eyes as she realized what she did. She wiped her tears with her free hand and regained her composure.
"I will help you." She finally said. "Just promise me that you'll take care of me."
"I promise." Steve nodded as a sign of thank you. He reached for his pocket and took the key of Irina's handcuffs. "I will return for you after two hours." He said placing the key within Irina's reach. "Don't let anyone in."
Irina nodded in acknowledgement as Steve left the hotel room.
"I'm in position." Diana whispered in her comm. She was in a port in Paris where Bruce Wayne received reports that a large shipment of drugs shall be delivered. The Guchkov Group had infiltrated most of the major cities in the world, making it the most successful drug group since Pablo Escobar, but not on his watch.
Diana stealthily climbed on top of a shipping container to get a better view of below. She scanned the area and reported to Bruce. "There's a lot of armed men in here." She looked towards the docks and said, "We have incoming."
Diana saw a large ship docking near the port. The men gathered on land started to speak in Russian as they unloaded the contents of the ship. Diana waited until Vladimir Guchkov appeared. With such a large shipment, it would be possible that he personally oversee such transaction.
Diana smirked as Vladimir appeared on the ship deck. He was wearing a leather jacket and a bonnet. His beard covered almost everything on his face. He had a large scar on his right cheek which made his look distinct from his men. He began to shout orders to his men as they unloaded the packages of the ship to sixteen wheeler trucks.
"Hands in the air." A voice broke Diana's observation. She felt cold steel at the back of her head. She calmly raised her hands up. Whoever's behind him is probably really stupid, Diana thought. Slowly, Diana stood up and, instantly, she grabbed the person's arm and disarmed him. The man did not flinch as his gun slid to the floor. Instead, he proceeded to punch Diana, which she easily blocked. The two grappled each other in the darkness. He's good, Diana thought, as the man easily evaded every punch Diana threw. Diana let out a frustrating grunt as she couldn't fight in full force. She had to fight discreetly in order to avoid Guchkov's men from noticing her. The both of them panted until a searchlight traversed the container they were in. Out of fear of being noticed, the two of them dove for cover. The light flashed long enough for Diana to see her enemy. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw a nostalgic face.
"Wonder Woman?" Steve said in awe as he stared at Diana. The searchlight finally flashed to another place and the both of them were in darkness again.
"This is a United States and French government operation." Steve spat as he picked up his gun. "As far as our government is concerned, you are vigilantes so, just a piece of advice, leave." Steve said nicely. Diana did not hear anything Steve said. His voice was muted down to nothing. She could see his lips move but she did not understand what he was saying. She froze on top of the crane. She couldn't find her voice, nor the strength to move.
The searchlight began to move towards their direction, Steve saw that she wasn't moving so he grabbed her hand and pulled her down beside him. "Hey." He said as he shook her hand. "You shouldn't be here." He repeated.
Diana finally reacted to Steve's touch. "You know me?" She inquired.
"Everybody knows you. You and Batman beat that thing that killed Superman. They call you Wonder Woman, just so you know." He didn't glance at Diana but retained his focus on the scope of his gun. He scouted the surroundings and saw the men, still unloading the packages. "I need the French in the water." Steve whispered in his comm.
"Diana." Bruce's voice returned Diana's focus. "What's going on?" He asked.
"The U.S and the French are here." Diana whispered back to her comm.
Bruce scoffed at the information. "Finally, they are able to keep up with intel gathering."
"Yeah." Diana momentarily glanced at Steve.
"I'll distract them." Diana said to Steve without removing her gaze on the ship. "What? no." Steve glanced at Diana from head to foot. "Stay here, and don't cause any trouble."
"You will not catch him without my help." Diana stood her ground.
"I have men surrounding this place, Guchkov will not escape this place." Steve said confidently.
Diana scoffed at him. "20 yards from here? I doubt it."
"Fine!" Steve said in defeat. "But please don't destroy evidence." He awkwardly smiled at her.
"Can I destroy the ship?" Diana replied casually.
"You can destroy a ship?" Steve's jaw dropped. "Well, by all means.. please do." He signaled Diana to move. "I'll cover you."
Diana jumped towards the ground and ran to the ship docked at the port. Guchkov's men noticed her and began shouting in panic. Vladimir ordered them to shoot her. But before anyone could get ready, Steve started shooting them from a distance. Diana rushed through the the docks and leaped towards the ship. Steve, through his scope saw her majestically making her way towards the vessel before she crushed the ship like it was some piece of paper. Explosions roared through out the port. Diana leaped back to the ground as she ran towards the two sixteen-wheeler trucks that will be transporting the goods. "Get them out of here!" Vladimir ordered his men.
Steve noticing the engines of the trucks run, he positioned himself to a better vantage point and shot one of the drivers of the truck. The other truck however, was able to drive away.
"Shit!" Steve spat as he pivoted to an area where he could get a shot. But he could not shoot as a crane was blocking his line of sight.
Diana saw the other truck moving and ran towards its direction. She was able to catch its rear wheels and began pulling them off the truck. The truck lost its balance and crashed to its side.
"Look out!" Steve roared. Diana turned to the front and saw an incoming rocket propelled grenade heading towards her direction. Diana was able to evade the RPG but it hit the truck behind her. The explosion sent her flying towards the shipping container where Steve was. The crash was so strong that the container broke, causing Steve to fall on the ground. "You okay?" He checked Diana who has just recovered from the crash.
"Yes," she said as she readied herself to fight.
"God damn it." Steve grunted as he saw both trucks engulf in flames. Guchkov does not want them to have evidence against him.
Not before long, Steve and Diana were surrounded by Guchkov's men. Steve let out a calm exhale as he reloaded his gun. For a moment, both of them stared at each other. Diana positioned herself in front of Steve. Bullets began to rain on them. Diana successfully blocked every bullet that came to her direction. Steve noticing that she's taking all the fire, started shooting people. When their numbers dwindled, Diana joined the fray. Diana punched through every man and blocked every bullet that went her direction. A final shot came from Vladimir who stood at a car. The bullet went straight towards Steve but Diana caught it with her wrist. Steve nodded at Diana in thanks. Guchkov noticing the futility of his act, went inside the car and ordered his driver to drive.
"Go!" Steve ordered Diana said as he readied his scope. Steve looked at the sight and aimed at the car's tires. He was able to blow one of them off but it was futile. The car continues to speed away from the port. Diana followed in pursuit. After getting the proper momentum, she leaped hard, cracking the ground. She landed on top of the hood of the vehicle and broke it into pieces. Because of the force, the car's airbags deployed and covered its windshield. She heard loud grunts and thuds from inside the vehicle. Vladimir crawled slowly away from his car. He, however was met by the butt of Steve's gun. "You're under arrest, asshole." He said as he read him his Miranda rights.
Steve's back-up arrived just in time to drag Guchkov inside the police vehicle. "Told you, you need my help." She smirked at Steve.
Steve chuckled as he scratched his head. "Sorry, I doubted you." He smiled sweetly. The flames behind them grew bright. The resulting light made Steve's eyes shine. The shape of his jaws, his cheek bones, the way his face muscles moved while he talked, all of them were the same, Diana thought. But this is not her Steve, she thought. She smiled weakly as she thanked the heavens for this wonderful gift. Even if she didn't and never forgot what he looked like, the world gave her this Steve. A face that would remind her of what she has lost, what she had learned, and the reason why she strived to be the hero she once were.
"Captain Steve Trevor." Steve said as he extended his hand to towards Diana. "United States Army, but currently assigned to French Intelligence."
Diana's eyes widened in shock. What are the odds of a person having the same name and face as her Steve Trevor? Diana slowly reached for Steve's hand. She shook it longer than expected. "Steve Trevor?" She repeated his name.
"Mmhm." Steve nodded.
"I am-" Suddenly, Diana was interrupted by American and French policemen.
"It's wonder woman!" They all shouted as they flocked around her. Diana tried to escape from the crowd and go to Steve but he was already gone. Diana smiled at the police officers, but at the back of her head, she wondered when she would see Steve Trevor again.
Steve drove fast to the hotel. With Guchkov arrested, Irina wouldn't have to worry about her life. After the trial, she can seek asylum in France, or some other country where Guchkov's men will not find her.
Steve stepped into the elevator. As the doors were closing he saw policemen rush inside the hotel room. His heart pounded fast as he had a bad feeling about it. He reached Irina's floor and brisk walked towards her room. He came to a sudden stop when he saw yellow ribbons taped on the door. "Police line, do not cross." It said. Steve ran towards the door. He was halted by French policemen, telling him something in French. "I know her." He protested and struggled to pass through the policemen. The police let him pass eventually. Steve entered the door and a messy room lay before him. The tables were turned and broken, the hotel tv that once hanged on the wall is now broken on the floor. Steve's heart pumped so hard that he thought it was going to break out of his chest. There were stains of blood on the carpeted floor. He walked towards the other side of the bed where he saw Irina, lying lifeless, with a gunshot wound on the head.
Diana was invited to the DGSE, the French and American heads of the operation congratulated her for a job well done. The American head even told her that he will tell the President of the US to reconsider their status as vigilantes. Diana smiled as she thanked them all. Right before she was leaving, Steve entered the room, saluted his superior officers and asked where Guchkov's interrogation room is. Diana followed him after he obtained directions on Guchkov's room.
Steve sat quietly in front of Guchkov. Diana followed him inside and stood in the corner.
"Ah, you are here to tell me about my wife." Guchkov reclined to his seat.
"Single gunshot in the head." Steve said.
"Ah. I told you, I will not leave any evidence." Guchkov replied.
Steve slammed his fist on the table. Guchkov grinned as he felt Steve's frustration. "You know, they can only keep me here legally for 36 hours. No evidence, and I am a free man."
"We have evidence." Steve replied, calming himself down.
"Who? My dead wife?" Guschkov grinned. "You know, my wife had always been weak against blue-eyed men." Guchkov started. "That's how you got her to talk, ya? You fucked her good and hard, made her scream your name, manipulate her weakness to that handsome face." Guchkov shook his head in disbelief.
Diana from the corner frowned at what she just heard. Her Steve wouldn't do anything like that. But then again, her Steve was also a spy. Given the circumstances, he may have probably done the same thing.
"I did not fuck you wife." Steve reclined back to his chair. From his peripheral, Steve saw Diana sigh in relief.
Guschkov made a surprise look on his face, followed by a loud laugh. "Not your type? She's a good at giving heads, you know." He chuckled. "Are you sure she didn't even give you a blowjob?" Guchkov looked at Diana as he imitated how women did blowjobs. "Do you also do blowjobs, wonder woman? I would like to receive one of those sometimes."
Diana lay silent as she stood her ground. Men are disgusting, she thought. Steve stood up from his seat and punched Guchkov hard on the jaw. "Shut up, you fucking perv." He angrily scowled.
"Ah, so it was this." Guchkov spat at the floor. "You became her knight in shining armor. A chivalrous knight and a protector of women in the world."
Steve sat back on his chair and didn't say a word.
"You promised her that you'll take care of her, protect her from me; that she can find an asylum where she's safe from me. Ha ha ha!" Guchkov laughed loudly at his realization. "And yet she died holding onto that empty promise of yours." Guchkov could not contain his laughter. He huffed and puffed for air and tears began to well up his eyes.
Steve stared at Guchkov. Steve could feel blood rush up his cheeks and ears. Don't you do anything, he said to himself.
"That stupid farm girl... believed in a spy... hahaha."
Fuck it! Steve thought as he went his way to punch Guchkov in the face again. But before he could actually lunge at him, Diana grabbed Guchkov by the neck and lifted him up. The chains attached to his wrists extended upwards.
Steve's jaw momentarily drop at what was happening. He could see how Diana effortlessly held Guchkov by the neck. The assailant was protesting and choking on Diana's grip. Diana tightened her grip and said something in Russian.
"Is death funny?" She asked in Russian. Somehow, death was a novel topic to Diana. What all the peoples of the world have in common, she can never experience. Death is inevitable for mortals, but not for her. And yet, she is surrounded by it, and all the emotions that come with it - grief, anger, regret and sometimes apathy. But not joy. This man in front of her, acting all elated by the fact that his wife, someone he loved died; someone he promised that he will grow old together with, in sickness and in health. She cannot understand such the relationship between happiness and death.
Guchkov couldn't do anything but to scratch Diana's hand, but it was futile. The people observing from the other side of the one way mirror tried to flock inside the room, but Diana broke the door knob from the inside.
"I asked you. What's so funny?" She repeated in Russian.
Finally, Guschkov uttered the "nothing", in Russian. Diana lightened her grip from his windpipe which made him breathe a little.
"There are things we can do to find evidence. We can get a confession." She continued. "Would you like me to remove one of his bones?" Diana looked at Steve, as if asking for his permission. "Or I could break all of his bones, except for the for his skull." She smiled at Guchkov.
Guchkov made a pleading glance at Steve. For the first time in his life, Vladimir Guchkov felt terrified. Not of death, but of the woman who can deliver it easily to others.
Steve stared at Guchkov and smiled. "Well, we can break all of his bones..." He said. Diana, with her free arm grabbed Guchkov's arm. "...but that won't be necessary." Steve said.
Diana obeyed Steve and dropped Guchkov on the floor. He was shaking and breathing heavily. "You're monsters!" He shouted at both of them.
Steve knelt near Guchkov and took out Irina's cellphone. "Sometimes, to fight monsters, we need to be monsters ourselves." He said.
"You're wife may be a farm girl, but she's also a millennial. A techie one at that. I have every transaction you made on her phone. Account numbers, details of your clients, everything." He smiled. "So the next time you would berate your wife's memory, remember that she's the one who brought you down."
Steve stood up and proceeded to leave. Diana went on ahead and punched through the door so they could pass. The both of them walked away from the people from the other side of the interrogation room. Everyone was still shocked at the events that happened, that even Steve's boss was not able to say a thing. Before leaving, Steve made a salute to everyone and pressed the elevator button.
Steve and Diana lay silent in the elevator as it went down. The elevator's engine whirred quietly before Steve disturbed it by punching the elevator wall.
"God fucking damn it." He shouted. Finally, he was able to release the anger that welled up inside him for the last hour.
Diana did not say anything but took Steve's now bleeding hand. "It isn't your fault." She told him. Steve removed his hand from Diana's. He scoffed at himself. "I got no one to blame, except for myself." He told her as he exited the elevator.
"I know this is kinda weird, but if you like, I'm drinking tonight until my liver gives up. So if you just want to have a celebratory drink for our victory tonight, you can come." Steve said sarcastically as the elevator doors closed behind him.
True to his word, Steve went to a bar near the Louvre and drank to his heart's content. He shouldn't be drinking, he thought. Back in the United States, he was advised by his commanding officer to join a support group for drunks. He was not a drunkard. He consoled himself. He's a high functioning alcoholic,but an alcoholic to say the least. But he couldn't leave the alcohol alone. This job has taken away so much humanity from him that his only remedy is to drink it all away. The only time he felt human is when he drinks. Maybe Guchkov was right. Maybe he is a monster. Steve finished a bottle of scotch and asked the bartender for another one. Guchkov also called wonder woman a monster. He's wrong with that. Wonder woman can't be a monster. She's a hero. Everybody thinks she is, he thought.
Speaking of wonder woman, Steve felt that she rejected his invitation to celebrate. He frowned at that while staring at his newly opened scotch. The bartender's phone rang which distracted Steve a bit. He was feeling a little bit tipsy, but not drunk enough. He shook his head as he felt disappointed with his tolerance with alcohol. Most people would definitely pass out from one bottle of scotch, but not him. He needed more.
The bar door opened and a woman with her black coat entered the same. The bartender entertained her for a while before pointing at the direction where Steve was sitting at. The woman walked towards Steve and sat beside him.
"You shouldn't drink too much." The woman said as she stared at the two bottles on the table: one was empty, and the other was already half-filled.
Steve stared at her groggily. He winced his eyes to identify the woman but he did not recognize her. "I'm sorry, do I know you?" He said, trying to sound polite. "I don't remember inviting another woman to drink. But I was expecting wonder woman to come, you know." Steve slurred.
"I don't think she will be able to come." Diana Prince said as slowly took the glass away from Steve.
"Well, that's too bad." Steve frowned.
"She sent me here to take you home." Diana grabbed Steve by the shoulder. He was feeling dizzy now. Good, the alcohol is working, he thought. The lights were creating halos as he tried to walk upright. Diana assisted Steve as they exited the bar. The night was quiet as they walked on the streets.
"What's your name?" He asked her. The smell of alcohol reeked from Steve.
"Diana Prince." She replied.
"From now on Ms. Prince, you are my best friend." Steve smiled as he crisscrossed on the street. Diana scoffed at Steve. Alcohol is the greatest invention of human kind, she thought. Drink, and you shall feel relaxed. Drink more and your inhibitions shall be gone. Drink more and more, and you will pass out or likely die. It is a silent killer, but people love it.
Diana stared at her drunk companion, the man who led the take down of the world's largest drug cartel is now acting like a child.
"You know, Ms. Prince, I caught a bad guy today." He slurred. "You want to know how?" He grinned.
Diana lay silent by Steve's side. She knew how, but of course, she can't actually say it. "I manipulated his wife. She couldn't resist my face, so I took advantage of it. Then I convinced her to turn against his husband, and promised her to keep her safe." Steve continued. "But I fucking couldn't keep my promise." Steve cried as he removed himself from Diana and slumped himself to the floor. Steve sat down on the pavement covered his face with his hands. "She was just 19. She had her whole life ahead of her. And she died because I couldn't protect her."
Diana knelt in front of Steve and took his hands away from his face. His hands were cold. She held it tight and breathe at it to keep him warm. "It's not your fault." She said. Steve tried to take away his hands from Diana but she would not release it. "That's what wonder woman said to me." He scowled. "How is it not my fault, when the reason she died was because of my incompetence?"
Diana sighed as she voluntary released her grip of Steve's hands and cupped his face. "Look at me." She said. Slowly, blue eyes met with brown ones. It was the first time Steve actually saw the woman who was assisting him. He was so drunk that he didn't care. But now, he had the chance to look at her. Her dark brown eyes were almost black in the night. It complemented her wavy black hair that lay on her shoulders. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his entire life. Somehow, her beauty made him momentarily sober. "Every person lives by making a decision." Diana started as she caressed Steve's cheek. "And every decision, has its consequences. Those are the things that make us human."
"It was Irina's choice to do the right thing. And sometimes, doing the right thing has bad consequences. And deep down, I believe, she did not regret her choice to do the right thing." Diana smiled sweetly at Steve.
Steve pushed his face down to Diana's hand. He longed for such a caress, and he got it on the hands of a stranger. "Is this why wonder woman sent you?" Steve chuckled as he rested his face on her hands. "To provide healing to soldiers with problems?" He smiled weakly.
"You can say that." She smiled. Steve stood up from the pavement. He still felt dizzy but he felt better. No amount of alcohol could replace those things she said. "I'm sorry if I bothered you." He quickly apologized for the drama he caused.
"Everybody has problems, Steve Trevor. You just have to have someone to share it with." She said as they both continued to walk.
"Do you have that kind of person too?" Steve asked as he lazily walked on the pavement.
Diana shook her head. "I used to. But they're all gone now."
"Here we are.." Steve balanced himself on the pavement. "Two of the loneliest persons in the world. If you and I dated each other, I bet it would be a disaster." He chuckled.
"How do you know?" Diana replied.
"I just know." Steve stared at the ground. "Imagine, every time we sleep together, you will always wake up in the middle of the night because of my screams. I scare the shit out of people, with my nightmares, so I always have my friend with me." Steve took out a canister from inside his coat pocket and drank from it. "Ahh, alcohol. It will never leave you, betray you, nor forsake you." He laughed.
"What kind of nightmares do you have?" Diana replied as she took the canister away from Steve.
"The bad ones.. like dying dying all the time and waking up in hell."
Diana stopped from her tracks and looked at Steve. She had a serious face that made him uncomfortable. "Did I say something wrong?" He slurred.
Diana suddenly pulled him close and gave him several pats on the back. "There, there." She whispered in his ear. Steve could feel his body shake in relief. A hug was all he needed. "Please tell me everything's going to be okay." He asked Diana. He was so embarrassed that he did not look at her face. Diana smiled sweetly as she tightened her hug around him. "Everything's going to be okay." She said.
"Thank you, Diana." Steve smiled at her before he released himself from her hug.
They continued to walk for several meters more when Steve noticed men coming towards their direction, one towards their front, and the others from their back. Steve grabbed Diana's hand as he pulled her close. "Keep close." He whispered to her as they silently treaded the street. Diana, noticing something was wrong, tightly gripped Steve's hand, while her other hand latched on Steve's arm.
True to Steve's suspicion, the two men in front of them stopped them from their tracks. The two behind them followed suit. "We need Irina's phone, Captain." One of them said in a heavy Russian accent.
Steve placed Diana behind him. Shit, he thought. Intoxicated or not, Steve knew he can take these four men down. What bothered him was Diana may be trapped in the cross-fire.
Shit, Diana thought. She knew that she can take all the four men on her own. But it would risk exposing her identity to Steve.
As the both of them contemplated on what to do, one of the men drew out his gun. "Give the cellphone to us." He demanded. The rest of them drew their guns.
Steve glanced at each of the men's position. Instantly, he pushed Diana to the ground, and immediately disarmed the man nearest him. With the disarmed gun, he shot the man at the chest and head. Steve moved towards his next target. The goon pointed his gun at Steve, but Steve was able to dart the man's hand away from his direction. He grabbed the man by the collar and shot him in the jaw. He then turned the lifeless man as his shield as he shot the two remaining men on the chest. Steve immediately dropped everything and went straight to Diana. "Are you alright?" He said as he looked for injuries.
Diana nodded at Steve. Diana managed to act scared, but all her theatricals disappeared when one of the injured men pulled the trigger before heaving his dying breath. The bullet travelled towards Steve, before Steve could even react, Diana blocked the bullet with her wrist. The bullet burned a piece of her coat, exposing her gauntlets.
Steve stared at the bullet as it bounced on the ground. His eyes slowly went to Diana who also looked shocked.
"You..?" He said perplexed.
