Disclaimer: Don't own the characters, don't sue. Please.

Chapter Two

Girl Talk

Her hand suddenly stilled from rhythmically moving the toothbrush against her teeth, as her face smiled back at her, foam on her lips and all at the thankful remembrance that Shayera, maybe because of the intense battle scenes, a better word for artsy violence, in the movie they just watched, and considering the very confrontational mood her friend was in, forgot all about pestering her for information that she was still very hesitant about divulging.

And many thanks to Wally who gallantly insisted on accompanying her to the safety of her quarters even if there was positively no harm that would come to her along the quiet corridors of the Watchtower, and even if there was there was the distinct possibility that she was the likelier to defend the both of them, Shayera was not able to remember to squeeze her further about the intricate details.

Her chest heaved as she sighed in quiet gratitude that she had friends like them, so very thankful that she was able to rekindle the almost lost relationship with the Thanagarian. And Wally…there was such a sweet young man under that goofy exterior and she sincerely hoped a young woman would begin to notice that soon.

And then her thoughts strayed to Bruce.

Again, for like…the umpteenth time that day.

When it came to him, her worse enemy was herself. Because it was getting a wee bit frustrating how she, a seasoned warrior with a royal upbringing, could be reduced to a love-struck teenager when he was concerned, every single moment he decides to exude the slightest touch of emotion, or reveal a little shadow of the human being under the mask.

And even though his personality had the buoyancy of an anvil, it still attracted her like the idiot moth to the flame.

She definitely preferred the strong and silent, not to mention oftentimes stubborn, brutally honest to the point of being rude, type.

"Diana?"

Was that Shayera whispering in her commlink, as if anyone was listening in?

"Diana?"

It was Shayera all right. "Yesh?"

"I thought you were already asleep."

She shook her head. "I'm just bwushing my---"

"Good. I'm coming over."

So much for the early relief.

And less than a minute later, just after she came out from the washroom, the red head excitedly let herself into the quiet quarters, taking the complete liberty of making herself at home by dropping her weight on the bed.

"Thought you can get rid of me that easily did you?" Shayera smirked, propping herself on her left elbow.

"Actually, yes." Her feet felt under the mattress for her fuzzy slippers.

"Well you didn't…so…tell!"

"Tell…what?"

"Why you were smiling all the way from opening credits up to the end." Shayera sat up. "The movie was supposed to move you, not exactly into tears, but definitely not into grinning like you just won a dream date with the man of your dreams." The green eyes suddenly widened at the words that seemed to put two and two together. "Wait a minute…you're going out with Bruce?"

She sat down all the while wondering if her facial expression was that obvious. "It's not really a…date…" She followed Shayera's quick movements as busy hands started scuffling through her closet. "What are you doing?"

"Boring…boring…" The sound of metal hangers sliding against the horizontal poles was a bit jarring. Shayera paused for a while at the sight of the famous blue suit that Diana once wore on an errand by Queen Hippolyta and wondered if her friend knew the criticism she got on the internet with it. "Don't you have anything sexier to wear?"

She looked down at the conservative white pajamas she was wearing and hid a grimace. "You mean, aside from my uniform?" She looked back at her friend who was lost on examining her wardrobe while a small, right foot tapped soundlessly on the carpeted room. "Shayera, really. Don't make such a big fuss…you know…he's too proud to ask for…assistance. Maybe he just needs some…help…" She was rambling, trying to hide her own excitement nonetheless at the prospect of being with him. "So it would be a tad inappropriate to move…heavy equipment or fix worn out lighting atop the cave in a strapless number, wouldn't it?"

"But its one way to make sure his other equipment still…rises to the occasion." Shayera mumbled.

"What other equipment?"

"Never mind." Shayera shook her head. It still puzzled her that despite the length of time Diana had spent in Man's world, there were still certain areas where her friend was totally clueless in. "I give up. Wear pants, I'll lend you a shirt."

"I would not fit into your shirt. If I do, it'll be too tight."

Shayera looked at her wickedly. "That's the general idea."

Her response was a wide and slightly embarrassed smile. "Are you suggesting that I seduce him?"

"Suggesting?" Shayera walked over and sat on the other side of the bed. "If I could order you, I would."

"Why do you have such interest in a relationship that is…non existent in the first place?" Her lips pouted slightly.

"Non-existent!" Shayera exclaimed, casting her green eyes heavenward, adding a smack on her forehead with her hand. "Heck…it has been existing for as long as I could remember, only the two of you stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the freakin' fact."

She laughed at her friend's apparent frustration.

"Tell me, Diana…" Shayera began seriously. "In all the years you've known him, how many times has he asked you over? Even just to the bat cave?"

She pretended to consider even if there was the obvious answer. "Never."

"See!" Shayera slapped her thigh. "Maybe this is a start of something…anything."

"The cave is not exactly promising." She visualized the dark and humid surroundings and made a face. "I mean…how romantic could it get when you can smell bat manure all around?"

Shayera laughed. "Well…I can tell you a race that actually finds it rather…stimulating."

"Don't bother."

At the taunting sound of her friend's voice, she could not help but entertain the idea that maybe, just maybe, there was this one in a million chance that Shayera was right, that this was Bruce's subtle way of asking her out on a date. After all, he called her the same night the incident happened.

And at the remembrance, she had to divert her thoughts, tried to remember her father might be Hades, so the anger could prevent the color from creeping up to her cheeks. But a part of her mind could not block of the lingering moment of how, after being entangled limb to limb as they fell on an unfortunate roof, hidden from sight, he did not let go and instead pulled her close to kiss her, ravage her lips, worship the curves on her body. But after a fleeting moment, the unwanted interference of an explosion a distance away, brought them back to reality.

"Earth calling to the princess…" Shayera called. "You have acquired this habit of going into a trance with this half hidden smile and the tell tale sign of a blush."

"Well…just in case…" She could not feel more awkward and Shayera's all-too-knowing grin only made matters worse. "If…it is a date…just what…"

"Are you supposed to do?" Shayera suddenly felt like the older sister, or for that matter the mother, in a long overdue talk about the birds and the bees. "Well…most dates start out strange, then comfortable…then too comfortable…"

"Meaning?"

Shayera heaved a sigh of frustration. Amazon's were really bad dates. "You usually end up making out."

"Make out?" She remembered how Wally sometimes referred to the act. "Suck face."

"It's official, you are spending way too much time with Wally." The Thanagarian grabbed a bag of chips by the bedside table. "By the way, have you told him?"

She shrugged. "I don't exactly want the whole watchtower to know."

"He'll be disappointed."

"Wally?" A frown appeared on her face.

A piece of potato chip disappeared into a waiting mouth. "You have no idea, do you?

"That?"

There was a very smug grin on Shayera's face. "The boy has a huge crush on you."

Her expression was incredulous. "No…"

"Yes."

"Wally?"

"Uhuh."

A strange moment passed, as she searched her friend's face to be certain it was just a joke. "You're kidding."

"No, I'm not."

"I always thought he…you…"

"It's more of a sister and younger brother thing. I enjoy tormenting him and he cannot do anything about it."

"Are you sure?" As the truth started sinking in, she felt very uncomfortable, unconsciously squirming where she sat as if a hundred ants were marching on her thigh.

"Why do you think he arranges for our Friday nights together?"

"He wants to spend time with friends."

"A straight guy spending Friday nights with two females just to watch movies he has probably seen a gazillion times rather than with his testosterone driven buddies…come on. There has to be an ulterior motive that concerns a female…after all he's a guy." Shayera was happily munching. "Either that… or our Wally is not as straight and studly as we think."

Somehow, that thought was rather strange. "It's easier to believe that he's quite…fond…"

"He has the hots for you." It was as blunt as a spoon could get.

"I'm old enough to be his…grandmother."

Shayera folded the bag of chips, the wrapper making a noisy sound, interrupting her confusion.

"Diana, you look no way near being his mother." Her friend stood up, hesitantly smoothing with her slightly greasy hands the sides of her pink nightgown. "Anyway…don't tell him I told. And don't worry too much about Wally, he'll live. He's used to it by now."

"Shay…you're being a little too hard on him."

"Concerned?" The other woman chided. "You should be more concerned of your date. Its getting late, take your beauty rest, not that you need it though."

Being reminded of her schedule made her worry once more. Of all her years in this world, she only went partying out once, and it was with a female friend.

"Shayera…about the…" Her look was almost pleading.

An affectionate hand offered comfort on her shoulder. "You'll be fine. Besides, you can easily tear out his arm if he does anything you don't like."

A nervous giggle finally escaped as a naughty thought snaked its way to her brain. "Or if he doesn't do anything at all."

It was Shayera's turn to laugh. "Just make sure he doesn't make second base on the first date."

"Second base?"

Shayera turned just before exiting. "For heaven's sake Diana…" There was another frustrated, yet amused expression that passed the Thanagarian's face. "Use the laptop, surf the net. Do research on…dating and…even procreating terminologies."

Her shoulders shrugged in defeat. "Okay."

With a hushed goodnight, Shayera left the room and as her bare feet padded the cold surface of the floor, as the nightgown swished against her body with her movements, Shayera shook her head as a secret smile played on her lips at thought of the promise the recent turn of events brought.

Because, truthfully, deep inside, even if she was loveless as of the moment, she was thankful that the stubborn man finally came to his senses to acknowledge even the tiniest bit of his feelings because in a year or so, if Bruce still refused to come to admit his inner desires for Diana, she would have to finally use her mace and do some convincing. Because this silent love affair between two people in denial, plus the accompanying undercurrent of sexual tension, was starting to take its toll on some of them. Mostly when it served to remind her of a past love once.

"Ooops!"

"Sorry!"

Voices uttered different expressions at the same time. And then she felt arms supporting her. And a few moments later, she found two glowing green eyes staring below her chin and she was reminded she was in her flimsy nightgown.

"John." It was said in a steady voice.

But John knew it translated get your hands away from me and quit staring at my rack in Shayera speak.

"Uhm…" His mind could not register a smart reply as he was reminded of how…good she felt against him. "It's late."

That sounded dumb.

"I came from Diana's."

That even sounded dumber.

Realizing the awkwardness of the situation as her former boyfriend's face registered a slight hint of amusement, she immediately walked away.

And as he looked at her retreating form, with emphasis on the cute tush, all John could think of was that…she was still hot as hell.

But then his testosterone fuelled brain was suddenly busy wondering whatever she was doing in Diana's room at this hour.

He shook his head as he fought the feeling of warmth spreading through him, as he locked out the lurid thoughts from entering the opening doors of his brain, silently blaming Flash for introducing him to the world of fan fiction, particularly the slash kind.