I know a lot of you weren't expecting what happened last chapter. I do apologize. I wasn't exactly sure where that last bit was heading myself until I actually wrote it. But no relationship is ever perfect. Not even our beloved heroines. Can't promise it will be happy sailing from here on out.

Disclaimer: I do not own DC…if I did Batwoman would still be around and would have had her wedding to Maggie Sawyer…I only own my OC's and my weird imagination.

A/N: I am so very sorry for the delay. I was dealing with major writer's block for this particular chapter. It's a little short then my usual standard but I wanted to get this out there for those of you that have been waiting a very long time for this.

Enjoy

2

One week later…

As the pair materialized, Hippolyta immediately knew something was wrong. Not to say that the darkening bruise on her daughter in-law's cheek was a sure sign, but the energy around the two was…stale.

Yes, Arizona and Diana had their fair share of arguments over the past few years but this time…it left Hippolyta cold and so very sad.

Before she could say anything, Diana smiled and Hippolyta opened her arms. Diana rushed forward and felt her mother's warm embrace engulf her. Hippolyta felt the struggle and the pain that invaded her daughter's heart. The matriarch pulled back and looked at her daughter silently.

She opened her mouth to ask what was wrong, but Arizona brushed passed them and held her arms out.

"MOM!" Epione jumped into her mom's arms and squealed as she was lifted off her feet and spun around. Arizona laughed as she heard the laughter in her daughter's voice.

Arizona placed her daughter back down after a moment. Epione's eyes widened as she gasped as she saw the bruise on her mom's face.

"What happened?!" She reached out to touch it but Arizona quickly held on to prying fingers and kissed the tips.

"Nothing to worry about, Bunny. Just a little turbulence," Arizona said with a wink. Epione's brows knotted. She knew something was wrong. She didn't like the way her mom's eyes hid something from her.

Arizona saw that her daughter was still worried. She wrapped her arms around her daughter and hugged her tight.

"Go hug your mother," Arizona whispered in her ear. She pulled back and pointedly looked at Epione. The girl nodded and timidly went to her mother and gave a quick hug.

"Hello mother," Epione mumbled quietly.

Hippolyta stared at Diana then to Arizona. She sighed internally. She was saved from her internal musings when she heard Diana speak.

"Have you been behaving, little one?" Diana asked gently. She ran a loving hand through her daughter's hair.

Epione's shoulders slumped ever so slightly at the question. Hippolyta placed her hands on her granddaughter's shoulders and gave an encouraging squeeze.

"Of course she has. She is always a delight to have around. Isn't that right dear?" Hippolyta smiled as she looked down at Epione. The girl gave her a small smile and nodded.

Arizona cleared her throat and made her way to their bags.

"I'll take these to the room."

"Can I help?"

Arizona turned to her daughter and smiled.

"Sure Bunny," Arizona said quietly. Epione smiled brightly and quickly held on to her momma's hand.

As the pair left, Diana felt the weight of the room grow heavy. Sighing loudly, she turned to her mother. Before she could say anything, Hippolyta wrapped her daughter tightly in her arms.

Diana felt her eyes water as she continued to hold onto her mother. After a moment Hippolyta released Diana and held her at arms' length.

"I'm assuming that nasty bruise was from you?"

Diana didn't say anything as she nodded. Her tears fell as she waited for her mother to say something. Hippolyta took that moment to really look at her daughter. She wondered how she had missed this.

With a sigh, Hippolyta gathered Diana in her arms again and held her.

"Oh honey…"

….

Arizona placed the bags by the closet and turned in time to see the concern in her daughters face.

"Hey…it's nothing. Really. Had a bit of a bumpy ride on a mission. That's all." Arizona kissed the top of Epione's head hoping that would satisfy her. It didn't.

"Let me see, mom," Epione said as she took her mom's hand and guided her to the bed. She flipped the bedside lamp and gently examined the darkening bruise.

Seeing no other choice, Arizona let Epione poke and prod, occasionally wincing when her daughter touched a tender spot.

"So doc…what's the verdict?"

Epione pursed her lips and Arizona was struck dumb at how much she resembled her mother. Bright blue eyes held so much concern and wisdom; Arizona had to quickly look away.

"Mom…what re-"

"Epione," Arizona snapped. She watched Epione pull back, her expression of hurt written all over her caring face. Arizona mentally kicked her self.

"Bunny…I'm sorr-"

"Put some ice on that mom. It'll keep the swelling down."

And with that Epione turned and left the room. Arizona berated herself for her own short temper. The situation between Diana and herself had reached its breaking point earlier that week. Both decide that a little time away from Watchtower would do them some good.

Arizona didn't realize just how bad it had gotten until now. She had always prided herself on her patience, especially when it came to their rambunctious daughter. Arizona rubbed her hand over her tired face but winced again as she hit her bruise.

"Serves you right…," she mumbled as she got up and headed for the infirmary. She'd give Epione her space before she went after her. Then she needed to talk to Diana.

…

Io's day had finally ended. As much as she loved her work, she enjoyed a little time away from it every now and then.

She decided she would head to the beach for a swim. She wasn't surprised to see Epione sitting on a log looking out at the water. Io grinned and headed for the young girl.

"Figured I'd find you here," Io said with a bright grin as she got closer. She saw Epione quickly wipe her eyes and her grin faded.

"Little Miss…what happened?" Io lowered herself to the sand sitting next to Epione's feet. Io reached out and placed a gentle hand on Epione's knee.

Epione looked down at Io's hand and felt her vision blur. She scrunched her face as she felt another wave of tears fall. Io quickly scrambled to her knees and gathered Epione in her arms

Io let her cry. She murmured soothing words as she rubbed a hand along Epione's back. As her tears slowly dried, Epione pulled back slightly and wiped at her face.

"Are you alright Little Miss?" Io asked quietly.

Epione sighed and shook her head.

"My parents...they're here…," Epione closed her eyes and shook her head.

Io waited for Epione to continue.

"I know they were arguing again…"

"How do you know that? They just got he-"

Epione sighed heavily.

"Mom has a bruise on her face." The young girl gave Io a look.

"That could have been from-" Epione interrupted her friend.

"It was in the shape of an opened hand! Who else would do that? Mother is strong enough…"

Io felt her stomach lurch at the thought.

"Little Miss, you don't know that for certain," Io said desperately.

"Stop treating me like a child!"

Epione stood, poised to run but Io quickly grabbed the little girl before she could. She gently set her back onto the log, sat next to her and wrapped an arm around Epione's shoulder.

Io wrapped her arms around Epione tighter when she felt the girl struggle.

"I'm sorry Epione," said softly. Io closed her eyes as she felt Epione's shoulders shake. All the blacksmith could do was hold her young friend and let her cry for ever how long Epione needed.

…

The slight breeze in the air danced along Arizona's hair making it stand in different places. She had watched the interaction from afar and felt her eyes water. It was obvious her daughter was in pain but yet, she couldn't bring herself to head for the beach and console her. She felt the guilt weighing on her shoulders.

So instead, Arizona stuffed her hands into her pockets and backed away from the balcony and headed for the infirmary. She questioned how far Diana and herself had stumbled. When they had first met, they had fallen for each other hard. It wasn't normal by any standard.

Arizona's plane had crash landed on Themyscira. Then there was the matter of complete eradication by an overzealous demi god. And Arizona had found out that her grandfather had been one of big three gods that had dominated the universe for millennia's; which made her a demi god. And Arizona had to deal with that in just a few short months.

No, it was most certainly not a normal beginning. Nor was it a normal life afterwards. Maybe this was reality rearing its ugly head. Their 'idyllic' life finally being shattering around them only to be replaced by cruel reality.

Arizona stopped and shook her head. She didn't want to believe that, couldn't believe that. Deep down, she truly loved Diana and their wonderful daughter. The rest was just…extra baggage.

But that still didn't explain how or why their marriage was starting to crack. Inhaling deeply, she squared her shoulders and headed for the infirmary just as her daughter ordered her to.

Diana and Arizona needed to find a way back to each other. For the sake of their daughter, they needed to find it fast…

…

Philippus quickened her steps. She had heard that Arizona and Diana had finally returned. The last few years, it had been hard for the pair to find a moment to return back to the island – Diana had taken a more active role in the League, much to Arizona's and Epione's dismay.

Philippus slowed as she spotted Arizona staring out towards the beach. She watched as her adopted daughter come to some sort of realization then head towards the infirmary.

Philippus' brows knotted together. Curious, she followed not knowing what she would find.

As she neared the infirmary, she heard the voice of their healer and Arizona.

"I wish you would just tell me what happened."

Arizona sighed.

"I already told you, Valete. The plane ran into some turbulence on the way back from a mission."

"I don't believe you." There was a slight pause before Arizona answered.

"Well…I'm sorry. But that's what happened. I don't care if you believe me or not but can I please have an ice pack?"

Philippus could hear the strain in her voice. She decided it would be best to make herself known before things got out of hand.

Taking a breath, Philippus cleared her throat before fully stepping into the room. Both heads turned at the sound. Valete busing herself with the ice pack while Arizona felt her cheeks burn.

Philippus kept her eyes on Arizona's as she came to stand next to the other woman. She spied the darkened bruise on her daughter's cheek and clenched her teeth.

"Thank you Valete. That will be all." The healer knew when it was time to make herself unseen. Handing the ice pack to Philippus' outstretched hand, Valete quickly bowed before leaving the room.

Arizona swallowed nervously. She heard the older woman inhale deeply. Arizona lowered her head as Philippus moved to stand in front of her. The pilot felt her head being lifted gently. She saw the look that was in Philippus' eyes and Arizona could only shrug as tears started to fall.

Philippus gathered her into a warm embrace. Neither woman said anything. After a moment, they pulled back and Arizona felt her cheek cool as Philippus placed the ice back on her face.

"How long will you be staying?" Philippus asked quietly.

"Not sure. I still have to talk to Diana…and Epione."

Philippus nodded. "Stay for as long as you need to."

The pair stayed in the infirmary long after that with Arizona retelling her adopted mother all that had happened the last few years.

With each word, Philippus felt her chest ache for the two. But she didn't know how to help fix their marriage. She needed to speak with Hippolyta but for right now, she needed to just listen.