Disclaimer: I own nothing DCU, save for the OC's in this story. Oh and if I did, Wally would forever be the Clark to my Lois.
There is a mention of my OC Leah in here. So be nice! Some of you might not like the pairing with her and another hero, but it'll all work out.
I really look forward to writing every chapter, I think this has become one of my most favorite fics to write. Awesome! Enjoy!
Also, I'm going to make a sincere effort to stop cussing. I don't know about you guys, but in my head, I cuss a lot. Maybe that's just a testament to my oddity.
Semi-relaxed after her shower, Alex decided to haul ass and get dressed before her mother chewed her out. Punctuality was usually one of her strong suits, but she was already three minutes late. Taking a bit longer than usual in the shower to, ahem, take care of some pented up frustration. Her mother wouldn't be amused with any type of excuse, though; no matter how pressing it seemed at the time.
Being a diplomat for twenty years, Diana didn't take kindly to lateness. If she were late for a UN meeting, Themyscria would have been the laughing stock of the entire worldwide organization. Obviously that wouldn't do. Diana didn't ever let that happen because she, as well as Alex, took serious pride in being an Amazon.
Moving with speed that would put her Uncle Wally to shame, Alex was dressed in two minutes flat. Her outfit consisted of simple dark wash skinny jeans, white cotton v-neck, grey cardigan, infinity scarf, and retro white Chuck Taylors. She threw her still wet, long raven hair up and twisted it into an elegant bun at the crown of her head. Finished. After giving herself a glance in the mirror, she immediately hightailed it to the locker room door.
Attempting to sprint down the Metro Tower's hallways was always tricky. The senior members would constantly scold the younger ones for doing such a thing. Talking about 'safety for everyone' and 'someone's eye can get poked out", etcetera, etcetera. But honestly, Alex didn't care for any reprimands- she just needed to get to the Embassy pronto.
In retrospect, she really should've been looking where she was going because it wouldn't saved her from the awkwardness that ensued. Without paying attention, Alex ran straight into a wall and fell on her ass. Not just any wall. A wall made of muscle and man. A wall made of Rex. She looked up at him. Oh, shit. This absolutely can't be happening right now.
He was freshly showered, and goddesses did he smell fantastic. Mint. Old Spice. Cinnamon. Alex would've jumped him right then and there if she wasn't completely embarrassed and trying to strongly suppress her feelings for him. Oh and late too, if she wasn't so goddamn late. She barely covered up her unconscious moan with a coughing fit.
Rex smiled, very amused by Alex's coughing fit. "Need help, Al?" His hand outstretched towards her.
On instinct, she took it. Gripping each other's forearm, together they pull her up off the floor. Looking into his eyes briefly, she muttered a "thanks" and shook herself out of her thoughts.
Briskly walking around him, she almost made it two whole feet. Almost.
"Wait." He gently grabbed her arm. Closing her eyes, she reluctantly turned around; looking at him expectantly. She sincerely hoped that he wouldn't start talking about their relationship. With everything going on in her life, Rex and their training sessions were a constant. He never pitied her for what her gods and goddesses were putting her through. Nor did he let her get away with anything. He treated her, first and foremost, as an equal. This simple act kept Alex grounded through some of the toughest trials in her life.
Of course Rex was there for her if she needed that shoulder to cry on, but Alex only once took him up on that offer. And it wasn't entirely voluntary either. Directly after 'The Incident' Rex was the first person Alex saw when she came out of her numb state of mind. He wouldn't leave her side. He kept an eye on her when everyone else was too cautious or too scared to go near her, well except for Auntie Leah. He never said anything to Alex, just stood in the vicinity of her reading a battered copy of his current book of the week. Always close by just in case another incident occurred or she finally broke down.
And when she did break down, unable to numb herself to the pain of the destruction she caused, Rex was the first person that she saw. The first person that she cried to. The first person that held her, unafraid of when her powers might lash out next. This created a special bond between them.
A bond so precious to Alex, that she didn't dare act on her growing feelings for Rex. If that bond between them was broken, Alex really didn't know how she would stay grounded anymore. Confused at best, she never knew how to act around him- save for the "I-take-no-prisoners-attitude" she always had.
Coming out of her thoughts, she realized that Rex was speaking to her. Well, stammering to her more like it.
"...What happened before, I...uh...wanted to talk about how I acted...I, erm-"
Her hand went to his chest to stop him. "It's cool. It was just sparring, right? Shit happens, I get it. I really gotta go. See you later, Rex." She offered him a small awkward wave. His eyes turned sad suddenly at this dismissal, but he wasn't prepared to give up though. Steeling himself with determination, Rex decided to just go with his gut.
He blocked her path. "It wasn't just sparring and you know it. You don't have to admit anything right now, I can see you're in a rush. But we are talking about this. So: dinner, my house, Thursday, 7:30 EST. Okay? Alright then," He was so close to her now, so he decided to take another chance: he kissed her on the cheek. Sweet. Simple. But firm. "See you later," he said softly.
Alex was so shocked, that her mouth popped open. She truly couldn't believe that just happened. He just told her what to do? Not even a chance for her to politely, and hastily, decline his offer? And then...and then he kissed her? The nerve of this half-Thanagarian man. The fucking nerve. Regaining her composure and recovering from her initial shock of the kiss, Alex's eyes ignited with fire.
"Excuse me?" Her hands went to her hips and she drew herself up regally.
Rex raised an amused eyebrow. The fire that this five foot, two inches woman had in her always amazed Rex. It often rivaled that of both of their Mothers.
"You heard me. We're hanging out, Princess. I hope you like pasta." He stated a matter-of-factly.
Alex was shocked. "Pray tell, what the hell makes you think I'm going then, huh? You absolutely cannot make decisions for me. You absolutely cannot order me around, Stewart. And you absolutely. Can. Not. Call. Me. Princess. Ever. Again. Buddy." She flushed with anger, her eyes narrowed dangerously. She poked him in the chest, attempting to be intimidating. Really though, it ended up hurting her more than him.
"I'm not ordering you around. Just bluntly telling you to be there. I'll fly to the Manor, or where ever the hell you are and haul your fine ass over to my house. So come willingly or not, you're still coming for dinner." He smirked.
"You did not just talk about my ass, you sexist, egomaniacal-"
"Oh, but I did, Princess." He grinned, cutting off her rant, and took a step forward, leaning in close. "All we do is train. I never see you outside of sessions anymore. I miss hanging out with you, Princess."
"I'm busy. And don't call me that." she snapped.
"Typical Wayne excuse. Guess what though, I really don't care. Clear your schedule, love, because we're having a night of awesome."
"You must stop watching BBC."
"What can I say? I love their accents. Very swanky."
"Great. Still not going though, but thanks for the offer."
"Oh come on!"
Alex crossed her arms over her chest, her stance evened. She allowed a miniscule smirk to show. Suppressing her feelings during work was difficult enough. She was, by nature, a fairly emotional person. Diplomatic, yes. Fair, yes. Generally emotional and possible neurotic, hell yes. So to stand here in front of Rex, someone she was very much attracted to, and not allow her emotions to show-in short, it was not fun.
Truthfully, Alex was scared. Petrified senseless, really. In their line of work, nothing is fairy tale-like. Not that Alex put much stock in fairy tales in the first place. One of them was bound to die, or get critically injured, during a mission. Alex really didn't know if she has the strength to deal with that. Even her parents, two people that were perfect for each other, had their close calls. Was it worth it? To be constantly petrified and worried about your significant other each time they went into battle? To treat every moment as if it were their last, as if they would never see each other again? That's something that would weigh on her heart so heavily.
A part of her would want nothing more than to dismiss this logical side of her, but she knows that there are valid points in her fears. If Rex died or became injured, even if nothing happened between them, she would be positively devastated. Inconsolable. So maybe she should give it a go? Live her life in occordence to what her heart told her to do, for once?
Alex sized Rex up, mentally debating whether to wipe that smart-ass smirk off his face or finally cave to his offer. She ended up choosing the latter.
"Fine. I'm not happy about this, though." Her arms crossed haughtily. Her apparent disdain was clearly shown.
"Great." He breathed, almost sounding like a sigh of relief.
Now extremely awkward, Alex did what she knew best: dramatic exits. She abruptly turned on her heel, causing her sneakers to squeak in protest and marched straight for the transport pads. Determined to not break her serious demeanor, she bit the inside of her cheek hard. Her arms remained at her side rigidly, her back was rod straight.
Keep it together. Act like this doesn't phase you.
Before she was at the end of the hallway though, Rex shouted out to her.
"Family's excited to see you, Al! Remember: 7:30!"
Great, now I can't back out. Auntie Shy and Vee will have my head otherwise.
Secretly, Alex was extremely giddy. Arguably the sexiest man in the League, and he wanted to hang out with just extremely neurotic and potentially dangerous her. As she reached the transport pads and was out of sight of Rex, she relaxed. Tension from her neck and upper back released, and her face smoothed over into a smile.
"Mom! Shit, I'm sosososososososo sorry. I didn't mean to be late. The training session got out of hand. Pat showed up. I almost blew a fucking artery. Had to stop Rex from killing him. Hera, it was-"
"Alexandria." Diana stated calmly, at first Alex thought she was furious; but then she smiles softly. "It's fine, Little Moon. I understand, uh, how those 'training sessions' go." She gave Alex a sly look. In return her daughter looked positively repulsed.
"If you're about to go down memory lane, please, for the love of Athena, don't. Seriously. I don't need to hear about your training sessions with Dad. Ever."
Diana looked wistfully to into space. "Good times. Especially in the Watchtowers training rooms. "
"Athena, give me strength." Alex groaned.
"The greatest part of that the cameras can be deactivated from the inside."
"MOM."
Smiling at making her daughter's cringe a bit, Diana got up from her office chair. "Time for lunch then?"
"Yes! Thank you. I'm fucking starving."
"Hera, who taught you how to curse so much? It's not very proper."
Alex had the decency to look sheepish. "Sorry. I'm around Thanagarians entirely too much."
In the alleyway, before venturing into the streets of Manhattan, Diana touched her pendant briefly. This caused her appearance to be changed instantly. Going from luscious raven locks and bright blue eyes to straight mousy brown locks and deep green eyes hidden behind thick glasses, never got old to Alex. If she focused, she could see past the glamour- but that mainly because her Aunt Leah taught her how. It was best if Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince's daughter wasn't seen with Wonder Woman. Conclusions could be drawn too quickly, and their covers would be blown.
Mother and daughter chose a Greek grill that was near the embassy. Their favorite spot. The waitresses already knew their orders, and they waved to the line cooks in the partially exposed kitchen. As always, they were seated deep within the restaurant. Far from prying ears and eyes, but close enough as to not draw unwanted suspicion.
Diana looked expectantly at her daughter. Waiting patiently for Alex to open up.
"Um...so how's the embassy?" Alex asked awkwardly. She wasn't good at starting these heart-to-hearts.
"Alex. This conversation is going to be all about you. I want to hear all that's been happening in your life." Diana looked down into her glass. "We used to be close. I know that your life is overwhelming right now, but I'm still the same Mom." She smiled weakly. Receiving a sad smile from her daughter in return, she continued.
"I will always be here for you, Alexandria. I don't want my duties, or yours, be a reason as to why we don't talk anymore."
Alex reached for her mother's hands, squeezing them tightly.
"Mom, I'm sorry. I should've talked to you sooner. I just...I don't know how to deal with any of this. I didn't want to burden you. I know you have a lot on your plate."
Diana squeezed back and looked at her daughter seriously. "Wonder Woman, Diana Prince, Ambassador of Themyscria- I would give it up all for you, Mason, and your father. No question. No contest. No thought."
"Yeah?"
"Of course. So just talk to me, darling, I want to be here for you."
And so Alex did. She talked about 'The Incident' for the first time in nearly a year. Not since she broke down with Rex had she told another living soul. The League was aware of the aftermath of course, but not the event proceeding or during the event. Alex recounted as much of the gory details as she could without crying. Hoping against hope that her Mother wouldn't hate her, she told Diana everything. Starting from the beginning.
Cheers, mate! Happy New Year! I really loved writing this chapter! The Harry Potter soundtracks have been excellent muses! I had little to no writers block this time!
A special shout out to Delta808th. I wouldn't have had the inspiration to pick this back up so quickly if they hadn't messaged me!
Jump on that review and favorite wagon!
