Chap 9

Mount Olympus

Hera sat back on her couch and watched in the liquid as the Champion led the mortal through the halls of their floating fortress. Diana had begun playfully chastising him for not calling for help with the monster or at least an emergency transport when he knew he was injured. In his usual gruff manner, he told her that he was fine and that he didn't need help. Hera saw there was a faint smile on his lips, and the thumb of his right hand, which was still in hers, was stroking Diana's hand tenderly.

Aphrodite had begun telling Athena her plans for the couple's future. Athena gently reminded her sister that they were not to interfere with the relationship. Aphrodite smiled demurely whispering that the mortal would never listen to her, but she could pass information on to the one person the mortal would take advice from, his surrogate father. Athena chuckled, and tried to dissuade her sister.

As the two were speaking in quiet tones, Hades strode through the hall, passing several gods who called his name, ignoring all that were around him. He strode to his couch and slupped down. Hera could see that he was angry. Smiling she rasied from her couch and glided around the hall, speaking with her fellow Olympians. She made the rounds until she was standing beside Hades.

"My dear brother, did you think that by releasing that monster, that mortal would be defeated so easily?" She asked quietly. His head snapped around and he glared at her.

"What did you do?" He demanded through gritted teeth.

"Idid nothing. I have learned that the mortal is far more capable than we give him credit for." She said sitting next to him on the couch. "His love for your daughter is something that you will have to accept. You are a god. Now, act like one." She wrapped her arm around her brother. "Rejoice in the knowledge that she maintains her mission, defends those who cannot, is the face of peace, and has found happines in the arms of a man that loves her."

"Your wish is my command my queen." Hades said, relaxing slightly under her touch. However, he was far from being done with the mortal.

Gotham City- Manor

Bruce lay on his bed debating whether to get out of bed or not. It had only been a few days since the emergency surgery to repair his punctured lung, and the re-broken ribs. It had taken threatening the head surgeon, and bribing J'onn with a case of Oreos to get them to release him into the care of Alfred. He knew Alfred would have a few words for him if he were caught out of bed, not to mention the words a certain Amazon princess would have for him. At the mere thought of her, his hand drifted to the spot she had vacated a few hours ago.

Deciding to forego the berating he was sure to get, and he remained in bed. He gingerly sat up and grabbed the sketchpad, and the box of charcoal pencils he kept beside the bed. His pencil began moving against the paper; soon the dark lines began forming the outline of a female figure standing tall and proud. Within minutes, shadows fleshed out the Champion's armour, and Diana's lovely face, her hair flowing in the wind. He stared at the woman who had captured his heart.

Then inspiration hit. He began drawing in earnest, and after an hour, his fingers were black from the charcoal, but he was satisfied with the results. Bruce was staring at the drawing and admiring his work as Alfred came in with his lunch. The older man sat the tray down on the table as Bruce laid the sketchpad on the chair. Alfred began looking over the bandages.

"I see that you are recovering nicely." Alfred said laying the tray of food on Bruce's lap. Bruce began eating the sandwich as Alfred sat on the chair; he was looking at the sketchpad. "If I may sir," Alfred said taking one of the pencils, he made a few adjustments and showed Bruce the results.

"Perfect." Nodding, Bruce said taking a sip of the soup. "You'll take care of it?"

"Of course sir."

Watchtower-Commisary

"So, dear sister of mine," Donna said taking at seat next to Diana, who was finishing her fruit salad. "How are things with the lord of the cave, terror of Gotham's concrete jungle, mr tall dark and brooding himself?"

Diana smiled. "Aside from his I'd-rather-lay-in-a-pool-of-my-own-blood-before-call-for-meta-help attitude, and as busy as we have both been it has been difficult to see each other, it's been good." She sat back and the two sisters began catching up over the past several months. Diana had missed her sister, and the way she always put Diana at ease with her presence.

They were finishing their conversation Superman entered the commisary. His eyes darted around the large room surveying those present. When his eyes landed on Diana, he strode quickly towards her table and sat next to her, nearly colliding with Donna. Donna gave him a startled but weary look.

"Good morning Diana."

"Good morning Kal." Diana said warmly. "How is Lois?"

"Lois is good, in Washington doing an interview with the Speaker of the House." Superman said with a smile. "What are you doing this weekend?"

Diana consulted her PDA, compliments of Wayne Enterprises. "I am meeting with the UN Security Council regarding some recent terrorist attacks in Uzbekistan on Friday morning. Friday night I have to attend a fundraiser in New York City for a woman's shelter. Saturday morning, I have to attend the opening of an orphanage in Boston, and Sunday I am meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan and Queen Anahid regarding opening trade with the Bana-Mighdall Amazons."

"Lois will be back in town Friday night, why not come and spend the evening with us on Saturday night when you finish with the orphanage? We'll grab some dinner and catch up." There was an edge to his request that she could not quite place. She had remembered his actions months ago, that seemed odd and out of place.

"I can't make any promises, but I'll try." Diana said. Her smile had faded from warm and friendly to forced.

Just then, the alarm went off. Over the loud speaker, Flash's voice announced there had been a violent earthquake in the eastern Philippine islands. He began ordering rescue teams to the transporters. Diana, Donna and Superman lept from their chairs and flew to the transporters.