"Diana! Drop him." Superman's voice boomed, but then it softened, "Please Diana. This doesn't have to go any further."

The Amazon looked at Superman, and then at Oliver. His face was turning several shades of red, but he wasn't fighting back. Not that there was much he could do with the situation he was in, but he was still. Diana realized that she could snap his neck with little to no effort, but instead she let go, dropping Oliver to the floor. He gasped a few times on the ground, clutching at his throat, desperate to get the air flowing in his lungs again.

Across the room, John had thrown his hands up in surrender. He never really wanted to fight Flash, and he made it known by stepping back away from the redheaded speed demon. He had always respected Flash's ability to move quickly, but his fighting skill was definitely worthy of admiration as well.

Superman crossed the room to Diana's position, and looked down. Oliver was in rough shape, but he was alive. His eyes darted back to J'onn. "Please take him to the infirmary. I will join you soon." J'onn nodded and helped pick up Oliver and slowly led him out of the cafeteria. Diana made no move, instead she glared as he was assisted out of the room. Soon though, her eyes met with Superman's.

There was no doubt that she was still extremely angry as her fists were clinched tightly at her sides. Something in Clark's eyes gave her pause, and she exhaled deeply and her hands relaxed. Superman reached out and lightly touched Diana's arm and whispered, "Take care of Shayera, and then we will talk about everything. I know why you're angry, and why this happened. But Diana let's settle this differently."

Diana gritted her teeth and her blue eyes flashed; while her body had relaxed, her temper hadn't. "He's scum," the Amazon ground out, "he would destroy Helena and Dinah, and for what, his pride?"

Superman chose his words carefully, "Let's talk about this after everyone is tended to. We'll work it all out." Clark raised his voice loud enough so it could be heard throughout the dining hall, "I'm asking as a favor to me that no one get into more physical altercations. This is no way for League members to conduct themselves."

Diana crossed her arms and shook her head as she looked Superman in the eye, "I'm an Amazon first." She turned and walked over to where Shayera was on her knees, holding her hand tightly over her wound to stop the bleeding. While her love for the winged redhead could never be doubted, she was less than thrilled with Shayera at that moment. A promise had been broken, and Diana didn't take that lightly. "Shayera, can you stand, or do you need help?"

Shayera stood, well aware that her Amazon was not happy with her or with the situation. She hoped that she'd be able to smooth things over, and explain why she did what she had. Satisfied Shayera could walk without assistance, Diana took very heavy, angry steps out of the room with Shayera following closely behind.

Superman sighed. This was going to be an ugly mess to clean up. He glanced over at John and Wally. The two were quiet, not really sure what to say to the Kryptonian. John cleared his throat, and addressed Wally. "Flash, before we leave, I-I just want you to know that I don't support Oliver's ways of dealing with all of this. He's hurt, he's pissed, but this isn't right. I won't lie, I don't believe that Helena and Dinah should be together like this, but I would NEVER stand by and let her identity be revealed. And it certainly was never my intention to fight you. I hope you know that."

Wally nodded, "I know. You could have launched a nuclear attack with that ring of yours, but you went for the block instead. But John, Helena and Dinah's relationship isn't our business. They are our friends and teammates, and should get nothing from us but support…or at least have us stay the hell out of it. Diana and Shayera deserve no less either pal, and you know it. If what just happened shows you anything, Diana is willing to kill, kill someone she knows, to keep Shayera safe. She loves her. Whatever happened in the past is done and over as far as they are concerned. Get it?"

John inhaled. He knew Wally was right, and he caught the point on who Diana was willing to kill. With a soft tone, and with genuine contriteness, he uttered, "I get it. I'm sorry that it took something like this to pound it home, but I know you're right. I'll talk to Diana and Shayera and lay this to rest. I'll talk to Oliver also. I know it doesn't seem like it, but I don't think he would go as far as revealing Helena's identity. The repercussions would be enormous, and I have to believe in my friend's track record. He...he just needs help dealing with what is happening in his life. Dinah is the one thing he truly loves and he's lost her. But I know he's a good man deep down. He'll come around."

Wally doubted that Oliver would come to his senses that quickly, but he hoped for everyone's sake that he would back off at the very least. He stuck his hand out to John, "No hard feelings?"

John grabbed the hand being offered and shook it. He admired Wally, and was glad that they could work this out. He was concerned that Diana and Shayera wouldn't feel the same way, but he would work on that over time.

Superman watched the exchange and felt some of the tension in his body relax. If John was to be believed, and he thought he was sincere, then Oliver was the last piece to try and figure out. He left the cafeteria and made his way to talk to the blonde marksman. As Clark stepped into the elevator he exhaled and rubbed his face as some tension left but new tension settled in. He hoped Lois would be home tonight…he had a migraine coming on.

Shayera sat on the counter next to Diana's sink in her bathroom. The Amazon hadn't said anything on their walk back, and Shayera knew that she had to break the ice somehow. But at the moment, Diana was dressing her wound on her arm gently, albeit quietly.

"Diana," Shayera whispered, "please can we talk about this?"

Diana finished her work, and satisfied that the bleeding had stopped, looked into Shayera's eyes. The redhead's emotions were easy to read. Her eyes were pleading even if she wasn't saying anything. Diana placed her hands flat on the counter, and leaned into Shayera's space. She stared at the face of the woman she cherished more than her own life. Their eyes were locked, and Shayera could see small tears start to form in Diana's brilliant blue eyes. "Diana," Shayera barely croaked, her voice cracking, "please talk to me. I'm sorry. I know you're upset that I broke my promise to you. Please, let me make it up to you."

Diana didn't respond verbally. She pushed her weight against her hands and backed away from Shayera. Turning, she walked into her bedroom. Shayera watched her walk away solemnly, and muttered, "Shit." The redhead hopped off the counter and followed. Diana was now sitting on the bed, with her face buried in her hands. Shayera knelt in front of her girlfriend, and placed her hands lightly on the Amazon's knees and waited.

Diana kept her face hidden, but muttered just loud enough to be heard, "I would have killed him. Every fiber of my being wanted to snap his neck. All I could think of was that you were hurt and I wanted him to know what a huge mistake it was to touch a hair on your head. If Superman hadn't come in, I can't say that I would have shown any restraint in the next few moments."

"I'm so sorry that I put you in that position. Diana, I found out what he'd said to Dinah, and I reacted. I should've come and found you, and talked to you about what to do. It's no excuse, but I was beyond angry."

Diana lifted her head, and with red eyes answered, "Shayera, if we are going to be together, you have to understand how I feel. We're supposed to be in this together, and I get that you were angry, but you gave me your word."

Shayera's eyes began to tear up. Diana's tone was filled with hurt, and she knew that she was the cause of it. "Please..." It was all she could think to say. Everything else seemed inadequate.

"I know you're loyal to your friends, and I am too, but you didn't even consider me when you went after him. You thought about your anger and you..." Diana stopped speaking.

Shayera's head had dropped and her shoulders were shaking from the small sobs that had begun taking over her body. Diana reached down, and lifted Shayera's chin up. "I love you. I just need you to understand what that means."

"I do. I swear that I understand. I will never purposefully break my word to you or put you in a situation like this again. Diana, I love you. I'm so sorry."

Nodding, Diana slowly stood, helping Shayera up as she did. Very gently she drew Shayera into her arms, and held her for several moments in silence. The only sounds that could be heard were light breaths being expelled, and the heartbeat coming from Diana's chest into Shayera's ear.

Unaware of what had been transpiring in the Tower, Dinah stood outside of Helena's door. The blonde had told Lois that she would talk to Helena about everything that had happened in the last 24 hours, but she was seriously debating what this would all mean for her and Helena. She knocked lightly, but no answer came. She waited a few more moments, and when nothing happened, she knocked again. When again she got no answer, she slipped her key in the lock and let herself in. Crossing the threshold of the entry, she was greeted with the sight of Helena sitting on the couch, cradling her knees to her chin, eyes swollen with tears that had been shed recently.

Closing the door behind her quietly, she slowly approached the couch. "Helena? What's wrong?"

Helena didn't look up, but answered, "Dinah, Oliver came here today."

Dinah felt like she had been kicked in the gut. Was it really not enough that he had waited outside the night before? With genuine concern, Dinah asked, "What did he say?"

Helena looked up. Grief was washed all over her face. "He told me that I was nothing more than a consolation prize for you. He said that if he hadn't messed things up, you would still be with him."

Dinah cringed. Oliver had struck a nerve with Helena, and Dinah knew that she couldn't argue the point. She wouldn't have left him had it not been for his infidelities. She knew now what a monumental mistake that would have been on her part, but it didn't change the fact that she hadn't left him until his affairs had come to light. Helena deserved better that everything that Dinah had put her through.

Helena met Dinah's silence with slight contempt. "I hate him. I hate him because he was right. Everything he said was true. You wouldn't be here with me if he hadn't blown it. What does that say about me? Do you know how miserable I have been all day? I can't stop the thoughts of you being with him, in ways that make me physically sick."

Dinah wanted to object, but she knew she'd be lying. This would always be something that would linger over their heads. Dinah cursed herself inwardly for how poorly she had handled everything. So, Dinah did what she thought what would be best. She couldn't bear being the reason Helena was so miserable, and she barely muttered her next words. "Helena, I think...I think that we shouldn't be together anymore." Saying the words made Dinah instantly feel nauseated. She wanted more than anything to be with Helena, but she couldn't continue to be the root of Helena's misery. Truly, Dinah thought she was ultimately sparing Helena more pain. Dinah's motives were to be unselfish.

"I don't understand." Helena's reply was a mixture of a plea and a need for comprehension. Things were not supposed to be this complicated. Love was supposed to be simple. You met, sparks flew, and everything got wrapped up in a neat little package. Of course Helena knew that nothing was ever easy, but love was supposed to be the one thing that you fought for. But that was not happening, and the abandoned feeling was a crushing weight on her shoulders. Stress settled in her neck, and she was pretty sure that she had cried more in the last couple of months than she had in her entire life, and that was saying something. Love was not supposed to make you miserable daily; it was supposed to be uplifting. Whoever wrote these "facts" about love clearly had never met Dinah. In fact, Helena was sure that they hadn't, because her love had brought her to the precipice of sheer misery.

Inwardly Dinah felt terrible at the pain she was causing her one time best friend, who she couldn't define just now. "I don't know what I can say to make you understand. I just know that I can't do this. It's too hard Helena, and I am drained. Empty. I have nothing left to fight with. I can't breathe, and little other than you makes me happy. But love is not enough, not this time. I can't do this. I'm sorry."

Helena stopped fighting the tears at the beginning of the conversation. She sat, silently weeping, her knees still cradled to her chest.

Dinah hated the pain she was causing the brunette, but whatever fledgling love she had begun to feel was coming to an end. Too many obstacles stood in their way of happiness, and her resolve to stand against everything had slipped away, if for no other reason than to spare Helena in the long run. Reaching out, Dinah lightly stroked the hair of her companion. "I do love you Helena. Never doubt that. You have been the bright spot in my life these past ten months, and you will never know what you came to mean to me. But I'm tired. How much more can I take? How can you continue to hold up against all of this?" Dinah carefully worded what she said. Perhaps it would be easier on Helena if the blonde made it about herself, knowing that it wasn't the true reflection of her reasoning.

"Because," Helena sniffed, "you mean that much to me. Don't give up, please. Do you want me to beg? I am willing to debase myself that far, because you are worth it. I can't believe that you would just give up."

Dinah sighed, but pushed on, "Helena, I am tired. I am tired of everything. I can't hold your hand in public, I stammer when people ask about us, and the only allies we have are within the Tower. It isn't enough. You deserve better, and I don't think I will ever get there. I can't be what you want me to be."

"Diana and Shayera did it. Look at them. They are in love, and they don't care what people think."

"But I do Helena."

Anger began to rise in the brunette's chest, "Then you are a coward. I don't want to believe that about you, but that is what you are here telling me."

Dinah couldn't do anything but nod her head. "You're right. I can't argue. You deserve someone who will fight to be with you. That isn't me."

"So everything up to this point?"

"I don't regret it. But it can't continue. This will blow over, and we can go back to being friends."

"Go to hell Dinah. I can't believe you just said that to me. You expect us to be friends after this? What? We take time apart, and when you believe that no one will say anything, then we hang out again? Fuck that and fuck you for saying it. "

Dinah knew she had deserved it, but it didn't mean it stung any less. "I hope," she struggled to form words, "that given time you will change your mind. I want you in my life, and I can't imagine not wanting to talk to you, and be near you."

"Would you have taken this shit from Oliver?"

Dinah recoiled. "Helena, it isn't the same."

"Here is how I see it. We fell in love. And when it got tough, you caved. You are going to be very lonely settling for what is easy. You settled for easy once, and where did that get you?"

Before she could think about the repercussions Dinah slapped Helena. Simultaneously rubbing the red mark on her cheek, and wiping away tears, Helena spat, "Get out! Don't come near me ever again. You are right. I do deserve better."

Regret crept in the moment that she had struck Helena, but Dinah didn't apologize. It was better for Helena to believe the worst of her if it would keep her safe. She stood, turned her back, and walked out of Helena's apartment. The moment she shut the door behind her, Dinah heard Helena wail. Dinah took a few steps and crumbled to a heap in the hallway. She openly wept, and felt nausea settle in her gut once again. Leaving Helena had been the hardest thing that she had ever done. She had just walked out on her best friend and the woman that she had fallen in love with.

A/N: So now you have seen the events that surrounded the very first chapter that led us to this one. I have a feeling Dinah will take a beating for what just happened from you all. Does it matter that she did it to protect Helena? And John and Oliver... First let me say that this is not a story about bashing Oliver or his character. I did respond to the reader that posted in defense of the Green Arrow. I appreciate feedback like that. I think it's awesome that someone loves their favorite, or one of their favorite superheroes that much. (I feel the same about Wonder Woman). Having said that, give me a little time to continue on Oliver's character. I am not trying to make him a villain. He's hurt, and reacting poorly, but I don't believe he is a bad guy. The next couple of chapters should reveal more about what we were trying to convey with regards to him in particular. As always, I appreciate the reviews. To Anon1-9: Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Don't hold out hope that we will return to Themiscyra in this piece again though, or that you will see those that littered the beginning. I left something undone for a reason. There will be a sequel that will bring us back to the Amazons. I am beyond excited to share it with you, but must finish this one first. (For those that want to see it, give a little nudge to my co-author. I really don't want to do it alone, and I think the writing is better with the help!) FOr Wonderhawk 6648:I am feeling better, and trying to give you as much as possible as quickly as possible. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well...happy reading to all.