Donna asked to stay home from school and Diana could not deny her. She had missed her. Though she had been gone just over two days, the distance between the two had never been so great. The only solace she found in the Congo was the hope that if an emergency occurred, Zatanna could send her to Donna's side immediately.

"What shall we do today?" Diana asked as she sat at the table and snacked on grapes.

"Shouldn't you go to our shoppe? You have been gone for days." Donna pointed out.

Diana chuckled at her scolding. "The store practically runs itself. We can check on it later this afternoon, after lunch. There are some things I want to talk to you about this morning."

"Oh yes, the island you want to move to. If I hadn't awakened before you, I would have thought I was asleep." Donna told her. "Mum, did you hit your head while you were away?"

Diana took her yogurt from her in mock offense.

"Hey! That is mine!" Donna cried out, spoon in one hand but the other empty.

"Do you want to listen and eat yogurt or imply your poor mother has a head injury? I had some time to think about our lives while I was away, and I want your opinion on the matters."

Donna looked her in the eyes then reached out quickly, snatching the yogurt container back and cradling it to her chest with a look of defiance and a raised eyebrow.

"I apologize for the inferity…"

"Inference." Diana gently corrected.

"I apologize for the inference that you…"

"Let's go with sustained." Diana suggested.

"That you sustained a head injury. You must understand my surprise. Mum, we are British. We live in London."

Diana smirked. "British citizens live all over the world, Princess. Technically if it weren't for those secret documents we don't talk about, you are American."

Donna's eyes widened and she gasped. "Mummy! You promised we would never mention that! If my friends knew of my…origins, they would never look at me the same. Didn't you say we moved here because you did not want me to live in America?"

Diana smiled fondly at her daughter's wit, even if she were being quite serious on the matter.

"I did not want you to grow and be educated in America and have no plans for us to move there. There are many places we could live. Wouldn't you like to live on a beach? You could have a backyard and a puppy like you have wanted. You wouldn't have to wait until a trip to the park to run free. You could run on a beach in our backyard and a front lawn. We could buy a home with a pool or have one built."

Donna was quiet for a moment, concentrating on her yogurt.

"Why is this important?" Donna finally asked. "Are you not happy here?"

Diana's heart sunk a bit. "Of course, I am happy wherever you are. I want you to be happy. I know you love living in London, but it is all you have known. There is a large world I want you to discover, one that does not have smog and traffic and millions of people living in one place. There are villages where you could bike to school when you are older. You have always wanted a bike. We have no room here for pets, or bikes."

"It would be nice to have those things." Donna admitted, a sparkle in her eye and a small smile. "What about your shoppe? Would I have to get a job like a paper route? Having a bike would be nice but throwing papers at people's houses would not. Would you have to work for someone else? If you did, you couldn't take off whenever you want. Lindy said she hardly ever sees her mother and father because they work for a law firm. I don't want to spend less time with you. I would rather live here if the alternative is less time with you."

Diana felt her eyes wetting and sudden burning in her throat. Donna's concern meant everything to her. In her mind she knew her daughter would not always see her mother as the most important person in her life. She wouldn't always be the person Donna emulated. She wouldn't always be Donna's hero.

She loved how Donna watched her so carefully when they ate dinner, holding her cutlery and glasses in the same manner Diana did. Donna wouldn't always read a thesaurus, wanting to impress Diana every day by extending her vocabulary beyond that of her age.

This would not last forever, but Diana craved and appreciated the time now and the gift she had been given.

"No job is ever going to be more important than you, Donna." She assured her daughter.

"Not even the one you are doing for Zatanna?" Donna asked.

Diana was stung by that question, her fresh guilt for leaving Donna with Alfred Pennyworth flaring up.

"I will stop now, if that is what you wish." Diana told her without hesitation. "You will always be the most important person in my life. If you don't want me leaving you, then I won't."

Donna grinned, happy with the answer. She never considered herself spoiled. There were few material things she wished for. The one thing she would not give up was her mother's time. She cared more about being like her mother than anything else. Her mum was beautiful, confident, caring, smart and funny. People looked at her with awe and respect. When she entered a room full of strangers they all stopped to look at her. She worked for no one. Others worked for her. As far as Donna was concerned, Diana was the master of the universe.

"I know, but you can't stop, can you? Zatanna is a magician. She isn't a collector like your normal customers. She came all this way because you are the only one who can help her."

Donna paused for a moment.

"You are the Princess, aren't you? You are the one who fights monsters. You are the one in the stories you tell me at night. The man whose picture is in your room is the pilot. The old black and white photo is of you and your friends. Am I right, Mum? Are you the princess who slays monsters?"

Diana had thought she would have more years before this question was asked. That was one of the reasons she told Donna these stories, hoping her daughter would accept her true origins easier later on.

Now she was faced with a choice she had not expected to make over a bowl of grapes and a cup of tea.

She could lie to her eight-year-old daughter. It would be so easy to brush Donna's questions to the side, assure her she just had an overactive imagination and let it be.

Donna would let it go if she sensed Diana did not want to speak of it again.

What would happen in five years when Diana planned to tell her the truth? Donna would be angry that Diana lied to her and dismissed Donna's suspicions since she was eight years old.

Donna may feel Diana never trusted her and stop trusting her in return.

Diana closed her eyes, knowing what she had to do and not in any way prepared for it. It did not matter as there was no way to prepare for something like this.

"Yes. I am Princess Diana of Themyscira. I am the daughter of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons. I am also the daughter of Zeus, king of the gods."

Donna's eyes widened comically. She watched Diana closely, looking for any signs her mum was appeasing her.

She knew her mum though, including all her facial expressions. Her mum was not lying.

A large smile spread across her face. While she never gave thought to her mother lying to her, a part of her did not think Diana would admit the truth.

Her mother trusted her with her biggest secret.

"Have you ever told anyone of your suspicions?" Diana asked, a calm tone to her voice. No adult would believe an eight-year-old, saying her mother was a superpowered monster hunter. Diana had a different reason for asking. She was curious to see if Donna saw the need for this to remain a secret.

To her relief, Donna shook her head.

"It's part of the secret. It's why I don't talk about my daddy, and I don't tell people you weren't my first mum. I've always known it was a secret. I will never tell anyone, Mum. I promise."

Diana smiled and took her hand in hers. "Thank you." She whispered gratefully.

"Thank you for not lying and trusting me." Donna told her sincerely.

Diana was relieved she had made the correct decision as far as she could tell. This was as much about Donna testing her mother as it was finding the truth. She wanted to know if Diana trusted her. She wanted to share an important secret between the two. This moment, breakfast over yogurt, toast, and grapes, would be a defining point in their lives. It could have torn them apart if she had chosen differently.

"I have questions." Donna told her.

"I am sure you have many questions, and I will do my best to answer them. Let us finish breakfast…"

"Can you fly?"

"Yes, but let's finish breakfast…"

"Can I go flying with you? Do you fly all the time? What sort of monsters have you fought? Do you have a sword? Can I see it? Is the golden lasso real? Where is this island you grew up? Is the queen not allowed to leave and that's why she cannot visit? Can we visit her? What is the pilot's name? Was he your boyfriend? The picture is really old. How old are you?"

"I will tell you everything…"

"Are you strong and fast like superheroes in comic books? Are unicorns real? Have you ever ridden a horse with wings? Zeus is your father so all the myths must be real. The gods of Olympus are real. You are a goddess! Your mother is hippo…what. How do you spell her name? Is Diana your real name? Is Prince? Prince is short for Princess, correct?"

"Yes…it's complicated…"

"Do you really have red and blue armor? Are the indestructible bracers real? Do you keep them in the safe? What is in the other safe? They are big safes. Is the story about Asteria real? What about…"

"Stop!" Diana told her, hoping to stem the crashing waves of questions. "Slow down. I will tell you the story of my life. First, I need another cup of tea and you need to brush your teeth. This story will take all day and into the night. There is no hurry."

To Diana's great relief, Donna ceased her rapid-fire questioning in regard to her supernatural nature and moved onto another subject.

"If we leave England, will we have to start drinking coffee? Alfred agrees with me that not only is coffee an insult to the taste buds it is also unhealthy. I would prefer to keep drinking tea. Eleanor's father told her it was impossible to find a decent cup of tea outside of England. He travels often."

Diana smirked. She dreaded the day Donna began drinking caffeinated tea as she was normally a morning person to begin with.

"We can drink tea anywhere and no one brews a better pot of tea than me."

"That's because you haven't had a cup prepared by Alfred."

Donna threw a hand in front of her mouth, but it was too late. She had said it without thinking and it had not slipped her mother's notice.

"Did you say Alfred makes a better cup of tea than I do?" Diana asked, a bit of indignation in her voice.

Donna slowly nodded. "I'm not sure why I said it. It isn't true. I think Alfred may have used a different type of cream that I enjoyed. When you try something for the first time it isn't unusual to think it was better than the usual. That was all."

"Donna." Diana said, a warning tone in her voice. "What else does Alfred make that is better than mine?"

"Nothing." Donna assured her.

"Did he follow my meal plan for you?"

"To the calorie." Donna assured her.

"So how was the salmon?"

"Seared perfectly and with this herb that gave it so much more flavor. He said it is a secret ingredient… but not as good as the salmon you prepare, Mum."

"I am glad you enjoyed it."

"Perhaps you could ask him for the secret herb?"

"I will."

"Also, if you could ask him for his recipe for balsamic chicken that would be wonderful." Donna added on.

"I promise, before he leaves I will have learned all his secrets. Are there any other dishes he prepares better than I do?"

Donna was silent for once.

"He is a better cook than I am, isn't he?"

Donna smiled widely. "He isn't prettier than you are."

Diana sighed. She would be learning more from Alfred than just sugar free chocolate treats from the man before he left. Even at her age, Diana could admit she had much to learn in this world. Taking care of a six-month-old baby taught her that.

"If you want to stay in the United Kingdom there are several locations we can move on the seashore. I thought we could begin looking at property online. You will finish school here this year and we will move at the beginning of summer. I believe you would like a smaller public school. You will make friends now that you can keep the rest of your life."

"A smaller public school." Donna said. "How would I be accepted into Oxford without the pedigree of an elite educational institute…institution?"

"I'll make a large donation and you will be accepted. That's how ninety percent of the students are accepted. Having a happy life is more important than attending a stodgy university in the future. There is so much in the world that you need to see and experience. Oxford is not the only fine university in this world."

Donna was quiet for a moment, watching her mum curiously, trying to read her expressions.

"Mum, what happened in Africa?" she finally asked.

Diana thought for a moment. "I suppose being away from you caused me to reevaluate what is important in our lives. The jungle is an extremely dangerous, lonely place. There are threats all around and even with Zatanna there, it can be easy to feel so alone. I thought of nothing but you and our life together. I have always had these dreams for you. I would rock you to sleep at night and tell you about how great your life would be. I would say that you would be a doctor, a lawyer, or an artist. I knew everything I wanted for you. Most importantly I wanted you to be the happiest you can be in this life. Growing up in a large city attending an overpriced school, is not necessarily conducive with happiness."

"You had already decided we were going to move, hadn't you?" Donna asked.

Diana laughed. "Yes, but I wanted you to feel you were a part of the decision."

Donna honestly liked the idea of moving. If her mind weren't on all of her mum's bedtime stories she could remember, she would be on the computer now, begging her mum to start looking for houses.

She had no clear memories of living in Chicago. London had always been home. Leaving it would be a huge change, but compared to what she just learned, it was of little consequence now.

"I like the idea of moving. I think it would be a great idea to look for houses, Mum."

"Excellent."

"After you tell me everything about your life. You do have a sword, don't you? It's in one of those big vaults you keep locked, right? Do you have the magic rope in one as well? This is so exciting!"

Donna raced to the bathroom to prepare for the day. After flossing before brushing her teeth for the required two minutes, she walked quickly to her mum's office. To her disappointment, her mum decided to take a shower, something she usually did before Donna woke. Donna had woken her this morning, she remembered.

While she waited impatiently in her mother's office, a ping alerted that her mother had a message on the computer. Donna had talked to employees of the shoppe with the computer before and taken messages for her mum. She sat in her mother's chair and entered the password she wasn't supposed to know to unlock the device.

On the monitor was a live video stream of a man with dark hair, wearing a white shirt and plain black tie. He looked as if he hadn't slept in days. His hair was disheveled, and his tie was loose. The top two buttons on his shirt were undone and it was apparent he had not shaved in days.

"Good morning. May I help you?"

The man's surprise showed but he covered it quickly.

"Hello. You must be Donna." He greeted her.

"Yes and you are?"

"I am Bruce Wayne, Alfred's friend."

"He has spoken fondly of you, Mr. Wayne. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"May I speak to your mother?"

Donna shook her head. "She is unavailable at this moment. May I take a message?"

"If you would tell her Bruce Wayne needs to speak to her, I am sure she would take a few minutes."

Donna frowned. This was a breach of manners. He suggested she interrupt her mother in the shower to address him.

"I'm afraid that is quite impossible. You may leave her a message and she will return your call at her convenience."

Bruce grinned. The girl was obvious as smart as Alfred told him. He could tell by the confidence which she spoke. Her mother had raised a strong daughter. "Please, let her know that I have essential information in regard to the project she and Zatanna are working on and to please contact me, at her convenience, of course."

Donna nodded and smiled widely. "Of course, Mr. Wayne. A pleasure to meet you. Have a wonderful day."

Donna ended the video call before Bruce could say anything further.

Diana came out of the bathroom minutes later, wearing flannel pajamas and rubbing her wet hair, then wrapping it in the towel.

"Did I hear you speaking to someone, Princess?"

"Yes, Ma'am. A Bruce Wayne rang on the computer. He has information about the project you are working on with Zatanna and asked that you call him at your convenience. I am sure it can wait until after our discussion about your life."

Diana laughed, enjoying her daughter's excitement. In the shower, she had been giving thought to how much Donna should know, not just in her past but the present in regard to Zatanna.

She decided to take it slow, start with the stories she had already told her and go from there, determining how much Donna could digest as they went along.

"I should call him back first, so he doesn't interrupt us. If you could give me a moment, Princess, I promise you will have my undivided attention the rest of the day."

"Do hurry with the call. I am excited for our discussion." Donna told her in a pleading tone.

Donna left the room, but Diana knew she hadn't gone far. Her hearing was superior to normal humans, and she had a keen sense of her daughter's location behind the door.

"Donna, please wait in the living room as I asked. Eavesdropping is unbecoming of a lady."

Donna peaked her head into the door frame. "How did you know I was there?"

Diana grinned. "I admitted I can fly. Do you honestly believe I can't hear every sound you make, no matter where you are in our home?"

Donna's grin faded, thinking of the implications. She moved to the living room sofa without complaint.

Bruce was brought up on the screen.

"Hello Diana. I'm glad to see your daughter gave you my message. She is quite polite, and Alfred tells me she is highly intelligent. You must be rightfully proud."

Diana nodded, wanting to get to the point of this call. "I have been away for over two days, Bruce. I flew a helicopter that was older than I am, then fought a plant god and his tribe of werehyenas. Tell me the information you have found. Have you reached Washington?"

"I have been tailing Cale but so far she has done nothing I wouldn't expect from a CEO. The surveillance has just begun. I was able to hack into Minerva's wireless signals at her home. It was quite well guarded, obviously not bought and downloaded from the internet."

Diana rolled her eyes at his sarcasm in regard to her cyber security.

"She received a call from Cale. Cale spoke of a man named Felix and inferred he was close to finding the next object. I passed on this information to Zatanna. Zatanna knows the man. He is a rogue mystic who has clashed with her father several times in the past. He is most likely the one who stole the Book of Mystic Arts or told Minerva how to attain it so his magic would not be detected."

Diana showed no surprise but in her mind, she knew this was bad. Another player and a gifted and evil sorcerer at that.

"We suspected another mystic would be involved. I will speak with Zatanna about this later. I promised the day to my daughter so unless he is planning a move in the next twenty-four hours I will not be needed. I will discuss this mystic with Zatanna in the morning."

"Could he be the one pulling the strings?" Bruce asked.

Diana shook her head.

"No, a god is involved. A god would answer to no one."

"You said before all the gods were dead. The plant god wasn't just a tongue in cheek title? I've met a woman who controlled plant life. She thought she was a goddess as well. In reality she was a brilliant scientist betrayed by a colleague and experimented on to the point of insanity. I assumed you fought much the same."

"Urzkartaga is a god, a being granted a divine spark long ago. I only know the Olympic gods are dead. I wish I had omniscient knowledge but there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio." Diana quoted the Shakespeare verse.

"Then are dreamt of in your philosophy." Bruce finished. "Point taken. Do you have a plan for getting Minerva to this tribe in the Congo?"

Diana's first thought had been to bind Minerva with the lasso then have Zatanna teleport them. There was a major flaw. Zatanna already said her magic doesn't work on Minerva. Could she teleport Minerva? Her teleportation worked on Diana. Zatanna's magic did not work on Minerva because of the situation she was in, but Diana could not rely on a theory.

"If I am able to bind her she could be held in steel container with air holes." Diana offered, knowing it was ridiculous as she said it aloud. "I am not sure if I can bind her. She is fast, has the strength of a creature deemed fit to protect a god, and may be immune to the lasso's indestructibility. Killing her may be unavoidable."

Bruce scowled. "That is not acceptable. No one dies in this operation. That isn't how I do things. That isn't what Zatanna wants."

Diana immediately became defensive.

"Zatanna did not have a problem with me killing the tribe's minions that attacked us. This is war and you came to me because you needed a warrior. It is an unavoidable truth that sometimes people die in wars. I have fought in two world wars, Bruce. I have no desire to take lives, but I am also a realist. If it a choice between myself or an innocent dying or killing Barbara Minerva, it is no decision. Standing by while she murders someone is no different than committing the murder yourself."

Bruce said nothing and Diana saw a flash of confliction for a moment but did not comment.

"We shall cross that bridge when we reach it." Bruce said quietly.

Diana agreed. "I do not relish the idea of taking her life. Let us hope it does not come to that. I must go, Bruce. Text me if there is an emergency that requires immediate attention. I promised the rest of the day to my daughter."

Diana walked into the living room and asked Donna to return to her office. She and Donna took seats across from each other in the high back chairs that were rarely used in Diana's space.

Diana began in Themyscira, telling her daughter the history of the gods and the Amazons in the time before written word. She was gentle, but also straight forward, not glossing over the wars, the betrayal and enslavement of the Amazons and Zeus creating Themyscira before dying at the hand of Ares.

She told stories of her childhood. Donna hung on every word. She was fascinated by Antiope and her mum training in secret to battle the god of war someday. She laughed at stories of young Diana running from her tutors, exploring the island, diving off high cliffs and worrying her mother.

She then talked of saving Steve from the ocean. She told her censored versions of their adventures. Diana told her they fought Germans during the first World War. She did not tell her the details that still haunted her at night.

She would never tell Donna of the smell of war, the dirt, the blood, the sweat, and decay from bodies on battlefields that couldn't be reached. She would never describe the shell-shocked faces of soldiers returning home or the wails of an injured and dying soldier. She would not tell Donna about the fear on young men's faces, some not eighteen years old, as they huddled in a trench and prayed a bomb did not land on them.

Instead, she told Donna about facing Ares. She told her about the horrible plane he sent to bomb innocent people and how Steve crashed it before it could cause harm. She told a wide-eyed Donna about fighting Ares, and eventually killing him.

She talked briefly about her adventures over the years since. She explained why she could not find Themyscira. Diana did not mention her bitterness at her mother's parting words, her uncertainty if she would even be welcomed back and whether she would go if she had the chance.

She spoke fondly of Etta Candy and showed Donna several pictures of the two of them together.

Diana never spoke of World War II. She realized Donna may ask one day for details as she grew but Diana had no desire to bring the subject up.

Donna was particularly fond of her archeological discoveries in Egypt and Greece.

They had only taken a quick break at noon for sandwiches. Other than that, Diana had spoken nonstop and answered Donna's questions well into the evening. Diana did not realize how late it was until she saw the light dimming outside. It would soon be time for dinner.

"What would you like for dinner?" Diana asked, when Donna had taken a short breath from asking about Themyscira's wildlife and the annual games they played there.

Donna shrugged. "What does the schedule say? I cannot remember."

Diana smirked. "Let's throw caution to the wind."

"Anything would be fine, Mum. Before we eat, would you show me?"

"Show you what?"

"Would you show me what is in the vault?"

Diana had expected this and was prepared. The office vault was where her most prized possessions were. She began the process of opening it.

Donna stood behind her, shaking in excitement while trying to appear calm.

The door opened and Diana stepped aside.

Donna gasped as she took in the sight of her mother's armor, the sword, the shield, the bracers, and the boots. The lasso she had always heard about in her bedtime stories was there. She looked from the armor and weapons to her mother. Donna now saw her in a new light. Her mother was a warrior princess, a literal goddess who had fought a monster. She didn't doubt her mum's honesty but the proof in front of her was amazing.

She stepped closer and reached out to touch the armor.

"There isn't much of it, is there. It's…small?"

Diana cleared her throat. "Yes, I suppose it can seem that way. Amazon armor covers weak points of the body while leaving the rest of our bodies freedom to move. Speed and flexibility are important in combat."

Donna tilted her head to the side.

"It seems noticeably short. It's really cool though. Would you put it on?"

Diana raised an eyebrow. "You want me to wear it?"

Donna nodded.

Diana saw the hopefulness on her face and gave in. "Wait in the living room."

Donna was pacing when Diana came out.

Donna gasped and forgot how to breath.

Her mother was a vision. She looked like a hero had stepped out of the pages of a comic book. She was even taller in the boots she had on. Despite the strapless top and the short skirt, her armor was intimidating. She looked so fierce.

Diana opened her arms and did a slow twirl.

"How do I look?" she asked nervously.

"Like a hero." Donna told her.

Diana knelt in front of her. She took the tiara off her head and placed it on Donna's. It was slightly big for the girl but that didn't matter.

"This belonged to the greatest warrior in Amazon history."

"Aren't you the greatest warrior?"

Diana shook her head. "This belonged to my beloved Aunt Antiope. She wore it when she gave her life for mine. I wanted to see it on you."

"How does it look?"

"Like you were born for it."

Donna smiled widely then her eyes roamed to Diana's waste. She reached out to touch the lasso but hesitated.

"Does it glow?"

"Only when it is being used by me in battle or when I question someone bound in it."

Donna looked skeptical.

"It is impossible to tell a lie while wrapped up in it." Donna said doubtfully.

Diana offered her the end of the dull golden rope. "Take it in your fist."

Donna did so immediate.

"I will ask you questions. If you think about lying it will become warm. If you try to lie it becomes hot. It will not burn your skin. Hold on to the end and if it becomes uncomfortable, let it go."

Donna grinned, ready for the challenge.

"Is Alfred a better cook than I am?"

"No… ouch!" she exclaimed and dropped the warm rope quickly.

Diana raised an eyebrow.

"Let's try again, with a different question."

Donna bent down and grabbed the end of the lasso, wrapping it around her hand.

"How often do you trade lunches with other children at school?"

"Never." Donna answered immediately. "Nobody wants my lunch."

Donna's eyes widened and her cheeks blushed.

"Do you think you would like to move as we discussed?"

"I would like to move, but I'm going to pretend I'm not sold on the idea so I can possibly get a guarantee on a puppy and a bicycle."

Donna looked at the glowing rope wrapped around her hand accusingly.

"I would like to end the demonstration." Donna said. She unwrapped the rope and handed it back to her mum.

"You did well." Diana told her cheerfully. "Come with me."

Donna followed her to another vault, one kept in her mum's bedroom. When Diana opened this one, Donna was nearly blinded by the sudden onslaught of gold.

"Asteria's armor." Donna whispered. Her mother had told her she found it on one of her archeological digs. "If Amazon armor is so short because it provides flexibility why does her armor cover so much?"

Diana smirked. "If you ever meet your grandmother, you can ask her. I am afraid I have no answer. The sword I carry is Asteria's."

Diana pulled it and knelt once more, offering the hilt to Donna while she held it up by the blade.

Donna wrapped her tiny hands around the hilt, both hands barely touching each other.

"A sword can be used to protect. It can also be used to destroy. A sword can be an extension of your soul. How you wield it will determine who you are. Antiope once told me that."

"Will you teach me how to fight one day, Mum?"

Diana nodded. "I will never withhold knowledge from you, Donna. You will learn all I know one day. I will never leave you unprepared."

Unlike her mother, were Diana's unspoken words.

"Go to the kitchen and decide what you want to eat. I will change and be out soon, then we can talk about this puppy you plan to extort me into buying."

Donna stepped back but when Diana sat her sword on the ground, Donna jumped into her arms and hugged her, then handed the tiara back to her mum.

"Thank you, Mum. I love you."