Chapter 8

Diana and Zatanna walked through the Village branch of the Westfield Mall, multiple bags in hand and Diana showing no signs of slowing down. Zatanna had witnessed the impossible. She had met someone who could outshop her.

It had been three days since they returned from the Congo. Zatanna slept the nearly the entire first day only waking for brief meals and bathroom trips and to speak to Bruce about Felix Faust's involvement. Had she not been so tired she may have been anxious about this turn of events. Surprisingly, she wasn't.

Something had changed in her. Her trip with Diana, while exhausting her from displaying so much and so powerful magic, had filled her with confidence. She was not a bystander. She helped Diana take on a god. Zatanna already knew a mystic had to have been involved. In the past her father spoke of what an evil person Faust could be and his blatant disregard for the laws of the Mystic Council that had led them into many clashes.

Her father had won each time. Each time, Faust managed to escape whatever dimensional cell they put him in.

He was a dire threat, but Zatanna was not afraid.

Not with Diana at her side.

The last two days, she had once again abandoned her hotel room in favor of Diana's place. She claimed that being around Diana boosted her magic and used Diana's office as a base of operations in her search for Poseidon's Compass. Locator spells were not working. So far she knew it was somewhere in North America on the East Coast. That left a lot of ground to cover.

The truth was Diana actually had no effect on her magic, and she suspected the Amazon knew this but said nothing. The true reason was much more personal. Zatanna was lonely. She had been lonely since her father disappeared, but she always remained on the move. She searched for him, performed shows to pay the bills and then stumbled upon this situation.

Being near Diana also gave her a sense of calm. They stayed up late, talking about their lives and she felt herself growing closer to the woman. She had been attracted to her physically when they first met but now her feelings were deeper, admiration and adoration. Zatanna was hooked on the feeling of being in her presence. She enjoyed the meals together, and Donna's endless questions now that Diana had told her the truth of her origins. Zatanna was also able to astound the little one with small feats of magic with Diana's approval.

She was starting to feel as if she were a part of their small family.

Zatanna knew that was dangerous. She wasn't a part of the family. At times Diana looked at her as if she might see her as more of a partner in this magical mess, but she wondered if she was reading what she wanted to see rather than what was there.

Diana had gone to her shoppe for the day while Zatanna worked fruitlessly on narrowing down the location of the compass. She was extremely frustrated when Diana came home at lunch.

The Amazon recognized her frustration and decided she needed a break. She asked Alfred to pick up Donna and watch her that night and told Zatanna they were going Christmas shopping.

Zatanna had thought that was a wonderful idea. She loved shopping and having Bruce Wayne's credit card was an added bonus. A billionaire wouldn't miss a couple thousand dollars. He told her to use it for essential needs. Dressing as if she belonged with Diana fell under essential needs.

She was beginning to regret her decision. She carried three bags with one arm and two with the other. Her feet were killing her, and she was out of breath from keeping pace with Diana's longer strides. Diana herself had multiple bags but of course wasn't bothered in the least. The woman was a champion shopper.

"That is all I need for her as far as clothing and accessories. A few more stops and we should be done." Diana stated proudly.

"You've spent over five thousand dollars on Christmas gifts for an eight-year-old. What else does she need?"

Diana raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised at her lack of understanding. "Toys of course. Most children stop playing with dolls when they are nine or ten years old. Donna is, as usual, more advanced than most children and has lost interest in dolls. She requires more thought this year in regard to entertainment. I have a few ideas but wanted to get her outfits and accessories taken care of first."

In addition to her high-end clothes, Diana purchased a multicolored Coach backpack that cost six hundred dollars, diamond stud earrings, and Prada sneakers costing a thousand dollars. Zatanna knew Donna was a fashionably dressed young girl but never paid much mind to how fashionably dressed. The kid was usually in pajamas, shorts, or blue jeans inside and wore random t shirts.

"Why does she need so many designer clothes anyway? All I ever see her in is casual clothing or her school uniform." Zatanna asked.

"I have been persuading Donna's choice of relocation toward one particular seaside village. I believe I have found the perfect house. Of course, we will need to see it in person, but I believe Donna will approve. It has everything she could want. There is a front yard, a backyard with a pool and fence that has a gate leading to the beach. There are three bedrooms and a bath attached to each one. The village has a population of less than one thousand people and crime is practically nonexistent with no violent crime in two decades. There is only one school that all classes are held in. The school does not require uniforms. Therefore, she must be impeccably dressed."

Zatanna took that in, not wanting to offend Diana but having serious reservations about his line of thinking.

"If she is going to live in a small coastal village, I assume the main income is fishing. The average income cannot be high."

Diana shrugged, not seeing the problem. "There is a small tourist industry for those who want to get away from crowds, summer attraction, and enjoy more secluded areas. The income does not matter. Donna is not a snob."

"Do you think Donna going to school in Prada, wearing Louis Vuitton shoes and an extremely expensive backpack will help her blend into the community?" Zatanna asked, getting to the heart of her concern.

Diana was silent for a moment, thinking on it. Zatanna was relieved she didn't appear to be offended by the question.

"You bring up a valid concern I had not given thought to." Diana admitted.

Zatanna pushed a bit more. "Won't she have possibly grown out of the clothes before the next school year?"

Diana sighed, disappointed with her lack of foresight in the excitement of holiday gift giving. "Point taken once again. We should return these clothes and shop more. The backpack stays as well as the earrings and shoes, but more casual clothing will be appropriate. She needs new swimsuits and shorts for the summer."

"Wait!" Zatanna quickly said, the idea of more shopping dreadful. "We have done a lot of shopping. We should go to those other stores and come back to return the clothing another day."

Diana smirked, having suspected that she had worn out the sorceress. "That's regretful. I wanted to try a few swimsuits of my own and could have used your opinion. I understand if you are tired though. I do go a bit overboard when I shop."

Zatanna's eyes widened at the thought of Diana in a bathing suit. Her feet no longer ached. "No! We can make time."

"Are you sure?"

Zatanna nodded, quickly.

Diana smiled; a bit thrilled at her excitement.. "You are tired. We can come back tomorrow. I would like to take my time. You might find some suits of which you are fond and want my opinion on."

Diana had not flirted in many years, perhaps a century. Flirting had never really been in her forte of social skills. Zatanna brought out her more playful side in a manner she was unaccustomed, and she found she enjoyed it.

Zatanna shivered. She may have thought she was reading something that was not there before but that was definite flirting. They hadn't known each other long but had been in intense situations together and spoken of things neither one had ever spoken of before to others.

"Let's go to the car and we can find a restaurant, have an early dinner and visit electronic stores." Diana told her. "She has mentioned wanting a drone and a GoPro camera. I thought of buying her a bicycle but that seems like a personal choice and can wait until we move. The same with a puppy. I have no desire to house train one while living in a London flat."

"A drone, huh? By drone, you mean the ones that are small and only have a video camera, correct?"

"What else would I mean?"

Zatanna tried to shrug but the weight of the bags made it difficult. "From what I have learned of your Christmas shopping habits you might buy her an armed military drone off the black market."

Diana stopped suddenly and looked closely at her. "Do you have a contact in the black market I could purchase one from?"

Zatanna wasn't sure what to say until Diana finally grinned. For a moment Zatanna thought she had been serious.

"Let's hurry so I can drop these bags and regain feeling in my arms." Zatanna grumbled. "I didn't realize the antique business was so profitable."

Diana rolled her eyes. "It has its moments. When Bruce researched me, how much did he estimate my net value was?"

Zatanna cringed. She should have known Diana would guess Bruce's tactics.

"I think he said something like eleven million." She admitted begrudgingly.

Diana's laugh was genuine causing Zatanna to relax. She hadn't wanted to turn her against Bruce. Bruce had already crossed a line when he hacked Diana's computer.

"Bruce is not as smart as he thinks he is. I have made many profitable investments over the years, under various shell companies and false identities. He is also a fool if he thinks the computer he hacked is my only one. If he found my true computer it would not be as easy to hack."

Zatanna grinned at the thought of Bruce not knowing something.

"Yet you are telling me."

"I trust you, Zatanna." Diana told her. "I know you trust me. Just as I know you haven't been staying at my place because my presence helps your magic."

Zatanna blushed. "I'm…I'm…sorry…"

Diana put her bags in the back of her SUV and touched Zatanna's cheek gently.

"I like having you around too. No need to apologize."

Zatanna followed her example and placed her bags in the back, not saying anything else but having so many questions. Again, she hoped what she saw when Diana looked at her was real.

They found a nice Bistro with a window view. After they ordered, they were silent for a few moments, watching people as they walked by.

"We must assume the Atlanteans have Poseidon's compass. It will not be easy for anyone to retrieve. I doubt Cheetahs can outswim Atlanteans nor can Faust defeat their magic no matter how strong he is. If the stories my mother told me are true, the Atlantans are a formidable race."

Zatanna and Diana had talked about the possibility the night before but without the location of the compass and Atlantis, it was a moot point. Cale or whatever god she worked for must have a plan.

"Do Atlanteans have powers beside swimming underwater?"

Diana shrugged. "I only know what my mother told me. Atlanteans are stronger than an average human but not invincible by any means, similar to Amazons. Some have superpowers but that it not common. The royal family is said to be descended from Poseidon and are enhanced among their kind. Their strength is greater than a human's and if they have any unique gifts those powers would be enhanced. They are not to be trifled with. The bloodiest battle the Amazons ever fought was against their ilk."

Zatanna sighed. "It is likely we will not be able to get the compass."

"Do not assume so. It could be on land, lost or hidden for some reason."

"And the god who is behind this may have to come out from the shadows and take it for himself." Zatanna pondered.

"Which is when we take it from him or her." Diana agreed. "We find the location and wait. If we miss our opportunity, we will find Avalon and take Excalibur, forcing them to come to us."

"And then?"

Diana was silent for a moment.

"Then I kill the god in charge, after defeating Minerva. You defeat Faust and we decide what to do with Cale together."

"Can you defeat Minerva and whatever god is involved at the same time?" Zatanna asked.

Diana sighed, not truly knowing. "It will not be easy, but it must be done so I will do it."

It wasn't the confident statement Zatanna had hoped for. Instead, Diana sounded more resigned as if talking about a chore she had put off for too long.

Zatanna's phone rang.

"Hello Bruce."

"Are you with Diana?" he responded, doing away with pleasantries, and sounding a bit panicked, unusual from the frustratingly stoic man.

"Yes, we are at a restaurant about to have dinner."

"I found a facial recognition program in Cale's network. It recognized you in the hotel lobby two days ago. She hasn't traced you anywhere else but if she sent a hitman…"

"It wouldn't be hard for him to track me down through my rental car GPS." Zatanna realized.

Diana dialed Alfred while listening to Zatanna talk to Bruce.

"Hello Diana." The man answered, his voice tense. "Master Bruce has told me of his discovery. I hope you don't mind but I have taken the liberty of taking Donna for a ride, in the event of an unfortunate occurrence."

Diana felt relieved. "Thank you, Alfred. Are you armed?"

"Always."

"Hold please."

Diana took Zatanna's phone from her to speak to Bruce. "Is there any way to connect Zatanna to you?"

"No. The hotel, her card and the rental car have all been placed under different names that cannot be traced to me. It is possible she could have been followed using street cameras. Cale's system is more complex than it was at first look. It would be safest if Zatanna came to Wayne Manor. You may consider bringing Donna and yourself as well. If she was followed via camera, I cannot guarantee if someone is sent after her, she won't be connected to you. I assume you have spoken to Alfred."

Diana looked out the window, suddenly paranoid. She ended the call without a goodbye or answer.

"Let's go." She told Zatanna, grabbing her hand and leading her through the kitchen, out the back.

"I need to leave." Zatanna said when they were free of the building in an alley. "I'm placing you and Donna in danger just by being near you."

"You aren't going anywhere I can't protect you. We all have to leave. Swimsuit shopping must wait."

Before Zatanna could argue a dark-haired young man in a black leather coat stepped in front of them holding a gun aimed at Zatanna. He didn't hesitate firing.

Diana stepped in front of Zatanna and wrapped her arms around her, leaving her back open to the shooter.

She felt the sting of multiple shots bullets striking her.

Checking over Zatanna, she was relieved to see the woman was shocked but unharmed.

Diana turned to face the shooter. He stood still, smoking gun still raised and a shocked expression.

"What…I see skin. You aren't wearing a vest…how…"

Diana had his handgun in a half second and broke the barrel.

The man's eyes widened.

"Being shot stings. I find it rude."

Diana grabbed his throat and began squeezing.

"You just made the worst mistake of your life. Are there anymore shooters?! Is anyone after my daughter?!" she asked, trying to reign in her anger and close to failing.

The man tried to shake his head but was unable. Diana loosened her grip but did not let up.

"Who hired you? Cale or someone else?"

He shook his head. "I can't tell you. They will kill me."

Diana raised an eyebrow. "You think I won't?"

"I can send you home and watch him until you return with the lasso, or I can teleport us there." Zatanna offered.

Diana shook her head. "Teleport us to a place he won't be heard screaming. I learned in 1942 that you don't need a lasso to make someone tell the truth."

Zatanna was chilled by Diana's voice. She had never heard that cold, calm yet murderous voice. Diana had turned into someone she had not met yet in less than a minute. She thought she had seen all sides of Diana. She was wrong.

"I have no doubt, but wouldn't the lasso be the only way to ensure he tells the truth quickly?" Zatanna asked.

Diana shook her head, as if snapping out of a haze, her hand still on the man's throat.

"Can you bind him?"

"Sehtolc, dnib mih."

The coat wrapped tighter around him, becoming stiff as a board, as did the arms of the coat. She was frozen, unable to move his limbs.

"Donna isn't home. Send us to my place." Diana acquiesced.

Zatanna nodded, relieved Diana had no plans to pull off any fingers or toenails at the moment but suspected the man's life could be measured in hours, if not minutes.

A bright cloud of purple energy wrapped around the three and they were immediately in Diana's office.

Diana pushed the shooter to the ground. She fell straight back as his body was still immobilized by his clothes.

Zatanna stood over him, not sure what to do. Diana had opened the safe and pulled the lasso out, so she stepped back.

"Loosen his clothing."

"Dnibnu."

The man regained flexibility and tried to stand. He got to one knee before Diana had his torso bound with the lasso.

"What is going on? Where am I? How…who…"

"Quiet." Diana told him sternly, leaving no room for disagreement. "The only words I want coming out of your mouth are the answers to my questions. If you try to resist in the slightest I will tear your tongue out and use the lasso to invade your mind, driving you to insanity before I kill you."

The man swallowed and worked his way up to both knees, afraid to move, even if he had been able.

"Zatanna call our mutual friend and assess him of the situation. Tell him to keep the asset on the move."

Zatanna rushed out of the room to do as instructed leaving Diana momentarily alone with the man.

"Is anyone following my daughter?"

"No!" he answered immediately.

"Who hired you to kill Zatanna?"

"Veronica Cale."

"When did you arrive in London?"

"Yesterday."

"How did you find her?"

"Cale hacked traffic cams and followed her car to your residence from the hotel two days ago. I was to wait to get her alone, but when it became obvious she was not leaving, Cale told me to kill you as well. I needed to kill Zatanna first and without warning because she was the biggest threat. I decided to wait until the two of you were alone and in public. I saw you leave the back and decided it would be a perfect time."

"Murder us and make it appear to be a mugging, right?"

"Yes."

Zatanna patted Diana on the back when she came back in, hoping to calm her a bit. "Isn't this better than pulling off fingers and toes?"

"Not now, Zatanna." Diana told her in a flat tone, no humor in her voice. "Is there anyone else in London sent to kill her?"

"No."

"Is anyone in London with the intent of kidnapping or killing my daughter?"

"No." he answered. Diana caught the pain that briefly crossed his face. He had thought of lying. If she thought someone was chasing or had Donna, he would have an edge over her.

"Does Cale know of any connection between Bruce Wayne and Zatanna?"

The man was obviously confused by the question. "Bruce Wayne? No…is he the one bankrolling your globe hopping?" he asked, looking toward Zatanna.

Diana pulled the lasso tighter, and it bit through his clothes and pushed his arms inward, close to popping his shoulders.

"Have you worked with Barbara Minerva?" she continued.

"Yes."

"What is your name?"

"Constantine Drakon."

Zatanna groaned. "Every guy named Constantine must be an asshole."

Diana ignored her comment, focused on the man in front of her.

"What do you know of Cale's plan?"

This time he hissed, obviously fighting the lasso to keep him from being truthful.

"You have no choice. The harder you resist, the more pain you feel until the lasso rips the answer from your skull. Be glad I am using this lasso. Answer the question. What do you know of her plan?!"

"Not much, okay?!" he said loudly, then gasped for breath. "She pays more money than I have made in my life. I go where she tells me to go, kill who she tells me to kill and back up that cat freak Minerva on these little trips. I know she steals some freaky magical objects and this one and the Gotham bat freak showed up."

Diana shook her head in disgust. "Money. You played a part in possibly ending the world for money. Money you won't be able to spend because you had ushered in your own destruction. Pathetic."

The man said nothing. Instead, he looked toward Zatanna, hoping she might have some calming effect on this woman. Diana Prince was a single mom who was a restoration expert and appraiser who ran a rare antiques store. He knew something must be up with Zatanna considering she was with Batman, but he had never seen her exhibit any truly dangerous or threatening abilities. Now it was obvious that she was some kind of sorcerer, and this Diana Prince was bulletproof and had a highly effective interrogation device that was crushing his upper body.

He had no leverage, no chance of escape and was beginning to understand she would kill him. All he could hope was she had some moral disdain for killing but he doubted that was the case. The woman's eyes were cold. Zatanna just looked worried but not enough to try and stop her from killing him.

"How often have you been around Cale?"

Drakon shook his head. "Only a few times. The first time I saw her at my apartment. That was when she hired me. Minerva was with her. I've seen her a few times at her office with Minerva, but that's it. Look, we can work something out. I've made enough money off her. I could be your inside guy. You scare me more than Minerva does. Let's work something out."

"You are just saying that to save your own skin."

"Of course, I am. I would run the second you let me go and never look back. I know you want to kill me, and I deserve it…damn it!"

Diana's angry façade broke for a moment as she coldly grinned at the fool.

"When you have seen Cale, was she in the presence of anyone who felt off? Someone she answered to or was she anxious around?"

"No."

"Is her friend Anderson involved?"

"Not that I know of. Are you going to kill me?"

Diana's face hardened. "How many people have you killed?"

"Ninety-six people."

"How much money have you made from these murders?"

"Over ten million dollars." He answered, head down, not even bothering to hold back.

Diana shook her head. "You know I am different. You could be a risk to my daughter. You could tell Cale I am different. I also have my conscience to answer to."

"Your conscience?" he asked hopefully.

Diana nodded. "If I let you go and you kill again I would never be able to forgive myself. Consider this getting off easy. I'll give you a moment to prepare."

The man started to shake. "Please don't. I don't want to die!"

"Neither did ninety-six other people."

"Some of them deserved it!"

"So do you."

Diana snapped his neck and he died instantly. She unwrapped the lasso and his body fell to the ground.

"Wow." Zatanna said, taking Diana's attention from the body to her friend.

"Can you dispose of this? If not, I understand. He needs to be somewhere his body is never discovered."

Zatanna nodded. She reached her hand out over the body then began chanting until her eyes flared purple. The body levitated, surrounded by energy streaming from her hand and then disappeared.

"Where did you send the body?" Diana asked curiously. A part of her was upset Zatanna had to be involved in this but she made getting rid of a body so much easier and didn't hesitate.

"To the bottom of the Marianas Trench."

Diana smiled. "Good choice. I should have asked you if you wanted to leave. Are you okay?"

Zatanna nodded. "It's not the first dead body I've seen. Though I've never seen someone's neck snapped like that." She finished, sounding a bit queasy. "You were right though. If he had been left alive, he would have come back after us, or worse, Donna. He would have killed again."

"I'm going to grab mine and Donna's passport, pack some bags and we are leaving. It isn't safe for you or Donna in London." Diana told her.

Zatanna disagreed. "If I leave, if I go to Washington D.C. and make myself known, they will leave you alone. They only came after you because of me. I'll go to her office or her home and confront her. Just take Donna out to the country for a few days. She has school and you have the holidays…"

"I will not leave you unprotected! You came to me for help. I became a part of this willingly. If you confront her, whoever is the real culprit may make itself known."

"And we will know who it is."

Diana shook her head. "You won't be alive long enough to tell us. You are powerful but not all powerful. Gods are a different level of power and magic only works on us if we allow it to. You could be shot by a sniper and never know before you confront her. Trust me, Zatanna. I have had contingency plans for decades. I have places we can hide, but for now, if Cale has no idea about the link to Bruce, Gotham may be the best place to operate from."

"Wayne Manor is huge. It's strong and safe. Bruce has an impenetrable lair underneath it. I'll let Alfred know to prepare the jet. What about your things?" Zatanna asked, relieved but willing to follow through on her suggestion. She knew she would disrupt Diana's life, but the idea of disrupting Donna's filled her with guilt.

"My armor, weapons, and a change of clothes for me and Donna will come with us. I have a call to make for the rest. I will need things packed, shipped unnoticed, and secured, including my second vault with Asteria's armor. I'm going to need the help of a family friend."

Diana took her phone out and made a call. He answered immediately.

"Sammy, this is Diana."

Diana laughed, at whatever was said.

"Your family has always been too good to me, Sammy. The men of your family have always been suave, but you take it to another level, my friend. I have need of your special service. I need two vaults delivered to Wayne Manor in Gotham City off the books. I will leave a list of items in my living room to be delivered in addition to the vaults."

Diana listened for a moment. "Yes, a last-minute trip for the holidays of an undetermined length. I have no need yet for any of my contingency plans. Should the situation change you will be the first to know, my friend. I'm also sending you the address of my car. If it could be driven to safe storage that would be wonderful. I'm hot right now, Sammy."

Diana laughed at something the man said. "Did your grandfather ever tell you about the time your great grandfather smuggled me out of Cairo in 1949? I'm not as hot now, but close. If your men see anyone following my car, let them follow to my house and do not engage. We will be gone within the hour."

Diana ended the call and moved to her bedroom, grabbing traveling bags from the closet. She pulled out a large wooden trunk as well then moved to her office and began packing her armor and weapons. Diana asked Zatanna to take the bags and begin packing clothes for Donna.

Diana then called Alfred.

"Alfred, the man isn't aware of Zatanna's involvement with Bruce. I believe we should go to Gotham City. Can we take the jet without notice?"

"Yes. It is registered under an affiliate of Wayne Enterprises."

"Can I get my weapons onto the plane without scrutiny from security?"

"I know people. I assume the man who tried to kill Zatanna is no longer a problem?"

"I convinced him to see the error of his ways and sent him on his way. That's all your charge, Mr. Wayne needs to know."

Alfred chuckled. "I am glad to hear it. I will ensure security escorts you onto the runway without examination of your baggage."

"May I speak to Donna?"

Diana waited a moment and then heard Donna's worried voice.

"Mum? Is something going on? Alfred wanted to go for a ride about London, but we are missing all the major landmarks."

"Donna, everything is…not fine. Someone tried to hurt Zatanna. She is okay, but we need to get her out of London. It is best we stay with her so we can protect her. I'm thinking we should all take a flight to Gotham City and stay at Alfred's home for a while where we can watch her. What do you think?"

Donna paused for a moment before answering. "Is she really okay?"

"I would not let anything happen to her."

"Can I have the window seat?"

Diana chuckled. "This plane is a bit different than the one we flew to Madrid last year. Alfred will get you settled onboard, and we will be there in about an hour. Everything is going to be all right. I will do my best to make sure we are all safe, and we can return to London soon."

"Alright, Mum. Please hurry."

"I will, my Princess. Keep a seat warm for me."

Diana ended the call and resumed packing.

"Who was the man you spoke to? This Sammy must be very trustworthy."

Diana smiled, despite the situation. "He is one of the few on Earth I trust. I fought beside his great, great grandfather in first War. Sameer was one of only a few who knew my supernatural nature. Sameer and I entrusted my secret to his son before Sameer died, who in turn trusted it to his son and so forth. Sameer had many talents and smuggling was one of them. It was a skill that ran in the family. I remained close to the family and eventually invested in a business for his children to run. They are a large legitimate shipping company now, but also do special jobs that require discrete work. They have a history of getting me out of tight spots."

Zatanna was surprised Diana would entrust anyone with that knowledge.

"They never ask questions or wonder how their family serves the same woman since before World War II and she never ages?"

Diana shook her head. "They don't ask, and I don't offer. They only know that I am their sole investor. I take care of them, and they take care of me. Sammy and the people who work for him are loyal and honorable. They will deliver what I need, not pry, and not ask questions."

Zatanna smiled despite the situation. The idea that Diana, who hid away from much of the world her entire life, still looked out for a family of a close friend from over a hundred years ago warmed her heart. It was also cool in her mind that Diana had been in many situations where she needed a group of people to smuggle her out of countries. She wished to know everything about her life and hoped she stayed alive long enough to learn.

Diana walked to her shoppe quickly and took a delivery van, driving it back to her flat. Once she had loaded everything the two were off to the airport.

An hour and a half later, an excited Donna was having a tour of the jet and the cockpit with Alfred while Diana and Zatanna sat across from each other, both lost in thought.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this." Zatanna finally said.

Diana reached across and took her hand. "I'm not. We won't be surprised again. I will keep us safe, and I will put an end to this. Soon this will be behind us."

Zatanna winced. "I hope I won't be behind you."

Diana smiled softly. "I have a feeling we will be intertwined for a very long time, Zatanna."

Donna moved slowly back to Diana, her energy finally flagging. She sat on her mother's lap and lay her head against her chest until she was snoring. Diana held her tightly and closed her eyes as well. Soon she would be in Gotham. She would know her next move and she would end this. Cale, Minerva, Faust, she would go through them one by one to find the architect of this madness and end it.