Disclaimer: No different from other chapters
Rating: the same as well
The Green Lantern sat in the den of the Watchtower, laid out on the couch, legs sprawled open, his hands dangling in between them. It had been an exhausting day. In between talking to the Justice League about what happened, settling in, and trying to get used to the idea that he was now back in the exact same life he'd left a year ago.......
It boggled the mind.
"John?"
He looked up, and saw a shadow standing before him. "Di. I didn't hear you come in."
Diana smiled slightly and joined him on the couch, crossing her legs, bare underneath the oversized t-shirt she was wearing. "I.....I talked to Batman."
"What?" John sat up a little straighter, his interest piqued.
"Yes, I did." In an unusual show of affection, Wonder Woman swung her legs up into the Green Lantern's lap, and he turned slightly, facing her, taking hold of her ankles. "So.....what did he say?"
Diana looked down, picking at her shirt. "We talked about what......happened the night before. I was straight with him.....I don't think he expected me to say what I said, though."
The Green Lantern narrowed his eyes. "Diana, you're not being straight with me. I can't understand a word you're saying."
Diana straightened up and smiled ruefully. "Sorry. Anyway, I told him that any relationship between us probably wouldn't work out-"
"WHAT?" The Green Lantern started so violently that her legs tumbled to the floor.
".......and that I valued his friendship, but have other priorities."
"WHAT priorities?"
"Our son, for one," Diana said testily. "I didn't expect you NOT to support my decision, John."
"It's not that I don't support-" John paused, frustrated. "I just......Diana, don't you love the guy?"
"NO!" Diana burst out, frustrated. "That's the problem! You humans so often associate intimacy with love- it's ridiculous. I admire him; value him as a friend and a comrade, and am attracted to him- but I don't LOVE him. I am an Amazon. I have no need for love."
The Green Lantern looked suitably shocked. "But....you and he....."
"Slept together? Yes, we did. But.....great Hera, John, you're not a child. I didn't sleep with him because I loved him. I barely KNOW him!"
"But......"
Diana sighed. "John. He was attractive. I was attractive. I respect him. I LIKE him. I wished to copulate with someone......are you getting the picture I'm painting for you?"
John nodded, apparently struck dumb.
"I mean, how can I love a man I barely know, John?"
"That's true," said John slowly, the logic of her statements beginning to get through to him. "Although it sounds completely cold......and so unlike you. Besides, you always seemed so.......virginal, pardon the word. I mean, men weren't allowed on your island, right?"
Diana gave him an extremely scornful look. "I am several centuries old, John, and the goddess Hera does not deny her own sensual pleasures. And for men not being allowed on Themiscyra, that is true- but there was no rule saying that WE had to stay there."
"Oh," John muttered, finally getting it. He looked down, embarrassed. "Sorry."
"You had no way of reading my emotions," Diana said, her voice calming slightly. "Batman is a good man. He cares for me, but he understood my position as well. I would never toy with another's feelings intentionally." She looked at John's face, and saw the shock there- then sighed.
"I have to be honest with you," she said, softly. "Before we....before, I actually thought for a moment that I COULD let my emotions rule me, that perhaps I could give myself completely to a man.......but that's over now."
For a minute, all John could do was stare. And when he spoke, his voice was low.
"Damn, Diana.....you have changed."
She stared into his face, blue eyes flashing. "Great Hera, John......how could I not?"
John stared into her eyes.
And saw the deep scarring that Vandal's actions had left.
"Dear God," murmured John, and wrapped his arms around her, offering what comfort he could.
Diana said nothing after that, only conceding to lay her dark head down on his shoulder.
And they sat, quiet, in the dark.
***********************************************************
"Ummmph!"
Shayera crashed through dense thicket, ignoring the resulting scratches on her bare arms and shoulders. Straightening up as best she could, she dusted off herself and pushed leaves out of her way, trying to see where she was.
"These coordinates the Bat gave me should be about right......" she muttered, wincing as she lifted her "mace" arm. There was a particularly nasty scratch on the elbow. Damn Batman for having her land in the middle of a bush!
Brandishing her mace, she swung it a few times and was soon out of the dense growth of the thicket. She came into a clearing- a thick, grassy field broken by a long, packed dirt road. Swinging her mace over her shoulders, she began to walk on it, hoping to see some sign of life. She activated her communicator. "Bats?"
"Yes?" The dark knight's voice cackled through almost instantly.
"I'm here."
"Very good." Batman's voice was cool and calm, as usual. "Let me know when you are with the queen."
"I will. Hawkgirl out."
Turning off the communicator with a sigh, Hawkgirl resumed her walk, trying to block her mind from all thoughts. She had wanted to ask how John was- and Diana, for that matter- but she didn't dare. She hadn't spoken to John since he had arrived with Diana and that strange little boy with the brilliant eyes, his son. Their son.
Hawkgirl sucked in a painful breath, ignoring all the dust that came with it. From the amazing story that Batman had told her- she knew of Vandal's plan as well as the reason for the child's birth- but it was all so strange. As far as she was concerned, she'd been separated from him for only a week, and he'd been away from her for over a year.....
And had been with Diana exclusively during that time.
And they now had a child together.
Not exactly the best thing for a budding relationship.
Hawkgirl quickened her steps, as if that would soothe her thoughts somehow. Batman had sent her on this mission, she knew, probably fearing for her impetuous hotheadedness and wanting her to have time to "cool down" before confronting the Green Lantern.
He couldn't know that she felt nearly totally numb- and that the only emotion she was feeling at that moment was sheer.......shock.
"Who goes there!"
Hawkgirl was startled out of all reasonable thought when she heard the sharp, staccato voice burst out from the air directly in front of her. Looking up, she saw that she was about to ram directly into two tall, iron- clad women, beautiful and powerfully built. They both sported long, wavy dark hair, and carried both spears and shields. Hawkgirl immediately dropped her mace to show she wasn't a threat.
"I have been sent," she said, her voice ringing loud and clear despite her discomfiture, "by the Justice League to her Majesty Queen Hippoylita. It concerns her daughter Princess Diana."
Two pairs of brows nearly hit two hairlines. "And why did the Princess not come herself?"
Hawkgirl could barely refrain from rolling her eyes. "You kicked her out, and you know it. Just take me to the queen, okay?"
The woman on the left pursed her lips. "What proof do you have?"
"Well, I knew how to get here, that's one," Hawkgirl said dryly. "It's kind of difficult to find directions to a mystical island on Map Quest. Plus, I have this-"and Hawkgirl unrolled a package that she carried under her arm, a package that contained Diana's bracelets, wrapped in a length of silk.
Choosing to ignore her sarcasm, the women instead leaned over her, squinting down at the bracelets. They recognized them immediately, but were quick to mask their surprise.
"I think you'd better come with us."
"Do you really?" Hawkgirl was trying to stop the sarcasm, but she couldn't. It was impossible.
"And give us your mace," the second woman instructed.
"Nope!" Hawkgirl said stubbornly. "You get to carry your lance; I get to carry my mace. Anyone touches it, and the message I have for the queen leaves with me."
The first woman muttered something to the second in Greek, and they conversed for a little while.
"Fine," the woman conceded with a sigh. "Come."
They turned and began to walk, and Hawkgirl followed them silently.
Rating: the same as well
The Green Lantern sat in the den of the Watchtower, laid out on the couch, legs sprawled open, his hands dangling in between them. It had been an exhausting day. In between talking to the Justice League about what happened, settling in, and trying to get used to the idea that he was now back in the exact same life he'd left a year ago.......
It boggled the mind.
"John?"
He looked up, and saw a shadow standing before him. "Di. I didn't hear you come in."
Diana smiled slightly and joined him on the couch, crossing her legs, bare underneath the oversized t-shirt she was wearing. "I.....I talked to Batman."
"What?" John sat up a little straighter, his interest piqued.
"Yes, I did." In an unusual show of affection, Wonder Woman swung her legs up into the Green Lantern's lap, and he turned slightly, facing her, taking hold of her ankles. "So.....what did he say?"
Diana looked down, picking at her shirt. "We talked about what......happened the night before. I was straight with him.....I don't think he expected me to say what I said, though."
The Green Lantern narrowed his eyes. "Diana, you're not being straight with me. I can't understand a word you're saying."
Diana straightened up and smiled ruefully. "Sorry. Anyway, I told him that any relationship between us probably wouldn't work out-"
"WHAT?" The Green Lantern started so violently that her legs tumbled to the floor.
".......and that I valued his friendship, but have other priorities."
"WHAT priorities?"
"Our son, for one," Diana said testily. "I didn't expect you NOT to support my decision, John."
"It's not that I don't support-" John paused, frustrated. "I just......Diana, don't you love the guy?"
"NO!" Diana burst out, frustrated. "That's the problem! You humans so often associate intimacy with love- it's ridiculous. I admire him; value him as a friend and a comrade, and am attracted to him- but I don't LOVE him. I am an Amazon. I have no need for love."
The Green Lantern looked suitably shocked. "But....you and he....."
"Slept together? Yes, we did. But.....great Hera, John, you're not a child. I didn't sleep with him because I loved him. I barely KNOW him!"
"But......"
Diana sighed. "John. He was attractive. I was attractive. I respect him. I LIKE him. I wished to copulate with someone......are you getting the picture I'm painting for you?"
John nodded, apparently struck dumb.
"I mean, how can I love a man I barely know, John?"
"That's true," said John slowly, the logic of her statements beginning to get through to him. "Although it sounds completely cold......and so unlike you. Besides, you always seemed so.......virginal, pardon the word. I mean, men weren't allowed on your island, right?"
Diana gave him an extremely scornful look. "I am several centuries old, John, and the goddess Hera does not deny her own sensual pleasures. And for men not being allowed on Themiscyra, that is true- but there was no rule saying that WE had to stay there."
"Oh," John muttered, finally getting it. He looked down, embarrassed. "Sorry."
"You had no way of reading my emotions," Diana said, her voice calming slightly. "Batman is a good man. He cares for me, but he understood my position as well. I would never toy with another's feelings intentionally." She looked at John's face, and saw the shock there- then sighed.
"I have to be honest with you," she said, softly. "Before we....before, I actually thought for a moment that I COULD let my emotions rule me, that perhaps I could give myself completely to a man.......but that's over now."
For a minute, all John could do was stare. And when he spoke, his voice was low.
"Damn, Diana.....you have changed."
She stared into his face, blue eyes flashing. "Great Hera, John......how could I not?"
John stared into her eyes.
And saw the deep scarring that Vandal's actions had left.
"Dear God," murmured John, and wrapped his arms around her, offering what comfort he could.
Diana said nothing after that, only conceding to lay her dark head down on his shoulder.
And they sat, quiet, in the dark.
***********************************************************
"Ummmph!"
Shayera crashed through dense thicket, ignoring the resulting scratches on her bare arms and shoulders. Straightening up as best she could, she dusted off herself and pushed leaves out of her way, trying to see where she was.
"These coordinates the Bat gave me should be about right......" she muttered, wincing as she lifted her "mace" arm. There was a particularly nasty scratch on the elbow. Damn Batman for having her land in the middle of a bush!
Brandishing her mace, she swung it a few times and was soon out of the dense growth of the thicket. She came into a clearing- a thick, grassy field broken by a long, packed dirt road. Swinging her mace over her shoulders, she began to walk on it, hoping to see some sign of life. She activated her communicator. "Bats?"
"Yes?" The dark knight's voice cackled through almost instantly.
"I'm here."
"Very good." Batman's voice was cool and calm, as usual. "Let me know when you are with the queen."
"I will. Hawkgirl out."
Turning off the communicator with a sigh, Hawkgirl resumed her walk, trying to block her mind from all thoughts. She had wanted to ask how John was- and Diana, for that matter- but she didn't dare. She hadn't spoken to John since he had arrived with Diana and that strange little boy with the brilliant eyes, his son. Their son.
Hawkgirl sucked in a painful breath, ignoring all the dust that came with it. From the amazing story that Batman had told her- she knew of Vandal's plan as well as the reason for the child's birth- but it was all so strange. As far as she was concerned, she'd been separated from him for only a week, and he'd been away from her for over a year.....
And had been with Diana exclusively during that time.
And they now had a child together.
Not exactly the best thing for a budding relationship.
Hawkgirl quickened her steps, as if that would soothe her thoughts somehow. Batman had sent her on this mission, she knew, probably fearing for her impetuous hotheadedness and wanting her to have time to "cool down" before confronting the Green Lantern.
He couldn't know that she felt nearly totally numb- and that the only emotion she was feeling at that moment was sheer.......shock.
"Who goes there!"
Hawkgirl was startled out of all reasonable thought when she heard the sharp, staccato voice burst out from the air directly in front of her. Looking up, she saw that she was about to ram directly into two tall, iron- clad women, beautiful and powerfully built. They both sported long, wavy dark hair, and carried both spears and shields. Hawkgirl immediately dropped her mace to show she wasn't a threat.
"I have been sent," she said, her voice ringing loud and clear despite her discomfiture, "by the Justice League to her Majesty Queen Hippoylita. It concerns her daughter Princess Diana."
Two pairs of brows nearly hit two hairlines. "And why did the Princess not come herself?"
Hawkgirl could barely refrain from rolling her eyes. "You kicked her out, and you know it. Just take me to the queen, okay?"
The woman on the left pursed her lips. "What proof do you have?"
"Well, I knew how to get here, that's one," Hawkgirl said dryly. "It's kind of difficult to find directions to a mystical island on Map Quest. Plus, I have this-"and Hawkgirl unrolled a package that she carried under her arm, a package that contained Diana's bracelets, wrapped in a length of silk.
Choosing to ignore her sarcasm, the women instead leaned over her, squinting down at the bracelets. They recognized them immediately, but were quick to mask their surprise.
"I think you'd better come with us."
"Do you really?" Hawkgirl was trying to stop the sarcasm, but she couldn't. It was impossible.
"And give us your mace," the second woman instructed.
"Nope!" Hawkgirl said stubbornly. "You get to carry your lance; I get to carry my mace. Anyone touches it, and the message I have for the queen leaves with me."
The first woman muttered something to the second in Greek, and they conversed for a little while.
"Fine," the woman conceded with a sigh. "Come."
They turned and began to walk, and Hawkgirl followed them silently.
