Title: Dragons, Demons, and Other Wonders of the Heart (7/??)
Author: Allaine
Email: eac2ndyahoo.com
Disclaimers: DC Comics, Cartoon Network, Bruce Timm, the JLA animated series, etc, etc. No profit intended from my infringement.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Up to the episodes "Wild Cards" and "Comfort and Joy".
Feedback: Please, please, please!!
Summary: With five of the seven members of the Justice League in relationships, the Flash is determined to meet someone now. But what will it do to the rep of the self-proclaimed "ladies' man" if he's the last to find love? The sequel you demanded to "Always a Bridesmaid".
Chapter 7
San Francisco, J'onn noticed, was quite chilly in February, and the breeze coming in from the Pacific Ocean didn't help matters.
Certainly the sea lions sunning themselves on the California shore before him didn't mind the temperature, with their thick skins. Or maybe they did mind - their harsh cries, an assault on one's ears, were perhaps their way of believing it was the humans who preferred this climate.
It certainly did seem an odd place to meet, however.
He sensed her approach a moment before her slim frame appeared next to him. "You came," she said. She sounded surprised, and as he turned to look at her, her eyes betrayed a touch of confusion.
"I said I would," J'onn told Talia. "Why wouldn't I have come?"
She shrugged. "Frankly, I was surprised you contacted me in the first place."
It was his turn to be bewildered. "Then why did you give me your number if you did not think I would call?"
Talia looked away. He could see a frown tugging at the corner of her lips in consternation. "I'm not even sure why I gave you my number," she admitted. "Perhaps I was just being polite. Is that why you called me? To be polite? You seemed a much more mannered being the second time we met."
"I would not have called you as a formality," J'onn replied. He hesitated. She seemed to be as off-balance as he felt. "I enjoyed the time we spent together," he finally admitted. They'd spent almost four hours together that night. "I had nothing else to do, so I thought perhaps - you did say I could contact you any time."
"Yes, I did," she said. The wind was playing games with her hair, and she pushed it out of her face. "And I have not enjoyed a normal conversation with another man in some time. Certainly not with Bruce," Talia muttered.
He considered this for a moment, and then he chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"Isn't it a human custom for men and women to give their phone numbers to people they're attracted to?" he asked.
Her face, usually of a shade befitting her mixed Spanish-Arabic ancestry, became slightly rosier. "Yes, but - "
"I was wondering why you asked to meet here," J'onn pressed on.
"It is closer to my father's domain than many of those American cities your League seems to congregate in," Talia said.
"Yes, but you could have selected any number of cities in Asia that are closer," he replied. "Perhaps you selected this location because I am not Bruce, and because you felt this was as unromantic a place as you could find."
She gasped. "No, that isn't it," Talia corrected him. "Personally, I like this city. Besides," she added morosely, "I am not having very romantic thoughts about Bruce lately."
He didn't respond to that, but she continued anyway. "I do not think I want to see him again any time soon," Talia went on. "Even when I think of him, I see his face - thanks to you," she said irritably. "And every negative feeling he has for me wells up like poisoned water. I cannot ignore it."
"I am sorry," J'onn said after a moment. "I did not realize the effects would be so far-reaching."
"You were just trying to save me," Talia said wryly.
J'onn turned to face her. "Does my presence pain you as well? I did this to you, after all."
"No, no," she sighed. "You're not responsible for the way he feels about me. The only person responsible for that is myself."
Talia lapsed into a moody silence, leaving J'onn to either restart the conversation, or end this strange meeting before it practically started.
This "strange meeting", however, was the real issue. "What is this, exactly?" he asked quietly.
"Pardon?" she asked, distracted.
"You and I. Why are we talking? We're not two ordinary people. I'm with the JL, and your father is Ra's al-Ghul. We are an odd pair, Talia. So why did you give me your number, and why did I call you back?"
"Surely you know why you are here," Talia said. "And as for me, can't you just read my mind?"
"No," he replied firmly. "I will not invade the privacy of your mind again, not unless you give me permission. That is a promise."
She stared at him, surprised. "Well," she eventually said, "thank you."
"So why did you come?" J'onn asked.
"I . . . I'm not sure I can answer that question."
"Is it a secret?"
"No, it's just - I don't really have many answers right now." She started walking away, then looked over her shoulder. "Aren't you coming?"
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"For a walk. It's one of the greatest achievements of human civilization - being able to take a walk where the sole purpose is the walk itself," Talia said. "Anyway, I'm sorry if my answer seemed vague. I'm trying to figure out where my life is going."
"How so?"
"I still love Bruce, but obviously it's never going to happen," she explained, her eyes sad. "Father, of course, will not consider how that might affect me. His reaction will be that I have failed to bring him the heir he desired, by marrying Bruce or by carrying on his bloodline. I do not know how he will respond," she said darkly.
"You are his daughter," J'onn pointed out.
"He has had others," she replied. "At any rate, I do not know what future role I am to play in my father's organization. And evidently my personal dreams have been dashed as well. So . . . I don't know why I'm here. Perhaps I just want someone to talk to. As for why you're here, well, I certainly can't read your mind whether I want to or not, so you will have to supply the answers to that yourself."
J'onn thought about it for a minute as she walked alongside him. "I don't really have friends," he finally said.
She stopped. "Not the League?" she asked.
"They're friends, true, but they all have lives outside the League. I spend most of my time in the Watchtower. My life is a solitary one, and generally I choose not to walk among the crowds in the cities. It brings - memories."
Talia nodded. "So I'm not the only one troubled by memories," she murmured.
"I liked talking to you," J'onn told her. "I suppose I could meet other people, but for now, rather than spend another day alone, I felt like talking to you."
"So you're saying you want us to be friends?" she asked cautiously. "Because we are still on opposite sides, you know."
He could have pointed out Batman's dalliances with both her and Catwoman, but "Bruce" probably wasn't someone he should bring up.
Of course, "dalliances" was a loaded word for him, and it was all because of Flash's clumsy attempts to get J'onn into the arms of another woman. J'onn still didn't understand why those short impassioned minutes with Talia had awakened such arousal within him. He had been thinking of his late wife, true, but at some point he had opened his eyes, seen Talia's eyes half-lidded with desire . . . and the feelings had grown. If he spent more time with her, maybe he could find out why.
He strongly suspected, however, that their encounter in Talia's hotel room was something else he shouldn't bring up.
"Would you attempt to exploit our friendship for your father's aims?" J'onn asked.
"No," she replied. "And I give you permission to 'peek', if you wish."
J'onn shook his head. "I believe you. And I will not pressure you for information on your father's criminal activities. Does that take care of any concerns over our place in the battle of good and evil?"
She smiled at him, letting her hair cover one eye. "You are a very intriguing man, J'onn. All right. Let there be peace between you and I. Although I will tell you, my father was displeased to discover he could no longer access JL communications. I take it you upgraded the communicators?"
"Of course," he said. "Although it doesn't seem fair that I know how to contact you, but you can't get in touch with me."
Talia shrugged. "I'm sure we'll figure something out eventually."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "I check my messages periodically," he said, offering her the paper. "You can reach me there."
Her eyes widened as she reached out and took it. "Thank you," she said. "You truly are a gentleman."
For whatever reason, this remark pleased him.
"Any lingering feelings for your ex-husband?" Lois Lane asked.
"My ex-fiancée, you mean," Audrey corrected her. "The marriage was annulled. As for my feelings toward Savage, I despise him utterly. His actions were as much an assault on Kasnia as they were an assault on the rest of the world."
Lois nodded. "I didn't mean those kinds of feelings."
"Oh," Audrey said. "No. I never loved him. It was an arranged marriage, you see. There was no romance, no passion. Of course," she added saucily, "now there is a great deal of passion. I hate him quite passionately."
"Have the events of the past year soured you at all on men?"
This was not an idle question. Lois had been interviewing Princess Audrey for over half an hour, and neither woman had brought up anything that even remotely suggested that they had a special relationship with a member of the Justice League. She found the Kasnian princess to be an intelligent young woman who knew how to rule, but she also sensed the troublemaker lurking inside.
Mentally she pictured the chaos Audrey had undoubtedly added to Wonder Woman's life, and she suppressed a smile.
Still, it was serious business Clark had asked her to talk to Audrey about. One impulsive act could endanger a lot of people, including Audrey herself.
"Actually, a friend and I have already reviewed several of the eligible men among Europe's titled set. I feel I can guarantee my people that one day I will marry a fellow heir to the throne," Audrey said casually.
None of Lois' readers, of course, would know what the reporter knew - that the "heir to the throne" was a princess, not a prince.
Lois frowned. Wonder Woman must have told Audrey that Lois knew about their relationship, and yet she danced around the issue. If that was because she was behaving as if Lois were any other reporter, and because there was a tape recorder running, then that was perfectly fine. If she was just being coy, however, then Lois was going to start getting annoyed.
"Where is Savage now?"
It was Audrey's turn to frown. "I cannot divulge his exact whereabouts," she said. "Just know that he is kept under heavy guard, and he cannot escape."
"He escaped from the Americans, and I'm sure they believed he had no hope of doing so."
"Which is why we are more vigilant," Audrey replied. "I spent many sleepless nights with my girlfriend wondering if my father would recover from Savage's assassination attempt. He will never get away from me again."
Oh, artfully played. Lois could almost believe from the expression on Audrey's face that the princess had unknowingly committed a minor slip of the tongue, and that she didn't even realize her mistake. Clark was right; she needed to have this conversation.
Lois reached over and shut off the tape recorder.
"Are we finished already?" Audrey asked.
"Let's talk off the record," Lois said.
"About what?"
"About you, me. Diana."
Audrey clapped her hands together, delighted. "I was waiting for you to bring it up! I knew you knew."
Lois smiled thinly. "Yes. How lucky for everyone."
"Lucky?"
"If I'd been any other reporter, I would have felt compelled to pursue the matter of your sexual orientation."
"But if you were any other reporter, it would not be an issue because you would not know about it."
"After your little 'slip', I'd know," Lois said.
Audrey looked appropriately puzzled. "What slip?"
"Oh, knock it off, Audrey. You think you're very artful, and I suppose you are. You were very convincing when you mentioned your girlfriend. Someone else would have thought it was an accident. But we know better, don't we?"
"I don't like your tone of voice," Audrey said, her lips curving back downward.
"You thought you'd just drop the little secret, the girlfriend. You were going to let the press take care of the rest and discover who the mystery lover is," Lois said. "Because you wouldn't want Diana to think you just blabbed the whole thing."
Audrey folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. "I have done nothing wrong, and I do not deserve to be spoken to in that way," she said coldly. "I am Princess of Kasnia, Miss Lane."
"Audrey," Lois replied, "I would lay odds that you won't be a princess one month after your secret comes out. And that's just the least of your problems."
"Not be princess?" Audrey gasped, astonished. "What on earth are you talking about?"
"I am trying to save you from a world of grief, Audrey," Lois said. "You're young and . . . Christ, I can't believe I'm saying this. Audrey, you will sit there for as long as I want you to sit, and you will listen to every word I say, because I feel old telling you this, and I am way too young to feel old. But you obviously don't have a mother to say this to you, so you're stuck with me."
Audrey started to say something, but she saw the look in Lois' eyes and she became silent. Curious, she only waved for Lois to continue.
Lois exhaled. "First of all," she said, "if you're outed, you'll be forced to abdicate. Your people won't accept a lesbian as their queen. Certainly your legislature won't, and from what I'm hearing from the Planet's European bureau, they'll make damn sure you're out."
"Our legislature? They can't possibly think - "
"They can, and they are. You gave them the power," Lois said. "Your monarchy relinquished some of its own power and gave it to the people. A noble act, to be sure, and a sensible one, considering you were trying to prevent another madman like Savage from destroying your country for good. But when you did that, you gave your people a voice in the government, and if that voice becomes loud enough, they'll force you out. They want a strong man to rule them in Kasnia, not two women who can't give them heirs. Audrey, be honest. Is your monarchy a popular one?"
Audrey looked away. "Lots of people in Kasnia don't like Kasnia," she murmured.
"Maybe," Lois said. "But I don't suppose to counsel you on your political future, Audrey. I'm here because I have a job to do, that's true. But I'm also here because I can stop you from making a mistake."
"Mistake?"
"Who's my boyfriend?"
Audrey blinked at the bizarre question. "Why . . . everyone seems to think you're involved with Superman."
"You know better than everyone, don't you?"
Audrey nodded. "Diana has told me, yes. Just as I'm sure he told you about me."
"You have no idea how much I wish it was a secret," Lois told her.
"Why?"
"Because . . . we were careless," Lois finally said. "We shared a few intimate moments together that were seen, and then there was a photograph, and then - it became public knowledge. It wasn't gossip any more, it was established. It's not something I'm ashamed of, mind you. It's just very hard on us both."
"I do not understand," Audrey said. "You haven't said why."
Lois closed her eyes. "There is a man, Audrey. A good, decent, hardworking man, and I love him very much. To everyone else, he's just that good man, but only I know that he's a man who puts on a red cape and flies around the city, saving people. We love each other very much, Audrey, but we can't tell anyone. Because I'm supposed to be in love with Superman. If people hear I'm in love with this other man, they'll figure out that the two men are one and the same. And that will put everyone this other man cares about in danger." Lois opened her eyes again, and Audrey saw unshed tears in them. "I may never wear his ring. I may never even share the same house with him. Because I'm supposed to be in love with someone else."
"I am very sorry for your situation, Lois," Audrey said gently, "but how does this apply to me? Diana has no secret identity. Well, that is, not one that would endanger anyone."
"But you do, Audrey," Lois replied. "If your relationship with her comes out, it won't just be you in danger. It will be your father, and your people, and your country. Besides, do you really want your relationship to become a spectacle? Do you think Superman and I can just sit down in a restaurant and have a romantic dinner? Hold hands as we walk down the street?"
"Diana and I - "
"Was she in costume?"
Audrey paused.
"No, I didn't think so," Lois said. "Look, Audrey, you're in love, and you want everyone to know about it. I get that. Believe me, I get that. Why should you have to hide it? Love is a beautiful thing, no matter what your partner's gender is. I don't regret my relationship with Superman for a second. But . . . I think the two of you need to find a way to live together, even be seen together, without revealing to the world that you are in love with Wonder Woman."
"Do you think it can be done?" Audrey asked softly after a moment.
Lois sighed. That question, at the very least, suggested that Audrey had listened. "You've got one big advantage," she replied. "The secret isn't out. You suggested that Diana has some kind of secret identity?"
"She's still working it out."
"Well, maybe if you give her time to settle into it, nobody will ask any tough questions when the truth comes out," Lois said.
"When the truth comes out?" Audrey asked. "But you have it right there on tape."
Lois looked mildly offended. "Did you really think I'd use that?"
"You're a reporter, darling. I deal with reporters all the time. They'd kill for a story."
"I'd kill for a story too," Lois said, "but not this one. Not after what I've just shared with you."
Audrey nodded. "You're right," she finally said. "Being seen in public with her is not what I want. Being in public with her without being seen - all I want is for us to be together, for neither of us to feel ashamed of what we feel for each other." She sighed. "Sometimes I'm a bit too spoiled for my own good."
"Well, being spoiled has its benefits," Lois said. "Valentine's Day is in a few weeks, and I will enjoy being thoroughly spoiled that day."
The Kasnian woman smiled innocently. "Has he ever taken you to the Watchtower?"
"A few times, actually. Why?" Lois got a wicked look in her eyes. "Are you a fellow member of the Two Mile-High Club?"
Audrey had never heard the original expression before, but when Lois explained it to her, she thought it scandalous and resolved to use it in the future.
To be continued . . .
Author: Allaine
Email: eac2ndyahoo.com
Disclaimers: DC Comics, Cartoon Network, Bruce Timm, the JLA animated series, etc, etc. No profit intended from my infringement.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Up to the episodes "Wild Cards" and "Comfort and Joy".
Feedback: Please, please, please!!
Summary: With five of the seven members of the Justice League in relationships, the Flash is determined to meet someone now. But what will it do to the rep of the self-proclaimed "ladies' man" if he's the last to find love? The sequel you demanded to "Always a Bridesmaid".
Chapter 7
San Francisco, J'onn noticed, was quite chilly in February, and the breeze coming in from the Pacific Ocean didn't help matters.
Certainly the sea lions sunning themselves on the California shore before him didn't mind the temperature, with their thick skins. Or maybe they did mind - their harsh cries, an assault on one's ears, were perhaps their way of believing it was the humans who preferred this climate.
It certainly did seem an odd place to meet, however.
He sensed her approach a moment before her slim frame appeared next to him. "You came," she said. She sounded surprised, and as he turned to look at her, her eyes betrayed a touch of confusion.
"I said I would," J'onn told Talia. "Why wouldn't I have come?"
She shrugged. "Frankly, I was surprised you contacted me in the first place."
It was his turn to be bewildered. "Then why did you give me your number if you did not think I would call?"
Talia looked away. He could see a frown tugging at the corner of her lips in consternation. "I'm not even sure why I gave you my number," she admitted. "Perhaps I was just being polite. Is that why you called me? To be polite? You seemed a much more mannered being the second time we met."
"I would not have called you as a formality," J'onn replied. He hesitated. She seemed to be as off-balance as he felt. "I enjoyed the time we spent together," he finally admitted. They'd spent almost four hours together that night. "I had nothing else to do, so I thought perhaps - you did say I could contact you any time."
"Yes, I did," she said. The wind was playing games with her hair, and she pushed it out of her face. "And I have not enjoyed a normal conversation with another man in some time. Certainly not with Bruce," Talia muttered.
He considered this for a moment, and then he chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"Isn't it a human custom for men and women to give their phone numbers to people they're attracted to?" he asked.
Her face, usually of a shade befitting her mixed Spanish-Arabic ancestry, became slightly rosier. "Yes, but - "
"I was wondering why you asked to meet here," J'onn pressed on.
"It is closer to my father's domain than many of those American cities your League seems to congregate in," Talia said.
"Yes, but you could have selected any number of cities in Asia that are closer," he replied. "Perhaps you selected this location because I am not Bruce, and because you felt this was as unromantic a place as you could find."
She gasped. "No, that isn't it," Talia corrected him. "Personally, I like this city. Besides," she added morosely, "I am not having very romantic thoughts about Bruce lately."
He didn't respond to that, but she continued anyway. "I do not think I want to see him again any time soon," Talia went on. "Even when I think of him, I see his face - thanks to you," she said irritably. "And every negative feeling he has for me wells up like poisoned water. I cannot ignore it."
"I am sorry," J'onn said after a moment. "I did not realize the effects would be so far-reaching."
"You were just trying to save me," Talia said wryly.
J'onn turned to face her. "Does my presence pain you as well? I did this to you, after all."
"No, no," she sighed. "You're not responsible for the way he feels about me. The only person responsible for that is myself."
Talia lapsed into a moody silence, leaving J'onn to either restart the conversation, or end this strange meeting before it practically started.
This "strange meeting", however, was the real issue. "What is this, exactly?" he asked quietly.
"Pardon?" she asked, distracted.
"You and I. Why are we talking? We're not two ordinary people. I'm with the JL, and your father is Ra's al-Ghul. We are an odd pair, Talia. So why did you give me your number, and why did I call you back?"
"Surely you know why you are here," Talia said. "And as for me, can't you just read my mind?"
"No," he replied firmly. "I will not invade the privacy of your mind again, not unless you give me permission. That is a promise."
She stared at him, surprised. "Well," she eventually said, "thank you."
"So why did you come?" J'onn asked.
"I . . . I'm not sure I can answer that question."
"Is it a secret?"
"No, it's just - I don't really have many answers right now." She started walking away, then looked over her shoulder. "Aren't you coming?"
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"For a walk. It's one of the greatest achievements of human civilization - being able to take a walk where the sole purpose is the walk itself," Talia said. "Anyway, I'm sorry if my answer seemed vague. I'm trying to figure out where my life is going."
"How so?"
"I still love Bruce, but obviously it's never going to happen," she explained, her eyes sad. "Father, of course, will not consider how that might affect me. His reaction will be that I have failed to bring him the heir he desired, by marrying Bruce or by carrying on his bloodline. I do not know how he will respond," she said darkly.
"You are his daughter," J'onn pointed out.
"He has had others," she replied. "At any rate, I do not know what future role I am to play in my father's organization. And evidently my personal dreams have been dashed as well. So . . . I don't know why I'm here. Perhaps I just want someone to talk to. As for why you're here, well, I certainly can't read your mind whether I want to or not, so you will have to supply the answers to that yourself."
J'onn thought about it for a minute as she walked alongside him. "I don't really have friends," he finally said.
She stopped. "Not the League?" she asked.
"They're friends, true, but they all have lives outside the League. I spend most of my time in the Watchtower. My life is a solitary one, and generally I choose not to walk among the crowds in the cities. It brings - memories."
Talia nodded. "So I'm not the only one troubled by memories," she murmured.
"I liked talking to you," J'onn told her. "I suppose I could meet other people, but for now, rather than spend another day alone, I felt like talking to you."
"So you're saying you want us to be friends?" she asked cautiously. "Because we are still on opposite sides, you know."
He could have pointed out Batman's dalliances with both her and Catwoman, but "Bruce" probably wasn't someone he should bring up.
Of course, "dalliances" was a loaded word for him, and it was all because of Flash's clumsy attempts to get J'onn into the arms of another woman. J'onn still didn't understand why those short impassioned minutes with Talia had awakened such arousal within him. He had been thinking of his late wife, true, but at some point he had opened his eyes, seen Talia's eyes half-lidded with desire . . . and the feelings had grown. If he spent more time with her, maybe he could find out why.
He strongly suspected, however, that their encounter in Talia's hotel room was something else he shouldn't bring up.
"Would you attempt to exploit our friendship for your father's aims?" J'onn asked.
"No," she replied. "And I give you permission to 'peek', if you wish."
J'onn shook his head. "I believe you. And I will not pressure you for information on your father's criminal activities. Does that take care of any concerns over our place in the battle of good and evil?"
She smiled at him, letting her hair cover one eye. "You are a very intriguing man, J'onn. All right. Let there be peace between you and I. Although I will tell you, my father was displeased to discover he could no longer access JL communications. I take it you upgraded the communicators?"
"Of course," he said. "Although it doesn't seem fair that I know how to contact you, but you can't get in touch with me."
Talia shrugged. "I'm sure we'll figure something out eventually."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "I check my messages periodically," he said, offering her the paper. "You can reach me there."
Her eyes widened as she reached out and took it. "Thank you," she said. "You truly are a gentleman."
For whatever reason, this remark pleased him.
"Any lingering feelings for your ex-husband?" Lois Lane asked.
"My ex-fiancée, you mean," Audrey corrected her. "The marriage was annulled. As for my feelings toward Savage, I despise him utterly. His actions were as much an assault on Kasnia as they were an assault on the rest of the world."
Lois nodded. "I didn't mean those kinds of feelings."
"Oh," Audrey said. "No. I never loved him. It was an arranged marriage, you see. There was no romance, no passion. Of course," she added saucily, "now there is a great deal of passion. I hate him quite passionately."
"Have the events of the past year soured you at all on men?"
This was not an idle question. Lois had been interviewing Princess Audrey for over half an hour, and neither woman had brought up anything that even remotely suggested that they had a special relationship with a member of the Justice League. She found the Kasnian princess to be an intelligent young woman who knew how to rule, but she also sensed the troublemaker lurking inside.
Mentally she pictured the chaos Audrey had undoubtedly added to Wonder Woman's life, and she suppressed a smile.
Still, it was serious business Clark had asked her to talk to Audrey about. One impulsive act could endanger a lot of people, including Audrey herself.
"Actually, a friend and I have already reviewed several of the eligible men among Europe's titled set. I feel I can guarantee my people that one day I will marry a fellow heir to the throne," Audrey said casually.
None of Lois' readers, of course, would know what the reporter knew - that the "heir to the throne" was a princess, not a prince.
Lois frowned. Wonder Woman must have told Audrey that Lois knew about their relationship, and yet she danced around the issue. If that was because she was behaving as if Lois were any other reporter, and because there was a tape recorder running, then that was perfectly fine. If she was just being coy, however, then Lois was going to start getting annoyed.
"Where is Savage now?"
It was Audrey's turn to frown. "I cannot divulge his exact whereabouts," she said. "Just know that he is kept under heavy guard, and he cannot escape."
"He escaped from the Americans, and I'm sure they believed he had no hope of doing so."
"Which is why we are more vigilant," Audrey replied. "I spent many sleepless nights with my girlfriend wondering if my father would recover from Savage's assassination attempt. He will never get away from me again."
Oh, artfully played. Lois could almost believe from the expression on Audrey's face that the princess had unknowingly committed a minor slip of the tongue, and that she didn't even realize her mistake. Clark was right; she needed to have this conversation.
Lois reached over and shut off the tape recorder.
"Are we finished already?" Audrey asked.
"Let's talk off the record," Lois said.
"About what?"
"About you, me. Diana."
Audrey clapped her hands together, delighted. "I was waiting for you to bring it up! I knew you knew."
Lois smiled thinly. "Yes. How lucky for everyone."
"Lucky?"
"If I'd been any other reporter, I would have felt compelled to pursue the matter of your sexual orientation."
"But if you were any other reporter, it would not be an issue because you would not know about it."
"After your little 'slip', I'd know," Lois said.
Audrey looked appropriately puzzled. "What slip?"
"Oh, knock it off, Audrey. You think you're very artful, and I suppose you are. You were very convincing when you mentioned your girlfriend. Someone else would have thought it was an accident. But we know better, don't we?"
"I don't like your tone of voice," Audrey said, her lips curving back downward.
"You thought you'd just drop the little secret, the girlfriend. You were going to let the press take care of the rest and discover who the mystery lover is," Lois said. "Because you wouldn't want Diana to think you just blabbed the whole thing."
Audrey folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. "I have done nothing wrong, and I do not deserve to be spoken to in that way," she said coldly. "I am Princess of Kasnia, Miss Lane."
"Audrey," Lois replied, "I would lay odds that you won't be a princess one month after your secret comes out. And that's just the least of your problems."
"Not be princess?" Audrey gasped, astonished. "What on earth are you talking about?"
"I am trying to save you from a world of grief, Audrey," Lois said. "You're young and . . . Christ, I can't believe I'm saying this. Audrey, you will sit there for as long as I want you to sit, and you will listen to every word I say, because I feel old telling you this, and I am way too young to feel old. But you obviously don't have a mother to say this to you, so you're stuck with me."
Audrey started to say something, but she saw the look in Lois' eyes and she became silent. Curious, she only waved for Lois to continue.
Lois exhaled. "First of all," she said, "if you're outed, you'll be forced to abdicate. Your people won't accept a lesbian as their queen. Certainly your legislature won't, and from what I'm hearing from the Planet's European bureau, they'll make damn sure you're out."
"Our legislature? They can't possibly think - "
"They can, and they are. You gave them the power," Lois said. "Your monarchy relinquished some of its own power and gave it to the people. A noble act, to be sure, and a sensible one, considering you were trying to prevent another madman like Savage from destroying your country for good. But when you did that, you gave your people a voice in the government, and if that voice becomes loud enough, they'll force you out. They want a strong man to rule them in Kasnia, not two women who can't give them heirs. Audrey, be honest. Is your monarchy a popular one?"
Audrey looked away. "Lots of people in Kasnia don't like Kasnia," she murmured.
"Maybe," Lois said. "But I don't suppose to counsel you on your political future, Audrey. I'm here because I have a job to do, that's true. But I'm also here because I can stop you from making a mistake."
"Mistake?"
"Who's my boyfriend?"
Audrey blinked at the bizarre question. "Why . . . everyone seems to think you're involved with Superman."
"You know better than everyone, don't you?"
Audrey nodded. "Diana has told me, yes. Just as I'm sure he told you about me."
"You have no idea how much I wish it was a secret," Lois told her.
"Why?"
"Because . . . we were careless," Lois finally said. "We shared a few intimate moments together that were seen, and then there was a photograph, and then - it became public knowledge. It wasn't gossip any more, it was established. It's not something I'm ashamed of, mind you. It's just very hard on us both."
"I do not understand," Audrey said. "You haven't said why."
Lois closed her eyes. "There is a man, Audrey. A good, decent, hardworking man, and I love him very much. To everyone else, he's just that good man, but only I know that he's a man who puts on a red cape and flies around the city, saving people. We love each other very much, Audrey, but we can't tell anyone. Because I'm supposed to be in love with Superman. If people hear I'm in love with this other man, they'll figure out that the two men are one and the same. And that will put everyone this other man cares about in danger." Lois opened her eyes again, and Audrey saw unshed tears in them. "I may never wear his ring. I may never even share the same house with him. Because I'm supposed to be in love with someone else."
"I am very sorry for your situation, Lois," Audrey said gently, "but how does this apply to me? Diana has no secret identity. Well, that is, not one that would endanger anyone."
"But you do, Audrey," Lois replied. "If your relationship with her comes out, it won't just be you in danger. It will be your father, and your people, and your country. Besides, do you really want your relationship to become a spectacle? Do you think Superman and I can just sit down in a restaurant and have a romantic dinner? Hold hands as we walk down the street?"
"Diana and I - "
"Was she in costume?"
Audrey paused.
"No, I didn't think so," Lois said. "Look, Audrey, you're in love, and you want everyone to know about it. I get that. Believe me, I get that. Why should you have to hide it? Love is a beautiful thing, no matter what your partner's gender is. I don't regret my relationship with Superman for a second. But . . . I think the two of you need to find a way to live together, even be seen together, without revealing to the world that you are in love with Wonder Woman."
"Do you think it can be done?" Audrey asked softly after a moment.
Lois sighed. That question, at the very least, suggested that Audrey had listened. "You've got one big advantage," she replied. "The secret isn't out. You suggested that Diana has some kind of secret identity?"
"She's still working it out."
"Well, maybe if you give her time to settle into it, nobody will ask any tough questions when the truth comes out," Lois said.
"When the truth comes out?" Audrey asked. "But you have it right there on tape."
Lois looked mildly offended. "Did you really think I'd use that?"
"You're a reporter, darling. I deal with reporters all the time. They'd kill for a story."
"I'd kill for a story too," Lois said, "but not this one. Not after what I've just shared with you."
Audrey nodded. "You're right," she finally said. "Being seen in public with her is not what I want. Being in public with her without being seen - all I want is for us to be together, for neither of us to feel ashamed of what we feel for each other." She sighed. "Sometimes I'm a bit too spoiled for my own good."
"Well, being spoiled has its benefits," Lois said. "Valentine's Day is in a few weeks, and I will enjoy being thoroughly spoiled that day."
The Kasnian woman smiled innocently. "Has he ever taken you to the Watchtower?"
"A few times, actually. Why?" Lois got a wicked look in her eyes. "Are you a fellow member of the Two Mile-High Club?"
Audrey had never heard the original expression before, but when Lois explained it to her, she thought it scandalous and resolved to use it in the future.
To be continued . . .