"When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching - they are your family. "

Jim Butcher

Kara stepped through the doorway, wrapped in one of the hotel's soft cotton robes. Her hair was braided and her eyes were bright, almost cheerful. Her lips were still a tad swollen, and Barbara winked at Diana as she turned towards the coffee maker, whispering, "a very good night."

Diana's phone buzzed, and she shrugged, first at Kara, then at Barbara. She moved towards the patio door, pushing her armor behind a large potted plant with her toes. Barbara snorted as she watched the movement, eyes dropping to her coffee cup as her shoulders continued to shake. Diana rolled her eyes, waiting as Kara stepped closer, "it's Bruce, my sweet. I'll be on the phone for a few minutes." She turned her head back towards Barbara, "think you can behave?"

Kara stole a quick kiss, smiling, "yes, highness."

Kara was watching closely as Diana stepped through the doors, bending to pick up Diana's armored top and pulling the doors closed as she heard Diana huff, "hello, Bruce."

From across the bar, Barbara smiled smugly at the blonde Amazon, who was clutching Diana's chestplate, "be careful with that, Kara." Barbara purred, "she is very protective of it."

"It was once worn by General Antiope," Kara responded with a whisper, staring at the garment in her hands.

"And it means the world to her," Barbara finished, adding cream to her coffee and stirring it slowly.

"Barbara," Kara spoke softly as she placed Diana's armor reverently on the table. She turned to face the small blonde, biting her lower lip, "I-I'm-I want to apologize for yesterday-for my jealousy, and my rudeness."

Barbara lowered her head, shaking it back and forth, "Kara, Kara, Kara." She raised her head, blue eyes shining with joy, "you don't need to apologize for your feelings. Not to me, not to anyone. That woman out there, she deserves to be happy, to be loved, to be wanted."

"You-you love her," Kara stated, her face falling.

A very pretty laugh sounded from over the cup of coffee, and the laugh grew as ocean eyes looked up with confusion. "I do love her, Kara. Diana is like a sister. The sister I never knew I needed."

"You sound like an Amazon," Kara nodded, showing respect with her eyes. "I think she cares deeply about you as well."

"It's no wonder she is falling in love with you," Barbara laughed, and dropped her head, hiding tear filled eyes from the hero. "Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"That horrid black liquid that Diana drinks," Kara answered, scrunching her nose with disgust.

"Oh, goodness, no, sweetheart! I'm going to introduce you to coffee with cream and sugar," Barbara laughed lightly.

"Hello Bruce," Diana answered her phone politely as she stepped out onto the patio. "I assume you are calling about the para-demons last night."

"No, well maybe. Barry will fill me in on that," Bruce responded. "How was the drive up?"

Diana answered suspiciously, "it was fine. I started teaching Kara to drive."

"And? How did she do?" Bruce asked, a sharp intake of breath.

"Your car is fine, Kara is an excellent driver," Diana answered a little harshly. "Sorry."

"Are you two okay?" Bruce asked, laughing lightly.

Diana sighed, "I assume you have already spoken to Barry."

"All I know is that someone was a bit angry? Jealous, perhaps?" Bruce asked, still laughing, bringing a smile to Diana's face.

"It sounds like you are taking sides, Bruce?" Diana laughed back.

"No, not at all. I'm just making sure that Ka-both of you are okay?" Bruce answered, his laugh growing even louder.

"That's what I thought," Diana answered indignantly. "We are fine, and your new best friend is wonderful."

"She was shot last night, any lingering effects?" Bruce asked, turning serious for a moment.

"We-we didn't really, uhmm, we didn't talk about that," Diana answered, frowning.

"Oh really, princess. Wait, you didn't know, did you? Then what did you two discuss?" Bruce asked, almost as if he knew the answer.

"Shut up, Bruce," Diana laughed. She peeked through the door, watching Kara and Barbara making a cup of coffee, smiling at them, as Kara took her first sip.

"So we might as well talk about the nest, Diana?" Bruce asked as he shifted into his nighttime persona.

Alex had just finished helping her mom go over Lois's latest test results and smiled as her phone rang, "Lena! Hey, honey, how are you doing?"

"I'm lonely, and my lab partner isn't here to keep me company," the woman on the other end answered.

"Oh! Is that what I am now? Just your lab partner?" Alex smiled into the phone.

"Alex, you know I love you, but I don't even know where you are right now. You are coming back? Right?" the redhead could hear the stress in Lena's voice.

"Yes, I'm coming back. Mom has a project she needs my help on, but I'm thinking I might come back to school earlier than you and I thought," she answered sincerely.

From the other end of the phone, Alex heard an alarm go off, "oh shoot, I didn't realize the time, I've got to get to the lab. I'll call you tonight, okay hun? Love you!"

"Love you too," Alex frowned as the call disconnected.

"Everything okay, Al?" Clarks booming voice asked as she came up behind her.

"Yes, sir, I was talking to Lena and she had to go. Lab project," Alex answered, dejectedly.

"Why don't I talk to Bruce, have her come out here, we have plenty of space," Clark suggested.

"I-I don't think he will agree," Alex winced. "Your identities would be at risk."

"I'm not sure that anyone would really mind, except Bruce." Clark shrugged, "and me, well I'm dead…"

"She's a Luthor," Alex interrupted, her eyes wide and biting her lower lip. "She's Lex's sister, adopted sister." The words tumbled from her mouth and she stood staring at the Man of Steel.

Clark chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment staring over Alex's shoulder, he shrugged again and smiled a big goofy grin, "so what?"

Alex's mouth dropped open and her brain short circuited for a moment.

"Earth to Alex, why does her last name matter?" Clark laughed. "She's not her brother."

The small woman leapt up and wrapped her arms around the man's neck, "if you will talk to Bruce, I'll help you fix your dad's tractor."

Hugging her back, Clark smiled, "deal." He looked over the woman's shoulder, "speak of the demon, here he comes."

Bruce was hanging up his phone as he made his way towards Clark and Alex.

Diana walked through the double doors, confusion crossing her features as she watched Kara take a large sip from her own coffee cup, "I didn't think you liked the smell?"

Kara's blue eyes came up, full of joy as she swallowed, "Barbara taught me a way to make it smell and taste better. You should taste it this way."

Unable to resist the happiness radiating from the blonde, Diana stepped across the room, noticed her armor resting on the table and held her hands out for the cup. Kara handed it over dutifully and watched the princess with hope filled eyes.

Diana took a tentative sip, pursing her lips as the taste of sugar completely covered the flavor of the coffee, "What in Hades' name did you teach her, Barbara? Is there actually any coffee in this, or is it just cream and sugar?"

Kara and Barbara looked at one another and burst out into laughter. "I-I told y-you," Barbara sputtered, "she's just not a sugar person."

The two women continued to laugh as Diana poured a cup for herself. Then she turned to Kara with a hard glare, "when were you going to tell me about the Kryptonite last night?"

Kara swallowed her giggles, "sorry, highness. My armor dispersed most of it and fighting with Barbara was almost like fighting with you at my back. I-then-I got angry, and forgot?"

"Kara, I need you to understand, you have to let me know when this happens," Diana explained, her voice tight with worry and concern.

Kara's head dropped, "sorry, highness."

Barbara's head bounced between the two women, like watching tennis at the U.S. Open, "kryptonite? Like Superman, the green rock, what the hell? Diana? Kara?" She watched as Diana continued to stare at the back of the blonde's head. "Diana? Did she do something wrong?"

"No!" Diana answered, trying to relax her features and get her temper under control.

"Then stop staring at the back of her head and acting like a total bitch," Barbara smiled over her cup and gripped Kara's hand. "She was jealous and she was scared she was going to lose you. She's allowed to forget, Diana."

"She could have been hurt, killed. I could have-" Diana's facade cracked and she turned away.

"Lost her, like you almost lost the first friend you had made in a hundred years," Barbara asked as she stood, releasing Kara's hand. "She wasn't hurt Diana. I've never seen anyone, even you, fight like that. She-she isn't Steve and she isn't-she isn't me, she's here because of you."

Diana turned stiffly, glancing at Barbara, then looking towards the kitchen and those hopeful blue eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered. A smile came to the faces of both blondes.

Barbara laughed and looked over her shoulder, "Kryptonian, huh?"

Kara simply nodded.

"Victor, how are things in Gotham?" Bruce asked.

"Fine. We had a run in with a mugger last night, and Orm may have upset the gold market in the U.S." Victor smiled into the phone, "otherwise, a normal night at home."

"He's fitting in okay?" Bruce continued.

"Yeah, he's doing fine," Victor responded. "What's up, Bruce?"

"How do you mask the signals from the boxes? Is there a way we could mask someone else?" Bruce asked.

"Maxwell Lord?" Victor responded, answering Bruce's question with one of his own. "Barry contacted me last night, he couldn't sleep and the problem was driving him nuts."

"So you have a solution," Bruce stated.

"I do, well, an idea really. But I'll need him to stay in Gotham for a little while," the Cyborg responded. "Think you can afford to sponsor his new start-up while I get him settled in."

"I don't know, Vic. I might have to check my bank balance, or just have you do it for me," Bruce laughed. "I'll talk to Diana again, later today, arrange for him to move his business to the city."

"I'll set things up on this end," Victor Stone smiled. "Cyborg, out."

Kara stepped out of the bedroom, smiling as she watched Barbara and Diana out on the patio practicing hand to hand. She pulled her t-shirt down and stepped to the kitchen, pouring three glasses of juice and grabbing some fresh fruit, placing it all on a tray and carrying towards the small covered sitting area outside. She sat and watched the two women closely, frowning at something she saw in Barbara's movements. "Stop!" she yelled.

Diana and Barbara ceased their motions, turning towards the captain. "What's wrong, Kara?" They both asked at the same time.

Kara walked towards them, "Barbara's form is wrong, her feet are completely off!"

Diana looked down, smiling at what she saw, "you are right Kara, and you are wrong."

Kara stopped short, eyebrows raised in response to the challenge, "her feet are too far apart, you are teaching her wrong, her feet would need to be…" The blonde stopped talking, thinking back to the night before, watching the Cheetah fight. "I apologize highness, you are teaching to fight in her other form."

"There's a difference?" Barbara questioned.

Kara smiled, "you sound like Nia and mother. Put your feet closer together, bend your knees…" Kara paused waiting for the woman to follow instructions. "Now punch!"

Barbara followed Kara's instructions and grinned wickedly as she felt the strength flow through her punches, "wow!"

"She is an excellent student, highness, but you should teach her in both forms," Kara spun and headed back to her seat, smirking at Barbara as she walked away.

Diana stood, her mouth wide opened and Barbara laughed, "close your mouth, Diana. You look like I just caught you out of a river."

Several minutes later, Diana and Barbara made their way over to Kara and took their seats. Barbara smiled as she noticed how close the other two sat to one another, "you two do realize I won't judge, please hold hands or kiss or in Aphrodite's name! Go back to bed."

Diana and Kara blushed and linked their hands together, sharing a soft kiss. "Satisfied?" Diana smiled.

Kara watched the interaction and took a deep breath. She turned towards Diana, sighed and raised her eyes, "Highness? What did Barbara mean when she said you lost her?"

"It's a long story, Kara," Barbara answered, her eyes suddenly downcast, and her self-confidence hidden.

Diana reached across the table, taking Barbara's hands in hers, "it's our story, Barbara."

Barbara lifted her eyes, smiling at the warmth in the brown and blue eyes looking at her now, "it started in 1984." She paused, took a sip of juice and then started, "I made a wish, a really silly wish at the time, to be more like Diana."

Diana tightened her grip on Barbara's hand, staring into the woman's blue eyes, "she didn't realize she was perfect just as she was."

Barbara blushed, "no-one ever saw me, except for you. It had been so long since someone spoke to me, and just noticed me as a person, not a stack of degrees."

The two women were talking to one another, remembering another time, and Kara smiled, the scene reminding her of so many conversations between Alura and Astra.

"And you complimented me on my choice of shoes, then made me laugh. You were-are one of the best people I have met, Barbara."

"You didn't think so when I kicked your ass at the White House," Barbara choked out a laugh.

"Well I paid for my wish too," Diana responded, noticing a question forming on Kara's lips. She leaned in and kissed the question away, "another time, my sweet."

"Then I was given a gift, to become an Apex predator, a cheetah, and it drove me a little mad," Barbara faced Kara, "Diana saved me, and I gave up the wish to be like her-but I-I couldn't give up the gift, it wasn't in the stars."

"We were enemies for years," Diana continued, "then there was Chicago."

"My admission, I was giving in. I was losing control," Barbara started to shake, and Kara saw her hand go to the unusual necklace she was wearing, twisting the cut stone in her fingers.

Barbara continued with the story, and her memories turned back the years…

Diana was sitting beside her on the rooftop, "is it true, Barbara? Do you want to give up?"

Barbara looked out over the city, tears flowing freely, "n-no."

"What do you need? Barbara? Tell me, what can I do to help?" Diana asked softly.

"I-I don't-don't know," she responded, pressing her palms into her eyes. "I don't-I don't want to kill, but she-she's pushing so hard." She looked at Diana, but there was no fear or judgement in those brown eyes, only sorrow. "Lock me up? Kill me? I-I don't know." She stared out over the rooftops. "Who would miss me?"

The words that were whispered next broke her heart, "I would." Then she felt Diana's hand squeeze hers. She covered Diana's hand with her other and squeezed even tighter.

"We have a strange relationship, Diana. Are we friends? Are we enemies?" Barbara asked, her voice tight and full of stress.

"You were my friend," Diana said, staring out at the stars. "I would like to have that again."

"I would like that, very much," Barbara whispered. "Can-can you help me?"

"Anything you need, but you need to come with me to Washington, stay with me until we figure this out," Diana smiled.

"Roomies?" Barbara laughed.

"For right now," Diana shrugged, "or as long as you need."

The two women continued to look at each other, as Kara sat in silence, listening intently.

Diana squeezed Barbara's hands again, "it took us six months to find a lead, and it took us to Greece, of all places." She continued the story…

Diana was wearing her armor, her sword and shield left at the entrance of the temple. Barbara was dressed in a copy of her training leathers from Themyscira. "Barbara, you have to stay silent, do you understand?"

She watched as the little blonde nodded, grasped her hand and followed through the hallways and into the temple of Zeus.

As they entered the main room, Diana stared up at the statue of her 'father' and swallowed hard. "So let me get this straight, you are going to talk to Zeus and ask him where Lycium's Amulet is?" Barbara asked, her voice cracking in nervous laughter.

Diana turned, "I know this is a lot, Barbara, but the amulet can help you, but all of our research has turned up nothing. My-my father may be able to help us."

She felt Barbara squeeze her hand and stepped forward…

"Father? Your lost daughter, the Godslayer, the princess, the Wonder Woman comes to you with a single question." Diana spoke quietly, as if she was speaking to a person across the table. "Please father, this is important to me, and I have never made a request before…"

She knelt and lit a single candle, motioning for Barbara to be seated.

They sat for almost an hour, till the candle was burnt almost to its end. She rose from her knees and was about to turn to face Barbara when a crack of thunder sounded hard in her ears followed by a bright flash of lightning.

"You are much more patient than your mother, Godslayer," the deep booming voice of the King of the Gods echoed through the temple. "You have two questions though, I can read them on your face and in your heart. I can answer only one, the location of Lycium's Amulet or the one about your mother." He paused for a heartbeat, "which shall it be?"

She looked back at Barbara, to strengthen her resolve. The other woman looked at her, concern and fear in her eyes. Diana held a single finger to her lips.

"Allow the creature to speak, daughter," Zeus ordered.

Diana turned on him in that instant, fire in her eyes and lightning on her fingertips, "she is human, 'father', and my friend. You will be respectful, or we will see what else a Godkiller is capable of. You owe me a favor for dispatching Ares, and I know the law. One question for one quest."

She thought she saw a flicker of fear or respect in the old god's eyes. "You are correct, Godslayer, it is the law."

Visions of her home came to Diana's mind, the last image she remembered of her mother standing on the beach as she sailed away, and she saw her father grin in victory. "Where is the Amulet of Lycium, the Wolf-King of Arcadia?" she gasped out.

"Under his palace, locked in his wife's tomb, guarded by a single wolf, Diana of Themyscira," Zeus answered as his corporeal form dissolved and lightning flared. Diana's shoulders sagged as she felt her knees strike the floor.

Barbara closed the space between them quickly, wrapping her arms around Diana's shoulders, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, my dear, dear friend. Thank you so much."

Weeping into Barbara's shoulder, Diana heaved deeply, "no-not friends-SISTERS."

She could feel the tears hit her shoulder as Barbara wept in their embrace.

Kara sat, silent tears falling down her face, as she realized what Diana had given up to help her friend. She leaned forward, placing her hand down on top of Diana's and Barbara's interlocked fingers, "sisters are always stronger together."

Two sets of eyes rose to meet hers, smiling.

"One final challenge," Barbara started, wiping tears from her own eyes and smiling down at their hands, "the Wolf-KIng himself…"

Barbara sniffed the air ahead of them, then looked back at Diana, "I can't sense anything, it's like the entire tomb is void of anything, there is no life here at all."

"It is a tomb, Barbara," Diana responded with tense sarcasm.

Holding a torch high over her head, and her sword in the other, Diana stepped around Barbara and continued down into the recesses of the cave.

Without any warning they entered a huge chamber, one with a raised dais at the center. Resting in the center, was a small cat's eye amulet attached to a gold chain. Together they approached the steps, stopping as Diana raised her sword. She tilted the torch down, and read the message that was cut into the black stone, "only the beast."

"I think that's for me, Diana," Barbara hissed out, allowing the Cheetah to rise.

Diana stepped back, as Barbara's small form grew and changed into her formidable alter ego, smiling as she spoke, "still trying to save us, princess?"

"Always, Cheetah. We have had this discussion many times. She doesn't want to kill, she only wants a balance," Diana explained for what seemed like the thousandth time.

"I have her memories and her hopes. I agree to this because she treats me with respect and because you do as well," the creature grinned, baring her teeth. Then she turned and stepped onto the dais. She heard the arrow launch and turned to catch it, her mouth falling open as Diana's fingers plucked it from the air moments before it struck her. She watched Diana spin, sword raised as a dark form stepped from the shadows. The overwhelming smell of wet dog permeated the room and she bared her teeth.

"Hold, King Lycium, we are here for the amulet, nothing more," Diana said in a confident voice.

"Only your pet may take it, Godslayer," the wolfman answered, causing the Cheetah to stop moving and growl.

"She is not my pet, she is my sister, darkling," Diana stepped forward. The Cheetah raised her head and moved towards the amulet again bending to pick it as she heard Diana grunt and fly across the room, striking the wall and sliding down.

She spun, feeling the power of the Amulet pour through her body. "We are together Cheetah, we are one, we are…"

"Cheetah," she hissed. Stalking forward, she placed herself between Diana and the wolf king. "You hurt my sister, darkling."

"I'm okay, Barbara," Diana whispered as she sucked air back into her lungs..

"If you wish to leave, you have to best…" the wolf gasped as a tawny paw wrapped itself around his throat.

"You hurt my sister and you think you can stop me," Cheetah whispered, "the only reason I don't kill you now is because Barbara and I have an agreement, one I will not shatter. You are old and slow and weak. Step aside and let us go in peace."

"Kill me, kill me please," the wolf bayed, "I have been here so long, I-I can't…"

Cheetah felt Barbara hesitate, "we would be releasing him, Barbara. It's a curse only another beast could understand. He has nothing, no one. He's not like us, we have-we have Diana." Tears began to stream down fur covered cheeks as she felt a mental nod. Her grip tightened on the wolf's throat as she ripped it out.

She felt the Cheetah retreat back into her as Diana wrapped strong arms around her shoulders, holding her till the crying stopped. She remembered Diana carrying her up the stairs and back into the sunlight. And she would never forget the keening as the Cheetah wept in her mind.

Kara moved from sitting beside Diana, wrapping her arms tightly around Barbara, "you truly are amazing, Barbara. I would be honored to call you sister."

Diana beamed through her tears as she watched the interaction, and moved to sit on the other side of the small blonde, "I believe we could call ourselves a family, Barbara."

Barbara started to laugh, "oh god, are all Amazons crazy cat ladies?"

The laughing continued until Diana's phone buzzed.

Darkseid paced from one side of the room to the other. "These Earthlings are becoming an annoyance. Two of my generals are dead, one of them, my son," he roared, staring at DeSaad and Granny. "How are they overcoming my forces? And why have we not heard from your agent?"

Granny was about to answer, when a guard opened the door, dragging a bleeding para-demon through the opening, "milord, this one returned through the portal, the last of his nest."

Darkseid's harsh red eyes turned on the demon, and the creature cringed in fear. Reaching out with his right hand, the Lord of Apokolips, grabbed the arrow protruding from the demon's eye and lifted it up, bringing it even with his face. "What happened to your nest, bug?"

Unintelligible clicking escaped the monster's mouth, and Darkseid turned his eyes on DeSaad, "what is it saying?"

"A Kryptonian and an Amazon working with a group of other meta-humans stopped them from capturing the Wishstone, master," DeSaad answered. He waited as the dangling demon spoke again and translated quickly, "he is the only one to survive."

Red eyes focused on the demon again, and Darksied's left hand grabbed the back of its head and started to press the arrow deeper into the creature's tiny brain, "you failed? You failed and had the nerve to return. To tell me something I already know."

The para-demon screamed as the arrow pierced its brain, until the arrowhead punched through the back of its head. The creature died in his hands and Darkseid discarded the body, wiping his huge hand off on the dead thing's tunic before tossing it to the ground.

DeSaad stepped beside his leader, "the Wishstone is not pertinent to your plan, milord."

"No, but it would have given me an advantage of magic over the Kryptonian," the master of Apokolips responded. "One Kryptonian is not a problem, but it will delay us."

"Lashina may have some information for us, milord," Granny Goodness volunteered. "She is due to contact us within a few Earth cycles."

"See to it that she gives us something we can use," Darkseid growled, turning his back in dismissal.

"Kara! Maxwell and Barry will be here shortly, possibly with this new hero, the Green Arrow," Diana said as they entered the penthouse from the patio. "Can you-get a sense of him?

"Yes, highness. Anything in particular?" Kara asked.

"No, my sweet. I merely need your opinion of him as a warrior and possibly an ally," Diana smiled, squeezing Kara's hand.

"Anything for you, highness," Kara answered with a kiss, and made her way to the bedroom.

"By Zeus you are so in love it's sickening, Diana," Barbara chimed as she walked towards the kitchen bar. "You two should honestly just get a room." She paused and smiled at her friend, "oh wait, you already have one."

Diana blushed a bright pink, and rolled her eyes.

The front desk called up to the room minutes later announcing the arrival of two men. Max and Barry made their way up to the penthouse and as Diana and Barbara greeted them, Kara watched with a grin on her face as the man in green made his way over the railing and snuck towards the door. Shaking her head, she opened the patio doors, "the elevator works quite well."

The archer reacted quickly, notching an arrow and letting it fly. He watched in shock as Kara snatched the missile out of the air and threw it back towards him, embedding it in the concrete railing next to his hip.

"I hope that arrow didn't mean much to you," Kara growled, stepping forward. "That was a very poor way to greet your host." Stepping around the man, she snatched the arrow from the rail, and dropped it at his feet. "I would advise you to behave around the princess."

The man's eyes were large behind his green mask and Kara simply laughed as she pointed towards the door. He stared even harder at the four faces watching him. No one was in uniform or in the small blonde's case, fur. He pulled back his hood, revealing blonde hair, and slid his mask down revealing blue, tired looking eyes. "I'm Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow."

Pushing him from behind, the Kryptonian kept following him, "I'm Kara, just Kara."

The man continued moving forward, glaring at the four people as Kara led him through the door like a misbehaving toddler.

"Welcome to the party, Oliver Queen," Barry smiled. Then ignoring the man, he stepped towards the blonde woman, "Kara, it's great to see you again, with a smile and no glowing eyes."

Kara blushed, "it was my mistake. My anger was misplaced." She looked down as Barbara's hand squeezed hers. "But, the three of us fixed everything," she smiled, squeezing back.

Diana stepped into the center of the group, authority dripping from her words, "lunch will be here shortly. If you all would like, we can sit out on the patio and discuss a few things."

Stepping out onto the patio, they all took their seats, Kara taking her place at Diana's right, putting herself between the princess and the door. Barbara and Max took seats on the small couch, while Barry dropped into an armchair next to Kara. Oliver remained standing, his eyes constantly scanning the rooftops.

While Diana talked to Max and Barbara about becoming agents of Themyscira, Kara looked to Barry, "So when did you learn how to throw lightning, little brother?"

Barry smiled shyly, "it was Victor's idea, he thought it would be possible for me to pull energy from the speed force, to use as a weapon."

"It was amazing," Kara praised. "Absolutely amazing. How much control do you have? How much energy can you pull?"

"It depends on my speed, the faster I go, the stronger the lightning. As far as control, I was kind of hoping you could help with that," Barry admitted. "Victor and I can't come up with a proper test to help me gain control."

Reaching over, she squeezed his arm, "I'm sure the three of us can come up with something."

Oliver's eyes continued to rove over the rooftops. Kara noticed when he stopped and his body tensed. She stood casually, and stepped towards him, scanning the rooftops herself. "What is it, Mr. Queen?"

"Movement, three buildings over. Two people. I can't tell if they are armed," Oliver answered tersely.

"Enemies?" Kara asked, scanning the suggested rooftop with her gifts.

"I normally work alone, so yes," the man answered.

"Want to take a ride?" Kara asked, looking back at Diana, who nodded her agreement.

"Sure, why not." Oliver responded.

"We need at least one able to speak, Mr. Queen," Kara warned.

"I understand," he answered with a nod, then followed Kara towards the other side of the patio. The blonde man pulled on his hood and mask, then squeaked, as Kara wrapped her arm around him and shot into the air.

Kara landed gently in the back corner of the rooftop, pointing to the right as she let go of the archer. She moved silently to the left, her ears focused on the heartbeats of the two assailants that seemed to have the man so unnerved.

Scanning the area, she watched them move with an unnatural smoothness. She noticed that each carried a small sword and what appeared to be energy weapons. Checking the core of each, she sighed. Neither had any kryptonite in it. She moved around the corner, watching as the archer closed the distance between himself and his target. As he raised his bow, she shot forward and grabbed her target, surprised as the woman pushed her away.

She lost focus on Oliver as the woman threw a punch at her head. Kara ducked, rising up with a punch, connecting with the other woman's chin. The woman staggered back, cracking the retaining wall with the back of her legs. She reared back, aiming at Kara's midsection, surprised as the woman sidestepped, grabbed her wrist and raised her knee, snapping her arm. Then Kara was behind her, arm locked tightly around the woman's neck, squeezing tightly, cutting off her ability to breathe.

Oliver Queen raised his bow and fired, placing the arrow directly into the upper portion of his target's right leg. The man dropped to one knee and reached into his coat. He never made it as the second arrow penetrated his upper arm, pinning it to the wall. Oliver stepped forward and brought his fist down hard on the man's temple, rendering him unconscious. "Kara, I got him!" he yelled as he stepped around the corner and saw the two women fighting.

The woman's hood slid down, revealing red hair and piercing lilac eyes. Raising his bow, "Kara?"

Kara grunted, "shoot her in the leg!" Then tightened her hold, causing the woman's eyes to open even wider. The arrow flew straight and true, bouncing off the woman's armor, but it had the effect she was looking for and Kara felt the woman's strength ebb as her concentration was pulled in two directions at once. Smiling she locked the choke hold tighter, feeling the fight slowly leave the woman's body. As the woman slowly passed out, Kara dropped her to the concrete with disgust. "She's not from Earth. I think I met her kind once before, when I was younger."

"I got the other one as well, a shooter I recognize, goes by the name, Deadshot," Oliver smiled. "I left him pinned to the wall."

"Good work. Thank you," Kara smiled back.

"For?" Oliver asked, confused.

"Doing as I asked," Kara grinned.

"You seemed as if you knew what you were talking about," Oliver responded, a smile on his own face. They moved together to retrieve the mercenary, shocked that he had disappeared.

"Dammit to Hades and back again," Kara swore as she returned to the body of the redhead.

Kara landed on the rooftop, setting Oliver down and dropping the redhead unceremoniously onto the concrete. The rest of the team jumped to their feet and rushed to their sides, Diana's eyes shooting first to Kara, inspecting her, making certain there were no injuries, "Kara?"

"I am okay, highness," Kara smiled at the attention. She pointed down, "she will be unconscious for another few minutes. Oliver did really well, he took down a human called…" Her eyes turned to the archer.

"Oh, uhm, Deadshot," Oliver volunteered as all eyes fell on him. "Sorry, he got away. I put an arrow in his leg and his arm."

Diana looked at the young man, "Oliver, from what I have heard of his ability to disappear, I am not surprised that he escaped. Kara thinks you did fine, so do not worry about it."

Oliver bowed his head in respect.

Max studied the woman, "she looks familiar?"

Barbara stared closer, sniffing the air, "she was near the warehouse. I recognize her perfume."

"She is not of this world," Kara volunteered, watching as the woman started to stir.

"Kara, my sweet, the lasso is in our bedroom, could…" She was interrupted by the breeze of Kara disappearing, only to return a moment later holding the Lasso of Hestia. "Thank you," Diana smiled as she unwound the lasso and wrapped it around the woman's body.

"Wake up!" Kara commanded, as she hefted her up onto her knees.

Lilac eyes snapped open as the woman moaned and tried to raise her arms, "who are you people?"

"Shut up, witch," Barbara snapped. "We will ask questions, you will answer, or my blonde friend here will put your ass back to sleep."

Kara stood up straight, crossing her arms over her chest, and watched the woman cringe and swallow hard. "Who are you?" Kara asked.

The woman resisted for a moment, snapping her lips closed. Then, in her head she felt the slithering of snakes and reptiles crawling wherever the lasso touched her body. Her breath shot out in a silent scream and she choked on her own words, "Maxima, Queen of Almerac!"

Kara nodded, "I knew she seemed familiar. Ukr traveled with a scientific expedition two years before…" Kara paused to take a breath. "Two years before Krypton-ended. He said the Queen and her offspring were-not very welcoming."

Lilac eyes stared at Kara, "you are Kryptonian. Luthor said there may be two female warriors, but he said nothing of a," she spat onto the rooftop, "a female Kryptonian."

Diana's eyes blazed with anger as she bent forward, "Lex Luthor sent you? Why?"

"The Wishstone, Maxwell Lord reeks of its magic and Luthor said he wants him," the redhead growled back.

"Who?" Diana asked, tugging the lasso tighter around the woman's chest.

Maxima shook as she felt the sliminess of her greatest fear wrapped tightly around her, and with a shaky voice, responded, "Darkseid."

Diana looked to each of the people around her, then to Kara, who nodded. She focused her voice, "Maxima of Almerac, the Lasso of Hestia compels many things. With it, I can draw the truth from you, using your greatest fear. It also allows me to do this…" Diana stood to her full height and her brown eyes slid shut, "In the name of Hypnos, the god of sleep, I, the Godslayer command you, Maxima of Almerac, SLEEP, until the Lasso of Hestia compels you to wake."

"How dar…''Maxima's eyes grew wide with shock, and then, ever so slowly closed as her body relaxed onto the hard floor of the patio.

Barry had stepped away from the group, contacting Bruce and Victor, "she's an alien and superhuman."

"Blackgate Penitentiary, Gotham," Bruce's calm voice said through the phone. "Victor, see if she has a record and I'll contact Waller and have transport organized."

"Already done, she is wanted in fourteen countries and according to the Lanterns, at least six worlds," Victor's answer was smug and full of pride.

"Waller will have transport there within an hour, she has a safehouse somewhere in the area. Barry, let Diana and Kara know and also tell them that we would like Max Lord to move operations to Gotham for the time being. His move and business venture will be fully sponsored by Wayne Technologies," Bruce ordered. "And Barry, good thinking, contacting me and Victor about this."

Barry disconnected the call and with a smile on his face strode over to Diana and Kara to tell them the news.

Kara, Diana and Barry met the transport as it landed two miles outside the city in a small clearing. Amanda Waller, the head of ARGUS, stepped from the vehicle and approached the three costumed heroes.

"Mr. Allen, a pleasure to finally see you, instead of a blur and lightning bolts," she smiled, but Barry shivered, there was nothing pleasant about the woman in front of them.

"I am…"Diana started.

"Diana Prince, the mythical Wonder Woman. I have been following and researching your adventures since I was an analyst at the CIA," Amanda interrupted, bowing to the Amazon warrior. "It is a true honor to meet you."

Kara stood just behind Diana, Maxima lying on the ground behind them, snoring lightly. She started to speak, "I…"

"You, young lady, are a mystery, and like Bruce Wayne, I adore a mystery," Amanda gushed. "I don't know who you are or where you have been hiding, but I know that sigil on your chest. You are Kryptonian, so how are you related to Clark Kent?"

Diana cleared her throat, "her story is her own, Ms. Waller. Let it be."

Waller started, then took a breath, and nodded, "yes ma'am." Then she recovered and looked at the sleeping woman in the grass behind the two Amazons, "I can't believe you captured this bitch. She is wanted for crimes in fourteen countries, including kidnapping and murder. Who took her down?"

Kara smirked, "I did, with assistance from the Green Arrow."

"So that's where the holes came from in Floyd's arm and leg," Amanda nodded. "I had a feeling Mr. Queen must have been involved."

"Floyd?" Kara asked, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up.

"Lawton," Waller answered, "you probably know him now as Deadshot. He's a mercenary, work's for the biggest paycheck. He used to be one of ours, but we cut him loose after he took out a few problems in Eastern Europe. My men surprised him at one of his safehouses."

"This woman," Kara pointed at Maxima, "she cannot be freed, she cannot be trusted, ever."

"Don't worry, she will be fitted with a sonic inhibitor, developed by Wayne Technologies, and we have a cell that was designed specifically with her in mind. She will be tried within the next ninety days, and sentenced within four months," Amanda Waller assured the group. She pulled a small device from her pocket, fitted onto the woman's forehead and waited.

Diana sighed loudly and tugged the lasso from her hip, sliding it around Maxima's wrist. "Wake up," Diana commanded softly, undoing the lasso and standing.

Maxima's eyes opened, focusing on Kara. She glowered harshly at the blonde Amazon, focusing on her powers and attempting to use them for escape. Her eyes went wide with shock and then pain as the device on her forehead blocked her abilities. Her fingers reached up touching the small patch and she was rewarded with a stunning shock that dropped her back onto the ground, twitching in agony.

Kara watched, grumbling her approval, then squatted down and thumped the redhead lightly in the forehead, knocking her out.

"Satisfied?" Waller asked.

Diana nodded and Barry quickly took a picture, sending it to Bruce, so he could identify the device and serial number, then using Victor and his special gifts, track its usage. Waller never noticed the movement and Kara worked hard to hide the smile rising to her lips.

The three heroes watched in silence as the aircraft quietly lifted off and disappeared into the afternoon sky.

Kara, Diana and Barry returned to the hotel, to find Barbara, Max and Oliver talking in the kitchen about, of all things, modern technology. Barbara's head turned, eyes locking with Diana's, "thank Hera, these two are boring me to tears." She got up and walked towards the two women, "so what did you think of Amanda Waller? I can smell the woman's horrid perfume all over you."

"She thinks very highly of herself," Diana responded. "However, I was…" She paused for a moment, "underwhelmed."

"I'm sure she appreciates that sentiment," Barbara laughed. "What did you think of her, Kara?"

"I don't feel like she can be trusted," Kara answered. "She has respect for the princess, but it seems as if she uses people as weapons or tools. I don't like her."

"You are an amazing judge of character," Barbara smiled. "She tried to recruit me, but when I let the Cheetah out, she changed her mind."

"She didn't figure out you could be calmed by a scratch behind the ears?" Diana asked, her tone full of teasing and fun.

"No," Barbara hissed, sticking out her tongue. "And it's my belly, not my ears that calm me down."

Diana laughed as Kara shook her head, trying to release the image that Barbara had just painted in her head. As Kara and Barbara headed out to the patio, Diana turned to Max, Barry and Oliver, "can I have a few moments of your time, gentlemen?"

Upon hearing what Diana was asking, Barry excused himself, letting Diana and the other two to continue the conversation.

"So let me get this straight," Max exclaimed. "You want me and Barbara to gather intelligence on…"

"Anything you deem important," Diana responded, "nothing else. Max, I trust your opinion, I am not looking to take over the world. I just want to stay ahead of the game."

"Okay!" Max agreed, "but since you convinced Mr. Wayne to sponsor my new start up, I will do this because you have done so much for me since eighty-four."

"Thank you, Maxwell," Diana smiled.

"Of course, your highness," Maxwell said with a tilt of his head.

"And what about me?" Oliver asked. "You've had Barry spying on me for weeks."

"That wasn't my doing, Oliver," Diana responded. "Barry was here under someone else's orders, and as a favor to Star City's Police Department."

"Why me?" Oliver almost whined.

"Because you had a really bad habit of leaving bodies all over the city with arrows sticking out of them," Diana answered matter of factly.

"They dese…"Oliver started to answer, but Diana held up her hand.

"We are better than them, Oliver Queen," Diana interrupted. "It is not our job to be executioners, we are meant to assist the authorities, not disperse justice at our own discretion."

"I understand that, but those men, they were responsible for the deaths of," Oliver swallowed, choking back his anger. "The deaths of…"

Diana reached across the bar, placing her hands on Oliver's tense, drumming fingers, "I know. He told me."

"I'll work for you, but not him," Oliver hung his head. "And I'll take orders from Kara."

Diana smiled, "I can accept that, Oliver Queen."

Two Hours later at the Star City airport, Kara and Diana watched with Barbara as Maxwell boarded the Wayne Technologies private plane.

"So this is goodbye, then?" Barbara asked, "It won't be so long this time, right?"

Diana gripped Barbara's hand, "not at all, we are close to Gotham, so we can visit anytime. I promise."

Standing on her tiptoes, Barbara wrapped her arms around Diana's neck, kissing her lightly on the cheek, "I'm going to hold you to that."

Diana stepped back as Barbara's arms fell down to her side. "It's been wonderful meeting you, Barbara," Kara said, as she stepped in to fill the void. She held open her arms as Barbara stepped forward.

"This-meeting you-has been so amazing, Kara," Barbara gushed. "You will come with Diana, right?"

"Only if you promise to visit Themyscira, after everything," Kara asked, a small smile rising to her lips. "Please?"

"Of course, sweetheart," Barbara smiled widely, "I would be absolutely delighted." She squeezed Kara's neck tightly and whispered, "take care of our girl, please."

Kara whispered back, "that will be my pleasure."

Barbara was still laughing at Diana's red face as she skipped up the stairs, looking back to wave at her two sisters.

As the doors closed, Diana reached for Kara's finger, "are you ready for the next stop, my sweet?"

"I'm looking forward to it, highness," Kara smiled as she turned and placed her lips against her princess'.