Girls Night

I meant to mention this in the last chapter, but there will be spoilers for Wonder Woman 1984 from now on! You probably guessed that already but I just wanted to make sure everyone was aware! Thanks and enjoy!

"I don't understand, what was all this doing in a mall?" Aikaterine asked as she and Barbara surveyed the recovered items from the mall heist.

"Black Market dealings. Meant for private buyers. Some of this stuff is worth a hell of a lot. Speaking of malls - would you like to go shopping with me after work for the gala?"

"Oh-" Aikaterine was caught off-guard. No human had ever asked her to go out and do anything with them, to spend time with her. Except for some men who were quick to show her attention and who she had dashed away just as quickly. "That would be - nice... I haven't got anything appropriate to wear to a museum gala..." I haven't got any money, either... Perhaps Diana would loan her some.

"Great! I love shopping for special events!"

"Sound good. I'll be right back-" With that, the redhead disappeared into the office reading D. Prince.

"Aikaterine are you alright? You seem alarmed," Diana said, rising from her desk.

"Barbara asked me to go shopping with her tonight for the gala."

"That's great."

"I don't know how to do this!"

"Just be yourself."

"But you said that wasn't working for this time and place."

"What I mean is a warrior is not all you are."

"It's what I'm good at."

"You're good at other things, too. Like being a friend." Diana smiled. "Don't overthink it."


Aikaterine let Barbara lead the way to the shops.

"I've never looked at anything this fancy before!" the blonde said excitedly.

They began rifling through the racks of various formal clothing.

"Ooo, you should definitely try this one!" Barbara held up a dress.

Aikaterine thought that was the last thing she would ever wear, but went with it. "Only if you try this one."

"Deal!"

They kept disappearing into the dressing rooms with various pieces to try on, and emerging, laughing together before the mirror.

"Um, excuse me, are you actually going to buy anything?" asked one of the saleswomen.

"Oh yeah, sorry, we were just having some fun," Barbara said, and they returned to the shop floor. "I love your bracelet, by the way," she complimented, nodding to Aikaterine's wrist, where her whip was coiled, always there, always ready - just in case. Because the world was unpredictable and you just never knew.

"Oh, thank you, it's from my culture. Passed down through generations."

"That's so cool! I'd love to find something like it."

They returned to the fitting rooms with their next chosen items: a shimmering gold jumpsuit for Aikaterine, and a black dress paired with pumps for Barbara.

"Oh wow! That's fantastic!" Barbara cried when Aikaterine emerged in her suit.

"You think?"

"Yes, you're shining! You've got to get it!"

"We'll see. Now you try."

"I'm not so good in heels," Barbara called through the fitting room door.

"Just try them, they'd go perfectly with that dress," commented the saleswoman who had suggested the shoes. "Come on out of show us - model it for us."

The door opened and out stepped Barbara.

"Wow, you look amazing!" cried the saleswoman.

"Do you think it's too tight?"

"I think it's just right."

"She's right," agreed Aikaterine. "How are the shoes?"

"They're actually quite comfy." Barbara smoothed a hand over the skirt of the dress. "It's very dark."

"Yes, I think it could use a pop of colour," Aikaterine agreed. She slipped over to the accessories section and withdrew a bright pink and silver bracelet. "Here, try this." She held it out and slipped it onto the other woman's wrist. "Oh, yeah, I like that."

"Me too! Thanks, you have a great eye for style." Barbara assessed her appearance in the mirror once more, smiling. "I'll take it."


"Wow, all this shopping's made me hungry," Barbara remarked as they left the store, shopping bags in hand. "Want to grab some dinner?"

"Sure." Aikaterine was honestly having a very good time. "What is your favourite food?"

"Pizza, oh I love pizza - oh!" She was cut off as a man zipped past them, narrowly missing knocking into them.

"Hey, watch it!" Aikaterine scolded.

"Hey!" A woman came flying out of a nearby shop. "Security! Someone stop him! He just stole a watch!"

"Hold that thought-" Aikaterine dashed after the man, swung around the fountain in the centre of the mall, and, with a swing of her bag - which contained her own dress and shoes - struck the man, who fell to the floor with the force of the blow.

"He's all yours," she told the security guards who came to take the man away and return the stolen items. "You're welcome, by the way."

"Wow - you really know how to jump right into action," Barbara remarked as Aikaterine returned to her.

"I won't be a bystander. Now where were we? Ah, yes, pizza."


"I wish Diana would have joined us for girl's night," Barbara said over dinner. "Not that it isn't fun just the two of us," she was quick to add. "Cause it is, really fun. But I'd hate for her to feel left out."

"Yes, but she can be a little distant. She lost a loved one."

"Oh yeah, her pilot, she told me about him."

"Yes, him. It was a very hard loss and she hasn't fully healed from it. I think that's why she can tend to distance herself."

"That's so sad."

"It is." As broken as her own heart was, Aikaterine would never wish Diana's love to be killed.

"I'll walk you home," she offered after their dinner.

"Oh, really that's fine, you don't have to do that."

"I want to."

"Alright. But what about you?"

"I'll figure it out."

And so they began the walk home, Barbara leading the way towards her apartment building.

"Oh, watch out - glass-" There was a pile of sharp shards right in Barbara's path. Aikaterine put and arm around her waist and swiftly lifted her over onto the other side.

Now the two women stood somewhat embraced, their faces close.

"Wow, weird stuff keeps happening when I'm around you," Barbara remarked.

"Weird in a bad way?"

"Weird in a confusing way." Then Barbara did something to surprise her - she hugged her. "Oh, gosh, sorry!" the blonde was quick to apologize, immediately drawing back when the redhead stiffened beneath her embrace. "It's just, no one pays any attention to me and I'm just so thankful that you wanted to hang out. Like I really appreciate it."

"No, no, it's fine, just unexpected. Unexpected but nice." Aikaterine returned the gesture.

"I've never been great at making friends," Barbara admitted when they pulled away from their hug. "So I'm glad I met you and Diana."

"I'm glad I met you too, Barbara. And I'm sorry people don't pay you more attention - they're really missing out on a great friend."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Barbara blushed and was grinning from ear-to-ear. "Thanks. Well, goodnight, see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight Barbara Minerva," Aikaterine replied as Barbara disappeared inside the building.

Maybe all mortals weren't so bad after all - but she wasn't about to admit that to Diana, or to anyone else for that matter. Not yet.

I really enjoyed writing this chapter! :)

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :)