Diana can barely contain her excitement. She's about to see an old friend she hasn't talked to for a long time. In Kasnia of all places. She wonders how he'll react. She can't remember the exact instance or reason why they stopped keeping in touch. They had one of those slow burns – a friendship bordering on romance that for one reason or the other didn't take off. Both had busy lives and careers. Between a superhero stationed in space and a CIA agent immersed in operations, timing was always a problem.
"You seem unusually happy," Audrey commented, snapping her from her thoughts.
"What do you mean?"
"You have that look in your face."
"What look?"
"Like a giddy school girl who's trying to behave."
Diana laughed. "I guess I'm more excited than I thought."
"Good, because we're going to get you a man tonight."
"Audrey," she warned.
"Diana, how many times do I have to tell you? All work and no play makes a dull superhero. Live a little," her friend chided. "And if you haven't noticed, people's eyes are on you. Take your pick."
"They're looking at me because I'm Wonder Woman."
"They're looking at you because you're stunning tonight and I take full credit."
Audrey had chosen for her a white halter gown held by a golden clasp around the neck. But it's the back that's the show stopper. Cutting down to almost her waist, it showed off her strong, toned shoulders and a whole lot of skin.
"Him," she suddenly said to Audrey.
Her friend followed her gaze to the tall, blonde man who just entered the room. "That was fast." She nonetheless took her arm and led the way.
Diana's heart began to beat quickly as they drew nearer. "Diana, meet Captain Alexei Sokolov of the Kasnian Air Force."
Diana watched Steve's stunned expression seamlessly turn into delight.
"Wonder Woman, a pleasure," he greeted, taking her hand to his lips.
"No, no," Audrey scolded, "She's here as a civilian. Call her Diana."
"Of course," Steve replied, his eyes twinkling. "How have you been enjoying Kasnia, Diana?"
She stifled a laugh at his slight Russian accent. She finds it disorienting. "I'm having a lovely stay so far."
"I'm new to the county myself but I'm very much smitten."
Audrey spied the soft flush on her friend's cheeks and got the hint. "I'm going to see to the other guests. Captain, I trust you'll take care of my friend. "
"I'll be honored to be at her disposal."
"That's what I'm counting on," Audrey said with a playful glint.
Steve's eyes locked unto hers and waited for Audrey to be out of earshot. "Angel," he started softly, "I have a million questions."
Her heart twinges at the familiar name.
He leaned close. "I wish I can whisk you off to somewhere private but I'm afraid people might get the wrong impression."
His words jolted a memory out of her - another party at another place. "You can take me down anytime you want Princess... preferably somewhere private."
She shoved that image aside.
"That would not be wise," she agreed.
"How about indulging this humble man to a dance instead?"
Diana stifled a laugh. "That accent is ridiculous."
"Is not," he countered in a whisper, accent less. "I'm told it sounds manly."
"I'm sure Alexei," she grinned. "And yes, I'd be happy to dance with you."
Audrey congratulated herself with a job well done as she watched the handsome couple on the dance floor. She can see the merriment in Diana's eyes and wondered how the Captain was able to charm her so.
As the night wore on, Diana was introduced to other guests including Audrey's current man, Lucca. But the Kasnian royal could see how her friend would often look towards the Captain's way. And as the party dwindled and Diana bid good-bye, the subsequent exit of Sokolov did not go unnoticed under her watchful eye.
Bruce sat restlessly at his desk. He's supposed to be working but the words on the screen were becoming jumbled and nonsensical. He glanced at the clock for the umpteenth time. 2 AM and the princess has yet to return to her room.
With great efficiency, he had sneaked in the military compound, accessed the mainframe, and returned to the hotel in record time. He dropped by her room to find it empty and set up a sensor to trip when she arrives. An hour on and the sensor remained silent.
It's not her safety he's worried about. If Diana's in trouble, she would have accessed the comlink. It's something else.
He ran a hand over his face, the memory of the morning coming to him in shorter intervals.
Bruce snapped his laptop shut. He's not getting any more work done, not tonight.
He slipped on his loafers, grabbed a pair of glasses for disguise, and headed to the lobby. He planted himself on a deserted sofa chair at the far corner, got a magazine, and waited. It was an unproductive way to spend time, but he doesn't know what else to do.
Thirty minutes in and the revolving doors produced a statuesque Amazon looking ethereal in white, accompanied by a broad shouldered man in formal military attire.
Bruce's heart ached at the sight. She was talking to Trevor with a certain ease and lightness. The captain looked back with undeniable affection. He leaned close to her ear and uttered a remark that made her laugh. God, he'd give anything to make her laugh like that.
He watched as Trevor placed a hand on her back and led her to the elevators. As the doors closed, Bruce looked down at the crumpled magazine in his grip and threw it away.
