Yes, Again
Themyscira
The state dinner was well underway and the guests seemed to be enjoying themselves. Hippolyta had done her duty as Queen, but her mind was elsewhere. The omens and dreams continued to plague her. She would announce a new tournament for Champion in a few days and everything would change. She could already imagine the hurt look in her daughter's eyes, the sense of betrayal that would likely accompany it. What else was there to do though, she wondered? The omens seemed very clear; whoever wore the champion's armor was fated to die. The one thing Hippolyta was certain of was that it couldn't be Diana. That was too horrible a prospect to imagine.
She also knew she couldn't let an innocent sister, another Amazon die in Diana's place either. That left one alternative; the sacrifice would be hers and hers alone. There was a finality about it all and it left her in a rather strange mood. It was a very human thing to do when faced with the knowledge of your own imminent death to look at your life with new eyes. If you only had a week or a month left, what would you do with it? The crass way of thinking of it would be to call it a Bucket List. In the movies this meant going sky diving or running with the bulls, but that's not reality.
Most of us faced with our own death would think of more personal things. If we have children we would want to treasure every last moment we could with them. We'd want to see friends again and let them know how we really feel. We'd want to make a connection with another human being, whether it was a wife or husband or just a lover, if only to know once more that most intimate and amazing feelings of being alive. If for only those few moments, to feel such a wild range of emotions and to be in the eternity of the present, then perhaps it would make the sacrifice worthwhile.
Some might think it shallow to think of the physical at a time like this, but what more perfectly captures what life is about? Anticipation, the slow burn of it as you contemplate what might occur. That first rush of emotions as those telltale signs of arousal begin. The furious blood pumping, dizzying excitement as you move together, embracing each other. The touches, the caresses, the kisses, all combining and that only seemed to add to the inferno building inside of you. Being naked, both physically and emotionally with another. The mutually surrender to the shared passion, along with the give and take of bringing so much pleasure to each other. Being so in the moment that time has no meaning. Higher and higher you rise until you feel as if you will shatter from the ecstasy. If there is a heaven it must feel like this moment. It may last only a few seconds, yet it seems to go on forever. Then it's over. Aftershocks ripple through you, but they are just faint echoes of what you experienced. Two had become one and now they are two again. All the rest, the tedious, mind numbing grind of life seems worth it for these brief moments.
Now imagine that the realization has just hit you that you're going to die and have never felt this. You've lived an unimaginably long life, filled with wondrous things, but this most basic of human experiences has never been yours. All the sky diving and running with the bulls can't replace it. Your bucket has a hole in it and time is running out to fix it.
The fates were demanding a sacrifice and all the wishing and wanting in the world wouldn't change that. Hippolyta had known all her life that with the blessings of her Gods came responsibilities. Everything had a price in the end. One life for another was the price that had to be paid this time. It was the price she was going to pay if it meant her daughter, her most cherished daughter were to live. It was the choice of a mother. Her course was set and Hippolyta knew there was really no option, but sadness overwhelmed her all the same. As she sat on the dais taking another drink of her wine, she scanned those around her. If this was going to be her last banquet as Queen or even last ever, she wanted to take it all in.
An air of merriment seemed to be present with most of those in attendance. Her Amazons, for that is how she thought of them, as more than sisters, seemed to be enjoying themselves. Some of the Bana were less then friendly with some of the outsiders, but even they seemed in a tolerant mood tonight. Hippolyta watched General Phillipus deep in conversation with a Secretary of Defense from some country. He boasted of being a scholar of ancient military campaigns, so they had a lot to talk about. One by one, Hippolyta looked at her sisters, thinking how much they'd grown and developed here on the island. While they were once more in contact with the outside world, it was on their terms this time.
Finally her eyes landed on Superman. Taking another drink of her wine, she watched him. He was polite and courteous with everyone; even the Amazons seemed to look at him as a friend. He had always interested Hippolyta, since the first time Diana had spoken of him. Part of her had worried there was something going on between the two, but nothing seemed to have come of that initial flirtation.
Against all her wishes, Diana had gotten involved with a man anyway, Steve Trevor. At first she had been rather relieved it wasn't with Superman, but looking at him now, Hippolyta had to admit she could see what Diana might be drawn to about him. It was the same thing any woman might be drawn to. He was impossibly handsome, yet seemingly unaware of it. His striking chiseled features and powerful body had turned more than one of her Amazon sisters' heads. Hippolyta thought she'd seen some of the Bana, even Artemis glancing at him with more than a casual interest. Perhaps she had been too hasty in her judgment about him.
God it's hot in here, Clark thought to himself. What the hell was I thinking when I agreed to this? A room full of immortal gorgeous women, what part of that did I think wouldn't be a problem? I guess being horny does make you stupid. Everywhere I look there's another stunning woman. When Artemis challenged me earlier I wasn't sure I was going to be able to resist. Sure she can be a little blunt and rude, but wow, she is smoking hot! It might be worth a few scars to spend a night with …. stop! Let's not go there!
Think of something else, Clark, anything else. I've already thought of every baseball game ever played and that hadn't helped. Think of something boring like reading Beckett's Molloy or arguing with Bruce about him being paranoid or watching charcoal burn, something like that. I've already got a date with Dinah because of this; let's not make it any more complicated. All though as far as problems go, a date with Dinah is far from the worst. I thought I was going to lose it when she moved so close in the elevator; I do have some will power. Just keep telling yourself that and you'll make it through tonight and by tomorrow everything will be back to normal. If they weren't so beautiful though, this would be a lot easier.
While Clark was busy trying to control himself, he didn't notice that Hippolyta had been watching him. Perhaps if one of her assistants had spoken to her at that moment things would have gone differently, but none of her assistants did speak to her. Not really sure why she was doing it, Hippolyta slowly took another drink of her wine and then slowly stood and walked over to Clark.
"Enjoying the party, Superman?' She asked with a smile.
He seemed a little startled by her, but tried his best to recover.
"Oh, um, yes, your majesty,' he replied.
"You're not a very good liar, Superman,' she said, actually laughing at his discomfort. "I was just about to take a walk, why don't you join me?"
"I, well, it's just that, um,' he stammered, not sure what to say to her.
"It's all right, I can see you're sweating, the night air should help,' she offered. "Come, come, it will get you out of here and I'm not that intimidating, am I?"
"Perhaps a little,' he admitted. Not seeing a graceful way out of this, he slowly stood up next to her and started to walk with her towards the terrace. Maybe getting away from all the women in the banquet would be a good thing, he thought. He glanced at Hippolyta as they walked and couldn't help thinking she was a stunning woman. Clark wiped is brow and took a step further away from her just to be safe.
"I promise not to bite,' she said to him. The strange mood she'd been in all night seemed to change a bit as they exited the main hall. Her personal guards immediately snapped to attention and started to follow them.
"I don't think you'll be necessary tonight, but thank you,' Hippolyta said to them. "I should be perfectly safe with Superman."
The guards nodded, but didn't retreat. They tactfully stepped back into the shadows. She stood at the railing glancing up at the stars as she had so many nights, yet this one seemed different. Once she made her announcement, everything would change. This was like a sad ending, she thought.
"You aren't having any of the wine, Superman?' she asked. "I wouldn't have thought of you as a tea-tottler."
"Please, call me Kal-El, your majesty and no, I'm not drinking tonight,' he replied.
"Why, if I may ask,' she said. "I thought I heard Artemis challenge you earlier about it, didn't I?'
He smiled and glanced behind them at the party. The memory of Artemis came rushing back. That was a close one, he mused. At least I should be safe out here with just the Queen.
"Um, well, yes, she wanted to challenge me to a drinking contest,' he offered. He wasn't going to say the real reason, so he fell back o the standard one. "I, um, ah, declined, as alcohol doesn't really effect me so it wouldn't be very fair, your majesty."
"Would you do me a favor, Kal-El?' She asked.
It caught him off guard. He turned to look at her, willing his eyes not to check her out.
"If I can, your majesty,' he replied. "Boy, is it always this hot on the island?"
If she heard this, she didn't acknowledge it.
"Would you call me Hippolyta,' she asked. "No one calls me that anymore. It's always my Queen or your majesty, never my name. Just for tonight, would you call me Hippolyta?"
"Um, well, yes, sure, all right, your-Hippolyta,' he stumbled to say.
"Thank you. My Queen and your majesty makes me feel so old sometimes,' she said. "I don't look that old, do I, Kal-El?"
"Um, no,' he admitted. He gave a little gulp, suddenly a bit nervous where this was going.
"You say that like you aren't sure,' she replied. "Do you know how old I was when I died, Kal-El? What age I was reborn as an Amazon?"
He shook his head. He wasn't so far gone he was going to guess at a woman's age.
"Thirty, Kal-El,' she informed him. "I was thirty. While all the years have passed, I still remain, as I was that day. Ironic really, don't you think?"
"How so?' He asked. He had to admit she looked damn good for 30 or 3000, damn good.
"I've been Queen so long, no one seemed to realize it,' she said. "In many ways I've been mother to all the Amazons and that is the way they see me. In physical appearance many probably look older than I do, but no one every seems to notice."
"They look at you as their Queen and they respect you, Hippolyta,' he offered. Even in his present condition, he sensed something from her, almost a kind of sadness.
"Yes and I appreciate them all, but it would be nice for once to be treated as just Hippolyta,' she sadly said. "Would you have a drink with me, Kal-El? With just me, Hippolyta?"
"Of course,' he hesitantly replied. His throat was a little dry so maybe some wine might be a good idea.
With a gesture, Hippolyta had one of her servants bring out a bottle of wine and two new glasses. Hippolyta thanked her. She opened the bottle and poured them both a glass. She gave him a smile and they touched glasses. Clark took a sip and was surprised by what he tasted.
"It's from Aphrodite herself, Kal-El," she informed him.
"It tastes different than any wine I've every had,' he admitted.
"It's magical, from the Gods,' she explained. "Perhaps it affects even you."
"Are you trying to get me drunk, Hippolyta,' he jokingly asked.
She laughed, but didn't reply, a strange smile coming to her lips. Now he was really nervous.
Themyscira – The Next Morning
The morning sun filter through the curtains and Clark stirred. He started to open his eyes, but there was a dull ache in his head. He winced and then thought that was strange, Red Kryptonite usually doesn't have a hangover. The wine suddenly came back to him. What was in that wine last night, he wondered? He could feel the sun's rays hitting him and his mind registered that the Red Kryptonite was finally out of his system. Good dodged a bullet there, he thought, but his head was killing him.
As he raised his hand to rub his forehead, his fingers brushed against something soft. Opening his eyes just a fraction; he squinted down to see what it was. It was an arm, a rather beautiful arm at that. That seems strange, he mused. The sound of a groan came next and then something shifted against him.
As the world slowly came back into focus, he realized he was in bed. What was he doing in bed, he wondered? The bed shifted again and he turned to find a rather hung-over and shocked Hippolyta staring back at him. He couldn't help noticing she was naked and so was he.
"I'm in so much trouble,' he groaned.
The Queen's Royal Bedchamber was not a place Clark expected to be. The fact that he was in bed with the Queen certainly wasn't something he'd expected. The look she was giving him said she was surprised too.
"Good Morning?'
He couldn't think of anything else to say.
"Good morning,' Hippolyta replied.
They lapse back into silence.
"Um, just so we're clear,' he finally started. "We, you and I, we didn't … did we?"
"You don't remember?' She asked him.
"Yes, but I was sort of hoping it was just a dream,' he admitted.
"If it were a dream, it would appear we both had it,' Hippolyta replied, wrapping the sheet around her and leaning back against the headboard. A groan escaped Clark's lips as he put a pillow over his lap and leaned back next to her.
"How did this happen?' He wondered aloud. Hippolyta looked over at him with a surprised look on her face.
"Is-Is this your first time, Kal-El,' she asked. "Please, tell me I didn't take your virginity."
"What? Oh, um, no,' he said, a little thrown by her question. "Not the first time, though it has been awhile."
"Awhile?'
"Bit of a dry spell,' he admitted.
"How long," she asked. Even with the strangeness of the present situation, she found herself a little curious about how long it had been for him.
"Too long,' he replied. "Months."
Hippolyta involuntarily gave a little snort and then started laughing. It caught both of them by surprise.
"It's not exactly funny,' Clark said, a little hurt by it.
"My apologies,' she offered, pulling herself together. "It's just that before we reopened to the world, no man had been on our shores for thousands of years, Kal-El. You'll forgive me if 'months' do not seem like much of, what did you call it, a dry spell?"
"Well, when you put it like that,' Clark admitted. "What I mean was how did this, us, you and I, your majesty, end up here?'
"I believe we're passed the point of you calling me your majesty, Kal-El,' Hippolyta replied.
"I'm in so much trouble,' Clark groaned.
"You said that before,' Hippolyta commented. "Why?'
"You mean besides sleeping with the Queen of the Amazons?" Clark replied, a bit of a sarcastic note coming into his voice. "How do you think that's going to go down with the rest of your sisters?"
"Not well,' she admitted.
"They're going to want to kill me,' he groaned. "A whole nation of immortal warrior women out from my blood, this can't be happening."
"You're not the only one this will cause problems for, Kal-El,' Hippolyta lamented. "How do you think my sisters will react to me when they hear I slept with a man?"
"Not as hard as it will for the man, in this case, me' he replied. "Oh, God, they'll think I forced myself on you! I'm going to have to leave the planet again!"
"I think you're being a little over dramatic, Kal-El,' Hippolyta offered, pulling the sheet up a little higher. He noticed this and suddenly an awful thought came to his mind.
"I didn't, did I?' He asked, his voice full of concern. "I didn't force you to, did I? I had Red Kryptonite in my system yesterday and it tends to loosen my inhibitions and ramp up my libido, but please tell me I didn't force myself on you. I didn't, did I?"
His voice trailed off, the thought too horrible to even say.
"Hardly,' Hippolyta replied, shaking her head. "You were a gentleman, Kal-El. Besides whatever this Red Kryptonite does to you, I'm afraid the wine did to both of us. I think I made the first move to tell the truth."
"Lyta,' Clark suddenly said, his memory starting to come back to him.
"Excuse me?' She replied.
"We were on the beach, drinking more wine,' Clark said. "You asked me to call you Lyta."
"I don't remember that,' she admitted.
"It was right before you wanted to go skinny dipping."
"Oh, yes," Hippolyta said, blushing a bit as the memory came back.
"You kissed me,' Clark continued, the memories rushing back now.
"You kissed me back,' she said in her defense.
"And then we…"
"Yes, on the beach, the first time,' she finished his thought.
"The first time,' Clark said with a groan, covering his face with his hand.
"I believe there was another time on the beach and then we returned here,' Hippolyta said, filling in the blanks. "I don't believe anyone saw us come in."
"Oh, boy,' Clark sighed.
There was a knock on the door.
"Your majesty? I have you breakfast,' a voice announced. "I'll just bring it in."
Hippolyta and Clark's eyes went wide in shock and surprise.
"Hide!" She whispered to him.
"Where?"
She looked around frantically, but couldn't think of anything. The door started to open.
"Get down in the bed, lay flat,' she commanded him. Clark hustled to follow her directions. He lay down and she put several pillows over his face and started to pull the sheets over him, but the door was opening wider. In a bit of a panic, Hippolyta pulled the covers up and moved herself over top of him, sitting on his body to cover him up from the servant.
"Good morning, your majesty,' the woman said with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"
"Um Oh! I mean, yes, yes I did,' she managed to reply. In her haste to cover him up, Hippolyta had managed to sit very near his waist. She suddenly realized this brought her in contact with him in a very intimate way. She shifted herself against him, but this only made it worse. Apparently wine or Kryptonite weren't the only reasons. Hippolyta caught the servant looking at her funny, so she stopped what she was doing and tried to smile as if nothing was amiss.
"Could you just set the tray over there, please?"
The servant nodded and put the breakfast tray on the table in the center of the room and then turned back to the Queen. Hippolyta had been trying to shift her position, but it wasn't helping. If anything her movement on top of Clark was having a rather obvious effect.
"Is there anything else, your majesty,' the servant asked. "Shall I straighten the bed for you while you bath?'
"No! I mean, that will not be necessary,' Hippolyta quickly replied. "I-I, um, I feel like sleeping in just a little bit more this morning."
"As you wish,' the servant said. "Shall I straighten you pillows?'
"No, no, no, that quite all right,' Hippolyta said. "Thank you, that will be all."
The servant gave her a look, but then just bowed and left the room. Hippolyta smiled the whole time until she closed the door behind her. Her smile dropped and she shifted off Clark.
"You were not helping, Kal-El,' she whispered. "Can't you control that?"
"Sorry,' he offered, coming up for air from under the pillows. "That tends to happen when a beautiful woman sits on me. I'm a guy, remember?"
"Vividly,' she absently replied.
"Excuse me?"
"I was just thinking of last night,' she admitted.
'Oh,' he said, not sure what else to say. He finally had to ask her, "So are you all right with last night and what happened?"
"It happened, Kal-El, there's nothing we can do about it now,' she replied.
"Oh," he said again. She saw the look on his face and decided to offer him just a little more.
"I don't regret what happened, Kal-El, if that's what you're thinking,' she said. "It can never happen again, though, you know this."
"Of course, never again,' he immediately agreed.
"I think it might be best if we kept this to ourselves,' she continued. "I believe in the Man's World they call this a one night stand, correct?"
"Um, ah, correct,' he said, but his mind had some other thoughts as well. "You said you didn't regret it, Hippolyta, does that mean you enjoyed it?"
"Yes, very much,' she said honestly. Another thought crossed her mind. "I didn't know of this Red Kryptonite, does that mean you weren't in your right mind last evening? Did I take advantage of you, Kal-El?"
"No,' Clark admitted. "It made me horny, yes, but I was able to resist the temptation with just about everyone else. You're a very beautiful, desirable woman, Hippolyta and I imagine that had more to do with it than anything else."
She didn't speak right away, but his answer touched her deeply. If she were honest with herself, last night was about being desired and wanted by him. To hear him say she was a beautiful, desirable woman was gratifying and a bit of an ego boost. She was also still Queen and the practical matters had to be addressed.
"I think we should just put it down to the night and the wine, Kal-El,' Hippolyta said. "I believe this should remain our secret. I don't believe my sisters would view it as favorably as I would. I don't Diana would either."
"Oh, man, Diana, she'd kill me,' Clark groaned.
"Why do you say that?' Hippolyta asked.
"You're her mother, Hippolyta,' Clark lamented. "I really doubt she would take it well finding out I slept with her mother. She'd probably be pissed at you, but she's definitely want to kill me."
"Yes, I can see how she might, you being her friend and all,' Hippolyta acknowledged. "As I said, we should keep this just between the two of us."
"All right, that's probably for the best,' Clark agreed.
"Now, I think you should get dressed and be going, before anyone else stops by, Kal-El,' Hippolyta said. "I am the Queen, you know and I will be missed if I stay in bed all day."
He started to get up, but then remembered he was naked. She had the sheet wrapped around her, so that was out of the question. Grabbing two pillows, Clark maneuvered his way over to his costume that was tossed behind a cabinet. Hippolyta had to smile as she watched him try with one hand to keep himself covered, while reaching behind the cabinet for his clothes.
"I've already seen you naked, Kal-El, you have nothing to be ashamed of,' she offered. "We Amazons are not troubled by nudity."
'Yes, um, ah, I'm sure that's true, but I'm from a small town in Kansas,' he explained. "We are."
Putting on a burst of speed, he dressed trying to limit his embarrassment. He stood in his Superman outfit and looked at her. Her almost blue black hair tumbled down around her tan shoulders and the sheet wrapped around her gave just a hint of the beauty underneath. There was a resemblance to Diana, Clark realized, but differences as well. Hippolyta had more of an exotic, Mediterranean caste to her. Her skin was a little darker, her features perhaps less angular. There was a lush, sensuousness to her. She was a stunningly beautiful woman in her own right.
"So," he finally said. Clark wasn't sure how he should do this. He'd just made love to this woman all night and now it was time to leave. He didn't want to be one of those guys that can't wait to get out the door, but he wasn't sure what he should do. She'd made it clear this was a one-time thing. He felt he should say something, at least be a gentleman about this. Finally, he just went with the truth.
"I'm not very good at this. I'm not sure what I should say or do right now. It was an amazing night, Hippolyta. You're an amazing woman. Would it be stupid to say, thank you?"
Hippolyta smiled at this. If she was going to sleep with a man, she realized she'd chosen a good one.
"Thank you is fine and you're welcome,' she replied. "Oh, and thank you, as well."
Clark blushed a bit and nodded. He hesitantly moved over to her and leaned down. He wasn't sure if this would be all right, but it felt right, so he did it. He kissed her. She didn't push him away. It lasted only a moment, but there was something sensual about it. When he pulled away, he felt as if he wanted to say more, but she spoke first.
"You should leave, before we are caught."
He nodded and slowly moved towards the balcony. He turned and looked at her one last time before flying off. Hippolyta sat on her bed looking at the balcony even after he was gone. She finally lay back and smiled. It had been a very good night.