"I don't like it." Helena started. "Why is Diana so insistent that the League get involved?"
Shayera sighed, "Diana isn't insistent that the League get involved. But I know her. She is planning to go whether or not the action is sanctioned."
"What did she say to you?" Dinah asked.
"She said that she feels it is her duty to help Kasnia…"
"What a load of shit. To help Audrey, you mean." Dinah sneered.
"Easy Dinah, Diana is our friend." Helena lightly chided.
"So is Shayera! And frankly this does not make sense. There is no absolute proof that a meta-human attacked the dam at Fastad."
"I agree, but there is nothing that suggests anything else either dammit!" Helena's temper started to rise.
"Guys," Shayera interjected, "please relax. I am not happy about this either. If it were any other country, I don't think Diana would react this way. But whether I like it or not, Diana won't ignore the fact Audrey needs help."
"How can you be so freaking calm about this? Your wife is about to put herself in the middle of her ex-girlfriend's civil war."
"I know." Shayera whispered the reply.
"Does she even acknowledge that Audrey is a huge part of that reason?' Dinah asked.
"She just says that the people of Kasnia are in serious danger, and she is right in that regard. Audrey has already begun the formal request to the UN for the League to get involved."
"I think she is banking on Diana walking away from us if the League denies the request. How wretched of a bitch can she be?" Dinah was beginning to yell.
Helena interjected, "Stop! You aren't even considering her side of the coin. Her people are in very real danger. I know if I was in her position I would do everything I could to make sure that they were protected. So, yeah, if I had a superhero ex, I would ask for help too. The appeal to the UN is a moot point. Whether or not Diana was in it, I have no doubt that Audrey would still try and get the League to lend assistance."
"That's what Diana said as well." Shayera stated.
"And do you really think that Audrey is just doing this to try and get back with Diana?"
Shayera shook her head. "No."
"Well, it isn't like she knows the havoc she is causing. No one knows about your marriage outside the League anyways. Were you guys planning on telling anyone publicly?"
Shayera shrugged, "Diana isn't trying to hide anything. But other than the picture of us outside the bar some time ago, the story pretty much died in the press. We have talked about it, but Diana is worried that going totally public will put another bulls eye on my back."
"Another?"
"Any member of the League has one as far as any villain is concerned. So that is strike one for me. Strike two's bulls eye came when the Thanagarian Invasion happened. There are still plenty of people that see me as a traitor. Strike three would be the marriage to Diana. Not really an accepted conventional practice. So, right now, we are keeping it quiet. Eventually, when the time is right, we will let people know. And we did agree that it should be sooner than later to make sure that it is done on our terms."
"I don't like this…I know I have already said it, but this stinks." Dinah looked at Shayera. "I'm sorry, I love Diana, and I know she loves you, but this just stinks."
"I love Diana too, and ultimately I have to trust her motives. But she has not been able to convince me that it has nothing to do with her past with Audrey. If the League votes no to lending aide, then it will put Diana in a very bad spot."
"Do you think Audrey would appeal directly to Diana?"
"I don't know. She is a shrewd politician. I don't think she would hedge her bets like that. Besides, she and Diana did not end well. They have not had contact in the last three years as far as I know."
"Still appealing to the UN would drop her on Diana's radar…" Dinah mumbled.
Helena interrupted, "Ok, so if the League says no, which it probably will at this point, what would Audrey's next logical move be?"
Shayera pondered the question. "If I were her, I would ask the European Union to step in. Still it would be a lengthy process, unless…"
"Unless what?"
"Unless she knew that she could appeal directly to one particular ally."
"Who?" Helena asked.
"Themiscyra. The Amazons have been benefitting from Kasnian technology these past years. Hippolyta does not discuss it, but I am still friends with Alindra. Audrey has been sharing biological research with the Queen."
"What kind?"
"You know we always joke that Themiscyra is an island populated by nothing but women, but they cannot naturally reproduce? Audrey has had Kasnian scientists working on biological reproduction without needing a man. Given the losses the Amazons incurred against Hades and Aresia recently, I think Hippolyta would answer the call for aide. She has been given invaluable help with her issues from Kasnia. I think she would help Audrey if asked. And we know that the Amazons are hard headed. They will make the decision independently of the EU to get things moving quicker."
"I love that about the Amazons…" Helena started, "nothing like not giving a shit and giving the UN or the EU the middle finger."
"Audrey helped Hippolyta. I cannot see the Queen turning her back on that."
Dinah sighed, "So if the League says no, she will say yes. And Diana will go to Kasnia as a result."
"Probably yes. And I cannot argue Diana going if her mother insists that she do so."
"Will you go with Diana?"
Shayera nodded. "Yes. Although I do not think that the Queen would command me to. It wouldn't matter though, if Diana goes, then so do I."
Dinah looked at Shayera. "But do you want to go?"
"That doesn't matter. If the League intervenes and I am assigned, I will go. If Diana decides to go, in spite of a vote of no, I will go. Guys, I love her. I am not going to stay in the Tower, while Diana puts herself in the middle of this. I just wish that I completely trusted her motives. And to be honest, I am not convinced that she would not be doing this solely for Audrey. I…" Shayera stopped the thought, and began to tear up. "She is my great love. I have been through some hairy situations for her and with her. I know she loves me. But if someone from her past still has a hold on her, what can I do?"
Dinah wrapped Shayera up in a hug. "Oh Shayera, I know Diana loves you. You two are…"
"Destined." Helena finished the sentence.
"What if…" Shayera started.
"What if we wait and see how this plays out a little while longer? But it never hurts to have a plan B." Helena winked. "I think we know how the vote will go. So why not do this on your terms Shayera?"
Shayera withdrew from Dinah's arms. "You're right. I know where this is headed. And I think I know what I want to do. I need a piece of paper and a pen. And I also need a favor from you two."
"Name it." Came the reply from the pair in unison.
"I am going into that meeting, and I will not be voting to get involved. What I do want is more conclusive proof that there is a meta-human involved. I hate to ask, but would you guys mind if I volunteered you to go check out the damage at Fastad? In the meantime, knowing Diana, I will work on helping her to keep her position in the League."
"We'll go." Dinah offered.
"How are you going to keep Diana from being kicked out though if the League votes no?" Helena asked.
"She will get involved, I know it. But if her mother insists, then the League will have to respect that. And hopefully the answer comes before Diana makes an ass of herself in the meeting. And Audrey will know exactly why I am coming too. If she has any fucking inkling that she will be using this to get to Diana again, I will give her cause to think otherwise."
"How?"
"Leave it to me. But if that blonde thinks she will be digging her claws into Diana romantically like this, she will swear that she has met one of the Furies in person. And besides," the redhead sat down at a table and began furiously scribbling on a piece of paper, "Audrey isn't the only one that is going to make an appeal to Hippolyta."
A/N: Some rough language from the ladies...to be expected I think. What did you think? Thanks to all who review, and I will be awaiting answers from those who I sent the private messages to. For anonymous, yes, Diana is stubborn, but I think that we will see Shayera digging her heels in too! As for Diana sleeping on a couch...who knows...maybe not Lois' couch, but Audrey's bed? I am teasing you of course...hmmm...keep those reviews coming! And thanks to those who have favorited the story. PLEASE take the time to leave a review, love it or hate it!