Alindra woke up slowly, aware of a small weight on her shoulder. She opened her eyes slowly, and focused. Athena was awake and smiling at her.

"Good morning."

Alindra nodded. "And to you. Did you sleep well?"

Athena laughed, "I didn't. The gods do not require rest like you humans do."

"So you stayed all night and stared at me?"

"Mmm…I did. You had pleasant dreams I am sure."

"I did. Was that your doing?"

"It was. I hope you don't mind. I wanted your sleep to be restful."

Alindra leaned in and kissed Athena's forehead. "Thank you then. I…I could get used to this."

"Good. I plan on visiting you often when you get back. And I need to talk to you about your journey. I am forbidden to interfere. As it is, by supplying you with armament, I have already broken that rule. But I cannot do much more. But I am not leaving you alone so to speak. I will be watching over you. And I have a few more things for you before you go."

"You have already done so much already."

Athena sat up on her elbows and looked into Alindra's eyes. "Hera is the patron goddess of the Amazons. Diana is her champion. But I find that I am more partial to you…and want you to go with my special blessing."

Alindra blushed. "I thought that was what happened already."

Athena gave a coy grin. "That was…that was about us, as a couple. This is about you."

"I don't understand."

Athena touched Alindra's face, and a warm glow spread across the Amazon's body. "You are favored above all to me. My first gift to you is the gift of flight. You will be able to soar above the clouds if you so choose."

Alindra's eyes went wide. "I am…I am grateful. I don't know what to say. Th-thank you."

"My second gift is safe passage to your destination. Since you will be traveling by ship, my uncle Poseidon has assured me that you will meet with no trouble on his waters."

"More interference?" Alindra chuckled.

"My uncle is a push over when it comes to me. He sees it as a way to keep his favorite niece happy. Just don't tell Aphrodite."

Alindra laughed, "I will keep it quiet."

"My last gift is this…" Athena reached out and touched each of Alindra's wrists. Gold bracelets appeared bearing the emblem of an owl. "They are similar to Diana's with one exception."

"The owl?"

"Yes. The owl. Diana is Hera's champion, but you are mine."

"I am you know." Alindra whispered the response. "Yours."

"I know. And I will spend an eternity telling you how much that means to me. But for now, I will leave you to get ready. I love you Alindra. I will always be nearby."

"I love you, Athena, goddess of wisdom, and goddess of my heart."

Alindra leaned in and kissed Athena's lips tenderly, and sighed when the goddess disappeared into thin air.

Audrey sat her in her room. A message had just arrived from Queen Hippolyta that informed her that the Amazons would be answering the call for aide. It also outlined that a public announcement would be made to the world outlining their involvement. Audrey smiled. Help was coming.

As she shifted slightly on her bed, a soft knock came at her door.

"Enter."

Her husband walked in, and sat down next to her on the bed. "My Queen, there is a press conference about to begin. Hippolyta is addressing the press in mere moments. The EU has allowed her to speak from the capital in Brussels."

"Then we should watch it."

Dmitri nodded and turned on the television. Queen Hippolyta was standing at a podium in front of a mass of reporters.

"I have traveled from Themiscyra to this place to make a statement. The troubles in Kasnia weigh heavily on my heart and those of the Amazons. We have decided to take action, and assist Queen Audrey in her war. The NKFR have shown themselves to be nothing more than terrorists, and we will not stand idly by while our sister country's citizens suffer. Just yesterday I was granted a private audience with the founding members of the Justice League. While they are not sanctioning action at this time, I requested that my daughters be released of their duties for a time to tend to this issue. You will notice I said daughters. This is not a mistake. Diana, who the world knows as Wonder Woman will be leading her sisters in battle. Understand that she does not represent the League in any way in this matter. And neither does Shayera Hol, who will also be a part of the Amazon forces, and who is now a member of my family through marriage. It is not my wish for this news to be a distraction, but I felt it to be important that my daughter's marriage to Shayera be shared. We have welcomed Shayera into our tribe, and she has been granted Amazonian status by our patron goddess."

Audrey felt her stomach sink. She blinked a few times in shock, and her hand immediately covered her mouth. Her body stiffened, and she felt a wave of nausea hit her gut.

Dmitri looked over at his wife, and hesitantly put an arm around her. "I'm sorry."

"I-I can't believe this. Diana is married, and let her mother tell the world…I…" Audrey was unable to finish her sentence. The tears started flowing immediately, and Dmitri drew her into a hug.

"She doesn't even know that I have held on for so long to the idea of us being together. I was so foolish Dmitri. I let her go, knowing how we felt about each other. I announced my marriage to you within months, and she has no idea what it means. I thought I was doing the right thing for Kasnia, and you are wonderful, but I let her go, and for what? A country who will never accept me as I am? Why does it have to be one or the other? Why can't I lead and love?"

Dmitri kissed his wife's forehead. "I don't know what to say. I know you love Kasnia, and have sacrificed so much. And given time, perhaps the citizens will grow to understand your position."

"It doesn't matter. She is married to someone else. To a fellow Leaguer. I lost her."

"Our son, Dane…he is named for her isn't he?"

"You know he is."

Dmitri sighed. "I figured as much. I know we never spoke about it, but I always assumed."

Audrey wiped her tears with her hands. She leaned back and looked at Dmitri. "You are a good friend, and a good man. I wish that we felt differently about each other. And you have sacrificed your happiness to a degree too. Illiana is a good woman. This can't be easy for her either."

"You and I want what is best for Kasnia. She understands that. You and I will raise our son to be a good man, and a good ruler. You know," Dmitri chuckled, "it took me forever to convince her we weren't sleeping together when you got pregnant."

The thought made Audrey chuckle slightly. "I imagine that would be hard to swallow. He is your son though. Biologically speaking, and in so many other ways. You are a good father too. We are lucky to have you."

Dmitri beamed, "Our son is everything. I swear no matter what happens between us, I will always be there for him and you. And I am your friend. If you ever decide to go public with our arrangement, I will support you."

"That isn't going to happen anytime soon."

"I know, but you should think about it. Dane will want his mother to be happy. I want that for you too. I know it must be lonely. And you will find someone who makes you feel that way again."

"I just wish it had been Diana…"

"What will you say to her? And to Shayera?"

Audrey thought for a moment. "I will thank them for coming, and wish them the best in their marriage. I have to put the past away. Kasnia is priority, and the people's safety and needs will always come first. This will be the only time I grieve for Diana again."

"Then I will leave you and make preparations for their arrival. The Amazons are formidable. This should be over soon."

Audrey agreed, "It should, but be careful. We cannot afford to underestimate our opponents."

Dmitri nodded and stood. "Would you like me to send the nanny with our son to see you?"

Audrey chuckled, "The nanny? Is it a coincidence that she is a tall brunette with blue eyes?"

Dmitri laughed, "No it isn't. I was hoping she would be a welcome distraction. Was I right?"

"I am not sleeping with the nanny, Dmitri."

Audrey's husband shrugged. "We could hire a blonde if you prefer."

Audrey swatted her husband playfully. "Get out of here. I will join you soon in meeting the Amazons when they arrive."

Dmitri stopped just shy of the door. "For what it is worth, I think you are a tremendous woman. You have sacrificed so much for Kasnia, and I respect that. I respect you. And about the nanny…I-I just was hoping you would, well, not be lonely."

"Some things cannot be helped. Go, and we will talk later."

Somewhere in the mountains of Kasnia…

"Commander Helios, have you seen the news?"

A tall, dark haired man stood facing the television and watched the end of the press conference.

"I have." Came the dark reply.

"The Amazons are coming with two members of the Justice League."

"I am aware."

"We can't beat the League."

Helios spun around and glared at the man who had just spoken. "We don't have to beat the entire League, just Diana, and her band of girl scouts. I am confident in my ability to do so. She is a worthy opponent. I am anxious to test my skills against her. I made short work of the dam at Fastad. I will make short work of her too."

"How?"

"I know my opponent. I was made aware that she may be coming. I am ready. She however, will have no idea what hit her. Step up the plans for invading the city of Govarostok. Take the force early in the morning. It is important to demolish it prior to the Amazons arriving. We need to make an example of the citizens. Show no mercy, and give no quarter. I want the Queen trembling at the thought of what we can do."

"Will you not be coming with us?"

"No. The League is not convinced that I exist. We will bide our time and I will strike when ready. For now I will wait."

"Yes Commander. I will ready the men."

Helios turned back to the television. He chuckled ominously and turned it off. "Hippolyta, you have sent your sisters to the slaughter."

A/N:Well...here we see Audrey's reaction to the news that Diana is married. What did you think? And we got to see more of Dmitri. What do you think of him now? And we caught a glimpse of Helios. He is pretty confident that he can beat Diana...and Athena and Alindra thrown in for a little sweetness. What did you think of their interaction? Thanks to everyone who leaves reviews. I have not had a lot of time to answer all of you who sign in. I promise I will do so soon. For anonymous: Audrey reacted. Was it what you expected? And how will she react when she comes face to face with Diana and Shayera? For ET, thanks for coming out of the wood works and leaving a review. Please continue to let me know if you are enjoying. Happy reading to all.