With the group being settled into the palace, the mole hunt began quietly. But the women were frustrated, as no one within the grounds knew anything of a traitor within the walls. Questioning went on for a few days with no results. Di was becoming unbearable to be around with each round of denials. Di, Diana, Shayera, Alindra, and Illiana stood around discussing what their next steps would be.

"Di, you need to calm down a little. Keep your composure. I know we have not found out anything new, but we will keep at it." Alindra offered.

"This is taking too long. We should know more by now. What are we missing?"

Shayera answered, "It's true that we are coming up empty. But let's look at this differently. Illiana, who would have known about the reinforcements going to Govarostok?"

Illiana thought about the question for a moment. "General Leonid obviously. Since this is a monarchy, he wouldn't have had to tell anyone else, other than the Queen. But he didn't tell her. And he is no traitor."

Di mumbled, "It isn't like we can ask him. Convenient."

Illiana clenched her fists. "Convenient? He lost his arm, and almost his life defending this palace! He would never knowingly put his son in danger. And while he and Queen Audrey are not married in the traditional way, he cares for her as his friend. So, he would not put her in danger either."

Di glared, but said nothing. There was no flaw in the logic.

Diana ran her hands through her hair in frustration. "There must be something we are missing! The meta-human wouldn't have known so quickly about the reinforcements leaving the capital's defenses thin if he hadn't been tipped off."

Shayera nodded in agreement. "So, General Leonid wouldn't have to tell anyone, but out of courtesy, would he have mentioned it to someone?"

Illiana answered, "There is a group of men that might have been told. Men who do not live in the palace. A handful of generals, commanders, and a couple of politicians from our Senate."

"Names. Now." Di ordered.

Illiana glared at the Amazon. "You may be the Queen's protector, but you could use an exercise in manners."

Di stalked over to where the blonde was standing. "You going to try and give me that lesson?"

Diana grabbed her twin's shoulders, holding her back. "Di, please. We are all on the same side. Illiana, could you please give us names?"

Illiana eyed Di suspiciously, but answered the question. "There's General Urbov. He was head of the army prior to Audrey marrying Dmitri. But there was no ill will when Audrey named General Leonid head of the country's forces. Urbov is very close to retirement, and his health has been failing of late. He is a shrewd tactician, but he doesn't seem likely to be the leak. He was close friends with the Queen's father, and became a close advisor to her upon the King's death. He has looked out for her much like a father would. Then there is Commander Lebedev. He is in his mid-forties. He was a staunch supporter of negotiating peace with the previous rebels within Kasnia. Much of his work was responsible for bringing them to the table. Given that he pushed peace, and worked tirelessly to get the two sides to come to an agreement, it does not seem likely he would betray the Queen either."

Shayera bit her lip in contemplation. "Before you name anyone else, let's narrow this list down a little. Of all the people that you can think of, who actually lives in the capital? It seems that we should focus on that aspect. I realize technology has allowed for fast communication across great distances, but if General Leonid had this conversation face to face, who would have been readily available to him?"

"Senator Levinivich, Senator Karkov, and General Urbov. They reside in the capital. The others live in nearby cities, and commute to the palace."

Alindra, who had sat quietly since the beginning, perked up. "Tell us about Karkov and Levinivich."

Illiana exhaled, "Both have served in the Senate for twenty plus years. Karkov didn't like the idea of negotiating peace. He wanted the rebels flushed out and crushed. Levinivich is actually the Queen's godfather. He seemed amiable to the idea of peace, but he sided with Karkov some of the time. Once the two sides met and made headway, he seemed to support the idea of coming to terms with the rebels."

Shayera pursed her lips. "Both are rich?"

"Yes. Much like American politicians, money is made in the Senate, but they have outside wealth as well. Both are from prominent families."

Shayera continued, "So it stands that they have houses outside of the city as well?"

"Yes, both."

"Illiana, very quietly, see if you can determine if either left the city close to the time of attack."

"Why?"

"If you had leaked information to the enemy, and knew their proclivity for destruction, would you stay in the city?"

"No." Illiana smiled, "I wouldn't. I will find out and report back. Is there anything else?"

Di shook her head, "Yes. Queen Audrey is determined to make a public appearance, and soon. I cannot keep her off of the subject for long. I keep trying to convince her that it is a bad idea, but she won't listen. We are going to have to try and make her as safe as possible while she is in public."

Alindra turned to Di. "Since you are not leaving her side, perhaps you should consider wearing the Amazon armor. It has to be better than what you are wearing now."

Di looked at Alindra like she was crazy. "Would you offer the same to Diana?"

"N-No. Diana is stronger than all of us, and is invincible."

"Then you should seriously consider that I am the same as her. I will not change my attire. Aphrodite chose it, and I see no reason to change it."

"It was only a suggestion. Fine. There is one thing that you should wear though." Alindra pulled out a small box from her belt. She extended the object to Di. "In that box are the contact lenses that the Kasnians gave us. They will give you the technological equivalent of super vision. You will be able to see threats farther off, as well as their exact distance, much about them, even in infrared and in the dark. We are all wearing them, and you should too."

Di took the box being offered and slipped the lenses into place. "Happy?"

Shayera watched the scene and leaned over to Diana, "She is a grumpy bitch. I like you so much more. No wonder her Shayera stayed with John."

Diana nodded and chuckled lightly, "The two of you would have been at each other's throats. Although her Shayera showed great lack of taste by staying with Lantern. He is probably a dick in any world. Remind me to ask her when this is all over."

Shayera smiled, and softly brushed her hand against Diana's.

"We need to discuss protection for the Queen," Di continued. "It will not do for all of us to appear publicly with her and leave her son unprotected."

"Agreed." Illiana replied.

"I will stay with Dane." Shayera offered. "He seems to have taken a liking to me, and will be comfortable if I am with him if his mother is not. And I think that both Di and Diana should be with Audrey. No one knows yet that Di is a part of our group. Maybe that will give Audrey's enemies pause seeing the both of you. My Diana is scary enough, but if someone thinks that they have to deal with two of you, they will be less likely to attack openly."

Di nodded her head. "I would also like Alindra to be with us. Three Amazons with our powers will keep the Queen safe as possible."

"You want my company now?" Alindra teased.

"The Alindra I knew was a great general. I admit that I preferred Artemis, as she was more inclined to assert her aggressiveness, but it can't hurt to have the woman bedding a goddess with us."

Alindra cocked her eyebrow, "You meant that respectfully I am sure?"

Di stood silent for a moment, but then smiled through gritted teeth. "I meant no disrespect to the Goddess of Wisdom."

Alindra growled, "You better not have. Wonder Woman or not, you need to tread lightly. I promised her I would support you, but it does not mean you couldn't be walking around with a black eye and a distinct limp."

Di opened her mouth to respond, but then promptly shut it. Shayera leaned over to Diana again and whispered. "I recognize that mood. You get into that one every once in a while."

Diana grinned, and replied very quietly, "Only when my wife is away on missions and I am left alone. Or when she is not exactly, mmmm, forthcoming with certain things I need."

Shayera winked at Diana, "It isn't like you are denied all that often. Being your lover is physically exhausting sometimes."

Suddenly the two realized that they were being stared at. Di was scowling again, and Alindra was clenching and unclenching her fists. Illiana had her hands shoved into her pants pockets and was staring at the floor. Diana looked at her twin. "You have super hearing too don't you?"

"Yes. Stop talking about my mood."

Diana replied, "Are you done insulting everyone in this room?"

Di sighed, and sat down. "Yes. I apologize Alindra. I find myself..."

"On edge." Diana finished. "It is understandable that this is stressful. To all of us. Illiana, start looking into who was in the city, and dig into financials as well. Someone has to be monetarily supporting the NKFR. Look for a trail. Di, go and speak to Audrey. Try and buy us some time before her public appearance. Stall her, I don't care how."

Di smirked, "You sure about that?"

Di approached the large wooden doors that led to Audrey's private study. There were ways to stall the Queen. But as she thought of how she would accomplish the feat, nothing but lascivious ideas came to her mind. Di shook her head. She needed to get a grip on her feelings. Now was not the time to try and seduce Audrey. As it was, she was still considering if kissing her would be appropriate given everything that was going on.

"Damn Aphrodite, you knew she would have this effect on me." Di sighed as she imagined the Goddess of Love would probably be laughing at her right at that very moment. "I haven't known her a whole week, and I can't stop thinking about her."

The Amazon drew in a big breath, and knocked lightly on the door. Within moments she heard the Queen beckon her to enter. When she did, Diana noticed the two guards, armed at the inside of the door adjust into a little more relaxed stance. Audrey glanced up from her desk, papers strewn everywhere. As the blonde's eyes met hers, Di's heart fluttered slightly. Audrey flashed a smile, and waved her in. Di crossed the room and sat across from the large wooden desk. Audrey lowered her head and began furiously scribbling on the paper in front of her. After a few moments, she sat back in her chair and closed her eyes.

"You alright?" Di asked.

"Just tired. I have been putting the finishing touches on the speech I plan to give."

"About that, I would like to talk to you about your intentions."

Audrey clasped her hands on her lap and stared at the Amazon.

Di shifted under the gaze. Being in the Queen's presence since their chat on the flight back to the palace had left her feeling a little disoriented. "In a good way..." Di whispered to herself.

Audrey leaned forward, "Sorry Di, I didn't catch that. What did you say?"

"I, it was...nothing. Could I speak with you privately?"

Audrey smiled and nodded. The guards left the room immediately. Di watched them go and felt her chest get heavy when the doors closed behind them.

Audrey leaned across the desk, "Di, are you alright? You seem like you are on edge a bit. What is it that you wanted to speak to me about?"

Di turned her attention back to the Queen. "We have not had any luck finding the leak. I am more than concerned for your safety if you continue on this plan of yours to address the country publicly. I, no we, believe it is best that you not pursue this. If you feel the need to send the country a message, please consider again that you should do it in closed quarters. Putting yourself in harm's way again is not the best idea."

Audrey stood and removed the snug, black jacket she was wearing and tossed it on the back of her chair. She walked around the side of the desk, and sat in the seat next to the Amazon. Di openly stared at the Queen, taking in everything she was seeing. The petite blonde was wearing a white silk shirt, and the top few buttons were undone. The opening revealed nothing but the creamy skin of Audrey's chest. Her black pants were tailored, and Di couldn't help the flash in her mind of imagining what those pants would look like heaped on the floor.

The look on Audrey's face was one of concern, but the more Di stared at her, a small grin began to tug at the Queen's lips. "Di, why are you waiting?"

Di's eyes snapped back up to Audrey's. The Queen's look was playful, and the Amazon considered how easy it would be to just lean in and kiss the woman who had invaded her thoughts so much lately. Instead, she leaned back and closed her eyes.

"Audrey, we really need to talk about your speech. I am asking you to please not do it in public. Protecting you within these walls will be much easier."

Audrey's heart sank slightly. She had hoped that the Amazon would have made some sort of move, but instead they were sitting, once again, discussing her plans.

"Di, I have to do this. I will address my country and reassure them who is in charge. I will lay out the plans to rebuild Fastad, and I will assert myself as their Queen. I have given you a couple of days to find a traitor, and there has been no result. I mean no disrespect to you or the other women, but I cannot sit by and wait any longer."

"Why in public?"

"It sends a stronger message. It shows that I will not bow to fear or to my enemies. It will give hope to the people, and..."

Di interjected, "And what if someone tries to kill you again?"

"Then you will be there to protect me. I trust you with my life."

Di's gut wrenched. She knew that there would be no stalling the woman. "I promise that I will always try, but it isn't wise to invite trouble. Perhaps you put too much faith in me."

Audrey reached out and took one of Di's hands into her own. She gently squeezed. "I don't think so. I do trust you to keep me and Dane safe. But don't ask me to wait any longer. I have a duty to the people of this country. It is time they saw my face, and I want them to understand what being their Queen means to me."

"There is nothing that I can say then?"

"No."

"You realize that you are a pigheaded woman."

"A quality you once said was not attractive." Audrey flashed a large smile at Di.

Di returned the smile. "I lied. On you, it is."

"Then I go back to an earlier question. Why are you waiting?"

Di's smile dropped slightly, and she allowed her eyes to lower to Audrey's lips. Slowly she leaned in, and her heart began pounding. Audrey immediately followed suit and closed her eyes waiting for the kiss to begin. But as their lips moved closer and closer, a sudden knock on the door interrupted the moment.

Di let out a breath of frustration and stormed over to the door. Audrey sat back in the seat and cursed under her breath at whoever had just knocked.

Di swung one of the doors open quickly and saw Diana standing there with Alindra.

"Of course it was you." Di mumbled.

"Sorry? Is this a bad time?" Diana replied.

"No, of course not. Come in. See if you can talk some sense into her." Di brushed by Diana and Alindra and left the room.

Diana watched the other Amazon walk away and then expectantly looked at Audrey. The Queen stood and walked back over to her chair. She picked up her jacket and put it back on. She buttoned it across her abdomen and sat back down behind her desk. She waved the two women into the room.

Diana looked at Alindra and then shrugged. "Audrey, we have the Amazons spread throughout the city. No enemy force will be coming in anytime soon. Have you decided to go ahead with your speech?"

"I have. Tomorrow morning we will be gathering in the Square in the heart of the capital. I will address the nation there."

Diana shook her head in dissent. "That is far too open! Please pick a different place at least."

"No. The Square is where my coronation occurred. That is where I will be tomorrow morning."

Alindra looked between the two women. Diana was silently fuming and Audrey's face conveyed nothing but defiance.

Alindra spoke up. "You may not be willing to consider your safety, but are you considering those who are trying to keep you out of harm's way? You are placing all of us out in the open."

Audrey opened up her mouth to reply, but closed it.

Diana nodded, "Audrey, she will not leave your side. She will stand there, and if necessary, take a bullet or a bomb for you."

Audrey recoiled slightly. She had not considered that aspect, and cursed herself silently for not having thought of it. "I know it seems selfish. I can't explain why I need to do this any other way than I already have. I can go out there without her. She doesn't need to be there."

Diana rolled her eyes in frustration. "Alindra, could you give us a moment?"

The blonde general stood, and exited the room.

Diana leaned forward, "I am not sure what is going on between you two, and I know that it is none of my business. But you must know that I would not let you go alone, and I am not the one who Aphrodite chose to protect you. It is clear that she is developing feelings, I can see it in her face every time you walk into the room. She will not let you go alone either. Audrey, think about this. I know what you are trying to achieve, but is it worth the risk?"

Audrey clenched her teeth. "Diana, I may be a lot of things, but I am not stupid. My actions are my own, and again, it is not necessary to remind me."

"I disagree. If something happens to you, she will be crushed, and I will have one HUGE RAGING Amazon on my hands. She does not need any kind of set back right now. I am not trying to be mean, but I want you to understand that what you choose to do affects us all. I love Shayera, but I would be sick if something happened to you too. Please, reconsider."

"Diana, I once loved you. I love you as my friend now. I do not want to disappoint any of you. But I need to do what is best for my people. This is it. I have made up my mind."

"Dammit Audrey!"

Audrey was quiet for a moment and then suddenly laughed. "I have heard that more than once."

Diana stood, clearly not amused, "It is a shame you never listen. Fine. Alindra, Di, and I will be with you in the Square. I will speak to Illiana about stationing troops all around, and we will bring in a small force of Amazons to secure the area as well. Shayera is going to stay with Dane. You better hope this is the right decision. I don't think you could live with yourself if it isn't."

Diana stormed out of the room. Audrey sat shocked, and let a few tears fall. "Why is it always the one I love, or the people I serve?"

The Senator sat in his office with a sick smile on his face. He picked up the phone on his desk and dialed the familiar number. Immediately a voice answered.

"Where?"

"The Square. Tomorrow morning. The troops are being mobilized to secure the area. Are you in the city?"

"Yes."

"And you are clear what I want done?"

"Yes."

"Good. Make it happen. I will wait until the dust settles slightly, and then I will leave. There will be no more business between us. The money will be in your account tonight."

"Understood." And with the response, the line went dead.

The Senator sat back. After tomorrow, he would be living in a new place, with a new purpose in life. No extradition laws, and a large bank account would be his security. He chuckled to himself. His master would be most pleased.

A/N: Thanks to those who encouraged and/or threatened after the last chapter update. Nothing like a good swift kick in the arse to get you going. So...Di is a bit moody, Audrey is determined, and Diana is frustrated. And lest I forget, the Senator is plotting. AND Alindra is bad ass. Probably not the "wisest" thing to do, insulting her Athena...comment on anything you would like. I love seeing the reviews with thought put into what is going on. Since I will not insult your intelligence, I think we all know where Di and Audrey are sort of headed. How quickly do want them to get there? (I am debating this now in my mind as I continue to write.) Or hey, if you don't want to see it, tell me that too. But I think you will be in the minority.