Senator Levinivich frantically scurried through his office. He had a small duffle bag with him, and he was reaching for his favorite book on the shelf. He knew he was risking himself coming back to his office, but there were a few items that he felt he couldn't be without. As it was, there was no news that the sniper had been caught. "I can't believe the moron missed," he mumbled. His master would not be happy with this news, but he set his thoughts to collecting what he had come for, and then to his escape.
He looked at his bookshelf and grabbed his bookends. The ram's horns had been a gift from his master, and he was not going to leave them to be found. It wouldn't take those nosey Amazons too much time to figure out what had been happening under the Queen's nose. Shoving them into his bag he crossed to his desk. He pulled out a small pistol of the top drawer. He recoiled when the door was smashed in, and wood splinters went flying all around the room. He lifted his weapon to see a blonde Amazon charging through the door directly at him. There were several Kasnian soldiers behind her, weapons raised. Before he could blink, and think to fire a shot at her, she had him pressed up against his bookshelf. The gun was snatched from his hand and dropped to the floor.
"HOW DARE YOU ATTACK ME AMAZON! I am Senator Levinivich of the Kasnian Senate. I demand that you release me."
Alindra snorted.
The Senator railed, "The Queen will hear of this treachery!"
"She will Senator, if she hasn't already..." came the reply.
Levinivich felt himself jerked away from the shelves and tossed across the room towards the soldiers.
"I am Queen Audrey's godfather! You have no authority to hold me woman."
A couple of the soldiers lowered their weapons, and quickly cuffed the fallen politician. He struggled and mocked outrage, but he knew he was caught.
Alindra nodded towards the door. The Senator was dragged away protesting his arrest. The blonde general looked around the room. She scanned the shelves and desk. "Why would he risk coming back here?" she whispered to no one. Quickly, she rummaged through the drawers, and was disappointed when she didn't find anything of significance. Her eyes leveled on the duffle bag on the floor, and she picked it up. Examining the contents, she saw only a book and and a set of bookends. The book was The Prince by Macchiavelli, and the bookends were a gaudy set of horns of some sort. She tossed both objects back into the bag convinced that there was something she missing. But she pushed the thought aside and walked towards the exit. There were still a few soldiers lingering, waiting on her to leave with them. "Secure this room. Illiana Stilenko will want it searched with a fine tooth comb."
Diana and Shayera were chatting in a hallway when Illiana and Di approached.
"Why is there blood on your hands?" Diana asked, shocked at the appearance of her twin.
Di looked down at her appendages, and shrugged. "We met with some issues."
"What issues? Where is Alindra?"
"On an errand for Illiana. Look Diana, I need to talk to Audrey about the sniper. Can we talk about this later?"
"No we can't. Start talking."
"I don't take orders from you."
"Stuff it Di. What happened?"
Di stood silent. Illiana stepped forward, "Princess Diana, we have urgent news to deliver to the Queen. Please, allow this matter to drop for the time being."
Diana scrutinized the smaller woman. "You can go Illiana. Di, don't think that you are going anywhere until I get some answers."
Illiana looked up at Di. The Amazon was fuming. Just as she was about to speak, a soldier ran up to the group in the hallway. He saluted the officer and then handed her a piece of paper. She opened it and read it quickly. She nodded and delivered an order, "Bring Alindra to the Queen's study. No one is to speak to the prisoner until I am there."
The soldier saluted again, and left. Illiana turned to the other women, "Let's all go. You will get your answers then Princess."
Di and Illiana walked past the other pair down the hall. Shayera leaned into Diana, "What is this all about?"
"I don't know," Diana replied, "but I have a feeling that I won't like it."
Audrey sat in her study, silently contemplating the day's events. Almost being killed had an uncanny way of putting things into perspective. She was confident that Illiana, Alindra, and Di would get answers from the man. And silently she hoped that Di would break one of his fingers. The bastard deserved no less. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at her door.
"Enter."
Diana, Shayera, Illiana, and Di entered and their faces were serious. Audrey looked at each woman individually. Shayera was watching the two dark haired Amazons intently, her eyes darting in between the women. Diana looked furious. She was glaring at her twin. Di's face was stoic, her eyes forward. Illiana stood as she always did. Her shoulders were squared, and she addressed the Queen.
"Your Majesty, we have several pieces of new information to share with you, but I beg your patience, as we are waiting on General Alindra to join us first."
Audrey continued to look at the group, but nodded in assent. She crossed to Di and noticed her hands were bloodied. "What happened? Are you okay?"
Di shot her eyes to Diana, and then to the Queen. "I am fine." She paused and then leaned into the smaller woman's space. "I broke his finger, well, two maybe."
"Broken fingers don't bleed! Don't forget I can hear you Di." Diana raged.
Audrey wasn't sure why Diana was angry, but she knew she would be getting her answers soon. She looked back at Di. "But you are unharmed?"
Di's face softened, but she only nodded. The group stood in silence until Alindra arrived. Once the blonde general was in the room, Diana exploded at Di, "What did you do?"
Di turned her anger at her twin. "I delivered a message."
Diana started to cross the room, but Shayera held her in check. "Diana, just let her answer."
"Make it quick."
Di growled, "Illiana and I had a conversation with the sniper that we caught. Frankly, the blood on my hands is his."
"You beat him?" Diana recoiled.
Illiana interjected. "When we entered the room, I tied the lasso around his wrist and he confessed to being the man who tried to assassinate the Queen this morning in the Square. He also gave us a name. It was a name we had just prior however. I looked into your suggestions, and found that the mole is a Senator."
Audrey's head snapped to the other blonde. "Who?"
"I'm sorry my queen, but it is Levinivich."
Audrey stumbled backwards at the statement. She sat down on the couch in shock. "Are you sure?" she whispered.
"We are. We dug through his financials. He was preparing to flee the capital when Alindra caught him. The sniper named him. Even if he hadn't, we found a disposable phone on him. The last number dialed in was traced to the Senator's office. He is being held in the detention area. We have yet to question him."
Diana looked at Di, "Well, no way in hell are you talking to him. Given the blood on your hands I would say you probably didn't speak to the sniper."
"I said a few things, but you don't get to make that decision."
"What did you do exactly? Tell me now."
Di turned to Diana. "I did what anyone in my position would do. I broke two of his fingers, crushed his shoulder, cracked several of his teeth, and fractured his skull."
"You killed him?"
"No. I didn't."
Illiana addressed the Queen. "I did. He confessed to trying to assassinate you prior to Di laying a finger on him. He also gave us the name of the Senator. I passed summery judgment, which I have the authority to do under our laws. I fired the shot that killed him."
Audrey was still silent. She ran her fingers through her hair, and was still trying to grasp what she was being told.
Diana turned to Alindra, "Why weren't you there with them?"
"I was asked to seek out the Senator and bring him here."
"By who?"
"Di."
Diana glared at the blonde general. "She holds no authority here. I am your Princess. You should never have left."
Di spat, "What is your problem?"
Diana pointed at her twin, "You are. You are nothing more than a loose cannon, flying off at the handle when your temper sparks! This is not how we do things."
"Who exactly is we Diana? The League? Because I am not part of that group."
"And with good reason, considering what you twisted that into."
"What did you just say to me?" Di was inching closer to the other woman, rage flashing in her eyes.
"You suddenly not speak English? I was clear. Your morals are suspect at best. What you did was inappropriate."
"Inappropriate? You are a hypocrite Diana."
The two Amazons were dangerously close to coming to blows. Di continued, "You are no better than me, so stop being a sanctimonious..."
"Sanctimonious?" Diana spat.
"What? You suddenly don't understand English either? That is exactly what you are. I did what I needed to do, and if you say you wouldn't do the same thing, you are a liar."
"I have had enough of you."
"The feeling is mutual. I am sick of you threatening me when it suits you, and looking down your nose at me. Insult me again, and I will break it for you."
"That's your answer? Break my nose? Typical. But anytime you feel the need to try..."
Di raised her fist, and Alindra and Shayera stepped in between the two.
Alindra shoved Di backwards and placed her hand on the other woman's chest.
Di was outraged. "Let me ask you something Diana, what would you do if someone threatened Shayera?"
"It isn't the same."
"Yes it is! You came barreling through a window and smashed me into a wall a week ago. What were those circumstances about? You saw my hand on her and you went berserk. You are no better than me. At least we knew what the situation was with the sniper. You didn't even stop to find out what the situation was. SO, Princess, ask yourself how much better you are than me now."
"ENOUGH!" Audrey stood and screamed. "I have heard all of this nonsense I am willing to. Both of you be quiet." She crossed to stand in front of Diana. "Di is not part of your League, or your tribe of Amazons. She was assigned to me, and thus answers to me, not you. While she is here, and she is more than welcome to be, she will not be dictated to. You are a valued ally, and we could not have come this far without you and your sisters. You saved my life, and I value your input, but you are picking a fight, and Di acted under my authority. What happened is above board. Illiana acted within the law, and frankly I am glad he is dead." She turned to Di, "Control your temper. Diana is here at our request, and she is to be treated with respect. Both of you need to learn that lesson."
The two dark haired women relaxed their stances slightly, but said nothing. Audrey looked at Illiana, "Where is my godfather being kept?"
"Downstairs. I gave the order that no one speak to him, until I arrived."
Audrey nodded, "General Alindra, what was his reaction when you detained him?"
"Indignant. He insisted that I no authority to hold him. I left a few soldiers in his office. They were asked to secure the room, and to wait, as I assumed that Illiana would want to search it. I brought his duffle bag with me."
"Anything of importance in it?"
"Not that I can tell."
"Illiana, do what you need to with regards to his office. Search it, and see what your team can find. Give the orders now though. I want you with me when I go and see him."
"Your Majesty, I will do as you ask. But, and forgive me, why not let me question him?"
"You will, but I will be there too. And," Audrey turned her attention to Shayera, "I would ask that you be with us too. You and Illiana will take the lead. I simply want to hear his answers for myself. I need cooler heads in the room, and right now," she looked between the two Dianas, "that isn't you two."
Illiana nodded, and replied, "As you wish. I will meet you in the detention area in a few minutes. Shayera, would you like to accompany me?"
Shayera looked at Diana. She could tell her wife was still angry, but she wasn't saying anything. "Sweetheart?"
Diana turned her attention to the redhead. "Go Shayera. I will be fine. Promise."
Shayera squeezed the Amazon's forearm and left with Illiana. Alindra coughed and spoke up, "With your permission Princess Diana, I will see to our sisters."
Diana nodded and Alindra left as well.
Audrey turned her attention to Di. "Would you mind if I spoke to Diana for just a moment?"
Di stared at her twin, but relented. "I will be outside if you need me."
Diana shot her head towards the other woman and scowled. Di left and Audrey motioned for Diana to sit next to her on the couch. Reluctantly, Diana sat down. The blonde began speaking, "Diana, please, don't be angry with her. She did what she thought she needed to. I was sincere when I said you are a valued ally. But the tension between you two is near suffocating. This is not conducive to the group being successful. And I don't want to be placed in between the two of you. You are my friend, and she..."
"Is what?"
"Is important to me. She saved me today, and she is fast becoming something special to me. I have no right to ask you, but I would appreciate it if you two could ease up on each other."
"Audrey, what she did today concerns me. I know what I am capable of, and she seems to have twice the temper I do. I am only trying to protect you. I..."
"What is it?"
"Do you know why I came here?"
"I assume because your mother agreed to send the Amazons."
"Yes, but if I am going to be honest with you, I probably would have come by myself if Shayera had been agreeable. I care what happens to you. Audrey, I loved you, and I know you loved me. I feel as if I owe you something, given how I handled our situation. And during that time, I feared what would happen to you if anyone knew we were together. My point is that I would have destroyed anyone who threatened you, so yes, I understand her reaction. But she is a former Justice Lord. I cannot help but wonder how far she would go. She has been given a chance for some sort of redemption, and in a twisted way, she is mine. She has the chance to make all of what I did up to you. And if she feels half of what I did for you, I worry what that will lead her to do."
"Diana..."
"I couldn't bear it if I was the reason again that you were unhappy."
"She isn't you, and I know that. What happened with you and me is in the past. I was young...Just as you said what happened with us made you reconsider your stance with Shayera, we learn lessons from relationships. It took me a lot longer to learn mine. I needed to stifle my selfishness and stop thinking about just myself and what I wanted. The people became my priority, which they should have been all along. You leaving made me a better Queen. And I understand your concerns over Di, but you are not looking at the whole picture. She is tender, and compassionate. Yes, she is temperamental, but she isn't the only one."
Diana laughed. "Yes, I heard you earlier."
"Whatever happens between her and I has nothing to do with what happened between us. If she breaks my heart, then she breaks it. But I am willing to take the risk to find out what is between us. Everything with her is different, and I like how she makes me feel. And I want her to feel the same way. Diana, forgive me. I am sorry for the way I acted."
"Audrey, forgive me. I should have listened to you."
"But you have Shayera now, and I know how happy she makes you."
"She does. Shayera is an incredible woman. I am lucky."
"I'd say she is just as lucky. Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Will you two be taking advantage of Kasnian technology and having children?"
"We have talked about it. Nothing is decided. We just want to get through this first."
"Consider it. And if you decide to, know that it is available to you. I am grateful that you came. I really want us to be friends Diana. Not having you in my life these past years..."
"I feel the same way." Diana reached out and hugged the blonde. The soft embrace was returned, and Diana felt all of her earlier anger melt away. She stood and walked to the door. " I assume that you want to speak to Di."
Audrey nodded and Diana left the room. She found her twin pacing the hallway. When she stopped and looked up, Diana sighed. "I'm sorry. What can I say?"
Di stood shocked for a moment, and then shook her head. "Forget it."
"No, you are owed an apology. I get it. You were right. I am hypocritical sometimes. We are on the same side."
"Hers..." Di mumbled.
"Yes." Diana answered and then walked away.
Di stared after her twin. She had been tempted to listen to their conversation, but she knew that if whatever she and Audrey were experiencing, she would have to trust the blonde. Lightly she knocked on the door, and entered.
Audrey was sitting on the couch smiling at her. "Shut the door?"
Di felt the tension in her body relax a bit, and she closed the door behind her. Audrey stood, and removed her scarf. She dipped it in a pitcher of water on her desk and walked to the Amazon. Gently she lifted the other woman's hands and wiped away the blood that was on her knuckles.
"Thank you." Audrey whispered.
"For what?"
"For being you. I appreciate what you did. I understand."
"Audrey, this may be too soon, but you have to know how you affect me."
"I know that it has only been a week..."
"Nine days."
Audrey chuckled, "Ten days, yes. You certainly have invaded my senses quickly."
"I get around you, and my brain becomes mushy. And my body gets tingly."
Audrey blushed. "Di, you look at me, and my knees become jelly. I have a question for you."
"Ask it."
"Will you stay, I mean, after this is over? I would like to see where this leads."
"You have to ask?" Di teased, throwing the Queen's earlier words back at her. "Clearly you were not paying attention to me before."
"Oh, you have my attention, but there are things that I need to do now. Stay?"
"For as long as you can stand me."
"Come with me now? I really need to hear what my godfather has to say for himself, and I think I will need your strength."
"It's yours."
Audrey tossed the scarf on her desk, and slipped her hand into one of the Amazon's. She squeezed it lightly, "I...I am glad that you are here."
"I wish I had known you existed sooner."
"I wouldn't have been ready for you. I am now. Kiss me?"
Di leaned in and tenderly pressed her lips to the Queen's. Audrey reached up with her free hand, and gently stroked her protector's cheek. The moment was brief, but Audrey and Di cherished it nonetheless.
A/N: Here were the reactions...did you like? Specifically did you like the interaction with Audrey and Diana? Next chapter will bring Helena/Dinah and the questioning of the Senator. Once again, thanks for the reviews. I especially liked the anonymous marriage proposal. Thanks for the laugh whoever you are...and for AVthR...thanks for coming out of the wood works. Hope to hear from you again.