A/N: I've decided that in order to tell this story I need to do some flashbacks. This is one of those flashbacks. The next chapter will pick up where chapter 2 left off.

For any of you that are reading and are truly interested in this story sorry I haven't updated in a while. Life kept throwing one thing after another at me. So here we are. All reviews are welcome and appreciated. Happy reading!

5 years ago, …

Alex hadn't been this nervous about a date since before she started dating Maggie. She had never really considered any of the dates she and Maggie had gone on as dates. She always thought of them as interactions between two people that had mutual interests. Even after they had been together for a few months date nights never felt like date nights. They just felt like two friends hanging out.

So, this date with Diana was the first real date she had been on in years and she was freaking out. Luckily, she had Kara and Kara was the best at picking out first date outfits.

"You're sure this is what I should wear?"

"Alex, you said yourself this wasn't anything fancy just dinner. So yes, I think it is the perfect outfit. If your questioning whether or not your look good don't because you look absolutely stunning. This is an outfit the is all you."

Alex knew Kara was right she was just over thinking this and besides it wasn't necessarily a date, date just two people getting dinner and talking. If it turned into something more, Alex would cross that bridge when the time came. Her favorite brown leather jacket, light green sweater, dark jeans and brown boots were perfect.

Diana hadn't been on a date in decades. Well she had only been on one other date since Steve died and that was almost 20 years after his death. It hadn't ended well so she hadn't gone on any since. To say she was nervous was an understatement. She would also be lying if talking with Alex Danvers yesterday hadn't stirred up feeling she hadn't felt since the first time she talked to Steve Trevor. But this wasn't that kind of date. No this was just two people getting dinner. Nothing else.

Alex wasn't meeting her for another hour. Today had been warmer than yesterday. She decided she would walk to the park they had agreed to meet at. Give her time to calm her nerves. National City was a beautiful city. Sure, it had its seedy parts but not as bad as Gotham. There are many days that she regrets leaving Paris. Paris was such a beautiful city but, the job at the museum in Gotham was hard to pass up. It also allowed her to give the citizens of Gotham the help they needed.

Alex was running a few minutes late. When she approached the fountain, their designated meeting place Alex started to panic. That only lasted a few seconds. She took a few deep breaths and took a look around her. She spotted Diana leaning against a tree near the open area of the park watching a teenage boy and a girl that looked to be about 7 years old going over some soccer drills. Alex slowly walked up and stood beside Diana and saw the contented smile on her face.

"We can always skip dinner if you would rather stay here and watch them run drills."

It was Diana's turn to be startled. She hadn't heard Alex approach. She composed herself and looked at her. "I used to play when I was a little girl. My aunt taught me how to play. She died when I was 21. Watching them play reminded me of her. But no reason to dwell on the past."

Turning her body to completely face Alex she offered her hand and Alex took it gladly. They walked off in silence. Alex wasn't sure if mentioning her Aunt was the right move but she was going to go for it anyway. "I used to play when I was young. My Dad taught me everything I knew about the game. But he died when I was 14. I never played again after that. Just focused on surfing. It was the only thing that would keep my mind off him long enough for my heart to feel like it wasn't missing something."

It's not that Diana didn't want to talk about Antiope she never minded talking about her she just didn't want to dwell on the sadness of it. Tonight, was supposed to be about getting to know Alex better. Not that talking about their deceased family members wasn't part of that Diana had just expected to be sharing happier memories. She couldn't imagine what Alex must have gone through. Losing her father at that age. If she had lost Antiope at that age she doesn't know if she would be as good of a warrior or if she would have survived that loss.

"I'm so sorry to hear that Alex. I can't begin to image how that must have felt. I never knew my father but if I had lost my aunt at that age it would have crushed me. She was my best friend. The person I confided in. I was in the Grecian army at the time so I just focused on being the best warrior for my country that I could be. But I never would have guessed that you surfed."

Alex had an amused expression on her face. Diana guessed it was because she had said she was in the army, not so much her comment about Alex being a surfer.

"What's that look for?" Diana said playfully.

"I get that by looking at me today you would never be able to tell that I surfed as a teenage and whenever I was home from college. But you. You were in the Grecian Army? How does one go from that to being a museum curator?"

Diana had to chuckle at that. Honestly, she went from being Diana princess of Themyscira to Diana Prince who protected people in the world as Wonder Woman. That wasn't something she could tell Alex so that seemed the best option she had. In truth, she had only been working for museums for the last 20 years. She had dabbled in many things before that but history was something she had a passion for and museum work seemed perfect.

She noticed the were only a few doors away from the restaurant she had chosen for their meal. A cute little bistro that she had discovered the last time she was in National City. She gently leads them over to the door, held it open for Alex and lead her to a table near the back. The waiter took their drink orders and it turned out that Alex came here often and knew the menu by heart so ordering didn't take long.

"I wish I had known you came here frequently I would have picked a different place."

"It's ok Diana. I love this place. If I could get away with eating every meal here I would. Now back to you. How did you go from army to working in a museum?"

Diana smiled, "I know it's a bit of a jump. When I was 23 my unit was involved in a training accident. I walked away with a broken arm, some cuts, many bruises and a sever concussion. I've had no lasting effects from it but my superiors discharged me early. I was getting out in 6 months anyway. I had always been fascinated with history and one of the local museums needed help. Mind you while I was in the army I was in college studying anthropology so that job seemed like a perfect fit. Plus, I could use some of work on maintaining and putting together exhibits toward my master's degree."

Alex was impressed they hadn't talked about college at Noonan's the other day just general interests, politics, about the exhibit Diana had been working on borrowing from the National City Museum and any interesting cases that Alex had worked on that she could talk about.

"So, you're an anthropologist?" Alex said taken by surprise and completely amazed by this woman. "I think I may have met my match."

"While that may be Alex Danvers I think there is more to you than you have let on. I would be very surprised if you were just some field agent for the FBI. Not saying there is anything wrong with that but I can tell your smart. Like genius level smart so you had to have studied something that wasn't criminal justice in college."

Alex took in Diana's mischievous grin and the slight squint in her eyes. For a moment, it took her off guard. Maggie would give her that same look at crime scenes when they both had theories on how the victim died and they both thought they were right. Alex hadn't seen that look in so long. A few tears escaped before she could push them down.

Diana noticed the look of shock, confusion and sorrow that passed across Alex face. She hadn't been expecting her comment to have that kind of reaction. Diana stopped walking, let go of Alex's hand and put it on her shoulder, "Alex I didn't mean anything by what I said I…"

Alex shook her head, wiped the few tears that she had shed and took in a bewildered Diana, "It wasn't anything you said because your right I have several degrees. I have a PhD in bioengineering and a few master's degrees in various sciences and related things. The tears came because the look you had reminded me of someone. My fiancé in fact. She used to give me that look sometimes when we both thought we were right about something. You just took me off guard is all."

Alex Danvers had a fiancé. Guessing by that reaction the relationship could have only ended one way. Death.

"Alex I'm so sorry. We don't have to talk about it tonight. Tell me more about college, your many different degrees and why you choose the FBI. Or none of that we can talk about anything you want."

Alex couldn't help but smile at Diana trying to backpedal the conversation. Which she was grateful for. Tonight, she didn't want to think of Maggie. She just wanted to focus on the woman in front of her.

Alex told Diana her story. How she had always been expected to be at the top of her classes. How she had already done 2 years' worth of college courses before she graduated high school. How she had finished her college career in a year and a half and graduated with 3 bachelor's degrees. How she managed to hold it together long enough to get a few masters degrees. But started falling apart during her doctorate programs because her mom left to much responsibility on her shoulders. Had too high of expectations for her eldest daughter. How her mother blamed her for everything that Kara did wrong. Would call her just to yell at her for not calling enough.

How she started drinking and clubbing to ease the pain of feeling like she had to be perfect all the time. Told Diana how the drinking had gotten so out of control that she was kicked out of one of her doctorate programs and how she had been recruited into the FBI.

"Hank Henshaw was a friend of my dad's. Before my dad went on that research job he had asked Hank to look after us. Guess he had a feeling something could go wrong and he wanted Kara and I to have a guardian angel of sorts. I hadn't seen Hank since my Dad's funeral. I guess being a federal agent would do that."

"So, he just offered you a job? No criminal justice or military background?"

Alex nodded her head, "Just like that. I guess he figured I would be of some use to him somehow. Turns out he wasn't wrong but he also saved my life that night. Turned into more of a father figure than I expected him too."

Alex Danvers was just as fascinating as she was captivatingly beautiful. But she was also a very complex woman and it seemed very guarded. Diana was sorry that she was leaving in a few days she wanted nothing more than to learn all she could about Alex. But more importantly she wanted to see if maybe they could be something more.

Alex paid for diner before Diana had a chance to protest. Diana offered to walk Alex back to her place. Alex didn't turn her down. Alex wasn't ready for the night to end and she suspected Diana wasn't ready either. So, they walked and talked. There were a few parts of the city that were dark enough to allow a few stars and the brighter of the plants to shine through. Alex made sure to point out what she was seeing in the night sky. She was surprised when Diana pointed out a few as well.

When they reached the front door of Alex's building she hesitated in opening the door. She had a good time. She couldn't remember the last time she had this much fun. She wanted to invite Diana up but she knew she wasn't ready for that. She had only known this woman for two days. Before Alex could say anything, Diana broke the silence.

"It was a nice night Alex. I had a good time. I'm in National City for two more days before I have to leave for Gotham. If you're up to it I would love to grab lunch, dinner or even breakfast if your free."

Alex found herself looking at Diana. Really looking at her for what seemed the first time. Diana had that unmistakable fierceness that was all her. Alex noticed it when the ran into each other yesterday. But there was also compassion and vulnerability that she hadn't picked up on before.

Her suspicions had been correct. Diana was just as interested as Alex was. But, inviting her up wasn't a good idea. It would be too soon for both of them. Too soon for Alex because she was still grieving for Maggie in many ways. Too soon for Diana because they had only met yesterday and that wouldn't be fair to either of them.

"I would invite you up but I think it's too soon for that but I could do dinner again tomorrow night. Assuming it's a slow day."

Diana leaned in closer, "You have my number just let me know when and where but I insist on paying this time." Diana was about two inches away from Alex's face. She wasn't sure if she should kiss her or not.

She didn't have to wait for long. Alex closed the distance and gave Diana the most tender and passionate kiss she had ever received. When Alex pulled away she was left a bit breathless and wanting more. "There is a place across from CatCo that has the best Italian in the city. Meet me there tomorrow night at 7pm."

With one last slightly mischievous look Alex walked into her building. Diana wasn't sure what had just happened but she knew she wanted more with Alex Danvers and if everything went in her favor more she just might get. But only time would tell.