JL: The Newest Recruit
Part Fifteen:
Acceptance
Diana sat on a divan on the balcony of her mother's bedroom. After the warm welcome from her Amazon Sisters and seeing the cool manner the many Amazons were responding to Superman, Diana was forced to talk to her mother privately.
The Princess of Themyscira had a good idea what her mother wanted to talk about. Superman. Her mind drifted to Superman for a moment. She didn't want to leave his side when Hippolyta requested her audience, but she knew she had to obey the orders of the queen, especially after finally being back on the homeland she was banished from. Superman looked anxious seeing Diana leave him with her Sisters. Diana was certain nothing would happen to him in her Sisters care. At least she hoped not.
Hippolyta had her back to her daughter as she looked at her kingdom. She saw Phillipus, walking with Superman. Other Amazons were with the two dressed in battle armor. The queen smiled. She knew where Phillipus and the Amazons were leading Superman to. It was foolish but the queen admired her Captain of the Guards and Amazons bravery.
Hippolyta returned her attention to her daughter. "When I saw you step out of Dooms Doorway, Diana, I never thought a man would be with you."
"I understand, mother. I didn't expect to find Kal holding Themyscira on his back when I passed through the last portal. Hera said it was a test and we passed. Whatever Her intentions, I'm sure Hera meant no harm."
"A test?" Hippolyta frowned not liking what her mind was telling her what *that* meant. The queen left the view of her balcony and sat next to Diana. "I should've known your feelings for Superman were deep but I denied it. No," Hippolyta shook her head. "That's not true. I had *hoped* nothing would happen since you said Superman was involved with another woman." The Queen raised an eyebrow at her daughter. "Or was that a lie?"
Diana saw the suspicious eyes of her mother. "No, it's wasn't a lie. Kal broke things off with Lois after he returned from that alternate future."
Hippolyta recalled when Superman was thought dead. She went to Diana, after hearing how hurt Diana was of his death. Hippolyta watched the funeral service on TV and waited for Diana's to return to her apartment. When Diana returned that night, Hippolyta knew something happened. It wasn't Diana's joy of Superman's return that made Hippolyta suspicious. There was something else. A woman who has been in love always knows.
"Did you give Superman a reason to break things off with Lois?" Hippolyta asked.
Diana thought of the kiss she gave Clark the night he returned. *Could I have….*
"What did you do, Diana?" Hippolyta asked when Diana didn't respond. "Something deplorable?"
The kiss flashed in Diana's mind once more. "I was so overcome with emotion when he came back. I never thought I would see him again. I knew it was wrong but I kissed him. I wanted to kiss him so much. A month later Kal told me he ended things with Lois. I later asked why and Kal said he had a lot to think about when he was in the alternate future. He regretted decisions he made and realized how much he wanted me. He said he couldn't deny his feelings for me anymore"
Hippolyta took in that information. *At least he did the right thing and not pursue two women at once.* "He loves you?"
Diana smiled brightly. "Yes and I love him."
"Yes. I and the other Amazons heard your proclamation outside Doom's Doorway." The disappointment was evident in Hippolyta's voice. "A woman can't always believe a man when he profess love for her." Hippolyta remarked. "Have you slept with him?"
It wasn't often Diana could be embarrassed but Hippolyta knew what to say to get a rush of heat warming Diana's cheeks. "No, Kal and I haven't slept together yet."
"Yet?" The Queen echoed.
"It is bound to happen," Diana got defensive. "Kal and I love each other and we've been committed to each other for half a year now though we've known each other for much longer."
Hippolyta shook her head disappointed. "Oh, Diana, you're so young and naïve. You do not understand."
Diana felt the sting of what her mother was implying. "I was naïve when I left Themyscira but I'm not so naïve anymore. I've learn so much about myself in that world that I never would've learned staying on Themyscira. I've felt things I've never felt before."
"The touch of a man can be seductive," Hippolyta said. "I don't mean to be harsh, Diana, but I don't think you fully understand what you're getting into becoming involved with a man like him."
"A man like him?" Diana felt her anger rise at the implication her mother was making. "You mean a man like Heracles. Mother, I know Heracles hurt you--"
"No, you don't know." Mother silenced daughter. "You don't know what it's like to have the man you love, drug you, hold you down against your will, rip off your clothes and forced himself on you over and over. To look in his eyes and see someone you never really knew. You never experienced such horror, such degradation and I pray you never do. To be betrayed by someone you love in such a way…." Hippolyta fought the dark images that came into her mind. "I never want you to experience that."
Diana squeezed her mother's hand. "I have not experience what you and our Sisters went through, Mother, but I feel and share your pain. If you give Kal a chance, you will know he would never do that."
"I have no doubt Superman would not do that to you. I once told you Superman had nobility and I believe that. However, Superman can be controlled. Circe once had him under her power and he attacked you. He even attacked me. What if someone else gets control over him and wants him to do something worse?"
Diana recalled when Circe turned Superman into a beastiamorph and forced him to attack her and her mother. "I'll stop Kal before it comes to that and if I can't do it alone, the Justice League will help me."
Such optimism Hippolyta noted. She hoped Diana would not be disappointed. She didn't know what that would do to her daughter. "I pray he doesn't betray you as Heracles betrayed me." Hippolyta stood, ready to change the subject. "We'll talk more of this another time. Now we must prepare for your homecoming and the honor of being a Champion of Amazons. Our Sisters are already hard at work preparing a grand feast and the dining hall in celebration of your return. I also have gifts to bestow upon you, Diana."
"Gifts?"
"Yes. Stealing the Amazon armor, meant you weren't allowed such privileges but now that you've proven yourself, the invisible jet I have been using to travel to Man's World is now yours."
"But mother, what if you need to come see me?"
Hippolyta was already ahead of her daughter. "There's always the spare. I had it made once I banished you on the hope you will be able to use the original jet. You will also be granted access to all the weapons you were forbidden to use."
Diana was pleased at the thought. "Good. Other than a few, the weapons I have been forced to make were never up to the standards of the ones made here on Themyscira. I might even give Kal a better workout with Hephaestus sword," Diana quipped.
"You spar with him?" Hippolyta asked with interest. "Who wins?"
"Kal ends the fight before a winner can be determined. It's even more frustrating when Kal holds back on me." Diana stood and walked onto the balcony. "I get mad at him about it but he makes it up to me."
"How?"
Diana smiled at her mother. "Besides pleading to me with his beautiful eyes? He'll cook me dinner or make me a gift. Once, Kal made me a sword out of nth metal. For someone who doesn't like violence or weapons he has a good eye for making a sword."
Hippolyta joined her daughter on the balcony. "Seems he does things to please you despite his discomfort on some matters such as weaponry."
"He does things like that," Diana said. "He's special." Diana looked away for a moment and her smile faded as she noticed something amiss. From her view, Diana could see many of the temples on Themyscira. She could make out her Sisters on horseback, Amazons working in the fields, some on guard at their different posts. She could also make out a number of them going to the coliseum, but there was something else her sharp eyes and ears take notice.
Diana jumped in the air and hovered for a moment looking in the direction of the coliseum. "Mother, why are many of our Sisters in the coliseum?"
Hippolyta gave her daughter a wry smile. "Perhaps, it has something to do with the fact our Sisters will be testing your suitor to see he is worthy. I think it's quite admirable."
A look of horror fell over Diana's face. "Are they insane to challenge Kal? I know Kal won't fight them but our Sisters will injure themselves trying!"
"As long as they aren't killed, what's the harm? It will be fitting to see our Sisters test their skills on Superman."
Diana didn't share her mother's humor as she flew off to the coliseum without a moment's hesitation.
Superman couldn't go anywhere on Themyscira grounds without an escort. He understood the protocol but still felt uncomfortable. Without Diana to guide him around the island, Superman had to settle being watch under the sharp eyes of the Captain of the Guards, Phillipus and several other Amazons in battle armor waiting for him to give a hostile move so they could attack him. Acantha was the only Amazon that was accompanying him not dressed in armor. She was the only one who seemed accepting of him, asking question about Superman's abilities and the world he lived in.
*At least everyone doesn't hate me.*
"How can our princess lower herself to be with a man?" an Amazon whispered unaware of Superman hearing them.
"He displays a kind disposition but so did Heracles' men. The only good man is a dead man or a eunuch."
Superman winced at the whispers of the Amazon. Superman decided it was best he block out the whispers as he talked with Acantha and followed Phillipus as she led him around the island. He didn't think anything of it when she led him inside the Themysciran coliseum until he saw many Amazons in attendance.
Superman knew something was up. "Um, why are we here?"
"Phillipus, this isn't necessary," Acantha argued.
"Silence, Acantha!"
An Amazon approached Superman with a sword as Phillipus spoke to him, "Princess Diana has declared you as her lover. You may have her heart, Superman, but you must prove to us Amazons why you are worthy of the princess."
Superman looked at the sword the Amazon held out to him and shook his head. "You're challenging me to a duel?"
"Not just me," Phillipus said and four armored Amazons who were 'escorting' him to the coliseum stood alongside Phillipus. Behind them were twice as many Amazons and behind that group, it was doubled. Superman stopped counting when he reached one hundred Amazons. "Even with all your strength, you will have difficulty taking us all on."
"I do not want to fight any of you."
Ipthime taunted, "Scared you will be proven unworthy of the princess?"
"No but I don't think fighting is necessary. I know Diana is your princess but does it really concern you that much on our courtship that you want to fight me?"
Phillipus unsheathed her sword and pointed the tip at Superman's neck. "I guess it does."
"It is you who doesn't understand. It is quite possible our princess can be with child, caused by you," Phillipus spat in malice. "Be it boy or girl, we will love and protect the child of the princess but we Amazons must first respect the man who will be the one to impregnate our princess."
"Child? Impregnate?" Superman stuttered the words. "Aren't we moving a bit fast? Diana and I haven't even…. That is we don't even know if children are possible with us."
"Silence!" Phillipus yelled and pushed Superman to the ground. "Pick up your sword and let us battle."
Superman rose and dust the dirt off his uniform. First he had to hold the isle of Themyscira on his back and now this. "Looks as if no matter how much I don't want to do this, you will continue to taunt me until you have your match."
"That's right."
Superman really didn't want to fight but it looked as if he had no other choice. "I won't use any weapons."
"He speaks with arrogance," Magda remarked.
Ipthime unsheathed her sword. "We'll cut it and him down to size."
Phillipus attacked first. She raised her sword and struck against Superman's chest. Superman remained rooted to the ground while the sword broke in two pieces. "My best sword," Phillipus gasped. "Even if I fail to defeat you, I will cause you numerous injuries!" Phillipus vowed and Superman stopped himself from rolling his eyes.
Phillipus threw a punch at Superman but knowing his own strength and the impact of her skin on his, he quickly dodged. Phillipus continued to throw swift punches and kicks at him but Superman managed to deflect each of her attack. From the rapid rise and fall of her chest, Superman knew Phillipus was growing tired. The glint in her eyes, revealed her frustration at not landing a single punch on him but it was really for her benefit and not his that she didn't even if Phillipus failed to see that.
Seeing the Captain of the Guards pride taking a beaten, the other Amazons couldn't stand on the sidelines anymore. They joined in with their swords, daggers, spears, arrows and various weapons and attack Superman all at once.
Blades of the swords were broken into two, arrows and spears failed to pierce his tough skin. Maces were broken in half and bolos snapped at Superman's hand. Some managed to jump him and he shrugged them off as gently as he could without hurting them. When the Amazons began using magical weapons with arrows that pierced his skin while he was blocking swords laced with magic Superman knew he had no choice but to attack to end this ridiculous fighting before someone seriously got hurt. Superman blew his breath creating mild hurricane force winds in the coliseum. Amazons in their seats held to each other and anything sturdy so they weren't knocked over. Amazons on the ground fell over, rolling away like dust balls in the wind. Few managed to grab a shield to deflect most of the wind as they still made their way to Superman.
Ipthime and Magda grabbed Superman from behind leaving Phillipus the opening she was looking for to strike a punch across the Man of Steel's face. Phillipus triumph quickly turned to anguish as she grabbed her injured hand in pain. "Oh, Gaea!"
Superman pushed Ipthime and Magda off him like paper and went to Phillipus. "I'm sorry," Superman apologize. "Are you all right?" He took Phillipus' wounded hand and examined it. "No broken bones, but you better get your hand treated before the swelling starts."
"What's going on here?" Diana demanded as she descended from the skies. She landed before Superman and Phillipus. "Phillipus. Your hand."
"She'll be fine," Superman said. "No bones are broken but she should get her hand checked out."
An Amazon who was fighting Superman earlier came to Phillipus side. "I'll take her to the isle to be treated."
Superman picked up Phillipus' broken sword and using his heat vision reattached the sword. He smiled as he put the sword in Phillipus' good hand. "No Captain of the Guards should be without her sword."
Phillipus looked speechless as if she didn't know what to say. Even after all she done, he still showed kindness to her. She took the sword and was escorted off from the battlefield.
Diana looked around at her Amazon Sisters. The remaining warriors who fought Superman and lost were lying scattered across the arena grounds with a few hanging in the stands. The spectators who were unhurt joined in to help the defeated Amazons.
Diana demanded, "What happened here?"
"It was nothing," Clark tried to play it off as innocent. "Your Sisters wanted to see if I'm worthy of you." He rubbed the back of his head grinning boyishly. "I think I pass."
Diana didn't find any humor in this. "I can't believe my Sisters could be so foolish to fight you."
"It's no different than a parent being cautious about their child's first serious relationship."
That didn't help Diana's temper. "I'm not a child and I'm tired of people looking out for me as if I don't know any better when it comes to men. First my mother and now my Sisters. It's insulting."
Clark laid a gentle hand on Diana's shoulders, "They care for you. They're protective yes, but they don't know you've changed. I would be just as protective if you were still the naïve women I first met." Clark smiled fondly thinking of Diana's naiveté when she first arrived in his world.
"I wasn't that bad," Diana gently argued.
"Not bad? You didn't know what a press conference was. I even had to follow you on your date with Flash just to make sure you didn't fall for his ploys."
Diana looked at him in mild shock. "You what? You spied on us?"
Clark inwardly cursed. He forgot Diana never knew he spied on her and Flash so long ago. "Well….um…"
"I can't believe you, Kal!"
"I panicked," Clark tried to explain but Diana wasn't buying it. "I thought you might actually fall for Flash and I didn't want him to take advantage of you."
Diana's eyes widened in what Clark could only describe as shock and anger. "You were jealous of Flash and me? You actually thought I would be attracted to him?"
As foolish as it sounded, he was embarrassed to admit it. "Yes."
"I can't believe you would think that…." Diana stopped in the middle of her tirade as an image of her and Flash in love and Clark going out of his mind in jealousy popped into her head. The anger on Diana's face softened to a smile as she thought of Clark keeping his distance while following her and Flash. "That's…. actually kind of funny but I *am* insulted you thought I couldn't handle Flash if he tried to take advantage of me."
Clark rubbed the back of his head self consciously. "I know but I thought you might fall for his charms. You were new to the world and vulnerable."
Diana crossed her arms over her chest. "Vulnerable to Flash's charms? This is the same man who was hitting on my Sisters while he was on Themyscira. The same man who thinks belching all the letters of the alphabets is a major accomplishment."
"When you put it that way, you have a point, but you did agree to go out with him without knowing it was a date," Clark pointed out.
"We went to a movie I thought I might enjoy," Diana reminded him. "And nothing happened. I was leaving before I knew of Flash's true intentions and…" Diana paused as she started to remember her date with Flash. "At the movies when Flash hit me, was that you who forced him?"
"Well, I…."
"Don't lie to me, Kal," Diana threatened. "I don't have to use my lasso to get the truth out of you."
"Okay." Clark put his hands up. "I may have forced Flash's hand to slap the back of your head."
"Did you do anything else?"
"In the club, I burn the legs off Flash's chair but I only did that because he was trying to kiss you."
"He tried to kiss me?" Diana thought over that night in the club where Flash asked her to close her eyes. She flushed embarrassed at her own naiveté. "Well, I can't be mad at you about that."
"But you're still mad at me?"
"For following me? Yes, but I know why you did it." Diana took Clark's hand in hers. She gave him a sly smile. "I do wonder what other things you've done without my knowledge."
"I think that's a conversation for another time."
"I'll hold you to that," Diana said. "Come. Let's help with the clean up. We have much to do before dinner tonight."
That evening Clark was being helped by Diana with his clothes as they prepared to meet with Hippolyta and the Amazons for dinner in the dining hall. When she checked on him, Clark was ill-prepared. He had his tunic on properly but needed help with the rest of his outfit. Diana was already dressed in a violet gown. As she stood close to Clark to help him dress, Clark inhaled the sweet scent of lilacs that decorated her hair.
"Are you comfortable in this?" Diana asked.
"Why do you ask?" Clark replied.
"You're fidgeting," Diana remarked and gently smack Clark's hand away as she fixed the gold clasp on his red cloak. Attending a royal dinner on Themyscira, deemed Clark to dress like the Themyscirans and that meant wearing a blue tunic, blue sandals with laces up his calves along with his cloak.
"Your appearance must be immaculate during tonight's dinner," Diana said. "I know you will do well but with how mother and the Amazons feel towards you, there can be no room for mistakes."
Listening to Diana's heartbeat, he could tell she was nervous. "I'll do my best, but I really wish I could wear my regular clothes. This outfit is so open," Clark complained.
"You're more exposed in your special suit than this," Diana teased. "Everything is outlined in that. Have you really noticed how nothing is left to the imagination? Hawkgirl once joked the reason you wear your underwear outside your suit is to hide the size---"
"Diana!"
Diana laughed at the blush forming on Clark's cheeks. "I never thought about it myself. At the time I wasn't interested in you that way, now that I am and we've yet to consummate our relationship, I am curious."
"About consummating our relationship or, um," he paused, growing nervous and feeling flushed, "what are you interested in Diana?"
Diana gave him a sly smile as she moved in to kiss him. "I'll let you decide."
Clark pulled Diana close to him as their kisses deepened. "We should be going," Clark said in between kisses.
"We should," Diana said but she wasn't pulling away. "But we have a few minutes."
"Actually, I think time is up. It would be imprudent for the Princess of Themyscira to be late to a dinner in her honor after she is welcomed back home from a long banishment."
Clark and Diana pulled apart to find Hippolyta standing in the doorway.
"Your Highness." Clark stepped away from Diana.
"I was helping Kal with his attire and we got distracted," Diana explained lamely feeling mortified she was caught in a private moment with Clark by her mother.
Hippolyta raised a fine eyebrow. "Is that what they call it in that world? It looks to me you two were kissing and you allowed Superman to have his hands all over you. Let us go, Diana. Superman can finish dressing on his own."
"Yes, mother." Diana sent a sympathetic look to Clark and left the room with her mother.
Great. Clark was certain getting caught making out with Diana in front of her mother was not a good thing. Clark rather deal with the Amazons again than deal with Diana's mother whom he knew will have a talk with her later.
Much to Superman's surprise but ease the Amazons were warm to him during the dinner. Amazons approached him asking questions. Hippolyta sat at the head of the table watching the exchange at her people opening themselves to Superman. Apparently, the fight in the coliseum broke the ice with the Amazons into accepting Superman. Most of then anyway. There were a few such as Ipthime and Hellene who were still wary of him.
"Look at our Sisters, fawning over Superman, engaging themselves with him. This happened once before with Heracles men and you know what happened to us then."
"I agree. I don't trust him but he is only one man while Heracles had many," Hellene gingerly argued. "I do not think history will repeat itself in that case."
"Then you are foolish. As long as men live, the threat of what happened to us all the centuries ago happening again is very much alive."
Hellene looked nervous at Ipthime words. "Your words worry me, Sister. Remember our Sister Aresia and her fate when she thought the same as you."
Ipthime sighed. "To be honest, Aresia had the right idea with men. Her only fault is she failed."
"Ipthime," Hellene whispered. "Don't say things like that. I will never trust men again but your words worry me. I will pray for you."
"I don't need your prayers," Ipthime said and walked off.
Diana notice Ipthime walking off. "Where is she going?"
"I only heard part of her conversation before turning her out. Ipthime's not pleased with your Sisters' acceptance of me."
"I should talk to her."
Diana started to rise but Superman took her hand keeping her seated. "No. Don't worry about it."
"How can I not?" Diana said. "Not only are you unjustly criticized but my Sister is stuck in the past and not accepting time has changed."
"Don't worry about Ipthime," Hippolyta said. "I will have a word with her. In the meantime, Superman, may I have a word with you."
Superman dreaded this moment since Hippolyta caught him and Diana in each other's arms. He rose from his seat and followed the queen out of the dining hall. From stories Diana told him of her mother, he knew Hippoltya was very protective of her daughter. No doubt she probably wanted to skin him alive just for touching Diana.
One away from the celebrations in the dining hall, Hippolyta spoke. "Superman, I will be honest. I am not entirely comfortable with the relationship you now have with my daughter, but I will abide it. Diana is very strong willed and as much as I want her to steer clear of a relationship with you, I know that will not happen." She sighed. "Some things one must learn on their own, and after spending so much time in Man's World, it's not surprising Diana would be drawn to that world and the men in it. For all her strength and intelligence she is still quite innocent."
"Don't I know it," Superman remarked. "At least in the beginning she was."
Hippolyta looked at him surprised to hear such words from him. "Do you, Superman?"
"You don't have to address me as Superman. You can call me Clark or Kal."
Hippolyta didn't look pleased with the idea and the look she gave Superman made him feel a little smaller. "I don't know you as Clark Kent. Kal sounds very personal. I will call you Kal-El," Hippolyta relented. "Tell me how do you know about my daughter's naiveté?"
"When she first arrived in my world, she didn't know much of it. Diana didn't understand the use of money or how to use simple appliances." He laughed. "She didn't even know she was tricked into a date by Flash."
Hippolyta recalled the red speedster on her island and her face darkened. "Tricked? Was Diana harmed?"
"No," Superman assured the queen. "Trust me if Diana was in trouble, I would've stopped it. I followed her to make sure nothing happened. You don't have to worry about Diana now. She's well aware of how the world works. If you've seen video clips of Diana's tour, how she talked to the people, how she understand them now, you would be so proud of her and see she is a different woman from when she left the island."
The caring for her daughter came loud and clear in Superman's voice. "You continue to surprise me, Kal-El."
"I do?"
"Yes. It was you and your behavior that lead me to think men have changed. It's one of the reasons I've considered it may be time to open Themyscira to the world again. I and a few other Amazons will come to your world to see how much it has change. If we are pleased, then I will consider opening exchanges from our world with yours."
"What you are considering is very big for your people. Are you sure they will accept it?"
Once again, Hippolyta was caught off guard with Superman's concern. "You sound as if you care."
"I do. I care about everyone," Superman said honestly. "What the men did to you and the Amazons was abominable. I understand how hard it is for your people to forgive and what it will mean for you to join a society with men again. Know that I and everyone in the Justice League will help you in any way."
Hippolyta smiled, genuinely touched. "I'm starting to see why my daughter's drawn to you. Such colorful words that can be construed as lies but from you, the worlds are true."
Hippolyta walked on with Superman following besides her. Hippolyta stopped in front of a bust of Diana. The queen touched the smooth marble of her sculpted daughter. "Tell me, Kal-El, what do you hope the future lies for you and my daughter?"
"Future?"
"Do you plan to be with my daughter a year from now or perhaps longer?"
"I want to be with Diana for as long as I can. I love your daughter very much," Superman confessed. He was reluctant to tell Hippolyta more but decided too anyway. "But I don't think Diana and I will marry because that is something she's not accustomed to."
"We do not have marriages but Amazons do have union ceremonies for our Amazons who do come together." She looked at Superman. "That is should you two decide to commit to each other forever."
Though intrigued with the possibility Hippolyta was giving her approval, Superman decided not to play it cool and not think too much of what Hippolyta was telling him. "Thank you for your suggestion. I also know it will only be us. A child between us is impossible."
Hippolyta looked at Superman, clearly puzzled. "Why do you think that?"
"My Kryptonian physiology," Superman explained. "Diana being born from clay."
"I don't know anything about your Kryptonian physiology, Kal-El, but Diana being born from clay doesn't mean she's isn't a woman in every way imaginable and can't have children. After all, the Goddess Aphrodite helped brought her to life. Do you think She would miss such an important aspect of a woman? I'm surprise that you with your gifted eyes failed to look."
Clark kept his cool again. He was not going to blush in front of the Queen of Themyscira. "I…I don't use my powers that way, Your Majesty."
Hippolyta lips turned up in a smile. "It was a jest, Kal-El. Come. There's more I want to discuss with you."
It was nearly an hour before Superman and Queen Hippolyta returned. Diana grew nervous the longer they were gone and used the time to enjoy herself with her Sisters and not think of what her mother was saying to Superman. When they did return, Diana was relieved to see Superman return to her in one piece. He looked pleased and seeing her mother's expression, Hippolyta seemed pleased as well with her talk with Superman.
As soon as Clark took his seat next to Diana, she whispered, "What did my mother say to you?"
Clark was all smiles as he picked up a goblet of sweet wine. "We had a nice talk. She wanted to know about my powers, my parents, and my job at the Daily Planet. I listened to hers. I think she's starting to approve of me."
Diana placed his hand over hers. "I knew that she would."
"She even told me next time I come here, she has a list of chores she wants me to do." Clark grinned. "I think that's her way if inviting me back."
Diana frowned. "Chores?
"I did tell her I grew up on a farm. She wants to see if I still remember my skills."
"Superman?"
Clark and Diana turned to see Phillipus standing over them. Phillipus had kept her distance from Clark and Diana all night. Both thought her pride was too hurt from today's fight to speak to Superman. They were wrong. "Superman, I want to say thank you for repairing my sword and that you have earned my respect. You hold amazing strength and yet you did not unleash it after I and the Amazons taunted you to fight us. Any other man wouldn't have reacted in such a way. Any other man would've been violent, brutal but you ended the fight with no violence and tried to save my bruised ego. Diana was right. Men have changed and I am glad to finally witness such an event."
Phillipus raised her hands above her head arms crossed in an Amazon salute. Other Amazons followed and raised their arms in the Amazon salute.
All of Clark's nerves being on Themyscira were gone as on this night not only did he receive the Queen's approval but also the Amazons.
The celebrations ended an hour later. Diana and Clark walked along the shores of Themyscira, holding hands. Instead of staying the night, Clark decided it was time he returned to his world. It has been two days since anyone seen him and Diana. It was time to go back and let everyone know they were all right.
"Are you sure you have to leave now?" Diana asked. "You can stay the night here and leave in the morning."
"Diana, I've been gone from the world for two days. So have you. I have to let everyone know what's going on before our friends get worried." He knew her reluctance to let him go and felt the same way.
Diana nodded her agreement. "You're right."
"I'll tell the League what has happened and take you off the roster until you return. I'll also take care of things for you at your foundation."
Diana hugged him. "You're wonderful. Thank you."
Clark held her close. "Spend as much time as you need with your family. I'm happy you're back with them, but how long do you expect to be gone?"
"I don't know. It's been so long since I've been banished. I'd like to catch up with my Sisters. The Feast of Five is coming up soon and it's the first one I'll be able to attend since my banishment. I'll return after that," Diana promised.
Clark pulled back to stare in Diana's eyes. "Know that I look forward to your return."
"You'll be the first person I see when I get back," Diana vowed.
After a farewell kiss goodbye, Superman flew away from Themyscira and Diana watched him fly away until she saw him no more, already missing him.
AN: Thanks for the reviews everyone. So sorry about the long delay. Things just got in the way.
Ratdogtwo: Just because Clark is not in direct sunlight doesn't mean he would lose his powers. As long he's on a planet with a yellow sun his strength will remain intact not matter how deep underground he is.