Cheerful
"Rinse & Repeat"
Gotham Heights
"Yes, Mother, we are both sleeping in the same bed, but it's not like you think."
The tour of the house had gone so well up till this point. While Diana was irritated that her Mother and General Phillipus were checking up on her, she found she did enjoy showing off the work she'd put into the house. Her Mother and 'Aunt' were duly impressed and commented as such.
Then she showed them the bedroom. Things didn't go so well after that.
"Are you telling me, daughter, that you sleep every night in that bed with Superman and expect me to believe nothing is going on,' Hippolyta asked.
"Yes."
"Are you hopelessly naïve?"
"No, mother, I trust Kal,' Diana replied. "He gave his word and has done nothing but live up to it."
"I believe you put your sword away too soon, Phillipus,' Hippolyta grumbled.
"Why is that so hard for you to believe, mother,' Diana asked.
"He's a man, Diana and they haven't changed that much in a few thousand years."
"Kal's not like that, he's honorable,' Diana said, defending him.
"Are you smitten with him, Princess,' Phillipus asked. "It would be understandable, he is a handsome man."
"Is that it, Diana, has he seduced you with his charms,' Hippolyta asked. The Queen turned toward the General. "It's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for."
"He hasn't seduced me and no I'm not smitten, General, I just like and trust him,' Diana replied. "He gave his word."
"And you believe him?"
"Yes," Diana firmly said. "He also gave his word to you, Mother, are you saying you don't believe he would honor his word to you?"
The Queen fumbled for a second, as she had accepted his word, but that was before she saw this.
"Diana, men are different," the Queen awkwardly started. "I should have probably had this talk with you a long time ago, but I didn't think it would be necessary. Men have needs, Diana. These needs tend to control them and they don't think with their brains but another part of their anatomy. This is especially true around beautiful young women like yourself, Diana."
"It's biological, Princess, they have an overwhelming need to spread their seed,' Phillipus added. "Some men think of nothing else but spreading their seed as far and wide as they can."
Diana stood there, her mouth open just looking at the two women.
"These needs or urges," Hippolyta continued, choosing her words carefully. "They build up within men and require release. At times like these men will do or say anything to women to get them to participate in this release."
"Some women are willing,' The General noted.
"Yes, like that trampish woman downstairs, but not all women are,' Hippolyta added.
"Well, a handsome man like the Kryptonian probably has more opportunities than most,' Phillipus suggested.
"Yes, that's probably true,' Hippolyta admitted.
"Stop!" Diana put up her hand before they could continue. "The Birds and the Bees, Mother, really? I'm not a child, I know about sex, Mother!"
"Oh really,' Hippolyta replied, not liking this at all. 'Just how did you happen to come by this knowledge? Did the Kryptonian help you with your studies?"
"No! Mother I've known all about it since I was a barely a teenager back on Themyscira! All the girls did, the Bana were very helpful filling in the details,' Diana explained.
"Probably that Artemis, she's always been a troublemaker,' the Queen grumbled.
"She would be my guess, as well,' Phillipus replied.
"I will have a long talk with her when we get back."
"Mother, General, I am a grown woman,' Diana declared. "I not so naïve as you think. For you information Kal has been a perfect gentleman. If and when I have sex with someone it will be when I decided, not before!"
"What exactly do you mean when,' Hippolyta demanded. "You've already thought about it, haven't you?"
Diana suddenly realized in the heat of the moment she'd offered just a bit too much information. She had just said something out loud she hadn't really admitted to herself. Diana blushed as she realized she'd already made the decision and now it wasn't if, but when.
"I'm, ah, not-not comfort talking about that,' she stammered.
"So you have,' Hippolyta shouted. "That will not do, not at all! I knew this 'bet' was trouble the moment I heard about it! Well, it's over now, you are coming home with us, Diana!"
"No, mother, I'm not,' Diana firmly said. "I'm staying. I'm not your little girl anymore."
Phillipus gasped and Hippolyta frozen for a moment. She stood staring at her daughter and the silence was deafening.
"Don't ever say that again,' Hippolyta whispered. "You will always be my little girl."
The emotion was palpable as mother and daughter stood face to face. Finally the Queen turned and walked from the room. Diana sat down on the bed and her hand came up to cover her mouth. General Phillipus stood silently for a moment and then turned to Diana.
"You've hurt her more than you realized, Princess,' she offered.
"I didn't mean .. I just, it's that … I'm not a child, General,' Diana fumbled to say.
"She's your mother, Diana,' Phillipus softly offered. "In her eyes you will always be her child, more precious than anything in the world. One day you will understand this when you have a child of your own."
"What should I do,' Diana asked.
"Go to her, apologize,' Phillipus counseled. "She loves you."
"And I love her,' Diana replied.
'Tell her that."
Diana stood up and hugged Phillipus. The General gave her a smile and then nodded. There were tears in Diana's eyes as she headed out the door after her mother.
Gotham
The fighting was brutal, as the motorcycle gang was better prepared this time. They still fell before the combined force of Black Canary and Batman. Under a constant barrage of bullets they moved with a ferocious grace, a violent ballet of destruction that was something to behold.
It was close, hand-to-hand fighting as the bikers fought desperately. The numbers were in their favor and so should have been the odds, but for the most part they were brawlers, street thugs. They were out-classed from the start. Most of them didn't even realize it until it was too late.
They had put their faith in guns, thinking like most thugs do that with a gun they were somebody. It's easy to be a tough guy when you're pointing a gun. It makes you forget the first rule of fighting, there's always someone bigger and better. Anyone that has been in a fight knows this, but a gun gives you the illusion you are something you aren't. A gun creates fear and panic in most people, and this is what the thug believes is power.
When the person you are facing isn't afraid, your gun loses much of its potency. Oh, you still might get a lucky shot in, but with each miss that fear changes sides. That illusion of power slips away and fear takes its place.
Dinah dodged another volley of increasingly panicked gunfire and advanced towards the shooter. She could see the fear in his eyes as she snapped his wrist and tore the gun from his hands. He pathetically tried to block her fist, but it was too fast and well placed. His nose shattered and he slumped to the ground. She was already moving on to the next target.
Bruce had used the bikers' initial shock at seeing the Batman to full advantage. In and out of the shadows he moved, striking again and again. He used fear as a weapon, but it was backed by countless hours and years of training. The more they shouted and screamed profanities at him, the more his silence increased their fear. Their curses rang hallow as they fired wildly into the darkness. He was in his element, seemingly everywhere and nowhere. Batarangs and bolos came from every angle, picking off one after another.
Then it was down to one. His eyes were wild with fear. He ran out of bullets and Black Canary was still standing right in front of him. In desperation he throw the now useless gun at her. She effortlessly sidestepped it and continued towards him.
The reptile part of his brain made the switch from fight to flight. As he turned to run, Batman was standing waiting for him. One straight right later, the last biker was unconscious on the floor. There was no escape.
The sound of police sirens drew near and Bruce looked over at Dinah. They didn't need words, as the look said everything that needed to be said. It was a look fighters and soldiers know only too well. They'd survived and won again, but there would be no celebrating cause the war wasn't over.
When the police rushed into the warehouse, guns drawn they found the aftermath. Bikers littered the floor and one of the crates was opened, the illegal guns in plain sight. There wasn't a trace of who did this, but the veteran police officers had seen this before and knew.
Gotham Heights
Diana stood in the doorway looking at her mother. Hippolyta was in the shrine Diana had erected. She had lit several candles and was kneeling in front of them. Silently Diana moved into the room and knelt down next to her mother. Hippolyta stiffened but didn't speak, just continued her silent prayers.
"I remember when you first taught me to honor the Gods,' Diana said. "It all seemed so mysterious to me, but you made me understand."
Hippolyta glanced out of the corner of her eye at Diana, but didn't speak.
"I never told you this, but I used to add an extra prayer at the end for you,' Diana said.
"For me? Why,' Hippolyta finally said.
"Because I never wanted anything to hurt you, Mother,' Diana replied. "Now I've done it myself. I'm sorry, I didn't mean what I said earlier."
Hippolyta sighed and turned towards her daughter.
"Yes you did and I understand why you said it, Diana,' Hippolyta offered. "You are a grown woman, I see that now."
"I am also your daughter and always will be,' Diana replied. "I'm proud of being your daughter, Mother."
"And I am of you, daughter. I always have,' Hippolyta said, and then hugged her. Diana immediately returned it. "It's just that I will always see you as that young girl with blueberry juice all over her face and hands running towards me in the fields. I guess I'm just now realizing you don't need me to watch over you anymore."
"No, that's not true, Mother,' Diana replied. "I was angry earlier because my greatest teacher didn't realize how much she had taught me. The woman I am today is because of you, Mother. The Gods may have created me, but it's you that shaped me. That little girl is still inside me; Mother and she will always need you. I love you, Mother."
"And I love you, Diana."
They held each other in a fierce embrace, both had tears rolling down their cheeks. No other words needed to be said.
Gotham
The small diner was far from the tourist traps and the sign's letter R had been out for as long as anyone could remember. It was open all night and brings out a strange mix of patrons. Some are here to forget, while others seek the warmth of others and some are just here for the coffee. The waitress says little, just takes your order and leaves you in peace.
Bruce and Dinah sat in one of the back booths, two black coffees in front of them.
There's energy to a fight that last much longer than the initial adrenaline rush. It's similar to the buzz workers have as they end their shifts, but far more intense. Walk into a bar just after a fight has happened and you can feel it, a certain electricity in the crowd.
It's the seductive side of violence that no one talks about. It's what despite all the calls against boxing as barbaric and Medieval still makes it the most mesmerizing sport there is. Anyone that's actually been in a fight, win or lose, knows this. It's like a drug, your whole body is on fire while you heart is racing and the whole world seems alive. It's that seductive feeling that keeps a fighter coming back for more long after his time is over.
Dinah and Bruce were still feeling its effects. They could have gone back to their respective homes, but they were too wired to settle in for the night. Dinah had joined Bruce on his patrol but the city was quiet tonight. A change of clothes later, they found themselves here along with all the other people that didn't want to call it a night.
"You were damn good out there,' Bruce finally said. "A little reckless, but good."
"I knew what I was doing, " she replied. "You were pretty amazing yourself. Thank you for coming with me, Bruce."
"I had the feeling you were going to do it with or without me, so I figured I'd join you."
"Still, I appreciate the help."
"It's not over, you know that, right,' he asked.
"Yes, but I'm not going to relent on it either,' she replied.
"You seem to be taking this very personal, Dinah, that can be dangerous."
"It is personal, Bruce. A young woman stood up because she trusted me and I let her down."
"You couldn't have known they would find her and burn the place down," he offered.
"It's Gotham, Bruce, I should have known everything has a price here,' she said. "If someone is brave enough to stand up against people like that, then they shouldn't have to worry about it costing them their life. I let it happen once; I'm not going to let it happen again."
"It sounds like you are declaring war on the Lost Souls motorcycle gang."
"Wouldn't you?"
"Probably."
They both took a sip of their coffee and were quiet for a while. Dinah looked around at the diner, taking in the people that were there.
"I never pictured you in a place like this, Bruce,' she said.
"Most people don't, but this is my world. It's where I make a difference."
"Why did you bring me here,' she asked
"Cause I wanted you to know what you're getting into,' he replied. "Up on the Watchtower everything so clean and straightforward, but down here it's the opposite. Down here everything is shades of gray. It's cruel, brutal and life is cheap. I know I can't talk you out of what you're doing and frankly I wouldn't even try, but I want you to understand what you're getting into."
"Thank you, but my eyes are wide open, Bruce,' she said. "You asked about Ollie and me earlier and yes we are having problems. We've both changed, but not in the same way. He's pulling back, while I'm pushing ahead. I'm not the same young girl he first met anymore. I started this because it was sort of the family business, but that changed a while ago."
"How so?"
"It matters to me more now,' she admitted. "Even when I'm not doing it, I find I'm thinking about it. It's like I finally figured out what I want to do with my life and now that I have I want to get on with it."
"This can be a very lonely life, Dinah,' he said.
"I know, I'm already realizing that,' she replied. "The thing is the more I do this, the more this feels like the real me. I could go off somewhere and open a flower shop as a cover, but that would just be wasted time. It took a while to admit it to myself, but now I'm sure that I'm all in. This is what I want to do."
"If you're waiting for me to say you're wrong, I'm not. We each have to decide what's right for ourselves. I would just say, be very sure, Dinah, cause I don't think there's any going back once you start down this road."
"I am sure, but thank you, Bruce,' she said. "And thank you for bringing me here. Am I the first person you've brought here?"
"No," he said with a shake of his head.
"Who else?"
"A long time ago, I brought Zee here on a date,' he admitted with a slight shrug.
"Zee? Here? How did that go,' Dinah asked, having trouble picturing her friend in this place.
"She said she liked the coffee,' he replied with just a hint of a smile. "Of course we haven't had another date since."
"Shocker."
Dinah had to chuckle as she pictured the two of them.
"Yeah, I know, but it was a long time ago."
"I think you owe her one, Bruce."
"Maybe I'll take her to lunch sometime,' he replied.
Gotham Heights
Diana and her mother came down the stairs arm in arm. General Phillipus was smiling as she saw them.
"I take it you worked things out, 'she asked.
"Yes, and thank you, General or should I call you Aunt Phillipus,' Diana said with a smile.
"Either one is fine.'
"Why do I have the feeling you had a hand in this,' Hippolyta asked.
"Isn't that what an Aunt is supposed to do,' Phillipus offered.
The three women hugged. The patio door opening and LuAnn poking her head inside interrupted this.
"Sorry to break up a family moment, but is Clark back yet,' she asked.
"No,' Diana said as she stepped away from her Mother and 'Aunt."
"Oh, pooh," LuAnn pouted. "Well, don't forget to send him out when he does, will you? Thanks!"
She closed the door and walked back over the edge of the pool.
"I really don't like that one,' Hippolyta offered.
"She does seem to be enamored with Clark,' Phillipus observed.
"Yes, she knows he's my husband yet she continues,' Diana grumbled.
The two other women looked at her.
"Well, she doesn't know it's pretend," Diana justified. "It's not right, she's flaunting it right in my face that she wants him!"
"Well, he is really single,' Phillipus offered.
"No, he's not, he's married to me," Diana said and then quickly added. "As far as she knows, that is."
"So she's challenging you for him,' Hippolyta asked, watching her daughter carefully.
"Yes, that's exactly what she's doing,' Diana replied.
"Has he given any indication that he might be interested in her," Hippolyta continued.
"No, of course not,' Diana immediately said.
"Because he's married to you,' Hippolyta added.
"Yes."
"I see."
"It's not like that, Mother, it's just that I don't like her or what she's doing,' Diana quickly explained. "There are rules about this sort of thing and she's not abiding by them."
"By going after your pretend husband,' Hippolyta asked.
"Yes, well, she doesn't know that!"
"So what are you going to do about her challenge?"
"What can I do,' Diana asked. "I can't fight her, that wouldn't be fair."
"May I make a suggestion,' Phillipus asked.
"Yes, of course,' Diana said. The General leaned in a whispered into Diana's ear. Diana gasped and then chuckled as she heard what the other woman had to say.
"Do you think it will work,' Diana asked.
"It will send a message,' Phillipus replied.
"Excuse me a moment,' Diana said and then quickly headed for the kitchen. Hippolyta moved over to Phillipus.
"What did you tell her?"
"Watch."
The Queen looked at the General and then turned and watched Diana carrying a tray of glasses and a pitcher out to the patio. She had a big smile on her face. LuAnn was standing by the edge of the pool with her wrap on and didn't turn as Diana made her way over to the table.
"Who would like something to drink,' Diana said in her sweetest voice.
"Me!' Tommy shouted and came running over. Diana took a step back and bumped into LuAnn just hard enough to throw her off balance. LuAnn gave a scream as she lost her balance and went headfirst into the pool.
"Whoops," Diana said with a huge smile on her face as she saw the other woman floundering around in the pool.
"I don't think she's a strong swimmer, either,' Tommy observed.
LuAnn managed to make it to the side and Diana moved over to where she was.
"Here, let me help you, LuAnn,' Diana offered, holding her hand out to her. LuAnn took it and started to climb out of the pool, but Diana let go. LuAnn went plunging back into the water.
"Oh, you must have slipped out of my grasp,' Diana said, still smiling from ear to ear. LuAnn glanced up at Diana with a shocked look on her face and then swam over to the other side. As she climbed out of the pool and brushed the wet hair out of her face she looked at Diana.
"I guess I should have warned you to be careful around my pool, LuAnn,' Diana pleasantly offered. "Accidents tend to happen when you're not."
"That happened the other day too," Tommy said. "Except it was you and your husband that time, Mrs. Kent."
"That's right, Tommy, my husband and I," Diana replied, still looking at LuAnn.
The other ladies were already packing up their things as they watched this.
"Oh, look at the time,' Dottie offered. "Thanks again for letting us use the pool, Diana, but we really should be going."
"If you must,' Diana said. They just nervously smiled at her and then dragged Tommy and LuAnn with them as the made a hasty exit. Queen Hippolyta and General Phillipus stood smiling as they went by. They gave the women a little wave as they went out the front door.
"Bye!"
The Watchtower
Ollie was sitting in the cafeteria at a table with Fire and Gypsy. As was their nature, there was some flirting. It was mostly harmless, but certainly didn't go unnoticed. One table in particular across the cafeteria was keenly focused on them. Shayera, Wally and Mari were watching and didn't like what they saw.
"It's not right," Mari said.
"I know,' Wally agreed. "Fire's so smoking hot, I was still trying to work up the nerve to ask her out and now Ollie's cock-blocking me. I never have the nerve to just ask the beautiful women out, it's like a curse or something."
"You just asked me out, Wally," Shayera said in irritation. "Are you saying I'm not attractive?"
"No, but asking you out was more of a friend thing,' he replied. "I mean guys that go out with you end up all screwy and I don't want that."
"What the hell does that mean,' she gasped. "They do not!"
"How about that Carter Hall guy? One date with you and he's suddenly wearing a bird mask and wings. I really don't have the head for a bird mask, Shayera, besides, I've sort of got my own thing going."
Shayera looked at him like he was crazy, but before she could reply Mari spoke up.
"That's not fair, Wally, Carter Hall was crazy even before they went out. He was her stalker before her date."
"You went out with your stalker?"
"It wasn't like that,' Shayera said, trying to defend herself.
"You didn't know he was stalking you?"
"Well, yes, I did, but he seemed nice,' Shayera admitted. "Besides, it turned out he'd been messing around with some Thanagarian technology and that was the reason he acted like that."
The other two just sat there looking at her for a moment.
"Okay then,' Wally said. He looked over at Mari and rolled his eyes. Shayera reached over and hit him.
"I'm not blind, Wally!"
Gotham Heights
Clark had taken the leisurely way home, wanting to give Diana some extra quality time with her Mother and the General. As he pulled into the driveway and started to carry the Chinese food inside, he heard someone calling his name. He turned to see Cubby coming towards him. Standing on her porch, LuAnn had a towel around her head and waved.
"Clark, glad I caught you!"
"Hi, Chubby, what's up?"
"It's Cubby, Clark, like the bear,' the man corrected him.
"Of course, sorry."
"I'll let it go this time,' Cubby said. "Look, I just wanted to make sure you're coming to the barbeque tomorrow. It's going to be quite the spread!"
"I really don't know," Clark replied. "You see I've got people staying and …"
"I heard the Mother-in-law is over,' Cubby said, cutting Clark off. "Yowsa! I've been there myself, brother. My sympathies. Look why don't you invite them too. You can butter them up at the party and let them strap the old feed bag on. They'll love it."
"I'll have to check with Diana," Clark weakly offered.
"The old ball and chain, huh,' Cubby chuckled. "You know Clark, sometimes a man has to put his foot down.'
"You really don't know Diana that well, do you, Cubby?"
"Don't get me wrong, Clark, but the gorgeous ones are always high maintenance,' Cubby said. "You have to firm with them."
"Be a Man of Steel, so to speak,' Clark replied.
"Exactly,' Cubby said, pointing his finger at Clark. "I know it's tough, but sometimes you got to man up!"
"Right."
"Besides, it's going to be a great party," Cubby said. "Lots of food and drinks, a friendly gathering of neighbors. Trust me, I know Mother-in-laws, the old gal will love it!"
"You haven't met her either, have you?"
"No, but if you bring her, I'll be sure to turn on the charm,' Cubby offered. "Mothers love me."
"I'll bet."
"Don't think of this just as a party, Clark, think of it as an opportunity,' Cubby said. "You strike me as someone looking towards the future. A man of tomorrow, if you will."
"I've actually heard that before,' Clark replied.
"I knew it, I have a nose for this sort of thing,' Cubby continued. "And do you know what the future is, Clark?"
"I have a feeling you're going to tell me."
"Aluminum siding."
"Excuse me?"
"Aluminum siding, Clark, it's the future at affordable prices today,' Cubby enthusiastically said. "You have a lovely home, you want it to last, don't you?"
"Well, yeah, but it seems in pretty good shape to me,' Clark replied, glancing at the house.
"With aluminum siding it will always remain that way, Clark. You can't put a price on security like that!"
"I thought you just said it was affordably priced?"
"It is!"
'Don't you sell aluminum siding, Cubby,' Clark asked.
"I have that privilege, but the truth is, it sells itself,' Cubby replied. "Look, come on over tomorrow, bring the mother-in-law and the aunt, strap the feed bag on and we'll go over some numbers. You'll see this is the best time to buy."
"I'll think about it."
"Clark, I want to see you all at that party tomorrow, I'm not going to take no for an answer."
"I'm really getting that impression."
"Look, I can see you're about to eat, so I'll let you go,' Cubby said. "We'll talk more tomorrow, Clark. Just remember, aluminum siding, it's the future!"
Cubby gave Clark a slap on the back and then headed back across the street. LuAnn was still standing on the porch and she smiled and waved to Clark. He raised his hand in sort of a wave and then headed inside. He found the three women sitting in the living room having a glass of wine.
"I thought you got lost, Kal,' Diana said.
"No, I just got stopped by Cubby from across the street,' he replied. "It seems he really wants us to come to his barbeque tomorrow. He even invited you, your Majesty and the General."
"Who is Cubby,' Phillipus asked.
"That woman's husband,' Diana replied.
"She's married,' Hippolyta asked in surprise. "Well, then she's even more shameless than I thought."
"Did something happen while I was away," Clark asked. Diana looked at the General and her mother and gave a small smile.
"Nothing really."
"Why don't I quite believe you,' Clark said. "You didn't hit Luann, did you, Diana?"
"No, of course not,' Diana replied. "I may have 'accidently' bumped into her and she fell into the pool."
"Accidently? Right,' Clark chuckled as he carried the food towards the dining room table.
"Well, It's your fault, Kal, you encouraged her,' Diana stated.
"I encouraged her? I was just polite and said hi,' he countered. "Besides you're one to talk, I'm sure you didn't mention to your mother or the General how when we went out to a nightclub half the men in the place asked you to dance within the first ten minutes."
"That was only because my 'husband' didn't ask me like he should have,' Diana replied.
"I didn't want to fight my way through the crowd,' Clark teased.
"Oh, aren't you so amusing,' Diana snidely said.
"General, tell me was Diana always so sarcastic even as a young girl or did she pick that up once she arrived in the Man's world?"
Diana gave him a slap.
"I believe it happened in the Man's World,' Phillipus replied. "Oh, she has always liked to hit, though."
"That I believe."
The four sat down to dinner and the banter continued. Queen Hippolyta participated, but for the most part she sat back and watched the interaction between her daughter and Superman.