Back From The Dead

Chapter 6 – Farewell My Love

It had been 2 years since Donna and Jason got together. Their different characters allowed them to get on perfectly with each other. Each of them knew the other's habits, interests, etc. They shared moments, thoughts, things. Jason had even asked Donna to move in with him. She was so glad he was over the childish stuff and she noticed how much he had matured. He had to make some changes, though. But the truth was that she loved him the way he was. He didn't have to change, but he loved her so much, that he felt the need to make an exception, just to make her happy. With time, Jason and Donna realized the bond they had developed for one another.

One Thursday afternoon, Donna was called by her former mentor. Wonder Woman was waiting for Donna in a café, near Jason's apartment. The Amazon wanted a more private conversation with her former protege, more casual, without other superheroes hanging around, that's why she chose a café. Donna had a bad feeling about it and was a little nervous. However, she was glad that she could spend a little time with her mentor. She loved Diana with all of her heart, and Diana loved her, too. Wonder Woman was like a mother to Donna, that's how strong their relationship was. It wasn't just a student – mentor kind of thing.

The young woman finally arrived at the café, where the warrior Amazon was waiting for her, dressed very casually – a blue vest with some ornaments drawn over her chest, black jeans, white flippers, a red and blue purse with some stars and a silver bracelet on her left hand. Donna was wearing a purple shirt, showing her right shoulder, with a woman's face, perfectly carved on the shirt with black threads; bright grey shorts could be seen from under the long wavy shirt; black sandals and a beautiful necklace with the letters "J" and "D" on it. Jason had given it to her for her 22nd birthday.

The conversation started out pleasantly, without any sign of trouble. Donna loosened up a little and enjoyed their talk. Despite the careless chit chat, she still couldn't truly relax.

"Donna, I know we're having a great time, but I didn't really call you here only for a cup of coffee." And there it was – that annoying feeling again – she knew Wonder Woman was a bearer of bad news. The tension was building inside of her. She waited patiently for the Amazon to continue.

"I called you here to tell you that you have to go back to Themyscira. I know it's sudden and it's going to be hard for you to let all of this go, but it's really important that you return."

Donna's breathing became more frequent and she felt her lungs get heavier. The pressure on her chest tightened and she felt like someone was stepping on it.

"H-How long am I going to stay there?" Diana's expression suddenly became sad and sorry.

"I don't actually know. The mission could take months, even years. But you won't be going alone – Cassandra is coming with you." Donna was watching as if Diana had stabbed her straight in the heart.

"What is my mission?" Donna said silently without even blinking.

"You and Cassy have to rebuild the island. There was an attack. The island was completely destroyed. I can't go because I have a different mission here. Since no one except the Amazons are allowed there, you and Cass have been chosen to go." Donna placed her hands on the table and covered her head.

"What about Jason?" She whispered. Wonder Woman closed her eyes.

"I'm sorry!" That's all she said before Donna started crying. Silence…

Donna slowly made her way to the apartment. She went in and straight to the bedroom. She collapsed on the bed still crying. Was it over? Was everything she and Jason had been through suddenly fading away? Wonder Woman said it could take years. What if those years separate them forever, and when she comes back he would have forgotten her, gotten over her or even worse…What if it takes too long, too long…for him to bare? She was broken inside and her thoughts were eating her. It's not supposed to end like this! It's not fair! Donna was in pain. She heard the door open and close, then she heard her boyfriend's cool voice.

"Hey, super babe! I'm home, I've got great news! I am…Donna, what's going on? Have you been crying?" As he came in the bedroom he saw his girlfriend sitting on the bed with her face looking down to the floor and her hands placed on her knees. She had stopped crying a few minutes ago but her eyes were still swollen from the tears. He went to her and sat on the floor, touching her cheeks and rubbing them.

"Jason…I am leaving." The tears burst out again and she screamed out as if she was in pain. Jason looked at her confused.

"What are you talking about?" He removed his hands from her cheeks.

"They are sending me away…back to Themyscira, with Cassandra. We have to help rebuild it."

"That's all!? Ha, babe, that's not a big deal. You're going to come back right after you've finished…Right?"

"Oh, Jason. Who knows how long it's going to take. This is a giant floating island. A lot of warriors are wounded and there's nothing left of it. We have to consider all options when I'm gone."

"What do you mean? What options?" Their conversation was long and hurtful. Both of them knew what might happen when Donna leaves, but they were too lost in thought to think about anything right now.

"When are you leaving?" Jason was holding her, while they were lying in bed, cuddling.

"Tomorrow – 09:00"

"Well, that sucks. If I ever knew that saving the world would bring me this much pain I would have never accepted. I think it might have been better if Batman had blown me off in that building in the first place. Stupid mentor and his sweet talk!" He held her closer.

"Calm down, Jason. I promise I'll be back."

"And when you do, I'll be waiting here. I love you with all my heart, Donna."

"I love you, too. So what were you going to tell me before you came in?"

"Oh, yeah! They have accepted me in the JLA! Finally! I thought I'd never join!"

"Oh my God, baby! That's so awesome! I'm so happy for you!" They kissed. Jason's hand moved from Donna's shoulder to her waist, and down to her thighs. Then he unbuckled her shorts. She placed her hands under his shirt and removed it. His kisses went to her neck and collar bone. They undressed each other, spending on last night together.

The next morning Donna was packed and ready to go. The lump in her chest was growing with every second. Jason wasn't feeling happy about this either. They didn't say a single word to each other until they reached Mount Justice, from where Donna and Cassy were supposed to take off. They said their goodbyes and flew away. He watched as they disappeared into the clouds.

9 years later…

Donna and Cassy had finally finished their job. The island was looking better than ever. Everyone had returned to their homes and it was time for the two Amazons to go back, too.

They went straight to the Watchtower, where Donna was desperately expecting her love to be waiting for her. When she didn't see him there all kinds of thoughts ran through her mind. Then she saw Wonder Woman, who went to greet them.

"Diana, where's Jason?" She was smiling her and her eyes shined brightly as she said his name. Diana's smile, on the other hand, faded as she heard Jason's name. She placed a hand on Donna's shoulder. Donna stood still and twitched from her touch.

"Donna…Jason's not coming back. He has been gone for 2 years now."

"W-Where did he go? Where is he?" Donna started panicking and the tension was building inside her. Her fear grew stronger and she was being impatient.

"I don't think you understand. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but… Jason's dead." Donna felt her body go numb, her jaw fell open and her shiny eyes darkened.

"2 years ago we were fighting against the Light. We couldn't save him. It was supposed to be a fight we were prepared for, but we were ambushed and tricked. Jason fought till his last breath. The mission was successful. Too bad we had to give up the life of one of our toughest and youngest members. I'm sorry, Donna." Donna felt emptiness crawl up inside her. The pain was so strong that she couldn't feel, see or hear anything. She was slowly loosing her sanity. He was gone forever and she hadn't been there to save him. She fell to the ground screaming and holding her stomach, clenching her fists and shutting her eyes as tightly as possible. The tears came shortly after the screams of grief and agony. That was the last time Donna ever had any feelings. That day the final piece of love, which she had left, had broken. Everything she ever felt suddenly disappeared – her love was gone, her heart was broken, her body weakened and people watched as she crumbled down and fell apart, not only on the inside. Days past – she didn't come out of her apartment, of their apartment. Everything had been going so perfectly. Everything had been fine. Until she left.

*It was all my fault… I am responsible... I can't live like this… you were supposed to be waiting for me when I come back…you promised…I came back…where are you…I love you…how am I supposed to move on without him…I don't even know if I'm alive or on the verge of death…I love you…I am nothing without you Jason…I love you…need you…want you…I …want this pain to go away…it's not true…they lied to me…you're alive…they just can't find you…you were good…you changed…good people don't die…no …I won't give up hope…I won't accept it…it's not the truth…you're not dead…this can't be happening…no…no…no…* She screamed "NOOOOOOOOO…NOOO …NOOO…NO…no no no no noo no no…" Donna covered herself with the sheets. She had all of his clothes, stuff and pictures around her on the bed. This apartment was the only thing he had left her. Her suffering was going to make it her tomb. Donna Troy was lost.