After a highly satisfying lovemaking session, Clark and Diana showered and dressed. Clark put on his usual loungewear, shorts and a t-shirt, and Diana put on the last clean clothes she had in his apartment, a pair of workout shorts and a sports bra. When she exited the closet, he had the mattress leaning against the wall.

"What's the damage?" She asked of the mattress.

"This thing is done for, the springs are shot to hell. I'll have to get another one. But I will say this; it died a hero."

Diana laughed. "Well, in the meantime we can sleep in my bed."

"Cool. But on a good note, everything else seems to be intact." He pointed to the the undamaged bed frame and floor.

Diana smiled at him slyly, "We'll need to work on that."

"We will." He was quite looking forward to it too.

That was now settled, Diana knew the next thing was going to be whatever news Clark had to give her. She knew it was big, but was slightly afraid she wouldn't like it, which is why she stalled him until now. Clearly the bed wouldn't handle any more stalling so she finally asked. "So. Now that we've both been taken care of. Please tell me, what is this big information that you've wanted to tell me so badly?"

"Oh yes. You should come and sit down for this one." He lead her into the living room where the sat closely together on the couch. "Are you ready for this one? Because it's a doozy."

Diana took a deep breath, preparing herself for anything. "Let's have it."

LAST NIGHT

Clark had grown tired of giving dance lessons. If he was going to continue with that, he wanted Diana as his partner, but he could not find her for anything. He couldn't see her, hear her voice or pick out her heartbeat, which was odd he thought could pick her out of anyplace. He wondered if she'd left the hall, he was about to ask Donna when Hippolyta grabbed his arm.

"Clark Kent I wish to speak with you." She said. "And do not worry, I am not angry with you. Come with me, let us talk."

"Ok." He followed her to a set of empty chairs, and listened intently as he spoke.

"Your cousin, Kara, she may be released into your care at any time. She has had the control to live in your world for some time now, it had been mainly my daughter's friendship that kept me from releasing her. She needs to have the opportunity to learn on her own, and to know her family. I wish for her to do that."

"Great, I know she likes it here, but she's been looking forward to seeing the rest of the world. She was just telling me earlier she didn't have it in her to be an Amazon." Clark joked.

"She doesn't." Hippolyta stated flatly. "There are many aspects to our culture that she did not enjoy. However, she is allowed to visit at any time. She and Donna have become very close."

"Yes they have. I'm sure she'll be thrilled, before I tell her though I'll get everything set up so she can move as soon as possible."

"Of course, I realize there are legal matters involving her presence in your world. You may have all the time you require for that. However there is more I have to say." She paused and took a deep breath. "I know that Diana is angry with me tonight. No doubt she believes that I have invited you here to undermine your relationship somehow by turning the Amazons against you. I can assure you, that is not the case."

"Ok." Clark raised and eyebrow.

"I told you before I left your parents homestead, that I would give you opportunity to earn my trust. Today was one of those opportunities, and I must say, you have done remarkably well."

"Is that right?"

"Indeed. But you must understand, that in order to truly become Diana's mate, you must be accepted by not only me, but the Amazons as well. If you are not accepted, Diana will be further ostracized from our culture, thus weakening her influence in the outside world greatly. Hippolyta paused briefly to consider her words. "An Amazon's strength comes not only from her own will, but the will of her sisters. We are strong because we are united, but the moment we divide, we lose everything. That is what happened to us all those years ago."

Clark just listened in silence, he could feel something important coming.

"The demigod Heracles and his followers, came to us in peace. They wished to join our city, offering us a chance to share all aspects of our lives. Until that time, none of us had known anything of kindness from men in our lives, it was that shared experience that led us to forming our own city in the beginning. When they came to us with with gifts and promises of peace, some accepted them readily, others did not. I was among those who accepted them, and as Queen I allowed them to stay with us, even while others protested. As the Amazon society divided, Heracles revealed his true desire." Hippolyta's voice began to crack. She usually worked hard to keep the worst memories at bay, now for the first time she had to explain them.

"They used the our greatest strength against us. Our bonds to each other. We were forced to watch the humiliation of those who were closest to us. We were powerless to stop the torture of our dearest friends, sisters, even lovers."

Clark's eyes traveled across the room, he hurt for all of them. He couldn't imagine anything like what each of them has experienced. Hippolyta's words were stark contrast to the joy that he was seeing on their faces today.

"The goddesses came to our aid, and freed us from our captors, giving us this place to live in peace. Only I have recently learned that we do not have peace, not truly, because we have had no healing. Which brings me to you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you." Hippolyta looked him in the eye. "Did Diana ever tell you of the first time she spoke of you to me?"

"Not really." She told him her mother didn't like that they were friends that that she should not trust him.

"She told me that you were the example for all, both men and women. The light to show the way, and that following your example, we can all achieve greatness. For a long time I could not believe her, that is until I saw where you come from. Met the people who raised you, then I truly understood. That the things you do, you do not do them simply because you can, but because it is who you are. Weather it is your natural birthright from your homeworld, or this world that influenced you remains to be seen, but the truth cannot be denied. I had you and Diana battle each other because I knew that you would not try to hurt her. But also that you would not lay down like a coward, the Amazons needed to see a real man. Who can respect those who deserve it, and stand up to those who don't. They needed to see a man who did not want to control or humiliate them, but one who wants to live in harmony with everyone. They needed to see a man who could do whatever he wanted without consequence, but chooses not to give in to selfish desires. They needed to see a man who they did not need to fear. And tonight, they have and you have allowed them to open their minds to the possibility of change, but they must see even more. More men that follow your example, not out of fear, or coercion, but out of their own free will."

Clark was stunned. "Does that mean what I think it means?"

"Yes. Themyscira will be opened to the world. We cannot hide any longer. We must join Diana in her mission, as only then, with the strength of all her sisters with her can she truly achieve her goals. No longer will we live in fear and ignorance. The time for change is upon us, and it is you who has shown me this."

"Wow, I don't even know what to say."

Hippolyta laughed, "You do not have to speak now. Just know that we must rely on your guidance to assist us through this."

"Diana will be thrilled, not only will I help, all of my colleagues will as well. We all know how important this is to Diana. I just can't figure out why you're telling me first."

"Because I believe she will want to hear it from you."

"I see. I'm honored, that you put your trust in me to help you with this."

"I thought you would be." She stated, noting how humble he was being.

"Clark Kent, I bid you farewell. I will retire for the evening." Hippolyta stood to walk away, but turned at the last second. "Also, my parting words from our first meeting... Never forget them."

Clark wasn't surprised to be reminded of those parting words, but he was completely floored by what the Queen revealed. As Hippolyta left the hall to retire for the night Clark just stood motionless.

TODAY

Diana sat in shock for several minutes after he finished telling Diana what her mother said, she sat still so long Clark wondered if something had happened to her. "Diana?"

"Clark! You did it! We did it! I can't believe this!" Diana jumped for joy, then hugged and kissed Clark. "I've got to tell Julia, we've got to tell the backers, the government, everyone! You don't know how much I've wanted this."

Actually he did know. In their early friendship days, she vented her frustrations about her mother's stubbornness to him many times. When she was ready to give up on her mother, he always encouraged her to keep trying. At the time he had no idea that he himself would be the catalyst for the reveal of Themyscira.

"And Kara, she gets to come home too! When is she coming? Where will she live?" Diana asked excitedly.

"While you were sleeping, I put in a call and got Ollie working on it. Hopefully my parents will take her in, at least for now. Otherwise she'll have to stay here." As much as he loved Kara, his only living relative, he didn't want her living here. Not with Diana around, he really hoped his parents would step up to the plate for him.

"That's wonderful. I'm so happy. I have to get back, to speak with mother, and my sisters. I can't wait." Diana jumped for joy again, and kissed him again. "I'll be back sometime tonight. Then we can talk more, ok?"

"Sounds good."

"And don't tell anyone got it? I want to be the one to tell the league."

"No problem. Hey bring back my suit."

"Ok." She remembered that he left his Superman suit in her room on the island, in a pile with her armor. Which she spun around and called back to her.

"Woah, you can get my suit like that?" He asked, seeing her in her armor.

"No, I'll have to bring it back, which I promise I will tonight." She floated out the balcony door, and then took of like a jet, flying as fast as Clark has ever seen her.

Diana zoomed towards the ocean where Themyscira was located. She joyfully twisted and turned through the air. She couldn't believe this had happened, to go from being furious at her mother to unbelievably happy was quite the turnaround.

Her feet never touched the ground after she broke the barrier, she went straight to the palace. As she arrived, the session between the elders had just ended, so Diana just walked in to where her mother was still seated.

"Mother is this really happening? You're really going to join the rest of the world?" Diana was still partly in shock, she was operating on happiness alone.

"Yes child. While your world is a peace, the time is right."

"But why tell Clark and not me?" Diana stopped just in front of her mother's throne.

"I thought he would know best how to tell you the news, he would know how to keep you from doing something too impulsive. Plus, last night you consumed too much drink did you not?"

"Yes. Wait, I didn't even see you last night, how did you know?"

"Donna informed me that you nearly beheaded her with a goblet, and that Clark took you home. I hope you did not cause him too much trouble, you get quite out of hand when you are intoxicated. Hopefully you did not destroy anything as you tend to do"

Diana smiled guiltily, she had broken something, but that couldn't be helped. "No-no I was no trouble at all, I fell right, um, asleep once he got me to bed."

Hippolyta frowned, Diana was stumbling through her sentence again. There was something she was trying to hide. However she decided she was better off not knowing what Diana didn't want to reveal.

After a short pause Diana spoke again. "Thank you for this Mother."

"Do not thank me. Thank your Clark."

"Why him?"

"If it were not for him, this would not have happened. My eyes may never have been opened to the truth that you have tried to convince me of. I needed proof that the world could change, and so did our sisters."

"Ironic that it took a man from another world to convince you." Diana stated.

"Yes indeed, but I believe that is why our eyes were opened. He has the power of a god, yet last night he was not feared as one."

"No." Diana recalled all the dancing he did. That only meant they were seeing something in him that that they didn't fear.

"Our sisters have been informed of my decision. There is protest, but it will not change my mind. Last time I brought men into our lives it was a mistake that forced us to isolate ourselves. Now by returning to the world once again I will rectify that mistake. This time, we will not fail."

"We will not fail." Diana repeated. Then something occurred to her. "That's why you made us fight! You knew he would restrain himself, you wanted to prove to everyone that he would. This was a setup from the beginning?"

"And the last runner finishes the race." The Queen joked.

Diana couldn't help but laugh lightly.

"What assistance will you need from me?" Hippolyta continued.

"I think first we should invite members of the Justice League. Then select members of the public. Reporters, historians, supporters of my foundation. Eventually politicians and the lot, but they'll be last to visit."

"Are there female politicians?"

"Yes. I told you this, only they're just as untrustworthy as the men. Which is why they will be last, no doubt they will try to take everything good in our world and try to use it for selfish gain."

"You do not have a high opinion of politicians do you?"

"No really. Well, there is one in particular I dislike. But I digress, we will begin with the Justice League, I believe we will bring the females, and their partners."

"Very well, I will inform all."

"Oh, one other thing mother. I need you to inform everyone that they must begin saying Superman instead of Clark. I do not know how long it will be before we're revealed to the world, but we must protect his family. If word got out of his true identity, and even mine, innocents would be in grave danger."

"Very well." Hippolyta understood that, she wouldn't want the Kents to be hurt because of her knowledge of them.

After speaking with her mother, Diana began the journey back to Metropolis. She was flying over the coast when she saw something odd in the corner of her eye. Down on the ground, near the shore was a lone figure lying on the ground. Diana worried that one of her sisters had been injured so she flew down to offer assistance.

On the ground Diana saw that the woman wasn't laying there injured, she was crying. Which was an odd sight for an Amazon, as they never cried anymore. As she got closer she saw that this sister was tall, and muscular, more so than many of her sisters, she immediately knew who it was.

"Cressida? Are you alright?" Diana asked gently.

Cressida hadn't notice Diana's presence and was startled by her voice. She was also embarrassed to be caught crying, and immediately wiped her tears away. "Please go away!"

"Why are you crying? Do you need help?"

"No." She sobbed.

"What is wrong? Please tell me."

Cressida didn't think Diana would understand, but decided to try anyway. "I did something horrible, and it's your fault!"

"My fault, what happened?"

"Your stupid man happened!"

"What did he do?"

"Briony! He's turned her against me! We were together for nearly a century but one night near a man and she wants nothing to do with me." Cressida's tears returned, she couldn't contain herself any longer. "Now your mother wants to bring more to our shores."

"Oh sister I am so sorry." Diana moved to rub Cressida's shoulder,

"Can you not see it Diana? How men have torn us apart? It's happening again. Do not touch me!" Cressida stood up. "Leave me alone!"

Cressida ran, Diana did not follow, but she did wonder what sort of horrible thing Cressida could have done. Perhaps Briony could shed light on the situation. So Diana went back to the city to ask where to find her, the first person she asked directed her to the healing isle.

Diana barged into the room where she was told Briony was, she was shocked to see her being treated by Epione with a purple fist sized bruise near her right eye. Briony was too crying, probably not from the pain, but from the situation itself.

Diana tried to get Briony to talk, but she said even less than Cressida did. Diana surmised that it had something to do with Briony's dancing with Clark last night, and that led somehow to Cressida lashing out physically. Without all the answers Diana couldn't do anything to help, it seemed neither of them wanted her to help.

"This is going to be harder than I expected." Diana said, after she'd returned to her apartment a few hours later. She and Clark were having dinner.

"You thought it would be easy?"

"Well no, but I didn't think any of my sisters would go to this. How could Cressida just hit Briony like that? And why would Briony just leave her?"

"Not that it matters, but which came first? Getting dumped, or the punch?" He asked as he piled baked ziti onto his plate.

"I think Briony ended their relationship, then Cressida turned violent."

"Hmm. Not all of your sisters get together with each other do they?"

"No. Many do not." Probably the majority didn't.

"Well, I have a theory, that even with all she had to suffer through, when it comes down to it, Briony is still into guys."

Diana got a confused look. "I don't know about that, they've been together for almost a hundred years."

"Yeah, but for them that's a relatively short time." Clark began, "It looked to me that Cressida kind of ran things there, at one point she just yanked Briony away from me. Then when we were dancing, as soon as she saw Cressida she ran away."

"That doesn't explain why she would turn violent. Or why you would think Briony is attracted to men."

"Just look at those two, Briony is really little, and Cressida is not only tall, but she's muscular too. She doesn't look manly at all, but physically she's a close as you're going to get on Themyscira. It's possible that out of sheer loneliness she went to Cressida, but in the end she's still into men."

Diana thought about it, he had a point, but it was still a shot in the dark. "Ok maybe that's true, but that doesn't prove anything."

"I never said it did, there's no harm in brainstorming. However it might explain why after 80 something years why they would break up now of all times."

Diana rested her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands. "An Amazon's strength comes from her unity with her sisters, this just proves we're more divided than ever. Cressida is not alone in her protest of my mother's decision. How can we do this now?"

"I think that's your job. Remember a long time ago when you told me you were created for a purpose?"

"Yes?"

"Maybe this is your purpose, to bring everyone together when they feel most apart. You're the light to show them the way."

"That's what I said about you." She said ruefully.

"Maybe that's the purpose for both of us." Clark thought that maybe they were supposed to do it together, but something kept him from saying it out loud. "This is what you've always wanted."

"I know, and this morning I was so excited about it. But this is just a microcosm of the challenges I'm facing. Nearly half of the Amazons are still against this."

"Then it's up to you to change their minds. And I promise, you won't be alone."

Diana smiled and reached across the table to hold his hand. He was always so good at cheering her up.

Clark and Diana spent the rest of the quiet evening in her apartment. By the time they went to bed Diana was feeling much better about the future, something about sleeping in his arms made her feel like everything would be alright.

"Morning Smallville, did you have a good weekend?" Lois said happily as she strode into the office and sat down at her desk.

"I had a very good weekend. How about you?"

"I worked, but it wasn't so bad. I got a story going out today."

"Oh alright. So, any progress on your baby idea."

Lois got an alarmed look on her face and made the 'kill' signal with her hands at her neck. Quickly getting up to stand close to him. "We're not talking about that in public."

"Oh, sorry."

"Don't worry about it, I don't think I told you to be quiet about it."

"Ok, but it's been awhile since you first brought it up. You still haven't found a solution?"

"No, that's the thing. Hold on a second." Lois went to her desk and pulled her chair so she could sit close to him and speak quietly. "I refuse to get some anonymous donor, out of fear that I'll get some guy who is 5'5 and went bald as a teenager. Adoption takes forever and is unbelievably difficult for a single woman. Then there's the idea of me finding someone I like, but the problem is, I can't even get a date anymore."

"I'm sure it isn't that bad."

"It is that bad, I went down the list of potential candidates, and I came up with you and Jimmy. I mean come on, what does that say about me?"

"Lois, if this is truly what you want, you'll figure it out."

Lois smiled wryly. "You know, this is what I truly want, but I have no idea how to get it."

Everything perked up when Diana walked into the offices of the Wonder Women Foundation, she was rarely here anyway, but there was something different about her. She walked with a deliberate pace that spoke of something important. She gave friendly waves and smiles to all the women working in the office, but nothing could break her gait. Diana walked straight into the big office, which had been set up with two desks, one very large desk for Julia Kapatelis who was in the office constantly handling the day to day operations of the foundation. Diana had a much smaller desk for the rare time she spent working.

It was getting late, Julia was shutting down the computer and preparing to leave for the night when the door opened up and Diana strode in. "Diana what a surprise to see you." Julia said brightly.

"Julia I have big news." Diana smiled.

"What is it?"

"My mother is going to open up Themyscira. And I want you to be among the first visitors."

Julia's jaw dropped. "Me? I can't believe this!"

"Believe it." Diana said with a smile.