Disclaimer: Goes without saying….I don't own the characters.

Chapter 2: Shayera

By the time Shayera walked into the changing room, she was certain she was going to die. To call this day hot was an understatement, and to train outdoors for two full hours on such a hot day was probably considered as suicide. Nevertheless, this was exactly what the redhead had just done.

To be sure, it was a well known fact that Hawkgirl was rush and stubborn by nature, but in her defence this was a special occasion. Apparently, it was another one of those dates when humans celebrated one thing or another, and as a result most heroes had left the headquarters early in order to spend some time with their families, or their friends, or… fine, who cares about the other heroes. John was spending his day with Mari while she herself was left here on monitor duty.

Of course she was happy for him. She truly was, and she only wanted what was best for him. But that didn't mean she could not work herself to death to avoid thinking about it. And so she did.

Everything was blurry and as her legs no longer seemed to cooperate, Shayera was forced to lean on a wall for a while. She waited until her heart was no longer pounding in her head as loudly, but her eyes still hurt from the sweat that had run down her face. She was in the process of rubbing her eyes for what was possibly the tenth time, in an attempt to regain some sight when she heard someone enter through the showers. The Thanagarian was in no mood for conversation and if she wasn't an atheist she would be praying to remain undetected, when the intruder spoke.

"Aren't you supposed to be on monitor duty?" Shayera cursed internally. She didn't have to see who it was to recognise the owner of the voice, and to make things worse its tone was a little more irritated than usual.

"Calm down Diana. I'll return in a while." Shayera was still blinking in an attempt to regain her sight.

"What if something happens while you are not there?" The question was heavy with doubt and mistrust.

"I told you it's alright!" Shayera didn't need this right now. She was already pissed off enough as it was. "I've left someone in my place for a couple of hours".

"Who could you have possibly found around here today, to…"

"I found Bruce! Alright? He saw I could use a break and offered to take my place. Will you let it go now?" Shayera was surprisingly aware of making a huge mistake even as her words were parted from her lips, but it was too late. She stayed still for a while assessing the situation.

On the bright side, her vision was mostly back by now. Then again, this also meant that she could finally see the Amazon princess. Indeed, there was Diana, freshly bathed and wrapped in a white towel, looking more than just a little startled at the mention of a rather dark and mysterious superhero. Shayera was left with stating the obvious.

"He had not told you he would be here…" She was almost feeling sorry for Diana. The subject of broken hearts was not entirely unfamiliar to her either, and the other woman was definitely getting more depressed by the moment. Despite being a wreck herself Shayera decided she had to fix this.

Then again that was easier said than done. Diana was clearly in need of a shoulder to cry on but Shayera wasn't really the right person for that. Their relationship had been a bit better since the Tartarus incident, but a lot of issues remained unresolved. Perhaps that could help though.

Having made up her mind, Shayera gave a short but apparently mocking laugh and proceeded to undress. Diana looked as if she could snap her neck then and there.

"What's so funny?" Was the dry and predictable response.

"Nothing really." Shayera was still managing to sound smug enough. "It's just that I still find it hard to believe you are into him."

The Amazon was looking genuinely confused at this point. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Shayera had never been attracted to Bruce herself. Nevertheless, she could definitely see what other women saw in him and Diana's love struck answer was unmistakable. "Well…" she continued while undoing her pants "You know…I always thought you were gay Diana".

She risked a quick glance to take in the effect of her words. Yes, her plan had worked. There stood a rather dumbfounded princess, staring in space and trying to make sense of what she had just heard. If experience had taught Shayera anything, in a few minutes they would be engaged in a heated debate and her fellow leaguer would be pissed, but at least not depressed. As much as Shayera detested Diana's pride, she decided that it was better than this, new, sulking version.

"Why would you think that?" Stuttered the other woman in a slightly higher voice than usual.

"Oh come on Diana." Exclaimed Shayera "You come from a society of warrior women where men are strictly forbidden by the gods themselves, and you expect me to believe that throughout you entire immortal life you never slept with anyone until you left for man's world?" To the redhead's satisfaction, Wonder Woman actually blushed.

Shayera was standing in nothing but her underwear and was considering making her way to the showers -she was after all still uncomfortably sticky and hot- when Diana decided to counter attack. Her laughter was uncharacteristically provocative and sarcastic. Something about it just rubbed Shayera the wrong way, but it was too late for backing down. This time it was her turn to provide the unoriginal reply: "What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing." The woman's voice was heavy with irony. "It's just that…. I always thought you were the gay one."

Shayera turned around so fast that the back of her neck hurt. Their eyes met briefly as the Thanagarian assessed the situation. In the end, seeing as the princess was clearly more amused than serious, she relaxed a little herself. Yes, today the infamous Hawkgirl was going to suppress her blazing temperament in favour of a cooler response. "Me? Gay?" She enquired while casually taking off her remaining clothing. "Care to explain how you reached this fascinating conclusion?"

Diana did not miss a beat. "There are several reasons actually if you'd care to hear them." Taking the other woman's shrug as consent, Diana struggled not to rush through her list. "To begin with your behaviour can be pretty masculine at times. You actually walk around with a bulky mace….that's not very ladylike either. Also, you belonged to a rather barbaric army and you seemed to enjoy this lifestyle…"

Shayera of course was pretending to be indifferent and confident. In fact, by the time Diana reached the last of her arguments, she was standing proudly, nude as the day she was born, with her back turned to the princess, while pretending to be examining a pair of worn underwear which apparently were more interesting than what Diana had to say.

"…and last but not least…" she heard the Amazon finish, "…if you are so certain that I am gay, why did you just strip in front of me?"

Shayera dropped the underwear.

She honestly did not know how to respond to that question, not to herself, and definitely not to Diana. In the end, Shayera gathered any remaining traces of courage and made her way to the nearest changing cabin shakily muttering a "You are reading too much into this Diana… I was just being sure of myself…" Diana was clearly not convinced.

The winged woman had almost reached the safety of the cabin when she heard Diana call after her. "Giving up already? I always thought you gave as good as you got!" Anger flashed in Shayera's eyes and she instinctively turned to face the princess. Later, she would recall this moment as the beginning of the end, and she would often spend generous amounts of time imagining what it would have been like had she not turned around. It never made any difference though, for in reality Shayera did turn to look at Diana, and Diana did let her towel fall to the ground appearing in all her naked glory for Shayera to see.

Despite all of her desperate efforts she simply could not meet Diana's eyes. However, she had no problem taking in the rest of the sight, which she had not expected to like half as much. Shayera definitely disliked the princess, but she had to face the facts: the woman was gorgeous.

Diana did not fail to notice the other woman's reaction, and before Shayera could recover, she found herself trapped between the cabin's door and Diana's flawless body. They were still a few inches apart but the Amazon's intentions were clear and Shayera was getting more freaked out by the second.

"You win this one Diana. Now stop this!" The protest was earnest if not particularly strong, but Diana apparently knew better.

"Do you remember what happened that night on Themyscira?" The question felt like a blow in the guts. When she failed to answer, Diana leaned in and their bodies touched. The contrast was mind blowing. While Shayera was still hot, sticky and slick with sweat from training, Diana was fresh from a shower and her skin felt unbelievably cool and smooth. The sensation was overwhelming.

"No." She finally whispered "I don't remember the kiss."

They locked gazes for a few moments. Diana was victorious and taking great pride in this. Shayera wanted to be repulsed but she was somehow mostly aroused instead. She wanted to be angry but she was just too distracted, and she could have sworn that the raven haired princess had never looked more beautiful before. Gods did she hate everything about that woman. Then, their lips met for the second time.

Shayera was certain she didn't want this. At least not consciously as to her great horror she realised she was returning the kiss. In the meantime, Diana was clearly more into this. She run one hand along the younger woman's back while she lowered the other to caress an impressively well toned, flat stomach. Shayera felt something stir inside her, something she had learned to suppress years ago. This awakening frightened her and she broke the kiss. Diana shot her a questioning look, but she did not pull away.

"I don't want this Diana." She was practically begging by now. "I don't want this to happen."

Diana didn't reply immediately. Instead she slid her hand even lower and cupped the younger heroine's womanhood. As Shayera desperately held on Diana's shoulders for support she realised how foolish her protests must have sounded. She clearly needed to be touched, badly, and there was no denying it considering she was practically dripping down her thighs. The Amazon smirked and nuzzled her neck before she spoke. "You are wet." It was a simple statement but it spoke volumes.

"It…it is only sweat…" Shayera knew she could have come up with something better, but not under these circumstances. Not when Diana's hand was still working between her legs the way it was.

"It doesn't feel like sweat Shayera." Diana was now kissing her way down her throat. "We…you need this."

"You are not the right person for this." Shayera's voice was husky and needy by now. She was close to giving in but the complications of taking Wonder Woman as a lover were still troubling her. The said woman must have realised, for she instantly stopped and looked her straight in the eyes.

"It is only sex Shayera. Nothing more." That was all it took for Shayera to finally let go. The princess's words were reassuring, her touch tender, and above all her eyes were bright and honest. The younger girl stared at her for a second as if trying to determine something. Then, she closed the distance and kissed her passionately.

It was the first time the two had shared such a fiery kiss. Shayera was feeling more than a little lightheaded, but before she knew it she found herself seated on a bench inside the narrow cabin, while Wonder Woman, who did find the time to lock the door, was kneeling between her legs. She thought she would finally be allowed to relax a little - after all she was certain that the princess was a gentle and patient lover – but she couldn't have been more wrong. Skipping all further foreplay, Diana placed one firm hand on Shayera's waist to keep her steady while she leaned in to taste the other woman. Shayera barely managed to strangle a cry.

Only a few seconds had passed but she was already struggling to stay still. Diana had definitely done this before and clearly knew what she was doing as her mouth worked wonders on Shayera.

'Wonder Woman indeed.' Mused Shayera to herself. Ever since she left Thanagar, almost seven years ago, she had been denied so many things: love, companionship, affection… and of course sex. She'd had a month with John two years ago, but what was a month to seven years?

The truth was she was famished. She was starving for the slightest taste of pleasure that might help her forget her troubles even for a moment. She wanted this. She needed this. She had somehow accepted she would never have it. Still, if there was one thing her short life had taught her was that anything could happen. Usually that involved a lot of terrible things happening, but that day was different, for on that day her wish had come true through the unlikeliest person. There she was, Diana, the golden princess of Themyscira, the woman that had served as her antagonist from the first days of the Justice League, on her knees in a common changing room, pleasuring her with those perfect full lips.

Shayera was close. Yes, this was definitely premature, but, once again, she was young and she had stayed celibate for too long. She tried to speak but her voice was barely louder than a whisper. "Diana…. Diana I am going to…" She could not bring herself to finish the sentence. Her brain felt like mash and yet this was still too embarrassing. They should have been drunk like they had been on Themyscira…

To Shayera's surprise, and discomfort, Diana stopped, kissed the inside of her thigh, looked up and smiled at her. "It's all right Shayera. You can come in my mouth."

It was over for Shayera. With that statement and that particular sight combined, any intentions of prolonging the experience went out the window and the second she felt Diana's tongue between her folds again, her head went blank and seven years of deprivation came crashing down.

It took a while for her to recover but she tried to be quick about it. This was clearly one of those hard and fast fucks and there was little room, if any, for affection. Diana herself had not stayed to guide her through the last shivers of her orgasm. Nor did she hold and reassure her as she fought to get her breath back. Instead, she had taken a seat on the opposite bench where she waited patiently for Shayera to deal with the mess between her legs and any last shudders on her own.

It was all rather fitting really – their relationship had never been caring after all – but this was not over yet. She was still painfully aroused and she could have sworn that the other woman felt the same way.

Shayera nervously run a shaky hand through her own dump hair and knelt beside Diana. She did not have as much experience as the other heroine but that had never stopped her before. She caressed the Amazon's smooth torso, between her flawless breasts and down her tight abdomen, to settle eventually beneath a well trimmed patch of fine, dark hair. The princess's entrance was slick, warm and welcoming. Shayera gasped at the feeling and Diana shot her a cocky smirk. Normally, this would have annoyed the redhead to the point of walking out, but nothing about the current circumstances was normal. Shayera was not done with the princess yet, and besides, she always gave as good as she got…

The two heroines lay next to each other for some time. Apparently at some point during their coupling Diana had brought the two benches together. Of course Shayera didn't even notice at the time, but the present was an entirely different matter. As much as she was enjoying this feeling of overdue satisfaction, she had also regained some clarity of mind. And so it was that with the fog of lust removed, Shayera considered her current situation. Not knowing what to make of it she decided to test the waters and reached out to gently touch the other woman's shoulder.

When Diana sat up Shayera was certain it was to leave, but instead she placed one arm around her and pulled her closer. Shayera didn't know how to feel at first. There was something extremely awkward about this kind of familiarity, and besides, it was too hot for embracing. However, Diana's skin felt pretty cool, and when Shayera laid her head on her chest, she found herself getting drowsy. For a while she felt nothing but Diana's reassuring heartbeat. For a while this was her entire world, a peaceful world.

The Thanagarian was about to doze off when she felt slender fingers dance on her waist.

"This was…different." The princess sounded troubled, and had Shayera not witnessed her experience multiple orgasms minutes ago, she would have taken this the wrong way. She remained silent, giving her new lover time to finish her thoughts. "It was definitely good, but…you were a lot gentler than I imagined you'd be."

"And you were a lot rougher than I imagined you'd be. Different isn't necessarily bad Diana."

"I know…it's just…Shayera, I am confused, how do you manage to remain so quiet?" Diana sounded genuinely puzzled and Shayera had to give a short, heartfelt laugh before replying.

"A few years of fucking in military camps and barracks will do that to a soldier. It is always crowded and you just can't have people hearing you." Diana nodded, taking in Shayera's answer. They remained silent for a little longer, until that sweet post-sex haze was gone and they both felt a little too aware of the situation. It was a situation that was getting weirder by the moment.

"I should take another shower." Begun the princess as she disentangled herself from the other woman. "And you…you definitely need a shower yourself."

Shayera shot her a bemused look. "That was why I came here in the first place if you recall."

"Yes…that's right…" Diana was standing by the cabin's door, and was clearly ready to leave, but as Shayera could sense, something was stopping her.

"Out with it Wonder! It may seem like it at times, but I don't have all day." She sat up, as if that would stress her point.

Diana looked a little taken aback at first, but soon determination returned in her eyes. "Can I see you again?"

The request was spoken in a steady, confident voice. It hung in the air for a few seconds before Shayera could figure out how to respond. "I thought you said this was just sex."

"It is just sex."

Diana's statement was dry, to the point, and pretty much what Shayera had expected to hear. And yet, something felt odd. "For a moment it sounded as if you had feelings, or…"

"Don't be ridiculous Shayera. This is purely physical. I admit I am attracted to you, but feelings, like love… How could I love you Shayera when I don't even like you?"

Shayera felt her breath stop for a moment. She had known of the other woman's dislike for her for a long time, and the truth was that it was mutual, but hearing this spoken out loud right after making love was a bit of a slap in the face. She must have visibly stiffened because Diana tried to act concerned.

"I thought you knew…you…you are not going to cry, are you?"

Hearing those words was more than enough for Shayera to snap out of it. After all she'd been through, this honestly seemed like the last reason to cry for. Diana must have been terribly shocked when she begun to laugh out loud, but she simply didn't care. The entire matter felt like such a terrible joke to her.

"No, don't worry Diana." She reassured her. "I am not going to cry. Not over this. Besides…I run out of tears a long time ago." The Amazon nodded but made no comment. "Anyway, feel free to break into my room anytime you want."

Diana did not miss the accusation in Shayera's voice. "That was a onetime thing." She hurried to explain herself. "I told you, I needed your mace…"

"I was kidding Diana. How about…feel free to knock on my door anytime you want. Is that better?" Seeing a warrior princess like Diana being flustered was definitely cute and Shayera just had to flash a brief, charming smile.

"Yes, it is better." Diana was starting to blush and the two shared a few more seconds of awkward silence before she spoke again. "I think I'll go and start on that shower."

She had unlocked the door and stepped out when Shayera called after her.

"Wonder…please make sure nobody finds out about us." The Amazon turned and studied her face for a moment and Shayera could not help but feel naked…well, even more naked, under her cold gaze. Eventually, when she spoke it was with an equally icy voice.

"That goes without saying Shayera."