Author's Note: For those wondering why they are being rude in the previous chapter, it is because if you recall, they were being pretty rude to each other in quite a few episodes of the actual show as well.

x-x-x-x-x

Chapter 3: The Meaningless Affair

When their meaningless affair started neither of the two women could tell how far it would go. At first the Amazon's visits would be infrequent and brief. She would pick a night for reasons that were entirely her own, and then she would knock on Shayera's door. There was very little talking back then. Usually they would promptly fall into bed and take their frustration out on each other. Of course Diana never stayed for the night. More often than not she would get dressed and leave only a few minutes after the deed was done.

Then, as some time passed the princess would show up more often. She would not necessarily stay longer, and their relationship was still lacking in tenderness, but neither of them could deny that familiarity was starting to creep in.

By the time Shayera went to Egypt the two heroines had begun spending significantly more time together. Sometimes they would discuss the day's events before having sex, but their conversations took place mostly afterwards. They would lie naked in Shayera's bed and share all kinds of thoughts and stories, whereas on some particularly difficult days they would just find shelter in each other's silent but comforting presence.

Of course all this had been kept a secret from everyone else. Both women had feelings for other people and it was a common understanding between them that a possible boyfriend would terminate their arrangement. However Shayera's affair with Carter had been so short-lived that neither felt the need to so much as mention it, and so it was that they were left to enjoy their routine uninterrupted, until that morning a couple of months later…

It was a normal day for Shayera. She had awakened less than an hour ago and she was still in the process of getting dressed when she heard a familiar knock. Diana would visit her only by night so she was half expecting to see someone else, but nevertheless, as the door slid aside, it was Diana that greeted her.

"Good morning Diana. If this is about a mission I'll be out in a minute. " She had already begun to retreat in her room in an attempt to finish dressing up when she was interrupted.

"Actually, Shayera, I wanted to see you in private."

The Thanagarian was a little baffled at first, but as she moved aside to let the other woman in she figured that Diana probably only wanted to talk. She couldn't have come to her for sex so early, right?

Apparently Shayera was getting really good at being wrong. As soon as the door was shut behind them, Diana practically attacked her. The Amazon's pace was frantic. Before Shayera could register what was happening Diana had her on her back while she was tearing her clothes off and kissing her like there was no tomorrow.

This seemed more than a little odd. As enjoyable as it was, their couplings had never been as intense before. Shayera tried to ask whether something was wrong but the princess would have none of it. Instead she hushed her with a deep kiss and spread the redhead's legs so she could fit between them.

This was one of their sex life's issues. Shayera had no problem submitting to the Amazon princess most of the time, but on occasion she would have liked to do a little topping herself. This was clearly difficult for Diana though. Shayera had asked her about it one night while they were waiting for their bodies' sweat to cool off, and apparently it was a Themyscirian thing. Submitting sexually to another female warrior was regarded as an acknowledgement of the other woman's dominance as a fighter.

Shayera had tried to convince her that this was ridiculous and that what they did in the bedroom had no bearing on any other part of their lives, while Diana herself had admitted that the logical part of her brain was telling her that her worries were irrational. Regardless, whenever she had attempted to bottom for Shayera it had been a disaster. She would be uncomfortable, tense and distracted, and of course the other woman would notice.

Perhaps she didn't trust the Thanagarian enough, or maybe the Amazonian belief was just too deeply rooted in. In any case, Shayera didn't really complain, especially not on that morning when Diana was grinding against her sex with such fervour. When she finally came, quietly as always, Shayera was finally aware of how sore she actually was, but it wasn't until a while later, when Diana came with a cry that she realised the Amazon must have totally forgotten she was bedding a fragile mortal. Indeed, the princess appeared to be entirely cut off from reality and lost in her own pleasure as she gave those final thrusts and fell next to her lover.

They lay on their backs for several minutes as their breathing slowed down. Then, Shayera decided it was time to find out what had brought on this unusual visit. When she asked, Diana cut her off with a firm kiss, and when they parted she gently caressed her cheek and answered.

"There is something I need to tell you Shayera." The younger woman could not help but observe a bittersweet mixture of happiness and regret in her voice.

"I can only hope it will explain why I can no longer feel my privates Diana." Shayera tried her best to sound cheerful but as she sat up her wince was unmistakable.

"I'm sorry about that… I really am…I just got too excited I guess…" To Diana's credit, she did look sorry, although she still sounded way too enthusiastic for Shayera's taste.

"As much as I'd like to think so, I get the feeling that this excitement is not from what we just did." The Thanagarian was growing more suspicious by the second. "So…what happened Diana?"

"What happened is…you see, I…There is no easy way to say this Shayera…" She watched Diana wet her lips one last time before she came out with it. "Bruce asked me out."

Shayera could have sworn that time stopped. She could have also sworn that somebody poured a bucket of icy water over her head…one with plenty of ice cubes in particular. It hardly mattered though. She was extremely good at lying and hiding her true feelings after all.

"When...when did that happen?" She asked in the steadiest voice she could muster.

"Last night. He asked me to dinner and I accepted." Of course she did. Shayera was getting really mad at herself. This had been their deal from the beginning: two heartbroken women who find a little comfort in each other until they can get what they really want. What's more, Diana had been courteous enough to throw in a goodbye fuck – an excellent goodbye fuck – before they went their separate ways. No, Shayera had no business feeling sad, and she was definitely happy for Diana. And yet, she couldn't ignore what this meant for her. It was time to return to her old friend loneliness again.

"These are wonderful news Diana! It was about time too if you ask me." She did her best to grin at the princess, and she must have done a good job seeing as Diana was beaming at her.

They talked for a little longer, or rather, Diana talked and Shayera pretended to listen, nodding now and then to be on the safe side. Then it was time for Diana to leave and Shayera found herself alone, in her room, getting dressed once again as if nothing had happened.

x-x-x-x-x

Several days passed and Shayera had finally begun to accept the situation. They'd had a good time together for a while, and besides, Diana had been looking so happy lately. As for herself, she had partly solved her problem by taking more shifts. This allowed for some level of socializing, and she did get to meet a lot of the other heroes up close. It wasn't as intimate of course, and she had yet to find another woman that shared her interests of battle and weaponry like Diana had, but it was still company. In fact, she had just finished one of those shifts, and was making her way back to the living quarters when she heard the sound of familiar heels and Diana caught up with her.

"Hey."

"Hey to you too." Shayera would never admit it but she actually had to try not to sound too eager. She didn't have a crush on her or anything, but the princess had been there for her in her own way, and seeing her again instantly made everything seem a little brighter.

"So, what have you been up to? I hear you've been taking extra shifts."

"Yeah, that's pretty much it Diana. I haven't been doing anything else, and work…it helps pass the time." They walked in silence for several long moments before she could ask what she actually wanted to. "And how are things with you? Last time we spoke you were on cloud nine."

"Everything's great Shayera. I mean. Bruce can be a little cold and reserved at times, but that's just him. We are working on it and I believe we actually have a chance." By that time Diana had taken on that dazed, dreamy look that never failed to mess with the winged girl's feelings. It annoyed her up to a point and made her want to just wipe it off the other woman's face, but seeing her happy like this also had a way of making her stomach flutter. Thankfully, with this and that they had finally reached her door and this torment would soon be over.

"Well… we are here Diana." She tried her best to sound weary. "So, unless you want something specific I'd like to go in for a rest. It's been a long day…"

"No, it's nothing specific. I just…" Diana bit her lip in hesitation. "I guess I just missed our chats…" The redhead gave a deep sigh and lowered her eyes in response but was forced to look up when she felt a gentle hand grip the back of her neck. She was met by a pair of caring and yet pained, bright, blue eyes. Shayera was at a loss for words until the princess addressed her in a soft voice. "How have you truly been Shayera?"

Shayera tried to reply but there were just too many words struggling on her lips. She could have told her how utterly miserable she had truly been. How she had been lying awake at night dying for another person's warmth. How she had been craving the slightest bit of affection to make her feel alive again… But she didn't, and eventually she had to settle for a meager half sentence of five short words. "I missed our chats too." She whispered.

Regardless, it was as if Diana had heard everything; every hopeless wish and every desperate plea. She raised her other hand to caress Shayera's face and when the younger woman leaned in to the touch closed the distance between them.

Shayera knew she should have pushed her away. Bruce was her friend and she shouldn't be making out with his girlfriend. And yet, no one had ever kissed her with such tenderness before. For once the Amazon was gentle, slow and impossibly loving, and Shayera could do little more than bury her hands in her cascade of silky raven hair and melt against her lips.

The pair kissed like this for several breathless moments, lost in the novelty of this newfound affection, and when they finally parted and their eyes, darkened, unfocused and needy locked, their next course of action was clearer than ever…

x-x-x-x-x

Of course Diana didn't break up with Bruce – after all she had wanted him for a very long time. In fact, their relationship had been going very well and the princess was extremely happy, but this didn't mean she could not make some time for Shayera, and indeed, the two women had never met more frequently before. Whether it was to stay up and talk for hours, or to just hastily take her against a wall, Diana would manage to visit Shayera at least every other day. If she felt any guilt, it was clearly overcome by her need for female companionship – she was an Amazon born and raised after all. As for Shayera, she knew she should be feeling horrible about this, but the truth was she'd done so many worse things in her life, so many terrible things to friend and foe alike, that this didn't really seem to matter – it didn't even make her top ten, as she would tell herself.

They never did find out whether Bruce was aware of their little affair, and if he did, he never let it show. There was some speculation of course…

"They don't call him the world's greatest detective for nothing Diana." Shayera said once. "I remember he caught on to me and John immediately."

"That doesn't mean anything Shayera." The other woman laughed. "A crawling infant would have caught on to you and John. You two were not very subtle when it came to your…affection, whereas our public exchanges appear to be as formal and cold as before. Some would even call them rude…"

"It's not very hard to pretend with you Wonder." The redhead shot her a seductive smirk. "You still piss me off like it was day one."

Diana returned the sultry smile before flipping the younger woman on her stomach. They still failed to see eye to eye on most matters, but now they had a better way of resolving their conflicts.

x-x-x-x-x

Years later Shayera would look on this period as one of the weirdest and yet most pleasant ones of her life - an unexpected oasis after her yearlong struggles. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. In this case, the ending came right after a very special night. It was the night that Diana decided to sleep over for the first, and last, time.

The Amazon had shown up a little earlier than usual. They discussed their latest missions as always, however, as the time passed, Shayera noticed that the other woman was nervous and asked about it. Diana said nothing and embraced her instead. For a while the princess appeared to be contend to just hold her tightly in silence, but feeling Shayera's breath against her neck awakened a baser need. She kissed the girl in her arms passionately until she felt her shiver, and then she lowered her hands to fumble with her pants. Shayera complied, and when they were both out of their uniforms fell into bed pulling Diana with her.

After a few more deep kisses and soft touches Shayera shifted to lie on her back but her lover beat her to it. The younger woman shot her a knowing look and straddled her in response. As much as she enjoyed receiving all the attention, she loved it when the Amazon princess allowed her to worship her body like this. She slowly worked her way down, kissing the corner of full red lips, the crook of a smooth delicate neck, the swell of ample tender breasts and eventually the plain of a hard stomach.

By the time Shayera reached the soft skin below her navel, Diana was heaving and the air was heavy with the rich musk of her sex. The redhead was seconds away from dipping her head even lower and offering some much needed relief when she felt Diana grip her shoulders with shaky hands and drug her back up. Their lips and tongues met once again, and if at first she was a little confused, everything became much clearer when the princess spread her legs and guided Shayera to settle between them. The Thanagarian's eyes widened as she took in the request. Suddenly Diana's anxiety made perfect sense.

"We don't have to do this Diana." She whispered while hovering over her.

"I want to do this." Her voice was more than a little shaky, and although that was definitely the result of arousal up to a point, Shayera wasn't convinced.

"I know you want to." She replied while lovingly brushing a strand of dark hair away from her lover's face. "But can you?"

At those words the princess gave such a warm, heartfelt smile that Shayera actually felt her heart flutter. "We still have our differences…but now I trust you. It feels right to give myself to you Shayera." And with that, Diana slid a hand against her lower back and brought the dazed girl's womanhood against her own.

They both gasped at the contact, and Shayera couldn't help but press against her experimentally. When she gingerly glanced at Diana's face she was almost certain she'd be disappointed once again, however she was met by a surprisingly pleasant sight. The Amazon was wearing an expression of pure pleasure, and Shayera was finally confident enough to run her hand along a firm thigh and wrap it around her waist.

It was by far their most passionate coupling. Grinding against her warm wetness, hushing her cries of passion with her mouth, connecting so intimately with another person… It was better than anything Shayera had imagined.

Diana herself must have been extremely aroused by this newfound sexual liberty, as for once she came first. It was a challenge for Shayera not to fall apart completely, what with the princess's nails digging painfully in her back, and her own orgasm not too far off…and besides, having Wonder Woman writhe underneath you is no small feat on its own. She made it nonetheless, and as her lover came down from her high she was even able to stop for a while – as painful as it was for her own throbbing womanhood – and give her a chance to recover. Besides, for all she knew Diana didn't want her to remain in this position…

Any last concerns vanished however the moment she felt the princess hold her tighter, and rock her hips against her. Shayera just couldn't say no to that. She took her again, this time focusing mostly on her own pleasure, although Diana strangely seemed even more responsive than before. As Shayera desperately struggled to reach her own orgasm, she found she was extremely sensitive to everything: the way Diana's legs were wrapped around her waist, the way her back arched to meet her every thrust, the way she whispered those sweet encouraging words against her shoulder… She had never felt so wanted, accepted or trusted before, and she could have sworn that hot tears were threatening to spill down her cheeks, and probably would have, had a different release not beat them to it.

That night Shayera cried out. She cried out her frustration, and she cried out her gratitude, but above all she cried out Diana's name.

When she could take no more, she collapsed on top of her lover, carefully so as not to crash her – not that she could have crashed Wonder Woman if she wanted to, but it was plain courtesy. The pair lay still and silent for some time – for what can you say when a spell has been broken – until finally Shayera gathered her remaining strength and slowly disentangled herself from Diana's limbs, taking the time to press a gentle kiss on the inside of her thigh. Then she lay down next to her, sighed blissfully and closed her eyes. She must have dozed off, for when she opened them again Diana had cuddled up by her side and a rather crinkly sheet was covering them up to the waist.

"So…are we going to talk about what just happened?" The Amazon asked quietly as soon as she felt her awaken.

"What's there to talk about?" Replied Shayera while stroking her hair. "You are just more versatile than you thought."

Diana could almost feel Shayera's smile, and there was no way of stopping one from spreading on her own lips. "You were loud."

"I wasn't loud Diana! I just wasn't…silent." The winged woman was struggling to suppress a blush when she felt Diana's hand on her chest. The princess run her fingers over her collarbone and lightly teased a perky nipple, before pressing her palm against her tight, slick abdomen, and sliding lower and lower, until her hand disappeared under the sheet.

"Again?" The redhead raised an eyebrow but Diana locked eyes with her and continued stroking until Shayera was forced to shut her eyes and groan. When she opened them again it was to smile at her. "Again it is then…"

x-x-x-x-x

In the morning, when she woke up, Diana was still there. Shayera blinked as she realized it was the first time she had slept over – though to be fair, they hadn't done much sleeping. As if to make sure the other woman was real she run her hand over the muscles of her flawless back, and when Diana stirred and turned to face her there was no more room for doubts.

"Hey there." Diana's voice was still groggy but she was clearly cheerful.

"Hey…This looks weird…I mean seeing you here first thing in the morning…" Remarked the redhead.

"Hm…I can leave if that's what you want…" She teased.

"No, that won't be necessary." They shared a smile and for a few peaceful minutes did nothing but stare at each other, until Shayera reached out and begun to slowly trace her lover's fine features. The princess closed her eyes and relaxed, enjoying the attention. It was a rare moment…a stolen moment…

Shayera sighed. "I wish you could stay more often."

Her words were spoken as nothing more than a whisper and Diana opened her eyes in surprise. She took the younger heroine's hand in her own and kissed her fingertips reassuringly. "Who is to say I can't?"

"I am sure your boyfriend would notice if these sleepovers became a habit Diana." The comment was meant as a joke but there definitely was a more serious side to it.

Diana could not stop her smile. "I guess he would…if I had one."

For a second Shayera thought she'd misunderstood her lover's words. "Wait…what do you…"

"Bruce and I broke up."

"Ah…okay…" Shayera wasn't sure how to respond to this. Things were a little too complex for her liking. "Did you two have a fight or something? Most couples have fights every now and then…it doesn't mean anything…"

"No, we didn't fight. It was more of a mutual decision. Our relationship just wasn't going anywhere."

"Maybe things are not that bad Diana. Maybe you just need a break to sort things out…" For some reason Shayera found herself desperately trying to save her lover's relationship, an effort that didn't go too well with Diana herself.

"It is final Shayera. Bruce and I are not getting back together. I am sure about it. What I am not so sure about is why you are reacting like this. What's your problem?"Her tone was almost accusing.

Shayera sat up and looked away trying to comprehend her own behaviour. Eventually she snapped. "Why Diana? Why did you have to ruin everything?"

The princess found herself on the defence for once. "I can't see how I did…I can't see how I ruined anything Shayera."

"This was not our agreement Diana…This was not how things were supposed to happen." The other woman attempted to reply but was immediately cut off. "Diana…do you know what we did last night?" The Thanagarian was looking dead serious.

"Of course I do." Diana cracked a bittersweet smile. "We made love."

"Exactly." Shayera shook her head. "We made love. We made love, and for once there was nobody else's shadow hanging between us. Don't you see? You slept with me without wanting anyone else at the same time…nobody else…just me." Shayera's thoughts were racing. She was begging, pleading…praying for crying out loud for Diana to deny this, to slap her and scream in her face that she was flattering herself, that there was some man out there she'd rather be fucking instead. They just couldn't be doing this…

When Diana spoke her voice was broken. "Is wanting to be with you such a crime?" Shayera could almost taste her pain. She sighed.

"Diana…you don't really have feelings for me." The princess tried to protest in vain. "I know you think there is something between us, but it's not real. It was natural to bond like this. We have been sleeping together for a long time, but…this is just a trick of the mind and its chemicals…we don't even like each other, remember?" Shayera moved closer and cupped her face. "It's only an illusion Diana. There is nothing there…"

Nobody spoke for some time, until Diana broke the silence.

"You feel the same way." Her words were not a question, but a statement, and seeing that Shayera did not even bother to contradict it, she pulled her even closer. "Even if this is fake, what does it matter if we both feel the same?"

"And what would you have us do?" Shayera was almost shouting by then, desperately struggling to escape the chaos inside her head. Everything was falling apart. "Would you have us date, and live together, and fuck all night, and have a happy ending as if this was just a fairytale? Would you tell the world that in a league full of attractive male superheroes, its two greatest heroines have the hots for each other instead?"

Diana stared at her through unbelieving eyes. "That can't be your real problem Shayera." The said girl could not help but wince at that hint of steel in her voice. "I've known you for a very long time and I've seen you having a hundred different problems, but other peoples' opinions have never been one of them. You don't really care about your image. So…what's really bothering you?"

As hard as she tried, Shayera could not meet her eyes. There were a thousand different things she could have said, but they all died in her throat, and in the end, she was forced to do the one thing she hated the most: retreat. "This…this can't be my future Diana…This can't be my life, I…I can't deal with this right now. I am exhausted….I need some time to think."

Perhaps Shayera's confusion and fatigue were apparent for anyone to see, for Diana didn't push the matter any further. Instead, she briefly touched her former lover's shoulder and paused for a moment to study her face. Then she was gone, and Shayera was left to enjoy the peace and quiet she had claimed to need so much. But the princess had never looked more disappointed or betrayed before, not even during the Thanagarian invasion, and no matter what Shayera did she could simply not get rid of that horrible, sickly feeling of something slowly eating its way up her guts.

x-x-x-x-x

Author's note: To be concluded in the epilogue (it was originally going to be part of this chapter, but as it turned out too long I thought I'd write it separately), where I'll try my best to explain why I can't see them having a happy ending together. If you guys still insist I might write an alternative oneshot.