Happy Wednesday, readers! Welcome back to this lil' story of mine. Today's chapter is all about Diana. Enjoy!

2

I wake up at 5:30am, like I do every morning to go for a run. I turn on my nightlight and sit on the edge of my bed, allowing myself a few seconds to fully wake up. I roll my shoulders backwards trying to work out the kinks. I stand up and go to the bathroom to wash my face.

I try not to think too much about anything in case my mind goes to places I would rather it not go. It eventually will, but maybe I can delay it for some time. I finish dressing, grab my keys and go out into the still dark morning. I always start with a fast walk, working my way up to a run. I enjoy the quiet and emptiness of the streets, only a few cars on the road at this hour.

Like I always do, I start to mentally go through all the things I have to do today. I always start with the most urgent to the least urgent.

I need to call the art restorer to arrange a meeting so he can assess the damage on the recovered 'Le pigeon aux les petits pois'. Then I need to start cataloguing the Macedonian weapons arsenal, so they're ready for the Alexander the Great exhibition to be held in a month.

I reach an intersection and look both ways before crossing. I transition into a jog, the intersection being a mark I gave myself as a 'start jogging' point.

I need to talk to Chloë so we can come up with a plan for the auction that's coming up for the newly found Chinese vases from the Jin Dynasty. After that, I have a meeting at 3pm with Monsieur Sabatier (head of the curatorial department) so I can show him the pieces I acquired in Gotham.

I start feeling the slow burn in my calves as I push myself harder.

I need to stop by the bookstore to buy the books I promised the kids before I go to the hospital.

I smile at the thought of them. 3 years ago I started volunteering at the Hôpital Necker, a children's hospital. There was a tour at the museum for the kids. I was making my way to my office when the tour guide, Mélanie, spotted me and motioned for me to approach the group. She introduced me and asked me to explain my job at the museum a little bit. Since that day I was not very busy, I stayed with them until they left.

I don't think I had smiled that much in a single hour since… I couldn't even remember. The next day I researched for volunteering posts at the hospital and filled out an application. By the following week, I was playing and reading with the kids.

I always look forward to Wednesdays. I almost feel a little spring in my step on the days I go visit the children, but not today since today is – No. It's too early. Don't go there.

My jog turns into a run. I often find I have to make a conscious effort to not go too fast. The streets are relatively empty, but you never know. What if someone saw me get from point A to point B in a blink of an eye? It's something I always have to keep in mind.

After 45 minutes, I go back to my apartment in the Oberkampf area and ride the elevator to the 7th floor. I shower, then dress in a black Donna Karan pencil skirt and grey sweater tucked into it. I tie my hair up in a tight bun, apply very light make up and head out to work. I always stop at a café across the street from the Louvre to get myself a cup of the best coffee I have ever tasted.

I push the door open and the little bell dings, announcing my entrance. I look at the young man behind the cashier and wave to him.

"Bonjour, Mohammed," I say smiling at him.

"Bonjour, Diana. Café noir grande, oui?" I order the same thing everyday, so him asking me is more out of habit than anything else really.

"Oui, s'il vous plait. J'ai besoin d'energie liquide," I don't really need the extra energy, but drinking coffee has become part of my morning routine and I feel like something's missing if I don't have it.

While he serves my coffee, I reach into my purse to pull out the 2€ I had already put aside. He slides the coffee cup across the counter and I do the same with the coin.

"Merci, Mohammed. Á demain," I tell him taking my coffee and turning to leave.

"Á demain, Diana,"

I submerge myself into work, trying to keep my mind busy for as long as I can. There's this rhythmic motion to my work, which doesn't involve a lot of improvisation and that's something that I like considering what my second unofficial job is.

I finish all I had to do today, always working hard to make sure I don't have work piled up. I like getting home knowing that the next day at work will be enjoyable and stress free. I grab my purse and leave the museum to head to the bookstore to buy Pinocchio and Peter Pan for the kids.

Since I knew what I was looking for, I'm in and out of the bookstore fast. I'm about 2 blocks away from the hospital when I feel my cellphone buzz. I pull it out from my purse, unblock it and see an email from the hospital. I tap on the bubble and read the email. Visitation is canceled for today because of a case of the flu that has spread throughout the floor.

My shoulders slump and I hope it's nothing serious. I turn around and start walking back home. I decide to call Lea, the head of the nursing department at the hospital just to appease my mind.

"Bonsoir, Hôpital Necker,"

"Bonsoir, Lea. C'est Diana. I read the email and I just wanted to know if everyone's okay,"

She exhales. Not a good sign. "Some of the kids have a fever, some just have the regular symptoms of the flu and others are completely fine. We will monitor them for the next couple of days. Hopefully by next Wednesday they'll all be better,"

I shake my head. It really bothers me when things like this happen. These children are already sick, why do more terrible things keep happening to them? "I hope so too. Would you tell them that I already have the books they wanted and that I'll be there next Wednesday to read it to them?"

"Of course I will, Diana. I'll tell them right now. They could use the cheer me up. See you next week,"

"See you, Lea. Take care of yourself,"

"I will,"

I hang up and continue on my way home. I can already feel the inevitable path my mind is taking. I just hope I get home before it really hits me.

And I barely make it.

I'm assaulted by the memories of that day. Burying my sword in Ludendorff's chest, thinking that I had completed my mission, and the terrifying realization that mankind might not have been corrupted by the influence of Ares, but that they were acting on their own accord.

Then I see him, Steve, telling me to come with him. Asking me to help him stop Maru and me refusing to do so. If I had gone with him, if I had helped him…

I close my eyes to try and stop the images, but fire burns brighter in darkness and I see the plane blow up again with Steve still inside. I cover my mouth to try and drown out the choking sounds, but it doesn't help.

I curve myself into a ball on my bed, his watch on my hand and the only picture I have of him on my nightstand, courtesy of Bruce Wayne. Today is the 100th anniversary of his death and the pain feels as raw as it did on that day in the hangar.

Every year is the same.

On this day I try my hardest to keep my day busy, my mind somewhere else, but after 100 years, I still haven't been able to find the formula that would make me live through this day without feeling the crashing pain of his absence and the guilt of knowing that I'm the reason he's dead. I could've saved him and I didn't.

"I'm sorry, Steve. I'm sorry,"

I run my hands through my hair and sit up, taking the photo from the nightstand and resting it on my lap. Much like I did on Trafalgar square, I run my fingers over his face, wishing that the photo were in colour so that I could see his eyes. The bluest eyes I have ever seen.

"I miss you,"

Almost as if the weather were picking up on my mood, it starts raining. The raindrops hitting my window and the trickling sound of the water going through the drain are soothing. Only silent tears fall from my eyes and I feel myself calming down.

I close my eyes and try to project Steve and I outside of Café Buvette. The fascination in his eyes at being there to witness my first experience with snow. I smile at the playful look on his face; his hand moving my hair out of my face; later, his lips on mine…

Diana. Diana.

I hear my name from far away, almost like a whisper. I notice I'm lying down. I must've fallen asleep. I open my eyes to find myself on an open field. I sit down fast, inspecting my surroundings.

Where am I? I'm dreaming. I must be, although no dream has ever felt so real.

I hear my name once again. I stand up and start following the sound. The more I walk the more beautiful this field becomes. It's all green with flowers growing everywhere, the chirping of the birds creating a calming symphony.

"Diana,"

I stop abruptly, almost colliding into the body in front of me. I see a man; an older man. He's tall and muscular. He has the whitest hair I have ever seen, almost platinum. He's smiling at me with this shine in his eyes.

All of a sudden, I know exactly who this is.

"Father. You're alive," I never really believed he was dead. He's Zeus. But I wasn't sure he was alive either. I inspect his face, unable to help myself in trying to find the ways in which him and I are similar.

Even though he's muscular, he has a round face, like mine. But that's about it. I very much take after my Mother.

"Yes, I'm alive," He smiles at me. "It is very nice to meet you, Diana. I have been waiting a long time for this moment,"

I frown a little at that. "What took you so long? I accepted my role as the protector of mankind a long time ago."

There were times when I could've used his guidance, his advice. Especially when I first left Themyscira.

His smile falters for a second. "The injuries I sustained from your brother's attack took a very long time to heal. I just now have been able to gather enough strength to come to you, and just in time too."

"What do you mean?"

He motions for me to follow him and I do. "Dark times are coming, Diana. Darker times than mankind has ever experienced and I need you to be ready."

I feel a sense of dread creeping up on me. "What is it? Another crazy brother?"

He laughs and shakes his head. "I admire your ability to have a sense of humor, but no. No more crazy brothers. This threat comes in the form of Steppenwolf. He is one of the members of the self-named 'New Gods' from the planet of Apokolips. He plans to take Earth hostage with an army of Parademons until he finds the devices called Mother Boxes."

My mind tries to absorb everything my Father is telling me, but I struggle. "What are these Mother Boxes? And why are they on Earth?"

"What Mother Boxes are exactly is still a mystery, even to their users. But they have a set of properties ranging from teleportation to energy manipulation. They were brought to Earth so the boxes could increase their powers by absorbing the knowledge found there. On the wrong hands, very dangerous indeed," He walks in front of me and stops. "It is vital that Steppenwolf does not lay a hand on any of the Mother Boxes. They are connected with nature and so they can develop feelings. If the Mother Boxes connect with him, if they develop love for him, there is absolutely nothing we will be able to do. Not even killing him will work, since the Mother Boxes will self-destruct when their owner dies and that destruction will wipe out Earth,"

I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand, but I also feel a sense of purpose and determination. "How do I stop them?"

He smiles proudly at me. "I am afraid this is a job you cannot do alone. You will need all the help you can get,"

I exhale loudly through my nose. "Are you referring to the league?"

He nods. "Yes, you will need their help. There are three Mother Boxes hidden somewhere on Earth, and each of the members has a very specific set of skills that will be incredibly helpful in finding each and every one. But they won't be enough,"

I don't think I've ever felt more confused in my life. The league is enough, but not really? "I'm not sure I'm following…"

"You need to go back home, Diana. You will find all you need in Themyscira."

I shake my head. No, I can't go back. I haven't been back in 100 years. "I made a promise that I would stay here, in man's world, and help. If I go back, I don't know if I'll find the strength to leave,"

"My daughter, I have complete trust in you. And like I said, you will find all you need there. Go back to your Mother. She has missed you every day since you left. I hope you can trust my judgment, and I'm afraid I now have to leave."

I feel myself being pulled from this dream and I try to fight it, but it's futile.

"Father!"

I jolt myself awake and start looking around momentarily disoriented. Once the disorientation lifts, I stand up and pace the length of my room. What did he mean by 'all you need is in Themyscira?' Does he mean my Mother knows something that will help me? Is there a weapon in the tower that will be helpful in my mission? I groan, rub my face and sit back down on my bed, leaning back against the headboard.

"I trust you, Father." I stare up at the ceiling and try to come to terms with what I'm about to do. "I guess I'm coming home,"

AN: Here's a link to the outfit I pictured Diana wearing in case you were curious: pin/10133167888767902/

Thanks for reading! Drop a comment if you'd like. Tell me how you felt about this chapter and until Friday with a new chapter with Steve!