Chapter 13: Intertwined

Colonel Dotsch sat down in his office as Brünnhilde paced back and forth. After her outburst with Matteo, the colonel had decided that she was too volatile in her current state to be an effective member of the team, and forced her to remain with him. Meanwhile, all Brünnhilde could think of was Diana: how she had bested her time and time again, and how she was always left in the shadows of her excellence. It was her dream to get revenge on the Amazons, and there would be no better way of doing so than killing their precious princess.

Suddenly, a man ran into the room holding a paper. "Colonel!" he said. "We just received word on a possible Phantom Lady sighting!"

The colonel stood up. "Where?" he asked.

"Up in our archeological camp in Norway," the aide replied.

Colonel Dotsch took the paper out of the aide's hand. It was a telegram stating that there were possible trespassers at the Viking camp. The exact number of them was unknown, but one of them was definitely a woman. They had escaped into a cave site, but there was no other evidence of their presence in there or of their fate.

"What about Diana?" asked Brünnhilde feverishly.

"Who?" asked the soldier.

"Quiet!" said Colonel Dotsch. "What are we looking for up in Norway?"

"It's an old Viking artifact: a weapon, potentially capable of defeating the New Reischsmen".

The colonel looked up from the paper. "Yes, it would be reasonable to assume that Matteo told them about this artifact. How long ago was this incident?"

"It happened about 7 hours ago, in the middle of the night," the soldier replied. "The men spent hours trying to find something, but the only sighting was the initial encounter. Some people believe the incident didn't even happen. Others think they are still trapped in the caves, and perhaps they have already died. Normally, we wouldn't report this to you, but given your-"

"That's enough," snaped Colonel Dotsch. "Prepare my car and make all necessary arrangements. We are headed to Norway immediately". The man saluted and left the room. Dotsch turned to Brünnhilde.

"If she is really there," said Brünnhilde, "then I have to join you".

"Of course," said the colonel. "I have feeling we will find them. But when we do, Brünnhilde, what will happen when you see that woman you are so fixated on?"

The ring on Brünnhilde's finger had begun to glow. "I will destroy her," she said, "and she will never be able to stand against me or anyone else ever again".

"You better," Colonel Dotsch said bluntly.

After Wonder Woman grabbed the knife from the pedestal, the ground shook and a hole appeared behind it. She and Phantom Lady went into it and walked through the connecting tunnel. After some time, they came upon another door with a switch. Pressing it opened the wall to the original temple room. They walked through as the door closed. Turning around, they saw the door blend into a wall.

"You know, if we had just looked here more, we probably would have avoided all those traps," said Phantom Lady.

"You may see that in retrospect," said Wonder Woman, "but there was no way for you to know it before you started. Just be proud we have passed the tests and got what we wanted". The air in the room was colder than in was in the rooms they were previously in, and the two women felt chills all over their wet bodies. Phantom Lady grabbed some nearby blankets and wrapped herself in them. She gave some to Wonder Woman for her to do the same.

The pair walked through the tunnels. After some time, Wonder Woman found a wall of ice. She punched it a few times, breaking it and revealing a new tunnel. The two women walked through it to see the outside world. It was day now, and despite the cold, Phantom Lady welcomed the sunlight and fresh air. Phantom Lady and Wonder Woman walked out of the tunnel onto the snowy ground. Wonder Woman was able to see in the distance the camp they had set up before infiltrating the Nazi's camp. The pair walked for miles, worried that Nazi soldiers would spot them. Even though she was wrapped in a blanket, Phantom Lady shivered the entire time. Without her warm cape and with drops of water still lingering all over her body, she nearly froze to death during the walk. Wonder Woman saw this, and when they got close enough to the camp – and when she was sure the Nazis were not around – she took Phantom Lady into her arms and leaped towards the camp. Phantom Lady nuzzled her bare skin against Wonder Woman's, noticing how much warmer she was. After several jumps, the pair got to the camp, where Phantom Lady was able to properly warm up.

Eventually, the pair left and started their next journey. The idea was to head to England, where there were more resistance fighters, and think of a plan to draw Brünnhilde and the rest of evil superheroes out. Sandra Knight was able to get tickets for a ferry that traveled along the coast of Norway. It had a capacity of about 700 and wouldn't really draw attention. It would take a few days, but they should arrive safely.

Sandra and Diana had separate small rooms across from each other. They hadn't spoken much between retrieving the dagger and now, and when they did, it was all very functional. Sandra, in particular, was not talking a lot. While she had previously been interested in Diana's life and upbringing, now she was not asking her anything. When they got to their rooms, Diana dropped her bags in her room and went over to Sandra's.

"Are you alright, Sandra?" she asked. Sandra said she was. "You seemed more subdued," Diana said.

"Hm?" Sandra replied. "Oh, well, I think I'm just tired from our adventures so far".

"Well, you have been tired for a while now," Diana said. "Perhaps you were injured more severely than we had thought".

"And you're completely fine, I see..." Sandra grumbled.

Diana was confused by Sandra's answer. "So," she said, trying to change the conversation, "do you think we'll find help when we get to England?"

"Well, I would know, so maybe we should leave that side of the mission to me, huh?" Sandra snapped back.

"Sandra! What is wrong?"

Sandra turned to her bags. "Nothing, nothing is wrong," she said, as she angrily unpacked her bags.

"Sandra," said Diana, "if there is anything wrong, you can tell me".

"Oh sure," Sandra replied, "I can tell you anything. After all, you're the princess of the Amazons. You're the most perfect of the perfect. And you're on a mission to avenge your sisters. With me as your sidekick".

"Sandra, if I've offended you in any way, I apologize. But I do not view you as my sidekick. And I do not appreciate you mocking my people, or the deaths of my sisters".

"Yeah, well I've had people I've loved die too. A lot more than you have, I assure you. So don't condescend to me about this war, ok?"

"Condescend?" said Diana. "What are you talking about, Sandra? How have I condescended to you?"

"With your... your... never mind," said Sandra. "I'm sorry about what I said. Just forget it. We'll talk later". Sandra turned back to her bags. Diana wanted to follow up, but she didn't think she'd get any more out of her right now. Silently, she went back to her room to rest.

The day came and went. The two didn't see each other at dinner and they kept away from each other the rest of the night. The sea was calm, with no signs of danger anywhere. Soon, bedtime came. Sandra Knight sat reading a book, wearing a dark emerald robe. Suddenly, she heard a knock at the door. That's probably Diana, she thought. She was not interested in re-litigating all the things she said earlier, but she couldn't just ignore her. And of course, there was the possibility that it was someone else. With a sigh, Sandra stood up and went to the door.

When she opened the door, Sandra was stunned. It was Diana, wearing a blue nightgown and robe. Her hair was flowing freely like it had when she first met her, not in a bun or with the tiara. Even though her body was more covered up than in superhero costume, the sight of seeing Diana like this still made Sandra's heartbeat quicken.

"Sandra, may I come in?" Diana asked softly. With a hint of trepidation, Sandra let her through. Diana sat on the bed, while Sandra took the chair across from it. "I am here because I wanted to try and clear the air. It appears that there is some friction between us, and I do not want it to affect our mission". Sandra felt like rolling her eyes, but she remained frozen as she looked at the Amazon. "I know we've only been working together for a little while, but I do trust you, Sandra, and I want you to feel like you can trust me. So, if you do have any issue with me, please let me know".

Sandra replied, "Diana, it's not that I don't trust you. I just think... we are not a good fit for each other".

Diana was puzzled. "How so?"

"I mean... you're clearly going one way with your path of vengeance – which I do fully understand – and I still have to focus on winning the war," said Sandra.

"Alright, but we can still work together," said Diana. "I don't see why we should be having issues now".

Sandra started looking around. "Well, I can just feel it. I have worked with a lot of people in my life as a superhero, and I've developed of sense of whether or not a partnership is going to work".

Diana paused for a moment and then said, "Alright. It appears that you don't want to tell me the truth". From behind, she pulled out the lasso of truth. Sandra stood up in fear.

"Jesus! You're not going to tie me up again, are you?" she said.

"No, Sandra," said Diana, "I'm not going to force you to do anything. But I can't work with someone if I can't be sure they're not going to do something to hurt me. So, I would like to make a deal with you: I'll tie us both up. We can take turns asking each other questions. We will have to tell the truth. If you want to ask me anything dark, or embarrassing, you may. But I'll get the chance to do the same to you".

"And if I refuse?" asked Sandra.

"Then we will have to completely reevaluate our relationship when we get to England".

Sandra looked at the rope. "Does that rope work on you?"

"It works on everything," Diana said.

Sandra paused. I'd like to try and test it, but I don't actually have knowledge of her to test it against, she thought. "Ok, fine," she said, and sat down on the bed facing Diana. "But I say I get to ask the first question".

"Sure," said Diana. The Amazon raised her hand. "Hold my hand," she said. Sandra mirrored her and grabbed her hand. With her free hand, Diana went to work wrapping the lasso around their wrists. "We used to do this a lot back on Themyscira," she said. Sandra felt the rope warming her flesh. Finally, Diana was done, with the knot secure. "As you can see, neither of us can slip out of it. And if you lie, well... you already know about that".

"Alright, then," said Sandra. "So, Diana, do you think you're better than me?"

Diana stared at the other woman. "What?" she said.

"You heard me," Sandra replied. "Do you think you are better than me?"

"Well, what do you mean by that?" Diana said. "Certainly, I don't look down on you, Sandra. Do you think I look down on you?"

Sandra paused. She felt the lasso's effect on her. "Are you telling me you don't think you are better in any way?"

"Sandra, you're being ridiculous. I don't thiiiiiiiiiink-" now it was Diana's turn to feel the lasso. "I can't say I'm not more powerful, or more athletic".

Or more beautiful, Sandra thought.

"But that does not mean I don't respect you, Sandra," Diana continued. "I value you as a friend and compatriot".

"Yeah, well, I'm not sure about that 'compatriot' title," Sandra replied. "See, that temple we just went into, it wasn't meant for someone like me. It was meant for someone like you. I should have died in there multiple times over. Meanwhile, you would have been just fine; I just dragged you down".

Diana paused. She couldn't refute that entirely. "Well, you were helpful navigating in the tunnels. And you helped me in the puzzle room. I don't know how long it would have taken me to get that completed".

"It's hardly a great help," Sandra replied.

"Yes, but it doesn't matter. I know it was difficult for you in there, but that doesn't mean I didn't want you with me. I do appreciate you as a fellow warrior and as a friend".

Sandra looked down. "Thanks, I guess. You wouldn't be wrong if you didn't appreciate me, though". Diana was taken aback. This woman had seemed so confident, so assured of herself before. Was this the true Sandra Knight, revealed by the lasso? Sandra continued. "When I started my time as a crimefighter, it was a novelty. I was just a socialite who was tired of going to boring parties with vapid people. I had no superpowers, no special skills, nothing to distinguish myself except for a blacklight projector I stole. But I needed to do something. I went out and beat criminals up. It was fun for me. And it made me feel good to help the world. Then the war came, and I got recruited into the Freedom Fighters. They're the best heroes the world has to offer, and they are all incredible. I'm just a girl with a flashlight. But I tried my best to show everyone I belonged. And I was very good. But then the New Reichsmen appeared and now they're close to destroying everything. I'm no match for these people by myself. I don't know what I am supposed to do. I just try to keep my head down and do my missions. But I don't know if I can keep doing it".

Sandra began to weep. Diana lifted her the human's chin with her free hand. "I'm sorry that you feel that way. I didn't consider how powerless you might have felt. These enemies we are fighting are formidable, to be sure. But you are not helpless, Sandra. And you are not a burden for me. You are wise and you are strong. You have fought valiantly and have been victorious. I am honored to be in the company of a woman like you".

Sandra smiled. "Thank you," she said. Diana hugged Sandra. Sandra nuzzled her face against Diana's neck. She moved her face closer to Diana's face. Diana kept her serene smile on as Sandra looked at her. Their lips were only a few inches apart. Sandra could smell Diana's sweet breath and wanted more.

Suddenly, Sandra snapped back and yelled "No!"

"Sandra, what's wrong?" Diana asked.

"I... I can't..." she replied.

"Why?" Diana said. "I'm ok with it. Don't you want it?"

"Well yes, but-" Sandra's eyes went wide. The lasso had betrayed her again. "I mean... I... we shouldn't..."

"Have you ever been intimate with someone?" Diana asked calmly.

"Yes, but that's not the issue!"

"Then what is?" the Amazon asked.

The lasso continued to force her to tell the truth. "This... is not something we are supposed to do," said Sandra.

"What do you mean?"

"Two women... it's not right," said Sandra.

"Why not?" replied Diana. "It's common on Themyscira".

Well, I was wondering about that, thought Sandra.

"Our bond will deepen if we connect like this," Diana continued.

"Well, I'm not concerned with our bond. I'm concerned about doing what is right".

"Sandra, I asked you why it's not right," Diana said forcefully.

"I... I don't know..." Sandra said. "The Nazis hate it, but who cares what they say. But people in America..." Memories began to flood Sandra's mind. Visions of love and loss, discovery and betrayal.

Diana held Sandra's hands. "Sandra, are you ok?"

Sandra began crying again. "No... I'm not... I'm scared".

Diana let go of her hand and put her arm around Sandra's back. "Sandra, I'm not going to force you to do anything. But you have nothing to fear with me. I promised I would protect you, and I will. If you want this to be kept secret, I will do that".

Sandra put her arm around Diana's back. Diana remained steadfast as the other woman writhed in her grasp. It was clear to all Sandra wanted this. She bit her lip. "Promise me, you'll do what I say. You're in the rope, so you can't lie about it. You have to do what I say".

Diana smiled. "I'll do anything for you".

"Kiss me," was Sandra's reply. Diana and Sandra's lips collided. They furiously kissed each other all over their faces. Diana pushed Sandra backwards on the bed as they continued.