Chapter IX

The darkness was comforting and the images of her dreams were so vivid they felt more like memories than the illusions she knew them to be.  Chase was loath to give them up for a reality she knew was painful, though less so now than it had been.  Still it was a bit of a struggle to unwrap herself from whatever spell the mysterious woman had woven over her; she had never known the lassitude she'd felt after the woman had pressed several odd spots on her body, and she couldn't remember ever feeling so rested.  The rebellion was not encouraging of deep, healing sleep.  There just wasn't time or personnel to cover such things.

So Chase lay dozing, trying to separate in her mind the real from the imagined.  Eventually she hoped to work her way up to opening her eyes, but for now, they were still heavy and she was content for them to remain closed.

It was the odd words piercing her lethargy that finally forced the issue of waking.  At first it was an anomalous hum, like bees buzzing in and out of hearing.  Chase forced herself to concentrate, hoping to make sense of what the bees were saying.  Gradually the buzzing formed words, though her understanding of those words was few and far between the noises she was trying to decipher.

"... princess...."

"... Hippolyta... broken....

"Amazon queen...."

"... Diana... ...Orana... ...Nazis...."

The last words set of alarm bells in Chase's mind and body, but she couldn't grasp any of them long enough to make coherent sense of them.  Something, though, was niggling at the back of her consciousness and she knew if she left it alone long enough, it would simmer to the top and reveal itself to her.  She just needed patience.  The question was whether or not she had that kind of time.

A voice she knew and recognized crossed her hearing after what seemed like eons of struggling to comprehend the bits of conversation around her.  The voice was sharp and it made the buzzing recede into the background and stop.  The silence was a blessed relief and Chase settled back into the quiet with a moan.  She hadn't realized the strain she had been putting on her body to force herself to focus so hard.

Her mother's touch once again brushed the hair back away from her forehead, and that voice became her entire focus.  "Chase?  Chase, it's Drea.  Come... you need to try to wake up for me, Chase.  Can you do that?"

Chase allowed that voice to coax her closer to true awareness, and she shifted uncomfortably, sensitive to the fact that she was still healing.  Surprisingly instead of the pain she expected to experience, she only felt a lingering soreness over most of her body.

Drea's voice continued to speak to her, gently coaxing and encouraging her to come up from the deep sleep she'd been in.  Finally she blinked her eyes open and saw... nothing.

"Drea," Chase called out, though her voice was little more than a croak.  She reached for her eyes but found her hands caught.  Drea slipped an arm beneath Chase's sturdy shoulders and helped her sit up.  Then she held her in a hug to allow Chase's equilibrium a chance to catch up to her body. 

Chase tried to clear her throat and noted with some dismay that it was completely dry.  She had a passing thought to wonder just how long she had been asleep and what sort of spell that mystery woman had placed on her when she felt a cup pressed into her hands.

"Drink," Drea said calmly.  "You’ve been asleep for a good many hours so I imagine you must be quite thirsty by now.  Your eyes are still wrapped.  When you're a little more awake, we'll remove the bandages and see what we can see."

Chase swallowed, noting it was simply cool, clean, sweet water and she drank again until it was gone.  She felt the silent chuckle run through Drea and smiled in response, despite the unnerving fear that was skittering through her body.

"Would you like more?" Drea asked politely.

Chase nodded.  "Please," was her whispered response and she cleared her throat again.

She couldn't see, but she heard everything clearly, anticipating the full glass before it arrived in her hands.  She sipped it more slowly, leaning into the body tucked beside her.  Chase finished her water and straightened up.

"Thanks, Drea.  I feel a lot better."  She shook her head gingerly.  "My head has stopped hurting and I think I'm finally awake now," she added with a smile.  "What'd ya'll do to me anyway?  I've never slept like that before."

Drea shifted until they were facing one another and she took Chase's hands in her own.  "Like how, Chase?  How would you describe your sleep?"

Chase removed one of her hands to scratch her forehead.  "Well, you said I was asleep for hours and hours.  Asleep, not unconscious, correct?"

"Correct," Drea answered cautiously.

"Usually when I sleep - when I'm healthy, that is - I sleep very lightly and in short spurts – three to four hours at a time max.  According to you, I've been asleep for quite a while longer than that, and I was so deeply asleep that I had dreams.  Dreams that were so vivid I almost remember them; I do remember the feelings of contentment they gave me.  They were almost... familiar."  She banged her fist on her knee.  "I wish I could remember."  Chase turned her head, wishing she could see Drea's expression.  "So what did ya'll do to me anyway?"

Drea stood and casually started unwrapping the bandages while she spoke.  "Um," uncharacteristically hesitant.  "Actually we didn't do anything.  Tell me, did you have any visitors after I left you last night?"

Chase's furrowed brow was apparent even under the binding that Drea was removing.  "Yes, actually... a woman."  Chase paused, something occurring to her and blending with the other things she had heard that morning that she would process later.  "She, um... she came in and we talked briefly.  Then she... she touched me and whatever she did released the pain."  Chase whipped her head around towards Drea, causing the healer to drop the bandage she'd been patiently winding as she unraveled it from Chase's eyes.  "Do you think what she did caused me to sleep?  To dream those odd dreams?"  Drea nodded in contemplative thought, forgetting for a moment that Chase couldn't see her reaction.  She looked up startled when the young woman grabbed her arm somewhat frantically.  "Drea?!"

"Sorry, Chase.  My apologies.  I was thinking and forgot to answer aloud."  Drea looked at Chase, whose eyes were still hidden by the pads placed protectively over her eyes.  "Can you show me which pressure points were manipulated and in what order?"

Chase obliged, and Drea's eyes widened with the skill Diana had used in relieving the young woman's pain.  She closed her own eyes in memory of the times she and Diana had spent together in this very room learning and experimenting with new treatments.  The course the princess had chosen was one that they'd never had the chance to test on a real patient before instead of one another, and Drea was gratified to know it had done just what it was supposed to with no apparent harmful aftereffects.

"To answer your question, Chase, yes.  What Diana did was allow you to relax and sleep while at the same time stimulate the healing of your body.  That is why you feel so much better today."

"And it caused those weird, but very pleasant dreams?"

Drea shrugged, a little baffled by the dreams.  That hadn't been a side effect of the treatment when they'd been experimenting, but Chase was a whole new mix into the equation they had used.  It had been one reason, the main one but certainly not the only one, that she had been hesitant to try the pressure points.  Now that she had the final test results on Chase's eyes, she knew Diana had made the right choice.  She felt a fleeting wish go through her for the friendship she had once shared with the princess.  Then she blinked, realizing that her patient was waiting not-so-patiently for an answer.

"Honestly, I’m not sure, but I would have to guess yes.  We've never actually had a reaction like that before."  Not adding that Chase was the first to need that particular treatment.

"Hmm," Chase replied after a long, thoughtful moment.  "Well, at least they were pleasant... all warm and kind of, I dunno... comfortable, I guess."

"Much more pleasant than nightmares would have been for sure.  Too bad you cannot remember the specifics."

"Yeah," Chase said absently.  "I'd be interested in knowing what exactly caused that sort of feeling.  Nothing consciously comes to mind to invoke that."

Drea smiled.  "Well, if you feel up to it, perhaps we could try hypnosis.  We have quite a....  Chase?!?  Whatever is wrong?"

Chase had gone completely pale; even her lips were ashen and she was close to hyperventilating.  "No," spoken with fervent vehemence.  "No hypnosis.  No mind games."

Drea took the ice cold hands in her own and chafed them tenderly until she felt a bit of warmth return to them.  "All right, Chase.  All right.  No mind games.  I would never, ever force you into something that obviously made you so uncomfortable."  Then they sat quietly together until Chase's color and breathing returned to normal.  "Better?" Drea finally inquired.

Chase nodded somewhat embarrassed by her outburst.  "Yes," came her quiet reply.

"Good.  Now," she continued briskly as though nothing out of the ordinary had taken place.  "I am going to remove the pads from your eyes and take a look.  But first...."  Drea got up from the bed where she had been sitting and closed the blinds.  The apprentice healers had opened them as a matter of course and since Chase couldn't see them to be bothered by them, she'd left them open.  Now however, she didn't want the shock of nearly midday sunlight to cause more problems to the already unexplainable one she had on her hands.

"Chase, I've made it quite dark in here so don't be too alarmed if you have trouble seeing.  I am having trouble seeing right at the moment," she joked lightly, feeling an uneasy tension roiling in her gut.  "We will gradually alter the light's brightness to allow your eyes time to adjust to it."

"So everything should be all right now?  I should be able to see normally again."

"I was unable to find a reason for you not to," Drea hedged.  "There is no physical damage at all to your eyes."

Chase weighed the carefully chosen words in her head and understood that Drea wasn't sure of the outcome.  She sighed.  "Well let's get this over with," she said bravely.  "Nothing much I can do about it either way until we know something," she added pragmatically.

Drea nodded, knowing she spoke the truth, but wondering where she got the fortitude to accept possible blindness so casually.  She had no way of knowing that Chase was shaking like a leaf on the inside, contemplating her future if things turned out badly.

************

Diana struggled to come up from her dreams.  They bordered on weird and felt oddly disconcerting.  She remembered darkness and anger and pain, and then that had morph into something... unexpected.  Something that was warm and comfortable and almost familiar.  Something that somehow connected her to the woman she had seen in the hospice.  But that couldn't be true, could it?  She'd never seen the woman before.  Surely she would have remembered her... wouldn't she?  But she couldn't deny the truth that more than anyone or anything Diana had experienced in her long life, the mysterious woman felt like home.

Too many confusing thoughts and feeling finally pushed her up from the depths of sleep she'd fallen into.  When blue eyes opened, Diana blinked around in confusion.  Bright sunlight streamed into the room from the windows that had been opened for the first time in....  She sat up.  Just what exactly was going on here?  She never slept past dawn, and she hadn't opened up her room like this since her mother's disgrace of her at the games.  What fresh air and sunshine she got came from her morning and evening runs and that was enough.

Diana closed her eyes, suddenly conscious that she was not alone in her quarters.  She fumed – now she wasn't even allowed privacy in her own rooms.  Was there no end to the humiliation her mother would heap on her head for what she perceived as inexcusable behavior? 

She pushed back the bed linens heedless of her nakedness and rose, heading for the door with single-minded intent.  She yanked the door opened, then paused on the threshold when she realized who was in her rooms, cleaning and singing somewhat off key to herself.

Mala turned at the sound of the bedroom door opening and just as quickly whipped her head back to her task.  "You know, Princess, the gods were extremely kind when they created you.  You could kill an old woman strutting around in your all together like that," said with a hint of a smile in her voice.  Not reprimanding since she was the intruder, but asking in her own soft, subtle way for a bit of modesty from one she loved as a daughter. 

Diana took the hint gracefully and disappeared back into the confines of her bedroom briefly before returning clothed in a comfortable, casual short toga.  It was well worn and Mala recognized it from before what she referred to as 'the late unpleasantness'.  She reached out a hand towards it but stopped before she actually made contact.  Instead she offered Diana a smile.

"I always liked this one on you, Princess.  It brings out the color of your eyes so well."  Diana made no verbal response but Mala could see the questions and confusion lingering in the back of her eyes.  "I guess you’re curious as to why I am here.  You gave us quite a scare this morning, Diana.  Never since your birth have you slept so long or so deeply, and I volunteered to watch you so your mother could rest."  Mala couldn't miss the hint of bitterness that crossed the beautiful face in front of her.  "Don't judge too quickly, Princess.  You'll find her reasons for not being here instead are not entirely selfish."

Diana just refrained from rolling her eyes in derision.  Nothing Mala or anyone else could say would convince her that Hippolyta was more than a selfish, hypocritical bitch with no though or regard for anyone other than herself.

"Besides," the priestess continued blithely, knowing full well the thoughts going on behind the mask Diana wore whenever her mother became part of any discussion.  "I felt a little decorating was in order.  It was just too Spartan in here to be a comfortable living space.  What do you think?" motioning to the walls and waiting for Diana's reaction.

What she got was not what she expected.  Rage flamed in the back of those ice-cold eyes, but Diana calmly rose from her seat and walked into her room, closing and locking the door with a chilling finality.  And with that perfect timing that all humans, immortal or not, are sometimes blessed with, Hippolyta crossed the outer threshold just as the lock snapped into place.

"Where is she, Mala?  Where is my daughter?"

The priestess' shoulders slumped and she gestured to the closed door.  "I don't know that I would try to approach her right now, my queen.  I think I made a very grave error."

"You, Mala?  What did you do?" the queen asked, concerned as much for her despondent high priestess as she was for the daughter she was now determined to recover.

Mala sank into a seat on one end of the couch and Hippolyta took the other.  Mala waved at the walls and shelves where now a myriad of artifacts and scrolls resided, including the mask that marked Diana as the Amazon princess.  "I think I may have pressed a little too hard, a little too fast."

Hippolyta reached out with her good arm, clasping Mala's forearm with sure strength.  "I don't think so.  I think we... I... have let this anger fester long enough.  The time has come to force the issue."  She squeezed gently, then released her hold.  "Leave it.  Let's wait and see what Diana does with it before we start questioning ourselves.  She's going to have to come to terms with everything – including the fact that I am her mother who loves her and she is still the Amazon princess."

Mala shook her head.  "It's going to be a long, uphill battle.  Do you wish me to stay for moral support for this first skirmish?"

Hippolyta smiled.  "Would I like you to?  Absolutely.  Do I think you should?  No.  I think this is going to be something we have to handle privately as much as possible until Diana is ready to resume her place here again.  But I wouldn't object to your being fairly close by.  I think when my daughter decides to open up, it's not going to be to me; It will be you and Drea who have always been her friends and confidantes."

"Well then, I’ll go to visit Drea at the hospice and perhaps she will introduce me to our young guest.  I would like to get to know the young woman who is already a hero to so many and who will soon write herself into the chronicles of Amazon lore."  Mala rose from her place on the couch and extended a hand to her queen.  Hippolyta accepted it and stood, flinching a little at how the motion pulled on her injured arm.  Mala raised the hand that she held to her lips and kissed it, offering a blessing for the upcoming encounter.  Then she met Hippolyta's eyes in understanding.  "Good luck, my queen."

Hippolyta smiled and ducked her head gracefully.  "Thank you, my friend.  I think I'll need patience more than luck."

Now Mala smiled mischievously, trying to lighten the atmosphere just a bit.  "Perhaps, my queen, but I learned years ago never to pray for patience.  Bad things tend to happen when you do.  I'd rather have good luck myself."

Hippolyta chuckled, appreciating the truth in Mala's words.  "Right," she answered.  "Good luck."

Mala released her hand and strode purposefully towards the door.  Only when she was completely out of sight did Hippolyta turn and face the closed door that led to Diana's room.

"Well," she said to herself firmly.  "We have to start somewhere, and I know I have to be the one to make the first step."  Still she remained rooted to the spot, hoping for a sign of some sort – though she wasn't sure what – and looking for a courage she'd never expected to need.  "Let's go, Hippolyta," she coached herself.  "This is your daughter.  The daughter you prayed and asked the gods for."  She felt a tear slide down her face as she began to understand the price her daughter had paid for that request.  "Time to start setting things right... for everyone."

Hippolyta walked to the door and stood looking at it for a long moment before raising her hand and knocking soundly.  "Diana?  Diana, it's me... your mother."  Then she rolled her eyes at how lame that sounded.  "Diana, may I come in please?"  She tried the doorknob, only to find it still locked firmly against intrusions – against her.

She had no way of knowing that Diana was no longer in her room.


Chapter X

The sun was warm... warmer than she was accustomed to anymore and Diana found herself sweating freely as she made her circuit of the island.  Of course, the fiery rage coursing through her veins that was pushing her harder and faster had nothing to do with that consequence, she mentally told herself.  No, it was simply that the temperature was much warmer at midday than it was at dawn.

Consciously Diana forced her mind to push the anger aside and concentrated solely on the motion and effort required to complete the task she'd set herself to.  So she increased her speed and let her thoughts move away from the twisted reality she'd woken up to.

The guards placed casually around the island watched in amazement as she completed her regular circuit and began another.  They'd all heard the rumors, of course, of what had happened between Hippolyta and Diana, but they had had no change in their orders, so they allowed the princess to run without escort to her heart's content.

All the way around she went the second time, allowing nothing into her consciousness but the feel of the wind on her body and the burn of her muscles as she forced herself to start a third circuit.  Now a silent alert went up among the guards still watching her exercise.  It was completely unheard of and they fully expected her to collapse from the overexertion she was forcing upon herself.  More than one of them wondered if she was punishing herself for whatever had happened between herself and the queen. 

Finally after completing her third lap, Diana slowed, breathing hard.  None of her previous exercise had prepared her for the limits she had pushed and her body was more than happy to remind her that being an immortal guaranteed neither painlessness nor brilliance.  And right at the moment, she was inclined to go with immortality going hand in hand with stupid ideas as muscles over-used and highly abused began to protest loudly at their treatment.

Gently, she stretched her legs until she felt the knots loosening and relaxing into their normal position.  Then she did the same with her upper body as her breathing steadily returned to normal.  With a tired sigh, Diana began walking, making for the tree she favored for watching the sunset, even though sunset was still some hours away.  She gradually noticed the guards watching her but dismissed them with the practice borne of a hundred years, knowing her meditation would dismiss them from her mind completely in short order.

With a sense of relief, Diana approached the tree.  For reasons know only to them, the guards respected the tree as her space and she was grateful.  More than her rooms in the palace, this one place on the island felt like hers.  With a wistful smile, she leaped into its welcoming branches, balancing precariously.  She spent untold minutes just enjoying the art of balancing, focusing her mind on something beyond the horizon.

Without warning, unwelcome images assaulted her mind.  Vicious, ugly images of a lifetime before.  So sudden and unexpected was the onslaught of memories, Diana's physical reality got lost in them and she lost her grip on her physical reality.  She didn't even feel when she hit the ground.

************

"Open your eyes, Chase," Drea instructed.  The healer held her breath as she watched the green eyes blink slowly and struggle to focus.  "What do you see?" she finally asked in a subdued voiced.

The blonde head shook negatively and her shoulders slumped.  "Dark shapes, a little light but nothing clearly."  She lay back down and curled around her pillow.  "I think I'd like to be alone now."

"Chase, I...."

"Drea, please.  I don't blame you for this, honestly, but you don't know what is wrong or how to fix it.  I just need a little time alone to adjust to it, all right?  Please?"

Drea ran her hands through Chase's hair, then cupped her cheek tenderly in one hand.  "Don't give up yet, Chase, because I certainly am not.  We will figure out what happened and we will make it right.  I promise to keep trying as long as you promise to keep the faith."

Chase smiled reflexively; she couldn't help it.  The determination in Drea’s voice was contagious.  "I'll do my best."

"Good girl," Drea commented, brushing the blonde hair back once more.  "Now I will leave you alone for a bit while I go do a little research.  There has to be something I’m missing.  And I am going to figure out what it is and fix this.  Are you hungry?" 

Chase nodded hesitantly.  "Um... a little, I think."

Drea nodded her approval.  "Good.  I'll have Rina bring something light from the kitchen for you to snack on for now.  Then when you feel up to it, we'll take you outside for a bit of fresh air and sunshine.  In the meantime, though...."  Drea broke off and walked to the windows, pulling back the coverings and throwing the casement open wide, feeling a breeze immediately began to blow through.  "There," she said aloud.  "That’s much better.  We will bring it in to you until then."  She breathed deeply, her satisfaction evident in the sounds she made.  A soft chuckling brought her out of her obvious appreciation.  A dark brow rose in question and she cleared her throat with some embarrassment.

"Are you laughing at me?" she asked Chase, though she couldn't keep the laughter out of her voice and Chase was quick to pick up on it.

"Not as much as you are, it seems," she answered cheekily.  Then she smiled sadly.  "I was just noticing how much you seem to enjoy such simple things as fresh air and sunshine and wondering when the last time was that I even noticed them.  Lately it seems that everything has just...."  Chase broke off and stretched out.  Drea returned to her bedside and took a tentative seat on the edge of the bed.

"Is it something you would like to talk about, Chase?  I don't really know anything about what you have been through except for what your body has shown me, but I do know you have suffered."

Chase stiffened.  She'd never considered herself a great beauty, and time and the rebellion had done nothing to change that view of herself.  But to be reminded of the scars she bore by someone as lovely as the healer....  "No, thank you," she said coolly.  "Do you think I could have my clothes back?" she continued without pause, feeling the sympathy emanating from Drea even without being able to see her expression.  "I mean these toga things are great and all," she said with a deprecating smile.  "But I feel a little underdressed."

Drea smiled sadly, glad Chase was unable to see her face.  Paula had given her an electronic report on Chase and it had broken her heart to just skim through it.  She hadn't even shared the bits of her findings with Hippolyta yet. She had hoped Chase trusted her enough to share some of the burden she carried, but it was obvious that not only was the trust not there but Chase felt uncomfortable?  Ashamed?  It was hard to pinpoint the exact emotion Chase was trying to hide.

"Of course, Chase.  I'll bring them to you as soon as you eat."  Drea turned at the noise Rina made coming into the room.  "Ah, here is your snack.  I shall return shortly."

Chase smiled though it didn't reach her eyes.  "Thank you, Drea."

The healer left with a nod at her assistant, determined to take a little time to read the complete file that Paula had given her.  Surely there was an answer somewhere that would give her a clue to the cause of Chase's blindness.  Might as well start at the beginning of her research.

Rina set the tray down in front of Chase, and stepped back slightly.  "Is there anything else you require, Chase?"

The blonde head shook.  "No, but... um, if you could tell me where everything is?"  She turned green eyes towards the apprentice healer and Rina noticed for the first time the complete lack of focus in them.

"Oh surely," describing everything on the plate.  "Would you... like some... help?"

"No thank you," Chase answered shortly and heard Rina's intake of breath.  "Sorry, I don't mean to sound ungrateful because I'm not.  I'm just...."

Rina patted her hand.  "Don't worry about it, Chase.  Things are probably much different here than what you are accustomed to.  Perhaps you'd rather a bit of company and conversation instead?"

Chase really didn't want company, but the innate, inbred manners her mother had worked so hard to instill in her came to the fore instead.  She patted the bed beside her.  "Sure.  Have a seat.  You can tell me about this place and the people here."

"Certainly.  Amazon history is a fascinating tale and you're the first visitor we've had on Paradise Island in over a hundred years that we could share it with."

Only a well-practiced poker face kept Chase from reacting to Rina's words and she calmly kept chewing the fruit pieces that she'd been given to eat.  "Amazons?" she questioned with only the slightest edge in her voice.  "I thought they were a myth... a legend."

Rina laughed.  "Oh no.  We are quite real.  But it was our move here to the island that saved us as a people and as a culture."

"Really? How so?" Chase asked, infusing as much interest as she could into her voice.

So Rina told her... of their enslavement and decimation in the world of men.  Of the goddesses' directives and protection.  Of the things they had learned and the advancements they had made since their settlement.

"Has anyone ever left?" Chase asked with studied casualness.  She chewed her food so hard she grit her teeth together in an effort to keep her expression as impassive as possible.  Rina didn't notice Chase's jaw clenching since she looked down at the hands clasped together in her lap.  But Chase could clearly hear the pain in her voice.

"Twice," she answered tersely, but she didn't say anymore.  Finally the silence grew uncomfortable even for Chase, and she reached out towards Rina.

"I'm sorry," she said honestly.  "I didn't...."

Rina patted Chase's hand and rose from the bed, gathering up her tray and neatly stacking everything together.  "I know you didn't... how could you?  It's just not something we talk about.  It has been very painful but especially for Diana."

Chase cocked her head.  "The princess, right?"

Rina smiled sadly.  "Right."  She looked back at Chase who wore a look of polite interest.  "Now," she continued briskly, changing the subject.  "Would you like some more to eat?  You did everything but lick the plate clean," with humor in her voice.  Chase chucked.

"My mother accused me of that on more than one occasion.  But I'm good for now.  Thanks for asking though."

"You're very welcome, Chase.  Perhaps next time you'll share with me about your culture."

Chase nodded but didn't answer verbally.  She knew there wouldn't be a next time... not anytime soon.

"I'm going to take the dishes back to the kitchen.  Will you be all right here alone for a bit?"

"I'm fine, Rina, thanks.  Besides I imagine Drea will be back shortly.  She promised me fresh air and sunshine."

Rina clapped her on the arm.  "Her favorite prescription."

"What?" came a voice from the doorway.  "Exactly of what am I being accused?"

Rina laughed.  "Nothing you're not guilty of.  I'm going to take these to the kitchen.  You need me to come back and help?"

Drea placed Chase's clothes on the bed.  "I believe Chase and I can mange all right.  What do you think, Chase?"

Chase blinked, her eyesight still nothing but light and shadows.  "Well I think I can get dressed, but you'll have to help me get to the beach.  I'm not sure how much fresh air and sunshine I can stand before it kills me," she added with a smile.

Drea and Rina both chuckled.  "You must be feeling better."

Chase smiled weakly.  "Well, no pain right now at least.  I'll take my blessings where I can find them."

"I like that philosophy."  Rina took the tray and walked out and Drea focused on Chase.  "Would you like some help getting dressed?" fairly certain what Chase’s response would be.

Chase went rigid for a moment before she forced herself to relax.  "I appreciate the offer Drea, but...."  She shrugged sheepishly.

Drea chuckled again and patted Chase's shoulder.  "Don't worry, Chase.  I expected as much, but I had to ask.  Taking the best care I can of my patient you know."

Chase nodded.  "I know.  You've been great.  I wish I could stay here.  I've never been treated so well, and I've sure never had medical treatment like yours."  She smiled wryly.  "I'd love to take you back with me so you could teach our medics what a good bedside manner is."

Two phrases caught Drea's attention and held it.  "Are you planning on leaving us, Chase?  You're not nearly healed enough for me to release you from my care yet."

"I know, but I'm gonna have to leave sometime, Drea.  I've got work I've got to get back to.  I've been gone too long already."

"But it's only been three days."

"A lifetime when it comes to war.  Things are so different where I come from.  I... it's hard to explain.  I just wish my friends could experience the kind of care I've had here.  I really appreciate it."

"I’m sorry you needed my care, Chase, but I thank the gods for bringing you to us.  You have reminded me of so many things...."  Drea broke off, not wanting to say too much, knowing how Chase felt about Amazons.  "I will leave you to dress in peace.  Just call me when you are ready, and we’ll get you outside for that fresh air and sunshine."

"Your favorite prescription."

"Ah, so that is what Rina was telling tales about.  Well, I'll tell you a secret, Chase.  I have found that spending a little time everyday soaking in those two things make all the difference in my daily outlook."  She crossed the threshold and looked back.  "Just call out when you're ready.  My office is right next door."

Chase sat still for long moments, listening to Drea's footsteps fade around the corner.  Then she continued to sit quietly, willing her eyesight back and growing frustrated when nothing changed.  She had a real good idea what the problem was, but she didn't know how to correct it and she didn't have time to wait for it to fix itself.

Chase stretched, then winced as she pulled the stitches in both her shoulder and her leg.  It was a firm reminder she was nowhere close to being healed, but she was determined to get away from this place.  Aside from the fact that she had to get back to the war effort, she couldn't stomach the quandary she now found herself in.

Chase eased from the bed, carefully testing her leg before setting her weight onto it.  She was pleased when it didn't collapse under her and dropped the toga with an expert twist before sorting through the clothes Drea had left for her.

Her forehead creased.  Given the cut of the cloth and the patches she could feel, she was fairly confident they were her clothes.  But the feel of them was off as though they were now made of silk.  And they smelled... beyond clean.  Chase shook her head and reminded herself to be thankful for small blessings.  Then she struggled into underclothes before shrugging into her shirt and sliding into her pants.  It was a relief to button and zip.  As much as she'd enjoyed the freedom and comfort of the garment the Amazons provided, this was real for her, and Chase was glad to return to the known and familiar.  She wiggled her feet into her socks and boots.

A few pats assured her that her pads were secure, and she gave a breath of relief.  That made things so much easier for her.  "Drea?" she called softly after savoring the feeling of normality she felt.  The healer was quick to respond to her summons.

"Wow," Drea commented.  "You look quite imposing."

Chase's head dropped.  "Um, do you have the scarf I had on?  I feel kinda funny without it."

"Oh, yes.   I'm sorry.  I didn't think you would want it to sit out in the sun."

"If it's not too much trouble...."

"Not at all," Drea said.  "Be right back."

True to her word, Drea returned almost immediately, and Chase accepted the scarf with alacrity, wrapping it around her neck and tucking it into her shirt.  Then she closed her eyes briefly and sighed.

"Thank you, Drea.  This means a lot to me, and I...."

"It's all right, Chase.  You don't have to explain.  I think I understand.  I'm glad you have it back.  You look quite dashing.  I imagine you are quite the sensation at home; you've certainly made an impression on everyone here that has had the pleasure of seeing you."  She put a hand around Chase's good arm and handed her a walking stick.  "Here, you'll need this to help you balance.  Remember to go slow; we have as long as it takes.  We're not running a race."

Chase chuckled, trying to put her inherent hate of what this woman was aside and focusing on the fact that not only did she owe Drea her life, but that she truly liked the woman as a person.  Damn shame she's an Amazon.  However Chase wanted to be fair and was making an effort.  Drea felt the struggle, but was clueless as to what Chase's internal fight was about.  Drea backed off a step but kept her hand on Chase's arm.  Then she caught the wry smile on Chase’s face and hummed in question.

"I'm sorry," Chase said as she accepted the walking stick and gingerly took a step.  "I was snickering at what you said.  You must have some of the world's worst patients."

Drea chuckled softly.  "Aren't all patients the world's worst when they are healed enough to be mobile but not enough to get around by themselves?  And here... trust me, you haven't seen egos until getting well becomes a race."  She shook her head and grabbed a basket she had left sitting near the door as they approached.  "I had the kitchen pack us a lunch... that is, if you wouldn't mind sharing.  I thought maybe we could talk a little bit if you felt up to it.

Chase stiffened warily, then relaxed.  She could talk.  Maybe she could worm enough information out of Drea to figure a way off the island.  "I'd like that," she responded cordially.  "Maybe we could walk a little as well?  I feel like I have been lying down for days."

Drea looked at her in concern.  "Let's get you down to the beach first.  If you still feel like walking, I'm certain we can manage a short walk."  And they walked out of the hospice area and into the great outdoors, acutely aware of the multitude of eyes and the whispers that followed them.


Chapter XI

"You do realize you're the most interesting thing that's happened around here in forever, don't you?" Drea asked with a smile in her voice.  She was gently guiding Chase down the short steps that led from the palace to the beachfront.  She watched with a smile the look of wonder and joy that Chase couldn't contain behind the mask she had been struggling to maintain with very limited success.  A look that changed drastically as her words sank into Chase's consciousness.

She turned to Drea with a smirk.  "Things that boring around here for ya'll?"

Drea laughed.  It was an outlet for any number of emotions that had been building since Chase’s unexpected arrival in their midst.  "Well, not boring but certainly routine."

A frown crossed Chase's now expressive face.  "What's that like?" she asked honestly.  "I mean it's so different here... so peaceful.  I can't imagine that kind of routine."

"What's it like for you, Chase?" Drea replied, throwing the query right back at her.  "I cannot remember having had excitement like we've had in the last few days."

"Well, this is normal... I mean unexpected events, attacking and attacks, people being hurt or dying...."  She spoke dispassionately, but her eyes clouded over and her words trailed off.  "There are always plans to make and crises that arise and things that have to be taken care of," Chase added after a bit of silence.  "It's just very different from what I've experienced here." 

She turned her head and looked at Drea directly even though she still could not see the healer.  Drea felt the weight of Chase's stare and returned the gaze.  Finally Chase turned away and returned her eyes to the horizon she couldn't see.

"What is it, Chase?" wondering what was causing the conflict she could feel running through the wiry frame.

Chase struggled with her words, trying to let go of a hatred she'd long held but unable to completely forgive the atrocities that had been perpetrated on her and the rest of the world because of these people.  She bowed her head.

"I hope you never lose what you have here, Drea," she finally commented.  "I hope the war never comes to this place."

Drea realized what an admission that had to be given the source and she patted Chase's hand lightly before speaking.  "Thank you, Chase.  I hope so too."

The sound of running footsteps caught their attention and they both looked in the direction they heard them coming from.  Chase blinked as her vision seemed to clear just slightly and the dark blob became the shape of a woman.  She blinked again, hoping it would help and growling silently in frustration when nothing changed.  The footsteps came to a halt in front of them and Rina stood bent over trying to catch her breath.  Drea laid a hand on her arm.

"Rina?  What is it?  What's wrong?"

"Drea, you've got to come quickly.  It's the princess.  She fell out of her tree and...."  She winced when the grip on her arm tightened uncomfortably around her bicep.

"What did you say?  Diana FELL out of her tree?"  Rina nodded her head.  "Rina, that's not possible.  She has the most flawless balance of anyone I have ever known, bar none."

"Well that may be, Drea, but several guards were witness to it.  Said she simply lost her grip and slipped right off the limb she was sitting on."  She loosened the healer's hold on her arm, wincing at the visible mark Drea's hand had made.  "C'mon," she added, tugging on the hand she now held in her own.  "We've got to get back there and check on her.  Mala is sitting with Diana and the queen."

"Oh my," Drea said, pushing her immaculate hair back away from her face where the wind had teased it loose.  She turned to Chase.  "Will you be all right here alone for a bit, Chase? I can leave Rina if...."  She stopped when Chase shook her head negatively.

"I'll be fine Drea.  What can happen to me here?  Ya'll go and take care of your princess."

Drea smiled gratefully.  Not knowing what was wrong with Diana was troubling and she really wanted Rina's help in figuring out what was wrong.  Between the two of them and Paula, they would find the problem and hopefully a way to fix it.

"Thank you, Chase.  I’ll send someone out to help you back to the hospice shortly if I cannot come myself."

"Don't rush on my account, Drea.  I'm enjoying your favorite prescription.  Now go on," making a shooing motion with her hands.  "Go see to your princess.  I am perfectly content to stay out here for a good while longer."

Drea squeezed her arm in thanks and she and Rina left on a run.  Chase closed her eyes and focused on the sounds around her.  This was a golden opportunity and she had learned early in life to take advantage of each and every opportunity afforded her.

She listened carefully and heard the birds and the sounds of the leaves crinkling in the wind.  Beyond that....  There were no sounds of any human presence nearby.  She frowned in concentration then her face creased into a smile.  But there was the distinct sound of water slapping against wood, and that meant there was a good chance there was a boat nearby.

Chase sighed, wishing heartily that she felt better or at least that she could see clearly.  Instead she leaned down and felt around for the basket, grasping the handle firmly when she finally found it.  Then she lifted it with a wince and headed down the beach in the directions her sense told her to go.  She only hoped it would be a short walk.

************

Drea rushed into the hospice with Rina on her heels.  She was amazed at the number of people keeping vigil outside the room the princess was occupying, then realized that the entire contingent of Royal Guards made up a majority of the large group.  When she was spotted, they let her through immediately and Drea passed into Diana's room and stopped.  Mala and Hippolyta rose from either side of the bed and moved back to give the healers the access they needed to work.

The princess lay on the bed, still and white as a sheet.  The only bit of color visible was her dark hair and a cut on her forehead that was bleeding sluggishly.  Drea crossed over and pulled back the sheet that had been tucked around her body.

"Rina, check her for cuts and abrasions.  I'm going to start here," motioning to Diana's head.  They worked in tandem without words, each knowing what to do and what the other needed.  It wasn't long before they were done and Diana's head wound was dressed.  Drea moved away from the bed and signaled the others to join her near the window.

"She has a bump on the head – you saw that.  It seems to be her only injury.  I believe she was already in some sort of meditative state when this happened.  I cannot find another reason for her to be unconscious – the damage is not that bad."

Mala nodded.  "Given what the guard told me, I think that is a safe assumption.  You think she will be all right when she comes out of her meditative state?"

"Except for the headache she's going to have, yes."

"Drea, what caused her to fall?" Hippolyta asked with concern.  "Even meditating, that shouldn't have happened.  Especially then, as she becomes even more aware."

"I don’t know," Drea answered honestly.  "And we may not know if she chooses not to share with us.  We will simply have to work with what we know, which at this point really isn't very much."

Hippolyta nodded.  "Is there anything we can do to speed this along?  Anything I can do?"

"We can sit with her, maybe talk to her.  She can hear and understand." 

"She might wake up faster just to get us to shut up and leave her in peace," Mala joked.  The others laughed at the truth of her words.  At that moment, Nubia and Paula slipped into the room.

"We came as soon as we heard," Nubia commented.  "How is she?"

Hippolyta sighed.  "I suppose I need to go make an announcement to the Nation.  I'm sure this has made the circuit already."

"If the presence of the Guard is any indication, the entire island knew before we got in here to treat her," Drea commented.  "Why don't you stay here with her?  I can make the announcement."

"Actually," Paula cut in unexpectedly. "Perhaps Rina could?  I have some things we need to go over," with a pointed look at both the healer and the priestess.

"I can do that, certainly," Rina replied.

"And I would like to stay here," Hippolyta added.  "Can I be brought up to speed later, perhaps?"

"Oh absolutely," the scientist confirmed quickly.  "Nothing that won't wait.  The princess is more important."

The queen nodded, but Drea's brow rose into her hairline.  She wondered what was in the report that Paula didn't want to share with Hippolyta.  Then they separated – Hippolyta back to Diana's bedside where she started talking to her in low tones; Rina to the waiting area to give the Amazons a status report and collect as much information about the incident as she could; and the council retired to Drea's office to discuss Paula's latest findings.

************

Finding the dock had been easier than she expected considering her blindness, and now Chase stood considering the best way to escape unseen.  She was simply going to have to take the boat farthest out that she could reach and hope she got lucky enough to find something she could handle alone.  There was no way she would survive going in and out of each vessel looking for the ideal transportation.  Given her handicaps there wasn't one, but she knew without a doubt she had to get off the island.  She suspected her being here was causing her blindness, but regardless, the Amazons were the enemy despite their care and treatment of her.  There were some things that couldn't be canceled out, no matter what good was done.  And producing the mastermind of the Nazi regime was at the top of that list.

Slowly she made her way down the dock, carefully feeling her way to keep from falling into the water.  When she reached the end she poked around, eventually finding a large sailboat and the ropes that held it tied to the pier.  She placed the basket onto the deck and stepped in vigilantly, not wanting a slip to cause her to be discovered.  Chase loosened the ropes and let the boat drift away from the dock glad the current and the tide were working in her favor.

When the pier was not even a dark splotch in her vision, Chase reached forward and raised the sail, catching a good wind and putting the sun over her shoulder, hoping she was moving in the right direction.

************

Hippolyta looked at her daughter and a wave of remorse flowed through her.   She took Diana's hand in her own, bringing it to her lips before gently stroking the knuckles.  "Drea said for me to talk to you, and I don't even know where to start.  I have so many things I need to say to you... so many misunderstandings to straighten out.  I'm not even sure where to start, especially since anything I say to you now will have to be repeated when you're actually able to comprehend and acknowledge my words.”

She paused and looked at her daughter with a sincere sigh.  "I guess the first thing I need to say to you is I'm sorry.  I'm sorry for what I did to you; for what it cost you; for letting the situation drag on like it has.  The truth is I knew as soon as the words were out of my mouth they were wrong, but you were so angry - I was so angry.  And when you left anyway despite everything...."  Hippolyta mind traveled back to that first fateful day in the year of man nineteen hundred forty-two.

Steve Trevor had landed unceremoniously on their island six days prior and his arrival had caused a stir among all the Amazons.  A small minority was furious at the thought that a man was not only polluting their island but receiving treatment as well for injuries obtained by violence.  Most though, were curious about the presence of a species they hadn't seen in twenty-six hundred years. 
   
The conversations had gone back and forth about how he had come to be there; the violence he had both perpetrated and had done to him; and the problem of retuning him to his own world without disrupting their own.  Hippolyta decided to be fair that her Amazons would compete for the responsibility of returning Steve Trevor to the world outside their domain.
    
The athletic contest had been spectacular.  Each of the Amazons who had vied for the privilege had surpassed any expectations the council had had for them.  Even so, two had stood out above the rest, and though they weren't tied they were close enough that Hippolyta had decided to have a final challenge between the two of them.   Everything had come down to bullets and bracelets.
   
Orana had taken aim first – all six shots neatly deflected by the mysterious number thirty-three.  The watchers screamed enthusiastically.  Number thirty-three was the crowd favorite – not only was she ahead of Orana, whose attitude had become increasingly and unbearably smug.  But number thirty-three was also a mystery, and the Amazons hadn't had a good mystery amongst them in years.
    
Rumors had flown, of course, about the spectacular argument between the princess and the queen when Hippolyta forbade Diana to participate in the games.  More than a few suspected the truth of number thirty-three, but no one spoke their thoughts aloud.  Instead they cheered wildly when number thirty-three kept every bullet from getting by her.  Then she lifted her revolver and waited for Orana to position herself in front of the statue of Athena.
    
Orana glared and took her place, nodding her readiness to her opponent.  She had thought... had expected... with the queen's disqualification of Diana, that she would be a shoo-in for an easy victory.  Instead she had been outdone by this interloper who wouldn't even show her face. 
    
It wasn't that she disliked Diana – on the contrary, Orana considered Diana her best friend.  But it had become progressively more irritating to always be coming in second to someone she had trained and mentored.  Just once she'd wanted to be on top again, and with the princess out of the running, Orana had been sure she would easily win.  Though it would have been a hollow victory, it would have been a victory nonetheless.
    
Now Orana waited for the mystery competitor to take her best shot, confident in her ability to do as well as the other woman had.
    
Five for five she went and her self-assurance grew.  Then the sixth shot got by her and Orana flinched, anger growing in her eyes.  But she played the good sport, congratulating the mystery woman on her win.  Then unexpectedly they were both called to stand in front of the queen and her council.

Here Hippolyta's voice faltered.  "I knew Orana had grown jealous of you, but I didn't realize how bad it was.  I still wouldn't know if it hadn't been for the young woman Chase coming into our lives.  I cannot believe how blind I was to her... and to you.  I was just so angry.  And if I could go back to one moment... gods, Diana... I would give anything to change that one moment."

    
Orana and the mystery woman stood before the council and the Nation and Hippolyta stood on the dais, her face wreathed in smiles.  It had been a long time since the Amazons had had this much fun and she made a note to schedule more athletic contests.  They had become a little lazy and complacent and Hippolyta decided it was time to put a stop to that.
    
She raised her hands for silence and quiet fell.  "Amazons, today we have witnessed a magnificent display of strength and endurance and sportsmanship.  And all of our contestants have outdone themselves showing a degree of prowess seldom seen even among athletes as skilled as Amazons."  A cheer rose across the yard and Hippolyta let it ring for a while before lifting her hands.  The Nation quieted again.
    
"But there can be only one Amazon crowned the winner of the games.  And it gives me great pleasure to announce the games' champion and our Wonder Woman... our mystery contestant, number thirty-three."
    
Another cheer rang out as Hippolyta raised the winner's arm up in victory.  Drea handed the belt of strength and the lasso of truth to the queen and Hippolyta accepted them with a smile.  "Please," the queen said to the victor. "Remove your mask so the Amazons can be introduced to their victor."
    
Slowly a hand raised and removed both mask and blonde wig.  The gasp that escaped Hippolyta's lips was masked by the shouts and applause that erupted when Diana's face was revealed.  Unceremoniously Hippolyta jerked the belt and lasso out of Diana's hands.  "DIANA!! How dare you?!?  How could you?!?"  A hush fell over the crowd, so quiet not even breathing could be heard.
    
Diana stepped up towards the platform with her hand held out beseechingly.  Hippolyta shifted back away from Diana and turned towards Orana, extending her hand to the other Amazon. 
    
"Mother, you can't!!"
    
Without warning, she ripped the trappings of Wonder Woman away from Orana as well and threw them behind her before she stomped over to stand in front of Diana, face flushed in fury and eyes flaming.  "I most certainly can!"
    
"Mother, please!  I did it for you.  I did it for us!
    
"No, Diana," she growled between clenched teeth.  "You did it for yourself!  You did it because you feel something for that man!  You lied and you cheated and you disobeyed me!!"
    
Diana flushed with embarrassment but she stood her ground and straightened to her full height.  "I *never* lied and I *never* cheated!  I won fair and square!"
    
"But it doesn't change the fact that you disobeyed me, does it?"
    
Drea stepped up behind Hippolyta and placed a calming hand on the queen's back.  "Perhaps we should take this to a more private venue?" she suggested quietly.
    
"NO!  Diana wanted to humiliate me by making a mockery of this competition."  She turned her furious eyes back to Diana.  "We'll finish this here!"  She took a visible breath to calm herself though her anger never seemed to lessen.  "Now," she said a little more evenly.  "You did disobey me didn't you?  After I forbade your participation in the games, you hid your identity and competed anyway."
    
"Yes, I did," Diana admitted.  "Because I am the best qualified."  Her voice became plaintive, pleading for something she didn't fully understand.  "Mother, I proved myself.  On your terms.  Why can't you let me have the victory I earned??"
    
"Because it isn't yours, any more than that man is."  She yanked the belt and lasso from Drea's hands and slapped it into Orana's hands who accepted them with a smug look.  "Orana will take Steve Trevor back to the world of men and will remain there as the Amazon representative Wonder Woman."  Hippolyta turned her attention back to Diana.  "As for you, Daughter, you are confined to your rooms in the palace until further notice.  No running around the island; no visits to the hospice; no walks in the temple gardens; nothing.  You will learn the price of disobedience!"

And that had only been the beginning.


Chapter XII

"Now you have to realize this is incomplete," Paula said motioning to the reports that rested in front of them.  "This is what we have been able to cull from the rebel databanks and Chase's personal diary.  The databanks are so old and outdated that the information is spotty at best."

"How does Chase's diary help?  She is too young to have any knowledge of what happened to the Princess."

"Personal knowledge, yes.  But don't forget who her great-grandfather was."

Drea rubbed her eyes.  Already this day seemed years long, and now it seemed like she was betraying a young woman she wanted to believe in and have believe in her.  "This seems so wrong."

Nubia sighed.  "We need to know, Drea.  The princess is unwilling and unable to share, and Chase doesn't trust us enough to do so.  And according to Mala, we are running out of time."

Mala's hand covered Drea's and she nodded her agreement.  "That is correct.  If things play out the way I believe they will, then Diana will leave us when she awakens.  It is in our best interests to be aware of what happened to whatever extent that we can manage.  And thanks to Chase, we finally have a window into that world and those events."

Drea agreed.  "I know.  It's just...."

"Why this sudden crisis of faith?" Nubia demanded.  Mala answered before Drea could draw breath to speak.

"You've come to care for the young woman."  Drea nodded again.  "That is a good thing."  Mala faced the healer and met her eyes with stark sincerity.  "Drea, I know Chase has and will make a difference for Diana and for us.  But I believe we can also make a difference to her and the rebellion as well.  But we need all the facts we can get before we send our sisters off to war."

"I know, and I'm not trying to be difficult really.  Rough day."

Mala chuckled.  "You are a master of understatement, my dear."  Even Nubia had to laugh at that.  "Now Paula... what have you found for us?"

Paula was still smiling when she motioned to the reports once more.  "It took us a little while to get all this together.  Get comfortable.  It's going to take a little while to go through it as well."

************

Chase was cursing herself on any number of levels.  She had forgotten the glasses Paula had crafted for her and surprisingly so had Drea.  She was entirely frustrated by the lack because even though her eyesight had not nearly fully returned, the sunlight was still overwhelming in its intensity out here on the water.

Aside from that, the effort she had made putting out to sea had torn open both her leg and shoulder again and they hurt like hellfire and damnation itself.  Her stomach, thankfully, just ached, but she was fairly certain from the lack of telltale burning that the stitching still held.

She was happy for the food Drea had packed for their lunch.  With carefully rationing, Chase was confident that she could make it last for several days – hopefully long enough to either reach land or recover her eyesight and at least be able to steer herself in the right direction.

Chase laid back and closed her eyes, hopeful that rest would bring better results when she woke up.

************

"The first information comes from the Nazis because it is the briefest.  They went to a lot of trouble to ensure that Diana's name was erased, but they didn't count on our ability to ghost the records.  Still what we got is spotty at best and really makes no sense until you add Chase's diary and the information the rebels have obtained.  We know the lengths Diana went to leave here, but what happened after that....”

Hippolyta had been livid.  Six of her Royal Guards were laying in the hospice with varying degrees of bodily harm done to their persons.  Diana had been exceedingly careful not to kill, but she had made her unspoken point to both her mother and the rest of the Nation. The note she had left for her mother had done little to dispel the fury, worry and frustration Hippolyta felt.

    Hippolyta, (it read)

    I know you do not or will not understand my fascination with the man Steve Trevor, but the fact is that something in him calls to my soul.  I do not understand it myself, but I cannot ignore the truth.  And the truth is I belong by his side... or he by mine.
     I could forgive your lack of understanding had it not been for your deliberate effort to humiliate me in front of the entire Nation.  Regardless of how you felt and regardless of the fact that I disobeyed you for the chance to compete, the truth is I won on my own merit.  That should have counted for something.  But it didn’t – all you could do was disgrace me publicly.
    Therefore to remove any sense of embarrassment you may still have, I am leaving Paradise Island.  I will make my own way in the world of men.  You may consider yourself free from any obligation you may have felt towards me as I no longer regard myself as part of the Amazon Nation or your daughter.

     Diana

Her lack of titular respect and obvious disdain for everything Amazonian caused Hippolyta to feel her first twinges of guilt and remorse over the way she had handled Diana.  Not that she believed she hadn’t been justified in her anger; she felt vindicated by forbidding Diana’s victory.  But the truth was she handled the entire situation poorly, and it had cost her not only her daughter on many levels but also a measure of respect amongst the women of the Nation.  Regardless of how they felt about her need to discipline Diana for her actions, none of them agreed with her doing so publicly.
    
And now it appeared that even if she recovered Diana from the world of men, things would never, ever be the same between them again.
    
Hippolyta went to the temple for council with Mala and to pray.  What she found was that Mala was furious and the goddesses were silent.  When she arrived home disheartened, she found Drea waiting for her and was honestly surprised.
    
“Why are you here?” she blurted out.  Drea’s brows jumped into her hairline.
    
“Um... I live here?  Unless you’d rather I live elsewhere,” said with only the slightest degree of uncertainty.  Drea gave an inaudible sigh when Hippolyta shook her head.
    
“Not at all, Love, but I am pretty unpopular at the moment.”
    
“Well you should have expected that, Pol.  What you did to Diana was uncalled for on several levels and way over the top,” Drea offered bluntly.
    
“So you don’t stand behind me in this either?” Hippolyta turned away and gazed unseeingly out the window.  Drea came up and deliberately stood beside the queen at the window and turned slightly, enabling her to see Hippolyta’s silhouette.
   
“I think what you did was grossly wrong and unfair – I do understand your reasoning; I just happen to disagree with it.  Doesn’t mean I have or ever would forsake you, Pol.  I love you.
    
Hippolyta turned from the window and shoved the note in her hands.  “It would appear that you were right and I was wrong,” she said before retreating to the bathing room for a respite.  Drea read the letter and left.

“That was such a horrible time,” Drea remembered with her head now cradled in her hands.  “The only one worse was Diana’s abrupt return home.”

Nubia nodded her agreement to Drea’s statement.  “That is the truth.  I never expected so much... hatred from the princess.  Certainly not directed at her mother and her own people.”

“At least now we have an understanding of why that hatred exists – above and beyond what happened to her at the games,” Paula acknowledged.  “If you keep reading, this is where Chase’s diary and the writings of Steve Trevor begin to come into play.”  She swallowed hard.  “I will tell you that it gets very ugly and violent as we get further into history.  And some of it is quite graphic.”

    07 September 1942

    I still have holes in my memory apparently.  The general and Etta both assure me I was MIA for just over a week after we lost radio contact over Bermuda.  I remember flying out to stop the Nazi plane and I remember the dogfight and then nothing.  And there is no good explanation for how I got back to Washington.  We’ve investigated every possible avenue and clue we could find, but no one has seen the mystery woman who it appears rescued me and dropped me off at the hospital for treatment.  It’s a shame, that – I would have liked to have thanked her, talked to her a little bit. Maybe she’d have an idea about some of the odd dreams I’ve had since then.
     On the other hand, I like my new yeoman, Diana Prince.  She’s jumped right in to the war effort with enthusiasm and has made my life in the War Department much easier.  My wife Mary treats her like a kid sister. 
     I will continue to search for the mystery woman.  Maybe she can explain where the dreams of Amazons and Paradise came from.

     12 October 1942

     Something serious is changing in the Nazi party.  Hitler still appears to be in power, but there is a new power behind the throne.  And rumors make it out to be a woman.  We have people investigating.  With luck we should have some news within the week.

     27 October 1942

     Not only has luck deserted us, but we’ve lost several of our top agents acquiring the top secret information about the new Nazi threat.  All we know is that her name is Orana and that she showed up on the scene about four months ago.  No other data is available so we don’t know who she is or where she came from or how she has managed to obtain such a position of authority in such a short period of time, especially as a woman.  I may end up doing some undercover work behind enemy lines myself very soon.
     One odd note – when my yeoman Diana heard the woman’s name, I thought she was going to be sick.  I have never seen the blood drain from a tanned face so quickly, and she broke into a sweat.  From her reaction, I would have guessed that she *knew* this Orana person, but that’s not possible... is it?
     This will bear some more checking out.

     12 November 1942

     Mary told me today she’s pregnant!!!  We’re expecting a child!!  This is probably about the worst time in history to bring a child into the world, but I won’t lie and pretend I’m not excited!!
     We’re going to have a baby!!

     28 November 1942

     I am being sent into Nazi Germany on 01 December.  It is hoped that I can learn more about this new leader behind Hitler.  We have lost a number of good operatives trying to find out more about this woman, and I’ll admit to being scared of the same, especially now with a baby coming.  But it is my duty, and I will do it to the very best of my abilities.

“This was the last entry written by Steve Trevor.  The next record we have is the telegram from the War Department to his wife Mary telling of his death at the hands of the Nazis.”

“Do we know what happened?” Mala asked.  Paula nodded.

“We’ve been able to piece it together by culling various sources – some of them the Nazi guards who were there.  We don’t have all the details of course, so we’ve had to make some educated guesses, but it gives us a good idea and it explains a whole lot more... including how and why Diana returned to us.  Please keep in mind that most of this was ghosted from their purged records so there are some pretty big holes in the actual recorded history.”

It took several weeks of undercover travel before Steve and Diana entered Nazi Germany.  Diana hadn’t been part of the original plan, but she had convinced Steve and his superiors of the need to blend and being part of a couple made him much less conspicuous.  The fact that she was fluent in fourteen distinct languages was also a distinct advantage.
    
After twenty-two days of traveling, Steve had a full beard and they were both a bit bedraggled and worse for wear.  In other words, they looked like every other European citizen, and they used that fact to their advantage.
    
Getting into the country had been insanely easy, and they slowly, carefully made their way towards Berlin.  The closer they got, the stranger the stories and rumors became though they were only spoken in whispers in the dead of night.
    
Diana had long wrestled with the sick feeling in her gut, sure of what they would find at the end of their journey and knowing it was her responsibility to get Orana home.  Better to have no Wonder Woman at all in the world of men than to have one who had ultimately sold out and chosen the wrong side.  And from everything Diana had seen and heard and learned from her relatively brief time in the outside world, the Nazis were definitely the wrong side.
    
For his part, Steve felt a growing trepidation.  There was something about the whole situation that was just a little too familiar for comfort.  And Diana was getting more withdrawn the farther into enemy territory they got.  Overall it didn’t bode well for their coming activities.  Sooner or later, they were going to have to venture into the bowels of the Reichstag and find the truth.
    
As it happened, it was sooner rather than later, and they didn’t have to find their way into it.  The way discovered them and they found themselves captured by their enemies.  All that was left was for them to face Orana.

“Are you sure the queen can’t be here for this?” Nubia asked Drea quietly.  She noticed the healer shaking as they read the reports and the clenching and unclenching of her fists wasn’t an indication of a calm and stable individual, though privately, Nubia admired Drea’s fortitude.

Though the advisor had been involved with Orana at one time, she had long since moved past feeling responsible for Orana’s abandonment of her or the Nation.  Any guilt for her actions lay at Orana’s feet alone, and Nubia had finally been able to put that part of her life into perspective.  Her talk with the queen mere days ago had gone greatly towards healing that, and Paula’s quiet acceptance of her attentions had set her heart and mind at peace.

But what Drea and ultimately Hippolyta now had to deal with was so far beyond that.  Their grief involved a flesh and blood daughter who had obviously suffered untold horrors and it was something they were going to have to work through.  To add to that, there was also the matter of Orana to deal with, and since she had apparently maintained her immortality away from Paradise Island, it had become a massive Amazon problem.

But first things first - Drea and Hippolyta needed to know and understand what Diana had seen and suffered, then they would have to try to help her heal from whatever tragedies had befallen her.  Nubia was of the firm opinion that Drea and Hippolyta supporting each other through whatever ugliness was coming was the only way any of them would survive it.  The look on Drea’s face before she spoke confirmed she heartily agreed with Nubia.

“I don’t want Diana left alone, Nubia.”

The dark woman nodded.  “I’ll go sit with her.  I know I’m not her mother, and certainly not the first choice for a companion, but I think Hippolyta needs to be here – for both of you.  At least with Mala and Paula here, there will be some support for you both.”

Drea turned and looked at Nubia directly, surprised by the offer from someone who had been her greatest antagonist for most of their twenty-six hundred plus years of living side by side.  She wondered what had wrought the change, finding only stark sincerity in the black eyes facing her.

“Thank you, Nubia.  I appreciate the offer, but....”

“Drea,” Mala cut in.  “Let Rina sit with the princess for now, and let’s go over this together.  It will be easier if we don’t have to do it more than once, and you both deserve the support of your sisters.”

Strangely, it was Paula who objected.  “Respectfully, I disagree.  These are hard, ugly facts and the reality of them may be overwhelming for the queen.  It might be better to let Drea hear them alone.  Then she can decide whether or not and what to share with the queen.”

It was Drea who addressed this statement as it threw the entire council into a state of shock.  Never before had Paula taken such an aggressive stance, and never, ever had anyone ever suggested the queen needed dissimilation to handle any information relevant to the Nation even if it directly involved her daughter.  However, Drea was the first to recover her senses and she thought she knew, or she hoped she did anyway, what Paula was getting at.  It wouldn’t be pretty if she guessed wrong.

Drea rose from her seat slowly, making her way to Paula’s seat and kneeling at her side.  She covered the scientist’s hands, then gently Drea cleared her throat and met Paula’s eyes.

“You love the queen, don’t you Paula?  She has always been kind to you... treated you as a member of her family.”  Paula nodded slowly, her expression a mix of dread, confusion and pain.  “And Diana, she was always a good friend, someone who loved and appreciated science like you did.”  Another nod. “And you feel like you let them down by not knowing what happened to Diana, or what Orana had become.  And you want to protect them both now that you can, don’t you?”

Paula’s eyes dropped and she found her chin caught in Drea’s firm, gentle grip.  The eyes that met hers were full of compassion and understanding.  She nodded and bit her lip nervously.  Drea gave her a small smile.

“Oh Paula... my friend, you cannot protect the ones you love by keeping secrets. This whole situation is proof of that. The queen has to know the truth, all of it, no matter how much it hurts her.  It’s not going to go away or get easier just because we don’t want to see her or Diana hurt anymore.  And it may be that knowing will help heal the wounds that have been festering for a hundred years.”

“Drea, it’s brutal.  What happened to Diana was horrible.  But if you think the queen should hear then blunt truth....”

“I think she needs to, Paula.  If it will make you more comfortable for me to tell her privately, I will do that, but she’s still going to need to hear it all.”

“No.  If we are going to give the queen the entire story, then Mala and Nubia are right.  Let us be here to support you both.”

Drea squeezed Paula’s hands.  “Thank you for caring so much, Paula.  And I want you to know something... to believe it with all your heart.  What happened was not your fault in any way.  You couldn’t know what would happen – none of us could have guessed.”

Paula smiled wryly.  “My head knows that.  I just....”

“You just have a good heart,“ Hippolyta cut in from the doorway.  “I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful, caring women.”  She crossed the room and squeezed Paula’s shoulders before extending her hand to Drea.  “Thank you, Paula.”  Hippolyta gave her a shaky smile.  “Thank you for caring so much.”  She turned to Drea.  “And thank you, Love,” cupping the healer’s cheek.  “Thank you for doing the right thing even if you’d rather protect me.”  Hippolyta looked around the room at her friends before taking a seat at the table.  “Come,” she commanded.  “Let’s get this done.”


Chapter XIII

"Shep, it's only been four days.  We can't stop looking yet!"

"Hans!  Will you sit down and stop whining??  You’re giving me a headache and if you don't get a grip on yourself I'm gonna smack you into next week just to get a little peace!"  Hans glared at him, and Shep returned it measure for measure until Hans flopped into the chair across from him.   "Now I am well aware of how long we have had planes searching.  I am also aware of Chase's approximate location when she went down, and I am further aware of just how big the Atlantic Ocean is.  We will give it another three days, and then I'm gonna have to pull the plug on this rescue."

"You can't...."

"Goddamn it, Hans!  You think I want to do this?  Huh?  You think I like having this laid in my lap, knowing that I'm condemning Chase to die if she hasn't already??  You think I want to be responsible for all the shit that Chase takes care of around this joint???"

Shep was screaming by this point and Hans understood just how this was tearing Shep... and all of them... to pieces.  It was amazing to realize just how true his words to Chase had become.  She really was the glue that held them all together and without her....

Hans stood and leaned over the desk.  Shep raked his hands through his hair and looked up into eyes he expected to be antagonistic and found instead sympathy and understanding.  "She's my best friend, Hans."

"I know, Shep.  She's mine too.  I'm not sure what we'll do without her."

"We're gonna hope we don't have to find out.  We still have three days."  Shep rubbed his eyes.  "We have to believe we'll find her."

************

Chase blinked.  It was dark, or at least she hoped it was.  The heat and the steady motion of the boat had coupled with her over-abused and still healing body in lulling her into sleep.  She awoke feeling more refreshed, more sunburned and very thirsty.  She was also more than a little disoriented and what felt like totally blind.

She felt around on the bottom of the boat, searching for the food and water she'd brought with her.  Chase uncapped the water and took two long swallows, knowing she had to drink sparingly.  Then she felt her way through the food, snagging a slice of bread and some cheese.  Not enough to satisfy her hunger but at least enough to slack it for now.

She leaned back enjoying the taste of the food and the rhythmic motion of the waves as she drifted in the direction the wind blew it.  She just hoped it was blowing her towards land.  She was more than a little anxious to return to the base camp and get back to the rebellion.

Chase studied that thought for a long moment.  Paradise Island had been something new and unexpected and given other circumstances, she could have been happy living there.  But there were too many factors against that possibility... not the least of which were the Amazons.

They were something of a conundrum to Chase.  The few women she had encountered on the island had been kind and helpful – women she would have been proud to have called friend.  Especially Drea – despite her youth the healer reminded Chase so much of her mother, and Chase couldn't find it in her heart to think poorly of someone who had shown her so much kindness. 

But on the flip side, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the woman she'd encountered in Germany was an Amazon – the same Amazon who'd tortured and killed her great-grandfather – Steve Trevor.  Something didn't add up.

Her mind shied away from that experience and she turned her attention back to Paradise Island.  Chase let her mind review what she knew about the area she had gone down in and she knew there was nothing listed on any chart she'd seen.  And she knew them all by heart.

So where had Paradise Island come from and how had the Amazons managed to stay hidden?  Chase chewed her food slowly as the rote motion helped her to focus her thoughts.  She wished she could have stayed and learned more about their culture, but knowing what she did, staying had become an unthinkable option.

Her head started to hurt as her thoughts began to trail one another in rapid succession, and she closed her eyes and gave herself up to the healing oblivion of sleep.

************

It was daylight when Chase opened her eyes again, and she was devoutly thankful for the ability to see light again.  Not only could she see light, but she could sort of almost see blue sky, she thought.  She squinted, but that didn't seem to help – it only made things fuzzy.  So she closed them again and then blinked them open slowly.

This time she smiled – she did see blue sky.  She inched up slowly, not wanting to lose the sight she had with any sudden movements.  She wasn't sure where her logic came from, but she felt comfortable with it regardless.

Chase eased into a sitting position and blinked again as she took in her surroundings.  There wasn't much for her to see, save water and sky, a few clouds and the sun.  But they were all a welcome sight after her blindness and she smiled.  With a little luck, she'd have a direction soon and would be steering her way home.

She reached for the water jug, downing a goodly portion to slake her overnight thirst while she took a look around the boat.  Everything was still less than clear, but at least she could distinguish shapes and forms now.  It certainly beat trying to sail completely blind.

The ship was good-sized though not large, and as she walked slowly around the masts and riggings, Chase realized that it was made to accommodate a single sailor.  The wood was tight and well sanded and below decks was a tiny cabin complete with miniature head.  Chase stroked her chin while she contemplated the possibilities, then decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

With her morning ablutions completed, Chase made her way back above deck, blinking rapidly in the bright sunlight.  Then she snagged an apple from the basket and started to determine how to get home.

************

By mid-afternoon, Chase was equal parts content and frustrated.  Her contentment stemmed from the fact that she had determined that she was indeed headed in the right direction.  Her frustration was born on the truth that her progress was slower than she would have liked and worse, if her squinting eyes could be trusted, there was quite the storm brewing to the east. 

The wind it was likely to bring would be well appreciated if it blew her closer to land, especially if that land was anywhere close to home.  But knowing her recent luck, the wind would blow her in circles and the rain would sink her.  However Chase was nothing if not determined, and she hadn't been the leader of the rebellion as long as she had without learning how to survive.

On the far horizon, she saw what she thought... what she hoped was a bit of land.  It wasn't in the direction she actually needed to go, but any port in a storm, right?  With any luck at all, she could at least restock her meager supplies, and with real luck it was inhabited and the natives would have a short-wave radio that she could use to contact Shep or Hans and let them know where she was.  She looked back at the ever-increasing black line and realized it was going to be a race to get to the hoped-for land in the distance.

The first rumble of thunder was not unexpected, but it was unwelcome as it was immediately followed by a deluge of water.  Chase was already exhausted by her efforts to stay ahead of the storm, and when she knew her efforts were futile, she'd dropped the sails and done her best to steer along the edges.  Unfortunately she'd banged her thigh twice and ripped the stitches in her shoulder trying to haul in the mainsail.  So now she was bleeding somewhat profusely from both spots and now with the pouring rain, her eyesight was back to nil again.  Still she held on to the rudder, doing her damnedest to tack through the worst of the storm, hoping to be alive on the far side.

She was doing quite well considering her circumstances when she was blindsided by a swamping wave that washed over the starboard side of the boat.  That alone wouldn't have been so bad had the following wave picked the little craft up and dropped it like a ton of bricks.  The resulting jar left Chase scrambling for a hold.  She managed to find one on the rudder again, though it was short-lived.  Her damaged shoulder left her with little strength to maintain her grip as the storm grew exponentially worse.

A bump underneath her brought her travels to a grinding halt, and she almost breathed a sigh of relief to be relatively still while the storm continued to surge around her.  Chase brushed the rain and hair out of her face and took a deep breath.  She figured she had hit a sand bar, and there wasn't much she could do about it until the storm either blew itself out or pushed her off and back into the churning sea.  Frankly she was glad to be still for a moment.

It was seconds too late that she understood her stillness made her a primary target for whatever deity appeared to have it in for her.  She felt the crackle of electricity travel from the tips of her toes to the ends of her hair before she realized she hadn't been struck directly.  Only the crack of the wood alerted her to the danger as the mast split in two and fell.

************

There were swirling colors and bright lights and melodic sounds in her awareness, but nothing she could capture or understand.  Chase shifted trying to follow where they beckoned her, but the movement caused pain and confusion to rip through her being without mercy and she lost the trail.  She gave herself back up to benevolent blackness once more.

************

The voices were vague and fuzzy and strangely they reminded Chase of so many angry bees pursuing one another in a fight over a prized pot of honey.  She blinked, glad she still had her fuzzy vision and not the darkness she'd half-expected.  Then a wash of pain swept through her head and she clutched it, moaning as she curled into a small ball.  The buzzing ceased and a warm hand landed on her back, rubbing soothing circles.  Chase felt herself relax with the touch, and gradually the pain began to recede.

"Better?" a soft voice asked.

"Mmm," was the best Chase could manage, but the voice seemed to understand.  Chase heard the smile she couldn't see with her eyes still closed.

"My name is Aaron," the man continued quietly.  "My son and I found you stranded on the sandbar when the storm was over and brought you to our home.  We've been caring for you since then.  You gave us quite a scare."

"Than' you," she mumbled.  She accepted the liquid he offered knowing she wasn't in a position to do anything else.  Once more she was dependent on others for her care, and she sighed in sheer frustration before easing her head back down on its pillow.  "Sorry... where?  Ho' lon'?"

"You reached Bermuda, and you're lucky we found you – that's a fifty/fifty proposition on this island.  You've been here since the day before yesterday and spent most of the day yesterday with a high fever.  We were a little concerned," downplaying the hours his family had spent by her bedside doing everything they could to break her fever.  "We, um... we contacted your friends as soon as we knew who you were.  They've been looking for you for nearly a week."

Chase slowly sat up as the pounding in her head eased off and Aaron's words penetrated her thoughts.  "Than...."  She cleared her throat and tried again.  "Thank you, Aaron.  What happened to the boat I was on?"

"We scuttled it... made it look like the storm had destroyed it, which was pretty close to being true."

Chase nodded.  It was a shame, but it was also necessary.  She certainly didn't want people getting hurt or worse for helping her.  And here on Bermuda as Aaron had indicated, helping any member of the rebellion was a considerable risk.  There were plenty of Nazi spies who'd give their eyeteeth to get their hands on her again.  She shuddered in memory and forced her attention back to her current situation.  First things first.

She slipped from beneath the sheets, glad that Aaron or whomever had taken the time to preserve her modesty with a bit of cloth that covered more than most hospital gowns she'd seen.

"Aaron, I need my clothes, then I need to contact my friends and get off the island as quickly as possible.  I appreciate all you've done for me, but I can't continue to put you in danger with my presence in your home."  She stood and swayed on her feet.  Aaron remained close by, but he didn't reach out to help knowing she had to do this on her own.

It took a few moments, much longer than Chase was happy with, but eventually her equilibrium returned.  "This just has not been a good week," she muttered to herself, deliberately setting aside the good memories she had of Paradise Island.  Instead she focused on the here and now.

"I'd have to agree," Aaron said, "having seen the damage the storm did to you and your boat.  My wife will bring your clothes and I will go fetch your friend."  Then he left before Chase could question his words.

Aaron's wife was a round, little woman who had numerous laugh lines despite the wariness the war had put there.  As Chase listened to her, she realized that Anna found happiness and pleasure in the simplest things and she didn't allow the Nazis or anyone else to rob her of that joy.  Anna was very careful as she helped Chase dress, not wanting to rip the stitches she had put in the younger woman's body.  She and Aaron knew from the boat and the care her body had already apparently received that someone else had cared for her also, but it wasn't their business so they didn't ask questions.  In war, one learned to pick and choose, knowing any information they held could be turned against them.  What they didn't know or ask questions about couldn't come back to bite them or the rebellion in the ass so they were content to remain ignorant.

Chase was breathing heavily by the time she finished dressing and she cursed her weak, injured body.  She didn't have time for this, and neither did the rebellion.  As it was, she was unsure if they would be able to use the information that had cost her so dearly.  And all she wanted to do was crawl back in that semi-comfortable bed and go back to sleep until she felt better.  That didn't appear to be an option currently so she settled for sitting when Anna put a hand on her well shoulder and urged her to do so.

"It will take Aaron a little while to contact your friend.  Drink this," handing Chase a cup, "then get a little rest.  The rebellion will wait another hour or so, and I will wake you when Aaron returns."

Finally Chase understood.  "Wait, you mean someone actually came here to get me?  Are they insane?  I'm not worth more than the rest."

"Yes, you are, Chase."  When Anna called her by name, Chase met the other woman's eyes.  Anna nodded.  "Even here we know of Annabelle Chaser and the hero she is to the rebellion.  Don't discount your influence, Chase."

Chase shrugged.  "I'll try, but I'm sorta used to being one of many."

Anna smiled and patted her knee.  "You may be one of many, but you are a leader among those many.  You may not have asked for it, but that's the way things are.  Now rest," Anna chided before Chase could say anything more.  "Responsibility will return to you quickly enough."

Chase closed her eyes, glad to give herself up to the oblivion of sleep if only for a little while.

************

"You're sure she's all right?" Shep asked as he gazed at Chase's relaxed features.  She was entirely too pale and much thinner than he remembered.  Something in the picture she presented didn't make sense to her being on the open water for the better part of a week, but he was so glad to have her found and alive that he put his questions aside.  For now they were far less important than the fact that Chase had not only returned, but she still had the cache of papers she'd risked so much to retrieve.

"She's exhausted," Aaron answered honestly.  "And she lost quite a bit of blood.  The storm tore open several old wounds.  She could use a week's worth of sleep to help her recover.  Otherwise?"  He shrugged his shoulders eloquently.

"Well, I'll see what I can do once I get her home, though getting her to slow down there is nigh unto impossible.  Chase is like a whirlwind."  He smiled as he said it and looked up to meet their matching smiles.  "I can't begin to thank you...."

Both Aaron and Anna held up hands to keep Shep from saying anything more.  "We were glad to be able to have been the ones to have found her.  Sometimes we feel completely out of the loop out here.  It's nice to be able to contribute to the effort, though this wouldn't have been our first choice."

Shep nodded.  "Mine either, but I'm glad you were all in the right place at the right time," nodding to their son Adam who was going to help them get back to the hidden airfield.  "Things would have gone down hard for Chase if she'd fallen into Nazi hands again."

Three sets of eyes widened at his words and Aaron said questioningly, "She was a prisoner of war and lived to tell?"

Shep nodded, his eyes hard with memories.  "Yes," he answered briskly but did not elaborate.  "Can you help me get her awake?  We need to get going and she's going to have to walk on her own til we get to the plane.  Then I can tuck her in to sleep on the flight home."

"Not the way you fly," Chase mumbled, though the smile in her voice was obvious.  "You get me to the plane and I'll fly us home."

"Uh uh," Shep teased.  "I know what happened that last time."  Chase glared at him.

"Hey!  I won, ya know!"  Shep smiled and brushed her sleep-tangled hair back from her face. 

"I know, and I can't wait to hear about it, but it's gonna have to wait til we get home.  This is a bad place for us to be right now.  I think this is like the primo Nazi vacation spot and if they get a look at you...."

"We're all dead meat.  Gotcha.  Help me up."  Shep extended an arm and helped Chase to stand and get her balance before he released her.  She turned to Anna and Aaron.  "Thank you both.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but I really appreciate the help and the risk you took.  Thank you."

They both accepted her gratitude, knowing she needed to say it.  Aaron took her hand in a strong clasp and Anna kissed her cheek.  Then Chase and Shep snuck out the back with Adam in the lead.  Then Anna and Aaron started erasing any evidence of Chase's presence in their home... just in case.


Chapter XIV

It was a fairly quick process to bring the queen up to speed on what they had already learned about Diana's foray into the world of men a century before.  There was no need for discussion between them on the second round of readings.  It sickened the queen to realize what her daughter had suffered through already, knowing far worse was yet to come.

She'd felt Paula's upset when the scientist had asked for a meeting of the council, and she'd felt the dread grow as they continued to meet after several hours with no break.  She'd talked to Diana and saw no response, and reliving the first of their bad history coupled with the fact that she had a good idea just exactly what was going on in that council meeting made Hippolyta drained and antsy. 

When it appeared that Diana was going to remain unconscious for at least a little while longer, Hippolyta called Rina in and asked her to sit with the princess, then she went to find the council.  She was touched by their concern and only a little annoyed that they felt she needed to be protected.  Given her actions where her daughter was concerned though, she couldn't blame them for looking out for Diana even if that meant protecting her as well.

Now Hippolyta blew out a breath and took a drink of water before looking up at the faces that were watching hers.  "All right, Paula... let's proceed.  We need to know... I need to know the worst.  Then maybe I can figure out what the Hades to do to fix this."  Hippolyta raked her hands through her hair in frustration.  Drea reached over and took Hippolyta's hands in her own, chafing them lightly until the queen's breathing settled and evened out.  Hippolyta held Drea's eyes until she felt a sense of balance return.  "I beg pardon, ladies.  Paula, please continue."

The scientist swallowed and nodded.  "We had left off right before Diana and Steve Trevor were captured by the Nazis.  This is the most piecemeal section as we had to amass the information from the Nazi's purged files and the few entries we could find in the rebels' database.  And those reports are all second and third hand from the people who tried to rescue Steve Trevor and Diana."

The ease with which they were captured coming into Berlin made them acutely aware of a traitor in their midst, though they never knew exactly who it was.  In the end, it didn't matter as the knowledge couldn't change the outcome of what happened.
    
Diana woke with a splitting headache, trussed to the wall spread-eagle and naked.  Steve was lashed to what appeared to be an ancient altar, anchored by chains driven deep in the stone, equally spread-eagle and naked. 
    
Time was non-existent and the darkness only enhanced the feeling of displacement.  They were able to converse, barely, as Steve was wheezing from broken ribs and Diana had to talk with a clenched, broken jaw and busted lips.
    
Finally the door opened and not surprisingly, Orana walked into the room.  Diana knew who she was before the light switch was even flipped.  There was an Amazon awareness that Diana recognized, skewed as it was.
    
Orana walked around Steve, sparing him a cursory glance before slamming him into unconsciousness.   Then she made her way to stand in front of Diana.  She made a thorough perusal of the woman she had once called best friend as she removed the cape that covered her from neck to knees, revealing sharp black trousers, pressed white shirt with shiny silver lightning bolts and crisp swastika armband.  On her waist were the belt of strength and the lasso of truth.
    
Diana clenched her jaw tighter, focusing on the pain to keep the betrayal she felt out of her expression.  But her eyes told a story that would never cross her lips.
    
"Well, well, Princess," Orana began without so much as a sneer in her voice.  She actually managed to convey concern, and had Diana not been able to see her eyes, she might have almost believed her.  "Fancy meeting you here.  I never expected to be visited by an Amazon... especially not you.  Tell me, does your mother know you're here, or did you disobey her yet again?"
    
Diana kept her focus straight ahead, refusing to give Orana the satisfaction of knowing how those words burned.
    
Now Orana smirked.  "I figure you had to have disobeyed her given that you're here with *that man*.  Tell me, Di... is he really so great in the sack that you'd give up everything to be with him?  I mean come on... it's not like you'd have lacked for sexual partners on Paradise Island if you'd given any Amazon an indication their attentions might be welcomed."  Now her voice was bitter.
    
"What do you want, Orana?"  Diana finally broke her silence, not justifying the other Amazon's petty accusations with an answer.
    
Orana laughed cruelly.  "I have what I want, Diana.  They don't know it yet, but I am going to be the leader of the Nazi party.  Adolf has some... interesting... ideas, and I know how to make them work.  I can correct the mistakes they have already made, and I will bring order to the world with them.  And then I will rule the world."
    
"You don't think they might object?"
    
"They won't be in a position to."
     
Diana blinked.  "You've betrayed everything we stand for, betrayed your oath as an Amazon...."
    
Orana snorted.  "And you haven't?  Give me a break, Diana.  Your presence here means you did what you wanted despite the rules... again... just like your competing in the games was what you wanted to do.  The only reason you care about me breaking the rules is because I have something you don't."  She caressed the belt and ran the lasso through her fingers.  "These have made me invincible, Di, and nothing and no one is going to make me second best ever again."  Orana looked at Diana again, and this time her hatred and jealously shown clearly from her mad, brown eyes.  "The only thing left for me to decide is what to do with you both.  Trevor will be executed for the spy that he is, but you...”  She smiled wickedly.  “I have something special in mind for you.  Imagine what Hippolyta will do when you return home and finds out you've been screwing a man."  She clucked her tongue in mock sympathy.  "Maybe I should cut his dick off first – seems like a fitting punishment for deflowering the Amazon Princess."
    
"I haven't," Diana bit off.  "Steve is happily married with a baby on the way.  He is merely my boss and my friend."
    
Orana laughed again.  "Ooo... You take orders from him... from a man?  Oh, Diana, how far you have fallen," shaking her head.  "Why are you following him around like some sort of love-sick puppy then?"
    
The conversation had suddenly taken an intensely personal turn and Diana clamped her jaw painfully shut on the words she wanted to allow to spill out.  Orana no longer had the right to know her thoughts and feelings... especially this.
   
Without warning, a whip lashed out and bit into the skin of her belly, nearly causing Diana to cry out.  She bit her lip to keep from making a sound.  A second lash criss-crossed the first and Diana felt blood ooze from the welts and trickle down her skin.  The third lash brought taunting.
    
"Come, Diana... I can't believe you are into the whole pain thing.  You're really not the type.  Answer my question."
    
Silence was its own statement, and Orana continued to punish her until Diana's belly was raw and bleeding, yet the princess never uttered a sound.  She slammed a fist into Diana's ribs in frustration, listening in satisfaction for the cracking sound she knew would follow.  Air whooshed out from between the princess' lips, but she gave Orana no quarter and took several more hits to her body before Orana's eye widened in sudden understanding.
    
"You think he is your soulmate, don't you?  You genuinely believe in that load of bull Mala sold you as a child, don't you?"  Orana shook her head in sympathy.  "Oh, Di... you know, I almost feel sorry for you.  You'd think after twenty-six hundred years you'd have caught a clue to just how bogus that whole idea was.  Honestly, don't you think if it was really possible, someone would have found it by now?  Half of a whole?  Give me a break.  There is no such thing."
    
Diana never said a word, but Orana could easily read the truth in her eyes and suddenly felt an odd mix of disgust, sadness and pity.  She looked at the princess and shook her head, knowing there was only one way to win – only one way to break Diana's spirit.
    
Orana slapped Steve's face hard – once, twice... until the third time he came to with a moan.  His eyelids blinked rapidly as he tried to adjust to the harsh light, but Orana never gave him the chance as she grasped his chin and pulled his face towards hers.
    
"Hello, Steve," she greeted smoothly.  "Long time, no see."
    
He squinted at her, trying to reconcile her familiarity with a vague impression of a memory, but nothing made sense.
    
She grinned at him and the sight made a chill skitter up Steve's spine unpleasantly.  "Don't try to figure it out, Major.  You wouldn't remember me, but I most certainly remember you.  You were my ticket to freedom, and now you're going to be my ticket to power... the great American hero captured, interrogated and executed by a woman.  And don't worry – I'm going to record everything for posterity so you'll be remembered for the traitor you are."
    
Her questions started off easily as did her punishments for non-cooperation – a slap on the face, a punch to his body.  Then it got harder.
    
Orana started by breaking his toes, then graduated to his feet and legs, taking special care with his kneecaps.  Diana pleaded with Orana, but the sound did nothing but egg her on to do worse.  By the time she started cutting off his third finger, Steve Trevor was screaming every secret he'd ever been entrusted with – from the fact that little Peggy kissed all the boys in kindergarten to the latest bomber weapon the War Department was developing.
    
Diana had long since stopped speaking, recognizing that Orana reveled in the sound, and Orana didn't know whether to be pleased with the fact that she'd driven the princess deep into herself or angry because she was no longer playing the game.
    
"Watch, Diana.  Watch as I bring to an end your belief in soulmates!"  Steve Trevor had lost consciousness moments before, though it was impossible to tell if it was due to pain or blood loss.  Still when Orana brought the knife up and plunged it into his stomach, he screamed.  Diana kept her mind tucked away inside itself, unwilling to hear the tortured sound any longer and unable to watch as his entrails spilled to the floor.
    
Orana nodded in satisfaction when his chest stopped moving and she moved to one side of the chamber, stripping of her now blood-encrusted clothes.  She stepped into the shower that was nestled in a recessed corner of the room, then retrieved her cloak and covered herself.  She snatched up the lasso and belt and left without saying another word to Diana.
    
Eventually a young corporal came in, ignoring both the dead man on the altar and the barely-alive woman who still hung from the walls.  He picked up the blood-soaked clothing and walked out of the room again.
    
Throughout the night Diana hung there, aware of the dead friend who shared the room with her.  She had lived with an odd aching in her soul from the early days of her childhood, and when she'd first seen Steve Trevor, she'd gotten her first glimpse of possibilities of completion.  Now there was an emptiness in her soul, but it remained the same as it had been when she'd discovered Steve Trevor to be a happily married man; different from the soul loneliness she'd always been aware of but less than a breaking of soulmates.  Now she expected to feel the same emptiness until time stopped.  She been given her opportunity in this lifetime, and as an immortal she didn't expect to get another chance.
    
Diana was only aware of the passage of time because of movement she could hear in the corridor as the guards made their rounds.  Finally the door opened and Orana stood in it again, dressed once more like the Nazi she had so obviously become.
    
She signaled two rather dapper young men forward, and they moved quickly to remove Diana from the wall.  They weren't particularly careful and she dropped to the floor, scraping her knees and hitting her head.  She lay there dazed and could just make out Orana's words.
    
"Take the body and burn it.  I have taped his confession and it will be played at tonight's rally."
    
"What of her?"
    
"I have special plans for her, don't you worry.  She will never bother us again."
    
The men nodded and saluted, then retreated from the room to find something to get what remained of Steve Trevor down to the incinerator.  Orana lifted Diana up and tossed her over her shoulder, hearing the bones grind together.  She smiled grimly and moved out into a secret hallway, headed for her invisible plane.
     
It was a relatively short trip given the speed she was able to achieve and within a few hours, she was settling down on the beach.  Orana had taken care to remove all traces of her Nazi attire and had resumed her Wonder Woman costume.  She was greeted warmly by the Nation until Hippolyta got a look at her daughter.
    
"Diana?!  Orana, what happened?"  Hippolyta sighed and signaled for the healers to come forward, and Drea did so with tears in her eyes.  She had only held off because she hoped the queen would show more compassion, but she knew Hippolyta was still dreadfully upset with the princess for leaving. Apparently forgiveness was still a little ways off.
    
Orana shook her head.  "I found her this way, my queen.  I suspect the enemy was involved.  I believe Diana was in league with them and that trust was betrayed."  Truth, mostly even though it was Orana's own twisted version of the events that had occurred.
    
"Orana," the queen asked with a second look at her daughter's condition, flinching at the obvious damage that had been done.  "Can you stay a while?  Tell us of the world of men?"
    
The Amazon shook her head regretfully.  "I'm afraid not, my queen.  I risked a lot to come here and bring Diana home.  I've got to get back before I am missed and my cover gets blown.  There's a lot at stake."
    
Hippolyta pursed her lips and nodded.  "I understand.  Go back with my blessing then, and do the Nation proud.  We are most pleased to have you representing us in the world of men."
    
Orana accepted the compliment with a graceful nod of her head.  "Thank you, my queen," she said as she stepped back into the plane.  "I will do my best, and I will return home when I can."  Then she shut the door and taxied down the beach, disappearing into the horizon before Hippolyta turned her steps to the palace and her increasingly wayward daughter.
    
"Oh, Diana, my child... what have you done?  What have I done to you?"

Before Paula could finish reading, Hippolyta had risen from her chair and rushed into the bathing room.  The sounds of her retching could be plainly heard and as her own memories of that time flooded back, the clenching in her guts increased exponentially.  How cold... how heartless... the gods should damn me to Tartarus....

The cold floor was chilly against her clammy skin and it took her a moment to feel the warmth of Drea's hand stroking her back.  Hippolyta curled into her lover's body, greedily accepting the comfort she offered.

"Oh gods, Drea... how could I...?  How could I have been so cold and heartless?  How could I have treated my only child that way?  No wonder she hates me."

"You can't worry about your mistakes, Pol, except when looking for ways to make amends.  We can't change what happened then, but we can change how we act now."

"Oh Drea... I don't think Diana will let me make amends, not knowing what we know now.  Given my anger and callous behavior...."

"My queen, do you remember what you said to me just the other day?" Nubia cut in from the doorway.  "About letting go of the past and moving into the future with confidence and optimism?"

Hippolyta almost smiled.  "Different circumstances, Nubia, though I appreciate the sentiment."

Nubia shook her head and pushed off the wall, kneeling beside the queen and the healer.  "The circumstances don't change the truth of the words.  You and Diana are going to have to both face the past and overcome it at some point.  But for you to recover any sort of relationship with one another, you're going to have to let go of it and forgive yourselves and one another.  There's plenty of responsibility to go around, and we bear some as well.  But for healing to take place, we are going to have to move beyond the guilt."

Silence reigned for a few moments before Hippolyta looked up from her place on Drea's lap.  "When did you get so smart, Nubia?"

The dark advisor laughed.  "I've always been quite brilliant," Nubia replied snootily, but with a distinct twinkle in her eyes.  "It's nice to finally have it noticed," allowing a bright smile to cross her lips.

Hippolyta chuckled, feeling an irrational lightening of spirit accompany the action.  "You are incorrigible, my friend," the queen commended.  Drea gave her a grateful smile Hippolyta could not see.  Nubia just looked inordinately pleased with herself.

"Thank you, my queen," Nubia replied with a sardonic grin.  "With your recognition of that little facet of my personality, I have finally achieved my lifelong goal.  Now what am I going to do with myself?"

Hippolyta extended a hand.  "Help me get up off this cold floor," she answered regally.

Nubia stood and accepted the hand, then Drea gently eased Hippolyta into a sitting position so she and Nubia could help the queen back to her feet.  Once she was safely standing, Nubia went back into the council room and left the two partners alone.  Drea turned and gently bathed Hippolyta's face, then offered her some water to rinse her mouth out and some mint to settle her stomach.

"Come.  Let's go back into chambers and see what else Paula has for us."  Drea simply nodded her agreement and took Hippolyta's arm in her own so they could walk together.

"My apologies for the delay, ladies," Hippolyta said as they crossed back into the room.  She was still pale and shaky, but now she felt an urgency to finish their meeting and get back to her daughter.  "Paula, please... continue."

The scientist nodded solemnly.  “The next bit is about Chase and it is much more thorough as we were able to access both her diary and rather complete Nazi records.  They didn't feel the need to erase her as I suspect they never thought she would ever be brought to our attention like she has.  I will warn you that this is very similar to what you have already heard.  Time has not made Orana a kinder, gentler dictator."

She picked up her pad and opened her mouth to resume reading when a member of the Royal Guard rushed into the room.

"My queen," the young woman said, bowing.  Hippolyta gestured for her to continue.  "Forgive the intrusion, but the young woman Chase has disappeared."

Drea shook her head.  "No she hasn't, Erilani.  She is down on the beach outside the hospice.  I took her out for a bit of sun and was called back to attend the princess.  She should still be there."

Erilani's blonde head shook rapidly.  "That's just it, Drea.  She's not.  And one of the boats has gone missing."

Before anyone could move, Rina rushed into the room.  "My queen... It's Diana.  We have a problem."


Chapter XV

It was quite the procession that made its way towards the hospice – the queen, Drea, Mala, Nubia, Paula, Rina and the guard Erilani.  When they reached Diana's room, Erilani stopped and took up a post beside the door while the rest seemed intent on getting into the princess' room.  Drea halted the procession before they could cross the threshold. 

"I want everyone except for Rina to wait here until I have an idea of what's going on."  She turned to Hippolyta and spoke for her ears only.  "I'm sorry, Pol... I need to know what is going on first."

Hippolyta smiled and cupped Drea's cheek gently.  "I know I haven't acted like it in a very long time, Beloved, but she is your daughter too, and you have only ever had her best interests at heart.  You go do what you need to do, and I will see what I can do about finding our friend Chase.  There is still much to this puzzle we need to understand if we are to act."

Drea took Hippolyta's hand in hers and kissed it, then turned and motioned Rina into the room with her.  The rest looked to Hippolyta for direction.  She cleared her throat.

"Erilani?"  The Guard moved from her post and knelt in front of the queen.  Hippolyta smiled and motioned the woman to her feet.  "Rise, Erilani and tell me what you know of our young guest's departure."

The room was dark when Drea and Rina crossed the threshold.  Only Diana's pale eyes reflected glints of the moonlight that streamed in through the open window.

"Diana?"  Drea spoke quietly.  She was at a loss to understand what the problem was immediately.  It appeared as though she had recovered consciousness, and at first glance there didn't seem to be any sort of medical issue.  The healer turned towards Rina with a look of confusion.

"She's not responding, Drea.  She didn't even react to my turning the lights on or off.  I wasn't sure what to make of it... especially when she started mumbling."

"What did she say?" Drea asked as she turned the lights up to half-power.  Diana blinked and turned her eyes towards Drea, carefully watching her each and every move but otherwise initiating no contact, verbal or tactile.

"'Not even in death'... just kept repeating it over and over.  What was even stranger...."

"Yes?" when the silence continued too long.

"Well, I'm not sure, but I think she expected to find Hippolyta beside her when she woke.  She grabbed at me, then pushed me away when she saw who I was, and there was anger and disappointment in her face.  Then she kind of just went internal and started muttering."

Drea nodded.  "I want you to stay in the room for now but remain out of sight.  I'm going to try to get through to her."

Rina gave her a concerned look then agreed and moved over to the small enclosure where they kept supplies and medicines for the room.  Drea waited until she was hidden from view before approaching the bed.  Diana's eyes tracked her progress and held the healer's eyes when Drea got close.  She motioned to the bed.

"May I sit down?"

Diana waited a beat before nodding briskly.  Drea took a seat and treated Diana to a long perusal.  Then she reached up and brushed the hair away from Diana's forehead, gratified beyond measure when the princess did not flinch away from her touch.  She took a chance and let her hand cover one of Diana's and looked her squarely in the eye.

"You had us terribly worried, especially your mother and me.  Are you all right?"  The shields went up in the blue eyes at the mention of Hippolyta, and Drea could have cried at the loss she felt at the action.  The healer moved her hand to cup Diana's cheek.  "Talk to me, Baby Girl."

She caught the flash before it disappeared behind the shuttered expression, and it gave Drea hope.  Then Diana spoke in a bare whisper.  "Where is she?"

"Where is who, Diana?  Your mother?  I asked her to wa...." stopping when the dark head shook.

"Where is she?" came the repeated whisper and Drea gazed back at the princess confused. 

"Where is who, Sweet Girl?  I don't know who you mean."

Surprisingly blue eyes filled with tears and rolled silently down Diana's cheeks.  She turned her head away to keep Drea from seeing them, but it didn't work.  Drea knew better than to make a big deal of it however and continued to speak.

"Let me check you over very carefully, and if everything is in order, maybe we can get you back to your rooms tonight.  I think you'll be more comfortable there and then maybe we can figure things out.  All right?"

Diana nodded and tried to surreptitiously wipe her eyes, but Drea managed to give the illusion of completely ignoring them.  That was something of a feat as she hadn't seen Diana cry in far longer than she cared to think about.  Knowing at least part of what had happened to Diana when she was in the world of men made her heart ache... especially when there was a good possibility that what they didn't know about was much worse.  And Drea remembered all too well the terrible shape the princess had been in when she had been returned to them by Orana all those years ago.

Satisfied that whatever physical damage had been done to Diana had passed, Drea brought her a cup of cool water.  Diana accepted the cup with alacrity and drained it, nodding her thanks as she handed it back.  Then she sat up and swung her long legs over the side of the bed and stood.

Drea stood beside her, in case Diana needed help, but the princess adopted her most stoic mask and stood upright with seemingly little effort.  From looking at her, it was impossible to tell just how off-balance she felt... physically and emotionally.  Then they crossed the threshold and were immediately surrounded by bodies, not the least of which was Hippolyta's.  Drea felt Diana stiffen and wondered how long it would be before the explosion came.

Hippolyta reached up a hand and Diana instinctively moved back away from the touch.  When she turned blue eyes towards her mother, they were full of disdain, but Hippolyta also saw the pain lurking in the back of those eyes for the first time and she sucked in a breath at the anguish that was hidden there.  Knowing what she now did about what had happened to her daughter and suspecting even worse, Hippolyta wondered what she could do to regain Diana's trust.

She let her hand fall limply to her side, but she still addressed Diana directly when she spoke.  "How are you, Diana?" asked softly without the stridence that had so long been part of their conversation.  "You've had us all terribly worried.  I'm glad I can let the Nation know you are well on your way to recovery."

The words and the tone confused Diana, and it showed in the briefest flicker across her face.  Then she turned and immediately headed across the hall to the room that Chase had been in since her arrival on the island.  She noted its emptiness instantly and looked back at Drea again.

"Where is she?" in a hoarse whisper.

Drea looked around and shook her head.  "I don't kn...."

"We think she left, Diana," Hippolyta responded.  Diana sank to the bed at the words as her knees refused to hold her up any longer.  She picked up Chase's pillow and hugged it to her, closing her mind to all outside distractions.  It wasn't supposed to be like this, her soul cried.  This wasn't supposed to happen.  I know I was right this time.  I felt it.

Hippolyta looked at Drea in alarm.  This was totally unlike her daughter... even the daughter Diana had been before her disastrous foray into the world of men.  Not once in twenty-six centuries had the princess even shown the slightest attachment to anyone except Steve Trevor and even he hadn't solicited the gut-wrenching reaction Diana was showing about Chase.

Drea put her hand lightly on Diana's back and the princess stiffened before finally turning her head and looking back towards the healer.  "Come, Princess.  Let's get you settled in your rooms and then perhaps we can pool our knowledge together and get the whole story."

Diana gazed at her a moment longer before nodding silently and allowing Drea to help her to her feet.  She kept the pillow clutched in her hand, and no one made an effort to remove it.  Then she shuffled unaided out the door and headed to her own rooms, anxious to collapse in private.

Nubia turned to the queen before she could follow and they watched her out of sight.  "Paula and I will go back to the lab and see what else we can find in regards to Chase.  We will gather as much information as we can for the princess."

Hippolyta nodded absently.  "Thank you both.  I think... well, I appreciate it; that's all."

Nubia accepted the queen's words with a slight bow, then took Paula's arm and together they went out of the hospice area.  Hippolyta turned back to the remaining women. 

"Rina, you and Erilani are dismissed.  Thank you both for your help.  Please do not discuss what has happened here tonight with anyone.  The princess is in a very bad place right now, and I would count it as a personal favor if each you would respect that."

Erilani knelt and saluted with an arm across her chest.  "By your will, my queen."

Rina nodded and gave a bow.  "Yes, your majesty."

Hippolyta smiled.  "Thank you both," watching as the two headed out of the hospice, then she glanced back at the priestess who waited patiently with Drea.  "Come, let us go and see what we can do for my daughter," moving out confidently and expecting them to follow her.  Somewhere, the queen had finally found her resolve and it was wonderful to see her moving towards Diana with such determination and focus.  Drea and Mala exchanged glances, then rapidly followed in Hippolyta's footsteps.

************

Diana entered her room and was immediately assaulted by the scent of the things Mala had left earlier in the day.  They in turn brought a flash of unpleasant memories and coupled with the dreams she remembered, left Diana drained and shaken.  She pulled the mask off the wall, dropping it carelessly to the floor.  Then she did the same with the other artifacts, leaving them where they fell.  The scrolls, however... the scrolls she pulled carefully from the shelves and stacked neatly in the box Mala had brought them in.  Only one did she keep – one that had been copied specifically for her when years of her rereading it had caused the original to show tattered wear.

The knock at the door startled her as she couldn't remember the last time she'd been afforded the courtesy of privacy.  Well, she could, but it was always followed by feelings of anger.  She wasn't surprised when the knock was immediately followed by Drea's head.

"May we come in?"

Diana shrugged, not caring.  She had no plans to stay out here and entertain them, and it was possible they might be able to answer some of her questions.

Drea entered, followed by Hippolyta with Mala bringing up the rear.  Hippolyta eyes flared with anger when she saw the disrespect accorded the artifacts Mala had brought with such care to Diana's room earlier in the day.  Then she released it, knowing there was more behind Diana's feelings of anger than mere spite towards her mother.  Mala ignored them and walked to stand directly in front of the princess.

"How are you, Diana?" though a look in the anguished blue eyes gave a more accurate answer than would ever pass Diana's lips.  So Mala and everyone else in the room was shocked when she spoke.

"I hurt."

"I'm sorry, Diana."  The words came from an unexpected quarter and three heads swiveled towards the queen.  She moved to her daughter and eased Mala aside.  "I am so, so very sorry.  This is all my fault, and I'm going to do everything I can to make things right for you again."

The pain changed to anger and the blue eyes burned fire.  "You did this?  You hate me so much?" in a whisper that slashed Hippolyta's heart to ribbons.  "First you disgrace me before the Nation and then you destroy any chance for happiness I have?"

The three older women realized at that moment that Diana still had no conscious memory of the events they had so recently learned of. 

"No, Diana, no!  I had nothing to do with Chase leaving.  I hadn't even gotten a chance to talk with her yet when we discovered she was gone."  Hippolyta reached up a hand to cup Diana's face, but her daughter stepped back out of her reach.  Her hand dropped.  "I know you don't believe this, Diana... I don't expect you to after all this time, but I am going to do whatever it takes to fix this... all of this.  You deserve better."

Diana sneered and turned to Drea.  "Drea, where is she?"

It was Mala who answered.  "We don't know, Diana.  When the guard went out to recover her from the beach and bring her back into the hospice, they couldn't find her.  A further search revealed that your sailboat was missing.  It is believed she felt the need to go home and did so without our help."

"Why?" came the bewildered cry.

"Why does she mean so much to you, Princess?" Mala cut in. 

Blue eyes shuttered and she clutched the pillow she still held closer to her body, absently inhaling its scent.  "I am going to go find her, and you're not going to stop me," pointing her finger and her words specifically at her mother and ignoring Mala's question.

"No, Diana, I won't... not this time.  But I would like to help you if you would let me."  Hippolyta held up a hand when Diana turned disdainful, disbelieving eyes in her direction.  "I know you don't believe me – I don't expect you to trust me anytime soon if ever again.  But I’m going to apologize every day if that's what it takes to show you my sincerity, and in the meantime, I’ll do all that I can to help you.  Paula and Nubia are working to find out all they can about Annabelle Chaser... personal data, location... things that should help your search immensely.  Give them a little time, Diana, please; especially if it means you will wait until daylight before you leave."

Diana didn't answer but crossed into her bedroom still clutching Chase's pillow and the single scroll she had removed from the multitude.  They caught a glimpse of the bewilderment on her face when she turned and shut the door and then there was silence.

Hippolyta walked into Drea's arms and broke into tears.  "She spoke to me, Drea.  For the first time in a hundred years, even though she still hates me, she spoke directly to me.  That is the most wonderful, awful feeling I have ever experienced."

Mala had moved quietly over to the artifacts to begin packing them away with great care.  "We have a slight problem, Hippolyta," addressing the queen as the old friend she was.  "Diana still has no conscious recollection of what happened to her once she left here.  Do we want to let her regain those memories on her own or do we want to help her?  She is going to need to know when she returns to the world of men."

Drea put Hippolyta away from her slightly and nudged her in Mala's direction.  "Why don't you help Mala pack those things away?  I want to go check on Diana, and I think she will probably respond better to me alone."

Hippolyta nodded.  It was her belief as well, badly as it hurt her to admit it.  "Take whatever time you need with her, Beloved.  I may have been a royal screw-up as far as she is concerned, but all I have ever wanted is to protect her.  Maybe you will have better luck conveying that to her.  We’ll wait here for as long as it takes."

Drea nodded and knocked on the door, hesitating before she entered.  Then she closed it with a chilling finality and Hippolyta shivered.

"Come, my queen.  Help me put this away and then we will sit and talk.  Perhaps with a bit of luck, Paula and Nubia will have information for us soon.  Besides I am curious to know what Chase's diary said about her experience with Orana.  Given what we now know about Diana's experience, I cannot blame her for wanting to get as far away from the Amazons as possible."  And they fell to work with a will.

************

It was pitch dark in Diana's room when Drea went in and she offered up a prayer that nothing had been changed so she didn't trip and make a fool of herself.  Slowly she eased in the direction she remembered the bed to be in and was gratified to bump into it.  Drea sat down carefully.

"Diana?"  Drea reached out a hand and came into contact with a smooth, strong back that flinched at her touch.  She kept it there anyway and gently stroked the skin, hoping Diana would relax.  Eventually Drea spoke again into the darkness.  "Diana, we've always been friends from the time you were given to your mother; many times you shared with me when you couldn't share with her.  Can't I help you now?  I know you hurt, but I don't understand why.  I don't understand what Chase means to you."

For so long there was silence that Drea had given up hope of a response, though she continued the keep her hand on Diana's back.  Then she felt the princess take a deep breath and she strained her ears to hear the whispered words.

"I hurt, Drea.  My soul hurts.  She called to... she...."

Oh my daughter... what she has done for you.  I never again thought to hear such openness from you especially about anything so personal, Drea thought to herself.  Aloud she said softly, "Diana do you remember when you were a child and we used to read the old scrolls together?" thinking of the scroll she had seen Diana gripping.  "And always... always... you wanted the story of the soulmates?  Do you think perhaps... is it possible Chase might... be that... for you?"

"No," rasped out harshly.  "I thought I had discovered that once.  I won't... I can't.  Not again."

"Then why are you so adamant about finding her?  Not that I disagree – I am quite concerned for her myself, knowing she is out there alone and blind.  But, Diana, you remember the legend.  It wasn't a choice.  And those legends aren't myth, Di.  The queen who wrote those stories was one half of the soulmates she wrote about.  They were real flesh-and-blood people."

"No, Drea.  No... I...."  She broke off unable to finish, knowing in her heart and soul that what Drea said was true.  Regardless of the consequences and despite what had happened to her before, she was going to have to confront the fear and the possibilities head on.  And hope that this time she was not misled.  Given the intensity of her nightmares, she wasn't sure she could survive a second trial by fire if she guessed wrong.


Chapter XVI

"Diana, what do you remember of that time?" knowing Diana would understand exactly when she was referring to.  She felt the princess turn over and look at her in the darkness and pressed on.  "Please Diana... it's important.  I wouldn't ask otherwise."

Drea felt the shiver pass through Diana's body and she waited patiently, knowing it had to come voluntarily, and recognizing just how difficult it was for Diana to share any of that, even the bits that were common knowledge among the Nation.  The humiliation had been overwhelming for Diana's proud spirit even without the agony that had followed.  Finally though....

"I remember Mother forbidding me to compete in the games because she felt I coveted Steve Trevor for my own.  I didn't, Drea.  He spoke to me, or his soul did... like hers did – only hers was much stronger than his ever was," she added contemplatively referring to Chase.  "But it was comfortable and familiar and something I had been looking for since I first heard those stories, though I knew it wasn't the completion of myself I'd hoped for.  But it was enough that I wanted to be with him to try to understand it; to perhaps find out if it was related to him in some way."

Drea held her breath.  Never in her wildest dreams had she expected such revelations.  Even before, Diana had been hesitant to share such personal information, but it seemed with everything coming to a head, it had to bubble over and spew forth.  Drea was devoutly thankful that she was the one privileged enough to hear it.

"She humiliated me at the games when I competed anonymously and won; deliberately humiliated me and stripped me of my rank and privilege.  Then she banished me to the summer palace under guard, but not before making me walk the gauntlet and ensuring that every single Amazon took a shot at me.  I have never felt agony like I lived through then."

Drea's mouth dropped.  This was bad... far worse than she'd expected.  "Every one?" she muttered through stiff lips.

"All but you and Mala.  You cared for me." 

"When did you return here?"

"I did a year of intense labor there, rebuilding the wall alone before I was permitted to return.  But I've remained a prisoner here."  Her whispered voice took on a fierceness.  "I won't do it anymore, Drea.  I hate it here.  I'm not going to stay... not now... now that I've found a reason to leave."

"Diana, what if I told you that most of your memories are wrong?  That they have been tampered with?"

"Nice try, Drea.  That sort of betrayal you don't forget."  Diana turned back to the wall. 

"Diana, I can prove it if you'll let me."  Diana didn't move or acknowledge Drea's words, and the healer sighed in defeat.  "Sweetheart, I know you're angry; you've been angry a very long time, and I really don't blame you.  Your mother does bear a large burden of guilt in what happened and she knows it even though she thought she was acting with your best interests in mind."  Diana snorted and Drea patted her back.  "I really do believe she was, regardless of the poor judgment she used in trying to achieve that.  But, Diana - what you believe happened... what you think you remember is not the whole truth.  I know the truth and so does Mala, and when you're ready to face what really happened to you, we'll be right here to show you."

Silence was her only answer and Drea sighed, then leaned forward and kissed Diana's forehead.  "I love you, Baby Girl.  I always have.  Thank you for letting me back in again."  Diana didn't respond, but for the first time in a long time the silence didn't disturb Drea.  She finally had an understanding of Diana that gave her unlooked for answers, and she knew what they would need to do to begin repairing the damage that Hippolyta had started and Orana had completed.

************

Drea leaned up against the door as she pulled it closed behind her and reaction set in.  Hippolyta and Mala both looked at her but remained silent as Drea collected her obviously scattered composure.   Hippolyta noted the shakiness of her hand and the paleness of her complexion and moved to guide Drea to a seat while Mala went to get her a cup of something tall and cool.

"Wait," Drea called out to the priestess as she realized their intentions.  "Let's go to our quarters.  We will be uninterrupted there and Diana deserves whatever privacy we can afford her.  Oh, gods."  Drea covered her hands with her eyes and breathed deeply.  Hippolyta wrapped a supporting hand around her waist and Mala came up to reinforce the other side.  They looked at each other over Drea's head wondering what could have caused such an intense reaction.

They went down the hall to their rooms and Drea dropped heavily onto the couch.  Hippolyta sat down beside her and gently rubbed her back while Mala moved behind the bar and poured Drea a glass of wine.  "Better bring one for each of us and the bottle as well," Drea warned.  "It's not pretty."

"Worse than we expected."

"Worse than you can imagine."

"Should we call Nubia and Paula to hear this at least?  I don't think we need involve the entire council at this point but they...."

"No," Drea answered.  "Perhaps later, but this... for now this information is for family only."

Slowly Drea gave a recounting of what had transpired when she entered Diana's room because she wanted to include her thoughts and impressions of things as they happened.  When she got to the point of sharing Diana's recollections of that time though, she told it straight through with no deviations from the actual events.  Hippolyta's breath caught and she clasped a hand over her mouth to keep from emitting any sound.  Mala grabbed her free hand and held on tightly as though to help bear some of the burden.

They remained steadfastly silent while Drea finished her retelling, including her rather harsh judgment of Hippolyta's involvement.  Fortunately that information was known to the queen as she and her consort had discussed it several times in recent days and it was nothing she herself did not believe as truth.  But Diana's remembrances of what had happened to her were simply horrific, and they brought tears streaming down Hippolyta's face.

"My gods, no wonder she hates me.  I'd hate me too... worse than I already do.  I hadn't realized until... gods, I was so wrong... so very unfair to her." Drea covered Hippolyta's hand and rubbed her thumb across the soft skin in a gesture of comfort.

"You are working to fix that.  The big question though is whether or not she will let us help her uncover the real truth.  And whether or not she can survive without the knowledge if she chooses to leave us believing the lie," Mala said.  "Because you know when she goes back into the world of men, she's going to remember eventually.  And she will go looking for Orana when she does."

"She will survive regardless of what she chooses," Hippolyta replied through her tears.  "Because she is a survivor – she's shown us that."

Drea nodded.  "There is still something I don’t understand, and that is why she gave up.  Why did she stay here hating it like she does?  It doesn't make sense, not if we put that knowledge up against the intense woman and the fierce warrior she was before she left here."  She paused and finished her wine, filling her glass before she continued speaking.  "You both remember how defeat used to spur her to greater accomplishments.  So why not this time?  What happened to fundamentally change the woman we knew and respected and loved?  We are missing an important piece of the puzzle."

"Perhaps the information Paula has on Chase will help.  Or perhaps they will dig up something new," Mala commented as she rubbed her eyes.  She swallowed her wine and leaned back in her chair.  "We knew that Chase was going to be important to Diana, but it would have been nice to have been clued in a little better as to just how tied together they already are."  She turned to Drea.  "Did Chase give you any indication she was going to just up and leave like that?"

Drea shook her head.  "No.  I knew she didn't trust me yet, though she really wanted to.  I have to wonder... I told you her reaction to thinking I was an Amazon.  I would be willing to wager that she somehow survived an encounter with Orana and that she found out that we are Amazons.  It's the only thing I can think of that makes any sense at all."  She turned to the queen.  "Are you all right, Pol?  I'm sorry about what I said, but...."

"No, Drea.  It was the truth on all levels, and I'm not all right, but I will be.  At least now I know what I have to work against and if it takes a hundred years times a hundred more, I will make my daughter... our daughter understand the truth.  All of it – my mistakes as well as hers."

She wiped her eyes and rose, then excused herself to wash her face.  When she returned, Hippolyta looked much more relaxed and composed.  "Let's call Nubia and Paula in here.  I’m anxious to hear about what Chase experienced.  I’m more than a little curious to know whether Drea guessed right about her possible reasons for leaving us.  It’s possible that if she had a run-in with Orana and obviously lived to tell about it, she may be the key to not only defeating her but to laying Diana's ghosts to rest as well."

"Your majesty, it's late.  Perhaps we should pick this up early in the morning.  The last few days have been exhausting and the next few promise to be just as harrowing if there are more revelations like we received this afternoon.  We need to rest if we are to get through it and help Diana through it as well.  Sheer grit is not going to make it an easier proposition for any of us."

Hippolyta shook her head.  "I know you are right, my friend, but I feel a sense of urgency driving me as though we only have a very little time left before everything changes.  Let us hear the rest now.  Once we have done all we can, then we can stop to sleep."

Mala couldn't argue with the logic – she herself felt the stress of the situation... a pounding insistence to resolve things that were unraveling quickly.  "As you wish, my queen.  Let me send a guard to the lab to fetch them and another to the kitchen for something to eat.  This could take a while and we have to eat regardless of how we feel."

It didn't take long – Nubia and Paula arrived from down one corridor as the guard and another woman made their way from the kitchen with laden trays.  Hippolyta assumed the role of hostess, pouring drinks and ensuring everyone was served before they took comfortable seats in the living area, forgoing the stiff chairs and formal table of the meeting room.  The time for formalities was over; this was a time for both thought and action.

Hippolyta took a look at both Paula and Nubia whose appearance was as ragged as she felt.  She ran a hand through her hair, mussing the usually neat coiffure.  "My apologies, ladies.  I know you have been working overtime since Chase's arrival.  But I feel we need to hurry.  Diana is going to leave as early as tomorrow, and I'd like to know what she’s going into.  I'd like her to have an idea of what she is going into if we can manage it."

"Tomorrow, my queen?"

"Yes, Paula.  I don't know that she will go so quickly, but it is a possibility and we need to be prepared for that."

"Well we have a couple of searches going on about the rebellion in general and one on Chase and her sect particularly.  We should have something useful by morning but not before then."

"Thank you, Paula.  I know you have been working almost non-stop."

"Yes, but the historians are going to have a field day with all the information we have pulled down.  Just glancing through it for things we could use has been fascinating.  But we can discuss that later," Paula added.  "You wanted to hear about what happened to Chase, correct?  Did you want her whole history or just her encounter with Orana?"

"Do her early experiences have any bearing on what happened with Orana directly, I mean?  If not, I think we can wait on it.  We'll need to know to give us a better understanding of her, but the most important piece right now is her meeting with Orana."

Paula nodded her acceptance of Drea’s words and turned to her pad.  "This happened several years ago when Chase was still a teenager, and it is one of the key events that allowed her to become the leader of the rebellion."

"I have a question," Mala cut in.  "Is she a leader of the rebellion or the leader of the rebellion?"

"From what we have been able to ascertain from the records, she is now THE leader of the rebellion.  She didn't start it and she's not particularly thrilled with being given the role, but this experience - her survival of her encounter with Orana - put her in a position to unite the many different individual factions into a single cohesive unit.  She possesses the charm and a gift for words that make people want to follow her."  Nubia paused to take a swallow of her water before continuing.  "She will be the one we have to convince to let the Amazons help dispose of Orana.  But that is something we can worry about later.  We have enough on our plates to worry about right now."

"Agreed," Hippolyta said.  "One thing at a time.  Please, Paula... continue."

"Yes, my queen."  The scientist turned her attention back to her pad, consulting her notes.  "It appears that when she lost her mother, Chase became quite reckless, accepting riskier assignments and taking dangerous gambles that garnered her spectacular results but came close to getting her killed more than once.  It was almost as though she wanted to die, but when brought face to face with that very real possibility...."

The assignment had been simple enough.  Word was that the Nazis were developing a new serum to use against the rebels. It would allow them to extract information while eating away at the insides of the human it was being used on.  So far, it worked far too well as it was eating the rebels alive before any useful information could be obtained.  So their effort was now concentrated on slowing its effects down, and as an added bonus it appeared that the slower it worked, the more excruciating the pain the rebel would have to endure.
    
The thought had been terrifying and it had turned Chase's stomach when she'd heard what they were doing.  She'd known what they'd done to her mother had been horrific, but she had believed... had hoped that the Nazis had reached the depth of their villainy.  But this news.... 
    
The hierarchy had been almost relieved when Chase volunteered.  She was the best that they had.  She had survived several trips behind enemy lines and had always retrieved what they needed and usually more valuable information besides.  They felt confident that she could succeed if anyone could.  All she had to do was sneak into the Reichstag and steal the formula.  Then the rebel scientists could begin working on a cure.
    
Getting in had been absurdly easy... child's play for Chase who had accomplished it successfully several times before.  Unfortunately for Chase, one of the test subjects for the serum had been their inside informant, and the Nazis had a welcoming reception waiting for her when she crossed the threshold.
    
The men of the party wanted to inject her immediately, thinking to destroy a formidable foe.  But Orana recognized Chase as an opportunity and ordered her removed to the torture chamber.  The men grumbled but obeyed, knowing at some point they would be allowed their fun as well.
    
She was stripped and bound to the wall, much in the manner Diana had been nearly a century before.  The room smelled of fear and old blood, and Chase concentrated her considerable intellect on finding a way out before the she-devil could inject her with the serum.
    
How long she hung there, Chase had no real way of knowing, but her arms were screaming in protest at their mistreatment long before Orana stepped into the room.  It was almost a relief to see her.  At least now she could try to create her own opportunity to escape.
    
Orana surveyed Chase for a long moment, lust lingering in her eyes before it was masked by hatred and disgust.  "Did you really think you could outsmart me, you worthless little rebel?  You... a mere child against the greatest mind the world has ever seen? Against the ultimate Amazon?"  She stepped closer, running her whip handle against the smooth skin and frowning when there was no reaction.  Chase had already put her mind on another conscious plane and though she was marginally aware of Orana's actions, she was focused on looking for a way out.
    
Unexpectedly the whip lashed out and Chase flinched more in surprise than in pain.  She hadn't expected the physical punishment to begin so soon.  All their intel had suggested that this particular Nazi, known in rebel circles as the Black Widow, got off on psychological torture as well as physical and usually took quite some time to intimidate her victims before beginning the physical abuse.
    
Orana watched Chase with eager eyes.  It had been far too long since she'd had a challenge like this one, and she relished the sport that was to come.  She decided from the young woman's lack of reaction that she needed to approach her differently and went right into a flurry of physical punishment.
    
She felt the ribs crack under her blows and smiled in satisfaction when Chase emitted a cry of pain.  Slaps to her face; a punch to her nose and lips; and then she took the cat and began marking her thighs and chest, savoring the blood that flowed freely and the whimpers Chase couldn't manage to stifle as the pain burned white hot.
    
Orana wanted to continue, but she saw Chase was fading into unconsciousness so she pulled back.  "Now that I have your undivided attention," she purred in evident satisfaction.  "I'm going to leave you here for a while to think about my question.  It would be to your advantage to have an answer ready for me when I return.  I still have all that lovely skin on your back to play with, and I haven't broken any bones yet."  She grinned.  "Well, maybe a couple.  But there are plenty more to choose from before I’m close to the two hundred mark.  And just imagine, when I've done all that and you think it can't be any worse, I'm going to inject you with my latest creation.  Then I'm going to sit here and listen to you spill your guts while the poison eats you alive from the inside out."  She grinned again and Chase couldn't help noticing that her eyes were completely mad.  "Sounds like a fun afternoon and evening, don't you think?"
    
She left with a final punch to Chase's mid-section.  Then she laughed and the sound sent chills skittering over Chase's spine adding to the ache throughout her body.

"How did we miss this?"  Hippolyta asked.  "How did we all miss the fact that Orana was so evil?"

"It was easy, my queen.  She never had the opportunity for power here that she achieved in the world of men.  She is apparently the ultimate power there, and it corrupted her absolutely.  Besides, I sense Ares' fine hand back of this somewhere.  What could be better for him than a never ending war led by an Amazon warrior?"

"Perhaps," Drea agreed, "but the basis for that evil had to have been in place before she left.  Which means we still had to have missed some pretty big clues."

"Not necessarily," Mala objected.  "It is highly likely that she would never have uncovered and utilized those traits had she not left here.  I believe she was jealous of Diana for a very long time, but not once did she act with dishonor until she got into a place where that was acceptable behavior.  You all remember the issues the Nation faced amongst ourselves when we lived in the world of men.  We were as susceptible to corruption as they though we were never as cruel."

"Well, Orana has certainly managed to dispel the cruelty theory.  The things she has done go beyond anything man ever did to us, and gods know it wasn't an easy life for any of us before Paradise Island."

"If it makes any of you feel better, Chase does get some of her own back.  I think we should finish her story."

"Paula's right," Nubia said.  "It doesn't make Orana go away or look any better, but it makes for really good reading.  My respect for Chase jumped greatly, and I already thought highly of her after she managed to get the princess talking again," not mentioning the questions and concerns she'd originally held in regards to the young woman's presence on their island.  The rest accepted Nubia at her word and turned their attention back to Paula's research.

Part 3