Chapter XVII

How long Chase hung there she couldn’t possibly have said, but she let her mind float, separating itself from the pain.  She'd deal with it later, but her priority now was to escape; and the damage Orana had already done was going to make that a difficult proposition at best.  The only thing she had going for her at the moment was the one guard she knew was a double agent.  If there was a God, Jorge would come to check on her before the Widow came back and could give her the advantage she needed.  She had the inklings of a plan, but she needed a little luck – and the last few hours had managed to successfully dispel Chase's belief in her luck.
    
After a bit, the door opened and Chase forced her head up expecting to see Orana's evil reflected back at her.  She went limp with relief when she came face to face with Jorge.  The man looked back at his partner, instructing him to watch the door while he checked the prisoner.  The younger man looked as though he wanted to argue, but they had been instructed to ensure she was still alive and secure, and Jorge was senior to him.  So he took his post while Jorge entered the room, leaving the door open to avert suspicion from the gutsy move he was undertaking.
    
He checked Chase's ankle restraints first, sliding his hands up her body as was expected while looking at her with eyes full of apology.  She offered him forgiveness with a slow nod that continued her ruse of unconsciousness.  Jorge tested one wrist, then the other, pressing something cool and metallic into the second that nearly caused Chase to start.  Only her practice in self-control kept her from squirming with joy.  Finally she had a way out.
    
"Jorge, let's go.  You know the Fuehrer is anxious to get back in here, and I don't want to be here when she does.
     "
Afraid, Max?"
    
The younger man nodded furiously.  "Yes.  There is just something about the Fuehrer...."  Jorge held up a hand to stop his words.
    
"Careful, Max.  You don't want to show disrespect," closing the door on their conversation. 
    
Again time passed as an unknown quantity, and this time Chase got what, or rather *who* she expected to get.  Orana strutted in and grinned evilly at the still-unconscious looking rebel.  She clucked to herself.  "I expected more stamina from you, Annabelle," not getting the looked-for reaction to the use of Chase's first name.  "Hmm... I may have to alter my plans for you.  I need whatever information you've got, and if you're not even conscious, where's the fun in torturing you?"
    
"I've been working on improving my drug, and I'm going to test a new theory on you.  You see," Orana continued conversationally as she loosened the restraints around Chase's ankles, "I think if I use this in very tiny, very measured amounts, I can make you live a very long time.  It will be excruciating for you, of course, but sacrifices have to be made in the name of scientific research."
    
Chase hung limply, keeping her breathing even and her body completely relaxed.  She was only going to get one shot at this because she figured Orana was smart enough not to be this overconfident twice.  The ex-Amazon set the syringe on the table behind her and released one arm and then the other, laughing cruelly when Chase hit the floor with a dull thud.
    
"I wasn't considered brilliant enough to be a research scientist when I was an Amazon.  Shame that.  I am beyond brilliant in this world, but somehow I don't think Hippolyta would appreciate me anyway."
    
For her part, Chase lay there and allowed the blood to flow back into her arms with painful prickles.  She didn't flinch when Orana jerked her up and onto her shoulders, though the motion did make her grunt in pain.  Orana smiled. 
    
"Well... maybe I will get a little more enjoyment out of you after all," she commented darkly as she dropped Chase onto the table.
    
Faster than seemed possible, Chase forced her body to respond and grasped the syringe.  Then she jammed it into Orana's thigh and released its vile contents in one bold push.  Orana screamed in outrage and agony as the poison began to make its way through her system swiftly.  She reached for Chase only to have her leg collapse out from under her, hitting her head on the corner of the table on her way down.
    
Chase waited a long moment, gathering both wits and strength before sitting up carefully, mindful of her painfully broken ribs.  She looked at the unconscious woman at her feet distastefully, then gritted her teeth and set herself to lift the larger woman up onto the table.  The scream she emitted could be heard down in the barracks and caused smiles to ripple across the faces of several SS members, though for different reasons than they suspected.
    
Chase stripped Orana of trousers and shirt, wishing she had something to wrap around her ribs.  She shackled the Nazi woman to the table, not willing to take the chance that Orana had and allow the woman to get the jump on her even though Chase believed she was dying.
    
She opened the door slowly, expecting to see at least one guard, then shaking her head in disbelieving thankfulness at Orana's overwhelming cockiness.  The woman had been so sure of her superiority that not only had she not wanted anyone to help her in the chamber, but she hadn't even bothered with a guard outside the room just in case there was a problem.
    
Chase had long learned not to look a gift horse in the mouth and eased out the door with one last look at the woman the Nazis had called Fuehrer.  With any kind of luck this was the end of her and the regime would crumble. 
    
She walked quickly and silently down the hallway, hoping to find a way out before anyone came looking for her.  She was trying to remember the schematics she had memorized adapting for the area she had come from, hunting for the laboratory that had been her original destination. 
    
It wasn't hard once she figured out exactly where she was and Chase dispensed with the lone guard by jamming the key Jorge had slipped her into his eye, taking his machine gun and side arm before she unlocked the door with the set of keys she had taken with Orana's clothes.
    
Her search was easy – there was no real security, and Hans had been very specific in what she had to look for.  Her German was exceptional thanks to Hans' tutoring and she found not only the poison, but several other questionable experiments as well.
    
Chase stuffed the files into her shirt, then looked around for a way to destroy what was left.  She moved away from the files and smiled when she walked into the working lab.  It was almost too easy, and with a little more luck she'd be able to take some of them out as well.
    
The fire was burning well when she casually hobbled out and slipped down the hall unnoticed.

"It goes on from there," Paula said, "and gives an account of how she got out and back to the rebellion.  But it boils down to the fact that Chase's actions turned the rebellion around.  She brought everyone together in a common effort after that, and they started making great strides against the Nazis."  A respectful silence fell after that as each woman present contemplated the information they had just been presented with.  

Eventually Drea cleared her throat and spoke softly.  "Well, at least now I understand her comment about the evil brutality of Amazons and having seen it face to face and lived to tell the tale."

Another silence fell at her words.

"I think we all need some rest," Hippolyta said as she stood up, and the other women followed suit.  "There is nothing more we can do tonight, and now at least we have something to tell Diana if she asks.  With a little luck, she'll give me a chance to....  Well, we'll pick this up in the morning."

Mala, Nubia and Paula all nodded and bowed their heads before escaping out the door.  Drea and Hippolyta watched in silence until the door closed behind them. Then the healer wrapped her arms around the queen and led her into their bedchambers.

"Come, Pol.  It's time for bed."

Hippolyta nodded, but made no move to ready herself as her mind continued to go over and over the many different things she was trying to process.  Drea took her hand and gently led her to the bed, easing her out of her clothing and tucking her in.  The lights were off and Drea was tucked around her before Hippolyta stopped thinking and let her mind return to the present.

"Drea?"

"Hmm?"

"We've really got our work cut out for us."

"Um hmm."

"You think we can do it?"

Drea was quiet for a few minutes as she gave the question some serious thought.  "Yes," she answered finally.  "Because it's going to come down to Chase's and Diana's need to be together, and I think they are going to need us to make that a complete reality.  It's not going to be easy, though."

"As long as it works," Hippolyta vowed firmly, "we will do whatever it takes."

And on that thought, they gave themselves over to Morpheus' care.

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

Diana tossed and turned all night as Drea's words flowed in and out of her mind giving her strange and unsettling dreams.  Over and over she dreamed of the games and the gauntlet she had walked and each time Drea's words haunted her visions.

She knew what she remembered – the memories were much too vivid for her to have made them up out of whole cloth, and yet....  Something in Drea's words rang true in her heart as well as her mind.  Whatever else, Drea firmly believed she spoke the truth.  Perhaps she should allow Drea to tell her own brand of truth.  Then maybe she could exorcise the ghosts that had returned again to haunt her.

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

Getting back to the plane proved almost more of an adventure than any of them needed and all by accident.  Chase walked between Adam and Shep, grateful for the support they offered even as she struggled to make her own way.  They had to walk through several public areas, and none of them wanted to draw attention to themselves.  But it was hard to hide the marks on Chase's face or the fact that she walked with a decided limp even as slowly as they were moving.  They attracted the notice of a small band of Nazi soldiers, clustered at a table in an outdoor café.  They didn't move to stop them at first – only spread out to follow the trio.  Adam noticed them first.

"We appear to have attracted a tail."

"Question is – what can we do?  I really don't think Chase is up to a knockdown, drag out, no holds barred fight.  And our first priority remains to get Chase off this island and back to the base camp."

"Um, guys...."

"Agreed," Adam said ignoring Chase's attempt to cut into the conversation.

"Um, guys...."

The soldiers spread out, determined to surround them and cut them off for questioning.  They still had no idea who the three were... only that they were odd enough to be made sport of.  Had they known, they might have been a little more cautious in their actions.

Chase blew out a frustrated breath, then let her pain and the aggravation she'd felt building for days work to her advantage.  She swung her undamaged arm, clouting the nearest on the jaw and dropping him like a lead balloon.  Shep growled under his breath.

"Damnation Chase!" Then he was too busy warding off the Nazis who were left.  Two went down to a punch and kick combination while Adam took out another two with a split kick.  Chase got the last with a punch to the throat and then they were being cheered by the native bystanders.  Chase struggled to maintain her equilibrium now that the rush of adrenaline had left her body.  Shep took one side and Adam took the other, literally carrying her as they moved swiftly out of the marketplace.  The natives scrambled to get out of the way and get back to their business.  They couldn't afford to out themselves as rebels yet so they didn't want to be seen as helping the trio escape.  But they did nothing to hinder their leaving or to assist the soldiers who were still sprawled all over the ground.

Chase came back to her senses only to realize that she was being carried by Shep, and they were moving very fast through some serious undergrowth.  She twitched and he held on tighter, holding her eyes with a glare.

"Shep...."

"Chase, be quiet and be still.   We've got to get out of here and I don't need any more stress at this point, all right?"

"Shep, I can walk...."

"Chase, I mean it.  I don't know what you were thinking back there, but that was just stupid."

Adam kept his face forward, clearing a path in front of them and assuring that their passage would be unmarked.  But he listened; it was too interesting not to.

"Stupid??  Um, Shep?  Did you happen to notice what was going on?"

"Nothing until you lit into those soldiers.  You know they are going to comb this island looking for us now.  We're going to have to take Adam to the mainland for a while to keep him alive.  We can't leave him here because they've seen and know his face.  He's risked everything and you put us all in jeopardy."

"Put. Me. Down."  Chase was so rigid and precise in her manner of speaking that Shep reacted like the trained soldier he was.  He eased her to her feet and withdrew to stand at attention.  Adam stopped and turned as well.  "The one I hit initially had a blade tucked into his sleeve and was going to gut me.  They all did, Shep.  They were going to make sport of us by sticking blades in us until we begged for mercy.  It is standard operating procedure for these guys."

"How come we didn't see them?" Adam asked.

"Because you didn't look," was the flat reply.

"Do you think they made us, Chase?"

Chase bit her lip in thought, then shook her head.  "I don't think so.  I think they saw weakness and decided to prey on it.  They will be looking for us now though so we need to get the hell outta dodge and home."  She turned to Adam.  "We'll get you back here as soon as we can, but for now it would be safest for you to come with us."

Adam nodded.  "I knew and accepted the risks.  I am prepared."

"Good.  Can you two help me now?" she asked, reaching out in the darkness, not realizing when Shep moved to catch her before she hit the ground.

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

The darkness was comforting and Chase struggled to bring herself back towards the harshness of the light.  She had faded in and out of consciousness the rest of the way to the waiting plane, than passed out completely when a wrong turn sent pain wrenching through her body.  She blinked, glad Shep had brought the larger plane. 

Chase sat up slowly and shivered, bringing Adam back to her side.  She wondered what had happened that she seemed to have completely lost her ability to put the pain aside especially given what she had been through with Orana and some of her other less-than-pleasant experiences.  This just wasn’t that bad, comparatively speaking, though the cold was making her cramp and she wondered if the Amazons on Paradise Island had done something to her.  Then she put the thought aside as Adam extended a bottle of water for her to sip from.

“Where are we?” she asked hoarsely.  Adam shrugged.

“I don’t know.  We have been airborne about an hour.”  He watched as she nodded and continued to sip at the water he’d given her.  “Can you eat something with that?  It had been a while since you ate and Pop instructed me that you were still quite weak.”

Chase blinked.  “We have food?”

Adam smiled.  “Oh yes.  Mama made sure we had plenty to tide us over... for several days judging by the weight of my knapsack.”

Chase smiled in sympathy with his chuckles.  She really didn’t feel like eating but realized that could be a serious part of her problem.  Her eating had sporadic at best and it was doing nothing to help her body repair the damage that had been done to it.  Adam waited patiently, watching the thoughts tumble over one another in her eyes.

“Some crackers maybe?  I think I need something on my stomach before I put anything substantial into it.”

“Very smart,” Adam agreed.  “Pop intimated as much.  Here,” he added, digging around and handing her a small package wrapped in waxed paper. “These should work.”

Chase nibbled slowly feeling her stomach settle and her equilibrium return.  Adam watched as a bit of color returned to her cheeks and nodded in approval.  Then he handed her a bit of bread and fruit and settled back with his own, glad to pass the time by filling his belly that was strangely empty after the exertion of the morning.

Chase chewed deliberately and methodically enjoying the sense of quenching her hunger and feeling the pain recede as her strength began to restore itself.  She could tell it was going to be a slow recovery period, but it was nice to feel better after what seemed like a lifetime of feeling weak and in pain.  She finished up and patted Adam’s leg in thanks.  Then she slowly shifted her body over until she sat behind Shep.  Then she tapped on the back of his seat to get his attention, gratified when he only glimpsed in her direction before retuning his attention back out the window.

“What’s up?”

“Where are we?” Chase asked, clutching her collar more tightly around her throat.  Shep shrugged.

“We’ve still got a few hours if you want to curl up and get some rest.  You look better, but you still look pretty rough.  How do you feel?”

“Pretty rough,” Chase answered with a wry grin.  “I dunno... this has just drained me for some reason.  I feel like my soul is running on empty.”  The last muttered in a whisper so low Shep nearly missed it.

Shep turned his head again and regarded his friend and leader for a very long moment before turning his focus back to the empty sky outside the windshield.  He heard Chase slide back into her little cubby and he sent up a quiet prayer for a speedy recovery.  They were going to need her whole for the big offensive that was coming.


Chapter XVIII

Chase awoke again much more refreshed and in better spirits than she had been in since she’d left the rebel base little more than a week ago.  She blinked and stretched, absorbing the recognizable scents of her hut and the familiar feel of her rough cot and blanket.  It took a minute, but her brain did catch up with her senses and she shot up out of bed.

Her head no longer hurt and there was only residual pain in both her shoulder and her thigh.  Better, her eyes seemed to have cleared and didn’t hurt nearly as badly as they had even the....  Chase’s thoughts stopped there as she realized she had no recollection of arriving home.  She wondered how much time had passed and stuck her head out her doorway.  As though he had been watching specifically for her to make an appearance, Hans was the first to see her and he ran across the compound to catch her in a full body hug.

“Annabelle!!” knowing she would grab his ears in retaliation and relishing the familiarity of it.  Chase did, yanking hard enough to make him release her before she threw up from the spinning he was doing.  He set her down gently and gave her a much more tender, though no less heartfelt hug.  He released her and stepped back wiping tears from his eyes unashamedly.  “God, Chase!!  It is so good to have you home!  What happened?  How are you?  Do you know how worried...?”  Hans stopped speaking when Chase held up a hand.

“What day is it?”

Hans looked confused but answered the question.  “Wednesday.  Why?”

“So we got in...?”

“Yesterday afternoon.  You slept for almost twenty-four hours.  How do you feel?”

Chase smiled and the action transformed her face completely.  “I feel good.  It’s good to be home.”  Her stomach chose that moment to growl and she couldn’t stop the blush that followed.  “Guess I better go grab something to eat.”

“Let me,” Hans inserted.  “It’ll give you a chance to take a shower and me a chance to find Shep and the rest of the gang.  I know everyone is anxious to talk to you.  We were really worried.”

Chase nodded, knowing she was going to have to give at least a partial explanation of what had happened to her during her time away.  The Nazis - that would be easy.  So would the island that she had stumbled to during the storm.  But the Amazons... that was something else all together.  What had happened there was still very much a confused tangle in her mind.  She wasn’t ready to share it, and she didn’t know if she ever would be.  No one would understand her feelings because she had never, EVER shared what had happened to her with Orana except with her diary.  And no one here was capable of hacking into her security, not even Hans.

Suddenly she moved snapping green eyes back to Hans’ concerned expression.  “Hey, wait a minute.”  She narrowed said eyes at him.  “You saying I stink there, Buddy?”

Hans’ eyes widened comically.  “NO!  No, of course not.  I just... I, um....”

Chase laughed.  “It’s all right, Hans,” she said with a laugh, clapping his shoulder in camaraderie.  “I imagine I do stink; it’s been a while since my last shower.”  Her brow furrowed.  “I think, anyway.  Things are still pretty hazy.”  Not complete truth, but she felt comfortable with the little white lie.  It would go a very long way towards making her life easier.  She shook her head.  “Besides, you know I am fond of a shower when I get up, especially on the rare occasion I get hot water.”

A laugh was heard behind her and Chase whirled to see Ty with her hand over her mouth.  “Yeeeesss?” Chase drawled slowly, knowing Ty loved a good tease and Chase could see the sparkles shining out of Ty’s brown eyes.

Ty made an exaggerated motion to look at her watch and raised an eyebrow in mock astonishment.  “Well maybe if you could crawl out of bed at a decent hour there, Chief, you might get a little hot water now and then.  Not all of us have the luxury of sleeping round the clock.”  But Chase could see the honest worry in the back of Ty’s eyes.

Chase smirked.  “Yeah, well, I have to do something to give you guys a chance to keep up.  Can’t be stuck doing all the work around here myself, ya know.”

Ty narrowed her eyes and snorted derisively.  “Oh no you didn’t,” she said flatly.  “Remind me again why we wanted you home? You are such an egotistical pain in the ass.”

Without warning, Chase jumped into Ty’s arms, wrapping her legs around Ty’s waist and kissing her cheek.  “Yes, but I’m ya’ll’s pain in the ass and the best damn pain in the ass in the world!”

Ty threw her head back and laughed, a full rich sound that drew attention and caused others to join in without knowing what had caused it.  She hugged Chase tightly, then released her to slide to the ground.  “Ya know I love you, Cuz, but your modesty is completely underwhelming.”  Ty reached up a hand and pushed the blonde hair back from Chase’s eyes, tilting her chin up until their eyes met. “You all right?  Aside from needing a haircut I mean.  God Chase, you scared everyone out of a year’s life.”

“She’s not kidding,” Hans cut in.  “We were all pretty worried when we heard you’d been shot down.  But not worried enough to stop working.  No one wanted an ass kicking when you got back.”  Chase laughed and Hans smiled, glad of the reaction.  He and the rest had been truly worried when Chase didn’t respond to any of them upon landing.  Though she was well known for enjoying the occasional sleep-in when she could manage it, she was always instantly awake when called for.  And her lack of reaction had been scary.  “Speaking of ass kicking,” he continued, backing away towards the mess area.  “Let me go get you something to eat before your stomach decides to make an appearance and beats me to death for not moving fast enough.  You want everyone back here in...?”

“We’ll meet in the conference room in thirty minutes.  Thanks, Hans.”

“Anytime, Chase.”

The two women watched him go, then Ty looked back at Chase with a wicked grin. “He likes you, ya know.”

Chase returned the look with a knowing smile of her own.  “No, actually he doesn’t... not the way you’re thinking.”

“C’mon, Chase.  You can’t tell me you haven’t seen those lovesick looks he casts in your direction every time he looks at you.”

They walked back into Chase’s quarters so she could grab her toiletries and a change of clothes.  Ty opened her mouth to tease a little more, but stopped when Chase’s serious eyes met her own.  “Ty, I am not gonna betray any confidences here, but trust me when I tell you that Hans is not interested in me that way.  He is my friend... a good friend... but only a friend.”

“You’re serious,” grabbing a towel and passing it over.

“Yep.  I sure am,” picking up her things and making her way out of her hut and across the compound toward the showers.  Ty followed more slowly, pinching her lips between her fingers in thought.  She followed Chase into the shower tent, then took a seat on the changing bench while Chase continued on to stand under the nozzle.

Chase turned the knobs and let the warm water run over her in relief before she grabbed the soap and began to lather her body.  She waited patiently, knowing something was bugging Ty beyond the fact that she had guessed wrong about Hans.

It had been a running joke between them all their growing up years, teasing about who fell for whom and trying to see who could guess right more often about the dalliances that went on between members of the rebellion.  But Ty also knew her cousin well enough to know that when Chase turned serious, the teasing was over.  And she knew better than to ask who because Chase took her confidences to heart and kept them there.

But Chase’s words had caused questions of another kind to run rampant through Ty’s mind – things that had been niggling at her for quite some time now – and with Chase’s confirmation that Hans was not the object of her affections, she decided to give the questions voice.

“Does that bother you?”

Chase blinked water out of her eyes and blew it away from her lips.  Then she turned her head and looked at Ty with confused eyes as she scrubbed her hair with savage satisfaction.  “What?” she asked as she backed into the spray to rinse the soap.

Ty bit the bullet.  “The fact that there is no one special in your life.  I mean,” she continued hastily when she saw the storm clouds gathering in eyes that were rapidly going from green to gray.  “I know you have responsibilities – we all do.  I know yours are a lot greater than the rest of us cause you got stuck leading this ragtag group of misfits, and I can’t tell you what a difference that has made to the rebellion.  I mean... it seems like we will actually finally defeat those damn Nazi bastards once and for all.  But Chase, it has changed you so much.”

“How could it not, Ty?  So much depends on me and the decisions I make.  Every time I make a bad judgment call, people die.”  She turned back to the water and jerked the knobs into the off position, reaching for the towel she had draped over the stall wall.  “Hell, even when I make the right decision people die.  I know what those bastards are capable of and if we don’t win....”  She broke off, not wanting to hear herself speak her doubts aloud – not even to the woman who had been her best friend growing up.

Ty smiled, her expression full of confidence.  “We will win, Chase, but then what?  Things will change when the war is finally over, and we’re gonna have to discover a new form of normality.  But since you were captured, since you assumed command of the rebellion, you haven’t let anyone get close to you.  Don’t you remember all the fun we used to have sneaking out after curfew to steal a few kisses or more from the other guys and girls in the camp?  That’s one reason I was kinda hoping about Hans, though I will admit to wondering about your taste on that one.  I mean... don’t get me wrong, he can be a nice guy and he is certainly cute enough, but God almighty I think he deliberately tries to step on every single nerve I’ve got some days.”

Chase squeezed the water out of her hair then roughly ran the towel through it then proceeded to do the same haphazardly over her body before wrapping it around her and moving over to stand beside Ty.  Ty looked up at Chase at the exact minute that Chase smiled down at her.

“Don’t you ever get lonely, Cousin?”

Chase’s smile became melancholy and she shrugged as she dropped the towel and started dressing.  Ty spared a moment’s appreciation for the beautiful form of Chase’s body, then returned her attention to their conversation.

“Don’t you miss the companionship and camaraderie... hell, don’t you miss the sex having someone in your life will give you?  I mean really, Chase... seriously – knowing yourself is all well and good but it can’t replace the warmth of another human being in your arms and in your bed.”

Chase chuckled; she had to.  She knew the words were sparked mostly by concern and only a little by curiosity, but it just wasn’t the sort of conversation she’d expected to be having with anyone, even Ty.  Especially not after the events of the past few days.  There was something there – something teasing her at the back of her mind that was familiar.  And she still wasn’t completely convinced now that the whole Amazon experience hadn’t been a dream.  Worse, she wasn’t sure she wanted it to be.  Something about the whole thing had been comforting and at the same time, unnerving.  She shook herself from her daze to find Ty’s curious eyes on her.

“Sorry, I was just thinking about what you said.”  Chase tucked her t-shirt into her pants and fastened them before dropping onto the seat and pulling on her socks.  “In some ways you’re absolutely right, Ty.  Things will change when we win and normal will mean more than fighting and planning and strategizing.  But I’m gonna have to adjust to that when it happens.  I can’t afford the distraction that being in a relationship would cost me and the rest of the team.  Too much depends on me and until that changes....”  She let her words trail off and picked up her boots.  “Do I miss it?” she continued as she laced up her boots carefully.  “Sometimes, but I think I actually miss the thought of what could be more than the reality of what is.”

“You lost me.”

Chase stood and stomped her boots into place before gathering her dirty clothes and wrapping them up in her wet towel.  She looked at the door abstractedly for several long minutes before turning her head back towards Ty.

“I want more than an occasional roll in the hay or someone to eat dinner with once in a while.  I want it to mean something.”

“You think it wouldn’t?”

“I know it wouldn’t, Ty.  Not with anyone here.  Don’t get me wrong; folks here are great and I do love them, especially the gang, but no one touches my soul, Ty.  And I’m not willing to be distracted for less than that.”

Ty wrapped an arm around Chase’s shoulders and was gratified to feel the touch returned around her waist.  They headed out the door and both blinked rapidly when the bright sunlight momentarily stunned them.

“Well, I gotta tell ya, Cuz, I for one hope I am there to see it when it finally does happen.  ‘Cause I got a feeling when you fall, you’re gonna be down for the count.”

Chase laughed with Ty though there was a sadness in her eyes that her cousin completely missed.  “Never happen, Ty.  It’ll never happen.”

Ty smirked.  “I’ve got good currency says differently.  You confidant enough to bet on it?”

“It’ll be like taking candy from a baby.”

Whatever response Ty might have made was lost in the rumble that sounded loudly from the vicinity of Chase’s stomach.  The two women looked at one another and burst into laughter.  “C’mon,” Ty urged, letting her arm fall from Chase’s shoulders to catch her hand instead.  “Let’s get you fed before the Nazis find us just on the basis of your setting off the Richter scale.”

For answer, Chase jumped on Ty’s back and proceeded to treat her like a horse.  Their rambunctious play brought out the rest of the team to simply laugh at their antics, pleased beyond reason to see a momentary return to the Chase they had known before adulthood forced responsibilities on them they didn’t necessarily want.  Ty reached Chase’s hut and they entered, then she returned a moment later dusting her hands off and grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Shep laughed again as he and the rest of the crew moved to intercept Ty on the short walk to the conference room only to hear the roar as Chase rushed out the door and landed on Ty’s back once more.  They actually winced as they heard the air rush out of Ty’s lungs, but Ty was long used to Chase’s games and had missed them terribly.  She had a passing thought to wonder what had happened in the week she’d gone missing to suddenly inspire the bout of playfulness.  But she relished it and leaned over obligingly, flipping Chase over her head and onto the ground upright.

Chase winced as the landing rattled up from her feet and throughout her body, sending a residual ache into the spots that were still not fully healed.  She popped Ty in the arm, then accepted the plate of chow Hans had collected for her and they made their way into the conference room to catch up on what had happened between them during the week they had been apart.

But in the back of Chase’s mind, Ty’s words hovered, and she wondered if she would ever find what she was searching for, or if she was destined to be alone for the rest of her life.

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

Diana finally gave up sleeping and rose from her bed to stand at the window and watch the moon set.  She clutched the pillow she still held to her, letting the scent soothe the ache in her soul as nothing short of Chase’s physical presence could have done.  She let her mind drift back over her brief conversation with Drea.  She wondered at the conviction in the healer’s voice.  No matter her relationship to Hippolyta, Drea had never lied to Diana.  BUT....

But Diana’s memories were painfully clear.  She knew what she remembered, and what she remembered was shame and humiliation and walking the gauntlet through those she had once called family.  Her insides hurt with a gut wrenching intensity as she allowed the memories to flow over her once again, and she held the pillow to her more tightly.

Diana slowed her breathing, imagining the feel of Chase in her arms and allowing that sensation to calm her raging spirit.  A part of her mind had the sense to wonder how an imaginary person could cause such a literal reaction, especially one whom she had only had the briefest real contact with, but a larger part of her simply accepted the response.  Chase was real even if that reality wasn’t in Diana’s arms at the moment.  That would change soon enough, she hoped, but first she had to find some answers here.  Then she would go seek that which her soul assured her was hers for the claiming.

She wondered about trusting her own judgment on this soulmate aspect particularly – Diana was honest enough to admit to herself that her track record was somewhat lacking in this department... whether it fall into the romance, love or bonding category.  But at the same time, she couldn’t deny the familiarity she’d felt the first time she’d seen Chase in the hospice; beyond anything she’d ever dreamed of with Steve Trevor.  There was a resonance there that just....

Diana scrubbed at her eyes furiously.  All the crazy thinking was making her antsy and giving her a headache to boot.  She padded back over to the bed and placed the pillow reverently on hers before resuming her place back at the window. Then she knelt with her hands on her thighs and simply rested.

She watched the moon slide beneath the horizon just as the sun peeked over the other side.  Then she closed her eyes and forced her breathing to slow once more, intent on centering herself before beginning her day.  There were too many important decisions to make to allow the chaos her mind had suddenly become to make those choices without an effort at centering herself.

She called on the warrior discipline that had always come so easily to her and was able to put the ache in her soul back into focus, making it more of a background noise than the screaming demand it had been.  She let things flow past her reality, acknowledging that she might need some help this time if she was to find Chase and succeed at becoming part of her world.  This was too important to risk screwing up for her pride. 

Decision made, she rose and went to shower, determined to get the information she needed as quickly as possible. She was ready to begin her life again.


Chapter XIX

She was hit with a centuries old familiar scent when she crossed the threshold into the temple, and for a moment Diana simply closed her eyes and breathed it in.  Something had changed for her in deciding to move forward with her life once more, and for the first time in a hundred years, Diana was able to relive the happy times in her life and appreciate all the memories she had that were wrapped up in the place she now stood.

Mala stood in a back corner merely observing, watching the nuances in Diana’s face change as she absorbed the temple atmosphere into her soul.  She could sense a peace long absent from Diana present within her again, and she stood in silence allowing Diana that peace.  Eventually Diana’s eyes fluttered open and she padded silently into the temple, looking around it with familiar eyes.  There was no warmth associated with this place any longer, but at least the contempt that had been there for so long was missing.

For her part, Diana sat down on a bench about halfway into the sanctuary and let her eyes roam across the various statues and artifacts that adorned the room.  She hesitated, startled when they reached the shelving that held the neatly stacked scrolls.  It wasn’t readily apparent, but her long acquaintanceship with the material allowed her sharp eyes to catch the difference as soon as they passed over the parchments.

Slowly she stood and walked to the front, stopping only when she reached the shelf in question.  The dark head cocked to one side and reached up and removed the new scroll from its place.  Diana opened it up and scanned it, then crumpled it in her hands before she moved to sit on the front bench across from the altar.

For a long time she sat motionless allowing the memories from the day that continued to haunt her days and nights to wash over her with startling clarity.  When they had run their course, she returned her eyes to the parchment and began to read the words written there, allowing their meaning to soak in.  Then she sat lost in thought before reading it through a second time.  The differences in her memories and what was written were astounding, and though what was written was bad, it wasn’t nearly as vindictive and hateful as her own recollections were.

Hippolyta was embarrassed by Diana’s obvious lack of respect of her by her willful disobedience, and in her fury she lashed out at the princess.  Diana’s eyes grew cold and distant even as she tried to defend her actions, but the queen would have none of it.  In her anger, she treated Diana like a child, confining her to the palace under guard for the duration.  And like that scorned child, Diana retaliated in a way she knew would further fuel her mother’s rage.
    
She was extremely careful not to kill any of the guards who were assigned to keep her a prisoner, but she made sure both they and her mother understood that she was a force to be reckoned with – not a child to be trifled with or placated.  It was a point well-taken when Hippolyta saw the condition of her guards and read the note left behind by her headstrong, frustrating daughter, and it was then that Hippolyta began to question her actions.
    
The queen went to Drea, seeking reassurance that she had been right, only to find that the healer, *her consort* completely disagreed with her handling of their daughter.  Though she couldn’t fault Drea for believing the way she did, it hurt to know she had lost her unqualified support.  Rarely had they disagreed about Diana and never to this degree.
    
Hippolyta went to the temple, hoping to find solace there only to discover that the goddesses had forsaken her and Mala wasn’t particularly pleased with her performance either. So she hardened her heart against Diana, blaming her for the troubles that had arisen from the whole situation - refusing to admit her wrong and unwilling to discuss the situation with anyone.
    
Her actions and attitude caused a split among the Amazon Nation in the months that followed and she was nearly removed from office.  Then the unthinkable happened – Diana was brought home by Orana... body broken and spirit crushed with nothing but hatred and contempt left in her heart.
    
Hippolyta tried to put her issues aside, but Diana’s obvious disdain of her only entrenched her own hurt and anger more firmly, and soon both Drea and Mala insisted that the queen stay away from the princess to allow Diana to physically heal and recover from her ordeal.
    
It was touch and go for a while.  Fever racked Diana’s body and yet she remained silent in her misery.  Drea and Mala both spoke to her, hoping to encourage some sort of reaction but all they got for their trouble was silence, though it was not the contempt-filled one that Diana presented on the rare occasion Hippolyta would venture into the room. 
    
Eventually Hippolyta stopped trying and finally Drea released Diana from the hospice with supervised care.  That lasted one entire day before the Amazon who had been given the assignment left and refused to return.  Several more tried and each of them failed within less than a day; the last only managed to last a single hour before she ran out of the room.
    
From that day, Diana was left to her own devices.  No one outside the council attempted to talk to her or include her in anything again, and Hippolyta’s handling of the entire situation was put aside as the Nation turned its attention to new challenges.

Diana closed her eyes when she reached the end of the scroll.  The written words were so different from her memories, and yet there was a familiarity to them that rang true to her mind.  Something was wrong – there shouldn’t be such discrepancies between the two accountings.

She felt Drea’s presence a bare instant before she smelled the light floral scent Diana had long associated with the healer.  Drea took a seat but didn’t say anything and the two of them sat in silence for sometime before Diana slowly opened her eyes.  She knew Drea’s eyes were on her but kept her focus towards the altar.  Drea covered Diana’s hand, and though the princess did not respond, she didn’t pull away either and Drea took encouragement from that.  They sat that way for a little while before Drea drew a deep breath to speak.

“I know what you read and what you remember are completely different accounts of events.  But I swear to you what you read is the truth.  Diana, I have never lied to you, and I wouldn’t pick now to start.  I know....”  Here Drea blew out a breath and dropped her chin to her chest in shame.  “I know you’ve been treated unfairly by everyone here, including me, but gods, I didn’t seem to know how to reach you anymore.  No one did.  When you came back from man’s world, you were changed... so different and cut off from everyone and everything.  And every gesture was rebuffed until it was just easier to stop trying.  I’m sorry for that.  I should never have given up on you, or let you give up like that on yourself.  I’ll never, ever forgive myself for that.  You deserved better.”

It was quiet for a few minutes while Drea gathered her thoughts and Diana was content to maintain the silence.  She was impressed by Drea’s sincerity, and yet there were those pesky memories reminding her once again that what Drea was saying did not coincide with what really happened.  So she waited patiently, knowing that Drea had more to say and finding strange comfort in the fact that Drea had maintained tactile contact with her.

“If you will give me the chance, I can show you what really happened.  I can show you how Orana manipulated your memories to protect herself.”  For the first time, Diana showed a bit of emotion, turning her head and cocking an eyebrow in Drea’s direction.  Drea sighed and answered the unspoken question.  “Everything.  She has everything to do with this.”

Diana waited for Drea to continue, and when she didn’t, Diana grasped her chin firmly but gently and urged the brown eyes up to meet her blue.  What she saw in those dark depths – pain, shame and regret - made her bite the inside of her lip.  But her face remained stoic and she gazed at Drea seriously.  

“Tell me.”

The words were whispered but carried the forcefulness of Diana’s formidable personality behind it.  Drea swallowed and nodded, then she rose and extended her hand down to Diana.  “Come.  It will be easier to show you.”  Diana hesitated a moment, then accepted the extended hand and stood.  They made their way out of the temple, and Mala fell into step behind them.

There was a distinct silence across the courtyard as they left the temple grounds and moved into the palace, but for a change it seemed less foreboding.  Instead it seemed filled with expectancy – at least that was the feeling Diana got subconsciously.  Consciously she was only aware of her hand in Drea’s being taken to the laboratory... the inside of which she had not set foot for a hundred years.

Paula straightened upon their entrance, then drew a deep breath and moved to stand in front of her princess.  “Hello, Diana,” she said quietly.  “It’s good to see you back here again.”

Diana nodded her head but didn’t say anything.  She held Paula’s eyes, liking what she found and nodding again.  Then she looked around the room, anxiously taking in the new experiments and inventions Paula had scattered about.  Many were things they had been working on together that had yet to see completion.  Diana turned questioning eyes towards the scientist, and Paula blushed faintly before her eyes dropped to the floor and she shrugged.

“I was waiting for you to come back,” Paula said softly.

Diana’s expression never wavered, but Drea felt her breathing hitch.  She wondered again how they could have let themselves grow so far apart.  She squeezed Diana’s hand lightly in a show of support.  Unexpectedly Diana pulled away from her and put both hands on Paula’s shoulders.  The scientist looked up, startled.  Even before all the unpleasantness, Diana had never been a very tactile person, and this was just unheard of.

“I’m sorry,” Diana whispered, but Paula heard her and a huge smile crossed her face.  She reached up and covered one of Diana’s hands with her own, patting it lightly before letting it drop.

“No worries, my friend.  It’s good to have you back again.”

Diana smiled tremulously and turned back towards Drea.  Drea gave her own watery smile and reached out a hand.  “Come.  First I want you to read the accounts that Paula found.  They are the actual records that were made by Orana and Steve Trevor during the time that you were away from Paradise Island.  Once you have seen those, if you are still interested, we can... well, there are several options.  It will depend on what you want to do then.”

Diana nodded and followed Drea to her old workstation.  Everything remained neat and tidy, just like she had left it, and it was apparent that Paula had made an effort to keep it clean the way she knew Diana liked it.  Diana especially appreciated that as Paula’s own work area looked like something a tornado had swept through.

Diana sat down at her computer and scanned her handprint into the database.   The computer actually hesitated as if in thought before it responded to her identity.  “Welcome back, Diana.  It has been eight hundred eighty-five thousand, seven hundred and sixty-eight hours and twenty-three minutes since your last log-in.  How may I be of service today?”

Diana blinked, unsure what to say.  She looked up at Drea in confusion.  Drea’s forehead creased in thought.  “I didn’t think this out very well,” she said, running a hand across her furrowed brow.  “Maybe we should let Paula move the reports to one of the other....”

“No,” Paula cut in.  “Diana can type in her access code and open a link between us.  I can transfer the files to her directly.”

Drea nodded.  She knew no one else, not even Paula, had been able to breach the encryption locks Diana had encoded into her machine.  And so far, the princess had not spoken above a whisper as though it pained her greatly to make the effort, so voice command was out.

Diana pulled the keyboard from the desk and slid it towards her, a little hesitant on the keys at first.  Then she gradually picked up speed until her fingers were fairly flying across the board.  Then she pushed back slightly and waited.

“Command complete.  Access granted.  Pathway is open and ready for file transfer.”

Paula acknowledged by pushing a button on her computer.  Seconds later the transfer was complete and Drea set a pitcher of chilled water next to Diana.

“We are going to leave you to read in privacy, Diana.  We will be in Paula’s office when you are done.”

Diana held Drea’s eyes for a long moment, searching for answers.  Finally she nodded and whispered, “Thank you.”  Then Drea and Paula went to wait with Mala, and Diana turned back to the screen to face whatever new secrets awaited her there.

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

They didn’t pretend to work, though Paula did sit at her desk.  Drea crossed to the window and stared out unseeingly, hoping, believing they had done the right thing for Diana.  Mala drifted over to the small couch and sat, turning her gaze inward as she prepared herself for the next step.

Hours passed in silence.  Hippolyta looked in on them once but the awkwardness of the atmosphere made her leave shortly after her arrival.  It was apparent to her and to them that things would go better with Diana if she wasn’t present.  At least until Diana knew the truth, there was very little hope of her forgiving her mother.

Finally the silence wore on Drea enough that she ventured a peek inside the lab, and what she found was unexpected.

Diana sat completely still, her eyes unfocused and her monitor dark.  Drea walked further in the room, wondering if Diana was even aware of her presence she sat so unmoving.  Even her breathing was unnoticeable.  When Drea was less than an arms’ length from Diana’s position, the chair whirled around and piercing blue eyes bored into her brown ones.

“Where did you find this?” Diana asked in a sharp, precise whisper.

“Paula went looking.” 

“Why?”

Drea ran a hand through her tidy hair, mussing it up considerably in her agitation.  “When Chase crashed here, it brought up all kinds of questions especially when we noted the similarities between her and....”

“And Steve Trevor,” Diana continued flatly.

“Yes,” Drea agreed shakily.  “And it made us curious.  So Paula went looking, and the things she found....  Diana, I can’t say it enough, but I am so sorry.  This never....”  She stopped speaking when Diana held up her hand.

“It is done and over, Drea, and no amount of sorry will change it or make it go away.  What else?” motioning towards her monitor.

“I’m not sure I understand the question.”

“You claim you found out what happened to me.  You mean to tell me you didn’t find out about her?”

Drea blew out a breath.  She had hoped to avoid this particular subject.  “Yes, we did,” she admitted reluctantly, “but....”

“Show me.”

Drea hesitated, but the fierce determination in Diana’s eyes made her nod her head.  “Paula?” she called out softly.  The scientist poked her head out the office door almost immediately as though she had been waiting for the summons.  Without a word she walked back to her console and uploaded the files she had gathered on Chase.  Then she did something unexpected.  Once the process was underway, she walked up behind the princess and placed her hands on Diana’s shoulders.  Then she brushed her lips over the dark hair and turned and walked out of the room.

Both Drea and Diana remained silent as the screen came alive again, then the healer repeated Paula’s actions.  “Call if you need me,” she offered before disappearing behind the office doorway.  Diana watched her out of sight, then turned back to the screen, eager to satisfy the niggling in her belly.

It was very easy to figure out when Diana finished reading Chase’s file.  The punching bag she kept in the lab to relieve the stress of experiments gone awry – the same equipment that hadn’t seen action in more than a century – was suddenly pummeled with a flurry of punches.  The sound echoed through the lab and into Paula’s office and was greeted with almost a sense of relief.

Drea stepped out of the room followed closely by Mala.  They watched in silence as Diana attacked the bag again and again, trying to exorcise the rage she felt coursing through her – at her mother; at Orana; at herself; even at Chase; certainly at the world at large.  Fast and harder the blows fell until her legs and arms were a mere blur, and Drea and Mala settled themselves in to watch and wait for Diana to exhaust herself.

It took the better part of the afternoon, and when she fell, she was soaking wet from her exertion.  Drea and Mala rose from the seats they had taken on the floor and carefully cradled Diana between them.  Then they called for a travois and moved the princess to the hospice where she and Mala could be closely monitored while the priestess purged her mind of the lies Orana had planted.

It was very slow going.  Mala had no desire to hurt Diana further, and the process could be extremely painful if it was mishandled.  But by the time morning rolled around again, they were finished and Mala dropped into a deep sleep.  It remained to be seen what Diana’s reaction to things would be, but in the meantime, she too lingered in the healing arms of a deep, restful sleep.

Hippolyta came in to sit with Diana for a while, dismissing Rina so she could talk to Diana privately.  She felt fairly confident what Diana’s reaction was going to be when she awakened given what had happened when she’d learned the truth, and she craved the opportunity to be Diana’s mother again without all the anger and hurt between them for just a little while.  Hippolyta knew a time would come – maybe sooner, maybe later – that they would have to have truth between them.  And that was going to cause both of them anguish and grief.  But for right now, for this moment, she could sit and talk to Diana and pretend everything was all right.

She didn’t speak of anything important – which flowers were blooming; the latest gossip on the love circuit; what was planned for dinner that evening.  Trite, inane conversation, but she figured they had to start somewhere.  Might as well try the easy stuff first.  Finally Hippolyta ran out of words, and simply sat gazing at the daughter she knew she had been unfair to and sorely missed.  She reached up and brushed a lock of hair from Diana’s face, and let her mind wander back to happier times.

She was taken completely by surprise when Diana awoke and moved instinctively away from her touch before settling back into sleep.  Hippolyta rose and left without a word, holding in her grief until she reached the privacy of her chambers.  Then she cried like her heart was broken.

Drea heard her distress and stumbled from the bed to gather the queen in her arms, and she held her until they both fell back into a deeper sleep, knowing that everything would change again when they awakened.


Chapter XX

"So what have we got?" Chase asked as she placed the lukewarm, bitter coffee down on the table in front of her.  She managed to hide her grimace, picking up her fork and shoveling some sort of bland, tasteless food in her mouth.  She sighed silently and chewed by rote, knowing the only way to get rid of it was to eat it.  But she couldn't help but compare it to the fresh, flavorful food she had supped on just days prior.  She forced the thoughts from her mind, knowing where they would lead and completely unwilling to go there.  She glanced around the table in annoyance when no one made a move to answer her question.  "Am I missing something critical here or did everyone suddenly go mute?" Chase snapped out harshly.  Her injuries and experiences were suddenly weighing on her and she simply wanted the briefing to end so she could go lay down for a while.

Shep cleared his throat self-consciously, then met Chase's eyes.  "We, uh... we were hoping you would tell us what happened to you.  You were gone for what seemed like forever and we were, well, we were worried about you, Chase.  Surely you could spare a few minutes to fill us in."

Chase set her fork down deliberately and leaned back in her chair.  "Do you feel this is something I owe you?"

Shep blinked.  He hadn't expected the hostility... none of them had.  Until now, Chase had always been completely honest and open with them and so easy going that they had never hesitated to talk to her about anything.  They wondered what had happened to make her so defensive.

"No, Chase, no!  Not at all.  We were just worried.  I'm sorry.  I...."

Chase scrubbed her hands through her hair and blew a breath out from between her lips.  "No, Shep.  I'm sorry.  I’m tired and achy and honestly, I don't remember that much to tell you.  I was caught by surprise by a squadron of Nazis, but I nailed the bastards... every single one of them.  After that... after that, it’s pretty much a blur for me.  Vague impressions at best... flashes of light and sound."

Shep held up his hands in surrender.  "I'm sorry Chase.  I forgot you've been going pretty much non-stop since we found you.  How about we table the discussion until tomorrow and let you get some rest?"

"Can it wait?"

Shep looked around the table and then nodded at Chase.  "Yeah.  Another day or two isn't gonna make a lot of difference in our planning or our execution.  We've got everything in place, and we will be ready to go within our scheduled window."

Chase mulled over his words and finally nodded.  "Very well.  If this can wait until tomorrow, I would like to adjourn and get some rest.  Everything may be a little clearer then."

The group rose in one body at her words.  Only Ty lagged behind, watching Chase carefully and accompanying her out the door.  "You all right?  You didn't seem so tired just a little while ago."

Chase nodded her head even as she rubbed the back of her neck.  "Yeah.  I just... it kind of hit me all of a sudden... like the adrenaline ran out or something."

Ty chuckled.  "Well, that's possible I suppose, given that was about all that was keeping you upright for days from the little bit we could gather.  I was just hoping it wasn't something I said," Ty continued as they reached the doorway of Chase's hut.

"Huh?" Chase replied dumbly.  "Oh no... I’m just exhausted.  Might help if I knew what happened to me while I was missing," she lied, "but I don't think I’m ever gonna get the truth behind that."

Ty shrugged.  "Well, whatever happened, you survived and that is the most important part.  The rest we can worry about later."  She pushed Chase back onto the bed and covered her with a single blanket.  "For now, get some rest, will ya?  We need you at a hundred percent."  She brushed the bangs out of Chase's eyes.

Chase clasped her hand and squeezed.  "I need me at a hundred percent.  There is too much riding on me for me to screw it up now."

Ty brought up her free hand and cupped Chase's face gently.  "No worries, Chase.  You have never, ever let us down.  You get some rest and let us worry about the details today.  Tomorrow is soon enough for you to start sweating again."

Chase grinned.  "Thanks, Ty.  I just feel so out of sync all of a sudden."

Ty nodded.  "Missing almost a week of your life could do that to ya, but you can't keep worrying about it.  All that will do is give you an ulcer."

Chase smirked.  "I don't think I have had one of those yet.  It would be something new to try."

"I don't think so," Ty answered with a swat to Chase's forehead.  "It is the only thing I can claim for my own in this place.  I refuse to share with you."

Chase burst out laughing.  "You are so funny, Ty.  I don't know what I'd do without you."

"That's okay... I'm not sure I'd know what to do without you either.  So let's make a deal not to find out and just move things along, all right?  I'll see about getting Mitch in here to do a reading on you... see if we can find that missing week and put your mind at ease."

"I'm good with that," Chase said as they shook on it.  Then she closed her eyes.  "What's for dinner?" she murmured.

"Dunno yet.  Depends on who made up the menus.  But if it's good I won't let you miss out."

Thanks," came the mumbled response before Ty heard Chase's breathing deepen and even out into sleep.  She leaned forward and brushed a light kiss across Chase's forehead, then tucked the cover up under her chin.  Then she exited the hut with a single, backwards glance.

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

"Count backwards from a hundred for me Chase."

"One hundred... ninety-nine... ninety-eight... nine-y-sev...."

Mitch waited patiently until he heard Chase sigh in deep contentment before he spoke again.  "Chase, do you know who this is?"

"Oh sure," she drawled.  "You're muh good buddy, Mitch."

"That's right, Chase.  And I'm gonna take you back in time to see if we can find out what happened to you while you were missing, all right?"

"Sure Mitch.  You're muh good buddy.  You won't let them damn Nazi bastards hurt me this time, will ya?"

He looked at the others and cleared his throat.  "I'll do my best to watch your back, Chase, but I need to know what happened while you were all alone out there."  He paused then continued.  "You went down in Devil's Triangle.  Do you remember?"

"Oh yeah.  Damn Nazi bastards.  Five of 'em.  Came outta nowhere.  Shot me outta the damn sky, but not 'fore I got them first," she said with a lazy grin.

"Good for you, Ace.  We'll add them to your new plane, all right?"

"Nifty, Mitch!  Hans is gonna bitch at me about having to repaint all those flags again, though."

Hans flushed but joined in the laughter that went around the room.  Mitch patted Chase's hand.  "Don't worry about it, Chase.  We'll all pitch in and he'll get over it."

"Good," she said with a smile, turning over and snuggling more into her pillow.

"Chase?"

"Hmm?"

"Chase, tell me what happened after you shot down the Nazis.  You crashed your plane...."

"I crashed into the last man and I ejected.  Then I... I think I hit the canopy.  It got real dark."

"Did you fall into the water?"

"Dunno."  She managed a shrug.  "Next thing I remember was waking up when Shep came to get me."

"That's it?  You don't know how you got to the island?"

"Nope. Din't I float there?"

There was silence.  No one had ever failed to tell the truth under hypnosis, though this was the first time Chase had agreed to allow a session to be performed on her.  Heretofore, she had kept her own secrets and her own council and the practice had served them all well.  Now they were faced with the fact that either Chase could lie under hypnosis; nothing had happened to her worth remembering; or she really had no memories to share. Given their understanding, they decided to accept that she had no real memories of her experience in Devil's Triangle.

"I guess you did, Chase.   It certainly makes sense and would account for your missing week.  Sun and dehydration could make it very hard to stay conscious to remember much of anything.  Now why don't you get some rest?  You want to be fresh in the morning."

"Yeah, ‘cause Ty said I couldn't have an ulcer."

Mitch chuckled.  "Did she?  And why is that?"

"Cause that is all she has left around here to claim for her own.  Doesn't want me horning in on her territory, I guess."  She cuddled deeper into the pillow.  "I think she is just being selfish."  The entire room tittered.

"Probably," Mitch agreed, getting a slap on his arms from Ty for his troubles.  "But don't worry about it.  If you're meant to remember you will, and if not it doesn't matter.  Put it behind you, Chase, and focus on the future."

"'Kay.  C'n I go asleep now?"

"Goodnight, Chase."

"G'night, Mitch."

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

"Thanks, Mitch.  I hope that will help.  I think it was bothering her, not knowing."

"Probably.  Given her personality, she needed closure to be able to move on.  I think knowing there's nothing there to remember will do that for her."

"Agreed.  Thanks, Mitch."

For her part, Chase fell into dreams of sunshine and a whispered voice and paradise itself.  It would be a while before she wondered if her memories were really dreams.

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

"All right, people.  What have we got?"

Hans put a hand on her shoulder and looked Chase in the eye.  "Are you all right now?  Do you feel better?"

Chase patted his hand and smiled, first at him and then around the entire room.  "I'm good.  Knowing that there really isn't anything there to remember helps a lot."  In truth, she felt a bit of confusion, but for now, it was something she would have to live with.  Maybe it had all been a figment of her imagination.  However, for now there were far more important things for her to consider.  Perhaps in time she would be able to figure out which of her memories were real and which were only figments of her imagination.

Each member of her team smiled back at Chase with relief in their eyes and she realized they had been as concerned about her inability to share as she had with her inability to remember.  She was glad Mitch had been able to resolve that for all of them. 

"Thanks, Mitch," she said, getting a hug in response.

"Anytime, Boss.  Now let's get back to business.  We're about ready to launch our offensive and I think you're gonna like what we came up with the information you brought back.  We think we have a really good chance of striking a killing blow with it."

"Yes," Shep agreed.  "And even if we don't manage to topple the regime with it, we think it will signal the beginning of the end."

Chase felt the excitement running through them and couldn't help but catch their enthusiasm.  "Well all right.  Show me what we've got.  The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can take Ty's money from her."

"Uh oh," Jen commented.  "What's the bet about this time?"

"Chase falling in love," Ty answered with a grin.  "Who's in?"

"Oh, I am."

"Me too."

"I got it covered."

"<Ahem>  Is anyone betting with me on this?"

"NO!!" came the resounding answer.  Then everyone in the room burst out in laughter including Chase.  She slapped her hands on the table confidently and stood up.

"Very well, then.  I'll take ALL your money, and we'll win the war besides!"

A cheer went up at the last pronouncement, and they settled down to serious work.

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

"So we're all set then, right?  We've covered all the contingencies, correct?"  Chase was looking over all the paperwork her team leaders had given her, pleased with the amount of thought and effort they put into her original plans.  They had expanded them until they had covered every foreseeable event they could think of.

"We think so," Shep said honestly, "though I suppose there could always be something we've failed to consider."

"Well, I think ya'll did a damn fine job," Chase commented.  "You thought of some possibilities even I didn't imagine."

Shep blinked.  "I think that is probably the single scariest thing I have ever heard you say."

Chase stared at him as though he had grown two heads.  "Excuse me?"

"Seriously, Chase.  Given your penchant for wild, hair-brained ideas, I didn't think we could come up with anything you hadn't thought of first."

"Are you saying I'm nuts?"

Shep blanched and his eyes widened.  Then he shook his head vehemently.  "No, no.  Uh uh.  Not me.  You didn't hear anything like that come out of my mouth."

"Funny... that is sure what it sounded like to me.  What about you guys... hmm?  Did it sound that way to you?"

"Yep, it sure did," Ty and Jan agreed simultaneously.  Mitch and Hans just sat with their hands covering the mouths and hiding their laughter.  Shep stood up and started inching his way towards the door.  Chase just put her hands on the table and stood, leaning over and meeting Shep's eyes.

"I think you’re in serious trouble, Shep.  You want a head start or you wanna suffer your punishment now?"

He was out the door before Chase finished speaking.  Chase looked around the room, her eyes twinkling as she met each of theirs, now all laughing out loud.  Then she jumped the desk and darted out the door after him.  They heard him squeal in the distance and it caused them to laugh even harder.

"Remind me again why we wanted her back?" Jen asked with a chuckle.

"’Cause she provides the best entertainment around here, bar none," Ty answered seriously before cackling again as Shep squealed again and accused Chase of cheating to win.  She would have said more except for the fact that Shep crashed into the room and tripped over his own chair, leaving him in perfect position for Chase when she pounced on his back.

"You're mine now, Shep.  I'm going to tickle you til you beg for mercy."

"Mercy!  Mercy!  Mercy!" he screamed, hoping for a miracle.  Chase laughed manically.

"You wish," she said as she curled her fingers and moved them in towards his ribs.  Then without warning, she moved off of him and pushed out the door to intercept the radioman that was running to the conference room calling her name.

"Now what?" Hans asked.  He had the distinct impression this was not going to be good news.


Chapter XXI

"All right... are we sure about this new intel, Harry?"

"Yes ma'am," the radioman replied crisply.  "I checked it twice before I brought it to you, ma'am.  It's my job to make sure."

Chase nodded.  "You did good, Harry.  Real good."  Harry blushed to the roots of his curly, blond hair and bobbed his head in acknowledgment. 

"Thanks, Chase.

"Thank you, Harry; keep up the good work."

Harry ducked his head in response and was out the door before Chase could say another word.  Then she sat down on the bed to reread the report Harry had given her.  This was one contingency they hadn't anticipated and they were going to have to move quickly to keep this from having a negative impact on their efforts.

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

Diana opened her eyes after sleeping away an entire day and night.  She felt refreshed and her mind was clearer than it had been for decades, but there was still an underlying of anger and hurt that wasn't going to dissipate anytime soon.  It had rankled and festered too long, and knowing the truth didn’t change the feelings that she had harbored for years.

She sat up carefully, stretching a bit before she swung her legs over the side of the bed.  Her nose wrinkled as she realized she'd been put into the bed after her round with the punching bag.  Gods, no wonder I feel like I've been ridden hard and put away wet... I was.  A wry smile crossed her face.  At least that was something she could take care of immediately.  Everything else could wait until after her shower.  Her stomach growled.  Maybe a banana or two would tide her over until she could get some real breakfast.

Diana slipped from the bed and walked the few steps between her bed and where Mala lay comfortably ensconced.  The priestess looked tired, and for the first time in Diana's memory, fragile.  The princess wondered just exactly what Mala had done to affect her so badly.  She pulled the lightweight blanket further up her body until Mala's shoulders were covered.  Then she walked out of the hospice and back down to her own quarters.

Rina followed her movements, then tapped another apprentice to keep and eye on Mala while she went to alert Drea to the newest development.

For her part, Diana enjoyed the treat of a long, hot shower.  Having realized she had been put to bed all sweaty made her skin itch and she was luxuriating in the feeling of clean skin.  Then she stepped from the water and wrapped herself in her favorite, fluffiest towel.

Diana went to her closet and withdrew a bag.  It was a brand new travel bag she had crafted for herself after Orana had returned her to Paradise Island with only the clothes on her back.  She spared a thought for the first bag, remembering the time she had spent learning to craft it as a child.  Then she put those thoughts away and focused on the future.  The time had come for her to assume the responsibilities she'd once craved.

First though, she had to find a way off of Paradise Island.

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

"Pol?" Drea called softly into the darkened bedroom after Rina left their quarters.  "Pol?  Wake up.  Things are starting to happen."  She crossed into the room and sat gingerly on the bed.

Drea hated to wake the queen, given the rough, restless night she'd had.  But with Diana awake and moving around, the odds were that she'd be leaving very soon, and Hippolyta couldn't miss that event this time.  There was too much at stake for everyone. 

Hippolyta's bloodshot, blue eyes blinked up at Drea.  "What's happening, Drea?" she asked, pushing up onto her elbows and moving her hair out of her eyes.

"Diana's up and awake.  She left the hospice this morning.  I expect she will be leaving us shortly."

Hippolyta rubbed a hand over her face in an effort to kick-start her brain.  "Will you go start the shower for me, please?  I need to fire up my remaining brain cells before I try to tackle Diana."

Drea smiled.  "Yes, Love.  And I’ll see what I can do for breakfast as well."

"Thank you, Drea.  Someday I'll figure out what I did to deserve you."

Drea patted Hippolyta's leg as she rose from the bed.  "You love me, Pol.  That was enough."  Then she was out the door before the queen could collect her wits to reply.

Hippolyta heard the water come on and Drea leave their suite and head towards the kitchen before she sat up and got out of the bed.  She was already trying to decide what she would say to Diana on this occasion that she felt her daughter would listen to and accept from her.  Then she stepped under the spray and let the water wash her thoughts away and she focused on the feelings.  With a little luck, she would find the words to reach Diana through the feelings she still had for her.

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

Diana packed carefully.  She knew she wouldn't get a second chance at this.  She highly doubted she'd be welcomed back on Paradise Island once she left this time, but she knew this was something she needed to do. 

Diana went through her things carefully, trying to decide what she could live without.  So many things were tied to her heritage and who she was, but did she need them in her new life?  She bit her lip as she went through her things, choosing her clothing and then moving over to the scroll she had confiscated from the lot Mala had brought to her room only days previously.  That more than anything else on Paradise Island she felt tied her to the Amazons.  There was just something so familiar in that story....

So she added that to the small pile of items she wanted to take.  When she was satisfied with the choices she had made, Diana began to put each article into the small bag.  It was a little more than half full when she finished, but to take more felt... wrong.  She nodded in satisfaction.  What she had was enough.

Content with her progress, she lifted the bag and moved it out into her living area.  Then she headed out to the kitchen area to pick up some food.  Even with help getting off the island, she still had several days' worth of travel to get to where she needed to be, and she wanted to be prepared for anything.

The kitchen went silent, but Diana moved around with confidence, knowing they wouldn't lift a finger to stop her.  She chose foods that would last for a little bit, ignoring the looks of the staff around her, then prepared a loaf of bread and herbed butter.  Without a word, she gathered her parcel and left the kitchen, waiting for whispers that never came.

When she reached her room, Diana was surprised to see a small congregation of people waiting respectfully outside her door.  It had been so long since anyone had accorded her simple respect without a hint of fear that she stopped walking and simply looked at them.

Mala, Paula, Nubia and Drea returned her gaze evenly, hoping that their numbers would allow them the chance to show their consolidated support of her this time.  Hippolyta kept her eyes firmly on the ground in front of her, not wanting her daughter to read anything into her expression.

For her part, Diana was at something of a loss at how to react to these women as a group.  Together with her mother as part of the equation, they had the power to make this a less than pleasant departure.  She had hoped to avoid that and them with a clean getaway.  Obviously though, that wish had been in vain, and with a mental sigh she girded her loins and moved forward towards her door.

They moved back and waited for an invitation.  Diana debated for all of two seconds before she turned and gestured them into her rooms, hoping to get things over with quickly so she could leave.

They stepped in behind her, one at a time, and Mala took the lead, moving over to the couch and taking a seat.  The rest followed, though Hippolyta remained standing by the fireplace.  Diana continued on to her bag, placing the fruit and other food she had collected into her bag, filling it nicely.  Then she turned and faced what she knew was going to be an inquisition.

Drea, not surprisingly, took the lead, walking over to Diana and taking her hands.  She examined her with a healer's eyes first and then with the eyes of a mother.  She brushed the hair back from Diana's forehead then brushed her lips across it before gently cupping her face.

"How are you doing, Little One?" using the moniker that had been theirs alone during Diana's growing up years.  Diana smiled wistfully but didn't answer.  Drea returned the smile, seeing the difference in Diana's eyes.  "I want you to know that you go with my blessing and my prayers behind you, Diana."  Diana still didn't answer except for a squeeze to Drea's hand, but for Drea that was enough.

Mala approached next, confident in the change that had taken place in Diana's mind.  She took Diana's face in her hands and held it before placing a light kiss on either cheek.  "I know you haven't forgiven yet, Princess, but at least now you do understand the truth.  Think about it while you are away from us.  Promise me?"

Diana's answer was well considered and then it was only a single nod of her head.  But Mala understood and took it as the promise it was.

Paula rose from her spot, her hands filled with something she passed to Diana with a smile.  Diana gave the scientist her customary raised eyebrow look until she realized what Paula had placed into her grasp.  "I thought you would probably want to read up on everything.  Not much has changed considering more than a hundred years have passed, but a lot of history has happened in that time.  I, um... I included everything I could find about Chase."  The last she added at a bare whisper that even Diana had to struggle to make out, but when she did, the words made her smile and leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on Paula's cheek. 

"Thank you," Diana whispered into her ear.  Paula flushed in pleasure and backed up towards the small group of watchers.

Nubia stepped forward and took one of Diana's hands in hers.   "Good luck, Princess," she said simply, then moved to stand with her compatriots.

Diana had chance to wonder what had happened to cause what seemed to her to be a sudden change of heart.  Then Hippolyta stepped forward and a chilled hush fell over the room and over Diana's features.  The queen took a deep breath and spoke.

"Leave us, please," she requested of the Amazons.  They looked at one another, then Diana, then finally Hippolyta before one after the other they filed out of the room.  Drea was the last to leave, and she touched first Diana's arm, then Hippolyta's before crossing the threshold to wait outside.

Diana looked at her mother with disdain for a very long moment before deliberately turning her back and picking up her travel bag.  Then she moved towards the door and out of Hippolyta's life.  The queen held out a beseeching hand.

"Diana, please."

The princess stopped walking but didn't turn to face the queen.  The anger she felt coursing through her veins was palpable and it required more self-control than she had imagined it would to keep from acting on those impulses.  Hippolyta reached out again but stopped just short of actually touching Diana.  She could easily ready the hairsbreadth of control her daughter was maintaining and had no desire to push her beyond her limits.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. 

Diana closed her eyes, but otherwise gave no outward sign that she had heard Hippolyta speak.  She would have given anything to have heard those words a hundred years ago when this all meant something to her.  Now?  Now she simply wanted to leave it behind to begin life again with – well, she wasn't exactly sure what or who Chase was or could be to her.  But she did know she was anxious to find out.

Hippolyta's shoulders slumped at Diana's lack of reaction to her apology.  She had known it was going to be hard, but she hadn't expected it to be impossible.  And it looked like Diana was going to make it as near to impossible as she could manage.  "I'm sorry," she whispered again.  "I know that what I did to you before was wrong, and I'm sorry, Diana.  I'm sorry, and I know I will never be able to make that up to you.  But I want you to know that you have my blessing and my total support in this new fight.  It’s time for you to resume the title that has always been rightfully yours and the Amazons stand at your disposal if necessary.  Please be safe and come home soon, Daughter."

Diana never turned or acknowledged Hippolyta's words.  Instead she waited until the queen was finished speaking, then she walked out the door without a backwards glance.  Hippolyta sank to the couch and dropped her head into her hands.  She had done the best she knew how – the rest was up to Diana.  And right now, she didn't hold out a lot of hope out for that.

When Diana stepped from her room, Drea took up cadence beside her, steering her down to the docks while the rest of the council filed into Diana's quarters to check on their queen.  It was something Hippolyta and Drea had discussed, knowing that the odds of Diana accepting Hippolyta's words were nil, yet wanting Diana to understand she had their unwavering support.

"I realize we cannot give you another invisible plane to travel into man's world, but we thought perhaps you would accept passage on the royal yacht instead.  A crew stands by awaiting your leisure to depart.  They will take you to the nearest inhabited island where you will be dropped off.  Paula has already prepared your travel papers and all the credentials you will need.  They are in the packet she gave you earlier.  By our calculations, even with favorable winds, the journey will take you a couple days. That should give you plenty of time to read and memorize all the information she collected."

Diana nodded.  Already her mind was making plans.  She knew just from Paula's words that they all expected her to seek out Chase immediately.  But that was not her first goal.  As much as her soul would welcome another opportunity to understand who Chase was and what they had been... were... could be to one another, her heart and mind required vengeance first.  Vengeance for the crimes perpetrated against her; vengeance for the evil perpetrated against Chase; and vengeance for the betrayal of both the Amazon Nation and mankind.  It was an instinct deeply ingrained in her psyche, and she would not... could not... ignore it.

Drea saw the far-off look in Diana's eye and wondered where her mind had drifted in that brief interlude.  Something in her expression made Drea think it had not been a pleasant sojourn and she wondered if she should have someone accompany the princess on her travels into man's world.  Then her common sense reasserted herself and she realized that adding more pieces to this puzzle would only complicate things immeasurably – and this was complicated enough without making that kind of effort.

They reached the dock where the boat rose and fell gently in time with the waves as it stood ready to depart.  The captain and her crew stood waiting to welcome their princess with hesitant smiles, and Diana reflected on just how bizarre it was to feel almost like part of the Nation again.  She wondered at the sudden change of heart among the women, not realizing they were responding to the changes in her.  Changes that she would come to recognize and appreciate more and more in the near future.

In the meantime though, she nodded to the captain and crew as she set foot on the deck, then turned to Drea who had followed her.  Diana allowed Drea to give her a very fleeting embrace before she moved away from her and towards her cabin.  Drea and the entire crew watched her disappear below decks before exchanging glances.

"We'll take good care of our princess," the captain reassured Drea with a squeeze to her arm.  "The Nation doesn't know everything yet, but we know enough.  It is time we show Diana the support she deserves... both as our princess and as our champion.  We’re glad we’re allowed to do so once again."

Drea nodded.  She had known the Nation had been deeply disturbed by Diana’s position an outcast but no one had known how to get past Diana's behavior towards them.  She hoped this would be a new beginning for everyone.  It was as important to the Amazon Nation as it was to Diana.

"So am I, Captain.  But understand you are only to transport the princess to the island.  No one is to remain behind.  This is something Diana has to work out for herself first before the Nation gets involved."

"But we will get the chance, Drea?  Will we get a chance to be part of the solution this time?"

Drea thought about it before she nodded.  "I think so, Captain.  I really do."

"Good," the captain replied firmly.  "We'll be off then, and we'll be back in five or six days.  Maybe a week if the winds don’t change."

"Safe journey, sisters."  Then Drea went down the gangplank and the crew prepared to cast off.  Drea turned and watched the activity on the ship.  Then she offered up a prayer to the goddesses for their safety...  and especially for Diana.

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

Diana went directly to her cabin, absently noting the fact that the crew had made an effort to welcome her.  There were fresh sheets and flowers in the cabin and the window had been opened to let in fresh air.  Diana pushed her hair back and dropped to the small couch, reaching into her bag and retrieving the information Paula had given her.  With any luck, she would find the answers she needed and more besides.

She was totally engrossed in her reading when a knock on the door interrupted her.  Diana frowned and looked up, then sighed as she rose and walked to the door.  She opened it to find the first mate looking back at her.  Diana sighed silently again.

Once upon a time, Nigelia had an unrequited crush on her and Diana had politely but firmly made her understand that she just wasn't interested.  It wasn't like Diana hadn't had to do the same thing with any number of others, but Nigelia had taken it very personally. 

"Princess, I was sent to escort you to luncheon."  Nigelia smiled at the confusion that crossed Diana's features.  "We have been underway for the better part of five hours, Princess."  She chuckled when Diana blinked in surprise and realized that Diana had been so absorbed in something that she was completely unaware of the passage of time.  "Let me bring you a tray, Princess.  I apparently interrupted you."

Diana stood, torn between the need to continue her reading and the desire not to owe anything to Nigelia.  Reading Diana's hesitation and guessing at the reason behind it, Nigelia rushed to put Diana at ease.

"Please don't feel obligated to join us, Princess.  We know you have a lot to do between now and our arrival at the island.  The Captain simply thought you might like an excuse to get out of your cabin for a while.  It’s a beautiful day and we’re dining on deck."  She hesitated, then continued.  "You don't want to miss my Enora's cooking.  No one makes a better peach cobbler than she does."

Diana blinked again, understanding immediately that Nigelia was no longer interested in her.  She realized she had missed their joining and it occurred to her to wonder how many other important things she had missed during her self-imposed exile.  With a smile, she accepted Nigelia's invitation and followed the first mate topside.

It was shaping up to be an interesting voyage.


Chapter XXII

By the time they reached the island, Diana had memorized everything Paula had given her.  She found the fact that civilization had stagnated quite fascinating, but realized it had made the formulation of her plans much easier.  Tactics had always been her favorite part of training and she finally had a chance to use them in her own unorthodox way.  She wondered what her instructors would think about the decision she had made.

Without effort, her thoughts turned away from her plans and swung back to Chase with the inevitability of a compass to the north.  There was something completely mesmerizing about her and Diana couldn’t help but wonder why.

She was more than interesting, though she certainly was that.  The facts in her dossier made that profusely clear.  And it was more than intelligence, though Chase also possessed that in abundance as well.   It wasn’t even her beauty that Diana had seen clearly despite the injuries Chase had borne when Diana had both rescued and visited her.  No, it was much more than that, though it was all of those things combined as well.  It was something intangible; something that spoke to Diana’s soul; something her soul cried out for.

She wondered briefly if she were being stupid by ignoring the truth her heart recognized and her soul knew to be true by choosing revenge and retribution over whatever possibilities there might be with Chase.  But her mind knew there could be nothing between them until Orana was destroyed.  And Diana firmly believed that was her responsibility.  So Diana tucked the information about Chase away until she could use it.  Then she gathered her things together to leave the ship.

When she reached the deck, each and every Amazon stood at attention in a two-line formation waiting to say goodbye.  Diana was a little nonplussed.  Though she hadn’t made an effort to completely cut herself off from her sisters as she had on Paradise Island, her reading had kept her cloistered for the majority of her voyage.  So she was surprised to see them all acting as an honor guard.  Then the Captain stepped forward.

“It has been an honor, Princess.  If there is anything more we can do....”

Diana didn’t say a word but turned to the Captain and extended her hand.  Then she saluted the women who stood looking at her.  As one body, they returned the salute and were treated to a rare, full-mouth smile from their reclusive princess.  More than one fell back into instant lust, but Diana never noticed.  Her heart was already full of Chase and her mind already engaged on her upcoming battle with Orana.

Diana turned and walked down the gangway to the dock without a backwards glance.  The Amazons watched her go, following her progress until she was out of sight.  Then they made preparations to get back underway.

“Hey, Captain?” Nigelia asked, coming over to stand beside the Captain as the ship backed out of the port.  “You think she’ll be all right?”

“I think... I think we’ve finally gotten our princess back.”

Nigelia smiled.  “I think the world is in for one Hades of a surprise then.”

Laughter accompanied them back out to open ocean.

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

“Chase, you can’t do it.  You cannot lead another mission.  Have you forgotten what happened that last time you went out??”

Bare silence met the words as everyone waited for Chase’s reaction.  She wasn’t known to tolerate fools lightly and Shep had just crossed a line even Hans hesitated in stepping over.  It was one thing to protest her leaving; it was something else again to bring up what she perceived as a failure.  Even though everyone else in the rebellion considered it at least a partial success, Chase still counted it as a failure for needing to be rescued from it, and Shep was trying to use that to his advantage.

“I see,” calmly, frigidly.  “And who died and made you God here?”

Shep swallowed hard.  The cold precision of her words cut into him; he knew she was angry beyond description and that scared him.  But he also felt he had a point that needed to be made and pressed on.  “You did when you went out and died – or we thought you had.  That left me in charge of this place... of this rebellion”

“Uh huh.  And so what – you think you’re still in charge that you can start issuing orders, Shep?  Did I miss something here?  Are you assuming command?”

“No!” his eyes widening almost comically.  “No, that’s my whole point, Chase!  You went out on a routine mission and even with the odds in your favor, we still almost lost you completely to a chance encounter with the Nazis.  Like it or not, you are what holds us all together.  No one else can make this rebellion work like you do, Chase.  All we were doing was marking time until we found you.  God, can’t you understand??  This is serious!!”

Chase regarded Shep from beneath scowling brows.  “Yeah, Shep, you’re right.  This is serious.  I find it very serious that you think this whole rebellion sits on my shoulders.”  She slapped her hands on the desk, causing Shep to stumble.  The back of his knees hit a chair and he fell into it gracelessly.  “How dare you!!  How dare you put the whole of this on me and completely discount the efforts of every other person involved in this rebellion.  Goddamn it, Shep!!  I don’t do this on my own!!”

He jumped up, leaning his weight on the desk and leaving only a hairsbreadth between them.  “Exactly!  Find someone else to lead this mission.  We need you here!”

Chase sank back into her seat though her eyes never left Shep’s.  He stood up straighter, breaking eye contact and looking around the room with a smirk.  He hadn’t expected her to capitulate so easily.  Then he turned his attention back to her and had to physically restrain himself from shivering at the look in her eyes.  He got her unspoken message loud and clear and sank slowly into the seat behind him.

“All right, Shep.  You think you need me here so badly.  Tell me who you’re going to send in my place, hmm?  Who knows the Reichstag better than I do?  WHO IS THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE SURVIVED THAT GOD-FORSAKEN, FUCKING HELLHOLE AND COME OUT ALIVE?!?”

“Chase....”

“NO!!!”  She drew a deep breath to center herself before speaking again.  “No, Shep, there is no one else!  No one knows the horrors I’ve seen there, and no one else has been able to penetrate it with nearly the success that I had!!  And not for lack of trying either - we’ve lost too many good operatives there because even when I share my knowledge of that place, people still get caught.”  She ran a hand through her short hair.  “Like it or not, this is something I have to do.  If I’m the leader, then you have to let me lead, Shep.  It’s the only thing I am good at aside from making everyone nuts.”

Shep smiled ruefully at the partial truth in both statements.  Chase was a leader who had earned her right and deserved to lead this crucial mission, and she most definitely drove everyone to distraction.  But they were certainly not the only things she was good at though she was determined not to be convinced otherwise... at least until the rebellion was over.  He shook his head.

“All right, all right.  You’re absolutely right; but dammit Chase, we need you here too!”

“Shep, if things work out like they should, then you’re not gonna need me here for much longer anyway.  You and Jen can get married and settle down – raise a family.”  Chase nearly chuckled watching his eye get very round at her words.  “Breathe,” she commented softly when she realized he was holding his breath.  “Shep, it’s gonna be a little while still before we win, but you do need to start wrapping your mind around the fact that we’re going to win and when we do, we’re all gonna go on to different things – different lives apart from one another.  I won’t be there to lead you then.”  She motioned to Jen who stood in the back of the room with the rest of the team.  “Jen will.”

Everyone cracked up over the truth of her pronouncement and the tension in the room eased considerably.  “Besides,” she said leaning back in her chair, “with a little luck, recon will take care of this new development before I have to take care of it personally.  I only plan to go in for the final offensive, and our timetable for that has not changed.”

Shep held up his hands, conceding the point.  He recognized he wasn’t going to win.  “Okay, then.  At least you’ve set my mind at ease about the intruder.  I thought....”

“... that I was just going to rush over?  C’mon, Shep – give me a little credit.  We don’t know who this person is or what they want.  All we know is that someone suspicious is traveling alone in the dark and asking the odd question of our people.  We’re keeping an eye on it, but I imagine it will be brought here before very much longer – certainly before we start our big offensive push.”

“Sorry, Chase.  It’s just... we’ve lived this way for so long... all our lives, and the thought of it being over – of everything changing is terrifying.”  He cleared his throat, then lowered his voice.  “Besides I really was worried about you.  You’ve been a little, I dunno... off since we brought you home.”

Chase didn’t miss a beat.  “You mean you haven’t always thought I was a bit off, Shep? Tch, tch,” she clicked her tongue.  “And here I thought for sure I had done a better job than that,” garnering the laughter from the room she had been looking for.  She picked up a pencil and scooted closer to the desk.  “Note to self,” she mumbled loudly enough for everyone to hear.  “Work harder to insure Shep knows I am more than a little bit off.”  Everyone tittered.

“Oh Shep, I’m sooooo glad I’m not in your place.  It sucks to be you, man!” Mitch cackled.

“Uh huh.  Just remember that whatever I suffer is going to spill over to the rest of you.”

Chase grinned evilly.  “I dunno, Shep.  I’m betting I could keep my focus solely on you.”  The room exploded into laughter when Shep simply dropped his head into his hands and groaned.  

“Oh God, it really does suck to be me!”

For her part, Chase felt better having dodged that particular bullet.  There were still things she wanted to work out in her mind, things she hadn’t shared with anyone and likely wouldn’t.  But before she could worry about Amazons and the possibilities they presented, she had a war to help win and nothing, NOTHING was going to get in the way of that.  They had all worked too hard to be waylaid by something intangible like her mixed-up, totally confusing feelings.

“C’mon.  That made me hungry.  Let’s go see what Cookie fixed up for dinner.”

“Chase, it’s SOS today, just like it has been every week for the past....”  Ty turned around and looked at the group.  “What year is this again?”  She shook her head.  “God, I think the food has finally eaten through my last functioning brain cell.”

“Is that your excuse this week?” Hans asked with a wicked grin.

Ty went to make a smart remark before she caught the teasing glint in his eyes.  She sauntered up close to him.  “Ya know, Hans, I know where you live, and you can’t stay awake forever.”

He swallowed hard then realized she was teasing back.  It made him smile and a little bit reckless.  “Last one to the chow hall has to skip dessert.”  It took him nearly ten seconds to realize he was standing in the room alone, the door swinging eerily.  “Hey, wait for me!!”  Their laughter floated back to him and his return laughter caught up to them long before he did. The evening suddenly had all sorts of interesting possibilities.

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

Diana sat in the same outdoor café that the Nazis frequented gathering information.  They talked fairly freely here, assuming the natives and few tourists didn’t speak their language.  Already she had more than enough inside intelligence to get her to Germany safely.  After that, it would be a matter of getting into the Reichstag.  Paula had given her complete blueprints of the building and she felt confident in her abilities to find Orana once she was inside.  First though, she had to make arrangements to get to Nazi territory.

It was simple enough, really.  Diana was fluent in nearly every written and spoken language in the world including several dead ones, so with the papers Paula had again so thoughtfully provided, she was able to obtain a tourist visa to travel to the Old World.

To make things easy, Diana’s new persona was one she was familiar with – Diana Prince.  The council had discussed it at length before making the decision to go with the known alias.  Though it was a little bit chancy, she could always convince Chase her name was a throwback to an old ancestor if she didn’t feel comfortable telling her the truth.  Of course, they had no idea she was walking into the lion’s den.

However, working in her favor was not only the fact that she was well-acquainted with her persona, but also that there were no real records left from her original pilgrimage into the world of men.  Bits and pieces were all that remained of the original Diana Prince, but there was no way to find them unless one knew exactly when and where to look  And of course, one would need a reason to go looking in the first place.  There was only one person in the world who might feel the need to go looking, and Diana wasn’t going to give Orana the opportunity to know who was coming for her until it was too late.

So she took care to make her looks different from what Orana knew and what the records remembered.  It was amazing how a few cosmetic changes could completely alter one’s appearance, and she only had to maintain them long enough to get into the Reichstag.  After that, it wouldn’t matter.

It cost a small fortune, but one she was well able to afford thanks to Paula.  With her new look in place and her papers in order, Diana Prince was able to purchase a ticket for a flight to the old country the following day. 

In an odd way even knowing the danger she faced, Diana was looking forward to it.  Because of the restrictions she was forced to travel under, she would be going to Greece and then making her way into Germany from there.  She was finally going to see the home she had only read about.

The trip was long and not particularly comfortable though she wasn’t completely miserable either.  Still Diana was glad to see the flight end after a grueling twenty-four hours of travel.  Fortunately, enough people traveled between Greece and the islands that a woman traveling alone didn’t draw undue attention to herself.

Diana was exhausted when they touched down and she immediately made her way to the nearest hotel, not even able to appreciate the beauty that surrounded her.  Then she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep for twelve hours of uninterrupted sleep.  When she woke she felt like a new woman, and she made ready to make her way to find Orana.  But first....

She didn’t have time for much; it was too important to get Orana taken care of and find Chase.  But she had determined to visit the Acropolis.  It wouldn’t take long and more than anything, she wanted to see Athena’s temple.  Slowly she walked up the hill and through the Parthenon, taking a long look around. She closed her eyes briefly and was able to imagine what it might have been like in its glory.  Then she crossed over to the Temple of Athena and simply stood in awe and despair.  She spared a thought to wish she could have actually seen it in Athens’ heyday. 

From Mount Olympus, six goddesses observed Diana, fascinated with her reaction to what truly was her past in another lifetime.  They monitored her progress in the Parthenon and watched as she dropped to her knees in the Temple.  But she never called out to them or asked for their presence so they had to be content with observation.

“What about her mothers?”

Athena turned to Aphrodite, who had raised the question.  “What about them, Dite?  They have prayed for us to watch over her and that’s what we are doing.  Diana hasn’t asked for our help yet.”

“But are we going to tell them?”

“Tell them what??  Moreover, we can’t,” Hera said.  “They haven’t asked and we don’t have the power to interfere here anymore.  Ares has seen to that.”

“So she’s just going to walk into the spider’s web with nothing?  That is just so wrong!” Dite wailed in frustration.

Athena nodded.  “It would be if it was true, but somehow I don’t think Diana’s plans are as well laid as Chase’s.”

“Huh?”  Dite’s not-so-brilliant response elicited a round of laughter from her fellow goddesses and broke the tension in the scrying room.  Artemis leaned forward and kissed her sometimes ditzy sister on the forehead.

“Don’t you ever go changing, Dite.  We love you just the way you are.”

Dite smiled and held out her arms.  “Aww, you guys....  Group hug!!”  They grumbled good-naturedly, but everyone complied and strangely they felt better for the effort. Then Dite looked around expectantly.  “So what is so radical about what Chase is doing that makes it way better than Diana?  I thought our princess babe, ya know, like, couldn’t be beat.”

“Normally, no, but Diana is in the world of men now.  And she’s going to have to learn to play by a new set of rules.  Lucky for her, Chase is on her side... or will be eventually.”

“Ooo, I love it when a plan comes together... especially a gnarly love match like this one.”

“Yeah,” Athena agreed casually.  “Don’t we all?”


Chapter XXIII

Diana felt a sense of purpose envelop her as she knelt in the temple and she savored the peace it brought her.  Then she rose and made her way out of the temple, off the Acropolis and out of Greece.

If she had thought her trip to Greece had been bad, it was nothing compared to her journey to Berlin.  She had shucked her feminine garb for something much more practical to her needs – trousers, a rough workman’s shirt and sturdy boots.  The men’s clothing was less uncomfortable than it was awkward.  Still she wished for the freedom of the less constrictive clothing she was used to.  She traveled at night to avoid bringing too much attention to herself, though she knew there were watchers then as well as during the day.  But the night watchers never stopped her; they only tracked her progress and she was happy to let them.  Diana looked at it as a chance to sharpen her stealth skills.  She figured, rightly so, that they were not Nazis since they didn’t stop her, and that unless she showed herself to be a Nazi, none of these would bother her.  It was on the second point that she miscalculated.

It was slow going at night since the moon wanted to remain hidden by clouds, but Diana had learned to count that as a blessing.  If she had difficulty seeing, then everyone else had difficulty seeing her.  And after a week of solid travel, she was dirty enough that she blended in with everyone around her.

Twice she had had to stop and ask directions.  She had been very careful not to approach those marked as soldiers and instead focused her attention on the peasants who worked the land.  She’d had to awaken early on those days to reach a farmhouse just before sunset, but she felt that bit of exposure was safer than being shot at for knocking at someone’s door after curfew.

The people she had interacted with had looked at her askance when she asked flawlessly in their native tongue, but they treated her with respect, answering her questions and offering her a bit of their own meager supplies before letting her continue on her way.  Few were known to travel the road at night, and no one headed to Berlin.  Diana had no way of knowing she had chosen resistance fighters who sent notice of her and her activities directly to Chase.

Finally Berlin came in to view and Diana felt a sense of triumph at being so close to her goal.  Nightmare images flashed through her mind of her previous visit to this place, and for a long moment Diana let them wash over her.  She relished the pain and anger that accompanied them because she harnessed that energy and allowed them to make her stronger.  Then with strength of purpose, she began her trek into the city itself.

She arrived during the day.  Here it was most important to blend in, and no one traveled in the city at night.  She looked around with familiar eyes, but it was different than before.  For one thing, the tang of war was less sharp.  There were fewer obvious troops about though they were still certainly a presence throughout the area.  But Diana found it incredibly easy to skirt them; they seemed less vigilant - almost smug and complacent in their achieved superiority.

However she also noticed the pall that hung over the city, much more prevalent than it had been out in the countryside she had traveled through.  There, people had been resigned to their lot in life, but there was also a determined air about them as well.  Here in the heart of the Nazi regime, there was nothing but resignation.

Diana looked around and saw that the city was dirty.  Oh, nothing obviously filthy or disgusting, but not the pristine condition that she had expected either.  Corners had had bits of garbage swept into them and leaves were scattered all over the steps and sidewalks.  The few people she saw out and about looked tired, but they went about their business briskly.

Slowly she made her way through the city, mentally noting troop locations and watch stations.  The closer Diana got to the Reichstag, the heavier the traffic became, both foot and motorized.  As she watched, the Reichstag became a flurry of activity.  A car pulled up in front and a squad of black shirts ran out of the building and down the steps in two lines to form an honor guard.  After a moment’s hesitation, the doors opened again, and this time the Fuehrer walked out.

Diana blinked, recognizing Orana immediately.  She quelled the urge to rush out from her hiding place.  Diana fully intended to destroy Orana and live to find Chase – running headlong into a Nazi ambush was not at the top of her list for accomplishing that.  She watched as the car drove off, then started to lay her plans.

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

“Whatcha got for me, Harry?”  Chase rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and squinted at the paper the radioman thrust into her hands over his shoulder.  He continued to monitor the incoming signal while Chase leaned on his shoulder to share the small reading light on his desk.  It was still dark out and the lamp didn’t illuminate much but the immediate area under it.

He handed her up a second paper as the first hit the desk.  Then she turned and looked at him squarely.  “Are you sure about this, Harry?”

“Yes, ma’am.  I double-checked it just like I always do.  This is the same one who was asking questions.”

“All right.  Have recon pick them up.  I want them brought here immediately.”

Harry’s eyes widened.  “You want...?  Ma’am, yes MA’AM!” he barked, reading the seriousness in Chase’s eyes.  Then he turned back to his radio unit and began encoding Chase’s message.

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

Diana found a small hiding place near the Reichstag in the attic of an old church.  It had been converted into a temple for Ares at some point but now it stood empty and neglected.  So Diana took the opportunity to hide, not wanting to leave the area just to have to track her way back into the city under the cover of night.  She had heard of a rally that was to take place that night in front of the Reichstag and knew it would be the easiest way to slip in undetected.

Curled up in the corner, she let her thoughts turn to the woman she knew as Chase.  All the information Paula had given her painted an intriguing portrait of the young woman Diana had only just been able to talk to briefly before her departure from Paradise Island.  She looked forward to finding out how accurate Paula’s information was.  She had the feeling that there was much more than met the eye, or the paper, when it came to Annabelle Chaser.

Night fell and with it came the increased sounds of the populace being herded into the square in front of the Reichstag.  Waitaminute...being herded??  Diana looked out the slats in the small attic window to the street below.  Her ears hadn’t deceived her – while some of the people seemed genuinely excited about the coming party rally, the remainder of them seemed resigned to it.

Diana wondered what Orana was doing so wrong that even as the victor of the war, the people were still unhappy.  Then she turned her attention to getting into the Reichstag.  She knew she would need every bit of time she had to get through the crowd and into the building.  She snuck down the stairs and into the street, unaware of the eyes tracking her progress.

Diana had marked her prey carefully.  She needed to be someone of significant enough rank to have a bit of freedom inside the building, but low enough not to draw attention to herself.  It had taken a bit of doing, but she had found a black-shirt lieutenant who would suit her purposes admirably.  He was even the right size.

Slowly she tracked around the perimeter of the gathering, noting that those who were enthusiastic about being here had been interspersed among those who weren’t until it gave the impression that they were all glad to be there.  Then Orana stepped out onto the second floor balcony and a cry arose.  From where she stood, Diana could tell some were cheers of victory while others were screams of frustration and defeat.  But regardless of the reason behind it, there was a raucous cacophony of noise that echoed across the square and out into the stillness of the night.  It was a perfect cover for Diana to take out her target and strip him of his uniform.

The watching eyes blinked in astonishment – the Nazi had been disabled, stripped and bound in just under two minutes.  Of course, it was then that they realized their mysterious visitor was a woman.  But they had their orders, and they moved in to carry them out.

The female watcher split from her cohort and snapped the officer’s neck first thing.  Then he was unbound and his body was carefully hidden. Whatever Diana’s personal beliefs in regards to the sanctity of life, the fact was the rebellion had its own code.  And that included the annihilation of the enemy at every given opportunity especially here.

The second watcher continued to follow Diana into the Reichstag, impressed by both the woman’s stealth and prowess and almost regretting the necessity of his next action.

Most of the officers had been moved outdoors for the rally so getting through the open areas of the Reichstag was a cakewalk.  Just before Diana could advance past the public areas and make her way into the private domain Orana occupied, she felt a sting to the back of her neck.  She slid soundlessly to the floor.  The watcher moved to her side swiftly, covering her nose and mouth with a chloroform doused handkerchief to ensure that she remained unconscious for some time to come.

By the time the female watcher joined them, Diana had been bound hands and feet.  Then the male watcher lifted her onto his shoulder in a fireman’s carry and the trio made their way swiftly and silently out the same side door they had entered through.  The cheers from the rally covered any noise they made and the watchers moved quickly back into the shadows.

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

“Thank you, Harry,” Chase replied as she read the latest transmission.  The radioman nodded and saluted.

“Any orders, ma’am?”

“Just keep me posted Harry, though the traffic should settle down once they are underway.”  She looked at the missive again.  “And from the looks of things, that should be very soon.”  Chase yawned and stretched and saw Harry struggling not to do the same.  “Send them my thanks and congratulations and then go get some sleep, Harry.  You’ve had a hell of a long day.”

“Yes ma’am,” Harry replied and took his leave of her.

Chase looked over this dispatch once more.  Something was weird about all this; something that didn’t add up at all.  This intruder... this woman didn’t appear to be a Nazi sympathizer; her actions painted quite a different picture.  But she was also not part of the resistance or the rebellion... at least not that anyone knew.  Chase had checked with each of the small pocket groups once the first cell brought the interloper to her attention.  No one knew anything about the woman, and now she was on her way to headquarters.

Chase leaned back in her chair and scratched her head thoughtfully.  She wondered where the woman had come from and what her intent had been.  It was clear just from the reports that had already come in that the woman had some sort of plan.  Her movements had been too precise and deliberate to believe otherwise.

With any luck, Chase would have her answers soon.  But until then she still had work to get done.  Her workday wasn’t over yet.

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

Diana woke up with the throbbing headache.  She blinked her eyes slowly, trying to figure out where she was.  There was a low throbbing hum that ran throughout the length of her body.  Diana struggled to move only to find that her hands and feet were tied.  At least, she thought thankfully, her hands were tied in front of her.  It could have been much worse.  She tilted her head to look around and met the eyes of someone she didn’t recognize.  The woman crouched down next to the pallet she was on.  Diana watched her carefully, but she didn’t move or speak.  Despite her bindings, Diana did not get a feeling of menace from the woman, only curiosity.

“Would you like to sit up?” the woman asked in a quiet tone.  Diana nodded and the woman grabbed her arm and eased her into a sitting position.  “Better?”  Diana nodded again.  The woman sighed.  “My name is Lynn.  I, uh... I apologize for the bindings, but those were our orders.  Since we don’t know anything about you or whose side you’re on....”  She shrugged.  “The commander will have to make the decision on when to remove them.”  She picked up her canteen.  “Water – would you like some?”

Diana nodded and Lynn lifted the canteen to her lips.  Diana drank deeply, finally pulling away before she choked.  “Thanks,” she whispered.

Lynn smiled.  “Ah, so you do speak.  Do you have a name?”  Diana nodded but didn’t elaborate.  Lynn smiled wryly.  “You wanna share?”

Diana shook her head. 

Lynn nodded.  “All right.  That’s your prerogative.  I just thought it might be more pleasant than calling you ‘Hey, You’, but whatever.  Let me tell you a little about what’s going on now.  For the moment you’re a prisoner of the rebellion, and as we speak you’re on an airplane being flown to headquarters.”

Diana remained quiet for a while longer, considering the words carefully.  Finally she raised her head and met Lynn’s.  “Why?” whispered so low that Lynn would have missed it had she not been watching Diana so closely.

“Why what?  Why are you a prisoner or why are you on an airplane headed to headquarters?”  At Diana’s nod, Lynn smiled and dug into her kit, removing a chocolate bar and offering Diana a piece before taking a bite for herself.

“Well you’re a prisoner because those were our orders – you were to be captured unharmed.  You’re on an airplane headed to headquarters because the commander wants to talk to you and this is the fastest way to get you there.”  Lynn saw the questions lurking in the back of Diana’s eyes, but she shook her head.  “No, I’m not gonna tell how we did it and got away.  That’s on a need to know basis and right now, you don’t qualify as need to know.”

Diana shrugged then lay back down on the cot, dropping the chocolate onto her chest untasted. 

“I’m sorry,” Lynn started, but Diana closed her eyes effectively cutting off the conversation.  Lynn waited a while to see if Diana would change her mind, but eventually she gave up and moved back to her seat that was slightly more comfortable than the floor she had been sitting on.

Diana kept her eyes closed.  Her thoughts turned to Chase and how hindsight made her wish she had sought her out first.  She had totally messed up the one opportunity she’d had to prove herself a true Amazon Princess to both her mother and the Nation.  Then she grabbed her resolve by its ears and resigned herself to wait.  She could still do this.  Once she knew who and what she was up against, she would be able to figure out a way to fix her current situation.  Until then she might as well get as much rest as she could manage.  Only the gods knew when the opportunity would come again.

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

Chase had fallen asleep at her desk, and Ty just looked at her for a long moment.  When she was asleep, Chase looked much younger; closer to her actual age than she appeared when she was awake.  The lines of responsibility softened in sleep and Ty smiled as memories of their youth together assailed her.  If someone had told her when they were kids growing up together that they and particularly Chase would be responsible for the entire rebellion and the resistance fighters, they would have been locked away to sober up.

Then her thoughts turned darker, remembering the person Chase had become after her mother was killed.  It hadn’t been pretty and if it hadn’t been for the fact that the things she did had to be done, Ty would have....  Ty shook her head – she wasn’t sure she could have done anything.  Frankly she believed that the rebellion was the only thing that had kept Chase alive at the time.  It had given her a sense of purpose that nothing else could.

She thought about their conversation in the shower.  Of all of them, she wondered how Chase would survive when the war was finally over and they all went their separate ways because Chase was the only one who let the rebellion become her whole world.  She had nothing else.

Ty shook herself from her musings and crossed the small hut to nudge Chase awake.  She found herself looking down the business end of a revolver and took an instinctive step back while raising her hands to show she was unarmed.

It took Chase’s brain a moment longer to catch up with her reflexes.  “Goddamn it, Ty!” she muttered, dropping the gun on the desk and scrubbing her hands through her hair and over her face.  “What the hell’s wrong with you?  You know better than to wake me up like that.”

The sharp retort that rested on her lips died there when she saw the sheer frustration and... something unrecognizable... in Chase’s eyes.  Something was bothering her – something deep.  So instead of yelling back, she took a different tack.

“I know, Chase, and I’m sorry.  But we got word the plane is about ten minutes out.  I figured you might want a few minutes to....”  She shrugged.  “I dunno – pull yourself together?  Who knows how long this interrogation will last, and you did say you wanted to lead it.”

Chase shook her head and ran her hands through her hair again.  “You’re right,” she yawned.  “What time is it?”

Ty yawned and stretched; she hated the midnight watch.  “It’s just shy of three am.  Let me let you wake up – I’ll go grab us a couple coffees from the mess and then we can set things up.”

Chase nodded.  “Sounds good, Ty.  Have them take her to the conference room, but no funny business – none.  I don’t want any teasing or taunting or worse.  I’m convinced she isn’t a Nazi – her actions... well, it’s a gut feeling more than anything.  I think she is on our side, but I want to be sure. Two guards in the room and two more at either door.  No one else is to be in the room with her until I get there.  Understood?”

Ty nodded.  When Chase got a gut feeling, it was usually dead-on right.  She wasn’t going to question it.  “You got it, Boss.  Be back in five.”

Chase watched Ty leave, then straightened up the papers on her desk.  She had been writing in her journal when she fell asleep and now her attention was caught by the words Amazons and Paradise Island.  With a frustrated growl, she slammed the book shut and grabbed a towel to go clean up.  It was going to be a very long day.

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

Lynn had untied her legs when they landed to refuel so Diana could walk around and use the facilities.  Diana briefly considered fleeing but to where?  She had no idea where she was and so far, except for being bound, she had no real complaint of her treatment.  She decided the more prudent course of action would be to talk to this commander.  These were obviously not Nazis.  Perhaps this leader could be reasoned with.

Now they were preparing to land again.  Lynn had not attempted conversation with her again except to explain what would happen to her if she tried to escape.  This time, Lynn merely reminded her not to be stupid and then she felt the plane touch down again.  When it stopped rolling, Lynn stood and took Diana by the elbow, helping her to stand and move toward the hatch that was being opened by her other two guards. Then she was marched down the short staircase and out into the vast darkness.

The darkness became what appeared to be a small village, though if she hadn’t been looking for something, Diana admitted she probably would have missed it.  But she didn’t have time to admire it – her captors took her straight into a large building and seated her at the long table before two new guards took their place.  Then silence fell while Diana waited on the outcome of her future.


Chapter XXIV

The door closed again and the dim lighting was turned up to a more normal level of brightness.  Diana blinked against the harshness of the glare.  When she opened her eyes, all she could do was stare.

Chase looked freshly washed and Diana’s anger at being brought to this place melted into something else.  Suddenly Diana had the desire for the same.  For one thing, she wanted out of the Nazi uniform she was currently wearing and for another, it seemed as though it had been forever since she’d had a decent shower.

Chase sat down across from her, looking through a few reports and sipping from a mug.  She glanced up and was glad to see that the prisoner appeared to have been well treated.  She made a note to commend the members of the rebellion on following her instructions to the letter. 

“Chase?”

The sound of her name whispered from the lips of the woman who currently sat bound before her caused Chase to spew her coffee.  She slammed her mug on the table then turned her attention to Diana.  Then she hesitated, cocking her head as though listening to an inner voice.  Something about that whisper, that inflection was familiar.  But that was impossible.  She had never seen the woman before and Diana was not a woman easily forgotten.  Chase blinked, pulling her eyes away from the mesmerizing blue that held her own so easily.  She stood to her feet and leaned on the table.  “Who are you?” asked quietly. “And how do you know who I am?”

Diana stared at her.  Why didn’t Chase recognize her?  Then she noticed that Chase really did have the most amazing green eyes – something she had not seen on Paradise Island.  Whatever had inhibited Chase’s eyesight there was clearly not a problem here in man’s world.  Those green eyes had gold flecks in them, Diana realized as they drilled into hers waiting impatiently for an answer.  She felt a bit of her own ire return.

“Why am I here?” she whispered harshly.  “You had no right....”

Chase slapped both hands on the table.  “I had every right!!  You nearly destroyed YEARS of work with your stupidity and carelessness!!  Who the hell do you think you are anyway??”

Diana rose hastily, kicking the chair out from under her and leaning her still tied hands on the table.  Her rage clouded her judgment and she spoke without thinking.  “I am an Amazon Princess,” whispered fiercely but so low only Chase heard her.

A hand signal from Chase kept the guards from reacting, but nothing could stop the blood from draining from her face.  Diana’s brows contracted; she hadn’t expected that sort of reaction.  Granted, the Amazons had become more myth and legend than reality as far as the outside world was concerned, but there was nothing....  Then her anger turned to horror when she remembered Chase’s history with startling clarity.  Did Orana betray her true nationality to Chase? Racking her brains for that information and concluding from Chase’s reaction that Orana must have.  Oh gods.... suddenly understanding just how big a pile of shit she had stepped in.

Diana started to speak, but Chase turned away, motioning a guard to her.  She whispered a few words and the young woman nodded and left.  Then Chase reached down to her ankle and pulled out a long blade.  Diana felt the first tendril of fear, and it surprised her.  She hadn’t been afraid at all during her voyage thus far; even seeing Orana only inspired hatred and anger.  But this... seeing Chase holding a knife and turning in her direction – she wondered if she had crossed a line that they would never be able to overcome and felt a twinge of despair for lost possibilities.

Then Chase spoke.  “Hold out your hands, please.” 

Diana hesitated; it certainly wasn’t what she had expected.  She extended her hands and watched as Chase carefully slipped the knife between her hands and sliced through her bindings.

“Thank you,” barely audible.  She rubbed her wrists reflexively.

Chase nodded, looking for signs of rope burn pleased when there was none.  She didn’t even turn when the door opened and Ty crossed the threshold.  “I want you to go with Ty.  She’s gonna take you to clean up and get you into something less offensive,” gesturing to the SS uniform.  “Then you’re gonna come back here and we’re going to start this conversation over.  Please don’t try anything stupid; I’d hate to have to order them to shoot you,” motioning to the two guards who still stood at the ready.

Diana nodded, accepting that for whatever reason, Chase trusted her on some level despite the seeds of Amazon hatred Orana had planted.  Diana knew it was going to take a lot of effort on her part to change Chase’s mind, but this would be a good way to start.

“Chase?”

“Do as I say, Ty.”  Chase motioned to the two guards and they took up positions right behind Diana.  Ty hesitated a moment longer, then took Diana by the elbow and gently led her out of the conference room.  The guards followed behind.

Chase spoke to one of the guards standing outside the door and watched him scurry away.  Then she fell heavily back into the chair and scrubbed her hands over her face.  Suddenly there was so much more to consider than simply the possibility of ruined plans.

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

Ty’s grip on Diana’s arm wasn’t painful, but Diana got the distinct impression that it was only due to Chase’s specific instructions and not a desire to be nice on Ty’s part.  So Diana determined not to give the other woman a reason to change that directive.

They walked into the shower tent – the male guard took up a position outside the door while the female guard entered and stood just inside the doorway.  Ty and Diana continued into the changing area and Diana began stripping out of the clothing she had come to loath.  Ty opened a locker and pulled out a towel and a small cake of soap.

“Do I need to come with you or...?”

Diana shook her head and accepted the articles before moving to the first showerhead and turning it on.  She was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the water warmed but she made it a point not to linger.  She didn’t think Ty would appreciate it.

For her part, Ty wondered what had happened to Chase.  She could easily see that something major had happened to upset her and knew it had to be linked to the woman now busy scrubbing herself clean.  Chase had given strict orders on the treatment and welfare of this prisoner; otherwise Ty would have been exerting significant pressure to find out what she needed to know.

Diana shut off the water and dried off quickly, wrapping her towel around her body and moving back to the dressing area.  Ty handed her a clean uniform and pair of socks then waited patiently for Diana to get dressed.  Then she motioned for Diana to precede her and they headed back towards the conference room.  With a little luck, Chase would have recovered from whatever had upset her so badly and they would be ready to continue with the interrogation.

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

Chase rubbed her eyes and covered her face.  She felt like she’d been bushwhacked by any number sensations and she was at a loss to pinpoint a single one.  Things she had convinced herself of... things she had been sure were nothing but wild dreams... were now coming back to haunt her with startling clarity.  There were sounds and tastes, a few sights, but mostly conversations and scents.  And there was something very familiar about this woman.

Oh God... I am losing my fucking mind. 

Chase dropped her hands from her face and folded them together, propping her chin on them.  There was all kinds of new information for her to consider now, and first Chase need to separate fact from fiction – what was real versus what had only occurred in her mind.  And she had the definite idea that this woman could help answer her questions.

Amazon Princess??  Then if what I remember is true, that means....

Chase groaned.  Why this?  And why now?  It had been a lot easier to handle when it had been nothing but oddly questionable dreams.

Her fretting and musing came to a halt when the door opened and the guard returned with two trays of steaming hot food and a carafe of hot coffee.  Right behind him was Ty and Diana.  The two guards with them took up their posts at either end of the room.  Chase motioned Diana to a seat and pushed a tray in front of her.  Then she took Ty aside.

“Everything all right?”

Ty nodded.  “I was just going to ask you the same thing.”

“I’m fine, Ty.  I don’t think I’m wrong about this one.”

Ty sighed.  “I don’t think you are either.  You didn’t see her reaction to the uniform when she took it off nor the way she scrubbed herself.  Still something about her doesn’t add up.  You want me to stay with you?”

“Nah.  Finish your shift and go get some rack time.  Go on,” Chase urged when Ty hesitated, a pensive expression on her face.  “What?” when she stopped with her hand on the doorknob.

Ty shrugged.  “I dunno... I’m not sure.”  She shrugged her shoulders.  “I just feel like... I dunno – something’s changing.  Probably not enough sleep and too many strategy sessions.  Lemme get back to work.  We’ve still got a lot to do.”  She looked like she wanted to say more, but instead she patted Chase on the back and walked out of the conference room.

Chase took a deep breath and turned to face the woman who had unexpectedly thrown her orderly, well-organized world into total and utter chaos.

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

Diana sat quietly, her exceptional hearing able to pick up every nuance and inflection of the conversation between Chase and Ty.  She wondered if it was her own nervousness or something she was sensing from Chase that was making Ty uncomfortable with leaving them alone together. 

She was so deep in her thoughts that Chase taking a seat across from her was disquieting.  She looked up and caught Chase’s eye.  Chase gave her a half-smile and motioned to the tray of food in front of her.  “It’s probably not as good as home, but it’s decent enough.  You wanna eat it while it’s hot, though.  Eggs kinda lose something when they get cold.”

Diana picked up her fork.  She wasn’t quite sure what to make of the woman who sat across from her.  Chase was still pale, but she had obviously recovered her composure from whatever had shaken her so badly before.

Diana took a bite of the food, finding that Chase had told her the truth.  It wasn’t bad especially considering what she had been eating since the start of her travels from the island, but it surely didn’t compare to home.  Still it was hot and filling and there was something about it that was also comforting.  She looked up to find Chase seemingly totally engrossed in her meal and the paperwork in front of her.  But Diana could see the slight tremor in her hand.

“Thank you,” she whispered, wishing not for the first time that she still had a voice.  Having not used it in a hundred years, it just wasn’t there anymore, and she had no way of knowing if it ever would be again.  The slight sound did get Chase’s attention though and she found herself staring into bright green eyes that were much older than the young woman they belonged to.

Chase deliberately put her paperwork aside and focused her attention on the woman who sat across from her.  “For?”

Diana cleared her throat, hoping it would help, but her voice remained a mere whisper.   She motioned around her with her fork.  “This, the shower... everything.”

Chase nodded.  “I’ve learned to trust my gut about these things.  I don’t think you’re a Nazi,” watching as the blue eyes hardened perceptibly at the term.  “Though I’m not sure exactly who or what you are yet except that you claim to be an Amazon Princess.  You wanna expound on that maybe?  Share your name?”

Diana nodded, knowing she was going to have to give a little if Chase was ever going to start trusting her.  “Diana.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Diana,” Chase said extending a hand.  Diana hesitated, then took it, absorbing the strength Chase demonstrated without hurting her in the process.  She idly wondered how Chase managed to maintain such soft hands with all the things she took care of as part of her responsibility in the rebellion.

Chase was making her own mental notes, things she would consider when this conversation was over that would hopefully fit into the puzzle she’d been handed.  First though....

“Now I want to know what you thought you were going to do in the Reichstag.  No bullshit.”

Diana was taken aback by the harshness of Chase’s tone and it put her on the defensive.  She straightened up and pulled her hand away.  Then she pushed her tray back and folded her hands in front of her on the table, clenching them together.  “I was going to defeat Orana again... I was going to kill her.”

“How?  How did you expect to defeat her?  And how did you expect to get away?”  The questions were coolly and logically asked but infuriating to Diana nonetheless. “You’re not a member of the rebellion or the resistance.  I checked.  Why would you want to do something like that?”

There was a fire burning in the back of Diana’s blue eyes that made Chase sit back reflexively to avoid being singed.  “I did it for you, Chase.  I did it because of what Orana did to you.  She can’t be allowed to hurt people like that anymore!”

Now Chase’s eyes turned to ice.  “Don’t. You. Dare!!” she hissed through clenched teeth.  “Don’t you dare lay the blame for your stupidity on me!  You have NO idea what you’re talking about.”  She slammed her fist into the table for emphasis.

Diana never dropped eye contact.  “I know everything,” she said with a sincerity that though Chase didn’t want to believe it, she couldn’t doubt.  “And what I did was not stupid!  If you weren’t so busy being self-important, you’d see that by eliminating Orana from power is the only way to destroy her regime.  It is the only way your rebellion can succeed!”

The two guards watching couldn’t hear the exchange between the two women, but Chase’s fury was unmistakable when she jumped from her chair, knocking it over.  They automatically shifted to a more alert position and trained their guns on Diana.

Chase leaned over the table and dropped her voice to the same sibilant whisper Diana was forced to use.  “Let me try to explain something in small words even your simple mind can comprehend.  What happened to me is none of your goddamned business, though what you know and how you found out is!”  She ran a hand through her hair and took a deep breath to calm down.  “But we will discuss that later,” said with finality.  “What you were going to do would not only have destroyed years of work and planning by the rebellion, it would have cost the lives of millions of innocent people.  So while I sit over here and be self-important in my outrage, you think about that.”

Chase picked up a carafe and poured herself another cup of coffee, motioning to the guards to stand down.  She was riding an edge at the moment and she didn’t want any misunderstandings or unnecessary heroics.

Diana sat quietly processing Chase’s words against the knowledge she had been given.  Obviously what had happened to Chase was very private; it would be something she hoped they could eventually talk about between them.  But beyond that....  She looked up when Chase poured her a cup of coffee.  She wasn’t sure she understood the dynamic that was working between them, but she nodded her thanks and picked up the cup.  Then she grimaced upon taking a swallow.  Chase would have laughed if she still hadn’t been so close to anger.  She pushed the bit of sugar and cream they had in Diana’s direction. 

“I know it’s not good, but it’s all we’ve got.  You may want to doctor it some.”

Diana took the suggestion and dumped everything in that she could.  She took a second swallow and set the cup down carefully, not sure if she would ever be able to regain a taste for what coffee had become.  She hadn’t been that fond of it in the first place and this... this was bad.

She looked up to find Chase slumped in her chair drinking her coffee absently and she wondered where her thoughts had led.  Nothing here was going the way Diana thought it would and she was questioning her desire and her need to be in this place with this woman.  Her mind told her she was an idiot, but her heart and her soul knew better.

“I’m not a Nazi,” she whispered.

Slowly Chase’s head swiveled in her direction and she set her cup on the table.  Then she leaned forward and folded her hands on the table.  “I know,” she said meeting Diana’s eyes.  “Now are you ready to answer my questions?”

“Will you answer mine?”

“You first,” Chase countered.  “Then maybe we can talk.”

Diana nodded and smiled shyly, and Chase smiled in return.  The first hurdle had been crossed.

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

“Whoa, dudes, that was waaaaay too close,” Dite said as they took a scrying break.  The other goddesses turned and looked at her askance.  Hera just shook her head.

“Excuse me?”

Dite gestured to the scrying bowl.  “Were you not like, paying attention??  Didn’t you watch that radical meltdown those two had??  Hades, any more sparkage from them and we’d need some serious ice baths up here. Whoo!!” she added, fanning herself.

Athena and Artemis both covered their lips to hide the grins they couldn’t stop from forming.  For all her flightiness, Dite’s way of looking at the world was certainly entertaining, and she definitely had her own way of expressing herself.  It made for some interesting conversations between them.

“So you’re saying this was a good thing?” asked Hestia.

Dite pointed at her.  “Virgin, right?”  She giggled.  “Fer sure it was a majorly good thing, Babe.  It may take them a while, but they’ve gotta feel it.”

“So their arguments are for show... a bit of foreplay?” Demeter asked.  “Humans have not become any easier to understand.”

Dite shook her head.  “Oh no – their arguments are way real.  It may turn to foreplay eventually,” she added impishly and watched the older goddesses blush.  “But for now they are still working on that whole trust thing.  What we have working for us is that their minds may not trust each other, but their souls do.”

“You sound so sure,” Hera said softly.

“I am,” Dite confirmed with confidence.  “I may not be into that whole nasty war gig, but the rocking love biz I totally understand.  This is a primo love match.  We may all be black and blue from a radically bumpy ride before it’s all over, but I’m telling you guys, we did good.”

The goddesses smiled amongst themselves.  For the first time in a very long time, they had reason to.  They’d done the right thing, and it had given them all the one thing they had been lacking... hope.  That their favored would benefit from their decision was a big plus.  They turned their attention back to the scrying bowl, anxious to see how the next bit would play out.

Part 4