Best Friends Part 12

UNEXPECTED EVENTS. CHAPTER 12 "She has had that man in her apartments for four nights?!Madness!" "She has flaunted him openly around the island. That is the height of disrespect to,not only us,but the fallen!" "Her mother has been dead barely a month!" Artemis looked at Lacea who who had just given the Assembly a brief report on the current state of affairs on Themyscira. She had gotten the news from an easily duped stable-hand. Several of the Bana Amazons were shouting out their feelings on the matter. The leader of the radical faction was called Megara. She sneered,"It has been the first time since Heracles that this sort of thing has happened. It is akin to treason." There was a general uproar. Artemis rose and put her hand up for silence. She said coolly,"It would be treason if it were our laws she had flouted. But it isn't. Themyscira agreed to support this courtship. We have agreed to be independent and what she chooses to do is no longer our concern." Megara rose."It has to be our concern! This sets a precedent that can infect the rest of us. It would make us weak. Susceptible to men coming once more and humiliating us. Many of us were there that night Heracles and his men beat and raped us. Can you not remember, Sisters?How honeyed were their words in the beginning?Hippolyta was blinded and infatuated and she brought that woe upon us,as she was more concerned with her loins than her duty. Now the daughter takes the same path and even more boldly. It makes all we sacrificed over the centuries a mockery!!!" Artemis snapped,"What would you have me do?We have chosen to rule ourselves and leave Themyscira to their own devices. Never forget that the law forbids us to interfere in the sovereignty of others! I will not let it be said the Bana overstepped their boundaries!Superman and the Queen being lovers is Themyscira's concern. Not ours. And this Assembly would do well to remember that!" Megara said icily,"This Assembly lost their sense of purpose when we chose to sign that Treaty and go to fight battles that had nothing to do with bettering ourselves. It should have been insightful enough to know getting involved with men,from allying ones self to their causes or bedding them, brings heartache and hardship. They are only good for one thing and that is procreation of the tribes." Lacea suddenly said,"Suppose the Queen binds herself to him?Makes him consort?We have seen how power and ambition can go to  a man's head. Would he be content to sit back and just rule Themyscira?" Artemis returned,"Superman has long been seen as a world leader and champion of justice. He has rubbed shoulders with diplomats and princes. He has the power of a god. He can hold his own against Ares. If he wanted power he would have dominated the world already. I do not think it is Superman's ambition to become a King." Megara asked mockingly,"Yes,and how do you know this?I think you have been slightly influenced by your time in the Patriarch's world." Artemis' brows creased."What are you implying?" Megara looked around at the Assembly as she said,"Our leader wore the Wonder Woman uniform. Jaunted with those men up in their Watch-Tower. Who is to say she hasn't been infected as well?That she does not sympathize with the Queen? That she did not have a male lover when she was out there?" There were murmurings and some even nodded their heads. Artemis shouted,"How dare you!?I may have worn the mantle of Wonder Woman and perhaps gotten to understand the workings of the Patriarch's world but I never went against our credo!!!!" "Then why are you so quick to defend this Superman?Can you really put your head on a block for him,Sister?Know what he would do?" Artemis stood up and said tightly,"I cannot predict what anyone would do but you are blowing this out of proportion. We have already broken ties. What more do you want?War?Because if you do, I would remind you that we lost scores of sisters and are here by virtue of that man that you so seem to hate.. We should be concentrating on rebuilding our society, not looking for a fight." The Assembly went silent. Megara crossed her arms over her chest. She assented  dryly, "Yes,well,we are significantly weakened. There is no doubt of that and we should be seen to be rebuilding our ranks. We should be focusing on that,no doubt,but we also need a leader that will open her eyes and understand that the mess that we are in now is because of mankind and that slip of a girl becoming champion." Artemis began,"The Gods made the decree for............" "The Gods of Olympus do not care for us!!They care for Themyscira. They abandoned us!We eked out an existence in the desert whilst they lived in paradise. Do you not remember, Sisters?How we suffered?How men razed our cities to the ground in Egypt?That it was Circe who saved us?Not Hera!Not Athena!Damn them!" Many nodded and looked grim. Some shifted uncomfortably. Cursing  Gods never boded well. Megara continued,"We need to go back to the days when we had focused leadership. When we, as a tribe, were feared and respected.  None would hurt us then." Lacea stood up."I put forward  a motion of no confidence in Artemis." Artemis paled as several sisters from the extreme faction agreed with her. "Yes. No confidence in Artemis!!!" Megara looked at her mockingly."Well,Artemis?" Artemis said coolly,"It is the law of the Assembly. You are within your rights to do so." Lacea looked around and shouted,"Let us vote then. Who here wants a new leader?" ************************************** Phillipus rapped on the door to the Queen's chambers. Diana was resting for a spell after having had a tiring morning training some novice sisters. Since Euboea's passing and the death of many of the guards,they had to find replacements. Phillipus had been surprised Diana wanted to train the women herself. She would have done it and it would have given the Queen time to do more important things. But Diana felt she needed the time to immerse herself in something physical and not be sitting looking at legislation or hearing petitions all day. It gave her the opportunity to take her mind off a certain someone who was billions of light years away and to not have to wonder if he was okay or what he was doing. He had been gone for a month and she never knew she would miss him so much. Phillipus heard her voice beckon ."Come." The General walked in and saw her sitting up from the divan."You okay?" She nodded."Yes. What is it?" "I have grave news. It seems the Bana have voted against Artemis and have replaced her with one of the leaders of the radical factions. One Megara." Diana looked grim."Megara. I know her. She never really liked mother much nor my leaving the island. Is Artemis alright?" "I believe so,but she has lost control as I feared and this loose canon is one who will definitely stir the Bana. I have a bad feeling about all this." Diana muttered,"So much is happening so fast. What do you think they will do?" "I don't know. But we must not be complacent,Your Majesty. I have doubled the guard around the Palace and our spies are maintaining their positions." "Fine. I leave it in your capable hands."She stood up and said,"I must get back to the training arena. The tournament is next week. I want them to be prepared. I take it all will be ready at the Coliseum?" Phillipus nodded."I have personally overseen the weapons and obstacle courses. All is in good tow." Diana smiled."What would I do without you,Phillipus?You are a loyal and true friend and sister." Phillipus smiled at her."It is my duty,my Queen."She opened the door for Diana and asked conversationally,"Have you heard anything of Superman?" Diana sighed."No. But no news is good news,right?" "That may be the way of it. You miss him?" "So much. At times I wonder if that is a good or bad thing. He is on my mind all the time,"Diana admitted, grateful to speak to someone about her feelings. It was hard being stoic and sitting and ruling as if nothing were wrong when part of ones heart felt empty. Phillipus smiled."That is love. I admit it has been a long time since I felt that emotion but I remember how unsettled one feels when the one you care for is far away. I am sure he will come back to you safe and well." Diana smiled."I hope so." ************************************ The tournament arrived and many of the Amazons gathered in the Coliseum to witness the battle for the position of Captain of the Guard. It was an interesting event and the likes of Donna,Cassie and Kara had been invited as judges. Diana sat in the monarch's box along with the judges and watched the women compete. It was a very warm day and the sun was shining brilliantly upon the arena,glinting off the shields,swords and helms of the women. Kara,Cassie and Donna,like Diana and her sisters, all wore Grecian wear. They had slates in front of them whereby they made notes as they watched the women go through their exercises with their steeds then contest the individual events. Diana was very pleased to see the three women. Their presence made her feel lighter in spirit as they cracked jokes and teased her a fair bit. Being the Queen always meant most stood on ceremony with her but to these women she was just Diana,sister,colleague and friend. "Four days,cooped up in Paradise,with Superman. Can you imagine?"mused Donna wickedly. Cassie grinned."Being Conner's girl,I sure can. So,Diana,you going to tell us?Penelope told me the royal bed had to be replaced. That Pallas had to forge a special one. That true?" "Hush. The tournament is going on!"chided Diana,reddening slightly. Kara added wryly,"Guys,really,as much as I love Diana and Kal together,Kal is like my big brother. Can we ,er, hold off on the details?The bed breaking is just enough for me." Diana said, relieved,"Thank you,Kara. You two are incorrigible. We are supposed to be focusing on the dueling and you two are supposed to be marking the contestants not grilling me about  Kal's prowess in bed." They looked unrepentant but conceded."Okay. Okay. We'll be good for now,if only so Kara does not barf." Diana shook her head but had to smile. It was the first time in days she felt like herself. The contest eventually concluded and was won by a sister called Cressida and the Queen had to go down into the arena to crown her .Diana was accompanied by Phillipus and she crowned Cressida with the golden laurels and gave her a symbolic sword thereby pronouncing her the new Captain of the Royal Guard. There was loud applause as Cressida lifted her sword and bowed. Diana watched her make a lap of honor and then went to give the other participating sisters medallions as they too had excelled and would join the ranks of the guard and army. The weather was particularly hot as the women filed up onto the makeshift podium that the Queen was standing upon and they bowed and received words of encouragement and praise and their medals. Diana was aware of the sun beating down upon her. She shifted her feet and tugged at the cape that felt somewhat heavy on her shoulders. Beads of sweat prickled on her brow and above her lips. She frowned and wiped it. She was feeling heavy and somewhat dizzy. It happened so suddenly,no one expected it until a shout was heard from one of the contestants. The Queen seemed to sway and Phillipus ran to catch her before she could collapse onto the wooden podium. Everyone stood up and Donna,Kara and Cassie flew down to the middle of the field,their face full of worry. The contestants had surrounded Phillipus and the Queen. "What happened?" "Is she hurt?" "Did she faint?" Donna pushed them aside. Diana was sitting on the floor,being held by Phillipus. She was looking ashen and she was looking around a bit dazed herself."What happened? Phillipus said,"You seemed to faint,Your Majesty." "What?"Diana looked perplexed."Me?Don't be silly. I don't faint.” Donna rolled her eyes.”You did now.” Cassie said urgently,"I think we need to get her to Epione." Diana shook her head."No. I am fine. I just felt a bit dizzy. I can carry on. There is no need for such fuss." "No. You will go and see Epione,"said Donna firmly. Kara bent and easily helped her to her feet and said,"Come on,Diana,let's go. You look as white as a sheet. You have been working very hard. Maybe it's taking its toll now. You know what Kal would say if he were here.” Diana could not argue even if she wanted to. Truth be told she felt worn out and Kara reminding her of Superman made her submit. He had warned her about overworking herself. She could see his face frowning disapprovingly at her. She sighed."Okay. Okay. I know I will get no peace if I do not go." ************************** She was taken to the Healing Isle. Donna,Kara and Cassie waited in the inner courtyard whilst Epione took Diana inside. Diana was made to lie down whilst she was examined and the healer asked questions. "Is this the first time Your Majesty felt faint?" "I....last week I think I felt slightly dizzy but I did not faint,no." "How is your appetite since I last saw you?' "Not all that good but you said that was me pining for Kal and he is away so....." "Any nausea?" "No." "Headache?" "No. I am not ill,Epione. I'm just tired,and the sun was so hot today..." "So you feel tired?"She looked pensive. "Well,yes. I have been working very hard. I am not immune to fatigue." The healer closed her eyes and laid her hand on Diana's stomach."Let me lay hands on you. Just relax."Her lids seemed to twitch after several seconds and she opened her eyes swiftly."Hera!" Diana frowned."What is it?" Epione regarded her in some awe."Your Majesty, you are with child." Diana seemed to not hear her correctly. She blinked."What did you say?" "You are pregnant,my Queen. I swear, by Gaea, I can sense the life in you. It is strong." Diana sat up,looking bewildered."Pregnant?But,but that's impossible!!! I am not like other women. I was made of clay. I do not bleed like them. How can I conceive a child?" Epione shook her her head in wonder."It is a miracle. You have the same organs as normal women yet you do not bleed  with the moon's cycle. You have, however, the ability to carry a child as you do have a womb and it appears your body has suddenly reacted and adapted. Whether it is to Superman's pheromones and your mating with him.....but it appears your have  conceived. It is likely he may be the only man who can get you,who was given life by the Gods, pregnant. He is an alien from a far superior race,a near demi-god himself. His physiology is a  mystery as well as a miracle of science." Diana looked at her flat stomach. She had never expected in her wildest dreams to ever carry a child. Much less Kal's. It was a shock. She held her head."What do I do now?" Epione smiled gently."You are healthy and strong but you need to eat well, get enough sleep and rest. You may experience some symptoms like nausea, dizziness,and tiredness;but it may settle down as time goes on if I recall correctly. It has been a long time since I did any midwifery. You must not push your self too much as we have to remember Superman is a Kryptonian and he is powered by the sun, therefore we do not know the effect this child will have on your body. You will need to be monitored daily. I will come to see you everyday. For now,I will give you a tonic that will help." Diana watched her go to her cupboard and return with a bottle."Here. Take a teaspoon everyday. It will help with the more irritating symptoms,I hope." Diana took it and she stood up."I thank you,Epoine and can we keep this between us for now?" "Indeed,My Queen. Oh,and Your Majesty?" Diana turned."Yes?" "Congratulations." Diana smiled despite herself. She stepped  into the courtyard. The three women were sitting down and  stood up when  they saw her. Donna frowned. Diana's face still had the expression of shock. "Sis,are you okay?" "What is it,Diana?"asked Kara."You look worried. What did Epione say?" She looked at them. She may as well get it over with. They were  closest to her after all.  She said slowly,"She told me I was pregnant." Cassie gasped."Pregnant!??!!" Donna screamed."Oh my God!!!!Pregnant??!!" Diana rebuked."Not so loud!!I don't want it spread around. Not yet. Yes, she said I am with child." Kara  whooped."I'm going to be an aunt!Hurray!!!" Donna grabbed her arm and asked,"But how?I thought you couldn't have children." Diana shook her head."I...we....don't even know....We...Epione says it must be Kal's physiology affecting my own. Him being Kryptonian plays a huge part........." Cassie asked,"Is she sure?" Diana said ruefully,"Epione is never wrong. She knew right away when she examined me." Cassie remarked,"Wow,talk about super-sperm!Congratulations." Donna hugged her."Oh Diana, this is wonderful. You will have to share this baby with me and Kyle cause I can't have  kids now at my age." Diana held onto her tightly. It was all overwhelming,but having Donna made it all the less frightening. Donna had a child once and she knew what it was like. Kara looked at her."Are you okay?You look confused. Are you happy about this,Diana?" She gestured helplessly."I ....It feels so unreal.....I'm not sure I believe it. Kara,what will Clark say?Will he even want this?" "Are you kidding me?I think the only regret Kal has so far is that he never had a child for his parents to see. But it was not possible with Lois. Their genes were not compatible and even if they could do it by splicing and in vitro, her womb would never have been strong enough to even carry a fraction of a Kryptonian. It would have killed her. He will finally be able to be a father. He will be over the moon."She looked at Diana's stomach and frowned."I can't see it though. Must be the magic on the Healing Isle" Cassie asked,"So how long are you going to keep it under wraps?" "Until I tell Clark." "Well,he is due to come back next week,"said Kara. She beamed."What I wouldn't give to see his face when you tell him!" Diana sighed."There's so much to worry about now. I don't even know how my sisters will view their Queen pregnant. It is one thing having a lover,it is another having his child." Donna put her arm around her shoulders."One day at a time sweetie. One day at a time." ************************************ Diana was asleep. She was walking in the sunlight in newly tilled fields. She could almost feel the breeze and smell the rich earth beneath her feet. The sky was vast and blue and she saw birds over head. She heard her name. She turned her head and standing before her on a hill were three  silhouettes. They turned. It was Hippolyta,Martha and Jonathan Kent. Diana's eyes widened. They were smiling and beckoning to her. Diana felt her entire being flood with warmth and she hurried towards them. But they began to walk away."Wait!Don't go!" She tried to reach them but they were going. She called,"Mother. Ma. Pa. Wait!" She nearly reach them. Her hand grasped at Hippolyta's. Hippolyta smiled. "Be of good cheer and faith,Daughter ,"and she loosened Diana's hand from her own and she and Martha and Jonathan vanished. Diana looked around. She was alone. Or was she? Someone was calling  her name. "Diana." The voice was familiar,compelling her to search for it. Diana's eyes opened and she felt a warm breath in her ear and an arm curve about her waist. She turned to see his face above her own in the pale morning light. Her eyes seemed to blink as if she could not believe what she was seeing. He smiled that crooked smile that she loved. "You're back!Gods!You're back!"she gasped in joy and disbelief. She turned and flung her arms around his neck. Clark gathered her up in his arms and held close. "God,I missed you,"he murmured in her hair. She seemed to make a strange sound that sounded between a laugh and sob."I missed you too......" They shared a long,deep,passion-filled kiss. When he lifted his head, Diana blurted out,"I saw my Mother and Ma and Pa!" He drew back and looked at her bemused,uncertain what she meant."What?" She explained, as if needing to tell him, to share the feeling it left her with."I was dreaming just before you called me. In my dream I was walking in fields. Fields that could be on Smallville or even here and  I saw them. All three of them. They were smiling. They looked serene and peaceful. It's the first time I ever dreamed of her since she died. It was such a wonderful feeling.......She told me to "Be of good cheer and have faith..." I felt so happy and then to open my eyes and see you!" Clark stroked her face."Seems as if it was a good dream." She sighed and leaned into his shoulder."It was......When did you get back?" "Just this morning. I reported in and came here straight away. How have you been?" "I have so much to tell you.......But one thing especially....It's very important. I do not think it should wait."She drew back and looked at him hesitantly. Clark looked at her encouragingly."Tell me." Her eyes looked into his sky blue pools and she could hardly believe what she was about to say to this man,her best friend of many years,whom she had loved since the first time she met him,whose child she was now carrying within her. "Clark,I'm pregnant." He looked taken aback."What?" "I'm pregnant." "As in having a baby pregnant?"Somehow after years of being told he never could have a child what she was saying to him seemed like a different language. Diana said ruefully,"There is only one kind of pregnant as far as I am aware." He regarded her in astonishment and opened his mouth,then closed it. He looked at her flat stomach. He scanned her and to his utter amazement saw the tiny fetus in her womb. "Diana,you're pregnant!" he exclaimed. Diana looked at him with a wry smile."I know,Kal. I just told you." He muttered,"This is not real. I can't have children. Neither can you. I'm dreaming,right?" She took his hand and brought it to rest on her stomach."I am six weeks along. I think you got me pregnant during our time on the farm. I was stunned when Epione told me,but to be fair I've had a week to get use to it. We are going to have a child,Clark. Do you mind?" "Mind?The woman I love is going to have my child. Why should I mind?"He hugged her and laughed. It was a wonderful sound that rumbled through her and warmed her body. Her eyes filled."I am glad. I was afraid you would not be ready for a child so soon into our courtship or maybe you may just not want a child after Lois. Kara told me how much you two wanted children but never could........" He tilted her chin and admitted,"I did,but I knew it was impossible. It was one of the things that did strain our relationship. She wanted to try while I knew it was too dangerous. I also didn't want to try because I remembered our shared dream in Gateway City when we were going to have a child and that time our selves from an alternate future visited. I remember the baby boy they came to rescue. If I was honest back then, I would have known  I did not want to go down that road,not only because I was scared for the fate of a child, or Lois's health but that  road seemed to remind me too much of you." A tear escaped and trickled down her cheek. She said huskily,"I think being pregnant is making me a bit emotional. I hope this is not how it is going to be. I'm not one to behave like a watering pot." He chuckled and brushed the tear away and she put her arms around him and pressed herself into the contours of his body,savouring the feeling of his muscular strength. He kissed her softly,trying to hold his passion in check. She seemed to sense his restraint as his hand strayed down to rest lightly on the satiny flesh of her thighs where the hems of her tunic rested .She tugged at his cape and shirt and whispered,"I won't break,Kal." That was all the encouragement he needed. ****************************** Clark,Diana and Krypto strolled across the open fields in Smallville. Diana had managed to wrangle an entire day from her duties to come and spend it with him on the farm. She was now nine weeks weeks pregnant but no one would have been able to tell by just looking at her. She looked no different to the casual observer. But to Clark,he saw the glow in her cheeks and the rich gloss in her hair. It was as if she was radiating a kind of  light. Her face had a tranquil quality to it. She reminded him of a Pre-Raphaelite painting,in her flowing tunic as she stopped to pluck some wild flowers. Ageless beauty that seemed of another realm. Clark watched her as the light seemed to crown her hair and the white of her dress dazzled him. Sometimes he was in awe when he looked at her. He still had to pinch himself that Diana was actually his lover and the mother to be of his child. Krypto  was only a few yards ahead of  them. It was unusual for the dog to not go sprinting off to chase leaves or rabbits or dig huge holes. Clark was amused at Krypto's new found discipline and vigilance. He noticed that the dog had become protective the minute Diana appeared. Krypto seemed not to want to leave them  nor wander away. Clark would have been surprised to know that the animal actually knew that this female,who was his master's new mate,was harbouring  life within her. A life that he instinctively knew his master had sired and it was his duty to guard her and the unborn cub. Clark coughed. Diana turned. He took her hand and drew her to him."I have something to ask you." "Yes?" He did not beat around the bush. He knew what he wanted to say. He was not the same man that suffered pangs of doubt with Lois and had to really go to great lengths to prove his sincerity. Diana was not the sort of woman to want trumpets and fuss neither. He just needed to ask. "Diana,will you marry me?" Diana's eyes widened and she looked at him a touch surprised."What?" "Will you marry me?" She looked at him. Studied the honesty in his eyes. Heard the quiet determination in his voice. She sighed."You really mean that,don't you?" Clark nodded."I do. And I don't think I need to expound why I want to marry you. You must know why. So will you?" "Clark,I am so honored that you would want to marry me and I love you very much. But no,I can't marry you." Author's note. I think maybe I should duck now!LOL!