Best Friends Part 13

HEART AND SOUL OF A QUEEN CHAPTER 13 Diana stepped out of the bathroom and walked into the bedroom. She had just finished freshening up for bed and was wearing one of Clark's cotton shirts. She sighed. Tomorrow morning she was due to go back to Themyscira. She would have to tell the Senate soon. She had put it off mainly because Epione had wanted to make sure everything was okay. First pregnancies were tricky and one could easily miscarry. Carrying a pure Kryptonian was not something anyone in the present living universe had  done. Once Epione gave the all clear she would have to face them and reveal the truth. After that was done then Clark would have to tell his colleagues. She wondered what they would think. Were bets being placed on that too?Knowing Wally,and Bruce,she would guess yes. She paused at the doorway. Clark was lying in bed on his side. Only the bedside lamp was on. His back was turned to her. He seemed to be lying still. She wasn't sure if he was asleep or not. Her heart sank. Since she had refused his marriage proposal he had been very quiet. Oh, he had been understanding,even accepting;but she has seen the disappointment in his eyes and it had made her feel guilty. She remembered her explanation. She had said,"Kal,you know how difficult the situation is at this moment with Themyscira and the Bana. I have not told my sisters yet and I'm actually very nervous about it. It is one thing to bring a lover to the island,but another for me to conceive his child. Hera alone knows how they will feel about it. And marriage will definitely cause more than a little concern as I am now Queen. I would be pushing my luck. Plus it has only been two months since my mother died. Besides,after Robert,it made me realize marriage is a ritual of the outside world. It has little to do with me or my heritage. I never grew up longing to wear a veil and walk down an aisle. When I did that with Robert I realized I was being untrue to my self and what I believed. Even if I did love him,I was marrying to fit in,not because I was so convinced it was the right thing to do." He had nodded and she had tried to soften the blow with her words and gestures and he had accepted her hugs and kisses but she knew in her heart he had hoped she would say yes. In her own heart she wanted to,but that would be wishful thinking. Not with the way things were in her life. It was not as if she could just drop everything and come and live with him. She couldn't. He had to know that. She walked softly across the floor and climbed into the bed. She waited expectantly. When he did not turn to take her into his arms she frowned. "Clark?" "Yes?" "Are you okay?" "Mmm." She leaned over to peep at him."Are you still sulking?" He turned and looked at her slightly defensive."I'm not sulking." "You are." She was matter of fact. "Am not. I"m tired. That's all."He plumped his pillow vigorously. It was a miracle it didn't tear apart. It was probably made from a durable material like the rest of   the bed. Diana crinkled her brow and turned back and slumped against her pillows. She watched him but he remained with his back turned. She muttered as she reach for the covers,"Fine. You be mule-headed and I'll just go to sleep too." He suddenly turned and  asked abruptly,"If things were settled and you could come live with me on the farm,then would you marry me?" Diana suddenly giggled. He was so easy to read some times."I knew it. You are sulking!!!" He looked wry."Am not!Alright. Maybe I am. Well?" Diana smiled. She reached down and caressed his cheeks."Do you doubt that I love you?" "No." "Do you doubt that I would lay my life down for you?" "No." "Well,what do you think the answer would be?" He frowned."I don't know. You said marriage was not a concept you grew up with and you didn't care to be married........." "Yes. I stick by that. Love,and fidelity has little to do with marriage. Why is it so important to you?" "Because I love you. I want to share my life with you. I want to commit to you and let the world know it. I want to give our child my name..Look,I'm just an old fashioned guy,that's all. I am on the wrong side of fifty-five,you know." He was saying all the things he couldn't even get out earlier that day. Everything any woman would want to hear. It made her wish she could give him the answer he wanted. "Oh,Clark that is touching,truly,but there is no reason why our child  can't carry your name and we are sharing our lives,in as much as we can." Diana leaned down to lie upon his bare chest. "If ever the time came for me to not have to worry about my duty or the Bana  or the Senate ask me that question again." "That is like me waiting for hell to freeze  over." "Perhaps,but  you are asking the impossible at the moment. I really think it is futile to even torture ourselves over it." Clark sighed."I guess I'll be putting this away then....."He had  something hidden in his right hand. Diana raised up."Oh no,Clark,you didn't  go and buy me an engagement  ring?You shouldn't have,you know." "Well no. Not exactly." She regarded him confused. He lifted his hand and she saw it was the mjolnir suspended on a reforged chain. It twinkled like a living thing. "Oh Kal......"Tears filled  her eyes and spilled over. She wiped them ruefully."Hera,where do these tears come from?!"She  reached for it and whispered,"You fixed it......." He took it off her gently and reached around and clasped it around her neck."There. It's where it belongs." She touched it on her neck."Thank you. I had wondered about it. You know, now you are making me feel more guilty about refusing you now." He said unsympathetically,"Good." She hugged him tight."I love you so very much." He wrapped his arms around her."I know,and I love you. Humph,you sure are making me work for this,Diana." Diana looked down into his eyes and said ruefully,"I need to make it up to you.........." Clark said mockingly,"For shooting me down? I would like to see what you can do to lighten my mood........" A very flirtatious twinkle came in her eyes."Well,you'll just have to wait and see,won't you?." She sat up and moved so she was straddling him. His brows rose with interest."I'm waiting." Diana smiled coyly and her fingers went to the  buttons on her shirt. She undid them slowly and he  watched the fabric part and slip down her shoulders. She wore nothing but the mjolnir now. She never looked more seductive nor irresistible. He shifted beneath her,desire flaring though him and she smiled. He moved to touch her and she smacked his hands away."No. I am making it up to you. Lie still." Clark looked at her with devouring eyes."Then you are going to have to make me............" She sighed as she bent to meet his lips in a hungry kiss."Where is the magic lasso when you need it?" *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Phllipus met Diana as she landed on the concourse before the Palace. She looked at the Queen in surprise as she was not alone. "You have a new friend,I see?" Diana smiled and looked down at the white dog that had flown in with her. Krypto had refused to let her leave alone. Clark had been enormously amused when she tried to fly off and Krypto barked and launched himself after her. Diana had stopped and tried to get him to go back but he wouldn't. He just hung in the air and looked at her with his ears perked and tail wagging. Clark had tried to whistle to him,to scold him,even tug at his collar. But Krypto was having none of it. The instinct to protect was innate and strong. The life in his master's mate was now his priority. His master was strong and did not need him at this moment. The unborn cub did. He sensed the vulnerability of the one called Diana in this condition. He would guard her and the cub. That was what he had been bred to do. Keep all the offspring of the house of El safe. "I'm sorry,Diana. It seems he is determined. He wants to come with you." Diana looked at the dog in amazement."He never did before.....Do you think he knows,Clark?" Clark smiled."I think he does. He has always been a bit over the top when it came to me. Now you're carrying my child,I'm guessing he has found new focus." Diana reached out to smooth his head."That is sweet. You are a good dog,Krypto." Krypto barked and licked her fingers. She had such a wonderful tone and  soothing  touch. Much nicer than his master. Clark observed humorously,"You have made yourself indispensable to him now. I hope you're happy." Diana made a face and joked,"I can't help it if everyone falls in love with me. Hera knows I don't go out of my way to do it. " He came up to put an arm about her."No,that's true. You are oblivious to the effect you have on people. Even now. But once you take hold of a guy,even the four legged ones, he is your slave for life." Diana laughed. Clark continued seriously,"I'm also thinking it may be a good idea he does go with you. He is a good watch and I may feel slightly better to know you have him with you." Diana smiled."We never had a dog before on the island. This will be interesting. I hope you don't go chewing up anyone's belongings,Krypto." Clark said,"I think he seems more obsessed with what's in your tummy. Just let him have some time to blow off some steam. Themyscira is nice and large and a few rounds about the island will keep him settled." So it was Krypto came with her. Diana said to the General,"Phillipus,this is Krypto,my new self-appointed personal  guard. He belongs to Kal and is a Kryptonian breed." Phillipus looked at the animal."Kryptonian?I see. That would make him very formidable in canine terms then?" Diana nodded ."Yes. He can chew that marble column to pieces if he wants." Phillipus ' brows rose."Interesting if somewhat alarming. Dare I ask why the need to bring a dog?" Diana smiled and said,"I had no choice. He is here as my protector." Phillipus frowned."Isn't he Kal-el's protector?" Diana said soberly,"Normally but something has happened and I need to have the Senate assemble immediately." ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** The Senate was silent. The Queen had just told them that she was expecting a child with Superman. She cleared her throat."Please,do say something." Penelope got up and said,"I think,My Queen,the Senate would like some time to discuss this matter. Alone?" She looked around and many sisters nodded. Diana understood and left them. She waited out in the foyer. Krypto,who was not allowed in the Senate,was sitting outside the door waiting for her. He stood up at once as she emerged,and the two guards on the outside saluted as well. Diana hid her smile. It was as if he was saluting too. She ruffled his head and went over to a bench and sat. He followed and sat at her feet. She was Queen and she took the lead in taking Themyscira ahead but she needed to know how they felt about a child. Would they resent it?Would they look upon it as unfortunate?The baby,if it turned out to be a boy, would be the first of its kind on the island. Would they accept that?She sighed and waited. It was half an hour later when she returned. She looked around to see them looking at her gravely. Phillipus was the one to speak."Your Majesty,this revelation comes as a tremendous shock. No one expected this. But we have discussed it at length and have come to some consensus. We have, as a nation, agreed to keep Themyscira open to the outside world. It means accepting the changes that it would bring,for better or worse. We all agreed to support your courtship with Kal-el,not only because he is your choice,but we knew the kind of man he is. It would be hypocritical to look upon this event as anything but extraordinary and miraculous. I remember when your mother longed for a child. We had lived without any young ones on the island for centuries,and some of us had been slightly unsettled about the thought. But then you were gifted to us by the Gods themselves and what a blessing you were. Your coming changed our lives for the better. This child too will  be just as special. With two gifted parents,who have done much to change and better this world and protect this realm,what a heritage it has inherited and what a legacy it will promise to fulfill. We here agree that it is something in which to rejoice. When the child is born,it will have many sisters more than happy to help raise her....or him." To say that was unexpected would be an understatement. She gestured helplessly."You are certain?" Penelope smiled."We are,Your Majesty. This was written as you destiny,since the day your name was spun by Clotho in the thread of life,and us denying it would be denying you. Congratulations." Diana saw them all rise and come down towards her. They had all been like surrogate mothers and sisters to her as she was growing up. At the end of the day they all loved and respected her and remembered how joyous it had been to have a child around after so long. She was embraced by them, one by one and wished good fortune. It was overwhelming and she nearly cried. But she managed to keep her composure. Phillipus said,"I think we need to make an official announcement for all the sisters." Diana nodded."Yes,I will do it tonight at supper." *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** The news reached the Bana the next day. It stunned and infuriated them. Megara especially took it badly. She,however,was aware that she could not  do what she wanted without really everyone thinking she was war-mongering. They were not exactly back to full strength neither and Artemis still had some support. She clenched her fists. A child?By those two?It could not be allowed to happen!!!! She would have to bide her time and bide it well. She waited until Lacea came to see her. Lacea was disturbed as well at the thought of a child. She came to stand along side her."Our sisters are all baffled at this turn of events. It is almost like rubbing salt into the wound. A child by that man!!!But what can we do?It is not as if we did not use men to procreate in the past." Megara said,"That maybe true,but none of our unions were or will  be like what this one promises to bring forth.' Lacea looked at her dubiously."What do you mean?' "She is an immortal Amazon,with power gifted by the Gods of Olympus and he is of an alien race,with power that defies the logic of  this world. He  faced Ares and brought a god to his knees. What would a child of theirs become?" "It could be very powerful." "That is an understatement. It would be mighty and anything with such raw power can be a blessing as well as a curse. What kind of weapon it could become?What kind of a threat it would pose to us?If it turns out to be a male?Males cannot be trusted as we know to our detriment. We cannot trust what bringing this Superman in would mean. And now she is carrying his child. Slowly,you see,how he is infecting the island. Infiltrating?It will be a matter of time before the Amazons of Themyscira openly take in male lovers. This child is more dangerous that you will ever know. " Lacea listened,her face growing troubled and disgusted at the thought of a male child growing up and becoming all powerful. She clenched her fists. "This cannot be allowed to happen. Will the Olympian Gods even permit this?To dare have a being of so much power come into the world?They who are so vain and corrupt?" Megara said scathingly,"The Olympian Gods are not to be trusted. They are unpredictable and do things to serve themselves. Diana was given life by them. They are indulgent towards her and they did not lift a finger to help Ares when he was beaten and humiliated. I think they enjoyed Ares being humbled. Ares has been very traitorous over the years. What better way to keep him in check?This child would no doubt get Hera's blessing and it will be their way of showing other gods that they have a champion to be reckoned with. Look at what Heracles did....Hera's glory.....He was Zeus' pride and look at how he turned out. " Lacea said darkly,"What do we do?" Megara pretended to sigh."What can we do?Our hands are tied. The fate of all Amazons,be it Bana or Themyscira,will be tied up with this ...this child.....This bodes ill. I can feel it in my bones. We must pray to our Gods for guidance to do what it right." Lacea looked up to the skies."Yes." ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** The Queen wanted to go riding. It was still her favourite pastime to take her beautiful black stallion,Ajax, out for a canter on Themyscira's beach front,which was not far from the stables itself. She had him saddled up and took Krypto with her. It would give him a chance to also let off some steam as Clark had suggested. He had been with her over a week and had been very obedient but she sensed he could do with some exercise. So they both made their way down the  winding path,walking the steed carefully down to the beach front. Diana looked at him and waved to the air."Go on,Boy,fly!" Krypto looked at the skies longingly but sat on the sand. Diana sighed. She picked up a piece of driftwood and tossed it. It sailed into the air and vanished into the clouds. She urged,"Go on!Fetch!" The dog's ears perked at the command and he flew off to get it. She smiled and mounted her steed and began to canter along the water's edge. The wind blew against her face,her hair streamed out behind her and she laughed and urged Ajax to go faster. It was almost as good as flying. If it were anyone else on any other horse,Epione would not have been  happy and would have seen it as risky. But Diana was strong and always had magnificent control of the stallion. This was exercise that would benefit her. Ajax himself was very obedient and would never throw his mistress. Diana frowned suddenly. In the distance she could make out a shape lying on in the surf. Diana pulled on the horse's reins and slowed him to a slow walk. She let out a gasp. It looked like a human body. Several times  dead or ship wrecked  people had somehow managed to wash up on the shores over the centuries. It was no different to how Steve Trevor had crashed landed so many years ago. Concerned,Diana halted and dismounted. She went to the body to see if the individual was alive. It was lying face down and she let out a frown as she turned it over. It was a stuffed wooden effigy with false hair and wore a long tunic. Diana jerked up and her eyes scanned the horizon and the beach. She sensed danger. She stepped back, her hand reaching for her sword tucked in Ajax's pommel. Her ears heard a whistling sound through the air and she saw from the dune banks and greenery behind her,arrows coming towards her. She slapped Ajax's rump hard and he whinnied and bolted. She used her sword and swiped at them. One after the next,and taking to the air,swatting them away. She saw a figure emerge in armor that she recognized. The Shim'tar! Artemis was the Bana's chief warrior and the only one to wear that super-powered armor. She could not believe Artemis would attack her! The Shim'tar was masked,carried hi-tech weapons,and was fast and strong as any meta-human. Diana gasped in pain as an arrow managed to evade her defenses and embed itself in her left shoulder. She gritted as she  yanked the arrow out. She saw the Shim'tar rise and leap down upon the dunes and come towards her with a sword raised. Diana rose and picked up her sword and met the stab directed at her abdomen. She parried and thrust and drove her back in the sand. The Shim'tar raise her leg to deliver a kick to her abdomen. Diana anticipated it and caught her by the foot and hurled her and she went flying into the surf. The woman lift her forearms and aim and fired lasers at her.  Diana used her bracelets to deflect them. Swords met again. Diana parried her thrusts which were almost wild,as they seemed intent on being aimed at one place. At her abdomen. Hera!She was not only after her but the baby!!!She could not let that happen,but she could not fight as she wanted and risk being hit or stabbed. The woman seemed to know that the Queen was trying to be careful. She launched herself at her and the blade flashed and stabbed Diana in rib. She sneered with laughter. Diana gasped as she fell back. She looked down to see blood stain her white tunic. Diana's eyes flashed and despite the pain she went for her. Diana kicked and  punched her hard,but every breath seemed to hurt. The Shim'Tar  suddenly drove her fist  into the open fresh wound on Diana's shoulder and Diana groaned in pain. Diana felt a gauntlet hand capture her neck and push her back hard into the ground. A the voice snarled,"What  a pity you will not be alive when I carve that little demon seed out from inside you. Do  you know how you have betrayed all your sisters!????Sullied the Amazon way of life?By not only bringing in Superman,but now flaunting that you are having his child!?We will not sit by and let you taint our long history or heritage with such a legacy!!!!" Diana gasped and her hands tried to push her off,but she was strong in the armor. Diana saw a blade flash above her and it was coming down upon her abdomen. It was mere inches when a growl was heard and Diana was released. Coughing and spluttering she saw Krypto fly in from behind and attack the woman. Diana gasped. She could hear his aggressive growls and she saw him writhing with the woman. Diana rose to reach for her sword,but her limbs felt weak and she could feel herself slowly collapsing back onto her knees. Amidst the tearing growls she heard the sound of horns. It was the sound of alarm up at the Palace reverberating down in the cove. Diana could see the royal guard coming down the beach in the distance. She sighed. Ajax had done what she had hoped he would do. Bolt back to the stables. She felt dazed. She fell back and closed her eyes. *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** The Palace was in a state of uproar as Diana's was carried up to her chambers by Phillipus,with an anxious Epione hot on her heels. Cressida was with several of her guards-women and they were shoving a bloodied and limping woman in what looked to be Shim'tar armor. Her mask had been yanked off by Cressida and,to the amazement of all,t was Lacea. The woman was looking defiant and showing no remorse as she was manacled and dragged off to be incarcerated. Cressida having ensured the prisoner was stripped off the armor and in chains,calmed her furious and dismayed sisters and then went to see what was happening with the Queen. Everyone now knew she had been attacked by a Bana and they were concerned about her condition. Some were calling for Lacea's head;others for the Bana to be made accountable;whilst others were just worried for their Queen's safety. Cressida came upon her apartments and knocked and went in. Sitting outside the bedroom door was Krypto. He was licking some cuts along his paw and when he saw  the door opening he growled slightly. But seeing Cressida he sat back down. She looked at him gratefully. His devotion and fierceness had made all the difference in the Queen's welfare. If he had not been around she did not know if they would have reached in time to stop something tragic happening. The Queen could hold her own but she had been fighting not to protect herself but the life within her. Thank Gaea for Ajax. He had thundered in riderless and that had sent up the alarm. The guards had reached in time to subdue the woman,Lacea,before she could stab  Krypto. Cressida opened the bedroom door and walked in. Phillipus was standing near the royal bed watching Epione bind the deep gash in Diana's upper rib. The wound over the shoulder had been cleansed and bandaged. Diana's face looked very pale and pained but she was calm. They looked up as she entered. Diana gestured for her to come forward. "How?Is all  ?" she began,looking at Diana worriedly. Phillipus answered her unasked question."The babe is unharmed." "Thank the gods." Cressida stepped forward."Your Majesty,we have the Bana, Lacea,imprisoned." Diana nodded."I know." Phillipus looked grave."What now?" Diana was silent. She seemed to be thinking. Cressida said,"Many of our sisters are furious and upset. I have tried to calm them down. This was an assassination attempt that hits at  the heart of Themyscira. The Bana cannot get away with this." Diana said slowly as she pulled on her robe."The Shim'tar of the Bana has  been Artemis. I do not think she would have given Lacea that armor to come and attack me. We cannot retaliate if we do not know why she did what she did." "Your Majesty,the Bana are openly antagonistic to us. Who is to say they did not send her to kill you?" "They cannot be so foolish. Such a thing can bring on a war." Phillipus observed woodenly,"Maybe it is war they want." Diana said vehemently,"NO!!!I will not let it come to that. We only just fought a war three months ago!!!Both sides suffered losses. What sort of madness is that?We must,at all cost, avoid such a thing. Neither tribe would survive it." Epione gave Diana a tonic for the pain. Cressida said,"The Senate wants to meet to discuss this. It is calling for an emergency session. This cannot go ignored....." Diana nodded."Yes,we need to meet. Perhaps I should come........." Epione said crossly,"No!She needs to rest and heal. My Queen,we cannot risk using the purple ray on you whilst you are pregnant. We have to be careful of magic on the baby....We do not know how it will affect it when it is just in development. You need to lie down and rest. Please. You have had quite an ordeal. If not for yourself for the baby's sake. This first trimester is so critical...." Diana hesitated but she had to concede she did feel weakened and some rest would not go amiss. She said quietly,"We will have an emergency session first thing tomorrow. In the mean time, Phillipus have the army on high alert. I think I will rest a bit." "Yes,your Majesty." Epione gestured to them to go and assisted  Diana to lie back on her bed. Diana suddenly   blurted out."Phillipus,did you.....?" The General nodded."Yes,my Queen,I sent a message to the Embassy so they can  let Superman know." *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Superman was sitting in a meeting in the JLA satellite. J'onn was going through a report when there was a beeping on his comlink. The Manhunter frowned. Normally Natasha, who was holding the fort, knew not to interrupt meetings unless it was urgent. He broke off mid-sentence and pressed the link. "Yes,Steel?" J'onn's face grew grave as he listened.."Fine. Yes. I will tell him." Kara looked at his face."What's up,J'onn?You look worried." The Manhunter looked at Superman."Kal,there has been news from the Embassy." Superman straightened up. His friend's tone worried him."What news?" "Mala said there was an assassination attempt on Diana's life." The colour drained out of Superman's face. Wally exclaimed,"What??!!" J'onn said,"She was hurt." Superman rose and his voice was barely his own."J'onn? The baby?" The Manhunter rested his hand on his shoulder."Is unharmed but I suggest you  go now,Kal." Superman did not need biding twice. He was gone before Kon could even utter,"Baby?What baby?" Wally shot upright."Damn it,J'onn. You mean?" The Manhunter nodded."Yes. Diana is pregnant." The entire table seemed to gasp in surprise. Zatara, Warhawk, Jade, Lightning, Garth, Alea Strange;they all looked stunned,even awed at the thought. "Baby!!!???How come you know.....and we don't?"cried Kon. The Martian replied,"Well it is hard to close off thoughts to a telepath." "Okay,but I'm like family. He could have told his family. Right,Kara?" Kara coughed,and Kon cried,"You too???!!!" "He was going to tell you all after the meeting,"she said her face creased with concern."I hope Diana is okay." *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Superman landed on Themyscira in minutes. Phillipus was the first to greet him. One look at his face and she could see the worry and yet sense a kind of anger lurking in his blue eyes. He walked with her,only so to be filled in on what happened. She assured him that Diana was injured but it was not critical and the baby was untouched. The temptation to go Lacea and wring her neck was strong but not overwhelming. He was too seasoned to give in to blinding rage. Besides it was the Amazons to deal justice,not him. He then made his way to the royal apartments. Krypto met him at the door to her bed chamber and he hurled himself at him. Superman smiled and gave him affectionate and well deserved pats."Good boy. I guess you know why you came,huh?Thank god." He then entered the bed chamber quietly. It was silent. She was asleep, covered by a light sheet. He came around looked down at her. She bore several bruises and scratches. He could see with his x-ray vision the puncture in her shoulder and the stab in her rib. It had narrowly missed vital organs. There was a lump in his throat. God,if anything had happened to her,to his child. He didn't know how he would cope with that loss. Diana had become so much a part of his life,that not having her would feel as if he was empty inside. It would be like breathing stale air. Having this woman had changed his outlook on life and made him feel that less alone in the world. He could hardly believe it sometimes that he had been in denial so long. He reached down to stroke her hair,when her eyes fluttered open. "Hey,you,"he murmured tenderly. "Kal.......You're here......."Her fingers reached for him. He sat on the edge of the bed , took her hand and kissed it and then cradled it to his cheek."How are you?" She sighed,"Sore.....You know what happened?" He rested his hand on her stomach."Phillipus told me. Thank god you are all right....Both of you." Diana's eyes followed where his palm rested and she tried to smile but her voice quavered."I didn't think anyone would go so far. To try to kill me or an innocent baby. I don't understand this hate. It is so mindless. That Lacea could even do this. It's not like if she never knew me.........." He nodded and said,his eyes pained,"Perhaps none of this would have happened if we had stopped to consider your duty and heritage............" Her fingers stopped his words and her eyes were fierce with determination and passion."Don't you dare say it. I do not regret this at all. Not loving you nor having your  child,do you hear me,Clark Kent?" The lump in his throat seemed to hurt and he bent to hold her close. She held onto him tightly."Tomorrow I don't know what I will have to do after the  Senate meet but it means the world  to have you here with me." Superman wordlessly laid alongside this woman,whose heart and soul he loved,and drew her into the haven of his arms. ***************** Author's note...It's tough being a Queen,isn't it?That's why I think there are not many men in the world who could ever understand Diana's position. Kal is probably the only one who has the experience,the patience,the wisdom,the heart for it.......Like Maggin said in the Kingdom Come novelization.....”weathered ….and ...sanded around the edges.” It means a MAN  who has LIVED. Not one who whines as when he is around Lois. Superman is such an awesome guy when he is written as he is supposed to be.