Chapter 8: Diana’s Trial
The next day Kal finally gets out of that bed and stiffly walks around the room in an attempt to loosen his joints. He’s still weak he can feel it. He doubts he could lift more than a couple of tons and flying is still out the question as is heat vision which always was the most energy consuming of his powers. He lifts up his bandages and sees that the scar has all but disappeared. He rips them off. Hmm he’ll need to get clothes, he only has his pants on at the moment. He wanders out to the balcony in the room and stands arms outstretched in the sunlight.
“You’re suppose to be resting.”
Kal smiles at the voice “Morning to you too Diana.” He turns around to look at her. She’s finally out of her armour and is in a tunic and sandals. Well she looks better rested he thinks. “Any news on your hearing?”
Diana shakes her head “No not yet but more importantly how are you feeling?”
“Better. Still weak but getting better.”
Diana walks up to him and sees the stab wound has all but disappeared. She touches the small scar with her hand and notices Kal’s skin goose pimples at her touch. She can’t help but smile at that.
Kal is doing his best to keep lusty thoughts out of his head at Diana’s touch. “I’m fine Diana but I could do with some clothes and a bath would probably be a good idea.”
In an exact copy of Kal’s reaction yesterday Diana wrinkles her nose “Yeah you do.”
“Oh ha ha Diana.”
Diana chuckles “Yeah I thought it was.”
Kal shakes in head in wry amusement. He thinks she has a lovely laugh. He reaches up and brushes some stray hair off her face. Diana’s skin tingles at the sudden touch and then suddenly they lean towards each other and their lips meet in a kiss. It starts off gently but the passion soon increases. At the sound of a voice in her head warning her not to go too fast Diana is the one who ends it. Their faces remain inches apart “Bath Kal. You need a bath.”
Kal swallows and tries to calm his breathing “Yes. Right. Bath.”
“I’ll go see that it’s made ready.” Diana says as she turns and leaves.
Kal watches her go. Idiot he chastises himself. What happened to taking things slow? Slow was the last thing on his mind during that kiss.
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Kal enjoyed his bath. He soothed his still stiff joints in the warm water. Diana had gotten him some new clothes. His mind screamed toga at the sight of them even though he was pretty sure that wasn’t the correct term. He put them on slightly embarrassed. He usually doesn’t show this much of himself. Well at least they reached his knees. He looks at himself in a mirror.
“You look fine.” Diana says as she sees him staring at his reflection. She had come back to check up on him after his bath.
Kal frowns slightly. “It’s a little revealing for me.” he comments at the fact it covers only about half his chest.
“Well unless you feel able to flying back to that Fortress of yours, I’m afraid you're stuck.”
Kal wonders if he can fly at all yet. He tries to lift himself off the floor. Nope. Nothing. He sighs. He’ll probably need a few more days to get his strength back.
“Still can’t fly.” Diana had observed him concentrate on trying to lift himself.
“No but if I remember you offered to take me flying.”
“I did.”
Kal looks at her.
“Now?”
“You have something better to do?” he asks.
“Well…” until she hears back from the council not really but equally she has been absent from her duties for a few days. “Ok but it‘ll have to be a short flight. I do have duties to perform.“
“Fair enough.”
The two of them walk outside and Kal places his arm over Diana’s shoulders and she lifts them up. Ok on second thoughts perhaps she shouldn’t have agreed to this. Having his body pressed next to hers is evoking feelings and urges that while they feel good are so inappropriate right now. “Kal you ok? You’re quiet.”
Kal is also trying to ignore the feeling of Diana pressed next to him. “I’m fine. Just absorbing the sunlight that’s all.”
He looks down and sees a lot of destruction and damage. Perhaps he should help with that. Of course he did say he would help with their crops.
Just as Diana begins to embrace the feelings of flying with Kal she knows she really does need to get back. “I’ll take us back now.”
“No take me to those fields of yours. I did say I would help.”
“Kal you need rest.” Diana argues with him.
“Diana I need to be in the sun and I promise I won’t do anything too strenuous.”
Diana studies his face. She sees she won’t dissuade him. “Ok but I am going to hold you to that promise.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Diana drops him off and informs the others repairing the fields not to let him overdo it. Kal shakes his head in amusement. She’s nearly as bad as his mother was. His mother always did overreact. He was nearly invulnerable and yet she still worried he would hurt himself. Hmm he should visit his parents’ grave when he gets back. He hasn’t been back to Smallville in a while.
“Be good.” Diana warns him before she leaves.
“Your wish is my command your Majesty.” Kal bows to emphasise his point but he does so with a smirk on his face.
“You’re not funny.” she points at him as she rebukes him.
“Uh-huh. Then why are you smiling?”
Oh Hera she is smiling. “I’ve got work to do.” Diana says as she turns and leaves as quickly as possible.
Kal chuckles at Diana’s slightly flustered departure. He turns his attention to help replanting the fields. He bends down and picks up a handful of soil. He had missed this. He loved his life in Metropolis and working at the Planet but he never forgot growing up in Smallville on that farm with his parents. It was good soil he could tell from the feel of it in his hand alone. Oh well he better get started. Despite his only moderate strength at the moment ploughing a few fields wasn’t too hard and being in the blazing sun and it was blazing energized him. His scar had vanished and by the end of the day he even managed to levitate himself about a foot off the ground even though it took a great deal of effort.
When he went back to Diana’s quarters where he was still sleeping he was glad to find her sitting down having some dinner. Diana looks up from her meal “I hope you took it easy.”
“Never even broke a sweat I swear. Scout’s honour.” He holds up his right hand as he speaks.
“Were you actually ever a scout?” Diana asks.
Kal with cheeky grin “Nope but everyone thought I was.”
“Tsk, tsk. I thought Superman didn’t lie.”
“I didn’t lie, I just never corrected them.”
“Uh-huh.” Diana goes back to her meal. Then after a moment “Heard from the council about my hearing.” she states.
“Right. They’re forgetting it because you did nothing wrong.” Kal hopefully puts forward.
“Afraid not. They’re holding it the day after tomorrow.”
Kal now sits down at the table across from Diana. “Will you be alright?” he asks with genuine concern
“The worst they can do is strip me of being Queen and banish me but I’m not going to let that happen. I need to fight to change things. We’ve hidden ourselves away for too long, it’s time to interact with the outside world again.”
Kal agrees with every word Diana says “If there’s anything I can do to help..” he starts knowing he doesn’t have to actually ask the question.
Diana stretches out her hand and Kal takes it “I know but all you can really do is tell the truth at my hearing. The rest is up to the will of the Gods.”
“And your powers of persuasion which believe you me are pretty good.” he gently squeezes her hand as reassurance.
She squeezes his hand back “Thanks but you may be a little bias.”
“Me. Biased. Nah.” Kal shakes his head and Diana chuckles slightly at him. Honestly she wondered how could a near hundred year old man still be so childish. Truthfully of course she was glad he seemed happier. Sulking was just not him.
Kal still held Diana’s hand. It was nice he thought, comforting perhaps was a better word but regardless he had no urge to release it any time soon. “So how shall we spend our evening?”
“How about you tell me some of your adventures?” Diana suggests.
Kal arches an eyebrow “I wouldn’t use the word adventure exactly. I do nearly die in at least a quarter of them.” Kal thinks about that for a second “Hmm maybe I should have stuck to be a farmer’s son. Never almost died in Smallville.”
“Possibly but we would never have met if you had done that.” Diana points out.
“Well that’s a point. Would never have met Lois either. I would probably have ended up with Lana.”
“Who’s Lana?” Diana asks.
“I never told you about Lana?” Kal asks as he searches his memory. Did he never mention Lana?
“Not that I can recall.” Diana says to him.
“Well don’t get jealous or anything but she was my girlfriend in high school. I’ll admit I liked her a lot back then. We remained friends for the rest of her life.” That reminds him he’ll have to visit her grave back in Smallville as well.
Diana wasn’t about to get jealous but she would like to hear about Lana “Tell me about her.”
“Ok. Where to start? Well she was my neighbour if you can overlook the fact her house was about a mile away. She had the loveliest auburn red hair, always reminded me of autumn…”
Diana studies Kal’s face as he reminisces. There’s a sparkle in his eye as he reaches into his memories. There’s still sadness there but not the coldness he had when they were up at the Fortress. Strange how a few days had seemed to lift him so. During all of this though they never once release each other’s hand.
Before they went to their separate beds Kal and Diana shared another kiss. It wasn’t deeply passionate even though there was a longing there. It held the promise of more to come if they could get over the hurdle of this hearing.
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Diana spends a lot of the next day rehearsing her arguments in preparation for her hearing. Of course surviving this is only the first part. She has to get the council’s approval for her idea to re-establish Themyscira’s ties with the outside world. She had noticed Kal had once again decided to help out in the fields. She stopped by briefly to watch him. He did say he use to find farming relaxing and from what Diana could see he was relaxed and happy carrying out what to him is a simple task. Of course his mood could be from being out in the sun. She remembered the sun had the ability to lighten his mood, some sort of chemical reaction to the sunlight she thinks he told her once.
Diana had decided it was probably best not to spend the night before the hearing with Kal. She wasn’t happy about it but it was necessary. It wasn’t helping her sleep this course of action, she had been missing Kal’s warmth ever since the day he woke up and they ended up sleeping next to each other. Was she in truly in love with him? Had she been in love with him 70 years ago when they were in the league together? She wasn’t sure. She had pushed all those feelings down to her gut knowing he loved Lois. Diana sighs loudly. After tomorrow they would talk, they had to for both their sakes.
Kal lies in bed awake. He wishes he could think of something he could say beyond the dry facts he will give tomorrow. Anything to help Diana. He misses her. He had liked holding her a couple of days ago when they slept next to each other. He understood her reasons for them not being together tonight, hell he agreed with them completely. That doesn’t mean he has to be happy about it. He’s feeling better. His powers are returning. He’ll soon have the strength to fly back home. Home. He laughs sadly. He hasn’t really had one of those since Lois dies. He thinks possibly it’s time to look into that, perhaps create a new identity for himself but that can wait. Its waited for 5 years, a few more days won’t hurt. In any case he will have to leave Themyscira and Diana at least for a little while. Before then they’ll have to talk and decided what kind of relationship they can have. Yes definitely after tomorrow they’ll have to have a talk.
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The next day Diana prepares to enter the council chambers. She’s nervous, her stomach is doing somersaults. Get a grip Diana. You’re an Amazon warrior. We don’t show fear. She takes a deep breath and enters, taking her place on her throne. The hearing begins with a simple reading of the charges against her. Basically that she let a man set foot on Themyscira. Diana reiterates her story of seeing the Oracle and finding Kal. She tells them of Ares’ boasts about the division he created between Zeus and Hera in the hope they understand that without her actions they would all be dead by now. She has more to add but will leave it to the final statement she is permitted.
Phillipus gives her account of Diana’s conversation with her generals before she left the island. Diana can tell she would like to say more in Diana’s defence. In her way she does by mentioning just how hopeless the strategic situation really was. Phillipus gives Diana a supportive nod as she leaves and Diana returns it.
Kal stands in the council chambers and gives his account. His questioner is very good he notes. She doesn’t allow him to deviate from the dry facts. He does mentions how he respects their laws. He doesn’t agree with them but he respects and understands them. Before he stands down the leader of the council Althea speaks “Regardless of this hearing Superman we wish to thank you for your help. Our mistrust of men may never end but you out of all men have come the closest to earning it.”
“Honoured council members…” Kal begins. “I understand the strength of your words and I am grateful for them. For me thanks are never required. I accept your thanks in this situation as a sign for the respect I have for you and your culture.”
Kal notices a few faces soften at his words. Hopefully he’s helped Diana a bit with his words. He is escorted out of the chambers but can’t help but listen in from outside the door.
The hearing nears its end. Althea once more stands “Your Majesty you have a final statement?”
Diana stands “I do. Honoured members of this council. I thought long and hard about this statement. While I respect our laws I feel that sometimes they haven’t been adjusted to cope with the changing world. In respect of Superman I could mention the fact he is in fact not of this world and that our laws only deny men of this world to set foot on Themyscira. I know that I am onto technicalities with that point. So lets be honest. Yes I broke the law. Yes I invited a man here but I have come to believe that this trial should be used as a starting point for a much more important debate. Whether we return to the world or not. Whether we rejoin the World Assembly or not. Our isolation that has been this council’s policy for so long did not protect us from Ares. If a threat to the world like what nearly happened back in 2009 reoccurs we will not be safe. Whether or not this council allows me to remain Queen is irrelevant. Regardless of the outcome I will argue for the change I think is required. I would prefer to lead this change as your Queen. The choice whether I do I leave in your hands, honoured members” Diana takes a breath and looks around at the council members. Their expressions are unreadable.
Althea stands as expressionless as the rest “We will now make our judgement your Majesty.”
Diana bows and Althea returns it and Diana walks out the chambers. As soon as the door closes she near collapses and finds herself in Kal’s arms. She looks into his eyes. “I’m guessing you heard that.”
Kal gives a lopsided grin “Super hearing. What can you do?”
Diana smiles “Thank you. Regardless of what happens thank you for helping.”
“You’re my friend Diana. Being here with you is all the thanks I need.” He tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear and gazes into her eyes.
Diana can feel the pull to Kal. Oh in the name of Aphrodite she so badly wants to kiss him but not here “Kal we can’t.”
Kal nods “I know.” Yes he knows, wrong time, wrong place. Story of his very long life really. “How long do you think they will be?” Kal asks trying to get his mind off kissing the incredible beautiful woman he still holds in his arms.
Diana realises they need to move apart and steps back “I’m not sure. Could be days. They’ll send word once they’re done.”
Kal looks outside. They still have a few hours till the sun sets. “Do you want to go flying? I think I could manage a short flight.” Kal suggests.
“Are you sure?” Diana asks still concerned for his health.
“Yes but just don’t expect any super sonic trips. I doubt I could break 50mph at the moment let alone 700mph.”
Diana puts on a face of mock disappointment causing Kal to chuckle. He holds out his hand which Diana takes and they walk into the open and float up together.
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Kal and Diana end up on a secluded beach where she persuades him to tell her more stories of his life. He’s starting to open up which she is glad. He even tells her one or two stories about Lois. They sit there until the sun sets before they fly home.
“You know…” Kal begins “I have been boring you with all my stories and I haven’t even offered to listen to yours.”
“Kal!” Diana admonishes him “You’re stories are not boring.” In fact Diana had found them fascinating. “If anything my stories are the boring ones. Being Queen sounds more glamorous than it actually is.”
“I’m sure your exaggerating Diana.”
Not really she silently thinks to herself. Apart from her nerve shredding hearing Diana decides she had had a nice day. Of course being with Kal is probably the reason. She studies his face as they fly along. Those eyes. It’s always those eyes of startling blue she’s drawn to. She wants…she wants…she wants him. Oh Hera does she want him. Oh hearing be damned they have to have that talk right now. “Kal we need to talk.”
Kal turns to look at Diana. Her eyes, her beautiful blue eyes. He can see the desire in them and he feels the desire in him rising in response. He wants her. He swallows hard. “I know.”
