Epilogue

3 weeks later…

Shayera stood in front of the large floor mirror leaning against the wall, turning and trying to decide if she liked what she had on. Long black leather pants hugged her legs, stopping off at her hips. A yellow spaghetti strap tank was her top of choice, but deep down, she wasn't feeling the outfit. She sighed.

"You're being rather picky tonight," Black Canary said as she strolled into her bedroom.

Dinah had invited Shayera to join her before they went to the concert later this evening. Shayera could only laugh as Helena and Wally called dibs on taking her Amazonian girlfriend shopping for an outfit and dress up time before meeting back up with everyone. Shayera sighed.

"I'm a little concerned people are going to touch my wings or just try to touch me in general," Shayera said.

It was frustrating for the Thanagarian. She couldn't just go out to a bar or a concert without people staring at her wings, the giant elephant in the room. She was excited to go out, but she knew how people got, especially where drugs and booze were involved. She loved her wings, so did her girlfriend. However, at times she wished other people wouldn't be so bold with their interest of her differing anatomy.

"You don't have to worry. Wally got us a literal VIP section next to the stage. Other celebrities do it too I guess. You'll be fine, and so! That means you get to wear whatever the hell you want," Dinah said, walking out of her closet and bringing over a light pink dress.

"Is this the one you lent me for that failed date with Carter?"

"Yup. However, you never went on that date and I am happy to let you have a round two with this dress."

Shayera smiled, stripping down again and throwing the dress on. She smiled in the mirror. She loved this color on her.

"This is an amazing dress."

"Just keep it. Honestly, I get clothes all the time and I never wear that dress."

"You think Diana will like it?"

"I think you'll have her speechless," Dinah said with a wink, Shayera laughing as she moved on to shoe selection.

"It's not like that's unusual for her these days… ever since I woke up in the hospital, she's been a little quiet."

"Quiet? I feel like I always see you two laughing."

"We laugh all the time, it's just… I can feel when Diana gets uneasy. It's not that hard for me to pick up on, so… I can just sense it. It's like she fidgets around me, like she's hiding something. She's not very good at keeping things from me, not now anyway."

"Hm… have you asked her?"

"I ask her what feels like every few days. It's like she's scared to tell me or something."

"Did they show you any footage from the hospital or anything, about what Diana looked like when she brought you in?"

Shayera frowned.

"No, why?"

Dinah paused, placing down the clothes she was holding onto the bed next to her as she sat looking at Shayera.

"There was a lot of blood Shayera… when I saw Diana in the ED, she was covered in it. Her whole uniform was drenched, it went down her legs, covered her hands and arms, and there was some on her face," Dinah said sympathetically, Shayera just standing there.

"When I brought Helena in, she was yelling at me to pipe down. She was injured, but… not like that. Diana was left standing there alone. You were carted away… I don't think I've ever seen her like that. She was literally wearing you and it was quite jarring for her."

"I-I… I don't know what to say. She mentioned there was a lot of blood, I just didn't realize… how bad was she?"

"She was pretty messed up for the first few days," Dinah said honestly. "She spent nearly the whole first week just staring at you in bed, it was like she was afraid to touch you. She was really scared you were about to die, especially after you told her you loved her before she got you to the hospital-"

"Wait, what?"

"What?"

"I… What do you mean I told her I loved her before I got there?"

Dinah was stunned, Shayera looking at her like she was crazy.

"You don't know?"

"Apparently not! What are you talking about?"

"Uh… look, I don't know if I should be the one to tell you this."

"No, I need you to tell me because it's clear she's not going to."

"Maybe you should just ask-"

"Just, tell me Dinah….please."

The blonde eyed her friend, looking at her hands as she thought of what to say to the redhead.

"Diana didn't speak to you the first few days into your coma, and it wasn't until I went to visit you and made her talk to me that she finally opened up a little. She felt regret. You told her you loved her and she told me that she didn't say it back because she didn't want to let her saying that to you, letting her confirm that feeling, allow you to pass on."

Shayera was shell shocked trying to put it all together.

"Shayera, I know we are the Justice League, full of powerhouse superheroes but… you really almost died. You basically told her you loved her and you were saying goodbye like you were on your deathbed. And I think if I know Diana at all, she probably hasn't told you because it's pretty heavy. She doesn't want to tell you that you dropped the big L word when you were half dead."

Shayera plopped on the bed next to Black Canary, zoning out.

"I barely remember anything. I told her that. The pain was just too much and there must have been a massive rush of endorphins. It all got blurry once Diana picked me up and took me away…"

"It was scary for all of us. I don't mean to make you feel guilty, it's just… we really didn't know if you would live with that kind of injury. Diana was very quiet, and I think she probably blamed herself too."

"Blamed herself?"

"That's what people do… she tried to get you to go back and get your mace, but we all told her no. Little things like that, the what ifs. They make you wonder if you could have done more."

"She did everything she could have."

"Maybe she doesn't know that."

Shayera sighed, shaking her head as she realized she had been missing out on a lot the past few weeks while she healed. While her and Diana were on leave and spending copious amounts of time together, just relaxing, talking, laughing and being in one another's company, Shayera and she had yet to really talk about that night and how scary it was.

"Maybe this concert wasn't the best idea."

"I wouldn't say that… but it might be good if you two go talk before we all get together. You can skip dinner before with the rest of us and just go talk?"

Shayera nodded slowly.

"Yea. I'll send Helena and Wally your way. Thank you Dinah," she said, hugging her friend.

"You'd do the same."

"Helena, I don't know about this."

"Please, just get out here already!"

"Yea Diana, *chew *chew, it can't be as bad as that cheetah print onesie thing."

Diana rolled her eyes and huffed in the changing room. Helena and Wally insisted they get the day with her, taking her shopping, out to an arcade, to see a movie, out to eat, and basically force the Amazon to socialize in the big bad world of Metropolis.

It was later in the afternoon, and their final stop was to pick out a sexy and sultry outfit for Diana for the concert. Wally had somehow managed to score big and got VIP passes and a sectioned off area for none other than Lady GaGa. She was in the middle of her tour and Helena and Wally agreed she was a huge icon and badass performer that could break Diana into the experience of modern music culture.

"Helena… this is rather tight."

"HAVE YOU SEEN YOUR WONDER WOMAN OUTFIT? GET OUT HERE NOW."

Wally sat on the couch, chewing one of the donuts from his little box he took on this shopping trip.

They could hear her shuffling around in there, Helena tapping her foot.

"I am waiting your highness."

"With the heels too?"

"Yes, with the heels too."

Another huff and grunt.

"Okay, I'm coming out."

Diana felt uncomfortable, walking out into the common area of the changing room. Wally's face fell, along with his donut as his mouth hung open. Helena was of a similar disposition.

"What?"

"Holy crap," Helena said.

"I think it's too tight…"

"NONSENSE!"

Helena spun Diana around, making her look in the mirror. Diana had a black dress on that left little to the imagination. It had a v neckline that dipped to below her breasts, the straps were only one, going around her neck and keeping her breasts in place. There was no back and it dipped to mid thigh, tight and keeping every part of her body in place. Her long legs were accentuated by the small black heels Helena had given her.

"Oh my god, you literally are a goddess."

Diana rolled her eyes.

"No, the gods gave me life, I'm not an Olympian."

"Same difference! Anyway, Shayera is going to lose her shit when she sees you, I can't wait! This is perfect."

"It feels very revealing," Diana said, both girls looking in the mirror to see Wally still staring, drool coming out of his mouth.

"Not helping Wally," Helena hissed, snapping her fingers, making the redhead refocus.

"Huh? Sorry, I just. Diana, you look fantastic. Definitely get that dress."

"I don't know… it really is quite revealing."

"Diana! Show off that perfect Amazonian body. Come on now! Let loose, have some fun. I promise you Shayera will love it."

Diana looked at her friend, feeling skeptical, but once she recognized the sincerity behind Helena's playful eyes, she gave in.

"I will take it…"

"Yes!" Helena said, doing her typical, giddy, victory dance.

Diana shook her head, still blushing all the while.

"Oh stop being so modest! We all know how that gaggle of med interns found you and Shayera in the early morning!"

Diana's blush only increased at the comment.

"We were only sleeping, nothing happened."

"That's not what they thought," Helena replied in a sing-song fashion.

The morning after Shayera woke up, her doctor was bringing medical interns around to do the morning rounds. Even though Shayera was a Justice League member, the education part of the hospital still used those patients for teaching purposes, especially because of Metropolis's large population of other worldly and meta-human citizens.

Upon entering Shayera's room in the morning, the group was stunned to find Wonder Woman snuggling up in bed to the Thanagarian. The doctor was smart enough to keep the interns outside while he gently woke them, Diana blushing the entire morning as the round was finished and the students left. Helena and Dinah arrived soon after, only to tease the Amazon mercilessly for getting caught in the hospital and having not ceased since.

"Dr. Schmoker knows we haven't done anything like that, we haven't been allowed to anyway until she heals. Get your mind out of the gutter," Diana said, waving her off.

"Well good for you that dictated celibacy rule ends tonight! Shayera won't last through the concert with you wearing that."

"You really need to find another hobby outside of torturing me," Diana said in amusement, Helena grinning.

She was about to comment further when someone caught her eye entering the store.

"What the? Shayera? You're not supposed to be here!" Helena said.

Diana looked over her shoulder to find her girlfriend walking towards them, feeling her mouth go dry and eyes grow wide. Shayera was even more shocked than her counterpart, in awe of the dress she was adorning, never imagining her lover would wear something so provocative.

"Shayera, you totally ruined it! I wanted Diana to show up and knock you off your socks," Helena said, interrupting their staring contest.

"I'm certainly still knocked away," Shayera said, smiling at Diana appreciatively.

The redhead extended her hand, Diana reaching out as well, the couple interlacing their fingers and smiling at one another.

"I could see me getting tired of these two, but I didn't expect that from Dinah?"

"Hey!" both Wally and Helena shouted as Diana smiled in mirth, Shayera reciprocating the saucy smile and look.

"No, we had a nice talk. I actually wanted to come see you. Hey guys? Diana and I need to take care of something before we meet up tonight. We'll see you later, okay?"

Helena could tell her friend was serious, and it was not about the hanky panky time or some other lame excuse. She nodded her head slowly.

"Yea, sure. Everything okay?" Helena asked, Diana now wondering what was going on as she gathered her purse to pay for the dress on the way out.

"Everything's okay. We'll be at the concert later," Shayera said, gently tugging on Wonder Woman's hand as she pulled her towards the exit.

"What was that about?" Flash asked, confused by the whole display.

"Not sure. Whatever it is, I just hope they can work it out."

As soon as Shayera made it out of the store, she smiled at Diana and released her hand, jumping into the air and flying off. Diana followed suit, flying high above the city, letting the redhead lead her around. After a few minutes, she saw the direction Shayera was heading; one of the towers that held up Metropolis's massive bridge. The Amazon smirked, flying up to Shayera's side.

"Race you?" she asked with a grin, Shayera looking surprised.

"Actually, I have something else I'd rather do."

Diana looked confused until Shayera flew closer to her, the redhead wrapping her arms around Diana's shoulders and holding on, letting her wings stop and Diana grabbing around her waist quickly to prevent her from falling. Shayera smiled and began kissing her, making Diana more confused but certainly not complaining. Shayera's lips danced across her own, slowly releasing and going to the Amazon's ear.

"Go," she whispered.

Diana was the one not prepared for the launch this time. Shayera grabbed one of Diana arms, using gravity, momentum and her weight to spin the Amazon down and back before her wings worked in a hurry to get to her destination. Diana was stunned as she went soaring through the air, finally pulling herself out of her stupor and smirking.

"Not so fast," she said to herself, finally righting herself in the air and slowing down, launching to go as quickly as she could after the Thanagarian.

Shayera didn't dare look back, flying as fast as she could. She was smiling big as she found herself only a few yards away from the platform. Before she could claim victory, she saw gold flash before her eyes, quickly realizing a trap was being set.

"Oh shit," she thought, recognizing her girlfriend's golden lasso as it tightened around her, trapping her wings.

Shayera panicked as she felt herself dropping through the air, only to be swung back up. As she was swung, she found herself face to with her girlfriend who swung her into her arms, catching her like a bride. Shayera shook off her surprise, pouting at Diana who was smirking in victory.

"You cheated," the redhead mumbled, as Diana drifted them towards the platform.

"I think you cheated first. We know your lips can catch me better than my lasso could catch a thing," Diana said as she let Shayera down, the rope falling and allowing the Thanagarian to stretch out her wings.

Shayera continued to glare playfully as Diana wrapped up her rope, placing it in the small black purse she had.

"I should have known you would have that in your bag."

"Always be prepared they say."

"Then I guess you better buy me a mace shaped bag, huh?" Shayera replied.

Diana finally looked at her and could tell Shayera had something on her mind. She settled the purse on the base of the tower.

"Is everything okay? I doubt you brought us out here to settle who's the fastest flyer."

"Firstly, this does not prove you're the fastest flyer, only that you would succeed in a rodeo," Shayera began playfully, making Diana snort.

"And secondly… you're right, I didn't bring you out here just to fool around."

Diana focused on Shayera's face, taking in the concern and hints of worry.

"What's going on?" Diana asked, suddenly feeling nervous.

Shayera smiled and walked over to one of the walls, leaning her back against it and crossing her arms, looking over the water and the city as the sun began setting.

"You've been quiet since I got released from the hospital… well, actually, you've been quiet since I woke up," she began, turning back to Diana, the Amazon watching her but staying dead silent.

"You haven't told me about everything that happened that night Diana, and I think it's time you do."

Diana sighed, crossing her own arms now.

"Everything is fine Shayera, it was like any other battle."

"So you get drenched in my blood and carry me unconscious after every battle? Because I don't seem to recall that."

Diana gritted her teeth.

"You know what I mean."

"Actually, I think you don't mean what you say you do. A lot went down that night Diana, and you're bottling it all up."

"Gods, Shayera, we're supposed to be going to a concert in two hours, why are you feeling the need to bring this up now?"

"Because you won't. In fact, you won't tell me a damn thing! I don't even know what you're thinking. It's like we're back to how things were when we first met."

"Now you're just embellishing."

"You're right. We don't want to kill each other anymore, but don't lie and say you've been honest and open like you were before I got injured."

"Got injured," Diana repeated, laughing in irony.

"Is that funny to you?" Shayera asked incredulously.

"What's funny is how easily you minimize it."

"Minimize it how?"

"Got injured? You cast it off as if it was nothing? You nearly died, Shayera."

"So that's why you're angry? Because I phrased it poorly?"

"BECAUSE WE ALMOST LOST YOU!" Diana snapped, her arms and hands spread at both sides.

Shayera blinked in surprise, but soon relaxed as she reached a level of understanding. Diana was enraged, blinking a few times before shaking her head, her hands running through her hair and over her face. Shayera watched her pace.

"I know this is hard for you to talk about Diana."

"There's nothing to talk about."

"I almost died and you were the one to see it. There's a lot to talk about," she replied calmly.

"What do you want me to say? Hm? Do you want me to talk about how hard it was to carry you across the city as you bled out? Or how I wasn't fast enough to stop Killer Frost? Or how about you saying goodbye as I tried to rush you to the ED? What do you want from me Shayera?"

"I told you I loved you. And I wanted to bring this up because I wanted you to know I meant it. I still do."

Diana was floored, not expecting that.

"Yo-You remember?"

Shayera sighed as she shook her head, walking over to her.

"I don't remember a thing after you carrying me. It's all a blur. But Dinah assumed I knew what I had said to you. She was as surprised as me to find out I did not."

"I'm not holding your words accountable, you were on your deathbed."

"I'm not asking you to, but why didn't you tell me? Why have you refused to talk about that night?"

"Because I almost lost you!"

And there it was, hanging in the air. It was true what they say; people say nothing either because it means nothing to them, or because it means everything. People always looked up in awe to the Justice League members like Wonder Woman or Superman, invincible, beautiful, heroic… but they had no idea. They had no idea what it was like to have all that power, be nearly invincible, and yet love and care for people who could die in a heartbeat. Everyday, living with that knowledge… it created fear.

"Diana, I'm right here."

"But you nearly weren't Shayera," she said, tears coming to her eyes now as she finally released all of the anger and fear and worry she had been feeling for weeks now.

"You were in my arms. I couldn't stop the bleeding. She literally tore a hole through you, and you told me you loved me. And you knew. You knew you might not make it. You told me this isn't a scrape, told me how we wasted time, how-" Diana choked, feeling sobs overcome her.

Shayera was tearing up as well. She walked over to Diana, her heels making her nearly the same height. She pulled the Amazon in for a bone-crushing hug, letting her sob on her shoulder. Shayera realized quickly that it must have been terrifying for the Amazon, especially for her to hear all of that.

For Shayera, the whole thing had been surreal. Her injury healed quickly, she didn't remember their conversation or anything traumatizing. For her, it was like falling of to sleep in Diana's arms. She had no idea how deeply that night had affected her partner until now.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she whispered. "It was like falling asleep for me Diana, I don't remember any of it. It wasn't traumatizing for me."

"It was unbearable Shayera… the scariest moment of my life."

Shayera kept holding her until she felt her relax. She rubbed her back slowly.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. If the roles had been reversed, I… I don't know what I would have done."

"I nearly killed her. If Bruce hadn't come when he did… I would have murdered her."

"I would have felt the same," Shayera whispered in reply.

"Bruce told me you wouldn't have wanted me to do it. It was the only thing that stopped me."

"And knowing you wouldn't want me to become a murderer either, that would be my voice of reason as well. I'm sorry you went through all of this Diana. I'm sorry I didn't realize how differently things were for each of us in that situation."

"I'm sorry too… it's hard. I don't… I can't-"

"I get it. This talking thing, it's not my strong suit either."

"How come I feel like you do it far better than me?"

"I've had more time to work on it I guess. Living with Dr. Fate, facing everyone, confronting my past… I had to get better at it if I wanted to survive myself."

Diana nodded into her shoulder, the pair falling into silence. Shayera understood Diana, understood the impulses. Shayera was still abrasive, stubborn and impulsive, however she grew to understand she could not use those characteristics to make her feelings disappear. Feelings would always be there, the good ones and the bad, and since she couldn't destroy the bad ones with her mace, she had to learn to confront them head and accept them as they were, and begrudgingly, talk about them when need be.

"I didn't mean to shut you out," Diana whispered, pulling back, her hands going to rub Shayera's upper arms.

The redhead reached up and began brushing the tears away from Diana's face.

"I know. If I had known what was really going on, I would have said something sooner. But you can talk to me about these things Diana. I know it's scary, but that's what I'm here for."

"I'm scared to lose you… after that night. I'm just scared."

Shayera nodded her head in understanding.

"I can't promise something like this won't happen again. I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but… but I do love you. I want to be with you. Whatever else happens along the way, we can figure it out, together."

Diana nodded slowly, her hands brushing hair from the Thanagarian's face, the pair staring at one another, taking their time.

"When I was carrying you, you mentioned how we were so stubborn, how we wasted so much time… how deep down, we always knew."

"Well… looking back, it does feel that way. It makes me feel oblivious to know I was blind to what was really going on."

"I love you too Shayera."

The redhead's eyes widened. They stared at one another for a while, the sun setting, taking everything in.

"This world is a crazy place," Shayera whispered.

"Indeed… I hope you want to navigate together?" Diana asked hopefully, Shayera giving her another kiss.

"Absolutely. And speaking of, I have a concert to bring you to," she said smiling, Diana finally releasing a laugh, shaking her head.

"I have a feeling my life is never going to be the same again."

"Oh, it definitely won't," Shayera said, letting go and beginning to fly.

"But it's definitely going to be better," she said with a wink, gesturing for Diana to follow her, the pair flying off into the night.

"I'm beautiful in my way, cause god makes no mistakes, I'm on the right path baby I was born this way!"

"WOOOO!" Helena screamed, bouncing up and down as she and Dinah danced.

Shayera and Diana laughed, the pair watching the concert in awe of the talent that was Lady GaGa. Diana had her arms around Shayera, the pair swaying to and fro. They were relaxed with one another, Diana knowing Hawkgirl was concerned people would touch her wings or reach out to her. So, Wonder Woman, being the best girlfriend she could, told Shayera she'd be behind her all night long, daring a stranger to try and touch her.

As soon as the girls had arrived right in the nick of time before the concert, Lady GaGa performed her first song. After recognizing the women in the audience, she gave them a shout out and there was a giant stadium that gave them a huge round of applause for their recent efforts in the LGBT community. Shayera teared up at one point, Diana smiling at her fondly, understanding what it meant for her to feel that at least some people on this planet supported her.

They all danced well into the night, Wally as well, even getting invited on stage to dance with GaGa. It was a crazy concert full of laughs, and Diana had not felt nearly as overwhelmed as she thought she would. Wally even bumped into a woman named Iris who was covering the concert in Central City, Diana and Shayera sharing knowing looks at the sparks flying between them.

When the night closed, they got backstage access to meet the artists and had a lovely time chatting, drinking and dancing with her and her posse. Dinah and Helena were flown home by Shayera and Diana, Wally going with Iris for a nice nightcap. When the ladies were dropped, Diana brought Shayera to her apartment over in Metropolis.

"I still can't believe I haven't been to your loft yet," Shayera thought idly as they landed on the deck of Diana Prince's penthouse loft.

"I haven't brought anyone over yet, I've been remodeling it and everything. I wanted to make it just right before Wonder Woman lived here permanently."

"I'm guessing that means the bulletproof windows and steel lock doors have all been installed," Shayera asked teasingly.

"Affirmative. Just waiting for my closet to get fitted so I can store my valuables," Diana replied as they entered the space.

She turned to around to find Shayera giving her a look.

"What?"

"I was completely kidding."

"Well I wasn't. Bruce has outfitted everything for me and assisted in the installation. You can never be too careful," Diana said as she tossed her purse on the floor walking up to Shayera.

"Plus, where would you store your mace?" she whispered, reaching Shayera and bringing her in for a kiss, directing her towards the giant king sized bed she possessed.

"Good point, but how do I know you won't just hold it hostage?" she whispered in between kisses.

"Oh, I plan to hold it hostage. Along with my favorite Thanagarian. Hopefully she won't mind."

"I doubt she will," Shayera said, feeling the bed bump against her knees and Diana push her back onto the bed, the Amazon falling on top of her.

They kissed slowly for some time, feeling each other, the pair having had to hold back for weeks now.

"Diana, are you asking me to move in?" Shayera asked, the Amazon pulling back to look into her eyes.

"Everything's been going so fast between us… I think we should have separate spaces for a while, but… that doesn't mean I don't want you over often… very often."

Shayera smirked, kissing her fully in return, rolling them over.

"I think that's a smart idea, and for the record, I plan to be over often."

"Very often?" Diana asked grinning.

Shayera smirked.

"Very often," she confirmed, leaning down to capture her lover's lips, the pair happy to start on a new path with countless adventures to unfold.

FIN

Hi everyone, sorry for the delay in posting this final chapter. What a ride! Again, I am sorry to everyone for my grammar errors and writing errors. It doesn't matter how many times I read something, I always miss things, so I do apologize for that. My writing is super rusty, oy vey, but I'm happy I just found this story and got it all down!

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed the journey. I haven't been asking for reviews, but I would greatly appreciate them to see what you all have thought. I have to say, writing for Diana has been the hardest character for me to write for. I find her very complex and it's a fine balance to portray her that I certainly felt I struggled with it (but also loved the challenge ^_^).

Anywho! Thanks again. Until next time. :)