Blackbirds

PART 13

She should have been dead. Dead, dammit, not watching him as he struggled with how the hell to get her out of there. Not making those tight throat sounds that only hinted at her pain. Not fighting for each labored breath. Her body lay twisted, muscles drawn up, involuntarily constricted by the intense heat of the flames into a fetal position.

"Jesus..." He heard the hopeless resignation in his voice and quickly added, "--this is a helluva way to get out of eatin' my chili."

"...hurts..." A wet, choking cough cut her off.

Green Arrow nodded as he rested a hand on her shoulder. "Let's get you out of here."

He pursed his lips and let out three short, shrill whistles. To his surprise, it wasn't Superman but Wonder Woman and another Amazon he recognized as Nubia who descended through the skylight. He rolled his eyes. Oh, this was going to be fun. Trying to get Donna to safety while keeping the two warring Amazons from going at each other's throats.

Tempest appeared briefly, disappeared, then quickly returned with a paramedic. The blue light coalescing around his body expanded as he lowered himself to the floor. Wherever the light touched, a cooling breeze snuffed out the smoldering embers, swept the last of the smoke and ash from the air. Even Ollie's scorched hands and face benefited from the effect.

Wonder Woman tapped her foot impatiently as Nubia surveyed the fire ravaged area.

"Satisfied?"

Nubia would not so easily concede to Diana. "Truly this was a coward's attack." Wonder Woman flushed at the not so veiled insult. Nubia smile smugly at her discomfort before finally allowing, "Yes, I am satisfied your hand was not in this attack. However--" Nubia regarded her soberly, "-- I would not be so quick to press an advantage that does not yet exist."

Green Arrow helped the paramedic prepare Donna for transport. As he drew up medicine for a shot, Wonder Woman grabbed the bottle from him. She glanced quickly at the label, then shook her head.

"Not acceptable."

The paramedic glanced from the towering Amazon to Green Arrow. Tempest's eyes glittered with anger. He moved protectively in front of Donna. Energy flashes sparked across his fingers. He gave a curt nod to the paramedic. "Continue."

Wonder Woman's lips tightened into a thin line. "You would challenge me?"

"I would protect my Queen."

Green Arrow glanced at Tempest, surprised by the young Atlantean's assertion. Garth had always been the quiet member of the Teen Titans. The shy one. The one, in the archer's mind, who would have been voted least likely to have a backbone. Now, watching how Tempest held himself, how he easily he addressed the Amazons as their equal, he reassessed his long held opinion and found a steely willfulness surfacing in those amethyst eyes.

"Queen Elect." corrected Wonder Woman.

After Donna had married Mia, she had been certain the Atlantean's offer would be rejected. So certain that she had readily agreed to the proposal. If Garth and Donna married, they would be allowed to establish a new nation on the Isle of Janus. A nation where Amazons and Atlanteans who had held secret liaisons for centuries would, finally, be allowed to live without penalty of death. Even those who had ventured into Man's World--had husbands and children--would find safe haven on Janus.

Tempest glanced warmly, confidently at Donna. "She will be Queen." His lips twitched in amusement as he turned back to Wonder Woman. "And she will outrank you."

"As the goddesses will." Wonder Woman replied. A flash of gold sliced through the air knocking the syringe from the paramedic's hand. The gold flash arced back to Wonder Woman's hand and she settled her tiara once more on her brow. "However, the affairs of state will be decided clearly, not through a drug induced haze."

"Or perhaps, 'sister'--" growled Nubia, "--you would hasten her demise to further your own cause."

Wonder Woman took a step towards Donna. Green Arrow joined Tempest to block her. She caught Donna's gaze over their shoulders.

"Know this, Princess Donna of Theymscira, I honor no allegiance--" her eyes shifted to include Tempest "--none--" she emphasized "--not agreed to of your own free will."

"You would have war because of--?" Nubia broke off with a scowl. "Truly you are your mother's daughter." She stepped closer to Wonder Woman. "Instead of bedding Heracles, you spread your legs to be Ares' bitch."

Wonder Woman backhanded her. Nubia's head snapped back with the blow. She recovered, smirked, then returned the blow with just as much force. Green Arrow planted himself between the two women, bow held sideways to keep them apart. "Take it outside or drop it." As one, the Amazons gave him a look of condescension.

Nubia flicked the tip of the bow away from her. "Stand aside, little man."

As she moved to step around him, Green Arrow flipped his bow and swept her feet out from under her. Nubia fell to her hands and knees. "Not too little to knock you on your ass." Wonder Woman laughed. Green Arrow spun around. Just as quickly, she found herself on the ground as well. "Or you, either."

"...nnn...no..."

Green Arrow glanced back to see Donna weakly batting away the paramedic's syringe. Heard her cry out as finally, successfully, she knocked the needle away. Watched her collapse back onto the stretcher, gasping from the effort. The paramedic ran a frustrated hand through his hair. He glanced atia aia and Wonder Woman. "Would it be too much to give her some oxygen?"

Wonder Woman nodded. "Oxygen--" she considered for a moment "--and fluids would be acceptable."

The paramedic finished strapping Donna to the stretcher. Green Arrow thought he muttered something about not being paid enough to do this job. Followed by a string of expletives regarding Amazon anatomy and what could be shoved into them. He glanced at Wonder Woman and Nubia. Fortunately, they were too busy glaring at each other to hear.