Title: The Princess And The Pilot VII: From The Sky (3/8)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Steve/Diana, Mala, Paula, Philippus, Queen Hippolyta
Series Notes: I’ve collected all my Steve/Diana stories that take place early in their relationship under the title
The Princess And The Pilot. The entire series can be found
here.Genres: Challenge, Drama, First Time, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Claim: For the
dcu_freeforall Challenge
(Diana/Steve)Prompt: T 14; P 6: Love At First Sight
Prompt Count: (15/15)
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Destiny is met as it is love at first sight for Steve and Diana.
Chapter Summary: Diana fights to save Steve’s life.
Date Of Completion: January 24, 2012
Date Of Posting: April 15, 2012
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1213
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: Also written for my
2012 DCU Fic/Art Angels Challenge. Prompts: Angel (Term Of Endearment), Fallen Angel.
III
VIOLET LIGHT
The stars come out
And bathe thee
In radiance.
Drusilla
Amazon Poet
336. B.C.E.
Diana carried Steve through the surf, Mala right behind them. Diana headed for Paula’s laboratory once they reached Science Island. Inside the building, Paula saw them and hurried forward.
“Diana, who is this?”
“I do not know. He was the pilot in the jet that crashed.”
“I heard the crash.” Paula looked at the man in Diana’s arms. “Very wise to bring him here.” The scientist-physician felt for a pulse. “Extremely weak and thready. Bring him to the examination room.”
Diana followed Paula, her arms tight around the man in her arms. She glanced down at his face. Perhaps it was because he was the first man whom she had ever seen in the flesh, but his beauty was enthralling her. She was concerned for his welfare. Head injuries were dangerous.
Diana gently laid the man on the table and Paula set about examining her patient. Diana and Mala watched in tense silence.
Finally Paula said, “He has a severe head injury. I do not think he will survive.”
Diana’s heart contracted. She clenched her fists. “No.”
Paula frowned. “The wound is too deep. There is too much damage.”
“Can you not operate?”
“It would do no good.” Paula looked at Diana. “I am sorry, Diana.”
Diana looked at the golden-haired man on the table, his skin as pale as parchment.
“Mala, please return to the mainland and inform the Queen of these events.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Mala left the laboratory while Diana stayed still, her eyes never leaving the man’s face. Paula took out a laser and set it on a side table. She dipped a washcloth into the basin and began washing her patient’s wound.
“I will do that.”
Paula looked over at Diana and silently handed the washcloth to her. She left the room to head to her medical library.
With exquisite tenderness, Diana washed the blood away from the man’s temple. A myriad of emotions roiled around inside her. She carefully washed away the last of the blood, noting the sun-blond hair and gently touched his cheek, a profound sadness welling up in her.
Diana began to remove his wet clothes, noting his broad chest and shoulders. She piled the clothes into a heap on the floor, one part of her mind noting that the clothing could be worn again after cleaning. The flight suit was damaged beyond repair, but not the shirt and pants beneath.
She was not sure what she was feeling. All she knew was that she was desperate to save this man. Strong emotions were pounding away at her like the surf crashing on the rocks.
Who are you?
She knew that he was a pilot, and the white star indicated that he was American. She had seen pictures of men, of course, whether in books or on Grecian urns or in sculpture or paintings. While the female form was more often rendered artistically by her Sisters, occasionally males were depicted, too.
But to see one in the flesh is…different.
Diana laid a hand on the man’s chest. The skin was cold and clammy. She looked around for a sheet but hesitated. He still had his undergarments on. It would be foolish to use a dry sheet over wet material.
Using the impersonal touch of a nurse, she peeled off the sodden undergarments. She did not play the blushing maiden and took a look at the biggest difference between men and women. She draped the sheet over him, leaving his head and shoulders exposed.
A sudden idea propelled her to Paula’s study. The scientist was thumbing through a medical tome and looked up as Diana burst in.
“We can use the Purple Healing Ray!”
“It is experimental and not completed.”
“We can finish it.”
Paula considered. “All right. Bring the patient to my guest room. The bed is much more comfortable than the examination table.”
Diana nodded and went back to the laboratory. She picked up the man and realized how natural carrying him seemed.
Diana settled the man into the bed, drawing up a warm blanket over him. Paula entered the room.
“We should have round-the-clock nursing.”
“I can do that.”
“I need your help with the Ray.”
Diana bit her lip. “I can do both.”
& & & & & &
Diana was as good as her word. She worked tirelessly on the Purple Healing Ray while also taking shifts caring for Steve Trevor. An envelope in his pants pocket had given them his full name, water-soaked as it was.
Steve hung on, surprising Paula with his stamina. Whenever Diana kept vigil by Steve’s bedside, Paula worked on the Ray alone.
She and Diana were successful, bringing Steve to the lab for their attempt at healing him.
& & & & & &
“Hippolyta.”
The Queen turned her head. “Yes, Philippus?”
The tall, brunette Amazon regarded her old friend in concern. She approached the throne slowly. The room was elegant and impressive with marble pillars and rich, red velvet drapes framing the tall windows. The throne itself was crafted from gold and studded with precious jewels of every color.
“You are concerned about Diana?”
Hippolyta sighted. “She is obsessed with this man.”
Philippus propped her spear against a pillar. “Understandable.” At Hippolyta’s sharp look, she smiled. “Dear Hippolyta, she has never seen a man in the flesh before. From what I hear, he is quite fair of face.”
“You have not seen him yet?”
“No, but I think I will take a turn at his beside.” Philippus cocked her head. “You have not seen him?”
“No, and I have no intention of doing so.” Hippolyta smoothed the folds of her chiton. “I have had my fill of men in this life.”
Philippus smiled gently. “This man is not Heracles.”
“But he could be.”
“He is gravely ill, Hippolyta.”
“I know that. And he will receive the finest care that we can give him.”
Philippus sighed. There would be no further discussion. She could tell by the set of her old friend’s mouth. “Very well.” She picked up her spear and left the throne room.
& & & & & &
The Purple Healing Ray was positioned over the examination table. Diana had brought Steve to the laboratory and waited tensely for Paula to turn the machine on.
The soothing violet rays bathed Steve as the low hum of the machine indicated that it was firing on all cylinders. She watched the Ray carefully, aware that something could go wrong, but this pilot had no chance to live otherwise. This was his last chance.
The Ray’s light tinted everything violet, but Steve was still beautiful. Diana kept her gaze on his face. The machine kept up the level of intensity as it performed its healing. She had no idea why she needed this man to live, but she was desperate to have do so. The violet light sparkled on blond hair and fair skin, creating a magical aura.
After what seemed like endless minutes, Paula shut the machine off and the light faded. Diana stood absolutely still, waiting for the verdict.
Paula examined her patient. She looked up at Diana.
“He is out of danger.”
Diana let out a sigh of relief and smiled like the sun. She reached out and touched Steve’s face with happiness.
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