Chapter 1
I stepped out of my office as the crowd ran past. I heard gunfire and yelling as I asked one of the people what was happening.
"It's an attack!"
"Call the cops!"
"I saw Cheetah and Captain Boomerang robbing the Federal Reserve!"
As I called the police and let my coworkers know we might have to evacuate, I heard the sound of a jet fly right outside the window, but when I looked, there was no plane. To my shock, on the roof across the street a tall woman emerged from nowhere and stood on nothing more than the air. I knew who it was: it was my hero, Wonder Woman on her invisible jet.
I decided to lay low, and just wait by the plane. It seemed presumptive, but I paid for a small bouquet of flowers. I had grabbed a book, in case things died down, but I did not need it, as from the roof, I could see everything that was happening... well almost. Cheetah tried to claw at her with catlike speed and ferocity, but Wonder Woman was too quick, and quickly sent Cheetah flying into their getaway car, which was just a fullsize van they had probably stolen, since it had a moving company logo on the side.
Captain Boomerang made his move and tried to hit her with boomerangs again and again. He did not even connect as the Amazon Princess deflected his volleys with her indestructible bracers. I was so excited. She threw her lasso of truth around him and tied him up with Cheetah until the police arrived.
As minutes passed, I hoped she would be back at the plane soon, but I did not see her. Suddenly a shadow cast over me "What do you want?" I turned to face the voice behind me as the heroine herself stood over me, her arms crossed.
"You're my hero and I just wanted to thank you for inspiring me to accept myself and to try to be kind and strong without needing to domineer or be calloused like men in this man's world so often are. I also brought you some flowers as an offering to please you. Oh, goodness; you're so beautiful that I have to stop myself from weeping, lest my tears obscure your radiance... why am I confessing so much?"
She nonchalantly pointed down and I could see that she had looped her lasso around my ankle without my noticing. "You wouldn't need to do that to me. I would happily tell you anything you wanted to know, Princess." I lifted my leg as she undid the rope.
"And probably a few things I don't. That's the problem with this thing. It makes dishonest people tell the truth, but honest people just seem to rush forth like a rapid. Are you scared?"
She noticed that I trembled and shuddered as her strong hands caressed my calf and I smiled nervously "I don't think you'd hurt me, but your power is moving me, stirring in me a bit, to where I would be rather helpless." "Most non-metahumans seem to feel that way, but it is odd. I get no feeling from you as I would a man or woman."
I blushed "Not all of us are one or the other... some of us are happy to just feel the energy of life and consciousness." She placed a strong hand on my shoulder as she held me firmly but gently in one arm.
Smiling, she reached for the flowers as I let her take them "Thank you. You seem very sweet, and I am touched to have inspired you. But I am only mortal, remember that."
"Oh, of course, I would never put someone on a pedestal. I just like you as someone who is willing to act when someone threatens humanity, and I think you are the best of the lot in the Justice League."
Diana took the card from the bouquet, "'To my heroine and champion, with admiration & respect...' Do you mind if I ask your phone number?" I gave it to her as she had me write it on the card.
"Thanks, I am going to freshen up and get changed. If it is alright with you, I would like to see you later and talk some more."
"Of course, it would be lovely. Shall I make dinner? Do you like German or Indian food?" I had to think of what I could make quicker than other things.
"German food would be fine, but just make a lot. Crimefighting leaves me rather hungry."
"No, problem, it's rather hearty."
The rest of the day seemed to just pass by of its own accord. I made a note on my phone to swing by Aldi on the bus ride home and get the essentials for a big German meal. I bought a bag of small potatoes, some sauerkraut and herbs, and some chicken thighs.
After I got back to my house, I began boiling a brine and trimming the potatoes for bad spots, and putting the trimmings in a container for compost. I let the potatoes sit for a moment while I got out the slow cooker and put the sauerkraut in on a low heat, with some spices and aromatic herbs. The potatoes went in the water, and at this point, I put a nose clip on, so that I would be able to taste the food. I would normally have made sausages with beer, but that was too heavy, even though I only make turkey or beef bratwurst.
I prepared a mixture of flour and paprika and mixed it with a whisk. I got out a meat hammer and a large cutting board. I put on some music and pounded the thighs until they were nice and thin. After putting the treated thighs in a bowl with some lemon juice and garlic, I washed my hands, the hammer, and the cutting board, and started some oil in a large pan to heat. Then I coated the chicken in the flour mixture in a big zipper bag, and after shaking off the excess inside the bag, I placed one piece of chicken after another into the pan, letting each one cook thoroughly, and then placing it in a large serving dish.
After the potatoes boiled long enough, I fished one out with a pair of tongs, and tested to make sure that the center was done. As the schnitzel fried, I cut the potatoes in half and sprinkled them with herbs in a medium sized casserole and set the oven to "Warm." The potatoes waited in their casserole with a splash of the brine to keep them moist, in the oven, soon to be joined by a large casserole filled with schnitzel.
I set the table for two and picked up around the house, and set some trivets out for the dishes. Then I transferred the sauerkraut in a small casserole and set it to warm with the others. As I washed up the cookware, now that it had a chance to cool, I heard a jet slowly sound overhead, and seem to stop in the back yard. This was so surreal.
Chapter 2
I wiped my hands clean and went to the back door to find Diana standing there in a beautiful dress that went just below her knees, 3/4 sleeves to complement her broad shoulders, simple flats, her hair cinched back with a pin, and her face had just a little makeup on.
"You dressed up just for me, and I'm still in my work clothes."
"You look fine." She said as I took her hand and welcomed her inside.
"I just finished cooking and cleaning up a bit. There is plenty to eat, but save room, because I have gelato for dessert. Although I'm sure you'll have room, oh my brave strong champion." I smiled big and broad as she seemed to feel embarrassed.
"Would you like some music or wine to start us off?"
"You spoil me."
"You bet I do. The music is next to the stereo, feel free to pick something out. I need to slip out of these things." I went in my room and wiped my face, arms, and a few other areas with some baby wipes, and dolled myself up a little. I slipped on some foundation to highlight and my best shade of lipstick, a little shadow, and some mascara in my eyelashes and eyebrows. I blended a little around my face and eyes, and brushed my hair before slipping on my little black dress and some platform shoes to give me a few inches.
She was sitting at the dining table as I walked in, greeted by the soft, dulcet voice of KD Lang. I lit the candles "Great choice. Would you get the wine glasses?" As she pulled two from the cabinet, I handed her a chilled bottle of Pinot Grigio.
"Could you pour while I fetch dinner?"
She obliged "It's been smelling so good that I have been dying to find out what you made us."
I brought out the potatoes and sauerkraut first, and set them down, announcing them as she smiled with hungry eyes over the candlelight. "And the main dish, chicken schnitzel."
"Yum! It looks sensational!"
"Well, some dishes keep well on heat." I said as I served her two large pieces and a large spoonful of sauerkraut and equally large portion of potatoes.
"I like to cook forgiving dishes that can please and satisfy." I said as I served myself.
"Do you like to cook, or anything that you like to make?"
"I mostly just have protein shakes and fresh produce. Otherwise, I just eat at the Justice League cafeteria, but they never make anything like this. The best we get is an omelet bar or baked potato bar."
"Wow, yeah, that doesn't sound as good as home cooking, even my little extravagance."
"K, this is the nicest dinner I've had in a long time."
"Thank you, Diana, you're very welcome. I take it everything is to your liking?"
"It's amazing. I've never had food that never needed seasoning. Even the potatoes!"
"Oh, well, Germans boil potatoes in a brine, so they're already salted throughout, and the sauerkraut is already pickled, so I just add some aromatic herbs and spices to the mix."
"I always thought it was sour, because of the name, plus with how you get it on those hot dog carts; but this is just tangy and savory. Now you have to tell me what you did with this chicken."
"Oh, well schnitzel is just like a cubed steak, but you pound it with a mallet, until it's thin, so it's very tender. I let it sit with some lemon and garlic, and then tossed it in flour and paprika, fried it up, and there you go."
"The sauerkraut really cuts the oil and starch from the other, two, so I'm not just getting one flavor. This is so balanced and light, even though it's delicious and hearty."
"I'm so glad you like it, dear."
"Tell me about what you do. I'm embarrassed, but I am so hungry, I am having to remember to chew."
"Sure, help yourself to more, when you're done." I almost forgot that I was talking to a superhero as I told her about my boring job in a cubicle way in the back of the office. Getting out and spending the afternoon on that roof was the most sun I had seen all week, let alone all day. She smiled as I took small bites and sips of wine.
We talked about our childhood friends and our favorite movies. She told me about the first time she tried ice cream, and I just said "Wait until you try gelato."
At that, she set down her fork and knife on an empty plate and relished the wine. I started a little decaf coffee to brew while I finished my meal. She told me about last week, when she was dealing with some thugs working for the Penguin in one of his arms trading deals just outside of Haiti. Of course, he had deniability and an alibi and scapegoat all set up, and the FBI found nothing in his books. I excused myself, collecting the dirty dishes, and went to get the coffee and trimmings, placing two mugs on a tray as I scooped some stracciatella gelato into some dishes. As she came in behind me I asked, "Has the FBI ever checked the Penguin's credit history?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, he probably has a high credit score, given that he has so many assets, but nobody really bothers to track their credit history. Chances are that you can link him with the guys you captured if he made any large purchases. A guy like that is going to have to parce it out over time in small payments, and that requires a credit account somewhere, and a history along with a score to go with it. The credit bureaus keep a track of these things for lenders and for the Penguin."
