Legendary

Daniel flicked on a projector and a map of the globe sprang up over the table. Red leeched into several countries as the globe spun gently. "As you can see, intelligence from the US and its allies, as well as SHIELD's own work, paints a pretty grim picture. We can verify that about half of the countries on Earth have significant HYDRA infiltration. It was known that something was going on, but not what, and the revelation of HYDRA as a covert influence has led to a lot of dots being connected. Suspected infiltration affects another third of the remaining countries." A paler wash of color, like blood in water, tinged more nations. Including the US.

"You can see where we have a problem." Daniel sighed. "Tomorrow, our oversight committee will meet with the Avengers, very discreetly, for a truth-telling session. Every member of the Avengers is expected to participate and the committee members will too. The trouble is knowing who we can trust. I expect that there will be restrictions on what we can share with the Justice League as a result. The League has manage to avoid terrestrial oversight because, frankly, there are too many nationalities and planets of origin represented to put it under the control of any one nation, and the UN never got the traction it needed to demand control."

Superman drummed his fingers on the table. "You want us to participate as well."

"It would make things easier," Damian said. "I think only the senior members would need to do it, so long as you can guarantee that the information will be held tightly."

"What would it be like?" Flash asked, frowning. "Some of us have secret identities to protect, and the government has tried to unmask us in the past."

"It is a truth serum; it has a very light odor that is a byproduct of the manufacturing process, so you will always know if the gas is present. The government, of course, has tried to deodorize it in the past, but it can't be done. It's a derivative of Emma's original formula. This is stronger and test subjects feel the compulsion to talk when exposed to the gas. It can be defeated, because it doesn't compel you to tell the truth, just talk, but it is very difficult not to tell the truth, and it's easy to tell when someone is evading the question. The secret identities of members of the Justice League are a prime consideration of mine, and the testing will be administered by a trained examiner who has already been cleared. There will be a list of questions that will be presented to anyone who consents to the testing, which you will read before the testing begins. If you have any objections, there will be the opportunity to have the question struck, but there will have to be a good reason for this. Once all negotiations are completed, if there are any, you and the examiner will both sign the document, the gas will be administered, and the questions will be asked. Responses will be short sentences. This will be a problem for some of us--"

"Flash," Aquaman coughed. Daniel smiled.

"But not for others," he finished, and Bruce smirked. "The questions will be restricted to confirming your superhero identity, your private identity if it is in the public domain, membership in whatever organization you belong to, Avengers or League, and whether you are currently or have ever been a member of HYDRA, if you have ever been approached by someone recruiting you for a secret organization--other than the Avengers or League--and whether you have any weaknesses that would allow HYDRA to pressure you into joining or giving aid, assistance, or information. You pass the examination and you'll be able to share in the intelligence that has been gathered and to participate in obtaining new information. For everyone's safety, only the individual being tested and the examiner will be in the room. A recording will be made for your protection. You will be provided a copy of the questioning from start to finish."

"And if we choose not to participate?" Diana's voice had a sharpness that was unusual.

"You would be excluded from meetings like this," Daniel said soberly.

"It's demeaning to be asked to do this," Diana said. "I do not lie." Daniel looked crushed for a second.

"The intent is not to impugn your character," I said, helping out. "Everybody knows that Wonder Woman tells the truth. I imagine that for you it would be a formality. It would also protect you from a smear campaign."

"You're appeasing me," she stated. I nodded.

"Little bit. But it's also the truth." Daniel nodded too.

"This isn't a trivial request. I have no desire to try to compel anybody to show up for the testing. I expect it to be a formality, but it will prove that we can be trusted. The League will continue to get information, but I can't guarantee it will be the full story." Daniel's eyes swept around the table. "And you, Grandma, are a particularly interesting issue." I raised my eyebrows politely. "I don't want you there, because I don't trust our oversight committee all that far. It's one thing to have these other heroes, who are well known and fit into convenient slots. Valkyrie is the wildest of cards. And I'm not even sure if you would want to put on your armor again." I glanced at Damian; we'd discussed this.

"Since Damian is effectively retiring from all but the biggest things, ops where his particular talents would be necessary, I would be open to doing a job here and there, but not regularly, and I would plan my participation myself. In that case I would need access to all data, no reservations, but I don't think I need access to everything all the time. And I'm wary of allying myself with one group or the other too closely. I don't want anyone to think that Valkyrie is on anybody's payroll."

"It's safer if nobody thinks we know who she is or how to contact her," my uncle said, and heads nodded around the table.

"Well, it would be nice to know that you were ready to pull my ass out of the fire if necessary," Flash said hopefully, and I laughed.

So it was settled that I wouldn't be reporting for a new-fangled polygraph and it was established when Avengers and Justice Leaguers would be showing up the next day, then the meeting adjourned. Tony, Steve, Emma, and Bucky hustled over to me immediately.

"I'm glad you're not getting into this too deep, sweetie," my uncle said. "It's not that I don't know you're capable of great feats, but you're always going to be my niece, and I'm always going to want to protect you." He kissed my cheek and I leaned in for a hug.

Steve offered me a sheaf of papers. "Nessa has several designs for her bridesmaids and she doesn't want to choose, because all of you have different body types. So she's having the bridesmaids in Schiaparelli pink and her maid of honor in a light pink, and you can choose your design. They'll all work together."

"Pink?" I asked my uncle. My face hurt from trying not to smile. He sighed.

"Anything she wants," he said stoically. I had to divert my attention or I was going to bust out laughing at the thought of my uncle with baby pink roses on his lapel and matching cummerbund and bow tie. Or in some horrible pink prom tuxedo. I quickly leafed through the designs and paused at a simple long gown with princess seams, a wide, gracefully curving neckline, fluttery sheer sleeves, and what looked like a layer of chiffon over satin.

"This one," I said immediately, and Steve smiled.

"I designed that one with you in mind," he said, pleased. He showed me the fabric samples; the satin was shocking pink, the chiffon a slightly lighter pink that was painted with what looked like an abstract floral pattern in shades of pink. Just enough to add interest. "The chiffon isn't a sure thing," he said, frowning slightly. "It has to be hand painted and time is short. The alternative will be to use chiffon that's the same color as the satin and some other embellishment, maybe embroidery. That's not trendy right now, so it will make you all stand out." Bucky rubbed his head.

"Are you ok?" I asked him anxiously.

"The wedding," he said simply, and I nodded. My uncle doesn't do fussy things, and there's not much that's fussier than a wedding.

"Are you wearing a pink tux?" I asked innocently, and he winced.

"Thank god, no. Stevie's doing dark gray suits," he said gratefully.

"Black would be too stark," I agreed, and Steve nodded.

"Now that the clothing choices are settled, I have some ideas for gear for you, Alex," Tony said impatiently. "A backpack that has a removable component so that you can preserve the impression that your wings are constructs, for one thing."

"And some ideas for improved armor," Emma said. "I can do better with more time. I'm thinking increased strength around the ribs and down your back, just to be safe. And I have a new design to protect your wing bones, too. I'm currently testing a new solution for your feathers. I'm sorry I haven't been able to get the previous coating off." We walked over to the display case where my armor shone under a spotlight and I took a minute to reflect that there was finally something of mine on display in the bat cave. Support staff generally don't get trophies. Emma indicated where she wanted to add strength, and Tony took note of the improvements to cover my back. He'd get in touch with Emma so his backpack thingie would integrate. There could be an integrated spine sheath for a sword if I wanted to make another short sword. Lots of possibilities. Emma and Tony both liked the idea of making a copy of Gungnir and using that to deliver an EMP, since it had proven so effective.

The next morning, Damian and I were feeding the twins their breakfast when there was a knock at the kitchen door. It was Diana. "May I speak with you privately?" she asked, and I nodded. Alfred eagerly took the spoon from me and began to feed Iris himself. My husband, wearing an apron to protect his lovely suit from his son, looked a little vexed.

"Of course," I replied, wondering if there was a problem with the whole Valkyrie thing, or maybe the lie detector thing. I led her into the library, where Signe promptly sat, half on, half off-Diana's lap, purring. Diana began stroking the cat's silky fur automatically.

"As one woman of honor to another, I have come to ask if your family would have reservations if Daniel and I were to begin a relationship," she said. Aha! This was much more interesting. I didn't have to feign interest. "At home, of course, there isn't family trouble with liaisons or relationships, but I am unsure of the protocol here in the world of man. I felt that as the matriarch of your clan, I could speak frankly with you. If it was just the sex, I would not have bothered you," she said apologetically. "But I feel that there is more between Daniel and me and I would know your objections before things progressed."

"No objections," I said briskly. "As you say, you're a woman of honor. I adore Daniel, but he's an adult, capable of making his own decisions. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but there's nothing that could be problematic in your relationship, as far as I'm concerned." Diana relaxed a little. Eira wandered in and put her head on my lap so I'd have something to pet too. She's thoughtful like that. "Even if I did, I would express any reservations to Daniel to let him know my concerns, but I wouldn't interfere; my influence is rightly limited. Of course I'd like to see him in a fulfilling relationship with someone. Having said that, you're a lovely person and I don't have to worry that you'd treat him poorly. He's got excellent instincts for people, which is why I think he's been single so long. I know he wants a family of his own, and speaking as his grandmother, I'm anxious for him to settle down with someone, ideally in a relationship like mine and Damian's, which is based on mutual love and support."

"That's a little daunting," Diana murmured. I shrugged.

"Obviously no relationship can be a carbon copy of another," I said, "but the love and respect and devotion is there or it isn't. It's up to everyone to nurture what they value in their own relationships. Achieving love is the easy part. It's sustaining and strengthening that over the long term that's the hard part, when there's routine and other distractions to divert your attention."

She nodded, sitting back and thinking. "In any case, I wouldn't dream of interfering in his relationship, but you'd be a welcome member of the family if it gets that far," I assured her. She blushed slightly. "And I know that men can't go to Themyscria, but if your mother would like to meet him and can travel, I'd be honored to host her here." She murmured thanks, and we went back to the kitchen, where she accepted tea from Alfred and Damian and I hastily finished our breakfasts, the twins being fed and ready to go. Damian got to take them today, dropping them off with his dad or Daniel when it was his turn to be truth tested. He wanted to keep his hand in until HYDRA was taken down. Now that the babies were walking, it made looking out for them a little more challenging. We were starting to work Alfred into the rotation periodically; he loved babies, and home was a lot safer than a lab, even if there was a special space set aside for them. Eira still preferred them where she could keep an eye out; she was most content with them in my office, curled up with her in her dog bed since they'd outgrown their bassinets in my credenza. Diana cooed to the twins and Miles finally shut up. He was being fussy, and it tried my patience a bit. I sighed with bliss at the sound of silence and also at the travel cup of coffee that Alfred handed me. We said goodbye to Diana and went out to the car. Tony had promised us our new family car by the end of the month, and I was eager for it. It was a tight fit in the small car, even when Eira stayed at home like she was today.

Damian waited until we were on our way to the city before asking what Diana had wanted to speak with me about, and chortled when I told him. "I like Diana," he said placidly. "I think they're a good match." He tickled me. "I know you want the kid to get a girlfriend."

I laughed and retreated as far as I could while driving. "I think that it has the potential to get serious if she came to talk to me. I can see Diana having discreet affairs, but if she's interested in family interface, she's thinking of the future." I flashed my husband a smile. "Nothing but the best for our grandson."

Damian smiled back, a lifetime of memories and love in his expression. "Seems kind of sudden, but then, it didn't take me long to realize that you were the woman for me. You've got to strike while the iron is hot."

"That could be taken a few ways," I murmured, winking at him. He chortled. "We don't know how long they've been seeing each other. They've certainly been discreet."

"Daniel wears a lot of hats and it's hard for him," Damian said pensively. "It would be nice if he had a help meet." I agreed, and our conversation shifted to our day's plans. He was looking forward to the weekend, where he was going to have his first dressage lesson. The horses finally trusted us enough that it wasn't traumatic for them to be saddled and ridden, and the air was nicely warm. The stables were almost complete, and he and Daniel had hired a manager for the operation and a couple of stable hands. The guesthouse was almost complete as well; Tony's SmartBoard not only allowed for the change of color and texture, but now permitted patterns so that the scrims like the ones he'd installed in the nursery were unnecessary. And as an example of his genius, he'd made the controllers updateable, so it was easy to add the capability throughout our house as well. Wallpaper without the aggravation. Carol was working on the finish carpentry, the appliances had been delivered, and Alfred and I were working on the furnishings. I'd had lunch with Fiona on a couple of occasions and teased out her preferences on style, and I made sure that these were taken into consideration with the furniture without telling Alfred. I didn't want to pressure him to settle down already, but I wanted her to be comfortable. And, like all Wayne houses, it had an attic, so if she wanted to bring in furniture of her own, there wouldn't be a problem.

I went to work and we had a partners meeting where we got caught up on our existing projects and planned the next stage of ValkyrieVille. We finally had decided to hire a management firm and lease everything. Yeah, we were control freaks, but it also enabled us to be sure that the development would be maintained well, upgrades made when necessary, and that it remained safe and vibrant. As our workload expanded, most of us were looking to expand our staffs, and we came to the agreement that we'd be taking over leases on the eight and seventh floors as they came up. A few offices had prematurely terminated their leases; one business had gone out of business and the others needed more room than we had available. We hadn't rented those and would make them available to our existing tenants on our target floors if they wanted to stay in the building. Then there was time for us to discuss new projects or bids.

I put up my hand. "I heard back about the Prague bid for the renovation of the Clementinum," I said. I didn't get it." I waited for the consolations to die down. "But because they want to use SmartBoard and some of the preservation materials that Tony developed for me in it, I've been offered the renovation of the Astronomical Tower in the complex." I grinned as cheering broke out and Aslyn popped a bottle of sparkling wine like we always did when one of us got a particularly prized commission. Then she brought us up to date on the very satisfying state of our company, and we went back to work. I brought Callahan and Mei into my office and told them the good news, and the decision to send Callahan over to Prague to supervise our portion of the work was made. Mei had a project for my attention. The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata was accepting bids for conservation work in the Durbar Hall Gallery and the Queen's Hall Gallery. I looked at the bare bones of the proposal she'd started and told her to work it up for submission. She had more experience than Callahan and I thought she was ready to start developing her own projects. This meant that I needed another couple of assistants, since she'd need to relocate to oversee the work in her bid if she won. Even if she didn't, my new commission in Prague would be the start of international projects we could expect to be in competition for, and there were still a lot of domestic projects. I needed to focus on the Hall of Justice now, since we were getting to the public areas now that the private League areas were proceeding a little faster than usual. And what a mess the public area was. It was going to require a lot of attention. I sighed and drew up another advertisement. I wanted to get interviews done when Mei and Callahan were around to be sure that new hires would fit in well. I went in to Aslyn to see how many people I could afford.

Damian was thrilled with my success, and he opened a split of champagne before dinner, and Alfred took a couple of minutes to toast my success as well. Over dinner, Damian had the unfortunate news that Selina and Bruce were divorcing. Since she'd moved on from Wayne's security division, she'd found the dark side too tempting and returned to her catburgling ways. Bruce just couldn't take it. "I expect that once things smooth out after the divorce, that they'll resume their relationship," Damian opined. "He's always come back to her, but she just can't seem to keep to the straight and narrow over the long haul, and Father really is devoted to the right."

"Indeed, Master Damian," Alfred said, serving dinner before sitting down. "It is a shame for Master Bruce."

Selina had told me in confidence that she wanted to have a child, but that Bruce kept putting it off, focused as ever on being Batman. I wondered how much of her choices had to do with this, but I couldn't violate this trust. I made a resolution to have lunch or drinks with her. I was fond of my stepmother-in-law. Far more than my mother-in-law, that's for sure.

Daniel and Bruce came down after dinner to talk about the results of the polygraphing. Everyone had passed, including the oversight committee, which was good. The Justice League had gone back to their lives and work. Bruce was quiet and didn't refer to his soon-to-be former wife, and I wasn't sure if I should acknowledge it, so I just let it go for now. He cuddled his grandkids briefly, but didn't say much as Daniel told us about the results from the testing and the data that continued to come in. He couldn't officially sanction people who hadn't done the testing having access to all the information, but I knew that Oracle would have everything necessary and probably more, which would be held by the Justice League at least initially. Barbara was good about sharing with me, and could easily be bribed by a babysitting offer. Both men were pleased to hear my good news. Daniel looked relieved past the results, and I deduced that things were looking up with Diana.

I'd already emailed her a job announcement; the Met was looking for a specialist in ancient Classical history, and the job would enable her to relocate from Paris.

I had an ulterior motive, I had to confess. The more people around who could pacify Miles, the better.

As they left, Daniel gave me two drives, one of which turned out to be from Tony; it contained schematics for new gear for Valkyrie, annotated with suggestions by Emma. And there were sketches from Uncle Steve for a new uniform. The second, requiring several biometric identifiers to unlock, had a treasury of information about suspected HYDRA bases and personnel. I spent the evening learning the information. There were suspected bases by a few places where historical conservation projects were currently or were planning to be accepting bids. Some major cities that were thought to harbor HYDRA installations were also tearing down their slums and updating housing for the influx of Returnees, like Paris, Kyoto, Alexandria, Rio, and Johannesburg. I tapped my chin and thought about how Serena and I could use this information to our advantage in gathering better intelligence. It looked like Valkyrie was going to get a lot more employees.