undeserved_protector | Chance meetings? ( for thats

Chance meetings? ( for thats_neat)

Flying from place to place became the normal for her. The acquisition of artifacts and maintaining relations with other museums was just the two main points of her job. Well, the job that kept her in touch with the world around her and not secluded to the other persona. The real her that protected humanity and kept them safe. Not that she disliked this job or living as Diana Prince. In fact, she loved it as much as the Amazon from Themyscira because he gave her that name and started her life in this world.

But she didn't wish to think of him right in that moment. Not while she stood perusing the displays of weapons from Ancient Greece that Emily Attwater insisted that Diana fly over to see and give her expert opinion on. Not that Ms. Attwater seemed to be so keen to keep her appointment at this rate. Normally the bubbly blonde that wanted so desperately to 'one-up' Diana would be there immediately the moment she walked into the entrance of the Smithsonian. Today, she was asked to wait by the reception.

A task she chose to do with notebook in hand, notes being taken as she went through each. She had only been sketching and noting details in her book for about twenty minutes, but it still caused a frown to furrow her brow. Perhaps her fellow curator had something else in mind today?

Whatever it was, she at least found it easy to continue her cataloging and notations of the items around her. It felt a little like glimpsing home in so many ways. It was one of the few things that did give her that chance to pretend she was nearer to her mother and friends back on the island by doing this work. And well, it gave her time to drift off and write notes in other languages about the page. Sometimes quotes from great philosophers of the time period and sometimes notations on who might've been the metal worker that forged the weapon. Regardless of what she inked on the page, she really wouldn't have even noticed if Ms. Attwater entered the room at that moment or not she was so engrossed in her work.

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"What sort of person would I be, Mr. Taylor, if I discredited you for something that I also feel when working with some artifacts." She knew she said that they spoke to her as well, so she had no issues redirecting his attention to that with a small smile. Her dark eyes turned to stay on his profile a long before before she canted her head just a little. "This is true of all things in the past. Not just artifacts." Because god, her memories of Steve and her mother and aunt were the only things that got her through some days.

Shaking her head a little, she instantly laughed at Steve's teasing admonishment about the nation's treasures. Diana hummed a soft sound and spoke rather honestly if a bit teasingly. "Perhaps I should reword it? I will now have a reason to visit that overshadows the negative presence that keeps me away." Because she liked the displays of the Smithsonian. She loved the international exhibits and sometimes just walking through the war exhibit just to sit and remember all she had and lost.

"You drive a hard bargain, I suppose I have no excuse now." She paused a moment then lightly handed her notebook to him. Sliding her hand into her pocket, she dug out one of the customary cards she was required to have and hand out to those she met she'd need as a contact. With some effort, she found the pen that matched her now broken pencil before shifting to write on the back of her card. Once she was done, she slipped the pen back in her pocket then offered the card in trade for her notebook. "That's my cellphone number on the back... if you truly want my help with it."

Lifting her shoulders in a slight shrug, she gifted him with another small smile. "I have been told I photograph well." Not that she liked having her picture taken. She tried to avoid it when possible. Because no one needed to know what she looked like or something to compare her to when she never aged. But he didn't need to know that. "I am proud of my accomplishments for what they do to help the world understand the past. It is for no other reason. But I am flattered that you seem so fond of my work. I can't say I have had a... fan before?" The prospect made her eyes dance with amusement as she looked up at him. "I hope that I can live up to whatever expectations you might have."

"You're the first person I've met that admitted that you could hear them." Which might be strange considering their work, but few scholars wanted that particular stigma. It was why Steve rarely talked about the hilt in terms that made his passion so obvious. Most thought he was captivated by the fame it would bring him, not realizing it was something deeper that that. "It is, but it's the artifacts that most people focus on. They need a tangible link to the past to be able to even try to understand it."

Fighting back a smile, Steve waited to see how Ms. Prince would react to his chiding tone. As he hoped, she didn't seem annoyed by his banter, flowing with it easily as if they were old friends instead of having just met. "You shouldn't let her bother you. Most of the time she isn't so..." He left the rest unsaid, both because of loyalty to his supervisor and because he didn't want anyone overhearing and reporting back to Ms. Attwater.

"You have no excuse not to visit or to look at my research." Why did that excite him so much? He felt like he'd been promised everything he'd ever wanted, but he wasn't sure why. Maybe because she might give him the last piece to the puzzle or at least a piece he hadn't been able to reach that would allow him to understand the mystery he'd been carrying with him for years.

The thought distracted him enough that he automatically took her notebook, looking down at it curiously but not really realizing what Ms. Prince was doing. Momentarily, he was tempted to flip through it but he reigned in that impulse, holding the book for her while she searched for something. Giving back the notebook, he stared down at the seemingly innocent card, slowly registering that she had given him her private number. "I do want your help. Thank you. I know that you have other projects and I won't take up too much of your time."

He knew he sounded like an idiot, but he didn't want Ms. Prince to think he would take advantage or that he wasn't appreciative of her offer... Too bad he probably seemed dumbstruck by her smile. "You do," he blurted out, mentally wincing at how his attempt at being professional could easily shatter with those words. "They focused on the exhibits, not you. Which seemed to be right somehow." Maybe that would make him seem less idiotic or at least like he wasn't trying to make a pass. "That's why I'm fond of your work. Other scholars want the glory. You want to help us understand history, to help link the past, present, and future."

Mentally wincing when he realized that she was right - he did sound like some overzealous fan - he shrugged, hoping to downplay it somehow... while trying not to be caught up in the way her eyes lit up when she looked up at him. "I have the feeling you will always live up to my expectations and surpass them."

"It's a shame people think that it is a detriment to the field." She never weighed her worth on what the others thought. She knew her work and she did it. The praise of her colleagues was accepted gracefully, but Diana did it more to stay in the past in some small way and to never let it fade away. Which only made her feel a pang of sadness at those words. "You are right. Humanity believes seeing is believing."

Arching a brow slightly, she added to that statement for him. "Just when I am here, yes? I know. I hear good things about her from other museum curators and the Smithsonian itself. I know her work is good and she is good at her job." Professionally, Emily Attwater was the best for her age. She simply took the fact that Diana looked about the same age and was attractive, it meant she was someone to compete against and one up. It was a world that forced that sort of competition. Especially among women. A game that Diana had been forced to play far longer than Attwater had. Which was why she simply avoided it with the woman than every complained or brought it up. "I am not bothered by it. Please don't worry. It is simply a choice to avoid rather than stoke the fire."

She noticed the way he looked at her notebook, almost hesitating and pushing him to look, but instead she traded the items. Dark eyes watched him as he realized what she had given him and she couldn't help a soft huff of a laugh at his excitement. "I wish to help. You are earnest in your passions, it's only right I help you in achieving your goals." And where he did draw her in at first for his uncanny resemblance to her captain, his politeness and kindness made her happy. Where she might not have given it so soon, it would have happened anyway. She simply found his presence far too endearing.

Especially when he so quickly affirmed that she looked good in photos. Ducking her head with a soft laugh, she tried not to look so happy about his words. Normally, that sort of flattery was met with something cooler, but still polite. From him, it just made her smile. "Mm... acquiring honor and glory is a part of the ancient times. It was believed that the only way to always exist in this life and the after life was that your name was always remembered. Just that simple reality would sustain the spirits of the dead in underworld. And what better way to be immortal than to never be forgotten?" It was a truth in some ways. Where she had not met her uncle in the Underworld, she knew the tales to be truth. Which was part of why she never let go of her memories of Steve from that time. Hoping beyond all hope that he would find happiness even if she couldn't be part of it.

"I think it's very flattering that you feel that way about my work. I thank you." She bowed her head slightly, still looking pleased with the entire exchange. However, Diana didn't expect those last words to hit her so deeply in a way that even forced her to flush brilliantly as color spilled over her cheeks. For a moment, she reflexively covered her lower face just a little with her free hand before she took a slow deep breath. "You are... too kind, Mr. Taylor."

"I'm not sure if they think it's a detriment or if I sound crazy when I talk about talking metal shards and mythology." There were times when Steve began to doubt his sanity, but he knew he was right. The sword had been something important. It still was but now it was fragments that could only tell a few pieces of their story. "I don't think it's so much 'seeing is believing'. We need the link, but there's still faith. The past is something distant that most of us can never understand but certain things, we can only accept as intangible."

Realizing that he was starting to drift toward philosophy or perhaps theology, he forced himself to ignore topics that he knew he could never find conclusive proof of. "You usually bring out that behavior but there's a few others that cause her to act like this." Pausing, his expression turned to annoyance before he realized that she would notice. "She also gets a little odd around me." Odd wasn't the most truthful description but Steve didn't think that Ms. Prince needed to know that his supervisor occasionally made very obvious passes at him and was annoyed whenever he ignored them. "When those individuals aren't around, her work is exceptional. It's too bad that avoiding her means that you also have to avoid the museum. You could help us a great deal. Having a fresh point of view would help improve our exhibits."

It was almost painful to hand back the notebook. A quick glance at its pages and he'd know if he was right in his assessment of the dates and references used in the displays. Carefully, almost reverently, pocketing the card after memorizing the number on the back. If it didn't seem rude, he would have added it to his cell phone just in case he lost the slip of card stock. "I don't know if it's right or not but it is appreciated." Ms. Prince didn't even know what the artifact was and she wanted to help. He could be a lunatic or have nothing more than a few pot shard yet she believed in him.

Was it really surprising that he might be a little awed by her and crossing the line to fan?

Trying not to be too pleased by her reaction, he was relieved that he hadn't crossed a line that would make her want to find a polite excuse to leave. She had to have men constantly flattering her and Steve didn't want to seem like that was his only reason for wanting to be near her. "Do you believe that, Ms. Prince? That we can only be immortal if we're remembered?" It wasn't something that Steve had thought about since writing papers in college. Why consider the afterlife when there was so much for him to accomplish now?

It was a sad subject, and one that he didn't want to consider when there were more pleasant topics they could discuss. Slowly his steps, he watched her, curious when she started covering her face. "You're welcome. Are you - " His voice trailed of as his curiosity over the gesture turned to understanding. "Are you blushing?" Immediately regretting his words, he mentally flailed for a moment, trying to figure out how to save her from more embarrassment. "I - uh - have to admit, that was not something I expected."

"If it is any consolation, I do not think you are crazy." Like she would have any right to think that. If anything, her interest is piqued in other ways. Such as whether or not the artifact is dangerous to the other with how it seemed to consume his thoughts. It only served as a push to help him even more. Her eyes moved back to him, a quiet look falling over her face before she looked away again. To hear such a thing from the lips of someone that looked so much like her Steve. A man that only fully believed here that at the very end. But he believed her. Believed in her.

Breathing in slowly, she shook the thoughts away and refocused on what he was saying. An elegant brow rose slowly as she caught that look on his face. And then he said that. Those words echoed her earlier sentiment that had her breaking her pencil and feel a sudden sense of anger she'd not dealt with in years. "I'll do my best to help you." She said her words carefully, making sure he realized that if she went above and beyond, it would be for him. The museum as well, but him most importantly. The last thing he needed was for his boss to rain hellfire down upon him simply because Diana didn't lend her aid.

A simple nod was the only response to his gratitude, because her mind was still drifting on the lore of the underworld. Something he called attention back to. "I believe to lose faith in such things is to lose an important part of hope." It wasn't a direct answer, but in a way it was more personal. The moment she thought that it wasn't true, was the moment she'd have to let Steve Trevor go forever. "I remember the ones I love still even though they have passed on."

Rubbing her face softly, she could feel the heat in her skin that she couldn't quite remember ever dealing with before. Not even the first time she'd slept with Steve. But something so simple. Something that made her feel like all of her works would succeed made her heart flutter a little. No one had had such unshakable faith in her since him. "Nor did I. I am not-- I'm not accustomed to blushing. I'm sorry. Your words struck very genuine." She said the words softer that time, her hand still covering the heated skin as she moved a little ahead of him to look at the exhibit they were approaching.

Clearing her throat, she fought down the blush so she could meet his gaze. "Do... you have another pencil? The faster I get to work the less likely your boss will be angry with you, yes?"

It did help to know that she didn't believe he was crazy. He knew that his research bordered obsession, but Steve always made sure he didn't cross that line. If it did, then he really would mentally ill and probably should give up the broken sword. As long as he could keep some distance and view it from an academic standpoint, he was sure that he was safe.

Giving her a curious look, he wondered what he had said that had effected her so much. Even the resemblance to someone she knew didn't really explain her reactions. The sadness, yes, but not the rest. Reminding her of someone from the past didn't explain the way she kept glancing at him or her promises to help him. The offers could be kindness, but it felt like there was something else behind them. Although he knew that she had promised Attwater to help, he knew that she would now be helping because of him, not his supervisor.

"I appreciate that." Even though he didn't understand all the reasons for her assistance or why she was helping only because of him. "Maybe you'll find the same errors I have." Attwater wouldn't acknowledge that he was right, but if Ms. Prince pointed them out, she would have to believe that the mistakes were there.

"That is the best way to be remembered, even if it brings those left behind pain." As they neared the exhibit, Steve gestured toward the antiquities that surrounded them. He began to say more, and then realized that it might hurt her to discuss those she had lost. Instead, he turned the gesture into a welcome of sorts. "I'm sure you've seen more elaborate displays but we're proud of what we have."

Before he realized what he was doing, Steve stepped closer, wanting to gently pull her hand away so he could see the delicate color spreading across her cheeks, but knowing that would be improper and that a hand on his arm didn't mean he could touch in more intimate ways. He did smile, mischief brightening his blue eyes. "They were genuine." Stepping away, he let her compose herself while promising himself that he'd try to make her blush again, if she allowed it. "And deserved."

Glancing away as she composed herself, Steve pulled a pencil from his pocket and offered it to her. He was tempted to tell her his own findings, but it was better to see if she saw the same things he did without his suggestions. "Is there anything else that you'll need, Ms. Prince?"

Nodding once to his words of appreciation, she started to open her notebook again. Flipping past the pages from her previous notes, she angled her head a little. "It is a possibility. Some were listed incorrectly for date and the make was wrong." Not to mention some of the projected 'smiths' listed for the work wasn't right either. Still, she didn't want to cause too much of a fuss and would just simply write a report of for Attwater to look over later.

Angling her head at his comment about remembering the dead, she couldn't bring herself to look at him as she saw the explosion of the plane in her mind again. Closing her eyes for a moment, she finally cleared her throat and brushed past it to the idea of the exhibits. "It's not how decorative or elaborate it is, it's how fitting it is. The Smithsonian does a good job with it's displays." That really wasn't the issue.

Then he had to add that to his statement. She pressed her lips into a thin line as she felt the heat in her cheeks increase. A soft line furrowed her brow as she lifted her notebook almost like a child to cover her face. Even though she kept her eyes over the top at the displays, she couldn't bring herself to be such a child about a simple, yet genuine compliment. "Thank you. I-- It's appreciated."

Clearing her throat, she took the pencil gently from his hand and and finally lowered her hand and notebook to get to work. Not that the blush was gone completely, but maybe if she started to work it would fade quickly. Pausing as she wrote the room down at the top of the page, she glanced over at him and considered the question. Generally she did this work alone. She did much of her work alone. But the idea of him leaving seemed like a loss in and of itself. "I shouldn't keep you from your work. I'm sure I've already been a bit of an inconvenience as it is."

Sometimes, she hated that she chose to be morally right and unselfish.

"That's what I thought. I found those errors months ago, but Ms. Attwater said I was incorrect. She didn't think someone with my limited experience would be able to make those types of claims." Later she'd suggested a few other things, which had put them at odds for awhile. Now he just expected the flirting and kept their discussions as professional as possible.

Looking over the displays, he smiled at the compliment. Steve might not be the one that had set them up, but he was proud of the knowledge the museum preserved and how accessible it was to the world. But that didn't mean he wouldn't tease her to see how she would react. "Better than the Louvre?"

Deciding not to comment more on the blushes, he moved to one of the displays so that she could begin to work, knowing it well but still curious to see if there was some detail he hadn't noticed before. Looking over his shoulder, Steve knew she was right. He'd have to go back and deal with his supervisor. "I doubt that you'd ever be an inconvenience, but you're right. Ms. Attwater will be looking for me soon."

As he left to get the files he had been ordered to fetch, he glanced over at her one more time after he'd said his goodbyes, hoping that she really would be a interested in his work as she seemed.

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Chance meetings? ( for thats_neat)

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