kai-m-shepard:

She didn’t move, didn’t twitch as the other woman advanced on her, eyes ablaze. Her gaze narrowed and she ‘tch’ed. “I did know. Sacrificed your life for some scrawny-assed pilot. Well done.”

Juliette’s next words struck like a blow and pulled the air from her lungs. She could feel her teeth grinding up the line of her jaw, her nostrils flared as she sucked in a breath. Her mind scrambled over itself to find a response, to find something to throw back that would mast how deeply those words had effected her—only they wouldn’t come.

The Commanders final words shattered what little decorum Diana had left and she turned away before her once-friend could see the pain that spelled itself so clearly over her features. “So be it, Commander.” Her voice trembled and she spat a curse. “Allow me to get out of your way. I’m sure you’ve got more important things to be doing.”

The merc’s comment about Joker leaves her reeling, and it’s only when she turns away that everything explodes inside Juliette. Reaching out, the commander grabs Diana’s shoulder and roughly spins her around. Face drawn in a scowl, she cocks her hand back and throws a punch, snarling in victory when she feels it connect with her old friend’s nose.

Body tense with anger, she stares the killer for hire down, her hands tightening again as though she wants nothing more than to punch her again. “Joker,” she rasps, her voice thick with fury. “Is a better person than you will ever be. And he’s been there through everything." 

Don’t hit her again. Don’t hit her again. The mantra repeats over and over in her mind, but the phrase isn’t sinking in. Not really. "You don’t get to make comments about my pilot. Not when you’re not there to see what a fucking friend looks like. Not when you’re not there when you should be.”