This Magic Moment

Maia smiled as she finished carefully finished packing the specialized suitcase. The case has special straps that allowed her to wear it like an over-sized backpack, leaving her hands free while holding it tight against her body. This was a feature she found particularly useful when flying under her own power. She was so relieved Olga had agreed to this vacation.

Maia had seen the stress and emotional turmoil of recent events take their toll on her Russian lover. The heavy drinking, the intense periods of physical workouts, the long nights out on patrol. They were all signs of Olga looking for some sort of escape. Escape from the pain of being ripped from her home dimension and everything and everyone she cared about. Escape from the pain and horror of finding her former lover brought back from the dead and forced to serve her most hated enemy. Maia marveled that Olga was able to hold it together as well as she could.. When they had talked about taking a break, Olga had readily agreed. Maia mentioned Venice; Olga told her how it had been destroyed in the wars of her home dimension. Maia had pitched the idea to her lover, expecting some resistance to taking time off. But the Russian seemed almost eager to get out of town for a while.

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Olga Yezhov watched as the last rays of the setting sun reflected off the waterways and canals of Venice in a myriad of colors. She had flown over Venice once, in a different time and in a different place. Here, far away from the crowded streets and cacophony of Angel Falls, she and Maia were putting the final touches on what had been the most magical evening of her entire life. They were both dressed to the nines and the sight of her flame-haired lover was as intoxicating as her perfume. Salon-styled hair, manicures, pedicures, make-up, their tall, muscular bodies draped in beautiful and revealing evening gowns; for the first time in her life Olga truly felt like a woman rather than a farmhand, soldier or superhero. She so wished her father could be there to see her now. Sadly she knew he would never have approved what she was about to do this evening. Dinner had been at Ai Gondolieri. The food was absolute heaven on earth, but Olga was not particularly hungry. The butterflies in her stomach were far too many in number. Now as they both rode together in the gondola, Maia's head resting against her shoulder, she was experiencing a strange combination of paralyzing fear and total joy. Her mouth was dry and her hands trembled - unusual characteristics from someone who could rip a panzer in half with their bare hands and withstand direct missile attacks on her naked flesh. She ran her tongue across her dry lips before breaking the silence to speak.
"My Возлюбленный...there is something important that I must ask you.”

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The dinner had been fantastic. Since arriving in Venice and checking in to the city’s finest hotel, everything had been perfect. They had spent the day at the hotel’s day spa being pampered within an inch of their lives. It had been so relaxing, getting away from the stress of Angel Falls, enjoying chocolates and expressos, and enjoying the services of the spa’s staff.

When they were getting ready for dinner, Maia was struck speechless when Olga stepped out in her evening gown. Olga had blushed and started to go back before Maia rushed to her side to reassure her. Maia stammered for the words to tell her lover just how amazing she looked. The Russian’s beauty made Maia stammer, nothing in her military background preparing her for something like this. Falling in love with another woman was new enough, for her to be a fellow soldier and superheroine put Maia firmly outside her comfort zone.

Fortunately Olga had recognized Maia’s attempt. She knew her American lover was still unsure and hesitant at times and had been willing to be patient and supportive as Maia found her own way. She waited until Maia was ready, then the two of them had gone to diner. While the food was delicious, Olga was too nervous to eat much. Maia, who no longer needed food for sustenance, had delighted in sampling as many of the gourmet dishes as she could.

Finally they had left the restaurant to enjoy one of Venice’s signature attractions. The water lapped gently against the sides of the gondola as the boatman poled them through the city’s ancient canals. The moonlight reflected off the water just as it reflected and sparkled in Olga’s eyes. Maia was convinced nothing could make this evening more special. It was then that Olga had turned to her.

"My Возлюбленный...there is something important that I must ask you.”

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"Maia...Я хотел вам сказать... " Olga stopped herself and winced at having reverted back to her native tongue, wrinkling her nose. She looked up at the sky for a moment before looking at her lover and starting again. "Maia...I wanted to tell you how important you are to me. When I first came here, to this world, I lost everything I had ever loved and cared about. Everything was taken from me...and without being there to protect it, I know it is all gone. The peoples here were...some still are...hostile to me for the crimes of a nation I do not know. I thought by helping them, fighting for them would make them understand. Nyet, it never seemed to help, no matter how many criminals I stopped or people I saved. I almost made a terrible mistake in Russia of this world in my anger. Then I realized that I had you. You Maia have taught me so many things... about selflessness, about courage and about what it is to be a true hero. Putting on my uniform to help others despite what they think of me. I am proud to be Soviet. I am proud to be Russian. No one can alter my memories of what it was like for me or make me feel responsible for the Soviet crimes in your dimension. I...I am rambling..."

Olga's eyes began to well up at the corners, threatening to ruin her mascara. She dabbed them gently with her trembling gloved hand and cleared her throat before continuing. "What I am saying Maia, is that you taught me what it was to truly love again. I have never known love before like I have with you my dear, beautiful Возлюбленный. You have touched my heart in so many ways and my clumsy English words could not even begin to explain to you the love I feel. You gave me the hope that I needed to keep going on. I am so grateful for having you in my life. Here I am, heart and soul, confessing to the world how I feel about you. I want to spend forever and eternity in your arms Maia."

Her hands still shaking, Olga retrieved a small, black box…

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Maia felt the corners of her eyes itch, where tears would be leaking if she could still cry. Listening to Olga pour out her heart and tell her how much she meant to Olga made her feel so loved and in love. “Olga, I know how much you..”

The words stuck in her throat as she looked down and saw Olga holding a small box. She knew what it was even before her lover opened it to reveal a ring. The large center diamond sparkled in the light from the lamps lining the canals. The center stone also reflected the deep blue of the smaller sapphires that ringed the center diamond. A deep blue that matched the blue of Olga’s eyes perfectly.

Olga cleared her throat and started to speak. “Maia, would you…”

That is as far as she got before Maia pulled her close, kissing her with fierce passion. The gondolier struggled to keep the boat steady as Maia held Olga in her arms, keeping them locked in a deep passionate kiss. Olga felt her world shrink to just this; Maia’s powerful arms around her, their bodies pressed together, and her Возлюбленный’s lips against hers in a soul-melding kiss. For just this moment, everything in her life was absolutely perfect.

Finally Maia broke their kiss. “Oh Olga, yes! Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!” she whispered intensely.

Olga inhaled sharply, suddenly aware that she had been holding her breath. She looked into Maia’s sparkling green eyes to see a reflection of the love she had for Maia. As her heart soared, she kissed her Возлюбленный again, losing herself in the perfect moment.

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SURPRISE!


You knew it was coming...


A big thanks to for capturing this beautiful moment with his magnificent artwork. It is a very special moment and he more than rose to the occasion. Bravo sir!


Another big thanks goes to my friend and partner in all this, who commissioned the art and co-wrote the story with me. Her wonderful character Walkiria and Soviet Superwoman met as just awkward allies at first and later friends and that friendship grew and grew, just like ours did. Thank you so much Teri for everything. I look forward to where we take these two super-women together next.

The Soviet Superwoman and half of this are my creations and property.

This takes place in the setting.