"Artemis, you can't leave too. We've already lost Dick for a while; we need you on the team." Aqualad held the resign papers in his hand, glancing over them for a moment before returning his gaze to Artemis. "It's a small leave, it's not permanent." Artemis answered quietly, hanging her bow up next to the shelves that held all of the souvenirs Wally had collected over the years. Superboy, Beastboy, and M'gann stood nearby watching as the two spoke.
"Kaldur… I'm tired. It's been four months since Wally died, I need a break. I thought using Tigress would work but it didn't. I need time alone. Wally… meant everything to me, and with him gone; I'm sorry…" Artemis gripped the front of her shirt, keeping her back to Aqualad. He looked over to the three of their teammates standing there, M'gann gave a small nod; "It couldn't hurt." She mouthed, the words ringing in Aqualad's head. "I'm sorry..." He responded gently, making his way to Artemis he placed a hand on her shoulder lightly, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I haven't been the best at understanding your feelings, Wally meant a great deal to all of us. Take as much time as you need." She turned her head to look at him for a moment, resting her hand on top of his. "Thank you." She removed her hand, and then walked into the zeta tube. The computer read out, "Artemis B07."
"Just give her some time Kaldur… Wally's death was hard for all of us, but her and Dick the most." M'gann folded her arms, giving a small shrug before heading out into the meeting room with Superboy. Beast boy watched Aqualad for a moment before turning and following the others.
Aqualad sighed softly; walking over to the computer he typed the information in, and then tucked the papers into a folder with Nightwings information.
Artemis took the hair tie out of her hair, tying her hair in a lower ponytail. She made her way towards the city, to a small apartment not far from the old head quarters, Mount Justice. She just needed to talk to someone who would understand.
Once she reached the apartment, she knocked on the door and waited for an answer. She heard nothing, but she knew he was there. Just as she went to grab her cell phone the door opened, Dick stood there, still in his pajamas but he still had on sun glasses. "Artemis. Are you okay?" Her eyes met his for a moment, "I resigned for a while…" before he could answer she wrapped her arms around him, burying her head into his chest. "I didn't know where else to go…"
Dick pulled her inside; shutting the door behind them then wrapped his arms around her. "I miss him too." Artemis sniffled; Pulling away she wiped her face with the sleeve of her jacket, "I tried.. But I just can't do it." Dick nodded, motioning his hand toward the couch. "You want anything to eat or drink?" Her eyes wandered over the room, "Just water." She chuckled softly at the mess, "Do you ever clean?"
Dick laughed to himself while pouring her water, making his way back to the living room he handed the glass to her. "Zatanna gets onto me about that too; I guess I do need to clean. I just… haven't been in the mood for it." She nodded, "I get it." Taking a sip of her water she gripped the bottom of her shirt, and then set the cup down on the table. "You want to talk about it?" Dick asked, knowing the thought was weighing on her mind.
"We had it all planned out. We were going to resign, unless you needed us for a mission. We were going to finish college, and then… We were going to get married." Artemis bit her lower lip, closing her eyes for a moment. "None of this seems real. How do you deal with it…?" Dick placed his hand on her back, rubbing it a little. "I haven't really dealt with it. I've been trying to occupy myself with other things; Mostly college, sleep and video games. Batman would be furious if he knew I haven't been training or working out at all."
"I don't think he would mind all that much.. You're grieving, in your own way. He would understand." Artemis responded quietly, "I tried to work as Tigress but even then Wally was a part of Tigress's life too. Maybe not in the same way as my life but, I just need time off."
