Wally followed Paula down the hill and across the Gotham cemetery. He carried the bouquet Paula had handed him when they arrived. He looked at the graves, reading the names and dates of the dead. The air was still. They reached a large tombstone that Wally couldn't help but read over and over. Artemis Lian Crock. He placed the bouquet on the grass. Wally thought that when he had to stand in front of her grave, it would say Artemis West and next to her would be a place for him when his time was up. He wasn't expecting it so soon. She might as well be dead. She's out of his life for who knows how long.
His thoughts were interrupted by Paula. "Thank you for coming Wally." He stood up. "This has been the hardest two days of my life," Wally walked behind her wheelchair placing a hand on her shoulder, "Harder than prison, than losing the use of my legs," Tears began to stream down Paula's face, "Than losing Jade to the Life...I could not have survived this without you."
Wally looked away in guilt. He felt as though he was the one responsible for tearing Paula's heart apart. He let her finish what she had to say. "Wally?" He turned around to see Zatanna standing there, a picture in her hand. "Hey Z." She came closer and looked at Paula, who didn't notice her. "Hi Mrs. Crock. I'm so sorry." Paula turned her head, face red. "Hello Zatanna." Paula looked at the ground. Wally looked at the two upset women. He knew that no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't tell them about Artemis. He couldn't tell anyone.
Everyone was still in denial. They wanted to believe she was coming back. Megan would go into silence and tears would well up in her eyes if anything reminded her of Artemis. Zatanna was better at hiding it, but not by much. Paula broke his heart to watch her mourn her daughter especially since it wasn't real. It was real to them though; to him she was just away, risking her life.
Zatanna put down her picture frame. Her and Artemis on Halloween night five years ago. They were both so happy. Artemis' smile. The one he's only been missing for one day. It felt like forever. Zatanna was on her knees looking up at the name and at her picture. She was mumbling something, but Wally didn't want to listen. It would just make him feel worse.
"I'm ready to go now. I'll wait for you at the top Wally." Paula said as she turned around. Zatanna hugged her goodbye. As Paula passed Wally, Zatanna walked over to him. "Wally. Are you gonna be okay?" He looked at her. "I'll be fine." He said with a forced smile. "Dick told me." Wally's eyes widened. "Told you what?"
"You were gonna propose." Zatanna said in a tone close to a whisper. "Oh. That. Yeah…I was."
"Do you have the ring with you?" Wally took it out of his pocket. It was platinum with a moonstone cut in the shape of a perfect circle. The outside of the ring read You are my moon sun and stars. "Wally. It's…beautiful. Artemis…would've loved it." Wally smiled half-heartedly.
"When were you going to do it?"
"I was planning on doing it two days ago. Yesterday I was going to take her out for lunch or something, but she chose to take Nightwing's offer." Zatanna frowned and hugged him. "It's been nice seeing you Z, but Paula's waiting up there. You wanna come? I can take you home or whatever."
"Nah. I'll stay here for a little while."
"Alright. I'll see you later."
"Yeah." Wally walked away and went to the top of the hill to meet Paula. They went down the street to the apartments where Wally brought Paula to hers. "Wally? Do you want to stay for dinner?" Paula asked. "I'd love to, but I have to get home." He said.
"I understand. It's been nice seeing you." Wally leaned over and hugged her. "You too."
Wally walked through the door of his home. Kent started barking for once and ran up to greet Wally and Artemis. "Hey boy." Wally said as he sat on the couch and turned on the TV. Kent whined at the door. "Ya wanna go out?" Instead of the usual running around he continued to sit and whine. He didn't want to go out. He wanted Artemis. "Come here." Wally patted the couch. Kent jumped on it and stared up at his owner. Wally sighed. "Mommy's not coming home boy." Kent put his head on Wally's lap and whimpered. "I know. I miss her too."