A/N Nice to be back, I am hitting all of my old work and just redoing them a little for better structure. So if yall are looking to review my other crap work I'd advise you to stop right now. Cuz I bet yall they are gonna suck. To be fair I was a Dumb ass then and still am with just a better sense of self. Anyway you may proceed with this one if you would still like. Happy Reads.

The evening was cold and wet; it was quiet to have the light rainfall heard. The light drizzle of rain did not matter to the group of people who were stood by watching the coffin slowly being put under ground. Other strange men started shovelling the dirt on to the coffin that was slowly turning wet and muddy due to the drizzle.

Megan, Zatana, Artemis, Wally, Dick, Kaldur, Conner and a few other teen heroes stood by the grave, while there mentor and others stood behind them all in normal civilian clothes. Everyone came to pay their respect, for a lose of a life however distant to some was still a loss. After it all had commenced awhile everyone started slowly clearing away the team would also, but only after…

"I'm sorry." Artemis said as she put her hand on the new tombstone, walking away past her team not caring for anything or anyone right now.

Zatana tried to reach out for her by following but dick held her back; he shook his head lightly indicating her to not now. Dick Grayson knew Artemis better then anyone not because of his inquisitive detective skills but maybe be because they were a lot similar. He knew that right now she was like a sink with an open drain. She needed time.

"The wounds are still fresh anything you say or do might just back fire." Dick said and Zatana understood what he meant, probably because she too can understand what Artemis may have been feeling in a certain way, as did Dick.

"I can't believe this" Megan sobbed softly.

"Let's go home." Conner said putting a comforting hand around Megan leaning her head to rest over his chest as they walked away, followed by Kaldur.

"Things may just change, I wonder…" he walked and didn't bother to complete what he was thinking.

"I'll catch you guys later." Wally told the team as he continued in the opposite direction of them following behind Artemis "Artemis!" Wally called out to her, she stopped but didn't turn.

"I just want to be alone right now, ok" her voice was emotionless but yet you could feel the sadness within them.

She walked away, but Wally didn't stop, he followed from a distance. It started to rain heavy now; Artemis hugged herself the whole way home. It was cold her body shivered beneath the hard-hitting rain, it was cold to the bone but her mind was numb void of thought. Wally still following from a distance, at that moment he just felt angry, what can he do to help. Seeing her like this made him frustrated, useless yet all he could do right now was just do what she wanted which was nothing.

Artemis got home; she was trying to put the keys in the door but had a hard time getting them in. It pained her to stand outside, not physically but mentally things were sinking in the realization that she is home and that everything may change were slowly sinking in. The keys fell, Artemis let out a frustrated sigh, she bent down to pick it but someone else was already picking it up and unlocking the door.

"I said I want to be alone." She said softly a meer whisper almost

"I know," he said opening the door for her, pausing for a moment at he threshold before she entered. He followed in locking the door behind him as he hoped it would keep all the danger and pain at bay too, locked out never to reach her. He took off his drenching wet coat. Artemis just stood there with her back to Wally.

"I want to be alone." she said again, not bothering to take of her own coat. She headed down the hall leaving a wet trail behind. Wally could have left, instead just followed her in to the main room. She just stood there and looked at the room with void. Wally went around to stand in front of her, it was the look on her face that worried him, looking into her eyes pained him. There was this feel in her eyes, It was like something so bad has happened that no one can ever know or that can she explain her eyes had unspoken saddens. Unsure of what to do Wally helped her out of her coat. At first she didn't allow it but then let him take it off. Artemis sniffed and coughed; it appeared as though she may be coming down with something.

"I'll make you a soothing tea." Wally said helping her to a couch. "Why don't you just sit here ok" Wally was worried. It was only normal that she would be like this, yet he never thought he'd see her this fragile and broken. A few minutes later Wally was done, he brought it out but she wasn't there on the couch.

The worried red head went looking for her. He found her in her room standing by the window. As he got close enough she spoke.

"I want to be alone" she said softly sounding broken. He placed the tea down on the table, slowly turned her around. She had been crying, head tilted down looking at the floor, she was still crying tears running down her face.

"Ar-Artemi-"

"I want to be alone" still, she repeated and repeated crying. Wally cautiously approached her as he realized something was off. Just when he stood by her only a few inches away Artemis looked up at him with her pain stricken face eyes red as stream of tears ran down. "That was the last thing I said to her," she broke down crying harder then she ever thought she would ever let herself to. "The last thing. I didn't mean it," She said between wheezing breath takes, he held her by the shoulders tight.

"Artemis" he said soothingly comfortingly rubbing her arms what felt like hours were only minutes. Wally would pull her into a hug as she clung to his own already slightly wet shirt sobbing, her tears seeping through.

"I'm horrible, it's my fault. I-I don't want to be alone. I-I can't…- can't…-" she couldn't complete her sentence she just continued on letting her emotions takeover. Wally rubbed her back until she pulled away to sneeze.

"Here have tea you'll feel better in the morning." She sat on the bed almost like a zombie, Wally forcing her tea.

When Artemis was done with her tea, he helped her change out of her wet clothes. Out of respect and privacy he'd shut his eyes while he helped her out her wet ones and into a fresh pair of dry. Wally's own emotions were a mess of concern and curious. His heartbeat fastened as he felt this intimate moment sink in. He was helping Artemis change, his own thoughts lingered into inappropriate places as his hands tender and dangerously assisted hovering over her curves. Inwardly cursing himself and his reactions to each soft graze knowing how inappropriate the situation was.

Once finally having dressed Artemis he'd lay her into bed. Just as he was about to leave he felt something hold him back, it was Artemis while in bed she held his hand, they shared a silent moment.

"Stay. I don't want to be alone tonight" he bent down and brushed her hair behind her ear, Giving her a gentle smile for comfort, cupping her face looking intensely in her swollen wet eyes.

"You will never be alone" he said protectively, climbing into her bed and laying down next to her holding her close and tight. "You have us. We are a family ok, and don't worry we will find sportsmaster, he will pay for what he has done don't worry. Now shh, sleep," He said stroking her hair, as she found sleep after much soft weeping that she tried to subdue and it helped laying Wally's protective arms.

A figure landed on the fire escape he peered through the window to find them Artemis asleep in Wallys arm. Dick knew he shouldn't be here, he knew better than to be here when Wally had already found a way in. He should leave but for some unknown reason he couldn't will himself to. Dick watched his best friends sleep, there was a pang of bitterness within him. The situation was all too familiar, the feeling of loss does not elude the boy wonder but the adequate tools of emotions may. He stayed watched before retiring away.

Also at that same moment back at the graveyard. A girl stood under the rain with an umbrella in front of the tomb stone, shed bent down to place flowers on the new grave, wiped that one tear that was streaming down her face. She started to walk away, while walking she took out the Cheshire cat mask from her pocket and threw it in the bin closest to her.

"No more" she said to herself, with that she disappeared in to the cold rainy night.

In the Loving Memory of

Paula Brookes

A mother

May she rest in peace

The next morning, Wally slowly opened his eyes from sleep trying to register things around him, what he saw was the bare back of a blond girl in a navy blue skirt who was trying to pull on her white tank top. Wally got a good look at the bruises on her back, something he failed to notice last night, or Artemis ever mentioning them at all either. They looked painful, black and purple this made him angry and more curious. She pulled her un-tied hair out from under the tank top, and then putting on a white dress shirt.

He started to register things from the previous night, as well as the events leading up to in his head such as, who, what, where and why. He rubbed his eyes and got up on his elbows, looking around the room there was light coming in the room through the window. This was his first time in her room and he took in how simple it was he even took notice of the other twin bed at the other side of the room, which he found strange.

"You're up?" Artemis said back still towards him, She sensed he was awake as his breathing pattern changed and the slight squeak from him shifting on the bed.

"Yeah," He yawned "what are you doing up already, what's the time?" Wally inquired rubbing his eyes again forcing sleep away. Once she was done buttoning up her shirt she grabbed a jacket from the bed and turned around to face him finally.

"Its 6:45-" she said looking at the time on her watch.

"What is that?" Wally asked immediately

"What? - a watch" she said confused looking at her wrist

"No I mean that. What are you wearing? Is that a school Uniform? Why are you wearing your uniform?" Wally asked furrowing his brow, he knew what she was doing and he knew she needed time, but time to herself not boxing things away like she always has.

"I have school Wally" she said again turning around trying to avoid him. "Just because my mom is dead doesn't mean my life is over" Wally got up and grabbed her arm and spun her around causing her lose her balance.

"Artemis what are you doing!" Wally was every confused and angry at her for her. He hadn't realized how strong his hold was on her.

"Aah" she let out a sound of pain he immediately let go.

"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to-" he said stepping back but then taking a steps forward again. "Artemis last nigh-"

"Last night I showed weakness." She said quickly, but then he also replied quickly as well.

"Weakness? Artemis your mother died!"

"Yeah, MY mother!" She declared strongly.

"I don't understand?" Wally put a bothered hand through his hair, he was confused and worried that Artemis wasn't dealing her pain. "Why are you being like this?" she turned around and picked up the tie from the bed and started to tie it.

"You don't get it, this school, ugh, this school." She couldn't really get the words right with her as she fumbled trying to tie that stupid tie that she oh so hated! Wally placed a hand on her as she wrestled with the knots she made. Wally took over, fixing Artemis tie that she kept struggling with, she took a deep breath as he made it for her.

"Artemis" he said her name soft with so much love and concern for her. Artemis only saw it as him taking pity on her and that she couldn't stand for.

"No you don't get it! My mom if anything made her happy about me was that I was going to Gotham Academy. She thought this would help me to make a better life for myself. Something she never had and if I give up on this then I give up on her!" she said trying to remain calm and composed while also strong and stern even if she did need to raise her voice to push the words through to her own self. Just as Wally was done tying the blue tie, he understood what she meant, but felt all this was too soon and it is unhealthy for her not to be dealing with grief.

He put a comforting hand on her shoulders which she just moved it away, not wanting to sink back into the darkness of her emotions.

"I am getting late help yourself to whatever you want in here," she said picking up her school bag.

"Will I see you at the cave then?" He asked as she paused heading out the door.

"I don't know," she said lowly, and just like that she was gone. Wally plopped on the bed let out an aspirated sigh.

"How can I help you Artemis if you just won't let me in" Wally said as he stared up at the celling of her bedroom.