Nine days since Wally West's funeral. Nine sleepless nights for Artemis Crock. But this night was different, because at 1:04 AM, she hears a knock on the door. Instantly becoming alert, she sneaks out of bed, grabbing her crossbow and creeping towards the door. She looks through the peephole and is taken off-guard when she sees Dick Grayson standing outside her door. Not Nightwing, just Dick wearing civvies. He had a bruise on the left side of his face and there was a small cut on his chin that was still bleeding. Artemis sighed and set the crossbow down, opening the door. Dick smiles weakly at her, and she returns the sentiment. He looks as if he is about to say something, but looks away and quickly looks back at Artemis with tears in his eyes. Artemis then pulls him into a hug and brings him inside.
That night they didn't do much talking. They just cried and held each other. Dick left a little before 6:00 AM when Artemis fell asleep.
About two weeks later after no contact he showed up at her door again. This time, he was holding a case of beers, one of which was already missing. She sighed and he smirked at her. That signature Dick Grayson smirk that no one could ever say no to. She stepped aside and he walked in.
They were both fairly drunk within the hour. They were sitting on the couch pretending to watch the news. Artemis's head was on Dick's shoulder. The lady on the TV looked really blurry to her and her voice sounded funny.
"Where have you been, Dick?" she asked, getting off of him.
"What?"
"Where have you been? You left the team, no one's heard from you except for me and Kaldur, and you've only come to me late at night, this time with beer. What's going on with you?" she demanded. He looked at her for a long time before sitting up and taking a deep breath.
"I should go."
"No. Dick, tell me. Where have you been?"
"Where have I been? I haven't been anywhere, Artemis! I've been cooped up in my apartment drowning myself in alcohol and tears! I know everybody thought I was going on some spiritual journey across the world or something like that, but I can barely stand, Artemis." He had gotten up and started walking around while talking. When he was finished, his whole body started shaking. Artemis got up to support him.
"Come here." She led him to the bedroom and laid him down, but he immediately sat back up.
"Dick."
He looked away. Artemis sat down next to him and grabbed his hand.
"He's gone, Dick. Okay? Wally is gone. It fucking sucks. I know that. You think I don't know that?"
"I know you know."
"Exactly. Look, we were the two people he loved most in this world. You were his best friend. But he's gone now and we have to accept that and move on. It's what I've been trying to do for the past month. Believe it or not, being around people who care about you helps. You should come back to the team."
He turned his head quickly and met her eyes. Their hands both raised and his found its way to Artemis's cheek. They both hesitated and Dick bit his lip.
"I shouldn't be here." He said, getting up from the bed and immediately walking out the door, leaving Artemis sitting all alone on her empty bed for two.