Disclaimer for the entire story:

I may have gotten the story plot from another fanfiction but I'm not sure if the two line up exactly. So just in case, I'm gonna say that the plot doesn't belong to me. Hope you enjoy.

Artemis absentmindedly pets Buster [A/N: idk for sure what her dog's name is so for this fanfic, I'm calling him Buster] behind the ears and he emits a low rumble. She smiles but she's not really there, still lost in thought. It's been a year since Wally's death and she still hasn't moved on.

She's sitting on her couch, in front of the TV but only static appears on the screen. The buzzing sound coming from the static helps drown out the outside world and she now knows why Connor likes it so much. It's not so much a distraction but a safe sanctuary from harsh reality. But unfortunately, Buster's whimpers at the sound of static anchors her into reality.

It's lonely in her Palo Alto apartment and despite the heater warming the room's temperature, she feels cold inside. She's never felt truly warm since… the incident. Despite herself, she shivers and Buster senses her dreary mood. He snuggles closer to her and Artemis hugs him, needing someone- anyone to help her get through this.

There's a knock at her door. Slowly rising from off her sofa, she pads over the soft rug to her apartment door. Not thinking straight, she twists open the door knob without checking who it is first and luckily, she's greeted by a familiar figure clad in a suit of black and blue.

The man embraces her and she clings on to him just as tight, knowing it's just as hard on him as it was on her. A tear escapes her eye and it trickles down her cheek. Nightwing pulls back from the hug and keeps her at arm's length. Staring intensely into her gray eyes, he whispers, "We're going to get through this."

Pursing her lips, she nods and closes her eyes, hoping no more tears will spill through. She had done enough crying for a lifetime. Nightwing pulls back his cowl and his blue eyes glisten with emotion as his face is revealed to her.

Suddenly, it's too hard to hold back the tears. She'll never run out of tears for her beloved. The ray of sunshine in her otherwise "drab" life. Now he's gone. Because of her decision to go back into the field. If only she had just stuck with Wally at college, they would've had a happy life, one without strife and hardships. But she threw it all away for what? A mission that would lead to his death.

As if he was reading her mind, Nightwing spoke, "It's not your fault. It's the Reach's." At the mention of the alien invaders, her jaw tightened and she clenched her hands into fists. Now instead of wanting to cry, she desired a punching bag.

"Hey, why don't we go to the Cave so we can see the rest of the Team? Some of the members of the original Team will be there too… like Zatanna and Rocket." Nightwing suggests softly. Artemis hesitates for a moment before nodding. What else could she do? Wallow in her grief until she wastes away? That doesn't sound too bad but then that'll mean Wally's sacrifice will all be for nothing. That's the last thing she would ever do.

Nightwing changes in the bathroom into his civilian clothing while Artemis waits outside, staring blankly at the wall… the place where Wally's picture once was. It was too painful to see his face everyday so she took the picture gone. The only indication in the room that Wally was ever living there was a sign hammered to the door that read: Wally + Artemis. A heart surrounded it which was a cliche move but a sweet one, nonetheless. She only kept it to remind herself that there once was a time when they were happy, just Wally and Artemis.

Nightwing emerges from the bathroom as Dick Grayson but he still has his shades on. Old habits die hard, she thought to herself. Dick opened the door and Artemis followed silently. They walked in a sullen atmosphere, knowing no one can be truly optimistic on this dark day. Upon reaching the nearest zeta tube, Nightwing gestures for Artemis to go first.

Not wanting to speak or to argue, Artemis complies and steps through the zeta tube. The computer announces her arrival and cries of happiness reaches her ears. Sounds of joy… She hadn't heard that sound in a while. Friends, both new and old, crowd around her and hug her tightly. Nightwing enters the cave and joins in the big group hug. God knows he needs it too.

Zatanna quickly finds her after the crowd disperses and asks her a question she's tired of hearing, "Are you okay?" Somehow, those words coming out of Zatanna's mouth sounds different. It sounds more sincere and as if she's not coping well with the grief either. She had known Wally almost just as long as her. Forcing a smile on her face, she begins to speak but the words don't come out and she chokes. She can't do this anymore. Tears trickle out of her eyes and she collapses on the floor. The group grows quiet.

Soon, only the sounds of Artemis sobbing is present in the cave. Emotions sweep over the room as a whole and soon it's hard to resist not crying. Megan crying on the shoulder of Conner, his face stony while Megan's usual demure face is scrunched up and red. Nightwing, Zatanna, and Artemis grip each other's hands and let loose their despair. Aqualad clenches his fist, different emotions flickering across his face: anger, depression, grief, and desperation.

Amidst all of these tears, the computer declares the arrival of a newcomer. The words, Barry Allen and Iris West-Allen, ring through the cave. Soon, most of the sobs were stifled. Almost everyone looks up except for Artemis. She doesn't care who's entering the cave. She's in her own world now and it's too hard to escape its clutches.

A shadow looms over her broken figure. Wiping the tears from off her face, she looks up. The face of Barry and Iris shines over her. Iris… Wally's aunt… Now examining her face, she could see where Wally got his nose or where he got his smile. That smile is too hard to look at right now so she shifts her head. Barry says gently, "We've got some news for you. It's about Wally."

Please R & R!