"What the hell, Wally!"

"God would you just lay OFF?!"

Artemis stepped back, his tone stinging a little. "Why are you acting like you're PMS-ing?" she said a little more calmly, although her hands were shaking from anger, or maybe even fear. The others had already left the room, white-faced and probably a little scared.

"Just stop!" he barked, making her flinch. "I don't have time for…this. Whatever this is!"

Artemis blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?" Yeah, so they had been fighting a lot recently, but had it really been that bad? Then again, she had been spending a great deal of time at school, tutoring with Dick to avoid confrontations with her boyfriend… yeah, it was probably that bad.

Wally laughed cruelly, spinning around. "Artemis, you never open up to me about anything, like you don't trust me or something! You're just like Rob! You build up these walls, and you won't let anybody in, even me!" He ran a hand through his auburn hair. "I thought I meant enough to you, but I guess I don't because you just push me away. I just…just can't deal with you. Or your unemotional crap."

"Wally…" she breathed, the tears pooling in her eyes.

He stepped into the zeta tube, and the yellow light began bubbling around him. "Forget it. Do me a favor and leave me alone." And then he was gone.

She stared at the place he had been standing moments before, feeling the world collapse around her. The way he had said those words without a hint of sadness, without any regret, made her heart ache. He was right, of course. She had an extremely hard time letting people in, and the closeness to her teammates was about as far as she got. Wally wanted more from her, but she just…she couldn't completely let her guard down. It came with her past, with her history. Wally knew she couldn't help it.

Suddenly a soft hand landed on her shoulder, and she didn't need to guess who it was.

Robin.

He's the only one who would dare approach her right now, the only one that ever did. He had probably watched the whole thing from the hallway.

She finally tore her gaze from the teleporters to the ebony haired boy. He had grown a little taller since New Year's, and his jaw was becoming more defined. Puberty was going to serve him mighty well someday.

The Boy Wonder didn't say anything; he just looked at her…not with pity, or lousy concern…just with understanding. Something he always had with her, from the very beginning.

She tried to smile but failed terribly and then walked forward into his open embrace. She cried. She cried against his shoulder, his arms warm and comforting. His hair tickled her cheek, and she felt her fingers clench the material of his sweatshirt as a sob escaped her lips. Her body trembled against him, and he spoke softly in her ear, nothing of importance, but enough to calm her down. At some point they had moved to the couch, and she found herself wrapped in a cotton blanket, head resting heavily on her teammate's chest. A movie was playing, probably one of her favorites because it was Rob, but her eyes burned too much from crying to watch.

She turned her gaze towards him, guiltily noticing the large wet stain on his shirt. "Sorry about that…"

He chuckled quietly, tilting his head at her like he does. "Don't stress, 'Mis."

She swallowed, remembering exactly what Wally had said to her. I just can't deal with you, or your unemotional crap. Unemotional my ass, she thought. This was the most she'd cried since…well since the last time this happened. Robin had been there for her then as well. He was always there.

You're just like Rob. You build these walls and don't let anybody in.

They were a lot alike, both distant, both chiseled by detached family...or Batman. He was her equal, in more ways than not, and time after time he was there to cheer her up.

"Thanks, Robin." She gave a soft peck on her friend's cheek before snuggling closer, oblivious to the flush of color that came over him. Oblivious to how his heart seemed to quicken. Completely oblivious.


D'awww. Review pretty please?