(A/N: This story is inspired by the song "The Call by Regina Spektor")

Take Me Home

Chapter 2

"Yes, I'm pretty sure I already said that." Artemis was growing impatient, he could tell because she had her hands on her hips.

Wally swallowed causing his Adam's apple to move up and down in his throat. He was becoming uncomfortable under Artemis' glare and was finding it hard to keep eye contact. Slowly his reason for being there was unfolding in her mind, Artemis had always been an intelligent girl, well now woman. He paused at the thought and took the time to really look at his former best friend. She still resembled a goddess with her cascading blonde tresses, full pink lips and defined facial features. Curiously, he brought his gaze back up to hers to find that her stormy-colored eyes hadn't changed either. Emotions were pooling in those eyes of his as the flitted back and forth across his face.

When he remembered that Artemis still required an answer he furrowed his brows together as he prepared to let the words pass through his lips.

"I uh, well, my house was foreclosed two weeks ago so I've been sleeping in my car. Two weeks prior, I lost my job and from there it all sort of went down hill." He laughed softly.

Wally watched as she processed the information that he had just introduced to her. The lines that had gathered on her forehead had softened and her eyes had rounded with surprise, or so he thought.

"Oh, Wally, I'm so sorry." She spoke softly before pushing her hands into the pockets of her apron.

"It could always be worse." Wally spoke after a moment of silence between the two.

Artemis lifted her head once more to read his facial expression and to decipher his tone. In return he gave her a reassuring smile that she appreciated even though it was forced.

"Well for starters, let's get you something to eat, then we'll catch up." Artemis gestured to the buffet with an outstretched arm and a genuine smile.

"That sounds great." He beamed down at her as he started to take off his leather jacket.

{Flashback}

"West, I have to let you go." Chuck grimaced as he wiped his greasy hands with a towel.

"Please reconsider. Chuck, you know I need this job." Wally pleaded trying to keep his voice steady.

"I'm sorry, Wally. The garage isn't bringing in enough for pay roll, I'll be lucky if I can keep two guys. I'll pay you for the rest of the week, but that's all I can do right now." Chuck rubbed the back of his neck before glancing back up at the young mechanic.

"Well, thanks." Wally rasped before turning on his heel and making his way out of the garage.

Two weeks later his house was foreclosed and the only place he could reside was his beaten up Ford. He wrapped himself in an old wool blanket and blasted the heat. Sooner or later the car would give out and he would be left out in the cold. But for now all he could do was pull his legs to his chest and pray that he would stay warm.

One of his former co-workers who also lost his job told Wally about a soup kitchen on Hudson Avenue where they served hot food. For a day or two his pride got in the way and the embarrassment started to eat at his soul. When the hunger became unfathomable he walked over to the small building hoping to get a little something to hold him over. How did it get this bad so fast?

{End of Flashback}

Artemis watched curiously as Wally situated himself at a table by the window that overlooked Hudson Avenue. He had shrugged off his jacket and was wearing a white t-shirt and a pair of jeans that were covered in grease stains. His arms lacked muscle but were still pretty impressive. She wondered where he had been working and when he had moved back to California.

"Uh, Artemis? Don't you think that's enough eggs?" Lacey questioned as he eyes traveled from the spoon to the plate that Artemis was filling.

The blonde had been distracted and forgot that she was spooning eggs onto Wally's plate. A slight blush made its way up to her cheeks as she gently returned the spoon to the serving tray.

"Sorry, I got distracted." Artemis swept her vision over to Lacey with a shy smile.

"It probably doesn't have anything to do with that handsome young man you were just talking to, right?" Lacey raised an eyebrow as she nodded over in Wally's direction.

The blush on Artemis' face grew deeper and she looked away trying to come up with something to say.

"He's an old friend who happened to stop by, that's all." Artemis responded trying to keep her voice from speaking as she grabbed the plate and made her way out from behind the buffet.

"It always is." Lacey chuckled to herself before greeting the next person who was waiting for their breakfast.

"Here you go." Artemis laid the heaping plate of food in front of him with a glass of juice and a small mug filled with coffee.

"Thanks." Wally replied with his gaze still cast out the window.

Artemis took a seat in the chair across from Wally before following his gaze. When she found what he was looking at she felt her heart ache. A man had just walked out of the Henry's flower shop with a bouquet of daises and a satisfied smile on his thin lips.

"Do you remember when we used to help Henry put together the bouquets of flowers for the deliveries? He turned his head to face Artemis' with a gleam in his emerald eyes.

"Of course, those days were some of the best." She agreed with a small smile and the memories ran through her mind like a home movie.

"There never was a greater feeling than knowing that you were helping to make another person's day." He reminisced as he started to dig into his eggs.

"How's Henry?" He asked after he swallowed his food.

"He's doing good, he and Gladys are still running the shop. I'll see them from time to time." She explained as she took a sip from her mug.

After a minute of uncomfortable silence, Artemis decided to just come out with it. Why wait any longer? She was becoming more and more anxious with every second that passed.

"Wally, what happened to you?" Artemis blurted out, quickly wishing that her tone hadn't come out as harsh as it did.

"It's a long story." He sighed leaning back in the folding chair.

"I've got time." She smiled assuringly placing both hands around her coffee mug, ready to listen.

"Well, it all started when-" Wally started only to be interrupted by Lacey who was standing before them.

"I'm apologize for interrupting and I know you're on break Artemis, but we need some help in the back. Two of the ladies went home and we've fell short on help." Lacey was exasperated and Artemis could feel the anxiety radiating off of her.

"It's no problem, Wally this is Lacey, Lacey this is Wally." Artemis introduced them as she stood up from her seat.

"Nice to meet you, Wally." She greeted him as he shook her hand.

"Pleasure's all mine." Wally smiled back with that heart-melting smile of his that even had Lacey blushing.

Artemis quietly laughed with Wally as Lacey scurried back to the kitchen. He looked up at her with his eyes shining and the sun making his orange-colored hair resemble flames.

"I better get back." She spoke after the laughter subsided and she started to feel her cheeks get warm again.

"We'll talk soon, it was nice to see you again, Artemis. I've missed you." He gave her a bashful smile that had butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

"Enjoy you're breakfast Wall-man." She gave him a good-hearted smile before turning away from him.

Artemis walked a few feet before stopping in her tracks. She wasn't going to let him leave her again. To walk away would be unwise. She has an empty bedroom in her apartment and he needed a place to stay. This could be a sign. Either way she knew that he needed a friend and a place to stay. It would be wrong to not lend out her hand.

"Hey, Wally?" She called out once she had turned to face him.

"Yes?" He answered after swallowing the food he just put in his mouth.

"Do you still need a place to stay?" She asked after exhaling a breath that she had been holding in.

"Technically, yes. But i'll find somewhere to sleep tonight." He assured her with a nod.

"Wally, you're more than welcome to stay at my place until you get back up on your feet."

Artemis kept her eyes locked with his as he contemplated the offer she gave. Before he could say anything else she spoke again. This wasn't a choice, he needs a place to stay.

"It wasn't an option, you need a warm place to sleep. I want you to come stay with me." She spoke tenderly as she sat down across from him once more.

"Artemis I can't burden you with my presence, I'll be fine." Wally pleaded with emotion pooling in his eyes.

She took his shaking hands in hers and met his eyes once more. Wally's large hands seemed to envelope hers two times over. The warmth that grew between them made her heart flutter and at that moment she wished that he wouldn't let her go. Wally ran his calloused thumbs over her skin a few times before sighing.

"Only until I get back up on my feet." He agreed with a bashful smile.

"Good, meet me here in two hours." She couldn't hide the smile on her lips as she patted his hands with hers.

Artemis rose to her feet releasing her hand from Wally's. She quickly missed the warmth of Wally's hands as she started to make her way back to the kitchen. Before she could take a step he grabbed her hand.

"Thanks for this Arty, it mean's more than you know." He beamed up at her and placed a kiss on the top of her hand.

"Now go, before Lacey comes looking for you." He urged her along and Artemis stood in a trance.

She nodded a couple of times before turning and walking to the kitchen. What was she getting herself into?

"Well, this is it." Artemis pushed the front door open as she walked into the medium-sized apartment.

Wally looked around in appreciation, quickly feeling ashamed. He watched her toss her coat on the couch with her scarf and her hat. She flicked on the lights for the living room and kitchen, lighting up her beautiful home. Wally placed his bag from CVS and his jacket beside hers before taking a seat in the arm chair. They had made a stop there so that he could get some toiletries.

"Artemis, you have a beautiful place." He told her in awe as he took in the art that hang on the walls and the television that sat in the middle of the living room.

"Thanks, it does it's job." She answered humbly walking over to where Wally was sitting.

"Oh, I almost forgot! I have some of my older brother's clothes that he leaves here when he comes to visit." She adds with a small smile.

"Feel free to make yourself at home. The bathroom in down the hall on the left if you want to shower." She gestures to in the direction before looking back at Wally.

"Thanks for everything, Artemis." He says again for the fourth or fifth time that day.

This is when she realizes how close they are to each other. At the same time Wally notices, as well. Before anything can occur, Wally abruptly stands to stretch.

"Well, I better go clean up. I'm starting to look like an actual hobo." He chuckled humorously as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'll start dinner, just call me if you need anything." She replied with a slight blush on her cheeks.

"Sure, thing." He grabbed his shopping bag and made his way over to the bathroom.

Once he was out of sight she chuckled to herself and leaned back into the couch like she was fourteen all over again.

Now the fun starts (;

Please review!

I actually really like this story (: