Dick walked down the puddle riddled sidewalk, his hands buried deep in his pockets. His black head bent down against the wind and his collar turned up protectively against the chill. He was glad his feet could do all the walking without much direction; his brain could in no way function well enough to get him anywhere. He was too busy thinking about everything that Artemis and he were trying to do and how he should convince Artemis that there was a way to save Wally.

He-they- had found a way to find and save Wally. But Artemis wouldn't go along with it. Refused to do it. Thought Dick was crazy for even thinking it, let alone suggesting it. But he knew he was right. Maybe, he, himself could communicate with Wally tonight...

He sighed sadly, he knew that even as he thought that, there was no way it would happen. Wally wanted Artemis. And Dick didn't blame him for that. If it had been Dick stuck in another dimension for six months, he'd want to talk to only Barbara, too. But he still wanted a sign or something from his best friend that he was right about where to find Wally.

Seeing his sleek car along the curb coming into view, he snatched his car keys from the depths of his jacket pocket and clicked the unlock button. Hopping into the warmth of the car, he told Siri to call Barbara.

"Calling Babs." The computer animated voice responded.

"Thank you, Siri."

"You're welcome, Dick." He started the engine, waiting for the machine to warm up.

A calming, gentle voice answered, "Hey, baby, everything okay?" She was as always concerned, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Yes, sweetheart, everything is fine. I'm just leaving Artemis's now." He pulled off from the curb and headed home.

"How'd it all go?"

Nightwing hesitated. He wasn't sure how much he should tell Barbara about what he found and what Artemis and him were trying to accomplish, if anything at all. "Fine. Still trying to figure out how to go about telling the Team that we might have to disband." It was a lie, but a necessary one.

"I'm sorry, Dick. Hurry home and I'll make you feel better." Her voice had a husky ring to it and Dick could feel his jeans tightening slightly.

"I'll be right over, baby girl." They hung up and Nightwing sped off toward his Batgirl and for the first time in six months, Wally was the furthest thing from his mind.

Seriously, Artie? Really?

You have to be THAT stubborn?

That bullheaded?

Christ, now I remember why I fell in love with you.

How we started this back and forth relationship we have-had...

No, we still have it.

If you would only listen, we'd still have it!

Is it that hard, to just go along for once without having to question everything?

Dick knows what he's doing and you should know that!

I pace back and forth, wishing that I could somehow make Artemis know the truth.

I know I can't do anything until she falls asleep and let's me talk to her.

But with my recent luck, she'll make herself stay awake all night.

Fuck, Artie... Just, please, I need you...

"Hey, Miss M, how's it going?" Artemis answered her cellphone on the third ring and settled into overstuffed chair Wally kept in the living room. She was glad her friend called because in all honest, she wasn't quite ready to sleep.

"Not much, just waiting for Conner to get home." A slight pang of sadness was evident in the martian's voice. "He's out with his dad, you know, bonding and all that. How have you been?"

Artemis snorted a little, not sure if she should tell her best friend about what Dick had been suggesting. "Just... doing some research on a science project... Dimensions and all that."

"Gah, sounds boring. So I've been thinking we should throw some kind of party for Nightwing. His birthday is in a couple of days and I don't know if he's already planning something or whatever, but we should do something! It'll be fun and I haven't thrown a party in forever!" The sadness that may have been in her tone before had evaporated instantly at the mention of a party.

Artemis didn't have the heart to tell her no, besides, maybe it would do Dick some good; having a party. "I like that idea, M'gann. It could be fun."

"Oh good! I'm so excited. We'll start planning tomorrow! We'll meet at the cafe." The martian was all but squealing at this point. A giggle escaped Artemis's mouth and it was so foreign, it scared her and Miss Martian. "Did you just laugh?"

Artemis cleared her throat, "Yeah, I guess I did. Wow... It's been a long time."

Solemnity overpowered the excitement, "Yeah it has, I- along with everyone else, have missed that sound, Artemis. We miss you."

Rolling her eyes, Artemis answered curtly, "I haven't left."

M'gann sighed, "Yes, but you're not really here and you know that." She paused before continuing, "You haven't been the same since Wally died. I know he was everything to you, but don't you think it's time to move on?"

Slightly angered by this, Artemis retorted, "It's only been six months, M'gann! He was my boyfriend, we lived together, we had a goddamn dog together. We were planning a trip to Paris. He was my whole world and he was taken from me. I still live in the fucking house we bought together because I still want a piece of him. Don't you dare tell me it's time I moved on. Have fun planning a party on your own, Megs." With that, she hung up angrily.

Who the hell did that alien think she was? She had no right to tell Artemis what she did. Outraged, the blonde screamed before throwing the phone across the room. It smashed against the wall, falling apart into hundreds of pieces. Fuck, she thought, now I have to get another one.
She shook her head angrily, and flicked the lights off before heading into her bedroom. She yanked the covers back from the bed and jumped onto the soft mattress. Angry tears started rolling down her cheeks as she clicked the lamp off that stood on the table next to her bed.

She wasn't sure how things had gotten so wrong in her life. How everything went from perfection to this. To shambles. To crumbling walls and broken doors. Everything went to hell. How was she ever going to bring it all back?

i"Artemis, beautiful, let's go for a swim. I promise I won't race you." His green eyes are twinkling with delight and he winked at her. "I know how much you hate to lose." He grabbed her hand and lead her to the sandy beach.

She felt elated. How is this possible? Wally- her Wallman- was really here. In the flesh. Touching her hand, smiling at her, winking at her. She didn't care about the physics of it being it possible, she only cared that he was really there with her.

Without making him wait much longer, she followed him down the rocks to the shore. Her toes sank in the white sand and warmth spread up her legs and through her body. She looked up Wally and saw him grinning, "It feels great doesn't it? Come on, beautiful." Anxiousness and excitement boomed from his voice. She knew he could never be still for too long.

"Wally, we have all day. We can wait you know." She laughed as the wind tossed her redhead around. She reached up to touch the wayward strands, and as always was astonished by how soft his hair was.

"No we don't, Artie. We only have right now." She thought she heard something sad and ominous in his voice but she quickly dismissed that thought. She only wanted to be happy right now.

They finally made it to the shore and Wally turned to face her. With a lascivious smile, he pulled her body close against his and slowly began pulling her shirt over her head. "I'm sure you don't want to get your clothes wet." He winked again and Artemis felt a shiver slide over her.

"Oh, no, that would be bad." She grinned and laughed huskily as he slipped his fingers in the waistband of her shorts. With one quick jerk, her shorts and her panties pooled around her ankles. His hands gripped her hips and he leaned down to kiss her.

She felt his soft lips press down against her own and she moaned faintly. Her fingers found themselves tangled in his downy red locks as his own fingers found themselves unhooking her bra. He pulled back staring down at her creamy, naked body. "You're so beautiful. I wish I could memorize every inch of your skin."

With a sigh of appreciation, he trailed the tips of his fingers over her stomach and up her breasts to her neck. He cupped the back of her neck and pulled her in again for another kiss. This time his lips were more demanding as though he would never get another chance to kiss her again.

"Wally," she breathed against his lips, "I think I'm at a disadvantage here. I seem to be completely naked while you are still clothed. It's a little unfair don't you think?" She looked up at him with her big, gray eyes and bat her eyelashes cutely.

He chuckled and pulled away from her, "You seem to be right. How ever do you think we should make this wrong right?"

"I have an idea." With a grin that would make the Cheshire cat proud, she slipped her hands between their bodies and undid the buttons on his jeans. They fell to the sand and Wally stepped out of them. Artemis glanced down at him, "Commando, I see." She grinned and Wally returned the sentiment.

She glided her finger up his shirt, fingering the six pack Wally had been working on for years. He always said he'd rather eat and sleep than workout, but their lifestyle came with a sort of requirement for a good workout. And it was well worth it in her eyes. Wally raised his arms, waiting as patiently as he could for her to remove his shirt.

Once she finally managed to get the offending material over his head, she threw it to the side and kissed his shoulder. Trailing soft kisses, she made sure he didn't fall into a rhythm by biting him every so often. She grinned proudly every time he hissed through his teeth.

"We're supposed to be swimming, Artemis. Not being perverts." He smiled and caressed her cheeks as she looked up at him.

"Fine," she pouted but followed him into the ocean. The water wasn't cold like she expected. In fact, neither was the wind. The sun was hidden behind the clouds, but it was still warm out. Odd, she thought, but pushed the invading thought away.

They were emerged to their shoulders and because she was shorted than him, Wally lifted her and wrapped her legs around his waist. He laid his head against her soft, round breasts while she played with his hair. "I miss you," he whispered sadly.

"What are you talking about? I'm right here." She continued to pull on the curls of his hair, his admission confusing her.

"No you're not, Artie. Not really." He kissed her shoulder delicately.

"But- But I'm right here, Wally." She looked down at him, no longer confused, but scared.

"You're dreaming, Artemis." He looked away, tears shining in his stunning green eyes. "Why don't you want to find me?"

"I don't understand, Wally... I'm with you. I don't have to find you. You're right here!" She could feel panic rising in her chest.

"I'm dead, remember? Or at least that's what everyone thinks. Except Dick. Nightwing knows the truth. I'm stuck. But you won't listen to him. Why not? Do you not want to find me?" The pain, the betrayal in his voice, broke her heart.
"You're not dead! You're right here. With me! I'm holding you and you're holding me!" As she shouted the words, she realized she was shouting to no one. Wally had disappeared from her grasp. Suddenly, the cold that seemed to be absent came back in full force. She became conscious that she was now drowning, naked and cold in the ocean.

She thrashed her arms around, trying to reach the surface, but the surface was too far. The gray, turning waters of the ocean were crashing down on her, engulfing her in their waves. Forcing her down into the depths of hell.

"Push yourself dammit! Push!" Wally's voice was in her ear, encouraging her to keep moving. "Artemis, please, understand that you have to find me. Hear Dick out... Just find me..." his voice was fading in the water.

She knew he was above the surface. And if she could just get there, she would be with him! She pumped her arms faster, kicked her legs harder. But it was no use. Her chest was starting to hurt, her lungs concaving in on themselves; filling with water. She was going to die here...

Her vision started to fade as she began to lose consciousness.

Just before her world blacked out forever; a white, freckled hand reached through the top of the water and grab her own hand./i

Artemis woke up with a start. Her lungs automatically gasping for a deep breath. Her chest heaved as she panted for the air she was so desperate to have. Panicking, she searched the room in a frenzy.

There was no ocean, no crushing waves, no sandy beaches and no Wally.

She was alone in her room, in her bed, covered in sweat. Kicking the blankets off of her warm body, she flopped back down against the mattress trying to gather her thoughts. The dream... it was so realistic. So vivacious and welcoming. But it was just a dream. And Wally... Wally had to be alive. He was the one who saved her from drowning, didn't he?

Wasn't it worth a try to see if it was true?

Wasn't it worth a shot to see if she could really find the love of her life.

To save her best friend in the whole world.

To save Dick's best friend.

She reached over and grabbed the house phone, thankful she hadn't gotten rid of the damn thing like she wanted to do six months ago. Quickly, she dialed a phone number she had memorized by heart. After a few rings, a sleepy voice answered, "Hello?"

"Dick. You're right. Wally's trapped in a dream dimension. I'm ready to try anything." She had finally found a way to bring it all back.