From Robin to Nightwing
Richard 'Dick' Grayson had traveled Europe for three months; he learned about foreign policy like Bruce wanted and he found himself like he wanted. He was ready to return to Gotham, to the team, he was ready to be the leader everyone needed him to be. And most of all he was ready to return to Artemis, even though he dated other women he knew he loved her. He didn't care if Wally got mad at him, they were no longer together, and Wally had moved on.
Barbara had told him that Artemis was on patrol tonight with Green Arrow so he created a plan with Green Arrow. He had everything planned he would tell her who he really was and hope that she didn't reject him. Dressed in his new Nightwing costume he left for Star City.
Artemis Crock was in her Gotham apartment getting ready for patrol in Star City. For the last three months all she thought about was the previous Robin who said to call him Nightwing now even though he still hadn't returned from wherever he went. She had only received three messages from him only telling her that he was fine and what city he was in, he never said when he would return. And he never said anything about the kiss they shared before he left.
Shaking her head and taking a deep breath to clear her thoughts Artemis strapped her bow and quiver to her back. Once at her door she took another deep breath going into super hero mood and completely shutting the thoughts of Robin/Nightwing out of her mind.
Artemis meet up with Green Arrow on top of their normal building along with Red Arrow, and Arsenal "Hey guys" Artemis said.
Red Arrow and Arsenal nodded their heads, Ollie stepped forward smiling larger than normal he clapped her on the shoulder and said "So we're all going to split up tonight, make our jobs a little easier" Ollie said.
Artemis didn't question his short of creepy smile and just nodded her head "Sounds good to me".
"Alright, I'll take the north part of the city, Red Arrow you take the south, Arsenal the west, and Artemis the east" Ollie said.
Everyone nodded their heads and ran off towards different parts of the rooftop. Ten minutes later Artemis landed on top of an apartment building. Catching her breath Artemis stood on the ledge looking down at the city. She always liked Star City, but she refused to move here no matter how much Ollie begged her to do so. Gotham was her home; even though it had its problems and one of the highest crime rates she loved it and couldn't imagine leaving it.
"It's a beautiful city isn't it?" someone asked behind her.
Whirling around Artemis drew her bow and an arrow aiming at the dark figure in the shadows.
The person laughed "Now Artemis there's no reason to bring weapons; I just want to have a friendly conversation".
That laugh sounded extremely familiar but she couldn't place it "Who are you? Show yourself" Artemis said not letting her bow fall.
"Put the bow down Arty" the figure said.
Artemis laughed "Why the hell would I put my bow down? Step out of the shadows before you find an arrow in your neck".
The figure laughed again sounding even more familiar "I just want to have a friendly conversation" the figure said stepping forward and pulling something out from behind their back.
Without thinking Artemis released her arrow but the figure was quick and moved out of the way barely missing their neck. Artemis sprinted forward sliding on the gravel and taking their legs out making them crash on their back with a loud thump and a groan. Leaping up Artemis put her boot on the person's chest aiming another arrow at their throat.
"Unless you want an arrow between your eyes you'll answer me, who the hell are you?" Artemis growled. Since they were still in the shadows Artemis could only tell the person was wearing a dark outfit with a mask covering his eyes.
"You wouldn't kill me Artemis" the person said obviously not scared by having an arrow aimed at their head.
"And why wouldn't I kill you?" Artemis asked pressing harder into the person's chest with her foot.
Grunting from the pressure the person spoke "One you're a hero, you don't kill people, you only severely injure. Second you'd never kill the person you've known and fought side by side with since you were fifteen".
Artemis furrowed her eyebrows "What are you talking about? You have no idea who I am".
The person laughed "I know your name is Artemis Lian Crock. At the age of fifteen you became the protégé of Green Arrow, and joined the Team along with Kid Flash, the original Robin, Miss Martian, Superboy, and Aqualad. I know that, your parents are Huntress, and Sportsmaster, and your older sister is Cheshire, something you kept hidden from your team. You retired from the Team and went to college in Palo Alto where you went to Stanford University with your boyfriend Wally West who was also Kid Flash. I know you grew up in Gotham and attended Gotham Academy on a Wayne Foundation Scholarship, you graduated from Gotham Academy. I know you speak fluently in French, Vietnamese, and Spanish. I know that when you were on the team the only person who could beat you in training was the original Robin. I also know firsthand that you and Wally hated each other when you first meet, and constantly argued, but eventually realized your feelings and kissed each other on New Year's Day after winning a fight against the Light. You and Wally broke up almost a year ago, deciding you were better off as friends, you returned to Gotham and started college there where you live on your own, and visit your mother every other day".
Completely shocked Artemis stepped back lowering her bow to her side "How… how do you know all that?" Artemis asked.
The person stood up "Because I was there Artemis. You know who I am".
Artemis stepped back sitting on the ledge of the building and putting her head in her hands trying to think clearly. She knew that laugh; along with the voice it was deeper but still similar. The only person who knew so much about her was Wally but there was no way that was Wally his red hair stood out in the dark. Which meant there was only one person left "Robin" she said lifting her head and looking into the masked figures face.
"It's Nightwing now actually. It took you long enough to figure it out 'Mis, your slacking" Nightwing said grinning.
Artemis stood up stepping closer to him she pulled her fist back punching him hard in the chest "What the hell? I barely hear from you for three months and then you come back hiding in the shadows pulling some serious Batman shit, what the hell is wrong with you?" Artemis screamed at him.
Nightwing pouted rubbing his chest "That really hurt 'Mis".
Artemis huffed crossing her arms "Good. What are you doing here Ro.. I mean Nigthwing?"
"I came to see you. Green Arrow told me where you were so I came, I need to talk to you 'Mis" Nightwing said stepping closer to her and more into the light so that Artemis could fully see his new uniform and damn he looked good. He now wore a neck to toe black unitard with boots, shoulder pads, and gloves. Across his chest was a blue bird, his abdomen area was colored in a light grey, he of course was wearing a mask to cover his eyes. God he looked good in that uniform Artemis thought.
Artemis shook her head clearing her thoughts "What do you need to talk to me about Nightwing?'
Nightwing smirked "Were you checking me out?"
Artemis scoffed hoping he couldn't see the blush moving up her neck "Of course I wasn't".
Nightwing continued smirking stepping closer to her "Yes you were. Admit it Artemis you were checking me out. I'll admit I was checking you out when I first got here".
Artemis rolled her eyes "Alright fine I was checking you out. Now why are you here Nightwing?"
"To do this" he said stepping closer and cupping her face with his hands pressing his lips to hers. Artemis closed her eyes relishing in the feel of his lips on hers. Sighing in content she wrapped her arms around his neck playing with his dark hair. Nightwing released her face moving one hand to her lower back and the other to her blonde hair.
When they pulled away they were both panting "Has anyone told you that you're an amazing kisser?" Artemis asked in a daze.
Nightwing smirked "Maybe a couple of people" he wrapped both arms around her waist pulling her even tighter to his chest "I missed you".
Artemis breathed in deeply through her nose relaxing into his strong chest "I missed you to" she said softly hugging his waist.
Nightwing pulled away slightly "I came here to tell you that I'm back for good, and that I'm taking over as the leader of the Team as Nightwing. I also came here to tell you that I missed you like crazy, I know I didn't call or anything very much and I'm sorry about that I just needed to figure things out. Wally is my best friend which means dating his ex-girlfriend is supposed to be off limits, but I care about you Artemis I always have and those feelings have grown stronger over the years. I don't care if Wally gets mad I want to be with you, I want to tell you all of my secrets, I love you Artemis".
Artemis shucked in a breath, but didn't back away "You… you really love me?" she asked quietly.
Nightwing nodded his head "I do, I love you 'Mis" he said reaching up with one hand and grabbing his mask, but before he could pull it off Artemis stopped him.
"You don't have to do this?" Artemis said.
"No I want to do this" Nightwing said peeling the mask off. Artemis held her breath as he peeled it off. Nightwing kept his eyes closed for a couple of seconds taking in a deep breath; once he released it he opened them revealing his beautiful blue eyes.
Artemis gasped "Dick" she breathed out.
Dick smiled nodding his head "I told you we'd laugh about it someday".
"It was you this whole time, that's why; you would always make those snarky comments at school the day after missions. How did I not figure it out sooner?" Artemis said stepping away from him.
"I was trained by Batman, and was under strict orders not to reveal anything" Dick said.
"Everything makes sense now" Artemis said laughing.
Dick furrowed his eyebrows "I'm confused are you happy or mad right now".
Artemis smiled stepping closer to him "Does this answer your question?" she said pressing her lips to his.
"So what does this mean?" Artemis asked when they pulled away.
Dick smiled tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear "I'm hoping that it means you'll go to dinner with me tomorrow, and be my girlfriend".
Artemis smiled "I would love to go to dinner with you tomorrow and be your girlfriend".
Dick smiled "I was hoping you'd say that" he said kissing her again. When they pulled away Dick rested his forehead against hers "I really don't want to leave right now, but I have to get back to Bludhaven".
"Bludhaven?" Artemis asked.
Dick smiled sheepishly "Yeah, Bruce has me working out of Wayne Enterprises there so I moved there. I've got my own apartment and everything and I'm the new super hero there".
"You don't live in Gotham anymore?" Artemis asked shocked and disappointed.
"No I don't is that a problem" Dick asked.
Artemis shook her head "No of course not it's just going to make seeing each other harder".
"Well make it work I promise. Here's my address come by when you're done and we can talk more, just enter the pass code when you get in the elevator and youll be able to get in, we both kind of need to get back to patrol" Dick said kissing her nose.
Artemis smiled "Okay your right, I'll see you in a couple hours" she said kissing him one last time.
Dick smiled putting his mask back on before kissing her again "I love you" he said quietly.
Artemis smiled "I love you to" she said after they broke apart. Nightwing smiled jumping off the side of the building and disappearing in the shadows.