Hello again! Sorry I've been AWAL for so long, being a high school senior is really hard okay? I'm giving myself a two week-ish time frame to get the next chapter out and if I don't, feel free to harass me about it. But related to the story, I didn't realize how dialogue based this chapter was until, like, now so sorry if that's not really your thing and you like long epic narratives. I'm going to try and make the next chapter a little more narrative but I don't know, we'll see. Anyways, for now enjoy! :D

"This sucks."

Wally kicked a chunk of snow in front of him as they walked back to campus. Dick sighed and presses his chin farther into his scarf. He was already sick of Wally's constant pouting since their meeting with Kal and Roy.

"It's a mission like any other," Dick said, "What's got your panties in a twist?"

Wally pressed his lips together then said, "I don't like that word."

"Panties?" Dick asked, surprised with Wally's less than enthusiastic reaction. "I think you're the only guy ever to dislike the word panties."

Wally just shrugged and they continued to walk in silence. Dick could tell something was bothering Wally and he didn't have to be his best friend to tell you that. His shoulders were slumped, hands shoved deep into his pockets, and he had this look on his face. It was like he had eaten a particularly sour lemon then had walked in on his parents acting like a pair of bunnies- a look, Dick could add, that only Wally West could pull off.

"Does it have something to do with the girl?" Dick finally asked.

"Who? Artemis?" Wally sighed, "I thought that maybe for once in my life, I could possibly keep my love life- my normal life in general, really- and my other life separate."

"You know that's impossible."

"Yeah, what am I thinking?" Wally said bitterly, "Just look at you. Babs, Zatanna, that thing with Raquel- which, I will never fully understand-"

Dick rolled his eyes, "It's not for you to understand."

"My point is, it seems completely impossible to keep them separate, you're a prime example," Wally continued. He ran a hand up through his hair, brushing out any snow that had fallen down onto his red locks. "Nothing's ever simple for us, I learned that I long time ago."

"Hey, one can't help but to dream."

"Yeah, well, I think I've pushed my luck on dreams for this year."

Dick put a hand on Wally's shoulder and they stop. Dick looked him in the eye and Wally could see something along the lines of pity swirling around in those bright blue depths.

"You're going to have to get close to her either way, you know this right?" Wally nodded. "Good," Dick started to walk again, "Why don't you tell me a little bit about her then? There's only so much a file can tell you."

Wally grinned, "Well, for starters, her name's Artemis- but you probably already know that. She's really pretty and she has this infectious smile-"

"I'm just going to stop you right there. Can you tell me something personal about her that doesn't have to do with how pretty you think she is? Like where she likes to hangout out or any hobbies?"

A crease formed in between Wally's eyebrows, "I've run into her at the library and class- she doesn't seem like the type of person to go out a lot."

"I already got all that from Meg," Dick took a breath, "Look, I know this sucks but you're going to have to put whatever feeling you have for this girl aside. Focus on the mission."

"I don't get why I can't-"

"Do you want to kiss her or do you want to keep her safe," Dick interpreted, "Because you can't do both."

Wally's jaw clenched, "What do you need me to do?"

The next time Artemis saw Wally, it was class a few days later. She was earlier than usually and took her normal seat a few rows back from the front. He had walked in shortly after and stopped when he saw her. She felt the need to look away from him and his stare but his smile was sweet and oddly comforting so she smiled back.

"Can I sit here?" Wally asked. He said it almost tentatively, like he thought that she'd say no.

Dork, she thought.

"Yeah- yeah sure."

He smiled at her again. He smiled a lot, she realized.

"Soooo... Vietnamese Lit- should be fun today right?"

She glanced at him, trying to figure out what to say. Wally seemed like the kind of guy to have an answer for everything so she asked the one question that she had been wondering about since she met him:

"Why are you even in this class?" She internally winced. Smooth, Artemis, real smooth.

Wally's hand flew up to his hair and he let out a nervous chuckle, "Funny story actually... I needed another Literature requirement before I could start really focusing on my major and this one was the one that fit best into my schedule. What about you?"

"I'm fluent," she replied automatically.

His eyes went wide, "Really? That's so cool! I have one friend who's fluent in Romanian but he won't talk in it like ever and it sucks because what I've heard of it it's a really cool language," he paused for a second, "But Vietnamese is cool too," he finished lamely.

Artemis shrugged, "I don't know, I think that it loses its charm after awhile. It's like English- about .02% of people that speak it appreciate it."

Wally grinned, "Wow- that was deep."

Artemis laughed, "It's part of my charm."

"Then by all means, charm me all day."

She rolled her eyes playfully, "Was that supposed to be a line?"

"Only if you want it to be," Wally answered before winking at her.

... Wait. He just winked at her. Winked! Who does that? Wally West apparently, a voice in the back of her head answered.

"Hey, I was wondering if you could maybe tutor me in this class- since you're fluent and all and I only speak science," Wally asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She tapped her pencil on her lips once, twice. "I don't see why not," she agreed.

"Great," he sounded a bit too happy about that, she thought, "How about after class we go get that coffee you promised me and figure out a schedule."

"I can't today, I already have other plans with my dorm-mate."

He looked crestfallen for a moment then perks up again, "Well then maybe I'll just run into you at the coffee shop later tonight."

She smirked, "Maybe, as long as- if we do happen to run into each other- you're paying."

"Wally West is a gentleman, babe. He always pays on hypothetical dates."

The professor walked in before she could think of an Artemis-worthy response.

When Artemis walked into the gym, she felt drained. There was something about her Viet Lit class that numbed her brain into a state that affected her entire body. Her thoughts were stuck in between Vietnamese and English and after picking apart the meaning of everything, all her brain wanted to do was tell her that the reason that the gym floor was gray was to create sorrow because the gym was filled with sorrow. Yeah, her brain wasn't making any sense.

Maybe a few punches to one of the dummies will make my brain work, Artemis thought, since it usually clears it.

She flashed her Campus I.D. to the guard at the desk before passing through the glass doors to enter the main part of the gym. She passed sweaty jocks, kids trying to lose that freshmen fifteen, and meatheads staring unapologetically at the gaggle of girls who decided to wear just a sports bra on top to run on treadmill. Artemis rolled her eyes- what pigs.

She made it to the locker room, changed, then left through another door that lead to the floor beneath the elevated track. The mats had already been set up and Artemis saw Megan getting her ankle taped by a girl with dark, practically black hair.

"Artemis!" Megan waved when she finally noticed her walking over.

"Sorry I took so long," Artemis threw her bag over to the side after pulling out her own tape, "My brain is numb from my last class. Since when does everything in a story have to have a double meaning?"

"It usually doesn't," the black haired girl said, "It's just a load of bullshit college professors feel the need to talk about." Artemis grinned. The girl finished taping Megan's ankle and turned to Artemis, finally giving her a few of her face. Bright blue eyes and red lips- Artemis swore she could feel the potential sass radiating off this girl. She liked her already.

"Zatanna Zatara," the girl stuck out her hand, Artemis shook it briefly.

"Artemis-"

"Crock, yeah I know. Meg's told me a bit about you."

"I wish a could say the same," Artemis restrained herself from casting a sideways glance at the Megan.

"It's more my fault," Zatanna explained, "I wanted to know more about the girl who was going to teach me some self-defense moves."

Artemis chuckled, "Sounds legit, but again: kinda wish that I knew you were going to show up too." She began taping around her hands and wrists.

"Hello, Megan! I forgot to tell you didn't I?" Megan said as she tied her red hair up in a messy ponytail.

"Don't worry about it- it's a good thing because it means that I don't have to be the punching bag anymore. You guys can use each other for practice."

Megan gave a wary smile, Zatanna on the other hand looked rather excited.

Artemis cracked her knuckles, "So where do we begin? Breaking ankles or shattering noses?"

Those girls were tougher than they looked, that was for sure. Artemis never would have guessed that they'd be able to pick it up on her moves so quickly. They were naturals. They knew the right way to use their smaller sizes to their advantage and seemed to effortless know where the weakest spots in the body where. If she didn't know any better, Artemis would have guessed they already had experience in this area. Maybe as much as Artemis had, but that was pushing things.

"So, was that really your first time with self-defense moves?" Artemis tried to ask as casually as possible as she and Zatanna walked back through central campus towards the on-campus coffee shop after their work-out. Megan had left (ditched) them at the gym for a date with her boyfriend.

"Honestly? No. But it's been a while," Zatanna explained, "My dad wanted to make sure that I could protect myself when I was younger."

"Why'd you stop?"

Zatanna stopped twirling her lock of hair around her finger, "Um- I don't really-"

Artemis held up a hand, "Don't worry about telling me. I'm not a big fan of revealing my secrets either. Most times it's better to avoid the truth then to tell it."

"Too true," Zatanna agreed with a chuckle.

"My dad taught me that a long time ago."

Zatanna stiffened. Artemis eyed her cautiously, it seemed to pass.

"It's weird talking about my dad- he's not around so much anymore," Artemis continued. She had no idea why she was saying any of this to this girl she had met a mere hour or so ago, but Artemis felt like she could trust her. Maybe it was the way she reacted when dads were mentioned or maybe it was the way she kicked ass. Artemis had respect for this girl. She could see them being friends, and she liked that.

"Same with mine."

Artemis nodded, "So you're a freshmen right?"

"Yeah, I graduated high school early."

"Kicks ass and she's smart- if only I were a guy," Artemis joked.

Zatanna grinned, "Hmm... too bad I'm not a blond kind of girl."

The two broke out into giggles.

Artemis wondered if this was what having a real girl-friend was like. She'd never really gotten along with most girls she hung out with. At Gotham Academy, most girls saw her as the charity case and wouldn't even give her the time of day- not like she'd ask them for it either though. She was a loner, like most of her family. She had accepted that a long time ago, but she had also accepted that she needed to be adaptable.

And it was about time she put it to use.

"Speaking of boys, is there any that have caught your eye?" Zatanna asked slyly.

"There is one boy... I think he's a bit of a flirt but I think he really likes me," Artemis spilled, "He's a dork, but in a charming way- I just- he really came out of nowhere."

"Sounds promising, who is it?"

"Uh, Wally West. He's in my Vietnamese Lit class."

"Wally? Wally West?" Zatanna repeated.

"Yeah... do you know him?"

"Kinda. We have... mutual friends."

"Cryptic but I can work with it," Artemis said, "I'm actually supposed to be meeting up with him for coffee soon."

"Oh, when?"

Artemis grinned sheepishly, "I actually don't know when it's supposed to be. We never really set a time..."

"So you want me to wait with you so you don't seem overeager or pathetic?" Zatanna asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

Artemis scoffed, "Neither, I just like talking to you and am wondering if you'd like to join me for coffee before my date. Simple as that."

"Is that what they're calling it these days: simple?"

"I wouldn't know," Artemis opened the door to the coffee shop.

"Oh, I knew I liked you," Zatanna stepped aside, "Age before beauty."

"And to think, I thought I liked you."

Zatanna rolled her eyes, "Come on, it's wintertime, let me buy you something with a vat of peppermint dumped into it and you can tell me all about Mr. Wally West."

"Zatanna? I didn't know you knew Artemis."

The two girls ceased their giggling and looked up. Wally West was grinning down at them, his green eyes flickering back and forth between the two.

"We actually just met, West. Megan introduced us," Zatanna said.

"Right..." Wally nodded slowly, trying to assess the situation.

"And Zatanna was just leaving, weren't you?" Artemis said, giving Zatanna the get-lost look.

Zatanna smirked, looking from Artemis to Wally, "Fine, I know when I'm not wanted. And don't worry, I'll tell Bird-Boy you say 'hi'."

"Bye, Zee."

Wally sat down in Zatanna's now vacant seat, "Hi," he said with a grin.

"Hi," Artemis smiled back. "So you know Megan too?"

"Yeah, we all grew up together, I guess. They've known me since I was a skinny, lanky preteen with braces and too many freckles, not this ruggedly handsome track star with pearly whites you see today."

"Is that why you like to smile so much then?" Artemis teased.

Wally leaned in closer to her, "Nah, it's more about the company."

"Always the flirt..."

"Always the charmer..."

They were getting closer. His breath was washing over her face, sending shivers down her body. His eye lids were drooping and her hands grabbed onto the lapel of his jacket.

"Are you guys going to order anything?" asked an annoyed barista.

Wally pulled away with a quiet groan, "Aren't we suppose to come to you?"

The kid shrugged.

"Well, we're good right now," Wally said, the kid still stood there. "Scram!"

"Whatever," he walked away at a leisurely pace.

"I can't believe that just happened," Wally whined. Artemis laughed and kissed him on the cheek.

"Maybe next time."

"Is there going to be a next time?" he asked, hopeful.

"Slow down, Kid, let's get through this date first before we plan the next one," Artemis took her hands off of him.

Wally groaned, "You going to drive me mad, woman."

"Don't go just yet, you still have to buy be dessert."

Artemis watched as Wally's eyes twinkled mischievously before replying, "Wait so you're not it?"

"Ha, ha- just go get me a baked good, West."

"As you wish, milady."

Zatanna's heels clicked as she walked up the ridiculously long driveway to Wayne Manor. The wind howled and she pulled her jacket tighter around herself. Of course the one night that he's actually not at his apartment, she doesn't have her car with her and she decided to wear heels. She was starting to think he was messing with her, she wouldn't have put it passed him.

She opened the grand doors to the manor. Stepping inside, she called out to see if anyone was home. Alfred came walking out, suit perfectly straight and hands folded behind his back.

"Is he home?" she asked, shrugging off her coat and handing it to the older man.

"He is in his room," Alfred replied smoothly.

"Thanks," Zatanna made a move to go up the stairs but Alfred stopped her.

"His other room, Miss Zatara."

Zatanna sighed, "I should have known that."

Spinning on her heel, she headed through the living room, past the blazing fire and sleeping dog- Ace was it?-, and down the spiral staircase. She knew that he knew she was here, there was no reason for an introduction.

"I thought you took Wally off this mission," Zatanna said angrily.

Dick didn't turn around, he kept his focus on the screens in front of him. He continued to tap away on the keyboard. Zatanna watched as files zoomed across the main monitor.

"Dick, we need to talk about this," she tried again.

"One... second..."

Zatanna huffed and folder her arms over her chest, "I think whatever you're doing can wait until after I say my piece about a job- I might add- that I didn't even ask for!"

With one final click, the screen went still and Dick spun in his chair to face her, which might not have been the best idea. She was already getting to him; with one hip cocked to the side, her arms folded to draw attention to a certain... area, and her hair windswept from the weather- Dick was defenseless against her womanly attributes.

He cleared his throat, "Okay, talk."

"Why the hell is Wallace West working this job, I thought you pulled him off it," Zatanna snapped, "So imagine my surprise when Artemis starts talking about the cute boy in her Viet Lit class! It was even worse when he actually showed up an hour later! I was thrown for a complete loop, and you know how much I hate surprises."

"Must've slipped my mind," Dick said, "I decided to bring him back on, they already had a relationship of sorts forming- I thought that it would be best to have all relationship types covered."

"I understand that but how the hell am I suppose to do my own job of keeping her safe when she's in that honeymoon stage with West?" Zatanna asked, stepping closer, "He's a good agent but the guy- when it comes to girls, the guy has one brain and two heads. Dick, you can't seriously believe that this is a good idea."

"I'm not too sure I know what's a good idea anymore. This mission- there's more to it then Roy is letting us in on," Dick answered honestly, "What are the chances that Megan's rooming with our next case? Or that Wally had a class with her?"

Zatanna shrugged, "Coincidences? I don't know- it didn't really cross my mind."

"Exactly!" Dick stood up and walked over the desk along the adjacent wall. "With the amount of kids and classes available at Gotham U., the odds are practically astronomical."

"I'm sensing you need a little detecting, spill."

Dick held up a file, "I did- might've broken a rule or two but it doesn't matter. What I found does, take a look."

Zatanna took the file from his hands and gave it a once over, "Nothing's jumping out a me. What exactly am I looking for anyways? It looks just like your average rap-sheet."

"Yeah, but it's not just that."

"Oh my God, Dick, just tell me! Who is... Jade Nguyen?"

"The connection I've been looking for."

DUNDUNDUUUUNNN and I leave you with another cliff hanger... hehehe... I plan on answering some of the more prominent question you guys probably have next chapter like: why does Artemis need to be protected? What does Roy have to do with it? Does Wally really feel anything for Artemis? And what the frack is the team? A secret organization? Do the have powers? What about the Justice League? All will be revealed in due time, my lovelies, but until then: review and all that good stuff! -Rachel