Reminder, chapter 6, 7, and some of 8 take place in the same day, only hours apart. I know, lots of emotional things in a short amount of time, but it's an intense time for these guys ;) Remember, review, favorite, and follow! 3
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November 13th - 1310
Skye Lovett's Apartment - Washington D.C.
Skye Lovett
The last 24 hours had been dramatic and intense. Skye was now flipping through the channels, not finding anything that caught her eye. She wasn't out of her sleepwear, with sweatpants and a tanktop. Her heart still hurt after the conversation with Dick, then the conversation with Artemis and Megan right after. She wanted to believe their words, but it was hard. At 25, it had been almost six years since the incident in college. Skye thought she could trust again but now… The rational part of her wanted to tell her irrational side to stop thinking negative thoughts about Dick.
Dick had texted her a few times, but Skye hadn't answered back. She blinked at tears as she looked at her phone, then put it back on the couch arm upside down.
Dick Grayson
We should go out tonight. Spend some time together.
Dick Grayson
I never meant to make you feel like that, babe. I promise. I love you.
He was getting to her, but Skye wasn't sure she was ready to move forward with this issue. In all honesty, Skye wanted Dick to tell her that she meant more to him than Barbara. It might have been selfish, but Skye needed that confirmation of their relationship. So far, he hadn't apologized for how he had been acting. She believed him when he said he loved her, but Skye wanted more than that. She knew of the close bond Dick had with Barbara - and she would never take that away from them. If Dick wanted to be with her, he had to move on from Barbara.
Closing her eyes, she leaned back and felt tears fill her eyes again. She felt so pathetic for feeling like this. A knock at the door made her wipe her tears quickly and stand. Skye opened the door to find Artemis breathing heavily, dressed in street clothes, with a panicked face. Immediately, Skye took her hand and pulled her in.
"Artemis, what's wrong?"
"Wally. I saw him."
It came out in a shocked whispered, her eyes wide and unfocused. Skye was still getting to know Artemis, who had only just began to open up to her a few months ago. Now, Artemis grabbed onto Skye and held onto her like her life depended on it. Skye hugged her back awkwardly, her mind immediately moving from her own issues to Artemis. She had never seen her friend like this, so vulnerable and frightened.
Skye wasn't sure what to say, so she just hugged Artemis, who began to weep. After all this time, it couldn't be a mental breakdown for Artemis to see Wally. After a good few moments of weeping, Artemis pulled back, looking not as shocked anymore. Her face seemed more calm, back to it's usual look.
"I'm losing it, Skye," she murmured, wiping her face with frustration. They both moved to the couch and sat together.
"Just tell me what happened," Skye prodded gently.
"I was at Kate's, first talking to Zatanna, who stomped off in a huff, then I started talking to Henry. The guy I told you about this morning. We went out last night and he came over to say hello."
"I thought you were going out with him tonight?" Skye frowned, remembering the conversation from this morning. What was wrong with Zatanna? Unfortunately, Skye couldn't think about that particular thing right now, but stored it away to think about when it wasn't as chaotic.
"I … didn't tell the whole truth so I could see how you guys reacted." Artemis took a shaky breath, squeezing her hands together on her lap. "Anyway, We were talking and then I saw Wally in the corner of my eye. He was watching me in the window." A sob caught in her throat.
"Anything else happen?" Skye watched her face to see the reactions. Artemis looked sad, confused, and overwhelmed. No wonder, her dead boyfriend had been seen alive and healthy. Skye couldn't only imagine how Artemis felt right now.
"Wally looked so… sad. When I saw him, we locked eyes. He ran off, and I followed him."
"And?" Skye could guess what was coming next, considering who Wally had been.
"I… I lost him." Artemis put her head in her hands. "I'm going crazy, aren't I?"
"I'm sure this is normal. You took a step forward of moving on, and now you're feeling the emotional turmoil. You have nothing to feel guilty about." Skye tried to put a positive spin on Wally showing up in Artemis's view. Skye took Artemis's hands away from her friend's face, holding them between their bodies.
"But I don't feel guilty. I've moved past that. I swear."
"Maybe this is something subconscious?" Artemis looked at her with irritation. Skye closed her mouth, not wanting to push that issue anymore. Artemis was sure she had moved on, and Skye couldn't question that.
Suddenly, an urgent ringing sounded, muffled. The two women frowned, then realized it was coming from Artemis's coat pocket. Skye pulled back her hands to let Artemis answer the phone.
"Yes?" Artemis frowned after a moment. "I… why are you asking that?... What do you mean?... You ask if I've seen Wally and now you're telling me there may be evidence he's alive?" Artemis suddenly furrowed her brows, anger coming off in waves.
"Hey…" Skye reached out to put a comforting arm on her hand, but Artemis pushed it away.
"No, he is dead. Why are you telling me this? Are you trying to open up wounds that almost killed me?" Artemis angrily pulled the phone from her ear and terminated the call. Seething, Artemis had gone from shocked to sad to angry in a short amount of time. Skye wasn't sure if she should ask what was happening, so she bit her lip and waited.
Skye's phone made a noise, signaling a text. Artemis groaned and put her head in her hands again.
Dinah Lance
Artemis truly saw Wally. We weren't going to tell her until we were ready, but Wally left when Oliver and I turned our backs. Stay with her, make sure she is okay.
Skye stared at the text. Wally, the man who was one of Dick's best friends and Artemis's true love, was… alive? She glanced at Artemis, who was still on the couch, head in her hands. How the hell was this possible?
Skye Lovett
What's going on? Are you saying Wally is alive? How?
Dinah Lance
We'll call a meeting of the League and the old members of the Team. Be ready for coordinates. Again, keep Artemis in your sight.
Skye Lovett
Of course.
Skye looked at her friend for a second time. What the hell was going on? Feeling overwhelmed, Skye texted Dick.
Skye Lovett
I need you ASAP.
Dick Grayson
OMW
Letting out a breath, Skye put her phone on the coffee table just in front of the couch. It made her feel good that Dick didn't ask questions, just said he was on his way. She wondered, though, if he was still on the thought that Barbara was in danger. Was he watching Barbara, making sure she was safe, instead of figuring things out with Skye?
"Artemis, Dick is on his way. We'll figure this out. We're here for you." Artemis didn't say anything, sitting quietly on the couch.
Dick arrived ten minutes later, worry etched on his face. He had sunglasses on, with jeans and a simple t-shirt. When he saw the state Artemis was in, Dick looked at Skye with worried confusion.
"What's wrong?" he asked, crouching between them in front of the couch.
He took of his sunglasses and placed them on the coffee table. Dick glanced at Skye, then turned his full attention to Artemis. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she leaned forward suddenly, wrapping her arms around Dick's neck. He stayed crouched by the couch and held her as she sobbed once more. Looking at Skye, he silently asked for answers. She took a deep breath, knowing Dick would be as affected as Artemis was.
"It seems Wally is alive," she said softly. "Artemis saw him a little while ago."
Dick was silent as Artemis softened her sobbing. Skye saw tears well up in his eyes, but he blinked them away and squeezed his friend tighter.
"Are you sure?" he asked with a rough voice. Skye nodded, picking up her phone to show Dick the message Dinah had left her. After he took it from her with his free hand, Skye put a hand on his shoulder. Artemis pulled away then, wiping her eyes and sitting back on the couch.
"I gotta stop crying," she muttered to herself almost angrily.
Dick stood and ran both hands through his hair, which he did when he was stressed.
"Why is it happening now?" Skye figured he was speaking to himself. Artemis seemed in her own world. Dick continued. "First, Bruce disappears, then Jason comes back, then Barbie gets taken, and now Wally is back? I can't do this!"
He moved into the larger area of the living room and started to pace. Skye watched helpless, not knowing which one to comfort right now. Artemis gestured lightly toward Dick and sent a watery smile. Skye nodded, taking that as a sign that it was okay if she went to Dick this time. She stood and went to Dick, making him stop pacing and wrapped her arms around his waist. He was tense, but wrapped his arms around her as well.
"We can do this," Skye said into his shirt. "We will handle this."
"Skye, things are so crazy right now."
"What should… we do? About us?" Skye asked quietly, holding him tightly.
"Skye, I love you."
Skye looked over to Artemis, who watched with a small amount of curiosity.
"And?" Was he breaking up with her? Skye could understand why, it was crazy. Her insecurities only made it worse for him.
"Nothing. I just love you." Dick took her face in his hands and made her look up at him. Skye sighed with relief as he bent down and kissed her, taking extra time to make her feel loved. He pulled back with a small smile.
"What about Barbara?" she asked softly.
"I…" Dick stopped with a sigh, looking defeated. "I can't do anything about it right now."
"Dick, stop taking so much on your plate. Barb is helping us figure out where Jason went, so those two things are covered. You and I should focus on … Wally." Artemis stood and took a deep breath. "What did Dinah tell you in the text?"
"How did you know she sent it to me?" Skye asked, moving to grab her phone and open the message.
"She had just called me."
"Ah." Skye and Dick stood close to one another as she continued. "Dinah said she would explain to the whole Justice League and former Team members what is happening. She'll send us information as soon as she gets something worked out."
"And how soon will that be?" Artemis muttered, moving toward the door. "What about Rudy and Mary?"
"Stay here with us," Skye said as the blonde reached for the door handle.
"The best thing right now," Dick added, his arms around Skye as if he needed the comforting touch.
Artemis stared at them for a long while, then sighed, pulling her hand away from the knob. Nodding, she moved to be included in a large hug with the three of them.
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November 14th - 1000
Meeting Room - The Watchtower
Dinah Lance
She stood in front of around 35 people of various ages and races in different costumes. They were waiting to hear if the rumor of Wally West being alive was true. She took a moment to look over everyone in the group before stopping on Artemis, who was holding onto Miss Martian. Dinah as Black Canary took a deep breath, then glanced at both Barry and Oliver, who were on either side of her.
"You have all heard of an incident that happened yesterday by now, I am sure. The truth is…" Dinah stopped for a moment, making sure everyone had her attention. "The truth is the original Kid Flash is alive."
The crowd was silent for two full seconds before exploding into different sound levels of conversation. Dinah let the crowd talk for a moment, then gestured to Oliver as Green Arrow. He stepped forward.
"As of right now, we really have no information on how this happened, but there is a theory. Flash?" The Flash stepped forward to take his turn.
"I think, but have no proof, that when Jay Garrick, the original Flash, passed away, something happened with the speedforce to allow Kid Flash to come back to our…. reality."
"Where is he know?" Batman asked, in an oddly deep voice.
"He was staying with me," Green Arrow answered, stepping forward. "But then he… well, he woke up after a long rest and left. To see… well, you know." He stepped back awkwardly, looking at Artemis.
"So, you don't know where he is now?" Bluebird asked, standing next to Artemis. Dinah saw her glance at Batman with an odd look.
"As of this moment, we do know, but it seems obviously he wants some time alone to… think about things." Dinah replied calmly. "A lot of things must be going on in his mind, and it could be difficult for him to deal with these things right away. It would be very helpful if all of you could help us make that confusion less… intolerable."
The crowd seemed to quiet for a moment, looking at one another with murmurs.
"Please tell him I … I would like to see him," Artemis spoke up, pulling herself from Miss Martian's arms.
"If you're sure," Black Canary commented with a nod. Artemis stayed silent, conveying the fact she was sure.
