Return Chapter 11
Artemis didn't have to open her eyes to realize she was in a hospital, the smell alone was enough, and the incredibly uncomfortable was the second clue. Slowly opening her eyes she saw she was in a single room with a window to her left, a door to what she guessed was a bathroom on her right along with a door that lead to the hallway where she could see nurses and doctors walking by. Using her uninjured arm she scooted herself into a sitting position.
"You know you could just ask for help" Barbara said from the door way, she had changed her outfit and had her hair flowing down her back instead of up in a ponytail.
Artemis just smiled "I like doing things on my own".
Barbara rolled her eyes walking into the room and sitting down in the chair next to Artemis' bed "Well I called Dick told him your sorry, but I'm not really sure why I was supposed to call Dick at all?" Barbara said with a skeptical look towards Artemis.
Artemis blushed and looked down at her lap "Well uhh Dick and I recently started dating".
Barbara smiled "I figured as much, Dick called me about a week ago said he was back in Bludhaven and planned on staying. Figured it was because of a girl, though I wasn't sure if it was you or Zatanna".
"You're not upset by this?" Artemis asked shocked.
"Why would I be upset? Dick and I never really dated or anything, I'll always care about Dick but more of in a brotherly way. I'm happy that you two are together; it makes a lot of sense actually. If I didn't know that you were in love with Wally I would have hoped you two got together a long time ago" Barbara said honestly.
"And you don't think it's weird that I'm older than him?" Artemis asked timidly, something she had very few experiences in feeling.
Barbara laughed "I don't see what age has to do with this, if you two want to be together, than be together. Age shouldn't stop you besides it's only two years".
"I'm really glad you're taking this so well, I was scared you would be upset" Artemis said relaxing.
Barbara shook her head "I think you'll be good for Dick, maybe you can get him to calm down a bit, kind of like how Silena is for Bruce".
"Speaking of Silena where is she and Damian?" Artemis asked just remembering the little boy who had saved her life.
"They're in the cafeteria getting some food I think Damian might be in love with you, it took Silena an hour to convince him to leave your bedside" Barbara said with a laugh.
"Now that's diffidently an age gap I'm not willing to take" Artemis said with a smile.
"Oh good your awake" A nurse said stepping into the room "I just came to check your vitals and stitches".
"Stitches?" Artemis asked.
The nurse nodded her head "Yes we didn't have to repair any damage thankfully but it took twenty five stitches to close the wound, your arm will have to be in a sling for three weeks so everything can heal properly and then you should be clear to use it. Your vitals and stitches look good, would you like something to eat or drink?"
"Some water would be nice, thank you" Artemis said kindly, the nurse smiled at her before leaving the room "Where is Dick at now?" she asked.
"He and Bruce are on their way back" Barbara said as Silena and Damian came into the room.
"Artemis?" Damian asked timidly from the end of the bed.
Artemis smiled "What is it Damian?"
"Are you going to be okay now?" Damian asked.
Artemis laughed "Yes Damian I'm going to be okay now, I just needed a couple stitches and to rest a little, but I promise you I'll be fine".
"I told him that but he had to hear it from you to be sure, he's taken a real liking to you" Silena said sitting in the chair next to the Barbara's.
"I have not Kyle, I was only concerned" Damian said harshly crossing his arms over his chest.
Artemis laughed "I think it's sweet, come here Damian you can sit on the bed with me" she said patting the side of the bed. Damian seemed to think about it for a couple of minutes before finally nodding his head and slowly climbing onto the bed next to Artemis. He sat straight up with his legs crossed. "So are you excited to meet your family Damian?" Artemis asked.
"The only one who is my family is Bruce, the others were adopted by Bruce because he felt bad for them" Damian said rudely.
"It doesn't matter if people are your blood or not, Alfred, Dick, Tim and even Jason even though he isn't here right now are your family, Barbara is part of that family as well, as is Silena" Artemis said to the young boy.
Damian didn't say anything just looked at the two women sitting in the chairs. "Dick and Bruce should be here soon, Dick is going to take you home and Bruce will take Damian home. Tim won't be home until tomorrow evening, but Bruce wants everyone there to properly introduce Damian". Silena said.
Artemis nodded her head "I'm guessing this includes me, now that I'm sure everyone knows Dick and I are dating?"
Barbara nodded her head "Yup, although Tim still doesn't know, we can't really reach him right now. It should be fun to see his reaction though".
"You think he'll bring Cassie to the dinner?" Artemis asked.
"Possibly I'm not really sure yet" Silena said as she pulled out her phone typing away quickly. "Sorry problems at work I'm trying to fix" she said not even looking up from her phone.
"I don't really care if the room is full, I want to see my girlfriend" someone yelled from the hallway.
"Shit" Artemis said immediately recognizing her boyfriend's voice.
Barbara stood up "I'll get him before he gets himself kicked out" she said quickly leaving the room.
Bruce entered the room wearing jeans and a blue button up shirt "How are you feeling Artemis?" he asked smiling. Something wasn't sure if it was real or not, she had always known him as Batman the cold incredibly scary leader no one dared to question. Not as the friendly happy Bruce Wayne.
"Ohh uhh I'm fine, just a couple stitches and orders to take it easy" Artemis said.
Bruce nodded his head looking at the little boy sitting next to Artemis on the bed who was staring at him intently.
"Hello Damian, do you know who I am?" Bruce asked gently.
Damian nodded his head "Yes your Bruce Wayne ….. my father".
Bruce nodded his head "Yes I…."
"Artemis" Dick cried coming into the room rushing towards his injured girlfriend "Are you okay, what happened?"
"Dick….." Artemis started but was cut off by Dick's rambling about her being hurt and how sorry he was.
"Maybe we should take this outside and let's these two talk" Silena said standing up.
"Would you like to come outside with us Damian?" Bruce asked.
"Okay" Damian said climbing off the bed and following Silena and Bruce out of the room.
"God Artemis I should have been there with you, protected you, I can't believe Silena took you there knowing something like this could happen" Dick said continuing his rant. Artemis gave up trying to stop him by saying his name. Instead she grabbed the back of his head and pulled him into a kiss. At first he was so shocked he didn't respond but he quickly caught on and started kissing her back realizing how much he missed her, and how worried he was about her.
When they pulled away both breathing heavy and their lips red and swollen Artemis smiled "Just stop talking, I'm fine, a couple of stitches and some taking it easy orders and I'll be as good as knew by the end of the month, there is absolutely nothing to worry about Dick".
Dick sighed resting his head against hers "I know I was just so worried, when Barbara called telling me what happened I immediately panicked".
Artemis smiled setting her hand on his cheek "I've suffered a lot worse than this Dick, I'm fine".
Dick just nodded his head lightly kissing her forehead before moving so that he was now laying on the bed next to her. Gently he wrapped his arm around her pulled her into his chest. Wrapping her uninjured arm around his middle she relaxed into his touch. Even though they hadn't been together very long, Artemis was starting to fall in love with him. And she wasn't sure if that scared her or not. She would always love Wally but she knew he would want her to move on, and Artemis could see a future with Dick, something she hadn't pictured since Wally's death.
"That was Damian wasn't it, the little boy on the bed with you?" Dick asked after a couple minutes of silence.
"Yes it was, for some reason he's taken a real liking to me" Artemis said.
"He looks exactly like Bruce" Dick mumbled.
Artemis lifter her head to look at her boyfriend "Don't think Bruce is going to replace you know, you're still his son, his oldest son" Artemis said comfortingly.
"I know that, but it's still weird, I've been with Bruce since I was nine years old, and I never imagined he would have his own children. Someone who's actually his heir" Dick said with a slight frown.
"You know that doesn't mean anything to Bruce" Artemis said.
"He apologized to me when we were on the plane; he said he was sorry about what happened that he now realizes why I left. He wants us to rebuild our relationship" Dick said looking down into Artemis' grey eyes.
"That's a good thing isn't it?" Artemis asked with a smile.
Dick nodded his head "It is, but I don't know if things will ever be the same".
"Of course not, you two have changed a lot in the past year. But your still father and son and at the end of the day that's what matters, that you still love each other" Artemis said.
"Your right 'Mis, I'm thinking into to this too much. I just really want to get you home so we can be together with no interruptions until tomorrow" Dick said with a smile.
"I like that plan. I'll call the nurse in so we can start on the paper work to get me the hell out of here" Artemis said with a smile.
Dick smiled kissing her again "We could just sneak you out" he said with a grin.
"I'll take the paperwork babe I'd rather not get yelled at by my nurse" Artemis said "But until she comes in here you can give me a preview of you being home again".
Dick smirked "God I love the way you think" he said before pressing his lips to hers.