December 7th, 2012/Gotham City Underground

Kid Flash

He noticed her.

He wasn't really surprised that he was so quick to see her, that his brain had so instantly honed onto her position and locked down. He couldn't look away even if he wanted to, and at the moment he definitely wanted to. Well, maybe not definitely.

Wally turned away, focusing at the white sheet in front of him. Underneath it was the distinct form of Harley Quinn. He had to wonder that if Sportsmaster had his way, would he have been just another body under a white sheet? But Sportsmaster hadn't had his way, and it was all because of her. Dammit. Everything went back to her.

Dick's words floated in his head, again and again like the beat of a song that you can't seem to escape. Loss is so simple. You can turn around and she'll be gone, and you'll wonder how someone like that got away. That was why he had voted towards her staying, because he would never admit it, but she had him strung tighter than a bowstring. That first night he had been in shock. Angry, confused he had never felt so betrayed. But it hadn't lasted long.

"Hey, Miss M?" He tried weakly to think about the Martian, hoping to send thoughts her way.

"What's up Wally?" Came the instant reply.

"Think you could set up a special link?" He asked uncertainly. "You know, between Artemis and me?"

"Um... Sure." After a second he was keenly aware of something pushing against the back of his mind, something new and foreign, but familiar. "Here you go."

"Artemis..?" He watched her face carefully. For a second, he could swear that he saw something reminiscent of confusion flash through her eyes.

"Wally?"

"Yeah, think we could go talk somewhere?"

There was a pause.

"Yeah, sure."

He subtly nodded and Artemis followed him out of the caverns. When they finally reached a manhole, Wally allowed Artemis to climb up in front of him. The Gotham air was smoggy and polluted, but it was still a nice change from the humid stench of the sewers. He hadn't been to Gotham since he had dropped her off and met her family. It seemed a lot had changed for him since then.

"Why don't you get on my back? We'll find someplace private to talk."

"Are you sure?"

Wally nodded and allowed Artemis to mount him piggy back style before he started to run. It wasn't their usual position, but it worked. After a moment's thought, he decided to take Artemis to a place that he and Dick had found. It was in Gotham Park, a secluded spot shielded by oak trees. He set her down and she awkwardly stood in the center of the small area, leaving him to stare at the grass that wiggled from the wind.

"Wally, I-"

Before she could finish, he rushed towards her, grabbing her and pulling her close to him. It wasn't his first kiss, but it was the best he had ever had. Butterflies fluttered frantically in his stomach, but they were welcome. Why hadn't he kissed her before? Her lips were plump and soft, but fit around his. The arch of her back provided a perfect place for his hands to run up and down. Her hair was everywhere, but he didn't mind. It was their first kiss.

"I take it you forgive me?" She smirked when they paused to pant and brush foreheads.

"It hurt. Hell Artemis, it still does. Why couldn't you trust me?"

She snorted, dropping to the ground. Wally eased himself down beside her. "You saw how everyone reacted. I couldn't just say that my dad was some sadist criminal and my sister Cheshire. I actually had friends who liked me, and I couldn't lose that. Then I almost lost you."

Her bright eyes flickered to his for a second. "Artemis," He kept his voice low. "You will never lose me."

"Baywatch, I doubt I could lose you even if I wanted to."

"Hey, I am highly sought after. You should feel lucky Crockpot."

She lightly kissed him. "I'm sure Central is crawling with girls who want you."

"Promise not to shoot anyone?"

"No."

This time he kissed her. "That's my girl."

"Wally," Artemis looked at him, grabbing both his hands with her own and pulling so that they were facing each other. "When did this happen?"

"What do you mean?"

She shrugged. "We were lightly flirtatious at best, and then you hated me because I tried to kill you and lied about everything and now we're being all gross and mushy."

For a moment he was silent. Then he began to laugh, bending over with howling laughter. "God Artemis, you're perfect." He burst into another round of chuckles, leaving her to cross her arms while she waited. "Yeah, you hurt me; a lot. But I think I love you, and you can trust me. I never cared that you were Sportsmaster's daughter, that's why I voted for you to come back. I care that you're you. You're obnoxious, and stubborn and mean and you. That's what, who, I care about."

"I think I love you too Dog breath."

Wally last track of time after that. He kissed her until he couldn't feel his mouth, when his gut hurt with pleasure. He liked the way they were, how they would most likely be. Their relationship wouldn't be as gushy as his aunt and uncle's relationship maybe, but it would be theirs. Right then that was all he needed.

"Do you need to go home?" He finally asked after they had laid side by side, simply holding hands for a while.

"Home?" Artemis laughed. "I don't think I have one. I mean, how can I go home? It's just my mom and I'm the reason why my dad and sister got detained."

"Then can I take you somewhere?"

"What's with you always carrying me places?"

"You can't keep up. And I like to hold you." He mumbled, knowing that if he started blushing he would look like a fire hydrant.

This time, he swept her up in his arms. Running, he mentally kicked himself for being so sappy. He could go on about how their hearts beat in tandem, but really, he was Wally West. Girls swooned over him, not vice versa. He hoped Artemis was surprised, instead of some secret location; he took her into a city. She didn't say anything until he dropped her on a quaint porch.

"Is this your house?"

"I wish." He cast his eyes around the familiar surroundings. "It's my Uncles house actually."

Artemis visibly paled. "The Uncle who may or may not have voted for my mind wipe and imprisonment?"

"Uncle Berry and Aunt Iris are the best, really. They've been there when my parents were definitely not. Trust me."

She nodded and he knocked on the door. After a second, his aunt opened the door looking tired and confused.

"Wally and... Artemis?"

"Hey Aunt Iris. Can we come in?"

She nodded and stepped aside, allowing the two teenagers to enter. "Barry, Wally's here!" She called. "And he brought a guest."

A muscular blonde man in sweats and a sweatshirt ambled in. His face remained blank when he saw Artemis. "Wall-man, I didn't think you were coming by. I heard about Harley Quinn."

"We didn't really want to stay in the sewers."

His uncle laughed. "Of course not." Barry looked to Artemis. "I suppose I haven't met you without the mask yet. I'm Barry Allen, your normal, friendly forensic scientist."

"I'm Artemis Crock." She shook his hand firmly.

"Trust me," He laughed. "I know all about you. Why don't you two settle in and Iris can heat up some left overs. I'm sure Wally's starving." He winked.

"Actually, I wasn't planning on staying at home tonight and I don't think Artemis wants to go back to Gotham, so can we stay with you?"

Barry raised an eyebrow. "Slumber party?"

Artemis looked uncomfortable. "Uh..."

"Of course. Why don't you two go take showers then? Separately. You both smell like Gotham sewers."

Smiling, Wally led Artemis upstairs to show her where things were. As she closed the door behind her Wally smiled to himself. He definitely still had it.

A/N: Holy Spitfire Batman. I just... I'm sorry. It was inevitable. I'm having a lot of Wally/Artemis feels (even though I didn't like them at first) and it all spilt out in some very OOC writing. But, I do have a question. Should I continue this? Reviews are lovely and appreciated but scarce and there's no reason to write something that no one wants to read... So tell me what you think. I could keep going or end this piece.

-Star