Chapter 20

"You're what?" Dick yelled, "I haven't even met the guy, and you are moving in with him."

"Calm down Dick." Artemis began pouring a cider for herself. "We are not moving in together yet. I still have a few months before my lease is up for renewal, so I'm waiting until then, but I have started to move a few things over to his place."

Dick stared wide eyed at her. "What does a few things mean?"

"It means a toothbrush and few sets of clothes and a mug or two. Not my whole life. He also bought a few dog things so Brucely can get used to spending the night there."

Dick sat down on her couch. He pulled out his phone and texted someone then sat in silence for a moment longer. Artemis sat on the couch with him and offered him a drink.

"Have you guys talked about what moving in together means?" Dick accepted her drink.

"We're getting there, that's why I didn't say yes immediately. For the most part we are on the same page. We see our futures in Boston, neither of us want to get back into the life, and we're on the same terms when it comes to kids. There are more conversations to be had on political views, money, and other things, but like I said we have months before my lease is up."

'I don't like it Artemis-"

"You don't have to like it Dick, it's not your life. While we're questioning each other's life decisions why don't you tell me about you and Barbara."

Dick's face said he was stunned, but it got dark quickly.

Artemis waited. "Well?"

"I haven't asked again and we haven't talked about it anymore."

Artemis got quiet for a moment, "I was getting frustrated I shouldn't have pushed like that."

Dick swallowed, "No, if I question your life choices it's only fair you question mine." He smiled at her.

They sat like that for a moment uncertain of what to do or where to go next. Unfortunately the silence didn't last long.

With a pop, a flash, and chanting of words Zatanna, Kaldur, and M'gann were all in Artemis's apartment.

Zatanna spoke first, "Since when have you been seeing someone?"

Artemis spoke first, "Nice to see you too. Why are you here?"

"Dick texted and said you were moving in with a guy."

Artemis eyed Dick who sheepishly took a sip of his drink. "I am not moving in with him yet, but we are starting to have serious conversations about what a future together would look like."

Kaldur had caught his breath and began moving towards Artemis. He opened his arms towards her, and she obliged him with a hug. "It's good to see you friend." Kaldur released her and smiled. Artemis smiled back. "Who is this man you're seeing?"

"His name is William. He is a lawyer in Boston who is focused on work and enjoying city life. He also happens to be Oliver's son."

The three newcomers took in the information while finding seats. Artemis took the moment to stand and get more ciders and water before coming back to her living room.

"How long have you been seeing each other?" M'gann asked.

Artemis sat. "Around six months. He's met my work friends, and Ollie and Dinah obviously. I've met his work friends and gotten a long conversation in with Lady Shiva about our future. We went to the beach in Cali over my winter break."

"Why is this the first time we're hearing about him?" M'gann asked.

"First off, I told Dick, whom I assumed would eventually spread the word around, secondly, I didn't tell anyone at first because it was a good thing and I wanted it to develop without all the pressure, third, finding time to hang out with you guys is hard. I make time at ridiculous hours, but unless you just pop up like Dick I don't really see you guys."

Kaldur nodded his head and Zatanna sighed in acceptance of what she had said. M'gann looked sad and slumped her shoulders. They were all aware that this was an issue in their friendships, but it had always been how it was and there wasn't much they could do to change that.

M'gann spoke first, "I knew when you pulled out of missions completely that there would be some distancing in our relationship. I just hadn't realized how much."

Artemis met her gaze and sighed, "Yeah, me too. I see the most of Dick, but that is mostly because he crashes here after missions sometimes. Maybe we could start planning something like that. Let you guys decompress after a mission here, but just give me a heads up."

Kaldur smiled at that, "I think that could work, but we should also be better at making time to spend together that doesn't rely on meeting at 3 am. Maybe breakfast would work better than movies or dinners, since those are more time restrictive and missions happen at night."

Dick perked up, "That's true. I usually appear at breakfast which works."

"Okay," Zatanna said, "We start making plans for breakfast or take the Batman approach and show up unannounced with gifts."

Artemis smiled. "Works for me."

Spirits were lifted for a moment before a knock hit Artemis's door.

"Were you expecting anyone?" Kaldur asked.

"No."

Everyone in the room immediately adjusted their position to engage if necessary. Artemis went to the door.

"Hey Artemis, it's just me," William called, "I got off early and wanted stop by and surprise you."

The room relaxed slightly as Artemis opened the door for the newcomer to take in the sight of her full living room.

"Am I interrupting?"

Artemis went to the kitchen again as William sat and spoke to Kaldur, Dick and M'gann. She had seen a lot of people today along with her students and could use a break. Initial introductions had gone well, so he would just have to stick it out for a moment. Zatanna had followed her for a moment.

"What's up Z?" Artemis asked.

"We should have had that conversation years ago. It felt so short and simple that I feel dumb now."

"There's no reason to feel dumb. Those conversations are hard no matter how short they are. For a long time I think I was too caught up in grief to broach any serious conversation and you guys let it be, because we didn't know what to do."

Zatanna smiled, and leaned into her a bit. "It's good to see you," Zatanna smiled. "And he seems nice."

Artemis looked over at William who caught her eye and seemed a little distressed.

"I better get back over there. Dick can be overwhelming."

Zatanna laughed, "That's for sure."

"So," Artemis started walking back over to her friends and sitting by William, "what are we talking about?"

William turned to her, "I was telling them about how you have insisted on green blue towels in the bathroom."

Artemis smiled and took his hand. "They look really good though."

"They do."

Dick smiled. "You guys do too."