Artemis stared at the menu. Ogling it like she did the interior of the restaurant when she'd first entered. And yep, she was right. She couldn't read a damn thing. Not a damn thing. What was this French? Artemis was barely passing first year French at the Academy. She couldn't read it nearly as well as this menu called for.
She spied her mother having a similar problem out of the corner of her eye, but when she looked over the top of her menu to the other three… Nope. No problem at all. How did they…? And maybe Diana made some amount of sense. Wonder Woman and all? But Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson? They could speak French? Since when?
A waiter with an impressive center-part wafted up to their table with a heavily accented tongue, and just as Artemis was dreading the man make his rounds around the table to her, Bruce Wayne ordered. For everyone.
She was thankful. And she could see the relief plastered on her mother's face, but Diana was irate. And Artemis couldn't help but stare at the scene, while Bruce pointedly did not look in her direction. But that annoyance only lasted a moment. Because then the waiter came back with a tray full of iced teas and set them on the table before each one of them. Diana let herself be distracted as she sipped from hers.
"It's nice to see you making friends, Dick." Mr. Wayne said. His voice cutting through the quiet that had begun to settle among them at the table. Artemis still couldn't get over how deep and commanding his voice was. Even when he made small chit-chat remarks.
Dick gave his guardian an odd look. One Artemis couldn't place. Likely never would. "Yeah, it is." And just like his silent stare down with his guardian, his voice implied a lot. Nothing that Artemis would ever be able to make sense of, but there was obviously something there. Something left unsaid.
"It might be nice to spend less time on your extracurriculars. You only live once."
And if looks could kill… Dick did not look amused by his guardian's remark. It seemed casual enough, and clearly Dick had so much he wanted to say. To unleash on his guardian in response to his word choice, but whatever it was, didn't leave his lips. Because despite him opening his mouth, he shut it without a single word uttered. Artemis watched Mr. Wayne's too pleased face with a skeptical one of her own.
"What things do you do outside of school, Dick?"
"I'm a mathlete." Dick said proudly. "I also keep up on my trapezing. Bruce installed one in the home gym."
"Trapeze?" Her mother uttered at the same time Artemis did, but while her mother's voice was curious, Artemis's was incredulous. Trapeze? What the actual hell?
Dick gave them odd looks. "I used to be a member of the Flying Graysons. My parents and I traveled with Haly's Traveling Circus before they died."
Artemis heard her mother gasped. "I'm so sorry to hear that."
And before that news could squander the mood entirely, Diana—thankfully—picked it back up without missing a beat. "You'll have to come see him train sometime. Dick is exceptionally good."
Dick and Mr. Wayne passed her grateful smiles, but Diana just paid them no mind. And her mother simply nodded along eagerly. "Oh, I just might have to take you up on that."
The food came. The waiters silently set it in front of them and left just the same. Artemis barely paid them any mind except to whisper a soft thank you. Feeling slightly out of place as she noticed no one else did the same. Not even her mother… She was too enraptured in the conversation.
And with the way Diana was offering up Bruce Wayne's home, Artemis had the feeling that their relationship was profoundly serious. Far more serious than they let on. What else could she pick up between the two? This was far more entertaining than trying to find out who Robin was—if he did go to the same school as she did in the first place. And besides, it's not like she couldn't do both. Researching Robin would take time and long lunch periods staring at people past the point of it being awkward. But here and now… She could look at Wonder Woman and Bruce Wayne and solve something before it went completely public. Maybe she'd be able to ask Wonder Woman as her heroine identity. Press her for more information. Probably not. Best not to draw too much attention to herself when it came to the League.
The Team was happy operating under Batman and Black Canary's tutelage. Superman seemed stand-offish, and while she'd never outright label him as a dick, the way he treated Connor left a lot to be desired. And this was the only time she'd seen Wonder Woman longer than two seconds from a distance. And while she was nothing like Artemis expected, she wasn't itching to befriend the Amazon. There was always the rest of the Founders and the other members, but they largely left the League alone unless they wanted to speak to their protégé.
She knew the Team enjoyed their near autonomy, too. So, Artemis could play ball and not ruin things.
"What was it like growing up in a circus?"
Dick blushed. "Awesome. We traveled everywhere. Whenever we stopped, we'd always do something. No matter where it was."
"You must've seen a lot."
Dick nodded eagerly. "So much. In fact, most of my childhood with the circus was spent in Europe."
"Oh?" Her mom pressed. "How fascinating. I thought I heard a touch of an accent when you spoke."
"Yeah. That's my native tongue Romani. I can still speak it. In fact, I can speak most languages fluently."
"I thought I noticed you having no trouble with the menu."
"Dick struggles with English sometimes. I've been meaning to get him a tutor, but—"
"Alfred tutors me."
"Alfred has a lot of things to do, Dick."
Dick sighed. "I know, I know."
Bruce smiled sympathetically. "Alfred has a lot of patience and is passionate about English and that Dick learn to speak, read, and write it properly, but sometimes Dick can get on his nerves."
Or he just wanted to put some separation between Alfred and Dick, more likely. Artemis knew she had that pegged. Dick seemed far more open with Bruce Wayne than he had all afternoon, but the butler wasn't here. Mr. Wayne was jealous. Again, she felt herself sympathetic for Dick's plight. Bruce Wayne seemed like a tool. But apparently that wasn't what her mother heard.
"Well, Artemis is fairly good at English. And it'd be nice if the two of them could spend more time together."
What about her Team duties? Mom. Artemis sighed through her nose and thought she caught Dick doing the same. Bruce grinned. "Oh. Well, that'd be great if Artemis wouldn't mind spending a few hours out of the week tutoring Dick."
"And we can use your study." Dick said with a bright smile. "It has the best lighting in the manor."
Bruce's stare was a withering, sidelong one, but he simply shook his head with a knowing smirk. "Wherever is fine. So long as your English score improves."
"Wonderful, she'd love to help." If her mom could jump out of her chair she probably would've. And Artemis felt a pang in her heart at the thought of it. Because of course her mom would be concerned with her time with the Team. Her mom was in a wheelchair because of her days as Huntress when she was younger and her sister… Well, Artemis could only grimace at the thought of her sister. They weren't on the best of terms. But it was Dick's befuddled expression that brought her out of her funk. He was staring at his guardian's easy, knowing smirk like it was the most bewildering thing on the planet.
Even Diana was coughing into her glass suspiciously.
"Well, we'll be sure to exchange numbers before we part."
And if the mere thought of having Bruce Wayne's number in her cellphone didn't make her mother's day… Artemis realized that no matter what she felt regarding her mother's methods to keep her away from the Team, she couldn't ruin this for her mother. And she'd get the tutoring down to one or two hours one or two days a week. She'd still be able to operate with the Team when they trained or went on missions. Batman was good about ensuring they all got their time in for both.
Even Robin found time, and she was sure that the kid was busier than she was or ever would be. He always seemed like he was doing three tasks at once whenever she saw him. She found herself evermore hoping she'd figure out who he was. Maybe she could have more than just Dick as a friend. Maybe Batman and Robin would be impressed with her detective skills.
As they finished their lunch, which was as mouthwateringly good as that sandwich was. And Artemis had no idea she could finish that entire plate, but she did…
The check was dropped, and Bruce Wayne frowned at it, while her mother's face went pale. Surely he wouldn't make them pay for a lunch like this would he?
Mr. Wayne grabbed the check and slipped from the booth. His strides nearly as purposeful as they were earlier in the principal's office, but with not nearly the same amount of muster. Maybe that's just how he was. Purposeful.
She didn't get to see him or watch him anymore after he disappeared behind the partition that separated their eating area from the rest of the restaurant. When he came back, though it was with an apologetic manager in tow. "So terribly sorry, Mr. Wayne. That won't happen again."
He smirked. "You're fine, Pierre. It's likely that waiter didn't know."
Pierre nodded and with a snap of his fingers two well-dressed busboys rushed over and cleared the table.
If Artemis would've blinked, she'd have missed it. They were that fast. She doubted whether Barry or Wally would've been able to keep up.
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Wayne."
"Bruce please, Mrs. Crock. And I own the place remember. It's no trouble at all."
"You can call me Paula. And thank you, Bruce." Her mother's eyes were bright as she slipped his name off her tongue. First name basis with Bruce Wayne. No, Artemis definitely couldn't ruin this for her mother. It was likely her mother didn't see any of the things Artemis saw either. Should she even share her concerns? Were they meaningless? She watched Dick and Bruce slip off to the side and they seemed familiar, but Bruce had a triumphant smirk written across his face, while Dick's was one of frustration.
Artemis felt her suspicious frown reforming at the sight. What were those two—
"I'm going to go the bathroom. I'll meet you out front."
Bruce looked up at that. Catching Diana's gaze with his own. Artemis watched an entire conversation pass. Unspoken. Between the two of them. Even Dick seemed alarmed somewhat. Maybe not fully comprehending, but clearly Bruce and Diana weren't at a loss. But Diana finally shook her head, leaving Bruce to accept the matter for what it was.
And she could tell he didn't like it, but Bruce walked with Dick and her mother toward the door, but Artemis whispered a statement in her mother's ear about having to use the bathroom herself and quickly found herself trying to retrace Diana's steps.
The tall Amazon with dark braided hair and heels wasn't hard to miss, even as she tried to slink through to the back of the restaurant. It was a good effort on her part, but Artemis was able to keep up with ease. The woman stopped before she was ready, though and Artemis could've sworn that Diana made eye-contact with her before turning to meet the judgmental gaze of an equally tall and muscular blonde woman in the back of the dining area.
"Aresia." Diana's voice was clipped.
"Persisting with your heresy I see."
"Bruce is none of your concern."
"Oh? And is it not my and your sister's concern that your mother cries herself to sleep each night, knowing who you consort with? As you drag our names through the mud beside your own?"
Artemis frowned. Sisters? Aresia was an Amazon. Were they all built like that? She thought Diana was one of a kind, but seeing her standing before one of her sisters… It took some of the awe from it all. Diana was tall and muscly sure, but if Aresia was any indication, Diana was just like all Amazons. Which made sense, but still… Some part of Artemis couldn't help but be slightly disappointed by the notion.
"I do hope you'll thank me one day."
"Leave Bruce alone, Aresia. I'm warning you."
Aresia lifted her hands. "I haven't done anything. But you need to remember he's mortal—"
And then there was a shout Artemis couldn't make sense of and a familiar thundering pop. A gunshot.
The next shout she heard with a dreadful clarity. "Bruce!" That was Dick.
Artemis completely forgot her call to be stealthy and scrambled to the front. Nearly tripping over a frantic crowd as they impeded her path. She caught Diana flying overhead. In a quick, graceful arch. No less urgency imbued into her movements.
Artemis fell to the ground in the moment and let her gaze flit behind her. But Aresia—whoever she was—was gone. Likely slipped away with the chaos.
She had no idea why she followed Diana. None, whatsoever. But she had. And she wasn't there to try to help prevent a tragedy from befalling two civilians—three. Her mother. Artemis mentally kicked herself. How could she be so shortsighted?
She managed to get to her feet and made it the rest of the way, the crowd mostly dispersed by that point and indeed found a tragedy. Diana was pressing her fingers to Bruce's chest between bouts of CPR and Dick was clutching her mother's wheelchair like a lost child. And no matter what Artemis may have thought of the man, it was obvious that Bruce and Dick shared a bond.
No one cried over someone they didn't love. Even Diana's expression, though steely with resolve was showing the barest hints of cracking as her CPR refused to produce a preferrable outcome.
Artemis found tears slipping down her own cheeks as she watched the man's form jostle under Wonder Woman's strength.
"Come on, Bruce." She whispered with that broken desperation. And oh, Diana loved Bruce Wayne, too. But that revelation didn't seem to matter to Artemis as much as it might have, had she discovered it earlier.
Artemis swallowed down her bile at the thought that she could've been the one crying over her mother's body. She wasn't there. What kind of a heroine was she? Artemis stepped up beside her mother's wheelchair and met her helpless gaze with one of her own.
Was this her fault?
A/N: And I'm almost to the end of where I left you all hanging. Again, so sorry for the long wait. I just had no idea how to continue the story and got too busy to keep trying to figure it out. Hopefully, I'll finish it this time. For those of you that remember how it was, can you leave a review and let me know what you think of the overhaul. I'm hoping it's better. The chapters are longer and I'm trying to weave some plot in there while keeping it largely the same. I have an idea for an ending now, but I didn't want to drift too far from what you were all already familiar with. Hopefully, you find this as a happy medium and like where I eventually go. If you have any thoughts on the story leave a review or leave me a PM. I'd much rather finish this story if I knew it still had an audience interested in it. I know that that might be a lot to ask for given that you've all waited so long, but I still need reviews. Good, bad, or indifferent. Hopefully, this finds you well.
Until Next Time.