Alternate Agendas, Part 3

- - - November 25th - - -

"In short, Batman is not likely to come home tonight. From what I've heard, he's taking the first night shift of the Cadmus search, together with Red Tornado and Superman. Conner and Zatanna are also staying at the institute tonight."

Alfred nodded thoughtfully, having anticipated Mary's call. He'd spent most of the afternoon making careful inquiries after that mysterious 'Light' among his own contacts, yet without tangible results so far.

"Megan and J'onn haven't finished their mental examination of our two red-haired archers yet, so we are still keeping both of them sedated for their own safety. The older one, Red Arrow, hasn't had any more seizures for the past hour and his heartbeat is not nearly as erratic as before. It looks like the after-effects of that snake venom are finally abating. Speedy, the younger one, seems to be recovering well from the reversal of his cryogenic state, although I was a bit worried about his low blood pressure in the beginning. Aqualad and I will take turns monitoring their condition throughout the night. The rest of the team has offered to stay here too, but I didn't want to have Wally miss his family's Thanksgiving dinner. I'm about to send Robin and Artemis home as well – without any turkey, I'm afraid." Mary's voice sounded remorseful.

"My dear, you've learned much from me in the past months, but you're not yet expected to prepare a full holiday feast while nursing two patients in critical medical condition during a League emergency."

Still holding the phone to his ear with his left hand, he used the other to pull the roast from his oven.

"Tell our young master's friend that I shall meet her at the Gotham Zeta station."

Artemis and her mother had barely finished unwrapping all of Agent A's delicacies when the balcony's door swung open with a soft creak.

Both spun around, Arty with a kitchen knife in her hand, Huntress raising her crossbow. She usually kept it strapped to the side of her wheelchair, always within reach, in case her estranged husband tried to pay them a visit. Sportsmaster was not allowed to enter their apartment ever again - Mother and daughter had sworn this to each other, at the night of their reunion from the duplication spell, earlier this month.

Yet it was not Artemis' father who was had climbed their balcony tonight.

"And here I thought I was invited?", Jade teased.

"Maybe China? I'm not sure yet." Her sister swirled her wine glass around casually, then sat it back down amidst their emptied plates and platters. "All I know is that I'm done with the Shadows for a while. I don't think they'll figure out that I called you in, Arty, but my 'failure' today won't go unnoticed. I'll lie low for a year or so, maybe improve my combat skills a bit further. There is this Lady Magnolia who is known to run a renowned martial arts centre in Tibet..."

Their mother nodded approvingly. "Oh, yes, you and Maggie would get along like oil and fire. She could teach you all about proper swordsmanship, and improper disguises. Just make sure never to insult that noisy red pet of hers - she'd wipe the floor with you, literally."

"You know Lady Magnolia?"

"Well, I should hope so! We were room mates for a year in Lhasa."

The look on her sister's face was priceless. Artemis leaned back in her seat, warm and sated, a contented smile on her lips, as she watched their mother laugh.

This, right here, was all the family she needed.

Her life was still a crazy broken mess, but tonight, one of its largest cracks had finally been sealed.

Jade had come home. Her sister was back, no matter where she planned to spend the coming months.

For the first time in years, Artemis felt able to share her life with the people she chose.

It was an exhilarating thought. An auspicious prospect.

What was holding her back?

It was almost midnight at Central City, and the Allen household was slowly calming down. The feast had long been devoured, even the post-dinner snacks were all gone. Wally's parents, Aunt Iris and Joan Garrick had beaten the three speedsters at charades, and Wally could tell that old Jay was about to fall asleep on the couch. Uncle Barry was yawning as well, it had been a long day for all of them.

His phone gave a soft buzz.

Meet me at your Zeta station. A.

Wally was out of the door before the phone stopped vibrating.

He appeared in front of her mere seconds after she'd sent the message. He had not even grabbed a jacket, yet she knew he'd be warm from the run. His red hair was tussled as always, his bright green eyes shining softly in the golden city lights.

"Um, hey?" he started.

She gently placed a finger on his lips, cutting him off, stepping closer.

He met her gaze, eyes wide with both hope and insecurity.

She was done with insecurity.

This was her choice.

Cupping his face with her hand, she closed the distance between them. Her lips captured his, drawing him into a soft, sweet kiss.

He returned it immediately, his right hand suddenly buried in her thick blond hair, his left on her back, pulling her even closer. She could sense the warmth of his skin through her coat.

It took them a while to break apart.

He did not release her while they caught their breaths, still embracing her warmly. It felt like she belonged there, right here in his arms.

"I still don't know if this is going to work out", she mumbled against his shoulder.

She felt him nod, yet he remained uncommonly silent, waiting for her to continue.

"Let's give it a try", she decided.

"Let's", he agreed, slipping a small piece of paper into her hand.

Smiling softly, she recognized the words she had nervously scribbled onto it over two weeks ago.

I still owe you a dance.

"You opened the puzzle box, then?"

"On the first day. Well, the first night - took me quite a few hours", he admitted.

"I needed to sort a few things out for myself, first", she tried to explain.

"Hey, no complaints here. You asked for patience – I could have waited for at least another week or so, I think…"

She ruffled his hair playfully. "I should have let you wait till Christmas. Or New Years."

"And miss out on this?"

He pulled her into another deep kiss, sending her heart soaring.

They'd make this work, somehow.

Author's note:

Did I mention that Alfred is awesome?

I must apologize that Artemis and Wally don't get much of the spotlight (and that I wasn't even able to work the word "Spitfire" into my story at all). Rest assured that I love them too!

When I think of them dancing, I imagine Artemis to be rather self-conscious despite being an extremely skilled and stunning dancer, while Wally would make up for a lack of graciousness by a ton of enthusiasm, completely unconcerned about his appearance at all as long as everyone is having fun. Once more, I'm heavily influenced here by the wonderful webcomic JL8, specifically by mini-Flash exclaming "Now we boogie!" - that would totally be Wally's style as well.