I can't believe it's taking me over a year to finish this 7 chapter chapter story. WOW. Seriously, my bad. I don't know where the time went.
I've been trying balance college and work and still find time to write, and the writer's block on this story doesn't help either. I'll try to update as soon as I can, but no promises.
Nightwing and Kid Flash sat atop a rooftop in Bludhaven. They were observing a high security bank, expecting Penguin and his thugs to break in any moment.
"Since when is Pengiun into robbing banks? Isn't he usually for the underground weapons market?"
"Apparently, he and Two face are racing to see who can rob the most banks." Nightwing said as he looked through a pair of binoculars. "Thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to show them that we're still a threat." He smirked, but it quickly faded when he looked at Wally. "I also thought it would be good to talk to you."
"Talk to me? About what?"
"Are you alright? You look like you haven't slept well in a while. Something wrong?"
"Nothing dude, Artemis just kicks me in her sleep." He lied and Nightwing frowned.
"Maybe it's because you're smothering her too much."
Wally glared through his goggles. "What are you talking about?"
"Dude, everyone has noticed. You don't leave Artemis alone and when you do you constantly worry about her. I get that she's more sensitive now and we've got to be careful with her. But you're smothering her."
"I'm protecting her, who knows what could happen when no one's around?"
"Artemis can take care of herself. She doesn't need a bodyguard."
Wally looked away in doubt. "I honestly feel bad for anyone who's dumb enough to attack her. Especially with all her hormones, they would never get the shoe imprint off their face." Nightwing chuckled as he continued to look at their target.
"I want to protect her. I have to keep her safe."
"You need to relax and stop worrying so much about it."
"Ugh, How do you guys deal with monitor duty? This is so boring." Impulse complained. He was tapping his fingers on the council with his head in his hand, when he heard the conversation. Without fail he changed the subject, he sighed knowing he couldn't think about it anymore.
Wally tapped his communicator. "Stop complaining, we all have to do it. Eat a snack or something."
"Do you guys really just sit here and watch? My costume is chaffing." He tugged on his uniform.
"You're still wearing that? Even I'd be in civvies by now." Nightwing commented.
"You mean I can change out of this? No one told me that." Bart exclaimed.
Nightwing shook his head. "What a noob." He quickly stopped his teasing. "Penguin's in the building." Nightwing pointed to two thugs covering the doors, each carrying a gun.
Kid Flash nodded in agreement. "Let's go. Bart, talk later."
As his cousin and his best friend sprung into action. Bart was left envious that he can only watch.
"So, Wally's still busy, good." Bart tensed as he heard a familiar voice.
Artemis placed a hand on his shoulder. "Bart, we really need to talk."
The boy stayed quiet as Artemis glared at him. "Bart, I'm really not in the mood. So talk now."
Bart sighed. "I told him that in my future.. you lose the baby." Artemis took a step back. "You were almost 6 months and I don't really know the direct cause."
"What do you mean?"
"Your mom said it was natural causes. Nightwing and Wally thought Sportsmaster." Artemis eyes widened but Bart didn't notice. "Most of the team said someone attacked you. M'gann found you in your living room blee-.. well in the process of losing it. Assuming you had collapsed there, you were unconscious and you didn't look too good."
"... Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Spoilers." He smiled darkly for a second and shrugged. "I didn't know if it would happen in this timeline. But when you said you were pregnant, I couldn't help but worry. I kept my distance, I didn't want my presence to cause anything. I didn't want to get attached to something that wasn't gonna make it. Wally confronted me about it and that's when I let it slip. Sorry."
Artemis watched Bart sink down in his seat, obviously torn up. He knew there were some things he couldn't prevent and this could be one of them. She put a hand on his head and rustled his hair.
"There are things you can't control, no matter how much you try. Don't blame yourself Bart." He looked up at her.
"I remember Grandma telling me how heartbroken you and Wally were. I didn't want that to happen . Not when I have a chance this time."
"Bart I don't even think you were born when it happened in your time. Thank you for trying but you've done enough to help already."
"Just tell me, is there anyone out there who might try to hurt you because of your kid?"
"Beside the dozen of bad guys I've faced in my life." She smirked but Bart's expression made her straighten up. "Hmm.. well there's Icicle Jr., but he would rather go after Wally then me. My father, but he wouldn't try to kill something that, in his eyes, could potentially carry on his legacy."
"Anyone else?"
"I'm thinking." Artemis racked her brain. 'Who would have a such a vendetta against me to do this?' She asked herself, when suddenly one face appeared in her mind. A woman around her age with dull pink hair and cat eyes and affinity for dark magic that she considered bad luck. The problem was, no had seen this girl in years, almost a decade actually. So as much as Artemis wanted to point her out, she couldn't.
A low sigh interrupted her thoughts as Bart waited patiently for her to finish. She noticed his foot tapping so fast she could barely see it, but he was patient enough for her. "Nope, no who else comes mind." Bart shoulders slumped. "Maybe it was just natural causes. Like you said, we don't know if it will happen again. Now why don't you change out of your uniform? You must be uncomfortable."
Bart nodded and walked off to change. Artemis' eyes followed him until she was alone with her thoughts.
'Sportsmaster.' She narrowed her eyes, thinking back to earlier in the day when she had last spoke with the hockey masked criminal.
A few hours earlier
Artemis and Raquel walked the streets of Gotham, trying to get to Artemis' old apartment but after a few breaks it would take them longer than expected.
"Come on Arty, we're almost there." Artemis leaned against a wall, her feet were killing her. Now that she was getting bigger, it was harder for her to get around. Especially since she had always been petite.
"I know, I'm coming give me a second." She huffed, getting off the wall. As she was about to walk, someone bumped into her almost knocking her into the wall.
"Hey!" Raquel shouted. She went to yell at the stranger as she helped Artemis steady herself.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see you." The woman said calmly. She straightened herself up and turned to see Raquel glaring at her.
"Well, watch you're rushing. My friend is pregnant. If she hit her stomach-"
"Again, I'm sorry for bumping onto you." Artemis waved off the apology and stood straight. "You have lovely glow by the way. Have far along are you?"
"5 months."
"It must be scary thinking of all that could happen while you're like this. My bumping into you doesn't help." Artemis and Raquel shared a look. "Is it kicking yet, may I?" The woman held her hands out near Artemis' stomach. The blonde shrugged and allowed the strange woman to feel her stomach.
"It's not kicking yet, but I do feel it in there."
"That's wonderful, I'm sure you're excited for the outcome." Her overall tone gave Raquel a chill down her spine and Artemis the creeps.
"Okay, that's enough." She pulled Artemis from the woman's grasp. "We need to get going."
"Right, I should be going as well. Have a nice day." And with that the strange woman with light pink highlights walked away. Both women watched until she was a dot in he distance.
"That was very weird. I can't believe you let her touch you." Raquel said as they finally approached Paula's apartment building. Artemis shrugged, just hoping to sit down as soon as she could.
Artemis plopped onto the couch.
"I'll make you some tea to help you relax." Paula disappeared into the kitchen.
Artemis groaned softly, "Ugh, thanks. My back is killing me. It's feels like my whole body is aching."
"No problem." Locking the door behind her, Raquel put her hands on her hips. "Trust me, I know exactly what you're going through. Your body is adjusting to the weight of the baby. It's killer." She sounded almost reminiscent.
A warm breeze filled the apartment and a cold presence followed it.
"What are you doing here?" Artemis didn't turned to the intruder. Raquel went on guard, raising an arm in front of Artemis.
"I just had to see if it was true. You actually got knocked up by that moron." Sportsmater chuckled at the sight of his pregnant daughter.
"Whatever." She rolled her eyes. "Wait, you just found out about this? It's been 5 months." She raised a brow.
"I've learned not to take everything I hear about you to heart. I would've had that of idiot yours killed by now if I did."
Artemis smirked. "Like anyone you send could touch him."
"Speaking of, you can tell your bodyguard to back off. I don't plan on doing anything." He glared at Raquel.
She scowled right back at him until her friend put a hand on her arm. "It's okay." Trusting her judgment, Raquel sat next to Artemis but never took her eyes off her friend's father.
"So is there anything else you needed or are you going to give me the 'You're on the wrong side' rant again." She crossed her arms.
"Is it a boy or a girl?"
Well that caught her off guard. "What?"
"Is it a boy or a girl?" He repeated.
Paula appeared from the kitchen, she handed Artemis her tea before turning to her ex-husband. "They don't know yet, it's going to be a surprise." She spoke casually, keeping her tone calm. "Is there else you wish to discuss? Because my daughter needs her rest right now."
"Don't worry, I'm gone." Sportsmaster exited the same way he entered. Paula followed to shut and lock the window behind him.
"Your mom is an awesomely scary woman." Raquel commented.
"I know, I love her too." Artemis smiled while finally taking a sip of her tea.
Recognized Nightwing B01, Kid Flash B03
Artemis was brought out of her flashback by the arrival of her husband and his best friend, prepared to stand her ground against Wally's accusations. But she was thrown off when she saw her husband struggling to stand with Nightwing's support
"What happened to you? Are you okay?" Artemis rushed over to him, helping Nightwing support him. She placed a hand on his side, unknowingly putting pressure on his wound. Wally flinched.
"Well I got stabbed by Penguin. How are you doing?"
"Don't joke. Why haven't you healed yet?"
"Either the tip of the blade broke off or there was some type of poison." Nightwing said as he and Artemis laid Wally down on a bed in the med-bay.
"It's probably left over poison leaving my system. Black Canary will tell me if anything." Wally flinched as he tried to stretch. He turned to his wife. "Artemis, what are you doing here? I know you miss being on missions but this is taking it too far."
She ignored that comment. "I needed to talk to Bart."
Wally's stare narrowed. "About?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Wally sat up trying and failing to ignore the pain in his side.
Husband and wife glared at each other as tension filled the room.
"You wouldn't tell me what's wrong so I went to the source. I get that you're paranoid, but you should've at least told me instead of shielding me away." Artemis snapped at him.
Wally didn't respond right away. Instead he took the defense. "You promised me you wouldn't come here."
"I didn't promise anything, you suggested and I refused." Nightwing quietly slipped away to give them privacy.
"That's right Artemis, be reckless! Cause there's only you to think about!"
"Me?! You're the one who's reckless! Look at yourself, bedridden because you just got stabbed!" She yelled. "Do you really think I'd put this kid in danger just because I miss being on missions? I'm not an idiot!"
"Well what am I supposed to think? Our kid mysteriously dies and here you are. Just hanging out in a place that has been and could be invaded at any moment." Wally snapped.
"Are you saying it's my fault?" She looked at him accusingly. "Maybe I was attacked while you were on a mission. Or maybe you were still running around the damn artic circle!" Wally tried to retort but was cut off.
"Cause you know I wasn't alone for 6 months already, thinking that was my fault. And after that, I welcomed you back when everyone knows I should've left you like you left me in the artic!" Artemis panted at the end of her rant.
Wally was speechless. 'Did she..? Does she really..?'
Artemis stared at her husband stunned expression. 'Maybe that was too much.' She thought as color returned to Wally's face. He tightened his fists.
"I know I messed up in the artic when I left without so much as a goodbye." His voice was deeper than before, she knew he was beyond angry. "I didn't do it on propose!" He started to yell. "It was years ago. Don't use that against me! All I want is to protect you two!"
"Keeping me locked up is not the way to protect me! I can take care of myself!"
"Yeah, and that's exactly why we lose this kid!"
Artemis stared at her husband in silence, he looked somewhat deranged.
"You know what, I'm done. I'm leaving, don't you dare come home." Wally tensed.
"Where am I supposed to go?"
"Stay here, I don't care. You are a man." She emphasized. "You figure it out."
Wally sighed. "Artemis.."
"No! Don't! I just.. I can't fight with you anymore! I don't want see your face or hear your voice for the rest of the night!" She yelled before storming out. Leaving Wally stew in his anger.
"Dude, you alright?" Nightwing, now in civilian clothes, approached his bed.
"How much did you hear?"
"Enough."
"If she wants me out, fine. I don't care." He turned to his side, facing the window and away from his friend. "Do me a favor and get Black Canary. The hell is she? This pain isn't going away on it's own." He flinched when he turned, making his point. Dick looked over in concern for the red head.
"Yeah, sure."
Dick sighed as he knocked on the door. He was greeted by shouting from inside.
"Wally, I told you I don't want you here! Oh, hi Dick. What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to check up on you." He explained.
"Did he send you here?"
"No, I came on my own. I promise." He offered a gentle smile, which Artemis returned. She stepped aside and let him in. Once inside, she locked the door and lingered there for a moment before slowly turning towards him.
"If this is about the fight..." She trailed off.
"It's not and I'm not here to lecture you. I just want to make you're alright." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Go get some sleep. I'll be here." He reassured her before gently pushing towards her room.
"Well," She hesitated. "okay."
"Get some rest, Arty." She nodded and walked off.
Artemis woke up in pain. She had sharp constant pains in her stomach. When she finally sat up, she realized her thighs were wet and sticky. She threw the blankets off to find the spot she'd been sleeping in was soaked in blood.
Artemis managed to get out of bed and stood in time for another shock of pain. She kneeled and rested on her knees. "Dick!" She yelled.
Another surge of pain ran through her and she screamed. "Help!"
Dick, who was laying on the couch dozing off, finally heard her cries for help. He ran toward the bedroom and shoved the door open. "Oh God." The sight shocked him.
Artemis rested on her knees in a small puddle of blood. One hand on her stomach, the other trying to support her. The sheets on the bed were stained crimson red.
He rushed to her side and helped her to stand only for her to grip onto him in pain. Dick tried to remain calm as he thought of what to do.
"Sit down and wrap this around waist." He handed her a blanket and she did as he said. Dick quickly lifted her up and carried her out of the house.