Chapter 9

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"Do you see anything?" Artemis asked over the coms. Oliver, Diggle, Roy, and Dinah had arrived at the abandoned warehouse.

"Only an abandoned warehouse. Why do villains like to hide out in these so much?" Roy asked.

"I am not the person to ask. I can ask Jade next time I see her." Artemis offered without thinking.

"Who's Jade?" Diggle asked.

"She's my sister, and has a questionable background. She's reformed though, thankfully." Artemis told them. At least she wasn't lying, just not telling them the full extent of her sister's 'questionable background'.

"You've never told us much about your family." Oliver said, suddenly interested in the conversation. "What are they like?"

"Hey, I don't know much about your guy's family either." she protested, ignoring the second question. "I know about Oliver's because they're famous, but none of your guy's. Besides, you guys need to be paying attention."

"See someone." Roy said suddenly. "Let's go."

~xXx~xXx~xXx~

As she waited, Artemis glanced at the clock. 12:05. She'd have to go home soon, before Wally started to worry. The warehouse had been a trap, and the shadow Roy had saw was a dummy's, which had a bomb strapped to it. They had barely gotten out in time. Dinah was pretending to be shaken, but really, she was used to it. If she ever got tired of being a lawyer though, that girl could make an amazing actor.

"You're back!" Artemis exclaimed with relief as they entered the Arrowcave.

"We should've been more careful." Oliver said, all business as usual. "We didn't even think, and it nearly cost us our lives."

"You did fine." Artemis said. "I mean, Laurel did amazing for her first time out."

"Yeah, she did." Sara said, proud. "And don't be so shaken by the bomb sis. We weren't hurt, so no damage was done."

"Do we have any other leads?" Oliver asked, approaching the overflowing table of computers.

"No, but I'm still working on finding some. We'll have something by tomorrow, I'll make sure of it." she promised. "I have a few people that owe me favors, from college. I can see if they know anything, as they aren't exactly law abiding people. We'll find out who's doing this, promise."

When Artemis said college friends, she actually meant the team. And she could tell Roy and Dinah had caught onto that.

"No Felicity, you need rest. Go home, sleep some, and you can keep on working in this in the morning." Diggle told her. "Your at your best when you're not sleep deprived."

"Ok, but I will be here first thing in the morning." she promised. At least she'd get more time with Wally tonight.

~xXx~xXx~xXx~

"So, how did Dinah do?" Wally asked her as she walked in.

"She did amazing. Not too amazing though, only like she's a fast learner." she told him as she set her bag down. "Thank you for not burning the house down." she teased.

"So, do you want to eat out tonight?" he asked.

"Where could we go that could feed you?" she asked with a grin.

"Well, I may have stolen some of the calorie bars from STAR labs." he said. "So, I could basically have any restaurant you'd like tonight."

"You're the one who came back from the dead, your choice." she said, sitting down at the table across from him.

"Do they have a Big Belly Burger here?" he asked her, jumping at the chance to go to one. She stifled a laugh, she should've known he'd pick that. It was his favorite.

"I think every city but Gotham has Big Belly Burgers Wally." she said, standing up to go. "I'll show you where the one here is."

~xXx~xXx~xXx~

"How can every single Big Belly Burger restaurant manage to make the perfect burger?" Wally asked once they had ate.

"I think you just missed their food a lot Wally." Artemis responded with a grin. "The one in Central City is much better."

"Nothing can get better than what I just ate." Wally said stubbornly.

"I'll have to take you sometime. Or, you carry me to Central City and then I show you where it is."

"Hey, who's that guy outside?" Wally asked, without pointing. Artemis turned her head to seemingly stare into space, but was really looking at the reflection on the metal napkin holder. She sighed, seeing it was Oliver and Diggle.

"That's Oliver and Diggle." she said. "Green Arrow and Spartan."

"And you never told them about having a boyfriend?" Wally asked her, seeing her worried look.

"Never."

"So you'll need to talk your way out of this one."

"Yep. Oh, they're coming inside. I am going to be in trouble."

"For not telling them about having a boyfriend."

"They can be a bit overprotective." Oliver and Diggle approached their table.

"Hey Felicity, didn't expect to see you here." Oliver said. "Who's this?"

"This is my boyfriend Wally." Artemis said, gesturing to Wally. "Wally, these are my friends Oliver Queen and John Diggle."

"Nice to meet you." Wally said, sticking his hand out. After a brief moment of hesitation, Oliver shook it, then Diggle.

"You never said anything about having a boyfriend." Oliver said, obviously a bit tense.

"I've been out of town for a while, we had a long distance relationship." Wally said, with a relaxed, easy smile.

"Well, it's nice to meet you." Diggle said.

"Do you guys want to join us?" Artemis asked, trying to make Oliver more comfortable. If he got to know Wally now, maybe he wouldn't question her later.

"Sure." Diggle said. Artemis moved to sit with Wally, and Oliver and Diggle sat across from them.

"So, how long have you two been together?" Oliver asked.

"A really long time." Wally said, emphasizing the really.

"Years." Artemis clarified.

"I'm surprised we never heard of you." Oliver said.

"It never really came up." Artemis pointed out.

"So, where are you from Wally?" Diggle asked.

"Central City." he said. Artemis hoped he wouldn't have to say much more.

"So you've seen the Flash?" Oliver asked.

Wally nodded. "He's fast."

"No kidding." Diggle muttered.

"So, you've seen him too?" Wally asked him. "When did you visit Central City?"

"Last year." Oliver said. "He's my bodyguard, I went down for… business reasons." Underneath the table Artemis stepped on Wally's foot for turning the pressure onto Oliver and Diggle. He was supposed to be trying to get along.

"Have you seen the mysterious vigilante that protects Star City?" Wally asked them.

"Why do you say protect?" Diggle asked Wally. "Most people think Green Arrow is causing some of the recent destruction."

"Well, I think that the crime he's stopped says otherwise." Wally countered. "I think he's more of a hero, or at least an anti-hero, than a villain."

"Even though the big disasters in Star City started at the same time he showed up?" Oliver asked.

"I think that's just coincidence." Wally said. "After all, he was seen taking down that Deathstroke guy?"

"True." Diggle said. "How do you know they weren't working together at first though?"

"Even if they were, he would've had to turn on him at some point, right? I think that makes him a good person. Anybody who works against evil or bad people counts as good in my book. As long as they don't go back to bad work, or don't have an extremely long history being bad, they're fine." As he said the last part, he looked at Artemis and smiled, and she smiled back, understanding what he was referring too.

"That idea would work in a perfect world." Diggle agreed. "Sadly, sometimes people turn on others for reasons besides being good. Like, for money."

"Well, I made a mistake a while ago, for distrusting someone because of something in their past." Wally said, and he squeezed Artemis's hand. "I've been trying to not do that again, because I was very wrong."

"Well, we'll leave you guys to your lunch." Oliver said, standing up to leave. Diggle followed. "Have a nice day."

"You guys too." Artemis said with a smile. "See you tomorrow."

~xXx~xXx~xXx~

"Your boyfriend is awfully nice." Oliver commented to Felicity the next week while they were in the arrowcave.

"That's one of the many reasons I love him." Artemis said with a happy smile, thinking about Wally.

"Why haven't you told us about him before?" Oliver asked casually, starting to press.

"Oh, it never came up. Besides, why would my dating life matter?" she asked, telling him to back off.

"I was just curious." Oliver said. Suddenly his phone rang.

"Hey Barry!" Oliver said as he answered. "What can I help you with?" He frowned. "Slow down. What? Ok we'll be there soon." he hung up.

"What did he need?" Artemis asked.

Oliver turned to her. "He claims aliens crashed down in Central City."

Artemis blinked. She was not expecting that. The last invasion…

No. She shouldn't think about that. They'd won, and Wally was back now. She looked up at Oliver.

"Well, they'll need all the help they can get." she said standing up. "I'll call the Lances, Diggle, and Roy. We'll be down there soon."

"You believe him?" Oliver asked disbelievingly.

"Like I said, I'll contact them." Artemis responded, grabbing her phone.

I am very sorry about the long wait... but the good news is I can update whenever I want now, not just weekends! So hopefully I'll be getting these out more often!

Happy Reading!

LeiaKasta