Chapter Thirteen

A half hour later, two slightly disheveled figures reappeared in the main ballroom, arriving minutes apart from opposite sides of the room. The duo searched through a sea of strangers for the safe haven of former teammates as the engaged couple made their way through the reception line, shaking hands and sharing hugs with people neither knew nor cared to. Such was high society.

The archer navigated the masses, avoiding the superficial gazes of guests before finding the Atlantean standing in the corner, watching the festivities in amusement.

"Artemis," he said formally upon her arrival, a custom he'd owned since the day they'd first met.

"Kaldur," she replied in kind.

She eyed him curiously, searching back through the years for a memory that had piqued her curiosity since the beginning of the night. "You know, I've never actually seen you in a tux before."

He smiled. "It is not the most comfortable attire considering my physiology," he gestured to his gills resting awkwardly against the starch white collar, "but it is for a good cause, however I might say the same about you as well."

She laughed stepping back to show off the entirety of the dress. "In my line of work there were times," she paused hearing the words, reminded of moments, of missions that she hoped to forget. "My former of work I mean."

Kaldur nodded respectfully and without judgment, another trait she always appreciated. He looked ahead to the banquet line, watching Dick and Barbara meet guest after guest paying their respects.

"Did you know they were…together?" she asked. "Evidently you can't pick up a tabloid around this town without seeing his picture with some model plastered across the society section"

"Wayne Industries and Atlantis have shared many business ventures throughout the years, so he and I speak quite often, but as always he tends to keep things very close to the vest. However…" he said with a wry smile, "the vigilantes Nightwing and Batgirl are often spotted patrolling together, so I had my suspicions. To be honest, I am quite envious. How fortunate it is to find what you've always searched for right by your side the entire time."

Artemis glanced over her shoulder looking for a tuft of red hair in in the masses. "I know exactly what you mean."

Across the crowded ballroom Wally anxiously searched for familiar faces; a 6'2 junior man of steel, or dark Atlantean features set against an alabaster backdrop, even a fellow ginger with a bad attitude would have been a relief to the insecure underdressed speedster, but instead all he found was the judgmental eyes of strangers, not so subtly critiquing how someone such as him had been allowed inside the mansion this night. It probably wasn't as bad as it seemed, but to the apprehensive red head he might as well have been wearing just his boxers, he felt that insecure.

In the distance he saw the ambassador; relieved to have finally found someone familiar to talk to. Wally was fairly sure events like these still made Kaldur as uncomfortable as he felt, but before he could get any closer, a familiar emerald dress appeared by the Atlanatean's side, claiming his attention.

Wally sighed, disheartened that Artemis had found him first. Walking up and engaging the two in conversation would just be awkward. They were trying so hard not to be obvious, that it was becoming blindingly obvious.

Irritable guests moved around him in a huff, but Wally barely noticed, his eyes unable to stop staring at the vision in green. She was so different from the teenager he remembered, and yet still so strikingly similar; a graceful athletic build, dark grey eyes, exotic features, a distinctive shade of olive skin, long blonde hair that scientifically had no business belonging to someone of her ethnicity. She truly was one of a kind, but for every moment his heart excitedly fluttered at her smile, an image of her sobbing behind a cold blast door seconds away from death took its place. It was all too easy to allow the anger of betrayal to creep back inside. He wanted to trust her, to look past the mistakes she'd made for the girl he once cared for, but still he couldn't shake the feeling he was setting himself up for another heartbreak. It was times like this when he missed Barry the most; he always knew the right things to say.

He was lost in her in his thoughts when a familiar voice spoke out from behind

"Your fly's down Wall-man."

Panicked, Wally's head whipped downward searching for the seam, thankfully finding everything in its place. The giggle that followed easily gave away the perpetrator's identity.

"I'm sure it's not from lack of trying," the sorceress laughed, wrapping her arms wide and hugging him.

"Not funny Zee," he frowned, taking a deep calming breath.

She smiled, straightening his tie. "You had it coming, I'm still mad at you by the way."

"What did I do now?" he sighed.

"Um… do the words Sold Out, One Night Only, Central City Performing Arts Theater ring a bell?"

"Aw damnit!" he groaned, face-palming himself. "It was the 28th, wasn't' it?"

"Yep," she replied, popping the P. "I left you three tickets."

"Oh god Zee, I'm so sorry."

"If it's forgetfulness I can forgive that, but if I find out you ditched me, because unlike their father, Jai and Iris might actually have an honest affinity for sorcery, I'm going to turn you into a turnip… just for fun."

"You've got nothing to worry about there, they love your shows. They're going to be so disappointed. I don't remember what it was; soccer, scouts, school, detentions, more detentions."

"God I love that girl." Zee laughed, thinking of father and daughter sitting in a cramped library on a Saturday morning because the younger redhead couldn't stop talking in class. "So…done anything interesting lately?"

His brow furrowed at the sorceress. There was no point denying it, he knew he'd been busted.

"You're scared shitless aren't you?"

"A little," he replied, before uttering a more honest answer. "All right, a lot actually. Zee, I don't know what I'm doing."

"I'll tell you what you're not going to do. You're not going to overthink this. You're going to live in the moment and just enjoy it. There's no point in looking back, what's done is done."

"It's not that easy Zee."

"Wally we've been friends forever. I still remember the stubborn kid that refused to admit magic was real, that everything could be explained by science. Well you and I both know that's not true don't we? I create illusions for a living, and half of the people that come to my shows don't even believe in magic, they just come to try to find out how it's done, how to solve the puzzle because they can't accept the truth. Well I don't need my magic to figure out the puzzle that is Wally West. You feel guilty for still having feelings for her, you feel that by doing so somehow dishonors Linda's memory; you're scared you might get hurt again, and you're even more scared of what happens if you don't. Am I close?"

"Uh…wow," Wally exhaled. "No magic huh?"

"Nope, you're that easy, but that one over there…" she gestured towards Dick, "he's the one I still can't figure out."

"Guess I'm not the only one that still has feelings huh?"

Zatanna shot him a sly grin. "Nice try science boy, but this isn't about me. You know how much I loved Linda, everybody did. She was amazing, and funny, and you two were perfect for each other. You were a great husband and you are great father, but Wally, she wouldn't want you to spend the rest of your life alone, and I bet if you were being honest with yourself you don't want that either. But here's the catch, to do that you've got to be willing to take a risk, and she's standing right over there, trying really really hard not to be obvious that she's can't stop staring at you, hoping no one will notice."

As if on cue, Artemis turned slightly to look in their direction, quickly angling away when they caught her gaze.

"God I hope she was a better mercenary than she is at flirting," the sorceress chuckled. "Remember what I said ok? Don't overthink it. You're not the same person you were ten years ago, she's not either. You both deserve a win. Tabula rasa"

The speedster crocked his head. "Am I supposed to know what that means?"

"It's Latin for blank slate," she frowned. "I thought you were a teacher."

"Science Zee, you know the study of things that make the world go round, not some dead language no one speaks anymore."

"No one but us sorcerers," she grinned, straightening his tie one last time and kissing his cheek. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see if I can't find some gorgeous thing out thereto buy me a drink."

"Uh Zee…the drinks are free."

She turned and winked. "Sometimes it's the thought that counts."

From across the room, the sight of the brunette kissing the red head did not escape the archer. She was surprised how envious she felt. The speedster and the sorceress had always shared a deep friendship, one that had carried on long since her disappearance. Zatanna had probably been there the day he got married. She was undoubtedly there when Linda died. They had a history.

Artemis had to remind herself that Wally wasn't her property, far from it, but the idea of him was, that was still hers. It was personal, and when the archer had been her bleakest, or even in the arms of another, he was there. He'd always been there.

Lost loves, you never get over them, but maybe now she didn't have to. It was in her grasp and the feelings he brought out in her was everything she remembered and more. She just hoped he felt the same way; that he'd give her a chance again, give them a chance. His heart had been broken too many times before, and she was determined that it wouldn't happen again.

xxx

Connor Kent stood on the balcony watching the flurry of activity below. Parties were not really his thing, and formal ones even less so, but like Kaldur and Zatanna, being there for his friends and former teammates, especially at such a special occasion was important to him. He'd be lying if he said he didn't miss the old days from time to time, but the way things ended still left a sour taste in his mouth even after all these years.

Superboy was still shocked to see that the speedster had actually come. Much like everyone else, Connor had never been made privy to the reasons behind Wally and Dick's falling out, but whatever had caused the rift had happened not long of Barry Allen and Linda West's death, an incredibly stressful time for all involved, including himself. Jonathon Kent's fatal heart attack would happen only a few months later. Not long after that, super-heroing just lost its allure. Martha and Jonathon Kent were the only parents he'd ever known. They'd treated him like a son, their son, not a weapon, not a clone, but family. With Ma Kent alone, a farm to take care of, and an older son who was constantly gone saving the world, it became a pretty simple choice.

He'd sworn to himself that after Linda's death he'd stay in touch. Smallville to Keystone was only a two and half hour train ride, and early on he'd kept that promise; meeting for ballgames, or taking the kids to the Kent farm. Much like her father, Iris was loud, energetic; full of life, but Jai was quiet, reserved. Connor could identify with that, and the two had an instant connection.

Connor never used his powers around the kids, Wally forbade it. He wanted his kids to have no part or knowledge of his former life, and Superboy respected that. During visits to the Kent's, on occasion Connor and Jai would take long walks around the property; he'd listen to the boy talk of the mother he didn't remember, or feeling like he lived in his sister's shadow. He'd talk about the rage he felt inside him sometimes. Connor knew just how he felt. Now with the news of the attacks on both Wally and Bart, it only made him feel more guilty. He should have been there, he should have done something. That was the curse of being a man of steel.

Artemis brought out an entirely different set of emotions. Unlike the helplessness he felt with Wally's situation, he had been there the day Artemis died. He'd tried everything to save her, but was faced with the impossible choice of saving her or saving his friends. The archer's death had been one of the most painful burdens he'd ever carried, and now she stood at the bottom of the stairs, talking with Kaldur alive and well, as if nothing had happened. But that wasn't entirely true and he knew it. You could use whatever terminology that made you the most comfortable, but the truth of the matter was she'd been turned into a slave, a weapon forced to do the bidding of cruel masters. That too he could identify with, and much like him, she'd been freed to live her own life, to make her own choices once again.

Forgiveness wasn't going to be easy, trust even more so, but if Dick, Barbara, Zatanna, and Kaldur could find it in their hearts to do so, he had no intention of being the lone holdout. That's what friends and family do, that's what Jonathon Kent would have done, and that was enough for him.

However, contemplating the intricacies of guilt and forgiveness was not the reason Connor found himself up on that terrace, it was her

He'd noticed her early on, a stunning African American woman, standing above the crowd, eyes locked on the small intimate group for friends for most of evening. Connor was surprised Dick hadn't noticed her first, observation and deduction being his strong suits, but Nightwing had his hands full, so tonight it fell to him

She stood at the curved corner of the balcony, back to the wall, a solitary flute of champagne in her right hand barely touched. The women was easily six foot, rich brown eyes, long flowing hair with auburn highlights, wearing an elegant black tight fitting gown, accentuating her goddess like form.

As he approached, carrying a small plate of o'dourves, he could see her noticeably tense, instantly uncomfortable with the location she'd trapped herself into. Connor stopped a foot away, turning to match her stance, staring down at the festivities below.

"Nice party."

Her only response was a curt nod, hoping her detached standoffish behavior would give him the hint and he'd leave her in peace. No such luck.

"So are you a friend of the future bride or groom?" he asked, looking down to the intended couple.

"Neither,' she replied hesitantly in what Connor thought carried traces of a Nigerian accent. "My… uncle works with Mr. Wayne."

"I see." he replied.

They continued to stand in silence watching the masses. The ebony beauty made no attempt at polite conversation, asked no questions, just stood eerily silent, occasionally taking small sips of the twelve year old Dom Perignon.

"Have you tried the crab cakes?" Connor asked politely, raising his plate in offering. She shook her head timidly, refusing to partake, or even acknowledging the gesture, which only seemed to fuel his resolve.

"You don't know what you're missing," he smiled, taking another bite of the delectable appetizer. "Best crab cakes this side of Baltimore…or at least Rhode Island."

In his peripheral vision, he noticed her body stiffen, her lip quiver slightly. Out of respect, he didn't acknowledge the reaction, keeping his gaze forward and allowing her a moment to compose herself as they continued to watch the masses.

Did you really think I wouldn't notice he reached out to her mentally, that I wouldn't feel you in here?

For a fraction of a second, her eyes sparkled with an emerald glow, barley perceivable unless you were standing next to her. She'd been discovered, and she knew it. She didn't try to lie, there was no point and she'd never been very good at it anyway. Finally M'gann turned to face him, biting her lip.

I shouldn't be here, she projected. This was a mistake.

This is exactly where you should be he countered, reaching down and lightly grazing her hand, sending pleasurable chills through her. They're your friends. They'd love to know you were here.

"Connor you can't say anything," she replied verbally in a pleaded whisper. "They can't know."

"When are you going to stop pushing us away? What happened was a long time ago. We've all made mistakes. Look down there," he gestured to the corner where Artemis and Kaldur stood. "Artemis told me she'd seen you. You know what she's done, but she's here. People forgive. You've got to stop punishing yourself."

"I… I know," she stuttered, "I'm just not ready, not yet."

"Ok," he said calmly, moving closer as her body eased. "No pressure, but someday ok? Someday soon."

"Ok," she exhaled in relief.

They stood silently for a few minutes, both unsure where to go or what to do. Finally M'gann spoke up. "Connor, would you mind….just …staying up her for a while? We don't have to talk or anything, I just…"

"I've got all the time in the world," he smiled. "Oh and…Ma thanks you for the deserts. Apple is her favorite."

She hid the smile, talking a long sip of champagne, feeling the warm blush of her skin, feeling happy.

xxx

Later into the evening, as the last of the party goers were politely encouraged to leave the mansion, the seven retreated to the saltwater indoor pool, the girls bringing along a few bottles of wine for good measure.

By this point, Artemis and Wally had given up all pretenses, now sitting across from each other in conversation with the rest. Conversations ranged from amusing memories to work place dramas and everything in between. It was just old friends reminiscing about the good times, steering clear of the bad. During all of this, there were stolen glances, warm smiles, an occasionally foot brushing against the other's legs, neither one worried if anyone noticed.

A half hour later, Kaldur stood waist deep in the restorative waters, his gills finally free of the uncomfortable binding tuxedo, while the three girls having finally ditched their heels, dangled their aching arches in the warm salt water.

"Oh my God, "Zatanna moaned, as skilled fingers massaged hot spots on the arch and ball of her foot. "Kaldur, how am I just learning about this new Atlantean super power of yours?"

Aqualad chucked. "With great respect to my lineage and mentors, this certain skill I learned on my own, after much practice."

Another loud moan caused Artemis's eyes to roll, an action unfortunately caught by the sorceress, Her brows furrowed at her friend, when suddenly she reached down, grabbing the archer's leg and placing her foot in Kaldur's skilled hands.

Before Artemis could protest, Kaldur placed the appropriate amount of pressure on all the right spots, forcing an involuntary "Ohhhh" to escape her lips, causing the group to break into laughter.

"Ok," she chuckled, trying to stifle a groan. "I take it all back."

"Connor you want to give it a try?" Zatanna grinned.

The Man of Steel's eyes were a million miles away, distanced by the by events of the evening, by the women he couldn't speak of. Suddenly he realized what had been asked, and smirked at the odd suggestion. "No, I'm good,' he laughed waving her off.

Kaldur continued his ministrations, alternating between the three women's feet, when after a few minutes they all looked to the other side of the pool at Dick and Wally sitting at a wrought iron table in deep conversation.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Zatanna asked.

"Who cares," Barbara replied. "The main thing is they're taking." The five nodded in agreement.

Sitting across for each other, Dick took a swig of the Sam Adams he and Wally were drinking. "So how did you know Linda was the one?"

Wally stroked his chin, smiling at the question. "I guess it was when I told her I was the Flash. I'd been a superhero since what? thirteen I guess? By then we'd probably helped save the world a couple of times, and she was utterly and completely unimpressed. It was classic. I felt like the damsel in distress around her. Linda tolerated the guy in scarlet, but she loved the guy underneath."

Wally paused to take a pull off the fine craft beer. "God she was so damn funny. Her humor was her superpower. I knew I was in over my head, but I was so lucky to have had her, even if it was just for a little while."

"She was pretty lucky to you know," Dick added.

"She would have been a lot luckier if we'd never met." the speedster said painfully.

"Don't say that, you know that's not true."

"Look this conversation's talking a nose dive. Let's get back on track. This is your big day. You've picked a great girl, she's your best friend, she knows all your secrets, she's beautiful, funny. She's the whole package dude. You guys are gonna have a great life together. You deserve it."

"Thanks buddy."

Wally stared down at the table sighing. He began to mumbling something before quickly losing his nerve, instead reaching down to finish his beer. Finally he found the courage to say what had been years overdue.

"Dick I'm really sorry about what I did. I don't deserve this friendship."

"Look Wally…."

"No," he cut him off. "I was a complete fucking coward. It was so stupid for me to think I'd have the guts to follow through with it. I knew I couldn't kill Thawne. It wasn't because of Barry, or Linda, It's because I was afraid, an absolute fucking coward. He knew it too."

Wally pinched the bridge of nose, pushing back against burning eyes. "I knew you'd show up. I knew you'd be the one to find me. When you Zeta'd in, God I was so relieved. I wanted so bad for someone to stop me, to give me an excuse for chickening out, but I….I think when you arrived, I…hoped… you'd to kill him for me, that you'd take all the weight and guilt off me because you knew I wasn't strong enough to. When you wouldn't, when you did the right thing, it just gave me an excuse to blame someone else, someone who wasn't me."

"After what you'd been through, your mind was everywhere. I understood."

"That's not an excuse, not after all these years."

"Wally you lost your family. You woke up one day and you're a single father. The whole world crumbled around you man. I get that that."

"It's wasn't a pride thing Dick. It wasn't because I blamed you for anything. I was scared. I know it makes no sense, but if I'd had the guts to come and apologize back then and you'd told me to fuck myself, it just would have been one more person I'd lost. I convinced myself somehow if it was my decision, if I was the one who was wronged, it wouldn't be my fault. It's just messed up. You didn't deserve any of it. It took Bruce scaring the shit out of me to finally admit out loud."

"He does that," Dick chuckled. "Trust me you're not the only one. I can't tell you how many times he pulled me aside for something similar."

"I'm sorry man. I'm really really sorry."

"It's in the past. Gone. Forgotten. You're here and that's all that matters, and I mean this in the most hetero way I possibly can; you're the best present I could have hoped for."

Wally looked at him for a few seconds before breaking out laughing. "That's the most hetero you got? Wow. I hope you're not that touchy feely with the all guys you bust. Probably makes them feel all warm and fuzzy before they head out to Blackgate. Do you tell them you'll come visit too, bring chocolates? And I thought Barry's bantering was bad."

"You're a real prick," Dick smiled. "Anyone ever told you that?"

"The list is long and distinguished," Wally smiled proudly.

"I bet, and since we're on the subject of the past, what going on with you and…."

"Whoa. Nice try dude, Classic Dick Grayson misdirection. This isn't about me tonight. I want to hear about how you tricked Babs into getting hitched."

Dick smiled. "Well it started with lots of alcohol and a lot of begging…..

xxx

Around two a.m. the forecasted storms finally arrived in Gotham. Kaldur stared up through the glass ceiling, seeing the rain pounding against the glass, the echoes of thunder in the distance. He decided it was the right time to call it a night. With all the yawning of the last hour, he was fairly confident everyone else felt the same. He regretted that the night was coming to an end. For just a few hours he wasn't an ambassador, he wasn't a public figure. He was just a friend, one that his missed his more than he'd realized.

"My friends, I must turn in. It has been a most enjoyable evening. I am grateful to have had the chance to catch up, but I am afraid affairs of state await me in the morning."

Everyone nodded, thinking about the lives they'd have to return to. This night had been carefree, reminding everyone of similar ones at Mt. Justice, sitting on the beach, in the media room, their favorite pizza place in Happy Harbor, their only care being the adrenaline rush that would follow when the call to arms came in, when they'd stop being teenagers for a while and become heroes.

Sadly it reminded Artemis that she didn't have a life to return to. Instead she'd have to build one; and these men and women, these friends were going to be part of it, one especially if she could have her way.

Everyone hugged, and Dick reminded them that Alfred would have breakfast ready by seven. No one was going to miss out on a Pennyworth breakfast, they were legendary.

As they began to disperse towards their assigned rooms, Wally walked up to the archer.

"So…he began

"So…. she retorted with a smile.

"I'm going to have to catch an early flight out. I…the kids I mean… have soccer games in the morning. It's a three hour flight, so…I may not see you in the morning."

"Oh..ok" she said, hiding her disappointment.

"So… it might be awhile before I can see you again. You know with school and the kids, and my folk's house and all that…."

She sighed quietly….here it comes. She kind of expected it she guessed.

He ran his hands through his hair sheepishly before continuing, "But if um, if I can find a cheap flight to Gotham, my mom and dad have tons of frequent flier miles, maybe we can…. hook up…I mean meet up, and spend some time together. Just you and me."

A warm grin spread across her face. "Yeah, I might be able to squeeze you in."

The speedster laughed. "Well I know how busy you must be, with not having a job, a place to stay, and mooching off your old friends and all."

"Watch it West," she chuckled. "If that's the way you ask a girl out, you're sorely out of practice. Do you want my number or not?"

"Oh I think I've got your number," he grinned.

They stood by each other in the empty pool room, flashes of lighting bursting overhead. Wally raised his hand, gently moving a few strands of hair out of her face. "I had a nice time tonight."

"Me too."

Artemis didn't want the night to end, and she could tell he didn't either, but it was late and she knew he had an early morning. They all did.

Take it slow she reminded herself. Take it slow

She reached up and palmed his check, drawing his lips to hers. They both closed their eyes as their limbs entwined. It was such an odd feeling having his arms around hers' again. He was gentle, careful, and it had been a long time since someone had treated her like that, treated her so tenderly, honestly it was a bit unnerving.

Men and women; targets all. Insincere liars and manipulators who would spew bullshit platitudes all in the name of seduction, all for the hunt just to be with her, never realizing that they themselves were the hunted. Their gestures and her responses were all part of the game, and their deaths left the same numbness in her heart every time. There were days when she wondered if she'd ever be able to feel again, doubting she'd every have the need to actually worry about it, and yet here she was.

This moment was something she'd fantasized about for as long as she could remember. It was a dangerous desperate dream, one she knew could never be fulfilled, but it distracted her long enough to get through the sorrow and loneliness of dangerous missions. But his was not some faceless target to seduce, this wasn't some sexual disconnect with Zane, This was real. This was right. She could spot the players a mile away, and Wally West had never been one of them.

A loud thunderclap above ended the kiss, signaling the end of their night as well.

"Good night Artemis. Sleep well"

"You too Wally."

He placed one last gentle kiss on her check and headed upstairs towards the guest residence. Out of some misplaced old fashioned British prudeness, Alfred had placed all the women in the mansion proper, while Wally, Connor, and Kaldur had rooms assigned to them in the guest residence.

Dick and Barbara lived together for Christ sake, but when at Wayne Manor, Alfred all but mandated separate rooms. Yeah have fun with that Babs, Artemis humphed bitterly as the speedster vanished in the darkness.

Take it slow, she said calmly to herself. A mantra she begrudgingly knew she'd be repeating for awhile

xxx

It was around 3:30 a.m. as Artemis laid wide awake, eyes fixated on the vaulted ceiling. The room smelled old, stale, Victorian. Antiquities were not her strong suit, but she felt fairly certain that a few of the pieces were probably hundreds of years old. It's was an odd mix of antique furniture and modern conveniences she considered, best represented by the large flat screen that hung over a 19th century chest of drawers.

Through the window, the brilliant bursts of lightening created moving stereoscopic shadows across the ceiling, reminding her of the old French Diableries her mother was so fond of.

As a child, she never liked storms. They seemed like giant ferocious creatures roaming the countryside, one's that would strike at night when everyone was peacefully asleep, everyone but her. Only when her father was away, would she run and seek comfort in her mother's bed. Later as adult, she was forced to tolerate them, to sit in the tempests for hours, awaiting the arrival persons of interest, targets that would lead her to someone else up the chain.

Long ago Paula Crock had taught her a trick that eased the young girls mind somewhat; a way to tell just how far away the monsters were.

Artemis, after you see the lightning, I want you to count until you hear the thunder. When those numbers begin to get higher and higher, the storms will be gone.

She lay on that guest bed, watching the illumination and beginning that same exercise.

A flash of light - 1...2...3… followed by a roll of thunder,

Again.

A flash of light - 1...2...3...again the roll of thunder.

The storms remained steady, with no sighs not of letting up. Artemis rolled over in the bed, placing the goose down pillows over her head to block out the bursts of light.

A flash of light - 1...2...3...The roll of thunder.

How many nights she'd play this game with herself? Laying in wet Asian rice fields, outside of French chateaus, underneath the foggy bridges of West London, the Carnivals of Brazil, surrounded by floods of energy and the heat of bodies dancing through the streets, soaking in the downpours.

A flash of light - 1...2...3...The roll of thunder.

The thoughts of missions brought her back to Jade and Zane. She was still angry at Cheshire for the secret contact she'd kept with Roy. It's had been foolish, selfish, and dangerous. It could have gotten them all killed if the shadows had discovered it. Love makes you do stupid things; like tracking down ex-boyfriends from a lifetime ago.

Wally was a husband, a parent, a professional with a 9-5 job. He wasn't some daredevil vigilante anymore, he wasn't a superhero, he was just...normal. She didn't know what normal was anymore, but right now normal seemed perfect. Artemis knew she couldn't mold her life to fit into his, but there had to be a happy medium somewhere. It might work, she'd make it work of she'd let him, and that was a big if.

The heat, the passion, the tenderness, it felt so real, the lasting feelings that stirred inside her felt real as well. This wasn't a fling, a one night stand, or a for old time's sakes. It felt natural, organic, not forced or rushed. It was hard not to wish they'd gone farther tonight. Sex was no stranger to either of them by now, but together? That's what she wanted, that's what she'd dreamed about for so long, and surprisingly it was within her reach, and that realization scared the shit out of her. How many ways could she fuck this up? How many stumbles would she trip before he'd finally give up and walk away? To make it work, to make it really work, she'd have to be the one thing she'd struggled with her whole life. Honest.

Suddenly take it slow didn't seem so bad.

A flash of light - 1...2...3…4…The roll of thunder. The storm was beginning to ease.

Unfortunately sex made her think of Zane. She needed to end it. It wouldn't be a huge shock to him; he knew why she was here, back in the states, back in Gotham. He knew why she'd come back and probably knew why she wouldn't leave.

He'd been a good friend, a good partner. Since the beginning Zane had always been there for her, kept her alert, kept her alive. Taking it to a physical level was inevitable, but there was a distinct difference between sex and intimacy. Sex satisfied a need, intimacy…well that was dangerous. Emotions weren't allowed, those were the rules.

Being back in Gotham, this could end up being the hardest mission she'd ever undertake; piecing together two fractured hearts in hope of making them one again. It was easier in some ways to actually think of it as a mission. It was time to compartmentalize

Irrational – Yes

Dangerous – Most definitely

Risk Level – High

Likelihood of success - 25 – 39%

Reward – Unquantifiable.

Such was love, and she did love him. She always had.

A flash of light - 1...2...3…4…The roll of thunder.

The shadows continued their dance on the ceiling as she pleaded for sleep to finally arrive.

It was a mission, she had a mark. The archer could stalk a target for weeks when necessary. The key was patience. It was all about patience. You wait for the sign, you wait for an instant, for an opening, you wait for just the right moment.

"Take it slow Artemis," she said again out loud.

A flash of light - 1...2...3…4…The roll of thunder.

"Fuck it!" she cursed, throwing off the covers. Slow didn't mean stop.

The archer zipped open her bag, pulling on her sweat pants, shirt, and sandals, before opening the creaky oak door, which she was fairly certain everyone on the floor could hear. Thankfully the wind and the rain muffled her exit. Dick would have to be a master's level escape artist to escape such a loud old house right under the nose of the world's greatest detective, but she assumed he tried anyway. This was Robin after all.

She finally left the residence and reached the entrance to the pool, stationed on the other side of the structure, one of several entrances to the guest quarters. Wally had mentioned off hand being placed on the second floor.

Why would he say that? Was it just small talk, an invitation, did he have some kind of irrational fear of residencies with multiple levels?

"My God, grow a pair!" she cursed to the twelve year old girl inside her. She was a mercenary, a trained and deadly killer. Stalking her ex-boyfreind to his bedroom was child's play. Fish in a barrel, Insane and irrational, but still a piece of cake

"God I hate idioms," she sighed.

She reached the second floor landing in dead silence. The hall seemed fairly empty, leaving her wondering who else the bitter old Englishmen might have placed up here with him to make stealthy transgressions even more difficult

A flash of light - 1...2...3…4…5. The roll of thunder.

There were at least ten rooms up this level; five per side. With Connor's hearing he would have already detected her, so logic told her he was on the floor below. There was just enough of a howl of wind outside to mask her tracks as she began searching for breathing. She carefully put her ear to the first doors on either side, finding nothing but silence. Two down…eight to go.

The next to door came with the same results. Four down six to go.

A flash of light - 1...2...3…4… roll of thunder.

The trained killer in her deduced that because of his physiology, it made the most sense to have Kaldur as close to the proximity to water as possible. Another target to cross off the list. Two doors later, she was even closer to her prize.

More than two thirds down the hall, she heard a soft moan, a low muttering, a bad dream. It was coming from the last room on the right. She'd finally found her target.

Despite her urges, she would respect the boundaries he'd placed, all she wanted was to be beside him, to hold him and wish the years away. She just wanted to hear him breathe and let that sound ease her to sleep. Nothing more….

A blinding flash of light – 1….The deafening roll of thunder

Suddenly the residence shook like a bomb had dropped just outside. Underneath the door gap, the inside of the room blazed like the fourth of July, if only for a moment. A moment too long Artemis decided,

Worried, she turned the knob only to find it locked. A louder moan inside ignited her senses, and she put her shoulder into the door, knocking it wide open.

She looked to the disheveled bed, searching the piles of covers only to find it empty. In the darkness she heard another moan and spotted a figure in the corner. On the floor in the fetal position lay the sweat soaked speedster, semi-conscious, breathing heavily, muttering words and sounds she could barely understand.

Artemis reached down, not wanting to startle him any more than she had to, hoping doing so wouldn't make whatever nightmare he was having any worse, but this was no ordinary night terror, this was something more, something worse. She could feel it in her bones.

"Wally?" she whispered, placing the tips of her fingers on his bare shoulder. He was hot. Not like a fever, something much more.

"Wally are you ok?" she repeated more urgently, shaking him slightly "I need you to talk to me."

"Ohh," he groaned rubbing his head. "Where am I?"

"You're in your room. I think...I think you were having a nightmare."

The speedster looked confused, bordering on terrified. He placed his fingers on his throbbing temples, moments later trying to stand. He was unsteady, and the archer had to catch him from falling She eased him back into bed, grabbing a towel from the bathroom and wiping him down, placing a pillow under his head.

"I'm ok. I'm just…really tired," he said through hooded eyes.

"Go back to sleep Wally, I'm here ok?" He nodded yawning, rolling on to his stomach. His frantic breathing had calmed, and minutes later he was sound asleep, but the archer that lay to his side, arms protectively wrapped around him was now wide awake and very worried.

"What's happening to you?" she whispered, wiping the last droplets of sweat away from his brow.

Author's Notes - See I told you I wouldn't give up on this. After a long stretch of terrible writer's block, one that literally drove me so crazy that I started another story (The Last Speedster - shameless plug, check it out) I finally found my voice and my direction home. I literally re-wrote this chapter at least three times, but I was just never happy with it, and I don't want to post crap, you all deserve the best I have, which I hope this iss. It's been so long and you all have been so patient, I'm posting everything I have to this point. Next chapter should already be up.

This chapter is emotionally and stylistically all over the place. If the duo seems a little out of character, it's intentional and I make no apologies. Wally and Artemis are different people now; older, wiser, damaged, and just learning to trust each again. To have them back to the usual flirting, arguing and bantering they're famous for just didn't seem genuine. I tried to put a lot of heart in these last chapters; I hope it comes off as intended. Thanks to everyone who stuck around, sincere apologies to those who didn't, but trust me when I say I'll never leave a story unfinished. Maybe left for dead for a few months, but not forgotten. If you could find the time, some reviews would be really nice, I'd love to see who's still around.

Keep your fingers crossed for a season three (doubt it) and the return of the original Wally West in DC Rebirth (kind of think it's happening). For the hardcore comic junkies out there, the African American teenage version of Wally West/Kid Flash is already exists, but everywhere I read seems to point that the speedster we remember might be arriving too. God bless the multiverse.

Once again, thanks and I hope you enjoy.