Return Chapter 3
Artemis walked beside Dick as he rode around in an electric chart at the store. So far he'd only managed to knock down one display, in which case Artemis ran down the other aisle to avoid the cranky older woman working. Dick glared at her, as he caught up with her later; his face was red only causing Artemis to laugh harder. Dick had loaded up on groceries and now they were trying to find him clothes, since he would now be staying with Artemis until he completely healed.
Artemis looked down at her watch "We need to hurry this up I've got patrol tonight" she said leaning against a shelf as Dick picked out underwear.
"I know I just need some pants and were good to go" Dick said.
Artemis sighed "I hate shopping".
"I've noticed" Dick said as he grabbed a couple pairs of pants.
"You don't need to try those on or anything?" Artemis asked.
"You really want me to try them on, we'll be here longer" Dick said raising his eyebrow at her.
Artemis shook her head "No no that's fine".
Dick smiled as he moved towards the front of the store to purchase everything. Unfortunately for them their cashier was the angry old lady from earlier. She glared at them through the entire check out, causing Dick to just smile at her.
"That old lady really doesn't like you" Artemis said as they got into her car.
"It's not like I meant to knock over that display, those carts are tricky to maneuver, especially in reverse" Dick argued back "And I see how great of a friend you are, just running off and leaving me to get lectured".
Artemis laughed "I never said I was a good friend, and there was no way I was going to get lectured for something you did".
Dick pouted at her "You're just mean".
Artemis smiled "Thank you".
Later in her apartment Dick lazily lay on her couch as he tried not to fall asleep, all that shopping really tired him out. Artemis was in her bedroom getting ready for her patrol as Tigress. Dick's eyes had just started dropping when Artemis came out dressed in her Tigress costume.
Dick eyed her as she moved around "I like Tigress with blonde hair" he said causing Artemis to turn around.
"So do I" Artemis said softly.
"Are you patrolling with the arrows tonight?" Dick asked.
"Sort of, I don't really check in, I just kind of do as I want, helping out" Artemis said.
"Ya know my jaw has never been the same since you kicked me that time in the cave" Dick said smiling at her.
Artemis smiled "That was a pretty good kick, seemed liked it hurt, but it had to seem real".
"Oh trust me it hurt" Dick said.
"You sure you're going to be alright while I'm gone" Artemis asked.
"I'm a big boy I'll be fine. Besides I'm just going to hang out here on the couch with Norman and watch TV" Dick said.
"Alright, I don't know when I'll be back but you can call me if you need anything" Artemis said.
"I'm twenty not five 'Mis, I'll be fine" Dick said smiling.
"Alright I'll see you later" Artemis said opening the door.
"Be careful" Dick said as she closed the door.
Artemis stalled in the hallway for a second; she hadn't had anyone tell her to be careful since Wally. Taking a deep breath Artemis went up to the roof taking off for her patrol.
Four hours later Artemis stumbled into her apartment making her rib cage burn even more. Gritting her teeth Artemis closed the door, and turned around to find Dick sprawled out on her couch with Norman sleeping on his chest. Dick had one arm hanging off the couch while the other rested on top of Norman, his mouth was open and he was snoring.
Artemis smiled and quietly moved to her bedroom, once she was in her bathroom she undressed from her Tigress costume until she was in her boy short underwear and sports bra. She raised her arms over her head and turned in the mirror to look at her left side rib cage. A guy trying to rob a bank had gotten a really good kick to her rib cage, she was pretty sure there were no broken ribs, but they were going to be bruised and sore for a couple weeks. She used her other hand to touch the already black and blue skin, she barely even touched it when she winced.
"You're going to need to wrap it and put ice on it" Dick said from the door way, eyeing her with concern.
"Jesus Dick you scared me, I thought you were asleep" Artemis said turning to face him.
"Sorry, I woke up when I heard you open your bedroom door. Norman's a really heavy sleeper by the way, it took me forever to get him off of me" Dick said.
Artemis smiled "Yeah he always has been" she grabbed the ace bandage off the counter and tried wrapping it herself but was failing miserably.
Dick stepped forward gently grabbing her hand "I'll help you wrap it" he said grabbing the ace bandage from her "Arms up" he said as he gently touched her skin. Artemis flinched a little bit from his touch but it wasn't from pain it was because his hands were strangely warm sending warmth all over her body. Dick gently wrapped the bandage around her rib cage; Artemis never knew he could be so gentle. They didn't speak as he wrapped her rib cage, but it wasn't an awkward silence either, it was comforting "You can put your arms down now, but you should ice it before you go to bed" he said straightening his body to look at her.
Artemis nodded her head "Yeah I'll do that, thank you Dick".
Dick leaned against the counter crossing his over arms over his chest. "What happened?"
Artemis rolled her eyes "How about you make me some hot chocolate while I get dressed and then I'll tell you".
Dick just smirked "Oh I don't mind, I think you look pretty good right now" he said smirking at her.
Artemis smacked his arm "Pervert, now get out so I can get dressed".
Dick raised his arms in surrender but the stupid smirk never left his face "Alright, alright I'll go make you some hot chocolate" he said leaving the bathroom. "But I'll be thinking of you while I do it" he yelled from the hall way.
"Dick" Artemis cried out of embarrassment and shock "Wait don't forget the marshmallows" she yelled.
Artemis grabbed a pair of sweat pants and a tank top to put on. Walking back into the living room Artemis found Dick in the kitchen and Norman still snoring on the couch. Gently sitting down on the couch Artemis relaxed next to Norman.
"Darn it you put clothes back on, what a shame" Dick said still smirking as he handed her a cup of hot chocolate filled with marshmallows.
Artemis lightly kicked him as he walked past to sit on the other side of Norman "Are you like this with every girl?"
"Pretty much" Dick said smiling.
"Wally was right you are a dog" Artemis said laughing.
Dick just smiled "Growing up with a notorious play boy kind of rubbed off on me. But you should feel honored".
Artemis raised her eyebrow "And why should I feel honored?"
"I actually talk to you. I tell you about myself other than the fact that I'm Bruce Wayne's adopted son and incredibly rich. I'm open with you" Dick said.
"But what about Barbara and Zatanna?" Artemis asked.
"Barbara's been my best friend since I was a kid, that doesn't count. I was open with Zatanna but nothing like I am with you. Why do you think we broke up?" Dick asked.
Artemis shrugged "I don't know she never really said why".
"It's because I didn't talk to her, I wouldn't open up, wouldn't tell her my problems, and she got tired of it after a while, and I don't blame her" Dick said.
"Wow, I guess I do feel kind of honored" Artemis said.
Dick just smiled "Well that's enough girly emotional talk for me, I'm going to bed. Night 'Mis" he said getting off the couch.
"Night Dick" Artemis said softly watching him leave the room.
Artemis leaned further back into the couch, Dick always seemed like the guy who had everything together but now she's realizing that he's just as damaged and broken as she is, if not more. She always knew about his past and his family but he acted like everything was always okay. Artemis was determined to get him to open up more, and that's what she was going to do. She was going to make that amazing smile of his reach his eyes.