Return Chapter 12
July 10th 2017
Stretching her body until her shoulder was sore Artemis woke up in Dick's very oversized bed. But like usual Dick was absent from the bed, frowning Artemis stood up pulling on underwear and one of Dick's shirt being careful of the bandages she headed into the hallway hoping to find her boyfriend somewhere in the penthouse.
Figuring he would be in his office Artemis tried their first, but it was empty. The only sign of Dick being in there was the open lab top. It wasn't until she was at the top of the stairs that she smelt someone cooking in the kitchen.
Rounding the corner Artemis saw Dick standing in front of the stove. "What are you doing?" Artemis asked stepping in the kitchen.
Dick smiled turning around to wrap his arm around her waist pulling her into his side "I'm making my injured girlfriend breakfast".
"Oh and what are you making?" Artemis asked looking down at the stove.
"Almost everything you can for breakfast. Pancakes, omelets, sausage, bacon and toast, along with coffee just the way you like it, and orange juice" Dick said as he flipped the pancakes "I'm almost done here, so you go sit and relax on the couch and I'll bring it to you" Dick said kissing the side of her head.
Artemis smiled deciding to take this rare moment of being pampered and not say anything but kissing his cheek she walked to the living room flopping onto the couch next to Norman and turned on the local news station. Artemis wasn't really paying attention to what the news anchor was saying, as she was so focused on her thoughts. Tonight she and Dick were going to Gotham where she would be having dinner with the entire Bat family. She was scared as hell, although everyone except Tim knew that she and Dick were dating she was still scared to openly admit it.
Looking down at the coffee table she saw a picture of her and Dick from last night as they entered his building. Dick had his arm wrapped around her waist as he carried her bag from the hospital. They were both smiling and looking at each other with love in their eyes.
"Dick Grayson has found a new love" Is what the title read. Grabbing the magazine Artemis flipped it open quickly finding the article that had another picture of them. Their backs were to the back of the camera but the two were in the middle of a kiss. Ignoring the irritation that built up from the picture Artemis started reading the article that was a full page length about them.
"It seems the normal playboy Dick Grayson also known as the ward of Bruce Wayne has changed his ways and has moved a new girl into his bachelor pad penthouse, in Bludhaven. No one yet knows who the blonde beauty is, but she's the first blonde to ever been seen with Grayson, which is not his normal preference of choice in young ladies" Artemis read.
"Are you seriously reading that?" Dick asked as he stood in the living room carrying a tray full of food along with drinks and a bouquet of flowers in the middle.
"It got my attention, I've never seen myself on a magazine before" Artemis said with a shrug throwing the magazine on top of the coffee table.
Dick smiled setting the tray on the table "Well it's a bunch of crap saying how I've changed my ways and decided to date a beautiful blonde and move her into my penthouse. The end talks about how much money I'm worth, so that part is a little interesting, but their off by a couple million dollars" Dick said casually.
Artemis had just taken a drink of her orange juice when she said and almost spit it out her nose "What?" she choked out.
Dick shrugged "I'm worth about 28.5 million".
For some unknown reason Artemis started laughing she wasn't sure if it was because she felt very uncomfortable or because, ok well it diffidently was because her boyfriend was worth freaking 28.5 million dollars.
"That laughing is starting to get really creepy 'Mis" Dick said making her stop laughing instantly.
"I'm sorry but that's like a lot to process, I mean I knew you were rich but I always thought it was more Bruce's money" Artemis said.
"Most of it is Bruce's money that he's been saving for me; some of it is what was left of my parents savings. And a good chunk is what I've earned working for Wayne Inc" Dick said.
"This is a lot to process, like a lot" Artemis said running her hand through her hair.
"I know which is why I'm going to turn off the TV, throw away this stupid magazine and were going to eat breakfast together like the amazing couple we are. And afterwards were going out for the day, I want to relax before going to the mansion for dinner" Dick said.
Artemis smiled leaning towards him to kiss his cheek "That sounds perfect to me babe".
Artemis picked up one of the two plates full of food, taking a bite of the pancake Artemis almost moaned at how good it tasted.
"Oh my god Dick, this amazing" Artemis said shocked.
Dick smiled swallowing his own food "It's one thing I've actually mastered cooking, breakfast and lasagna".
Artemis smiled as she dug back into her food, the two continued to talk and joke around with each other as they ate together in the living room. Afterwards Artemis helped Dick clean up the kitchen before the two got ready for their day out. Artemis wore skinny jeans with black knee high boots and a red blouse, leaving her hair to flow freely down her back. Dick wore loose fitting jeans with sneakers and a green t-shirt.
"So what exactly did you have planned for today?" Artemis asked as they rode the elevator to the parking garage.
Dick smiled "I thought we could just walk around town look at the shops and eat some food, be like a normal couple".
"That sounds perfect Dick" Artemis said smiling.
After spending three hours walking around downtown Bludhaven somewhere that was beautiful and fun along with slightly scary and threatening, Artemis and Dick headed back to the penthouse so they could get ready to head to Gotham for dinner.
"Are you excited to officially meet Damian?" Artemis asked they drove to Gotham.
Dick shrugged "I don't know, I guess I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Bruce has a full blood son".
"You know Bruce see's you and Tim as his son's blood doesn't matter to him, and he felt the same way about Jason" Artemis said reassuringly.
"Yeah I know but it's still hard I guess. I always thought he would just adopt more kids, not have an actual kid of his own" Dick said.
"A kid that he didn't know about until now, and Damian's almost six, he never knew his father, only what he could read about him. This is hard on everyone babe, just try to remember that, and Damian didn't have a choice in this" Artemis said.
Dick sighed "Yeah I know, I'm just glad you're going to be there. I don't think I could make it through this entire dinner without you".
Artemis smiled squeezing his leg where her hand rested "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else".
It didn't matter how many times she's been to Wayne Mansion, it always made her jaw drop open as she stared at it in awe. Alfred greeted them at the door with a large smile on his face.
"Welcome home Master Richard, it is so good to see you Miss Crock, it has been a long time" Alfred said as they stepped inside.
Artemis smiled "I know it has, and it's good to see you as well Alfred".
"Where's Tim?" Dick asked.
"He should be arriving any minute through zeta tube. Master Wayne and Miss Kyle are waiting for him there; Miss Gordon and Master Damian are in the family room" Alfred said.
"I think I should be there when Bruce tells Tim" Dick said.
Artemis nodded her head "I think so to. I'll go hang out with Barbara and Damian, you go be a big brother".
Dick smiled kissing her cheek before leaving the room. "I'll take you to the family room Miss Crock" Alfred said.
Artemis followed Alfred into another large room where a huge flat screen was with bookcases around it filled with movies and every video game you could imagine. There was a pool table by the windows along with an air hockey table. In the room were two large couches and bean bag chairs scattered around the room. Barbara and Damian sat on the floor around the coffee table doing a puzzle together.
"Well isn't this a picture perfect moment" Artemis said smiling as she moved towards the couch closet to them.
Barbara looked up "It's the only thing that keeps his attention for more than five minutes".
Damian smiled "Hello Artemis, do you want to help us?"
"I'd love to" Artemis said sitting down on the floor and looking at the puzzle. "How many pieces is this?" Artemis asked.
"2,000 why?" Damian asked.
Artemis shook her head "No reason I was just wondering. So how was your day with Bruce?" Artemis asked.
"Good, he showed me the Bat cave and explained everything to me. I know he's Batman, Silena was and is sometimes Catwoman, Dick was the original Robin, and he's now Nightwing, Jason Todd was the second Robin, but he died a couple years ago, Tim is now the current Robin, Barbara is Batgirl, and originally you were Artemis the hero, but after Kid Flash's death you stayed as Tigress, but as a hero" Damian said his eyes and hands never leaving the puzzle.
"And what do you think about this crazy family and the lives we all live?" Artemis asked knowing a normal six year old wouldn't be able to answer a question like that but Damian was probable smarter than high school freshman.
"I think it's great, that my dad is fighting against my grandfather and mother. And that someday I could fight side by side with him" Damian said "I think what all of you are doing is great. I just don't get the whole not killing your enemies. Like the Joker, shouldn't Bruce want to kill him after what he did to Jason?" Damian asked.
"It's a complicated thing Damian, of course Bruce and Dick want to kill the Joker but they know that won't solve anything, and that's not how hero's work. We save lives not take them" Barbara said.
Damian shrugged "Still don't get it".
Artemis laughed "Trust me you'll get used to it eventually".
"If Artemis can get used to it, then I'm sure you can to Damian" Dick said coming into the family room "Are you guys doing a puzzle?" he asked skeptically.
Barbara nodded her head "For some reason it's the only thing that keeps his attention".
"Looks pretty intense for a six year old" Dick said sitting on the floor "It's nice to actually meet you Damian".
"Nice to meet you as well Richard" Damian said briefly looking up from the puzzle.
"Call me Dick, I like it better, plus according to Artemis it suits me better as well" Dick said with a grin and a wink in Artemis' direction.
"Dinner is ready, we'll be eating in the dining room tonight" Alfred said from the doorway.
"Come on Damian" Barbara said offering her hand to the boy, who hesitantly took it before leaving the room.
Dick helped Artemis off the floor wrapping his arm around her waist "Tim took it pretty well but I think he's just trying to cover it up. I told him he could stay with us tonight, that alright?"
"Depends is your room sound proof?" Artemis asked with a grin.
Dick laughed "Trust me he won't hear a thing".
"Okay, he can stay than. Come on we better hurry up before they think we hide in some closet" Artemis said.
"Trust me I'd rather be doing that" Dick said as they walked through the dining room doors.