Melissa Black 13: Again, just want to thank everyone for their support whether it be reviewing or putting this on story alert or favoriting it! You guys are the best and we're both so glad that you're enjoying the story! ovp made some really awesome cover art for this story, so hopefully that'll be up soon! Enjoy this chapter and please review! :)

ovp: Wow. I am really not loving the font change from san-serif to serif on . So yes as you can see this story now has a cover you can see the full version on tumblr at originalovp (I really need to make a graphics tag :). Anyways thanks for the amazing response guys to this story it really is amazing and touching Melissa and I can't thank all of you enough. So huge shout out to last chapter reviewers: Rebella Grayson, HopelessRomantic, kittykat12345, whelmedarrow, GIRLWONDER, Reasonably Random, Guest, TheGreenScar, afterfake13, Guest, YJ-Lover, Guest, Guest, andyc196, Guest, randommonkeyz998, ShipperBody, and Irenerb.

Thanks to all the silent reviewers!

Disclaimer: Melissa and ovp do not own Young Justice or its characters or The Prince and Me. Some quotes from the movie have been used or altered for the purpose of this fic.

Chapter 3

For the first few weeks, Artemis managed to tolerate Wally as her lab partner. Although he was late more times than she could count, and only really contributed to their experiments to point out when she was doing something wrong, she could usually rely on him to be there and actually know what he was talking about. More often than not, and much to her dismay, she found herself enjoying being his partner. When he wasn't being science dork or a pompous asshole, he was actually pretty funny. He did a great impression of their chemistry professor.

The morning after Columbus Day, however, when most students were nursing hangovers from their long weekend of partying, the redhead was nowhere to be found even 10 minutes into the lab. Artemis sighed in frustration and tried to keep from turning around and looking to see if he was coming through the door. She would not give him the satisfaction of thinking that she was actually waiting for him.

Professor Adams tsked at her as he came up to her work bench. "Miss Crock, where is your lab partner?" he asked, and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"I don't know, sir," she answered, mentally cursing Wally. "I'm not his keeper."

He looked at her over the top of his glasses. "Well, I'm afraid this lab is too complicated for one person to complete alone, and I must supervise the class..."

"I have two hands, sir, I think I can handle it," Artemis told him, perhaps more confidently than she felt. She was an English major. Really, what did she know about science?

An hour later Artemis was ready to admit defeat. She'd already broken at least 3 different pieces of lab equipment and was nowhere nearer to completing the lab than she was at the start of the class. All around her, her classmates, all with a competent, present partners were moving onto the last stages, whereas she was still trying to get the stupid hydrochloric acid into the round bottom flask while trying to monitor the temperature like her partner - Screw you, Wally Westerly - should have been doing.

She thought she'd almost had it when suddenly the liquid was turning into some sort of foam at a rapid rate rising up. She heard the breaking of glass and backed away just in time so as not to get the substance all over her as it squirted all over her lab table creating an awful sloppy mess that began to puddle on the floor.

It was just her luck that Professor Adams happened to pass by her table at that exact moment. "What was that you were saying, Miss Crock?" he asked dryly. "Take it from the top. And try not to break anything else, if you would be so kind."

He sidled away, leaving her in a more or less mortified state. She caught her classmates giving her sly glances and felt like storming out of the classroom, but no, she would try her best to finish the lab by herself. If she couldn't do it, than she would drag Wally into the lab and clean up the disaster zone with his smug, arrogant, smirking face - that was not the least bit attractive in anyway. Oh, she'd get Westerly the next time she saw him for this stunt.

Pushing those thoughts aside she attempted to perform the experiment again and was once again met with an abysmal failure as she managed to accidentally mix up the order in which the solvents were mixed causing a strange yellow solid to precipitate out of the vile concoction. Hearing her classmates snicker, Artemis growled.

"Ahem," interjected Professor Adams situating himself directly in front of Artemis's acidic gaze, "I suggest, Ms. Crock, that you clean up your bench and go find your lab partner. This clearly is too much for you to handle." Artemis was about to protest when Adams gave her a stern, reproachful look, "I suggest you save your complaints for Mr. Westerly because I have neither the tolerance nor patience to deal with them. You and he are adults. Deal with it."

Begrudgingly Artemis collected her lab materials, cleaned the workbench, and threw all the equipment she had destroyed away - it was unsalvageable at this point. Artemis sighed. What a waste of money. Maybe Carrot Top could afford to replace all his equipment but she couldn't...wait. No. Artemis shook her head that was impossible. Deciding the best way to cool off would be to hit the archery range in order to relieve her pent up frustration Artemis headed out of the class. Although she made darn sure to knock her elbow against that idiot Cameron who had been not only hitting on her relentlessly since the school year started but also laughing at her misfortune the entire lab. There was a moderately satisfied smile on her face when she heard the oaf curse loudly as he spilled hydrochloric acid on his shoe.

"Mr. Mahkent, chemicals are for pouring into beakers not on the floor!" she heard Adams exclaim.

Artemis made her way quickly across campus to where she knew Wally lived. He was not getting away with this. He was going to get a piece of her mind if he wanted it or not. A good telling off, that was exactly what would make her day, which couldn't get much worse, better. She, however, was proven horribly wrong when she was stopped in the quad by one of teammates, Barbara Gordon (who was also attending Stanford on an Archery Scholarship). The exuberant and distraught redhead grabbed her by the shoulders and began shaking her.

"He quit!"

"Who quit?" asked Artemis exasperated shoving Babs' hands off with more force than necessary, "And why do I care?"

"Two reasons," snipped Barbara raising her fingers in order to punctuate each one, "First, it was the Red Harper's younger brother, Roy - the little prick that he is, who we've wasted a good three months getting into peak form for Nationals. Second, we are now one member short to compete - no competition, no trophy, no scholarship."

Artemis frowned. Red "Arrow" Harper was an archery legend at Stanford, and even she could admit he had talent - he was after all one of primary reasons the school had even established the scholarship. However, in her freshman year her idealistic dream (and rather foolish crush on him) had been shattered when she discovered he was an absolute chauvinist, rarely accepting either girls or new members to the team. It had taken her, rather expertly, pinning him to a wall during a rave at the Cardinal before he even considered letting her try out for the team.

Mercifully, they'd actually gotten along once he had gotten over the fact that she could shoot just as well as him, and when he had graduated last year she had been made the new captain of the team, complete with the ceremonial passing on of the golden arrow (don't ask it's a secret.) But now the sniveling little brat she'd had to suck up to because the University deemed that he had potential, because of his relationship with Red Arrow, had decided to just up and leave.

When the reality of the situation sunk in Artemis felt her anger reach new heights. The worst part was Roy wasn't a bad archer, he was a fucking fantastic one. Just as good as his brother and even better yet, more levelheaded. Artemis had been so sure they were a shoo in to win Nationals this year since they'd already passed the preliminaries. How was she ever going to replace him? You can't just replace talent. Even if she got a bench warmer to fill his spot they'd still have to shoot and then what? One poor competitor would be enough to hamper their overall score. Babs was forced to retreat as the archer's language became so caustic and scathing that she was actually concern Artemis's curses would physically inflict pain.

"Okay, I get it you're angry," commented Babs airily when Artemis stopped to catch her breath panting, "How about we channel that anger into target practice and discuss a plan of action."

Artemis nodded gruffly and they changed direction and walked towards the archery range. Once there, she rummaged around her locker retrieving her bow and arrows before proceeding to stomp towards the practice area. Babs shrugged, a little smile tugging on her lips as she followed her, twirling one of her arrows between her fingers. She wasn't surprised when she found Artemis already shooting. Her arms moving automatically and gracefully as she drew arrow after arrow with mechanical and memorized accuracy.

"So what are we going to do?" Barbara asked.

"I'll think of something," responded Artemis resolutely, "Even if I have to torture every newbie till they go crying home to their mothers."

"You always paint such a charming picture of your training methods," commented Babs also beginning to practice beside Artemis, "What about M'gann? She's decent." Artemis frowned M'gann did have impeccable aim but her concentration left much to be desired - especially if a certain blue eyed bouncer showed up to watch.

"Hello ladies!" called a voice as Zatanna strode towards the duo, "Whoa. You two look like calamity has befallen you."

"Hey Zatanna, how do you feel about archery?" queried Babs setting her bow down for a moment.

"I try to avoid sharp pointy arrows unless cupid is involved," smirked Zatanna sliding closer to the blonde, "But then again, I think someone's already been hit by that magic arrow."

"You're hilarious," deadpanned Artemis not even blinking at Zatanna's attempt at getting a rise out of her.

Since Wally had arrived a few weeks ago, Zatanna had not stopped teasing her about the apparent romance that was destined to bloom between the pair and despite all of Artemis's claims (that Westerly was nothing more than an insufferable moron and that she did not have time for something as stupid as love), Zatanna persistently continued to allude to Carrot Top at every given opportunity. It probably didn't help that last week Artemis had vaguely in passing mentioned that Wally was actually tolerable and maybe possibly cute - but she had been a little drunk at the time.

"Oh come on, Arty," needled Zatanna, "You like him. This isn't the 1500's, ask him out or someone else will."

"Explain to me again why I should care?"

"Because," chimed the ebony woman, "Think of The Stacks. You and Wally enjoying the darkness and the close proximity and the learning."

"What the hell are you talking about, Zee?" snapped Artemis releasing her nocked arrow so it flew into the center of the target. "The only thing I want is for Wallace Westerly to fall off a very high cliff - better yet if I get to push him after the stunt he pulled today."

"Alright, I'm just saying your little redhead is awfully popular among the freshman." Artemis glared unconsciously as she instinctively pulled another arrow from her quiver and said frigidly,

"They can have him."

"Good because I had a shift at the Cardinal yesterday and looks like they did," continued Zatanna attempting to get a rise out of her feisty, in-denial friend, "I think one accompanied him home." Artemis gritted her teeth. "She was awfully persistent. I bet she would taken off her top if he'd asked."

"Sorry I'm not a slut," Artemis retorted. "They're all taken in by his apparent "dashing" good looks and his accent. They don't see what's past that."

"Six pack abs?"

"No, Zee," Artemis said exasperatedly. "Arrogance, a total disregard for other people, and a complete lack of motivation."

"Seems like you've thought long and hard about this," Zatanna said, and Artemis missed the conspiratorial glance shared by her and Babs.

"I have," Artemis said, nocking a last arrow. "And I've come to a conclusion. Wally Westerly will never be anything more than a royal pain in my butt." She fired and turned away before the arrow hit. "Now, you just reminded me that I have some unfinished business to attend to. So, if you'll excuse me."

Without another word, Artemis turned and trudged out of the archery range, intent once again on visiting a certain redhead's dorm. This time, she wouldn't allow herself to get sidetracked. She had a bone to pick with him.

"Artemis wait!" called Barbara as she watched the blonde storm off, "You're wearing all your equipment! The campus PD are going to arrest you for carrying a dangerous weapon!" It was then that Barbara turned towards where Zatanna was staring in stunned silence and noticed what had shocked the ebony haired woman.

For the first time ever Artemis had missed.

Wally happily munched his way through a plate piled high with crepes while regarding the blonde who had slept in Conner's bed last night. Thankfully, Conner had been off apparently dating another living organism (although Wally was pretty sure the woman had to be from Mars in order to put up with him), so when the inebriated blonde had stumbled around with all the grace of a buffalo literally following him home, he'd decided to take pity on her and let her crash there - although he wasn't against copping a feel or two when the freshman fell against him the couple of times she had been trying to enunciate her name - he still didn't know it.

Then again, he'd been nursing a pretty massive hangover since he had woken up an hour ago distinctly feeling like he had forgotten something important. However, whatever idle thought was bugging his subconscious was forgotten when Dick returned from the grocery store and proceeded to make Crepe Suzette.

"Ah," sighed Wally leaning back on Conner's abandoned folding chair, which served as couch, ottoman, and shelf in the dorm, clad in nothing but his boxers, "It's the Grand Marnier that really makes it. Keep'em coming."

"Are you sure it's a good idea to be consuming more alcohol in your current state, sire?" asked Dick dryly as he stirred the batter before pouring it into the sizzling pan.

"Surefire way to get rid of hangover," riposted Wally engulfing another circle of golden perfection, "Just cover it up." Dick arched an eyebrow but made no comment about the stupidity of his idea but instead focused on the snoring figure sprawled out on Conner's mattress.

"And her?"

"My magnetic, charismatic charm."

"I wasn't referring to your ability to dupe mindless drunk women into following you home. I was referring to the fact that you didn't sleep with her," the look of utter horror that splayed across Wally's face was worth all the crepes he was going to have to make for that observation.

"I'm a gentleman!"

"That's new," responded Dick flatly idly flipping the crepe.

Wally narrowed his eyes sourly, pouting, "Just didn't want to, alright?"

"The sexual deviant of Denmark did not want to get into the pants of an innocent woman? The one they called the deflowerer of the aristocracy?" mocked Richard, "This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain blonde with grey eyes and a ponytail who you've been doodling about in your journal would it?"

"And who might that be?" asked Wally feigning innocence. Just because he had mindlessly written her name a few times did not even indicate he liked her. Besides, he had drawn a dead stick figure beside her name each time he had caught himself about to draw little hearts.

"I'm worried if I say her name you'll dissolve into a puddle of rapture - and I really don't feel like mopping you up."

Wally frowned, "You are completely imagining things."

"Ugh my head," groaned a voice as the girl he'd brought home stirred. She raised herself from the bed and, spotting Wally, she purred, "Hello, sexy." Unknown to her, she looked a right mess, her makeup smeared and her voice craggy with sleep. Wally couldn't bring himself to even smile at this woman who last night had appeared attractive but looked more like Shrek this morning.

"Er, yes," began Wally clearing his throat at least until blonde rose from the bed and walked over positioning herself uninvited in his lap.

"Smells good! Make me a plate." Dick looked affronted at making anything for a stranger, and Wally struggled to remove the clingy woman from his lap without dumping her on the floor.

"Could you get off? Please?"

"No," cooed the woman apparently thinking she was acting coy. "You're cute and I'm available." It was at that precise moment when Wally was attempting to completely shift out from underneath the freshman's clinging, bulky thighs that the door was was flung open by Artemis as she tore into the room, eyes roaming wildly around till they finally settled on him.

Scandalized, the freshman jumped off Wally's lap, muttered something about there being way too many people, and ran out of the room, but not before kissing a startled (and disgusted) Wally right on the lips.

"Who the hell was that?" asked Artemis staring after the scantily clad blonde eyes narrowed dangerously as anger and hurt danced through her irises.

"Freshman," grinned Wally leaning back further in the chair before attempting to pick up an entire crepe with only a fork, "Jealous are we?" Wally almost thought better of the comment when he saw her decked out with a quiver and a bow. Probably wouldn't do any good to incite the tigress.

"Cut it out. I'm having a fucking bad day and you started it all you pretentious little prat! Where were you?"

"Huh?" was Wally's eloquent response as he attempted to talk around the crepe he had shoved in his mouth.

"We had lab this morning and someone didn't deem himself worthy enough to show his face," she spat, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

"Oh, was that this morning?" he asked. "Must have slipped my mind..."

"Yeah, well, I just looked like a complete idiot because my lab partner forgot to show up," stated Artemis, glaring.

"Look it's just one lab," Wally told her, waving it off. "It's nothing."

"Nothing? Nothing! Do you have any idea how much I messed up without you around!" Wally's eyebrows raised at the unexpected confession - he'd never actually thought she'd actually need him for anything.

"Didn't know I meant that much to you blondie. By the way, are you in some Robin Hood fanclub or something?" Artemis looked dumbstruck having not yet registered she was still decked out for the range - but his quip was unable to distract her from her main focus.

"I know who you are."

"You do?" chorused two confused and mildly worried voices. Wally exchanged a glance with Dick. Was this it? Was his ruse up? How had she determined who he was? He had been sure not to breathe a word of his royal status, not even to pick up hot American chicks.

"You're just some spoiled rich kid who's spent his whole life laying around and having other people do stuff for him," Artemis ranted, pointing a finger at Dick who was still cooking crepes looking amused. "You've never had to work hard for the things you've wanted because you get them handed to you on a silver platter. Well, let me tell you, buddy, it's different here. You rise and fall based on how hard you work. That's why, you're going to get nowhere."

Wally grinned. He loved seeing her all fired up, almost as much as he loved being the one to get her fired up. He stood up and pretended to look around her. "So, where is it?" he asked.

"Where is what?" the blonde asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Your statue," Wally stated, blinking innocently. "Someone as righteous as you must have a statue."

"There's a difference between being righteous and being right," she raged on, and Wally really enjoyed the fire behind her grey eyes. "And I happen to be right! Don't you own a shirt that you could put on for Christ's sake?"

Wally smirked, noticing her gaze on his bare chest. "Why, do you find all of this...distracting?" he asked, gesturing to his perfectly toned physique.

"What?" Artemis cried, her face flushing. "No way. Just, drop the class, okay?"

"Hmm, I don't think I will," Wally replied. "I quite enjoy our little tête-à-têtes. Now, would you care to stay for breakfast? Dick would be happy to make some more." He couldn't see it but behind him Dick pretended to hit himself with the frying pan.

The blonde girl looked ready to tear her hair out, and Wally thought it was wonderful how clearly he got under her skin. But he didn't really want under her skin, though he would not have been opposed to under her shirt.

"You are impossible," Artemis said through gritted teeth, and without another word, turned and was out the door as quickly as she'd come in.

Wally frowned. What was wrong with this girl? He'd just invited her to dine with him and she'd left without even a 'Thank you.' Shrugging he plopped back into Conner's chair and continued to tuck into Richard's delicious meal.

"I just don't understand her, Dick," he grumbled between bites.

"I would imagine that what you don't understand about women would fill several large books, sir," Richard sighed. "Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed your breakfast. That's the last of our money."

Wally nearly spit out what was in his mouth. He hastily swallowed it, gaping at Richard. "What do you mean? Surely we haven't spent it all?"

"That and more," Dick told him nonchalantly. "You still owe a hefty amount of your tab at the Cardinal Clubhouse from last night's activities."

"B-b-but you're getting some sort of paycheck for this, aren't you?" Wally stuttered out. Dick just arched an eyebrow at him and Wally slumped in his chair. "What am I going to do?"

"Might I suggest getting a job, sir," his friend replied dryly. "I've heard they're all the rage."

"Oh yes, a job, can't you just see me slinging burgers and beers at the Cardinal Clubhouse?" Wally said absentmindedly. Then he backtracked over what he'd just said. He looked up at Dick, his eyes alight, a slow grin spreading over his face.

"I'm really starting to hate that look in your eye, sire."