Author's Note: Wow thanks for all the followers. I'd like to attribute it to my master story telling, but we all know it's because CN screwed us, and everyone starving for new material. If you haven't had a chance to read these yet, do yourself a favor and find Sincerely Yours by Satellites on Parade and The Other Side by melbie7 (links in my favs)Just amazing stories and great plots, can't beat that. Superman's greatest enemy will always be Lex Luthor, and mine will always be typos. I try to catch them, but the nasty trolls still sneak by. Sorry about that. Anyway hope you enjoy, please take the time to review if you can, and the next chapter is just about ready. If you like this enough I'll try to get it out sooner, just let me know. Thanks.

You Don't Know Me At All

Late August in Yellowstone was the best time to visit the park according to travel guides. With summer over, the park crowds would begin to shrink and give workers and employees time to begin repair work in preparation for the winter months that could come as early as mid-November. It had been an exceptional dry summer and the park and its 3000 square miles of land desperately needed some precipitation to offset the drought.

Wally took a break from form the satellite modem he was wiring at the park office in Canyon Village to watch the crowds interact with the elk that frequently rested in the village square. There was an understanding between the two groups if you didn't bother them, they wouldn't bother you. Thousands s of photographs were taken and thousands of stories told of this unique ecosystem and understanding this park provided.

It was midafternoon, but the natural coolness of Wyoming had people wearing jackets and sweatshirts, but not Wally. His natural high body temperature, that his internal thermostats kept at between 100 and 102, allowed him to stay comfortable in most cool settings in shorts and t-shirts. Winter in Wyoming would be different, but for now it was extremely comfortable.

Wally worked himself into near exhaustion every day finding it to be the only way he could sleep. He was beginning to get use to the guilt, but the unknown still ate away at him. He needed to talk to someone, someone who would understand what he was going through, but he had pushed away the only person who would fit that bill. With lots of solitude and time to himself, he begrudgingly began to understand why Dick had asked for their help, and as much as he hated it, he found himself agreeing with him. Only Artemis could have been able to pull of what she did and be the partner Kaldur needed to have. This wasn't some minor criminal organization flexing its muscle, this was an Extinction Level Event and billions of lives were possibly at stake. Billions. The thought of that number made him laugh. Billions of lives relying on them from a plan concocted in his kitchen over Chinese food. If people only knew the truth.

Wally clearly remembered running the streets with the young Robin, thwarting robberies and burglaries. Misdemeanor type crimes that might have been a little risky for local law enforcement, but were exactly the type crimes two young heroes were looking to deal with. Neither one would dream of a day that they would make decisions that could save a world form an alien invasion. Billions of lives. Alien invasions. Who used words like that?

Wally finished wiring the receiver to the power source and closed the casing, one down and nine more to go. A morning of moving debris and trees off roads and trails, wiring and computer work in the afternoon, and doing some hiking, dinner and bed in the evening. Pretty much a typical day.

This work felt good, it kept his mind busy, but it wasn't rocket science. Nothing kept his mind occupied like science did. He could easily become obsessed with a problem or equation and loose himself in it for hours, until a certain blonde archer would gently grab his chin and pull him out of his studies and into her. He missed school, but he couldn't go back to Stanford, not without her. He began hitting his forehead in frustration. He couldn't believe he had allowed himself to be bullied by her family, and if he hadn't been the cause of her injuries he would have fought them tooth and nail, but it was different and sadly Wally knew it.

Wally had never experienced heartbreak like this, he knew he wasn't the first nor the last, but he wondered how people lived with it, because he sure wasn't. His girlfriend's condition would remain a mystery to him and there was nothing he could do about in the foreseeable future. All he could do now was pray.

Artemis would tease him relentlessly about how he could deny magic but accept religion. He never had a good answer other than that was the way he was raised. In reality he accepted magic, he may deny it outwardly, but he had seen it, experienced it firsthand. Religion was harder for his science based mind to accept, believing in things that had no absolutes, no beginnings or endings, but that's what faith and hope were all about, and that was what he hung onto now. He closed his eyes and for the umpteenth time prayed for her and that one day they could see each other again.

He packed his tools into his back pack and looked for the Gator he drove around the park when a small girl approached him holding a Gatorade.

"Walleee," the voiced said robotically, mimicking the Pixar character before breaking out into laughter.

"Amelia Badillia. Thanks squirt," he grinned taking the drink and chugging it down in seconds.

Lauren smiled watching the exchange and approached from behind. "Ya done yet? I can't do any online shopping until you finish wiring this mess." she smirked.

"Ok lazy. I've got a novel idea. Get in your truck, put in drive and go into town and do it," he smiled back sarcastically. "How far could the nearest mall be anyway?"

"Oh about 300 miles," she replied

"Oh…"

"Yeah." she laughed with a mix of superiority and humor. "Unless you're the Flash, mall shopping is a bit of a challenge out here."

Wally nervously laughed, trying to deflect the statement. "I better got on with it huh."

"Nah I'm just yanking your chain. We brought you some lunch. Take a break. Dad won't care. All he has done is sing your praises since you got here."

"Where is he?"

"He and a few other rangers are in the North Ridge. That area had some lightning strikes last night and they're just checking for fires. Just a precaution, nothing to worry about, but damn we need some rain. The snow will eventually take care of it, but that could still be several weeks away and this place is becoming a tinderbox fast."

The two sat down and Wally dug into the lunch she had packed. After a few weeks Lauren had discovered Wally's appetite and had adjusted to it bringing several sandwiches along.

"Where do you put all of that Wally, I mean seriously?"

"I'm a growing boy, what can I say?"

"You're twenty-two. If you're not careful you're gonna be growing out, not up."

He smiled back and eagerly started on sandwich number four.

"Wally," Lauren spoke nervously clearing her voice. "You know if you ever want to talk about…you know...about what you ran away from… I mean left behind...I'm here you know. Got two good ears and everything."

The speedster smiled warmly. "I appreciate it Lauren, and…I might just take you up on it."

"Let me know. I'm always here, probably always will be," she said glumly.

"Why do you say it like that?" He asked.

"Wally look at me. I'm twenty three, I have a kid and a high school education. Doors aren't exactly opening for me left and right. I wouldn't change anything for the world," she smiled nodding in her daughter's direction, "but I lost any chance at a scholarship when I missed final exams pushing out that little pumpkin. I still graduated with pretty good grades, but it was too late at that point. It's kind of hard going to Biology class with an infant."

"Why don't you go now?"

"I don't know. Dad's in a better place now so I can't use that as an excuse, but Amelia is in kindergarten at the only good school around here and it's just…I don't know…. I just don't see me ever leaving here. I always dreamed of going to the big city, New York, Gotham, Boston. I always hoped I would end up out there. I've spent my whole life being in the middle of nowhere at these parks with my family, I love it don't get me wrong, but just once I'd love to see what it's like being a city girl."

She felt a burning in her eyes and turned away looking off any direction but at him. "You want to now the God's honest truth? I'm scared. It's a lot easier to not try than to fail. Not all of us are geniuses and get full rides to Stanford."

The words stung slightly but he didn't show it. It seemed hypocritical to him trying to talk someone into college when he was so busy running away from it, running away from everything.

"Oh well, better get to work here comes my dad."

Wally jumped up grabbing the remaining sandwiches about to move out when his seated friend just laughed

"Psyche."

"God you suck," the speedster grinned and reminded himself how good that simple act could feel.

Days later Jade walked into the hospital for the last visiting hour of the night. She was beginning to feel the exhaustion of the routine, but was prepared to do it as long as necessary. This would never be her mother's burden to carry alone, not as long as she was around. Jade had missed the morning visit due to her daughter's fever and needing the attention only a mother could give. Roy gladly handed over Lian, clearly frustrated with his three year old and of playing single dad for weeks.

Jade pushed the sixth floor button and reached into her pocket to retrieve the phone and check the time. It was gone. She thought back and realized she hadn't used it that morning either. She sighed, realizing it was probably lost and she had one more task to add to an already busy tomorrow.

She got off the elevator and rounded the corner to a familiar if not slightly weakened husky voice.

"Mom I can do this myself."

"Stop fighting me and eat," mother pleaded. You've lost almost twenty pounds. Now open wide and eat this Jell-O or so help me god…"

"Artemis!" Jade screamed and ran in and knelt by her sister bed. Artemis reached over and grabbed her sister and held on for dear life. Neither spoke. They didn't have to. Their embrace and tears said all that was needed. Jade ignored the oozing wound and staples in her skull, never mentioned the shock of Artemis long hair shaved and cut, all that mattered was she was awake and alive and despite the injuries, still the most beautiful thing she had seen in months.

After minutes they let go. A few years back sais and arrows would be in play if these two women were within 15 feet of each other, but those days were long past thankfully. They had fought, clawed, and bled to reach this point in their relationship and had to intention of ever turning back the clock again.

"How long have you been awake?"

Paula answered. "Since around noon, here this might come in handy," and tossed her daughter an annoyed look and her phone.

"You left this here yesterday, might come in handy. Now try and get her to eat, I'm going to find the doctor about ordering a feeding tube."

"God mom, ok," Artemis irritably smiled. "I'll eat, but I hate Jell-O. Can they find me something else, we'll save this for Wally, he's nuts for this stuff."

The room suddenly became silent, like all of the oxygen had been sucked out of the room.

Jade and Paula stared at each other when her mother's expression grew grim. Artemis observed the two women with trepidation and concern when before she could ask the question Lawrence Crock entered the room.

He walked over to his confused and irritated daughter and stood over her bed. "Welcome back baby girl. How ya feeling kid?"

"What the hell is he doing here?" she demanded.

"Yep she sounds normal to me," he laughed. "Glad you awake; believe it or not you had me worried. Do us all a favor and don't die for again for a while, it's wearing my ass out," he chuckled.

"Kids' mommy and daddy need to talk for a few, adult type shit. Excuse us a sec."

As he walked off Artemis sat in stunned disbelief, not knowing where to begin. Thoughts and feeling rushed through her as the inquisition began.

"Jade what in the hell happened since I've been out? What the f*** is he doing back here? Don't tell me mom is getting back involved with that asshole. And where the hell is Wally? Mom keeps dodging the question and it's really starting to piss me off. She won't even give me my phone. Let me borrow yours real quick."

The questions came fast and furious and Jade, while never at a loss for words, had no idea what to say. Truth was what Artemis deserved, but Cheshire honestly didn't know if that was best for her at this point. She was pissed her mother had left her alone with her sister without giving her the play, letting her know what was taboo and what was not. Her parents had made it clear that Wally West was never welcome back, and doing so would end up a fatal mistake for him, one that Cheshire would gladly be willing to rectify. Evidently that nugget of information had not been shared with the archer yet. Sooner or later, Jade and Roy would return to the life they forged together, leaving Artemis and her mother alone, and if this issue wasn't settled, Jade knew there would be more calls, more battles, and she would end up right back in the middle of it.

Everyone involved knew it would be only matter of time before Sportmaster left the fold. He was on parole and undoubtedly back to his criminal ways right under then man's nose, despite the short leash the officer had promised him. Her death and the subsequent near fatal beating had infuriated her father. Jade didn't know how much the elder Crock actually cared about Artemis or really any of them for that matter, but there was always one thing the Crock family could always unite for. Revenge, and it was coming soon.

Before Jade could reply Paula wheeled herself back in.

"You will not be using the phone, and the boy is not allowed around you again. This is not negotiable Artemis."

"The boy? Did you just call him the boy? Mom this is Wally we're talking about. You know the best thing that ever happened to me? Your words mom, your words."

"Artemis you have been in critical condition for weeks. Broken bones, contusions, internal bleeding, and let's not forget a small thing called a fractured skull. At least two neurologists diagnosed brain damage and one said you'd never walk again."

"Mom I'm fine," she winced as she tried to sit up more in the hospital bed, "What does any of this have to do with Wally?"

"You're not fine! " Paula yelled, weeks of anger and exhaustion finally taking its toll. "We don't even know what you are yet. It's going to take months before the doctors can determine what damage has been done to you. All because of that bastard…." she clinched her fists and looked away.

"You do know why your here right?" Jade asked cautiously.

"Yes Jade," she answered he voice becoming louder and more angry with each passing minute. "The battle I know. I don't remember everything, but I do know they were retreating. If all of us are standing here it's pretty easy to assume we won, and for the second time, what the hell does any of this have to do with Wally?"

Artemis gathered herself as her temple began to ache. She took slow deep breaths trying to calm herself. She was incredibly weak and doctors warned her not push herself. Who knew asking questions could be so tiring and stressful she thought. The archer lowered her voice and began again.

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you about the plan, about what Kaldur was going to do to me, about all of it. God knows I wanted to. I never wanted to hurt either one of you. I hate myself for what I was put you through, but it was for the mission, there was just too much at risk, and you know you both would have done the same thing if you'd been in my place. Now please," she gritted her teeth, "give… me… my… damn… phone."

"Do you know how you got hurt? her sister calmly asked.

"No Jade I don't," she snapped. "There were explosions, detonations, I was falling I think. I don't remember every little thing, I'm sorry. Sue me! We were fighting an alien fricking invasion. Who knows what the hell the probably fired at me…."

"Kid Flash put you here," Paula said coldly. "He is the one who did this to you. You served your purpose, you played your part, and when your allegiance became into question, you became a liability. When the truth threatened to come me out, you had to be silenced one way or another.

"Mom what in the f*** are you talking about?"

"Artemis how can you be so blind? They played you. You were just another pawn in their twisted chess game. The "boy" used your relationship to coerce you into this. I realize you've never been in love before, but you can't afford to be this naïve. Those two have a connection that supersedes anything you may have thought he felt about you. Neither one has even attempted to check on your progress, neither one has sat in that waiting room. Does that sound like love to you Artemis?

Despite all she had seen and felt over the last hours, a real fear grew insider her that she was still comatose. Nothing made sense, it was like some bizarre alternate universe where she was the hero and Kid Flash was the villain. This was the man she loved, the person she dreamed about spending the rest of her life with, not some sort of criminal mastermind. "

"I don't know what in the hell someone told you!" she screamed, but it's not like that. You have no idea what really happened."

Immediately her husky voice began to crack and a combination of her injuries, fatigue, and the PTSD doctors had warned might all attacked her at once. Her breathing became hurried and her pulse quickened causing all the damaged organs and systems in her body feedback all at once. As the monitors in her room and the nurses' station went off, Jade and Paula moved quickly out of the way, allowing the doctor's access to archer as a sedative was quickly placed in her IV.

She stared to become frantic. "Mom …Mom! Don't leave me. Please God. I need to tell you something. Mom!" she wailed as her mother in tears and her sister were ushered out of the room and doctors began shining lights in her eyes measuring dilation as the sedative began to kick in and everything began to go dark.