Hey guys! I am so so so sorry for not updating sooner! I have excuses, I promise but I'm pretty sure you guys don't care. You're reviews are so wonderful and so appreciated, you guys rock! Keep em coming! I promise to keep updating and complete the story. This chapter is a little shitty so I apologize for that. Happy reading fellow humans! Stay safe and stay happy!

lil-fledgling

Chapter 5

"So, this would explain a lot." Wally and Dick sat around the marble island in Wayne Manor munching on nachos prepared by Alfred, who stood unnoticed in the back of the room, listening keenly to the conversation unfolding between the two young hero's.

"So do we tell the rest of the team?" Wally asked, scooping salsa onto a chip. "We're in a serious rock and a hard place situation. It's still not our place to tell, but at the same time, how can we keep something like this from the team?" Robin rubbed his forehead, thinking hard.

"I don't know." He said honestly after a few minutes of silence, only punctuated by Wally's crunching. "I honestly have no idea."

"Ahem." Alfred suddenly cleared his throat and moved around the center island and towards the fridge. "If you don't mind Master Dick, the Bakers requested I take over a casserole. They have a babysitter over and don't feel as if her cooking skills are… up to standards." Dick waved him off absently, still bothered about the situation with Artemis.

"Yeah, sure. Go for it." Wally frowned at his best friend and got up to help the elderly butler.

"Don't worry about it Alfred." Wally said, talking the heavy dish from his arms. "I'll take it over for you." A coy smile flashed upon Alfred's lips before he nodded his head graciously and moved away into the living room.

"Thank you Master Wally. That is much appreciated." He disappeared into the expansive mansion.

"You can literally be a real dick some times." Wally said glaring at Dick. "It's not that hard to help him out you know." Dick scoffed and rolled his eyes sarcastically.

"He never lets us help. I've given up asking Wally. I don't know why he even let you-" Robin stopped suddenly and swore. "Son of a bitch."

"You're getting slow boy wonder." Wally teased, opening the front door. "Alfred's up to something. Let find out and deliver this casserole."

It was surprising how much Artemis actually really liked children. Sure they were messy and loud and crazy and pullout- you're-hair-annoying, but they were also soft and young, curious and innocent and they loved unconditionally. It was a beautiful and foreign concept.

"I'm gonna getcha!" Ronan and Amelia went tearing through the house squealing with joyful terror as Artemis ran after them. It was a game they played when they had to wash up for dinner. Or any other set of instructions the Bakers had left for Artemis to follow.

"Come here you little munchkin!" Artemis ran up and scooped little Ronan into her arms, smothering him in kisses as he laughed and giggled, his little sister bouncing around Artemis's legs and demanding that it was her turn.

DING-DONG

The children stopped their squirming and looked curiously over at the door, as if they had never heard someone ring their expensive decorative doorbell before.

"It's all right." Artemis assured the two small humans. "It's probably just you're neighbors dropping off something." Ronan tightened his arms around Artemis's neck, the concept almost frightening him. "We'll all go together." Artemis told them. "Be brave, it's an adventure!"

Artemis strode across the living room with Amelia hot on her heels and flung open the door, not bothering to check the peephole.

"Wally?!" Artemis shrieked, nearly dropping an already terrified Ronan. "What are you-" Dick peered around his friend and gave a little wave, the children lighting up when they saw him and Amelia shyly approached for a hug while Ronan wiggled excitedly chanting, "Dick, Dick, Dick, Dick!"

"Hey kids," the Boy Wonder said affectionately, returning Amelia's hug. "I see you've replaced Lizzy."

Ronan giggled and wrapped his arms around Artemis's neck once again. "Arty is better!" Artemis didn't pay attention to this compliment because she was glaring at her teammates, valiantly hoping that if she stared hard enough they would disappear.

"What," she finally bit out between clenched teeth. "are you two doing here?" Wally grinned impishly and held out the casserole.

"Mind if we join you for dinner?"