Chapter Text
Team Year 4 - September
Moving out of Gotham and out west for college was probably a good move. Artemis had to remind herself. She would miss her mom, the time Paula spent in jail was long, and it was nice to have her back. Paula encouraged, if not forced, her to take the full-ride scholarship and go to Palo Alto. After talking it over with Wally a lot, they also decided to retire from the Team.
“This will be good, babe” he said as they cuddled on the couch.
She knew he was right. This opportunity was golden.
Team Year 5
Feb 13
Dick Grayson called, he needed help to try to talk some sense into Roy Harper.
A distant memory flooded back to Artemis. It was a mission from the Team’s first year, when Red Arrow returned and joined the Team. Emotions overcame her, she remembered feeling like she needed to prove she belonged, and how Wally had assured her. Her relationship with Roy wasn’t pleasant at first, he was adamant that she was a mole in the Team, but they grew closer and became friends. And then it turned out Roy was a clone. Poor guy, he couldn’t get a break.
She remembered being afraid of the Team finding out about her background. Her parents and sister were all criminals, it was the family business after all. She was most worried about how Wally would take it. But then when she revealed it to them, Wally was supportive and reassured her that she was on the right path.
Feb 14
Wally came home, to no success with the intervention with Roy. It was her turn to be supportive for Wally, just like he had been all those years ago, and still was to this day.
March
Dick called again, this time he needed me for a deep undercover mission. I was too eager to say yes, but before I could, Wally was raising his voice at Dick, “we’ll talk about it and get back to you.” and hung up the phone.
“What was that for?” I asked
“We need to talk about this” Wally, trying to remain calm
“If this could help–”
“NO! We left the Life for a reason.” He interjected.
“But if we could infiltrate The Light, that brings us closer to defeating them.” our voices kept getting louder
“This is dangerous!” Wally insisted
“Wally, I can take care of myself!”
“The reason we left. So that we wouldn’t risk losing each other anymore!”
“What could go wrong! It’s a perfectly crafted plan.”
“There’s so many variables! Artemis, you’re not thinking straight.”
That’s when I ran out crying.
We didn’t often fight, sure, we had our disagreements, like when we planned to get married, how many kids we would have, what their names would be, where would we live after college. We had none of it figured out. But none of those compared to this.
He followed me out into the street.
I was so worried this was it. Everything was slipping out of our hands. Was I too eager to return to the Life? I had seen my parents fight, Crusher even hit mom more than on one occasion. Love never lasts.
He took my hand and said, “I will never leave you alone. Artemis, I love you so much. You are the best thing that’s ever been mine. I don’t want to lose you.”
He pulled me in a tight hug, one I didn’t want him to let go. I wrapped my arms around him and tears fell.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever been mine.” I repeated in his ear.