Today it would just be the two of them alone. Mar'i was staying at Bruce's for the day so they could spend time with each other. "So Zee remember when you said you wanted to be a teacher?" He asked as she raised an eyebrow. They were walking through a park as the snow fell around them. Ever since it started snowing it hadn't stopped. "Well yeah that was like a dream of mine since I was a kid" she said brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Do you still dream about it?" He asked as she looked up at the cloudy sky.

"I mean yeah but I have Mar'i to look after and-"

"I got you a scholarship at Gotham U for teaching" he abruptly said as she went pale.

Her feet stopped moving as she looked at him. Was he kidding or did he really do that? "Ha ha funny joke" she said sarcastically as he frowned shaking his head. "No Zee you really do have a scholarship. Stephanie can watch Mar'i everyday since she doesn't do anything. Think of it you can pursue your dream job" he said as she stood there still shocked.

Why would he do something like that for her? "Thanks Dick" she said engulfing him in a hug. That was a little more than he expected to get from her. He hugged her back enjoying the time he was spending with her. A part of him still loved her and a part of her still loved him. Of course, those feelings were buried deep down within them. "When do I start?" She asked as he let out a nervous laugh.

"Like in three days" he said as she groaned punching him in the arm.

"Ouch! Zee" he whined rubbing his arm as she crossed her arms.

"You deserve that for not telling me sooner" she said walking forward in a huff.

He rolled his eyes and caught up with her. "How about we grab dinner, play some arcade games and then go pick Mar'i up?" He asked as she sighed thinking about the offer. "Arcade first and the loser pays for dinner" she said as he smirked. Dick would never back down from a challenge. "Is that a challenge Ms. Zatara?" He asked as she smirked.

"Yes it is Mr. Grayson" she said with a wink before walking further ahead.

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It was such a weird idea when it came to his mind. Sitting in class he scribbled notes down into his notebook while listening to the lecture. The idea was great he just needed to get everybody on board for it. That's when his phone started buzzing in his pocket as he groaned. No one could hear it but it was irritating his leg. Who would be calling him during class?

They just kept calling and calling as he groaned out of irritation. Finally, when the lecture was over he shot up out of his seat and left the class. Checking the many missed calls on his phone they were all from Artemis. She knew he had classes today so why would she be calling? Putting the phone to his ear he listened to the ringing. "Wally why weren't you answering?!" She yelled as he held the phone away from his ear.

She sounded so worried and distressed. "Babe what's wrong?" He asked in a worried tone. Something was seriously off with her. "N-nothing its nothing I was just worried" she said as he sighed running a hand through his hair nervously. "I'm coming home, just wait for me there okay? I love you" he said before hanging up the phone. Something was seriously wrong with her and he intended to find out what it was that was wrong.

As soon as he was outside he ran back to the condo. Opening the door and stepping into the silent apartment. "Arty? Babe its me are you here?" He asked walking through the living room. That's when fast footsteps were heard as she hugged him from the back. Pressing her face into the fabric of his jacket as she silently cried. "I had a nightmare and when I woke up and saw that you weren't there I-I thought it was real. I tried calling dozens of times and you didn't answer" she cried out choking on her tears.

He turned around as she pressed her hands over her face. "Babe what was it about?" He asked pulling her hands away as the tears continued to flow down her cheeks.

"We-we were like superheroes or something and it felt like we were a part for some time" she stopped speaking for a moment to collect herself.

"Then when we were finally together again you left! By the time we got there Barry-oh god Barry said you were dead! And that you loved me but Wally I rather have you hate me and be here then to love me and disappear!" She cried out as he frowned.

Arm wrapping her in a tight a hug she sobbed into his chest. "Babe I'll never leave you" he whispered kissing the top of her head lightly. Soon she was just whimpering in his arms as they stood there. He kept whispering comforting things into her ear as she sniffled. "Please don't leave me like everyone else did" she whispered as he frowned hugging her tightly.

"I won't Artemis. You know I had an idea to get a hold of everyone tonight to go drinking" he said as she looked up at him with a smirk.

"That sounds good" she sniffled out wiping her stray tears as he grinned.

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Her classes for the day had ended as she walked back towards the dorms. Taking her long red hair out of its ponytail as the wind blew it around. Heels clicking against the pavement as she stepped up the concrete stairs. "Megan is that you?" A voice asked as a blonde scurried down the stairs. "Hey Emily what's up?" She asked as the girl stopped to catch her breath.

Emily lived in the dorm down the hall from Megan. "Just wondering if you have any spare time, do you?" She asked as Megan thought for a moment. Then she shook her head as Emily took her hand and dragged her up the steps. "What's the matter you seem a little stressed?" Megan asked as they walked into Emily's dorm room. It was a mess; clothes strewn about on the floor, many textbooks and notebooks on her bed, and not to mention the amount of fast food containers and bags piling up in the trash can.

"I have two huge projects due tomorrow and I need serious help" Emily said running a hand through her tangled hair.

"Sure I'll help" she said smiling brightly.

Clearly the girl needed help and she wouldn't be a good friend if she didn't help. Emily walked over and grabbed one of her notebooks and a camera. "This is the list of things I need you to take pictures of. I have to design a website and decided to do it on nature. So just take the photos and come back with the camera please" Emily said as Megan nodded flashing her friend a smile.

Leaving the dorm with the camera hanging around her neck she checked the list. "Okay so she has sent me on a wild goose chase" she muttered to herself before smashing into someone. Groaning she rubbed her head before looking up. Her eyes went wide as she stared up at him. "Conner" she said as he held his hand out to her. Her nose scrunched up as she pushed his hand away bitterly.

It was still a little uneasy between the two of them. "Here I'll get these" he said as she shook her head with a stern look on her face. Bending over she grabbed the notebook off of the salt covered pavement. "Anyways I have things to do I'll see you later Conner" she said before walking past him. Heels crushing the salt underneath her. This time she stopped to look at the notes instead of risking bumping into another person.

The list was very vague when explaining what she needed to take pictures of. Sighing she got to work beginning to take photos of the snow covered trees with the City in the background. About an hour in she ended up at the butterfly dome taking photos of the beautiful bugs and flowers. As she snapoed a picture the phone in her pocket began to ring.

Sighing she went to answer hearing Artemis's voice over the line. "Megan! Long time no speak. Anyways we're getting everyone to come to our condo tonight for dinner and some drinks. You in?" Artemis asked all at once as the red head went wide eyed. At first it sounded like a horrible idea but she hadn't seen anyone really in a long time. "Ooh dinner and some drinks! What's the requirement because I'm in" she said happily hearing Artemis laugh.

"Just bring a bottle or a case of whatever and meet me at my building complex at six. I'll text you the address" Artemis said before they bid their farewells and hung up. A smile graced her lips as she happily went around taking as many photos as she could.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was odd getting a call from somebody. She's just been so busy lately with school and trying to call Kaldur. Sitting on the couch she leaned back gazing at her ring. He did a good job picking out something beautiful. The proposal seemed so long ago in her mind. Grabbing her cellphone she didn't bother reading the caller I.D. "Roquette speaking" she said formally.

Although the person on the other end could clearly hear the dullness in her voice. Life was just repeating, every single damn day was the same. Wake up, eat, freshen up, go to classes, head home, try to call Kaldur, eat, and sleep. It was just a repetitive schedule taking control of her life. "Hey Roquette its me Artemis. We're all hanging out tonight at Wally and I's condo for dinner and drinks" Artemis said with concern lacing within every single word.

This was different maybe it would shake things up, make it less bland. "You know I'm in girl" she said with a smile on her face. Maybe this would take some of the stress away? Some of the darkness. With Kaldur always away training she was alone. "Meet me outside of the building. I'll text you the address see you at six" Artemis said before they both hung up.

Standing up she walked through the house and up the stairs. There were still boxes that haven't been unpacked yet. Kaldur hadn't had enough time to go through them with her. Her hand resting against the brass doorknob as she twisted it. The room was tidy as she walked over to the vanity. Staring into the mirror at herself with a small smile. It felt forced as she tried to smile brighter, look happier.

Somehow it didn't work, she just wanted to feel good again. The closet opened as she pulled out an outfit. Everything was perfect and organized it had to be. It was a pair of black jeans, purple loose blouse, and a black leather jacket. Brushing her short hair she then brushed her outfit down with her hands. "Its five-thirty" she said as her phone buzzed.

Walking over she picked up the phone and looked at the text Artemis had sent her. It was the address of the building, she probably had to take a taxi to get there. Slipping the phone into her back pocket she went into the washroom. The bright light blinding her as she flicked the light switch on. Dark circles lingered under her dark brown eyes. The creaking of the drawer as she pulled it open.

Light amounts of makeup made the dark circles go away. That's when her cellphone began to buzz in her back pocket. She had never gotten this many calls in one day before. Answering her voice was flat. "Roquette speaking" she said staring at herself in the mirror. It was quiet for a moment until she heard his voice. "Roquette my love. How are you?" Kaldur asked as she froze.

Hearing his voice that held such serenity when he spoke. Her voice was aching to scream out many things. "Come home!" Or even "I need you and you've abandoned me over some stupid sport!" She wanted to scream many more of these things but her lips didn't move. "Roquette?" He asked with the concern laced in his voice.

"Raquel" he said as she snapped out of her thoughts.

"I'm fine" she said holding the phone to her ear.

The use of her real name made her heart feel like it had cracked. That name to her was dreadful that's why she changed it. Voices were heard yelling in the background. "I must go my break is over but I'll see you soon" he said as her lip began to quiver. The sound of his calming voice now becoming the irritating buzzing of the dead line. Slamming the phone down on to the counter she took heavy breaths.

Tears clouding her dark eyes as the dripped into the sink. He only called to ask where she was and then he needed to go. "I need you here with me" she cried out to no one but herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a surprise to him that she wasn't burning the entire kitchen down. "Arty let me cook" he said trying to take the mixing bowl from her. "No I want to try and make something!" She yelled slapping his hand away as he groaned out of irritation. Artemis had her mind set on making a stir fry for everyone to eat. It also didn't help that Brucely was running circles around them.

He whipped around hearing something hiss as the water boiled over on the stove. Turning the stove off he moved the boiling water off of the hot element. "That's it I refuse to let this kitchen burn down" he said picking her up and tossing her over his shoulder. "Wallace West put me down right now!" She yelled hitting his back as he rolled his eyes.

He tossed her on to the couch as she crossed her arms and pouted. "Babe I'm just doing this for the safety of our kitchen" he said with a wink as she flipped him off. Laughing he walked back into the kitchen and fixed all the errors she had made. The oven was turned on as he slipped the food in to keep it heated. "Wally can you get the glass cups out?" She yelled from their bedroom.

"Yeah I'll get them now!" He yelled back opening the top cupboard and grabbing seven glass cups. Footsteps were heard as she walked out in a white long-sleeved short onsie. The front of it had gold laces tying up the front loosely. "Looking sharp there Arty" he said with a wink as she rolled her eyes. Walking over he stood over her as she looked up at him.

Artemis could tell already what he was thinking by the look in his eyes. "No Wally I have to go and meet them downstairs now" she said as he frowned pulling her into a hug. "But Arty we have like ten minutes" he said as she pulled away from the hug shaking her head with a smile. "Only you would want to try and have sex within ten minutes" she said shaking her head.

He whined following her to the door. "Maybe later" she said with a wink as he smirked with a light blush dusting his cheeks. Taking the elevator down she waited in the lobby for someone. Fingers fumbling around as she paced back and forth. "Artemis!" Megan yelled walking inside with her arms out. She looked up seeing the red head pulling her into a friendly hug.

The sound of the bottles in the bag clinking against each other as Megan swung her arm around to hug the blonde. "Head up the elevator to floor fourteen. Its room number sixty-two" Artemis said watching Megan nod and head off to the elevator. The next to arrive was Dick and Zatanna and Zatanna looked happy, really happy. "Hey Artemis" Zatanna said as the blonde walked over to greet them.

Dick had his arms crossed with an barrassed blush on his face. "What's up with him?" She asked as Zatanna tried to hold in her laughter. Now she was really confused to why she was laughing. "Well we had a bet and when we got there he had an idea to change it from buying the loser dinner to the winner picking out a tattoo for the loser" Zatanna said as Dick groaned out of embarrassment.

"Come on hot shot show me the ink" she said as he pulled the corner of his shirt down.

The tattoo was on his right shoulder and it was of a bird symbol coloured blue. The area on his pale skin around it was still beet red. "Don't worry I plan to get one on my shoulder as well" Zatanna said as Artemis chuckled. The two of them then left her to go up to the condo. Conner and Roquette arrived a minute a part from each other as the three of them then rode up the elevator.

When she announced that Roquette and Conner were here everyone smiled. "Okay I made dinner with Arty's help" Wally said taking the food out of the oven. The dinner was served as drinks were passed around. Soon enough they were all laughing and giggling. After all Megan made sure to bring a lot of alcohol with her. "Remember that time...that time when we played strip poker?" Wally asked leaning against her.

She nodded with a light giggle escaping her lips. "I love you so much Wally" she said before smashing her lips against his. The two of them fell over leading into a sloppy make out session. Megan started clapping with a goofy smile on her face. "You know Zee I still-" Dick hiccuped.

"I still love you like so much Zee" he said leaning against her as she twisted a strand of hair around her finger.

"And I-"

Skycrystal23  ;)