The Autumn leaves skipped across the sidewalks and uncut green grass as they approached the red heads house. His parents weren't coming home until late that night so they most likely wouldn't know that he skipped school. He carried the girl like she was fragile china and if he jostled it, it would be broken.

Walking inside he carried the sleeping blonde to the living room couch. She moved uneasily as he put her down gently. "It's okay Arty" he whispered brushing the stray blonde strands of hair out of her face. He looked her over and saw the bruises that formed around her neck.

He stood up and opened the linen closet taking out a heavy red comforter for the girl. After wrapping her up he took the time to make himself some food. The pocket of his pants began vibrating as he got texts. "Dude where did you go? People are saying you carried Artemis out of school!" Dick texted. "Yeah I did. She's sleeping on my couch at the moment" he replied as he placed his phone on the kitchen counter.

"We're coming over" was all Dixk texted back which made Wally go pale.

"Seriously..." He mumbled to himself taking a bite out of a piece of toast.

Not even fifteen minutes later his front door opened and people walked in. "Hey Wally!" A familiar voice yelled. The red head ran over and shushed them in fear that they would wake the blonde up.

     The people now in his house consisted of Dick, Megan, Zatanna, Kaldur and that guy Conner. He and Conner became well acquainted the last two months. "Wally where is she?" The sniffling red headed girl asked. She and Zatanna had been worried about the blonde but mostly Megan was. "Sleeping on the couch. But be quiet!" He snapped as they tip toed into the living room.

Artemis was snuggling into the warm red comforter making small adorable noises in Wally's opinion. "Do you have an idea about what could've happened?" Wally whispered to his best buddy. Dick raised an eyebrow before scowling but nonetheless he kneeled in front of the blonde and looked her over. "A fight but a brutal one at that. She fought back by the looks of her chipped nails and split knuckles" he whispered quietly to the group.

He continued looking her over the best he could without removing any clothing. "She should be in the hospital. She has a fractured rib, her throats swollen beyond belief but her back feels weird" he said running his hand against the back of her navy blue blazer.

"Then look at her back!" Wally said impatiently tapping his foot on the carpet.

Dick glared at him and stood up crossing his arms. "Dude unless you want her only in her bra without her consent then I suggest you wait until she wakes up" Dick said before walking into the kitchen.

"Zatanna go comfort him" Megan sniffled out shooing the raven haired girl after Dick. "My friend I suggest you calm down before you wake up Artemis" Kaldur said looking at the angered red head.

Wally was filled with anger about the girls condition. Picking up an empty mug he chucked it against the wall hearing it shatter loudly. The girl gasped and sat up when she heard the sound of something shatter. For the moment she was fine until she felt an excruciating painl run up her spine and branch out around her body. She looked around to see a shocked Megan, Kaldur and this other buff guy. 

Looking straight ahead she saw Wally breathing heavily and leaning his head against the wall. It was quiet in the room and the only noise was the sound of her raspy breathing. "Where am I?" she managed to breathe out painfully.

"Don't stress yourself. Wally took you to his house!" Megan said with a reddened face.

She looked like she had been crying for awhile. "Why does....Baywatch look like.....he's got a stick....shoved up his ass?" she asked smirking slightly at her own joke.

He perked his head up and looked over at her with a devious grin. "Why'd you call me Baywatch?" He asked with a smirk playing against his lips. She blushed and smiled sheepishly while trying to come up with an answer. When they were at swim practice he reminded her of that show Baywatch so that was his new nickname.

Kaldur suddenly cut in. His tone serious as he began to speak. "Artemis what happened?" Kaldur asked with a frown as they all stared at her. The blonde closed her eyes and looked down as she recounted what happened. "You wouldn't...believe me anyways" she said brushing the question off.

"I would" Megan piped up sitting on the floor and placing her chin on the coffee table.

Just seeing that glass coffee table made her shredded back sting. "Artemis, I would believe you" Wally said walking over and sitting next to her on the couch. She was about to start talking when a wave of fear washed over her. "N-no!" she yelled standing up and running towards the door. All she could feel was pain but she had to get home.

'I can't let anyone else die because of me and my family' she thought to herself.

A hand grabbed her arm so on instinct she turned around and swung her fist. The hand let go and she saw that she had punched Wally in the jaw. He stared at her shocked. Her eyes looked at him and then to the door. Without a second thought she ran out of there and back to the Manor. The poor girl collapsed when she walked in the front door, blacking out on the carpet.

Something cold touched her hand as her eyes ssuddenly shot open. "Sorry Artemis" a distinctive voice said apologetically. It was Lilliana fixing her bruised hand, the girl was tired and hungry. "I, food you" Lilliana said pointing to her and holding a bowl of chicken noodle soup. She was still working on the English speaking thing.

Artemis couldn't help but smile. "Thank you" she said with a small smile as Lilliana helped her eat.

"Father see you" she said as Artemis rolled her eyes and nodded.

Lilliana glanced at her before opening the bedroom door and walking out of the room. Her father came in and sat on the chair beside her bed. Artemis refused to look at him after what he had done. "You're stressing your body little girl" he said with a wicked grin.

"Just to get away from you" she muttered under her breath.

He grabbed her face and whipped her head around to face him. She didn't give him the satisfaction of the pain she felt so instead she glared at him. "Don't try anything!" He hissed before throwing her face back and leaving.
Lilliana came back in and helped her finish eating before she went to bed.

Artemis was awoken abruptly when she heard a loud noise. Lilliana hurried into her room with her school uniform and a smile full of joy. "Boy, out door" she said with a mischevious smile. The sun was just rising and her father wasn't awake yet. Nonetheless she got dressed as quickly as she could.

Lilliana helped her down the stairs. Low and behold she saw the door grinning idiot waiting in the front foyer. "Thought I could help you to school because walking seems stressful" he said with a wink. Shakily she walked over almost falling in the process. He quickly caught her however. Artemis squeaked surprisingly when he picked her up bridal style. "What gives you the right" she hissed before he shushed her.

"Goodbye" Lilliana said handing the boy her bag as he carried her out the door.

"Why are you carrying me?" she croaked out staring at the dark bruise on his jaw.

Subconsciously she reached up and ran her fingers over it. He flinched slightly as she swiped her hand back blushing. "Well I thought we could get breakfast at my house and then we could go to school" he said with a brilliant smile. The girl scowled at this. During the walk she rested her head in the crook of his neck. "You're really light" he commented.

"What's that supposed to mean" she shot at him raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing, it just means I can carry you easier" he said smiling.

The sun was spilling from behind the houses and buildings reflecting the light against his face perfectly. They arrived back at his house silently. "I'm back!" He yelled making her bury her face into his neck further.

"Arty-mis why so nervous all of the sudden?" He asked raising an eyebrow as she peeked my eye out.

"Oh hello again Artemis" a woman's voice said slightly uneasy.

She could feel Wally tighten his grip around hee back making her whimper slightly. "Oh my god I'm so sorry" he said loosening his grip. She bit her lip and closed her eyes fighting against the burning pain. "I made breakfast" his mother said as Wally placed her in a chair. Looking down she ducked her face down so that the shadows hid her bruises.

His mother raised an eyebrow at this. She noticed how quiet the girl was acting. "Artemis sweetie what's wrong?" His mother asked. Artemis saw that Wally shot his mother a look making her immediately stop talking.
Artemis moved the food around her plate feeling uneasy and weak. "Is there any water?" she asked biting her lip.

"Yeah I'll get you some" Wally said standing up and filling a glass with water.

He walked over towards her. As soon as she received a glass she took a sip. After another awkward couple of minutes Wally picked her back up and headed to school. Everyone stared, some with their mouths agape when they walked to first period. The teacher's didn't question Wally though and he took her to all of her classes before going to his own.

It was quite sweet of him really. But she couldn't stop thinking about him! Especially after school when they left he didn't take her home. "Where are we going?" she asked in an annoyed tone raising an eyebrow.

He simply answered. "Out"

Skycrystal23  ;)