He just stood there in shock staring at her. Why were there so many bruises? Shakily walking to the washroom he wet a hand towel with cold water and walked back to put it on her forehead. He waited and slowly she awoke as she sat up quickly. "What time is it?" She asked looking for a clock. "Woah Zee calm down okay" he said in a soft voice as she looked down at herself. He had seen the bruises which made her begin to panic. "How did you get those?" He asked sitting on the couch next to her.

She wrapped her arms around herself as she shook her head. "From nowhere" she said looking down trying to fight off the oncoming tears. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder as she flinched. "I would never hit you Zatanna" he said as she continued shaking her head. If she wasn't back at her apartment soon he was going to hurt her again. "I h-have to go" she stuttered out as she slipped her hoodie back on and zipped it up. "Thanks for lunch though" she said standing up as he followed her.

Sighing he gave her a look of sympathy. She reached for the doorknob as he placed his hand on hers. "Zatanna if you go out this doorway right now I won't be able to help you" he said as she looked down and shook her head. Twisting the doorknob she opened the door and left without looking back. Hurrying back to her rundown apartment she sighed seeing that she was ten minutes early. "Your late" a voice grumbled as she bit her lip and began shaking her head. "No I'm not I'm ten minutes early s-see?" She said pointing to the clock on the wall.

He grunted and grabbed her wrist squeezing it hard as she winced. "The clocks off by thirty minutes" he grumbled as she gulped trying to keep a brave face on. Within a matter of seconds she was hit to the ground as she held her stinging cheek looking at the floor. Tears began rolling down her cheeks and hitting the floor softly. "What? Are you going to cry like a little child now?" He taunted as she gulped and kept her gaze trained on the ground. How did her life turn to shit so fast?

Why didn't she stay when Dick told her to? Oh that's right, fear. The fear that he would hunt her down if he found out she was there. "Are you going to start dinner?" He growled as she nodded hurrying to her feet and walking into the kitchen. There wasn't a lot in the refrigerator so she worked with what she had. Quickly preparing a sandwich she handed it to him. His feet were propped up on the dusty coffee table as he looked at the food. "Why a sandwich?" He asked as she began to fiddle with her fingers.

Crystal blue eyes looking up to meet his frightening gaze. "There wasnt a-a lot to w-work with" she said in a quiet shaky voice. He growled but didn't say anything as he waved her off. Walking into the grimy bedroom she sat on the bed and opened her bag. Taking out a granola bar she quickly scarfed it before slipping the bag under the bed. At least she went to bed with only earning a couple smacks unlike the night before. God she really should have stayed with Dick.

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It was quiet as she sat in the Townhouse reading a book. Kaldur had been looking really frustrated and angered lately. The sound of the front door opening made her glance up. Kaldur walked in and gave her a smile as he walked over and kissed the top of her head. "How was swim practice?" She asked as he shrugged leaning over the couch to see what she was reading. "The Lost City of Atlantis?" He asked as she nodded closing the book and showing the cover to him. "You know how much that stuff interests me" she said as he smiled.

They had been spending summer break together. Pictures decorated the wall as a few empty frames were stacked on the side table. "What are these for?" He asked picking up one of the empty frames. "I haven't gotten the photos developed yet. I'll go tomorrow and get them done" she said placing her book to the side and standing up. The two had just gotten back from their trip to Hawaii. Many pictures were taken hence the many empty frames she just bought. "You've been acting weird lately Kal. Is everything alright?" She asked as he glanced at her and nodded.

For reassurance he kissed her forehead. "Yes I assure you my love" he said as she nodded rolling her eyes. It was getting dark out as the oven from the kitchen rung. "Classes start up again in a week" she said opening the oven and taking out a roast chicken. "You made this?" He asked as she smirked. "Hell yeah I did. It took me nearly all day but yeah" she said muttering the end as he rolled his eyes and kissed her cheek. Dinner was just silent as they sat enjoying their meal on the back deck.

     His bleach blonde hair was getting slightly longer as she ran her hand through it. "You know it gets lonely around here when your gone" she said resting her head on his shoulder. She starts her classes again at the end of the week and he has to leave. The Olympic participants have to head off to a training facility in the Southern Areas. "It gets lonely there to without your smile and voice" he said as she gave him a sad smile. He hadn't been completely truthful lately with her but he wouldn't confide in her now. It just wasn't the right time. He could deal with everything himself without having to drag her into it.

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     It was dark as she slid her shoes on. "Hey you sure?" He asked in a soft voice as Jade came walking down the stairs. Artemis nodded and kissed his cheek grabbing the bouquet of white lilies off of the table. Roy fixed his tie as he walked down the stairs. "Lian its time to go and see Grandma" she said as the little girl came running through the hallway; black dress swishing behind her. "Thanks Artemis" Jade said as her younger sister held Lian. Artemis was a great Aunt that Lian could loop up to. Even if she wouldn't admit it her bonehead of a boyfriend had done good as well.

     It was dark outside as they got into the two cars and drove to the cemetery. They always did this at night time so paparazzi wouldn't follow. Roy squeezed her hand as she shot him a hard glare. Artemis wouldn't be here for the anniversary of their mother's untimely death so they were visiting now. The moon illuminated the gravel they walked on. Walking passed the rows upon rows of crosses and gravestones. Stepping onto the green grass and heading towards a black marble headstone.

       The blonde handed the small child off to Wally who let the child pinch his nose. His job was to distract the small child while Jade and Artemis could pay their respects peacefully. He continued to let Lian poke his nose and squeeze how cheeks. Artemis and Jade kneeled down and placed the bouquet of white lilies on the grass. "Hey Mom we just wanted to say hello and that we love you" she said in a soft voice resting her hand against the smooth stone. "Tôi xin lỗi vì đã không ở đó để chăm sóc Artemis . Tôi hứa tôi sẽ được bây gio (I'm sorry for not being there to take care of Artemis. I promise I will be now)" Jade said in a soft voice.

Artemis glanced over at her sister to see her hurt face. "ổn Jade của mình , cô đã tha thứ cho bạn một thời gian dài trước đây. (Its okay Jade, she forgave you a long time ago)" Artemis said as her sister looked up from her gaze which was trained to the ground. "Thanks Artemis" she said as the two of them stood up. Kissing her hand she touched the gravestone. "We love you" Artemis then said as the two sisters stood there staring down. Moon light illuminating the white lilies giving the illusion as if they were glowing.

Turning around she smiled seeing how red Wally's face was. "You okay there Wall-man?" She asked watching as Lian kept pinching his face. "Yeah...totally" he said trying to hide the pain in his voice. It was quite funny but she didn't dare laugh. She took Lian off of him as he let out a sigh. The car ride back to the Mansion was dead silent and he didn't dare speak once. "How was it?" Dinah asked as they walked in. Her and Oliver got married last year and the wedding was quite beautiful.

     Jade took Lian and immediately headed upstairs without saying a word. "It was fine" Artemis said trailing off as Wally grabbed her hand and squeezed it. He was staying the night again for no apparent reason. They usually stayed over at each other's houses. Soon though they would be in their own apartment together. After the brief conversation with Dinah they headed upstairs. The blonde had a very lost look on her face as Wally frowned. Seeing his girlfriend so lost like this made him uneasy.

     Maybe striking up a conversation would help. "You know that Dick only has to be in the Academy for a couple months and then he can be a full fledged officer?" He asked as she glanced over at him. She shook her head and blinked a couple times as she pulled on an oversized T-shirt. "Really why?" She asked trying to keep her mind occupied. Depressing thoughts of her mind always filled her head after visiting her grave. "Bruce always puts them though rough training and stuff so they could be ready for anything. He knows like a shit ton of different fighting styles and stuff" he said as she nodded slightly amused.

     She stared at herself in the mirror as he came up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist. His chin rested on top of her head as he flashed her a smile. "You excited to go to a busy City?" He asked as she smirked. "The real question is if you are ready? Or am I going to have to protect you like I did when that moth flew around you?" She taunted as he groaned with an embarrassed blush on his face. "In my defense that bug was huge" he said as she rolled her eyes now walking over to her bed.

     Climbing on she went under the thin covers and fixed her pillow. He lazily crawled on and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Your warm" she said snuggling closer to him. Wally always felt like a furnace which is another reason why she cuddled close to him. "Is that good?" He asked hugging her closer to him. Wally was a huge cuddler and always used her as a human teddy bear. "When its winter it will be. I heard Gotham gets pretty cold that time of year" she said as he smirked kissing the top of her head.

     He just held her close memorizing the feeling of her being close to him. "That means we can cuddle more then" he said as she nodded rolling over quickly to turn the lamp on her bedside off. "A couple days until we're in our new apartment" she said as he grinned. Leaning up she quickly gave him a kiss feeling his stupid grin against her lips. "Do you like dogs?" He asked as she raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. I always wanted one when I was younger but Dad always said no" she said as he nodded.

     It was dark so she couldn't see the wide grin on his face. "Why did you ask?" She asked as he shrugged quickly kissing her forehead. "No reason Arty I was just trying to keep the conversation going" he said as she nodded letting a yawn escape her lips. Eventually her eyes became heavy before they both fell asleep cuddled under the covers with each other.

Skycrystal23  ;)