There was a knock on his door early in the morning. Unfortunately he didn't hear it. Rather his wife got up to answer the door. Her eyes were barely open as she unlocked it. "Hello?" she asked, a yawn escaping her lips. There was a man in an Italian made suit that stood there. It took a moment for her to fully awaken. As she was still half asleep. "My son said he wanted to see me?" she raised an eyebrow.

Why was Kaldur's father here? Wasn't he some sort of criminal? He didn't really explain what he was. In fact the man invited himself into her home. Clearly he was dangerous so she didn't wish to anger him in anyway. "Have a seat. I'll go and wake him" she said as he nodded walking into the living room. Her footsteps were light as they trailed up the staircase. He was asleep underneath the blankets. "Oh you better get your ass up" she said while hitting his chest with the back of her hand.

His eyes opened as he sat up almost immediately. The sun was streaming through the window. Curtains were drawn letting the light nearly blind him. "What is he doing here?" she asked pointing towards their daughter. She stood at the head of the bed looking quite angry. "I don't know what you mean?" he said quite confused. After all he had just been scared awake. "Your father" she said in a low voice.

"Oh" he managed to say.

"Don't 'oh' me" she shot back now crossing her arms.

"I'll go see what he wants now" he said standing up.

Quickly he threw on a shirt and pants to look more respectable. Roquette was sitting in front of her vanity mirror brushing her short hair. A sour look on her face as she did so. Why was he keeping so many secrets from her? "Ah my son has awoken at last" his father said watching him walk into the room.

"What would you like to speak about?" Kaldur asked taking a seat.

"I'm glad you asked"

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By morning it was silent. Not one sound was heard. She must have fallen asleep after that. Wally carried her back to bed. Tucking her in and making sure she was alright. Artemis acted so strong and so brave. He admired her for that. She was so many things that he wasn't. Maybe that was why he loved her so much. She carried herself so well.

No one on the outside could know what she was possibly feeling. She always had a strong attitude on the outside. Her eyes fluttered open. Drearily looking around the bright room. The sun was spilling in through the windows. Wally held her close to him. Their fingers laced together comfortingly. She loved him so much. He always knew how to make her feel better.

Then again he always put everyone before himself. Wally was so selfless. He would die before anyone else did. If he had the chance to save someone he would. "Wally" she whispered looking up at him. The time on the clock was flashing. It was pretty late. Her head was resting against his chest, listening to his calm heartbeat. "I love you" she whispered.

"Love you too beautiful" he said as she looked back up at him.

His bright green eyes staring into her stormy grey one's. Whenever she looked at him she couldn't help but smile. He had such a happy energy surrounding him. Sitting up she looked down at him. Long blonde hair cascading down her shoulder. "I'll be back" she said as he shook his head grabbing her hand.

"The last time you said that I found you crying" he said sitting up as well.

It was true. Earlier she was crying and him and Bart came to comfort her. Which she greatly appreciated. "I promise I'll be right back. I'm going to check on Bart" she said before kissing him. Wally smiled against her lips. At least he knew she wasn't going to be staring off into space. Standing up she walked out of their room. The condo had a guest room which Bart had been staying in.

This has been a rehabilitating vacation for him. A lot had happened to the kid back in Happy Harbor. With the bullying and constant harassment; it was good for him to have this break. From outside of the door she could hear whispering. He was inside lying on his bed on the phone. Pressing her ear against the door she listened in. "I miss you" he said before pausing.

"Yeah I love you too" he said softly.

Artemis couldn't help but smile to herself. Sometimes he was just so goddamn cute. Knocking on the door she then waited. "Bart its me" she said before the door opened. He was off of the phone now. Since arriving here a couple weeks ago he's looked happier. Always smiling and trying to have a positive outlook on thing's. "Hey Artemis, are you okay now?" he asked twiddling his thumbs.

She nodded looking down at him smiling. Soon he would be as tall as her. Then again most people were taller than her. Suddenly she heard Wally's voice.

"Babe, its Dick" he said in a low voice.

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It was cold and damp outside. Perfect weather; the usual weather in Gotham. This city didn't see the light very often. He was sitting there on a bench in the park. There was a fifteen minute gap in between classes. He needed to be alone. To try and get his mind around this whole thing. Everything that's been happening has been such chaos. People were walking past.

Hurrying to get back inside where it was warm. Someone took a seat down next to him. "I brought coffee" the person said as he looked over. Wendy sat there with a soft smile gracing her lips. Mitten covered hands holding two coffee cups up. "Thanks" he mumbled taking the one with his name on it. The heat emitting from it soaked through his skin. Sending shivers through his entire body.

The two of them sat there quietly. She didn't need to say anything to him. Wendy knew just how screwed up everything was at the moment. Sitting there to keep him company was enough. "Shouldn't you be in class?" he asked breaking the silence. She took a sip from her coffee. "No, I'm concussed remember?" she said with a smirk. He almost forgot about that.

Christmas break seemed like forever ago. He couldn't help but smirk. Of course she wouldn't be in class. "So why are you here?" he asked curiously. With how cold it was outside she could have been anywhere. Inside where it was warm, curled up in front of the television. Yet she chose to sit next to him outside in the cold. "You need someone Conner. I'm smarter than I look" she said as he rolled his eyes.

He knew she was smart. Hell she was even brilliant. Wendy had a lot going for her. He didn't know why she was still bothering with him. She scooted closer and rested her head against his shoulder. For some reason that simple interaction made him feel a little better inside. "Thanks Wendy" he said as she looked up at him. There was a sparkle in those blue eyes of her's.

"For what? Being a good friend?"

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Why did she feel so cold inside? Like every last bit of warmth had been stolen. She sat there in her bed, lonely. The bed across the room was empty and untouched. It haunted her like a broken memory. Her father was becoming quite difficult to get out of bed. All in all she was doing everything herself. The clock was ticking away before abruptly ringing. Looking over she turned it off.

Slipping out of the bed she walked to the kitchen. Dragging a chair over and climbing on just so she could reach the top shelf. It would be easier if she was older or taller. "Come on Mar'i you can do this! You have to take care of dad like mom took care of you" she said to herself before reaching up as best as she could. The only reason she was doing this was because of her father.

She had to take care of him just like her mother took care of her. Carefully she pulled the cereal box out and placed it on the counter below. It took another five minutes to get the milk from the refrigerator. Compiling everything onto a tray she cautiously walked to his room. It was at the opposite end of the hallway from her's. The room was dark as she walked inside.

Taking a deep breath she turned the light on. He was still moping underneath the covers. "Dad I made breakfast again. I hope you like cereal, I'll leave it on the table here. I...I love you" she said before placing the tray down and leaving the room. After that she fixed herself some breakfast and took a seat on the couch. It was hard to do all of this herself. She was only ten years old after all.

Why did that horrible man have to take her mother away? She was so nice and even risked her life for Mar'i. Everything was her fault. If she had done something more then her mother would be alright. Her only friend in this world now was Damian. Even then he could never be here twenty-four-seven. There were footsteps as she looked past the television.

Dick walked down the hall towards the washroom. He almost looked like a zombie. It gave her the chills. Everything was up to her now. Every chore, every meal, it was all on her. There was a knock on the door in the afternoon. Upon opening it she saw Damian standing there. "Oh..hello Damian" she said in one of the saddest tones he has ever heard.

He walked inside, hands behind his back. Which was actually quite suspicious. "Here I got this for you. Now stop being so depressed" he said holding a small box of chocolates towards her. A small smile appeared on her face. "Thanks Damian" she said taking it from his hands.

"Its not like I like you or anything like that, you being sad was getting on my nerves" he said quickly.

Skycrystal23 ;)