Spitfire oneshot collection

Songfic- when you're gone (by avril lavinge)

"I always needs time on my own,

I never thought I'd need you there when I cried,

And the days feel like years when I'm alone,

And the bed where you lie is made up on your side,"

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I'm alone in our (now) cold, empty house. Not alone. Just me and Nelson, our pitbull. He's the only living thing left that reminds me of Artemis. He might as well NOT be living, anyway. All the spoiled dog does is sleep and eat.

I'm curled up on the bed in the dark, the only light source coming from the muted television, set on the "no-signal channel". Half the bed is made, and my side is messy. I kept it in order for Artemis when she comes home- I know she likes it when the bed is made up. I compromised. I saw no point in redoing the bed when I was just going to get back in the following night. Nelson lies near the door on the heater vent, looking comfy and pleased with life. Well, I wasn't.

God, I have never felt more alone. All I need is Artemis. I want to see her face again. Not Tigress. Artemis. My Artemis. I think about what must be happening on that death trap of a boat she's on now. As my mind swims with gory situations and possible events, I don't even notice when a tear slips down my face. I gently wipe it away with my sweatshirt sleeve and stare firmly at the wall.

It's been ages since I've actually cried. The last time I can remember was as a child, about seven. My father was drunk and he had beaten me. I felt about as alone as I felt now. My mother was away for the night and afterwards had no idea this had happened. My father had forbidden me to speak of it, and out of fear I obeyed.

This was different. That was fear when I cried, and this was plain loneliness. I stand up, wiping my eyes for more threatening tears. I pick up Nelson and he rouses. He doesn't move as I settle back down on the bed, and nestle under the blanket. I hug him protectively.

I wanted my little spitfire.

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"when you walk away,

I count the steps that you take,

Don't you see how much I need you right now?"

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I watch as Artemis walks away from me with Kaldur. Although, somehow I feel like she isn't Artemis. She's a completely different person. Not the blonde, snarky archer I met such a long time ago. Dick gives me a look as I stare at their disappearing silhouettes. He nudges me. I whip around and face him with such force that he backs away, hands raised in surrender.

"Wally?" he asks shakily. "I'm sorry."

"forget it, bird boy!" I choke out.

No, I will NOT cry in front of my best friend over a girl. Not "a girl", I remind myself. Artemis is not just a girl to me. Artemis was my other half. Now she's gone. Walking away from me. I let her slip right through my fingers. Not willingly, but she slipped through anyway. Imagine if half of your body was ripped away from you- that's how it felt. A part of my heart is gone, permanently.

"Wally..." Dick rests his hand on my shoulder reassuringly. "I'm sorry. Truly. But this is for the best."

"is it?" I manage to ask.

-------------------------------- "When you're gone,

The pieces of my heart are missing you,

When you're gone,

The face I came to know is missing too,

When you're gone,