Impossible Love (A Young Justice Fanfic)

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

"Nightwing, B-01," the Zeta-Tube reads as Dick walks into the apartment.

"Hey, you okay?" Dick asks as Artemis cries while petting Brucely.

"I'm a bad friend," Artemis says.

"No, you're not," Dick walks over and sits next to her.

"Yes I am, I decided to do something that made Barb mad," Artemis says.

"Look, Barb and I go way back, farther than me and Wally, she was my best friend at Gotham Academy, and we were close, she is just frustrated because we aren't as close anymore," Dick says.

"Robin, D-12," the Zeta-Tube reads out.

"Did you get Barb to calm down?" Dick asks turning around.

"We had to tranquilize her," Tim responds.

"You had to what?" Artemis asks.

"Jeff made the decision, she was out of control and Bruce was afraid she would go after you," Tim says.

"Maybe I deserve it, just like I deserved to abuse from Grant, I don't deserve anyone," Artemis says.

"Dinah or Garfield?" Tim directs the question to Dick after seeing his mentor's face.

"Garfield and Wendy," Dick says.

"On it," Tim says walking to the other room.

Dick walks back over to Artemis and turns her head to look at him.

"I want you to listen to me, only me," Dick says.

"Okay," Artemis sniffles.

"You didn't deserve what Grant did to you, you didn't deserve the anger Barb had, you however do deserve me, not because Wally allowed us to be together but because we are both broken and only broken people know what another broken person needs," Dick says.

"I love you," Artemis says hugging Dick.

"I love you too," Dick says returning the hug.

"Beast Boy, D-01, Windfall, D-15," the Zeta-Tube reads out.

"Everything okay?" Garfield asks.

"One step forward, two steps back," Dick says.

"What?" Garfield asks.

"She says that she deserved what just happened and the abuse from Grant," Dick says.

"Don't even think that, I know it's hard to push forward when something happens that you have been used to a lot of your life," Garfield sits next to her.

"But you don't deserve it, neither of you deserved what happened," Wendy says leaning against a wall.

"I just feel like I'm causing problems by not doing anything and that Grant was right, I am worthless," Artemis says.

"You aren't worthless and you aren't causing problems," Dick says.

"Superboy, D-09, Miss Martian, B-05," the Zeta-Tube calls.

"Good, you're here," Tim says as the couple walks in.

"What's going on?" Megan asks.

"She is going backwards," Dick says as he gets up and Garfield hands Wingman to Artemis.

"What?" Connor asks.

"Wendy, do you mind taking Brucely for a walk, his leash is by the door," Dick says.

"Sure," Wendy says.

Brucely is standing by Dick's office door when he sees Wendy grab the leash.

"Slow Brucely," Artemis commands before Brucely accidentally knocks her over.

"He really likes walks," Dick says.

"I can tell," Wendy says as Brucely sits down and thumps his tail on the floor as she puts the leash on him.

"Freda or I will let you know when we need you," Dick says.

"Understood," Wendy says before walking out of the apartment.