Flying No More

Artemis

He was done speaking and everybody was waiting for the body to be lowered into the grave.  But we were allowed some time before that was going to happen.  So I took it as an opportunity to do something.

I was never one for tears.  I was rough and tough.  And I hardly let anything bother me, at all.  Not my crippled mom, my problemed sister, or my betraying father.

I basically lived life in a... a.... I can't find the word.

So why am I sad?  Why am I crying?

I never cried.  Not when mom went to jail.  Not when Jade crashed the plane.  I was worried about her, but I wasn't going to cry.

So why was I crying into Roy's arms?  Yes, Roy.

I broke away and went to Robin's body.

It was there, lifeless.  I sighed, trying to take a breath before I did something kinda crazy.

Talk to a dead person.

"So, Richard Grayson, huh?  I remember you.  You were the boy I thought was a stuck up little twerp.  I'm not joking, I thought you were the most pathetic person ever," I could feel eyes burning on me.  Every person staring me down,"But that was until some bully came up to me and was about to punch me, and you, Dick, came up and stopped him.  Took every punch that should have been towards me.  I had stereotyped you, thinking you were stuck up.  When really I was the one that was stuck up.  You've been my friend ever since.  And you know when I told the team who I really was, and you said you already knew?  And that it didn't matter, because I was different.  That I was someone?  You are amazing, you've made my life so much different.  From when you help me with homework to the times you save my @ss on missions.  You know what Dick?  I never cry, yet somehow you've made me cry.  I was wondering why, until I came up with an answer.  I care for you.  I'm crying cause I care for you.  And I wish you hadn't left, I wish you hadn't...." I couldn't continue and I felt strong arms around me.

"You were a sister to him, you know?" Bruce Wayne had been crying obviously,"He cares too Artemis, he cares too."

I turned back to the grave,"Bye Dick.  Thank you for teaching me that I did matter, it doesn't matter how much I felt like a failure.  Thank you."