The Project •On Hold•

⚡️ Chapter Nineteen ⚡️

Wally gently rubbed Artemis' back. She was locked in the fetal position on a chair in the hospital's waiting room. He didn't know what to say. "It'll be ok"? That wasn't guaranteed at all. After all, her mother was in surgery in critical condition. "You'll be alright" seemed heartless.

He finally made a decision on what to say. "Hey, I'm here for you. Whatever you need."

"Thanks, Wally," Artemis muttered. "You can go home if you want. It'll be at least a couple hours until I can see her, and you won't even be allowed back."

"I don't want to go home. I want to stay here, with you."

"You're so great." Artemis buried her face in her hands. "I don't deserve you."

"Don't say that. If anything, it's the other way around. But now is not the time to argue, ok?"

"Ok." There was a few minutes of silence before she spoke again. "Oh my god, Wally, I'm so scared."

"Of course you are! I'm scared, and I hardly know your mom!"

Artemis ran her hands down her legs, wiping the sweat off of her palms. "I think I might throw up."

"C'mon." Wally helped her up and lead her to the bathroom. Sure enough, it didn't take her long to start heaving. Soon though, she was sobbing. Wally wiped her mouth off and washed his hands. He pulled some hand sanitizer out of his pocket and rubbed it on her hands for her.

She was shaking like a leaf in a hurricane. He wrapped his arms around her and got her back to her chair in the waiting room. "This is awful, I know. I can't imagine what you feel like right now. It's not your fault, ok? Not at all."

"It feels like it is."

"But it isn't. I promise. I wouldn't lie to you, Arty." He didn't get a response.

The next two and a half hours moved at a snail's pace. Artemis barely talked, just slowly ate the peanut butter crackers that Wally had gotten her from the vending machine. Just as she finally finished the last one, the door to the medical wing opened. "Nguyen-Crock?"

Artemis jumped to her feet. Wally got up and walked with her.

"Are you Paula's daughter?" The nurse asked.

Artemis nodded vigorously. Her eyes were wide. "Is she ok?!"

"She will be. She's out of surgery and into a room. She's stable enough for visitors. Is your dad with you?"

Artemis stiffened. "No. It's just my mom and me. What's it matter?"

"It doesn't, sweetie. I just thought this might be easier for you with an adult."

"Well, she's the adult. Can I see her?"

"Of course. Is he related to you?"

"He's my boyfriend."

"You know, I'd love to let you both back, but I can't. I'm sorry. Only family."

Artemis nodded. "You can go on home, Wally."

"Nah, I'll wait out here in case you need something."

"You sure? You don't-"

"I want to. You go see your mom." Wally gently pushed her towards the door. "All I need to know is how's she's doing, and how you're doing. I don't mind."

"It's so late, though. Your mom-"

"Knows exactly where I am. You go."

Artemis continued to look skeptical.

"Hey, can she stay the night here, or is that not allowed?" Wally asked.

"She can, but only if there's another adult. I really am sorry."

Wally sighed in disappointment. Then he remembered something. "Arty, I'm gonna go get your stuff and your sister. I'm sure she'll stay here with you, and she's an adult, right? She's nineteen."

Artemis nodded. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Because you're completely out of it. You go on. See you later."

Artemis gave him a hug, burying her face in his chest. "Thanks so much."

"You're welcome." Wally slipped off his hoodie, handing it to her. "You might want that."

He received a sad smile in return. "Bye, Wally."

"Bye, Artemis." Wally walked out of the ER to his car. He texted Will, telling him to tell Jade to get ready to go. He called Raquel and asked if she would throw together a bag for Artemis. "Of course," Was her response.

It had taken little time for the news to spread among their little band of misfits, so everyone was already aware of the situation. Wally had about fifteen different text from each of them.

Dick wanted to know if Paula was out of surgery yet. Connor wanted to know how ie everything was going. Megan wanted to know how Artemis was holding up. Zatanna needed to know if Artemis needed or would need anything. Kaldur wanted to know all the available information.

Wally called everyone and updated them- he wasn't about to text and drive right now. He swung by Artemis' and Raquel's building and grabbed Artemis' bag. He thanked his friend before heading over to Will and Jade's place. Soon Jade was in the passenger seat, her bag in her lap. She bounced her knee, clearly full of nervous energy.

Wally dropped Jade off at the hospital, groaning at his inability to do anything else. He couldn't think of anything he could do other than drive home. So, that's what he did.

As soon as he was home, he went to his bedroom. He was exhausted, but he called Artemis and talked to her until she finally fell asleep around four in the morning. Only then did he finally let himself get some restless sleep.