This chapter has a lot of emotions. Just saying.

When they got back to the cave Black Canary was waiting in the infirmary to check up on Artemis. Wally ran there as fast as he could so that no one would see the state she was in as he passed. He left Robin to explain to the team what had happened.

Wally set Artemis down gently on a bed in the infirmary, Black Canary on the other side of it, a silver box on the bedside table.

"Wally, I think you should leave now," Black Canary suggested, placing her hand on his shoulder, "I'm going to have to log evidence,"

The speedster bit his lip in contemplation, but relented nonetheless, "I'll be right outside the door," He told Artemis, she nodded.

Black Canary turned to the silver box, opening it up to reveal Q-tips, plastic bags, tweezers, and many other evidence collecting tools.

"I'm sorry I have to do this, but the League and the law will need proof that this happened," She sighed, her arm reaching out hesitantly to clasp Artemis's hand.

"It's okay, I understand," Artemis nodded, easily complying. Dinah went to work quickly but efficiently. Artemis kept her eyes averted from the older hero's, not wanting to watch her flinch at every bruise and scratch she saw.

"You're going to have to re-account what happened too, after this," Dinah spoke quietly, "its best if it's fresh on your mind,"

"Whatever it takes to keep him locked up," Artemis grumbled. Black Canary allowed herself a small smile of relief that Artemis hadn't lost her spirit.

Wally slumped to the ground outside the infirmary door.

He felt like a failure. He couldn't keep his own girlfriend safe from the bad guys, so how could he be expected to keep the public from falling into the hands of criminals?

His knuckles were still painted with scumbag's blood, and he hadn't changed, even though his suit was blood splattered as well. They were a reminder that Cameron was still alive and breathing, and how Wally had tried to kill him, and he would have if Artemis hadn't stopped him.

He wanted to be left alone; to stew in his bitterness and self-disgust. Robin had other plans.

"KF," He said, appearing from nowhere, "We've gotta tell the team, otherwise it'll be coming from Batman, and he won't be nearly as subtle."

Robin held out a hand to Wally, but the redhead didn't take it. He was fiddling with his gloves.

"What did you say to M'gann?"

Robin eyed him curiously, not quite understanding what he meant. "Uh, I haven't told said anything to her yet."

Wally glanced upwards at him. "To get the bioship, what did you tell her?"

"Oh," He sighed, "I told her that … that if we went out to search for her it'd calm your nerves."

Wally chuckled depressingly, and took his friend's hand. Robin heaved and pulled him off the ground. They made their way to the training room, where apparently the team had already been gathered by Red Tornado.

Zatanna was wringing her wrists, while M'gann had her head hidden in Connor's side. He had a scowl on his face, and Kaldur had his head bowed.

"So, what does the team know?" Wally asked, just loud enough for everyone to hear.

They said nothing.

"I've only just finished telling them that Artemis was kidnapped, but has been returned." The android stated flatly. Wally snorted, and crossed his arms.

"That's it huh, didn't mention that she was being held by Icicle Jr, or that I found her tied up, naked, with bite indents all over her!" He hadn't meant to yell, but it came out that way anyhow.

M'gann was crying, and Zatanna held her hand to her mouth to keep a gasp from coming out.

"And you all thought I was being paranoid, or obsessive." He sent one last jab of guilt at their conscience, and then looked at their fallen faces.

Silence filled the room, other than the moist sobs coming from M'gann.

Kaldur was the first to speak, "We are all incredibly sorry, we should have trusted you." His tone was apologetic, and full of remorse.

M'gann looked up with glassy eyes, choking on tears. "W-Wally, I should have known better, I-I feel awful. Is she okay?"

Wally sighed, knowing that staying angry with his friends wouldn't change anything.

"I think so. I realize you all thought what you thought, but next time, as your teammate, and a friend, trust me."

They nodded, like children that had been scolded by their parents.

"Rob, can you handle this? I, I promised I'd be there with Artemis once they were done... Done gathering evidence."

Robin nodded, and the speedster zoomed back outside the med bay. He really didn't know what else he could have said to the team.

Dinah finished what she needed to and put everything away, back into the silver box. She sat down on the chair next to the bed, pulling out a laptop to record everything.

"Can Wally come back in now?" Artemis asked, kneading the sheets between her fingers, "He'll want to know what happened and I don't want to tell it twice,"

"You don't have to tell him," Black Canary frowned.

"He should know," Artemis frowned back, determination setting in, "It will eat him up inside if he has to speculate,"

Dinah nodded in acceptance and turned her head to the door, "Wally!" She called.

BAM.

"What is it?" He asked, bursting through the door. Concern and worry was written all over his face, as he ran to the side of the bed.

"I have to tell her what happened," Artemis informed him, scooting over and patting the edge of the bed. Wally's mouth formed an 'o' and he sat down, wary of touching the blonde in case it made her uncomfortable.

Artemis rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand, relief spread through the speedster.

"Start at the beginning, right before you were taken," Dinah told the blonde, "And don't you interrupt unless I ask you to," She eyed the redhead. Wally frowned but nodded.

"I heard the door open to my apartment when I was walking down the hallway. I got my crossbow out but he must have hit my head when I was turned away," Artemis started talking.

She told the whole story, about why he took her, what he said to her, and what he did to her. She only stopped to make Wally loosen the grip he had on her hand.

The more she told, the angrier he got. Angry with Cameron, and angry with himself, and a small part of him angry at the team for not believing him. But he knew it wasn't their fault, the evidence of her kidnapping had been circumstantial at best.

When she finally finished her tale, ending when Wally bust through the door, the emotion had grown thick in the room.

Dinah wanted to stay and support the girl, but she knew Wally had that under control. Instead she gave the girl a light motherly kiss on her forehead before taking her leave. Mentioning that she would leave visiting hours up to Artemis.

As soon as the door closed a silence overtook the room, neither hero knowing exactly what to say. Wally ended up breaking the silence first.

"Artemis," He choked out, frustration clear in his voice, "I'm so sorry," He pulled her hand to his lips, "I should have been there. None of this would have happened if I'd just-"

"Wally it's not your fault," Artemis cut in, pulling her hand out of his own to draw his face into hers, making sure he was looking into her eyes, "And as much as I want to believe it; it's not my fault either," Wally's mouth opened to berate her for even thinking that, but Artemis cut him off again, "The only person to blame is Cameron,"

"I know," Wally sighed, "But I'm the fastest kid alive," His eyes grew sharp with self-resentment, "I should have gotten to you sooner. I almost didn't get there soon enough," He whispered, his hand reaching out to carefully cup her cheek, holding her like she was porcelain.

Then he hesitated, pulling his palm away. Artemis frowned.

"I- uh," He stuttered, trying to find the words, "I understand if you don't want me to get too close," Wally finally got out, his eyes not meeting her own.

"Wally," Artemis sighed, pulling him back towards her and throwing her face into his shoulder, "I'll be a bit sensitive to people for a while, yes. But you're different. And I nothing is going to change between us," She looked up at him, a fire in her eyes, "This won't keep us apart,"

Wally relaxed and pulled her close, his worries that her will had been broken were alleviated with her words.

She may not be exactly the same; but given time, Wally knew his spitfire was going to be okay.

"You have to leave now," Artemis told him as she swung her legs off the side of the bed, "I'm going to go take a shower,"

"Oh, okay," He got up, realizing he needed one too, "Can I, uh, stay at your apartment tonight?" He asked, quickly adding, "I can sleep on the couch if you wa-"

"Wally you are going to sleep in my bed, with me. Not on my couch," Artemis rolled her eyes, deciding that apparently he would need more convincing that it was okay for him to be near her.

"Got it, Beautiful," Wally smiled, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek before he left. Artemis held her hand up over his lips, halting his movements.

"You can't kiss me right now," She frowned, "I'm disgusting, I've got Cameron's germs all over me," Artemis spoke, a low rumble of anger in her throat.

"I still love you though," Wally said automatically, brought on by the look of loathing Artemis was holding as she gazed at her own skin. She looked up, surprised.

"Thanks Wally, I love you too," Artemis smiled before walking off towards the nearest private bathroom.

Artemis took the shortest route she knew to the bathroom, hurrying as silently as she could because she didn't want to run into anyone.

It wasn't that she was dreading confronting the team about this, she was. But she was more concerned with washing everything Cameron touched ten times over.

Artemis stripped and had intended to jump right into the warm water, but her reflection in the mirror caught her eye and she paused. She stared, her hand drifting over the marks he left. The blonde had hoped that later in the night Wally would make love to her, remind her that lust could be gentle.

But there's no way he'll want to kiss me with these teeth marks all over. Artemis frowned and turned away from her marred reflection; jumping into the water and grabbing a scrub brush.

The archer piled on the soapy gel and slathered it all over, scrubbing furiously at her skin until it turned bright red from the friction.

Her grey eyes wandered over her skin, remembering where he touched and making sure to rub those areas extra hard. And while she knew that when she was done the only physical evidence left that he had ever been near her was still her bruises and marks; she still felt him there.

Artemis's skin felt raw, she knew that she had scrubbed off all the skin he'd come into contact with. But it just wasn't enough.

Her heart dropped as she realized that this feeling probably wasn't going to go away for a while. She could wash as much as she wanted, but it wasn't going to make it any better. Artemis wanted to just lie down in the water pooling at her feet and sob, but it wouldn't help anything, she knew that.

The archer put the scrub brush away and began lathering up her hair. Ignoring the lump in her throat that threatened to bring tears to her eyes. Artemis focused on the act of rinsing and conditioning her mane. Mentally working through the actions to keep her mind off of her only enemy for the moment.

Her own body.

And when she dried off and put on the clothes she had brought with her, she looked again at the mirror.

The immediate shock of revelation jolted Artemis's mind into high gear. With her clothes on, she couldn't see any of the marks left behind by Cameron.

And when she couldn't see the marks, all that was left to see was herself.

Artemis. A strong young woman who has her whole life ahead of her. A woman who doesn't take crap from anyone. A hero; that could either rise up and move past this. Or let the sorrow eat at her heart until there was nothing left to stand on.

It was a simple decision.

Wally had been sitting in the kitchen for over half an hour, eating of course, when he realized he had no idea where Artemis was.

Now normally this was okay, but at the moment his nerves were shot and he figured he was allowed to be extra cautious for at least a week. He knew that her shower was probably done, so he just wanted to find her and make sure she was still okay. Wally was well aware of the simple ease it took to find yourself stewing with thoughts in a shower, mostly since he had just taken one himself.

He ran by the infirmary first, if only because it was closest. He only glanced in, knowing that it was unlikely he would find the blonde in there. The speedster ran next to her room in the cave. The one she used after missions.

Wally skidded to a stop in front of the closed door, knocking quick enough to let her know it was him. But there was no answer. He frowned, the boy was sure that she would be in here.

So he slowly turned the knob and peeked into the dark room, a lamp on the desk bearing the only source of light. He smiled.

There she was; wrapped up in her dark green comforter on the bed. Wally stepped into the room and closed the door silently behind him.

"Artemis," He called out gently, not wanting to frighten her. Wally smiled as he walked to the bed.

Artemis was curled up on her side, her hair spread out behind her in golden waves. The first word that came to his mind was angel.

He smirked, Artemis wasn't an angel. Wally knew of no angel lore that had them roundhouse kicking people twice their size. Artemis was a Goddess. His Goddess.

Wally sat down on the edge of the bed, "Arty" He voiced. Her eyes fluttered open.

THWACK.

Her fist flung out on instinct, but Wally was used to this and had caught it expertly in his palm.

"Oh!" Artemis gasped quietly in surprise. Wally just let out a laugh, making her blush, "Mmmm. What time is it?" Artemis groaned, holding a hand over her eyes. Wally kicked off his shoes and slid under the covers next to her.

"Still nap time," He simplified the answer, gladly wrapping his arms around her waist after letting her reach for him first, "Go back to sleep, Gorgeous," He kissed the top of her head as she nuzzled it into his shoulder.

"Mmmkay," Artemis responded, her breath tickling the skin of his neck. Wally just grinned and leaned his head over her own. Both drifting off to sleep with their minds finally at ease.

When Artemis woke up, her mind immediately placed her back in kidnapper's bed. Her eyes shot open in fear as she pulled her arms in close to her chest for defense.

But when her eyes gathered focus, she relaxed. She was lying in a bed, yes; but Wally was holding her close. His face tucked into her hair with a complacent smile resting on his lips.

Artemis let out a sigh of relief, letting her fingers graze lightly over his cheekbone.

"Wally," She said, rather loudly since she knew he was a light sleeper.

"Huh?" He mumbled, startling awake with a snort. Artemis allowed herself a small giggle.

"Afternoon," She greeted him teasingly.

"Nngg," He groaned, turning on his back groggily, his eyes slowly opening, "Afternoon," He smiled.

Artemis merely smiled back, enraptured with the impressive green of his eyes.

"You know, we never got to finish that date," Wally turned his head to her, "How about I take you out again tonight and make it up to you," He grinned, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear affectionately.

"Wally..." Artemis exhaled; the veto on the tip of her tongue.

"Please, Arty?" Wally asked, pouting.

"Oh fine," Artemis rolled her eyes.

The hotel was only a few blocks away from where they'd gone for dinner. Wally had chosen one of the most expensive restaurants in Gotham (though, Artemis would have preferred a small burger joint), and the redhead had gone through a bottle or two of champagne with Artemis's assistance, along with a few hundred dollars' worth of food.

Artemis felt bad for him spending so much money on her, but Wally had simply grinned. "I wouldn't wanna spend it on anything, or anyone else."

Walking outside, Wally lifted her up in his arms, bridal style. "What are you doing?" She asked through gritted teeth.

He looked at her with an amused grin, and ignored her question. "Close your eyes, and don't open them until I tell you to, okay?"

She rolled her eyes, "Fine. But if you drop me, you'll be in trouble."

Wally strolled down the sidewalk, Artemis with closed eyes hugging his chest, and didn't care about all the weird looks they were getting from strangers.

"This is the strangest thing you've done in a while," she joked, "Is everyone staring?"

"Well, a bit. But who cares really?"

Artemis heard a doorman welcome them in, and then a puzzled, yet calm female voice speaking, "Your room is waiting for Mr. West." Wally wrestled her around so that he could grab something with a hand, presumably the key, and then walked over to the elevators where smooth jazz played lightly in the background.

Artemis had never felt more awkward in her life.

Wally just laughed lightheartedly and took the stairs instead, running up them to whatever floor their room was on. Artemis couldn't tell how many flights they went up.

A few seconds later and Wally was pushing open the door to their hotel room, closing it with his foot before walking to the bed and gently putting the blonde on the comforter.

"You can open your eyes now," Wally announced. Artemis did, laughing at what she saw.

He had taken her to a suite. A fancy suite with velvety red fabric and luscious cream accents all over. A large flat screen was mounted on the wall across from the king sized bed. And a buffet tray had been set up off to the side, complete with all of Artemis's favorite foods and desserts.

"Wally," She cooed, pulling herself into his arms in a moment of mushy sincerity. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in tight with a grin.

"Now" He said seriously, pulling her back to look her in the eyes, "I know that this all looks very romantic, but rest assured we can spend all night watching movies and kissing a little and enjoying each other's company. We don't have to rush back into sex just because we've done it before," He rambled, the concern for her glowing in his eyes, "I understand if you need time to-"

"Wally," Artemis cut him off by placing a light finger to his lips, "You are adorable, and very sweet, but what Cameron did is not going to change us. I told you that," She frowned, "If anything, I want to have sex even more right now," Wally's sudden confusion spurred her onward, "Cameron tried to make me his. He did things to me that only you are allowed to do. I've washed him off as best I can, but..." Her eyes softened.

"Take me back; make me yours again, and get rid of every shadow he may have left behind," Artemis's eyes glassed over with an onslaught of emotion. Wally took her face gently into his hands, touching their foreheads together as he looked into her moist eyes.

"I love you Artemis," Wally explained, "You don't have to do this for me, for us. I'll always love you,"

"Then show me," Artemis smiled, making the decision for him as she gently pressed her lips to his own.

She leaned into him, pushing him to the edge of the bed. He fumbled about with the buttons on her shirt, cautiously as if his touch would still upset her.

Artemis bit down on his lip, and their teeth clacked together. He wrestled his fingers through her mess of hair, massaging the back of her neck. She smelled wonderful.

He fought the urge to throw her onto the bed; fought the desire to rip off her clothes and take her. No matter what she said, he was going to take his time; Wally didn't want to push her to fast after it happened.

Artemis tugged at his shirt, wanting to feel the warm skin beneath the fabric. The speedster obliged her, using his superspeed to unbutton his dress shirt and toss it to the side. She curled her arms around his torso, her lips meeting the freckled skin of his chest with soft pressure.

Wally sighed in bliss at her touch and let his hands slide slowly under her shirt. Slow enough that she could stop him if she wanted; but a hum in her throat spurred him on. Their lips met again in an electrifying kiss, Artemis's tongue darting out to catch his lip, making him gasp in delighted surprise.

The redhead's hands massaged their way up the archer's back, hesitantly working their way towards her breasts. Artemis pulled herself closer, signaling to her lover that he could continue.

Wally's fingers drifted around the outline of her breasts, his thumbs slipping under her bra.

"Wally..." Artemis moaned as the rest of his fingers ventured beneath the padded fabric, her nails lightly raking his abs in ecstasy.

The speedster drew his hands back to pull her shirt swiftly over her head.

Her feathery fingertips grazed at the hem of his boxers, eliciting a shiver from the speedster.

The cool air chilled Artemis's open skin and she remembered what she looked like. The archer bowed her head in shame, not wanting to see Wally's face as he looked at her bruised flesh.

"Artemis," Wally whispered, one warm arm wrapping around her waist while his hand nudged her chin up to look her in the eyes, "You're beautiful; inside and out. Nothing can change that," He murmured, pressing his lips lightly to her temple.

She nodded; her heart swelling in love from his words. Wally continued kissing her, his lips trailing from her cheek to her collarbone as his fingers worked to unclasp her bra. Artemis leaned forward to meet the skin of his chest, delighted by the hitched breathing she caused.

Wally's hand drifted to her chest, cupping her breast gently as his thumb moved in circles around her nub, making her sigh in bliss. His mouth latched onto the match and Artemis let out a moan from the back of her throat.

She clasped onto his neck and breathed his name, and felt him shudder. Her teeth grazed his freckled ear, and it was his turn to moan. Artemis zealously pushed him off her, and flat on his back. She crawled atop him, and met his eyes; brimming with fire and lust, but also contentment and delight.

She first kissed his face; his forehead, his mouth, his cheeks, and worked her way down to his abs. She traced every muscle, every sweaty inch of his skin, with her tongue.

Then, she gazed up at Wally, who was trying very hard not to roll her over and conjoin with her, was clenching the sheets in torture. She smirked, and crept her fingers under the fabric of his boxers, teasing his stiff member.

"U-Uhh..A-Artemis." He choked, eyes rolling back in pleasure.

She slid up and down his pulsing shaft, and carefully lifted his shorts off, at a maddeningly slow pace in Wally's opinion.

"Wally, your crotch is on fire," She leaned into his neck and whispered, "We better get it wet so it doesn't burn you up."

He couldn't take anymore, and he inhaled deeply as Artemis finally sped up the pace. Her grip bringing Wally's insatiable longing further to his release.

Wally fervently twirled under Artemis, and pressed into her. His breath hitched in his throat as he looked down his body to catch Artemis's eyes, their exotic slant accentuated under her dark lashes.

Artemis smirked, her tongue darting out to run along her lips tantalizingly slow.

"A-A-Artemis," He moaned, his eyes rolling back into his head in fervent anguish, "Please," He begged, still unwilling to be too forward and take control.

"What was that?" Artemis purred, climbing off of his warm body to grab a condom from her purse; pausing when she turned around. Her heart melting at the sight of him.

He was completely bare to the world, his skin gleaming from a slight sweat. Wally's fists clenched the sheets around him as he tried to control the passion burning within him and vibrating slightly from the effort. Holding in his urges because, and she knew, he wanted her to be in control. He didn't want her to feel trapped, or forced. And his vibrant green eyes, staring right into her soul told her of the inner turmoil he faced.

Artemis sighed, her heart still aflame from love as she tossed him the condom. Wally fumbled with it as she slid her underwear down her legs, gracefully stepping out of them before crawling back onto the bed; hovering over her trembling speedster.

Wally leaned his head up, locking his lips with her own, relishing in the curtain of her hair that fell around them. Creating a velvet tent that separated them from the world.

Green eyes met grey in an amorous connection. Artemis shivered in anticipation as Wally's hand moved down to place himself in position. The heat radiating off his body in gentle waves.

"I love you," He whispered, and Artemis didn't think his eyes had ever looked so captivating.

"Love you too," She breathed, resting her forehead against his own as she gradually lowered herself until their hips molded together.

"Uhhhh," Wally moaned at the sensation. Of being so close, so intimate with this woman he was so very in love with.

"Wally," Artemis breathed heavily, if not only because of how warm he was, how he seemed to fill her very soul. But because she knew what was coming, the exhilarating act that always left her wondering why she hadn't jumped this man sooner.

Wally leaned his head up and Artemis closed her eyes, expecting a kiss.

"Auhhhh," She moaned when his tongue had merely swept across her lips; leaving them moist, and unsatisfied. The archer pouted down at him, but found the speedster smirking, the desire stirring behind his emerald eyes.

"Give it to me, Beautiful," Wally exhaled, his warm breath teasing the strands of hair draping around them.

She pulled back and thrusted upon him, struggling for breath, and he grew inside of her. They began moving as one and all her self-conscious feelings and beliefs that she wasn't good enough for Wally anymore vanished as Artemis was sent into a state of unbridled elation. Her eyelids fluttered and her heart raced at an inhuman pace.

And then the vibrating started.

It was marvelous.

After sex, the couple lay in bed, snuggled together. Artemis could still hear Wally's heart pounding as she stretched out atop his chest.

"You're usually nervous beforehand Wallace, but not afterwards. Something on your mind?" She asked, glancing up at him.

And, there was indeed something on his mind. He moved a little, and Artemis sat up, and Wally grabbed at his pants that were crumpled on the floor. He took out something and held it in his palm, not letting Artemis see it at first.

"I've had this for a few weeks now," Wally stumbled over his words, "And, well, I was going to ask you... well, after our date that night, but..."

He fidgeted with a small box in his hands, trembling a little to try and open the box.

"I know it's fast, but... Artemis I can't stand to not have you in my life. I see my future when I look at you, and I'm not doing this because I'm scared or because of what happened with... him. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and-" She placed her finger in front of his lips, stopping him from his rant.

"For fuck's sake Wally, yes."

He blinked, "R-Really?"

She smiled, reached out to help him open the box. A sparkling diamond, encased in silver. He slid it onto her slender finger, and stared into her gray eyes.

She gave him the 'what do you think' look, one he'd received many times, "Yes, you idiot. Now kiss me."

He grasped the back of her head and pulled her lips to his, softly nestling his fingers through her hair.

"I love you Artemis."

"I know... I love you too,"

That's the end! Please let us know what you thought with a review! It is most appreciated!

If you want to check out more Spitfire fanfiction check out my profile (Talkin2fast4u) or GeekyArtChick's!

Unnnnnggg Vibrating speedsters...

-Geeky and Veg