Here is part 2 of 3. Thank you for the feedback. I will try my best to post the final chapter sometime in the next week or two after I post the next chapter of Like Cats and Dogs.

I don't own the characters.

Whether Wally liked it or not, life went on without Artemis in the West household. Meals had to be made, hair had to be braided, diapers had to be changed and naptimes had to be enforced. It was hard at first, but eventually his wife's absence became part of the daily grind.

He had not seen, nor heard from Artemis since she disappeared into that car. Six weeks came and went, but his beloved failed to return. When he called to inquire about this they only told him that the mission would continue for an indefinite amount of time. Last week they had reached the three-month point without Artemis. Wally didn't know how much more of this he could take.

During the day their kids were usually in good spirits, but around bedtime tears were a regular thing. Wally tried to tell them that Mommy would be home soon, though now it didn't really help. He hated not knowing. He hated lying to his kids.

Isabelle went to pre-k during the week and his parents would watch RJ while he was at work. On the weekends Wally would try to do something fun with his kids to keep their minds off of Artemis.

The evenings were his least favorite part of the day. After the kids' bedtime they would always do something together. It was the only alone time they ever got to share. Now the time seemed empty. Their bedroom was hollow. Every time he'd go to turn out the light a lump would form in his throat. He'd never had to turn out the light before Artemis left. She would always stay up late studying for the Bar Exam. It was her dream to become an Army JAG one day. Now, her textbooks collected dust on the floor.

He woke up at six and threw on a pair of running shorts. His parents had taken the kids camping so he did not have to deal with the stroller this time. Wally enjoyed running in the morning. The fresh air always cleared his head and allowed him to focus on something other than his absent wife.

Brucely wagged his tail as Wally attached the leash to his collar. The white pit-bull mix always loved the morning runs. They headed off on their usual route. It was a nice day. The sky was highlighted by a few brightly colored wisps of clouds that caught the sun's morning light. Wally still needed a light jacket, but he could tell it was going to be a beautiful day.

He made it back to the house around eight. Brucely was panting and he was covered in sweat. The house was eerily quiet without two kids running around. Making breakfast was weirdly simple. Usually any involved in the morning routine included at least one small disaster. He turned on the coffee pot and poured himself a bowl of cornflakes. For the first time in ages he read the morning paper in silence.

Wally was reading about the new tigers in the Happy Harbor Zoo when he heard knock at the door. He found it strange. Usually visitors used the doorbell. He slowly stood up and the knocking started again. Fear shot down his spine as he headed to the door. Good news never nocked.

His fingers trembled as he struggled with the doorknob. He found it hard to breathe after he opened the door. Two people in uniform, a blonde woman and a tall black man, stood on his porch. He recognized the woman. Dinah was one of the people who trained his unit.

"Sergeant West, may we come inside?" Her grim expression mirrored her partner's.

Wally couldn't speak, but he nodded and showed them to the living room. His knees felt weak as he headed towards the couch. When they didn't introduce themselves he knew his greatest fear was about to come to life. Time seemed to stop as he prepared for impact.

"Sir, the Secretary of the Army has asked me to express his deep regret that your wife, Sergeant Artemis Crock, was killed in action in an undisclosed location last night. The secretary wishes to extend his deepest sympathies to you and your family in this tragic loss." Dinah's voice was gentle, but it did nothing to soften the blow of the well-rehearsed speech. "A Casualty Assistance Officer will contact you in the next twenty-four hours to make arraignments."

Wally sat there silently for a moment. He was in shock. He knew what was coming; yet he still didn't believe what he had just heard. His throat clenched shut and all the air rushed out of his lungs. Tears quietly slipped down his cheeks and agony swelled in his chest. He couldn't speak. He couldn't move. He couldn't breathe. She was gone.

Dinah reached out and set a hand on Wally's knee. There were tears in her eyes too, but she did her best to contain her emotion. "Wally, I'm sorry. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help."

He fought the urge to sob. "Did you tell her mother?" his voice was hoarse and distant.

The black man sitting next to Dinah spoke up. "There are officers with her as we speak."

Wally bit his lip and nodded. He couldn't look either of his guests in the eye. His teary gaze fixated on the family picture that hung on the mantle. Artemis stood next to him with RJ in her arms and he had Isabelle perched upon his shoulders. The people in the photo looked happy. Now, they were strangers. He doubted that they would ever experience the same joy ever again. His family would never be complete again.

"Is there anyone that can stay with you?" Dinah's soft voice pulled him back into reality.

He swallowed and nodded. "My parents should be here with the kids in a bit."

Wally debated on whether or not to call his parents and tell them to come sooner or allow his kids a few more hours of bliss. He didn't know how to tell Isabelle and RJ that mommy wasn't coming home. His doubted his two-year-old and his four-year-old would understand.

"I know this is a hard time Wally, but there are things that we need to address for your arraignments." The black man pulled a file of papers out of his jacket and handed Wally a pen.

Wally held on to the pen for dear life. His hands shook as he scribbled his name across the dotted line. The redhead zoned out as they began to brief him on the process. Wally was familiar with the protocol. He had been present when Dick received the news about Jason.

Wally sat there quietly as he stared at the various papers laid out in front of him. Some were for funeral arraignments, others were for the transportation of the body. He couldn't stand to look at the papers. He could barely move. He could barely breath. He didn't want to care anymore, but he had to care. He had kids, he couldn't fall apart.

Thank you for reading. Please let me know what you think. Feedback is always appreciated.