Disclaimer: Don't own anything but the writing and some plot ideas.

Almost Out

Artemis and Wally had been trekking for about a half-hour now, neither sure what desert they were in. Wally's clock was tuned to American time, and Artemis had no clock on her. Wally had fiddled with the comm for a bit, trying to get through, but it had been damaged, presumably in a run. Tim's materials weren't sturdy enough for a speedster yet. With no way to get in touch with Central or Gotham, Wally was essentially stuck.

"That star is North," said Wally, pointing up at the sky, "So, theoretically, if we keep running North, I could possibly get us someplace with actual people in a few hours."

"Do you have the energy for that?" asked Artemis, looking doubtful.

"Possibly," said Wally, checking his suit. Two lightspeed bars were there, so he could technically get by, "I have food."

"I guess if that's our only option, we may as well take it," said Artemis doubtfully, "But let's scope the nearby area first. I want to know who kidnapped us."

"Why?" asked the kid, staring at her from behind those orange goggles. "Let's just get home."

"Don't you want to know why we were taken?" asked Artemis pointedly.

Artemis then remembered that common saying, be careful what you wish for. Now, to be frank, she'd always despised people who said that. Hated them from her very core. Which was probably why they were laughing at her now.

From over the sand dune came a large truck, filled to the brim with what looked like soldiers. Judging from the uniform, Bialyan soldiers. At least that explained the desert. She grimaced, strung her arrow through the bow, and fired, aiming in the middle of the squadron. Artemis barely had time to look for Kid, he was zooming quickly, a blur of black and red, knocking soldiers left, right and centre as well as taking their guns.

And then the tank came.

Scowling fiercely, Artemis ducked backwards, third arrow slung and firing. This time, purple, polyurethane foam burst out, ensnaring part of the wheels of the tank. Well, that was new. Grinning maniacally as the familiar rush of adrenaline burst through her veins at that rush, she laughed, tossing her head back. Her grin was steel. There was a thrill that only this life could give her, and maybe it was sick and twisted, being attracted to the violence her father bred in her, but it was a part of her.

Hands were wrapped around Wally's throat as he lay back in the sand. His body was pinned down, as he stared up into the most brilliant blue eyes he'd ever seen. They were filled with anger and fear, boring holes into Wally's face. So sad, troubled, upset.

Wally could feel himself getting light-headed.

He hoped Artemis was okay, that she'd managed to get away. That Super-boy-man-look-alike hadn't hit her too hard. He hoped his brothers would forgive him for dying. He could hear Dick in his mind, screaming something.

And then Dick was there, kryptonite in hand, slamming into the strange superbeing.

Wally gasped for air. He watched as the Superman-look-alike escaped after mauling Artemis and he, Dick waving kryptonite at him. Artemis was by his side, hovering over his face as he gasped, struggling for air. Then her lips were on his and she was blowing air into his mouth and he groaned as his lungs were filled. She moved back, concern in those grey eyes, as she placed a hand to his forehead.

Then she was flying backwards as Robin landed a solid kick in her chest. She gasped, standing up and bow at the ready. Wally struggled to his feet, hoarsely crying out, "Di- No!"

Dick turned to face him, and his worry was painted on his face, the domino mask doing nothing to hide his fear. Robin wrapped his arms around him, squeezing him gently but fiercely in a hug. Wally wrapped his arms around his brother, fear dissipating. Dick would take care of everything.

"Are you okay?" asked Dick, stepping back, "I called Red, he'll be here. Why are you here?! What happened?"

"A-Art-Artemis," choked out Wally, throat still hoarse as he headed over to the other girl, who was staring between the two, her eyes narrowed.

"Are you- and he- I mean- I have no problem with homos and what-

"We're not dating!" said Wally, aghast, though not entirely surprised by her assumption. Dick was being rather touchy-feely, "He's my best-friend, my bro."

Artemis stared past Wally at Dick, who was smirking at the accusation, but his hand was on his utility belt. Ready to strike at Artemis at any moment.

"Dick- Artemis is helping," said Wally with a nod.

Dick gave a quick glance over at Artemis, and then asked her, "Mind catching me up?"

So Artemis explained how the two of them had awoken in the middle of the desert together. Wally had found Artemis knocked out, and dragged her to the shed. They'd been attacked by Bialyans, only to be interrupted by the arrival of Super-boy-the-mysterious, and the Bialyans had scattered. And that was how Dick found them.

The creature was roaring, whimpering and frightened. That glowing rock, bright and shiny and dangerous had hurt him. He stared at his chest, where a wound had opened up. His hands dipped into the blood. His own blood.

His sensitive ears could hear the others. The one with the scary green rock was talking. They all were talking. Soldiers were talking somewhere else, making different sounds. There were whimpers of pain and yells and he was so tired and scared.

His chest hurt from where the rock had cut him.

He wanted to be free. He wanted everything to be quiet. He wanted to heal.

The moonlight on his chest wasn't enough. Instinctively he knew he needed something more. Something important. Something brighter.

But it wasn't in sight.

The creature trudged onwards, thinking and pondering in a manner it didn't recognize. It saw the eyes behind the golden glare of strange eyes on a spotted face in yellow skin. A creature with red on it's head that lay, gasping and struggling for air below the creature's hands. He had felt the pulse of another life, beating much faster than the creature's own.

The noises in the distance grew louder.

And then suddenly he felt a spark of electric current hit his wound and the creature roared in horror as the pain flared in his muscles, forcing him to his knees as he yelled and felt water drew to his eyes, pricking and then it went black.

As they trudged through the desert, Robin and Artemis exchanged glares over Kid Flash's head. Neither felt comfortable trusting the other, nor did they feel confident that leaving the group would be the best idea. So, it was in a state of uneasiness that they moved.

Until suddenly a girl materialized right in front of them. She had green skin, and wore the red 'X' of the Martian Manhunter's costume over her own, with a dark blue hood and a bright smile. The strangest thing was her orange hair and freckled face, like she was half-human half-martian. It was slightly jarring to witness.

Both Artemis and Robin had weapons out at the ready, while the girl gasped, "Artemis! Robin! Kid Flash! I found you at last!"

Tim hated his team on most days.

Sometimes, sometimes they were alright. Victor and he would create schematics for some amazing piece of tech, and Tim would feel alright with his team. Raven would express an emotion nowadays, without fear of releasing the dangerous part of her. Starfire was learning human customs and sometimes she'd use the correct idiom or expression and Tim would feel a bit like a proud teacher. Rose was being less abrasive with the rest of the team. And Roy was realizing that teamwork and relying on older, and more experienced heroes was not always a bad thing.

But on days like today, Tim abhorred the assholes he worked with.

"I have a kid brother too y'know," said Rose, as she squashed herself on top of Tim's shoulder while chewing gum right in his ear. Purposely. To irritate the fuck out of him. "Named Jericho. But he can usually handle a dangerous situation for more than a few hours. I bet yours can too, so seriously, let me grab a coffee from Starbucks. I'll even get you a delicious fucking fruit smoothie."

"Rose! It is clear that friend Robin is distressed and that his brother and friends are in the utmost danger! We must be fast as thunder to get over there and help!" encouraged Starfire, sweet, helpful Starfire.

"I'm with Rose," muttered Raven, the twelve-year old shuffling in her seat on board their ship and looking uneasy.

"We're not leaving you to the other team," assuaged Tim, "Besides if they wanted anyone, it would be Roy. And he's still on probation."

"I thought I was off probation!" argued Roy, "Besides, I'm pretty sure the kids'll be alright while we stop for coffee."

"We're fucking professionals," gritted out Red Robin, "And we have a fucking coffee machine on board this fucking ship."

"It's disgusting," announced Zachary, the number one nuisance on-board Tim's precious airship. "Seriously Red, those beans are slimy."

"Like you," growled Tim, "There will be no fucking coffee breaks!"

Cyborg took pity on Tim, and finally called out helpfully from his place at the hub of the ship, steering, "We'll take Red's brother and his friends out for coffee when we rescue them, kapeesh?"

The others sighed and returned to their seats, though Rose did thump Red Robin's head, and Zachary flounced. For a moment, a blissful, peaceful moment, everything was quiet.

And then-

"Did you have to pick me up when I was about to get laid by the birthday girl? I was going to show her exactly how speaking backwards made my tongue-

"Finish that fucking sentence Zatara and I'll take my katana and shove it up your ass and show you exactly what I learned from my dad-

"You're just upset that you can't get into my-

"Friends! Please don't argue! I am sure that your tongue and swords are equally skillful in their endeavours!"

"Course, Rose's sword sees more action than Zach's tongue."

"Civ pals yor."

"Oi! I like having fucking control of my body!"

"Mini-Red slapped me!"

"Meditation is pointless with all of you here."

He fucking hated his team.

So, this is the new chapter! Less Wally/Kon than I hoped, and less Teen Titans then I envisioned. However, it's been almost three months, and that made me feel guilty. This is still on a temp hiatus, at least until Enough is finished. Until then, enjoy this filler chapter until the main shit goes down in Bialya, in which there are actual changes to the YJ timeline.

Also, school has me really swamped, so please, please be patient. Things should hopefully sort themselves out, but until then, please wait it out with me and wish me luck!

Review Replies:

Guest: Updated, hope it was worth it :)

camilla: I haven't stopped, just taking an... extended pause. Sorry about that!