Author's Notes; This idea is a prequel for another story we're working on together called Lost Youth. Given the AU nature of the story, I felt it time that we did some exploration of their lives before the start of LY. While this focuses on Oliver and Artemis as seen in Arrow, (Ollie, not Arty, yet, if I'm any judge,) most likely we'll see the rest of the team pop up along the way until the eventual attack on the S.T.A.R. Labs that sets things into motion from there. Timeline wise this takes place immediately after Legacies. It was the only way I could realistically see Oliver taking on a partner in any sense of the word.
By: Vergil1989 the Crossover King and his sidekick / trusted friend, Archer83
Disclaimer; We own nothing related to Arrow, Young Justice, the Justice League, or anything else that might become a reference along the way.
Chapter 1; Broken Arrow
The Glades, Starling City.
The steel mill, the 'Arrowcave'
September 7th, 2009
8:52 PM
He had made national headlines when he had apparently returned from the dead after five years on an island. Everyone knew his name, everyone knew that he was supposed to be the new head of Queen Consolidated, but few people knew who Oliver Queen truly was anymore. Even fewer knew the connection the new vigilante, the Hood, and Oliver had. Only John Diggle, his bodyguard, truly knew that they were one and the same, and even he had trouble wrapping his head around it at times. It took a bullet laced with curare, and some time to think about Oliver's offer, to convince him he was doing the right thing, allowing his boss to run around Starling City as the Hood.
He still wasn't entirely convinced it was the right thing, but John had seen Oliver in action already. He knew how he operated, what he stood for, and despite his misgivings about his methods, John had to admit, Oliver was doing a lot of good for the city and its downtrodden. The body count was a little too high for his taste, but that was to be expected in a war. What was happening in Starling City though? What was it if not a war? The guy had a list of names from his dead father that was a mile long, and all of those names had one thing in common. Every single one of them were corrupt and powerful in one way or another. This latest one was just the tip of the iceberg.
Oliver's base of operations just happened to be beneath an abandoned steel mill which coincidentally was going to be renovated to be the new nightclub that his boss and his best friend were putting together. Sitting at the desk while Ollie did his thing at the computer center that, like everything else down in the basement, Oliver had put together on his own. Diggle raised an eyebrow when his boss found something of interest. "That him?"
"Lawrence Crock, a.k.a, Sportsmaster. A very dangerous enforcer for anyone that can afford his rates. Interpol, NSA, the CIA; almost every agency has been trying to get their hands on this guy and everyone's failed. Now he's in Starling City, and if this security footage I was able to dig up is anything to go by, he isn't alone." Diggle took a look and again raised an eyebrow when his gaze swept over the photo and the security footage that was pulled up, along with a list of known crimes the man had perpetrated. The guy was big, bigger than most men Diggle was used to seeing, and he had survived three tours in Iraq. He had seen countless people in various shapes and sizes, and he couldn't remember one that was close to Sportsmaster's immense build.
It was the young blonde girl, of maybe thirteen at most, that was at Lawrence's side that caught John's interest. "Is it just me, or does it look like she doesn't want to be there?" Diggle pointed out and Ollie had to agree. There was something in the girl's face, in her grey eyes that made both men wonder what her story was. "So what do you think Oliver?" Dig finally asked as he met his boss's intense gaze.
Five years on that island. From what little John had been told of it so far, that would have changed anyone and most likely not for the better. In Oliver's case though, it had stripped away all the bull and had left the man that had been hidden underneath. Diggle had seen his fair share of rich spoiled kids during his four years as a bodyguard, and Oliver certainly didn't fit that bill anymore. The man had more integrity than all of his previous clients combined.
As much as Oliver agreed with John in regards to the girl, Lawrence Crock was the real problem. "If she's at his side Dig, then you know I can't hold back no matter what her circumstances might be. But-" Oliver held up a hand before his friend could voice a protest. "I draw the line at kids, even if they are following a masked lunatic. If I can help her, fine, but if not, then maybe some time in juvie will straighten her out. Provided she's even around when I try to take this guy down."
"Glad to know we have that straightened out Oliver." It had been a brief doubt in Diggle's mind, but he trusted Oliver and knew that he wouldn't hurt whoever that girl was if he could help it. Crossing his arms as he stood away from the desk, Oliver soon joined him as the vigilante lead the way to his workshop where he made most of his gear. The things he couldn't make, he had ways of acquiring. For now, Oliver suited up for a night on the town. "What happens if she is there Oliver? If she is willing to put down her life for this guy?"
"I truly hope she isn't willing to do that, for both our sakes." He had enough blood on his hands, and adding a kid's into the mix was not how Oliver wanted this night to end. But neither could he let Lawrence get away, and if that meant putting an arrow into his accomplice, then he'd do it without blinking. At least, that's what Oliver tried to tell himself as he pulled the hood down over his face and gave his bodyguard, and only ally in this war against the criminal elite, one last farewell nod. "Whatever happens Dig, Lawrence will know who he's up against."
Diggle looked over a file Oliver had been able to 'borrow' from the SCPD. He did that a lot more than most people had a right to get away with. The former soldier quickly held up his hand to get Olliver's attention before he could pull his little disappearing act. "Says here that Lawrence has a couple kids, and that the mother died in prison after a botched job the two pulled that left her paralyzed from the waist down. One of them would be about thirteen now...has an older sister that's been missing since she was nine years old. Her name is Artemis Lian Crock. Don't even bother giving me that glare you're so fond of. Seems to me that you have an easy choice to make Oliver." Oliver stopped and looked over his shoulder at the man, knowing exactly what Dig was trying to do. He was putting a name to the blonde's face, making it that much harder to fight her to his fullest if it came to that.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were hoping that I'll bring this kid back with me." He already knew how John would respond to his sarcasm, but the words still stung all the same since they were exactly what Oliver needed to hear, and they both knew it.
The smirk Diggle threw his way was all Queen needed to see. He had won and they both knew it even before the words were out of his mouth. "You suddenly in the sidekick business Oliver? Since that would be a bit more insane than your usual schemes, and the whole jumping off buildings thing." John sighed and gazed at the grainy surveillance image once again. "Personally, I'll be happy if the girl is at least still breathing after tonight. You'll figure out something I'm sure. Oliver?" Diggle looked around him to see that Queen had already vanished into thin air. "I hate it when he does that."
Starling National Bank.
Midnight
"Almost to the ground baby girl?" Lowering his daughter down from the skylight on an improvised pulley system wasn't the easiest way they could have done this, but it was the safest, especially for her first time out on a job. While Lawrence Crock was many things, a caring father wasn't one of them, but there was no point in getting the girl killed their first time out.
Strapped in tactical rappelling gear, wearing a black bodysuit and ski mask, Artemis Lian Crock made sure her bow and quiver were tight against her back as she slid down the rope slowly but surely. Too much pressure on the rope between her hands and she wouldn't go anywhere, not enough and she'd slide down too fast and end up hurting herself when she hit the floor.
As much as the ski mask wearing young girl wanted to be anywhere but here, she knew the price for failure was severe. She had the scars to prove it, as did her older sister who she hadn't seen since she left that night more than four years ago. "Just a little further. Alright we're good." As soon as her feet touched the linoleum floor, Artemis unclipped herself from the safety harness and waited for her father to join her on the ground, before they moved on with the rest of their plan. She was fast and efficient, just like her dad had wanted her to be from day one, as she brought up her bow and did a quick check of the area. Other than a few cameras situated around the bank, there was very little noticeable security. The few motion sensors that had been a part of the place had been deactivated already while they were on the roof. A quiet whisper was the only sound heard in the dark lobby. "Clear!"
"It better be baby girl." Lawrence said as he quickly slid down the rope and landed lightly beside his daughter. Despite his immense size, he was as sure and light footed as any assassin. "Let's get moving, before some guard gets tired of sitting on his ass and wanders into us out of boredom." Casually tossing one of his specially made javelins at the nearest camera, an electrical pulse instantly fried the bank's internal security network. As much as he hated passing through airport security, even in disguise, at least here he didn't have to worry about the feds getting another picture of his face anytime soon.
Having his image captured was the least of the man's worries as an arrow pierced his leg, pinning him to a nearby desk. It had struck him below the armored knee pad he wore, making it a very uncanny and accurate shot, especially in the dark. Despite the pain the arrow caused the man, Lawrence didn't acknowledge it as he and Artemis looked to where the shot had came from to see the Hood walking out of the shadows from the back of the bank. "Lawrence Crock...you have failed this city!"
With only a mild grunt of pain, Lawrence ripped the arrow out of his leg and merely laughed as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'll hand it to you Hood, I never saw you coming. Shoulda killed me though. Imagine the street cred I'll get for gutting Starling City's annoying little vigi. Let's go baby girl!" Oliver only narrowed his eyes as Artemis fired a shot at him, only to have the arrow caught by the elder archer before it reached his chest. It was a distraction however, allowing Lawrence to draw forth another javelin and launch it straight at the man's heart. Oliver barely dodged the projectile, receiving a deep cut to his right arm instead of being impaled.
He's fast, but I'm faster. Artemis was the game changer. Her loyalties were uncertain, a factor he could potentially use to his advantage, if he could get through to her. Even if she was taking shots at him, Oliver could practically sense the hesitation from across the lobby. She was distracting him at best, with shots just inches away from Oliver's body. Someone who could aim that well could have easily hit him several times by now, a fact that wasn't lost on her father apparently if the deepening scowl in his brown eyes was anything to go by. "What are you doing?! Quit trying to shoot him and shoot him!" Lawrence growled as he tossed another javelin at Oliver's back, and instead wound up hitting the desk he had jumped behind, as graceful as any cat. The only problem however was that this javelin exploded after a three second delay, sending the archer skidding across the floor and into the far wall, dazed but otherwise unharmed.
"No more excuses baby girl, take the shot or don't bother coming home." Artemis nocked another arrow in place and drew up the tension on her bow. If her many near misses hadn't been proof enough of her hesitation to kill, then her shaking bow arm was clear as day. Oliver's hood might have hid his face, but his eyes were still visible if the angle was just right. Even at this distance, it was clear that he was waiting for her to make her choice. Continue down the path her father wanted for her, or walk away from the life that had been forced upon her.
The arrow she fired harmlessly embedded itself in the wall next to Oliver's head, proving what he knew already. She was no killer, despite what her father might have wanted her to be.
It wasn't until she turned around did Artemis realize that Sportsmaster was already ascending the rope back out of the bank, muttering curses the whole way as he pulled himself up hand over hand. Before she got a chance to follow, Lawrence had already cut the rope from the pulley, leaving her behind and without an exit that didn't involve going through the front door and any cops that were waiting for her and her new pal, the Hood. If she thought that was the end of their 'relationship' however, Artemis was sorely mistaken when she felt a dart pierce the right side of her neck. "No...you can't! Don't leave me!"
"I just did baby girl. Have a nice nap! And just so you know, this is your own fault. Maybe you'll remember that when you wake up, IF you wake up!" A precisely aimed arrow hit just underneath his hockey like mask and grazed the side of the enforcer's face. The long, ragged, and bleeding cut from chin to temple was enough to take away the man's arrogant smirk. Oliver only had time to watch Lawrence disappear into the night as he caught the stumbling blonde girl before she had a chance to hit the floor. Whatever had been in that dart was already taking effect from what he could see.
"Stay with me Artemis!" Oliver shouted as he pulled the dart out of her neck and made it a point to put it into his hood for later analysis. He needed to know what was in it just in case his herbs he had brought back from the island didn't work to counteract the poison. Seeing terror in the eyes of those he fought usually gave him a sense of satisfaction, but seeing it in this young girl's grey eyes was another story altogether. Pulling his cellphone out with one hand while gently lowering Artemis to the floor, Ollie called the only person he could trust. "Dig, get the lab prepped; I'm bringing her back and she's been poisoned. I'll be there in ten." He didn't wait for a reply as he hung up before slinging the girl over his shoulder. This was shaping up to be a very long night.
Back at the steel mill
"You know I was joking about the sidekick thing right? I didn't think you'd actually bring her back here!" Diggle once again found himself questioning the sanity of one Oliver Queen as he rubbed his forehead in frustration. He knew that this job wouldn't be without its risks, but this was starting to be too much. No one was supposed to know about their little operation, and now Oliver had dumped a kid right in the middle of it.
"The situation changed Dig...when her own father decided to poison her to get away!" The fact that Robert Queen had shot himself in the head to ensure his son survived, something Diggle knew all too well, allowed him to understand his friend's rage at what had happened tonight. Lawrence Crock would be a dead man if their paths crossed again. "I figured letting her die or saving her life was an easy choice." Even as he laid her out on the same table that not so long ago had held John after he had been tagged by Deadshot, Oliver had enough of his attention span left to shoot his friend a bitter glare. "Grab my medical kit, it should be next-"
"Got it." Now that the girl was his problem just as much as Oliver's, Diggle quickly shoved his worries and complaints to the back of his mind for the moment. He rapidly snatched up said med kit, as well as a blanket and a bottle of water for the girl. "Here, do your magic Oliver. You better hope you can save her." The bottle and kit were quickly thrust at the man as John covered the young girl.
"No magic involved Dig, and that makes two of us." Still, Oliver nodded his thanks as he dug out the dart he had kept and handed it over to his partner to analyze, just in case as he took his medkit from his friend. Opening up the old and battered metal grey box, Oliver didn't bother going for the bandages he kept. He was after the small brown leather bag that contained his herbs. Taking a small handful of them out of the bag, he unscrewed the cap on the bottle of water before forcing Artemis to swallow the herbs. He knew from first hand experience how bad they tasted, and that there was no way she'd keep from choking without something to wash it down. After he made sure she had ingested the herbs, Oliver finally dropped his head in pain and exhaustion.
The injured vigilante then dragged a chair over to the small medical table Artemis laid upon, before putting his head in his hands. "Look man, maybe you made the right call, maybe you made the wrong one, but I am glad you got her away from that guy. The scanner on your computer is already working on the dart you brought back. Is there anything else we can do for now?" Despite his misgivings about where things had gone tonight, Diggle was happy that there was the silver lining about his friend bringing Artemis back alive if not well. The repercussions of the decision would just have to be dealt with as they came along.
"We can wait, and hope. Those herbs will help her...or they won't. Either way, I need to know exactly what 'Daddy Dearest' hit her with before we can do anything." Oliver had never been one for praying. Even before the island he would have been the last person to believe in a higher power that didn't have alcohol somewhere in the mix. Now, after the island had changed him, he still didn't believe in anything beyond what he could see and touch, but that didn't mean he couldn't hope that they hadn't been too late.
Oliver's 'bodyguard' / confidant gripped his shoulder, and only then noticed that the sleeve of his costume was wet with blood. "Oliver...you're bleeding like a sieve. I'll get some anesthetic and patch this up." As Diggle turned to pick up the needed meds and tools from the kit, Oliver grabbed his arm.
"What would I do without you? And don't bother with the pain killers, I'd rather not pass out until after I know she's out of the woods...or never waking up again." Lawrence's parting words had been more than a little unnerving, and they came back like a freight train as he recalled the final few seconds between them. Some fates were worse than death, a fact he knew all too well, and if Sportsmaster had devised some kind of drug that put its victim into a catatonic state, then the possibility of her suffering such a fate made her recovery all the more important.
Twelve hours later...
He had had time for a very short nap, lunch with his mother, a fight with his sister, and a bit of bike riding with his best friend Tommy, before Oliver finally got the call that he had been hoping for and dreading in equal parts. As soon as he was able to safely disappear, he wasted no time in getting back to the steel mill. Once he was back in the basement, he saw for himself that Artemis was groggy but very much alright. The fact she wasn't entirely happy to see him could be forgiven though. "You!"
"Glad to see you're awake Ms. Crock. Trust me, this is a much better place to wake up instead of cuffed to a bed in the ER, or laying in the morgue." Artemis visibly shivered at the image Oliver conjured up for her with that single statement. Despite the fact she had been armed to the teeth, she was still just a kid, about the same age his sister had been when he had disappeared.
"You really should have gone into nursing Oliver, impressive bedside manner you've got there. Your patients would get well in record time just to get the hell away from you." Neither missed the fact that Diggle was making a show of cleaning one of his smaller guns he kept around the lair. Just because he agreed with Ollie's decision didn't mean he had to like it. "Sorry about the restraints, but I'm sure you understand. It's not that we don't trust you, but we don't trust you."
"Noted, but I could care less. And just so we're clear, you mean these restraints?" Artemis held up her hands to show that the handcuffs that Diggle had used on her were about as useful as a paper rope, as she casually twirled the cuffs around her pointer finger. Oliver raised an eyebrow while Diggle silently cursed at the kid's fast escape. "I've been slipping out of cuffs since I was nine years old. You'll have to do better than that old man."
Oliver couldn't keep the smile off his face as Diggle started to look less than pleased. "Why so serious...old man? Looks like our new friend here has a few interesting talents, other than assisting in felonies, wouldn't you say Dig?" When John cocked the gun he had finished cleaning, the joke was over.
It was Artemis's turn to fume at the mere mention of what had happened last night. "I didn't- it's not like I wanted to be there in the first place! It's not like I had a choice..."
Oliver let out a skeptical sigh as the girl continued to glare at him. "You always have a choice, anyone can choose to do the right thing, it's just having the will to do it that's the hard part.
"The scars I saw say otherwise Oliver." John replied, earning a shocked look from the blonde. "You already strike me as the kind of person that wouldn't admit you're hurting even with blood running down your face. The only way I knew you hadn't been injured, besides that dart he pulled out of your neck, was to check you over while you were out cold."
The young girl huffed in anger and slammed her head back against the pillow Diggle had placed behind her head earlier. Admitting weakness of any sort had been liable to result in her getting her ass kicked with her dad hovering over her shoulder at every turn. She wasn't about to change her ingrained habit of disguising hurt and weakness now, especially with two people she had only just met. One of which had ended up taking on her dad before all but kidnapping her.
Oliver was painfully reminded of himself when he was younger, the way Artemis was reacting to the whole situation. "Whatever...whatever your father did to you, I promise you Artemis, he'll never lay a hand on you again." Even his 'bodyguard' was surprised by how much compassion his friend's voice held as he looked away from his cleaning gear and looked towards the girl. He normally only reserved that type of blunt honesty for his family.
"As if I'd believe you." The rage at least had left her face, but it was still present in the way she curled up on her side away from Oliver and Diggle. Everyone had either abandoned her or died on her. Trust issues didn't even begin to cover the problems that Artemis would have to work through if she wanted a chance at a normal life.
"That's the funny thing about when I make someone a promise, I don't need them to believe me." Oliver knew better than to try and comfort the girl any further at the moment, only time could prove to her that he was telling the truth. "I'll get you something light to eat and some water. Then, you're going to get some more rest." As much as it was clear that she wanted to protest when she rolled back over, Artemis didn't say a word as Oliver left Diggle in charge of their new guest. How he was going to explain this one to his family he hadn't the faintest idea, but he'd figure something out. One thing was certain however, there was no way in Hell he'd hand her back over to Lawrence Crock and his 'tender loving care'.
Ollie had made it a point to keep a well stocked hideout. Cans of soup and other non-perishables were safely filed away in their own place in the basement. It didn't take him long to get a styrofoam bowl full of warm chicken noodle soup for his less than amicable 'guest'. It probably would have tasted better steaming hot, but he really didn't feel like getting scalded today. It was abundantly clear to both men that Artemis hadn't exactly been well fed over the years. Mainly from her surprise at Oliver's offer to get her more soup, after she drained the first bowl in less than a minute.
"Um...could I maybe get some crackers too?" Both men had noticed how the stubborn girl was suddenly acting almost kind in comparison to just minutes earlier.
"Dig, don't let her out of your sight." Ollie whispered on his way back to his pantry, having a feeling she'd make a break for the door the first chance she got. She was a flight risk if he had ever seen one, and his bodyguard would have heartily agreed if his friend had brought it up. He didn't have to though as Diggle nodded, and gave the girl a smirk as she finished what little remained in her bowl. Oliver quickly jogged back in and snatched it out of her hands. "Sorry, last one. Be right back."
"Uh huh." Artemis didn't believe him for an instant as she tried to appear as casual as she could, swinging her legs over the side of the bed as she watched Oliver like a hawk. Diggle didn't miss a beat as he kept his gaze leveled on the blonde. A small red smear of blood on her left arm got his full attention immediately.
"Damn...looks like I missed something. Okay, you're going to stay exactly where you are, and I'll toss you some disinfectant and a bandage." The needed items were quickly acquired as the man casually walked over and placed them next to her on the bed. He instantly backed away after doing so, and returned to his spot in the lair. The two seconds he had been within arm's reach of the girl had been pushing it for the former soldier as it was.
"It's fine." Artemis wanted to argue, but she stopped when she heard Diggle's arrangement. He was letting her handle it herself. The idea surprised her, but Artemis was quick to adapt her plan. "Sure you want to do that old man? Your boss didn't think letting me keep that bowl was a good idea, afraid I might get clever and somehow make a weapon out of it." The fact that she could have done exactly that, she decided not to mention. Styrofoam was hard when compressed tightly enough, and rolled up into a tube, it made a good improvised stabbing weapon.
"Gotta point. I could restrain you first and cuff your hands behind your back. Or you could just do it your own damn self." Diggle had never imagined once in his life that he'd ever be saying those words to a kid. Being around Oliver too long tended to change things like that.
"Language old man, I'm thirteen." Artemis knew she was annoying the guy from the way his glare was deepening. "And besides, we both know that cuffs don't do squat against me." She had taken only ten seconds to free herself the first time, with her hands behind her back it'd be even easier. "Ow! Dammit." John had walked back over to Artemis's side and was quick to pick up the bandage and the disinfectant before putting them to use.
"Thought you were tougher than that blondie? You went toe to toe with Oliver and you're still standing. Can't take one more little owwie after all that crap daddy put you through? Although, from what I heard, you held back, and- ah shit." It only took Diggle a moment to realize what he had just said. The tears threatening to fall from the girl's grey eyes only served to make him feel like more of an ass. He expertly cleaned the small cut, and was just about to apply the bandage when the streaming tears on her cheeks finally got to him. "Listen...that was a stupid thing to say."
"So was getting close." It was the only warning he had before Artemis sprang into action. Diggle was good, but he wasn't able to fend off the surprise attack as she slammed her forehead into his nose, making him stumble back. Before the former soldier could get his bearings, an arm was tightly wrapped around his neck in a choke hold. "It's amazing how many idiots like you fall for that one."
A loud, sarcastic clapping caused Artemis's head to snap up and Diggle to groan in annoyance. "THAT was an amazing performance." A grinning Oliver made as if to wipe at his eye. "I almost had tears myself." John took that moment to shake loose and Artemis quickly found herself on her back moments later, with the bodyguard's weight planted fully on her chest, and a pistol pointed at her face as if it had always been there. All the humor vanished from Oliver's face as he put a hand on his friend's shoulder before kneeling next to the stunned girl. "Listen to me Artemis. You might have had a choice before, you might not have had one, I don't know. I don't know what your father put you through, but I do know that you're here, now, and I am trying to help you."
"I know one thing, you ever pull a stunt like that again, I don't care what Oliver says, I might forget I'm on American soil." Diggle all but growled as he holstered his sidearm, rubbing at his sore neck after he climbed off of the girl who remained on the ground. He then turned his full attention on his partner in crime, all trace of his usual coolheaded veneer gone. "Oliver. I've known you, what? A few weeks? And I am already pointing my damn sidearm at a thirteen year old brat!"
"Dig." Oliver had never let his eyes off of Artemis, and he was the first to see real tears forming in her eyes as she remained frozen on the stone floor where she had just been pinned. "Take a chill pill buddy. We're taking our new friend here to get properly checked out." The hollow look on the young girl's face disappeared as she snapped out of whatever waking nightmare she had gotten lost in for a moment before she sat up. As much as she reminded him of his sister, Ollie knew that the two were as different from each other as oil and water. Regardless, he had failed too many people already, helping her was a means to atone.
Diggle was less than thrilled by Oliver's newest idea. "We're what now? And where exactly are we going to take Ms. Tiny Assassin that won't involve too many questions from Child Services?"
"I do have a name jackass." Artemis spat out as she tried to regain her composure. It was a losing fight, but she'd be damned if she lost her cool again in front of these two men.
Oliver didn't bother sharing the fact he could see how terrified the girl really was by Dig's statement. Somehow, he knew that this kid would not do well in foster care. The fact she had gotten the drop on Diggle was just the tip of the monumental iceberg on the list of reasons as to why she'd do poorly in the system, which was about as broken as the rest of the country. It looked as if some things had stayed exactly the same, or gotten even worse, in the time he had been stranded on that island.
"I just want to get this out in the open then, but I think this idea is crap." As much as he hated the idea of possibly letting the girl cause them even more trouble, Diggle had to admit that Oliver was right. The kid needed much more than two guys with medic skills right now.
"I don't like it anymore than you do old man. And I don't recall ever asking for your damn help either!" Artemis shouted as she locked gazes with Oliver, but she couldn't maintain the stare because of the calm and almost serene look he gave back. She was so used to the angry scowl that was always etched on her father's face, and since she hadn't been allowed out of the house without him a dozen steps behind her, she had very little experience with anything else. Needless to say, Oliver's calm veneer was throwing her off completely.
"I don't see you refusing it either." Ollie was quick to reply.
"Ha! Like you gave me a choice!" Artemis shouted, and flinched as Oliver bent towards her. He did the last thing she had been expecting, and gently removed the restraints on her wrists that Diggle had gotten on her again in the time she had been pinned.
Oliver calmly got back to his feet, and pointed across the large room to the stairs out of the lair. "You want out? There's the door. I'm sure you'll be much better off with the authorities...or your father." He wasn't worried about her revealing who he was, because Artemis couldn't say a word without incriminating herself and her father. Diggle knew it too, but it didn't make this any easier as he watched and waited for what came next.
She made a dash for the stairs, expecting this to be a trick at best, but stopped when it was clear they weren't coming after her. Diggle even gave her a small wave that practically shouted 'Good riddance!' as she eyed her escape route. As she slowly climbed the stairs and, surprisingly, found the door unlocked, the realization that she had no idea what to do after getting out of that room dawned on her. She froze as if turned to stone, her hand halfway out towards the handle as the reality of her situation hit her like a ton of bricks. There was no way her dad would take her back, and the fact he had left her to die or worse didn't help. At best, she might get tossed into a crappy foster home by the cops. At worst, she'd end up in juvvie until she was twenty-one, that was provided her dad didn't come back to finish the job and put her on ice.
"She figured it out I take it? I still think this is a bad idea Oliver, but you're starting to convince me at least." Diggle had already gone back to cleaning his pistol as he pretended not to notice the unsure girl at the top of the stairs.
Oliver didn't say a word as he waited for Artemis to come back down, standing at his desk with his father's book opened up in front of him. He didn't have long to wait as the blonde soon joined him. "This doesn't mean we're partners or any of that shit." He had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop the smile that threatened to overtake his face at the defiant look on Artemis's face. Her red rimmed eyes told another story altogether.
"Course not, partners trust each other." John deadpanned, as his eyes flicked to stare at Artemis before going back to his work.
"So this is what's going to happen...Arty." Oliver ignored the glare she threw his way at the nickname he had given her already. "You were dumb enough to try and pickpocket me, and my oh-so-loyal bodyguard caught you in the act." It was Diggle's turn to shoot his partner a glare, although his was far briefer before he turned his attention back to his cleaning with a quiet grumble. "When he pulled you to your feet, we happened to catch a glimpse of a few of your scars, hence why I insisted we take you to see my family doctor."
"Your mother is just going to love this." Diggle grumbled again, but he wouldn't throw a monkey wrench into Oliver's plans. It was Artemis he was worried about. Just as Ollie had used her uncertainty against Lawrence Crock, John was worried that she would stab them in the back at the first sign of trouble.
"I'm sure she and Thea will be shocked enough at the idea of me helping a total stranger." Oliver quickly grabbed a small wrapped bundle and tossed it in front of Artemis, who eyed it warily. "I highly doubt your average pickpocket goes about wearing tactical rappelling gear over a black bodysuit and ski mask. The clerk said this was 'in', get dressed. You can use the bathroom, it's over there." Queen pointed over his shoulder to a door behind him without taking his eyes off the book in his hands.
"If there's anything with a name brand from your high society life in here, I'll reconsider walking out that door." It'd be a cold day in Hell before anyone would see her in fancy clothes that she hadn't gotten on her own dime. It was bad enough she was accepting the outfit that Oliver had handed over.
Only ten minutes later, Diggle was starting to look worried. The girl still hadn't come back out. "Oliver, there aren't any air vents in there big enough for her...right?
"You worry too damn much old man. Besides, the air vent that IS in that rat trap was too small for me." She had considered leaving, briefly, but again the reality of her situation stopped her. "Say a word about the pink shirt, and I'll put you in traction for a month. I think that clerk was trolling you...who the hell wears a Hello Kitty t-shirt anymore?" At least the blue jeans were something she favored, when she was able to wear anything nice at all anyway. All of her old clothes back home were so full of holes that they barely qualified as actual clothing.
The book was carefully put down as Oliver shrugged, and tried to give her his best charming smile. "Well, I happen to be a little behind the times in the fashion department." It didn't take a mind reader to see that Artemis wasn't biting in the slightest.
"And everything else for that matter." John couldn't help snarking, before Oliver cast him an irked stare.
"I guess being dead for five years will do that. Your little performance at your dad's memorial gathering wasn't exactly easy to miss. No wonder everyone thinks you're an ass. I do watch TV, sometimes." Mainly as research about the locals in any city that her father planned to hit next. She didn't plan to tell these two that though as she noticed the dark look that passed over Oliver's face when she finished her statement. "That was an act?"
"He makes it a habit of lying to everyone around him, that doesn't mean he likes it. Might want to remember that blondie." Diggle had already finished cleaning and reassembling his pistol as he got up to grab his jacket. "Let's get this goodie-two-shoes show started shall we?"
It was easy to see that the less than trusting girl was still having second thoughts as they headed up the stairs and out of the abandoned steel mill. "Don't worry, Dr. Lamb is as discreet as he is capable of being, without going beyond the law. He's used to having Queens come and go through his doors like clockwork." The sad part was that it was the truth, Dr. Neil Lamb was used to having almost every member of the Queen family pass through his doors at least six different times a year.
"Whatever. I don't know why I need to see this guy in the first place. I'm fine." Artemis told them as she grudgingly got into the backseat of Oliver's car. Sitting next to her, Oliver gave her a cheery grin as the young girl crossed her arms in front of her chest. He wasn't sure she could escape a moving vehicle like he could, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
Already starting the vehicle, Dig glared up into his rearview mirror. "Yeah, it's completely normal to sleep off a mild case of being poisoned, not to mention any old wounds that might not have healed properly. I figure it's an educated guess that your father didn't bother with little concerns like that." The fact that Artemis froze in place again at the mere mention of her dad pretty much answered that question, a fact that both Diggle and Oliver noted.
Starling City General Hospital
1:30 PM
"Mr. Queen...I have to ask, what happened to Ms. Crock? Some of her injuries are rather severe, and ongoing it seems." Most people might have been mildly intimidated by the frowning doctor's glare. Oliver simply shrugged his shoulders in apparent ignorance.
"She's been a little less forthcoming on that part Dr. Lamb. We only just met today, and if not for my friendly bodyguard, she'd still have my wallet and be halfway to the Glades by now." It was the truth, overall, but it still left a bad taste in his mouth even if it was just another lie in a long line of them. "You think she's been abused, doctor?"
"Severely Mr. Queen, and over a period of years. Fractured ribs, a cracked skull, her left arm, and right leg have suffered multiple breaks. I must warn you Mr. Queen, I am compelled legally and ethically to report these injuries to the local authorities."
Oliver had already considered his options, and like always, his old girlfriend was the perfect woman for the job of keeping Artemis close at hand. "I know doctor, that's why I'm thinking that Ms. Lance would be the perfect person to call in regards to the ethical standpoint. I'm also giving serious thought to taking the girl in, temporarily of course." Oliver tried not to laugh at the way Lamb's eyebrows shot up in surprise. It was a little easier to manage when he swept his gaze over the series of X-rays that were lined up behind the doctor though. "Seems like she's a good kid at heart, she deserves better than what I know Child Services will most likely offer."
Artemis was listening in at the door, and had to bite her tongue to suppress the gasp of surprise at Oliver's words. She knew he had said it before, but she had expected him to change his story when he thought he was in the clear. So far he hadn't and, like everything else about the guy, it threw her off considerably. He had yet to stab her in the back, but it was still early. Deep down she was still sure he was doing this for some selfish or twisted reason. After all, who in their right mind would want to take on the walking, talking disaster that was Artemis Lian Crock?
Artemis rapidly spun around on her heel when she heard Diggle's voice behind her. She had almost gone for the hidden flechette she had stolen from Ollie's workshop on her way out, which she had hidden in her new shoes, but just managed to hold herself in check. "If you're still expecting him to stab you in the back, he won't. Oliver is funny that way, actually keeps his word if he gives it to you. Also, if you were thinking we didn't notice that you have one of his toys, you're mistaken." Diggle held out his hand as, with an irritated sigh, Artemis dropped the borrowed weapon into it. Once it was safely tucked away, John sighed and looked the kid square in the face. "Look, wherever you came from, I get it, it sucked, but you don't have to be afraid anymore Artemis. I might not like the arrangement, but I stand behind Oliver."
Before Artemis could think to reply, Oliver and Dr. Lamb exited the private room. "Oh good. I won't have to fill you two in now. Next stop, the offices of CNRI. I think you could use a good legal aid, and I just happen to know one of the best in the city."
Despite her initial misgivings about the doctor, Artemis had to reluctantly agree that Neil was easy to get along with, and his personality had been warm at least. Apparently he had been warned she was a flight risk. When he let his eyes fall on the blonde's face, he gave both men a stern look before nodding to his young and potentially frequent patient. "Good luck to you Ms. Crock. Despite what the tabloids would say, he is a good man, overall. Mr. Queen, Mr. Diggle, have a good day."
"Thanks again doctor. Now, let's go see Laurel. I don't get to be decent in public very often, she might just pass out from the shock." Oliver was already grinning at the thought as they left the doctor's medical office in Starling City General Hospital.
"And the fact her dad will probably shit a brick when he hears about this has nothing to do with it either." Diggle muttered under his breath, as they were soon back in the parking lot to the hospital before heading to the Glades, and CNRI.
"Sounds like her father is a real hard ass." Artemis said as she looked out the window without actually seeing anything. A lot was on her mind, the least of which was what was going on in her life from the last twenty four hours.
Oliver looked over at her, before staring out the opposite window. "Oh, he is, no doubt about it. But he's got a few very good reasons to hate me. It sort of sucks when a pissed off father also happens to be a SCPD detective."
"Great, so you already pissed off this girl, probably, and her father- WHAT?! Are you insane?" Artemis thumped her head against the seat's headrest as she shook her head and stared at the seat in front on her. "Thanks. I'll be locked up before the day is over with. You couldn't pick someone else to do this to?!"
"He's completely rigid in his belief that the law is ironclad. He'd never make an arrest without a reason Artemis, and without solid evidence to back it up. Believe me, he tried to pin the Hood on me and I beat him at his own game by pitting him against his own daughter. You couldn't be in safer hands." It had been a calculated risk, and one he kicked himself for everyday, but it had been the only way that his plan could fall through as Oliver had intended.
"Wow. You really are an ass. Seems more like something Jade would- nevermind." As much as Ollie wanted to ask who Jade was, he knew when to hold his questions back. Diggle, on the other hand, could be a little more blunt at times. It was something Oliver appreciated, even when he felt ready to throttle the guy at times.
"You mean your sister? Don't look so shocked, I can read a file. Did a little bit of digging of my own and might have found something on a Cheshire, last seen boarding a plane for Gotham six months ago. Seems that a scientist working for Wayne Enterprises wound up with jellyfish venom in her system. Sound like your sister's MO?" Artemis nodded silently, hating to admit anything so close to home. "Figured as much. Theft and murder seem to be the two main hobbies in your family." Diggle's eyes returned to the road at Artemis's icy glare.
"You don't have to tell me what I already know." She all but whispered as she returned to looking out the window, not seeing what was passing by as the richer neighborhood gave way to dilapidated buildings and crumbling streets. As sad as it was to admit, entering the Glades was like returning to the Gotham slums where she had been raised for most of her life.
"Probably looks very familiar to you." Oliver just continued to stare out at the shoddy houses, obvious signs of poverty and gang related violence that were easy to find. "Before the island, I wouldn't have looked past my own nose or have given the people of this city a second look. All I cared about was what party was happening, what new drug I could try, or which girl I'd charm into bed next. Now? Now I see what my father and the people in his book have done to this city. Even if your dad's name hadn't been on that list, I most likely would have came after you and him, although you have Diggle to partly blame for my new stance against crime. Groups like the Royal Flush Gang would never have existed if not for people like my father. There will always be crime, and plenty of criminals to do it, but the corrupt in this city have only made things worse."
"And you're what, the cure for the disease? You're only one guy Oliver." One guy that had made a real difference already in as little as three months. Her first day in the city and he had found her, fought her and her father, and he was now trying to help her. Artemis was still unconvinced that he didn't have some kind of ulterior motive, that there was something he wanted from her, but whatever it was, she had no idea. Not only that, but everything he had said and done pointed to the impossible fact that Oliver was truly concerned for her safety, and that despite Diggle's protests, he was also trying to help her.
Artemis scoffed, being in agreement for once with the cocky bodyguard. "More like one dead guy if you keep up your little quest."
"You're not the only one to say that, strangely enough." Diggle had said it a few times, and Oliver didn't doubt that more than a few of his friends and family would have said the same if they had known and accepted the truth of who, and what, he was now. "I have to though, because if not me, then who will give the people of this city the justice they deserve?"
"Your ex-girlfriend?" It was all Oliver could do to ignore Dig's jab as they pulled into a parking space in front of CNRI. The man then looked over his shoulder at their stubborn charge. "Lucky for you, she actually is pretty tough. Might even give our mutual vigilante friend trouble if push came to shove." Artemis smirked at the annoyed glare that passed over Oliver's face before she sighed heavily, still heavy with thoughts of how screwed up her day had gotten in such a short amount of time.
"Let's just get this over with." As much as she hated this idea, Artemis at least made it convincing as she acted as if she was jerking her arm out of Diggle's grasp as they cleared the front door. "Watch it jackass, isn't there a law against molestation or something?!" Oliver had to use every bit of his training to keep his face composed at the look that his friend shot him. To say he was not amused by their newest member of the 'family' would have been an understatement as every eye in the small brick building fell on them.
"That was before you tried to pickpocket Mr. Queen." Diggle grumbled, not having to act as if he was watching her every move, because he was doing just that even if he did tentatively trust Artemis at best.
"Poor little defenseless me?" Even Diggle was impressed by the way the confident girl suddenly looked skittish and avoided all eye contact. He remembered not so long ago she had tried to choke him out, so her acting skills were a known fact, but even so, he hadn't realized just how good she was, especially in a pinch.
"Come on, Ms. Lance is a good friend. You have nothing to worry about Artemis." Oliver gave the girl his best comforting smile as the three headed to the entrance.
"You're right there Queen, your new sidekick doesn't have anything to worry about anything from my daughter. Me? That might be another story." Detective Quentin Lance was still as disapproving as ever as he openly glared at the man that had essentially killed his daughter five years ago. Saving his life or not when the assassin had tried to kill Oliver during his trial, at his own house, Lance would never forgive him that, but his belief that he was the 'Hood' at least had gone away that night.
Only a steeled look in his eyes belied the calm, easygoing expression on Oliver's face as he responded. "Hello detective. Anything I can do for you? I was just about to ask Laurel for some legal advice concerning Ms. Crock here." Artemis thankfully stuck to her 'part' and didn't roll her eyes at either of the two men that subtly positioned themselves between her and the cop.
"And the fact her father happens to be an enforcer and a bank robber on the side has nothing to do with it I'm sure. Funny thing too, the Hood showed up the same time this guy pops into the Starling City Bank last night, and now you have a new friend. Am I seeing a pattern here?" The scowl that was almost permanently on his face whenever he was dealing with Oliver Queen deepened at where his mind had gone. Coincidences like that didn't pile up without a damn good reason.
Damn...he's good. Too bad for him that he has absolutely no hard evidence. "Sorry? I don't get what you're implying detective. As for the rest, I'm honestly shocked. The girl got caught by my bodyguard trying to lift my wallet and, instead of pressing charges, I decided she could use some much needed help."
"I had a rough childhood." Artemis snarked, showing just a hint of the backbone she had underneath the 'scared little girl' mask she had on at the moment.
Detective Lance seemed to ignore Oliver for the moment, and focused his attention on the young girl behind him. "Uh huh. I've heard that one before. Tell you what Princess. I think we should all take a little ride down to the station." A wolfish grin spread across the man's face. "Whaddya say?"
Dinah Laurel Lance had heard enough as she all but ran across the floor towards them, a heavy binder underneath her arm as she stared down her dad with a very similar glare. "Until she has actually committed a crime and you have solid evidence dad, she isn't going anywhere. Just got off the phone with Dr. Neil Lamb, thanks for coming but I have work to do."
Quentin Lance gave an exasperated sigh as he verbally dueled with his equally stubborn daughter, yet again. "Laurel, Good Samaritan act from Queen here or not, this little punk could be the key to cracking a whole string of murders and robberies. Her daddy ain't exactly the nicest guy in the world."
You have absolutely no idea. Artemis thought bitterly as she put her two cents in. "You don't have to tell me Detective, he's as bad as you say and worse, but I honestly don't know anything that can help you." The fake tears were back with a vengeance, and they were believable enough to stop the good detective from uttering another snarky comment. It was one of the few lies that Artemis had told anyone today however. She knew where more than a few of those bodies were buried. Her dad liked to boast when he was in a good mood.
"Well, that's all I needed to hear. I don't think I'll be letting you harass my new client without a proper court order signed by the DA and a judge. If I see you around her again before you have that, it shouldn't be that hard to get a restraining order. The media just loves stories about abuse of power by law enforcement, don't they?" Laurel had him over a barrel and her father knew it. He was proud and pissed at her in equal measure as he hung his head in defeat, temporary as it might be if he had anything to say about it.
"Alright, but if she so much as uses an aerosol can in such a way that is not directed, I WILL be back for her." Artemis knew that she and Quentin Lance would most likely see each other again before all this was over, but for today at least, she was safe from his considerable wrath.
"Have a good day Detective Lance." Oliver said, the kind smile on his face only irritating the detective all the more, as he glared at the man and walked away. When he was out of the building, only then did Oliver turn to Laurel who hadn't lost the scowl that she had directed at her father. It was now directed fully at him. "Um...nice to see you again Laurel. So think you can help out my friend, this cunning criminal mastermind?" Oliver managed only a slight grimace as a fairly painful jab hit him in the small of his back.
Only Diggle noticed where Artemis had hit him but didn't say anything as Laurel's glare deepened. "As much as I enjoyed that, this is beyond crazy Ollie! Do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?!" Everyone around her had a very good reason to believe they were about to find out.
"Yes? Pretty sure." He didn't sound certain, and Laurel was quick to pick up on that.
"You're 'pretty sure'? This isn't like going to the SPCA Oliver! You seriously think I would let you be in charge of a Golden Retriever, let alone a thirteen year old girl who's been physically abused, and potentially worse?!"
"I am right here. And it was emotionally too, in case you're curious. Daddy yelled...a lot." As sarcastic as Artemis had made that comment sound, Oliver wasn't fooled, and neither was Laurel. Having since taken up a spot behind Laurel's desk, Artemis had gotten herself comfortable in the woman's chair as she stared up at the group around her, annoyance and boredom easy to see on her face.
"I promise no one is going to be allowed to hurt you again, ever. Your father sounds like a dangerous guy. I've handled worse in my time." Laurel's face softened as she looked down towards her, not surprised in the least that the girl covered up her true feelings with an arrogant attitude. Laurel drove through the Glades everyday to get to work and she had handled cases like Artemis's before, she knew the type all too well.
"I've been getting a lot of those promises lately, so far I've yet to see a reason to believe them. And no, you really haven't." Was Artemis's simple reply, and as far as she was concerned, her dad could snap Laurel in half like a twig if he had a mind to.
"That's the thing Artemis, doesn't really matter to me if you don't believe me." The young archer almost laughed out loud as her eyes flicked from the lawyer to Oliver and back.
What was wrong with everyone she'd bumped into after the bank job went to hell and her father screwed her over? It's like they all have a death wish or something. "I can see why she liked you Queen, you're both nuts."
Laurel smiled as she sat on the edge of her desk after putting the binder down next to her. "I see someone's been talking. So Ms. Crock, should we get started? We're going to be here awhile. First, I need to get some information from you, then I'm sure that Child Services will-"
"Over my dead body." There was no way in Hell she'd give Child Services the pleasure of getting their hands on her, again. They were almost as bad as the cops, but at least with the cops, they were honest about their dislike and mistrust of you. Everyone in the foster care system was less than understanding of her family background, to say the least. Even the one time she and Jade had been placed in a fairly nice family, her sister had found a way to mess that up. Apparently beating up the only son the family had, even if the bastard had had it coming, wasn't a good way to bond. He had been in a coma for a month afterward and he still had a noticeable limp in his right leg. Or so she had been told.
Most people would have taken an affront to a teen mouthing off to them that they were trying to help. Laurel hadn't focused on the girl's words at all, far more interested in the clearly frightened look in her eyes. "Been there, done that I take it. IF Oliver is willing to take you in, I can talk to Services and let him take temporary custody until a better place can be found for you, unless he fights for sole guardianship. But the chances of him winning that are not good, given his...less than stellar past." Peeing on a cop, public intoxication, getting into an altercation with a member of the paparazzi, public nudity, public fornication. The list of his juvenile crimes, but crimes all the same, was extensive. A judge would take one look at that and veto any action before it could get off the ground.
Oliver immediately seemed to perk up when Laurel mentioned there was a chance it could work. The truth being however, that he had known ahead of time what he was getting into. "There's a chance though, right? Especially if there's a probationary period attached? If I can show that I've grown out of my childish antics, that I can be a responsible and caring guardian, shouldn't that help my chances? To prove that I'm at least a slight improvement over sticking her in the system again? I know I won't fail her, Laurel. Not like I failed so many before I was...gone."
The funny thing was, Oliver had been doing a lot better since his return. The worst thing he had been accused of lately was being the vigilante, and he had been proven innocent on that point. Besides, Laurel hadn't needed that evidence to know he'd ever be selfless enough to do something that crazy. "You're going to make me regret this aren't you?" It was the closest she'd ever come to admitting out loud that she agreed to proceed with this plan of action. In all honesty, this latest hair brained idea was truly touching.
"No. I won't." Even Artemis had to do a double take at how sincere Oliver sounded just then. Coming from anyone else, she wouldn't have believed it, but since getting to know the man, truly know him, things had started to change in regards to how she saw the world. It'd be a long road before she ever trusted anyone further than she could throw them, but it was enough to make Artemis wonder if maybe, just maybe Oliver Queen might be the first person she could honestly trust.
Closing Notes; Vergil1989; Before anyone says a word, just because she's already found her way to Oliver's side doesn't mean a thing to someone like Artemis. She is bound to run away, fight tooth and nail to protect herself, and worse if it becomes necessary. To sum it up, she might be in the Queen manor, but she won't feel at home for a very long time.
Archer83; The things she's been through have nearly destroyed her ability to truly trust another person. Something like that can't be fixed overnight, or even in weeks or months. And with her known issues, plus the ones that are in the Queen household, it'll be even more challenging.
Vergil1989; Needless to say, we have a lot of time to kill and a lot of ammo to use to fill in the blanks, so expect a lot of blood, sweat, and tears along the way. There's only six months around this time in the show before the Undertaking. Artemis is fifteen when she joins the covert ops team from YJ. Review, favorite, follow, or PM us as you like guys and gals; thoughtful feedback and reviews are most welcome.