Disclaimer: I don't own any characters.
Artemis walked in quickly to her house. "I'm home!" she called.
"Hello sweetie. How was your day?" her mother called from the kitchen.
"Okay I guess." She walked in to the kitchen and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek. "Do you need any help?" she asked as she grabbed an apple.
"No just clean your room and you can go. Are you going to have dinner here?" Paula asked.
"Um I don't think so. Unless you want me to." She said quickly.
But she just smiled "No it's okay." She was just happy by the good she was doing. But as her daughter walked away she remembered. "Artemis, a package came for you."
"Really? Did you open that one to?" she said mildly.
"No." her mother scowled slightly. Just once and branded already. "But it wasn't through mail. Someone must have dropped it off." A tone of curiosity entered her voice. "But I haven't seen the hand writing before."
Artemis picked up the white envelope and walked to her room. "I'll look at it right now. I'm going to change." She tossed her backpack it in the closet as she closed the door and threw the envelope on her bed. She changed into more comfortable clothes before she sat on her bed and really looked at the envelope. It was blank with no writing except for her name written in rather nice penmanship. It also felt kind of thick. She opened it and took out a letter. It read:
Dear Artemis Alice,
Yes I'm still around and don't try to forget me or ignore me. I was wondering if you'd like to take a trip back to Wonderland soon. I know you might act like you don't want to see me but I know you. Wonderland will come back soon and I know you'd like to be one of the first to see it. I won't take no for an answer and not just cuz I already got the tickets.
I don't take NO!
Icic Cameron
She blinked then took out what else was in the envelope. Inside was an ice sculpture made to the likeness of Alice from Alice in Wonderland. She stared at the poster over her sister's old bed. "Looks like you're not the only ghost coming back." She sighed. She got her bag ready with her homework and other necessities then stuffed the letter and envelope inside. Then she carefully placed the Alice ice sculpture on her desk with a smile. Then she left.
At the Cave she sighed as she stretched. She was in her outfit now and just had a good work out going against both Wally and Robin. Wally's disadvantage was his arrogance. He relied himself a lot on his speed but was getting better. Robin kept trying to analyze her tactics but she was constantly changing them. She took a shower then changed back to her jeans and red shirt that showed a little less of her toned stomach than her outfit. She sat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea as she did her homework. The zeta beam went off and the computer as Robin returned with Superboy with the pizza.
"Straight from New York." Robin smiled.
Of course Wally was the first one out. M'gnn began to set up the table telepathically and Kaldur grabbed drinks. Needless to say there was joking around and talk. After they all ate they slowly went off. Artemis had to smile even though in a way it was unusual for her. She wasn't used to it but it was fun. She began her homework again.
Math was a breeze and so was English. She knew more French than her teacher and history was a little harder. But what was her worst enemy was science. She absolutely loathed chemistry. She sighed again in frustration.
"What's wrong Artemis?" M'gnn asked gently. She had been washing the dishes and was now putting them away.
"Ugh nothing. I just really hate science. I have a hard time getting it."
"Oh mean and Superboy were having trouble at first. Maybe Wally can help?"
"Wait Wally?" but M'gnn was already calling him.
"Yes sweetie." Wally came in grinning.
"Why don't you help Artemis with her homework?"
"Wait, The incredible Artemis needs my help.' If possible he was grinning even more.
'She frowned at him. "Shut up Kid Idiot. I just need some help with science but if you can't even handle that-"
"Science? What kind?" he said almost excitedly. Suddenly he was right next to her looking at her homework. She was startled not only by his sudden speed but his closeness. He was so right over her shoulder that she can see every freckle and despite herself she blushed. "Are you kidding? I knew Chemistry before I could read. Molar mass is pretty easy, people just make it hard."
"How is that easy?"
Wally sighed as he pulled up a chair next to her.
M'gnn smiled at herself. She didn't read their minds but the emotions they had around each other where so strong and loud. He had an arm on her chair as he explained to her the work and she would meet his eyes and ask questions. She wondered if they noticed how close together they were.
"So this goes first?" she pointed at a number.
He sighed with a slight chuckle. "No, you start with the given . . ."
"Okay okay. Then this one right."
He nodded grinning. His chair was facing her but he sat with his back on the table. As she worked out the problem he looked at her face. He noted how her delicate eyebrows came together and how her nose scrunched slightly so cutely and a loose strand of blond hair fell forward. Then looking at her eyes again he found it odd how she looked Caucasian but her eyes looked Asian. Maybe Vietnamese or even Korean. But it fit perfectly. She looked up. "Like this?"
"huh?" he blushed and looked at her paper. "Uh, yea. Good job."
"Yes!" she grinned as she threw up her arms and leaned back. "Finally it actually makes sense."
Wally rolled his eyes but smiled. "I'm so glad you actually know something important." He said sarcastically.
"I guess you're not that stupid."
"Unlike you."
She scoffed but then her face softened. "Um, thanks Wally. Really, thanks. You really are smart and did help me get it." She smiled slowly.
He coughed self consciously but then just smiled. "You're welcome. And I know."
She laughed. "Don't let it get to your head."
"Too late." He laughed to. He looked at her bag with some papers sticking out. "Is there anything else you need help with? What's this?" he reached for the papers.
"NO!" Then suddenly with speed that even surprised him the bag was gone. Artemis hastily stuff the papers in the bag now on her lap. "Uh it's some personal papers."
"Oooh like diary stuff. 'Dear diary, Wally is sooooooooooo hot.'"
"You wish." She slightly sneered. "And no. It's a letter."
"From?" he said expectantly.
She was quiet for a moment and Wally noticed the change on her face. "From an old friend." She finally said. Then she looked up at the clock. "Wow it's late I gotta go." She got up and Wally followed.
"Yea me to, I should head back." He walked with her to the zeta beam.
"Thanks again." She said suddenly feeling awkward.
"Oh you're welcome. It was nothing. Um, same time tomorrow." He smiled.
"Most likely yes." She grinned then walked into the beam and the next thing she knew she was walking out of an old payphone heading home in Gotham.
The next day she hurriedly grabbed her sandwich and grabbed her back pack. She closed the door while screaming to her mom "See you later."
"No fighting!"
"No promises!" she discreetly pinned an envelope on the mail box. It read
Dear Cameron,
I have been wanting to go see that as most people would know. But what would make you think I want to go with you? And thanks for the Alice but it already melted, I made sure of it.
Truly ARTEMIS
When she came from school and walked into her room she was alarmed to see her window open. "Mom, did you open my window!"
"What?"
Artemis had moved to her window but saw a letter on her desk and something shiny. She glanced back at the window a saw that the sill was covered with frost spelling out her name. All down the fire escape there was trails of ice. It was cold and overcast but it hadn't snowed yet.
"Uh, nothing. I forgot I opened it this morning."
"Why? You need to be careful." Her mother called.
"I know won't happen again."
The letter read:
Dear Alice,
Ha! I know you to well Kitten, who else? Things are set and we'll see each other soon. And no they won't melt don't worry. Be careful with holes.
Your Cameron
She looked at the ice sculpture of the White Rabbit and she hated the smile it gave her. This time before she left to the Cave she left a letter on the sill that read:
Dear Cameron,
First you aren't mine. And no you don't know me at all. Maybe I will ignore you. My answer is still no.
Your Artemis.
She left to the Cave.
When she came home from the Cave nothing. But the next day was a great surprise at school. There was snow. ONLY at her school. She stood in the front gate mouth gaping at the snow covered grounds. Kids were laughing in amazement already playing in it, some making snow mans while others started a snowball fight. And even more than that it was super cold. Like the temperature around the school was ten less than outside or more.
She gritted her teeth her and balled her fist. Now he was following her and she had no jacket. She walked in heading towards the east building when something caught her eye in the tree, something shining. She glanced around to make sure no one was particularly noticing her. She jumped and swung onto a branch easily, grabbed the item then jumped down careful to keep her skirt down. It was the Cheshire Cat.
She walked into her classroom confused. The same freshman that had taken the picture of himself with her had thrown a snowball at her then disappeared. But as she entered she noticed something hanging from the back of her chair. It was a black leather jacket with a piece of paper sticking out of the pocket. She barely glanced at the handwriting to know who and what. Only because it's freezing cold. She told herself as she put on the jacket.
Dear Alice,
I'm the only one who does as you can tell. Don't try to disappear Kitty because I'll find you. You don't like me mad and I'll make sure you'll go.
Your Mad Cameron
In science class she kept reading over the letter. It was small but there was so much between the lines. She smiled a little at the very last line.
"Miss Crock, perhaps you can do the problem on the board for the class?"
She hastily looked up as she put the note in the jackets pocket.
"Uh, I'd rather not." She said with a fake smile. Some people chuckled.
"I can Mrs. Perkins." Josie Dennle cried with and arm raised straight up, face pleading.
She ignored her and looked at Artemis expectantly "Well?"
She groaned and walked up to the board. She glared at the problem and blinked in surprise and began to write. It was surprisingly not too hard. When she turned around she couldn't help but smile at the teacher. Mrs. Perkins nodded "Very good Mrs. Crock. You may sit now."
On her way to her seat she notice Josie give her a glare but she didn't care. Thank you Wally! She smiled to herself. She wrote her answer at her desk.
Dear Mad Cameron
Not anymore and not ever. And if I want to I will and I doubt that. I'll NEVER go with you not even in March. You won't do anything.
Yours Truly Alice
On her way home from school she put her letter in the jacket pocket then threw the jacket over a bar by some apartments and left. She considered hanging around to see him pick it up but she immediately shook out the thought. I don't want to see him, she told herself forcefully. But right before she turned the corner she looked at where she left the jacket. She couldn't really tell but she was sure it was gone already.
Earlier that day
Dick Grayson took a picture of the snow covered school and sent it to Bruce Wayne with: this is either disastrous or totally astrous?
He looked around and was about to run after his friends when suddenly Artemis seemed to appear under a tree. He smiled deviously. She was looking at something in her hand and she put it in her pocket. He grabbed a handful of snow as she began to walk away. He quietly followed her then threw the snow ball. She leaned to the side in surprise but part of it skimmed her shoulder. She looked back with a flash of anger and confusion. He smiled and ran off disappearing among the throng of kids.
He felt his phone vibrate and looked at the text from Batman
The satellite shows no other areas with snow at all. Investigate discreetly as will I. He frowned but nodded to himself
Okay on it.
During study hall he snuck off towards the main office through the air vents. On his way he heard teachers and staff discussing the snow baffled. He waited till the office was cleared and he dropped down. He found an usb opening and plugged in his phone in. He quickly found the security footage and downloaded it. He heard noise from the headmaster's office. "Come on, come on." He whispered. Finally it finished and he disconnected it. He quickly jumped back into the vent and went back.
"Where were you?" Barbra asked.
"Couldn't find the book." he whispered showing it to her.
During lunch he saw Artemis with her friends. A teacher had stopped them and was telling one of the guys to pick up his pants. As he walked closer the guy sighed as he hoisted them up dramatically. They laughed but then the teacher turned to Artemis pointing at her jacket. "That is not proper dress code young lady. If you are that cold you may buy one of our Spirit Jackets at the student store."
She rolled her eyes and looked him in the eyes easily. "I like this jacket."
"This one has swag." The guy laughed as he tugged at the end of it.
They laughed but the teacher turned red with anger, his thin lips pursed.
"Shut up Brandon." One of the girls groaned and Artemis smacked his hand away. They walked off leaving the angry teacher. But Dick was puzzled because he hadn't seen her with it earlier today.
"No way!" Robin gasped. He was in the Bat Cave with Batman and had just looked over the footage. And there was Icicle Jr. snowing the whole place going from camera screen to camera screen. In truth the footage wasn't too good kind of grainy but they had magnified it and increased the clarity. He noticed the camera and shot it down. He went to another and did the same but by the fourth her merely smirked at it and left it.
"What would he be doing there and why?"
"A warning perhaps."
"To me? Do you think they know who I am? How? Not even Artemis does and I see her every day."
"I don't know. Maybe you aren't the target maybe it was by chance."
"Who else, I highly doubt it has anything to do with Artemis? Or was it by chance?"
"It may be that he's looking for populated areas but then why at night? I will investigate further."
"Should we go out on patrol?"
"No I will be fine, you should go to the Cave, you'll be late for training with Black Canary."
After he had left he sat in his chair fingers laced. He knew about Artemis' history with her parents and sister and the trouble she had and he knew her past relationships with villains. Especially Icicle Jr.
"You mean Cameron? Yea what about him?" Artemis had said, arms folded as leaned against her chair. She was sitting at the kitchen table in her and her mom's apartment. Batman was sitting across from her and Green Arrow between them to her right. She had tried to act no coherent but she seemed almost uncomfortable on the subject.
"You have released all ties with him? All inter personal connections?"
"What!" she raised an eyebrow raised.
"Did you guys break-up?" Green Arrow clarified clearing his throat.
"Kind of personal don't you think?" she said looking from him to Batman. Batman said nothing but his eyes seemed to narrow. She sighed. "I'm not even sure how you guys know that but yea we did."
"Why?" Batman asked. He was calm and reserved as usual but Green Arrow shifted feeling awkward.
She pursued her lips and her cheeks reddened. "Because he's stupid. I kept trying to tell him to stop. To leave his dad and just forget about all that but the block head wouldn't listen! He's stubborn." Her face softened ever so slightly but then it turned into a scowl. "So I told him I couldn't keep doing it and that he had to make a choice. And he did." Her voice was hard as flint by the end.
"When was the last you saw of him?"
"When we broke up sometime last month, maybe June. I don't like remembering break-ups. Green Arrow now felt officially awkward at the moment with his new "niece".
The next day she came home from school and her window was open again. She sighed as she threw her bag in her closet and saw the letter and figure on her bed.
Dear Alice
You really drive me crazy. I have him, you know who. I told you I don't take no as an answer. I will send him to you in pieces if you don't come. Starts at midnight at Universal Gotham Cinema this Thursday night. His head will be the first to go.
Your Mad Hatter
She couldn't help but smile, that was all she needed.
The weekend came by in a blur. They had no missions and she actually spent most of it with Green Arrow on patrol at Sat City. Whenever she was free he seemed to know and would pop up asking if she'd like to come and she did enjoy herself. She tried not to let it show but he really like. He felt like an older brother or even like a real uncle. And he seemed to enjoy spending time with her. She often wondered if she was just replacing Roy, even temporary but he had already reassured her that that wasn't the case.
"Roy was my adoptive son. And I do love him but like all children they grow up and go off on their own maybe for awhile or years. But they'll still be there and so will you." His faced seemed slightly sad. "He's not the first and he won't be the last. Robin left for awhile and made the Teen Titans but he came back. So did Kid Flash but he came back to his – uh, to the Flash. I'm sure Aqualad has and look at Superboy." He turned to her. "Roy left but he might come back. It's not the first time he's done it. Maybe someday you'll leave me to."
Her eyes widen slightly as she met his eye but she turned away her face reddening. He really did care for her. "Guess it's hard on you guys."
"Batman didn't show it but I know he was pretty torn up. Flash was more open about it and was hugely happy when he came back."
"Good for him but not all of us can feel the same way about him."
Oliver laughed "Still hasn't warmed up to you, huh? I'm surprised he hasn't woken up with an arrow to his head."
"That day maybe coming soon."
"He's a good smart kid but a flirt. Just be careful with him." He warned putting an arm around her shoulder.
"Why? He wouldn't try anything with me. Why would he?"
"Really?" he took in her face "You really don't?"
"Don't what?" she snapped. She hated secrets.
He shook his head. "You kids can be so oblivious." He dropped his arm with a smile.
"What! Tell me."
He opened his mouth but then police sirens went off. He looked towards the direction they were coming from. "Let's go."
It was Tuesday and she still hadn't answered the letter. She sat crossed legged on the chair by the TV that finally had a signal. It was playing some music videos. She reread the letter and began.
Dear Mad Hatter
DO NOT HURT HIM! I agree I'll
There was a gust of wind. "Hello Artemis. How's your day been?" Wally asked. He was sitting on the coach leaning back with his arms behind his head and ankles crossed stretched. His hair seemed more ruffled than usual and his clothes was splattered with black stuff that looked suspiciously like soot. He had a cheeky mischievous smile.
"Good till now. Why?" her eyes narrowed.
"Oh nothing, nothing. Just asking." His eyes widen innocently "So I just found out which of your arrows are explosive."
Artemis jumped up furiously her hands balled in fist. Her stuff fell to the floor. "Wally damit! I told you not to go in my room or to touch my stuff. Especially my bow and arrows!"
"And I told you not to eat my slice of chocolate cake."
"I didn't know it was yours Baywatch. It's the Team's fridge."
"Well that was for a specific member of the team." He had stood up with his arms crossed and lips pouting. She hated how she had to look up into his green eyes.
"Then next time write a note on it or something."
"If I did you probably would have eaten that to."
She raised her fist and groaned in frustration. He appeared behind the coffee table and looked ready to run again. Then something clicked. He had said specific member of the team. A month or so earlier he would have said that she wasn't part of the team. But he hadn't, maybe it didn't mean anything but still. She eyed him and he met her eyes. Slowly his arms lowered as she simply stood there. Finally she sighed. "You're so stingy." And she stalked off heading towards her room to see exactly what had happened to her arrows.
He blinked in surprise as she turned and left but called out. "If you have a metabolism as high as mine so would you."
"Whatever."
He saw her turned the corner still wondering what broke her off on her rampage so quickly. He looked and saw her stuff on the ground. He sighed and figured he should pick it up but didn't want to. He figured it would bug her more if he left it there so he sat on the couch where he previously was and grabbed the control. He looked at the stuff and remembered the day he helped her with her homework and how quickly she grabbed the stuff. He curiously grabbed the paper he saw her looking at; it seemed to be a letter. He read it and his eyes widened. He quickly reread it over and over. Then he looked at the paper she had been writing.
When Artemis came back Wally had his feet on the table and was changing the channel. Her stuff was on the chair. "Thanks." She muttered. "At least you only used the normal arrows."
"Yea I learned to tell the difference pretty quick." He gestured to his shirt. She smiled and sat back on the chair and pulled her stuff on to her lap. After awhile she looked up and saw him looking at her.
"You're staring Baywatch."
"Oh." He blushed and turned back to the TV muttering. "Sorry." After awhile he turned to her again. "So how you been."
"What do you mean?"
"Like school and stuff. How was science?" He smiled as if proud to have found something right to say.
"Oh good! I aced my quiz but got a B on the chapter test." She smiled. She reached in her bag and pulled out some slightly crumpled sheets and handed them to him. He looked at them and let out a whistle.
"Excellent! It's official!"
'What?"
"I'm amazing! I helped you get this so that reflects on me.'
She rolled her eyes. "You taught me science. Congrats."
"That's not the only thing I can teach you." He winked.
She blinked her eyes widening. "I can't believe you said that! I mean I can but not- not-"
"Wait that's not what I meant. I mean I did, absolutely but-uh. More of-."
"Hey guys what you watching?" Suddenly Robin appeared and jumped over to the couch with a wicked grin. He took in there red faces. "Oh don't mind me I'm just watching." He gestured to the TV but looked at them seeming highly amused. They still were opened mouth and red. Finally Artemis closed her mouth and grabbed her stuff.
"I'm going to my room." And walked away.