Everyone piling into Artemis' car was a normal occurrence, especially after she finally earned her less restricted license. She not so patiently waited for time to drag on until said restricted license became a full one. Her mom had surprised her with a deal on an old beat up SUV. Nothing could have made her happier.

Most of the time she left it in Happy Harbor, as that was where Artemis spent her time if she wasn't at school. Gotham was okay and all, but as confident as Artemis was, big city traffic scared her. She knew they had awful insurance and didn't want to take the risk of accidentally wrecking her car when she didn't need to take the chance.

The times when she did have it in Gotham, however, she had to drive it from Happy Harbor to Gotham, and vice versa, when the situation called for it.

This is where Robin weaseled in.

It had taken her about a year to finally put two and two together, but she finally uncovered Robin's secret. It had taken some not so subtle hints from Dick and a little snooping at Wayne manor, but it was a worthwhile secret to learn. This meant that she actually had a friend in Gotham that knew about all aspects in her life. Artemis found this comforting, if not a little disturbing. Overall, she appreciated it. Even if he was an annoying underclassman.

As Robin lived in Gotham and "didn't want her to drive that long by herself," he insisted he should accompany her. Begrudgingly, she had to agree. He had mentioned it to her mother, who thought it was a wonderful idea to keep her daughter safe. It wasn't like Artemis was a superhero or anything. (Wait. She was.) In the end, her mom still wouldn't budge, so along Dickie came.

1) the first time.

Dick was practically bouncing up and down, uncharacteristic of his normal cool countenance. Artemis rolled her eyes and unlocked the door, gesturing to her SUV. "Are you getting in or not?"

Dick didn't have to be asked twice. He quickly opened the door and made himself right at home. Artemis chuckled drily, but made no comment. Sure, she knew this kid was weird, but it was just a car. It wasn't even THAT Long of a road trip.

"Shotgun!" he cackled, as if he weren't the only passenger.

He turned to her, excitement oozing from every pore. "Can I pick the music?"

"No."

"Can I fix the controls so you can-"

"No."

Robin gave an exasperated sigh and slouched back into his seat. "What can I do?"

Artemis tossed him a withering look, not paying much attention to the boy wonder. She still wasn't used to taking these busy of highways yet, and that required more attention than the pouty teenager sitting shotgun. "I don't know," she said absentmindedly.

Dick scoffed. "Why did I even come?"

"You tell me, birdbrain," she deadpanned, not even sparing a glance at her companion. "You're the one that invited yourself."

Artemis regretted it the second the words slipped out of her mouth, but it was too late to take them back. Dick looked hurt, and a little bit embarrassed. She hadn't meant any harm; she liked the kid well enough. She just didn't do well with things not being her choice in the end, such as adding a companion to her road trip.

"You know," Artemis began slowly, "If you would have just asked, I would have said yes."

He squinted at her. "What?"

She sighed. "If you would have just asked if you could come, I would've said yes."

"Really?" he had leaned forward in his seat again, and it was hard for Artemis to not laugh at his eagerness.

"Really," she affirmed. "You're not so bad."

The kid was full out grinning now. "Thanks, Artie."

"Don't push your luck."

"Right, sorry."