READ AND REVIEW. I don't own Young Justice.

Artemis was running as fast as she can. She had to catch it, she just had to. This was her last chance. The end would be disastrous if otherwise. Passing empty hallways and classrooms, some people calling her to stop or slow down, demanding her name and class. But she didn't care. She was never a people pleaser anyway.

Almost there.

Only a few steps and...

"We will have a brief preview of ou-"Mrs. Chang began as she stood behind her desk, ready to introduce the upcoming lesson only to interrupted by heavy pants of breathing outside the room.

"I'm... so... sorry... late" the blonde girl said, trying to get the words in a sentence but too out of breathe to do so.

"You are?" Her voice showing annoyance at the girl.

"Artemis. Artemis Crock." Artemis straightened her back and patted the stray strands of hair down to make herself a least bit presentable. Her uniform was in disarray and sweat covered her forehead with her new skull tattoo placed pleasantly on her arm (temporary only, obviously) from her recent defeat at a bet with a certain speedster. The students looked at her with mixed emotions from amusement, annoyance and scepticism; even a few had the kindness of just being indifferent or bored. She probably wouldn't be surprised if she was already named a delinquent on the spot. In here, tardiness was a crime all by itself.

The teacher opened the drawer of her desk and pulled out a file. She stepped outside the room and closed the door . "Ah... the new scholarship student. Welcome Gotham Academy but unfortunately I will have to-"

And for the second time, the teacher was interrupted. A person suddenly appeared beside Artemis before she even had time to register the new arrival.

"Please forgive me, Miss Chang. My father needed my help in a few important matters." A boy's voice apologized politely, catching Artemis' attention. She knew that voice... She turned her head to the left, trying to get a good look at him. Their eyes met for a moment.

Gray met blue. Ocean Blue. Artemis almost backed away in shock at the depth of colour and intensity found within the pair of eyes and the boy quickly turned his attention back at the teacher. If he noticed her staring at him, he didn't seem to care.

It was weird though. Artemis felt as though he had seen this boy before, but at the same time she didn't. But who forget eyes as beautiful as those. It was in the tip of her tongue, just need to get them out.

Her thoughts were cut as Mrs. Chang spoke, directing her back to her current situation. "Well, Mr. Grayson what a surprise. I didn't expect you to be late of all people."

He nodded at her and said. "Yes and I am regretful. I promise I will not repeat my mistake twice."

"You are excused but Artemis-"

"H...Hey! Why does he get to be excused? "Artemis exclaimed in confused anger. Why does he get the benefit of being saved?

"Would you please stop interrupting me?" Mrs. Chang rubbed her temples slowly. It was too early in the school year to have headaches. "Mr. Grayson has a valid reason. What about you?"

"There was an encounter at the subway train station and Mr. Penguin froze the tracks before Bats and Boy Wonder could stop him!" Annoyance rising slowly.

"Then you should have taken it upon yourself to hail a cab to drive you here." She answer simply as if, it was the most logical reason. Does she not realize that Mr. Penguin's henchmen blocked the exit and entrance? Or that no right-minded driver would wait, if not go near to a place filled with bad guys? Was she even using her head? No, Artemis believed not but before she could voice this; Mr. Blue-Eyes responded instead.

"I think it would be more fair, Mrs. Chang; if I would also be given a punishment." He stated and giving her a small smile.

"Well... Never mind, I will not give any punishment this once, but no more next time." She paused to give emphasis before continuing."But since today is about working with a partner, you both will be working together since everybody is already paired. Wait for a while; let me get an extra work sheets in the faculty lounge." She said and walked through the hallways; only the two were left.

It was silent, waiting for either one of them to break it. It was him who spoke first.

"I apologize if Mrs. Chang was little bit strict. She isn't from here so she doesn't understand Gotham that much." He said reassuringly.

"You shouldn't be apologizing..." Artemis muttered quietly a little bit embarrassed for trying to bring him down with her a few minutes ago."And sorry for, you know... trying to get you in trouble too"

He shook his head and signed."I was wrong for me to think I could be exempted. I was also at fault"

Artemis couldn't think of anything to say and instead stayed silent.

"My name is Richard Grayson. What's yours?" Dick held his hand out to shake and she accepted shyly.

"Artemis Crock."

"Artie."

"No, Artemis"

"No, Artie." He said in a deadpan tone, eyes suddenly twinkling in mischievously and lips curled up slightly, leaving quickly as they arrived. Wait dat smile...

"Answer ALL questions" Mrs. Chang appeared and gave them each a sheet. Richard was following her inside, but not before giving Artemis his calm and emotionless expression, gesturing her to follow.

Welcome to Gotham Academy.