Artemis didn't know how she always ended up here before training with Black Canary. Maybe it was because her boyfriend spent this time harassing Robin and refuelling, courtesy of Megan's cooking. Zatanna and Rocket would be in the kitchen with her making fun of either Wally's eating habits or Rocket's crush on Kaldur. Kaldur himself would spend time meditating so that his form during training would hopefully improve.

Not Artemis. She felt the best way to get ready for training was to train. It seemed she was not alone in this thought. Conner would more often than not join her. The pair would spar until one of them gave up. This was something that didn't often occur and because they weren't really pushing each other they were usually still at it when Canary walked in. Then they let loose.

Today was different though. Artemis had called Uncle and sat down for a drink. Conner knew this was unusual for Artemis but was unsure how to broach the subject. They didn't talk all that often and truth was he knew that she appreciated that they didn't need words. On the rare days when one of them would give out, if they didn't go find their respective partners they would sit together. Enjoying the silence of each other's company. It worked for them. They didn't need words to have a conversation. He knew something was off and that she didn't want to talk about it, so he let it go.

Artemis for her part had, had a rough day. More like rough week really. At the beginning of the week she had discovered Robin's identity and his best friend who distrusted her had told the entire school who her parents were. Indeed, Dick Grayson was going to get her killed one way or another. Though really it was that idiot teacher who had decided teaching a joint class on the roof was a good idea. Inevitably it had resulted in Dick, showing off and being pushed over the edge of the building. Accidentally on purpose by the older students. They hadn't meant to cause any harm. Artemis was the only person who had seen and reacted. She wasn't sure what tipped her off, the way he grabbed her arm like he had done a thousand times on missions. The way he planted his feet against the wall when he landed so he could walk up the wall. Maybe it had been that tiny Robin smirk playing on his lips but she had put it together and he knew immediately. This resulted in her having a new best friend from Monday. The being followed everywhere part was a little creepy, including to a special assembly to celebrate her heroics. That had almost made her wish she had let him fall. Almost.

By Wednesday her life was an absolute mess. Dick having realised she would willingly keep his secret had told Batman who had known it was going to happen and thought it was for the best. He also, though he would never admit it, was glad that Dick had a new friend at school. Barbara Gordon on the other hand thought that Artemis was dangerous and had hacked Gotham City's Police computers to do a background search on Artemis. When she had found out about Artemis and her family and told Dick who shrugged it off, saying that he already knew, she had made sure that the entire school was plastered with Artemis's family details for all to see.

The uproar had been phenomenal. Parents had threatened to pull their kids out that Wednesday morning. Others were threatening to press charges because Artemis had looked at their kid. It wasn't until Bruce Wayne showed up and said that he had given her his once a year scholarship and that he was glad she attended the school that the parents calmed down.

The students were another matter. Artemis who was already shunned because of her scholarship status was ignored totally by those who feared her and outright vilified by others. The teachers seemed to be on the side of the students and ignored the whole thing. Dick remained her only ally ignoring Barbara and spending his free time with Artemis. This pissed Barbara off to no end. His support however did little to stop the others. At the very least it was a scathing remark about her family. However a few seniors' decided on Thursday to start getting rough with her. Growing up with Sportsmaster for a father had taught her a lot about pain and not to push it. That was why she had called time on her and Conner's sparring session. They were only bruises but they hurt and if she had to take on serious training without anyone getting suspicious she would need spare strength. Not even Dick knew that the seniors had decided to assault her. She intended to keep it that way. They didn't need to worry about the bruising to her ribs and other areas of her body. Plus Canary already asked too many questions about her scars. She didn't need to find lies to cover up this as well.

She was almost positive that Conner would not ask her why she had ended the spar. Anyone else would have but not Conner. He was good like that. He understood that sometimes you just didn't want to talk about it. However she had winced once during their spar and she wasn't sure whether he had noticed. The fact he kept glancing at her though was beginning to unnerve her, if he had noticed he might ask. She was hoping he wouldn't but the more he glanced at her the more likely it seemed he would.

Conner had indeed noticed and it was this that kept bugging him. He thought that he had let it go but he kept coming back to their spar and that it had been off. He wasn't sure why but that was the only way to describe it. Off. Artemis had held herself with a slight slump and none of her punches and kicks had been fully extended. A fool would have brushed this off as wanting to save something for training but Conner was no fool and he knew Artemis better than that. She would never risk getting into bad habits. He started giving her sideways glances from his position and noticed she was still holding herself carefully. She wasn't leant up against the wall as he had first thought, she was leaning slightly forward and her arms were held around her midsection as if she was shielding it. This left him with only one conclusion, she was hurt.

Indeed the wince that caused all of this had come towards the end of their bout, when she had rolled backwards away from a kick of his. When she had flipped herself backwards to get to her feet her eyes had closed for a second and she had gasped whilst reaching for her ribcage, before she launched back into the fight. It had only been for an instant but it had happened. She obviously wanted no one to know otherwise she would have skipped their warm up spar and seen Black Canary about it before hand. This left the question, was it because she didn't want to be removed from missions that she was trying to keep it a secret or did she not want to explain how she received the injuries. Knowing Artemis it could be either but that didn't seem as important right now. She was injured and he had to get her to tell him about it.

It was times like these that he wished they interacted verbally a bit more. If it were anyone else on the team they would know what to say to get her to talk to them. Even Black Canary would know more about how to broach the topic. Somehow he didn't think calling her out bluntly and threatening to tell Canary would work. All Conner knew was that he had to speak to her about it before training really started or this could end badly, if Kaldur, Megan, Rocket or himself went all out on Artemis. Even Wally or Robin could cause whatever injuries she was already carrying to become worse.

Artemis watched Conner turn towards her and her head went in to overdrive. If he wanted to push it he could force her to show him the injuries, after all he was super strong. If it came to that she needed an excuse and fast. Something that she could tell him and Canary that wouldn't be questioned too much. At least the bruising had yet to come out fully, she was sure fist shaped bruises would be found and what was she supposed to say then, 'They were just trying to catch me with their fists?' It sounded weak, even to her. Then she saw his mouth move and knew the time had come, she still didn't have a plan though.

"Artemis..." he sounded like an idiot but this had to be done, he just hoped it worked, "Are you alright?"

Artemis almost burst into laughter. She knew they didn't talk much but was she really that awkward to interact with. She decided playing dumb would work for now.

"I'm fine Conner. Why do you ask?"

"Oh it's nothing, really. I just thought -"

Conner was cut off by Batman's voice echoing through the cave.

"Team you have a mission. Meet for the brief in the Control Room. Now."

Artemis stood up shrugging her shoulders. Conner noticed that the action was done very gingerly.

"Guess we'll have to talk later Conner." Artemis said before heading towards the Control Room. As she left, she couldn't help but think that she was lucky. It wasn't everyday she got saved by the Batman.

Conner realised that she had deliberately left to avoid the conversation and took off after Artemis a few seconds later. If they were going on a mission then Artemis had to tell someone. She could end up worse than she already was or she could put one of them in danger without meaning to. He had to talk to her. He was sure calling her out in front of everyone was a bad idea but if he had no choice, he had no choice.

Conner caught up to her just as she entered the Control Room. Everyone noticed their entrance. Kid Flash was typically the only one to complain.

"You pair must be the slowest on the entire team."

As he had said this he had rushed forward to lift Artemis into his arms. M'gann was approaching Conner but he was focusing on K.F.'s retreating form. How had Wally not noticed that when he did that Artemis had closed her eyes in pain, had attempted to clutch her side. Either he was going insane or everyone else was blind. He favoured the latter. It was then that he felt M'gann's mind link open up.

"Is everything okay Conner?"

"Yeah, I think so."

M'gann took that as his final answer and holding hands they approached Batman for the mission brief. It sounded simple enough. Klarion had been spotted at a warehouse in Gotham City. Batman wanted them to investigate, keep their distance and report what they saw. Artemis took this opportunity to point out that this was how all their missions started and usually ended badly. Batman just glared at her before telling them that they had fifteen minutes to get ready. Conner knew that he had to talk to Artemis now before they left. He had considered telling M'gann but decided to deal with this on his own.

"M'gann?"

"What is it Conner?"

"I have something I have to do. Would you excuse me?"

"Sure."

Conner watched her walk forward to talk to Kaldur, Rocket and Zatanna. He then turned to approach Artemis, Wally and Robin. The three were grouped near the console arguing about who knew what this time. He hadn't noticed that they were all looking at him as he approached. Even M'gann and the others were watching with interest. The only person who hadn't noticed his approach was Artemis who had her back to him. When he was a couple of steps behind her he came to a halt and cleared his throat. Now even the league members who were present were paying attention. Everyone knew they barely spoke and here was Conner approaching her to talk. Artemis spun round to face him. Was surprised and then set her face to neutral but Conner had seen a flash of annoyance and knew that she was dodging him.

"What's up Conner?" Artemis asked as if they weren't waged in a mini warfare.

"I was wondering if we could talk." He sounded more confident and he wasn't sure whether it was because of the crowd or his annoyance at Artemis's non-chalantness.

"Sure go ahead."

It was a challenge he knew but he already had a counter-move planned.

"I was hoping we could speak in private actually. Please."

Artemis looked mildly pissed. She was stuck now. The rest of the room was in shock. Did these pair always talk to each other but only in private?

Artemis who could see no way out gave in.

"Sure, your place or mine?"

"Mine."

As Artemis and Conner left the room everyone was in shock. The first person to speak was Wally.

"Since when do they talk?"

M'gann was quick to reply, "I have no idea. I could always eavesdrop on them."

It was Black Canary who butted in reminding everyone that she, Batman and Red Tornado were all still there.

"You will do no such thing."

Kaldur backed her up, "Indeed, their conversation should remain private."

Rocket made her opinion clear immediately after.

"Yeah. I mean it's not like their doing anything wrong."

"Still be an interesting conversation to hear. I mean what would they talk about?" Zatanna chimed in.

"It would be a good day to be a fly on the wall." Robin agreed with her.