(A/N) Alright, first off thank you to all the new followers, alerters and favoriters, I really appreciate each and every one of them. Here's the edited version of this chapter. I hope you think it's improved and that you've enjoyed it.

A Search With a Twist

This is why people call me an idiot! How could I have not noticed? I should have known. I should have realized something was wrong the minute this started, but I didn't and that's on me. All the signs were there and I just didn't notice some scientist I'm going to be. Sign one-she's never shown her arms. Whenever we go to the beach; she stays behind or claims it's too cold to go swimming so she stays up on the sand in a hoodie with a book. She is always wearing a jacket or long sleeve and now, now I know why.

YJ!

Robin would never do something like this; he would do worse and make it much more public. Connor, M'gann and Kaldur would never do it either because it's mean or irresponsible or as Connor would put it stupid. Artemis though, Artemis would and she's the one with motive. She took them, I know she did. It's not like I meant to trip into her and break some of here freshly sharpened arrows, Honest! Anyway as of 0900 this morning I have been unable to locate my newest goggles—these ones can track individual heat signatures, and has an x-ray mode and there gone! I know who took them; Artemis, and I know where she hid in. My beloved goggles are being held captive in the one place that no man—possibly including the great Batman, would venture into; her room.

If she's in there when I attempt a rescue, I will die slowly and painfully. I have to get them back between now and the mission we have tonight, or else I will lose all dignity and pride I have… I'll have to ask her for them, maybe even nicely. When I turn into the kitchen planning to get some food because food is good and wonderful and makes everything better, instead I see her on a stool talking to M'gann. When else will I ever get such a perfect opportunity?

I run and within a few seconds I'm in her room. Her room is an utter mess; an unmade bed, sheets falling over the sides, piles of clothes on the floor… pile of bloody looking clothes? My mind slows down as I see the pile and I forget about why I came in here for the first place. Squatting down I pick up on of the arrows on the floor, it's one of the bunch I snapped, and use it to prod the pile. I carefully shift the clothes around and get a sick feeling in my stomach; the deeper I go, the bloodier it gets.

When I finally get to the center, my mind goes blank and a just stare. The clothes had been wrapped around a pocket knife, blade out. It looked like this was covered in a rush. Shakily I pick the knife up by its handle and inspect the blade. The entire thing is wet with blood and I could see the hard flakes of dried blood on it as well.

I ignored the approaching footsteps, too horrified by what I had discovered.

"WHAT THE HELL WALLY!"

Artemis was back, and I was caught red handed. I turned around startled out of my daze, her angry eyes traveled down my arm and when they came across her knife, a look of fear flashed across her eyes. For a millisecond they widened and her jaw seemed to go slack, but then her scowl came back; the mask was back on. Even with her mask on, I could see she was worried she had been discovered; she crossed her arms, effectively blocking my view of her covered forearms, but I was still able to see a small part of a car that continued on the back of her wrist.

How had I been so stupid? When she changed her uniform it wasn't to protect her arms it was to hide them! She's been doing this to herself for that long? I'm so sorry Artemis.

"Why are you in my room Wally?"

She is so not getting off that easy, she needs help and she needs it now.

"How about you tell me what you think you're doing."

Come on Artemis, tell me. Open up and let me help you.

"How about you tell me what you're doing in my room," she snarled. "Without my permission."

Dammit Artemis stop lying!

"Looking for my goggles." I say. Maybe if I can get her to let down her guard; I could get a look at her arms. She wasn't acknowledging the knife, so I wouldn't either.

"If you get them back, will you leave?" She asks.

I nod and step to the side as she walks over to her draws. Opening one I only get a glimpse of what it holds—oh god it was in there—and then she shuts it with a bang and extends her arm, my goggles in her hand.

"Thanks," I say slowly. Breathing in deeply I move my hand to grab my goggles like she expects me too, but at the last minute I grab her sleeve and shove it up her arm revealing rows of scars, some fresh with drying blood, others are white little lines, some are newer and are red, angry bumps.

"Artemis…" I mumble. I had realized that she had been doing this for some time, but to actually see it made my brain stop working. When I looked into her arms she seemed so scared. Why? Did she think I was angry with her or that I would tell? I would tell if she didn't come clean to me. I f I can't get her to ask for help, I'll go to someone who won't give her a choice.

"Leave it Wally," she whispers. It's strange to hear her voice the way she spoke those words. Whenever her words were directed to me or even about me; her voice was always loud or sounded deadly sarcastic, but this time her voice was soft. It was like she had accepted her fate and didn't believe she had a choice. She pulled her arm back and allowed the sleeve to follow gravity's orders and reclaim its role of covering her scars.

"I'll tell." I threatened.

"I'll disappear." She replied.

"Aghhh!" I let out a sound of frustration at her stubbornness. I needed her to see that I cared, but I was frustrated and acted on impulse. My hands cup her face and before either of us could think; my lips molded against hers and I poured everything out. I put my care and my worry; everything into the kiss. It wasn't intense but I held her there; using my hands I pulled her closer and since I'm taller I bent my head down and tried to make her understand. When I pulled back I looked at her shocked face. Resting my forehead against hers I continued to gently hold her face in my palms and whispered; "Let me help you."

Her eyes were wide, but she shook her head. "Leave it Wally."

No.

I kissed her again, harder and left no space between us. A small sigh escaped her lips as I kissed her repeatedly. Other than that she didn't move, perhaps it was because her arms were trapped between our bodies. I don't even know why I've been kissing her; this was Artemis. She replaced Roy!... No she didn't. Oh god did I push her to do this to herself? Please, please, please don't let this be my fault. With each kiss her body seemed to relax a little. Ever since I met her in the graceful way I did, I got this nagging sense in the back of my mind, the only time I had ever felt it before was when I went too long without eating; that feeling you get when you've been away from something you love. I brushed off all the stupid comments Dick says all the times, but maybe its denial. A dying man told me the same thing; 'she's your spitfire.' They were right, they were all right. I'm in love with Artemis and I won't let her hurt herself anymore.

My right hand left her face and traveled down to the small of her back, she didn't make a sound of protest, so I continued until I reached my destination. Pushing my body forward, but at the same time pressing against her with my other hand, I effectively threw her off balance. Taken by surprise Artemis's legs were off the ground and thanks to my speed both my hands were able to catch them before we both fell over. Despite not having my hands keeping her lips against mine, she didn't move away, in fact she was able to free her arms and wrap them around my shoulders.

I really hope this doesn't make her hate me…

Using my super speed I made my way to the Med Bay and luckily Artemis was none the wiser, until I sat her down onto one of the medical beds. She took in the surroundings quickly and pulled away from me.

"You tricked me." She accused.

I shook my head and couldn't help but laugh at her face. Her features started to harden again. I gently picked up her hand by the wrist and turned her arm over. She didn't pull away this time as I pushed the sleeve up. The entire time I just stared into her arms and begged her to let me help, at least I hope that came across. Slower than when they hardened, her features began to soften and then at last she bent her head into my chest.

"Fine Wally," she mumbled.

"Thank you." I whispered.

(A/N) Sooo what did ya think? Better I hope. I'm so happy that I'm being good in regards to my new year's resolution. This is my second update in two days Yes! Anyway let me know what you thought because I know you want to. Push the button, you know you want to, push the button.