A/N: This was an idea that came out of the blue. Got to love late night sessions. We were so excited, it was borderline psychotic. Think Aang with no sleep. Now picture that with a pen and paper in hand. CRAZY. What started out as a one shot is now a multichapter fic. This is all about Spitfire. Set after "Depths" with memories of past events. So get ready to go nuts! And PLEASE REVIEW. WE cannot stress this enough. Crticism good or bad is always needed and appreciated so enjoy! We don't own DC, Greg Weisman or any of the YJ characters. Though Wally still makes a cameo in our dreams. Now go, read, enjoy! ;)

xxxx

She opened the door slowly, fearful of what was to greet her.

It was dark. She fumbled for the light, only to drop her keys on the floor. In a flash, Spitfire came running towards her, barking and wagging its tail.

"Hey big guy, what's up?" She bent down on her knees and scratched its ears. It happily licked her face. She laughed softly and kicked the door closed with her foot. She stood up, keys in hand and tiptoed to the kitchen, carefully stepping over the squeaky floorboards. She didn't want to wake him.

The apartment was bathed in a beryl glow. It was calming yet unnerving at the same time.

Opening the fridge she took out some leftovers from the previous day. "Cold Pizza. Yum." Taking out a plate from the cupboard, she settled on the island, her eyes fixed on the gloomy abyss that surrounded her. The dog sat at her feet, staring. It whined softly. "Fine." She muttered. "You have the pepperoni, I don't like it anyway." The dog ran to the cold meat that littered the floor and chomped gleefully. "One down, one to go." She mumbled sadly.

This week had been hard. With no lead on who the Light was, or their new partner, and with dozens of kids being kidnapped off the street for nefarious purposes, Nightwing needed a new plan. Having Kaldur'ahm undercover wasn't enough. They weren't getting anywhere. Someone was going to have to make a sacrifice. One that would change the lives of many. She'd met with Dick at Gotham's City Hall, away from the rest of the League and outside attention.

That hadn't gone the way she planned.

"Artemis!" She looked up, spotting him a few feet in front of her. "This way."

Dick smiled, leading her to a room off the corner. Out of sight. She stood in front of the door. Dick graciously held it open for her. Artemis rolled her eyes. "Always the gentleman still." She mused.

The room was small and crowded, overflowing with books. "So, I'm guessing you didn't call me to organize the crime files?" Dick's smile faded, replaced with a solemn frown. "I'm afraid not." His voice was grim "I- I need you to suit up and rejoin the team." Artemis laughed nervously. "That's it?" she exclaimed. "Sure, the team could use someone who can kick your sorry butt." Dick swallowed. "Yeah, the thing is- it's only temporary." She nodded, her eyes glazed with a new found confidence. "I know." A sick silence fell between them.

Dick gritted his teeth, "What I'm about to tell you, cannot, leave this room. Understand?"

Artemis studied his face. He was dead serious. The time for petty jokes was over. " Okay," she quipped. "Shoot." Dick sighed and rubbed his temples. "Do you remember when Tula died?" She nodded, but remained silent. "Well when Kaldur left the team and suited up with Black Manta, he wasn't in it for villainous pursuits; rather he was in it for the team. He went undercover, and still is. With the Justice League demolished and not a single lead on who or what The Light is, desperate times called for desperate measures."

Artemis stood there speechless.

"What do you need me for?" she managed to spit out.

Dick sighed, running his hands through his hair. "Kaldur is so close to getting intel on The Light but he's being tested" he paused.

"And where do I fit in all this?" she queried. A low whistle escaped his lips. "Well… you need to be out of the picture." "Permanently."Her brow furrowed in confusion. Dick sighed. "There's some gossip floating around about a new miscreant in town. A new Huntress, someone who happens do some dirty work for those involved with The Light. Black Manta is very intrigued about meeting her."

Artemis cut him off. "Dick, you're rambling, what do you need me for?" Dick nodded. "Right." "In order for Kaldur to get that vital intel, he needs to pass a final test. One that will prove that he has no attachment or regard for any of us, the team, or justice." His voice cracked.

"In order for that to happen, you have to disappear. Forever. Artemis Crock can no longer exist."

Artemis's eyes widened. She stumbled back, crashing into the bookcase behind her. Dick ran over to her. "Are you alright?" He reached for her hand. She coiled back, repulsed. "DON'T- don't you dare touch me!" Dick raised his hands in retreat. He stepped away slowly, watching as she composed herself. Gingerly, she stood up, nursing her sore hip.

"Are you freaking crazy?" she screamed. "This has to be some sort of joke! You want me to rejoin the team just so I can be the disposable heroic MARTYR! What is wrong with you?" Artemis found herself overcome with an uncomfortable feeling. One that she had buried deep in her subconscious a long time ago. It was then, in this tiny closet of a room that she realized she was afraid. Afraid of what was to come, afraid to leave what she had behind. "Can you imagine the team?" She rambled. "And what about-, what would he…." Her voice trailed off. Dick took her silence as an opportunity. "Wally." She nodded, her eyes staring blankly at the floor. "I-I, he can't- he can't. Without me…" she spluttered. "NO!" She wiped her face with her sleeve.

She never cried. Until now.

Dick exhaled gruffly. "Artemis, I'm not asking you to voluntary agree to your own murder, Kaldur's just going to pierce you with a neurotoxin, The nematocysts will only temporarily stop your heart. You'll still be alive!" he pleaded. She glowered at him. "But I won't be, will I?" she contested. "I WON'T be Artemis! I won't be me!"

Dick bit his lip, growing angrier by the second. "We have bigger problems Artemis!" he urged. The Justice League has gone awol, villains are gaining the upper hand as we speak, innocent citizens lives are at stake! We NEED answers NOW!" he took a breath. "You. Have. No. Choice."

Artemis looked at him, analyzing the situation at hand, the position he was in. The anger she felt instantly dissipated. "I know." She confessed. "Take a few days, whatever you need to do, do. Take some time for yourself." Artemis scoffed. "That's funny coming from the guy who cleverly plotted my death." Dick chuckled grimly. "Yeah." Artemis headed towards the door. Her palm on the handle. She needed to think. Alone.

"Artemis?"

She turned her head. Dick put a hand on her shoulder.

"We'll laugh about this someday."

xxxx

AN: And so it begins! Don't you worry, Wally WILL BE in the next chapter, ANGST, ROMANCE and ANGER will all also make an appearance. This is a spitfire fic, after all!