The team stared in horror as the building they and barely made it out of collapsed behind them. The cause of their horror was simple- one of them hadn't made it out.

Artemis had been trying to disable the bomb when it exploded and in the fire and chaos that followed the blast they hadn't been able to locate her before they had no choice but to get out of the building.

Kid Flash started to circle the collapsed building hoping that by some miracle that Artemis had survived the blast and made it out another way. On Kid Flash's second circuit of the area he saw a movement in the shadows of a neighboring building and heard a soft sound as something was set gently on the ground. KF slowed and went closer to check it out. As he entered the shadow a boy jumped up from where he had been crouched next to a body lying on the ground and ran away. KF made to follow him then saw who was lying on the ground. It was Artemis. She was unconscious and KF couldn't tell how badly hurt she was, but she was alive. KF contacted the rest of the team with relief. Soon they were headed back to Mount Justice.

"Artemis, I'm not your mother." Paula Crock had told her earlier that day.

Artemis knew she was dreaming but just like when it had happened for real asked, "What?! Who is?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Artemis let me explain. Your mother's name was Mira Stevens. I don't know the full story but something about her family made her having a daughter dangerous for her and for her daughter- for you. I was pregnant at the time and went to a private mid-wife. She went to the same mid-wife and our babies end up coming on the same day. Mine was a boy and we traded children. The mid-wife didn't even know what we had done."

"Why?"

"Because she wanted to keep you safe and I didn't want Lawrence to have a son that he could turn into a clone of himself."

"I need time to process." Artemis said as she walked out.

Before when it had really happened she had gotten called for a mission right after leaving. Now, she woke up or thought she did but when she opened her eyes she decided that she must have awakened into a nightmare. She couldn't see anything not even darkness - that scared her but what really terrified her was the silence and the feeling of being totally alone.

"She's waking up!" Robin called excitedly to the rest of the team as Artemis's eyes opened and blinked a few times. Since arriving back at the mountain the team had been hovering over Artemis, none of them leaving the infirmary for more than a few minutes.

"How are you feeling?" Kaldur asked gently touching her shoulder.

Something touched her shoulder and she started in surprise. She grabbed whatever was touching her and found by feel that it was a hand. Artemis was afraid; this didn't feel like a dream. Was she drugged? Was that the problem? No, she could tell that there weren't any drugs in her system. Then she remembered the explosion. Squeezing the hand she still held tightly she used her other hand to gingerly touch her face. Discovering that her eyes were indeed open and that she still couldn't see she screamed. The hand she clung to slipped away and she was alone. She shook in terror; she couldn't hear herself scream. She was half aware of a presence in her mind for an instant before blacking out.

The Team looked at Megan in surprise when her eyes glowed and Artemis fell limp; unconscious once more.

"She was terrified; it seemed kindest to knock her out again." Megan explained.

"Terrified? Why? Do you know why?"

"She couldn't see and then when she screamed she wasn't able to hear herself." Megan told the little she had been able to gather before knocking Artemis out.

Unsure of what to do, they again settled around to wait for her to reawaken.

When Artemis woke up again she still couldn't see or hear but though she was still terrified she didn't panic and instead reached for the mental link that connected her to her team. Is anyone there?

We are here. How are you feeling? Kaldur spoke for the team.

Why can't…no…is my condition permanent? Am I really blind and deaf?

We don't know Black Canary wasn't able to do a though exam while you were out.

Artemis reached out her hand and asked where are you? It feels like I'm alone

We're all here Robin assured her as he grasped her hand.

Don't leave me

Black Canary conferred with Batman. "I don't know for sure but I think that the damage to her eyes might be permanent and when it comes to her hearing I just don't know."

"Tell her. I will inform Green Arrow, I hope I can catch him before he leaves."

Green Arrow sighed he was off at last, now if he could just stop worrying about Roy and Artemis killing each other while he was gone, the mission would be quite simple. One week on protection duty, easy as pie. To get his mind off of his protégés he ran a mental checklist of his bag. Bow, Quiver, civvies, spare outfit, comb, toothbrush- no he had forgot his toothbrush again, and mask.

AN: This whole story is by Alya Rose without Abby's help on the story line or writing. please review!