A/N: I am unable to resist the urge to start another new story. This one is Artemis-centric in comparison to the two Robin-centric ones I'm working on. First chapter is just a prologue of sorts.
Disclaimer: I don't own YJ or the opening quote. First piece of dialogue is taken directly out of the episode "Infiltrator".
She wore a big Cheshire smile and a threatening little sparkle in her silver eyes. "I suppose now you'll bring me to justice, let your new friends interrogate me. I wonder if your position is secure enough to survive them learning everything I know."
And in a single moment, she was considering the odds that were stacked against her. All of her past. Everything that she knew about herself. Everything that could go wrong in a single moment. The consequences of what Cheshire could know stacked against what she really did know.
Artemis had to take a second to contemplate the results of what justice could do. She'd reel in an assassin, but consequently also lose her own position within the Justice League and within the ranks of her new team. Then there was the added problem of what if they decided that she was too dangerous to let loose... They could throw her in a prison... Or have her put to death...
The archer kept the bow firmly aimed at the assassin that stood before her. The blonde's bright blue eyes stayed focused on the woman that now stood maskless. Justice, she reminded herself.
Because that was what the League stood for. Security of the world. Safety of the human race. Justice. And now it was her turn to choose. Justice or her own life and everything she was trying to secure within her new team. Which was more important to her? Her life or the safety of another person?
The arrow stayed firmly between Artemis's fingers, still pressed to the taut string that would deliver the deathblow to the assassin once released. The girl didn't move, didn't waver, scarcely breathed as she muttered, "I'll take my chances."
In one swift movement, the bow dipped downwards and the sharp tip of that arrow was directed at Cheshire's leg. And Artemis released the string with a twang! The assassin went down in a heartbeat, unable to jump out of the way in time to dodge the arrow as it struck her lower leg.
Justice. That was Artemis's choice. Justice, even though she knew what it meant for herself.
A/N: I promise now that the next one will be longer. So review and I will post again by Tuesday, hopefully. This story is basically what an alternate ending of "Infiltrator" would've dominoed into.
~Sky