Hey guys! So sorry for the long wait! I had mountains of homework O_o anyways another apology this is so short. Another one will be coming up really soon and the Team comes in next chapter! Note: the next last chapter, and the next couple will all be pretty close in timeline and if there is a major time skip I'll say so. :) hope you like it.


Artemis' next few weeks were one of the happiest she could remember. Jade had come home soon after the incident in the archery range. She had moved the remainder of Artemis' things from their parents' house to one that their mother had inherited from her father. Artemis was happy. She had told Jade and Roy about Warren and they had both almost run out the door, murder shining in their eyes… or at least an extreme beating. Artemis had managed to stop them both from killing Jade's EX boyfriend, heavy on the ex. Warren for his part had left her alone, though he always sat in her spot in the courtyard. She didn't really mind though, considering she was with Dick most of the time.

He was really similar to Robin and Artemis knew why they were friends. Dick was a super smart thirteen year old. He was already in high school. High school! He showed her some of the homework he had when they were working together and almost every time she just stared at it blankly. She had no idea what the formulas, as Dick called them, were for. He usually laughed at her blank confused expression and she would hit him for making fun of her. She was always smiling though. She never ate lunch alone anymore and Dick had introduced her to his friends Bette and Barbara who he called Babs to annoy her. The two girls adored Artemis and Zitka's smile had never looked so big. For the first time since Artemis could remember she felt safe and loved. She felt like she had a real family again.

Artemis was running out of her grade three classroom for the end of the day. She held Zitka tight to her chest, her backpack thumping against her back as she ran. Another smile spread over her face. Dick was walking her home today. Robin had been really busy lately with Batman and his team so he hadn't been able to come see her. Artemis was fine with that. Dick was just as good as Robin was, even though he couldn't do any flips like Robin. Artemis was still happy. She was also happy because Robin had started telling her more about being a hero, and now that Artemis actually recognized Robin when she watched him on TV, she knew he worked for Batman. She smiled again as she thought of the news last night. Robin and Batman had helped Green Arrow and Red Arrow take down Sportsmaster at Santa Prisca. Jade had flipped the channel when they were talking about what he had been doing, so Artemis wasn't sure why. She had to wrestle Jade for the remote and astoundingly she had won. When she flipped it back it showed footage of Robin and Red Arrow creating a diversion while Batman snuck up behind her father, and Green Arrow had shot down an explosive arrow from above. It had been one of the best things she had seen on the news in a very long time. Green Arrow and Batman had always been her favorite super heroes. They didn't have any super powers but were still amazing. Artemis had always dreamed of becoming Green Arrows sidekick. She had always dreamed of being a hero.

"Arty!" Artemis turned slightly and ran over to the tree where Dick and Barbara were standing.

"Hi Dick! Hi Barbara, are you walking with us?" Artemis said all in one breath. Barbara and Dick both laughed.

"Just for a few blocks. My dad is picking me up at the corner store a little ways away." Artemis nodded and the trio started walking. Dick and Babs talked about homework and a dance that was coming up. Artemis didn't have anything to contribute but she didn't mind. She just held Zitka to her chest and daydreamed about what it would be like to fight with Robin and Green Arrow.

"Whoa Arty!" Dick grabbed her around the waist and yanked her backwards. Artemis yelped a little in surprise more than fear. She turned to Dick and glared at him for a few seconds. Then she turned back around and
realized she had almost walked right out into the middle of the road.

"Oops. Thanks Dick." Dick nodded in response but when they started to cross the street he grabbed her hand and held it. Barbara Waved goodbye and ran across the next intersection to where her dad was waiting. Dick and Artemis kept walking for a few more blocks. He still hadn't let go of her hand. They turned down an alley towards an abandoned phone booth and Artemis stopped walking.

"Where are we going?" Dick smiled.

"Robin thinks it's time you got to meet his team. And maybe even Green Arrow and Batman." Artemis squealed in excitement and threw her arms around Dick's neck, hugging him tightly and squishing Zitka between them. Robin knew how much she loved Green Arrow.

"Oh! Thank you thank you thank you!" Dick laughed and hugged her back, spinning her around before setting her back on the ground.

"You're welcome Arty. Now come on!" He grabbed her hand again and they ran until they were right in the middle of the alley.

"Now where do you think you're going Grayson?" A voice stopped them and they turned slowly.

Warren was standing at the entrance to the alley, three of his goons behind them. Artemis spun on the ball of her left foot until she was facing the other three behind her and Dick.

"What do you want Warren?" Dick's voice didn't shake as he bent into a stance.

"Nothing that concerns you Grayson. If you leave now we might just let you go. We just want to talk to Arty for a few minutes."

"And why would I do that?"

"Because me and Miss Arty here have unfinished business."