I'm back. And I'm just going to get on with the story. There's a longer A/N after this chapter. Thanks for the reviews, btw.

Disclaimer: We would have heard Jesse McCartney speak Romani by now, if I did.

"Where is the girl?"

"I don't know."

"Jade, I'm disappointed."

"Oh, well then what's your excuse...Daddy?"

"Look, little gir—"

"Both of you, stop. You can rip each others throats later. Right now, there are more pressing matters at hand. Whether or not either of you knows where she is does not matter. According to our insidme source, the Justice League does not even know her whereabouts and are, no doubt, searching for her as well. Therefore, it is your task to find her before they do."

Any signs of where she was had ceased to exist miles ago. Artemis had been walking for hours and definitely needed food. Otherwise, she would pass out in the middle of a dirt road. Which, in her opinion, was NOT an option. Thankfully, there was a small town ahead. She had abandoned her costume and her bow, quiver, and crossbow lay in her duffel bag. The blonde archer now donned a yellow t-shirt with a "Watch your dubstep" logo, a black hoodie, skinny legs, black converse, and a black snapback (trying not to draw a lot of attention, that's why all the black). Artemis trudged another half mile, looking around for a decent place to eat. An old fashioned diner with a blinking "Open" sign caught her attention.

She sat down at an empty booth, setting her duffel bag on the polished linoleum beside her seat. Her stormy gray eyes roamed the restaurant until they rested on a small menu laying on the table in front of her. A few minutes later, a middle aged redheaded woman came over to her table.

"Can I get you somethin' hon?" Gladys, as her nametag read, smiled down at the archer.

"Umm, can I have a cheeseburger, some fries, and a strawberry milkshake?"

"Comin' right up." The waitress disappeared in the back of the restaurant. Artemis waited, drumming her fingers on the table. Minutes passed and when it neared an hour, Artemis knew something was wrong.

Artemis cautiously left her table and walked toward the kitchen area, crossbow in hand. She peered through a circular window in the door before slowly opening it. The waitress, Gladys, and the cook were laying on the floor, surrounded by an enormous pool of blood.

She stepped around the mass of crimson liquid and the bodies. Artemis squatted down, a look of pity crossed her face. Something glinted out of the corner of her eye. The archer stood and wrenched a shuriken that had embedded itself into the wall. One name came to mind.

Jade.

Paula Crock wheeled herself into her daughter's bedroom. Artemis hadn't come home in three days. She hadn't called or left a message saying she was staying at the Cave or with Oliver, stuck on a mission, or anything. Most mothers would be worried, afraid that their daughter had been taken by some sick stranger. Afraid of the unknown.

But Paula knew.

She knew EXACTLY who would take her and EXACTLY what they were capable of and willing to do. She pushed away the thoughts before they could worry her any more than what she already was and rolled over to the nightstand between the two empty beds that occupied the room.

Slowly, Paula opened the bottom drawer. A single book, slightly coated in dust, lay within. She picked it up, brushing off the cover and placing it in her lap. Her hands turned to a random page and her eyes skimmed the worn paper. The Cheshire Cat was long gone. And now so was Alice.

The ex-criminal dared not move when she felt another's presence. Although, she involuntarily stiffened when a hauntingly familiar, husky voice met her ears. "Where is she?"

Okay, today is my birthday and I wanted to give you guys a gift. And, hopefully, you'll give me the gift of GLORIOUS REVIEWS!

In this chapter, I really wanted to include Paula and add in the Shadows, cause we ALL love them, don't we? The next one, we'll get back to the League and co.

But, anywho, I'm excited to be turning one year older! Yay! And, this morning, we all got to witness the season finale of Young Justice! And they aren't going on another hiatus before showing new episodes! And I think I saw Wondergirl in the new episode preview!

So...

Robin: Show some love and review.

Oh and birthday cake for the ppl who can tell me who the person was at the beginning, other than the obvious other two. (Hints: 1. You've seen him with them before already. 2. He was wonderfully portrayed in Batman Begins. 3. I stink at giving hints.)

(BTW: this is the author's friend uploading this for her XD *ihavenoideawhati'mdoingplz* so yeah XD forgive me if I don't do in right! 3 aaaaannnndddd HAPPY BIRTHDAY EZZY! ILOVEUU!)