The cars were getting harder to avoid with rush hour increasing and traffic heading in, but not for them. Every chance there was to avoid it he twisted the bike over and increased the speed making a detour and speeding out. They were in no hurry to actually get back but they were running out of gas. A stop light approached and he ceased putting on the brakes. And then the thought hit him again of the passenger he had riding behind him. Through his helmet his eyes were focused on the light waiting to turn green. When he suddenly felt her hands shift and he found himself losing his focus.

She had initially placed her hands in a strong grip wrapping around his arms, but suddenly she shifted lowering her hands down to his chest area with a firm hold. Then she moved in, meeting his body with hers into a tight embrace.

The light turned green and was left behind with it his emotions.

Traffic was still heavy but he noticed the nearing empty tank, they would have to make a stop. Pulling into the gas station he turned the engine off and she dropped her hands. Kaldur removed his helmet but sighed knowing he'd have to face her once again.

"Sorry about the stop," he explained, "Didn't realize we were running out…"

He noticed Artemis still shivering through her coat, holding her arms. She looked up at him meeting his eyes.

"Don't worry about it."

"You're shaking," he replied, "why didn't you say anything?"

"It's fine Kaldur, we're almost back to the club anyways."

He sighed, "Actually I've got to make a quick stop somewhere nearby, do you mind?"

"No, it's alright don't worry," she rambled, "I mean you're the one giving me a ride here."

He nodded. "I'll just go pay, be right out."

The door dinged as he walked in and was out of sight, Artemis was left with her thoughts once again. And the one thing she hated most was how right Zatanna was at times. But it wasn't like that. He was a co-worker, for crying out loud she'd just met him. Then again there was that lingering feeling she had felt, it was strange, as if she'd met him in another life.

It was lunchtime at Gotham High and the courtyard filled with loud noise all over between teens grabbing cafeteria food, gathering with their own groups, or just laying back.

Near the back sat a dark haired boy with his headphones in focusing on his device. With his music turned up he was unaware of the shadow behind him.

"Heads up!" the boy laughed.

The other boy, almost dropping his device in the process, looked up at him and scowled.

"Gar! Quit it."

"Relax Tim, it's just me."

He was still chucking but he finally managed to calm down and sit offering part of his meal to his best friend.

"So what did Megan say?"

Dunking his french fry into ketchup he mumbled, "same thing as before, she's not getting me the new skateboard."

Tim was flipping through his device but was listening and looked up at his disappointed pal.

"That's inconvenient." He replied, "so now what?"

"Hope your dad adopts me and offers me an amazing allowance?" he sent him a sarcastic smile.

"Keep dreaming." Tim answered.

Gar sank his head onto the table, while Tim starred back at him.

"Is this you giving up on your crazy ideas?" his friend asked, "because I never thought I'd see the day."

"Shut up."

Removing one of his ear buds he smiled and mocked him with, "you know with it being you I would have figured another insane idea, say like sneaking into a club or even crashing somebody's party."

Gar began to munch on some more fries as he ignored Tim, "yea yea there go my ideas – wait what did you say?"

"I didn't say…"

Gar perked up with a mysterious smile forming. "That's not a bad idea," Tim looked up and his words hit him back at the realization, "You can't be serious. No! We can't."

But with that look on his face, it was impossible to change his mind.

The bike swerved into the parking lot with such ease and the engine abruptly was cut off. Both stepped off the vehicle with ease, he removed his helmet, while she stepped off rubbing her hands together.

"Don't think you mentioned where we were headed." Her eyes were looking onward to the countless of condo buildings in the area.

"I'd gladly invite you inside but this will only take a second."Kaldur assured her; he then headed straight for the stairs and left her out in the cold.

Artemis managed to holler back, "then this is your place?"

Just before reaching the stairs and disappearing he replied back with, "not exactly."

Embracing herself she watched him leave and found herself with even more questions. Leaning next to the bike her head turned taking a look around, she could note the neighborhood was deemed decent and particularly quiet this time of the year. Until she heard the footsteps approach her.

"Looking for someone?"

Turning around she was met with a dark skinned man with a rather neat and dark manner of dressing.

"Ah no sir," she said still hugging herself and pulling back a strand of hair, "just waiting for my ride."

He breathed in some of the bitter chilly air and exhaled, "careful out here then."

She starred back confused at the tone of his words, Artemis watched as he headed on up the way Kaldur had left and disappeared. Her patience lasted only so long, but Kal was back within the next minute, as promised.

"Artemis, are you ok?" he rushed over to her.

"No, I'm standing out here in the cold," she responded as a joke, "yes I'm fine, why?"

Unlocking a car door next to him with keys he'd pulled out, he spun back to answer her, "did you run into a tall dark man by any chance?"

For an instant they were both silent.

"And if I did?"

"Well then you've just met my father."

"Yes, I understand. Thank for your time, goodbye. "She sighed, and hung up.

The office room went quiet as the crowd of them waited for her to speak up.

"Well babe?"

Near the far end where the door stood, Conner glared at the red head's words but it was Logan that pointed him out.

"Watch it, West!"

"Logan, please. After getting in touch with your uncle Mr. West he's informed me that he'll handle you personally," she continued," as for my employee's vehicle, I'm afraid you won't be able to walk your way out of this one."

"Then what do you have in mind for me?"

"At the moment I'm unsure of my decision but I will be in touch with you, and if you don't comply I'll make sure to have Artemis press charges."

The grin on his face vanished at her words and he nodded as his feet lifted, he stood up well prepared to finally leave.

"Guess this is my cue to go then."

"We'll be in touch."

As he stepped past Conner and Logan, the door flew open and the red head found himself face to face with the dark haired guy in shades.

"What's the emergency, Meg—"

At the sight of his ex-friend he stopped and angrily uttered, "what did you do this time, West?"

"This doesn't concern you Grayson – I was just leaving."

"As if –"but next to him Conner pulled him back saying, "Let him go Dick."

"Conner I think it's best if you show Mr. West out." Megan spoke up.

"Gladly." He muttered as they both past Dick and left the room.

Now just the three of them were left within the office as the door closed from behind.

"So what did he do?"

Megan pulled her head down on her desk, and decided not to answer him completely, "drop it."

"I rushed over here as soon as I heard your message, what happened?"

Logan coughed next to him, "he totaled Artemis's car."

With her head still on her desk, she mumbled in agreement, "there you have it."

His eyes immediately widened, "she planning to press charges?"

"I've told Artemis not to, until I've figured out what to do with him."

"Which is?"

"That's why I called you."

Dick slumped over on one of the chairs in front of her, "I think we both know how this is going to be fixed."

"I was afraid you'd say that," Megan groaned, "should I also assume you're going to leave it up to me to tell her?"

"Megan she already can't stand me," Dick said getting back up, "I'm not risking her actually killing me."

"You're supposed to be my assistant." She complained.

"Yea – but in the end Megs you're the boss." He reached the door and walked out, leaving her and Logan alone.

As Megan watched him leave, Logan came up and approached her placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Mind me asking what you're going to do with this?"

She went back to her head flat on the desk and reached up lightly to squeeze Logan's touch, "let's just say you might not want to stick around for her reaction."

After shoving the exit door on his way out, he immediately dug his hands into his coat pockets as the cold hit him. He continued walking past the two vehicles and then noticed the car straight in front of him.

"What are you doing here Roy?"

The muscled guy leaning on his red sports car was donning a red hood shielding him from the harsh weather. As West got closer he could hear Roy's cocky self.

"And here I thought I would have to follow a police car to come and bail you out."

"Done laughing yet?" West replied, "I'd like to get out of here."

The two stepped into the vehicle and slammed both doors shut. Inside the heat was turned up to max but neither cold nor warmth could calm his guilty hangover still lingering. Next to him sat his so called friend pulling out a cigarette and then proceeding to dig for a lighter.

"Ever plan on giving up smoking Roy?"

"Is that supposed to be hilarious?" he questioned, "I mean coming from you – how many times does it make it this year alone that your uncle has received one of these calls?"

"What's your point?" he looked out the window not daring to meet him in the eyes.

"I'll make you a proposition…"

"This should be good."

"How about I make amends to not smoke anything, so long as you stay out of trouble?"

He placed the lighter and cigarette down near the empty compartment.

"Both of us know there's no point in this." West replied.

"Then why are you telling me what to do?" he answered back.

That was his indication to start up the car; they waited a few seconds for it to warm up from the cold and then just as Roy was about to change shifts to drive, West heard the sound of a bike headed from the opposite direction, which he had come.

For a second he turned down his passenger window faintly and got a clearer look of the body stepping off. The ride was blue, as for the helmet it didn't particularly match but it did seem to work, letting the green mix in nicely. As the helmet was being lifted he was able to identify its passenger as a female.

The slick blonde hair tied back.

The smooth curves on her body.

Making matters worse – it was the bartender.

By now he had noticed her change in outfits; it suited her pretty damn well if he had to admit, also how it didn't make sense on her having a bike since he was the one who had crashed the car she'd come in. Then his answer was clear when he saw the larger vehicle pull up behind her. The car door opened and stepping out was the DJ, he had encountered plenty of other times before. Although this time it was different as he noticed how they stood outside facing one another. They were completely unaware of his presence but he was able to notice the way their eyes crossed one another.

Roy revved the car up and they both immediately turned at the same time, but their faces were quickly left behind as the two guys drove away.

It was the club's prime hours with customers flying in and no one rushing out. Tonight people came out to party, to celebrate, and to have a real good time. The Blonde was keeping busy with one order after the next, as she pleased her customers with her maneuvers and bartending style which she was slowly beginning to develop. But what seemed to shock her most was how easily she'd caught on to everything.

And if she was finally done denying things then she had Kaldur to thank, at least for showing her the ropes.

The rest of the night followed dealing with more drunk customers she handled quite easily, giving out beers, and getting drink requests from the from the club waitresses to take to customers. Eventually many of the voices started blurring together, but not hers.

"Miss, can we get two beers over here?"

Artemis rushed from the cooler to the bar counter and back to the customers, people easily took their drinks and left or sat a while and lingered. Then from behind came a new but familiar request.

"Care to give me a shot, straight up?"

The blonde turned meeting her dark haired roommate and looked right into her blue eyes. She approached her with a small rag in her hands then dropping it to get the drink she'd asked.

"Haven't I seen you enough today?" she asked with fury in her tone.

"I didn't come to argue with you –"

"So why are you here?" Artemis cut her off as she quickly added with, "If it's for Grayson you already missed him."

"—or to discuss my relationship with Dick." Zee looked at the small shot she had served her, then back at her, "I'm here to prove my point."

"What are you talking about?" this made no sense to her.

"Where can I find Kaldur?"

Towards the back of the club one of the exit doors turned and was unlocked it reveled two hooded teens one with a dark blue jacket in shades, and the other teen had removed the green hood and beamed out excitedly , "were in."

"How do I even let you drag me into these things?"

"Come on Tim live a little." Gar replied.

"What's the point of even doing this?"

"What!" his friend hollered back, the music was getting louder and harder to hear.

"Gar! Where are you going?" Tim screamed back as he followed him. Passing a crowd of people on dance floor they reached one of the few small high tables.

"We're getting drinks," Gar turned to say.

"Are you kidding?" the teen in shades said back, "we're hardly even 17 Gar, we can't."

"Quiet – here we go," one of the waitresses who was serving drinks all around to customers approached them.

"What can I get you guys?" she managed to holler over the blasting music.

Gar recognizing her immediately said, "Cassie is that you?"

Tim had to casually look away, while the blonde panicked answering with, "I'm sorry I think you have the wrong –"

"Cassie, it's me Gar you know from math class we—"

The blonde quickly began to cover his mouth and somehow uttered, "How did you guys even sneak in here?" Gar mumbled a reply which remained unheard as Cass continued, "look they don't know I'm still in high school and I really need this job could you guys keep quiet, please?"

"We won't say anything, don't worry." Tim spoke up turning to face them.

"Thanks Tim." She sincerely smiled back, "I can't promise getting you guys any alcohol sorry, but maybe I can come back with some sparking water or something."

The two boys nodded and watched her move away, heading back to more tables and mixing in with the wild club lights.

Tim sighed and looked at Gar, "it's better if we leave I mean Megan or Dick could catch us at any moment."

"Obviously you don't know who we should be worried about," he called back, "have you even looked out for Conner or Logan? We're dead if they find us."

"You're making me regret having grabbed my brother's keys even more." The teen said as he removed the obvious shades from his eyes.

"As long as we lay low we'll be fine," he nodded, "if it makes you happy we can leave after an hour ok?"

"Sure that's what you say now, but wait until…" Tim hesitated on his words and was all of a sudden getting up off his seat, while his friend starred unsure of what was happening.

Right ahead Tim noticed the blonde shoving a strong guy away from her; with angry eyes the guy grabbed her and began to pull her roughly. Somehow a fist had formed on his hand and he headed straight for them. Just as Gar noticed what was going on it was too late.

"No Tim!"

The DJ headed straight for the Bar, in his hands was his phone and the light glowed as he read the last message.

'Out of town on a last minute trip. Back tomorrow morning. We'll discuss the matter then.'

His thoughts were killing him inside so he left the music on auto play and hurried off to the bar – he needed a drink. By now he had switched outfits to a more fitting look for club hours; he was wearing a long black shirt and on his head he had dug up one of his favorite dark hats. And his hand was wrapped around his tie trying to loosen it up. Finally after waiting he managed to snag an empty seat at the bar and called out to the blonde getting her attention.

"Artemis."

He noticed she was talking to one of her customers and she seemed familiar, then it clicked, it was Zatanna. Artemis turned when she heard her name and quickly turned back to Zatanna for an instant then made her way over to him.

As for Artemis she couldn't believe what she'd gotten herself into – damn Zatanna.

"Hey, what do you need?"

"Do you mind handing me a beer?" he asked holding his head with his hands.

"Rough night?"

She bent down to snag one of the beers in the nearby cooler and snapped it open handing it to him.

Kal drifted off into thought, "…yea."

If she was going to do it, this was it.

"Listen Kal," she began, "don't think I got a chance to thank you for doing all this. I mean I honestly don't need to borrow your bike I'm sure Zee's capable of giving me a lift to work."

With his hands on the bottle he listened to her but refrained from taking a sip.

"It's no trouble."

"Are you sure?" she moved in closer to meet him.

"I'm certain." He smiled weakly at her.

She looked straight into his eyes, "then thank you."

He didn't expect it, he didn't even see it coming. But he surely didn't think he had wanted this. Or did he?

Artemis quickly grabbed his lose tie and pulled him in meeting her soft lips with his. She was terrified because she had been the one to make the move, and he was shocked. That much she felt. But then her heart started beating rapidly because suddenly he was kissing her back.

Pulling away he looked into her silver eyes, "Artemis…"

Before anything could happen they heard the shouts and screams coming from behind.

Kaldur turned just as the fight headed their way. A few feet away were two guys one he recognized instantly but the other was just a young boy in a blue hood.

"Is that…?" he questioned. But Artemis only watched as he got up and rushed over to the scene.

Several customers surrounding the bar looked back surprised. The blonde followed immediately and jumped over the counter, "bars closed."

Shoving her way past the crowd she was finally able to get through and get a look at what was happening. The boy in the blue hood that Kal had spotted was lying on the floor and next to him were two people. One was another young blonde who was wearing the club uniform and the other was a boy who she recognized from a picture in Megan's office. But then her eyes scattered back as she noticed Kaldur taking on the guy who wouldn't give up the fight. He then punched Kal in the stomach and was down on his knees.

"Stay out of my way." He uttered wiping blood away from his mouth.

Artemis had a table standing next to her and lying there were two beer bottles, she grabbed one.

"Hey Red!" she screamed in anger, "get the HELL AWAY FROM HIM!"

There were gasps from the crowd as the guy who seemed undefeated tumbled onto the floor, followed by the glass scattering all over the ground.

Barely able to hold himself together he tried to swallow the pain but couldn't stand. Then from behind came strong but gentle hands pulling him up. Then he heard her voice.

"Kal?" she was worried, "can you hear me?"

He could but then nothing.

"Kal!"

It was the last thing he remembered.