Chapter 6: Infiltrator and Downtime

~Elizabeth~

Mount Justice

August 8, 09:58 EDT

As of right now, the team and I, minus Wally were going to the beach. Dick and I walked down, swimwear and sunglasses on. I walked to the kitchen and grabbed the cooler that had water and hotdogs inside. I looked at Dick then.

"Ready to swim it up?" I asked. He grinned.

"Ready when you are, sis," he told me. I chuckled and we left.

"Recognized; Falcon, B-0-1; Robin, B-0-2," the Zeta Beam said. We walked over to the team and M'gann grinned.

"Fal, I love your swimsuit!" She said to me. I chuckled and looked at her yellow two piece.

"I love yours too, M'gann," I said to her. We then walked of the cave and to the beach.

"Hello, Megan! We should hit the beach every day!" She smiled. Robin smiled then looked down and sighed.

"First a moment of silence for our absent comrade," Robin said meaning Wally. M'gann looked down with a frown.

"Poor Wally," she sighed. Poor boy had school today. Robin and I would have started too, but after the Amazo incident, they had to close the school to have it clean up.

"Well, we'll have fun for him! We have a perfect day, let's not waste it!" I told everyone. I set the cooler down and we all ran to the water. I started goofing off with my little brother, splashing and tackling. Superboy then did a cannonball. After a little bit, we made hotdogs and ate them. After lunch we played volleyball, I was the referee for the game. Kaldur and Dick won and I cheered. I looked at Superboy and gently pushed him into the sand before scooping some sand into the bucket. I poured it on him. He didn't seem to mind and just relaxed. Everyone then joined me in burying him. After a while we went back to the cave. Batman looked at us.

"Get changed," he ordered. Robin and I raised an eyebrow to each other, then shrugged. We all then got changed into our costumes and walked out where we saw Green Arrow and a blond girl dressed in green. I narrowed my eyes in confusion as I looked at her then Green Arrow. He got a new protégé…this quickly?

"Recognized, Kid Flash, B-0-4," it said. Wally came in wearing beach stuff.

"The Wallman is here! Now let's get this party star…" he tripped. "…ted," he mumbled.

"Wallman, huh? I love the uniform. What exactly are your powers?" the girl asked smirking. Wally walked over.

"Uh, who is this?" he asked.

"Artemis, your new teammate," she told him.

"Kid Flash, never heard of you," he countered.

"She's my new protégé," Green arrow told him.

"What happened to your old one?!" Wally asked. I crossed my arms. Why did he give up on Roy?

"Recognized; Speedy, B-0-7," the Zeta Beam said. I turned and grinned.

"Well, for starters, he doesn't go by Speedy anymore. Call me Red Arrow," he said to us. He then snuck a smirk at me. Green Arrow looked at him.

"Roy, you look…"

"Replaceable," Roy snarled.

"It's not like that. You told me you were going solo," Green Arrow told him.

"So why waste time finding a sub? Can she even use that bow?" Roy asked. Artemis glared.

"Yes she can," she said. I stepped between the two young archers. I placed a hand on Artemis' shoulder and a hand on Roy's chest.

"Why don't we take it down a notch?" I asked. They didn't move. "Don't make me use force," I said sternly. Roy backed up knowing what I meant. Artemis on the other hand was confused, but backed up anyway.

"Who are you?" Wally asked Artemis.

"I'm his niece/she's my niece," she and Green Arrow answered.

"Another niece?" Robin smirked. I sent a look to Robin and he shrugged. I looked at Green Arrow…he doesn't have a niece. I know that for a fact. I looked at Roy.

"She isn't a replacement, Roy. You know I-we have always wanted you on the team," I said hoping he didn't hear the slip up. He didn't it appeared. Kaldur stepped up agreeing.

"And we have no quota on archers," Kaldur added.

"And if we did, you'd know who we'd pick," Wally smiled meaning Roy. I sent Wally a look and he grinned sheepishly.

"Whatever, Baywatch, I'm here to stay," Artemis told him. I sighed and looked at my best friend.

"You came to us for a reason," I said to him. "And I don't mean the promise," I whispered. He smirked at me then went back to his scowling face for the others.

"Yeah, a reason named Dr. Serling Roquette," Roy told us. I brought up my computer then.

"Nanorobotics genius and claytronics expert at royal university in star city-vanished two weeks ago," I informed.

"Abducted two weeks ago," Roy corrected. "By the League of Shadows," Red Arrow told us.

"Whoa! You want us to rescue her from the Shadows?" Robin asked excitedly.

"Hardcore," Wally said bumping fists with Robin.

"I already rescued her. Only one problem. The Shadows had already coerced her into creating a weapon. Doc calls it the fog, compromised of millions of microscopic robots, Nanotech infiltrators Capable of disintegrating anything in their path - concrete, steel, flesh, bone," Red Arrow informed us. I looked at the screen that showed the weapon he mentioned.

"But its true purpose isn't mere destruction. It's theft. The infiltrators eat and store raw data from any computer system and deliver the stolen Intel to the shadows, providing them access to weapons, Strategic defense, cutting-edge science and tech," I informed after reading it over quickly. Roy nodded at me.

"Perfect for extortion, manipulation, power broking. Yeah, sounds like the Shadows," Artemis said.

"Like you know anything about the Shadows," Wally said to her. She smirked which provoked him. "Who are you?!" he shouted.

"Roquette's working on a virus to render the fog inert," Roy said to us.

"But if the shadows know she can do that…" Red Arrow interrupted Robin.

"They'll target her. Right now, she's off the grid. I stashed her at the local high school's computer lab," he finished.

"You left her alone?" Green Arrow asked.

"She's safe enough for now," Roy assured him.

"Then let's you and I keep her that way," Green Arrow told him.

"You and I? Don't you want to take your new protégé?" Red Arrow glared. Green Arrow was about to say something until Batman placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You brought this to the team, it's their mission which means it's hers now too," Green Arrow told him.

"Tsk, then my job's done," Roy said walking away. I ran up to him.

"Roy…"

"I'll see you later, I promise, Eli," he whispered. I sighed and nodded. Red Arrow made it over to the Zeta Tube.

"Recognized; Speedy…"

"That's Red Arrow, B-0-7, update," Roy corrected before he left. I then looked at the others…Wally was glaring at Artemis.


Happy Harbor

August 8, 21:53 EDT

I was inside with Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, Artemis, and Dr. Roquette. Miss Martian and Superboy were outside keeping an eye out.

"Miss Martian, link us up. We do not want the Shadow's intercepting our com," Aqualad ordered. She did as said.

'Everyone online?' Megan asked.

'This is weird,' Artemis commented.

'And distracting. Coding a distributive algorithm virus on a kiddie computer with less ram than a wristwatch is hard enough. Now I have to hear teen-think in my skull?' Dr. Roquette thought to us.

'Lady, do you always complain when someone tries to help you?' Kid Flash asked her.

'Pot, kettle, have you met?' Artemis asked him.

'Hey, hey, I do not need attitude from the newbie who drove Red Arrow off the team,' Wally argued.

'That is so not on me!' Artemis said. I gave a bat glare to them both, making them stop.

'If you two want to fight, do it when we're not on a mission. Keep focused or you'll both have to deal with me when we get home,' I threatened. Kid Flash nodded, knowing I was serious…but Artemis.

'What gives you the right to boss me around?' She challenged.

'The fact that I'm at least acting like an adult while you're acting like a child,' I stated. She shut up then.

'Fate of the world at stake!' Dr. Roquette reminded.

'How 'bout I just help Miss Martian and Superboy patrol the perimeter?' Artemis asked.

'Good idea,' Aqualad agreed.

'You might cut her some slack. It was her arrow saved your butt against Amazo,' Robin thought to Wally.

'What? No, that was Speedy's- I mean Red Arrow's arrow, right?' Wally asked.

'Not so much,' Robin answered.

'Humph. Well, I'm not giving her the satisfaction,' Kid Flash refused.

'You know I can still hear you,' Artemis told them.

'I couldn't get the justice league,' Roquette complained.

'The virus won't be of much use if we cannot find the weapon. Can you track it?' Kaldur asked changing the subject.

'My utility fog is not a weapon. It's science, brilliant science, and of course I can track it, but I'd have to go online. Might as well rent a billboard with this address and "assassinate me" written in neon,' Roquette corrected him. I walked up to her with a kind smile as I placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

'We will protect you. I promise,' I told her. She looked at me for a minute then went back to work quickly.

'Tracking fog now,' Dr. Roquette said.

'Hmm, that boy,' I heard Artemis think.

'He can hear you. We all can hear you,' M'gann said to her. I could practically feel M'gann's glare.

'Oh, I know,' Artemis said.

'Miss Martian, Dr. Roquette has located the Fog. Reconfigure the Bio ship so that Falcon, Robin. and Superboy can pursue,' Kaldur told them. Robin and I ran out to meet up with Superboy.

'Ready,' M'gann said. The three of us then got on the Bio-ship. I went to the master seat and flew us to the fist location. We were out of range then and our mind link was shut off. Robin looked at me.

"You don't really like Artemis, do you?" He asked me. I sighed.

"It's not that I don't like her, she just acts like a brat. You know how I am about kids with that kind of attitude," I told him. He nodded.

"You also wanted Roy on the team, huh?" He asked. I nodded. I then smirked.

"So, what did you think of the costume I made him?" I asked. Robin and Superboy looked at me shocked.

"You did that?!" they asked. I nodded.

"And came up with his name. That's why I left that one night. He asked me to go over and see him. He wanted me to make the costume, but couldn't think of a new name for himself, so I thought Red Arrow would have been good," I stated. They nodded at that. We then made it to Philadelphia.

"Falcon to Aqualad. We're over Philadelphia. We've located the shadows' next target, Star Labs. We're too late. It's destroyed, totally destroyed. The fog decimated it. This is bad. Star Labs is cutting-edge science, And now their secrets are in the hands of the enemy. What's our next move?" I asked into my comm.

"Rescan for that fog. Find it. We're moving the Doctor," Aqualad ordered.

"Roger that, Falcon out," I said. Robin and I took out our computers then and scanned for the Fog.

"I've almost got it…The next target's a Waynetech facility! In theory, its systems software could be used to hack the…" Robin trailed off.

"The what?" Superboy asked.

"Doesn't matter. What matters Is Waynetech operates a 24-hour workforce. We'll never evacuate the building in time," I said to them. We landed and I saw some of the Shadow people. "Robin, you go in and stop the Fog, Superboy and I will take care of these guys," I ordered. Robin nodded and ran in. Some of the guys that moved like ninjas ran up to me. I took out my bow staff and started fighting them. Superboy took care of the main guys. They were all down and I got a message from Robin.

"All clear, Fal!" he told me. I smiled proudly.

"Great job, Rob. Come on, let's go get the others," I told him. He ran out and we flew back to the others.

~Roy~

I was waiting in Gotham knowing Artemis would come here. I knew something wasn't right with her and I was going to figure out what. I saw come out of the phone booth then. She spun, bow and arrow ready.

"Step into the light," she ordered. I did as said. When she saw me, she relaxed and put her bow and arrow away.

"Nice move. Almost made me believe you are Green Arrow's niece, but we both know you're not. Still, I'm sure G. A. and bats have a reason for lying, so your cover's safe. But I warn you, do not hurt my friends…especially Falcon. When she comes to trust you and you break that trust, it's very hard to get back," I warned. I then walked away leaving her there. I made my way home and texted Eli.

How was the mission? Roy

I waited for a reply.

It was a successjust want to strangle Artemis though Eli

I smirked, I knew she would be like that.

What did she do? Roy

It didn't take long for that reply.

She acts like a freakin' child! It was so annoying when she and Wally fought. She then hit on Superboy when we all know he and M'gann like each other, but won't admit it. Artemis just likes to challenge everyone and it's irritating! I got her to shut up by saying I at least act like an adult while she's acting like a child. And I'm ticked at G.A. because he found a protégé so quickly. That's not fair to you! So you wanted to go solo, that doesn't mean he has to try and practically replace you Eli

Her coming to trust Artemis might be harder than I thought. I was actually thankful for that. I smiled at the message.

And this is why you're one of my best friends. You tend to see from both views instead of one. And considering you're a detectiveyou would make a good private detective in the future Roy

I then waited for her to reply back.

HmmmElizabeth Grayson, Gotham PDI love it! And this is why you're one of my best friends, you know me so well! Eli

I chuckled. Of course I would know her well. I've basically just trained with her besides Kaldur. She and I were closer though…close enough to where I started developing feelings for her. Wally and I were the only ones who knew hers and Robin's secret identities. When I first met Elizabeth, I couldn't believe a fourteen year old could look so beautiful. Her long black hair framed her pale face. And those bright blue eyes always shined.

How can I not? You're my best friend Roy

Honestly…I wanted to say I was more than just her best friend.

And you're mine. Well, I'm tired. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Night Eli

She sent to me.

Okay, sweet dreams Roy

I soon let sleep take me over.


~Elizabeth~

Gotham City

August 27, 06:17 EDT

We had gotten a mission from Batman to take down a slime monster, Clayface…very gross. Robin, M'gann, Artemis, Kid Flash, and Superboy were down. Kaldur was still fighting, and I was losing strength. I've been trying to take this guy down with everything I've got, but nothing was working. I saw that Aqualad was thrown into the wall. Clayface walked up chuckling before he roared. The glass broke revealing Batman coming down. Batman then took out a Taser and electrocuted Clayface turning into…a pile of slime. We went back to Mount Justice then.

"I need to talk to Aqualad. The rest of you, hit the showers and head home," Batman told us.

"Home? I am home," Superboy told him. Robin and I stayed beside Aqualad and Batman looked at us.

"Just Aqualad," he told us. I noticed Robin frown, but I led him away. We got cleaned up then went home. When we did, Dick and I practiced on the gymnastics equipment. He was on the rings, I was on the trapeze.

"Just Aqualad," I heard Dick hiss. I sighed and started dabbing the sweat off my forehead before I walked over to Dick who came down. I placed a hand on his head.

"Dick, you know he only asked Aqualad to stay back to talk about the performance. Aqualad's head wasn't in the mission. If it was to praise the team, then he would have asked us to stay," I said to my little brother. Dick sighed and nodded.

"I know, you're right," he said with a small smile. We then heard Alfred clear his throat. We turned and looked at him.

"Master Bruce wishes to see you Master Dick," Alfred informed. Dick looked at me. I smiled and nodded my head to go on. I followed them and watched. Bruce tossed the basketball to Dick.

"What's this?" Dick asked.

"Training. Hand-eye coordination," Bruce said to him.

"One-on-one?" Dick asked, smirking.

"If you think you can handle it," Bruce said with a small smile. I leaned in the doorway and watched them.

"Come on, Dick! Kick his butt!" I cheered. Bruce raised an eyebrow and threw me over his shoulder. "Bruce!" I laughed. Dick laughed with me. "Dick, save me!" I pretended to beg.

"No way!" he laughed. I mock gasped.

"Look at what you did! You turned my little brother against me!" I accused Bruce.

"Good, that means I was the perfect influence," Bruce chuckled.

"Good influence my black and red clad butt!" I denied.

"Oh really?" he asked. One of his hands came up and he started tickling my side, making me laugh and giggle. "What was that about me not being a good influence?" he asked me. Dick was laughing at the scene.

"I-I'm not t-taking it back!" I laughed. He tickled more. "D-daddy, stop!" I laughed. We all froze at that. I never called him 'dad', let alone 'daddy'. I frowned. "S-sorry," I said as he set me down. He placed a hand on my head, making me look up. I saw a small smile.

"Who said I didn't like it? I've always thought of you and Dick as my kids. So why not?" he asked. Dick and I smiled. I hugged Br-dad. He hugged me back. I then looked at Dick.

"Get your but over here, Ricky," I said using his old nickname. He smiled at me and walked over to hug me. My phone then went off and I groaned. "Roy…you moment ruiner," I grumbled making the two vigilantes chuckle.

"Go talk to your boyfriend, sis," Dick smirked. I playfully glared at him.

"He's not my boyfriend! He's my best friend, there's a difference," I stated. Dick rolled his eyes and looked at dad.

"Get ready. I hear wedding bells in the future," he teased. Dad chuckled.

"Most definitely," he agreed. I glared playfully at them both.

"You guys are just mean," I said. I talked with Roy then. Tonight was a great night.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything