Shorter chapter, but plot development sooo... let's go!

Artemis didn't know if she was lucky or unlucky when he didn't take her to his secret lair. Instead, they ended in some abandoned warehouse, similar to the one where they had fought only months ago.

"Y'know, Daddy always told me to never get on a motorcycle with a strange man," Artemis said mockingly as she got off the motorcycle.

"Cut the crap," Oliver said, his voice distorting device off, but his hood and mask still on. "I want an explanation."

"Well you never know what might happen when some strange man asks to take you somewhere. I mean-"

"What were you doing here?" Oliver interrupted, not taking her crap. Artemis crossed her arms, seeing that her blatant sarcasm wasn't getting anywhere.

"Apparently I had to save your ass," Artemis said. Oliver only scowled. "Look, I don't want to be here right now and it's obvious that you don't either, so how about we just part ways and never look back?"

"Not gonna happen," Oliver said. He opened his mouth to say more, but was interrupted by the buzzing of his phone. If anyone could blink angrily, Artemis supposed it had to be Oliver. "What?" he asked angrily.

"Your family's worried sick about you," Diggle's voice said. "What the hell are you doing right now?"

"I'll be home soon," Oliver said, "I'm dealing with the girl."

"Sportsmaster's daughter? What is she-" Oliver hung up before Diggle could finish his question.

"You really have a high opinion of me, don't you?" Artemis asked. "'The girl'. Maybe I can be like you, only instead of 'The Hood' I'm 'The Girl'."

"Would you stop screwing around? Listen to me. Tell me why you were at the gala tonight," Oliver said.

"Like I said, I was saving your ass. I had intel that the Triad was going to be attacking your little get-together," Artemis said, crossing her arms again.

"So now you're imitating me?" Oliver said, trying to hide a smirk. First fighting, now copying. Despite the situation, he knew he couldn't have more people running around, throwing themselves in danger on his watch. Especially someone as reckless as Artemis seemed to be.

Artemis blushed, crossing her arms and looking away. "No," she protested. "I was laying low." She was grateful she still had her mask on, hoping it could at least hide her red cheeks.

"Oh yeah, you were definitely staying hidden while up on the rooftop with your sniper rifle," Oliver said. Artemis threw her hands to her side, putting them on her hips.

"Well excuse me. I've had the Triad on my ass for the last year since I decided to help you not die," Artemis said angrily.

"That's your own fault for helping me," Oliver said. Although, he realized that he really shouldn't complain, at least not about that part. Who knows what could've happened if she had turned him in to anyone.

"Next time I'll be sure to hand you over to the Triad," Artemis said, turning around to walk away. Oliver knew it was an empty threat. The Triad would never accept Artemis back in its ranks.

"If you want to run around and play hero, then go ahead," Oliver said to her back. "But you're going to do it under my terms, alright?" Despite his unease, despite his bravado, he couldn't have her running around trying to get herself killed, if tonight was any inclination.

"Under your terms?" Artemis asked, unbelieving, as she turned around. "You're kidding, right? I've been training, learning any and all forms of martial arts since I was 9. That's half of my life. And you think you know the right way to do things? Thanks, but no thanks."

Oliver sighed, though he was surprised at the revelation of her training in her childhood. What kind of father would do that? He wondered, but he knew the answer.

"At least take this," Oliver offered, holding out a device. "It'll allow you to contact me if you need me. And if you want to take my offer." Artemis looked at the device skeptically. For all she knew, it was a tracker. She realized that this might be the only way to get him off her ass, so she took the device, saying "Whatever." She could 'lose it' easily and be done with the whole thing.

Oliver watched her examine the device. She knew she was suspicious of his intent (and while he would never admit it, the device did have a tracker imbedded in it in case of emergency). He hoped her 'Whatever' meant she would at least keep it so that he could keep an eye on her. Oliver still didn't trust Artemis (nothing had really given him the reason to, in his mind) but she had proved that she could keep his secret and that she could fight. He might need her at some point, or she might need him if what she said was any inclination of her life now.

He waited until he saw her put the device in a pocket before turning around to get back on his motorcycle. Remembering something, he turned to look at Artemis.

"The red button is if you need me, the green is if you want to-" Oliver was talking to no one. The girl – Artemis – had disappeared while his back was turned. So that's what that feels like.


The figure watched from the rooftop as the Arrow drove away. She had seen the girl duck into a hiding place, and then get the hell out of the encounter while the vigilante's back was turned. She had to say, this was not what she expected upon coming to Starling, but a part of her was amused by it.

Now, she figured, things might get more interesting. Now she could have a little fun.

These things look so much longer on Word it's not even funny. Ah well, there was some good plot development there, so let me know what you think? Next chapter... ehehe.. I like next chapter. That should make you feel excited, no?