I have a plan. A plan that unfortunately will take Artemis and Conner out of the story for a short time. I apologise if this upsets you but it is all part of the master plan. I will try to get back to them as fast as possible. Thank you all for your continued support of this story.

Nobody moved. No one spoke. They didn't even seem to breathe. The world's greatest heroes were in shock. Unable to break their gazes away from where Artemis had stood held by Conner. Trapped by the memory of a broken girl standing their pouring her heart out because they had missed her. When she was falling they had failed to catch her. Someone who they should have been able to help was at rock bottom and not one of them could move. They were all shocked back to life by Zatanna's voice.

"How could we have missed that?"

It was rhetorical but it was a sentiment that echoed through all their hearts. They had failed and now they weren't quite sure how to fix it.

"We missed it because we didn't want to see it. All of us were too busy in our own lives to notice Artemis. We can't go back and change it but we can try to be there for her now."

Batman spoke firmly and quietly. Few people realised how much Artemis's words had affected him. How much hurt she had caused by pointing out a few home truths. Truths that Batman wasn't sure whether he had already seen and overlooked or whether he had been that blind and ignorant. If he could he would be staring at his cowl but right now the people around him needed Batman. Though not one of them could look him in the eye. It was for this reason that he was the only one who noticed Dr. Fate glance in Zatanna's direction before speaking.

"We have a deal then."

Everyone stared at him. He seemed to be speaking to no one and then everyone was caught by surprise.

"This may help you all out."

As he spoke he lifted his arms and raised the Helmet of Fate from Zatara's head. For a few seconds no one moved and then Zatanna threw herself full force at her father. After letting them have a few minutes to themselves Batman made a coughing noise to draw their attention.

"We have come to an agreement." Zatara announced before Batman could ask.

"Fine. Right now though we need to find Artemis. Black Canary, Green Arrow, Red Arrow and I will go to Gotham city and search for Artemis. Red Tornado head to the Watchtower, see if you can trace Artemis from there. Zatara stay here with the team. Any team members who do not stay here are to be escorted home. Once that is complete all Justice League members are to spread out through the Zeta-Beams in case she hacked them to confuse the signal." The outcry from the team was expected but one voice was surprisingly absent.

"What do you mean go home?" Wally was the first one on his feet. Feeling slightly more responsible than everyone else as he had been her boyfriend at the time.

"This isn't fair." M'gann knew what it was like to be alone. All she wanted was the chance to find Artemis and say sorry. Sorry for not seeing herself reflected out of her earth sisters eyes.

"You can't do this to us." Robin was staring angrily at Batman. They all needed to find Artemis. How could Batman be shutting them out like this?

"You know we're just going to go anyway so why try to stop us?" Rocket's calm voice was laced with defiance and anger. She might be new to the team but Artemis had already shown her an unconditional loyalty. The least she could do was repay her.

"Please let us help." Zatanna spoke up from the place in her Dad's arms. When all this was over she intended to thank Artemis. Her suffering had given Zatanna her Dad back. She would always feel guilty about that fact but Artemis had to see that pain could give rise to hope and new beginnings. Besides she now owed Artemis more than she could ever repay.

"Excuse me Batman but every time someone has needed to be found it has been this team that has been successful in the hunt. Also you said that Red Tornado was a League member and as such was a League responsibility. The same rule applies here. Artemis is a member of our team and is therefore this team's responsibility. Not the Leagues."

Batman was unable to look at the team. He had expected Conner to say something but when no voice was forthcoming he used this as an excuse to look away from the team. Conner was still standing in the same place as when Artemis had been here. His arm was still stretched out to touch an arm that was no longer was reachable. The sight of Conner still stuck there was wrenching at Batman's heart. He turned to see Superman staring at Conner worried for him. He locked eyes with Batman for a second. A message flashed between them. That Superman had to speak to Conner first. This forced Batman back to the present situation and the angry team standing before him.

He raised his hand up to his face before sighing and facing them. How was he going to explain to them that they felt as bad? Perhaps worse. They were adults and therefore responsible. This was a something they had let happen and now they had to fix it. But how to make them see that?

"Team. The reason you are being excluded at the current time is because it is late and because everyone in this room carries responsibility for what has happened. The Justice League needs to be involved in this as much as you do. I promise that if we haven't found Artemis by tomorrow afternoon you will all be joining us in the search. So please do as you have been asked tonight. Go home. Get some rest. We will let you know as soon as we find anything."

With that Batman turned away and left through the Zeta-beams. Most of the room was a little shocked. That was as close to emotional as any of them had ever seen Batman. Even Robin who saw the more emotional side to his mentor was stunned. For that reason they all complied with his wishes.

Through all this Conner hadn't moved. He had heard. Taken it in on some level. He noticed the exit of League and team members until he was alone. Thought he was alone. So lost was he that he didn't notice that Superman was still in the room. He was standing next to Conner fully aware that he hadn't noticed his approach. So he raised his own hand and as gently as he could, pulled Conner around by his outstretched arm. As soon as Conner was facing him he let go and watched Conner's arm fall to his side. His face usually unreadable was full of shock, fear, regret, guilt and sadness.

"It's my fault."

Clark Kent was shocked by not just the words but the guilt with which Conner spoke. As if this whole situation was his responsibility alone. It was almost as heart wrenching as watching Artemis.

"This is not just your fault."

"Yes it is. I have super hearing. I should have been able to hear her when she came here.-"

"Conner listen to-"

"Not only that but I haven't really treated her like a friend until recently-"

"Conner would you stop for just a-"

"I mean what kind of person am I. To not notice a friend when they came looking for help. To not treat that person like a friend. How could I do this to her? To let my own problems stop me getting to the truth a few weeks ago. What is wrong with me?"

Clark sighed. Letting Conner finish seemed to be the only way he was going to get to have a say. He was determined to blame himself. He knew that he was only new to this big brother role that he had taken but he was determined to not let that stop him.

"Conner what's happened can't be changed. We all let Artemis down and we are all going to make up for it. We may have super hearing but that doesn't mean that we hear everything. We can't always save everyone and sometimes our problems get in the way. It doesn't mean that we are responsible for every mistake we make. Sometimes we miss and the only thing we can do is try to pick up the pieces and hope that we weren't too late again. Heroes aren't perfect. Neither are Krypotonians or Humans. But blaming yourself for the whole situation won't help you or Artemis. It will only make the situation worse. Not only that but if anything I am responsible twice over. I failed Artemis and I failed you."

At some point during his speech Clark had placed his hands on Conner's shoulders. Imploring him to listen. When he reached the end he could no longer look Conner in the eyes. He truly felt he had let them both down. Just as he knew the entire League felt that they had let Artemis down.

"What do you mean let me down?"

Conner had heard every word that Clark had spoken. It had resonated with him. Made him feel slightly better. He knew that he wouldn't truly feel better until he had found Artemis and listened to her. Let her know that he would listen when she was ready. That he was there for her from now on. He wouldn't let her down again because he didn't think that he could live with himself if he did. It was Clark's last words that really caught Conner though. He understood the letting down Artemis but he hadn't let him down. Clark answered by raising his head to reveal a small sad smile.

"I haven't been here when I should have been. These last few weeks you have been dealing with so much on your own. I should have been around more often. I should have made sure you knew that if you needed anything that you could contact me day or night. That you could tell me anything. About what happened between you and M'gann or what you have been trying to do for Artemis. I should have been helping you but I've been hiding because I was afraid of doing something wrong. Guess I succeeded there, huh?"

When Clark finished speaking Conner wasn't sure why or what possessed him to do it but he reached out and grabbed Clark into a hug. Had either of them been human they would have come out of it with several broken ribs. A bear hug the kryptonian way. They both let the few tears that slipped down Conner's face be. There talk had renewed their relationship. They didn't have to talk about the tears now. There would be time later. Right now Clark needed to go help the League find Artemis. If not for his own guilt, then for Conner's.

"I have to go now and as much as you want to sneak out after please don't. I know you and the others want to help but if something happens to one of you and we get dragged of looking for Artemis because of it... Well let's just say that none of us want that. Promise me you will stay here."

"Okay. I promise but if you find her I want to know." Conner had struggled for a minute thought about leaving but Clark made a good point. They could make it harder for the League to find her. So he reluctantly agreed.

"I promise you will be the first one I tell. Now you should go to bed. It is a school night after all."

Conner raised his eyebrows at Clark's last remark but left it at that. With a last quick hug and a longing glance at the Zeta-beams he left to join his team's sleepless night. Clark turned and went through the Zeta-beam. Superman appeared in Metropolis and took to the sky. As he did so he slipped a blue tooth device into his ear and hooked up with the rest of the League.

"Superman reporting in. No sign of her in Metropolis so far."

"Nice of you to join us. You're the last one. How was your talk?" Batman responded to him.

"It was good. Any sign of her?"

"Not yet. Black Canary has gone to her home hoping that she may have gone back there or that there may be a clue. Apart from that we're just scanning the city as best we can. Hoping she turns up."

"Alright. I'll keep looking. I'll check in later."

Black Canary had volunteered to check Artemis's apartment in case it contained clues to her current whereabouts. It also gave Canary hope that she might find a way to help Artemis. Right now that was all she really wanted to do.

She entered through the window into Artemis's room. She noticed the Alice in Wonderland poster, two beds still made, a teddy bear lying on the floor, what must be Artemis's dresser drawers open with some clothes hanging out and the drawer to her bedside table open. When she looked inside she was surprised to find two pictures and the space for a missing third one. The images surprised Canary to say the least.

The first picture looked to have been taken back when Artemis was about four. It was her family back when they were whole. They actually looked happy. Artemis was sitting on her Father's shoulders. It surprised Canary to note that they wore the same large goofy grins. Standing beside them were Jade and her Mother. There smiles were smaller and subtler than Artemis and Sportsmasters were but they were genuine. The fact that Artemis held her Dad's hand, who's other free hand was intertwined with his wife's, who used her free hand to wrap Jade in a hug and hold her hand showed that once a upon a time the Crock family had been whole. Taken back when the world of a four-year old was still free and innocent. When this family had really cared about each other.

The second picture was definitely less of a happy occasion. The only members of the family present were Artemis and Sportsmaster. The tone of the picture was distressing to Black Canary. Sportsmaster held an uncomfortable looking Artemis close by his side. Their smiles seemed forced. It didn't reach their eyes. The bruise on Artemis's cheek and the hand print on her arm didn't go unnoticed by Black Canary. Indeed Artemis looked like she wanted to cry.

"Oh, Artemis. Is this what you were afraid that I'd find. You've been hiding way too much."

Canary noted there was a missing photo from the drawer. Artemis had been and gone. Canary decided to go through the whole house though. There may be something else hidden in the house to indicate Artemis's whereabouts. The lack of a social worker or foster parent present had worried Canary. She had informed Batman of this and he was going to look into it tomorrow. As Black Canary exited Artemis's room into the hallway she noticed the smell of food that was well past its use by date. Distracted by this she didn't hear the other person in the hallway until they spoke.

"Who are you and what they hell are you doing in this apartment?"