So I wasn't planning on posting this chapter for a few days maybe.

But since it's already done, and the last chapter ended with such a cliff hanger, I figured I'd spare you all the agony of anticipation. (Since I know I hate it)

So there's sort-of no action (that's on-screen so-to-speak) But there are a few (very few and very very very subtle (Sort-of subtle anyway) RoyxGab hints. Which may or may-not become more frequent. (We'll see)

So, Hope you enjoy! Sorry it's short. I'll work on making the next chapters longer.

(And you know the Disclaimer.)


Chapter Twelve: Escape


Star City

October 16, 13:23 PDT (1:23 PM PDT)

Arrow attempted to stare behind him – without moving his head – once he heard – what sounded like – a faint snoring sound.

"Rose are you asleep?"

He listened for a moment but received no reply. Instead he continued to hear what sounded like snoring.

He chuckled at Rose's ability to sleep even though they were in a dangerous situation.

Though, once he thought about it, it was understandable.

Gabrielle hadn't been sleeping since their recent trip to the store. He couldn't figure out how a simple run-in could have her so on edge.

He suddenly tensed when he heard a metal door shutting, and listened as what sounded like three-to-four people walked towards him and the still-sleeping Rose.

When an un-masked Cheshire entered his line of sight, he relaxed a little.

Cheshire smiled and used her finger to make a circle on his cheek. "Oh look who it is. You just couldn't stay away, could you?" She looked behind him at Rose. "You're going to make me jealous if you keep showing up with her."

"Stop flirting."

Cheshire glared at the person who spoke. Arrow recognized the voice to know that it belonged to Sportsmaster.

When he heard 'oomph' from Rose, he guessed that someone had punched her. Which was confirmed when she spoke up.

"A simple 'wake up' would have worked." Rose gasped for air. "You didn't have to punch me."

"You clearly don't know how to treat a girl." Cheshire commented.

"Let's get moving." Sportsmaster said, walking toward Arrow's weapon. "One of you, get the girl."

"You sure we can't bring him?"

Sportsmaster stared back at Cheshire, not answering.

Cheshire shrugged at Arrow, running her finger under his chin before walking away. "Until next time, then."

Roy felt something cold and metal being pressed into his hands. After cutting his finger on the side of it, he realized what it was.

Now all he had to do was distract Sportsmaster and Cheshire to buy some time.

Yeah. That would be easy.


Mount Justice

October 16, 16:23 EDT (4:23 PM EDT)

Natalia sat alone in the living room area of the cave. She stared at the blank television, hugging her teddy bear tightly.

It had been almost an hour since she had told Batman about her vision and it was still haunting her.

She could see it play across the TV screen as if someone had recorded it from her memory and was playing it.

Gabrielle was crouched on a roof, looking into a warehouse when three masked-men caught her by surprise.

Gabrielle tried to fight off two of them, not noticing as the third slipped behind her and knocked her out.

Something else that worried her was that Roy wasn't anywhere in her vision.

As she sat there, squeezing her teddy bear, she watched as a new scene played across the screen.

One that wasn't any better than the last.


Star City

October 16, 13:36 PDT (1:36 PM PDT)

Arrow stood on a rooftop with an unconscious Rose lying at his feet.

After she had placed the knife in his hands, he cut his hands free, enabling them both to fight off Sportsmaster, Cheshire, and the other two.

The two unknown men went down easily, but Sportsmaster and Cheshire proved to be a challenge, especially when they brought in reinforcements.

When Rose sustained some major injuries and was knocked unconscious Arrow decided that it was time to leave.

He fired explosive arrows at the ground, resulting in a smoke cloud that covered his and Rose's escape.

Arrow stared down at the unconscious Rose at his feet, worried about her injuries.

When he heard foot steps behind him, he quickly spun, loading an arrow onto his bow and aimed it at Black Canary and Green Arrow.

Green Arrow had a hand in his quiver, ready to load his own bow if needed, as Canary cautiously took a step closer to the teen.

Red Arrow 'tsked' before placing his arrow back into his quiver. He glared at his former mentor. "Why are you here?"

Canary answered before Green Arrow could. "Batman contacted us. He said Natalia told him that she had a vision of Gab – I mean Rose – being captured." Canary stared at her unconscious protégé. "Is she-"

"She's fine. She needs medical attention though."

Green Arrow crossed his arms. "Then why are you two just sitting on this roof?"

"I didn't want to take the chance of running into Cheshire and Sportsmaster and risk Rose getting hurt anymore."

Green Arrow looked ready to speak again, when all three turned their attention to Rose as she seemed to mutter something.

Red Arrow placed his bow on his shoulder before picking up Rose and turning to stare at the two league members.

"Are you going to stand there or help be get her back to Mount Justice?"