A/N: Here's the next chapter! Enjoy and please let me know what you think!

Predictably, Roy basically soared through both the background check and the home inspections. The former was a simple matter of submitting his false documents to the police (they'd never failed him before, Batman made excellent fake identities) and receiving a letter confirming he'd never committed a major felony. The latter portion consisted of Connor's social worker coming to his apartment with a checklist of requirements.

'This is a lot easier than I thought it would be,' Roy thought as he followed Kelsey around his apartment. "So, how's everything look?"

"Good actually. You have a separate bedroom and a bed for him. I don't see evidence of drugs or any alcohol that needs to be locked up."

"I don't drink."

"Honestly everything seems to be in order." She wrote something else down on her clipboard before signing it. "I see no reason not to allow Connor to live with you."

"When can I see him?"

"It'll take about a week for the paperwork to be processed. Once it's done, I can bring Connor back here."

"Ok. How- How's he doing?" The last week without him had made Roy at little nervous if he was honest with himself. 'Even if I'm a little…resistant to getting attached to him, it's not like I want the kid to be dealing with undue stress.'

"He's doing fine. I'm eager to get this paperwork through though. I keep having to move him to a different home every couple of nights, so it's a hectic for him right now. The sooner he has a permanent placement the better."

"Right. Well, can you tell me when everything is all set?"

"I will."

"Thank you." Roy showed her to the door, then sat on the couch after she left. 'I really hope I'm doing the right thing. I have no idea how to take care of a kid, or train him to be a vigilante.' He ran his hands through his hair. 'I told him I would though, so I have to try. I can't back out. Not now.' He tapped his fingers off his legs for a few seconds before he stood again. "I should probably eat before patrol."

A few minutes of rummaging through the cupboards rewarded him with a bowl of cereal. 'I really need to buy food,' Roy thought as he ate. 'Some real food. Especially if Connor's going to be living here.' Which meant he needed vegetarian food too. The twisting feeling in his gut returned and he kept eating. He was feeling so jittery though, so he immediately took off for the Arrow Cave after that.

— —

Red Arrow had only been out on the streets for an hour when he saw the flashing lights. He mentally counted the police cars as they sped by under his position. 'Three,' he thought. 'That's-' Three more sped by and he sighed. "Looks like I can't ignore it then." He shot a grappling arrow down the block, then zip-lined down the street. As he kept zip-lining, he kept track of where the police were heading, basically managing to stay on their tail. When he finally caught up, he discovered the police cruisers had surrounded a bank.

'Bank robbery,' Red Arrow thought as he watched the police form a barricade around the building. 'It must be pretty serious if they brought this many officers.' As much as he normally liked to avoid the police, the archer couldn't bring himself to leave the scene. 'I'd hate if one of them got hurt when I could've been here to help.' He sighed as he zip-lined himself to the bank roof. 'Even if they're just as likely to shoot at me as the robbers.' He found a vent exit on top, then carefully removed the cover. 'Let's go.'

Thankfully the vent was a straight shot down until he reached an opening. Red Arrow paused for a moment, listening for any sounds, then released his hands from the sides of the vent. He dropped like a stone and crashed through the bottom of the vent. There was a loud clang! then, deafening silence. Red Arrow waited in a crouched position, his hand half stretched toward his quiver for a moment. Then he pulled out an electroshock arrow and nocked it to his bow. He slowly drew back the string as he moved out of the office he'd landed in. A floorboard creaked on his right, so he took a breath, then stepped out of the doorway and swung his bow around in the same moment. He found himself staring down the barrel of a gun.

"You!" Detective Rodgerson hissed. His hand dropped for a second, then he raised it again as if realizing, then suddenly remembering who he was talking to. "You're the vigilante."

"Name's Red Arrow."

"So you're like him."

Red Arrow swallowed as his stomach churned a little. "I'm nothing like him. In case you haven't noticed, I don't kill criminals."

"…What're you doing here?"

"Saw the police cars go by and wanted to investigate." He relaxed the string of his bow and lowered the arrow. "So, should we go catch the robbers?"

"Leave this to the actual law enforcement, Archer."

"This is bad, right? What's happening down there?"

"…We think it's metahumans."

'Metas in Star?' he wondered. "Then let me help. We're not used to that around here. People could get hurt."

Detective Rodgerson stared him down for a moment. "Fine. Cover me." He moved down the stairs before Red Arrow could say anything else.

'Better than nothing,' Red Arrow thought as he followed the detective down the stairs. His eyes scanned the bank foyer below for any signs of movement. 'They're keeping the lights low,' he thought as he stepped silently onto the marble floor. 'Can they see in the dark?' The bank was silent as the two of them crept forward. When they were closer to the vault, there was a shuffling sound and then a muffled crash! Both detective and vigilante froze in their tracks.

"I'm going to investigate," Rodgerson whispered. "Wait here."

Red Arrow opened his mouth to argue he should go, but the detective was one before he got the chance. 'Fine, then,' he thought. 'Why is he even in here alone? Shouldn't there be more officers in here with him? Oh well…now's not the time to be worrying about that.' He raised his bow and pulled back the bowstring. 'First person who comes out and isn't Rodgerson gets shot. He didn't say there were any hostages.' From the dim light that illuminated from the inside of the safe, he could see Detective Rodgerson approaching. His arrowhead followed the man's every step, ready to shoot someone who attacked him.

Rodgerson paused for a moment before he flung the door of the vault open. "Police! Hands up!"

'What-' Red Arrow didn't have time to ponder the strange weapons in the robbers' hands before one of them moved. He reacted on instinct and shot the man in the neck with his electroshock arrow. It had no effect though, as whatever black armor he was wearing seemed to absorb the electric shocks. 'What the hell?!' They were bulletproof as well because the two shots Detective Rodgerson had managed to get off seemed to bounce off the robbers like they were Kryptonian. Red Arrow pulled out a glue arrow and shot it at the feet of the two women. The glue expanded and hardened within seconds, trapping their feet. Unfortunately, that did little to stop them from firing the weapons they were holding. "Look out!" Red Arrow ran forward and tackled Detective Rodgerson to the ground.

"Get off!" As soon as he saved the vigilante off, Rodgerson raised his gun again but had to roll to the side to avoid the red beam that shot out of the weapon that had been pointed at him. "What the f-"

"Watch it!" Red Arrow somersaulted backward to avoid getting blast himself, then did a backflip to avoid it again. He shot another glue arrow, managing to land it on the muzzle of the strange weapon. 'What even is that?!' It was larger than any gun, more resembling a small canon or grenade launcher than anything, and also shooting red laser beams. He shot another glue arrow at the muzzle of another gun, then shot a foam arrow at two women standing near a wall. Even as fast as he was shooting, the robbers with weapons kept shooting at him and Detective Rodgerson, forcing them farther and farther back. 'How are we supposed to stop this?!' One of the men suddenly threw something at the wall by Red Arrow and the vigilante had only seconds to throw himself to the right.

An explosion shook the bank and threw Red Arrow to the ground. He landed hard enough to knock the air out of his lungs and the skin on his left arm tingled above his arm guard. 'What the hell?!' he thought with a groan as he tried to stand. The shaking in his legs forced him back down to the ground within seconds though. A few feet away, Detective Rodgerson struggled to get to his feet as well. 'These guys aren't messing around…' Being so incapacitated, the two men could only watch as the remaining robbers left through the hole in the wall with large duffel bags of money.

"Damn it!" Detective Rodgerson swore as he finally managed to get to his feet. He ran toward the hole but could only make it a few feet before he collapsed again.

"I don't think they're metas…" Red Arrow muttered. "Those weapons…the armor…" He took a deep breath, wincing at the sharp pain in his lungs. "They've got some dangerous toys, but I don't think they have any powers…"

"Whatever they are, they got away."

'I have to stop them,' Red Arrow thought as he finally managed to get to his feet. 'I don't want weapons like those on the streets.' He heard the front doors of the bank open and grabbed a grapple arrow from his quiver. 'Time to go.' He shot it at the chilling, then looked at Detective Rodgerson. "Are you ok?" he asked.

"…Nothing serious."

Red Arrow nodded, then activated the arrow. When he was level with the second floor again, he swung onto the landing. Through the railing, he could see more officers gathering around Detective Rodgseron.

"Way to simply scout ahead," one of them said, his body turned toward the hole in the wall. "What happened to reporting back?"

"I was going to," Rodgerson replied. "but then they started shooting lasers and I got a little distracted!"

"So they are metas?"

"…Maybe not. They could've just gotten their hands on some dangerous weapons."

"Whatever the case, we need to track them down. Now."

"I know. There's four of them in the vault now, let's get them downtown. Maybe we can get information from them."

'He didn't tell them I was there?' Red Arrow wondered as he moved away from the railing, then moved toward the office he'd come in through. 'Weird. They'll find my arrows down there. It's not they won't figure it out.' He shrugged, then winced as the action pulled at his ribs. 'I'm still glad he didn't shoot me.'

— —

The following night, Red Arrow was back on the streets. Despite a sharp pain in his ribs whenever he moved a certain way and the 1st-degree burns that covered his left bicep, he couldn't afford to be idle. Those dangerous weapons were somewhere on the street and he had to find them. The best place he thought to try, was the bank. He snuck around to the side-street where the hole was and looked around. 'Cameras… Cameras…' He huffed. 'No cameras. Ok.' When he got to the hole, which had been roped off by police tape, he examined the edges, looking for residue of any kind.

"We already did that," Detective Rodgerson said from behind.

Red Arrow spin around and his hand shot to his quiver, almost of its own accord. He saw the detective's hand drop toward his gun and dropped his hand. "Do you ever sleep?" he asked without thinking.

A small smile played on Rodgerson's lips. "I could ask you the same question."

"I can't rest while those weapons are on the streets. God only knows what kind of damage they can do."

"I agree. We already tried to find any residue from the explosion. There was none."

"None?" That was weird. There couldn't have been a lack of any residue unless… "They blew up the wall with some kind of laser bomb. Like those guns they had."

"A laser bomb?"

"It explains the lack of residue."

"It does but…laser bomb?"

Red Arrow shrugged. "I've seen weirder."

"I'm sure you have." Detective Rodgerson stared at him for a moment. "Any ideas on where they're getting all these dangerous weapons?"

"None. Yet."

"Well, don't even think about interrupting a police investigation. Got it?"

"Got it." Red Arrow took a step back, sensing he'd overstayed his welcome. 'Guess I need to take my investigation elsewhere.' While Detective Rodgerson turned his back to him, the vigilante got himself back up to the rooftop. Once he was up there, he started pacing back and forth. 'Where can I go from here? I don't have any residue or evidence to suggest where they could've gotten the weapons, or where they went.' His fingers tapped against his bow. 'I really hate to think it, but I may have to wait until there's another robbery.' Which was a horrible thought, especially coming from- His comm beeped in his ear and Red Arrow jumped. He frowned as his hand slowly moved toward his ear. "Red Arrow, here."

"Hey, Red," Batgirl replied.

"What's up BG?"

"I saw the bank robbery on the news. Everything ok out there?"

"…Of course."

"You have someone blowing up banks and that's 'ok'?"

Red Arrow rolled his eyes and started ziplining between the buildings. "I'm perfectly fine. And it wasn't the whole bank. Just part of a wall."

"Uh-huh." There was a pause. "Are you sure you're ok? If you need help the Team could come-"

"No! I don't need any help. I can handle it."

There was an awkward silence, almost like she was hesitating over what she wanted to say next. "B and Nightwing are worried about you. You don't exactly have a Joker and Riddler level rogues gallery."

"And your point is?"

"Things just don't randomly explode in Star."

"I know. Believe me, whatever weapons these robbers have, it's completely out of the ordinary, but I can handle it." And if Bruce and Dick were worried about him, they could contact him themselves. "I appreciate the worry, though."

"I know. You're really ok though? The explosion didn't take off your arm or anything like that?"

"All of my limbs are basically intact and 100% still attached to my body."

"Better be."

There was an explosion nearly on the other side of the city and Red Arrow jumped. His head snapped toward the red light of fire and pillar smoke that was rising from it. "I…have to go."

"Uh-huh. Just…be careful. Please. And don't forget to ask if you need help."

"You got it." Red Arrow dropped back down to where he left his bike, then sped toward the explosion. 'If it's them, then these robbers don't rest.' he thought as he took a sharp turn down a side-street. 'I really hope no one is hurt. Please don't let anyone be hurt.' The sounds of sirens seemed to reverberate off the buildings around him. Every once in a while he caught a glimpse of people looking out their windows, but most of them were just blurs to him. When he was within a few blocks of the police perimeter, Red Arrow got off his bike and took to the rooftops. He zip-lined between the buildings until he was close enough to see the scene for himself. 'Another bank?' he thought in confusion. 'These guys really aren't messing around.'

A quick survey of the situation told him that the fire department had the blaze under control. 'How did it catch on fire though?' Red Arrow wondered. His eyes kept scanning the ground, looking for anything he could use, and he spotted a person standing in an alley a block away. The figure was a little hard to make out in the shadows, but when one of them move suddenly, he moved. it only took a few seconds for him to zip-line across the street to the alley and run across the rooftop. He dropped down into the alley on the opposite side and the figure ran directly into him. Red Arrow barely moved while the smaller figure fell back on the ground.

"What the-" the girl stopped suddenly when she realized who was standing in front of her. "Fuck."

"What're you doing here?" Red Arrow asked. From the streetlights a few feet behind him, he could now get a good look at her. She was young, 16, maybe a small 17. Nothing about her screamed robber or even criminal. Her blonde hair hung down her back and her clothes and make-up looked like every other outfit he'd ever seen on teenage girls if a little extra revealing. 'Looks can be deceiving, but she doesn't strike me as someone who'd be robbing the bank with laser weapons and blowing things up.' The girl glared at him as she pushed herself to her feet and crossed her arms.

"Why're you coming after me?"

"I'm not. I saw you watching the fire from this alley and came to investigate. What're you doing out here?"

"I was on my way home."

"From where?"

"What're you a cop?"

"You know I'm not."

The girl scoffed. "No shit." When Red Arrow didn't say anything else, she continued. "I was just out."

"Doing what?"

"Hanging with my friends. Why, is it a crime to have fun now?"

'It would explain the way she's dressed.' And teenagers partying wasn't uncommon in Star, especially on a Saturday night. "Did you see anything?"

"Not really. I was on my way home when I saw the fire. I just wanted to see what was happening."

"Can you tell me exactly what you saw?"

The girl sighed, clearly getting agitated. "I was walking down the street and I saw the explosion at the bank. I was curious, so I started walking closer. Some…weirdos in all black with these huge ass guns ran onto Greber Street from the direction of the bank. Then the police showed up, so I ducked into the alley. That's when you showed up to interrogate me. Happy now?"

'Sounds like the same robbers to me,' Red Arrow thought as he processed the information. "You said they disappeared down Greber Street?"

"Yeah. I didn't follow them though, so where they went after is anyone's guess."

"Did you consider telling the police what you saw?"

The girl stiffened. "I don't really have a great relationship with the police."

'She's been in trouble with the law.' Which, knowing a 16-year-old, could mean anything from skipping school to violent crimes. 'Doesn't mean she's actually a criminal though. She seems like a normal enough kid.' That was enough for him, especially with laser-gun-toting bank robbers running around. Priorities. "You should go straight home. It's not safe to be on the streets right now."

"Yeah, no shit."

"Do you need me to escort you-"

"No! I mean, it's ok. I can handle myself."

"Are you sure? It'd be no problem." As much as he wanted to get to Greber Street and start trying to trace the robbers, he couldn't but help but offer.

"I'm sure. In fact, my…brother is right around the corner waiting for me."

"Let me walk you to him. It's the least I could do after I knocked you down earlier."

The girl seemed to debate internally before she gave him a stiff nod. "Fine." She walked past him onto the street and he followed her.

Neither of them said anything as they walked and sure enough, two blocks from the alley, there was a man leaning against a car. As they got closer, Red Arrow could hear him say, "Damn girl, she's late-"

"Richard!" the girl called as they approached.

The man, Richard, looked up and a strong look crossed his face before he smoothed it out. "What-"

"This is my brother, the one I was telling you about," the girl directed her words to Red Arrow. "He's going to take me home. Right, Richard?"

"Right. Absolutely. Thank you for escorting my sister here safely."

"Anytime," Red Arrow replied. "I'm always here to help."

"Uh-huh. Come on, Mia. Let's get home."

"Bye," the girl- Mia said to Red Arrow. "Uh… I hope you catch those weirdos."

"Thank you. Go home and get some sleep. OK?"

"Absolutely."

"Good. It was nice to meet you, Mia. If you ever need help, don't be afraid to look for me."

"…I won't. Thanks."

Red Arrow stepped back as Mia got in the passenger seat of the car and her brother got in the driver's side. 'They don't really look like they're related,' he thought as they drove away. 'That doesn't mean they're not though. One or both of them could be adopted.' He turned away and walked back the way he'd come. 'And she was a really big help. Time to head to Greber Street and start investigating.'

— —

"What did you say to him?" Richard asked Mia as he drove.

"Nothing. He wanted to know about that freak explosion that happened tonight."

"And you had nothing to say to him?"

"Nothing. Don't worry, he didn't suspect a thing. Besides, he's got more important things to worry about right now than a potential prostitute."

"I guess. As long as you didn't say anything suspicious-"

"I didn't-"

"Because we both know what would happen if we get caught." He glanced at her. "No one will take care of you better than me, Mia. No one."

"I know."

"Good. We're late for your next client. So be prepared."

Mia bit back a groan. "Of course."

— —

By the time Red Arrow got to Greber Street, the police were focusing their efforts closer to the bank. He used the night vision setting in his mask to scan the street before he dropped down. Everything was silent as he looked for any evidence that could help him. Unfortunately, the street was mostly stores that had closed for the night and there was no one around. Undeterred, he kept searching, looking for any evidence by scouring the entire street almost inch by inch.

'I have to stop them,' he thought as he searched. 'I have to before someone gets hurt.'

Finally, after several hours, he was near the end of the street when he saw it. A few drops of blood on the street.

'Score!' Red Arrow carefully scraped as much as he could with a sterile instrument, then stored it away for later. 'The sun will be up soon, I should head home.' There was no evidence the blood was from his bank robbers, but with the circumstances what they were, he was willing to rule out any potential evidence yet. 'Everyone makes mistakes and I'll catch up with these guys sooner rather than later.'