A/N: Time for the next chapter! Enjoy and let me know what you think

"You have to hold it like this," Roy instructed, fixing Mia's grip on her bow. "That'll give you the leverage you need to swing it. Now practice changing your grip."

Mia frowned in concentration as she practiced the various grips Roy had been showing her. Her fingers didn't quite cooperate though, and the bow ended up falling to the floor. "Dammit!"

"Language."

"That's like the fifth time!"

"Keep practicing, you'll get it." Roy wandered over to where Connor was shooting to check on his progress.

"F- Frick!" Mia picked up hew bow with a dramatic sigh.

"Don't think about it so much," Jade said from where she was sitting in Roy's computer chair. "Just…let your fingers move."

"How?"

Jade rolled her eyes and used her feet to wheel herself over to the teen. She held out her hand and Mia gave her the bow. "Like this." With apparent ease, she held the bow in a shooting grip, then twirled it in her fingers to change to a backhanded grip. "See?"

"Yeah, but you're like…I don't know, crazy skilled or something."

"You're thinking about it too much. Just keep your hand and fingers moving."

Mia took back her bow, then held it in a firm grip. She tried to flip it, but it fell. 'Don't think, just move.' Bow in hand, Mia just let her fingers move The bow made it around and slipped off her fingers, but she reached her hand out further and caught it. "I did it!"

"See? Like I said, just move, don't think."

A smile spread across Mia's face as she did it again. "Yes! I'll be able to take people out with it in no time."

"That's the spirit."

Roy watched them from the targets with a small smile. 'Maybe she's actually enjoying her recovery time,' he thought as he turned back to Connor before Jade could see him staring. "Keep your arrow level, Connor."

"I'm trying," Connor replied as he adjusted the projectile slightly. "It's harder when you're shooting so fast."

"I know. Just keep practicing, you'll get it."

Mia beamed with pride as she completed another grip change on the bow. "I'm getting the hang of this."

"Good." Roy walked over and nodded as he observed her. "Tomorrow I'll start teaching you our specialized fighting style."

"Finally! I"m already getting good enough to kick Connor's butt with normal fighting techniques."

Roy glanced back at Connor, who shook his head. "Uh-huh…" He looked at the time. "Ok, Mia, time to go home. Connor and I have to patrol."

"Aww…"

"I can stay here with her," Jade offered.

"You don't know anything about archery."

"For your information, hero, I know somethings. And I can help her with hand to hand combat."

Roy bit his lip, very aware of the intense look Connor was giving his back and the almost pleading look Mia had. Eventually, though, he had to sigh, then looked at Jade. "Only teach her hand to hand, don't teach her any moves that can kill, and no physical activity. You'll keep aggravating the wounds and then they'll never heal."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it."

"Ok. Connor, suit up."

Connor hesitated, but eventually nodded and went to do as he was told.

"If there's any trouble, Mia, you know how to contact us?"

"Yup," Mia nodded. "Connor showed me who to use the comm-things."

"Good." As quick as he could, Roy changed to she suit, then double-checked his quiver before he strapped it on. "Ready, GA?"

"Uh-huh," Green Arrow said as he finished tying the ends of his mask.

"Let's go."

— —

For a while, the patrol was mostly silent, with Red Arrow and Green Arrow only talking when they needed to go after criminals. In the last few weeks though, they hadn't needed as much communication. With only a nod of his head, Red Arrow could tell his partner when to attack or when to stop. A shared look let both archers know they were on the same page. Another way their partnership was just easier when they had masks on. However, it was due to this heightened understanding, that Red Arrow could tell something was on Green Arrow's mind. He watched as his partner ducked under a punch, then slammed his bow into his opponent's stomach.

"Everything ok?" Red Arrow asked casually as they zip-tied the men for the cops.

"What'd you mean?" Green Arrow asked. He secured the last one, then looked at his mentor in confusion.

"You seem tense." They shot their grapple arrows at the rooftops, then zipped up to the buildings.

"I'm fine." The two archers landed on the roofs and went looking for more crime.

"You sure?" They stopped for a moment and Green Arrow looked to the side. "GA."

"…You left M- our friend alone with…her."

Red Arrow nodded. "I know."

"And…what? You trust her alone with…you know!"

"I do."

"Why?! She's an assassin, Red! An assassin! She's killed, people-"

"I've killed people."

"That's- That's different! You were…abused and manipulated." It felt wrong for him to talk about the trauma Red Arrow had suffered, but he didn't know how else to make his point. "It's different."

"Is it?" Red Arrow crossed his arms. "I know Cheshire's sister, GA."

"…She has a sister?"

"Yes. She was a hero, but she's retired now."

"Is she- Is she a friend of yours?"

"She is. We were on the Team together and before she retied we'd parol in Star together sometimes."

"And…because you're friends you know about Cheshire's past…" Green Arrow looked down again, feeling stupid. 'Of course, he knew! Roy wouldn't have let her stay with us if he didn't know her.'

"I do. I'm not going to tell you because that wouldn't be right. Cheshire's past is her own and if you want to know, then you can ask her. But I will tell you that our pasts aren't all that different."

"Is that why you're letting her stay with us?"

"She's staying with us because she's hurt and its the right thing to do."

"But would you let her stay in our home if you didn't…connect with her or whatever?"

Red Arrow gave him a small smile. "Maybe. I don't really know. I just…want to help her. It seems like she could use a friendly face. Especially when she's just been stabbed."

'Why is he like this? Me, Mia, now Jade… Why does Roy feel like he needs to take care of everyone?' Even as he wondered it though, part of Green Arrow understood why. Roy had spent years abused and neglected, it only made sense he'd become an adult who wanted to make sure the people around him were taken care of. Which was also ironic, considering the disconnect he usually felt between himself and Roy. "So you trust her?"

Red Arrow stowed his quiver on his back and put his hands on his partner's shoulders. "Listen to me, GA. I would never bring anyone into our house who I thought would hurt you guys. My first priority will always be keeping you safe. Do you understand that?"

"I do." Green Arrow logically knew that Red Arrow would never willingly put him and Mia in danger. 'Why do we have to wear the masks for this? Why is it so much easier this way?' At least it was easier someway.

"Good. Now come on, we have criminals to catch and you still have a curfew tonight."

"I got an A on my last science test. Can't we get an extended curfew?"

Red Arrow laughed and reach under Green Arrow's hood to ruffle his hair. "You're cute, but no. Let's go."

Green Arrow sighed but still smiled a little as he shot a zip-line at a building and followed his mentor. 'It's so frustrating that this is the only time that's it's easy, but I'd rather have that than nothing.'

— —

Two solid punches landed on the dummy's stomach, making Mia smile in satisfaction. "I'm kicking his ass," she told Jade, who nodded.

"Looks like it," she said, then nodded her head at the teen's feet. "Stand with your feet further apart. Good. Keep going."

Mia nodded and kept punching on the dummy. "I'm going to be a kick-ass vigilante." She stepped forward and spun on her heel to land a kick on the dummy's face. "I can feel it."

"You certainly seem enthusiastic about it."

"This is the most satisfying thing I've ever done."

"Keep your balanced centered, weight on the back foot. Why are you so into this?"

"I was a prostitute. You know…before Roy." Something in Mia's chest tightened at talking about her past like it always did.

"…You were?"

"Yeah. It's a long story, but Roy won me over and offered this…normal life. Then I found out I was HIV positive and boom! Decided to become a vigilante."

"You're HIV positive?"

"Mhm. The doctor really likes that I'm doing all this exercise too. Says it's helping my health overall."

"You're…15?"

"14."

"Jeez…" Jade watched Mia with narrowed eyes, almost analyzing her every move. "So that's why you want to be a vigilante so bad."

"Yeah…" Another kick, this time to the dummy's chest. "I never done anything worthwhile like this. I've never felt like…like I had any value like I do when I'm training." The excitement over how great it would feel to be an actual vigilante on the streets encouraged her to land two more, harder punches.

"You're life has value-"

"Says the assassin."

Jade rolled her eyes. "Being an assassin wasn't exactly my first choice for life; like I'm sure being trafficked wasn't yours."

Mia paused for a moment to give her a glare. "I wasn't trafficked."

"You're underaged."

"So?"

"So, you legally can't be a prostitute if you wanted to."

"I don't want to be trafficked either." Mia turned back to the dummy and resumed her punching and kicking.

"No one wants to be trafficked." It was silent for a moment. "What's so wrong with the way I say it?"

"Because…if I was trafficked, then I can't go back. If I was trafficked, then the only person who's ever cared about me is someone who wanted to use me. If I was trafficked then I would be so. Fucking. Stupid!"

Jade frowned and wheeled herself close enough to catch Mia's next punch by her wrist. A second later she saw the flinch and how every muscle in the girls' body tensed. She released her and Mia stepped back with an almost suspicious look. "First, I wouldn't say that the only person who cares about you is that piece of shit who trafficked a child." Mia opened her mouth angrily, but Jade kept going. "Roy obviously cares about you, so don't try to argue. Second, it doesn't make you dumb. A lot of girls who get trafficked are homeless, so I'm assuming you were out on the streets trying to get by. You aren't dumb, you're human. And that piece of shit deserves to burn in hell for taking advantage of you like that."

Mia stared at her for a few seconds. "You're very…blunt."

"Sugarcoating things isn't exactly my specialty. Ask my sister. Even when she was really young I was always brutally honest with her."

"You have a sister?"

"I do. And she'd be the first to tell you I was a sucky sister, but if I ever found out what happened to you, happened to her… The cops would be lucky to find an identifiable body part."

Mia shifted uncomfortably on her feet. "It doesn't change the fact that if I was trafficked then I can't go back. I'd be crazy to do that."

Jade smiled. "We're all a little mad here." She just got a blank stare in response. "Look, Mia, I'm not saying it'll be sunshine and roses, but living in denial won't get you anywhere. I understanding wanting an escape pod, believe me, I've taken the out like that more times than I can count, but you won't find it better than Roy. What he went through…I could barely stand Oliver Queening small doses, I can't imaging living with him."

"…The judge makes me go to therapy. Roy wants me to participate and get better."

"And you don't want to get better?"

"Well…no, but I'd have to talk about it. All of it! Every disgusting detail I should probably forget if I want any chance at surviving here and not going back. And for what? What if it doesn't work? I know therapy worked great for Roy, but what if what happened to me is worse? What if it doesn't work and I go through all that for nothing?!"

"I'm sure Roy will think of something. I can't imagine he'd make successful therapy a requirement to stay here."

"…You don't know that. Besides, on the streets and in the life, you have to be useful to stick around."

"Well, this isn't the streets or a human trafficking ring. Roy knows what it feels like to be used and taken advantage of when you're vulnerable, so he wants to help."

"How do you know so much about Roy?"

"We talk during lunch. And I'm smarter than I look."

Mia tried not to look down. "You're making me uncomfortable."

"Good, maybe you should be. Now come on, back to training. You'll never be a vigilante if you can't learn to knock a man twice your size on his ass."

With an almost smile on her face, Mia turned back to the dummy. Maybe Jade's words should've made her upset, but they didn't. Inserted she felt…grounded. Like the woman's blunt honesty burst some protective bubble she'd been trying to live in for the past few months. The almost-smile grew a little and she pulled back her arm to land a solid punch that almost knocked the dummy over.

— —

When Roy and Connor returned to the Arrow Cave from patrol, Mia was still practicing on the dummy. After Roy change out of his suit, he gave her a look. "Why are you still up?" he asked.

"Why is Connor still up?" Mia countered as she kicked the dummy so hard it almost fell back.

"Touché. Your hits are a lot harder."

"She's small, she needs to pack a punch," Jade said.

"Well, you've worked hard enough for one night, Mia. Why don't you and Connor head home? Jade and I will right behind you."

"Ok."

Almost as soon as Mia and Connor disappeared up the stairs, Roy's phone rang. He picked it up and frowned a little when he saw who it was. "What's up, BG?" he asked.

"Roy…" Barbara replied, her voice shaking. "I- I thought you should know…"

Something in her tone made Roy freeze. "What did you think I should know? BG, did something happen?"

"Yes…"

Panic gripped Roy's insides and in the next heartbeat breathing became a difficult, voluntary action. Tremors started shaking his hands and legs as a distant, quiet whining sound reached his ears. "Is it-" He swallowed. "…BG… 'Wing?"

"No! No, Dick is fine. A little de-moralized, but…physically fine."

Some of the panic leased and Roy's chest loosened enough for him to take a deep breath. "Then what happened?" There was silence from Barbara. "BG."

"Tula's dead."

Roy stumbled and just barely used his free hand to catch himself. His arm shot with the weight up keeping his body off the floor. "What…she- How?!"

"Mission…no choice… Look, it's been a long day, Roy. I'll tell you everything another time, but I'd really like to just…crawl into bed and avoid another human being for at least 48 hours."

"What about- Did anyone tell Kal?"

"Dick's taking care of it. He knows how to contact him."

"Ok. Thanks, BG."

"Of course. I know she was your friend. I'm crawling into a hole now. Night, Roy."

"Night." Roy hung up and slowly lowered himself to the ground. Numbness filled his body limb by limb unit he could only stare at the floor despondently. 'Tula's dead… She's- Oh my God…' Tears filled his eyes and he bit his lip to prevent himself from sobbing.

"Roy?" Jade asked quietly, slowly wheeling herself over to him. "Are you ok?" Roy shook his head silently. "I'm just guessing…you got some bad news on that phone call?" He nodded. "Who died?"

Roy flinched. "…Aquagirl…"

"Oh… Were you…close?"

"Yeah, we… Aqualad and I would go on double-dates with her and Tempest. It was fun… They wanted to go to a sports game… Guess we never got around to it-" He stopped suddenly, then just cried silently.

"Well…for what its worth, I'm sorry."

"Thanks…" The two stayed there silently until Roy had cried so many tears that he was both grieving and exhausted. He eventually sighed and wiped at his tear-stained cheeks. "We- We should go home. You need to sleep."

"So do you, tough guy."

Roy texted Kaldur before they slowly made their way upstairs and back to the apartment. It had been weeks since they'd spoke, not since Kaldur had shared the revelation about his father, but Roy wanted nothing more than to comfort his boyfriend during this difficult time.

Roy: Hey Kal… Barbara told me and… You know if you need me, I'm here. I'm always here. I'll leave the window unlocked if you need me. Don't worry if I'm sleeping. I'm always here for you. I love you.

— —

When they got home, Roy made sure Jade was comfortable on the couch before slowly shuffling his way into his own bedroom. As he walked away, Jade almost reach out for him but pulled back at the last second. 'One of his hero friends just died,' she thought as she watched him leave. 'He's not going to want comfort from a villain.' And given that it was one of Roy's hero friends, she was shocked at how much she felt for his loss. 'Damn stab wounds are making me soft…' She rolled over and closed her eyes. Because that's all there was between her and Roy. Just the stab wounds.

Meanwhile, Roy got ready for bed, then checked his phone. Kaldur hadn't texted him back yet. 'He's probably just…thinking or getting some space,' he thought as he walked over to his bedroom window. 'But he'll come when he needs me. He will. I love him and he knows that.' Roy unlocked the window and went to bed. 'Kaldur knows I love him.'

Kaldur didn't come that night.

Or the night after that.

Or the night after that.

Or the night after that.