A Few Hours Earlier

Gotham 2200 Hours

Jade had been clearing her head when she saw the Justice League junior enter the building she was on top of. Kid Flash had rushed in first only to come out seconds later emptying his stomach on the concrete. They were in there for a good five minutes and Jade was getting bored. She was thinking about leaving but her curiosity got the best of her. Eventually the sidekicks exited the building looking very uneasy with an injured Robin in their hands. Still no Artemis.

"No she needs time. Besides, if anyone should go find her it should be GA," Robin said from Aquaboy's arms.

Artemis Jade thought. Jade waited a few minutes to make sure none of the league showed up before entering. When she did she took a step back and held back a gag. Even as an assassin she had never seen something so brutal. Usually all jobs were quick quiet and had minimal damage to the body. She wondered who could have done this before she pieced it together. Artemis. It had to be her. Though it had been a really long time since something like this. All of her previous episodes were just with the intent to kill. Decapitation, slitting the throat, and a shot to the head for the most part. This on the other hand was done with the intent to torture, prolong their death. It had been almost 7 years since the last one. After that she could control it.

Jade saw the computer wired to the camera. She debated watching but ultimately went with yes. Taking a deep breath she walked over to the computer. She sat down and pulled up the footage from a few hours ago. Jade smiled a bit watching Artemis not show any emotion. She even chuckled when the guy lost his temper. When they brought Robin in everything went to hell. She watched Artemis break out of her bonds to save him. Knocking one out in the process. She watched her sister murder three people. One with the explosive arrow. The other two with knives. The sadistic smile on her face when she took the knives out and stuck them back in. A small shiver went down Jade's back. That smile. She saw the crook grab Robin, a knife to his neck. Her weakness was her teammates. Jade smiled and shook her head. That was one of dad's rules she didn't follow. No personal attachments. But the more Jade looked at it the more she saw Artemis's longing for a family. Something Jade couldn't give her. Not anymore. She lost that when she left Artemis with their father. Jade continued watching until she saw Artemis disappear. There were only a few places that Artemis would go for solace. Or at least a few she could think of.

Jade decided to go after he sister before she did something stupid to herself. Jade could tell Artemis cared about the rest of the team. It was written on her face. She also knew how much it hurt Artemis when the team came and saw what she did. The longing for a family was written on her face again. She's not coming back, Jade realized. Artemis thought she couldn't. Not after what she'd done.

Even though she really didn't want to, she had to make contact with the league. After she'd talked with her of course. Jade knew she could talk to Green Arrow through Red Arrow so she didn't have to worry about that. Downloading the video onto a flash drive, she left.

—

A Few Hours Later

Forest 0100 Hours

Jade had wanted to sleep but knowing Artemis she had to get there as fast as possible. She had driven a motorcycle to the entrance to the forest, then parked it not wanting to alert anything. Jade had stayed in the trees till she could see a fire. She slowly approached the clearing. Putting her weapons down, she raised her hands and slowly walked forward. Artemis was unpredictable in a mood like this.

Artemis hadn't moved. Staring off into space.

"The stars are beautiful." One thing about Artemis was that she had always loved the stars.

Artemis jolted as she finally noticed Jade.

"Jade?" Artemis's voice had cracked. She finally let the tears flow. She jumped at Jade, launching her into a hug. Jade awkwardly patted her head in a lame attempt in comfort. "Jade." Her voice told Jade her sister was relieved to see her. That confused her. She had never been close to Artemis. Jade had left her to fend for herself. Every girl for themselves she'd say. Artemis seemed to sense her confusion.

"I thought you of all people would understand. The urge to kill at least."

Artemis hadn't meant it as a jab but it had still hurt.

"Artemis." Jade started softly. Though that was meant to sooth Artemis, she was already on edge. Jade wasn't one for a soft tone of voice.

"I'm not going back. I can't." Artemis looked away from Jade.

"You have to."

"I don't have anything to go back to."

"You do. As far as I know, those brats care about you about as much as you care for them." Jade chuckled a bit. "They'll probably fight the league to get you back."

Artemis didn't say anything, though she did look at Jade. She sighed and handed Jade some cooked rabbit. Jade took it and bit into it. Artemis obviously needed time but she also needs her teammates. Jade decided that could wait till tomorrow. She grabbed a pile of leaves and bunched them up creating a makeshift pillow. Artemis looked at her.

"Your staying?"

"Someone has to make sure you don't do something stupid."

Artemis chuckled at that. They both got comfortable and said their good nights. By the time Artemis had woken up Jade was gone.

—-—-

Gotham 0700 Hours

Red Arrows Apartment

She entered the apartment through the window and saw Roy on the couch. He looked up at her confused. She never came to him. It was usually him chasing her around.

"Jade."

"Roy." Jade greeted in return.

"What are you doing here?"

"I need to contact Green Arrow."

Roy looked alarmed. Out of the millions of possibilities he did not think that was one. He was going to ask why but the look on Jade's face stopped him. She wouldn't be asking unless it was really important. He sighed and handed her the phone.

"Roy?" A voice crackled through the phone.

"No."

"Jade."

"Bingo," before Green Arrow could respond she kept going. "Look, Artemis needs help."

"Yes I know that I'm looking for her now."

"Not you Oliver."

"How-"

"Not important. You need to send the team to Ryker's Forest."

"She's at the training ground?"

"Perfect place. No one would look for her there."

"Why not me."

"You think she won't make a run for it when someone from the league shows up. The team is known for not following the rules. She might not freak if it's the team instead of the league."

"Ok I'll send them in a few hours."

"Before you do make sure you brief them. It's better for them not to make assumptions."

Before Oliver could answer she ended the call. She tossed the phone back to Roy and took a seat next to him. She flopped onto the couch tiredly.

"So what exactly happened?"

"Not telling you till this is resolved or you'll make it worse."

Roy looked like he wanted to protest but she cut him off with a look.

—-

Watch Tower [Time Not Available]

Justice League Base Of Communications

Green Arrow sighed and walked over to the Zeta Tubes. He put in the destination of the cave and walked into the Zeta Tube.

"Recognized Green Arrow 08."

The machine wired and Green Arrow disappeared through the machine.

When he arrived the team was nowhere to be found. He kept walking until he found them on the med bay. They all were sleeping soundly around Robin. An arrow resting on Robin's chest. The one that had saved Wally from Amazo. He smiled and decided to leave them a note instead of waking them up. Oliver walked back to the kitchen and grabbed a notepad. He started writing everything they needed to know.

Team,

You have to find Artemis. I was going to find her but Jade stopped me. Said it was better for you guys to go. Be careful with her. Don't blame her for what happened. She saved Robin. That's what matters. A bit of background before you do though. Her father is Sportsmaster. Her mother, the retired assassin, Huntress. Her sister, Jade, is Cheshire. She was raised as an assassin. Not by choice. What you saw there was the result of a bloodlust she's had since she was 7. Or at least that's when they found out. Torture triggered it. But she gained control. It seems the catalyst was seeing Robin in trouble. She cares for you a lot and I know you do too. She would do the same for all of you. Take care of her and be careful.

She should be at Ryker's Forest. There's a small clearing a few miles north of the southern entrance. That's where Jade saw her last. Good luck.

-Green Arrow

He left it on top of Artemis's arrow then left the room to walk back to the Watchtower.

—

Happy Harbor 0800

The Cave

Aqualad was the first to wake up. He saw the note addressed to the team and grabbed it. He decided to wait till the rest of the team woke up.

One by one the team started to wake up. M'gann, then Conner, Zatanna, Rocket, Wally, and then finally Robin. Aqualad told the team to meet in the medbay.

"Green Arrow has left us a note. I have not opened it, I felt it would be better for us to read it together."

Aqualad read the letter out loud. Wally was shocked. He hadn't expected the archer to be an assassin. Or Cheshire to be her sister. It made sense why she went after Cheshire everytime she got the chance. He chuckled a bit. She had a worse childhood than him.

Robin already knew about her family but not anything else. He was there when it happened but he never felt any hostility from Artemis. Even when she picked him up all he saw was the need to protect.

Zatanna and Rocket didn't know her that well so they didn't really have an opinion. Superboy was conflicted. He had met her a few days after he was rescued and liked her. She was like what people called a sister.

M'gann was heartbroken. Her earth sister was nowhere to be found. She didn't understand a lot of things on earth but she did understand what Artemis did was solely to protect Robin.

Aqualad could relate to having a villain as a father. His father was Black Manta. Still he was never abused as a child. In fact he never even met his father or even knew who he was till recently.

Even if the team was surprised that wasn't going to stop them from finding and protecting her. Even if they had to spend a night or 3 in the woods.

"I propose that we leave at night ." Aqualad said.

"Yeah, we don't want to get caught." Kid Flash chimed in.

Everyone agreed and went to their respective rooms. Around 6:00 mostly everyone was packed with their personal belongings. M'gann not having anything to pack grabbed some more general items like food and such. By the time everyone was ready to leave, Robin finally walked in.

"What took you so long?" Wally asked.

"Not everyone has superspeed and I'm still injured, but I was looking for something."

Wally was curious but Robin gave him a look that said later. Everyone boarded the Bioship, Aqualad assisting Robin. They dropped their bags on the floor next to their chairs and took off.

By the time they arrived it was around 9:00. M'gann landed the Bioship in the clearing Artemis was supposed to be camped in. Robin held up a hand telling them to stay while he got up. This time with the help of Wally. They stepped outside and Robin examined the camp. He walked to the edge of the clearing and heard running water. Everything seemed to be still in use.

"She's still here. Either by the water or hiding in the trees." He concluded.

The rest of the team made their way off the Bioship and over to where Robin was standing. Aqualad took over again and supported Robin. They slowly walked over to the water where they saw Artemis sitting at the bank of the river. She was staring out into space and did not move at all.

"Artemis," Robin called out. She jumped and quickly turned around to see Robin. The rest of the team had backed up into the forest to give them some time.

"Robin?" She asked as if to make sure it was really him.

"In the flesh." He limped over to where Artemis was standing and opened his arms for a hug. She immediately accepted the hug and stepped forward. She quietly sobbed and buried her head into Robin's shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"We decided to keep you some company," he replied.

"We?" She questioned.

"Yeah the others are waiting back at the camp." Artemis started to make her way back towards the camp.

"Hey, a little help here?" Artemis turned around and rushed back to help him.

A few minutes later they had reached the clearing where the rest of the team was. When Artemis reached the clearing she was immediately greeted with a hug from the Martian. As soon as the Martian let go Wally was on top of her. Soon she was under a big dog pile of people. Finally, after what felt like forever everyone got up. Artemis looked around and saw they all had bags.

"What's with the bags."

"Well we didn't come all the way here just to go back." Rocket said. Everyone laughed. It was starting to get dark so they decided to set up camp for the night. Zatanna set up the sleeping bags while Wally went to collect more firewood. Artemis sniped a rabbit with her bow and skinned it. Everyone stared at her.

"Never been hardcore camping before?" They shook their heads. "Well I'll teach you. Come on."

—

Watch Tower [Time Not Available]

Justice League Base Of Communications

"Hey, does anyone know where the kids are?" Flash asked. Oliver chuckled nervously and backed away.