Chapter Five
Jade knew her father would have a fit if he knew where she was headed. It was the middle of the day, she had just pulled into the parking lot of a prison that held someone who was once dear to her. Her mother, Paula Crock, had been imprisoned here since Jade had been thirteen, Artemis had been five or six at the time.
The same event that forced their mother to be in prison also caused her the loss of her legs. In another two or three years, the infamous Huntress would be released as some files and new evidence would show that she was not in fact the killer assassin, but simply a woman caught in an awful mess.
Jade adjusted her fake glasses as she went through security, her head down when cameras came in sight. While the cameras could not recognize her face, she didn't need anyone to be familiar with her features. Part of the reason she had all her dark hair tucked into the grey beanie on her head.
Any other day she would have worn her own baseball cap and let her hair sick out, but she decided that it would be best not to do that. Besides, she wanted to wear the beanie. Artemis loved this beanie.
It send a pang if guilt and anger through Jade. Artemis should be wearing it or at least arguing with Jade for wearing it without permission. Jade should not be wearing it as she mourns for the loss of her sister. This visit would not be a pleasant one, that much Jade knew.
For four days Jade had put off coming here because she knew her mother's heart would break. Artemis was the best of their family. She chose to see the good in the world, even after all the horrible things she had seen and all the crimes she committed, she still had faith in light.
Jade fought to keep those persistent tears at bay, she could not cry now, she would not shed another tear. Before the teen knew it, she was sitting at a table waiting for her mother to come. After a few minutes, her and the other few visitors were greeted by their friends or family here.
Her mother had the same skin as Artemis, but the dark hair matched Jade's. Since coming to prison, her hair had been cut repeatedly and remained above shoulder length. Jade had no idea if it was her mother's choice or the prisons.
"I wasn't expecting to see you," said her mother as she rolled up.
It had been years since Jade had last visited her mother, after an argument between the two that left Jade wounded though she would never admit it. Artemis wasn't allowed to see her mother and had no way of sneaking to her without getting caught by either Jade or her father.
When Artemis was nine she tried repeatedly to come and find her mother, but each time she was stopped by Jade or Sportsmaster. It was usually Jade who stopped her, keeping Artemis from their father's anger.
Jade was certain her father still visited her mother, but she could never be sure. If her father didn't visit, that meant Paula never saw anyone. The thought sent a brief stab of sadness. Jade quickly pushed it aside.
Jade replied, "Couldn't leave you to rot away in here could I?"
Her mother commented, "I suppose not. It is good to see you again. You look so good, so grown."
Jade wanted to say a lot of awful things to the woman at that moment, but she decided against it. She wasn't here to settle a score, she was here because this woman deserved to know the truth.
"I'm not here for pleasantries," said Jade tersely.
Her mother nodded with a sad smile, "I figured. Why did you come?"
There it was. That question. Jade knew now is the time. Yet she began to have her doubts. When Artemis was born, Jade had been pulled away from her training with father and his colleagues.
Her mother believed that Artemis being born healthy was a sign of hope, hope for her children and their future. Jade had no idea why her mother felt that way and blamed it on hormones. However Jade was beginning to think now she understood.
Artemis had been this dark family's only light, she was their hope and now she was gone. Jade looked at her mother. How was she supposed to tell her that her second child was dead? That her hope was destroyed?
The teen pulled out the necklace hesitantly, Artemis' necklace that was still dirty from ashes and dried blood.
Jade placed it on the table, "You recognize this."
Her mother jerked at the sight. Of course she would recognize this. After all she spent hours upon hours searching for the perfect necklace to find for her newborn. Paula would never forget her daughter's prized necklace like she never forgot Jade's ring.
After their disagreement, Jade left the ring. Paula wore it on her right hand. Her older hands took the necklace off the table at near inhuman speed, her dark eyes wide with…. fear and love. Love for the owner and memories, fear because the state.
"This is Artemis's," whispered her mother, the woman looked at Jade, "Why is it in such awful shape? Why do you have it? Artemis would never take it off."
Jade nodded, a fond smile creeping on her face, "She always was possessive of that damn thing."
"Was," her mother questioned.
"There was an explosion," Jade said sadly and went into her tale of the night of Artemis's death.
Of course she left out the part about leaving Artemis under the beam, even though Jade had every intention of coming back, she couldn't bring the words up. It would sound like she had left her sister to die and in a way… Jade had.
You have to look out for her Jade! For once in your life, can't you understand that the world does not revolve around you?
When Jade finished her story, her mother could only stare at her speechless. Her youngest daughter, her Artemis was gone….
Paula shook her head. No, her daughter could not be gone. A pain unlike anything the former assassin had ever felt pierced her heart and very soul.
"No," she said hoarsely, she clenched the pendant in her hand tightly, "No! She's alive! She-she cannot be gone!"
Her outburst did not go unnoticed by the others. The woman did not care, how could she care about anything.
Hot tears fell from her dark eyes as she cried, "Not my baby! No, no! Artemis has to be alive. Not-not her… why-why her? Why her?— you were there! Why didn't you save her?!"
Jade was not surprised that her Mom would shout at her. In fact she had expected it, though she knew if her father decided to come here, he would received the blunt of it.
Jade looked away, "I wasn't fast enough. It should have been me to go down in flames."
Her mother didn't say anything, she believed those words. If anyone in their family deserved to live, it was always Artemis. It would be her every single time. Her mother brought a hand to cover her mouth as she struggled not to sob as violently as the pain ripping through her was.
"My baby," her mother said, anger burning in her eyes, "You will avenge her."
Jade nodded sharply, "I won't rest until those who took her have paid in full."
Her mother nodded, "wear her necklace when they do."
Jade nodded and took the necklace back from her mother. Tentatively, Jade put the necklace on. The slight added pressure was hardly noticeable, but Jade was very aware of it on her. Her mother then removed the ring.
It was a golden ring with green scale designs like a dragon. It was a dragon, the head was on top where the jade green gem rested. Jade took the ring back and slipped it on.
She clenched her fist, "Don't worry. Those supposed heroes will pay for this."
Paula nodded, "They better. The moment I'm out of here, I'll be out right back in."
Jade raised an eyebrow in question.
Her mother replied, "It's better you don't know."
Jade hated not knowing things, but she would leave it alone for now. It was time to go, she has work to do and plans to make.
Artemis was sitting in her 'room' though it was still technically a prison cell with Martian Manhunter. After her talk with Dinah and Oliver, Artemis felt a bit excited about leaving the watchtower to join them on earth. However she was also even more nervous about the idea.
Though the Martian could not read her thoughts clearly, he could only just barely scratch the surface now, but he could tell she was unsettled. So he brought her a pack of Oreos and two cups of milk.
The two of them were sitting on the floor enjoying the Oreos in relatively peaceful silence. J'onn tried to probe at her mind and she had tried to give him more access, but to no avail. Artemis explained the training she had to avoid mind readers, but she wasn't doing any of it now.
J'onn suspected she knew it well enough that it was entrained into her subconscious and she could do it now without a thought. Almost as if it were as easy as breathing.
"J'onn," Artemis said uncertainly, "Can I ask you something?"
The Martian looked at her and swallowed his Oreo, "You just did, but yes. Continue."
Artemis sighed, "How long will I be with Oliver? What happens when I leave them? Where will I go then?"
"You'll be staying with Arrow and Black Canary for an indefinite amount of time, anywhere from months to years," said J'onn simply.
"What about after," Artemis pushed, something akin to fear in her stormy eyes.
J'onn answered, "I do not know. I would not concern yourself with such things. Worrying about the distant future will only cause you an unnecessary amount of stress and anxiety."
Artemis frowned, she dipped another Oreo, "But how can I not worry?"
"Keep your attention on what's in front of you, one thing at a time," suggested J'onn.
Artemis made a face, "Only one thing? Father and Talia would kill me if I only focused on one thing. I was taught to look at everything and make split second decisions based off that one look."
"And that is a very good skill to have in a fight, however you do not need off the field," said the Martian simply.
"Wouldn't be too sure about that," Artemis released a sigh, "But I guess you could be right."
Artemis ate a couple more cookies with J'onn when Arrow entered the room. He knocked twice first before coming in. Artemis would have hissed at him for that, but she let it go for now.
He looked concerned. Usually when he wasn't dressed as Arrow he was a bit more relaxed, as Arrow he was still aloof, but focused st the same time. Him in normal clothing wasn't an out of place, his concerned expression was.
"Hey J'onn. Artemis, you're needed upstairs, come with me," said Arrow.
Artemis stood up, "Alright, what's going on?"
"You're mother has a visitor," answered Arrow.
Artemis froze in her spot. As far as she was concerned no one was allowed to visit her mother. Though Artemis was certain her father still visited her mother, she wasn't certain about anyone else being allowed to see her. Out of fear that more people from the shadows would be linked.
Wordlessly, Artemis followed Arrow to one of the monitor rooms with J'onn not far behind. He still had the Oreos with him. When they arrived, Artemis was greeted by Batman and Wonder Woman. Superman wasn't present and J'onn gave Artemis a few Oreos before leaving the room.
"We monitored your mothers records," said Batman, "She hasn't had a visitor in a year. The last one to see her was a broad man with auburn hair."
Artemis raised an eye, but she knew it was her father. She wouldn't say so. Her father must have dyed his hair to avoid suspicion as he wore his hair out as Sportsmaster.
"Other than that no visitors. Until this morning."
Artemis frowned, "That auburn haired man must be one of father's lackey's, Harris I'm sure. Why call me for a visitor? I can't identify them certainly."
"Because of this one," Wonder Woman said pointing at the security footage.
It was frozen on a young woman's mostly hidden face. A grey beanie on her head, hiding her hair, but her face was down. Always out of reach of the camera.
Jade.
She wore a pair of black glasses, making it harder to get the features around her eyes.
"Jade," Artemis whispered, her tone saddened, "That's Jade."
Artemis saw flashes of the night she was captured, Cheshire standing a ways away from her. She stepped forward to be between Batman and Wonder Woman, her eyes focused on the young woman. The images changed, the young woman Jade was now seated before their mother.
"That's your sister right," Arrow inquired.
Artemis nodded, she swallowed, "Yes, but why-why is she there? Father never allowed us to visit our mom."
"How come," Wonder Woman asked, a frown on her face.
"Well part protection, even though our faces could not be recognized it was better to not be seen period. Not anything that could be saved," Artemis explained, "But Jade avoids the camera well enough though, but… it doesn't make sense why she would be there. She hadn't gone to see Mom in years…"
"Do you think she was sent there," Batman asked.
Artemis thought it over, it seemed unlikely, "It's possible. Either my father sent her or he has no idea she's there. Can we hear their conversation?"
"No, sound is off, but we're working to see if we can pick up on anything," Batman told her.
Arrow asked the next question, "Why would he send her?"
Artemis hesitated, her father wouldn't see her mother because of their fallout and all grievances they had. Artemis didn't like talking about her parents disagreements or their issues.
Though she was young when her mother was taken away, she still remembered the fights her parents would have. She could clearly remember them screaming at each other in the middle of the night once.
Screaming horrible things at each other, she even remembers hearing all the thuds and shattering objects. She was certain her parents had started fighting. Artemis could hardly stand the sounds.
She rushed out of bed, her teddy bear in hand and raced to her sisters room right door. She threw the door open to find Jade sitting on her bed, earphones on and volume all the way up.
Artemis looked away from the screen, she could clearly see Jade sitting there. She looked up with fear, fear that father had come up, but the fear turned to concern when she saw Artemis.
"Come on," Jade had said and that was the end of it.
The two girls hid on the blankets, headphones in and watching videos to distract them.
"There's no way my father could have a civil meeting with my mother," said Artemis finally.
"What makes you say that," Wonder Woman asked gently.
Artemis looked defeated as she explained, "They no longer care for each other. I think once my parents loved each other, but I'm sure it died after I was born. My mother didn't want Jade or I to be raised in the shadows. She wanted us to choose our path. Father disagreed."
Artemis paused, "The two fought, physical fought, the winner would decide. Our mother lost, she blames him for all the bad things that have happened to our family… Jade being there confirms that… that they think I'm dead. He must have figured she'd take the news better from her. She would've lashed out at him… she thinks I'm dead."
Artemis stopped speaking for a long time. The only reason Jade would visit their mother must be to give her the news. That was the only reason Artemis could think of. Her capture, death according to Batman, happened less than a week ago. Her family truly believed she was gone.
Wonder Woman said softly, "We can still bring you to her. It would not be a problem to do so."
Artemis shook her head, "No…. not unless… could you drug her room and drop me in?"
"How come," Arrow questioned.
"So I could see her, but she not know I'm alive. I doubt she'd say anything or contact me, father or Jade, but it'd be better to keep this… charade," Artemis answered, "I think it's better that she believes I'm gone. This way in her mind I'm free."
Arrow rested a hand in her shoulder, "Don't worry, we'll make sure you see her again."
Artemis didn't say anything, she had nothing to say. Without a word, she moved past Arrow and left the small room.
None of the heroes moved to follow the pre-teen, Batman didn't send anyone after her either. They all knew she wasn't supposed to be anywhere without one of them nearby, but given the news of today, they let it go for the moment.
"I'm going to check on her," said Wonder Woman after a few tense moments of silence.
"Maybe she needs some space now, to process it all," said Arrow, even though he didn't sound like he liked that idea.
Wonder Woman sighed, "Regardless, someone should make sure she is okay."
"And keep her out of trouble," commented Batman as he went through the footage again.
Diana glared at him, "She's just learned that her family is going to mourn while she watches on the side. At twelve years that is not something she should have to endure along with everything else."
Batman glanced at the heroine, but said nothing in return.
Arrow nodded, "It's a lot. Go see if she needs anything, I have a call to make."
Wonder Woman nodded and left the room to find where Artemis had gone. It had been years ago, but Diana could remember having to say goodbye to her mother and sisters.
She could never see her mother again, her mother would never see her again. Even though her mother, Queen Hippolyta, was alive and well, she would not leave Themyscira and Diana was forbidden to return.
The pair would never see each other again, not knowing if the other was still alive or what was happening to the other. Knowing her mother was alive out there, but could never see her was painful to Diana.
She had the chance to see the woman who brought her to life, but she could not go to her. In a way, the heroine understood what Artemis was feeling. Wonder Woman looked around the empty halls, but found no sign of Artemis.
Eventually she found herself at the ledges or 'maze of beams' as Artemis referred to them. It was in front of a large window, the one that Wonder Woman Tell the stories of the stars in front of.
Diana looked up to see Artemis making her way up to the top, but not as effortlessly as normal. The young girl's shoulders were shaking, her form wasn't as controlled as it normally was. Diana had seen Artemis perform incredible feats here, since there was not much here to occupy a child Artemis asked to work in a training room.
None of the members had a problem, she was given mostly free reign of a room near her own. Arrow and Superman has seen what she could do, Wonder Woman and Batman had observed as well. If things went accordingly, there was hope for Artemis to have a place here.
Three of the four who had seen her believed it would be soon. Batman of course believed it would take awhile before she could be trusted and he was right. Artemis made it to the highest beam, she was nearly out of sight now except for the barest view of the blonde hair.
Diana floated up to the young girl, who now had knees pulled up to her chest and her face brief in her arms. Her small shoulders trembled slightly, even with Diana's near perfect hearing she could barely pick up on Artemis' cries.
"Artemis," said the heroine sadly.
The pre-teen lifted her head to look at Diana, her grey eyes shimmering and glazed over. Artemis wiped the tears away, ashamed. Her father would have a fit if he knew she was crying, her sister would pretend not see it, but even she would be disappointed.
Artemis looked away, "I-I miss her."
Wonder Woman moved to sit beside Artemis, ready to offer the girl any comfort that she could.
Artemis went on sadly, "the memories I have left of her are faded and blurred, but they were good. I remember her laugh mostly, but even that's leaving me now…. all I had left was a necklace, with an arrow pendant and my name on it. It was the only gift I ever got to keep from her, the only real thing I have left of her. Now that's gone to… I've lost her. Really lost her."
"No you haven't," Diana insisted, "You still have her in your heart and in your memories."
Artemis stared at Wonder Woman sorrowfully, "I was so close to having her see me, to be near her again and that chance is gone. Next time she sees me, she won't be able to tell whether or not it was real."
"Perhaps, but at least you will have her for a few moments and she will have you," Diana told her gently.
Artemis sucked in a breath, "I don't want her for a few moments or in my heart or memories. It's not enough! Soon I'll forget her and then I'll have lost her."
Artemis jumped to her feet, anger and sorrow running rampant throughout her. Anger that this happened, sorrow because it was real. All she had was her father who, despite all the horrible things that he was, Artemis desperately wanted to gain his approval and love.
She knew he was a cruel man who no doubt cared little for her, but he was her father. She loved him and she hoped that deep down he did really love her. For all the bad, there was some amount of good, wasn't there? And there was Jade.
They didn't get along often, but Jade was always willing to be there for her. She was willing, it didn't always occur, but at least Artemis knew her sister did care about her to some extent. However little or large that amount was.
The heroine rested a hand on Artemis' still trembling shoulder, "You have the same features, when you look in the mirror you can see her."
Artemis's eyes turned dark, bitterly she said, "I look like my father. I have his blonde hair and eyes. Well his are more grey brown, but mine are all grey, so they came from him."
"You have your mother's cheeks, the same look in your eyes, nose," Diana replied, "I can see her in you. She lives through you, she will always be with you."
Artemis was barely holding herself together, she shouted, "I don't want her there! I never wanted her there! I want her here. I never had her! I only ever had father, and he is a cruel man. I only had Jade, and though she tried at times, I wasn't worth the effort!"
Artemis looked away, she knew she shouldn't be acting this way, that she should have better control of her emotions now, but she couldn't help it. All the fear and stress of being her, of the terror she felt if her father knew the truth.
How disappointed he would be in her, how angry he would become. Did he even care that she was gone? Artemis Knew he did, but for the right reasons was beyond her.
"Artemis," Diana said bring Artemis' attention forward.
With tear stained cheeks, the pre-teen spoke, "My mother treated me like a daughter once. I wish we could-could have that a-again. I want-want her here with me, to-to really be here before I-I-I-"
Artemis forced the next words out as she struggled to keep the sobs at bay, "forget her."
The sound broke Diana's heart. Diana let both her hands rest on the young girl's shoulders, "You must hold onto her then, she will never truly be lost to you. Not as long as you fight to keep her here."
Artemis swallowed her sobs and shook her head, "But I've already lost her."
"No, she is not lost to you," Diana said earnestly.
"But she is," Artemis cried, "I don't know her! I've never known her, the few memories I can hold onto are nearly gone and soon I'll have nothing left. Only her name."
Diana answered, just as earnest as before, "You have her spirit. I've fought the huntress only once before, but you both fight with the same fire, the same determination and heart. She lives in you, even when her memory has faded away."
Artemis released a sad breath, "I don't want them to go."
"Sometimes the things we want are not what we need," Diana whispered sadly.
Artemis whimpered, her heart breaking at the knowledge her mother couldn't know she was alive. That she would never be able to see her mother again after the visit. That it was possible she wouldn't be able to go see her at all if she stayed with Oliver. Her face would be all over.
What if her mother recognized her after the visit? What would happen then? Artemis looked to the floor, hot tears falling down her face. She brought her hands to her face, struggling to stop the tears that continued to fall.
Diana couldn't take it. She pulled the young girl into her arms. At first, Artemis hesitated, but her need for comfort overtook her mental protests. She returned the hug and just cried into the heroines stomach with trembling shoulders and muffled sobs.
After Oliver had finished his phone call, a long conversation with Dinah he went to search for his new charge. Everything was prepared for Artemis' stay, if only a few brief items were missing and the press had been taken care of.
Dinah had sent an anonymous tip that Queen family had been approved to adopt a child. That it had been under the works for a little over a year and was finally official. All the records of the adoption would be forged of course, but impossible to tell if it was fake.
Artemis' new identity was complete, all her fake records in the system and ready to go. All that was really left was to bring Artemis home. Usually Oliver lived in his penthouse in Star city, under one of his businesses near the area had his Arrow cave.
However the penthouse location had a busy number of people, sneaking Artemis in and out would be near impossible. For the time being that Artemis remained with them and hidden from the public completely, the Queens would be staying at the Queen Estate away from people.
Oliver didn't mind the move, neither did Dinah really. Roy however was beyond annoyed at the move and wanted to protest his leaving. He claimed he was old enough to stay alone in the penthouse. He would be eighteen soon, but Dinah wouldn't have it and Roy wasn't going to fight her on this.
Neither of them fought Dinah on anything really. Her word was practically law. Oliver smiled at the thought of her. He was glad they went public with their marriage, even with the risk of their identities, it was worth it. Especially with all the cover ups and precautions they took.
Oliver decided he better go and find Artemis, to see how she was doing. He hadn't seen Diana or the girl in question for awhile now. He hoped Artemis was doing okay. It took him longer to find her than he had originally planned and would have taken him longer if not for Wonder Woman's humming. He knew Artemis liked to climb to high places, but he hadn't been paying close attention.
"Diana," he yelled, "Have you seen Artemis?"
The heroine poked her head out and shushed him, her eyes glaring at him, "Quiet."
She disappeared out of his view again, leaving him to stand there with a raised eyebrow. It took a few seconds, but the heroine did reappear with Artemis this time. Only Artemis was asleep in her arms, cradled like an infant.
Wonder Woman floated to the floor and said softly, "She cried so much as to exhaust herself. I put her under a sleeping charm to help her relax."
Arrow blinked in surprise, "Since when can you do charms?"
"An Amazonian song, the words and its melody were enchanted by Hypnos," explained Diana simply.
Rather than ask her further, her turned his attention to Artemis, "Alright. How was she doing?"
Diana released a heavy sigh, "Not well. She believes that she has lost her mother forever, that her mother was her only chance to have a family again."
Arrow looked down sadly at Artemis, "Given the background she's told us, I'm not surprised she would feel that way. Hopefully we get her to her mother soon, at least so she can say goodbye to her for once."
Diana nodded sorrowfully. It was the best they could offer her, it wasn't enough, but it was all they had.