A/N: Dick and Artemis get to spar in today's chapter. Fight scenes are not my strong suit, but I think I did a good job at writing this one. I've got another two weeks left of school, so I have a strong feeling a lot more writing will get down and I can't wait. Alright, well enough chatting. Here is the next chapter :).

Summary: Artemis Crock, sister to the notorious assassin Cheshire, daughter of the ruthless Sportsmaster and merciless Huntress. She was raised in the League of Shadows, groomed to become the killers like her relatives, but she didn't want that, not really. When the Justice League catches her, the Green Arrow offers her something she can't refuse. A chance at freedom. AU.

Chapter Nine

Dick had given her a tour of just about anything that Bruce could not complain about. Mainly the kitchen and surrounding area, anything that alluded to the Batcave and their alter egos was near the foyer and in the library. Artemis had been analyzing everything around here, she had seen a layout of the Manor before and it matched her memory. While she had to say she enjoyed Dick's almost contagious energy, she was growing tired of his near constant chatter. When they arrived to the foyer once again, a circle having been made, Artemis cut to the chase.

"I know you have been analyzing my every move since we arrived Richard," stated Artemis as they stood across each other in the empty room, "You do realize what this is all about right?"

Dick smirked, "If the two of us did not have different identities outside these walls, I imagine this could be similar to a betrothal. And Dick, not Richard."

Artemis folded her arms across her chest, "This is about putting us against each other. A blatant review."

"No, this is about showing you what your life could be like if you stay with Green Arrow and join the Justice League," Dick told her matter factly.

She scoffed, "A sidekick."

"Have to start somewhere," he replied with a shrug.

Artemis glanced away from him, the echoes of conversations about her possible stay turning permanent. Deep down, she had to wonder what it would be like to stay here and continue the rest of her life fighting for a different cause.

"How about I make you a deal," Dick said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Artemis made a quizzical expression, "What kind of deal?"

Dick grinned impishly, "Talk about who would win in a fight between us has been circling the Leaguers. So let's spar."

"Where does the deal come in," questioned Artemis.

"If I win, you should give the league a real chance," offered Dick.

Artemis wanted to argue against that, but she kept her mouth shut. Of course she knew about their skills being pitted against each other, making a wager on it had not crossed her mind though. She knew the boy wonder was skilled, she could beat master assassins in a fight of hand to hand combat, even with their tricks. A barely eleven year old acrobat shouldn't be too much of a challenge, though she wouldn't underestimate him. After all, people underestimated her all the time and sorely regretted it.

"And when I win," Artemis prompted, "What do I get?"

"Let's just say, I owe you a favor. Anything you wish and I have to pay up," Dick extended his hand to Artemis, "Deal?"

Artemis smiled confidently, she took his hand, "Deal. Where will this spar take place?"

"Follow me."

Bruce had read over the report three times, it seemed Artemis was adjusting well enough and had only stepped out of line in small childlike ways. Stealing cookies from the top shelf, staying up until the early hours despite curfew, arguing about what was fair and what wasn't. IF Bruce were not in his Batman headspace, he would have showed his amusement.

"Well Batman," said Oliver leaning back in his seat, "What do you say?"

"I say on paper she appears like a child in need of more discipline," commented the Bat.

Oliver only narrowed his eyes slightly, "She's well behaved, but that comes from her strict and harsh upbringing. She deserves some freedom and leeway given the circumstances."

"I'm sure," Bruce remarked dryly, "She still has a ways to go before she can be seriously considered trustworthy. For all we know, her cooperating is only a means to an end."

Oliver had considered that, "It is possible, but I believe she's more confused about where to stand than anything. I think she just needs a push in our direction."

"You're putting too much faith into this."

"And you aren't putting in enough."

"Artemis is still a threat to the League."

"She's almost thirteen."

"The fact that she is a minor does not lessen the threat she poses Oliver," said Bruce a bit too sharply.

"All she needs is a chance," Oliver said, a hint of pleading in his voice, "We have a real shot at getting her on the right track. If she's ever going to have some faith in us, we have to put a little faith in her."

Bruce leaned back on his chair, slightly contemplating those words. While it made sense to him, the risk that this child posed was far too much to simply turn a blind eye too. The Green Arrow and Batman had a few things in common besides having rich alter ego's. That being the children they took under their wing. It was likely both of them would continue this practice of taking in a ward and bringing them into the vigilante lifestyle.

"Master Bruce," said Alfred as he descended the stairs.

Bruce looked to him, "What is it Alfred?"

Both heroes stood as Alfred approached them, a slightly grave look upon his usually stoic face. While Oliver knew that it made sense for Artemis not to be with him due to Bruce not wanting her near the bat cave and with keeping Dick out for the time being, he got a feeling of unease.

"It appears young master Dick thought it a wise idea to challenge miss Artemis to a spar in the training grounds," explained Alfred simply, "I thought it suitable to inform you so that you do not worry yourself should the fight appear on the monitor."

Bruce raised an eyebrow, "And it was Dick's idea?"

Alfred nodded, "Yes sir."

"Dick may have offered it, but Artemis definitely wouldn't say no to a challenge," commented Oliver as he folded his arms, "Come on Bats, let's go watch."

"Are you entertained by this," questioned Bruce with a narrowed gaze.

Oliver nodded with sideways grin, "It's only a spar. Both are skilled fighters and I doubt either of them would hurt the other."

Bruce replied, "One of those fighters happens to be an assassin."

"You trained Dick well, he can handle this."

Dick Grayson did not realize how difficult this would be. At first when he and Artemis arrived to the training, both in a white t shirt and black pants, he had expected the spar would not leave him breathless in the first two minutes. There was a timer to see how long they could go, Artemis insisted.

He punched right, hit nothing but air. As she dodged to his left she through a punch. Her fist, his face. The sting was sharp, the ache would dull. A kick managed to hit his side. Sharp then dull. He back flipped away, just out of her reach. He landed. She kicked high, he went low and through a kick of his own. His bare foot felt the contact of her shirt, nothing more.

A smirk grew on her face; she swung hitting his cheek. He fell to the ground, but jumped back up to his feet as quick as he could. Not quick enough. Her foot collided with his side, forcing him to skid across the arena several feet away. He rolled onto his feet a bit shakily, but his arms up ready to fight. He couldn't predict her movements like he could with other opponents. A tell tale by a motion here or another there, but her movements seemed to be every changing.

Her next series of attacks were explosive, a punch here, slice through the air enough to hear its cut. Dick barely managed to avoid their ferocity. Though he wanted to say she was going hard on him, he could tell by the fact her breathing had remained for the most unchanged and no sweat could be seen on her exposed skin. The best defense is a good offense, he knew that, but if he was going to land a hit he would need to get past her own offensive strategy.

Artemis had to admit she was having a lot of fun, though based on the first thirty seconds, she realized Dick may have been well trained, but he was not a match for her. She had given him too much credit. Her abilities outmatched his and if she wanted to end the fight quickly she would, but she didn't. It was fun to spar like this, besides fighting an acrobat had not been something she had a lot of experience with. The next time they fought, she would challenge him to a fight on a high platform and in the air.

She kept her attacks explosive in one martial art form, but would switch to another followed by another in order to make sure he couldn't predict her movements or find a pattern. While she definitely had tell tales, she planned to change her maneuvers enough so that he couldn't find them.

Dick stood there, slightly hunched over with his hands raised as he breathed heavily watching her. He glanced at the clock, 2:36, he could barely breathe. Though he was good at dodging her attacks, she was insanely fast. Dick wasn't sure if the Flash could even move that quickly.

She performed a roundhouse kick his way, Dick barely dodged the attack. Artemis used the already built up momentum sent another kick his way, this time hitting his chest. Dick collapsed for a second, but rolled away from her punch. Her fist collided with the mat, the thud filling the otherwise silent arena. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dick was just about to get himself grounded.

Ducking to the ground until she was practically squatting, she swung her leg around effectively knocking him off his feet. He landed harshly, but performed a reverse somersault away. He found his way into his feet, fist up halfway, sweat coating his skin. Artemis had one flyaway and a bead of sweat on her brow. In all honesty, she was going easy on him. Based on what she remembered reading, he had only been Robin for a year. While a skilled acrobat, combat was not up to parr.

"That the best you got," jabbed Dick with a mischievous smile.

No gadgets were to be used, but Artemis was waiting for one to make an appearance. After all, no one in her training ever played fair. Her eyes flickered to the clock 3:17. With his gadgets he would likely have a better chance at defeating her, especially since she knew he was good at tricks and using the area around him to his advantage. However in this open arena, he could only rely on himself.

"You haven't seen anything yet," Artemis smirked.

Dick took to the offensive, he charged and through punches. A right, she dodged it. A left, she blocked it with ease. He kicked hard, all he hit was air. He tried his left foot. She caught his ankle and pulled him sharply forward. Dick through his right hand as he fell to catch her off guard. Her left hand pushed his arm away sharply, causing him to fall. Artemis moved her body around his until he was above her and she threw him to the ground.

He landed harshly, before he could blink Artemis was top of him. Right leg in a side lungs position, left leg on his chest. Her right forearm at his throat, her left hand on the mat.

Artemis smiled, "I win."

Dick took a deep breath, "The match isn't over."

Artemis tilted her head, "It is. I have you pinned and you haven't tried to get out."

Just then, Dick propelled his weight up. It shook Artemis's hold enough for Dick to get her off him and onto the floor. He moved to pin her, but her hand was too quick. The punch collided with his shoulder, shunning his attack and giving Artemis the upper hand. On her feet again, she kicked Dick back as he struggled to keep his balance. She swiped at his feet, he fell to the ground. Artemis pounced on top of him, her hold more secure. After a second, she pushed herself off of him and stood tall.

"You held your own better than expected," Artemis replied with a pleased grin.

"The fight isn't over," said Dick climbing onto his feet.

Artemis held up five fingers and counted, "It is in three, two, one."

Bruce and Oliver walked through the now open doors to see the pre-teens standing there in the center of the arena. The boy wonder sighed, if Bruce watched the entire match he was sure that several more circuits would be in his future. The two adults stood at the edge, their respective wards coming to stand in front of them.

Oliver looked at Artemis with a knowing expression, with a bit of curiosity. He noticed during the fight she wasn't trying, he had seen her spar with Dinah and with himself, she held nothing back. Even went as far as hitting pressure point to render her opponent useless. That had not been a fun evening for Oliver. Yet here, she held back. Later he would ask her why, but for now he wouldn't make a comment. Though judging by the look in her eyes, Oliver had a feeling he knew why she went easy.

"Not bad kids," Oliver complimented grinning.

"It was adequate," commented Bruce, his expression displeased.

Dick sighed, definitely more circuits by that tone, "Artemis is pretty good. I pity her enemies."

Artemis nudged him, "You aren't so bad yourself boy wonder. Though I bet you rely too heavily on your gadgets."

"They come in handy more often than not," replied Dick with his sideways grin, "Best two out of three."

Artemis was prepared to agree, but Oliver stepped in, "Sorry you two, but Artemis and I need to go."

Artemis frowned, "Already? You two finish everything?"

"The discussion is far from over," Bruce answered, to her surprise, "But based on what I have seen, it looks sufficient."

Dick nudged her shoulder, he muttered, "That's a compliment."

Oliver nodded in agreement, he smiled at Artemis with she assumed was pride. Her heart skipped a beat at the look, but she felt herself smile under his gaze and stand it a bit straighter. There were few moments in her life she knew someone was proud of her, each one was special and she had a feeling this one would be added to that small list.

Bruce continued, "Your fighting capabilities appear to be that of a master in their trade aside from a few missteps. You don't have a focused one."

Artemis shook her head, "If I was going to be a martial artist, I had to know them all."

Artemis glanced away, doing her best to ignore the lump that was forming in her throat. If she was going to do something, she had to be the best in all areas. There was no room for error or anything less than perfect. It was no way to live, but it was her life.

"I see," was Bruce said on the subject, "It was a pleasure to have you and Oliver here today."

Dick spoke next, "Why don't you two stay a bit longer?"

Oliver answered that, "Sorry Dick. I have some work to do and Dinah needs Artemis for the afternoon."

Artemis made a face, Dinah was likely going to give her even more assignments to work on. Though she hoped maybe Dinah would have her play some instruments, that was actually incredibly fun. She would dare say as fun as fighting, maybe not the exact same amount, but it came extremely close. A spark of excitement went through Artemis at the thought.

"Perhaps another time," said Bruce, "We'll walk you out."