A/N: This chapter is really short, but it's been so long since I last posted so I wanted to get something out there. Sorry all, but I hope you enjoy this 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 10

Jade was annoyed. Sitting here in this little dark room in front of the infamous heir to the League of Assassins was not at all how she wanted to spend her Saturday night. With the loss of two of three potential heirs, Jade knew this was coming. Technically speaking, she had been out of the running as official heir for years now. Artemis was the heir, it was her right. In the beginning, Jade would have taken it then passed it to Artemis and Manta's son and the two of them would have had a child to take the league after them. Plans had changed before, no wonder they would change again.

"Glaring at me is not going to change what I said or the circumstances," said the assassin heiress, her sharp eyes looking colder than usual.

It didn't bother Jade in the slightest, "It doesn't, but I'll keep glaring just the same."

"As disrespectful as always huh Jade," the assassin replied with a head shake, "You are only holding the role of heir until another one can be found or Artemis proved alive."

Jade hissed through clenched teeth, "My sister is dead, do not disrespect her life on some witch hunt Talia."

Talia clicked her tongue, "That body was not hers."

"I don't want hear that, she's gone," Jade said looking away.

"Denial isn't just a river in Egypt you know," Talia remarked dryly.

Jade felt her throat tighten. Artemis had said something to that affect years ago during a training session at one of the many places that the League of Assassins occupied. Her sister being gone in this way had hurt Jade more so than she was originally prepared for. Every night she cried for the lost girl and held onto her sister's teddy bear because it was all she could find of Artemis's that wasn't taken away as her training progressed.

Talia had taken the loss of Artemis personally, even going as far as to investigate the scene of the incident, Artemis' body and even attending her funeral. Artemis was far more important than Jade had originally believed when it came to the people around them.

"The Lazarus Pit had no effect on the body," Talia explained with a tone of mild irritation.

Jade snapped her gaze back on her, horror and anger filled her eyes.

"How dare you." The blacked haired young adult jumped to her feet, anger flared in her chest, "You tried to use that vile resurrection trick on a child!"

Talia sighed exasperated, "Artemis was not the first child, nor would she have been last. The pit has worked on others in far worse condition."

"The Lazarus Pit only works on someone with any bit of life left in them, it does not literally raise the dead," Jade said hotly, but she paused as she became unsure.

"It does in fact raise the dead, it's pathetic you don't know that Cheshire," Talia remarked dryly, "If that had been Artemis' body, then she would have come back to life."

Jade struggled not to growl, "As I recall, the last charred to bits person you tried to resurrect was gone."

Talia quirked an eyebrow, "Perhaps, but that case was much different and even then we got some life back into them."

Jade refused to acknowledge that, "Artemis was long gone then or she just didn't want to come back. Let her soul rest."

Talia released a breath, "You're wrong Jade. The Lazarus Pit will pull any soul back, regardless of whether or not they want to return. Not even Artemis would have been strong enough to resist the pull. She's not gone."

"Get out," Jade growled, she threw her arm to the side to point at the door, "Get the hell out of here Talia. Artemis is dead, you delivered your message now go."

The assassin heir stood silently, she walked to the door and paused for a moment. Even though Jade was not her favorite person, the two of them had a common pain and that was Artemis.

"I miss her too," Talia admitted, "When you are ready to accept that she is alive, you can help me find her."

Talia didn't wait for Jade to answer, she simply walked out and let the door close behind her. Anger boiled in Jade's veins, she flipped the table as a howl escaped her lips along with hot tears.

A week had passed since Artemis had been to Wayne Manor, seven full days of training, homework, games and a lot of movies. Oliver had gifted Artemis with two cell phones, she thought that was unnecessary, but he claimed one was for emergencies incase one was either broken, stolen or dead. Artemis still thought it was too much, this was one of the reasons her and Jade scoffed at people with too much money.

The Green Crusader wouldn't back down though, so she took the phones. Dinah had taken more of an interest in the homework she was doing, giving a few more tests which didn't make sense to Artemis. They were standardized tests rather than the previous work she had done, why Dinah was giving these for her to do didn't make any sense. Even Roy was acting a little out of it, mostly by asking her more questions about her home life in the broad sense. Nothing about training, at least not the physical kind.

Now sitting at the dining room table on a Saturday afternoon, she understood why.

"I'm going to school," Artemis said, her expression still incredulous, "Really? You think that's a good idea?"

Dinah answered on her right, "It's perfect. You've done great these three months with us, besides it would be a good idea to get you around more people your age."

Artemis wasn't sure about that, "I'm pretty sure most girls my age are immature and care too much about boy bands and perfume."

"Possibly," Oliver said, "But keeping you locked up here isn't healthy. Besides, when was the last time you were with someone close to your age, ignoring Robin?"

Artemis sighed, "Manta's son? He counts."

Roy spoke next, "Maybe we shouldn't throw her into middle school, I mean those years can be tough. Besides she has no previous experience in a school setting except for the few 'classes' she had with the League of Assassins"

"Good to know your questions from before weren't for getting to know me, why do you care if I go to school," Artemis remarked.

Roy smirked, "You're a dangerous assassin and a security hazard to the middle school and high school next door."

Artemis huffed, but said nothing else in response.

"All the paperwork is in order, along with your new identity," Dinah explained, "You'll be going to Star City Preparatory School, Roy goes there as well and will," she gave him a stern look, "watch out for you."

Roy nodded, "Don't worry, I'll be watching her. Make sure she stays out of trouble and that no one gives her any trouble."

He looked serious and almost sincere about that, which Artemis found odd. Little did she know about the conflict Roy was facing when it came to tbe preteen. His meetings with Cheshire had been less since her sister's 'demise' and Roy found himself wanting to tell her that Artemis was alive. Over the time he had gotten to know Jade, he had never seen her like this. Her hair was always out, untamed like her personality. She burned like a fire, ready to destroy everything in her path if it was in her way.

That Jade wasn't around since Artemis' demise. This Jade wore her back, put together that looked unlike her and made her seem a little more terrifying in a fight. She no longer burned like fire, she burned like ice instead. He didn't like seeing her in pain either, to know that she was suffering from the worst loss and he was just watching when he knew there was something he could do to help her. However it was too risky.

Jade may have talked a good game about leaving the Shadows and even getting her sister out, but that didn't mean she would. There was a chance that Jade would bring Artemis right back to the Shadows which not only would put the entire League in danger, but place Artemis back into the life she clearly didn't want anymore. Roy may not have been her biggest fan, but after learning more of how she grew up, he decided he wouldn't let her go back to that life. Of course he would never admit this to anyone though.

"I do not want to go to some fancy rich kid school," Artemis said shaking her head.

Dinah frowned, "Come on Artemis, it won't be so bad. You might really enjoy it."

"Besides it gives you a chance to be with some regular kids," Oliver added coming to Dinah's aid.

"She's not a regular kid," Roy huffed, he leaned back and said, "She isn't normal."

Artemis glared at the teenager across from her. While she knew it was just a fact, the way he said it made it seem more like an insult. It stung slightly, not that she would ever admit it.

"Is that supposed to be insult, you aren't exactly an average teen yourself," Artemis commented sourly.

Roy was ready with a remark of his own, but stopped himself. The look on her face reminded him too much of Jade's when he said something she found offensive. Though Artemis and Jade didn't resemble each other too closely, their similarities appeared more so in expressions than simply features. It gave him a pause and he swallowed his words. Guilt gnawed at his stomach, what would Jade say if she found out that he had been living with her dead sister?

When Roy didn't respond, Oliver stepped in, "Artemis look. This isn't a punishment and we don't want to force you to go, but we do think it would be benefit you to be around some kids your age, see what life is like as regular girl."

"But I'm not regular," Artemis argued, "Why should I try to be one?"

Dinah put a hand on Artemis's shoulder, "Because it will show that there are other ways to live your life. Come on, just give it a chance and if you really hate that school, we can always find another one."

Artemis frowned at that. Though she had a mild interest in a school setting, she also really didn't want to be bothered with girls her age. Especially when she was certain she would hardly be able to fit in and would likely not find any friends. She had never had any friends, why should she try if she was just going to stick out and likely not make any regardless? However she knew this was a losing battle, they wanted her to go and so she had little choice in the matter.

She sighed, "Okay, okay. I'll go, but I won't like it."

Dinah grinned excited, "I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Now come on, we have to get you a uniform."

Artemis groaned, "Shopping and a uniform, I didn't sign up for that."

Dinah placed a hand on the young girl's shoulder, "It won't be so bad. Come on, we can even get pizza and ice cream after."

Artemis didn't need to be told twice, she practically flew out of her seat and called, "Well let's go."

Oliver and Dinah laughed at that, Artemis had a great love for pizza and ice cream, more so than anything else. Apparently training as she had never allowed for junk food or to try much of anything that wasn't excessively healthy. Roy watched where Artemis had run off to and a slightly smile could be seen on his face.

No, the kid was not growing on him. She may have had Oliver and Dinah hooked after the first week, but it was that moment for some reason that Roy decided he would have her back. No matter what.