A/N: I've hit a wall in writing this story. I know where I want this story to end up, but most of the ideas I have for it are meant for later down the line, at least time wise. So next chapter will be a big time jump and sprinkled into the story will be flashbacks to her time here. Young Justice missions and such will be coming to this story sooner than expected. Anyway, hope you all have a good day and I'll see you next time!

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 Eleven

Artemis had found her way onto the roof, staring at the stars as she thought over Diana's stories. The heroine had sent her more stories through letters and even video chatted with her a handful of times which Artemis would never admit that she really enjoyed. Not to mention Superman, or Clark really, had sent her all kinds of interesting news articles. It reminded her of the time she spent on the watchtower, how the heroes actually seemed to like her and treated her well. A weak smile found it's way on her face as she recalled the package of Oreos delivered personally by the Green Martian.

She had been raised to hate them, yet all that anger seemed to fade out. She leaned back at against the slant on the roof, her stomach twisting. Guilt still shook her body, how she was lying to her mother and sister, how she was betraying them and everything she was raised to be. How angry her father would be if he knew. How hurt her mother would be. Artemis swallowed thickly at the memory of telling her mother goodbye. It had been easy to pump in the sleep drugs into the vents, when Artemis slipped in that night. Her mother would remember it as a dream.

"I never wanted that, this life for you," her mother cried softly.

She brought her hands to cup her daughter's face, her touch so soft Artemis would have mistaken this as her dream. Paula's eyes were shimmering, tears falling down her cheeks as she struggled to get air into her lungs properly, Artemis could tell by the slight wheezing and shallowness of breath. Artemis had to wonder if this was hurting her mother more or if it would help her heal.

Artemis brought her hands to hold her mother's.

"I know momma," Artemis said softly, "But it's okay. I'll be happy where I am."

Tears fell down her mother's cheeks, "I am so sorry I couldn't protect you."

Artemis tried to smile, "You loved me and that was enough."

Paula pulled Artemis into her arms, she hugged her as tightly as she possibly could. How could this be dream? Artemis just hugged her mother, she held back her tears and kept her breathing as even as possible. When they let go, Artemis would say goodbye and let her mother live with the idea that one of her daughters was happy.

Artemis sniffed as the memory faded, she wouldn't cry now for the loss. At least her mother was alive and believed that her daughter had finally found peace. That had to count for something right. Or maybe it didn't count for anything. That solidified to her mother that her second child was gone, Artemis didn't know how to feel about that. She just knew that it was better. Artemis leaned back against the roof, she tilted her head up to look at the stars as small tears fell down her cheeks.

"Any reason you decided to come up here," Roy asked making himself known.

Artemis released a sigh, "Go away Roy, I'm not in the mood."

Roy walked along the roof with ease, he slid down to her, "Too bad, I'm here now and took time out of my night to make sure you didn't run off. Least you could do is talk to me."

"Why," Artemis asked, she glanced at him, "I don't want to talk to you. Why don't you just go talk to Jade again. DId you ever tell her? OR is it just easy for you to lie?"

Roy tensed, "I haven't told her yet. She is making plans though to avenge you."

Artemis didn't reply, she just looked away to the ground below. Her sister was out there, trying to find a way to avenge her dead sister who was actually alive and well, or for the most part well. If Jade ever learned the truth, she would be furious. Why did it hurt so much? Artemis choked on air for a moment, struggling not to let her emotions get the better of her.

"If you can't get a handle on your emotions," grunted Talia as she threw Artemis to the ground, "You have to channel them!"

Artemis rolled out of the way of Talia's punch, terror pulsed through her veins. It was not a good training day for Artemis, her head wasn't in it and that was going to get her killed. Of course she already knew that, but Talia seemed to be fighting with a lot more ferocity than the seven year old had ever seen, it sent true fear into her.

"Fight back," screamed Talia grabbing Artemis' arm and yanking her to the side, "Use that fear and fight!"

When Artemis landed, she knew that Talia dislocated her right shoulder. The pain was undeniable, it hurt so much that she wanted to cry, but she knew that would only piss of Talia more. The seven year struggled to get off the ground, she barely made it to her feet when Talia kicked her in the abdomen. Artemis landed harshly, she felt annoyed, but her fear overshadowed that frustration.

Artemis inhaled sharply as she rose to her feet, barely managing to get any air into her lungs when Talia grabbed her dislocated arm to hold her in the air. Artemis screamed, she couldn't hold it back. Her shoulder was on fire, black dots clouded her vision and she knew she wasn't going to be awake much longer. Not to mention all the trouble she would be in when she woke up.

She closed her eyes waiting for the final blow, but it didn't come. Instead she heard someone shout 'Enough' and she fell to the floor. Artemis forced her eyes to focus on the world around her when she saw it. It was her older sister standing in a protective stance in front of her hold dual blades in her hands.

"Get away from my sister," Jade shouted in a dangerous tone, "Stay away Talia, I will hurt you."

"You've never bested me in a fight," Talia snarled.

Jade replied, "Maybe not, but with enough small hits, you'll go down."

Artemis slipped in and out of conscious, occasionally hearing shouts and the sound of swords colliding. It was a blur, but the next thing she could distinctly make up was being picked up by Jade.

"Hang on Artemis," Jade said, "I've got you."

Artemis said absently, "Jade would do that. We may not have been the closest siblings, but she was always looking out for me when no one else was. I miss her."

"I know she misses you too," Roy said softly, "I know it can't be easy."

"Weren't you the one who said I didn't know what suffering was," Artemis questioned dryly.

Roy licked his lips. He had told her many things like that, that she didn't know what true pain and suffering was. However he realized how wrong he was and knew that it wasn't right for him to treat the way he had been. Over time he had been nicer to her and was looking out for her more and more, but still it was not enough. He owed her an apology.

"I'm sorry," Roy said sitting by her, "For how I treated you before and for everything you're going through. You may be an assassin, but you're also a kid. You never should have grown up that way."

"I should have, it was my life," Artemis argued.

Roy shook his head, "Artemis, no. Don't tell me you believe that was the life you deserved? That, that the way you grew up was meant to be."

Artemis remained quiet.

"No," Roy told her, "That life is no way for a child, for any child to grow up. You have to know that kid. Being raised to fight and kill as your only purpose is wrong, they never should have done that to you or Jade or the other kid you talked about."

"Someone has to take over when the adults go," Artemis said simply, "I was going to be the one to take over the Shadows, I couldn't be weak. I had to be strong, I had to be the best. I know that."

"Get rid of that idea," Roy said sharply.

Artemis frowned, "Roy, it was my fault for not being enough, I should have done more to be better in the Shadows because it was my life-"

"Artemis listen to me," Roy said earnestly, he placed his hands on her shoulders and locked his gaze with her own, "You are a child. You have seen things, done things and faced things no child should have to. I am so sorry that was how you grew up, but you must know, you have to know that they were wrong to do that to you. It was never your fault. It was all of theirs. I'm sorry for what I have done and for everything they did."

Artemis was incredibly uncomfortable with this whole thing. Not only was Roy acting weird, but she just didn't like what he was saying. How could it not be her fault? Wasn't that how children were meant to grow up, in the footsteps of their parents? Wasn't the childhood she had meant for her? She needed to change the topic or at least lighten.

Artemis glanced at Roy, "Should I be insulted or honored that you apologized?"

Roy could tell she was trying to change the conversation, so he replied lightly, "Honored, I never do it unless I mean it. Anything on your mind?"

"A bit of everything," Artemis said softly.

"Real helpful," Roy remarked dryly.

A small smile grew on Artemis' face, "I try."

"Well you don't have to talk if you don't want to, but you never know, it might help," Roy told her simply.

"Maybe," Artemis said.

"You nervous about school tomorrow," Roy asked, moving onto what he hoped was a lighter topic.

"I've handled worse, I think I can handle a first day of school," Artemis answered.

Roy raised an eyebrow, "You're scared aren't you?"

"Terrified," Artemis said, "Tell me to break into any secure facility, no problem. Go fight some Justice League member, sure. Go to school with people my age and blend in, no."

"School isn't that bad, you might like the structure of it," Roy said, "Besides, it gives you something else to do instead of training or bothering me."

Artemis laughed weakly, but didn't say anything.

Roy sighed, "Come on, you don't need to sit out here and think of how nervous you are. Let's have some hot chocolate, then go to sleep."

Roy stood up and extended his hand to her. For a moment, Artemis just looked at it and didn't make a move to take hold of his hand. It seemed like forever, but eventually the preteen girl grabbed a hold of his hand and let him pull her to her feet.

"Race you around the roof, first one back here has to make the hot chocolate," Roy challenged.

Artemis smirked, "You're on."

The first day of school came all too quickly for Artemis. She would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous. For her entire life, all her time was spent on training and learning all the ways to kill someone, learning all the ways to become a ruthless villain. It was her lot in life. It wasn't all terrible, sure she had some fun moments that made her smile, but it was hell that she knew was not something a child should have to endure. Recognizing that had been the weirdest part for her and even more unnerving was the fact that it was Roy who helped her understand.

Lying awake in her dark bedroom, still another hour or so until she would have to get ready for the first day of middle school, she thought back to her talk with Roy. It did help her more than she thought it would, but she was glad for it. Not that she would ever tell him she was glad he talked to her and raced around the roof three times with her.

The sun came up, her alarm went off and she could smell Dinah's waffles. It was almost time to go.

Artemis put on the uniform with relative ease, she brushed her blonde hair back into a ponytail and stared at her reflection. The plaid skirt and navy blue blazer over the white oxford shirt and vest was weird to see on her. Honestly it was like she was looking into a window to another universe, another life where this was who she truly was.

Artemis swallowed thickly, "Okay, you can do this. Come on, let's go."