AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews!

Soon

It was early March and students were coming back from winter break. Since Gotham Academy was mostly attended by the rich, the places the students went to were sometimes exotic, sometimes fun, but always warm. All throughout the day, Artemis had heard students mention the places they've been. A few classmates in her algebra class debated which countries were better in the Mediterranean. The girl, who had a locker next to Artemis', told her friend all about her week in the Caribbean, while one classmate in her physical education class had mentioned Hawaii. It was times like that that Artemis wished her family had more money.

She didn't want to seem shallow or greedy, but when the students were all talking about sun and surf and showing off tans, it made her realize just how little her family had. She wouldn't even be attending the school, if it wasn't for Bruce Wayne's donation. Through Bruce Wayne, she had a full scholarship for Gotham Academy, which included tuition, books, and her school uniform.

Of course, when she first found out he was paying for her education, she wondered why. She knew that the man liked to help out others, especially children. He was known for funding events and activities that supported children. The man had even adopted two orphaned boys. The oldest, Dick, was two years younger than her and attended Gotham Academy. Jason would be starting at the Academy next year. Since Artemis was a senior this year, it meant she wouldn't attend school with Jason. Technically, she had already met Jason, since Dick was her friend.

Artemis wasn't your typical teenage girl. Sure, she looked all American, with her blonde hair, gray eyes, and slender build. She didn't lack for boys who were interested in getting to know her better, though some tended to drift away when they realized her family wasn't made of money. She was smart and considered herself an excellent student. More importantly, she was also a talented hero.

Artemis was a member of Young Justice. After finding out that Bruce Wayne was Batman, it only made sense that Wayne would want members of the team to have the best education money could buy, even if that person's family couldn't pay for it. Actually, it made her feel better to know why Wayne was funding her education. She didn't accept charity easily, but looking out for a fellow hero was something she could accept.

But knowing that Batman was Bruce Wayne also made some of the things Wayne did hard to believe. The man was serious. All. The. Time. Yet, the news would have you believe he's a stud with the ladies, a big social drinker, and liked social events. It was the polar opposite of who Batman was. Dick assured her, he was different outside of being Batman. Artemis had never seen it, even when she had, on the rare occasion, been at Wayne Manor and saw Batman out of his costume. The first time, it weirded her out. Wally said he had had the same experience.

It was the middle of the day. The air was starting to get a little warmer, the sun was shining more, and spring was in the air, even though it wouldn't officially start for a couple more weeks. Since it was lunch time, it meant that Artemis could get outside and she wasn't alone.

"You're quiet," said Dick.

Since they were at school, both were wearing their uniforms. Artemis had on a knee length dark blue skirt, with white tights, a white button down shirt, and black vest. Over it all, was a black winter jacket. While Dick wore tan pants, a white button shirt, and dark blue suit jacket. Dick was also wearing a winter coat. Both of them were wearing a maroon tie, which was usually the first thing Artemis took off at the end of the day. Artemis' green body suit and Robin's red, black, and yellow bodysuit and cape were tucked away safely at their homes.

They were walking near the edge of the school's property. Their conversations typically involved hero stuff, so it was always better to walk away from the other students. It helped get through the day to know she had a teammate nearby. Also, with all the recent attention Deathstroke was giving her friend, she was glad someone was attending school with Dick. Someone to watch his back, even in civilian clothes.

"Just wishing I could go places. You know, for fun," replied Artemis.

"Oh, come on, Artemis. We go to a lot of fun places," replied Dick cheerfully.

"I mean, as Artemis Crock, not Artemis," replied the blonde.

"Wow, that cleared things up," snickered Dick.

"Shut up! You know what I mean," she replied, as she smacked the other teen in the shoulder.

The dark haired teen gave a quick grin. "So what did you and Wally do together last week?"

"We went to the movies and dinner and..wait! How did you know we were together?" demanded Artemis, as she stopped walking to face the teen.

"Well, I am a detective," replied Dick. "So are you two hanging out as...friends?"

"Ummm," replied the blonde, as she started to walk away.

"You're shitting me!" said the dark haired teen. Quickly, he ran to catch up. "You're dating?!"

"Ah," replied Artemis, blushing.

"Wow," said Dick, as he turned away.

"Are you mad?" asked the blonde.

The two teens stopped near the fence that ran around the edge of the school grounds. Dick leaned his back against the fence, facing the school. Artemis faced out toward the street beyond the fence, with her back toward the school.

"No way," replied the teen with a quick grin. "Kind of cool to have my two best friends dating."

With a smile, Artemis looked out through the fence. A man was standing across the street and he drew her attention. An older man, with white hair and beard, appeared to be looking at them. Even though the man wasn't doing anything creepy, Artemis got a bad feeling. She glanced toward Dick. With the other teen's back to the street, Dick hadn't noticed the older man.

"Dick, is that..." said Artemis.

"What?" asked Dick, as he turned around. It didn't take him long to see who she meant. "Deathstroke."

The killer was wearing a black trench coat. While Deathstroke's face was for all the world to see, Dick couldn't tell if the killer was wearing his costume underneath the coat or not. There didn't appear to be any bumps under the coat, to suggest that Deathstroke was carrying his sword. Of course, the killer was a weapon himself. He didn't need his sword to kill.

"Why is he here?" demanded Artemis. "He's not here for your answer, is he?"

The killer smiled at them before his hands started moving. While Artemis realized the hand gestures meant something, she couldn't tell what Deathstroke was saying. But, by the way Dick was watching, Artemis figured the other teen did know. After a minute, Deahstroke stopped moving his hands. With a nod of his head, he walked away.

"Should we follow?" asked the blonde.

"No," came the quiet reply.

"What was all the gesturing about?" demanded Artemis.

"A.S.L.," replied Dick.

"A.S. what?" asked Artemis.

"American Sign Language," replied Dick.

"'So the gestures meant something?" asked Artemis.

When Dick nodded, Artemis waited for him to tell her what the killer said. When she realized he wasn't going to volunteer, she decided to ask. "Do you know what he was saying?"

"Yes," replied Dick.

Again, the blonde waited for the dark haired teen to tell her what the man said. With a sigh, Artemis realized that Dick wasn't going to volunteer anything. "What did he say, Dick?"

"He said he would be coming for his answer soon," said Dick.

...

AUTHOR'S NOTE: To be honest, I can't remember if Artemis knew ASL, but, for the sake of the story, I said she didn't. We're getting close to the end. Only two "chapters" left...