Artemis Chapter 5: The Truth

Author's Note and 'Disclaimer': I do not own the Teen Titans. I only own Artemis. I am but a meek little writer with a computer and ideas. So don't sue me. It's not like I have money anyway.

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Warm rays of sun wormed their way through the window of Artemis' bedroom,which greatly disturbed Starfire; who had taken over Artemis' room for the time being. Normally, Starfire would be one of the first ones in the Tower to welcome a new day, but last night's conversation had troubled her greatly, making sleep difficult. Regardless, she stretched and groaned, rubbing her eyelids. Hmm.. the time of morning has come already?

Over in the living room, Artemis was thinking the same thing. Due to her startlingly loud cell phone alarm, she had made a quick relationship with the hardwood floor. Cursing both the floor and her phone, she sat herself up and rubbed her nose, which had taken the brunt of the damage. Her phone, which had fallen with her, proudly displayed the time 9:05 on its screen. "Ah, it's morning!" she exclaimed with false cheeriness. "The birds are singing, the sun is shining," her face darkened, "and I have been cruelly awoken with no caffeinated beverage in sight." Artemis stood up, loosening her tensed muscles. She grabbed her phone and glared at it, before viciously turning it off and throwing it into her bag. "Well, now that I'm up, I might as well eat. I'll let Starfire sleep in a bit. Not everyone needs to be woken up this early."

Meanwhile, in her room, Starfire had already straightened out her clothes, made sure her hair was acceptable, and was prepared to leave the room. I think, at least for now, it is best to stay the positive. I will talk to Artemis about her sister at the Tower, with my friends to assist me. Just as she reached out to touch the doorknob, something jumped on her back, throwing her off balance. She screamed as she fell onto the floor.

Artemis heard the scream and dropped the box of cereal she had been holding. She bolted down the hall and threw her bedroom door open, and saw Starfire, cuddling a tiny black cat. "Oh," Artemis said, relieved. "Kahmet found you."

"Is that this glorious little bumgorf's name?" she asked, hugging the cat tighter. Kahmet seemed to be enjoying the attention. "I did not know such a tiny, adorable creature was capable of knocking me off balance."

Artemis laughed. "He has a habit of doing that." She held out her arms. "Come here, you little fuzzball." Kahmet stepped out of Starfire's arms, and ambled over to Artemis, who scooped him up. "I found this little guy in the streets of Cairo. He was starving and I felt sorry for him. He's followed me ever since. He usually sleeps in my room, but I guess he didn't realize I wasn't in there with him. He didn't scare you, did he?"

"A glorious little creature such as Kahmet would not scare me." Starfire smiled happily and patted him gently on the head. Kahmet perked up and mewed at the added attention he was getting.

Artemis tickled him behind the ears and he mewed softly. She put him down and he plodded his way into the kitchen. Starfire looked at Artemis. Even though Artemis didn't know it, what she had said the night before had had a deep impact on her. Artemis had been looking for Terra for almost two years without even knowing what happened to her. Starfire sighed deeply. Artemis needs to know what happened to her sister. I do not know if I alone can tell her however. Perhaps my other friends can help me tell her.

Artemis heard Starfire sigh. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Starfire plastered a big, fake smile on her face. She perked up, and walked out of the room, skipping to the kitchen. "Nothing is wrong," she called out over her shoulder. Everything is fantastic! Now, we must proceed with the packing of your personal items in small brown boxes! But first, we must consume the breakfast foods to properly start our day! Do not worry, I shall prepare the breakfast!" She half-ran, half-flew, out of the room.

Artemis groaned. "Heaven help me; she's a morning person, isn't she?" She closed the door behind her, and began to change into her regular clothes. After a few minutes though, she began to smell something a little- off. "Starfire," she called out dubiously," what are you cooking?"

"I am boiling the mustard for our breakfast enjoyment!" she yelled back.

Artemis shrieked, toppling over as she tried to put on her shoe. "You're what?!" She picked herself up, and peeked out of her doorway, waiting for an answer.

Starfire stopped stirring the mustard, and looked down the hallway curiously. "Is this problematic for you, Artemis?"

"Yes it's problematic! I'll be right there, just- stop boiling the mustard!" She put on the rest of her clothes in a hurry, and left her room, grumbling to herself as she ran to the kitchen. "Ugh, it is way too early in the morning for this!" she cried. "Okay," she said upon arriving to the kitchen, taking the pot from Starfire. "Starfire, you can sit down, and I'll make some normal, human food. Is that alright with you?"

Starfire nodded, sitting down in one of the chairs at the kitchen table. "Whatever gives you the most comfort, Artemis. Although, since you have elected not to boil the mustard, may I at least have some in a small glass?" she asked politely.

"Sure," said Artemis, who was pouring the charred mustard down the sink's drain. She winced in revulsion. "Just don't- boil the mustard again, okay?" After spraying the kitchen liberally with air freshener, Artemis managed to whip up two bowls of cereal(she drizzled mustard on Starfire's to appease her), and coffee. They ate quickly and silently, one because you do not interrupt Starfire while she's eating, and two because, well, Artemis wasn't quite sure what to say. Starfire gulped down her food in seconds, and waited patiently for Artemis to finish. As soon as she did, Starfire pulled her up, and ran around searching for the 'packing implements'.

"Hey, easy," said Artemis, finally pulling her hand out of Starfire's iron grip. "I got it all in my room."

After they got some boxes, tape, and bubble wrap from Artemis' room, they got straight to it. Over the next hour all of Artemis' mismatched silverware and pots and pans from the kitchen were sealed tightly in cardboard. Everything else but the TV was left in the living room, because Artemis insisted that everything else came with the room, and Artemis insisted that all of the furniture wasn't worth saving. Finally, after an hour of packing, the two arrived at Artemis' room.

Oil paintings, along with relics and souvenirs from various countries dotted the walls. A small bed with green sheets was nestled into the far corner of the room. The writing desk under the window was covered in books and half-finished sketches. An easel with a tray of dripping oil paints stood next to it. I did not realize yesterday that the room I slept in was such a sty of pigs. "Sorry," said Artemis sheepishly. "Normally I'm a bit of a neat freak, but I've been busy lately."

Starfire sighed. "It is alright. We merely have a large task ahead of us."

Starfire and Artemis took everything out of the room, save for the bed and the writing desk. They carefully wrapped up all of the artifacts in bubble wrap before placing them gently in boxes; all of Artemis' many books were packed away; her bedding and clothes were folded, and stored likewise. Then it came time to add the final item to the mountain of boxes: a gilded gold photo album, which had been lying on Artemis' ancient looking nightstand. Starfire had picked it up to pack away, when Artemis stopped her. "Can I look at that for a sec?" Starfire passed the album over to her, and began to stack the boxes. Artemis' picked it up and looked at it lovingly.

At the center of the front cover, there was a small picture of two people. A blonde man with green eyes stood proudly with his hands on the shoulders of a black haired woman with blue eyes. Their gaze was riveted on a small, black-haired bundle in the woman's arms, a baby. Their clothing and hair rustled in an unseen breeze. They were both smiling happily, and tears could be seen about to fall in the woman's eyes. A short, white marble building stood behind them. Creeping green ivy crawled up the walls, and through the tiled hallways by means of large skylights. The building seemed empty, but certainly large enough for a great deal of people.

Starfire smiled. "It is a most beautiful picture Artemis. Are those people your parents?"

Artemis jumped back slightly, startled. When she realized that Starfire was looking at the picture, she nodded. "That's my mother and father, Lenore and Aiden. This is the only picture I have of him."

"Why?" Starfire asked.

"When my father disappeared, she had all the pictures of him burned, except for this one. I think looking at them made her sad. She kept this one though, face down in a drawer for years, until I found it. She let me put it in the photo album, and I've had it ever since."

Starfire nodded. "I see." Starfire looked at the woman in the photo, then at Artemis. "You look very much like your mother," she said.

Artemis smiled. "Everyone used to say I was my mother's twin instead of her daughter, because we looked, sounded, and acted almost exactly alike. My eyes always gave it away though. I have my dad's eyes. It was the the same case with my sister. She got Father's blond hair, and Mother's blue eyes."

Starfire flinched inwardly. She was hoping that there were two teenage girls that controlled the Earth, and that Artemis' sister was not the villain that almost destroyed the city and the Titans, and was set in stone afterwards. But after hearing Artemis' description of her, she doubted that. "May I see a picture of your sister, friend Artemis?" she asked.

"Uh, sure, hold on a minute." Artemis opened the book and flipped through a couple pages until she found a good picture of Terra. "That's a group shot of the four of us that my mom took. Terra's on the left; then me; then Teraan; then Atalanta." Terra was sitting next to Artemis, with her legs crossed, and a huge smile on her face. She was waving at the camera and making a peace sign. Teraan sat next to Artemis with an arm wrapped around her shoulders. They were both smiling too. Another girl stood in the corner of the picture, practically hiding in the shade of the tree behind them. Her flaming auburn hair fell around her shoulders. Her hand was raised near her face, with sapphire tendrils of fire wrapping themselves around her hand. Her lips formed what could only be described as a mischievous smirk. So this is Atalanta. Curious, she does not look like a killer.

Starfire looked again at Terra. She was the mirror image of the girl she knew, but she seemed so much different. She looked happier, and yet depressed at the same time. She remembered what Artemis had said yesterday. That her sister, that Terra, was disliked by her peers. She didn't look like the girl who betrayed her, only to be betrayed in return. She looked like a sad little girl who hid her problems within a smile. A girl who's older sister was the exact opposite of her. Artemis has traveled so very far! How can we tell her that it was all for naught? Starfire sighed, and shut the album. "I knew her," she mumbled.

Artemis looked up, confused at her for shutting her album. "What? Who did you know?"

Starfire looked down at the ground. She didn't want Artemis to hear her. She didn't want to tell her what had happened to Terra. It seems though, that I have no choice. "I know your sister Artemis. I knew her very well."

Artemis' face was a mixture of shock, confusion and joy. "You know her? Where is she? Is she safe? Why didn't you tell me before? What am I going to tell her? I have so many things to say to her!" She sank down onto a box. "This is wonderful. After almost two years, I can see her again."

Starfire sat down on a box next to Artemis and put a hand on her shoulder. "As wonderful as that would be, I am afraid it is, as you humans say, complicated. I do not wish to tell you know, but when we get to the Tower, you need to be told."

Artemis leapt up. "Then what are we waiting for?! I need to call a truck to put my stuff in, we need to get to the Tower, and I can see my sister again!" I can't believe it is finally happening! I can see Terra again! We can be sisters, and be happy! And I can finally apologize to her. This is just too good for words.

Artemis ran over to the kitchen and grabbed the phone off the hook, and a phonebook that was lying nearby. She flipped through the pages in an excited frenzy, looking for the number of a moving van. She was leaving this place, and she was going to see her sister again.

Starfire approached behind Artemis. "Friend, I do not believe the truck of movement will be necessary. I would be happy to fly these boxes to the Tower. You could not have any more than ten of them." It was true. Artemis had very little personal possessions with the exception of her 'souvenirs', and those only filled about three of the cardboard boxes.

Artemis relaxed slightly and stopped flipping through the phonebook. "Oh, right." She laughed nervously. "I forgot that I was in the presence of a superhero. Well, since you offered, I'll get all the boxes outside the building, then we can leave."

Artemis bolted through the hallway, carrying the boxes back and forth with Starfire's help. She completely forgot how heavy some of the boxes were, she was too excited to leave. She looked at the apartment one last time. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was forgetting... "Kahmet!" Artemis ran inside and returned a few minutes later with Kahmet in the brown pack on her shoulders, his tiny black head peeking out curiously at his surroundings.

Artemis and Starfire burst through the door to the lobby, their arms laden with boxes. After a small goodbye to Steve, they were out. Artemis ran over to her motorcycle, with Starfire close behind. Artemis grabbed the chains on her bike, and pulled them off slowly, as not to damage the motorcycle's delicate finish. She re-adjusted two of the smaller boxes on the back of her bike, keeping them secure with the chains.

Artemis spared a glance at Starfire. She had to be holding at least seven boxes in her arms, but she didn't seem to mind. "Can you fly and hold the boxes at the same time? We could just go back and forth from here to where you live."

She shook her head. "I will be fine, Artemis. Do not worry."

"Okay, then." Artemis pulled on her helmet, and settled into the bike. "Now, where is this place?"

"You will find it for yourself, Artemis. I believe it sticks out like a thumb of soreness."

Starfire wasn't kidding. On the east side of town, in Jump City Bay, was a giant island with a huge steel T rising from the water. Artemis drove down to the pier and stared in awe at the giant structure. Then her logic kicked in, and she wondered how she was going to get there. Controlling the elements she could do, but she hadn't yet mastered the ability to do that and drive at the same time. She had tried it once, and as a result could not return to a certain part of Mexico. She turned to Starfire, who had landed beside her.

"Um, Star, how can I drive to the Tower if said tower is at least two miles out to sea?"

Starfire laughed. "Driving two miles into the sea will not be necessary, Artemis. Friend Cyborg has installed a bridge that allows normal vehicles to pass. It has made the delivery of pizzas many times more efficient."

Following Starfire's directions, Artemis found the bridge and drove across. After about five minutes she arrived at the immense building which was the Titan's Tower. Large windows stretched down the front of the structure, and they winked back the reflected light from the morning sun.

Artemis just parked the bike at the door, and dismounted. Holding her pack in her arms, she couldn't help looking up at the immense tower. The building towered over her and almost seemed to sway in the air. Starfire landed nearly soundlessly beside her, and set the boxes on the ground. "Are you ready to go inside?" she asked. Artemis nodded wordlessly, still transfixed by the huge building, and what lay inside. I can finally see my sister. This crazy quest can end, at least somewhat. Her thoughts were distracted when Starfire rang the doorbell.

The door opened with a slight whoosh, and a teenaged boy stepped out. Artemis stopped herself from doing a complete double-take. He's green! Completely, totally green! The green teenager gave Starfire a huge hug. "Where were you? Robin was worried sick! He's made up at least eight different schemes as to how Slade could have kidnapped you before we got him to calm down!" Starfire assured him that she was fine, and that she had chosen to spend the night with a new friend.

He seemed ready to pester Starfire with questions until he noticed Artemis. He stepped away from Starfire and walked over to her. He wasat least three inches taller than her, and his green eyes were alight with curiosity. "Who are you?" he asked.

Artemis extended a hand with a slight smile. "My name's Artemis. Can I come in?"

Beast Boy stared at the teenaged girl that stood before him. She was shorter than he was, but only by a few inches. She had black hair, and eyes that were almost as green as his.. She was dressed interestingly enough. Her black shirt fell below her shoulders, leaving them uncovered. Dark red armbands, bordered in thick strips of gold covered her forearms. She was wearing black pants and dark brown shoes. On her shoulders was a brown canvas backpack with a cat's head sticking out of it, still meowing loudly. Something about her made her seem so familiar, but he was certain he had never seen her before. It was such a strange feeling. Argh! This is making my brain hurt!

"Well have I passed inspection? Can I come in, please?"

Beast Boy realized with embarrassment that he had been staring at her for a few seconds too long. "Uh, yeah, sure! Mi casa es, um, something or other. Come in!" He stepped out of the doorway and allowed Starfire and Artemis to walk inside. He stared in awe at her motorcycle and then at the pile of boxes she had brought with her. He walked in the building and shut the door behind him. "Hey dudes! I found Starfire! And we have a guest!" He thought again of the nine boxes at the front door. I think she's gonna be here for a while.

Artemis walked around the building in awe. Wow, this hallway alone could swallow my apartment whole! Starfire took her by the hand and led her to what she thought was the living room. The green teenager that had let her in was trailing close behind. Two double doors kept the room from Artemis' sight. This was the place that Starfire stopped. She pressed a button next to the door, and the doors slid into the wall with a woosh. Three people were seated at an L-shaped couch watching T.V. on what had to be the biggest television set Artemis had ever seen. Her eyes were wide like saucers; taking in the high, cathedral-like ceiling, and the wall comprised solely of windows. The only person not transfixed by the T.V on the far side of the room was a violet-haired girl curled catlike on a chair, reading an extremely thick, bound leather book. "Dudes! Will you get away from the T.V. for, like, two minutes! We have a guest! And Starfire!"

At the mention of the word 'Starfire' one of the two boys ran over to where Artemis stood in a heartbeat. He was about her height, with spiky black hair, and clothes that made him look like a human traffic light. She assumed this was Robin. "Starfire! Are you all right? Were you kidnapped? Was it Slade? You didn't come back from the mall! We were worried sick! Were you injured? We saw that an explosion took place at the mall. Did you see it? Do you know who caused it? Where were you?" The poor guy was going to have a heart attack if he didn't shut up. Artemis walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"You know, you're going to make her head spin with all those questions."

Robin stared at her. "Who are you?"

She extended her hand. "Artemis, pleased to meet you." Robin shook the hand warily. "Now in answer to your many questions: One: Starfire wasn't kidnapped. She stayed at my apartment yesterday. She said that would be cool with you guys, something about you knowing she could take care of herself." Robin frowned. Starfire was right to say that, but it was still his job to worry about her, right?

Artemis continued talking. "Two: That explosion at the mall was Slade, trying to kill me, by putting a bomb on my motorcycle. She wasn't injured. I was. She was trying to help. I gave her a ride back to my apartment. We talked for a while, and it was kinda late, so she spent the night. She helped me pack up, since Slade knows where I am and I needed a new place to live. She told me I could stay here, which I hope is okay. After we drove over here; I rang the doorbell, the green dude let me in, and you started attacking Starfire with questions. I interrupted you, and that brings us back to the present. Now, do you need that in writing, or is that good enough?"

Robin just stared at her, and so did the other two people behind him. Beast Boy was still trying to process all the information in his head. Robin opened his mouth to speak. "So, let me get this straight. Slade tried to kill you, and Starfire found you afterwards. She then went back to your apartment, which is why we haven't seen her in a day. And she said you could stay here?"

Artemis took a step back. "Well, geez, if you don't want me to stay-"

"You can stay." said Beast Boy.

Everyone stared at him. "What? She needs help and a place to stay. Slade's trying to kill her. I mean, helping people is, like, our job."

"Well still, it's not like we can just-"

Starfire took it upon herself to intervene. "Please, may friend Artemis stay? I would be most pleased with this arrangement." Starfire completed her statement with the one thing she knew Robin could not resist: Her "starry eyes", or as Beast Boy and Cyborg called them, her "fabulously large, ultra anime eyes of DOOM". It was those eyes that enabled her to be able to watch Disney movies on movie night, and she was certain it could also get Artemis a place to stay.

She could tell Robin was already entranced by the eyes by the way he was rubbing the back of his neck, as he so often did when he was unable to make a decision. "Well, uh, if Star and Beast Boy think-"

"What he means is, since hisgirlfriend thinks it's alright, you can stay here," finished Cyborg.

Robin took the opportunity to glare murderously at Cyborg. "She is not my- oh, forget it. You can stay."

Starfire leapt up, and did a flying victory lap around the room. "Glorious!"

"Sweet!"

Raven lifted an eyebrow in interest. "Wonderful, really. Just don't eat from whatever survived the war in the fridge last week, and you should be fine."

"Thanks," said Artemis. "Now, I know your names," pointing to Robin and Starfire, "But what about the rest of you?"

"I'm Beast Boy," said the green teenager. "And the 6'1" half-man, half-robot behind you is Cyborg. And the girl who is still reading instead of greeting you is Raven." Raven slid the book down so that her eyes were exposed, and she gave Artemis a slight wave.

"Hi. So, uh, would you all mind helping me unpack?"

After collecting the few boxes Artemis had, they walked through the halls as Artemis searched for a room. Finding one she stopped. "I'll take this one. I don't want to keep us walking any longer."

The Titans stared at the room she had chosen. It was Terra's room. Her old room before she betrayed the Titans. It was odd Artemis had chosen this room out of all the rooms available at the Tower.

"Are you sure you want this one?" Beast Boy asked. "I mean, we have other rooms."

"No, I'll take this one." Artemis looked at Beast Boy. He seemed to be avoiding looking at the room, like he was- scared? It's just a room. Why would he be so freaked out about it? I wonder if it's haunted. That'd be cool.

"I'll unpack my stuff and meet you downstairs when I am done." Artemis walked in with the boxes and shut the door. The Teen Titans stood outside, still shocked at the room she had chosen. "It was merely a coincidence." Raven said after a while. "She had no way of knowing whose room it once was."

"Still, it's pretty freaky." said Beast Boy.

"Yo, BB's got a point. She shows up outta nowhere, asks to stay here, and the first place she picks isher room? That and the fact that Slade's after her. I don't know, it just seems a bit odd, that's all," said Cyborg.

Starfire frowned. Fabulous. They suspect. "I am sure that Raven is right. It is merely a coincidence," said Starfire.

"You're probably right, Star. But we should probably just wait downstairs until she comes out. Then we can ask her about all this," said Robin.

The Titans did just that. An hour or two later, the doors in the main room slid back, and Artemis walked in. "That room is nice. Whoever painted it definitely has style," she said. She sat down at the table with the other Titans, and smiled. "Thank you for letting me stay here. I don't know where else I would have gone."

"It's no problem. But if you don't mind telling us, what does Slade want with you? Why does he want you dead?" asked Robin.

"That, Robin, is a very long story, but, if you don't mind hearing it..." Robin shrugged. "Go ahead." And with that she told her tale. When she finished the Titans were all sitting wide-eyed, more curious and interested than ever; with the exception of Raven, who took in all the information with her usual expressionless face.

Robin frowned, processing her story and analyzing it. "So if what you're saying is true; Slade killed all of your people."

She nodded. "Yes, that's right."

He furrowed his brow. "But how? Slade is many things, but even he would be hard-pressed to destroy an entire village of super-powered people."

"We were off guard, and unprepared. Not to mention he had known us all for years, and programmed his drones to scan for any weakness he knew we had. The lake and river was covered in oil and set on fire, so no one could use it. They threw smoke bombs to dirty the air. It was heavily organized genocide, and we could do nothing to stop him." She stretched out the 'nothing' in her sentence, like she was holding onto it for justification.

"And the girl that joined him, Atalanta? I'd like to know her whereabouts, if you know them." Robin asked.

Artemis looked down at the table, before looking back up at Robin. "She is - somewhere. I don't know where. She left with Slade, and I have not seen her since."Since I killed her, I mean. Her stomach plummeted at the memory, but she forced herself to keep calm.

"I see," said Robin. "Maybe she ran away." Or maybe Slade killed her. I don't want to bring that up though. Atalanta was her best friend after all.

"Yeah, maybe," Artemis replied. "Now you know everything about me. But there is something I need to know. Where is she?"

"Where is who?"

"My sister. Starfire said you knew her. I-is she here?" Hope shined in her eyes.

"Your sister? What's her na-"

Starfire cut her off, and put her hands on Artemis' shoulders, steering her towards the main doors. "Friend Artemis! Perhaps a picture of your sister would be more helpful."

"Good idea, Starfire. I'll be right back!" Artemis raced out the room.

Beast Boy looked at Starfire oddly. "Star, what was that about?"

"Friends, I would advise you to do the bracing of yourselves." She sat back down, and watched the door nervously.

"I got it!" Artemis ran in with a photo in her hands. "Here." She slapped the photo down on the table. The others leaned in to look at the photo. "No," said Raven. "It's impossible."

"That's your sister?! That's Terra!" yelled Beast Boy.

Artemis stared him, confused by his outburst. "Well, yeah. That's her nickname anyway. What is it? What's wrong? Did something happen to her? Is she safe?" Her voice was filled with concern and worry, like a mother would over her child.

Robin motioned to an empty chair. "Artemis, you might want to sit down for this."

Artemis heard everything. How her sister worked for Slade. How she tried to kill the Titans. And how she let herself die for the city, becoming a stone statue in the process. And how Beast Boy said she was at a boarding school in the city, with no memory of the past whatsoever. Artemis was completely and totally shocked. "No! You're lying to me! P-please tell me this is your idea of a joke!"

"It isn't a joke, Artemis. It's true." said Beast Boy sadly.

"I-I need to go for awhile." Her voice sounded distorted, like she was talking through water. She got up and ran out of the room, leaving Terra's picture on the table.

Robin looked at her as she ran out of the room. "We should go talk to-"

BEEP BEEP BEEP

"Scratch that." He ran over to a computer screen. "Overload and Cinderblock have broken out of jail and are causing havoc in the downtown area. Titans, go!"

They started to run out of the room, when Robin noticed Beast Boy hadn't moved. "Beast Boy, are you coming?"

"I'm staying." Robin stopped and stared at him, as did the other Titans. "She needs someone to talk to. She's traveled the world to say she was sorry to her sister, to Terra, and she just found out Terra's doesn't remember a thing. She just learned that her little sister used to work for Slade. Does that sound like something you could handle on your own?" he finished simply.

"If we need you, we'll call." And with that Robin disappeared through the door, leaving Beast Boy alone. Now or never. He picked up Terra's picture and walked into the hallway that led to Ter- Artemis' room. He was about to knock on it, but he hesitated. He had made a point of not even walking near her room after what had happened.

What am I supposed to say to her? "I'm sorry your sister worked for Slade, was turned to stone, tried to kill me, and now doesn't even remember any of it?" Or should I just get her a Hallmark card? Why am I arguing with myself? I should just knock already! What's wrong with me??

Without thinking he knocked on the door. Why did I do that!? Maybe if I run off fast enough, she'll think it was the wind. Yeah. Right. Oh, man, I can hear her moving closer on the other side of the door! Just turn into a fly or something! No, then she might swat at me. Do it! No! Do it! No! Why are all these random thoughts popping into my head!? Just-

"Beast Boy? W-what is it?" Artemis was standing in the door frame. Her cheeks and eyes were red from crying. She was holding a crumpled tissue in her hand. "Uh," was all Beast Boy could manage to say. Nice going, Mr. 'I won't transform into a fly'! Now she's going to thing you're stupid! Great first impression! Wait, why do I care what she thinks? It's not like she can be too judge-y right now. Argh, saysomething, you idiot!

"You, uh, you left your photo on the table," he said, holding up the photograph.

"Oh, thanks." Artemis took it out of his hand and walked into the room. She sat down on her bed and stared at the photograph. She vaguely remembered Beast Boy was still standing there. "D-do you want to come in?" she asked, embarrassed she had left him standing there. "Sure," he said warily. He hadn't been in Terra's room for a while. "Beast Boy, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"Why are you acting like this room is evil? You wouldn't even look at it when I picked it."

"It was, uh, her room."

Artemis looked up at this. "Oh," was all she said. Great; I'll have fun trying to sleep in here. Still, she felt attached to the room already.

Beast Boy walked over to Artemis and sat next to her on the bed. She was still staring at the photograph that she had shown them. "It's, uh, it's a nice picture." Beast Boy knew he wasn't very good at the whole 'counseling' thing. But he figured if he just kept talking, she might answer. It worked with Raven, but he figured Artemis might have something else to say instead of 'Leave me alone, grass stain, or be sent to another dimension'. Then again, it might have been eight in the morning, and he might have spilled her tea. He shuddered at the memory. Raven had come awfully close the last time, before Robin and Starfire held her down.

"She was all I had left."

Beast Boy realized he had zoned out again, and had completely forgotten Artemis was there. "What do you mean she was all you had left?" he asked.

"Slade killed all my friends and teachers back home. My mother's dead. Now that Terra's gone, I'm the only Elemental on Earth. I'm the last of my kind, that I know of. It's all his fault. But it's my fault too. My mother said it was my duty to protect her from the evils in the world. I was supposed to find her, and help her. I was supposed to be her big sister, and I failed miserably."

"I know it may not mean much, but she was happy. I mean, I thought she was. We were friends before Slade. Look, I'm sorry for what happened to you. But you have to look at the bright side, even though it's kinda small. You aren't dead. You can still make a difference."

Artemis sat there, her back facing his. Then she turned around to face him. "Thank you," was all she said.

"For what?" he asked.

"For being her friend," she replied simply. "She had too few people show her kindness. I only wonder if she's happy now."

"You know her school is like, a ten minute drive away. She may not have remembered me but-"

"No. Whatever she's doing, she's happy now. I won't mess up her life like I did before."

"Do you want to do something? Like, something fun?" He picked up a pack of cards sitting on the table. "You wanna play cards?" he suggested, waving the cards hopefully.

Artemis smiled slightly and took the cards from Beast Boy's hand. "Why not?" she said smiling. "Do you know how to play poker?"

"Man! Where did you know how to play like that?" said Beast Boy, throwing his cards down for the fifth time.

"Around," she said plainly. "My friends and I always used to play whenever we weren't training." She frowned. "We picked the game up from one of the Masters." As Beast Boy saw her suddenly place her cards on the floor; he realized what Master it must have been.

Beast Boy raised an eyebrow. "What were you people training for, exactly?"

Artemis shrugged. "Self defense, I suppose. The Masters never gave us a straight answer, but who were we to argue with them?"

"Good point," said Beast Boy. He left the conversation there. He didn't want to risk having her cry again.

After three more games, they finally stopped playing. "So do you feel a little better now?" asked Beast Boy.

Artemis nodded. "Yeah. A little. Thanks."

It was silent for a few seconds before Artemis spoke again. "I'm going to miss her."

"So will I," said Beast Boy. "But like you said, she's happy now."

"I hope she is."

They were both interrupted in their thoughts by a small black cat who started to nudge Beast Boy's leg.

"Cool cat! Can I pet him?"

"Sure. Kahmet is friendly." To show off his 'friendliness', Kahmet started purring, and nestled quite comfortably in Beast Boy's lap.

Beast Boy started to pet Kahmet. "That's a weird name. Where did you get him?"

"I found him eating food out of my pack when I was in Egypt."

"Dude! You went to Egypt! Cool! Hey, I know a mummy joke. Wanna hear it?"

"Sure. Why not."

"What's a mummy's favorite music?"

"What?"

"Wrap!" Beast Boy started laughing hysterically, and Artemis found herself chuckling lightly. His sense of humor might be a little childish, but at least he's trying to get me to have fun. Beast Boy noticed her smile, and he grinned himself. Alright, score one for Beast Boy!

"So what's it like in Egypt?" asked Beast Boy, once his gales of laughter had subsided.

"Very dry and hot. It was like taking a trip back in time. Pyramids and sphinxes still remain, scattered throughout the desert. It was, all in all, an exciting place, with interesting people, and a remarkable culture. I would like to return sometime, under better circumstances."

"Did you get any souvenirs? Y'know, besides the cat?"

"I did a few things. Hold on a sec, let me get them." She got up and rummaged through a box for a few seconds before finding what she was looking for. When she found them, she took them out of the box, and sat back down next to Beast Boy, two items clutched in her hand. It was a necklace and a ring.

The chain on the necklace was a plain black leather cord, but it was what was on the cord that was so important. It was a tiny silver anhk, a T shape with a loop at one end. "This symbol's supposed to mean something important, but I just thought it looked nice."

She held up the other item in her hand, the ring. A golden snake wrapped around itself twice, before it's head came up against the body, forming the ring. Two small blue sapphires served as it's eyes. "Woah." Beast Boy was entranced by the snake ring, the way its eyes caught the light. "Way cool. I like the ring. So, do you feel like leaving the room anytime soon? It's like one in the afternoon, if you want lunch."

Artemis nodded. "Lunch would be nice. What do you have?"

Beast Boy scratched the back of his neck. "Uh, are you a vegetarian by any chance?"

Artemis laughed. "Not even close. Sorry."

Beast Boy sighed. "Darn. Well, do you like tofu?"

She shrugged. "It's good in ginger soup, but that about does it for me."

"Oh. So, do you want to just call in pizza, then?"

She smiled. "Now pizza, I like."

"Good. Be prepared to eat that a lot around here. Besides breakfast, most of us are too lazy to cook."

"It better be good pizza, then," she joked. "C'mon. I'll race you downstairs."

"You are so on!"

With that, they raced downstairs into the kitchen. Beast Boy called in the pizza, and Artemis preoccupied herself with the fabulously large television set. Once the order was placed, Beast Boy joined Artemis on the couch. "So, do you like videogames?" he asked.

Artemis smiled. "Are you kidding? I love video games."

"Well in that case, I challenge you to an all-out duel in Super Zombies III: Multiplayer!"

She laughed. "Well, in that case, prepare to lose!"

When the other Titans walked in, Beast Boy and Artemis were in their third battle. It was tied so far. After her defeat in the first battle, Artemis had insisted on a 'Best-two-out-of-three' deal. Both of them were engrossed in the game, and didn't notice when they walked in. "Uh, BB? Artemis? We're home!" Cyborg called out anxiously.

"Where are they?" wondered Robin.

"Maybe Artemis killed Beast Boy and saved me the trouble of listening to his awful jokes."

Starfire gave Raven's elbow a slight nudge. "Friend Raven! Do not wish such bad things upon your friend!" chided Starfire.

She shrugged. "Just because he's my friend doesn't mean his jokes don't suck."

"Uh, guys?" Robin called out. "We're back. Cinderblock and Overload are behind bars. Again. Guys?" Robin was getting more worried. They still hadn't responded yet.

The four Titans walked cautiously into the living room. Before they opened the door, they could hear Beast Boy scream. "Noooo!"

Without thinking, they threw open the door. What they saw was a comically mad Beast Boy, and the words GAME OVER written in big bold letters on the T.V. screen. Artemis was hanging over the couch, game controller in hand. She was laughing hysterically.

"Did you think your vampire-zombie could defeat my Mage?" She asked, poking Beast Boy, who was still writhing on the floor. "Did you?" After a few minutes of watching Beast Boy storm around, Artemis noticed the other Titans. "Hey, you guys are back! We called in pizza."

She was interrupted by a loud doorbell ringing throughout the living room. "That's the pizza! I'll get it!" With that Artemis leapt off the couch and out of the room.

Beast Boy walked over to the other Titans. "Hey guys. What's up?"

They were more curious than anything else. "What did you say to her?" asked Raven. "When we left, she was in tears."

Beast Boy shrugged. "I doubt she's okay with it, but she stopped crying at least. It was weird talking to Artemis. It was like talking to her again." Raven didn't push the matter. She knew perfectly well who he was referring to.

At that point, Artemis re-entered the room, with six pizza boxes stacked high in her arms. "Alright! I've got a personal veggie lover's pizza; a personal meat lover's pizza;two personal plain cheese pizzas; a, uh, personal mustard-pickle-pinapple pizza with mint frosting; and a personal chicken ranch pizza for me! Let's eat!" They all sat around the table, and Artemis slid each pizza box in front of the corresponding Titan, before sitting down with her own.

Cyborg pried a sausage chunk off of his pizza, and was holding it temptingly in front of Beast Boy's face. "C'mon, BB, eat the nice meat," said Cyborg.

Beast Boy smacked the sausage chunk away. "DUDE! I've been most of those animals! I'm not eating my own kind!" Artemis looked at the two of them, namely an indignant Beast Boy. Makes sense he's a vegetarian.

Artemis watched them all eat their lunch. Beast Boy and Cyborg were having a fight about meat and tofu, with Robin trying to break them up. Starfire was attacking her pizza with ferocity, while Raven was barely eating, and watched the rest of them with a bored expression. Artemis caught Raven's eye, and they shared a quiet eye-roll at Beast Boy and Cyborg's antics. 'Boys' Raven mouthed. Artemis couldn't help but laugh a little. It's weird. Being here. It's almost like being at home.

END

Author's Notes: You know the drill. Read and review, and no one gets hurt. I love Egypt. It was one of my ambitions to go there, but in our current situation in the world, that won't happen anytime soon(le sigh). I'm at a loss, by the way. I mean THIRTY SIX REVIEWS!!! A big thank you to all that have reviewed. It really means a lot to me that there are people who enjoy my writing out there.

Artemis out.