This might actually be the quickest update from me in a while, huh? Funny how things work.

As promised, there's action in this one. But it might be at the end, and... brief... Sorry about that.

And it's also a little longer than the last one. I think...

Anyway, you guys know the Disclaimer.

Chapter Eleven: Protection

Star City

October 16, 13:01 PDT (1:01 PM PDT)

Black Rose moaned as she struggled against the rope that kept her torso held against the chair she was in. She muttered curses as she also attempted to struggle out of the rope binding her hands together behind the chair.

After a minute Red Arrow began to protest. "Will you cut that out?"

Rose attempted to stare at him over her shoulder.

He was placed in an identical chair and his torso bound with the same rope around her torso. His hands were also tied behind the back of the chair.

Rose 'tsked.' "At least I'm trying to escape; all you're doing is sitting there!"

"I'm thinking up a plan, so stop struggling."

"You know, this wouldn't have happened if you had stayed at the harbor."

"So you're saying this is my fault?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. If you hadn't insisted on coming with me, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"You're right, we wouldn't. But you might be, ever think of that?"

Rose glared at the ground, not wanting to admit that the archer had a point.

She could likely be in this very situation, but without anyone to provide back-up; even if she found said back-up to be very irritating at the moment.

Rose finally sighed and closed her eyes, leaning her head against Arrow's.

She might as well help him think up a plan. After all, they were both stuck at the moment.

Mount Justice

October 16, 15:00 EDT (3:00 PM EDT)

"So what you're telling me is the team is being put into a telepathic training exercise, and I can't be apart of it."

"Correct"

"And remind me, why can't I be apart of this?"

Red Tornado interrupted Batman before he could answer Gabrielle. "I believe that it is because of Natalia."

Gabrielle stared at Batman again. "So you won't let me participate in the training exercise, but you'll send me on a mission to StarCity."

"I need someone to do reconnaissance in StarCity. Because the team is taking part in this training exercise-"

"Which I should be apart of, since I am apart of the team."

Batman glared at her as he continued. "You are the only one we have available to take on this mission."

"Why can't Green Arrow do it? It's his city."

"He is currently pursuing a top priority target in StarCity with Black Canary. It is only reconnaissance, which is why someone from this team was the prime choice."

"So then, how does Natalia play into all of this?"

Batman ignored her, before walking over to Martian Manhunter.

Gabrielle sighed and pulled her ninja mask out of her jacket pocket before securing it around the lower half of her face.

"Tornado, can you operate the Zeta-Beam for me?"

Tornado nodded and prepared the Zeta-Beam for use as Red Arrow walked up to Gabrielle. "I'm coming with you."

"No, you're not. Someone's going to watch Natalia." Gabrielle placed her hands on her hips. "If I'm going on a mission, that leaves you to watch her, therefore, you can't come."

Arrow crossed his arms. "I'm not the only person who can babysit her."

"Perhaps I may watch Natalia." Tornado spoke up.

"No, Arrow can do it." Gabrielle glared at Arrow.

"StarCity is my city, in case you've forgotten. I know it like the back of my hand, and it wouldn't be in the missions or Natalia's best interest if you got lost."

"Red Arrow will provide back up." Batman stared at the two teens. "Mission begins immediately."

Gabrielle stared at the Zeta-Beam before turning and walking through, Arrow on her heels.

Star City

October 16, 13:14 PDT (1:14 PM PDT)

Rose attempted to stare at Arrow from over her shoulder again. "Why were you so insistent on coming with me?"

Arrow moaned. "What? You're bringing this up again?"

"I want to know."

"I didn't want you to get lost, alright?"

Rose sighed and stared at the ground. "Whatever."

Arrow felt her lean her head against his again, and sighed.

He relaxed in his chair, and found his quiver and bow leaning against a crate on the other side of the room.

He stared at the items, before returning to his thoughts as he attempted to figure out an escape plan.

Star City

October 16, 12:27 PDT

Arrow and Rose were on different rooftops, both observing different angles of the warehouse.

Arrow put a hand on the communicator in his ear. "Rose, what are you seeing?"

"I'm seeing the same thing as you, just a different angle." Rose's irritated reply came a few minutes later.

Arrow sighed, and watched curiously as a few of the individuals in the warehouse suddenly left his view range.

"Rose, do you have eyes on those three individuals that just left?"

"No, do you?"

"No."

"Are we compromised?"

"I don't know. Let's regroup, just in case."

"Maybe they went to get something."

Arrow reached into his quiver and loaded an arrow into his bow. "It's better to be safe than sorry."

"Whatev- ow!"

"Rose? Rose what happened?"

He waited a moment, but received no reply.

It took him less than a minute before he was on the rooftop he had left Rose on.

He watched as one of the three individuals from the warehouse tossed an unconscious Rose over his shoulder.

Arrow quickly fired a 'punch' arrow at the other two men. As he readied to fire a third at the man holding Rose the man turned to face him.

"Would you really risk putting your team-mate in danger?"

Arrow glanced at the unconscious Rose, before staring at the man holding her.

The two stared at each other as Arrow determined the best course of action. The only option there was where Rose wouldn't be harmed was to surrender.

The mission was already a failure, they had been found. Now he was faced with a serious decision.

Would he fight and risk harming Rose in the process? It could only be minor injuries after all, she would heal eventually.

He suddenly remembered when Rose – Gabrielle at the time – had told him about the downside to her healing ability.

The other option was that he could surrender and figure out an escape plan later, reducing the chance of Rose being harmed.

Arrow stared at the unconscious Rose and sighed.

Returning the arrow to his quiver, he placed his bow on the ground before holding his hands in the air.

After that, he blacked out.