I don't own Young Justice.

A/N: A little quicker this time, right? It's a little long, but has a lot packed into it. Hope you enjoy. And don't forget to...

Read. Review. Enjoy.

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THIRD PERSON POV

She sputtered to life, coughing as she attempted to catch her breath. The room was shaded and cool, making her nervous. All rooms with this type of climate that she had been in were experimentation rooms. Immediately, she began to panic. She sat up quickly andjumped down, heart rate rising.

"Where am I? What do you want?" Vanessa didn't recognize anyone, and she was steadily losing control.

"Where's Alex?" her voice screamed. She was about tobegin firing when a pair of firm hands wrapped around her from the back. Though she tried desperately to pull free, the arms held firm.

She settled down enough to realize that these weren't the people she thought they were. These were her early rescuers. Her body relaxed.

"Wally?" Vanessa asked as she recognized the hands holding her back.

"The one and only Wall-Man. You're not gonna go berserk again are you?"

"No."

He released her and stepped back. Vanessa walked back to her seat and analyzed all the information coming at her.

"You guys...saved me?"

"Why wouldn't we?" Kid Flash responded.

"Because when we left, we…"

"Calm down Vanessa. You guys are kids, I mean you wouldn't be if you didn't. It's okay. Don't worry about it," Robin answered.

"Speak for yourself," Superboy stated under his breath.

"How? I thought I was a goner."

"Kaldur saw you falling and dived in to save you," Miss Martian stated.

She turned her attention to the leader. He nodded in acknowledgement of her gaze. No words needed to be said, the silence explain it all.

"Thank you. For a while, I didn't think you guys were coming." She let the sentence trail off.

"Why wouldn't we?" Wally asked, but she didn't answer. It had little significance now that they had actually saved her. That's when she realized she was alone. Alex wasn't there with her.

"Where's Alex?" she asked, concerned again filling hertone.

"Wait. He's alive, but we saved you instead?" Superboy frowned.

"Superboy," M'gann chided.

"Yes he's alive," Vanessa answered indignantly. "Why didn't you guys save him? We have to go back."

"Yeah, let's do that. And while we're at it, you and yourbrother get recaptured and we'll get the living daylight kicked out of us. Great idea," Superboy rolled his eyes.

"Superboy," M'gann again chided.

"What Superboy means is when we were looking for you we used your energy signatures. Yours is off the charts, but his is only a little above normal. The first few days his was dim while yours was at full power. And a few days after that there was only you. Usually when an energy signatures can't be found, the person is dead," Robin explained.

"But he's not. We have to save him. He won't make it another week." Vanessa began to panic, hyperventilating.

"Vanessa calm down, we'll get him." Kid Flash tried to comfort.

"Vanessa, as Kid Flash said, we will rescue your brother. But as Superboy had stated, if we attempt to rescue now, we will be vastly outnumbered, and the odds are not in our favor. We will regroup and attempt another rescue at a more appropriate hour. But believe us Vanessa, you and Alex will be reunited soon." Aqualad explained. He gave her a small smile to hopefully ease her worry, but it did very little.

Vanessa sat all the way back hoping to be lost in the dark. She wanted her brother especially after the stunt they tried to pull. B'rnazz was no doubt torturing him at that very moment. That's when the visual of Artemis resurfaced in her head. She flinched slightly.

"Where's Artemis?" she asked looking to the empty seat of the six, a tentative tone in her voice.

Everyone slightly paused.

Wally spoke. "When you two were captured, Artemis was severely hurt. She had to have an emergency operation about a week ago." His expression was solemn, not joking as it usually was.

Robin quickly intervened seeing Vanessa face light upwith horror. "She's not dead though. She's actually recovering well. Should be back in action in a couple of days."

A small sense of relief washed over the little girl as she slumped slightly in her chair. She rode in silence therest of the ride, her brother and the only other person that truly cared for her running through her mind.

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The Bioship landed in the cargo bay of the cave. Everyone cleared out quickly, Vanessa following the members of the Team. M'gann saw she wasn't herself as she closed the organic ship. She didn't need her telepathy to see that she was in deep emotional distess,shutting down so no one could hurt her for the moment. She watched the little girl walk to the living area, and sit in the bar stools in front of the kitchen, appearing even smaller.

M'gann came over to her, hoping she could make her feel any better. She had been through a lot, so she couldunderstand her emotions, but that didn't make it any more healthy.

Vanessa closed her eyes thinking maybe she could block the world out. She heard footsteps approaching her as she lost herself in her subconscious. She heard the chair squeak as someone sat in it. The light noises signified to her that it was a female, and since Artemis was out, it only left Miss Martian. She opened her eyes and greeted her, barely audible.

"Hi M'gann."

"Hey Vanessa, mind if I join you?"

The girl shrugged apathetically. At this point, she was to much in her feelings for it to matter.

"I don't have to read your mind to know something is severely upsetting you. Your apathetic and quiet which is unusual for you. So what's wrong?"

Vanessa really wanted to tell someone, but was too embarrassed to mention a mistake this detrimental to the Team. So she lied with the next best thing.

"I just really miss my brother. I don't do much without him. I just hope he's okay."

M'gann reached for the girl's hand, and smiled as she looked up, hoping to reassure her.

"We'll get your brother back. It'll all be fine."

Vanessa nodded still not convinced. She knew the Martian was doing her best, and though she still had a slight hatred to her kind, she couldn't find in her at this moment to be mad at her for her efforts. She felt alone, and her presence was surprisingly comforting. She didn't really want the Martian to leave.

But with no response from Vanessa, Miss Martian was about to dismiss herself, seeing she wasn't making much progress. She let her hand go, and stood to go about her business. She was surprised that she had done it. Only a week ago, the girl had hated her very existence, nearly leaving her a vegetable with her tortured mind. But here she was trying to comfort her, unable to deny her kind nature. How the tables have turned.

She started for the corridor.

"Where are you going?" Vanessa asked, a slight taste of panic laced in her words.

The Martian turned around.

"I just thought I'd go visit Artemis. Did you want to come?"

She didn't want to be alone, but facing Artemis was going to be difficult. That would mean facing her mistake head-on. However, she couldn't let M'gann know that something was wrong in that manner. She struggled to her answer, following the hesitation.

"Oh. I mean… I can, but I just don't… I mean I…"

"You don't have to if you don't want to."

"No. I… I want to go."

"Follow me then."

Vanessa got up and followed the teen. She knew whatwas about to happen next was going to be bad.

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The TV droned on. Artemis could hardly stay awake as she drifted in and out of consciousness. She rested her head in her hand, losing the battle to sleep.

Wally walked in, smiling as he noticed Artemis. He went to the TV and turned it off. She started stirring immediately.

"I was watching that," she said groggily.

"Sure you were. The TV said you had nice eyelids by the way."

She smiled, sitting up in the hospital bed. "How'd the mission go?"

"How do you know we had one?"

"You're in different clothes than before you left."

"Oh yeah, it was fine. Nothing really happened."

"Well, it's better than being in here all day. I hate this. I could've gone with you guys today. I feel fine, but they won't even let me train. I just need to hit something. Get all this stress out. I swear if I stay in here any longer, I'mgoing to crack."

Wally knew she was upset. He changed the subject before things got too sore.

"What movie were you watching?"

Artemis's face instantly lightened. "A ninja dad wanted her ninja daughter to kill her ninja boyfriend from a rival ninja clan."

"You're lying. Bet it paralleled your life."

"Yeah, it's a real movie. But it's ninjas not assassins. My family is full of assassins."

"Cuz there's a difference right?"

"There is actually. Ninjas always dress in shozoku. Assassins wear whatever they can to fit in. Ninjas use traditional weapons. Assassins use the most effective weapon. Most importantly, ninjas travel in clans, and assassins travel at most in groups of two. They're mainly loners."

"They still sound the same to me. I mean I guess they're a little different, but not different enough to matter. They both dedicate their lives to martial arts right? Sneak up on people? They're still the same in my book."

"Well then you need a new book. But a lot of things don't differ enough to matter. The difference between a hero and a villain is just what side of the law they're on. And a lot of people blur it."

"Point taken. But regardless, I wouldn't say you're an assassins. Those traits don't really fit you. And I wouldn't define you by your family's sins. You're your own person, well ninja."

Artemis smiled shyly at Wally, and he returned the same. For a second, they locked eyes and seemed to share an intimate moment. Everything lost priority as only the other person in the room became important. They started to lean toward each other when they were interrupted by a knocking on the door.

Artemis quickly pulled back and turned her head, angry at herself for getting involved in something like that. She took a minute to answer the door. "Come in," she said.

M'gann's cheerful face entered the room.

"Hi Artemis. How are you?"

"Hey M'gann. I'm fine, thanks."

"Well I came to visit, but I brought a visitor with me."

Vanessa timidly stepped from behind the door. She avoided Artemis's piercing gaze, and fidgeted with her hands.

"Hi Artemis," she said under her breath.

Artemis just looked at her and turned her attention back to Wally.

"You know Wally, something else I thought of that makes assassins different. Assassins aren't loyal. They don't care if others get hurt as long as they get what they want, even if it is a loved one. Assassins are cold and heartless, putting up a mask to everyone else." She put stress on every word she felt applied to Vanessa. She was seething with anger, and it was starting to show on her face.

There was an awkward silence in the room. Wally wasthe first to speak.

"Okay Artemis. No one was talking about that. Are youokay? Your face is starting to turn red."

"I'm fine, I'm just really hot."

"I can bring you a fan," M'gann offered.

"No, I'll be fine. How was the mission?"

"How did you know we had a mission?"

"You're still in your uniform M'gann."

"Uh, hello M'gann." She shifted into her civilian clothes.

"It was just a rescue," Wally answered for her.

"So you guys saved the Terror Twins. So Vanessa, where's your better half? Did you put him in a coma when he helped you escape?"

"Artemis," M'gann scolded.

Artemis ignored the Martian, staring intently at the little girl. Vanessa began to shift uncomfortably. She knew what Artemis was referring to.

"Artemis, I'm sorry."

Artemis exploded. "Sorry for what? That you nearly killed me or that your kidnapper didn't say prison was all you thought it would be?"

"You don't understand. I… I was confused."

"About what? You don't know the difference between being tortured and being cared about? I mean I guess I can understand if no one cares for you."

Vanessa stood silent. She knew this was a bad idea. She was guilty, and Artemis had every right to be mad. She just wanted it to all go away.

"I can heal you."

"I don't want you to touch me. Superboy was right. Bunch of snot nosed kids who can't do anything for yourselves. I should've left you and your brother in the water. Figure it out on your own."

"Artemis!" M'gann yelled, surprised by the actions of her friend.

"Yeah Artemis, what are you doing?" Wally said, surprised as well.

"Oh the little worm didn't tell you? Why don't you read my mind."

M'gann looked at Wally, who nodded in agreement. Her eyes glowed green as she entered into her teammates mind. She flinched at initial contact as the anger was felt in full force. But soon her face was twisted into utter surprise. Wally's brows furrowed as hesaw what Vanessa had been so adamantly trying to hide.

They soon emerged from the memory, expressions not changing. They all turned to look at the girl capable of such damage.

"Vanessa, why?" M'gann said softly, scaring the girl even more so.

Vanessa began fidgeting again. "I don't know okay. I panicked. He told me that you guys were using me. I didn't want that. Not again."

"Use you?! We don't need you, what good would usingyou do for us? If we really wanted to, life here could havebeen way worse than life there."

"I just believed him. I didn't know who to trust. I never have. You wouldn't understand. You're not me."

"You have trust issues? Spend one day in my life. So don't tell me how I don't understand. All I need to understand is standing in front of me is a stubborn, stupid little girl that can't control her powers to save her life and doesn't know what she wants. Just get out Vanessa."

"Artemis, I-"

"Get out!"

Vanessa clenched her fists forcing a large amount of energy out at Artemis. M'gann diverted it with her mind, but when she looked up to address the girl, she had already stormed out.

She instead turned to her teammate.

"Artemis, I understand your frustration, but was all that necessary?" she said sternly.

"Are you kidding me? She deserved every bit of that. I'm tired of sticking up for her and taking the blame for everything she does."

"Artemis, she is nine years old with a tortured past. She can't understand to our full capacity."

"What's there to understand? I did everything I could to make her see I cared for her. And my reward? I get betrayed and nearly killed. I think she understands enough. If she rather be with that double crossing Martian who kidnapped her, fine. I don't want nothing to do with her."

"So this goes past physical injuries?"

"M'gann, I don't need a shrink. And this isn't one of your shows where every problem can be solved in under30 minutes. This is real life, real emotions. You wanna play Dr. Phil, the brat's outside since you're on her side anyway."

"I'm not on a side, I just want the right thing for everyone."

"Whatever."

M'gann sighed. She knew she wouldn't change her mind, and there was no point in arguing.

"Okay Artemis. I hope you get well soon." And she walked out.

Wally and Artemis watched as M'gann walked away, another awkward silence lingering in the air.

"Well that escalated quickly."

Artemis ignored him, looking off to some other corner of the room.

Wally sighed. "Look, Artemis-"

"I don't want to hear if you think I'm wrong. I'm not going to change my mind. You wanna stick up for her too, then maybe you should follow her."

"I was just going to ask what you wanted to watch on TV since you're clearly not in the mood to talk. But ticked Artemis is here and I like any other Artemis, but that one."

He walked over to the door, pausing before he walked out.

"Earlier you were talking about ninjas and assassins. Iwas convinced you were a ninja no matter what you said, but after that display, I guess you were right about belonging to the family business. Good night Artemis."

He stepped out and closed the door behind him, leaving Artemis to wallow in her thoughts.

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Alex head was throbbing. He had never felt a pain like this before. He opened his eyes to shut them again. The light making the head pain even worse. He tried again togain a bearing of his surroundings. He had managed to escape from under the tree. He looked up and saw Derek, unconscious, being dragged by two guards to none other than evil incarnate, B'rnazz.

"What do we do with him sir?"

B'rnazz took a disgusted look at him. "Take him to ISO. I'll deal with him later."

From the corner of his eye, the Martian saw Alex stir. He swiftly walked over to the boy.

"Well look who finally woke up. Enjoy your beauty sleep?"

Alex tried to get up to escape, but B'rnazz pushed himback down forcefully, standing on his back.

"I wouldn't get up if I were you. Otherwise, I might have to do this," he growled out, kicking the boy in the stomach. Alex crumpled back to the ground.

"You see you and your ignorant waste of space for a sister have put me through a lot of hell lately. And someone has to pay for it, and since your sister's not here, well…"

"Where is she?" he asked, mustering his voice to say it.

"Well, let's see. She didn't resurface, and her body wasnever found, I'll let you determine what that means." B'rnazz gave one of his signature sinister smiles.

Alex felt his heart drop. His sister couldn't be dead, but with the evidence, it had to be true.

B'rnazz broke off to the sound of the guards.

"And with this one sir?"

Sierra started to arouse, looking confused and in pain. B'rnazz walked over to her. "Well look who it is." He grabbed her cheeks and studied her.

"My my my you've matured haven't. It's been awhile since you started trouble. And of all the ones to waste it on, you pick those two. That's precious. You thought you could help them out. You can't even help yourself. Look at you. You'd be useless if it wasn't for Wellsworth's implant."

"Still enough to stop you."

"Really? I have always liked that fighter spirit in you. But you think you actually have a chance at stopping me? Well show me. Guards release her."

The guards stepped to the side. Sierra struggled to get to her feet. She place her right foot under her and used that as well as arms to push herself up. Though she nearly fell, she got up as quickly as she could.

"Ready when you are."

"Impressive. But I'm sure after all that effort it took you just to stand, I could eliminate you with my eyes closed."

"Standing is just just half the battle."

"I suppose it is. But you still can't win because if I were to…" He entered mind, disabling the part that givesleg function. Sierra came crashing to the ground, spraining her wrist as she tried to catch herself. She rolled in pain as she clutches her wrist.

"I think you forget that you are a paraplegic. You're lucky I just took your legs out. You really had no chance of stopping me, but I like the tenacity. Take her away guards. I'll find a way to exterminate her later."

The guards grabbed her by her arms and began dragging her away.

"Sierra, no." Alex said as he watched her be dragged off.

B'rnazz looked over at him, laughing at how pitiful the boy seemed when it dawned on him.

"Guards hold on."

They stopped in their tracks and turned around, girl in tow.

"I just found a way to eliminate her without even getting my hands dirty." He turned to stare knowingly at Alex.

"No." Alex knew what the Martian was thinking.

"You don't have a choice. You see I got chewed out because you lacked experience, well, what an opportunity."

The guards placed Sierra in front of Alex.

"Kill her," B'rnazz ordered.

Alex stared at Sierra. She had her head bowed, ready to face defeat

"I… I can't."

Sierra's head jerked up immediately confused.

"You can't or you won't? There's a difference," said B'rnazz.

"I won't," Alex said firmly.

"Your choice."

Light protruded from every part of Alex's body. He fell to the ground. The intensity varied, but the pain was evident on the boy's face. It bruised his skin as it came out of parts not intended for the power it possessed. It ended as quickly as it started, Alex gasping for breath.

"How?"

"Your powers are controlled by your brain. If I can control your brain, I think you can put the pieces together. Now are you going to kill her or not?"

Alex looked at Sierra again. She shook her head. In her eyes was a look of determination and fear.

"No."

"Fine."

Again, Alex clutched his sides. He didn't cry out, but it didn't matter; he was in extreme pain. He got up slower this time.

"I ask again. Are you going to kill her? And let it be known, I can do this all day, can you?"
Alex couldn't do it. Sierra's life was worth far more than his pain. He was about to answer again when he was cut off.

"Don't I get last words?" Sierra asked desperately.

The Martian looked from Alex to her.

"Make it quick."

"Alex, kill me."

He was shocked. He had never met anyone wanting to die, sacrificing themselves for his sake. He still wasn't convinced.

"Sierra, I can't. I… I couldn't-"

"Alex, you have to. I can't live with myself knowing that you had to go through this pain because of me. I have lived my life. I've helped everyone who's needed, especially you and your sister. And I'm sorry I couldn't help you get out of here."

Alex saw her holding back tears. Her face was solemn, but scared. Her voice was breaking slightly.

"If I kill you, I'll be alone again. My sister's dead."

"No, she's not. Don't believe whatever they tell you. They have no proof. No body means life, you hear me? Alex… please, just kill me. I won't hold it against you or haunt you or nothing like that. Tell your sister way to keep the fight. Just promise me you'll keep fighting when I'm gone."

Alex couldn't look at her. The pleading in her eyes was unbearable. She had done a lot for he and his sister, andhe had to end her. His conscience was killing him. He stole a glance at her, and the determined yet fearful lookwas there again, still pleading with him.

"I can't!"

"Alex, just do it!" she had turned red as tears ran downher face.

"That's enough." B'rnazz cut in. "You're gonna kill her. Now do you want to do it or am I gonna have to force you?"

Alex raised his hand to Sierra's chest. It was rising and falling rapidly, her heart a thousand miles an hour. As he forced his mind to go blank, an unexpected anger rose in him. He was angry that Sierra had pit him in this position. If she had minded her own business, he wouldn't her blood on his hands. She had caused all this. He fired three times, straight to the lungs then to the heart. As soon as he fired, the anger left him. That's when he realized it hadn't been of his own accord. He turned quickly to the Martian.

"You were taking entirely too long therefore forcing my hand."

Alex kneeled by Sierra. She was spitting up blood, body shaking as her organs shut down. Alex didn't care though. He grabbed her shoulders.

"No. It's ok...ay. You… did…," she started, but she would never get a chance to finish.

Her body slumped forward and her eyes dimmed as the life fluttered away from her body, staring straight into Alex's soul. Where his sister would have screamed her name and embrace the corpse in her arms, Alex stood in shock. His brain was unable to process the information. His hands shook as he touched her warm face. He studied the holes in her chest and the blood splattered on his clothes. He completely shut down, not knowing how to react.

B'rnazz knew this had broken the spirit he had had since returning from the Team. He would have no problem getting what he wanted, and what he wanted was utmost obedience.

"Guards dispose of the body. Alex follow me."

Alex watched as they dragged Sierra away.

"Alex," the Martian called again. Alex obeyed, his emotions being dragged away with Sierra's corpse.

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VANESSA POV (FIRST PERSON)

Someone knocked on the door.

"Go away!" I yelled. I didn't want to see anyone.

"It's me, M'gann."

"I said go away!"

"Vanessa," she responded as she forced her way in. Her eyes got bigger as she saw the destruction in the room. Things were knocked down, others were broken, and what didn't fall in those categories was strewn across the floor.

M'gann worked her way carefully across the room. I watched her from the bed. She picked something off the floor on her way. As she sat down, I turned away so she couldn't see my eyes were red. My legs were tucked against my chest, my arms wrapped around them.

"I suppose you're a little upset."

I buried myself deeper in my knees.

She continued. "What Artemis said was completely out of line, but I understand where she's coming from."

I knew she was talking about the episode she and I had.

"I'm sorry M'gann. I didn't mean to put you in a coma like that. I can't control it when people are in my mind. I'm really sorry."

I looked over at her. She was taken back a second by the fact I had apologized to her. I was a little surprised myself, but she was trying to help me.

"I appreciate the apology, but what I meant was she really cared about you. When you shot at her, you didn't just hurt her physically, but emotionally too. I know you tried to apologize, but it's just gonna take a while to heal."

I nodded in reaponse. I knew what she was saying was right. I wish I could go back and make it all right. Without Alex, I didn't have anyone. And without Artemis, I really was alone.

I don't know if she could read me or not, but she gently rubbed my back. I never had anyone do that for me before. I liked it. Before I knew gentle tears once again flowed.

She stopped suddenly and brought in my view what she had picked off the floor. In all my rampaging, I hadn't even noticed our family photo had fallen out my pocket.

"Who are they?" she asked.

I gingerly pointed to each person as if the photo would tear if I touched; it was already crumpled and worn.

"That's my family. Me, Alex, my mom and dad."

"You guys were so cute and so young."

"It was the last picture before they were killed."

Her smile faded.

"I'm sorry."

"I didn't know them. But I guess it doesn't matter now. I'll just add them to the growing list of people I care about that are gone. My parents, Alex, Artemis, what's the difference? No one cares for me now anyway."

"Vanessa, it does matter. I… I care for you."

Though she said the words, she hesitated which means she didn't mean it. I just shook my head.

"Thanks M'gann, but I just want to be alone."

She placed the picture because me, stood quietly and exited. I waited a few seconds before I let all the emotion in me flow out onto my bed as I laid there alone.