Alrighty, here's the next one! I was actually able to update faster than I expected for once. Hope you like it :)
'Right! Well, are we all ready for the last one?' M'gann asked perkily, clearly trying to dissipate the awkward atmosphere created by Wally and Artemis. Taking the thankful glance from the archer and the relieved sigh from the speedster as a hint, the martian advanced quickly onwards to the next memory.
'I guess this has to be mine then' Artemis drawled, not looking particularly excited in the least.
'Save the best for last, right Artie?' The Boy Wonder grinned, poking her in the ribs in an attempt to cheer her up. His laughter was soon cut off, however, by M'gann, who quieted the team as the memory began.
This time, the scenery was one which everyone knew very well; the debriefing, or mission room of the cave. The team recognised themselves standing in a huddle by the entrance, facing the slim archer of the team,who appeared to be utterly miserable.
'In case you're confused' the present Artemis whispered, 'this is right after I told you guys the truth. You know, about my dad and everything...' she trailed off, uncertainly. Understanding dawned on the faces of her friends, who turned their attention back to the screen, but not before Conner noticed Wally moving to place a supportive hand on the blonde's shoulder, who returned the favour with a small, thankful nod of her own.
'I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I know it was wrong of me and you trusted me and whatever, but if I'd told you, you would have kicked me off of the team. I couldn't let that happen; this team means more to me than any of you know. It's like you guys are my fami- oh forget it, you're probably just going to kick me off the team now anyways, aren't you?' The archer snapped, clearly distressed. Without glancing up, she threw her bow and quiver over her shoulder and began to march towards the exit, until a quiet, yet commanding voice stopped her in her tracks.
'No, Artemis' Kaldur stepped forwards,his hands up and open in a peaceful gesture, 'While it would have perhaps been useful to have known that Sportsmaster was your father, it would not have affected your position on this team. You are your own person and we have come to trust and care about you, not your father'.
Wally, despite his grumbling and petty arguments with the archer, nodded his head to show his agreement to the statement. Although they'd argued about lies in the past, Wally knew that he had always trusted the archer to watch his back and even if she'd told his that she was Mr. Freeze in disguise, he was pretty sure that he would never be able to cast her out. The youngest of the team took this moment to bounce forward to stand in front of the archer confidently.
'I knew already' he stated, grinning at the gasps and shocked looks from his team. 'It didn't really mean anything though, I mean, you still kicked the bad guys' asses right?'. Artemis and the others laughed at his attempt to lighten the mood.
M'gann, of course, had very little anxiety over the admittance, scooting away form Conner to throw her grasp Artemis's hands in her own, smiling reassuringly at her. Feeling the weight of the burden she had carried for such a long time begin to lighten, the archer turned to the last, biggest member of the team. She knew that of all of them, he would be the toughest to persuade, given his overprotective nature, especially towards M'gann and the youngest member of the team.
'What do ya say, big guy? You wanna kick me out?' she joked, although nobody missed the nervous edge to her tone.
Conner stared back at her, unblinkingly, for a good minute, before folding his arms and nodding his head at her in approval.
'You've only ever helped the team so far. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me. I know how important it is to be your own person' the clone spoke slowly, before turning his attention back to M'gann, who had once more linked arms with him.
For Artemis, this statement, and the others were some of the best presents she had ever received. Somebody trusted her! Actually knew who she was and didn't want to immediately reject her. She felt lighter than she had in years. The happy smile on her face was the last scene of the memory, before the current team found themselves, once again, facing each other with smiles on their faces.
This was a slightly shorter one, but i hope it was okay! I'll hopefully be able to update again really soon, but let me know about any thoughts you have on the story so far. Seriously, I love to hear about ANYTHING you've got to say about it or whatever. Hope you're having a good Christmas! xxx