Hi guys!
Sorry for another super long wait, but I really don't have an excuse. I hope you enjoy this chapter, however horrible it might be (stupid writers block)
;P
Artemis mostly just spent her time in the cell either sleeping or doing some training exercise.
In a stereotypical prison movie, she knew the prisoner was always doing push-ups or something, but it helped her to relax, and she still needed to stay in shape.
The Team didn't come in to 'talk' to her for a day or so, and when they did it was Miss Martian who came.
Artemis was lying on the bed with her hands behind her head. Like she did with Robin, she ignored the other girl as she sat down in one of the chairs and tried to start a conversation.
"How are you, Artemis?" Miss M asked.
Artemis didn't respond, just continued staring at the ceiling. She longed to say yes, to talk to someone, but she couldn't.
The Martian slumped back and looked at Artemis in bewilderment, as if she couldn't imagine why she wouldn't want to be part of their little gang.
"Is there any specific reason you don't want to join?" Miss M pushed. "Is it the Shadows, your fath-"
"I am NOT afraid of my father!" Artemis exploded out of nowhere. How dare this Martian girl even suggest such a thing!
Miss M started back in shock, her eyes widening at the archer's outburst.
Suddenly, Artemis felt Miss M's mind reach for hers. Scowling, she blocked her thoughts. "And what gives you the right to invade my mind?"
Miss M pursed her lips. Defeated, the other girl stood up from her chair.
"Please, remember that we're only trying to help you." Miss Martian said before she left the room.
Dick and the others waited for M'Gann to come back to the control room after her encounter with the stubborn archer.
When she did come in, the Martian was crying. Connor jumped to his feet immediately, rushing to his girlfriend's side.
"What happened! What did she do to you?" Connor demanded.
M'Gann shook her head. "No, it wasn't Artemis."
Wally frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I tried to enter her mind, but before she blocked me out, I saw a memory..." She trailed off, but her thoughts showed what she was trying to say.
Images of Artemis being beaten by her father for every mistake she made flooded Dick's mind. He looked around at his team mates, and even Wally looked a bit upset.
"Sportsmaster threatened her," Dick says, remembering what she'd said about someone she loved almost being killed. Suddenly, Artemis didn't seem like such a crazy villain.
No, he scolded himself. He knew Artemis never had been a crazy villain.
Wally looked down at the ground. "Now I feel bad," He muttered.
"But then, if we take Sportmaster's leverage, maybe then Artemis will join us." Kaldur said hopefully.
Miss Martian nodded, wiping her eyes.
"Just let her cool off first, she still looks pretty pissed."
TIME LAPSE
The team decided Robin should go talk to Artemis.
Reluctantly, prepared for a pounding, he entered the room and sat in the chair. Artemis was already sitting in the other, and she looked away from him as he entered; just like she had every time one of them came to talk to her.
"Hey again," Robin began awkwardly.
Artemis didn't respond to him, but he'd expected nothing less. She still looked a little peeved, even though her 'conversation' with M'Gann had been about two hours ago.
But, Robin knew she could hold a grudge.
He decided to dive in the deep end. "We know what your father did to you," He said softly.
He watched her face for a reaction, but he found was a blank expression.
Artemis finally looked at him. "Sportsmaster isn't my father, no matter what the papers say."
"That's besides the point, Artemis-"
Suddenly, her eyes flared with rage. "What he did is none of your business! I don't want your pity, and I don't need your help! I can handle myself!"
"We don't pity you," Robin began but Artemis cut him off.
"Oh please," She scoffed. "Thinking you can convert me to the ways of JL, thinking you can save a young girl from a life of crime, the whole bloody thing screams 'pity case'! I was doing fine on my own, and the one person I loved was safe when I did as he said, and then you and your sidekick buddies come alone and now there's no telling what he'll do to her!"
She was on her feet now, her grey eyes full of hate and fear and anger. But Robin could see right through them, he saw the vulnerability behind it.
"Who is it, maybe we can protect her?" He said carefully.
"Sportsmaster's an assassin, idiot. There's no way you'll keep him away from his target."
"But the Justice Lea-"
"I don't frigging want their help, Robin!"
Robin sighed in defeat. "Fine, we don't to have to tell the JL, but at least let the Team try."
Artemis sat back down after a moment of silence. Her jaw was clenched so hard he would've imagined that she was trying to hold back tears, but he knew better than that.
The archer stared him down, searching his face. "Okay," She whispered, so quiet he almost missed it. He wondered how much it hurt her pride to accept help from them.
"Protect my mom."
Artemis's POV
As the Boy Wonder left, Artemis hurried to the bathroom. It was the only place she had complete privacy.
She leaned against the vanity and ran a hand over her face. No crying, Artemis, you're stronger than that.
The Team had taken her down, surely they could her mother out before Sportsmaster got to her.
And then it occurred to her that she'd been here for a week at least.
Robin and his team may already be too late.
Ahhh, sorry?
I kinda had some Traught, I guess.
Oh well, please R&R anyways! :D