This chapter is dedicated to STRONGER123 because she reviewed first on my last chapter!

oOo

"Artemis."

"Hm?"

"You're zoned out again."

...

"Really, Artemis! What is the matter with you?!"

Artemis shook herself out of the thoughtful trance she had been in and out of for the past few days. Everything she had overheard about her dad was really bothering her, and though she trusted her two friends, she only wanted to confide in Nightwing.

It had been two weeks, and there was no sign of him. There were small doubts, doubts that she tried to keep locked in the innermost crevices in her mind, that told her something had happened. She shut all fear out, however. This was a time when she needed to be brave, even when she felt loneliest.

"Sorry, I've just been really tired lately." Ah, the perfect excuse.

"Well, if you don't wake up, you'll be as useless as a giraffe when you get attacked."

"If I get attacked," she corrected.

"It's not a question of if, Artemis. It's a question of when. You will be faced with a situation one day, especially if you're planning to join the Shadows, you know, if your dad ever lets up."

Or if Nightwing takes his place. Jade's words from several weeks ago now made perfect sense. Her dad's bosses, the Justice League, would replace him with Nightwing if he wasn't doing his job right.
It was the other boss, the one she had overheard in their secret meeting, that worried her; and who he'd replace him with if he wasn't doing "his job."

More puzzle pieces fit into place. Of course, Nightwing already knew about this. The intruders they had observed several weeks ago were probably secretly meeting, or threatening, her dad. Nightwing had followed them to see where they were going, and then told Artemis not to tell anyone, not even her father, about it.

She felt angry at this. He had kept all these secrets from her, secrets regarding her own family. He had taken advantage of her feelings for him so that word wouldn't get to her dad that Nightwing was on to him. Of course she faithfully followed whatever he said, like he probably knew she would. When he gets back, I'm kicking his ass.

Ug, but how could she? The mere thought of him returning made her heart beat faster. She just knew that when she saw him for the first time, her anger would turn to immediate joy and relief. She'd become tongue tied, and he'd just give her a smile that made her forget why she was angry in the first place.

"Artemis Crock! I said, 'left foot in front!'" Zatanna was at the end of her rope. Artemis just rolled her eyes and forced herself to concentrate on the movements of martial arts instead of her many problems that had sprung up with the revelation of her father's crooked dealings.

"Now, Plié with your right leg and extend the left at the knee- there you go. Good." She was glad to finally see progress being made. The two-hour session had, so far, been very unproductive.

"Now coordinate that movement with the uppercut we just taught you."

She did so, practicing that movement several times to get the feeling of it. Soon it flowed perfectly.

"Great, now do a few back hand springs and you can be done."

Nonetheless, Artemis was a fast learner. Raquel had complemented her on being a natural, and most things they taught to her had come easily. After she had practiced her assigned back hand springs, she thanked her friends and went to the lock room to shower.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't keep her thoughts from drifting back to her many problems. And damn, she missed Nightwing. Everything else seemed foggy and far off. She barely noticed when her wet hair made the back of her shirt wet in a large, round shape. She absently swung her bag over her shoulder and left the deserted locker room.

The bustle had already begun as she opened the door and entered the traffic of the hallway. Men and women carrying packages, papers, and coffee were pacing back and forth along the hallway. Their was a loud hum of conversation passing through the building, making it feel alive. She saw Zatanna flirting with a tall blonde man, who looked to be possibly a few years older than herself.

Artemis wondered how often she did that; more specifically- how often she did that with Nightwing. She tried to push the thoughts away, but she couldn't help wondering if their 'history' was more than a flirtation- and if it was, how many others like herself had Nightwing put in a trance.

She felt stupid and frustrated with herself for ever assuming she was close with him. Maybe it was good to spend this time away from him.

Artemis pushed all these thoughts away as she finally reached her apartment and opened the door. She entered without looking around, and went straight for the kitchen. She hadn't noticed Jade concealed behind the door that Artemis had already opened and closed. She soon realized it, however, when she was grabbed from behind spun around to face her sister.

"Ha! I caught you!" Jade accused. "Where have you been this morning, Artemis? Meeting somebody?"

Artemis tried to look unaffected. "Let off, Jade. I haven't been meeting with anyone. I happened to be delivering something for dad."

She hoped her bluff satisfied Jade. She wasn't actually sure whether he was out of the apartment yet or not. The hardest part would be trying to explain about her duffle bag and wet hair.

"And before you ask about my hair, I just took a shower before I left." She tried to walk to her room as nonchalantly as possible.

"I'm on to you," Jade warned from behind her.

Artemis shut her door and threw her duffle bag on to her bed. That was too close. She would have to find a way to better hide her morning activities.

That, however, could wait. Collapsing on her bed from stress and exhaustion, she knew she'd have to sleep half the day away before formulating any kind of plan.

oOo

"I'm telling you, Crock: If we work swiftly, no one will suspect a thing before we completely detach the League of Shadows from the Justice League and merge our organization with Ra's al Ghul's."

"Shh," Sportsmaster warned, glancing at the wide-open door to his office. "I understand, but not all members will cooperate. I need more time."

"Time comes with a price," Sensei replied. "Have you heard about your competitor? They say he is trying to convince Ra's to let him be the head of the League. I hear he is as powerful as a demon, the cleverest manipulator, and a strong strategist at that-"

"Shut up! I know all about that, and I'm tired of hearing it."

"Dad?"

The two conversing men looked to see Artemis approaching with a handful of papers. She stopped when she reached the door and gazed at him.

"Just a second," he replied and turned back to Sensei. With a lower voice he spoke through gritted teeth, "Prepare the others. I don't think it will be long before we will... receive a visit from this 'Deathstroke,' and I want to be ready."

Sensei only nodded in return and quit the room. Artemis' eyes followed him as he left, then she approached her father's desk and set the papers onto it. He did not look up, only rubbing his temples in vexation. She took this as her cue to leave.

She tried to push the conversation out of her mind, but something in her wanted to pour over the entirety of every word she had heard, and try to figure out their meanings. She wanted to warn someone, but it couldn't be just anyone. Her longing for Nightwing returned.

It didn't take long for her to reach the main lobby, and to her annoyance she immediately made eye contact with Cameron. He quickly got up and scurried over to her, like a puppy greeting its master.

"Hey, babe, so I was wondering if tonight you wanted to settle in and watch a movie with me, you know, just as friends."

Artemis scoffed. Yeah, 'friends.' She was fed up with him and his obtrusiveness.

"Come on, I promise I won't make a move on you. I mean," he stepped in front of her and leaned down right in her face. "unless you want me too."

That's it.

As he reached his arms out to wrap them around her, she gripped his wrists, pulling his face downwards onto her knee. Then, still grasping his arms, she turned and flipped him over her shoulder, a resounding bang reaching her ears as he landed on his back in front of her.

Everyone in the room was staring at the two in astonishment. Artemis felt embarrassed, but tried not to show it. Okay, so it had been a little rash, but what is done, is done. No use regretting it now. At least she had hopefully gotten rid of that pesky Cameron. This was reaffirmed when she saw him groan and glare at her as she walked away. She heard a few people mumbling behind her.

"Did he just get his ass kicked by a girl?"

"A scrawny one too."

"Where'd she learn to do that?"

She bit her lip and hoped that a report of this wouldn't reach her dad. She had enough troubles without her secret training suddenly made known to him. She needed someone to talk to; the weight of her problems was getting much too heavy for her. She ran to the gym in hopes of meeting Zatanna or Raquel there.

oOo

Unfortunately, neither of them were working out when Artemis reached the gym. In fact, no one was in it at all. Artemis looked to make sure that the hall way was completely deserted of curious by standers, and decided to take this opportunity to work on some of her martial arts.

She suddenly felt a cold draft blowing on her and looked to see a door leading to the outside cracked opened. She furrowed her brow, checking again to see if anyone was in the room. She went over and closed the door. It blew one last puff of air in her face before slamming shut, leaving an echo in the silent room.

As she was almost back to the center of the gym, she was taken completely aback by two strong arms grabbed her from behind. She tried to scream but couldn't find her voice. Her helpless body was hauled away towards the door leading to the outside world.

oOo

:O

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Random Justice League fact: There are approximately 75 members of the Superman family from various versions of shows, comics and movies.