Sorry, this is a short chapter! It's been a really crazy week!

Chapter Seventeen

It took a while, but Artemis finally fell into an light sleep under Nightwing's protective arm. He, on the other hand, lay awake the entire night, watching her breathe softly. When the first hint of sunrise began to sparkle through the window, he silently kissed her forehead without waking her, not wishing to say good bye. His heart felt heavy as he left her in the little apartment.

Artemis awoke with a start, unsure of what had caused her to come out of her sleep. Light was peeking its way into the room through the window, and she realized that Nightwing had already left. The memories of him began to flood her mind. She remembered how discouraged he felt. He had been traumatized. As she looked back on it, she desperately wished she had been in a state allowing her to encourage him. He was going into the biggest battle of his life, and she had been to shocked by the news to even hearten him.

She immediately sprang up and began preparing to leave. She didn't care if her dad killed her. She had to tell him. He had to know that she believed he could win.

She turned on the news to make sure she wasn't already too late. Coverage of the explosion was still being shown, so Artemis figured that he hadn't made his approach yet. She dressed in a tank top and baseball cap, then grabbed a granola bar and made her way as quickly as she could to the lobby. She began desperately asking anyone in her sight if they had seen Nightwing. All replied in the negative.

Suddenly the crowds of people stirred and began buzzing with conversation. Everyone's attention seemed to be drawn to the plasma television where the news was being reported. She couldn't hear what was being reported, but she saw that the camera was focusing in from an arial view of a Gotham football field. She began to shake with terror when the camera closed in on a face.

Although she had never seen Deathstroke before, Artemis always imagined him to be somewhat in likeness to that of her father. They were in the same profession, and since he was going to replace her dad, she had just assumed they would look alike. She was wrong.

Where her father was brawn, Deathstroke was tall. He stood like a tower over the field, causing the people accumulating in the stands to hide tremble in fear. He was lean and muscular, and his far was covered in a mask, only one scrutinizing eye searching the crowd from behind it. What terrified her most was the katana sheathed at his side, his nimble fingers tapping it impatiently.

"How far is the field from here?" Artemis suddenly turned and asked a viewer beside her.

"It's just a couple blocks that a way." He gestured with his thumb. "But I'd stay away from it if I were you, missy. It's no place for little ladies like-" he stopped when he noticed Artemis was already pushing through the crowd in the direction he had indicated.

"Please don't be too late. Please don't be too late," she murmured as she passed the gym. She stopped for only a moment to grab the bow off the wall and several trick arrows. She wanted to be prepared. Gazing at a map on the wall, she searched for the nearest exit. When she approached it, she took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

The wind hit her face immediately, and she had to recollect her wits before she continued her sprint to the football field. She reached it in a matter of minutes. Out of breath, her eyes frantically searched the crowds of people. She pushed past all those contemplating whether they dared to lay their eyes on Deathstroke, or turn back while they still could.

She made her way to the very first row, past those who were staring transfixed at Deathstroke, as if he were a bomb set to go off at any moment. She leaned over the railing and searched for Nightwing, but the field was bare.

Piercing screams reached Artemis' ears and she heard a gun fired. There was a loud clank of metal, and it only took her a moment to realize someone had dared to fire a gun at the mercenary. It had only bounced off his bulletproof armor, and he appeared to be unfazed.

"Who dares to challenge me?" his voice seemed to shake the very earth. "Let him not cower in the shadows, but face me like a man!"

Whispered murmurs consumed the crowds, and many of them left the stadium at that moment. Artemis wished she had courage enough to stand up to him. She hated to see him terrorizing the Shadows, and felt ashamed of them and of herself for not being braver.

Her eyes suddenly caught a movement coming from the eastern tunnel. She moved towards it and jumped the rail, running into the tunnel.

"Oh, thank God!" She cried as she recognized Nightwing's shadowy figure. "I thought I'd never find you."

"Artemis?" he asked, shocked. He then ran his fingers through his hair. "Oh, God. I didn't want you to see this. I didn't want to have to say goodbye."

"This isn't goodbye," she spoke gently. "You will win. I know you can. I've seen you in training. There is no way in all the world that your body will let you fail. And I believe," she placed her hand on his cheek. "your will cannot be broken. I've seen it."

He wrapped her in his arms, holding her as if to absorb every ounce that he could before leaving her side.

"One thing I know," he smiled as he stroked her cheek. "He doesn't have someone like you to fight for. That makes me the victor. I can't lose as long as you are my prize."

Artemis smiled and closed her eyes in satisfaction, letting him memorize her face with the tips of his fingers.

"I should go now," he quickly kissed her forehead. "But I promise: I'll come back."

The confident manner in which he left the tunnel and entered the field was enough to give Artemis hope beyond any doubt. His face was hard and calculating as his appearance finally got the attention of his opponent, but she could still see the trace of his cocky disposition.

He stopped 50 feet away from Deathstroke. The mercenary uncrossed his arms and, without missing a beat, mocked, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks? Come, where is my true opponent?"

Artemis had noticed that Deathstroke was much taller than Nightwing. He looked stronger as well. She remembered that one of the most important skills required, however, was agility, and Nightwing was proficient in that.

"I come serving the Justice League, whom you have defied," his voice was steady and fearless. "This day you will be defeated. And when you are, you will be handed over to the Justice League to be properly dealt with. Everyone will then be shown where true authority lies: not with self-serving tyrants such as yourself, but with the heroes who fight for justice."

The entire field and stands were covered in silence. Artemis realized she was holding her breath. The mercenary shifted his stance. Nightwing heard a growl come from the back of his throat. He knew it was about to begin.

"Careful who you pick fights with, Boy. Things get ugly when Daddy's not here to protect you."

oOo

Random Justice League Fact: Zatanna had a fling with Barry Allen (I put a tribute to that back in chapter six; did any of you catch it?).