Chapter Nineteen

oOo

Artemis shot another arrow at a villain attacking Zatanna. It found its mark easily, and he dropped to the ground, unconscious. The girl smiled gratefully at her and continued to bind the man so he would not escape. Artemis proceeded with this routine, blazing a path towards Nightwing, who was still unconscious on the earthen floor where Deathstroke had left him. She finally reached his side and plucked the dart from his arm that had stolen his consciousness. She immediately began chafing his wrists.

It was a difficult task, especially with the distraction of the desperate enemy fighting all around battle field was certainly not an ideal place for delivering first aid. She tried to sling his arm over her shoulder and pull him towards safety, but could barely lift him, let alone drag him through a mass of deadly fighting.

Artemis was startled when she found herself encased in a force field, but breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Raquel lifting the two out of the air and across the field. She mouthed the words "thank you" and saw her nod and smile in reply.

When they were back on the ground, Artemis looked frantically for a hiding place. She spotted a locker room and cautiously placed her hand on the knob, bow ready for action between her fingers. It was empty.

She returned to Nightwing and was relieved to see him regaining consciousness. He looked terrified as he awoke, but Artemis calmed him and offered her hand to help him into the locker room. She lay him on a bench, and he groaned in discomfort as he lowered himself onto it. She bit her lip, then removed the shirt she was wearing over her uniform and folded it, placing it under his head for a pillow.

Peeling back his torn uniform, she used a sharp arrow to cut little pieces off and use them for washcloths. She tried to keep from gasping as she realized the severity of his injuries. Blood was still flowing from the gouge Deathstroke's sword had left in his arm, and many other cuts and bruises made Artemis worry at the amount of blood he had lost.

"Ar-Artemis?"

The sudden break in silence startled the blonde, but she quickly grabbed his searching hand and patted it firmly.

"It's alright; we're safe for now. You're going to be just fine, but you need to stay awake for me, ok?"

"Artemis… Is it over?"

"Shh…" she murmured, rubbing the wet cloth across his forehead. "No need to worry about that."

"Did- Did I win? Are you mine?"

The question sent shivers down her spine, and she couldn't help but smile lightly. She bent down and brushed his lips with her own. His fingers tightened around hers.

"Sportsmaster told me that if I win, he'd give us his approval," the boy explained through ragged breathing.

Of course. Artemis was angry. Was there nothing her father wouldn't try to control? Thanks to him everything was a mess, and Nightwing's life was on the line. But perhaps that was the point. Either way, hither of them needed to be thinking about it now.

"I'm yours," she whispered in a gentle voice. "I'm yours now and forever."

A smile played on his face. His fingers reached for his mask and slid it away. His other hand lifted hers to his lips and kissed it gently. His head rested back against his makeshift pillow and she ran her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes in satisfaction.

"You should get back out there," he breathed, eyes still closed, and Artemis became conscious of the sounds of war going on outside.

"I'm not leaving you here," her voice became firmer.

"They need everyone they can get," he replied evenly. "I'll be fine in here."

Just then the door burst open, and their eyes shot towards it, startled. Zatanna entered, levitating an unconscious girl. She looked relieved when she saw Artemis.

"Thank goodness," she breathed, and lay the girl down on a bench opposite the archer. "Artemis, I need you to help Vivian. She's got a bad cut on her arm that needs to be cleaned. I used a spell to put her sleep so she couldn't feel the pain."

Artemis took another cloth and rinsed it in the sink. She cringed as she examined the bloody wound. It was deep, and looked like it would need stitches.

"Zatanna," she hissed as she saw the girl making an exit. "I don't know how to deal with this kind of stuff! I can only perform basic first aid!"

Zatanna looked torn between returning to the battle field and helping Artemis. She finally relented.

"Maybe there's a spell I could use," she gazed at the wound, trying to think.

"Zatanna!" Artemis cried. She rushed to Nightwing's side, just in time for him to go unconscious again. "No, no, stay awake. Come on! Stay with me!" She buried her hands in her face.

Raquel suddenly entered, holding a man in a force field who was conscious but injured.

"Can you girls handle another?" she asked hurriedly, not really meaning it as a question.

"We'll need help," Zatanna looked over at a distraught Artemis.

"I can do that," Raquel answered. "I'll try to find some of the folks from the medical center."

"Let me help you," Zatanna lent the man her shoulder to lean on. He limped over to the bench and sank onto it.

Artemis straightened up. She had to be brave. If Zatanna could do it, so could she. She wet another cloth and went over to the man.

"Are we making progress out there?" she asked as she wiped the blood from his cuts.

He gritted his teeth in pain. "Yes, we have them outnumbered 2 to 1, but they still have an advantage because we were so unprepared." Artemis was surprised to see him bury his face in his hands. "We're put up with something we've never faced before. Fighting, hurting, capturing our own team mates, our own friends. I swear to God if we make it through this, I'm never going into battle again."

Artemis didn't know what to say, so she put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and murmured, "Let's not think about that now. Just rest. You're safe now, away from all that."

He seemed comforted by this, and laid his head back, closing his eyes. Zatanna had been chanting spells over by the girl, and now looked relieved to see the wound no longer bleeding. She moved over towards Nightwing and began doing the same thing.

By the time a few doctors arrived, three more heroes had been admitted into their excuse for a medical bay. All Artemis could do was encourage the patients and clean their wounds. The doctors assured her that it was an important job, but she couldn't keep from feeling helpless.

The day wore on to night. Artemis felt like she was losing her mind. She wasn't sure how much more running around she could take. She was trying to be brave for every injured hero that was brought to her, but was weakening under the stress.

Hours later, Icon burst into the room. All heads turned to him.

"The enemy has retreated," he announced, out of breath.

The heroes clapped, and Raquel gave her mentor a hug. Artemis let out a sigh of relief, but Zatanna gave her a wary look.

"Retreated, not surrendered," she whispered with emphasis.

Artemis tried not to let out a groan. How much more could they possibly go through? Her life had turned to chaos in just a few short weeks. How much worse could it get?

One of the doctors approached Artemis and gave her a comforting smile.

"You've been here all afternoon; why don't you head home?"

"Thank you," Artemis smiled in return and headed for the door.

"Hold up there!"

She halted and turned back, smiling when she saw Nightwing approaching. Then she gave him a mock frown of disapproval.

"What are you doing up?"

"I'm going to walk my leading lady home," he smiled, taking her hand, and Artemis tried not to blush as they exited the locker room.

"It really was a pretty lousy date," she teased as they neared the Shadows.

"I thought you were the exciting type," he smirked. "Guess I was wrong."

She buried herself into his side. "Just promise me the next date won't involve blood."

His arm wrapped around her and he smiled into her hair. "Can't make any promises."

"So... what next?" Artemis asked after a silent pause.

She heard a sigh escape his lips. He wanted to say something, but couldn't. Instead he said, "How 'bout we go to your father right now?"

Artemis smiled at his eagerness, then frowned again. "What do you think he's doing right now? In fact, what are the Shadows now that half our people have left us, our leader- my own father- undermining all that we have worked for and turning us over to Savage. It's- It's cruel, and treacherous and-"

"Shh, shh," Nightwing patted her head. "Please don't think about it. We should be celebrating! I mean, as long as your dad doesn't back out on our deal."

"I wouldn't put it past him," Artemis muttered.

"Well, we're about to find out," he said, approaching Sportsmaster's office. "Wait here."

oOo

Artemis felt like every minute was an hour. She paced back and forth from anxiety, sank down on the floor in exhaustion, then got to her feet a moment later. She drummed her fingers on the cold marble floor she was sitting on, then played with her shoelaces nervously.

What if her dad did back out on their deal? What if he moved her away from this base and never let her see him again? No, she would find a way. They would find a way. Nightwing wouldn't let that happen.

She jumped at the sound of the door clicking open, and all at once she was enveloped in his arms, breathless against the countless kisses planted on her cheeks and forehead and hair. She smiled exuberantly and finally got the words out,

"Yes?"

He only smiled and took her lips in his. His hand was hot on the back of her neck as he held her there, never wishing to let go. She felt so satisfied under his touch and control that she could have fallen into a peaceful sleep right there. He seemed to sense this, and picked her up in his arms, carrying her down the hall towards her apartment. He set her down at the door.

"Artemis," he swallowed. "Now that nothing is stopping us, what would you think about- about... marriage?"

His companion flushed and looked embarrassed. "I- I hadn't thought of it- yet at least-"

"No, no, it's okay- I shouldn't have said anything," he ran his hands through his hair. "It's just that- Damn, everything has been so overwhelming... I know for sure though, I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Artemis felt a warm glow spread over her body. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest. "And I never want to leave your side- ever."

She could tell he was hesitating to leave, but still said, taking her hands and unwinding then from his body, "Then rest well tonight, knowing," he paused, "I'm dreaming of you."

He placed one more soft kiss on her lips, lingering for a moment with the hint of wanting so much more, then left.

Back in Sportsmaster's office, Lawrence Crock growled to himself. He'd had just about enough of this boy and his tricks. Determinedly he dialed his phone and waited for the receiver to answer.

"Yes, this is Sportsmaster. You now have my permission to put Plan B into action."

oOo

Phew! Actually finished that in a decent amount of time! Warning- I'm going to be competing in a swim meet that lasts a week in California, and when I get back, I'll only have a few days before I have to move into my dorm and start- EEK! - college life! It's probably going to be one of the most stressful weeks I've ever experienced, so I'm not so sure there will be a frequent update. Wish me luck though!

p.s. It's my birthday

Random Justice League Fact: Batman has worn yellow, white, and green lantern rings.