Disclaimer-Sadly, I don't any of the rights to the DC universe, just to my thoughts.

I'm trying to figure out how long I can make this story go. Is ten chapters enough? Tell me your thoughts! But seriously, these longer chapters are gonna make less chapters. Is ten ok or would you guys prefer thirteen if I can stretch it? At least the last chapter will be mostly fluffy goodness and bonding and probably some Spitfire. SO, yeah. Tell me your thoughts! :)

Warnings-Contains blood, slight torture, and mild language. I think the teen warning should cover the story.

5:00 P.M.

Artemis was still blacked out like last time when the video started. The man didn't jump on screen, though. For almost a full minute, all they saw was Artemis's bruised, bloodied, and battered form. By the time Cheshire stepped on screen, they were tensed, anxious for what would happen next.

She was spinning another arrow in her fingers and the teens saw that Cheshire grin of her mask, feeling like it was matched underneath. She waved to the camera before standing on the right side of Artemis. She traced the arrow along the side of Artemis's mask, tearing the green fabric and revealing her bruised cheek. Small droplets of blood followed the line.

Artemis's form stirred slightly and her eyes opened with some effort. The dark gray was clouded slightly as they focused on the camera in front of them and the assassin to the side. There was barely any fight in them. Even she knew she would be screwed in a few hours and every time she blacked out that there was a chance of not waking up. But she tried to hang on for the chance that her friends made it.

Cheshire started to write something but Artemis turned her head to the side, trying to prevent her from finishing. The assassin moved her head so she could finish writing 'The Light'. They took in her work, the teens practically growled but were also somewhat confused. They didn't have time to focus on that as the assassin stabbed the arrow into Artemis's right thigh.

She flinched and struggled to maintain a grip on consciousness. The gag was well past soaked as were her bindings. Blood had and continued to pool around the chair she was tied to. She sent a look at the camera that showed her feelings even as her eyes clouded. Pain. Hurt. Sorrow. Helpless. Slight betrayal. The smallest bit of hope that they'd come in time.

She did not send a message. She couldn't. It took more strain just to move her head than a three hour training session with Black Canary. All Artemis could do was stay awake. But even that didn't last long. He was back. Once. That was all it took for the archer to fade again. Twice. Thrice. He still slapped her. When he was finished, the camera showed the next message.

Hide and seek

The video cut out and attention was returned to the man standing in front of them, a rather creepy smile plastered onto his face. He was enjoying their pain.

"Now, children, I don't want to fight with you. I'll allow one question but unless you carry Wonder Woman's lasso, don't expect a good answer." He smiled to them, thinking they had no chance.

'Zatanna, now!' Aqualad instructed through the mind link.

"Trulb tuo s'erihsehc noitacol!"

"In Metropolis there's an abandoned S.T.A.R. Labs facility that they're using. It's about a three miles west of the Daily Planet headquarters." Ra's blinked then glared at the teenagers. "Zatara's daughter, I see. We'll meet again." He said before setting off a smoke screen. Seconds later, they heard a jet take off from the roof.

'M'gann, how fast can the Bio-Ship get to Metropolis?' Aqualad asked.

'It'll be at least an hour and a half.' She replied, trying to stay calm.

"Then, let us go. We have no time to waste!" They all scrambled towards the craft, desperate to get there as quickly as possible.

5:42 P.M.

They flew in silence for half an hour before they heard soft…sobbing? Six heads turned towards Kid Flash. His head was in his arms over the control panel in front of his seat. He looked so dejected, slumped there. Robin stood up and walked over to his best friend. "KF, you know we'll save her." He said, trying to calm the redhead.

"I know." His voice was surprisingly steady for one who had just been crying. When he looked up, they saw the tear tracks on his face and mask. He quickly wiped them away. "I know. It's just…really hard…to see her…like that." He said, finally looking up at everyone, who nodded, even Red Arrow. He'd started trusting Artemis hours ago.

Not worth it.

That had sealed the deal. She'd wanted her friends to stay behind because she knew of the dangers and the risks. Besides that, no one could fake the hurt and pain she was going through. No one. And yet, she hadn't given a cry for help. It had been for their sake, not her own. Of course, she had known they would come after her. Roy had known it, too. With Wally like this and Ollie's hair graying as he thought, he would've come just so they'd be back to normal.

God, they hated this. Helplessness. It was the worst feeling ever. It was worse than losing someone, mostly because you knew it could happen but hadn't yet. They could kill Artemis in the next five minutes and no one would be able to stop them. That was the worst part. They were the only ones who knew where she was, the only ones that could help.

M'gann put the ship on autopilot to get up and hug the speedster, tears starting to drip down her own face. The speedster was surprised at the sudden embrace to say the least. He hesitated for a few seconds before returning it. M'gann stood back, no words needed to be spoken but she went over to Suberboy and cried into his shoulder. He was awkwardly patting her back when their transmitters buzzed, no one feeling the time that had passed. They all groaned, or sniffled, as they opened up the technology to see that start of the video.

Artemis was in exactly the same position as the last time, still blacked out. The man rejoined her, Cheshire following. He slapped Artemis. Again. And again. And again. She wasn't waking up. Wally's eyes grew wide in fear. However, they watched as Cheshire began to write on Artemis's left cheek. The archer's eyes opened halfway and they all breathed a sigh of relief. Cheshire twisted the girl's face so that they could read 'will shine'.

Again, no time was spared for thoughts of confusion as the arrow broke through the skin of Artemis's right forearm. Her eyes opened once more before shutting. If they watched closely, they could see her chest was barely rising, not like at the beginning. Yet, it still was. As long as she was breathing, they had a reason to carry on.

The camera panned down again to reveal another message in blood.

Tag.

Now they were just messing with them. The video cut out. M'gann returned to piloting the ship with everyone else staring out the windows. One thought repeated over and over in everyone's mind.

Just a little longer, Artemis. Hang on a little longer.

Roy's was a bit different.

If you die on Wally and Ollie, I'll never forgive you.

Um, yeah. The last part should've been Ollie, not Roy. Fixed it... Oops