A/N: Finally back with chapter 10! You wouldn't believe what I had to go through to get this up here! First my jump drive I keep my fics on malfunctioned and I almost wasn't able to get it off (would have resulted in many tears on my part), then somethings came up the last 3 nights to keep me from uploading. And tonight, ffnet wouldn't let me sign in for the longest time. Grrrrr.
Anyway, we've finally made it to Homecoming! At least the first half of it anyway. I wrote the whole Homecoming bit out, but it was just too long (21 pages, about 8,700 words), so I had to cut it in half. The bad news is, we won't get to the dance until the NEXT chapter, which, admittedly, is the more interesting half. But the good news is that it's already done, so it will be released with in a week at the latest. I just want to tweak a few things I'm not entirely satisfied with. As always, the feedback I've been getting is greatly appreciated (a special thanks to Yuna for taking the time to review even though English isn't her first language. Feel free to keep commenting in a mix of English and Spanish, Yuna, I'm able to understand what you are trying to say)! You guys have made me so glad I decided to write this, you have no idea :)
On a side note, I loved the Spitfire interaction in Insecurities! Was Wally's little speech on the bioship not the cutest thing or what? ;)
Disclaimer: "I don't own Young Justice, DC Comics, Warner Brothers, and Cartoon Network have the rights to it. I'm just having some fun :)"
Rated T for some language, suggestive themes, and descriptive violence.
Italics mean thoughts
"Italics within quotes" mean telepathy
With Lies you may go ahead in the world - but you can never go back . . .
Tangled Web
Chapter 10: The Ties That Bind
Happy Harbor High
October 14, 18:45 EDT
The team – minus Megan and Kaldur – was standing in line outside the Happy Harbor High football field, waiting to buy tickets to the homecoming game. Megan was already inside with the squad and Kaldur had returned to Atlantis for the weekend to assist Aquaman on a last minute mission. A candy apple red Mustang pulled up to the curb near the group and two girls jump out. They stayed by the curb and talked with the driver, a male student in a letterman's jacket, for a moment.
Wally watched the exchange as he said, "Check out those hotties! I haven't thought much about getting a car next month when I turn sixteen since I'm, you know, me, but if I could attract honeys like that it'd totally be worth it. The girls at my school won't be able to resist a car like that."
"Yeah, until they see who's driving it," Artemis smirked.
Robin gave a snort, which turned into a full out laugh when Wally shot him a dirty look. The line moved forward and Wally stared at Artemis's long, blonde ponytail as it swished back and forth teasingly. It'd been a week since they'd argued about the nature of her absence, and Wally was no closer to the truth. The day after her return to Mount Justice, Artemis showed up for practice and carried on as though the conversation concerning her whereabouts had never taken place between the two of them. Wally was at a loss. He didn't want to ignore the marks he knew he'd seen, but pushing her for information only caused her to shut him out, and he couldn't stand that. So he'd had no choice but to let it go and act like he usually did: all jokes and playfulness. It was easier said than done, however, and all the fake bravado he could muster on the outside hadn't kept him from acutely worrying about her on the inside.
Artemis pulled out her wallet to purchase her ticket, but a 10 dollar bill was thrust at the cashier by someone else. Her eyes trailed along the pro-offered hand and her dark blue eyes landed on a pair of green ones.
"I got it," Wally offered up. "Two tickets please."
Artemis frowned at his generosity. "I can pay for myself."
"Didn't say you couldn't," he responded as the cashier wordlessly took his money and handed him two tickets. He held one out to the blonde. He knew how hard it was for Artemis to accept the help of others, but he also knew her financial situation was less than ideal and that she had to work hard to get the little money she had. Of course, he couldn't tell her he'd over heard the conversation she and her mother had been having regarding their financial problems a few weeks back when her apartment had been vandalized, but he figured he could at least cover her five dollar ticket.
She stared at it for a moment before she took it, a grudging 'thanks' leaving her lips as she handed her ticket to the guy at the gate.
"You're welcome," Wally replied and left it at that.
Once the group had entered the stadium, the speedster made a beeline for the concession stand.
"He could have at least waited until we got some seats," Conner grumbled. "All the bleachers close to the field are gonna be taken soon and Megan will be disappointed. She wants us all right up front."
"Well, we wouldn't wanna disappoint Megan," Robin said as he made kissing noises.
Conner's face reddened and he shoved the shorter boy. "Knock it off."
"You two go get us some seats, I'll wait for Kid Idiot," Artemis offered. Robin gave a jocular salute before heading for the home team's side with Conner. Artemis watched where they sat before she slouched against the wall to quietly wait for the bottomless pit they called a teammate. A shadow suddenly appeared on the ground in her line of sight and she looked up to see a young man with dark hair and tanned skin staring at her, his eyes alight with recognition.
At the concession stand, Wally grabbed the drink and soft pretzel he'd just purchased and moved to rejoin the others. It only took him a moment to see Artemis off to the side. A smile spread across his face as he realized she'd stayed behind to wait for him. He headed in her direction but stopped short a few paces away when someone else reached her first.
"Hey, I recognize you. You did karaoke at the Fall Festival last month. You did that Ashlee Simpson song, right?" the young man asked.
Artemis couldn't keep the surprise off her face. "Uh, yeah, I did."
"You rocked it out! My friends and I thought you were awesome. I didn't know you go to school here too."
"She doesn't."
Artemis turned to her left to see Wally standing there with a sour look on his face, a big drink in one hand and a giant soft pretzel in the other. The soft pretzel had become slightly smashed from the tight grip he had on it.
"The others went and saved us some seats," Artemis explained.
"Then we shouldn't keep them waiting, should we?" he replied as he nudged her forward with his knuckles. He glanced over his shoulder at the confused teenager and flippantly said, "Sorry, you'll have to try picking up a different girl, this one's busy."
Wally seethed internally as he and the archer headed for the bleachers. He couldn't believe some joker from the Fall Festival actually recognized Artemis from her karaoke performance, although even he couldn't deny it was rather unforgettable. The image of her tossing her loose hair about as she moved her hips popped into his mind uninvited more often than he liked to admit.
Once they were out of ear shot Artemis turned on the redhead. "What the heck? You were so rude!"
"I'm rude?" Wally cried in outrage. "We came to support Megan, not so you could flirt with some random guy."
"You're one to talk. You practically flirt with every girl that crosses your path!" Artemis countered as the pair took the two open seats next to Robin.
The Boy Wonder watched his friends heatedly glare at each other. "I'm not even gonna ask."
"Megan's down on the field," Superboy said, inadvertently defusing the tension.
Megan was on the sidelines, scanning the bleachers for familiar faces. Festooned in the black and yellow pleated skirt, black vest with a yellow H, and long sleeved white shirt that made up the Bumblebee uniform, she waved enthusiastically once she spotted the team. All four of her teammates gave a wave of acknowledgement in return. The Martian returned her attention to the squad as their captain began addressing them. The cheerleaders started things off with light tumbling and some cheering to get the crowd going as the Hornets came out onto the field. As the game progressed so did the routines and Megan was having no trouble keeping up with the other girls, much to Artemis's relief. All their practice had paid off and Megan looked as though she couldn't have been happier. Artemis felt a warmth in the pit of her stomach at the knowledge that she'd helped her friend achieve this.
"Megan's looking pretty good out there," Wally commented after the auburn haired girl did two back hand springs landing in the splits.
"She told me how much you helped her, Artemis," Conner suddenly spoke, catching the group's attention. "She said she wouldn't have been good enough to perform tonight if it hadn't been for your help so . . . thanks." His words were gruffly uttered, but there was a genuine look of appreciation on the young Kryptonian's face as he looked at her.
The blonde could feel her cheeks growing warm from the way all three boys were gazing at her, especially Wally's scrutinizing one.
"You helped Megan? With cheerleading?" he asked disbelievingly, looking at her as though he'd never really seen her before.
"Yeah, the gymnastics part anyway," Artemis replied. In an effort to avoid Wally's intense gaze she trained her eyes on Conner. "You just make sure she has a good time at the Homecoming dance tomorrow."
Conner gave a curt nod of his head as he moved his eyes back to the field. Artemis followed suit and watched as the cheerleaders rallied the crowd. With their backs to the game, none of the girls saw the player rushing for the sidelines, his eyes on the football sailing his way. He effortlessly caught the ball right before a player on the apposing team tackled him. Unable to stop from the momentum, the two players tumbled out of bounds and plowed into a cheerleader with short black hair and light blue eyes. The three athletes hit the ground together hard, landing in a heap of tangled limbs. Gasps rang out across the crowd as those on the field hurried to help the girl up. Megan and two other squad members escorted her to the locker room. By the end of the first quarter they had yet to return. As the second quarter started Artemis jerked abruptly as a familiar voice popped into her head.
"I'm sorry to intrude, Artemis, but could you meet me by the girls' locker room? Please?"
At her sudden movement, Wally glanced at her and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
She gave a shake of her head to rid herself of the invasive feeling it left and stood up. "Nothing. I'll, uh, be right back."
When she found the entrance to the girls' locker room, Megan was already standing outside of it, wringing her hands together nervously.
"What's wrong?" Artemis asked as she approached her friend.
"Oh, Artemis, it's a disaster!" Megan cried. "Wendy's hurt! One of those footballers land on her leg and she can't even walk, never mind flip around."
"Can you guys still perform at half-time without her?"
Megan shook her head. "No one on the junior varsity squad is good enough to participate in her place."
"I'm sorry, Megan. I know how important this was to you," Artemis said sympathetically. "I wish there was something I could do."
"There is. You could take her place," Megan said, face alight with hope.
Artemis raised an eyebrow. "You're kidding, right?"
"Think about it, you have amazing gymnastic skills and you're familiar with the routine because you've been helping me for weeks! We have the whole second quarter to practice it."
"I don't even go to school here!"
"No one has to know." Megan took the blonde's hands in her own. "Please, Artemis, I'm begging you."
Artemis sighed. "Look, I know you really wanted to do this, but-"
"It's more than that. Happy Harbor High's cheerleading squad is nationally ranked. There are actually college scouts here to watch tonight's performance. If we do well, some of the seniors could end up with college scholarships. I don't know a lot about college or what it takes to get there, but I have gathered that this is a big deal. For some of the girls, their futures are riding on the possibility of a scholarship. If we don't perform, they lose that chance."
Artemis gnawed on her bottom lip as Megan stared at her intently. She really didn't want to play cheerleader, even if it was only for one performance, but . . . she didn't want anyone to lose the chance at a good future because of an unfortunate mishap either. Just because her own future was bleak and uncertain didn't mean she couldn't help make sure someone else's was bright and full of opportunities.
x x x
Wally made it back from his forth concession stand run just as the buzzer sounded to end the second quarter, initiating the start of half time.
"Just in time," he stated as he took his seat, a hot dog with the works in his grasp. He bit into it as he glanced at the still empty seat next to him. "Artemis still isn't back?" he mumbled out around a mouth full of hot dog. They hadn't seen her since she excused herself at the beginning of the second quarter. The announcer began to start the half time show.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your three time national champions, the Happy Harbor Bumblebees!"
The crowd began to cheer and holler as the sound of a siren filled the PA system followed by the beginnings of the song When I Grow Up by The Pussycat Dolls, which Artemis couldn't help but find ironic given the uncertainty of her own future. The girls came out cheering and flipping to the beat.
"I can't believe she's gonna miss Megan's routine!" Wally complained, taking another huge bite of his food.
Robin leaned forward in his seat and stared intently at the girls on the field as they preformed several dance moves in sync. "Uh, Artemis isn't missing Megan's routine, she's in it."
Wally almost choked on the hot dog in his mouth. "What?"
Robin simply pointed to the far right. When Wally's eyes fell on the figure in question he lost his grip on what was left of the hot dog and it hit the concrete with a splat. There was Artemis, decked out in the Bumblebee uniform, her long blond hair tied off in a high ponytail instead of a low one with a black ribbon. As far as anyone could tell, Artemis was a valid member of the squad.
"Megan's over there," Robin pointed out casually, as if nothing strange was happening.
As the boys watched, the song playing remixed into a different one and the moves being executed became increasingly difficult, smoothly flowing back and forth between dance moves and gymnastics. Both Artemis and Megan looked great, although it was clear that Megan was enjoying it while Artemis just appeared to be participating. After several minutes of flipping, twisting, and tossing, the girls finished with a pyramid. They held the pose for a moment before disbanding to the cheering of the crowd. As soon as the routine was over the girls headed back to the locker room to rehydrate. Artemis quickly changed back into her jeans, black turtle neck, and boots – though she neglected to reposition her ponytail – and headed back to the stands to rejoin the others. Passing behind the concession stand, she stopped when she heard a slow, mocking clap from behind her. She whirled around to see Jade standing there in civilian garb, a snide smile on her lips.
"So you're a cheerleader now, huh?"
"I was just helping out a friend. Something you wouldn't know anything about," Artemis responded defensively, eyes narrow with suspicion. An appearance by her sister was never a good thing.
"You don't have any friends!" Jade growled. "You actually think those do-gooders would consider you a friend if they knew who you really are, where you come from? Even if they didn't reject you based on your heritage, you've told them almost nothing but lies since you 'joined' their little team, and you can never go back and change that." Anguish marred her little sister's dark eyes at her harsh words and she smirked in twisted delight. "You are bound by blood to the Shadows. That is where you belong. These wannabe super teens are nothing but an assignment to you, and you'd better start acting like it. In fact, you shouldn't be spending any of your time on silly teenage frivolities."
Jade turned her back on the blonde and began to walk away. "Consider this a warning; you'll do well to heed it."
Artemis watched her sister disappear within the deep shadows cast by the bleachers. She refused to let Jade intimidate her. Even if her loyalties actually laid with the Shadows as they thought, she was still a fifteen year old girl. She had every right to participate in evenings out with other teenagers, including the members on the team; members who'd most definitely become her friends. Even as she thought that, her eyes filled with uncertainty. She couldn't help but feel that her sister's words held a note of truth to them. After all, no amount of good deeds or acts of kindness would ever erase the fact that she was the byproduct of a loveless marriage between two super villains. How could anyone ever really look past that? Megan was the only member of the team who knew the truth about her family, at least her parents anyway, and though the Martian girl didn't seem to be passing judgement based on her heritage, that didn't mean that she secretly wasn't. And what of the others? Would they be as accepting as Megan seemed to be? Could she really blame them if they weren't? With a dejected sigh she continued for the bleachers. The blood ties she had to the Shadows was a stigma she knew she'd carry until the grave.
When she got back to the stands Wally opened his mouth as soon as he saw her.
"Whatever you're gonna say, take a deep breath, and then don't," she said as she reclaimed her seat, taking the wind right out of his sails.
Once the game ended, Megan met up with the others outside the stadium's exit. She squealed in delight as she hugged Artemis.
"Thank you so much for your help, Artemis! Two of the seniors have already been invited to colleges to talk about possible scholarships for next year! They're so excited and we couldn't have done it without you."
"You did great out there, Artemis," Robin offered with a teasing smile. "You'd make a pretty good cheerleader, if you had school spirit. And, you know, actually liked people at our school."
"Funny," Artemis replied, voice flat.
"I can't believe how well everything worked out!" Megan gushed. "The routine went off without a hitch, the Hornets won the game," she linked her arm through Conner's, "and tomorrow we get to attend a fancy dance." She looked over at Artemis. "Yours is tomorrow too, isn't?"
The blonde gave a nod of her head. Megan looked at Robin. "Are you attending as well, Robin?"
"You know it. I'm taking my friend Barbara."
"What about you, Wally? Any plans for tomorrow evening?"
"Nah, I'm just gonna hang out and watch some bad movies," he answered. His eyes met Robin's and the younger boy gave a slight nod.
Both knew he was lying through his teeth.
To be continued . . .
A/N: So that was the first part of Homecoming weekend. Next time, we'll cover the dance at Gotham Academy, which I have a feeling many of you have been waiting for, if your reviews are any indication :) As usual, drop me a review and let me know what you think, I love hearing from all of you! See you soon, promise!
SakuraJade