It wasn't until a couple of days later that Artemis heard any more news on Nightwing. She had taken his advice and laid low on the LIGHT's radar, asking only the necessary questions to the mission and certainly not expressing any concern for one certain bat prisoner.
She couldn't help her curiosity, however, while walking past a heated, hushed argument between Black Manta and his loyal son. She stopped mid-stride before quickly taking to the shadows to listen once she discovered the topic.
"...you thinking Kaldur'am? Taking medical supplies like that? Your reputation to the LIGHT could be permanently damaged because of your ignorance. Tell me, son, what in God's green sea pressed you to bring such aid to that prisoner?"
Artemis could catch a decent view of Kaldur's face through the peep hole of her hiding spot. He looked stoic as always, but with a slight tension in his jawline. "I was merely doing what I thought was decent father. Nothing more, I assure you."
Black Manta stood firm in his position, his eyes narrowing. "Nothing more? It is not possible you still have sentiment towards your old team?"
Artemis's eyes widened in unsuppressed fear. Kaldur played his role better; his eyes narrowed in anger. "I hold no loyalty to my old team, father. My actions were based on concern for survival and nothing more. Nightwing's injuries were extensive and I firmly believe the boy would not have survived without some basic medical attention."
Black Manta seemed to consider his son's words while Artemis's mind was reeling. 'Survival'? Sure, Nightwing looked banged up when she'd last seen him, and that was three days ago, but he hadn't looked bad enough where she feared for his life! What had happened during their days of silence? Had his previous injuries just gotten worse, or was there something else going on that she didn't know about?
"Regardless of your motives, Kaldur," Manta continued, "the LIGHT grows suspicious. I suggest you take meeting with them and explain to them what you just have with me."
Kaldur met his father's stare unflinchingly. "I will, Father."
Father and son continued to mentally battle for a moment before Manta finally broke his gaze. He quickly made his way down the hall, not bothering to look around for eavesdroppers, much to Artemis's relief. Kaldur stayed where he stood, his fists clenched and his eyes closed in what looked like frightened anger.
Artemis looked on from her hiding spot, frozen in thought, as Kaldur finally resumed his travels down the opposite hall his father disappeared through moments before.
This wasn't over. She couldn't approach Kaldur right here, so blatantly out in the open, but she would confront him, and sometime soon. She needed to figure out what happened to her little brother.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
That very same night Artemis made her way towards Kaldur's quarters. Luckily for her, this time she didn't have to sneak on this floor since it was where all the upper-level soldiers took their leave, including Kaldur and herself. In fact, her room was only three short doors down from his. Made for easy passage with few questions asked.
She knocked on his door as social courtesy only. A great part of her simply longed to bash the steel frame down, to show him a fraction of the anger that was always building inside her. Still, he didn't keep her waiting long, and his door opened with a small squeak.
"Tigress," he said simply. "May I help you?"
"Let me in, Kaldur," Tigress growled.
His eyes narrowed, whether in character or not, but he stepped aside to let her through nevertheless.
She stepped inside smoothly and he closed the door. "Artemis, I know this room is safe, but pounding on my door like that will only bring more questions. Please you must know that that is the last thing we- Artemis?"
He paused mid lecture to look to her figure. She stood tall and hard, her arms down and hands in such tight fists, they might have been locked for centuries. She had thrown her mask to the ground seconds before, an action that was quickly followed by the removal of her charmed necklace. She now looked like Artemis through and through, all traces of her Tigress persona tossed away.
"Kaldur, what happened to Nightwing?"
He blinked—the reason for her surprise visit now clear—before sighing heavily and making his way towards the edge of his desk chair. "It is complicated."
"No shit," her voice was as sympathetic as a rock. "Un-complicate it. He was supposed to be safe. This whole plan went to hell the moment Deathstroke got to the mountain. That kid doesn't need any more crap, Kaldur. Tell me what happened."
Kaldur's eyes were sad, and his face looked years older, but he answered her with an even voice. "Deathstroke got into Nightwing's cell. Yesterday. He had told the LIGHT's council that Nightwing had valuable information about the Justice League they could use. He wished to 'interrogate' him. The LIGHT complied and... Things got out of hand, obviously. Nightwing was already in rough shape and..." he paused, for some reason trying to remain civil, "Deathstroke just aggravated his injuries, and then some. I had ordered a guard to bring him medical attention as soon as I heard about the interrogation, but my father obviously found out about the arrangement. As I think you heard, he was less than pleased."
Kaldur ran a hand through the top of his fuzzy head before leaning forward in a defeated position, letting his hands fall off his knees. Artemis made her way towards her friend, putting a comforting hand on his knee. It was so damn hard to stay angry at these people—at her family.
"My father grows suspicious. Now so more than ever. He thinks we should have disposed of Nightwing the moment he came into out custody. I had earlier convinced him to keep the boy alive on the grounds of information, and leverage in any hostage situation. But, this recent fiasco has made everything worse..."
"Kaldur..." Artemis didn't know what to say. What could be said in a situation like this? It's not your fault? You did everything you could? Everything will be okay? No, none of those, because nothing would ever really be okay, or at least not the same. Not like things were before all this shit happened.
He looked up at her pause, and smiled ruefully, but understandingly. "I know. Much of what is happening is out of my control. And none of us could have ever anticipated such turns of events. But I still find myself wishing things could be different."
"You and me both..." Artemis replied.
She paused only for a moment before asking, "Is Nightwing going to be okay?" Her voice sounded smaller then she would have liked, but it mattered little when talking about him.
Kaldur sighed. "It would ease my mind if Superboy and his team would come soon. I do not think it should have taken this long."
Artemis nodded in agreement. "What is taking them so long?"
"I do not know. I haven't heard any word from them, or from any others who know of the cover up. Radio signals are silent."
Artemis let out a small cry of frustration, "I feel so useless! Isn't there something we can do? Can't we get him something? I don't know, like, a blanket at least! He's freezing down there Kaldur! Freezing and lonely and scared!"
Kaldur never seemed to lose his composure, a trait that Artemis had found herself continuously relying on these past few weeks, but now just found irritating. He simply stood from his chair and moved to wrap his arms around her. It felt nice, like a strong, reassuring older brother that would make everything alright. …even if she was still angry.
"I just want him to be okay... I know he's an adult now, but he still feels like my little brother, Kaldur. I still feel responsible for him. I feel like I've failed him."
"You have not failed anyone, Artemis. You have done better than anyone could have predicted. And Nightwing will be okay." Artemis looked up. Kaldur's eyes looked far off and unfocused, and his voice continued, sad. "But I too am worried for our friend. I can only pray he will make it out okay."
What Kaldur didn't deliver in verbal assurances, he made up for with physical comfort. He gripped Artemis's shoulders tight and held her close. She was happy to comply.
"Thanks Kaldur."
The pair stood in mutual security for only a few more moments before Artemis pulled away, her constricting throat threatening to release waterworks if she'd stayed a moment longer. "I should go."
Kaldur nodded, looking like he wished anything else, but led her to the door nevertheless. "We will get him out, Artemis. I promise." The pair exchanged one last look—one last gaze between Artemis and Kaldur: members of the Young Justice team back on Happy Harbor—before Artemis places Tigress's mask back over her face, and the two superhero's become Tigress and Kaldur'am once more, members of the LIGHT and enemies of the Justice League.
As Artemis made her way back to her room, her mind went to Nightwing. Her little brother, and the backbone of the Young Justice team. She wanted desperately to believe Kaldur's words, and she wished to God there was something she could do to help. She had to remind herself that she was already helping. She was here, at least in close proximity to Nightwing. And she was going to protect her brother no matter the cost.
Yooo another update! Sorry, this one's pretty talk-heavy. But the next one will bring action, promise!
As always, if ya like what ya see please favorite or review :) I really like hearing from you guys!
-Endless