How Could You? Chapter Four

Disclaimer: I don't own Young Justice, blah, blah, blah. I'm sure you've heard it all before!

A/N at the end.


Artemis' POV

I didn't want to break eye contact with Dick. The sapphire orbs that he calls eyes were full of pain and sadness. And I thought I had problems: he'd been forced to stand back and watch as his family was murdered in front of his eyes. Even worse, the last word his mother spoke was his name. The guilt must just be eating away at him. I should be thankful that everyone in my family is still alive.

I wrap my arms around him and pull him close. He buries his face in my shoulder and sobs quietly as he returns the hug with passion. I can hear his heart pounding in his chest. His shoulders shake vigorously with every sob. I wonder if his chest is paining him. Even after talking about the most traumatic experience of his life he still doesn't want to show any weakness.

Finally I whisper, "Why Robin?"

He doesn't say anything. I feel him shift on my shoulder but I don't let him go. "My mother used to call me her 'putin pasăre'. Her 'little bird'. I remember I used to think that robins were the most beautiful birds, so she started calling me that. When I joined Batman, I wanted to…honour my parents. I chose the name that my parents called me. It made me feel closer to them, you know?" I nod. I understand completely.

When Jade left Mom and me, I was devastated. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. All I could do was wait for her to come home. I thought she would come back. We were sisters: she'd never leave me alone. But I had been wrong. Jade left for good. Cheshire had taken her place. I had never liked 'Alice in Wonderland'. I hated it even more now. When I see that poster in my room every night, I'm filled with rage and want nothing more than to take it down. At the end of the day, though, it's all I have left of her.

Slowly, Dick pulls away. This time, I let him. He looks at his watch and rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. "I should…probably get going. Bruce is going to be worried about me." I am puzzled for a moment.

Wait, who was Bruce?

Oh, right.

Bruce Wayne.

Dick's adoptive father.

Batman.

I shivered as the security guard who tried to rape me is brought to mind. Dick looks at me curiously. "Artemis, what's wrong?"

I formulate the words in my head before I speak. "The security guard, you know, the one who tried to rape me? The name on the tag said 'Bruce'." He nods and opens his mouth to speak—

"WHAT?" someone screeches, and it is most definitely not Dick. The door swings open violently and my mother rolls in. I groan and drag my hand across my face. Dick smirks.

"Well, I think I'll take my leave. You ladies probably want to have your…discussion about today's events alone." He stood swiftly and smoothly, like any billionaire's son should. All traces of him crying only a moment ago have completely disappeared from his face. He takes my mother's hand and kisses it. "Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Crock." Her face flushes scarlet. He nods his head in my direction and winks. "See you at school tomorrow, Artemis." With that, he slips out the door past her with a speed that even Kid Flash would be jealous of and disappears into the night. I swear I can hear Robin cackling outside the window.

My mother stays star-struck for just a moment longer before she places her hands on her hips. I didn't realize she had such a crush on Dick Grayson. I giggle. Whenever I imagined it, I thought of my Mom crushing on Robin. Oh, what a sight that would be. Mom begins to ask question after question about the rape attempt. I don't even get a word in before she moves on and starts ranting about how Gotham was dangerous and that I needed to be cautious wherever I went. I hold back an eye roll. I really don't care what she has to say. I mean, I'm freaking Artemis! A member of Young Justice! Friend to Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, Miss Martian and Superboy! I didn't need a lecture on safety. I knew what I'd signed up for!

After ten minutes, I couldn't take it any longer. "Mom!" I snap. She stops abruptly. I feel a little guilty, but I was tired of getting a lecture. "It's okay! Look, Robin happened to be in the area. He rescued me. 'All's well that ends well' and all that jazz." I stand up and loudly announce that I'm going to bed.

As I pass Mom she grabs my hand and squeezes it tightly. I pause. My hand is suddenly wet. She's crying. How come everyone seemed to be crying today? "It's just…Artemis, I worry. After what happened to your sister and your father…I just…I'm so worried something bad is going to happen to you and you won't be able to help yourself." I wrap my arms around her and mumble into her shoulder.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll never leave you." Not like Jade and Dad, I think bitterly. With a light kiss to her temple, I untangle my arms and walk out.


The next day at school is not pleasant. Thank god classes only go to noon on Fridays; otherwise, I think I would actually murder someone.

Everyone stares at me when I enter the courtyard of Gotham Academy. Their glares follow me as I walk through the doors of the school. I try to ignore their gaze but I can't help my hands from clenching into fists at my sides. Whispers wrap around me as I make my way to my locker, threatening to suffocate me with their grasp. I had forgotten how fast rumors spread in schools. For some reason I thought at a private school it'd be better, but it was worse. Definitely worse. I open my locker with more intensity than I should, smirking as the smack of metal-on-metal makes the other students jump. The warning bell rings and people start to disperse. Suddenly, a hand reaches out and slams my locker shut, making me jerk in surprise. "We need to talk."

I follow the hand down the arm to look into the face of Barbara Gordon. Her lips are puckered, her eyebrows are furrowed. I sigh. "Look, Babs, I've got to get going. Maybe later, okay?" I turn to leave. She grabs my shoulder, hard. "Ow! Babs! What's wrong with you?" Babs pulls me around to face her again.

"What's wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you? What was with you yesterday? What did Dick do that made you want to punch him in the face?" she yelled.

I bite my lower lip. I'm not quite sure how to answer without giving too much information about Dick's…extracurriculars. "Babs," I say sternly. "Look. Nothing's wrong with me. I was having a bad day yesterday. I didn't want anyone to know. When I put those sunglasses on Dick's face…" I pause. "He…He reminded me of someone, someone who betrayed me a long time ago. I just…I just couldn't get over it. Now let go of my shoulder before I have to rip your hand off."

Babs raises an eyebrow but releases her hand. She is not convinced. I'm positive she isn't going to let it go. I storm away to my classroom, leaving her standing at my locker.


I can't concentrate in class. I keep my head down and pressed into my arms so I don't have to look at anyone, though I can feel their stares bearing down on me. Guilt clutches at my chest whenever one of the people whom I'd thought were my friends looks at me with disdain.

"Miss Crock!" someone yells. I jerk my head up. Mr. Yammerman, my English teacher, glares down at me, a deep frown etched into his face, his glasses slightly askew. "Would you care to explain to the class the meaning of a hyperbole, or are you too tired from beating up a defenceless boy last night?" I flush as red as M'gann's hair as the class starts laughing, only some trying to hold back their snickers. I thought the teachers would have more class than this. I can't take it. I stand up abruptly and speed-walk to the door. The backs of my eyes burn. "Miss Crock! Where do you think you're going?"

"Anywhere but here." I call over my shoulder.


I take refuge under an oak tree just outside the courtyard. Light filters gently through the endless expanse of dark leaves and branches. I let myself break down for just a moment and let the tears roll silently down my face. I lean my head against the tree, wallowing in self-pity. The bell for next period rings and continues to ring in my ears. I can't bring myself to go back for last period, even if it means I'll see Dick and have him clear everything up. Mom is going to be so angry at me. I'm definitely receiving a detention for this. I ask myself if I really care. I don't. All of them can just suck it. I allow my eyes to close and I even out my breathing. Before I know it, I'm asleep.


"Artemis. Yo, Artemis, wake up. Thanks for making it here so fast, Wally." My eyes snap open, searching the grounds for the familiar red-head. Instead, I discover Dick Grayson, rolling in the grass and laughing his ass off. I narrow my eyes. "Oh my god Artemis that was so classic! I totally did not think that was going to work!" I blush deeper than I ever have before.

I press my fingers to my temples, trying to display signs of annoyance even though I'm dying from embarrassment inside. "What do you want, Grayson?" He grins. A mischievous look twinkles in those captivating blue eyes of his. I feel myself soften ever so slightly.

"I was wondering if you wanted to accompany me home to Wayne Manor."

"Wait, the Wayne Manor? As in the mansion?" Dick rolls his eyes.

"Unless you know another Wayne Manor in Gotham City."

I bite my lower lip. Should I? Maybe not, though it would be interesting to see how Bruce Wayne is when he's not Batman or acting up for the cameras. I shrug my shoulders.

"I'd have to let my Mom know." I say simply, trying to buy myself some more time.

He smirks. "Already taken care of. I just have to make sure you're home by six." He winks and grabs my hand and pulls me to a waiting limo. Numbly, I follow. Dick must've been really confident I'd say yes. Ah, who was I kidding? I'd wanted to say yes. I really wanted to know about Dick's life, the life I don't see when he's pretending to be the stuck-up rich kid Dick Grayson or the super amazing and full of himself Robin the Boy Wonder.

I'm yanked into the car. The seats are made of expensive black leather, and a flat-screen TV is attached to the wall. Dick stretches out carefree in on the seat. I stay stick-straight. There was no way I was going to get a scratch on anything belonging to Bruce Wayne: I couldn't even afford the gum he chewed, let alone a limo. Dick eyes me a little but says nothing, instead reaching out to open the screen separating the driver from us. A kind-looking old man sits at the wheel. He turns to face me and frowns. The blush that had just begun to go away resurfaces.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your…friend, Master Richard?" I shivered. The way he said friend unnerved me.

"Hello Megan!" he says, hitting himself on the forehead. I laugh out of habit. The driver narrows his eyes. "How could I forget? Alfred, this is Artemis. Artemis, meet my butler and honourary grandfather, Alfred." He inclines his head towards me and smiles kindly at Dick.

"I'm honoured you think that way about me, Master Richard. It is nice to meet you, Mistress Artemis. Though, Master Richard, I do not think Master Bruce would approve of bringing a friend that he has not met over for—"

"Alfred, it's okay. She's on my Young Justice team. She goes to my school. She knows who I am in…my spare time."

Alfred seems shocked. I am shocked. Alfred knows about his masters being Batman and Robin? I almost had a "Hello Megan!" moment myself. Of course he knows.

"I take it Master Bruce knows about this?"

Dick looks down at his lap sheepishly and rubs the back of his neck. I notice he does that often. "Yeah, about that…I was hoping that Artemis and I could tell him together."

Shit.


A/N: Nakama no otaku kon'nichiwa! Hello fellow geeks! OMG I feel so awful cuz I was supposed to update yesterday and I didn't! D: (please don't hurt me...) Anyway, hope this chapter was okay for you guys: I don't know if any of you noticed but I hinted at Spitfire just a little in here. ;) ! As always, please review guys! I love reading them so much you have no idea. I actually respond to every single review so know they are appreciated! Happy reading and stay astrous! ;)