Ok so I am not thanking reviews this chapter only because of time constraint and because I want opinions on whether or not to keep it or trash it…..*sigh* I really liked writing this chapter and think it will help with the ending of this fic, but please all review so I can see what you guys think.
So after you read please review your votes…Keep going or trash it, thank you for your time!
"You really need to use the door, if a neighbor sees you they will call the cops", Roy grumbled as he dropped his quiver on his desk and watched as Cheshire slipped in through the sliding glass window. Her mask was still in place and as she headed for the bathroom he turned to watch her. The limp could have easily been over looked, her labored breathing unheard, but it was the smear of blood on his window that had him moving.
Crossing the room in a few quick strides he caught her arm to stop her and placed his body between her and the bathroom. At first she ripped her arm from his hold and tried to get around him but the sudden movement seemed to be to much as she reached out to steady her self.
"Chesh what happened?", he lifted his hand and removed her mask slowly, as her face was revealed to him he had to stop from reacting. She hated pity and would likely try to leave if he showed any sign of concern. Her right eye was beginning to bruise and a nasty cut in her lip was still bleeding slightly.
"Don't worry about it Arrow ill be fine", she went to dodge around him but he caught her around the stomach with his arm, the gasp of pain had shocked him as he pulled his hand away.
"Che-", he reached again but then caught sight of red smeared down his arm. "Your Hurt, bad".
"Ever the observant one Arrow", she pressed her hand to her side and looked at him.
"Come here", he didn't wait for her to respond as he scooped her up and walked into the bathroom.
"I can walk", she protested only verbally which gave him reason to believe she was in a lot of pain.
"Barely and your getting blood everywhere", he responded and set her on the large counter. She curled slightly and closed her eyes as he went to the cabinet to retrieve medical supplies to see to her wounds. When he returned to her and set down some gauze, peroxide, and medical tape before taking a deep breath.
As she opened her eyes Cheshire released a surprised hiss as Roy grabbed the tie to her fighting kimono and started untying it. Her sudden response and attempt to stop him made Roy cease what he was doing.
"Turn away", her whispered words almost escaped him as she lowered her chin and removed the kimono ties from his hands.
"Chesh I have seen you plenty of times-".
"Not in the light, now go Roy!", her outburst made him take a step back before he looked away, his fists tightening at his sides. Before he could stop him self his so easily triggered aggression took the wheel and he pulled her kimono open. The wound was deep and messy but she wouldn't need a visit to the e.r. but it was the rest of her body that gave him pause. Despite the bruises that were developing and the few scars that were no doubt from past battles, she was beautiful. In their many tussles he had not taken the proper time to really look at her, their joining were never about something so gentle.
"Your wound, how did you get it?", he asked as he cleared his throat. But as his eyes lifted to meet hers he saw something he never thought he would see in the eyes of the ruthless Cheshire, fear.
"I signed my death warrant….", he watched as her stare turned blank again and she looked down to her side. He decided not to pry, by trying to do so he knew she would lock up tighter then Fort Knox and he needed her calm and docile for treatment.
"Shower first, then we can treat it", he stepped back slowly allowing her to slip her feet to the floor. As she released the counter to put her full weight on her feet she swayed slightly but caught her self once again.
"I don't need your help".
"Then why did you come here…..to me?", her gaze snapped to his but she just stood there for a moment as if trying to think on what to say or do next.
"Get out", she whispered at first but her voice lost its shake as she snapped the two words at him again. Roy lifted his hands in surrender and backed out of the bathroom, as she slammed the door he turned and rested back against it, his knees giving out which landed him ass first on the floor. Sitting there he listened as the shower was turned on and as she whimpered in pain. She was his enemy. She was a villain. But she was his, and his career be damned he wasn't letting her go.
Batman watched as a few stragglers of the Justice League left the mountain through the Zeta tubes, it had been a long night but a good night. His protégé had returned. Turning to look around the now empty main hall he sighed and headed down one of the many halls. The team had all departed for bed just a short while ago but he knew Green Arrow and Black Canary had headed for the kitchen to put away some left overs for the kids to enjoy tomorrow.
Rounding the corner he paused as he watched the two leaguers together, Dinah was enjoying a strawberry which Oliver had offered her. The couple was perfect and very good about their relationship around others. Which was why Bruce had no reason to protest their pairing, they never let it get in the way. Clearing his throat as he rounded the corner they both separated and turned their attention to him.
"Oliver we need to talk for a minute", Dinah quickly nodded and grabbed a strawberry from a side plate.
"Ill see you at home", she said quietly and Oliver nodded as she walked away, bidding good night to Batman as well before leaving.
"Is everything alright?", he leaned back against the counter and Batman folded his arms over his chest, he wasn't sure how Ollie would take the news, but they were friends and team members. It wouldn't be right for him to keep the truth from him when it involved, "family".
"It's about Roy".
Hearing the water in the shower turn off Roy got to his feet quickly and entered the room without pause, his impulse getting the better of him. Cheshire, or Jade as he had come to know her as well, not that it was a secret was wrapping a towel loosely around her self.
"Easy Arrow, you almost saw me naked", she attempted to chide him but he could tell she was weak and feeling exposed, two things she hated.
"Sit, ill bandage you", he rarely told her what to do because it was a waste of breath telling her anything but he was surprised to see her listen. Sitting down on the trunk that held extra towels and miscellaneous items she rolled her eyes, trying to rebel even in the slightest. Gathering the supplies once again he kneeled in front of her and grabbed the peroxide.
"Well Nurse Arro-".
"Roy, here I am Roy", he looked up at her as she seemed to get slightly uncomfortable.
"No, to personal", he lifted the bottle and she released the towel that had been shielding her from him. It pooled around her lap only exposing her chest to him, which despite his want to admire her he kept to the task at hand.
"And this isn't?".
"Look we use each other for a good fu-damn it", she winced as he laid a peroxide soaked wash clothe against the cut on her side.
"Who did this", his voice which was always deep and rumbling seemed even deeper then usual as she gripped his shoulder.
"Sports Master", she answered without pause but almost slapped a hand over her mouth wondering why she had answered so easily.
"But he is….why?", she knew what he was going to say but she wasn't going there, her family tree was a twisted birch that needed to be cut down she knew that, but others knowing it bothered her.
"I went against orders, punishment was required", giving up on hiding the truth she watched as he pulled away the wash cloth and set to work with the antiseptic and gauze.
"He could have killed you", was all he said before falling silent and working on her. She sat still as his skilled hands set the gauze and started to tape them, watching him she couldn't help but admire him. He was wearing his usual black beater and red running pants, she didn't understand why heroes wore their colors even when out of costume. The dried blood on his forearm made her want to wince, she had come to his place without thought.
Before she would simple find a place to lie low and tend to her wounds alone, but this time was different, she was actually scared. While usually Sport Master would reprimand her, this time he was more violent then usual. If she hadn't gotten away when she did, he may have actually killed her.
"-you going to answer me?", she was snapped from her thoughts by his voice and she looked down at him.
"What?".
"I asked why", he frowned before standing and retrieving a robe, which he placed around her shoulders.
"Artemis".
"What about her?", his frown deepened as she carefully slipped her arms into the robe and secured it around her waist.
"He wanted me to set her up….", she trailed off as she remembered what her father had wanted her to do, the memory clouding her mind as she grabbed her head.
"Its simple, we let the freak play with her, weaken her guard and then we come in and save her. She will realize family is more important, then we can use her to keep an eye on those brats and the league…..".
She shook her head to rid her thoughts of his voice, before looking at Roy. He watched her with questioning eyes but allowed her to decide if she would go further.
"He wanted me to help the Joker take Artemis", she lowered her eyes, ashamed of her father.
"And you refused?".
"We may play for different teams but Artemis is my sister, my little sister! I saw what that freak did to Boy Wonder, what wouldn't he do to a girl?", lowering her voice she looked anywhere but at him. "I saved her but damned my self, I did exactly what I have been trying to avoid for a long time….I cared".
"You cant be serious? This is Roy we are talking about, he would never go against the league like that", Oliver shook his head as he paced the kitchen, Batman leaning against a wall to his right now.
"Oliver listen, I am merely coming to you out of concern for Roy", he watched as the other male ran a hand through his hair and released an exhausted sigh.
"You are sure of this? That it is her?", he looked to the dark knight and watched as he nodded.
"Dead certain, Oliver I will keep this quiet, give you a chance to talk to him, but do it quickly. Cheshire is good at deceiving, and if Roy isn't careful he will wind up with a knife in his back.", another sigh but Oliver nodded slowly.
"Thank you, I will talk to him right awa-".
"Identified Red Arrow, B06", they both froze at the echoing sound of the zeta tube activating. "Identified Red Arrow Guest B00".
"Guest?", they both whispered and looked at each other before taking of down the hall.
Well please review I look forward to hearing what everyone thinks of this chapter….