I didn't want to leave youse hanging too long so here we are. Really long chapter to make up for the shortness of previous chapters. Enjoy.

Both felt the sensation of dropping for an instant. Then it stopped.

"Just in time. I apologise for our lateness."

Artemis and Superboy looked up to see Aqualad. He had used his water bearers to form a rope like structure around their bodies to hold them up and to block the falling debris.

"Rocket could you please retrieve Artemis and I will pull Superboy up." Rocket nodded her head and floated down to Artemis.

"What the hell happened to you?" Rocket asked as she slipped Artemis's arm over her shoulder and lifted her up.

"Well there was no back up and Superboy decided to take a nap, so Sportmaster used me as a punching bag."

"Sorry they did a pretty good job of wiring the building." Robin announced as he and Zatanna approached.

"Really well that doesn't explain why those not stuck in the building didn't show up to help."

"Or why they haven't been responding."

Superboy and Artemis replied. Zatanna looked at Artemis's leg whilst Aqualad looked for the bio ship. It finally arrived just outside of the broken window.

"Where have you been?" Aqualad demanded as the bio ship opened to reveal Kid Flash and Miss Martian.

"The bio ship was having trouble and it took us forever to get here. Why?" Kid flash said.

In answer Rocket and Zatanna helped Artemis aboard the bio ship, Robin and Superboy followed. Aqualad shook his head and followed their lead whilst Kid Flash and Miss Martian watched on looking guilty.

"It looks like the Shadows escaped." Kid Flash said.

The entire team turned to look at him. All of them bar M'gann looked as if they would like to hit him.

"Are you okay Artemis, what happened?" M'gann asked re-directing everyone's attention away from Wally and on to their injured teammate.

"Not much. I played the punching bag; the CEO's got away just in time, Superboy showed up at the last second to save me from slipping to my death and then the building tried to take us both out."

Artemis spoke as if this was the most normal thing on the planet to have happen to someone on a Monday night. Unnoticed to everyone but Conner was the flicker in her eyes when she mentioned slipping. Her whole body had shifted. She was lying. Conner's heart sank as he realised that she had indeed let go. There was no other explanation. But why?

He watched as Kaldur told M'gann to take them home, saw Wally chase after her to the Bio ships bridge. He hung back whilst Zatanna and Rocket bandaged Artemis's injured leg, heard Kaldur talk to Robin about Wally and M'gann. He didn't know if they had been late because of the bio ship or because of what they had been doing. Right now the only thing going through his mind was Artemis. The new bruising, the lying, letting go. Whatever was going on with her needed to be dealt with. Now.

It seemed that he would have to be the one to force the issue again. No one else seemed to have noticed anything different about her. Maybe they had put it down to the whole Wally and M'gann thing. But it couldn't just be that. She had been acting strange for far too long. Conner watched as Kaldur came over to him.

"Would you please stay with Artemis? The rest of us need to attend the bridge and speak with Wally and M'gann."

Conner only nodded his head. He noticed that Kaldur, Robin, Rocket and Zatanna had looks of resignation on their face. They were going to be talking to Wally and M'gann about what had just happened. That was fine by Conner. It meant that he might be able to talk to Artemis about everything without them eavesdropping. With any luck those walls that he had managed to crack a few weeks ago would still be down and she would be willing to talk. The rest of the team being distracted would only aid this effort. If those walls were down. If they weren't this could get ugly. Fast.

Artemis watched the others leave and quickly looked away from where Conner was sitting. She saw the look he was wearing. He wanted to talk and she didn't. If he could just wait till tomorrow then she could come up with a lie. Two weeks ago she had been prepared to spill her heart to him. She didn't blame him for not caring in the past weeks. They had both been a little distracted. She had sought him out a couple of times. Considered trying to explain it to him but had chickened out. Every time she would be standing just outside the room he was in and that was where she stayed. She couldn't do it. Maybe she wanted him to call her in to the room. Maybe she wanted some sign that he cared as much as he seemed to. But go to him of her own choice. That she couldn't do. It was cowardly. "Crocks aren't cowards." Tough being a coward in a family of people who weren't. Whatever the reason she couldn't do it. She put the walls back up and told herself that she had imagined it. None of it had happened. He hadn't cared. Over and over. Until she almost believed it. Believing he could save her twice was stupid of her. She was suffering now because of it. Right now she just wanted to disappear. To go unnoticed by everyone. She was so tired.

Whilst she had been thinking Artemis had closed her eyes. She heard Conner approach. Heard him kneel so that their heads were level. Heard him clear his throat. Several times. Each one getting louder. Ignorance could be bliss but Conner didn't seem the type to let her be. She was right. He placed his hands on her shoulders shook her slightly and spoke.

"You can stop pretending now."

Artemis slowly opened her eyes and glared at him.

"I wasn't pretending. Now if you don't mind, I was sleeping."

"I do mind. We need to talk. Now." Conner replied.

This had to be done he reminded himself. Artemis eyes betrayed her. She was doing a great job of pretending that she was irritated. Her eyes though showed how tired she was, frustrated, sad. It was all there. Being so close and with better light he noticed her cheeks seemed to be sunken in a little. He couldn't remember whether that was normal or not. At the moment he was preoccupied with other problems.

"About what now? Is this because I missed the warm up spar. You know how hard it is to avoid those pair and maybe I just didn't want to practise today." Artemis was fast with her reply.

Conner listened to the pleading in her voice. That desperate look in her eyes. She wanted him to leave it at that. To do what everyone else did and give up. He couldn't. Being so close a few weeks ago. Everything he had seen tonight. He wouldn't let this go. She could hate him forever for all he cared. As long as she had the chance to live that long and knew somebody cared. That would be enough.

"No Artemis this isn't about the spar. You know exactly what this is about. I told you once to let us in. To let us help you. You were willing to once. Right here, right now is your chance."

"I have no idea what you are talking about Conner. Maybe you should see Black Canary when we get back to see whether Hook gave you a concussion."

There was only a hint of malice in Artemis's voice as she spoke. Most of it was defiance. Defiance and desperation. Conner couldn't help his rising frustration. Or his rising anger. How could she be so stupid? To think that whatever was going on didn't matter to him or the others. To have convinced herself to deter and deflect them at every opportunity. He couldn't understand it but that wasn't going to stop him.

"You put yourself and the team in danger tonight. I don't know why and you don't sound like you're going to be sharing anytime soon. When we get back to the cave I am going to see Black Canary and Batman. You're coming with me. If I have to carry you kicking and screaming."

Conner stood and turned to walk away. He heard her loud and clear but didn't quite believe it.

"Hypocrite."

"What?" He spun back around to look at her.

"You heard me that time, huh. I said hypocrite. You put this team in danger for months. Nobody ever questioned you about it. Is it because I'm female? Because of whom my parents are? What? Not as good as you because I'm only human. Or do you need somebody else to look after now that M'gann's found someone else?" Her words and her eyes were full of challenge

She didn't mean it. She was trying to make him get angry. To make him forget the point. It was working.

"You don't mean that. You will regret saying that later. Which is totally beside the point. As long as this problem exists, I will exist. I am not going anywhere." It took all his strength to remain calm.

"Really. So this "friendship" is a one way street. It's on your terms. First we barely have a friendship and now you want to act like were best friends. It doesn't work like that. You don't get it all your way just because you got ditched." Every word she spoke seemed to be forced. There was no malice, just desperation. To make him back off.

"Would you just stop. This is not about me it's about you. So stop trying to make me go away because I am not going anywhere. No matter how mad you make me. I will not quit. It isn't about me or M'gann or Wally. It's about you. So just-"

Conner never got to finish his little speech. The bio-ship lurched violently. Sending both himself and Artemis flying. As he pulled himself to his feet Kaldur entered.

"Apologies for the rough landing. We have arrived back at the cave. Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine..."

It took Conner a few seconds to register what Kaldur had said. When he did, he spun around. The first thing he noticed was the hatch on the bio-ship was open. The second thing. No Artemis.

"Damn it."

Conner took off through the bio-ship hatch. He didn't notice the rest of the team watch him leave. Or the quizzical looks they shared. He didn't even notice how close they were following. Conner had one focus beat Artemis to the Zeta beams. When he entered the control room he saw that she was approaching them. Instead of running, he jumped. Did a neat little twist in the air and landed a few feet in front of Artemis. Both had failed to notice the entire Justice League near the Computer banks or the approach of their team. Conner's landing had caught their attention. Artemis and Conner were staring at each other. Daring the other to back down. The tension this was causing was broken by Batman.

"Is there a problem here?" It was said sternly but he was interested.

"We are not sure. Is there?" Kaldur spoke quietly. Both he and Batman felt that they might get some answers.

"NO."

"Yes."

Artemis and Conner spoke at the same time. No one failed to notice that Artemis had been louder. Had spoken with a desperation that caught everyone by surprise. Artemis never spoke like that. Desperate. Defeated. It scared them all. It also angered Conner further.

"Enough. This ends. Now!"

As Conner spoke he moved forward and ripped Artemis's mask down. There for all to see was a bruise forming on her temple. It was large and purple. The sight left many of those gathered shocked.

"Stop lying. You didn't fall down stairs. You're not fine and you certainty didn't slip off the side of the building."

"What?" The voices were all mingled. All of them looking at Conner and Artemis who stood centimetres apart.

"Conner what do you mean?" It was Zatanna who spoke. Her voice was quiet and worried and even though she didn't show it. It broke Artemis's heart.

"I mean when I got to Artemis she let go of the building. If I hadn't of been there she would have fallen..." He trailed off. Let the unfinished sentence sink in. As it did Batman moved closer. Conner knew before he spoke that it was a bad idea.

"Time to talk Artemis."

"No."

"As long as you are part of this team-"

"THEN I QUIT! I QUIT. I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF YOU ANYMORE. I DON'T WANT TO TRUST MY SECRETS TO SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T TRUST ME. I DON'T WANT TO RELY ON A TEAM WHO ONLY CARES WHEN IT'S CONVENIENT. I DON'T WANT ANY OF IT. SO JUST LEAVE ME ALONE."

Artemis's outburst caught them all by surprise. Until then she had been staring at the floor. When she finished she made a dash for the exit. Conner caught her by the arm. Even though it caused her pain he didn't let go. What she had just said caused something to click. He went to speak but Batman beat him to it.

"What are you talking about Artemis?"

"Nothing it doesn't matter."

"Apparently it does or you wouldn't have brought it up. So?" Batman appeared calm but he was curious. His calm demeanour seemed to make Artemis angrier.

"YOU AND ROBIN FOR ONE. YOU KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM. BUT DO YOU TRUST ANY OF US WITH ANY OF YOUR SECRETS. NO. I LIVE IN THE SAME CITY AS THE PAIR OF YOU AND ALL I KNOW ABOUT YOU IS WHAT IS REPORTED IN THE NEWSPAPERS. WE'RE SUPPOSED TO TRUST YOU WITH OUR LIVES IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE BUT YOU WON'T EVEN TRUST US WITH WHO YOU REALLY ARE. OR IS THAT ONLY ME?

Artemis's breathing was laboured and everyone was staring. Batman and Robin appeared put out by what Artemis had said. The few who paid close attention saw how upset Robin looked. Anyone who knew Batman well saw how tense he had become.

"Doesn't matter anymore does it?"

Artemis spoke and attempted to pull her arm free from Conner's grasp. He wouldn't let go and she refused to look at him. It might break her resolve. She went to speak but his voice came first.

"What do you mean?"

The way Conner spoke caught everyone by surprise. Even Artemis; who whipped her head around. It hurt her head to move so fast. It hurt her heart to see the pleading desperate look on his face. He had put enough of it together and was desperately begging anyone for it not to be true. Begging Artemis to tell him otherwise. For a few seconds neither spoke.

"What do you mean by that?" There was an edge to Artemis's voice. She knew where this was going.

"On the Bio-ship you said that I heard you this time. Just now you said that you didn't want people who only care when it's convenient. What did you mean?"

Artemis didn't want to answer. Couldn't bear the thought of telling them again. The idea that for a second time they might not hear her.

"Exactly what it sounded like. Now let me go."

Once again she tried to pull her arm from Conner's hand. She wanted to run and not stop. It was catching up with her again. The only problem was Conner wouldn't let go. He still had that look on his face. Artemis could tell he wasn't satisfied with her answer.

"What did we miss? What happened?"

"Artemis what's going on?"

No one had heard Conner's voice sound so broken. It was as if he was afraid of the answer. Afraid that all of this was somehow their fault. Black Canary followed with her own question. She looked sad, though didn't sound as broken as Conner. His voice and her face however seemed to rile Artemis. She looked livid.

"WHAT HAPPENED? SO NOW YOU CARE. DIDN'T CARE A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN I NEEDED SOMEBODY. ANYBODY. NO EVERYONE WAS JUST TOO BUSY BACK THEN TO CARE. BATMAN AND ROBIN WERE TO BUSY BEING ANGRY THAT THE JOKER BROKE OUT OF ARKHAM AGAIN. GREEN ARROW AND BLACK CANARY WERE TO BUSY TRYING TO CONVINCE RED ARROW TO GET A JOB. FLASH AND KID FLASH WERE ARGUING ABOUT HOW K.F. COULD GO FASTER. AQUALAD WAS VISITING ATLANTIS. ROCKET WAS PINING FOR HIM. ZATANNA WAS RESEARCHING HOW TO REMOVE THE HELMET OF FATE. RED TORNADO WAS ON WATCHTOWER DUTY AND YOU AND M'GANN WERE TO BUSY KISSING EACH OTHER TO NOTICE ME. I WENT TO EVERYONE TOLD THEM MORE THAN ONCE AND NOBODY HEARD ME. EVEN YOU WITH YOUR SUPER HEARING COULDN'T HEAR ME CRYING AND DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR HELP BECAUSE MY MUM DIED!"

Not one person in the room moved. The sight of Artemis and her words had effectively frozen them. As she had started screaming she had also begun to cry. No one had ever seen Artemis Crock cry. It seemed that she hadn't even noticed the tears streaming down her face. It wasn't right and more than one person had the urge to go pull her into a hug. No one had though as she had started to mention specific people. All of them were a little shocked. When Artemis had finished most of them were left staring open-mouthed. It couldn't be true. Just couldn't. The people she mentioned though were recalling vague memories from a few months ago. All had the same recollection of thinking someone had come into the room and had spoken but they had brushed it off. They were all regretting it now.

"Artemis, I-" Conner tried to talk to her. Tell her he was sorry. His grip on her arm had loosened; he was just resting it there now. Artemis didn't want to hear it though as she cut across him.

"YOU WHAT? NOBODY CARED THEN SO WHY CARE NOW. OH WAIT THAT'S RIGHT YOU ONLY CARE BECAUSE A BUNCH OF JERKS FROM SCHOOL FOUND OUT WHO MY FAMILY ARE AND HAVE BEEN BEATING ME UP EVER SINCE. WHY? DOES IT ONLY MATTER WHEN I AM PHYSICALLY INJURED AND NOT WHEN I'M BREAKING INSIDE. WHEN I REALLY NEEDED YOU OR ANYBODY THERE WAS NO ONE AND NOW YOU JUST WON'T LEAVE IT ALONE. WELL YOU KNOW WHAT IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT. MY MUM HAS BEEN DEAD FOR MONTHS AND NOT ONE PERSON NOTICED. NOT ONE PERSON CARED ENOUGH TO ASK. SO JUST LEAVE IT ALONE BECAUSE I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE."

The screaming suddenly came to an end. Artemis was looking at the floor. The tears still streaming unchecked and unnoticed down her face. Every single member of the room stared at Artemis. The same questioned running through their minds. How did we not know? The mood was broken by Wolf running into the room. The first person he ran to however wasn't Conner. It was Artemis. He nuzzled her free arm. He was trying to comfort her and she gave him a quick pat on the head. The room had become so quiet that when she spoke a large number of its occupants almost jumped. Though what Artemis had to say left them questioning themselves and the fact that she had somehow managed to break their hearts in only a few minutes.

"When I joined this team it wasn't just to prove that I was nothing like my Father. I was hoping to find a place I belonged. Somewhere people cared for each other. Where having a conscience and a heart wasn't a liability. Or a source of pain. If I wanted this kind of treatment I'd go see my Dad or Jade. But I can't take it anymore. So please just stop. Just leave it alone... Please, leave me alone."

Artemis was still crying as she softly finished. She had let it all out. She was broken. She was pleading with them to leave her be. To let it go. She knew it wouldn't happen but she said it anyway. As soon as she finished she took advantage of their shock and silence to pull herself from Conner's grasp and leave through the Zeta beams. She didn't know where she was going but she knew that she just needed to get away from them. All of them.