Alright we are back. I apologise for the wait and the length of the chapter but I couldn't find a good place to cut it. The end result being this I hope you enjoy reading it.

Over the next few days it became obvious that something had shifted between Artemis and Conner in New York. Conner spent a lot more time with Artemis. She had slept through most of the next day but Conner stayed with her. A few times Kid Flash, Batman and a few of the other leaguers tried to get Conner to tell them what had happened in New York. Each time Conner said that it wasn't his right to tell them and had then gone very quiet. Eventually they all got the message that he wasn't going to tell them anything. The pair also seemed to be able to read what each other wanted. Conner on several occasions didn't have dinner and when M'gann bought Artemis hers she often ended up sharing with him. Conner had also taken to putting Artemis's hair up for her. Most of the team were surprised but they let it go. This didn't stop them from talking about her or Conner though.

Indeed they and the League deemed her behaviour even stranger since her return from New York than beforehand. When Green Arrow told her that she would be able to start using a bow again soon Artemis had looked apprehensive. Scared even. She agreed it would be good but the discomfort was plain to see on her face. She wasn't exercising anymore but the flinching she had exhibited before was worse than ever. Especially if she didn't know you were there. The nightmares had become worse and the only person who seemed capable of calming her down was Conner. Her dependency on him for support was obvious. There were a couple of instances where they pair had stopped talking abruptly when others turned up. The pair where almost always holding hands when this happened. Of course the thing that worried them most was that Artemis had taken to talking to herself when she thought no one was around. No one could ever hear what she said but it was troubling. If it weren't for the fact that they knew that forcing the issue would get them nowhere more than one of them would have tried to make her tell them what was going on. Artemis didn't know they felt that way. She had spent so much time in the infirmary that she had hardly seen any of them, let alone have the chance to over hear them talking about her. Five days after Artemis had come back from New York that good fortune ended. She decided to take her own washing up to the kitchen that day. The team was having a discussion in the lounge area when she arrived. Artemis didn't announce herself when she arrived and it was only after she had put the washing up in the sink that Artemis listened to their conversation. Artemis was distresses to realise that they were talking about her.

"Someone has to do something."

"I don't think we should be pushing her."

"If she won't talk to us willingly than forcing the issue may be the only way."

"She already spoke to Conner, isn't that enough?"

"Her behaviour is beginning to become troublesome."

"Troublesome? Artemis is talking to herself. Someone has to do something."

"I don't think we should interfere. Conner and Artemis seem to be dealing with it."

"Yeah if you call dealing with it ignoring the problem and shutting everyone else out."

"I don't think that us getting involved at this point will be of any benefit to Artemis's health."

"Why because she is doing so well on her own? If anything she has gotten worse since she got here."

"That is true but healing takes time."

"No offense but we have been giving her time. Every day she gets worse, everyday she pushes us further away."

"Artemis will come to us when she is ready. Forcing her will not work."

"Something has got to be done; this monster is getting beyond a joke."

Artemis didn't hear anymore. All she could hear was the word monster ringing in her ears. Slowly numbly she walked back towards the infirmary. She didn't notice Conner as she passed him. He tried to get her attention as they passed each other but didn't get a response. Conner was worried about her but he had to talk to the others about Artemis's plan to talk to them individually. He was supposed to ask them to be patient. So he continued walking, intending to double back and see her afterwards. Artemis also failed to notice Batman, Canary, Green Arrow and Red Arrow nearing the infirmary. She had arrived a few minutes beforehand and was sitting on the far side of the room. She hadn't noticed their approach but Artemis had heard someone. Someone who was whispering about her. The words weren't particularly distinguishable but 'monster' seemed to keep coming up. So when the group of four entered the room they were greeted by Artemis standing there wielding the stand they used for drips. She looked terrified and hurt.

Conner entered the kitchen area to find the team gathered there already, he was relieved that he would only have to say it once. It also occurred to him that maybe they knew what was wrong with Artemis. She had been coming from this direction.

"Hey guys. Do any of you know what's wrong with Artemis?"

The entire team looked at him, as if they had just been talking about something they didn't want him to hear. He also noticed that Wally, Rocket and Zatanna looked angry whilst Kaldur, Robin and M'gann looked worried and apprehensive.

"No we don't. None of us have seen her and even if we had it's not like she would have told us anything." Wally answered for everyone, his voice oozed with anger and annoyance.

"What do you mean? I just saw her coming from this direction and she looked pretty distressed." Conner ignored Wally for the moment. He got that they were frustrated but it had to be this way. The distressed looks on Kaldur, Robin and M'ganns' faces caught his attention.

"Are you sure that Artemis was coming from here?" Kaldur asked with a voice full of dread.

"Yeah. Why? What is it?"

At this point M'gann went to the kitchen. When she came back out it was clear something was wrong.

"She was returning her stuff to the kitchen." M'gann spoke with a monotone.

"You don't think she overheard us do you?" Robin spoke as Wally, Rocket and Zatannas' faces fell.

"WHAT IS GOING ON?" Conner's shout caught everyone's attention. It also riled up Wally.

"HOW WOULD WE KNOW? YOU AND ARTEMIS WON'T TELL ANYONE WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON. SO WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HER AND EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON."

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN? AND WHAT THE HELL DID YOU SAY?" It seemed Wally and Conner were about to dissolve into a full on fight. Everyone else was afraid of getting involved.

"IT MEANS EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE. ARTEMIS WON'T TALK TO ANYONE BUT YOU AND YOU WON'T TELL ANYBODY WHAT SHE HAS BEEN SAYING. SO WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE WAY YOU PAIR HAVE BEEN SHUTTING EVERYONE OUT. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW TO GET ARTEMIS TO TALK TO US AGAIN. TO LET US IN."

At this point Conner shocked everyone, he grabbed Wally who was in civvies by the collar of his shirt and lifted him off the ground. At this point the rest of the team grabbed on to the pair of them but Conner refused to let go as he started shouting again.

"SO WHAT, YOU WERE GOING TO FORCE HER TO TALK TO YOU? DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT IS A GOOD IDEA CONSIDERING THE STATE SHE IS IN? DID YOU EVEN CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES? YOU SHOULD HAVE COME AND SPOKEN TO ME. NOT RUN ROUND BEHIND OUR BACKS TALKING ABOUT HER. THE WAY SHE IS AT THE MOMENT SHE MIGHT HAVE MISINTERPERETED WHAT YOU SAID. DID YOU EVEN CONSIDER THAT? AND WHY THE HELL DO YOU CARE SO MUCH WALLY?

Wally was looking down at Conner with an angry glare clouding his features. Wally opened his mouth to respond but never got the chance.

"CONNER, we need your help in the infirmary." Roy was standing in the door way. He looked stressed out.

"Why, what's going on?" As Conner spoke he lowered Wally to the ground.

"Artemis is totally flipping out. When I left Batman and Black Canary were trying to get close enough to calm her down." Roy didn't like what he was saying but it was the truth. He noticed Conner seemed shell-shocked, like something had just clicked.

"Please tell me you didn't say the word monster?" Conner had shifted his sight back to the team. The pleading look in his eyes made his gaze hard to meet.

"Yes I did but I-" Wally didn't get to finish his sentence as Conner had taken off at the word yes.

Conner moved so fast that he crashed into the wall when he tried to turn. It didn't seem to faze him, he just pushed off the wall and kept going. He didn't notice Roy and the others following in his wake. All he could think about was getting to Artemis before she hurt someone or worse herself. As he approached he saw Batman and Green Arrow watching from just outside the door. Black Canary was standing in the centre of the room trying to calm Artemis down. Artemis was standing in the far corner of the room, near the windows. She was brandishing a drip stand as a lance and Conner noted the scattered supplies all over the floor.

"Artemis, please lower that. We just want to help."

"No you don't. You hate me. Just like everyone else. You think I'm a monster. Just stay away from me."

As Artemis spoke she swung the stand to make Canary retreat. Conner however walked in towards her. He was almost within range of her weapon when he stopped and started talking to her.

"Artemis you need to calm down. It's alright. It's me Conner. No one is going to hurt you. If you just put the stand down and talk to us."

For a second it looked like Artemis was going to lower the stand. Than Conner was forced to dodge an incoming projectile that Artemis had launched. The look of hurt and betrayal on her face was obvious to all present.

"You lied to me. You said they wouldn't- That they'd understand. You promised me. You lied to me. Please leave me alone."

If the hurt and betrayal cut Conner, they way Artemis spoke killed him inside. Her voice was little more than a whisper. A sad whisper that spoke of pain.

"Artemis they don't know. Wally wasn't talking about you. Please Artemis it's alright."

"No it isn't. They think I'm a monster and they don't even know everything. I knew they would. I wanted to believe you but I was right. They think I'm a monster."

Artemis's grip slackened while her whisper of a voice carried the pain she was feeling to the occupants of the room. Everyone had filed in behind Conner and were left a little stunned. Even the other day when she had broken down it was nothing like this. For the first time they understood a little of why Conner hadn't said anything to them. How do you explain that pain to someone if you haven't experienced it yourself?

Conner saw his chance when Artemis left her grip slack on the stand. With surprising speed he knocked the stand from Artemis's hand and grabbed hold of her before she could move away from him. He had wrapped his arms around her shoulders and refused to let go even though she was struggling against his grip. He felt Artemis's tears begin to soak his shirt again and he wondered briefly if she would ever be able to stop crying. If the pain would ever go away?

"It's alright Artemis. It's gonna be alright."

As Conner spoke Artemis let out a sob and then dissolved into tears. Her legs gave out beneath her and Conner lowered them slowly to the ground so that she could kneel on the floor.

"You're not a monster Artemis. No matter what anyone says. I don't think you're a monster. You're not a monster at all."

The rest of the room was unsure of what to say. Artemis's body was shaking from her crying and Conner had such a tight grip on her it was as if he was afraid that she would disappear if he let go. The only person who spoke was Wally. The group only just heard him over Artemis's sobs.

"I didn't mean... I wasn't talking about Artemis. I was talking about us, about the way she was viewing us. I never meant..."

No one was game enough to go near Artemis or Conner the next day. Neither of them would talk to anyone and it was obvious that none of the team was sure of what to say to them.

Two days after the incident, as everyone now called it, Conner arranged for everyone but Kaldur to leave the cave. By this stage everyone understood why Artemis and Conner had acted the way that they did and none of them questioned his request. Conner met Kaldur in the main room of the cave.

"Artemis is waiting for you in the hanger." Conner stated before going to leave.

"What do you mean? Aren't you staying?" Kaldur was curious, Conner was organising for the others to all get a day alone with Artemis but they all thought Conner would be there.

"Artemis will explain and I'm not staying because Artemis and I discussed it and decided that it would be better if she learnt to rely on and trust the rest of you. Basically what Artemis is about to do needs to be done alone." With that said Conner left.

Kaldur slowly made his way down to the hanger area. He spotted Artemis when he walked into the room. She was in a one piece green swimsuit sitting on the steps that lead into the water. Kaldur sat down next to her and waited for Artemis to acknowledge his presence.

"Hey Kaldur."

"Hello Artemis. Are you planning on going swimming?"

Artemis gave a nervous laugh and glanced between Kaldur and the water before she spoke.

"Well see that's the thing I can't actually swim."

Kaldur did a double take between Artemis and the water. He then sat their gaping as if waiting for an explanation.

"I can hold my breath and I can sort a kinda swim based off what I have seen other people do but I can't really swim. I was hoping you might teach me."

Artemis spoke quietly and waited for Kaldur to say or do something. Eventually he seemed to recover enough to speak.

"You cannot swim and you did not tell anyone. Okay I will teach you."

For the next hour Artemis let Kaldur show her how to swim. Eventually they sat on the steps again, waist deep in water.

"Artemis, why didn't you tell anyone that you couldn't swim?" Kaldur had been wondering about that for some time but had decided to get through Artemis's first lesson before asking her.

"I was embarrassed. Almost everyone my age can swim and I can barely manage a freestyle that can keep me alive."

"Okay but why did you not trust any of us? Why did you not trust me enough to come see me sooner?" Kaldur was staring at her as she spoke. Artemis avoided his eyes by looking at her reflection in the water.

"At first I didn't want any of you see any weakness. I mean I was the new team-mate replacing someone who was supposedly perfect. I didn't want anyone thinking that I couldn't do the job because I couldn't do something as simple as swim. Then everyone thought that I was good enough but I was afraid that if youse saw a weakness Wally might latch on to it or you would all think less of me. When I finally ran out of excuses I had to admit to myself that I was scared. My Dad did things, and he made me do things and they all left their mark one of them being an erratic fear of drowning."

Artemis at this point stopped speaking. Kaldur watched her draw in a long slow breath. Her eyes were closed and as she was so often these days, she looked close to tears.

"Artemis what happened?" As Kaldur spoke he placed a hand on Artemis's shoulder and slowly Artemis told him about part of her childhood. Granting him a piece of her that she had never wanted any of them to know about.

"I take it there is more than just this one story?" Kaldur questioned when she had finished.

"Yes but I don't want you all to have to deal with my problems. You all shouldn't have to deal with my problems."

Kaldur hesitated for a second before pulling her into a hug.

"Artemis we are a family. Sharing each other's burdens is not a problem. We are supposed to share our struggles with each other because then the load is not so heavy. If we shoulder it together then it becomes a bearable burden."

Artemis couldn't help but smile at that as she pulled out of the hug.

"Thanks Kal. For the moment this is your piece then."

"Until you are ready. Now would you like to start lesson two now or later?"

The next day Artemis was left alone at the mountain, this time with Rocket. Artemis found her in the lounge area waiting for Artemis. After Artemis ad settled herself on the couch Rocket spoke without looking at her.

"Why did you think that you had to hide your past?" Rocket's tone was resentful and Artemis understood why.

"No offense Rocket but as much as you can understand parts of my past there are something's that no one can relate to because they weren't there. I'm sorry for not even mentioning it but by the time you joined I was so used to keeping it hidden that even divulging it to someone who could even understand a little of it was impossible."

Rocket looked at her and seemed satisfied with that answer before speaking again.

"So why are you here now?"

"Well someone told me that as we are a family it's our job to share our problems and help each other with the burdens we carry. To that end I am here to talk, to give you a piece of that and trust that you won't use it to hurt me."

Artemis studied Rocket's face for a second before she continued. The pair sat talking for a while about things that they knew most of the others wouldn't understand. They after all had grown up in environments very different to Artemis and Rocket.

Artemis found Zatanna outside the cave. Since coming to her sense's Artemis had found out about Dr Fate and Zatara making a deal meaning that Zatanna had her Dad back. Artemis sat down by Zatanna on a rock and waited for her to say something.

"Artemis, I know this is going to sound totally insensitive and absolutely uncaring but thank you. If it weren't for everything that had happened I wouldn't have my Dad back which sounds incredibly selfish."

Artemis shook her head and laughed a little. Zatanna looked at her but couldn't understand what was so funny.

"Zee whatever you do don't change. No matter what."

"What are you talking about?" Zatanna asked confused.

"Do you know what I like most about you?"

"You mean apart from my incredible talent and amazing personality?

"Yeah apart from those. The thing I like most about you is that even when you want to be depressed and all sad you find something to be happy about. You have a reason to smile and you don't waste it. You're lucky you know that. You have a fairly normal life, with a fairly normal parent."

Artemis stared at the sky after she finished. She knew that Zatanna would be looking shocked and sad and sympathetic but right now Artemis didn't want to see that. She wanted to picture them sitting here talking about Zatanna and Robin's relationship.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Zatanna asked quietly.

"Not really." Artemis brought her eyes down to meet Zatanna's gaze as she spoke. "But I'm going to."

Robin of course felt the need to play hide and seek with her. After twenty minutes of searching Artemis gave up and decided to let him come to her. So another twenty minutes later Dick walked into the infirmary.

"So you gave up rather quickly."

"I knew you would come see me eventually so why waste all that energy."

A few second passed between them and Dick crawled up beside Artemis on the bed.

"Dick I know that you think this is your entire fault and that you somehow have to make it right but none of this has ever been your fault. What happened before well I don't think anyone would have ever been able to stop that and the rest of it well I guess I was afraid you would get hurt if you got involved."

"Yes but the second part was my fault. Not only that but out of everyone I spend the most time with you. I should have known. Should have been able to do something."

"Dick trust me when I say there are things you get so used to hiding that it all comes to be second nature. What you did know what you didn't that was my fault because I didn't want you to know. I was afraid of what you would all think if you found out. Do don't blame yourself because I didn't want to talk."

"I'll try not to. Is that all you wanted to talk about?"

"No. It isn't. You got the time?"

"I am all ears Artemis."

Wally waited for Artemis in the kitchen. When she arrived he was sitting on a bench eating ice cream straight from the tub. She joined him on the bench and realised it was the first time since the break up the pair had really been alone together.

"So how's life?"

"Fine."

Artemis wasn't quite sure how to start this conversation with Wally. She was almost grateful when he glared at her and started talking.

"Why didn't you tell me? Was I not good enough? Was there something wrong with me? Well?"

"No Wally I was afraid of losing what we had. I was afraid of losing you."

That seemed to shock him a little.

"Oh."

"It wasn't just that though. I was afraid of how you would take it, I mean it's not like everything in my life was totally normal and I didn't remember everything. I was afraid you would hate me."

"Why?"

"Irrational fear of rejection?" Artemis proposed it like a question and Wally just shook his head.

"So how are things with you and M'gann?"

"We broke up just after they brought you to the cave."

"Oh. I'm sorry. Why?"

"We just kind of new that it wasn't going to work and we had been trying but it just didn't feel right, you know."

"Yeah I know."

"Hey Artemis just so you know your my best friend and I would do anything for you. If you ever need to talk I am right here for you. All you have to do is say the word, just don't tell Rob that okay?"

Artemis smiled at him and shook her head a little.

"You got time to listen now."

"For you, always."

Artemis had spent a good hour searching the cave for M'gann. Both girls had been putting off this meeting for as long as possible. Now that it was time for it to happen Artemis worried that M'gann had disappeared on her. Artemis was sweeping the cave for her again when she heard noises coming from M'gann's room. Artemis knocked and then opened the door. M'gann was sitting on the bed staring at Artemis. She was a little shocked and a little scared.

"Artemis, hi I was just about to come look for you."

Artemis knew M'gann wasn't but ignored the statement and took a seat on M'gann's bed. The Martian girl sat beside her and both waited for the other to speak.

"So I heard you and Wally broke up. I'm sorry if that was my fault."

"It wasn't your fault it was a mutual decision. We tried but it just wasn't working. How is your relationship with Conner going?"

"At the moment it's not but we are working on it."

Artemis fell silent for a few second before plunging in to the reason she had come here.

"M'gann we need to talk. About a lot including what you saw in my head the other day."

"Artemis I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, I just wanted to help you and I didn't know what else to do. I won't tell anyone what I saw I swear."

Artemis had watched M'gann grow steadily more panicked as she spoke. After M'gann had stopped Artemis pulled her into a hug which M'gann eventually returned. Artemis didn't end the hug. Even when she started speaking again.

"M'gann I'm not mad at you. I'm worried about you. I was afraid that what you saw might have made you hate me, as crazy as that sounds. Not only that but you saw inside my head and you can see how well I'm coping with it. I wanted to make sure you were alright and I've been talking to people about my past. Right now apart from Conner you know the most about what happened. So I wanted to clarify what you saw and see if there was anything you wanted to ask. In a way I'm glad it was you. I don't think I could cope if it was anyone else."

"You mean that?" Artemis heard the shock in M'gann's voice and felt her tighten her grip. Artemis copied her before replying.

"Every word."

For a while neither spoke they just sat their hugging. Then the pair broke apart and M'gann spoke.

"I may have one or two questions about what I saw."

Artemis stood in front of what everyone liked to call the counselling room. Conner had left a second ago to take Wolf outside for some exercise. Artemis took a deep breath and entered the room. Black Canary and Batman were inside. They wanted to talk to Artemis about the meeting with Commissioner Gordon from earlier but this was their first chance. Artemis wanted to talk about something else.

"Hello."

"Artemis you're here, how have you been?" Black Canary slipped from one conversation to another with a practised ease.

"Okay. I thought Ollie and Roy were supposed to be here?"

"Both have been held up. Why is there something you need?" Batman answered her this time and after scrutinising her asked her his question.

"Oh nothing I just wanted to talk."

It was the way she held her elbow and the fact that she couldn't meet their eyes that tipped Batman off about what she wanted to talk about. He proceeded to call the Ollie and Roy and when both understood the situation assured Batman they would be there in fifteen minutes. Black Canary and Artemis were sitting on the couch. Artemis had buried her head in the woman's shoulder whilst Canary was giving her a one-armed hug. When Ollie and Roy arrived they found them in that position with Batman sitting across from them. Then Artemis told them everything. She told them what she knew, what she could remember and what she couldn't. Eventually the meeting broke up and Artemis went to find Conner. When she left the adults, they gave the distinct impression that the search for Sportsmaster was about to go up a notch.

When Artemis got outside she sat down on a large rock and waited. Conner and Wolf quickly joined her. Wolf lay down and rested his head on Artemis's lap. Knowing what he wanted, Artemis obliged him with a pat.

"So how did it go?" Conner asked. He had asked after she had spoken to the others even though he knew it was fine he couldn't help asking.

"My part fine. Theirs... well. Let's say I'm caught between wanting to curl up in ball and cry or punching someone. I haven't decided either way but I am partial to the punching." Artemis spoke with a venom that hadn't been in her voice for a while. It was nice to hear, even if it was because she was mad about something.

"That well, huh?"

"Their getting away with it Conner. Just like my Dad did. Am I cursed so that they all get off? Not one of them will be charged for various reasons. Even the cops aren't being reprimanded. I know Gotham is corrupt but it's just not fair. I'm supposed to go to school with them and pretend that it's okay. How am I supposed to do that? I mean Batman intends to deal with them in his own way but I just..."

Conner didn't know what to say. He just pulled Artemis in for a hug. A few tears spilled from her eyes and Conner was glad to see that she seemed to be crying less. When she pulled out of his hug he wondered whether now was a good time or not to ask her.

"Anyway there is nothing I can do about it right now so it will have to wait until me and Rob get back to school and he plans something devious. Now I believe you wanted to ask me something."

Artemis's quick turnaround left Conner a little stunned. He had been staring at her eyes and realised she had stopped speaking a few seconds after her mouth had stopped moving. He blinked twice and turned to look at the ground. Embarrassed and nervous. With M'gann it had just happened but he wasn't even sure about how Artemis felt considering the way her emotions were all over the place. Even though he sucked in a breath and plunged in. It sounded awkward and he felt as if his face was on fire.

"Artemis, I was wondering. You see apparently there is this dance that the Bumblebee's organise, that's M'gann's cheerleading squad, before school starts back. Anyway the dance is this Friday and even though it's on school grounds because students organise it we can bring anyone and I was wondering, if you're interested that is, I mean you don't have to if you don't want to but I was wondering if you would maybe-"

Conner stopped rambling when Artemis slipped her hand in to his. He must have sounded like an idiot but apparently Artemis didn't mind.

"If I didn't know better I would say you were trying to ask me on a date Conner Kent."

"What if I was?"

"Well then I would love to go on a date with you."

When she finished her sentence Artemis squeezed Conner's hand. Conner looked up to see Artemis smiling and he looked down at their now intertwined fingers. He knew there was a goofy grin on his face but he was so happy. He had asked Clark about it and then all he had to do was build up the courage. Then Artemis started speaking again.

"There is however one condition."

Conner looked at her smirking face and even though he knew it probably wasn't something to panic about he couldn't help the slight twinge of fear in his voice.

"What would that be?"

"Well the other thing they wanted to talk about is that I have to attend a black tie event at Wayne Manor the following Friday. A lot of the people from my school will be there and well as much fun as Robin and Zatanna are I would prefer someone else I could hang out with for the night."

"Do I have to wear a suit?" Conner asked unimpressed. It must have shown on his face as Artemis's smirk grew wider.

"Well if it's too much trouble I could always ask Wally."

"No, no. It's alright. I'll come. I want to come. I just wanted to be sure."

As Conner finished his hasty yes, with a look of fear and desperation on his face Artemis burst into laughter. Even though Conner should have been mad at her he couldn't help but join her in laughing at how he sounded. And as he sat there with Artemis, voices mixed in laughter and their fingers intertwined Conner realise that he was already hopelessly desperately plunging over a cliff. And as long as Artemis was there with him, he didn't mind.