Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice
Author's Note: So… it's been awhile… Sorry I took so long. End of the summer and going back to school took over. I promise it will never be over a month's wait for chapters ever again. I don't have much to say other than sorry. I feel bad, but school just took over. It's still too much but I don't want to make you guys wait long periods anymore. Again, so sorry.
"I'm sorry, but I'm just so excited. I can't believe we're going to actually meet her!" Megan said excitedly from the middle of the van. Conner was sitting next to her, a faint smile on his face as he watched her. "This is Marie Logan we're talking about. All of her work is just so amazing! Everything she has done for animal rights, as well as all the animals she has save in general, she's just so amazing!"
"We know Megs, it's all you've been talking about the past hour," Wally said, laughing slightly. He was sitting in the back of the van between Artemis and Dick, his now uncast arm resting being the blonde girl's head, absentmindedly playing with her hair. "I think I can give the same spiel about her now."
"At least she actually knows something about who we're protecting," Artemis said, nudging the boy's side. "I bet you learned everything about Marie Logan just now."
The ginger boy grinned at her but didn't answer. She smirked back at him before turning her attention to out the window. Dick mimed vomiting as the couple in the middle seats laughed. Wally blushed a bit but remained silent.
"Artemis is right, though, Wally," Kaldur said from the passenger seat in the front of the van. "It is important for us all to know about Marie Logan's work. It will help us all understand why she is being targeted."
"I know, I know, keep an eye out for anything. Geez Kaldur, it's like you think I'm impatient or something and can't focus," the boy in the back joked.
Everyone laughed and Megan started talking about Marie Logan's work again. The woman ran an animal reserve and was an animal's rights activist. They were heading on information that a known enemy of the Agency had settled in the area. She went by the name Queen Bee, though Wally couldn't remember what her actual name was. The woman's goons had broken into the reserve once already but didn't manage to take anything. Their job was to find out what was being targeted and transport it back with them the next day to keep it safe. As well as insure that Marie Logan and her son were kept alive.
"Okay, we're here," the driver said. Conner shifted awkwardly in his seat as the driver turned to look at all of them. He looked almost exactly like Conner, but about fifteen years older. Clark Kent smiled. "Everyone out, time to meet Marie Logan."
Megan squealed a little before hurriedly getting out of the van. Conner followed after her quickly, avoiding his cousin's gaze, the rest at a slower pace. Artemis and Wally walked in time together as Dick went with the older agent.
"So, are you going to be all girly and run off to pet all the animals?" Wally asked, smirking at the blonde.
"Of course, think of all those dangerous animals here. What's a girl not to love?" she answered. "What about you? Going to go see if there are any baby horses or something to cry over? Those are the manly animals, right?"
"Alright, you got me," the ginger answered, shoving Artemis slightly. She pushed back before running ahead to where the rest of the team had now stopped. Wally followed after grinning. He went to stand next to his young friend who was grinning at him. "Shut up."
"I didn't say anything," Dick whispered to him as a woman approached them. "Check it out, she looks like an older version of Megan."
The older boy looked the approaching woman and tried not to look shocked. His friend was right, Megan and her looked like they could be easily related. Looking around at his group, Dick wasn't the only one who noticed. Everyone was glancing between Megan and the woman.
"Ms. Logan, it's good to finally meet you," Clark said, walking over to shake her hand. "We're sorry that we have to intrude on yours and your son's lives, but we do believe it is necessary."
"As long as you're all gone tomorrow and we don't have to worry in the future anymore, I think we can deal with it," she answered, shaking Clark's hand. "Also as long as my son doesn't get too many ideas in his head."
"We'll do our best," the man answered, laughing. "Now, this is the team. Here are Kaldur and Dick, they have been with the Agency for a while now and will be in charge of your protection. That's Artemis, another agent. And these are Wally, Conner, and-"
"Megan, Megan Morse. I'm a huge fan of your work. Everything you've done for animals and their right. It is such an honour to meet you," the girl interrupted.
"Oh, right. Well, I'm glad there are so many of you here. Hopefully this night will go smoothly," Marie Logan said, trying to hold back an amused smile. "I guess I'll show all of you around the property and see if we can find my son."
Megan nodded and followed along side Marie, firing off a stream of questions. Quietly behind them, both Kent men walked side by side. The rest of them took up the rear.
"Wow, Megan really is excited," Artemis said, smiling.
"I'm excited too," Wally stated. He lifted his hand up in the air, grinning. "This is my first mission now that the cast is off. Can I just, moving my wrist has never been so amazing."
"Just in time to potentially get beat up by a new set of bad guys," the young dark hair boy said. "We'll make sure you get the most to fight."
"Bring it," the ginger answered, punching the air in front of him. Artemis laughed which made his heart jump towards his throat. He'd never admit it out loud (or deny it out loud) that he was really happy with how things were with her since his birthday. They hadn't talked at all about the fact that they had almost kissed, but their relationship was going in a direction he liked. They had done typical date things the past week, though if anyone commented they both went on the defense. Whatever it was that they had, for it was just for them, and it worked.
The group walked around the reserve. There were animals all over the property; they even got to pet a few. Marie explained what her work was, how she started, and a few plans for the future. For a while, Wally felt like they were a regular group of kids on a school trip, it helped they were missing school for this. He could pretend for a while that they wouldn't all be in danger come nightfall. He could pretend that he would maybe get the courage to ask Artemis out because the fear of one of them dying wouldn't be there. He could pretend that they were all equals.
"Mom! Mom, are these the agents? Can they show me cool tricks? Do you think they'll let me join when I'm older?" a young boys voice shouted, pulling Wally out of his thoughts. Glancing around, he saw a young ginger boy running towards them, a monkey hanging onto his shoulder. "Mom, can I hang out with them when they aren't working?"
"Slow down, Garfield," Marie said. "Yes, these are the agents and no you won't be hanging out with them, they're going to be working the whole time they're here."
"Oh…" he said, deflating slightly.
As if on cue, Megan bent over and reached a hand out to the monkey on the boy's shoulder. "What's his name?" she asked as the monkey sniffed her fingers.
"Monkey," Garfield answered. "It suits him, I think."
"Good name, though I'm not a fan of monkeys," Conner said, walking over to the two gingers.
Garfield laughed as Marie announced that they should keep moving if they're going to see the whole property before nightfall. The young boy walked along side Megan, holding onto her hand and talking away. Conner followed after smiling.
Artemis sat down next to Wally on the Logan's front porch steps after walking around the house. Night was falling quickly now and they had all partnered up to watch to reserve. For the time being, Wally and Artemis were stationed at the house.
"Do you think that anything is really going to happen?" Wally asked, leaning back.
"I would say no, but considering we can barely make it through a simple reconnaissance mission without getting hurt or blowing something up, I'm sure something will happen," the blonde answered. "Try not to be the one who gets hurt this time."
"I make no promises," he laughed. She joined his laughing briefly before they fell into a comfortable silence, staring out at the grounds before them. They could see animals moving around their compounds and in the distance they saw the faint outline of Megan and Conner passing by on their walk around the perimeter.
The sun was barely above the horizon now, and as if by chance Wally turned to look at Artemis. Her hair was shining and looked almost golden in the light. Her eyes were focused on the horizon and she face was bathing in the rays as well. The ginger smiled. He had never seen anyone look more beautiful before. It took all his restraint to not reach out and slide his fingers through her golden hair.
Before he could look away Artemis slowly turned and met his gaze. A smile appeared on her face as she reached out and gently brushed her fingers through his hair. As she did so, Wally was sure he had forgotten how to breathe.
"You hair looks like it's on fire. It would be very dashing on anyone else," she smirked as her hand fell gently next to his.
He grinned back at her, "Here I was under the impression that I was very dashing."
"Sorry, only in your dreams," the girl said looking back out to the horizon. The sun was almost gone now and taking with it the rays of light that danced across her face. Lights around the reserve began to turn on. "Thankfully you dream every night so you'll get to keep thinking that."
"You dream every night too," Wally said in a raspier voice. He didn't know why he his voice changed but he hoped Artemis didn't notice. She glanced back at him, a faint blush barely visibly dancing across her cheeks. The boy's hand inched closer to hers until it was resting on top. He met her gaze, his eyes asking if his actions were okay. She nodded slightly and smiled. The ginger took a deep breath in. "Hey, Artemis…"
"Have either of you seen Garfield?" Marie asked, causing both teens to jump. Neither had heard her leave the house. "I can't find him anywhere inside."
"Uh, no, sorry." Wally said, pulling his hand away from the girl next to him. They both stood up, avoiding each other's eyes. "Want us to go look for him?"
"I know you two are supposed to be guarding me, but I would appreciate it," she said.
"I thought he was told to stay inside though," Artemis muttered, brushing her pants off.
"He's eight, he doesn't do what he's told. Especially when there are new people around," the woman said, rolling her eyes. "Just find him before he gets himself into trouble."
The two of them walked off the porch with Marie watching. Wally shoved his hands into his hoodie's pockets and sighed. He knew they weren't here for his love life, but for once it would have been nice for it not to be put on hold. Just once.
They wandered around the property calling out for Garfield every now and then. After a half hour of searching, Wally stopped dead in his tracks. "Where is this kid?" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up. "I mean seriously, I get he's tiny, but come on!"
"I haven't seen the others either," Artemis said, placing her hands on her hips. "Do you think they're okay? Also, isn't it weirdly quiet? I can't even hear any animals."
"Yeah… You're right," he answered, looking around them slowly. He glanced at the blonde and saw she didn't have her bow and frowned. "You don't think that-"
Before he could finish his sentence, they heard a gun shot off in the distance. The two of them turned in the direction of it before breaking into a run. They ran pass the house towards a large barn. They heard another shot fired and heard a scream.
"Was that Megan's voice?" Wally asked as they neared the barn.
Artemis didn't answer. She only began to run faster towards the building. Wally picked up his pace and pulled ahead of her, wishing he had some sort of weapon before running into what could be open fire.
They reached the barn and stopped to listen. When they didn't hear anything, they slowly opened the large door and quickly slipped inside. What they saw was not what they expected.
Megan was kneeling on the ground with Garfield lying down in front of her. She was pressing down on his right shoulder with a normally yellow cardigan, now completely red. She looked up, tears streaming down her face. "Help."
"I'll get Marie, help Megan!" Wally shouted before charging out of the barn.
The next few moments felt like a blur. Finding Marie and getting her to the barn seemed the flow smoothly into all of them sitting in the Logan's living room, waiting to hear about the young boy's fate. Throughout the wait, they heard the whole story of what happened. While Kaldur and Dick were on the opposite end of the property and Megan and Conner at the gate near the barn, Garfield has snuck in to check on one of the animals. It just so happened that the moment he chose to do that, Queen Bee's men were searching the barn. The boy had cried out for help and ended up getting shot. Then Megan and Conner arrived, Megan going to Garfield as Conner went after the men.
Now, Kaldur was talking quietly with Conner, who looked tenser than Wally had ever seen him. Dick was sitting across from him, his head in his hands. Artemis was sharing the couch with the ginger, both of them ignoring the fact their hands were intertwined. Megan and Marie were both with Garfield.
It felt like hours had passed before Marie came into the room. Everyone looked up, unable to ask where the situation was. Wally felt the girl next to him squeeze his hand as everyone held their breath.
"He's going to be okay," the mother said. A collective sigh filled the room, though Wally noticed his best friend's shoulders fall even more. "Megan was able to slow the bleeding enough that he didn't lose a threatening amount. The bullet didn't hit anything vital, so he'll be making a full recovery. If… If she hadn't been there when she was he… He wouldn't have been so lucky. Thank you, all of you, for being here. I owe all of you so much for my son."
"It is nothing we need to be thanked for, Ms. Logan. We are just here to do our jobs. Megan is the only one who needs thanks," Kaldur said, taking a step towards the ginger woman. "The rest of us are just glad to hear the Garfield will be in good health."
Just as Kaldur finished talking, Dick stood up and stormed out of the room. Soon, they all heard the sound of the front door being slammed. Wally stood up slowly, giving Artemis' hand a quick squeeze before following after his friend.
He found him sitting on the stairs of the porch. Wally plopped down beside him, wondering who would be the one to start talking. Minutes passed and the ginger sighed. He glanced at his friend before speaking, "You know, Artemis and I were sitting out here right before everything happened. I almost asked her out, thought you'd appreciate that info."
"That's good," was the only response he got.
"Yeah, I mean, I'm glad I got interrupted. It would not have been the best time to be all excited about that now with Gar and such," he continued. His friend merely nodded and then hung his head more. "Alright, what is it? What are you feeling sorry about? Dude! The kid's going to be okay, his mom's okay, the animals are all okay. This was a good mission. Not great, but good."
"Queen Bee's men… They did more than just shoot Gar," Dick said quietly. He ran his hand over his face before looking up. "They stole some snake venom. About five vials from one species were taken. Kaldur and I noticed it when we were checking the barn in case the men came back."
"Oh…" Wally said, slouching slightly.
"This mission was not a success," the younger boy muttered.
"Woah, dude, we may have missed that but we didn't fail today. The mission was to keep the Logans alive. Granted, Gar did get shot and he's eight, so bit of a downer, but come on. Dick, they're both alive. That's more important than some stupid snake venom," the ginger stated. Dick opened his mouth to speak but Wally raised his hand. "And before you say anything, look at the bright side. We have a clue now. Queen Bee wants snake venom. That's something to look into. So, not a failure."
The boy opened his mouth again then shut it. They sat in silence before the dark haired one started to laugh a bit. "You know, you always seem to say the right thing. Thanks, pal."
"Hey, that's what I'm for," Wally smiled, lifting his fist up to his friend. Dick grinned at him, pumping their fists together.
"So," Dick smirked, "almost asked Artemis out, huh?"
"Yeah, and you're not going to breathe a word of that to anyone. I'll disown you as best friend if you do," the ginger said, standing up. "Not a word."
The younger boy mimed zipping his lips as Wally walked back into the house. He smiled as he saw Artemis sitting in the living room talking to Conner now. She glanced up at him and returned his smile. Sure, he had missed his opportunity this time but there were always more chances.