Chapter 12

So I'm just going to tell you guys a quick little story. I live in the great country of Canada, where winters are out of this world. I grew up in Southern Ontario where we get lots of snow. I recently moved to the capital, Ottawa, which is known notoriously for being cold, it's in the top ten coldest capitals in the world. Just for those who don't know what being insanely cold is like, it's painful. Physically painful. Yes, as I described, it does burn and it feels as if your exposed flesh is just giving up on life. And then when you start to warm up your skin goes bright red, continues to burn and itch. So long story short, my description above is accurate to the feeling of cold. Anyways, read and review, or don't, I mean I cant actually make you do anything. Also, I am so, so sorry for the long update time. I was seriously suffering some writer's block on this story. If you like, please take the time to go check out my Tumblr page where I post oneshots and share what I think is funny. Take a look, have a blast, feel free to send me a request or a message! Peace and blessings,

lil-feldgling

Robin had that feeling in his gut that always made him feel like something bad was going to happen. And he had come to learn that this feeling was often right, no matter how wrong he wanted it to be. And his gut was telling him that Artemis had something to do with this mission.

"Hey Wally," The speedster turned to look at his best friend, who was thinking hard. "Didn't Artemis say something about working at a corner store." He spoke quietly enough that he intended for only Wally to hear him. But Robin had forgotten about Superboy's unnaturally good hearing and Conner looked curiously at the other two boys.

"I didn't realize Artemis had a job." Now Miss Martian and Aqualad were looking at Robin and Wally, expressions varying from concerned to cold anger.

"I too was unaware that Artemis had a part time job." Kalder said. "Is there something that either of you would like to tell the rest of the team?" Wally looked nervously at Robin who was clearly having a difficult internal battle.

"We kinda…stumbled upon Artemis's secret." Robin said slowly. "Completely by accident mind you but still. She asked us not to tell the rest of you and well, who were we not to respect her wishes?" Miss Martian looked hurt and she worried her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Doesn't she trust us?" M'gann asked. "Doesn't she like us? Why wouldn't she tell us if she didn't like us-?" The Bioship began to sway with M'gann's overwhelming emotions and Wally reached out to calm her down before the ship began to barrel roll.

"Its not that she doesn't trust you or like you." Wally assured the distressed Martian. "I think it's more like she's embarrassed and ashamed and didn't want us to think any less of her." The ship settled as the rationality of his words clicked in M'gann's mind.

"But for what reason would Artemis have to be ashamed?" Kaulder asked after thinking what Wally had said over. "Her secrecy seems excessive." Robin and Wally exchanged looks as the Bioship began to descend for landing.

"I wouldn't make comments on what you think is excessive." Robin said, readjusting his gloves. "Not until you've heard the whole story."

It didn't take long for the team to find the store that was supposedly being robbed." The Gotham police had set up a guard three blocks up from the crime scene, sending away curious residents and terrified bystanders.

"From what we know Captain Cold, Killer Frost, Icicle and Icicle Jr. are in the convince store on fourth and Ordale. They haven't left so we aren't really sure what their doing-"

"I do." Robin interrupted, leaping over the barricade. "We'll take it from here. Just keep all civilians as far way as possible. We don't know how destructive this might get." The rest of the team quickly followed suit, Aqualad allowing Robin to take the lead on this mission. It wasn't like he knew what was going on anyways.

The sound of yelling directed the team and Wally burst through the door in time to see Killer Frost delivering a fierce slap to Artemis's prone face.

"Hands off!" The speedester growled, grabbing the offending hand and throwing the villainess across the room. The rest of the team moved to take care of Captain Cold and Icicle while Wally went to Artemis who was beginning to take on a blue tinge.

"My life is over." Kid Flash heard the archer groan as he vibrated his hands fast enough to create enough heart to melt the ice around her.

"Don't be so dramatic babe." He said with a whisper and a wink, warming her heart. In no time the villain were cuffed and power inhibitor collars were forced around their necks. Robin was requesting transportation back to Belle Reve, and extra security while Artemis was being supported by Wally and M'gann, her feet were painfully numb and she struggled to stay up on her own.

"Wait." Artemis barked, looking suspiciously at the captives on the floor. "We're missing one, where is-?" With out any further warning Artemis lunged into the arts and craft's isle, running into the shelving and clumsily knocking over paint sets until she hit something decidedly more organic, which began protesting loudly.

"Shut up Cameron!" The team rushed around Artemis who had pinned down a very angry looking Icicle Jr., the two of them having a heated stare off.

"What is wrong with you Arty?" The teenager yelled back. "Where did the girl I grew up with go? My best friend? I came here for her!" Artemis sighed, and loosened her grip on him, ignoring the shocked muttering of her teammate.

"I'm still here Cam." She said quietly. Cameron shook his head.

"No! The girl I knew would have never left me, she would have stayed, fought with me and-"

"You idiot!" Artemis grabbed a handful of his shirt and lifted him up so they were nose to nose. "We never wanted the life our parents gave us! We used to dream together about running away, saving our selves from the hell of it all and you dare told me I should have stayed!" Everyone had gone quiet, listening to Artemis rage. "I saw my chance, damn it, and I took it! I actually did what we had said we would, I got my better life!" For a moment the two stared each other in the eye, unspoken words passing between them. With a sigh, Artemis let go of his shirt and dropped her head. "I'm sorry I didn't take you with me Cam. I'm so, so sorry." With all the grace of a wild buffalo, Artemis stumbled off of her old friend, and offered a hand to help him up.

"I can offer you a place now." She said, keeping a hold of his hand and ignoring the sound of protests behind her. "I can offer you a new family and a new start. It won't be easy, but it's possible." Cameron Mahkent stared at the ground, unable to bring his head up or give her an answer. Artemis let go of his hand, managed to keep her balance and said, "you know where I live. You have three days to give me an answer. If you don't come by then I will assume that you don't want my help." She balled her stiff hands together in fists. "And then I will hunt you down and put you back in jail. I won't show any mercy Cam, not anymore. Not if you choose wrong." Her words settled around them, Cameron still stubbornly looking at the floor and Artemis, shaking from the cold, glaring at him.

"I'm leaving." She moved to turn when she was caught in a cold, familiar hug, Cam's lips moving against here ear.

"I'll think about it Arty." Then he stepped away, looking at the shocked faces of her teammates.

"Get her warm fast, she's got early stages of hypothermia." He began to walk backwards, towards the exit, locking eyes with Wally.

"You better take good care of her Flash boy. Or else." And then the young villain was gone, and the others were being packed up to go to Belle Reve and at last Artemis turned to look at her companions saying,

"Looks like I've got a lot of explaining to do."