Oh, She's Nobody

chapter sixteen: Tall Tales

"Do you think she'll be alright..?" Athena asked, her voice quiet so that only Kid Flash could hear. They were sitting opposite each other in the spacious Arrowplane. The speedster glanced at Green Arrow in the cockpit, and knew he wasn't listening. He'd had to fight to get onto the Arrowplane with Athena, and had been ordered not to talk to her until they could get her into the interrogation room.

"I don't know..." he answered honestly, fists clenching as he glared at nothing, "but if they hurt her..."

Kid Flash couldn't see her, but he could feel Athena's sympathetic gaze on him, "You really do care for her."

He chose to answer impassively, "She's a hero, like me. Heroes take care of everyone and each other."

She flashed a knowing smile but didn't say anything. Her exhaustion was obvious as she sighed into her seat. She had a long day. Training or no, she was a civilian and probably not used to all this... excitement.

"You must be tired. We've got a couple hours until we get there. Just close your eyes and when you wake up, we'll be there," he offered along with a kind smile, though he knew it didn't reach his eyes.

His thoughts were on overdrive and he itched to be running. Every second in the air felt like a second wasted, but he knew it was the best course of action. The Arrowplane was faster than him and being antsy was going to get him nowhere. He needed to keep a clear head if he was going to get Artemis back.

"You kind of remind me of Arty's boyfr-" Athena noted, her thought interrupted by a dainty yawn, which luckily kept her from seeing his body tense. He knew she saw through Artemis' costume, but he only met her twice as "Wally." He kept his goggles on, so there was no way she could tell... right? Their eyes met and he raised a brow, all humour leaving him. Seconds passed before Athena shook her head as if to say, "nah it couldn't be."

"Get some rest," he said sternly. She smiled meekly and made a show of snuggling into her chair and closing her eyes. Releasing the breath he had been holding, KF relaxed back into his chair a bit. That had been close.

When he was confident Athena was napping, he studied her. With her eyes closed like that.. she looked just like a black haired Artemis. With that though he frowned and pushed himself off his chair. He needed to find her, soon.

Walking towards the back of the ship, he pressed some buttons on his wrist comp. He didn't know why it took him so long to record a message to the team, but he blamed it on his anger. While he was in the air, they could be out there looking for her.

A circle floated in front of him ready to record whatever it was he was going to say. He didn't know where to start... He stared at the circle, his mind blank. His brows furrowed, determined. Every second keeping the team in the dark was a second wasted on finding Artemis. He pressed record.

"Artemis was kidnapped by Sportsmaster," he took a deep breath to quell his anger, "Athena seems to know something, so we're bringing her to the Hall of Justice for questioning. She knew it was Artemis while she was in costume, and almost guessed me. If you met her, stay out of sight. I know this is a shock, but do something useful and get me a lead on Artemis," he ignored the desperation in his voice as he finished, "We need to find her."

Mount Justice was quiet today. Well, it was usually quiet, but it somehow unnerved Conner today especially. He'd finished his meager amount of homework the night before so he had nothing in particular to do with himself. That was how most days felt for him in the Young Justice's fortress.

"Hello Megan! Of course!" he heard Megan's realization from clear across the cave, no doubt she was in the kitchen trying another Earthling recipe. He smiled to himself; it was moments like these where her optimism cut through the monotony of it all.

Curious, he followed the sound of clanking plates and shutting refrigerators and stopped when he saw her. She was mumbling something to herself as pots, knives and ingredients danced around her in mid air, her head buried in a recipe book.

Hidden by the shadow of the hall, out of the light emanating from the kitchen window, Conner couldn't help but watch her. He should really be training right now, but...

Megan grumbled something in her pleasant martian language, scratching her head as a floating pot poured black mush into the trash. She was pouting as she spoke to herself some more, no doubt debating what she did wrong.

...watching her try again wouldn't take up too much time, right?

"What're you making?" he finally asked as she burnt her second batch.

Megan froze, and he chuckled. She could be so animated when caught unawares.

"Oh!" was all he understood, the rest she muttered in rushed Martian.

Chuckling again he held up his hand, stopping her, "I know I'm an alien too, but I can't understand martian."

A pleasant blush arose on her cheeks causing him to smile. Warmth bloomed in his chest and he didn't feel like questioning it as she apologized.

"Oh geez, I'm sorry. Urgh, hello Megan! Of course I was talking in Martian. Ah! I don't know why I'm suddenly so nervous."

"I make you nervous?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

She held her elbow as she looked like she shrank into herself slightly, her blush deepened as she nodded slowly.

Concern goes over him like a wave, "I don't want you to feel nervous around me. I'm not going to hurt you," he couldn't hide his contempt well enough.

"OH! I'm not scared you'll hurt me!" she burst, floating through the kitchen window and into the tv room with him, "Conner... I.. I have feel-"

Suddenly Kid Flash's face lit up the big screen, interrupting Megan. What was she going to say? This had better be important. He didn't know why, but he hated that Wally always interrupted their time alone.

"Artemis was kidnapped by Sportsmaster," he reported. Well... that qualified as important.

Kaldur hadn't realized how much he missed being underwater. He was homesick, and he was glad he was back in Atlantis, despite having to watch Tula with Garth.

Undeterred by being heavily pregnant, Queen Mera took time out of her busy schedule to train him. Although it was not as hands on as usual for obvious reasons, he was grateful for her presence and tutorship. Training with her was invaluable even if she was simply going over basics with him. It was freeing in a way. His body knew what the moves were without him having to really think about it. He was free to let his mind roam.

The past couple weeks had been busy. Then again, it was always busy up in the surface world. He felt as if Artemis was finally putting her walls down, though he suspected the feeling might be thanks to the enlightening talk he had had with Athena.

Artemis' sister clearly cared for her; he could tell by how she lit up whenever she spoke about her. The realization was a sad one for him. He could not recall anyone who spoke as highly of him. With that kind of love.

"Very good Kaldur. Let's take a break for a moment," his Queen called out and he stopped his movements. He looked back at her and saw a royal guard had her attention. Closing his eyes, he relaxed and let the waters do what they will with him. It was nice to feel the subtle ebb and flow of the currents around him. To take-in the waters of his home. He knew that the ocean was the same everywhere, but Atlantis waters were special to him.

"Kaldur," Aquaman called to him and he opened his eyes. He wasn't expecting to see his King here today. He had a hard look in his eyes and Kaldur knew something had gone wrong. If it wasn't anything to do with Queen Mera's baby... what else could put that look into his mentor's eyes?

His Aqualad insignia chirped and he reflexively pressed it. Kid Flash's face appeared in a hologram as he stated, "Artemis was kidnapped by Sportsmaster."

Kaldur clenched his fists as the message played out. He will find his teammate.

Cyrill was grateful to be out of the plane. The seven hour jump across the pond seemed longer with his anticipation of being back. He took a deep breath of the foul Gotham air and smiled. When he first flown here years ago, he was terribly homesick and culture shocked. Now... after meeting up with the team, he was starting to like the States.

He had so much to tell the team. Despite Robin's unfortunate injury, they were able to salvage some intel and he wanted to report in. Since they went to the same school, maybe he and Artemis could become closer. He knew she and Kid Flash were an item(even if they wouldn't admit it to themselves), but he enjoyed her company regardless.

Besides, the poor girl sounded like she needed someone to talk to. He recalled the strangely haunting voicemail she'd left for him a day after their mission.

"Huh?" she paused as if she glanced at the phone, "Oh. Sorry Cyrill.. I didn't mean to call you. I just..." she sighed, "Never mind. When are you coming bac- no. See you whenever."

Of course he'd called her back when he finally listened to the message 3 days later. He always had a bad habit of letting his voicemail pile up. He called her once, left a voicemail stating his concern and left it at that. He didn't want to bombard her with his phone calls. They weren't that close.

His phone chirped and he quickly took it out. How funny would it be if she were calling him back? He pressed a button to find Kid Flash.

"Artemis was kidnapped." Cyrill dropped the phone. Bollocks.

Robin hated being bed ridden. He swore up and down that he was in fighting shape. Begged to go out and promising to lay off the hand. But noOOOoo. He was going absolutely bonkers in the med bay. Day after day of the same thing! Bats made sure to tell the staff to keep him from training and he could feel himself withering away, his muscles atrophying from lack of use.

Goodbye enhanced stamina. Goodbye toned muscles! It was going to be murder regaining what he lost in this week of no training. He doubted he'd be able to perform a simple handstand by the time this was all over!

He stared at the clock and twitched when the minute hand finally moved. Time was going by soOo slowly! Speaking of time, he wondered how KF and Artemis were doing on their date, they should already be at the dance by now.

Wow, he was that bored. Shrugging away the thought, he pulled his laptop onto his lap and got to work. Even with one hand, it should be no problem finessing his way into Keystone High's surveillance system.

"..." Man he was out of touch.

Of course Keystone high didn't have a surveillance system. It was a public school in the middle of Kansas where the crime rate was at an all time low. Not a private school where Gotham's riches and brightest went. Robin glanced at the clock again.

"Well that killed all of 2 minutes..." Robin gently face-planted onto the top of his laptop's screen.

Access Granted. Zatanna. Zatara. A03.

He perked up at the announcement. "Zatanna! What're you doing here?" he called out, his voice almost too happy.

"Thought you might like a visit," she replied sauntering up to him, a friendly smirk on her face. She muttered conspiratorially, "Also, I've come to get you out of here."

Robin smiled more as he remembered the day Artemis finally visited and how she'd successfully busted him out for a day at the zoo.

"You sure you want to? Bats was furious when Artemis did that..." he trailed off smirking as he said it.

"You know, I really need to meet that girl," was her noncommittal reply, "But I meant something more permanent than a day of freedom. Do... you trust me?"

He could see her hesitance at the question. He couldn't help but smile at her silly question and nodded, "Of course I do, Zatanna."

He smiled at her look of surprise at the statement, a faint blush rising to her cheeks as she smiled ever so subtly. Robin raised a brow at her as she walked to the left side of his bed. She put her hand on his cast and took a deep breath, "This might hurt a little. And don't move, or I might screw it up."

Robin smirked, but nodded as he watched her. The air changed and there was the subtle pull of magic as she said something in a backwards spell. Halfway through it, he felt a tug in his arm and had to fight the urge to pull it back.

Zatanna sighed and opened her eyes. Even through the tint of his sunglasses, he could tell her eyes were a true blue. She smiled, but he could see strain on her face. Whatever she did to him, it was a doozy of a spell.

"Did you heal me?" he deduced since all the pain in his arm had disappeared.

"I think so. I found this spell in my father's library a couple days back, I've been studying it since, but there's no guarantees," she explained as she sunk into the guest chair.

"Do you need some water?" he offered, worried. At her head shake, he decided to lighten the mood. "Well, there's only one way to find out, huh?" he asked as he began unraveling his arm.

He could feel Zatanna's eyes on him and he suddenly felt nervous. He blamed it on anticipation of his arm being fixed.

Gently prodding his now bandage free arm he smirked at the magician. "I think you did it!"

She smiled brightly and he wanted nothing more but to hug her in that moment. His laptop screen blinked and Kid Flash's face suddenly appeared. One look at his best bro and he knew something was wrong.

"Huh?" Zatanna questioned as she looked at the screen.

"This can't be good."

"Artemis was kidnapped by Sportsmaster," Wally stated and Robin listened intently to the rest of the message. When it ended, the two sat in stunned silence.

"Well, looks like you'll be meeting Artemis sooner than you thought," he tried to lighten the mood to hide his anger. He jumped off the bed, quickly stretched, then offered her his newly healed hand, "Wanna help find her?"

Zatanna looked at Robin in a way that suggested she was delightfully surprised by his offer. He couldn't have been happier, when she gingerly took his hand.

Kid Flash shifted his weight as he waited in the "interrogation" room. It was actually very pleasant room, appearing like a harmless meeting room. Polygraph chairs designed to look normal and comfortable were placed around an elegant wooden table, and the room was painted an airy light blue and tastefully decorated. He was told it was designed to look this way so the League could "talk to" potential civilian threats without looking threatening.

Athena was lead into the room by Green Arrow, bright yellow eyes darting around the room as if assessing it for threats.

"Sit wherever you like," he said gently as he leaned against the table to watch her, but subtly show he was on her side, since KF and Batman sat on the other side of the meeting table. Athena fidgeted slightly, eyes covertly darting to find an escape route again, before tentatively sitting on the very edge of a polygraph chair. They worked better if she sat all the way back and put an arm on at least one of the armrests, but no one said anything.

"What deal did Artemis make?" Batman dove right in.

Athena gulped but started, "... H-he would pay for mom's medical bills."

"In return?" Batman asked causing her to hold her hands in her lap and slouch a little. She was nervous.

"I-I don't know..." she mumbled staring into her lap.

"How about we start at the beginning?" Green Arrow offered kindly, "Why don't you and Artemis live together?"

"I live on my own in Philly," she said looking up at him through the veil of her black hair.

"Huh, but you're only," he glanced at her file, "16..?"

"I've been an emancipated minor since I was 14, but I used to live with my birth mom when my dad broke it off with Mom when I was 12," she said almost spitefully.

"Why?" Kid Flash asked before they could change the subject. This information didn't matter in saving Artemis, but the question left his lips before he realized it.

Sad yellow eyes met his as she answered, "Mom- Paula is my step-mother. My birth mom dumped me with Dad when I was a baby. Paula raised me and I refuse to live with him, so I fought and the good court system, but they decided I should live with blood," her eyes narrowed angrily at the thought, "They shipped me off to live with my birth mom. Guess how well that turned out?" she scoffed, her fire returning.

"C'mon... your dad can't be that bad," KF replied trying to lighten the mood.

"He's worse," she said with such vehemence, he backed down. Is that why Artemis always looked so sad when he mentioned her father?

"So, you and Artemis are close?" Green Arrow continued this line of questioning to help Athena relax.

"Well yeah, we grew up together," she shrugged, but KF could tell she had relaxed a little, "Even when we were separated, I visited when I could, but..." she shifted slightly and started quietly, "When mom got into her accident..." she clenched her fists, "I don't know... Arty completely closed on me."

"Explain," Batman was the king of sensitivity.

Athena glared as he upset her, "I don't know! Mom was all Arty had left, and when she was put into a coma she wouldn't talk about it!" she took a deep breath and continued in a contemptible tone, "Unsurprisingly, I was denied a loan and it was like Arty was... fixated on making sure mom kept her legs or something.."

"Where does Sportsmaster come into this?" Batman went straight for the kill again.

Artemis looked into her lap, nervous again, "She... she won't get into any trouble if I tell you this, right?"

Green Arrow put a hand on her shoulder. The touch made her jump, but she relaxed when he answered warmly, "I promise."

Red Arrow swiftly followed the nimble Cheshire as she bobbed and weaved through the abandoned and uncared for sewer system. They took so many twists and turns, Red Arrow suspected she was trying to get him lost.

"Stop," she placed a clawed hand on his chest. He ignored what her touch did to him. He glared down at her and she sauntered to the other side of the sewer wall. She did something and a section of the stone walls moved to reveal a pristine hallway.

She beckoned him to follow with an enticing curve of her index finger. He raised an eyebrow but did as he was told. She walked in a leisurely pace, as if she had all the time in the world. He wanted to get his intell as soon as possible, but he wasn't bothered by her slow stroll. There was worse things to do with his time than walk with a mysteriously compelling woman.

They reached a door and she put her hand on his bicep to halt him again.

"When we go in, you are expected to kneel, like so," she purred then demonstrated the kneel, "Keep quiet and only speak when spoken to, and you'll live..." she tilted her head and he could hear her smile behind her mask, ".. probably"

He felt the edges of his mouth twitch. Before he could reply, she turned on her heel and closed the short distance to the door.

"Cheshire," a deep almost sinister voice boomed all around them.

"Sensei," her greeting respectful, yet had a ring of friendliness to it. The room was vast and dark, only lit by several fire sconces hanging from the tall ceiling. The door closed, seemingly by itself and she knelt. Red mimicked her.

The room was silent, almost too silent. There was no sound of the fire blazing in their sconces, no sounds of traffic. It was almost suffocating. The silence seemed to drag on for ages, but he suspected it was because he was being examined.

After an eternity, he heard a bored, yet threatening exhale. He wouldn't call it a sigh, there was too much subtext to it. From all around him Sensei demanded, "Why do you insist on bringing strays into my dojo?"

Without flinching, Jade spoke playfully, "With all due respect, Sensei. When have my strays not proven useful to you?"

Silence was deafening again. His heart raced in his chest as he got to thinking. Should this end poorly, he was confident in his ability to fight his way out. He took the silence as a good thing though. It meant Sensei was contemplating keeping him.

"Interrogate him," Cheshire offered standing, surprising Red Arrow. Silence again and he heard her smile, "He is a fallen hero, Sensei. No doubt you've heard his attempts to find me, and..." quietly almost reluctantly, she continued, "...how he completed my mission."

A sickening slap sounded loudly and Cheshire rolled into him from the impact. Her mask clattering loudly somewhere in the room.

"Che-" her eyes narrowed slightly, cutting him off.

"Show him to your room, then Shiva will see you in her quarters," Sensei ordered with chilling calm and getting the feeling of intense danger.

She smiled and he felt his heart skip a beat. He got in.

What did Artemis do? Kid Flash asked himself as Athena stalled, asking for a glass of water. The speedster poured her a glass and offered it to her. She smiled gratefully and took a long sip.

Bringing the cup down slowly she took a deep breath, "I went back to Star City to be with Arty while mom was in the hospital... I already had my GED so, while she was at school... I found blueprints for the museum and strange equipment under her bed, ropes and stuff.." she fidgeted with her glass, "When I asked her about it, she said something about stealing a jewel, that it would be enough to pay for mom's surgery..."

"But she didn't get the jewel," Green Arrow finished for her.

"Yeah, how did you know?" she tilted her head, slight smile on her lips, innocently curious. How did GA know..?

Kid Flash wanted to know the answer about as much as Athena at this point, but Bats crushed it. Growling, he urged, "Go on."

Athena animatedly snapped out of it and continued to look into her hands. She bit her lip uncertain of where to start. After a few moments, she continued, "She didn't come home the night of the jewel heist... I was sitting by the phone just waiting for the call from the police," she shook her head, "but a day later, Arty called me. She said that everything was going to be okay. That mom was going to be okay," she smiled at the memory and KF couldn't help but mirror her happiness, "When I asked her how, she didn't say. She just hung up and when I got to the hospital, mom was in surgery..."

She stopped to take a sip of water. Glass shaking subtly as she continued, "mom wasn't awake yet, but I caught Arty talking to this really threatening looking girl... I heard her saying something like: 'Sportsmaster's not a very patient man. He's expecting payment soon.'" she suddenly looked up at Kid Flash as she continued, "Naturally I stepped in, I didn't understand what was going on, but I wasn't going to let some chick threaten my baby sister."

He felt himself smile at her protective tone. Athena was always charming, even when she was nervous, her charisma oozed into her storytelling.

"I took her home and we got into a big argument," she sighed sadly, eyes back to her lap, "I don't know how, but she got into contact with him. That Sportsmaster guy," she clarified, "but she told me that he was the one that gave her the idea to steal from the museum. That he paired her off with someone named..." she paused as if trying to remember the name, "Serene? or something.." she perked up like she just realized something, "Maybe that was who she was talking to at the hospital!"

Athena grew silent as if contemplating her discovery. Kid Flash cleared his throat and she snapped out of it.

"Um.. yes. Well, um, she said that when she failed, she pleaded with Sportsmaster to just give her the money," she stumbled through to the end. Her leg started bouncing nervously.

"What did she have to do in return?" Batman continued despite her nerves.

"I told you, I don't know!" she burst looking betrayed, "Arty wouldn't tell me no matter how many time I asked. And when mom woke up, they just up and moved without telling me where!" her brows scrunched together as her eyes shone with brimming tears, "I should have pressed harder. I should've been the one to make the deal with him..." a tear rolled down her cheek, "Now she's kidnapped and I still can't do a damn thing to help her!"

Athena sobbed as tears flowed freely down her face. He could understand her, how powerless she was feeling. Before he knew it, he pulled the only connection to Artemis he had into his arms and let her cry on his shoulder.

"We will find her," he whispered like a vow.

AN: so there ya go! it's so nice to get alerts and favorites, but please review, even if it's just a word, it'll make me happy. ^^