Author's Note: I'm really sorry about the long wait for this chapter. I'd been finishing up college and had gotten a major case of writer's block. But I've graduated this summer and will have more time for writing. The writer's block has also gone away.

The next chapter should be done soon. Thank you to everyone who's read, reviewed, or favorited this story.

Artemis was scared, Batman wanted to talk to her, but she wasn't going to let that show. Dad always said to never let people know when you're afraid or they'd think you're weak. And the weak didn't last long in their family's work.

So, she grabbed onto the red haired boy's arm and told Batman that the older kid was coming with her. If Wally was who he said, than Batman would be fine with him tagging along; besides, that meant Batman would have to hold back, he wouldn't want to upset another hero (probably…she hoped). She would have doubted that the man in front of her was Batman, but she didn't think anyone but Batman could pull off Batman.

And this man did.

She'd seen Batman on television once and the guy creeped her out even though he was a good guy. He was scary and she'd had nightmares for a couple of days about him arresting her parents which Jade made fun of her for. Stupid Jade.

The room was completely silent after Artemis had shouted at Batman, and the super-hero studied the two for a moment, eyes almost imperceptibly glancing from her face to her arms wrapped around the rather surprised Kid Flash. Not a lot got past him, especially not the almost desperate way she grabbed on to Wally, nor the way her face had gone pale at the sight of him. She was trying to seem like she wasn't afraid, but he knew better. He had to try and not frighten her anymore than she already was.

Then he nodded at the little girl. "If that would make you more comfortable, then Kid Flash may stay." He titled his head at the couch. "Both of you take a seat."

The two followed the order, though Artemis continued to cling to Wally's arm if a bit less forcefully than she had before. He stood in front of them, and he looked directly at Artemis as he spoke, "You have been brought here for your protection. Your father, Sports Master, has been targeted by some former associates and has gone on the run."

Silence answered his statement. Artemis just stared at him and next to her Wally looked as if his jaw was about to drop open. After a few moments of shock, the girl asked, "What?"

Batman responded matter-of-factly, "Associates of your father have turned on him and he was forced to go on the run." When neither she nor Kid Flash looked about to respond he continued, "I was searching for your father for an ongoing case of mine, when I found evidence of his escape. I went to his apartment to see if I could determine his whereabouts when I found you there."

He paused, studying Artemis. The girl hadn't seemed surprised that her father hadn't taken her with him which told him more of her relationship with her family than she could know.

Not unkindly, he continued, "In order to protect you from retaliation I brought you to the base you're currently in. Knowledge of Kid Flash's team is kept strictly on a need-to-know basis so you will be well-hidden here." Once again, he paused. "Do you have any questions?"

Artemis blinked and then asked, "Can I see my Mom?"

Sadly, he shook his head. "We can't take the risk that your mother's prison is being watched."

Her face fell and for a minute she looked as if she would cry. Then she bit her lip and nodded her acceptance. He sighed then directed his attention to Kid Flash, who seemed in shock.

"Kid Flash, take Artemis to her room. This has all been a lot to take in and she needs her rest."

As Wally lead Artemis away from Batman and towards her room, his mind was reeling. Before all of this insanity, he hadn't known that much about her outside of the team. He remembered her mentioning her mother once or twice, but nothing more than that. If he had thought about her possible family at all, he probably would have assumed that she had a normal one.

But what he heard tonight blew his mind. Artemis' father was Sports Master and her mother had been in jail when she was a kid. There was no way he could have seen any of that coming and she was supposed to be Green Arrow's neice?! He guessed that must have been a cover story for her, so no one on the team would suspect her background.

Well, no one besides Roy. Whatever, he wasn't even on the team.

He was suddenly pulled out of his thoughts by a girl's voice, "This is somebody else's room."

He blinked and then peered into the room Artemis had walked into. Oh, for the love of…! He had been so out of after Batman's debriefing, he'd taken her to her actual room. Hoping, she hadn't seen anything in there he couldn't explain, he went in after her.

Luckily, there weren't any photos or other personal stuff that would confuse the now younger Artemis. Her costume, as well as her bow and quiver of arrows, were in her closet, the door of which was left ajar. There was no way she'd recognize either of those anyway.

As he stared around the room with the young girl who had been his teammate just a few hours ago, he realized that he'd never been in Artemis' room before. It felt weird being in it now.

She had followed his gaze to the closet, taking in the bow and arrows, and exclaimed, "You have an archer on your team? Cool!" He could tell by the look on her face that she was impressed.

He smiled at her enthusiasm, while hurriedly trying to think of a cover story. "Yeah, this is Arrowete's room. She's away on a mission with Green Arrow right now so you can use it."

She looked uncertain. "You're sure she won't be mad?"

He smiled. "She won't be mad. Now go to bed, Batman's orders."

Wally had gone back to his room after he had made sure Artemis was comfortable in her room. He glanced at the clock, sighing when he saw how late it already was. He had wanted to call his parents, explain the situation to them, but it looked like that would have to wait until tomorrow. Instead, he'd check his email before hitting the sack himself.

To his surprise he'd gotten a message from Batman:

Kid Flash,

Do not tell anyone about what you have learned about Artemis' family. It isn't vital to your teammates to know this information and Artemis wished for it to be kept private.

Furthermore, I've taken the liberty of sending emails to the others, informing them of the cover story I gave Artemis. It is important that Artemis isn't exposed to anything that could reveal the deception; she has no memories of her actual age, her mother's release from prison, nor any of you. At best, learning any of this, will confuse her and at worse it could cause some psychological damage.

Finally, I've spoken to Zatanna and she believes the spell Artemis is under is only temporary. It should wear off soon, but just to be sure, she and Robin will be researching ways to restore Artemis to her correct age.

Batman.

He rolled his eyes at the first two paragraphs; he wasn't an idiot and he wouldn't blab Artemis' secrets to the rest of the team. Obviously, she hadn't wanted anyone to know and if she changed her mind after she'd gotten back to normal than she could tell them herself. Not wanting to fall asleep annoyed, he reassured himself if anyone could find a way to break the spell it would be Robin and Zatanna.

With that, he closed his laptop and readied himself for bed, vaguely hoping that he would wake up in the morning to find out all of this had been a dream.

Unfortunately, he had never been that lucky.

The morning had come faster than he hoped; he had no idea whether he'd been asleep for hours or just moments, he was so tired. Yawning, he forced himself to get out of bed, get dressed, and head downstairs for breakfast.

All thoughts of last night had been pushed to the back off his mind. He might not have remembered the events of the previous night for hours if the younger Artemis hadn't been sitting at the kitchen table. She was sitting quietly, watching Megan, the only other member of the team awake at the moment, make pancakes.

She looked up when he entered and he awkwardly mumbled a greeting. She returned it and he sat across from her, not knowing if he should start a conversation or not. He was slightly cheered by the fact that she looked as awkward as he felt.

Both of them were saved from an uncomfortable silence by Megan who had only just noticed Wally's arrival. She beamed at him, "Good morning, Wally! The pancakes should be ready soon."

He smiled warmly. "Thanks, Megan."

Megan looked like she was about to say something when a look of dismay flashed across her face. "Hello Megan, I promised Conner I'd wake him up for breakfast! Could you watch the pancakes for a second, Wally, I'll be right back."

The warmth that he'd felt from Megan faded at the mention of Conner, but he nodded at her anyway. He took her place in front of the stove as she darted out of the kitchen.

The uncomfortable silence returned as he kept an eye on breakfast.

Then Artemis, completely perplexed, asked, "Does she say say, 'Hello, Megan,' a lot?"

He couldn't help it, he laughed.

Author's Note: Constructive criticism is accepted.