Well... that was a long wait... sorry.

Anyhoo, here's the next bit.

*Btw: This is set sometime after the New Year's mission... yeah... enjoy!

Artemis draws the string of her bow back as far as it can go. She does it slowly to allow for maximum concentration, precision, and accuracy. A single ordinary green arrow is loaded and aimed at her target. She has timed her breath to match the slow, sneaking footsteps that she can hear coming down the hall towards the door that she sits - perched on the stairs - across from. While she is seated on the steps, her back is straight and her arms are firm. Her shot will be perfect.

The apartment in which she is sits in belongs to a biochemical engineer and his girlfriend. They were evacuated (along with everyone else) from the apartment building two hours ago, and Artemis has been waiting here ever since.

Earlier that morning, Robin had intercepted a called from Poison Ivy to Icicle Junior asking him to assassinate this engineer for using harsh chemicals on rare plants. It was a dramatic request, but Icicle Junior took the job nonetheless. He'd promise that he'd do the job that night, so the Team subtly evacuated the building that evening.

The Team knew it couldn't have been a trap - it would have been something more elaborate. No, this was just a small job to be carried out by a Shadow. Nothing major.

After the building was cleared, the team discussed whether or not they should await Icicle's arrival;

"He technically didn't do anything wrong," pointed out Conner. The young Super still remained somewhat fond of the young ice villain. He felt bad for using him, especially since Jr. seemed like a genuinely nice guy who had just been pulled into the life. Not too mention that Conner knew what he would have to face if he went back to prison.

M'gann nodded - being supportive of her boyfriend (as always), but also understanding him as she had been there to witness Jr's kindness.

"True," said Robin rubbing his eyes "But he did commit all those other crimes for the captives of Belle Reve and never got anything for it. Plus, he'd be breaking the law for attempted murder even if he showed up!"

"And it is our duty as enforcer's for the law to turn him in," added Kaldur.

"Why don't we leave the poor guy alone on this one?" shrugged Zatanna. "He's had a hard time with the debt he had to pay. Plus, he's not much of a threat to all eight of us."

"Speak for yourself," Wally muttered to himself, recalling the time he and Robin were easily taken out.

"Look, how about just one of us stays back? See if he even shows." suggested Raquel.

Kaldur began to shake his head. "I do not think that we should leave just one-"

"I'll do it."

Artemis says it quietly and quickly. If anyone hadn't been paying full attention, they would have missed it.

The group completely disregarded Kaldur's comment (even Kaldur did) and shot a bunch of curious looks her way.

Artemis herself couldn't believe her outburst. She didn't understand why she would volunteer to stay behind to watch for a villain alone. She didn't think before she spoke - it came from her sub-conscience.

The team, knowing about her past, exchanged some worried and confused looks amongst the group. She wasn't surprised to see this - actually, she was more surprised at her outburst - but it happened, so Artemis held her ground.

Wally joined her at her side and put a hand over her shoulder. "Babe, are you sure?" he asked quietly.

With still, firm eyes, she just nodded.

Kaldur rubbed the back of his neck. He knew better than to leave a team member alone, but he knew that Icicle Jr. was a part of her past. He could tell (even though she couldn't at the time) that this was something she needed to do. Alone.

"Very well. Luckily this building is near a zeta entrance. Contact us the moment there is trouble. Are we clear?" said Kaldur firmly. He could already hear Batman's lecture in his head.

Artemis gave him another stiff nod.

The team cleared out of the building slowly, all watching Artemis as they left over there shoulders. Wally lingered behind.

When he spoke, it was in a whisper. "I'm waiting for you outside-"

"Babe, no." said Artemis calmly. "Go with the others. It will be hours before he might show up." She curled him into a tight hug. "I'll be fine." They parted to share a soft, but meaningful kiss. Wally departed sullenly, and Artemis took a seat on the staircase that faced the door.

As the footsteps grow louder, Artemis wonders why she had her outburst.

But she knows why;

Unknowingly, she had been thinking about Cameron for the past year. She was over the betrayal act, and knew that he wasn't bothered by it anymore either. But the strange thing was is that her guilt had slowly turned into hatred. She didn't know how, but as time passed every time she had face him, she slowly but surely felt that guilt dissolve and allowed herself to feel that same way about him as she did all other criminals.

She hadn't noticed it (or even been bothered by it) till a couple of weeks ago; Her and her sister were finally able to have a civil conversation, and agreed to meet up for a 'girl's night out' to catch up with each other. Jade was more of an anti-hero by now, but it pleased Artemis to know that she was slipping into the right side. They were sitting on a rooftop, watching Gotham, when they got to talking;

"Hear you and Cam are in a bit of a pickle," said Jade

Artemis shot her a confused look. "What do you mean by that?"

Jade gave a deep chuckled "If it bothered you to fight your sister, how does it effect you to fight your old boyfriend?"

Artemis gave her a displeased look. "He was never my boyfriend,"

"C'mon, the Flash kid isn't here. You can tell me," said Jade rolling her eyes.

"We were friends," said Artemis bluntly. "But he's one of them now, so it doesn't matter,"

Jade's lips formed a thin line. "So was I. Not too long ago."

"That's different," Artemis was quick to say. Jade shot her a disproving look, but Artemis brushed it off. "Besides why are you brining this up now?"

Jade smiled "Cause we haven't had a chance to talk until now," she pointed out.

That was the end of it.

Yet after that conversation, Artemis began to noticed how much her relationship with Cameron changed. They used to be like brother and sister.

Life changed them too much.

So when she saw the opportunity to meet with him alone, she took it. She needed to see him - to speak with him. She didn't know why, or what she would say, she just needed closure. After spilling out her life story to the team, this was the second step she needed to take to fully move on to a new life. And her young self needed to know if their friendship was over or not. She owed it to herself.

The door knob begins to turn and Artemis sucks in one final breath sharply before silencing her breathing altogether. She can see the frost already building on her side of the door.

He was here.

Still holding her breath, Artemis closed one eye "Ready…"

The door started to open slowly. Artemis tilted her head closer to the bow to enter it's line of vision "Aim…"

The door wasn't opening fully, just enough to see the edges of tinted-blue skin about to step in the room. "Fire…"

As the door swings open fully, the arrow goes whizzing past Cameron's head, and lands on the door frame next to his ear.

"Bullseye."

When the arrow hits the door with a loud thud, the wood cracks on impact and a few small shards of it fly from the wall.

Cameron doesn't flinch. Instead, he focuses his eyes on the source of the arrow - the girl who still has her bow up and is admiring the beautiful shot.

When she sees his eyes upon her, she (without any expression, much like him) collapses her bow and places it next to her on the stairs. She leans forward with her elbows on her knees and crosses her forearms.

They don't speak - they just stare at each other with straight faces.

After what seems like forever, Cameron looks around the apartment. He doesn't need much information to know that; "He's not here, is he?"

Artemis shakes her head slowly.

Cameron sighs, drops his eyes to the ground, and nods. When he looks back up at her, she notices that only the finger he used to pick the lock is covered in ice. The rest of his body is in it's natural state. She hasn't seen it like this for a year now - she forgot how nice he looked.

He wasn't deathly attractive by any means, just nice looking.

With another sigh, he signals that they must commence the activity they were trained to do in the other's presence. "Shall we then?" he asks, icing-up the rest of his body.

Artemis blinks.

She'd be lying if she said she didn't want to get to fighting right away. Nor do she want any pre-battle banter. In all honesty, she didn't know what she wanted out of waiting for him. Closure? Yes. But how? A nice chat? Unlikely. They come from complete opposite ends of the spectrum. One final battle? No. She doesn't want either of them dead.

However, not knowing what else to do, she stands and hops off the stairs. She purposely leaves her bow behind, wanting to prolong their time together as much as possible (besides, it's within reach if she needs it).

She stalks slowly towards him - still as expressionless as he is (which is completely). When they're inches away, she remembers that she was supposed to call in the ream if he showed. But that thought escapes her quickly.

Artemis cocks her eyebrow and eyes his protective layer of ice. "I put my toy down. Only fair-"

Cameron sighs, nods, and de-ices in accords with her terms. "Fair… not something we were trained for," he notes.

Artemis feels that weight of his comment. 'We' was a term used to reference a time when they were friends, equals. Now look where they are; trained to be enemies and standing at a crossroad. She doesn't respond to him, but instead give another small nod.

After a moment of silence, they strike a fighting stance.

Artemis throws the first punch.

It lands of Cameron's left cheek causing his to eject two small droplets of spit from his mouth uncontrollably. He stumbles back a bit, giving Artemis the higher ground. She uses it to launch a strong kick in his direction.

Having fought with her before when they were younger, Cameron expects this. She prefers a good kick to a solid punch anyway.

"It hurst less since you have shoes on!" says the much young Artemis in his mind. "Plus, it looks super cool!"

He catches her leg in mid-air and twists her ankle. This throws her off balance and forces her to the ground on her front.

She is winded on impact, and struggles to get up.

Strangely enough, he lets her.

They both entered this fight knowing that, in all actuality, they want to extend the short amount of time they have together. The only way they can communicate with each other now is through fighting. They're sad that it had to come to this, but, being from different sides, it's what is expected of both of them.

"You've gotten better," she comments under her breath.

Cameron shrugs. It's not out of sarcasm or trying to show off, he just doesn't know what to say.

She readies, and gestures for him to initiate the fight this time.

He charges.

Fist already pre-formed, the young ice-villain sends a punch her way. She doges it, catches it, and flips him onto his back.

Again, she lets him take his time to get up and continue.

When he does, he shakes his head. "We can't keep doing this, Crock." he says. "It's either you or me this time."

Artemis is shocked by his words, but doesn't show it.

She understand him whole-heartedly though.

They've only faced each other in battle twice. Both times, they let the other live, and both times they had to come up with an excuse why. Cameron got a verbal beating, Artemis received silent judgement.

It's time now.

"This is it then?" she asks. Cameron nods. Artemis looks at her feet. "If I fall," she pulls her eyes off the floor and aims them at him "I fall to my best friend," she says looking right into his eyes.

Cameron tried to keep the corner of his mouth from turning into a smile. That has to be the nicest thing she ever said to him. "And I to mine," he practically mouths.

The deal is set with a confirming gaze.

They continue.

Cameron strikes first. He drops down to the ground and preforms a low spin kick. Artemis dodges it by jumping into a backflip. When she lands, she tackles Cameron into the staircase. Before she can think of her next move, Cameron flips her over onto her back and pins her against the stairs.

Panicking, Artemis remembers that she has her crossbow strapped to her hip. Using her foot, Artemis kicks Cam off her, sending him stumbling backward a bit. While he is gathering his bearings, Artemis rips the crossbow from its holder and jumps up. Cameron, noticing that she is now armed, ices-up his left arm.

At the same time, they aim their weapons at the other.

Cameron has his iced left arm completely extend and only inched away from her face.

Artemis has her right arm completely extend, and aiming an arrow from her crossbow right between his eyes.

They pause for a moment - both breathing deeply, both having a perfect shot at the other - taking in the current situation in short, meaningful breaths.

They stare deeply into each other's eyes. They are both questioning, and yet, challenging the other.

Which one will grow the gut to strike?

Then, ever so slowly, Cameron lowers his hand.

"I can't do it." he whispers.

Artemis eyes widen. Then, they become full of sadness. Her eyes begin to beg him to continue the fight - give her a few more minutes to be with him before she has to turn him over the the team and possibly never see him again (if he returns to Belle Reve, who knows what waits for him on the inside).

Her grip tightens around the crossbow, still hoping that he'll smack it away in a surprise attack, but he doesn't budge. Cameron just stares at her with all the power he can posses. His eyes are full of puzzlement as to why she hasn't shot him yet.

Artemis stares back, still begging for him to do something. If he doesn't soon, she'll have to act.

As she stares at him, she sees all of their time together over the years flash behind her eyes. She sees them training as kids, and now, battling as young adults. The memories they share are rooted deeper than any bond she has with anyone.

"Artemis?" she hears a young Cameron say in her head "Can you promise me something? Can you promise me that we'll always have each other? Especially when things get really bad,we should have someone there to help."

Relaxing her eyes, she slowly lowers her bow, and drops it to the ground. She never forgot that promise.

Their breathing has slowed down significantly, and they continue to stare at each other. Artemis can't even remember the list time she blinked in the past few minutes. However, this stare is relaxed, more just looking at the other.

Then, they lunge towards each other - lips mashing together ferociously, hands rubbing every inch of the other's body. Artemis pulls her mask down while Cam rips the elastic out of her hair, only to tangle his fingers in her golden mane.

Artemis hops up and wraps her legs around his waist, never once breaking contact. Cameron replies by carrying her over to a wall and pressing her body up against it. They grind their hips together as their kiss only gets deeper and deeper.

They don't know where this sudden serge of passion came from. They only know that all they want right now is each other.

Wally pops into Artemis' head for a moment. She feels like a steaming pile of crap and knows she'll hate herself forever. But this is something she needs right now - she can't shake the feeling.

They continue to kiss like that for a few minutes before eventually settling down. They have gotten themselves into a seated position on the floor; backs against the wall, legs stretched out in-front of them. Artemis is leaning against Cameron's chest and Cameron is gently stroking his fingers through her hair. Both are gazing at the opposite end of the hall.

"Well - that was … fun," says Cameron with a small laugh in his throat. Artemis grunts as a reply. They sit in silence for a moment before Cameron speaks again. "I mean - wow … where did it come from?"

"I was going to ask you," says Artemis in a monotone voice.

"Are you kidding? You're the hottest thing with two legs with a bow. I'm pretty sure I've had a crush on you since I knew what that meant" Artemis chuckles. "I just want to know where your end came from."

Artemis sighs and lifts herself off him. Still seated, she leans against the wall behind her and rubs her eyes. "I don't know."

Cameron nods.

Artemis removes her hands from her face and looks at him. "What are you going to tell Ivy?"

Cameron shrugged. "I'll think of something. What are you going to tell the team?"

Artemis thinks long and hard about that statement. Of course she wants to tell them that he never showed, but that would be lying, and she's already done enough of that.

"I'll think of something," she mumbles.

"And that Flash Kid?"

Artemis' widens her eyes. "How did-?"

"You're sister told me when she was still a shadow. From our last encounter I thought you guys hated each other. Weird how things changed, am I right?" he says, clearly referencing the even that had just happened between them.

Artemis smiles and gives him a gentle shove. The chuckle for a moment, then they both stand.

Artemis pulls her mask back over her face and re-ties her hair into a ponytail. Then, she collects her weapons and packs them all together; her bow and arrows on her back, and her crossbow at her thigh.

When she's done, they stare at each other for a moment.

Cameron is the only one brave enough to say what they're both thinking "So what now?"

Artemis can only respond with "Good question."

Silence ensues. By now, they are used to silence between them, so it's not awkward or even acknowledged.

"If we want to keep our heads," says Artemis "we can never speak of what just happened." She begins to blink away forming tears.

It's true, though. Artemis has made a new life for herself as a hero. Despite what just happened, she still loves Wally, and can't let him go. Now that the truth about her past is out, she finally feels free of it all and a part of a team that cares about her. Being romantically involved with a villain wouldn't be the best thing going for her, especially since they'd cross paths as enemies again.

Oh god, what will they do when that happens? She can't think about that right now - she'll have to deal with that when it comes…

Cameron thinks about switching sides for a moment, but lets it go just as quickly as it pops into his mind as a possibility. Artemis got out, but it's defiantly too late for him. Besides, it was different for her; her father - although training her intensively for the past few years - was never really dominate in her life. Cameron, on the other hand, was put into work (and constantly monitored) by his father since he could walk. Not too mention it was Artemis' mother who got Batman and Green Arrow's attention (something he had learned from Jade when they worked together a few years back).

It was easier for Artemis to leave. For Cameron, it would be dangerous for the both of them.

Cameron agrees by looking at his feet. "I figured," he says quietly.

Artemis blinks again, then reaches over and puts hand on his chin, gently lifting his head so they make eye contact. She doesn't say anything, only gives him a small kiss on the cheek.

They share a hug. Cameron uses the moment to take in a good whiff of her hair - even after battle it smelt good.

When they break, Artemis walks toward the main exit, while Cameron chooses to use the fire escape.

Before they both leave, he calls after her. "Will we see each other again?" asks Cameron in more of a worried tone than a hopeful one.

With her back still too him, Artemis just barely turns her head over her shoulder "I hope not."

With that, they leave the building. They don't say goodbye, cause deep down, they know it's pointless. Being on opposite sides means that they will see each other again - they can just only pray that nothing bad comes out of it.

As Cameron walks to his apartment, he replays their parting words over and over in his head.

He wishes that he told her how he feels; he's always felt more than just a friendship since they were kids. But what good would that do? He can't leave his side, and it would only ruin her if she came back.

Telling her would be pointless.

He goes to bed thinking of her beautiful scent, and hopes that it never leaves him.

When Artemis arrives at The Cave, she sees the whole team is waiting for her. All are still in uniform, and are sipping coffee quietly in the kitchen.

When they see her come in, Wally runs to her side and wraps her up in a tight hug. She hugs back with only 90% of his enthusiasm.

"Where were you?" asks Robin as he and the other's approach her.

"We were starting to think that worst!" says M'gann who gives her a hug the second Wally breaks.

"Did he show?" asks Kaldur.

Artemis thinks quick on her feet. She doesn't want to lie, but she knows she needs to. "He never showed. Sorry I didn't come back sooner, I just kept getting paranoid."

Kaldur sighs and rubs the back of his neck. Artemis knows he was hoping for a catch. "That is alright." he says patting her on the shoulder. "I am just tankful that you are safe." Artemis can hear the honesty in his voice and gives him a hug.

Kaldur then turns to address the rest of the group. "From now-on, we do not leave just one member of the team behind. I allowed for it this time when I should not have, but we must remember to stay together, if Batman -"

As Kaldur talks, Wally gives Artemis' hand a squeeze and leans in to whisper something to her. "You okay, babe?" he asks.

Artemis can't find that courage to face him. How could she after what went down between her and Cam? However, she forces and smile and responds with a nod. Wally smiles and kisses her on the check as they return to listening to Kaldur rant about how much trouble they would be in if Batman ever found out that they left Artemis alone.

When Kaldur is finished, the team all head in their separate directions to their homes. When Artemis arrives at hers, she quickly lets her mom know that she's safe, readies for bed, and barrios herself under the covers.

She thinks about her kiss with Cam - talk about closure... and not getting any. She had never seen him as more than a friend, so why was she so compelled to kiss him. Was it the heat of the moment? Was it something hidden deep inside her? Who knows, but she goes to sleep thinking about him and fretting the future.

So I'm not sure if I want to continue on into the events of the next season. I have ideas, but I haven't fleshed them out yet. I'm going to leave this story as 'In-progress' and see if I can come up with anything.

Until then, REIVEW!