Notes: This story is now officially an AU, fun times. So might as well have Richard in his proper uniform. Steph is Robin because it's a cameo and it feels like the right point timeline wise. Be prepared for snarky Babs and angry teacher in chapter 3.

Artemis gasped with horror at the mangled remains of steel, plastic and rubber. "Mom, no..." her strangled voice pleaded.

Artemis slowly realized that she could not curl up in a ball. She realized that she had to make decisions, now. Artemis realized that, she had to get traught for both Lian and her mom's sakes. She needed to focus; her first course of action should be... securing the apartment, then calling Nightwing, and making sure Lian was safe. But first of all...

Artemis crept to the hallway closet and retrieved a dust-covered forest green tote-bag. Tears crept into her eyes as the memories closely associated with this unassuming tube of canvas came welling to the surface. She took a deep breath and steeled herself. Now she had to make a call.

"Hey, Artemis what's with the call? You are coming to the team party next month, right? Wallywill be there," he teased. She walked quickly down the stairs to the car. Artemis jiggled the keys, trying to get the door unlocked, cursing under her breath.

"Nightwing, someone broke into our apartment. My mom's missing, what's left of her wheelchair is here, I don't know if Lian is safe yet, but it looks like nothing of value was taken," she replied panicked. Finally, she got the door open. She slammed her body into the driver's seat and jammed the keys in the ignition.

"Got it Artemis, I'll be right over. It is safe to make an assumption that you'll be looking for Lian?" Nightwing asked.

"Yes Fingerstripes, I'm going to find Lian and I'm taking my gear," she easily fell into the banter of the past distancing herself from her current emotions. Artemis started the car and proceeded to carefully back up onto the street.

"What then Blondie?" her old friend inquired.

"Then I'm contacting O to arrange things from here. Hopefully I can go after whoever is responsible," Artemis growled.

"Got it, almost there Arty. I'll see if I can dig anything up," his calm tone kept her from snapping.

"Thanks how's baby bird?" she inquired conversationally.

"Her temper is as volatile as ever. If you seriously would consider even helping to train her you'd be a god send," he stated offhandedly.

"I'll see after this, but right now my plate's full as it is," Artemis responded.

"Drive safe," Nightwing muttered.

"Don't run into any psychos on the way here," she quipped. Artemis at this point was holding her phone by her shoulder as she cautiously was making a turn.

"I'll do my best," he reassured.

"Then I can only give the same reassurances," she sighed. Artemis hung up as she drove into the parking lot a sigh of relief escaped her lips as she saw the teacher glaring at her next to her niece.

"Lian! You're safe!"