++++++ So here we are, the last chapter in my little interlude. Part three should be up soon.

For those of you who cursed me for breaking Roy/River up-THEY WILL GET BACK TOGETHER!

SOON!

I do not own ++++++

Thirteen

Lois suggested a new hero name but I liked Shade because it was my dedication to Shado.

I missed Shado, every day I missed her. I didn't let anyone know but she was my inner strength that kept me going. I liked to think about her when I was training.

Like I was today.

Midway through what Clark ridiculously called a 'Staff Dance' I heard Shelby barking from outside the barn. I stopped and walked barefooted outside the barn to see Martha kicking the wheel of the tractor. "You could break a foot doing that," I chuckled. "Need a hand?"

Martha sighed. "It's times like this that I miss Clark," she told me. "He could have lifted this whilst his dad fixed it."

"I can do that," I shrugged. "I think." I rubbed my hands together in the dirt and put one of them underneath the tractor and lifted. It wasn't as heavy as I thought I would be.

Marth smiled and slid underneath. "And now I miss Jonathon. I'm not as good with this as he was." She rolled back out and stood up. "I'll need to get someone out to fix it."

I helped her get to her feet. "What about your farm hands?" I questioned. "You've got like heaps of stuff in the barn for them."

Martha sighed. "River, you're a sweetheart. I had to let them go, finances aren't too good right now. The wheat's all going to die and that'll put me more in debt with the bank."

I shook my head. "No it's not. How much do you need?"

She blushed. "River, no. Clark said you were somewhat wealthy. I can't have you paying for my troubles."

"So far I've broken through two walls, a couple of beds, your table, the front door and your guest bathroom," I reminded her. "So please, let me pay back a little of the kindness you've shown me."

"River," she spoke, "no. I can't take your money."

"Well at least let me pay for the tractor to be replaced," I urged her.

"Lemonade?" she inquired, changing the subject.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, please."

I couldn't sleep.

Sadly it was becoming a regular thing.

When I couldn't sleep, I'd sit out in the barn, in the hayloft and look up at the stars.

It was then that I realised that this was the first time in a very long time that I'd truly felt peaceful. And I missed Roy.

Part of me wanted to go home but the other part wasn't sure.

"You got a name?" hoodie shouted after me.

I turned and stuck my finger up at him. "It's River. You?"

"Roy," he yelled back.

Angela told me how Roy and Thea got together. Thea was now managing Oliver's club, Verdant, and Roy had gone in one night after Oliver had left Starling City and their relationship evolved from there.

Just like me to fuck it up.

Sure there was Dick but we were just having fun with each other.

"I used to come up here a lot when I was a teenager." Clark came up behind me and sat down on the floor beside me. "How are you feeling?"

I shrugged. "Not tired despite the lack of sleep. It's more like when you have an energy drink for the first time and you're buzzed but you don't know what to do."

"Mum told me what you did," Clark grinned, "with the tractor. She also told me that she got a call from the bank today to let her know that all the debts have been paid for and she was a million in credit. And I see a new tractor got delivered today."

I blushed a little. "I hope she's not mad at me."

"Mum's more embarrassed," he replied. "She's used to doing things on her own. And we've had bad experiences with rich people in the past."

"I don't want anything from you guys," I assured him.

Clark chuckled. "I know, River. I know. So in a change of topic, I've been talking to Bruce, Diana is ready to have you around for a few weeks."

I grinned. "Really?"

He nodded. "She wants to meet you. Apparently all Bruce does when he talks with her is talk about you. Plane leaves tomorrow with a lay-over in Gotham City Airport."

"Cheapskate couldn't spring for a complete trip there?" I laughed. I looked back up at the sky. "I think I'm gonna miss your mum-she reminds me of my dad. So much love to give."

"She'll miss you as well," Clark assured me. "You'll have to come and visit one weekend. Chloe said if you didn't, she'd hunt you down."

I shivered, "and I believe her."

Clark stood up. "I'm gonna crash on the couch, scare the crap out of my mum when she comes down in the morning."

"Night Clark," I waved, continuing to look back at the sky.

All in all, I spent two months on the Kent Farm, by the time I was ready to leave and move onto Gateway City to start my training with Wonder Woman, Bruce called.

I wasn't going to Gateway City anymore.

He wanted me back in Gotham.

Whispers were running through the streets of Starling, something big was coming and the city needed her protectors back.

I was going home.

++++++ I have a gifty for you...

River Quinn meeting Charlotte Allen ++++++

"This looks like a pretty cool party. Invitation only, right?"

I grabbed Oliver's bow and loaded it in a matter of seconds, aiming it at the top of the stairs where a teenager with purple hair stood holding a skateboard with her head cocked to the side. "Who are you?" I demanded to know.

"Who am I?" she laughed. "Who the hell are you? I get to the train station to see my brother and see him kidnapped by dude in a green hood-I had to follow."

Barry looked up at the top of the stairs whilst he held a needle full of rat poison. "Charlie, what are you doing here?"

"Well saving your ass, I had 911 on speed dial," she replied. She tucked her skateboard underneath her arm and came down the stairs like she owned the place. "This is very cool." She looked Oliver over like a science project. "Judging by the colour of his skin-intravenous coagulation?"

"Very good," Barry nodded.

"Hey!" I snapped. "He is not a science project! Fix him or I will drop you from the roof of a really tall building."

"Everyone, this is my little sister," Barry told us. "Charlotte this is the gang. River, Felicity and brooding body guard number one."

"Barry!" I snapped. "This was not my idea and may I remind you-"

"Yeah, yeah, building," he nodded.

"She's grumpy," the girl muttered. "You inject, I'll keep an eye on his vitals."

"I can't believe they let you out," Barry sighed, shaking his head as he worked on Oliver.

"It was just a little B and E," she shrugged. "I'm too pretty for jail."