Hiya, my fellow spitfire lovers! I wrote this fic a while ago, and I'm currently trying to edit it. Really hope you like it!

Set after: Season 1, Episode 23, "Insecurities"
Disclaimer: I don't own Young Justice. But I do own this Nutella jar, and it'll hopefully stick by me while I write this.

Set after: Season 1, Episode 23, "Insecurities"
Disclaimer: I don't own Young Justice. But I do own a Nutella jar, and it'll hopefully stick by me while I write this.

Mount Justice
December 5, 03:21 EST

"Well, nice going," Wally narrowed his eyes at Artemis. "What you've proved is that you're insecure and selfish."

Artemis found that she could not look at him anymore, and the disappointment in his manner hurt more than any words he could utter. Ashamed, she dropped her gaze.

"Keep the sai. This is the right souvenir for the mission."

...

Mount Justice
December 6, 09:31 EST

Laughter bubbled out of the kitchen. Sweet, infectious laughter. For a moment, it felt as though nothing had changed. For a moment, Artemis forgot the mission from yesterday, and for a moment, she felt relief flooding into her chest.

She stood in the hallway, a few feet away from the entrance, hesitant. Swallowing, she stepped forward and into the room.

And then that moment ended.

Almost instantly, a redhead, who had been the center of merriment became silent. He turned his head ever so slightly and scoffed, "What a pleasant surprise. Harpy's here!"

Artemis frowned. "Nice to see you, too," she replied dryly, walking past him without another glance.

Dick suddenly cleared his throat, desperate to take the focus off of the hotheads before an argument broke between them. "Anyway ... Miss M, how about another cookie?" He asked with a forced grin. The others exchanged wary glances.

"Sooo, Artemis." Wally plopped his elbows down on the island, tilted his head, and with mock politeness, continued, "Would you care to tell us why you ... betrayed us?"

Artemis clenched her teeth. She didn't turn around to look at him, but said as calmly as she could, "I didn't betray anyone."

"Yeah, right," Wally snorted. "It's totally not the reason the mission failed."

By this time, everyone looking tiredly at Wally, and Zatanna fixed especially threatening eyes on him. Robin held back a groan.

Artemis whipped around, but before she could even open her mouth to reply, Kaldur hastily stepped in. "Enough, Wally."

"No, why should I stop? The only one who did anything wrong here is her, Kal. You know it's her fault-"

"I said, 'Enough,'" Kaldur repeated firmly. "It is wrong of you to accuse her of something she did not do."

Wally rolled his eyes. "Whatever," He mumbled. "I still think we should kick the mole.."

Artemis' eyes narrowed. "What did you say?"

Robin sighed. "Wally, just stop."

"Fine, whatever.."

...

Mount Justice
December 9, 04:34 EST

Sweat dripped off her forehead as she practically tore apart the punching bag in front of her.

Punch.

"Stupid.. Dad!"

Smack.

"Stupid Roy, Stupid Jade."

Kick.

"STUPID WALLY!"

It swung forward and then hurtled back at Artemis, causing her to lose her footing and fall. With one last snarl of anger, she whirled her foot at the unfortunate punching bag and knocked it straight off the chains holding it up. The vinyl finally gave way and stuffing poured out.

While most girls would vent by crying or locking themselves up in a room, it seemed the only way Artemis could feel better was by beating the crap out of any object - or person - that happened to be in front of her.

Her panting slowly subsiding, she fell back onto her back, worn out. Though it was late, she found that she couldn't sleep. There was too much on her mind. And while punching her anger out was a good distraction, her thoughts overpowered it. One scene kept repeating itself over and over again inside her head. It happened a few hours after their encounter in the kitchen.

~flashback~

Artemis sat stoically on the couch, staring blindly at the static in the TV as Conner might have done. She wasn't exactly hurt by what Wally had said, she thought she deserved that much, but the rest of them practically treated her with something like pity, save for Robin and Zatanna.

"I'm not going to act sorry for what I said," A voice said from behind her. She recognized it immediately.

Her face hardened. "Likewise, I never asked you to."

Wally glared at the back of her head. Maybe he thought that glowering down at her would reassure him that he didn't feel even a little remorse at what he had said, that day and the day before, but the scowl only deepened.

"I didn't even realize you were so bad at the whole 'hero gig,'" He added, walking over and standing in front of her, so she was forced to look at him. "Did you do it just so they would get away? And what did Roy even do to you?"

Artemis didn't say anything, but her fingers tightened on the remote controller.

"Can't believe I actually trusted you."

She winced.

"Sportsmaster, got away because you felt the need to prove yourse-"

"What's your deal?" Artemis shot up and faced him angrily. Wally bit back a smirk, he'd gotten to her.

"Well, am I wrong?" Wally crossed his arms. Artemis didn't answer. "See? Just like before, no response."

"What do you want me to do, Wally?" She demanded. "Do you expect me to walk out because I messed up one time? Or because your best pal Roy finally decided to show up?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. That provoked Wally even further, and he spoke without a second thought.

"Hey, he's a real archer. Face it, Harpy, you aren't needed anymore."

Artemis' stern gaze faltered. She felt her eyes sting. With the emotional battle she was having with herself still raging on inside, the realization of the truth behind Wally's words hit her like a blow on the face.

She couldn't even muster up enough hatred to throw at him, and breaking apart her eyes from his, powerwalked out of the room, muttering under her breath, "I will leave if I have to."

She said it in a low voice, but Wally just barely caught the words.

He knew he was overreacting, but they argued all the time, didn't they? This would just boil over and they'd be fine again, wouldn't they? She'd stay .. wouldn't she? He pushed his thoughts away, and walked in the other direction, feeling more at loss and frustrated than satisfied.

~flash back~

Artemis growled. Her whole body ached as she pushed herself up, eyes darting across the room with something like desperation.

'Distraction, distraction..'

After a few moments, they landed on something and lit up. Now, Artemis was no Dick Grayson when it came to acrobatics, but she had her fair share of intense training as a child, perhaps more intense than the others, and she made her way towards the uneven bars, ignoring the pain that was beginning to spread through her body.

Jumping up, she grasped the bar tightly and swung forward. Almost instantly, her arms began to hurt. But that didn't stop her. If someone were to observe her at this moment, they would see that, yes, there wasn't too much grace in her movements, but power there certainly was. Channeling all of her emotions - anger, fear, sadness - she was about to let go and leap for the other bar when her finger slipped.

Thud.

Once again, she found herself laying on the floor. Helpless.

"What is wrong with me today?" Artemis muttered bitterly. Everything seemed to be going wrong. Only then did she see the bruises on her stomach and the little streams of blood trickling down her hand.

'It would've been so much easier if I'd never joined ... What if they find out the truth about me, about my family? Daddy issues galore.. After all of this, they'd never accept me.'