AN: hey sorry this chapter took so long it was a pain in the butt, rewrote it a bunch of times cause it was never right.

Hope you like it,

Arty :D

A is for…

Chapter twelve.

L is for Lawrence

Artemis awoke to a hand stroking her hair and she couldn't help the shriek that slipped from her lips as she saw the hockey mask above her.

"Hey there my little hunter…did you miss Daddy?" Lawrence Crock asked his eyes burning with anger and then her hair was in his grip as she was dragged violently out of bed .

"No I didn't you asshole!" She snarled trying to get her hair free, as she called out desperately with her mind, hoping against hope that her Martian friend would hear her somehow.

M'GANN!? M'GANN CAN YOU HEAR ME? I NEED HELP AT MY HO-

She broke off as her Father let go and Artemis only had a second of freedom, before she felt his fist hit her face with vicious force, sending her crashing into her desk, then to the floor. She bit her lip trying not to cry out as she rolled away from a kick aimed at her ribs and kicked out, feeling vindicated as she hit the mans knee and he roared with pain.

She bolted for her door, but let out a shriek of pain when her father caught her by the hair once more.

"No you don't princess! I've been hearing about a new archer named Artemis…now I know you would never betray me by becoming a cape now would you?" He hissed in her ear, grabbing her wrist and twisting her arm behind her back.

"Well sorry to disappoint you dad, but its all true, and you know what one day, I'm going to make sure you rot in jail with the rest of the scum!" She snarled back, using what Black Canary had taught her to break his hold and spun, kicking him viciously across the face.

He swore as he stumbled back into her dresser and she backed away from him slowly, heading for the door.

"How dare you little bitch, I am your father! I trained you to be a shadow, not to be a sidekick to some pompous guy dressed as robin hood!" Sportsmaster roared as regained his footing, she eyed the baseball bat he had drawn from his back wearily, but snorted at his words.

"Green Arrow is more of a father than you will ever be!" She sneered, and was forced to throw herself back as he swung at her face with the bat.

Her Father advance but both froze when the door of the room was flung open and there was a clear sound of a guns safety being removed.

"Get out." Paula crock said quietly, her voice colder than Artemis had ever heard, the gun in her hand unwavering.

Sportsmaster paused, his eyes flickering from the gun to his ex wife. "Stay out of this Paula, you've been letting her have to much freedom lately, letting her become a cape, making her weak." He growled at her.

"I said get out." She repeated unwaveringly.

"Or what? You gonna shoot me Paula? After all we've been through together?" He sneered, unafraid.

"I wouldn't bring up our past together dear…my finger might twitch." Paula responded stonily.

Artemis couldn't help the awe she felt as she watched her Mother face her Father, the coldness in her eyes reminding Artemis of what her mother once was and still could be.

Sportsmaster shifted closer and her Mother fired, the bullet whistling past his head clipping his ear. He swore violently stepping back, his hand going to his ear.

"That was your last warning, the next will go in your head. I will not allow you to hurt my daughters again Lawrence…leave." Paula warned darkly.

"I suggest you listen to her." Came a cold voice.

The three crocks glanced to the window, where the dark figure of Batman stood in all his glory.

Sportsmaster snarled. "This is none of your business bat!" He snarled.

"Maybe not…but it is hers and I doubt I could stop her in time." Batman said calmly.

A Sai slid against Sportmaster's throat, the blade as cold as the voice that spoke in his ear. "I warned you Dad, to stay away from Mom and Artemis, you should have listened." Cheshire whispered dangerously.

"You dare-what are you gonna betray me to Jade? Working with the Batman to protect A Cape." The man hissed, shaking with anger.

"That Cape is my sister, if I have to change sides to keep her safe I will, consider this my resignation from The League of Shadows."

The now ex assassins words stunned them all for several seconds.

Sportsmaster looked apocalyptic with anger. "You traitorous bitch, you and your sister, how could you turn your back on everything I taught you! I made you what you are today! I made you strong and this is how you thank me." He said enraged.

Cheshire's and Artemis' humourless laughs were eerily similar. Cheshire was the one to speak. "How could we turn our backs on you? As easily as breathing, we hold no love for you Dad, we feared you. And yes, you made me what I am…A murderer" She hissed, her Sai digging in slightly, drawing blood. "…Do you know how many times I stood over your bed ready to kill you? I lost count, the only thing that stopped me was the shadows…and Artemis. You may have corrupted me with your taint…but Artemis remained pure, she is stronger than both of us and now I'm stronger than you and neither of us need you anymore."

In a swift movement Cheshire had knocked off his hockey mask and sprayed some kind of gas into his face.

Sportsmaster stumbled away, coughing, before crumpling to the ground with a groan.

Jade stared down at him for several seconds before reaching up and removing her mask, revealing her peaceful expression. "I assume I am under arrest as well?" She said calmly to Batman.

Artemis was surprised how much the thought of her sister in prison hurt, and she found herself tensing for a fight only to pause as Batman spoke.

"You would be…but Green Arrow recently revealed that you joined The Shadows for him to act as a double agent, as long as I see the information you've managed to gather for him…I see no reason to take you in. It is a shame that you will no longer be able to act as his spy anymore, but I suppose it's for the best, what with you expecting."

The familial connection between the three women was obvious as they stared at the Dark Knight with matching stunned expressions.

He offered them a smirk-it couldn't be a smile-and bent down to cuff Sportmaster's hands, before lifting the man over his shoulder and turning to leave. "I would suggest as The Shadows will most likely hear of you're betrayal, that you get your Mother in a safe location, I hear that the Crocks are distantly related to Oliver Queen, that might be a good place to go." He stated quietly.

He paused half out the window, staring down at the street below.

"There also seems to be a rather frantic speedster heading to this apartment." He added.

And then the Dark Knight was gone and suddenly Wally was standing in front of her, breathing heavily, his eyes wide and scared, before shifting to relieved as she was crushed in a almost too tight hug.

She found herself melting into his embrace with a shaky sob, thankful for the comfort he offered her without her asking.

"You're okay! You're okay right?" He breathed relieved into her ear, before pulling away and scanning her for injuries, his face twisting with anger as he took in her bruising face. "I'm sorry I didn't get here fast enough." He said quietly, cupping the uninjured half of her face.

Artemis rolled her eyes, catching his hand in hers and holding it tightly. "Idiot, you must have run all the way from central city…I assume M'gann told you?" She added curious.

Wally nodded seriously. "She woke up everyone I think, screaming that you were being attacked at your home…I think I broke my fastest speed getting here." He said with a small grin, which Artemis returned

"Loving the costume change, Flash Boy." Jade suddenly interrupted, her voice amused.

Wally and Artemis looked down at Wally's clothes and Artemis couldn't hold back the laugh that burst from her lips, while Wally flushed embarrassed.

In his panic he hadn't even changed into his uniform, instead was wearing the boxers and tank top he wore for bed, coupled with his Kid Flash boots and what must have been one of Robins spare masks.

"Um…oops?" He said sheepishly.

Artemis threw her arms around him half laughing, half crying. "Thanks for coming to save me." She whispered softly into his ear.

"Always Babe." He whispered back seriously.

She pulled away wiping her eyes and Wally looked at Paula and Jade. "You guys okay too?" He asked worriedly, scanning them for injuries.

Jade winked at him. "Peachy."

Paula nodded, offering him a smile. "Yes we are fine, but we must gather our things and leave…The Shadows may decide to pay a visit." She said seriously, resting her gun in her lap, she wheeled herself from the room, Jade on her heels.

Artemis stared around her room mournfully.

It was crappy and rundown…but it was home.

Just another thing her father had ruined for her.

"Hey…you okay?"

She jumped slightly at Wally's soft voice. She glanced over startled to see him watching her worriedly and realised that she had wrapped her arms around her stomach in a hug.

She couldn't stop her hands from shaking.

She had known that one day her Father would show up again…but she had hoped he wouldn't…that she could just be Artemis for once.

Wally's arms wrapped around her once again and she melted into it in relief.

She never felt safer.

"Can I sleep over at your's tonight…I don't want to be alone." She whispered into his chest.

She smiled slightly as he kissed her hair. "Of course, I'll watch over you." He said gently.

It only took a second to gather her things and shove them into a bag, her Mother took most of it, while she took enough clothes for a few nights.

Her Mother sent her off with a warning about how "One Grandchild at a time was enough", which made them both blush, before Wally was sweeping her off her feet and running.

Artemis smiled as Wally fussed over her and she ended up wrapped up in his blanket with a hot chocolate, with marshmallows and whip cream, and a ice pack for her face.

They had talked for what seemed like hours, until she had started to drift to sleep, a smile on her lips and tears on her cheeks.

She was instantly wide awake again when the door flew open.

Iris Allen-West's eyes flickered open as she heard a noise echo through her silent house and she froze listening intently for any more sounds and her worry increased as she heard a soft barely noticeable sound murmuring voices.

She reached out and shook her husband gently, thankful he woke up easily and silently and stared at her confused. She pointed to her ear silently and then the door and Barry frowned and got out of bed quietly.

Though her husband was The Flash, she was still scared for him as he left the room and reaching for his league communicator, she followed him quickly but silently.

The house was pitch black and there were no sounds in the kitchen so it wasn't Wally getting a snack. They passed Wally's door and paused outside, listening quietly.

There was a strange sniffling noise from inside that had Barry opening the door in seconds.

They peered in to find the rooms lamp on and Wally half upright in the bed, looking tired and startled.

But it was what was behind him that made them gape in shock.

A figure was laying besides him.

Her back to the door and curled in a ball, was a girl with long blond hair.

"Oh my god Wallace West!"

"What the hell is going on!?

Wally blushed brightly and held up his hands. "I swear this is totally not what it looks like!" He defended himself weakly.

Barry crossed his arms looking furious. "It better not e what it looks like young man! You're sixteen years old for Gods sake!" He snapped angrily.

"Please don't blame Wally." Artemis whispered, hoarsely, sitting up slowly and turning to them.

Both Iris and Barry gasped in shock as they saw Artemis' face, her face horribly bruised and one eye swollen shut, as she sat up they could see an ice pack on the pillow. Her eye were red and bloodshot and there were tear tracks on her face.

"Oh my God…Artemis sweetie…what happened!?" Iris said horrified and angry as she rush to the girl, Wally shifted out of the way and allowed his Aunt to sit down and pick up the ice pack, placing it gently on the girls face.

Artemis shied away slightly, taking the ice pack gently and applying it herself. "I-um…my Dad…decided to visit me." She said quietly.

Barry and Iris froze slightly. Both remembering Artemis' words at the dinner a while ago, Barry also remembering who her father was.

"Your mother okay?" He asked concerned.

Artemis nodded. "Yeah my Sister and Batman handled it…I'm moving into Ollie's I think, Batman implied it anyway…I just couldn't…I didn't want to be alone." She murmured, her hand finding Wally's automatically.

"I think I would be exactly the same." Iris said gently, she got up and looked at Wally seriously.

"I'm going to trust you, this once." She told him. "But no more sneaking girls into your room."

Wally blushed brightly and spluttered. "I left a note!" He blurted, vanishing for a second and reappearing with a crumpled piece of paper. Iris accepted it with a raised eyebrow and read it out loud.

"Aunt Iris/ Uncle Barry,

Artemis' Dad show up and attacked her house last night. She and her Mom are fine.

Now don't freak out, but she's with me in my room. I promise that nothing will happen. She was really upset and didn't want to be alone, we'll probably be asleep all day.

Wally.

P.S Please don't kill me"

Barry let out a laugh and left muttering about getting some sleep.

Iris shook her head looking amused as she handed Wally the note. "You are so much like your Uncle sometimes its scary." She told him with a grin, before telling them both to get some sleep and leaving.

Wally collapsed back onto the bed, exhausted.

Artemis, let out a giggle as she joined him, curling up against his side.

"A note? Really Wally?" She giggled.

"urgh, just go to sleep." Wally groaned embarrassed.

"Your Aunt and Uncle are great." She muttered sleepily, with a smile.

"I know." Wally replied, his own eyes drifting shut.

Chapter End.

AN: hope you enjoyed it, please Read and Review.

Arty :D