I apologise for the major delays this work has suffered towards the end. My work hours don't make it easy to write and I haven't been well recently. This chapter also changed several times during its writing; for the better I hope. I can tell you that it's the third last chapter of this story. The other's are in my head, I just haven't been able to write them out yet.

I promise that I will eventually finish this story. One way or another. However I can not promise when it will be finished. Until it is though I will not be updating my other story.

Thanks for your time. Again I apologise for the delay. I hope you enjoy this chapter though.

When Friday night rolled around Artemis was nervous. It was the first time she had really been out since her and Conner's little escapade into New York. To make matters worse she was moving back to Gotham tomorrow. Then the Social Worker was coming over on Sunday to check everything out.

So dressed in her usual jeans, black top and brown jacket Artemis went with Conner and M'gann to their school. As soon as she could see the place she wanted to turn around and run. She almost did.

"Artemis, where do you think you're going?" Conner asked as M'gann continued on ahead.

"Far, far away from here."

"Why?"

"Because I just realised that this is a bad idea."

"It is?"

"Yes all of M'gann's other friends are in there and they are all going to hate me and spend the night questioning me. I'd rather go ask the Joker if he would like to dance."

"Artemis you have nothing to be afraid of. Our friends already know what's going on. They will be fine and so will you. Besides you will be with me or M'gann the entire night. Trust me."

As Conner spoke he took Artemis's hands in his and pulled her forwards. Artemis went along willingly after that but Conner didn't miss her last remark.

"Famous last words."

Indeed ten minutes later Conner wasn't so sure of his earlier confidence. It wasn't that the Bumblebee's were staring at him and Artemis. It was more the snippets of conversation he kept picking out of the crowd. He heard things like cheater, witch and backstabber, which were among the nicer comments. As a result he and Artemis were hanging out by the snack table. Standing there talking about what Wally would eat first and betting on how long it would take him to eat his way through everything kept them busy. That was until the D.J. for the night whose name Conner didn't know announced the next song would be a slow song. He looked down at Artemis who reluctantly nodded. She had already given the excuse that she wasn't supposed to overdo it to avoid dancing. Now she didn't have an excuse.

So Conner pulled Artemis on to the dance floor as piano music started up in the background. It was soft and slow and exactly what he needed. Conner wrapped his arms around Artemis's shoulders and rested his hands in the small of her back. Artemis placed her hands against his chest and laid her head down. Conner kept them turning in slow circles. Resting his head on Artemis's he hoped that this song went for a long while and that they played some of this music at the party next week.

Eventually though the song began to end. Artemis lifted her head to look at Conner. Thinking that now was the perfect moment Conner lowered his head closer to hers.

It was then that Marvin and Wendy crashed into them. All four went sprawling to the floor. Marvin and Wendy both landed next to each other on the floor. Artemis landed on top of Conner, with his arms still wrapped around her. Artemis couldn't help but smirk.

"So trying to live up to the 'S' on your shirt, huh?"

"I wouldn't wear it otherwise."

As she spoke Artemis ran her fingers over the 'S' on Conner's chest. After he answered with a returning smirk he went to continue what he had tried to do before. Apparently the universe was against them.

"Artemis, Conner, Wendy, Marvin. Are you all alright?" It was Megan and several of the Bumblebee's.

Reluctantly, Artemis and Conner allowed Megan and the others to pull them to their feet. Even though they had been lying in the middle of the dance floor, which was now full because the upbeat music had restarted, Artemis and Conner had been quite happy with where they were. No one else was apparently. Artemis twitched slightly under the glares being sent her way by the cheerleaders. Conner hadn't noticed because of Mal.

"Hey Mal. How are you?" Conner asked the moment he noticed Mal, who had his arm slung over Karen's shoulders.

"Alright. Looks like you're having fun. Who's this?"

"Oh. This is Artemis." Conner was so matter of fact about it. He drew Artemis around to look at the pair in front of him. Artemis wore a look of relief, thankful to see at least one friendly face. Being stared at by the Bumblebee's was unnerving.

"Hey, I'm Mal and this is Karen." Mal introduced himself and Karen to the girl leaning against Conner's side. It was obvious to Mal that she was uncomfortable and considering the glares all the other girls were giving her, he thought he knew why. Karen muttered hi before going over to Wendy and Megan.

"Hi." The voice coming out of the girl in front of him was full of confidence and bravado, her body language screamed different. She kept close to Conner and seemed perfectly aware of the cheerleader's glares. It also seemed like she was trying to make herself smaller.

"Don't worry about them, they have trouble believing Megan." Mal tried to reassure her; she nodded her head but didn't look convinced.

"How's your summer been?" Conner spoke to Mal again, listening to him describe his summer. He felt Artemis press closer against him, seeking comfort.

"All in all, it's been pretty good. What about yours?" Mal returned the question, while watching the Bumblebee's watch Artemis.

"It's been interesting." Conner stopped there as Artemis was disengaging herself from his arm.

"Where are you going?" Artemis looked at him like he was an idiot, hands on her hips.

"The bathroom, why, you want to come?" Sass was definitely one of Artemis's strong suits.

"No." Both boys managed to get out as Artemis walked off, chuckling to herself.

"So, what did happen?" Mal asked, sobering Conner for a moment, knowing full well he wasn't talking about Conner's summer.

"Megan and I, it just didn't work. We tried but we found ourselves at a crossroads in our feelings. We couldn't figure a way past it." Conner answered, trying to make sure that he didn't know the truth.

"And Artemis?" Mal tried to sound curious; he didn't want it to come across as accusatory.

"She had some issues at her school towards the end of the year. She ended up in hospital and was out here to recover privately. I don't know how or why it happened but it did. I'm glad it did." Conner finished, making sure Mal was aware that he was happy.

"So you pair are?" Mal wanted a proper answer.

"Aren't. I'm still working on it. The people here aren't exactly being helpful. If I had known Megan's friends were going to act like that, I would have taken her somewhere else."

"Considering that Megan explained the situation to them. I guess girls are still girls." Mal chuckled at his own joke and almost missed Conner's response.

"Most girls."

Artemis was hiding in the bathroom. She didn't actually need it; she just wanted to get away from the glaring. Hiding in one of the stalls seemed to be the only solution; it also got her off her feet. Trying to fight off the rising panic attack was another good reason for hiding. Running out of the room had seemed like a good idea but Conner would have chased her. The windows in the room were too small for her to leave through as well.

After a full five minutes Artemis worked up the courage to leave. Just as she was about to stand up she heard the door open and the distinct click of heels on the floor. Artemis stopped moving when she recognised Karen and Wendy's' voices.

"So what do you think?" Wendy asked her friend.

"I don't know. Megan and Conner seem fine and Artemis seems nice."

"Please, he's parading round a poor replacement for Megan. In front of her. Megan's too nice for her own good, she wouldn't say anything." Wendy argued back.

"I know that but Artemis doesn't seem like much of a threat and Megan said she broke up with Conner. Really she has no right to complain even if she was which she isn't."

"Karen, she's our team mate-"

"-Who says she's fine.-"

"-Which we have already established that she wouldn't especially if that girl was being threatening towards her."

"Look I know I got here late and maybe you saw something else but the girl out there standing next to Conner looked like she wanted to crawl into his skin to get away from everyone. She was scared. Someone that scared isn't going to be running around threatening people." Karen tried to sound convincing but Artemis who was still frozen to the spot listening didn't think that Wendy would care.

"Of course she looks like that, that's what she wants us to think." Wendy stated like that was all that mattered.

Artemis heard both girls breathing loudly, preparing to argue again. Before either could get a word out a third voice interrupted them.

"Hey, Wendy, Karen. Have you guys seen Artemis? Conner said she came in here but hasn't come back."

M'gann would walk in on this. Artemis felt the air temperature drop as both girls realised the implication of M'gann's words. She heard Wendy leave quickly before Karen answered.

"Maybe she's in one of the stalls. Megan, did you hear what we were talking about?"

"No, why?"

"Nothing, Artemis will probably tell you anyway." Karen muttered as she to left the girl's bathroom, leaving Artemis hiding in the far stall.

"Artemis are you in here?" M'gann called quietly down the room.

Artemis responded with a choked sob, she hadn't noticed that she was crying. M'gann didn't say a word about it; she simply used her powers to slip under the stall door. Taking in Artemis who had curled up on top of the toilet seat lid.

"Artemis?"

"Do you hate me?"

To say that question stunned M'gann was an understatement. M'gann almost fell to the floor because of the question.

"What are you talking about?"

"Conner."

"Oh."

M'gann wasn't sure how to respond. It hurt to see them together, though she wasn't entirely sure why. It also made her happy because it made them happy. She assumed that this was some sort of earth thing that she had missed. Watching Artemis try to curl into a tighter ball though worried M'gann. Artemis had made progress and M'gann didn't want one night to ruin it all.

"Artemis I don't know why you think I would hate you but I don't. I absolutely do not hate you. I'm worried about you though. You haven't been acting like the Artemis I first met. Not that that's a bad thing but at the same time I miss you. You've been distant and I know I wasn't exactly encouraging us talking and that but I miss you Artemis. Whatever's going on don't let it stop you. You are my sister. Nothing could make me hate you."

At some point Artemis had stopped crying and just stared at M'gann. As soon as M'gann finished speaking she enveloped Artemis into a hug. Trying to reassure and help in any way she could. Slowly though Artemis broke away from the hug. The pair then exited the stall to find any empty bathroom.

"So, Artemis. What brought that on?" M'gann fixed Artemis with a stare as she spoke. Artemis sighed before explaining what Karen and Wendy had said. M'gann hid her anger well but went off in search of her friends while Artemis walked back to where Conner and Mal were talking.

"Hey where have you been?" Conner asked as she approached.

"We already discussed this, need we go over it again?" Artemis shook her head a little as she spoke, both boys noticed that her eyes were red and slightly swollen but they both ignored it.

"So Conner said you're from Gotham. What's it like there?" Mal redirected the conversation.

"As crazy and corrupt as the news says." Artemis would have continued but Megan showed up looking flustered.

"Hey Mal, Conner, Artemis. What are you talking about?" The trio noticed the Bumblebee's looking put out while Karen lectured them, that's what it looked like.

"Gotham and all its horror. Though I am slightly biased." Artemis responded.

"It can't be that bad." Mal looked a little incredulous at Artemis's cynical words.

"Spoken like a true Gotham virgin. Just like these pair. Check the place out some time, as long as you stick to Wayne's side of town you'll be fine and think it's all peachy." Artemis placed her hands on her hips and smirked at the three of them as she spoke.

"What's going on?" Karen had just joined the four of them.

"I'm propositioning them. They think that Gotham can't be all that bad. I think they should see it for themselves." Artemis informed her.

"Really, not that bad. You guys have heard of the Joker, right? Crazy, murderer from Gotham. Ring a bell." Karen looked at the others like they might be slightly crazy themselves.

"Hey maybe if we're lucky we'll run into him. Or Riddler. Or Two-Face. Penguin. Mister Freeze. Killer Croc. Ra's Al Ghul comes by sometimes too." Artemis rattled off most of Gotham's well-known crazies.

"Oooh. Sounds like fun, can I come too?" Karen responded.

The others stared at the pair of them for a few moments, and then Artemis and Karen burst into laughter. It took a few more seconds before they joined the pair.

"Okay, you pair had me going for a moment there." Mal said as he straightened up.

"You really think Gotham can't be all that bad?" Karen asked when she stopped laughing.

"Well when you put it that way it doesn't sound great but it must have some good points." Mal responded. Artemis bit her tongue, refusing to say another word on the subject.

"Artemis, come one, come on. You have to see it. You promised, come on." M'gann looked like someone had hit her in the face before she grabbed Artemis's arm and started to drag her from the room.

"Bye guys." Artemis managed before she disappeared out the nearest doors.

"Where are they off to?" Mal said as he watched them go.

"Megan had somewhere she wanted to show Artemis. The bleachers and the football field I think. No idea why though." Conner responded as both boys turned back to face Karen.

"Karen, what was going on with you and the bees?" Mal asked as Karen looked away.

"Well, I was right and they were wrong." Karen stated, careful not to gaze at Conner.

"About Artemis, right? It's not your fault but that's what it's about right?" Conner asked, watching Karen's face morph from fear to relief.

"Yeah. It was about Artemis."

As their friends talked inside M'gann showed Artemis around the field.

"Oooh and over there is where I became a part of the Bumblebee's and Conner ruined the bleachers."

"That was when he carried your books right?"

"Yeah it was so romantic. Even if he just thought that it was practical."

The pair had run to the field and then run the length of it simply because they could. They had started talking as they walked back towards the other end of the field. As they neared the end Artemis sat down to catch her breath.

"Are you okay Artemis?" M'gann asked as she sat down.

"Yeah, just tired. Give me a minute." Artemis responded, a little breathlessly.

The pair sat in the dark, enjoying the silence for a few minutes. Allowing the cool breeze from the Harbour to wash over them.

"Hey M'gann."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For being the best sister I've had. I don't know what I would do without you now and I'm sorry. We haven't really spent time together recently. I miss that. So I was thinking once everything gets back to normal we should kick the boys out of the cave and have a girl's weekend. What do you think?" Artemis didn't look at M'gann as she spoke, instead staring at the sky.

"That would be awesome. We could have Zatanna and Rocket there too. That's a great idea. Wait a second, normal? What in our lives is normal?"

"Point taken. I guess normal is relative for us. I was thinking we should really go all out. Invite Black Canary, Wonder Woman and Hawkwoman. Lock all the other Leaguers out of the cave. That way we don't have to deal with Tornado or Batman and they can't complain about a lack of supervision."

"That is brilliant. We'll have to wait until after school starts up again but that means we have more time to plan. This is going to be excellent." M'gann jumped up in her excitement.

Artemis slowly followed as they headed back towards the dance. Listening to M'gann excitedly list things they would need for their weekend party. As they approached the hall Conner, Mal and Karen exited the building.

"Hey guys, what's up?" Artemis asked as they approached.

"The dance is starting to wind down and we were pretty bored so we thought we would head home." Karen supplied.

"That sounds like a good plan." M'gann said, fully aware that Artemis was already drifting towards sleep.

They group split up after a few quick good-bye's and promises to see Artemis soon. As the trio walked towards the cave M'gann deliberately fell back so that Artemis and Conner could talk if they wanted.

"Hey Artemis, I'm sorry about tonight. You were right." Conner spoke up, taking Artemis's hand in his as he did so.

"It's alright Conner. Most guys don't know how girl's minds work anyway. Besides I had fun. Made some new friends and patched things up a bit more with M'gann."

"I'm glad you had a good time." Conner said, even though he was upset that they had lost the moment for now.

"Yeah, so ready to wave good-bye tomorrow?"

"No."

"Neither am I."

"I suppose I get to see you next week but that seems so far away."

"Not as far away as we think it is. it'll all be fine."

"Sure it will."

The pair lapsed back into silence for a short while.

"Hey M'gann, did you get lost back there?" Artemis called over her shoulder.

"No, why?" M'gann asked as she caught up to them.

"Well you kind of dropped back and never returned. We were considering calling everyone and saying you'd been kidnapped." Conner added.

"Wouldn't that get Batman's goat when he found out that we were kidding."

"Guys!" M'gann exclaimed, embarrassed.

The three fell silent again. They were just happy being together. Tomorrow would bring Artemis's departure and though none of them said it, they felt strange about it. That was why they took the long way back to the cave. Why they had a hot chocolate when they got in. Why they dragged out the night as much as possible. They didn't want to say good-bye. Not yet. And Conner still hadn't found that moment again. He realised as he climbed into his own bed that he would have to wait until the following Friday for another shot at the moment. The one he had lost on the dance floor.