The sun was beginning to set as she pulled on her costume. "How do I look?" She asked as Jade sat on her bed eating a bag of chips. Her sister was already upset about the little prank Roy played on her this morning. "Okay can the cranky Jade please leave?" She asked with her hands on her hips. "I do not appreciate my stomach bring painted as a pumpkin while I'm asleep" she snapped as Artemis put her hands up in defense. Pulling the mask over her face and tying her hair in a ponytail she smiled.

     The doorbell rang as she rolled her eyes and grabbed her bow and quiver. Leaving Jade in her room she walked down the stairs and opened the front door. "Hey-Woah" he said looking at her costume with flushed cheeks. "Ollie I'm leaving!" She yelled as her voice echoed off of the walls. Walking outside the crisp wind hit her stomach and arms. "Your not actually going to use that are you?" He asked as she smirked. "Not if I don't need to" she said as he paled following her down the driveway.

     "Okay so we're supposed to meet everyone down by the forest" he said as she sighed and nodded. The forest was just at the back of the school and it was a shortcut they took to get home if they ever walked. "What's Bart doing?" She asked as Wally shrugged. "Going to the dance with Jaime" he said as she nodded looking up at the sky. It was only five o'clock as the sun was beginning to set. The dance was starting in an hour as they picked up the pace heading towards the forest.

It was eerily quiet as they walked alongside each other. A creepy cackled rang through the air as someone landed on the lamppost and jumped down. On instinct she knocked an arrow in her bow and held it up. "Relax its just me!" The person yelled taking their mask off. "Boo!" A feminine voice said behind them as Wally and Artemis screamed. Dick and Zatanna began to burst out in laughter seeing the reaction they got out of their friends. "Not funny dude" Wally said with his hands on his hips.

After they finished laughing it was quiet again. "Nice costume Artemis" Zee complimented as the blonde smiled. "Yours looks great too" she said as Zatanna nodded with a smile. "It was my Mom's I just altered it so it would fit me" she said as her smile began to fade off of her face. Finally arriving at the edge of the dark forest a bunch of laughter and voices sounded from behind them. Walking down the hill was Jaime, Bart, Cassie, Tim, Garfield, Raven, Kori, Kaldur and Roquette all in costume.

"So is everyone here?" Dick asked as everyone began talking amongst each other. "I think so" she said fixing the arrows in her quiver. A gust of wind blew by them all as they walked through the dark forest. The breaking of a twig made them all jump as Wally grabbed her hand. "Can I hold your hand until we're out of the forest?" He asked as she rolled her eyes. "Whatever" she said with a faint blush spread across her cheeks. "I am sorry for causing you such stress by stepping on the twig" Kori apologized.

     After many more screams they ran out of the forest and into the school. She looked down to see him still holding her hand. "S-sorry" he stuttered out letting her hand go. The music was blaring in the gymnasium as they all walked in. "Excuse me everyone we are now going to start the costume contest" one of the teachers said over the microphone. The girls' group was called up first.

     People were clapping as the girls did spins to show off their costumes. The crowd began to score and a couple of guys whistled. After a couple of minutes they moved to the side of the stage watching a couple other small groups come onto stage. Their costumes were definitely not as good as the girls. "Can we have the last group come up please" the teacher said as the guys walked on stage with smirks on their faces.

     A couple girls in the audience began to squeal happily. Bart began to partially hide behind Jaime which Wally noticed as he smiled. "Hey can we get a little love too?" Artemis yelled as the girls walked over with their hands on their hips glaring at the boys. "From the votes I say we have a tie!" The teacher exclaimed. "What!" Wally and Artemis both yelled at the same time. Walking off stage they all began to dance. Well everyone except Wally and Artemis who were both leaning against the gymnasium walls.

     "I'm bored!" He complained throwing his hands into the air. "Come dance with me" he said as she growled and shook her head. Smirking he grabbed her hand and began dragging her to the dance floor. "Wally let me go!" She growled with rage filled eyes. "Too late" he said spinning her around. "I don't dance" she grumbled pulling her hand away and crossing her arms. "Please I need one dance" he said as she snorted loudly while rolling her grey eyes. He began pouting adorably as she tried not to crack a smile.

     "I know you want to smile" he taunted as she looked away with the smallest of smiles on her face. "Look Jaime and Bart are having fun-" she cut him off. "Wally their making out with each other" she said as he crossed his arms. "But their still having fun" he said as she let out an annoyed sigh. "Fine one dance won't hurt" she said as he smirked taking her hand and spinning her towards and away from him. Another song came on which she knew the all of the words too. "No shirt no blouse, just us you'll find out. Nothing that I really wanna tell you 'bout no" she sung as he smiled at her.

     After an hour of dancing she dragged him off of the dance floor. "Okay I'm tired" she said gasping for breath from being so tired. He nodded in agreement. "Let's go outside for some air" she said in between breaths as they walked out of the gymnasium and down the hallway outside. The air felt refreshing and not as stuffy as it was in the gym. "Its too cold, its too cold. The holes of my sweater" she sung quietly to herself while walking around. "Wanna ditch this place? Its getting a little too crowded in there" he said as she nodded laughing slightly.

     "I heard there's a new horror movie out" he said as they walked across the schools parking lot. "Sure if you want to see it but are we going like this?" She asked as he smirked. "Yes, yes we are" he said as she chuckled.

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     "So who are you supposed to be?" Tim asked curiously. "Wondergirl and by my guess you're Robin" she said as her and Tim walked down the school halls. The dance was getting a little stuffy and crowded so they decided to go for a walk. He nodded with a small smile on his face. In her opinion he still looked cute even in the costume. "I'm going to the washroom I'll be right back" he said as she nodded with a smile. Waiting in the hallway she heard snarky laughter. "Oh its you!" The voice yelled as Cassie turned around on her heel.

     Linda stood there with Hilary at her side glaring at Cassie. "I like your costumes" she managed to sputter out. In truth Cassie really didn't want to cause any trouble with them. "Really well we don't like yours. Why are you dressed like a guy?" Linda asked as her and Hilary began walking towards Cassie. "I bet its because she wants to show off her man arms" Hilary snickered as Cassie frowned. She was backed up into a corner staring up at the older girls.

     She became stunned when Linda said something. "She's part of that bitch Artemis's group. Should we teach her a lesson Hills?" Linda asked as Hilary smirked and nodded. Cassie suddenly felt a stinging pain across her cheek seeing that Linds had hit her. Everything started going by in a blur as the two bullies started to hit and punch her. "I think she got the lesson" Hilary commented as the two looked down at Cassie who was curled up on the ground with tears spilling from her eyes.

     As soon as the two girls left she began to sob loudly. Tim was coming back from the washroom when he walked passed Hilary and Linda who were laughing to themselves. "Did you see the look on her stupid blonde face when you hit her!" Hilary laughed out as he paled. Running back to where he left Cassie she wasn't there. Loud sobbing was heard further down the hallway as he slowly walked over. Her teary eyes glanced up to see Tim slowly walking over. Sitting up she leaned against the wall and pressed her hands over her eyes.

     He helped her up as she wrapped her arms around his neck and began to cry even harder. "Cassie are you okay?" He asked as she shook her head. Taking out his phone he sent a text to Dick saying what happened. "I shouldn't be crying I probably deserved it" she said wiping her tears as he sighed. She was suddenly pinned against the wall watching him shake his head. "Cass you don't deserve to be beaten to a pulp" he said as she stared into his masked eyes. Her heart was beating through her chest as her cheeks flushed a bright red.

     He let her go and gave her a small smile. "Are you done feeling sorry for yourself because it wasn't your fault" he said wiping some stray tears from her cheeks. Nodding she gave him one last hug. "Thanks Tim for being a hero" she whispered before many fast footsteps approached them. "Are you okay Cassie?" Megan asked with a worried look. "I'm fine but I'll probably have a black eye and a couple bruises tomorrow but whatever" she said brushing it off like it was nothing.

     "Tim why don't you take her back to the Manor and get Alfred to check her out?" Dick asked as he nodded. She followed Tim out of the school breathing in the cool refreshing air. "Thanks again for finding me" she said as he nodded running his gloved hand through his short black hair. She rubbed her arms shivering slightly from the cold air. "Here" he said unclasping the cape from his costume and gently putting it around her shoulders. "So why are we going to Wayne Manor and not your house?" She asked as he typed in the gates password.

     A frown appeared on his face but he quickly made it disappear. "That guy Oswald Cobblepot I um hacked into his bank accounts and donated some money to charity. He found out and attacked my house so my parents are in protective custody and I'm living here" he said rubbing his arm as she frowned. Giving him a hug she kissed the top of his head. "It will be okay" she whispered as he blushed a light pink. An old man opened the front door of the Manor as she smiled. "Hello Master Timothy. Who is the beautiful lady you brought with you?" He asked as Cassie blushed.

     Tim scratched the back of his head nervously. "Actually Alfred this is my friend Cassie. Dick told me to get you to check her out since two girls kind of jumped her at the school" he said as the old man nodded. "Right this way Miss Cassie" Alfred said taking them to the large kitchen. Sitting at the table was Jason who was sharpening knives. "Oh hey replacement" he said as Tim frowned. Cassie noticed this and walked over to Jason. "Don't call him that!" She yelled hitting Jason across the face.

     "Why you little bitch" he muttered but before he could attack her she had his arm twisted. "Why are you so strong?" He asked groaning in pain. "Dude she's a bodybuilder" Tim said with a smirk. Letting him go Jason grumbled curse words and left the kitchen. Alfred stayed silent but he had an amused look on his face. "Come now let's fix you up" he said as Cassie sat on the counter letting the butler tend to the bruises on her face.

Skycrystal23  ;)