33. Date

(POV General)

After Josh's internal struggle both he and Artemis left Mount Justice appearing in Gotham City.

"Where do you want to go too first?"

Josh looked to Artemis with curiosity on where she currently wanted to go but before she could a grumbling noise could be heard from Josh's stomach.

Artemis after hearing chuckled at Josh's embarrassed face and said chuckling.

"Let's get something to eat."

Josh didn't show it but he was thankful an energy can only take him so far with his metabolism of nearly a speedster. At least he'd like to think so.

Then both Artemis and Josh's Date finally started at first the waters were rocky but after a while the both of them seemed to calm down around each other.

After a few minutes of walking the couple found a hot dog stand. Both of them ordered their own dogs.

Josh grabbed a normal hot dog with both ketchup and mustard while Artemis did the same but added some relish on top of the already placed condiments.

As they ate they both joked with each other and told stories. In the middle of one, Josh spilled some ketchup on his gray shirt and pants.

Artemis thought fast and gave him her napkin helping him wipe the mess off and giving Josh a good look at the woman in front of him.

Artemis wore a white crop top covered by a brown jacket accompanied by black paints and a brown belt with a silver buckle. And a necklace of an arrowhead around her neck.

Her hair was tied in a ponytail and around her ears were emerald earrings which complimented her brown eyes.

Josh was speechless at the sight of the woman in front of him and once she noticed Artemis also felt nervous and then soon realized on how close she was to him jumping herself back away.

Both stood in silence until the sounds of cheering crowds took their attention towards a circus that was vibrant with colors provided by the light show it was showing.

The circus was across the street from the hotdog stand and after hearing the cheering laughter taking Artemis' attention Josh noticed her gaze and asked.

"Would you like to go?"

Artemis looked to Josh again before blushing slightly saying.

"Yeah. Let's go."

As the couple walked towards the circus stop a nearby building sat a woman in a green martial arts Gi covering a black jumpsuit with black boots covering her feet.

The woman had messy hair to make anyone who wished to see her face blind. To cover up any openings she covered her face in an Oni mask hiding the rest of her face.

Cheshire was watching Her sister from afar making sure she was alright secretly and to protect her if the need ever arose.

Cheshire didn't have a way of tracking Artemis. She simply was lucky to encounter her on her patrol over a city that the shadows requested to be watched.

Cheshire didn't know Artemis was together with Josh until he walked into her line of sight. Telling her she'd be alright with the skilled meta-human beside her.

And as if the Shadows knew she was waiting a message was sent to her phone she hid inside her Ki reading the message.

[Go to Star City and kill the target]

The phone then showed the image of a scientist. Wearing glasses, black-skinned, and green-eyed.

Cheshire committed the image to memory leaving the building she was on saying bye to her sister.

After the ending performance, the Circus came to an end and the would be couple left.

Josh asked Artemis if she liked it and didn't expect her to talk about it from start to finish about how good or bad it was.

Josh began to laugh at Artemis due to her constant talking and in response she socked him in the shoulder.

"Ow."

Josh covered his arm and portrayed a face of hurt but was overdone by the smile across his face getting a laugh out of Artemis.

Josh and Artemis continued chatting about whatever was on their minds until a loud bell could be heard signaling the next hour.

Both Artemis and Josh looked at the time being 4 pm surprising both parties who assumed its been a few hours not several.

Josh looked at Artemis with a smile saying with the sun bouncing off of him.

"Time flies when you're having fun."

Artemis looked to Josh seeing his smile feeling the innocence from it and unknowingly jumped into a kiss with Josh.

Josh felt Artemis's tender lips and as he started to enjoy it the look of surprise washed away and Josh cupped his right hand over Artemis's chin surprising her but not bothering her.

Both kissed for a minute before stopping and they both were beat red for a few minutes before Artemis said.

"We should get back."

Josh too shy to speak nodded his head in agreement and they both began walking back to the Zeta Tube transporter.

After being scanned and sent back to the base Josh and Artemis were met by Red Tornado who was in the middle of flying into his man cave above the very floor.

"What do you think he does up there?"

Artemis broke the silence asking purely out of curiosity since Josh has lived here a lot longer than her.

"I don't know he never speaks so I wouldn't know."

Artemis was not shocked by Josh not knowing but due to Red Tornado's 'chatterbox' like personality she couldn't blame him for not knowing.

After that, the sounds of the Zeta Tube activated bringing both Batman and Robin. Batman didn't take any time after seeing both Josh and Artemis and said.

"Suit up."

Both parties looked to each other but followed their orders leaving to get changed once they were back Aqua-Lad had also returned from his trip and was met by Batman asking him.

"Have you decided?"

Aqua-lad without a second of waiting responded with an answer Batman was expecting.

"I am. I'm here a hundred percent."

Batman looked at the fire behind Aqua-lads eyes and trusted it. The rest of the team arrived shortly after and once the last one showed Batman spoke of their next mission.