All she could do was stare up at the beautiful woman in awe. Mar'i had never met her a day in her life but she looked familiar. Maybe it was just the back of her mind nagging her but she couldn't help the feeling. "Do you think you can get your father?" the woman asked as she nodded. There was a slight frown tugging at the woman's lips. She looked almost sad and guilty.

Walking away she peered into the kitchen. He was staring at the microwave watching the popcorn bag go around in circles. "Dad, there's someone at the door for you" she said as he looked over with a smile. Pushing himself off of the counter he walked by. Ruffling her hair as he walked past. "Hey this isn't," he trailed off when seeing who it was. At first it surprised him.

He was at a loss for words. The woman stood there brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Hey Kori" his voice went high pitched as he spoke.

"Hello Richard, its been awhile" she said, an awkward tension was in the air.

Someone grabbed his hand as he looked down. Mar'i hid behind him while holding her hand. "May I come in?" she asked, voice calm and friendly. Her English had definitely improved since the last time he saw her. "We were just about to watch a movie but sure" he said letting her in. She towered over him with ease. It was a little intimidating to say the least. "I apologize for intruding like this" she said as he nodded.

The three of them walked into the living room. Mar'i jumped onto the couch and hid underneath the throw blanket. Kori took a seat on the loveseat next to the couch. Hands folded in her lap and her back straightened. "I will say this now, I do not wish for a romantic relationship. Friends would be agreeable but I would like to see her and get to know her if that is alright" she said as he sat there. Mar'i peeked out from underneath the blanket.

She was confused. This woman; Kori by what her father called her, was saying weird things. Things that she didn't quite understand. He turned to look at her before taking a deep breath. "Mar'i this is your mother" he said, voice shaky. She tilted her head to the side and stared at her. "I have two mother's" she said with a bright smile. Zatanna would always be her mother no matter what. Even if they weren't blood related.

Having two mother's sounded wonderful. Even if her first one was no longer here anymore. Standing up she walked over. The blanket dragging against the floor behind her. Mar'i stood in front of Kori before holding her hand out to her. "Hello, I'm Mar'i" she said as Kori gently shook her hand. It wasn't much of a greeting but it was a start. A start was all that she hoped for.

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It was late when they got back. The cold air had become even more bitter and unforgiving. They seemed to melt as soon as they entered the building. "I'm never not going to like this feeling" she mumbled to herself. Walking into someplace warm after being out in the cold for so long felt great. Taking her jacket off she hung it on the coat rack.

Goosebumps rose along her skin sending the chills through her body. As soon as the leash was off of their dog Brucely scurried off. "I'm going to check on those two, make me some hot chocolate?" she asked staring up at her boyfriend. There was a twinkle to those bright green eyes of his. She always loved his eyes. The colour of them was so mesmerizing. Especially when they are the first thing she sees when she wakes up in the morning.

He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. Turning around she walked away. She heard noises it sounded like voices. Turning the door handle she peered inside of the room. Surprisingly the two boys were watching a movie. "Hey Artemis" Bart greeted with a bright smile. She gave the two of them a confused look. "We may be stupid but we aren't irresponsible" Bart said holding up his arm which had the cast around it.

Rolling her eyes she just lightly shook her head. "Well I'll leave you two to your movie" she said before shutting the door behind her. Wally was in the kitchen. Back to her as he worked on the hot chocolate. That was something she was craving. "So did they do the do?" he asked with a smirk as she punched him in the arm.

"I swear to god they are more mature and responsible than you" she said as he rubbed his arm.

She could hit really hard when she wanted to. Soon they were snuggled up on the couch. The television reflecting in her grey eyes. He had his arm around her, the other bringing the mug of hot chocolate to his lips. Artemis was snuggled up next to him. They were watching a random movie off of Netflix. An hour or so past rather quickly.

Her empty mug on the side table and her head resting against his shoulder. Eyes closed as soft breaths escaped her lips. "Babe?" he whispered looking over at her. A small smile appeared on his face. Turning the television off he stood up. Carefully picking her up in his arms before walking out of the room. "Goodnight Artemis" he whispered kissing the top of her head as he tucked her in.

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She sat there with a sour look on her face. Raising the to-go coffee cup to her lips and taking a sip. The bell in the café chimed as someone opened the door. Her eyes glanced over at the young woman. Bright red hair curled to the side. After ordering the woman walked over and sat down in front of her. "Its nice to be able to do this" she said with a bright smile.

"Kal's been lying to me lately" Roquette said while taking another sip of her hot drink.

The red head sighed and sat there. Grabbing a napkin and beginning to fold it over and over again. "Maybe he's protecting you from something?" the young woman said glancing up at her. Roquette rolled her eyes and let out an annoyed sigh. "Unlikely Megan. For all I know he could be cheating on me with some bitch" she growled, fingers curling into her cup. The barista walked over and looked down at the two.

Megan smiled taking the cup and placing it down in front of her. The barista walked away soon after. "Roquette you're over thinking. I don't think he would ever cheat on you" Megan said taking a sip of her drink. Maybe she was right? Or maybe she wasn't? Roquette didn't know what to believe. Usually he never kept secrets from her.

But lately all of that has changed. All he ever did keep was secrets. Like his father being a criminal for one. She was beginning to trust him less and less everyday. In fact she was more worried than angry. Even if she acted like it Roquette was worried for her husband. Nothing could tear them apart before. She wasn't about to let a couple of lies ruin their relationship.

There was a silence between them. The café was busy, people walking in and out. As well as the chatter between everyone. It was anything but quiet. She took a deep breath and ran a hand through her short hair. Looking out to the window she watched the cars pass by with ease. As well as dozens of people crowding the sidewalk.

She took another deep breath trying to calm her emotions. There was a lump in the back of her throat. She felt her eyes begin to wet. Quickly raising her hands to wipe away any oncoming tears. Megan reached forward. Resting her hand on her arm. Turning her head she looked at her friend. "Roquette I know you. If he's going to challenge you that he's not hiding anything then you're going to challenge him back" she said as Roquette nodded.

"You have to fight fire with fire right?" Megan said before her phone began to ring.

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Time past and soon the woman; her biological mother left. It wasn't a shock to the girl. She was smarter than she let on. If anything she was absolutely brilliant. It was late, the sun was setting. The sky streaked in colours of beautiful red's and oranges. It made her insides warm up. Goosebumps rising along her skin when she felt a cold breeze.

Her room was much more silent without her mother around. Kori may be her biological mother but even she couldn't replace Zatanna. No one ever could. She heard a light sneeze causing her to jump. Turning around she saw Damian sitting on her bed. The window behind him was wide open as cold air blew inside. "How did you get here?" she whispered jumping onto her bed and shutting the window.

The boy looked quite sick. His nose was red and he kept sneezing. "As you put it I'm a ninja. Anyways that doesn't matter. What does is what happened to you today. Did they hurt you again? Was it that wretched girl? I swear when father lets me go back I will rip her-" Mar'i covered his mouth before he could finish his spew of threats.

"I'm fine, see" she said, her hair falling in front of her face.

Damian's gotten into trouble one too many times for her already. She didn't need him suspended again. Removing her hand she then placed it onto his forehead. "You're burning up" she said in a scolding tone. He took care of his animals more than he did himself. "I'm fine" he assured her while standing up. A sigh escaped the girl's lips. He acted way older than he actually was.

It bothered her that he always tried to protect her. She didn't need his help, she wasn't that useless. He brushed her hair behind her ear. The dark bruise on her face being brought to his attention.

"You always were a horrible liar" he said.

Skycrystal23 ;)