Buried Treasure [ HAWKGIRL ]

[Red Arrow]

Blue eyes looked up several feet to meet the matching gaze of his darling five year old, little girl. Said little girl had a look of stubbornness that he couldn't tell whom she got it from, himself or her mother...he opted for the later.

He watched from the bottom of the red slid that wrapped up in a swirl of fun. Well fun for most kids apparently not Lian. Her small hands gripped the side of the slide holding herself from going down as well as her feet planted as another safe guard.

"Lian, it's fun come on down, the other kids like it."

Lian's scowl only deepened and she fired back at him. Her black hair blowing in her face and she swept it back in a gesture much like the one he always did.

"They're stupid! It's really high and I could fall..."

Roy blinked not understanding the real reason for her reaction. Bag slung over one shoulder, he dropped his muscular arms to his side and peered up at her, as he gave her his own so serious face, the one where he made promises he always kept.

"Sweetheart, you know I'd never let you fall. I'll always catch you, always I promise."

Placing his bag against the side of the slid, he went crouched down bending his knees, his black jeans moving his movement, his red short sleeved shirt molded to his toned body. He held out his arms on both sides of the slid and waited.

Blue eyes sparkled and a grin and than a full blown smile on the young Lian Harper's face. Hands slowly releasing the slid, and her legs outstretched it wasn't long before she was sliding fast down the slid, a scream coming out of her mouth, even with eyes squeezed shut, she felt herself curled into the strong, warm embrace of her father, his cologne wrapping around her as her small arms encircled his neck, blue eyes peeking out from closed eyes before they fully opened and she grinned down at her dad. He was the best, always there, he didn't talk much about her mom, but she didn't bring it up anymore, it made him sad to talk about.

"I knew you wouldn't let me fall daddy, I knew you wouldn't, cause your the best-est daddy, ever!"

Roy easily shifted Lian to one arm as he lifted his bag with his free hand. Inside was his gear, he just couldn't leave home without it, old habits died hard.

"You want some ice cream Princess?"

He questioned already making his way towards the vender in the center of the park, where it would seem people were digging for bones, a dinosaur; he assumed.

"Ice cream, ice cream yay! Can I have chocolate daddy? No wait vanilla...no, no both?"

Roy just chuckled to himself and didn't answer as he made his way closer to the area that was getting a bit crowded, he just could never bring himself to fully relax, to feel safe so out in the open like they were. Setting Lian on her feet, his hand curled easily over her own as she skipped her feet, humming to herself.

He almost wished he could be as carefree, but that shot was so very soon shoved aside, if he was normal and carefree, who would protect Lian? Jade was on the wrong side of the fence and he had his enemies. He could, would be both, he'd be a hero and a father, but Lian would always come first, everything else came second...accept Jade...that was a sore subject and he honestly wasn't sure where she fell in his life.

Catching a sudden flash of color, a small sign he hadn't been as aware of his surroundings as he liked to think he was. He'd bumbed rather rudely into the shoulder of a young woman, who was only a few inches shorter than him. He placed a hand on Lian's shoulder, his pressure...minimual but she was getting to that age, where she was starting to pick things up. Her eyes drifted to the woman, whom he had bumbed into that didn't happen often...if ever.

"Daddy...who's that pretty lady...you just bumped?"

Her words came quickly, stopping Roy from being able to apologize, his cheeks heated in embrassment and he opened his mouth to speak, but Lian was once more pointing out the manners to him.

"Daddy you need to say your sorry, hurry before you hurt her feelings!"

[Hawkgirl]

Kendra had read in the curator's journal about an archaeological dig taking place in Star city, but it wasn't a normal digging for dinosaur's bones, no it appeared to be an old Native American camp ground that had been abandon. Most likely it was due to radars or another warring clan. There wasn't a true way to find out just yet, but the truth would be uncovered soon. This had truly interested Kendra, for there hadn't been a dig like this in years, and so she had set off to Star City; after a lot of begging with her boss and a promise of bringing home a few items for the museum, Kendra was off to the star city.

Already Kendra had spent a few days, and long hours, in the slowly growing hole. Many items had been uncovered though a few had been removed. All the items would be moved later, dated, and cleaned up but right now they were trying to uncover everything in order to get the full understand of what was there and how the camp was set up. Kendra wasn't running the dig, she was just a volunteer, but she couldn't have been happier. It just amazed her how much she had fallen in love with history and things like this, when in her youth she had had no desire; but then again being giving a second chance tended to change a person's mind on some things.

Today Kendra had started early in the morning and had worked hard until the sun was high without a break. Now it was a little different, and the team had disbursed for a little rest and would return to digging when the sun started to set. Kendra was able to work longer and harder than most of them, due to the prolong effect of her Nth metal that she wore, though she would be a lot strong if she was wearing it now; that didn't mean she didn't take some time off now though. Deciding it was a good idea to get something cold to drink, Kendra had left the dig site, bought herself a coke, and then started walking back.

For some reason her mind wasn't really on what was going on around her, not a common habit that Kendra had. She prefer to know what was going on around her, and knew if there was danger, but right now her mind was on the items in that whole. She had stopped at the whole and was looking at the progress they had made this day, a since of pride over coming her, and taking a quick glace to where she had placed her bad; it contained the items she would need any trouble came up.

With her mind elsewhere, Kendra didn't notice the man and his daughter walking right at her. With a hard bump, Kendra had to take a step forward; dropping her drink to the ground; in order to keep from falling. The run in took her off guard for a second, but then she got her wits together and quickly flipped around; ready for an attack; but stopping quickly when she notice the little girl and the not too bad looking father. The anger that had flashed up in her, started to fade away for she realized it had to have been an accident, however she did capture the little girls words and started to wonder if the girls father would say sorry, or keep on walking.

[Red Arrow]

Roy easily lifted Lian up with one arm, as she hung there, using his arm as a sort of jungle gym, before he pulled her protectively against his side, his strong arm along her back, a gesture, that made it impossible for someone to hit Lian, unless they hit him first. He placed his index finger to her lips, but there was an amusement in his eyes as they landed on his daughter.

“How can I possibly apologize to this lovely lady, if I must try and speak over you Princess?”

His words were good natured and it was clear that his daughter was his world. He turned to the lady, taking notice that he’d made her spill her coke. He frowned slightly at his own stupidity. He shifted his weight for a moment, he hadn’t been one to apologize before, very often, but Lian was teaching him very well.

“I’m sorry about bumping into you; I wasn’t paying the best attention. Allow me to make up for it; I’ll buy you another coke and an ice cream.”

He grinned a little at Lian’s giggle as she covered her mouth with both hands stifling the sound as she pressed her cheek against Roy’s her matching blue eyes identical to her fathers. She reached out one hand towards Kendra and smiled a winning charming smile that could only match her fathers. It was nice to invite her, as that was what they had originally been going to get.

“My names Lian, who are you pretty lady?”

She questioned still holding out her hand for the pretty woman to shake and hopefully she’d get her name. She jumped in front of her father and she didn’t seem to care, she was like her mother in that regard, what she wanted she went after.

“Lian…”

Roy said with a little growl, but there was no bite behind it as he shook his head a little, running his hand through his hair as he looked down at Kendra, she was pretty, and there was strength to her, he could tell by the way she carried herself, and the muscles in her arms helped his affirmation. He waited wondering just what this young lady would do; woman could either take well to kids or shy away from them, their reactions varied.

[Hawkgirl]

Kendra didn't miss how quickly the young father picked up his daughter and tucked her into his side. It was seeing his reaction that made her feel a little guilty about the threatening way that she had turned around. She was after all still getting use the power that she held, and the fact of trying to separate being Kendra and being Hawkgirl. It was a lot easier being Hawkgirl; because she tended to throw her weight around more, where as being Kendra she could be a strong person but she had to be human.

Kendra studied the young father again, she could tell he wasn't use to saying sorry. The joy about being an archaeologist was the little anthropology background you had to have in order to know what items you found might have been used for. So with the bit of anthropology it made it a little easier to read people and this was a man who didn't say sorry often. This caused a slight smile for Kendra couldn't help but wonder what kind of man went through life not saying sorry often. It was clear he wasn't married for that fact, and that he wasn't wearing a ring.

“I’m sorry about bumping into you; I wasn’t paying the best attention. Allow me to make up for it; I’ll buy you another coke and an ice cream.”

At the mention of her coke, Kendra's eyes went down to the ground where the cup was now laying in a muddy puddle that was once her drink. Bending slightly she picked up the cup, after all this was her work place and she didn't need to have a coke cup getting in the way and ruining their dig. She stood back up and looked at the young father and his daughter, about to answer that it was ok and he didn't need to buy her another drink when the little girl spoke up.

“My names Lian, who are you pretty lady?”

Kendra had been called pretty before but hearing it from this little girl couldn't help but make Kendra smile. Taking the little hand Kendra shook it and answered. "I'm Kendra, it is nice to meet you Lian and." Kendra looked up at the young father as if asking what his name was. It was clear this little girl had a lot of spunk and wasn't afraid of anything.

[Red Arrow]

Roy watched Lian's eyes shine with delight at the return of her introduction. She excitedly shook Kendra's hand before letting go and glancing around the area in excitement at the activity of the dig.

Roy shifted his weight and slowly held out his free hand. His blue eyes roamed over her form, assessing her threat level, as he let his gaze back to her face. His grip was strong, firm but not overly crushing. It showed a power, that seemed to be just below the surface.

"Roy and don't worry about it, allow me to make up for the incident anyway."

At Lian's squirming he let her down, watching as she ran ahead of him, without a care in the world to the danger that was out there. It was big crowd, far to easy for someone to sweep her away, unnoticed. His eyes followed her movements as best he could. His blue eyes held a fire that couldn't be missed, a desire to protect. Most men didn't have that trait, it went more towards women.

Lian knew not to get to far ahead but Roy couldn't continue to coddle her, nor did he want to expose her to the dangers of his world. He turned his attention back to Kendra, moving his body so she couldn't quite get out of coming with him.

"Let's go, you can humor me with a conversation while we catch up."

Roy wasn't very good at giving people the option of saying no, it was either his way or no way. It was clear compromising with this man would be difficult, but not impossible. If his daughter could do it, anyone could with lots of patience and an iron will.

[Hawkgirl]

Kendra took care not to squeeze the little girls hand, for she didn't want to hurt the child. She could see that Lian was excited and it warmed her heart. For a moment Kendra's own mind went to the daughter she had once had and gave up, what it might have been like to be a mother; though she would never know now. It was now the father's turn for introductions as he held out his hand she took it in her own and returned the strong grip, however being careful; for even though she wasn't wearing her Nth metal there was side effect one being slightly enhanced strength. The two of them looked each other in their eyes, sizing each other up though not realizing each other was.


"Roy and don't worry about it, allow me to make up for the incident anyway."

"You don't have to, I should be drinking that stuff anyway." Kendra answered with a slight smile, trying to figure out if this man was really all that he was portraying to be. Lian soon squirmed away and ran off toward the crowed that had come to watch the digging. Kendra didn't follow the child for a moment, instead she watched her father not missing the flames that seemed to spark up. After a brief moment though she turned her head to watch, not only to make sure the child was safe but everyone as well. The team wasn't dealing with major machinery or anything, but it was still a big hole and one never knew what could happen when people where digging.

Kendra was watching the site for a moment, knowing that she should get back to work for the team needed her, when someone stepped into her line of vision; it was Roy. Her attention away from the site and now on the man in front of her, clearly he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"Let's go, you can humor me with a conversation while we catch up."

Kendra arched her eyebrows slightly and weigh what to do next. She could easily get away from him if she wanted to, but did she want to. There was something about him that was interesting. "Alright since you're not really giving me a chance to say no." Kendra couldn't help but smile.

[Red Arrow]

"You always have the option of walking away, but I don't think you want too."

Roy gave her a rogue-ish grin as he looked at her with those blue eyes of his. His flirtasious side was showing a bit. As she agreed to go with him. He looked around once more out at the crowd, he was looking for Lian and he caught her talking to another young boy who was at the event as well. He watched her look around for him, and then turn her attention back to the boy and the other three kids who had come over, it seemed they were inviting Lian to play with them. Lian's attention went once more to him and he gave a small nod of his head.

As his permission was given the kids were soon off rushing through the crowded closer to the dig sight, but skirting the edge wanting to go up were it was less crowded with other people.

He looked around looking for something that was out of place or perhaps something was just going to have a big neon sign saying so. He placed his hand on her shoulder a casual gesture as he stood in line with Kendra for the ice cream, they'd call Lian over in a little while.

Movement caught his eye and he turned his eyes narrowing on a shadow, that shouldn't be there, and he watched the sun catch it as it disappeared into the large hole that was the dig site. His grip tightened on her shoulder and his face didn't quite hide the irritation and anger that was on his face. The small ear piece beeped into his ear, before a voice came to him through the device.

"Red Arrow-"

Roy reached up casually running his fingers through his hair, and pressing the button to end the call before John's words could continue. He was on watch today, but that didn't do much for him, it just pissed him off, today was supposed to be his damn day off. Usually things like this didn't bother him, but Lian was here with him and this put her in danger.

He turned feeling the ground shake under him and his order came hard and clear as he saw what was coming at them, a massive arm was swinging for the people around them, intending to send all the people spirling.

"Get down!"

Roy as already reaching for his bag that held his arrows, bow and his uniform. He couldn't very well give away his secret identy here, but that didn't mean squat, he'd change just as soon as he could make it behind the building only about fifteen feet from them.

He curled his hands over his head as he hit the ground, his body instinctively covering Kendra's a bit. He hoped she followed orders well, and the instictive reactions when someone yelled get down, hopefully were kicking in. This wasn't going to be very good. He was now regretting cutting John off before he knew the full situation. That had been a smart move.

He had to get to Lian, but first he had to get into his suit before things turned ugly and he found himself hurt and unable to get to her.

[Hawkgirl]

"You always have the option of walking away, but I don't think you want too."


For a moment Kendra couldn't help but freeze as her mind went to another man, whom she had also just met, that had this kind of attitude. The big difference was this man before her wasn't telling that they where lovers from a life time long ago. The other difference was the fact that Kendra could tell he was flirting with her a little, which was a nice changed as well. It was this that made Kendra decided why not, after all she had earn a few minutes off from her job; though now that she thought about it she didn't look the best to go out for ice cream. She was wearing jeans and a cream blouse with one of those tan vests that had all the pockets to store her tools, and of course on each of her wrist was what looked like leather bracer; which hid a mistake from her past. She wasn't wearing a hat, for she had left it with her bag, and luckily she had washed her face; though she wore no makeup now. For a moment Kendra was aware of what she must have looked like; which was a mess; but she reminded herself that she had been working and it was clear that Roy didn't care.

Kendra couldn't help but watch the silent conversation between father and daughter; it was truly amazing how much Lian listen to Roy and how protective Lian father clearly was. Her attention was directed away from the child when she felt a hand on her shoulder, it was a friendly and casual gesture which didn't cause Kendra to want to grab the hand and flip the body that belong to that hand over. The two adults moved over and joined the line that was for the ice cream, giving the two adults a chance to talk.

Something that Kendra needed to learn, and the sooner the better, was that things didn't always worked out like you wanted it too. Before the two of them could even think about talking, the ground beneath them started to shake. Kendra quickly looked around to try and see what was causing the shaking, cursing herself for having her bag so far away at this time.

Before she could make an excuse and run off to her bag, Kendra heard Roy yell to get down and than felt him push her to the ground and his body somewhat covering hers. He was strong enough to keep her down, so that she couldn't be the one protecting him; after all she could handle and little abuse from whatever it was that was causing the earth to shake.

The pressure of Roy's body on hers was removed shortly after, and his attention was on his bag. Sure he was reaching for his phone in order to call for help Kendra quickly slipped away. The crowd was running around now, screams could be heard everywhere, so no one notice as Kendra made her way to her bag, quickly grabbed it up and slipped into the tent that the team had put up to act as an office. No one was inside, so shrugging off her secret identity Kendra became Hawkgirl and shot out the back of the tent and into the air; in order to get a better view of what was going on.

She could see the monster attacking the crowed, and she could see someone else jumping into the dig site, but it was a little girl screams that caught her attention. Lian had been playing with her new friends when the crowed was attacked, and now she was in the middle of stampeding people, she was screaming for her daddy. Hawkgirl knew however that the girl's father wouldn't be able to get to her, and if left there much longer she would get hurt. But there was also the monster attacking the place, it was a hard choice to make but she knew what she had to do. Clipping her mace back to her belt Hawkgirl dove into the crowed, flying just above people's heads until she reached Lian. Hawkgirl quickly landed and picked up the little girl and jumped back into the air; holding the child close to her. "Your alright now, just hold on and keep your eyes close; I'll take you to your daddy." She didn't want the little girl to get scared of the height, not to mention she didn't want the girl to get scared of the attackers. As she darted in the air Hawkgirl quickly looked around to try and find Roy; for she was wasting time. If she couldn't find the child father soon she would set Lian down on a roof somewhere safe until she took care of the attackers.

[Red Arrow]

Roy as he rolled to his feet, looking around at those that had been knocked down by the blow. He scanned the area for Lian trying to find her in the chaos. Kendra had slipped away perhaps following the crowds panic fleeing, he couldn't blame her. But he pushed her from his mind, as he ran fingers swiftly removing his jacket and his shift as he ran, his back pressed momentarily against the wall, as he searched for any sign of Lian.

He was in his uniform before you could get much of a show out of him. Bow on his back as well as his arrows, Red Arrow climbed the small building. Using his own stength he stepped on top of the roof. Eyes narrowing behind his mask, he saw the man, if you could call him that, the one who was caucusing the trouble. It was Elephantman. He took a breath as he pulled a specific arrow from his holder.

"GL, give me a repeat of what you'd been trying to tell me earlier."

"Red you've got Shadow Thief, and Elephantman in your vicinity. Hawkgirl should be in route if she isn't there already. The two of you should be able to handle them. Shadow Thief is after the artifacts."

"Roger that, I've got this covered.

Readying his shot he arched up on his  knee an his back leg. He readied his sights up with Elephantman's chest. As he pulled back the string and let the arrow fly towards the beast of a man. His attention was drawn from his fight to the screams that could come only from one person. His head turned in that direction, he could hear the other people's screams but Lian's had stood out, he'd been able to distinguish between the others and her own.

Lian turned in the arms of the woman who had swept her off her feet. Her blue eyes had filled with tears but she'd stubbornly held them back. She threw her arms around the woman's neck. Breathing deeply to calm down.

"T-Thank you."

He stood up ready to go to her, but the distraction was enough for the man to easily break free from the chain that had wrapped around his arms. He'd bellowed and cursed in a rage and stomped his feet.

The massive hand that hit him in the stomach knocked him back into the air and off the small building that he'd been standing on.

Lian saw her father get punched and sail through the air, hitting the ground and lie still for a moment.

"Daddy!"

The child squirmed in Hawkgirl's arms, trying to get down.

Roy rolled to his knees, his breath knocked out of him, and felt a couple ribs had cracked from the force of the fall. His gaze narrowed and he ignored the pain, drawing in air and trying not to cough. He'd be sporting bruises tomorrow, he grimaced at the thought. As he  pulled another arrow from his quiver and readied the arrow to fire.

"You'll have to do better than that!"

Elephantman laughed and lumbered over to the fallen Red Arrow and continued to advance on him.

"You're pathetic Speedy, always have been, it's just you and me, how do you think this will end?" 

Red Arrow allowed a smirk to touch his lips as he fired the arrow at him, the poisonous tip sinking deep into the fleshy, soft spot right between his shoulder and his upper arm.

Roy readied another shot, this one with more of a kick to it. He did glance up to see Lian in the arms of Hawkgirl, he'd have to thank the young woman for this somehow, maybe he'd take her to dinner as a thank you.

Devil dog had yet to show his face, but the man knew how to bid his time for once.

[Hawkgirl]

Hawkgirl had no idea who they were up against, for she hadn't been able to get a good look at them nor did she have her own communicator on right now. So at this moment she didn't even know she had a team mate helping her out and drawing the attention of the one of the two bullies. Right now Hawkgirl's concern was for the child that she was carrying in her arms, as she scanned the panic crowed looking for the child's father she couldn't find any sign on him. Hawkgirl could feel the fear that was inside of the little girl, but the child had a strengh to her as well for she wasn't crying but trying to be brave.

"T-Thank you."

"Just hold on tight Lian, I'll try to find a safe place to put you down until I can find your father." Hawkgirl wispeared gently as she headed toward a tall building, that was until the little girl yelled for her daddy and started to squirm. Stopping in mid air Hawkgirl turned to look where Lian was looking, holding tighter to the child. Clear as day she could see a man dressed all in red, with a bow and arrow, being hit into the air until than hit the ground. For a moment he wasn't moving, but in that moment things became clear to Hawkgirl, the man called Roy was Red Arrow.

She didn't have time to think about it right now, right now she had to help him and his daughter as well. "Lian I will help your daddy but you've got to hold on tight right now, we're going to fly by the man and hit him good and hard than I'm taking you some place safe. But I need you to hold on tight." It was the only thing she could do right now, in order to buy Red Arrow sometime so that he didn't get himself killed.

With Lian holding on tight, and her arm wrapped around securely to the child, Hawkgirl unhooked her mace from her belt and went at Elephantman full speed; raising her mace high. The timing was perfect for as Roy's arrow shot from his bow and into the flesh of the monster, Hawkgirl's mace came cracking down on his head.

After the fly by hitting, Hawkgirl rose quickly in the air, to keep from Elephantman from reaching her. Hawkgirl headed toward a far enough building that was out of the way but yet close enough that she would be able to reach the child again if something happen. Landing on the roof Hawkgirl put Lian down. "Lian listen to me, I want you to stay right here, do not move unless you are in danger. I'm going to go help Red Arrow and we'll come back to you once it's safe." Hawkgirl looked at the child, and hoped against hope that she would stay here. Touching her cheek a little with a smile, Hawkgirl turned and ran off the roof and into the air toward the fight.

On her way Hawkgirl noticed that there wasn't just one person, there was two, someone had jumped down into the dig site and was picking up the artifacts. Changing her direction Hawkgirl headed toward him, her mace raised.