Disclaimer: I own nothing.
DC Comics will sue anyone that claims to do so.
Wally's POV:
December. The month with the most anticipated holiday of the year. Where frantic shoppers rush to buy the latest accessories for their dearly beloved, traveling long distances becoming a top priority for those whose family were located in places unknown, parades sprouting out in preparation of the season, and local criminals running rampant. Wally didn't pay mind to his archenemies. His rouges were different to say at the least.
They left The Flash alone during the holidays. Secretly, he wanted them to bother him. What fun would Christmas be without a few explosions here and there? Besides, he really had nothing else to do.
OK, that's a lie. The Flash had nothing to do. Wally West? His job as a forensics scientist kept him busy for the most part of the year. When he wasn't fighting for the Justice League, he was either telling the Trickster to take his medications and turn himself in or avoiding the Mirror Master's latest ambush involving a Joker-esque house of mirrors and a very convincing distraction. Out of the suit, the Keystone Police Department required him to identify decapitated bodies beyond the recognition, or description, of what some civilians thought out to be. Though some of the populace might have been absolutely clueless, it didn't hurt to ask around.
"Do you recoginse this body?" He would ask. Oftentimes, the man (or woman) would identify the body right away. In extreme cases, he had to find out on his own. Such as the current case Commissioner David Penchant assigned him.
"Consider this a little vacation, Mr. West. You can work on the case, and in your spare time, you can stretch your legs and relax. We figured Gotham would be a perfect place for you."
"Perfect place?"
"It's not ideal, but we're low on staff due to the approaching holidays..."
"And you chose me."
"Now you're catching on!" David exclaimed as he inhaled the toxic fumes of the Cuban cigar in his hand. "You told us you wanted to participate more in your line of work."
By 'participate', he meant 'taking over someone's place temporarily'. Wally sighed inwardly. "I'll do it."
"Come again?"
"I said I'll do it, sir."
Penchant grasped his hand in the form of a handshake as if signing an irreversible contract. "Good, good! Don't think you'll be alone in the dark streets of Gotham. We've contacted a special someone to accommodate you and show you around the city. Go ahead, take a guess who it is."
I already know what part of Gotham looks like, I don't need a human GPS.
"Poison Ivy?"
David grimaced at the sarcastic words and shook his head. "You'll figure out once he knocks on your door. Make sure to head back to your apartment and bring an extra set of clothes. You'll be there for awhile."
Wally stood up and shook hands with his boss. "Anything else?"
"Just remember to meet back here. I'll have one of our members escort you and then you'll take a taxi for the remainder of the trip. All expenses paid. Oh, and, don't hit yourself on the way out."
Taxi Cabs
Another day to waste away. At least I'm in a different city. Yea, it's different from Keystone City and the surrounding population have no sense of humour what-so-ever, but it's refreshing. And hey, it's snowing. There's another plus.
Stuck in the same daily routine brought me closer to the brink of insanity.
I had to be creative, spontaneous. The same old boring schedule is so not me. I'm glad the Commissioner was nice enough to send me here.
The taxi cab slowed to a crawl. Wally escorted himself out of the vehicle and payed the fine."Thanks." The driver nodded in compliance before taking off on the roads. Wally read the street sign to verify where he was at.
534 W. Copeland St.
Cute.
He fumbled his pockets for the key his unit assigned to him for the house they bestowed to him while he stayed in Gotham. "Gotcha! Huh, for a place in Ghostville, it's actually quite...colourful. Weird."
Seriously! The rest of the houses are grey or brown... or black. This one'll definitely stand out in the crowd.
Wally concluded by the fresh coat of amethyst that it was painted recently. He shrugged it off as he turned the key to & opened the door. To his surprise, Keystone City PD actually provided furniture, a TV (with cable!), and the obvious necessities: Food and drink.
I think I'm going to like it here.
He kicked back in the recliner and tuned in to the HBO cinema channel.
Unsatisfied by the lack of good movies airing, he grabbed the remote and turned off the television.
As soon as he jumped out of his seat, the doorbell rang. He walked stealthily around the path before reluctantly opening the door. David warned me of a visitor.
Salvation
"Can I help you?" He asked. No freakin' way. Don't let him know about how you know of him already, West. Play it cool, suave, smooth. My guide is Bruce Wayne? Gotham's playboy? I could get used to this.
Smiling at the younger male's change of colour, he responded. "More like can I help you. You didn't respond for an entire minute. Better get that heart checked, hm?" His voice hummed, velvety smooth with overtones of subtlety made Wally's heart skip a beat. Dammit, heart! This is strictly professional business!
"I-uh, yea. Who are you?"
The stranger took out his hand. "My name's Bruce. Bruce Wayne." He forcefully brought his own body from shock and shook hands with the guy. "Nice to meet you, Bruce. My name's Wally. What brings you here?"
"I was in the neighbourhood."
Oh very clever, Mary Jane.
Wally couldn't help but snort at the implied reference. "Okay, Spidey. Mary Jane's on the next side of town, in case your wondering. Did ya mistaken me for her? Pfft. I swear, mutant-spider-human's and their obsessions for red heads."
Bruce laughed along to Wally's acerbic reply. "Mary Jane's not my type. Besides, a certain Commissioner David Penchant called me and told me a new resident moved here. I figured a warm welcome from Gotham's finest would help you feel more at home while you enjoy your stay." He then gestured his hand towards the Ferrari parked along the driveway. "By warm welcome, I meant a date."
Strictly professional, Wallace. Get. This. Through. Your. Head.
The red-haired man's jaw dropped upon laying sight on the foreign import. "I-I-I...wait a minute, do you work with Keystone City Police? Why would he tell you I'm here?"
"Let's say I'm in connection with them. You ask too many questions."
A wicked smile ebbed across the billionaire's face as he spoke. "I've been working closely with a case similar to yours. In fact, my whole team has been. It seemed fair that Penn told me who was involved with it. Since you were the only one he sent, why not invite Keystone's greatest forensic scientist for dinner?"
"You, Gotham's most eligible bachelor, am asking me out on a date?"
He already mentioned this before, slowpoke!
"That a problem?"
"No, I mean-it's out of the blue. I just got here and-" Wally's chance to speak, soon cut off by lips colliding with his own. "I'll get my coat."
Sly bastard.
Bruce ran his finger's through the slender man's red hair. "May I escort you to the car?"
"I'm pretty sure I can walk on my own, thank you for the common courtesy. I'm a big boy now."
"Penchant warned me of your quip comebacks."
"Did he now?"
"That he did. He failed to mention he sent a runaway model instead of a real scientist."
Wally's flashed his signature smile at the handsome gentleman. "You're just saying that." He drawled out the words, blushing all at the same time.
"I never lie." Bruce reached over for the man's free hand in attempt, Wally accepted the invitation as their fingers intertwined. "So, Bruce...can I drive?" Pleasepleasepluleeasseee!
"Maybe on the next date. Get in."
Wally's heart sky-rocketed.
"Next date?" He said while opening the door and climbing in.
"David gave me orders."
"Now you're bluffing."
"Do you want a second date, Wally?"
Why did I even question the man? Of course I want a second date!
"I, um, yea. I do!"
"Loss of words, I take it."
"Oh hush you. Let's go out to eat. Know of any good places? I'm kinda short on cash right now."
"I have a place in mind. I invited you, Wally. Meaning I will pay for the date. Maybe I'll even take you home with me."
That could only mean one thing...heh, heh. Shit, he's looking at me. Think nice thoughts, Wally. Nice thoughts...dammit!
Wally's eyes lighted up with excitement. "To your castle? I can't say I'm not flattered, 'cause I am. Am I really that desirable to you? Most folks wait till...the third or fourth date before considering taking someone back to their hangout."
"Speak for yourself. You're astonishing. Remind me to send your Commissioner a gift basket."
"Wooing must be one your strongest qualities, huh?"
"One of my many qualities. I'll take you to my favourite bistro. I doubt you would like to be surrounded by snobs and paparazzi at the bigger restaurants. That okay with you?"
You're spot on.
Ask anyone around Keystone about Wally's opinion of stuck-up rich people , and they'd tell you. There's nothing more he loathed than greedy prosperous human's who do nothing to help their society.
Bruce? He's so not one of them.
"Sure, sure. Instead of talking, let's get a move on. I'm hungry, Bruce!"