Follows the JLU season 2 episode Patriot Act, which has a guest appearance by Speedy.
He was just getting back to his apartment in Star City when his cell rang. Seeing who it was on caller ID, Roy was really tempted to ignore him for the time being. But, knowing how stubborn the bird-brain could be, he sighed and flipped open the device. "Hey, Dick."
"Hi Roy. How fun was it getting the stuffing knocked out of you by a mutant super soldier today? And alongside your supposedly estranged mentor at that."
"Do I need to come to Bludhaven and throw you in the bay or something?" Despite the irritated tone, Roy was smirking, and he figured Dick was the same.
"Nah, already did that once this month - and the pollution is just as bad as it is on the Gotham side."
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me. So, are you calling about work, or did you just decide to bug me for your own amusement?"
"...I wanted to make sure you really were doing okay after the fight this morning."
Hearing the seriousness in his old friend's voice, Roy sobered quickly. "Yeah, I'm fine. A few scrapes and bruises, couple of cracked ribs, nothing I haven't handled before."
"That's good. And Ollie?"
"Pretty much the same, and complaining bitterly about it. I don't think he shut up until Canary arrived to smooth his ruffled feathers."
"Uh-oh, sounds like someone might be getting a foster-stepmom after all." The teasing tone was back again.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny. So, where were you and the Gotham bunch this morning, since none of you showed up to help take on that piece of work?"
"Poison Ivy was trying to take over the downtown area again. We didn't have her down and on the way back to Arkham until your fight had been over with for about half an hour."
"Hmph. Lucky. I'd take on giant, mutant plants over a giant, mutant patriotic nutcase any day. Did you know that wackjob actually thought he was protecting the citizens of Metropolis from us?"
"Yeah, I heard. General Wade Eiling - he used to be one of Cadmus' top members. Guess he didn't take the hint like Waller did that we really are the good guys."
"Understatement of the year, dude." Pinning the phone between his head and shoulder, Roy finished taking his jacket and shoes off before walking over to the apartment's single bedroom. He lowered his voice upon entering, so as not to disturb the toddler sleeping in the crib off to one side. "I got to talk to Wally, for a few minutes."
"You did?"
"Yep. Aboard that orbiting monstrosity the League calls a base. You been up there yet?"
"Nah, but Tim's told me about it, after his birthday tour turned terrorist attack last spring. But back to what you were saying, how's Wally?"
"Doing good, I'd say. Just as much of a cornball idiot as ever. He's totally got a crush on that Brazilian hottie, Fire. Only time he stopped yammering at me was when she walked past the medical bay."
Dick snorted in amusement. "I'm pretty sure he's got a new target of attraction every couple of months. But anyway - you've been on the Watchtower now. Think you might change your status from reservist to full-time member at this point?"
"Are you kidding? Between raising Lian and keeping Star City intact when Ollie's not around, I'm busy enough at all hours of the day."
"Fair enough. How is the little firecracker? She still like the toys I sent for Christmas?"
"Oh yeah. Between your tiny batarangs and my toy bow, I'm surprised she hasn't brought the apartment down around my head yet." Roy shot a fond look at his dozing daughter.
"You wouldn't have it any other way, though."
"Damn straight."
A/N: For the story of Tim's first time aboard the Watchtower, go read my story Just a Kid, Indeed, newly completed.