AN: I hope you are enjoying this concept and it was a shock, (Kudos to those who guessed early on). I got the idea from learning that Wally's father did in fact betray him to some evil guys in the comics. I thought it could be adapted well to fit the Young Justice story arc with the mole. Since every source I've found says Rudolph wasn't physically abusive I'm just going to stick with douche and emotionally abusive. The reviews have been wonderful so thank you very much for those.
Chapter 2 – Until Morning
Wally didn't know how to feel. Too many emotions were jostling for attention for him to be able to stick with just one. Predominant among them was obviously betrayal and hurt, but anger was also making itself known now he was able to think about everything clearly. Sneaking into every second thought though was also an insidious feeling of guilt that was doing more damage to his psyche than all the other emotions combined.
After his shocking announcement he could tell this was not a problem for Batman and Robin. They were both pretty much stuck on anger if the clenched fists and slanted eyes was anything to judge by. In Robin's case he could also see a bit of something shining in his eyes that he didn't want to identify.
He didn't like to think that his best friend pitied him.
He couldn't really blame him though he did look quite pathetic. He was still soaking wet with red-rimmed eyes shining with tears. Add to this the tear tracks running down his cheeks and hiccupping sounds generally associated with toddlers he kept making and you got a down right miserable figure with bright red hair. It was an all-together embarrassing state to find yourself in while sitting in front of the Dark Knight and Boy Wonder.
His only consolation was the fact Robin was also looking a bit stupid. If it was any other day Wally would be laughing his head off at Robin's nerd shirt (square root of -1 heart math) and Flash boxers which he had given the kid last Christmas. Wrapping up the entire image, Dick was also wearing a pair of night socks, now thoroughly soaked with chocolate milk. Yes, if Wally was able to drag his thoughts away from the enormity of the betrayal he had just discovered he would have found the bird a very funny sight indeed. All he could manage though was a slight grin and a fleeting thought that he wished he had a camera.
Unusually it was Batman who broke the silence first, "Dick, set Wally up in one of the spare rooms. He's staying here tonight."
As Dick started leading Wally out of the room, his mind suddenly started functioning again beyond the level of the constant thought of 'Oh God'.
"Wait… don't you want to know more? That can't be all you're going to ask me. You're the BATMAN. I m-mean you d-dig and dig and dig some more. I-I've been telling him things f-for years. Aren't you going to…. Interrogate m-me." Wally whispered the last words in fear.
Bruce's eyes softened marginal, much to Wally's relief. He really didn't want to be interrogated. "That can wait until the morning, when you are thinking more clearly." With a final nod to his partner Batman turned to leave from the other door.
"Come on Wally, let's get you upstairs." Dick tried once again to lead him from the room only for the stubborn speedster to once again refuse to move.
"Wait Batman. Please…please don't 'do' anything tonight. Please just wait til Flash gets here. He's… h-he's still my Dad. "
The scowl was back on Batman's face in a moment, returning with the ease of coming home. The two began what could commonly be referred to as a staring competition but when you're adversary is Batman it becomes something much more terrifying. Unbelievably Kid Flash won as Batman turned away and walked towards the door. Wally just assumed he wasn't going to really do anything that night anyway. This was much more plausible than Wally staring down Batman himself.
"Very well. Until morning then" Bruce said before disappearing into the shadows, most likely on a direct route to the Batcave.
The tension that had been unconsciously chocking the room since his announcement was suddenly broken as Robin, let of an impressed whistle. The shrill noise right next to his head had Wally whipping his head around to glare at the younger boy.
"Dude, you just stared down the Bat, believe me it doesn't happen often."
Wally sighed but gave his friend another small smile in return for his compliment. He turned away quickly though letting his eyes wander after seeing the transparent concern written across the acrobats face. Finally his gaze landed on the broken mug and spilt hot chocolate now making a milky puddle on the highly polished hard wood floors. "Hey Rob… you spilt my hot chocolate."
Robin laughed once more, "Come on Kid Idiot, I'll get you another one while you get changed into something dry." And was finally able to lead the red head around the chocolate puddle and upstairs.
The first stop in the enormous house was to one of the many bathrooms. This particular bathroom being especially for guests with everything anyone might need for cleaning and pampering. It was also connected to a walk in wardrobe the size of Wally's bedroom. The sock drawer was bigger than his bed Wally estimated.
"Have a shower, get dry and I'll leave some extra pajamas in the wardrobe. And KF if you need anything…. Anything I'll be right outside. Ok?"
"Yeah thanks Rob." He knew he was worrying the bird with his less than asterous responses, but Wally just couldn't rustle up the energy to be well…energetic.
Once again Wally found himself alone with his thoughts. It didn't used to be such a scary place. It used to be filled with food, friends, family and fights. Now all there was were thoughts of how he didn't notice his Father's strange behavior sooner, and how it was entirely his fault the League of Shadows gained any information at all.
Looking at his reflection in the mirror the red head couldn't help but let the guilt over take him. Because of the stories he had told his Dad, missions had failed, civilians had been injured not to mention the team. Their last mission in Europe especially had been one disaster after the other. All because he had to open his big mouth to his Dad.
The League of Shadows had been buying a new weapon with the ability to break atomic bonds…without explosions. Normally this would be a mission for the league because a Deatomizer was obviously a very dangerous weapon, but no one knew yet if the thing was even functional. Batman had concluded that the technology was still years away from perfect functionality even for the mad scientist who created it. The bad guys had been expecting them though, and the original convert mission to destroy the weapon and its plans had turned into a hell of a major battle. Artemis received a large gash on her shoulder, while Robin had been almost deatomized. Wally couldn't remember being more scared when he saw the villain pull the trigger and realized he wouldn't be able to get in front of Rob in time to save him. Thank God the gun only had one good shot in it, which was used on a poor unsuspecting tree beforehand while he dodged out of the way. The work of the mole could clearly be seen by the fact that not only did the League of Shadows know they were there they also seemed to know all of their fighting styles and weaknesses.
They knew just because Wally had told his Father while leaving the house for school, "Bye Dad! I won't be home for dinner. We're breaking up a League of Shadow's weapons trade tonight, see you".
He really wished his Uncle Barry were there. It wasn't that he didn't adore his best friend, and well… respectfully fear Bruce, but he needed the reassurance of comfort and safety his The Flash always instilled. He had always been able to talk to Barry about anything, and he really needed that now to sort his head out.
His Father had never really been someone he went to for advice or even just to talk to until recently. Wally distinctly remembered him being the exact opposite of approachable when he was younger. He used to either ignore him, or yell at him when he did something wrong. It wasn't that he was horrible - the worst he ever got was a wooden spoon to the behind which really every third child in the World received as punishment, it just seemed he never really cared. Even at those young ages Wally figured his Father had never wanted children and that his birth was more of an unhappy accident than a miracle to the man.
Looking back now, it wasn't until he became Kid Flash that his Father ever wanted to get to know him.
'HA…' Wally thought spitefully, to believe he just thought his Father was finally proud of him. That he finally saw what a great kid Wally was and wanted to really step up as a Father. Obviously he was deluding himself.
Pulling his eyes away from his reflection Wally finally got himself moving again. He just wanted to have a shower and go to bed. He was tired, and he figured the rest of his messed up life could wait until tomorrow. Oblivion was looking pretty sweet. Might as well just think about the hot chocolate Robin would hopefully have waiting for him when he got dressed.
AN: This chapter doesn't have much action (He dodges the spilt hot chocolate and walks up some stairs… wooooo). I just wanted to get Wally's mindset sorted first. Action comes later in the story.
