Nightmares

Disclaimer: I take enjoyment in writing these. I am only borrowing the characters…


It was simple. Feed the kids, get them bathed, and put them in bed at a reasonable time. Wally could manage this care-taking thing no problem without Artemis there. She was needed to identify a potential threat. That of course came with an operation stake out with a couple from the team and League. Being Artemis was a couple months pregnant, it was promised that she will specifically stay on the sidelines. Black Canary would be sure of that as she joined the young mother. It made Wally feel much better over the whole ordeal.

The twins were even so good through the early evening that he fixed them a small bowl of ice cream, a real treat, for during a short movie after dinner. They even went to bed nicely, after a few rounds of tickle monster hoe-down of course. Jai proving that he can be a big tough boy and get in bed all by himself while Irey bombarded him with hugs and kisses before being tucked in. Jai smiled anyway as Wally gave him another small round of tickles before situating him under his covers.

Wally finally relaxed after a nice shower, collapsed comfortably on the bed in the master bedroom with the television remote in one hand and a bag of chicken wheezies in the other ready to open. A habit Artemis wasn't too fond of, but he'll clean up any tiny mess later that he might potentially make before she got home. He was hungry and deserved a delicious snack after all the calories burned from keeping up with the two rambunctious three year olds.

As he settled back and on a show he recently got hooked on, cries sounded from the kid's room. In an instant, Wally bolted up and to the bedroom in a mere two seconds. His panic lightly subsided as he leaned down to the source of the screams. Irey rubbed her eyes as tears rolled down her face. Wally tried to coax her as much as he could. He patted her head gently. "What's wrong sweetheart?"

Irey could barely hear her father over her loud cries. Jai shifted in his bed on the other side of the room as he groaned. "I can't sleep." He complained. "She won't stop crying."

Wally gave his son a bit of a disapproving look before turning back to his daughter. "Irey, what is it?"

She turned to him with the saddest face, her eyes red already and bottom lip sticking out. She continued to sob profusely. "I had a nigh'mare. I want mommy!"

"Mommy will be back later." Wally tilted his head as he frowned. It was one of those nights. He had no idea Artemis had to take care of things like this. Sometimes he would get home late, either from work or a Flash emergency. By then, the kids were usually in bed. Wally calculated quickly in his mind of what he would do when he had nightmares at a young age like this. The thing was, he couldn't remember that far back. All those unpleasant nights were all but dulled in the back of his mind. He just remembered his mom doing something to takes his mind filled troubles away. If only he could recall what.

Irey continued to sniffle as she tugged her Kitty Flash tighter. "I don't like that mean monster." She whispered through her whimpers. Wally gently rubbed her back. He hated to see his little girl so tormented like this over a scary figment of her imagination.

"He wasn't real sweetheart." Wally paused as Irey tucked her face more into her beige stuffed animal.

There had to be some way to calm her troubles. The thumping of feet in boredom on the wall by Jai was not helping. Wally hugged Irey close. Suddenly a lightbulb went off in his head. He scooped his daughter into his arms and sat in the rocking chair in the corner of the room. Through her watery eyes, Irey looked curiously at her father.

"I think it's time I taught you how to get rid of all those monsters. It's really easy." Wally paused and grinned for emphasis as Irey sniffled once more and stared at him with her wide green eyes. "You need to show them that you're not scared of them. You know how you can do that?"

Irey shook her head slowly. "How?" She quietly asked.

Wally's grin widened as he moved closer to loudly whisper the solution. "The monsters really hate tickles and laughter." He earned some giggles from his little girl as he proceeded to tickle show a demonstration.

Jai joined in on his father's other side, plopping himself right down on the empty spot in his lap. "But I thought you were the tickle monster. You love to give tickles." He pointed out.

Wally couldn't help laughing. "Yes, but I'm the good monster. I know what the mean ones don't like. They also hate anything fun or sweet."

"Like swings and cookies?!" Irey asked excitedly.

"And swimming and ice cream?!" Jai added with the same enthusiasm.

Wally nodded, "Yup. Lots of things like that. It also means that they will be very afraid of you since you both are full of happy and fun. Just remember to show them your favorite things. That way, those mean monsters won't bother you anymore. You can take care of them. You get to be the heroes." Wally pulled the twins closer in a hug as he kissed each of their heads. He added softly, "And if you ever get too scared, remember that there are other heroes that can help you take care of them."

"Like you and mommy?" Jai questioned.

Wally chuckled as he agreed. "Yes, like me and mommy."

They were right in general on the figurative and literal meanings in this case. Parents are heroes and the kids definitely know about them being the real deal. Others thought it was cute when it slips out from one of their mouths about it. Of course, they wouldn't take a three year old for truth in something like that having the possibility of being real. Still, the kids are constantly told to keep it a secret which for the most part they do.

Irey and Jai requested that Wally told some stories of how they helped the heroes take care of a big red and yellow spiky monster with lots of eyes and arms. Jai settled on Kid Flash annoying the offending creature with quick banter and water balloons and it was no surprise that Irey picked Black Canary to sing and shoot from flower water guns. Soon they snuggled closer in their dad's lap as they listened, eyes growing heavy. It wasn't long before Wally began to drift off and join them in dreamland.

There was a flash of light quickly followed by an audible click. Wally blinked heavily as his eyes adjusted to the nearly dark room. Artemis stood in the doorway still in her costume, grinning with a camera in her hand.

"Tough night?" She quietly asked. She picked Jai up to put him in bed. He slightly stirred and blinked his tired greenish-blue eyes a few times before gripping the covers close. Artemis smiled as she kissed the boy's forehead.

"Irey had a nightmare," Wally softly explained. "We learned how to be heroes and keep the monsters away. Of course Jai wanted to help."

Wally proceeded to slowly get up and place his daughter in her bed. Irey buried her face into his shirt. It took a bit to release from her grip and gently put her down. Artemis was ready to switch the shirt for Kitty Flash which Irey happily curled up and snuggled with. The mother pushed the loose strands of curly red hair from her daughter's face before proceeding to give her a kiss goodnight as well.

The parents watched for a moment side by side from the doorway as both kids were peaceful in their slumber. "You certainly helped her very well. Good job." Artemis gave Wally a quick peck before they left the room.

"So I take it the stake out went well?" Wally asked as he headed for the kitchen. He poured two cups of lemonade and handed one over.

"Yup. Stern and his gang wasn't hard to find nor take down."

Wally raised his eyebrows. "And I hope you weren't in the middle of the action."

Artemis rolled her eyes as she took a sip. "I was not." She answered matter of factly. "Dinah had me stay mainly as look out. I only fired a few arrows from up high."

Satisfied, Wally nodded before gulping down the rest of his drink. "Good. You know I only want you to stay safe."

Artemis sighed. "Yes, I know." She admitted. He started to wrap his arms around her waist before she pulled away. "I need to get a shower first. I could use some help for relaxation though afterwards. Maybe we could put on a movie or something.

Wally grinned at the thought. "I'd love to babe," He gave her a kiss on the cheek before she left the room. His stomach grumbling, the speedster obviously headed straight for the pantry for his favorite snack. He scanned the shelves and frowned. He was sure that there was at least one bag left of chicken wheezies. Puzzled, he headed back to the fridge to make himself a sandwich when he heard his name called from the bedroom.

"Wallace," Judging by his wife's tone and the fact that she used his real name, he knew he was in trouble. It finally clicked. Wally chuckled nervously as he remembered that he must have left the bag of chips on the bed earlier. He slowly dragged his feet for the bedroom to meet Artemis' narrowed eyes and tapping foot.


Just for some clarification, Irey and Jai are almost four. I will have a mention of their birthday up soon. Lian is about nine. That means Wally and Artemis got married about three years after season 2. I will explain the others if needed as I go. Bart was also 13 then and 21 now. By the way, he is Kid Flash…

Anyway, Happy Belated Father's Day. Sorry I have been extremely busy and the original idea left me at a dead end with nowhere else to go. After sadly scrapping that one, even though I liked the beginning, I came up with this. Thanks for the inspiration goes to a little girl I babysat Saturday night with of course a mighty helping of expansion and adjusting. Hope you enjoyed it. Now review please!

Oh, and if anyone would be interested in doing a cover for this story, I would very much appreciate it. :D