After Wally had returned from putting Anna back to sleep, he returned to the other two. They each took a seat in the lounging room. J'onn was the first to speak, "There has been trouble in the space station. Batman…Flash, you are needed." Bruce nodded solemnly, but Wally immediately objected.
With a quick burst of emotion Wally exclaimed, "Who's going to watch Anna?"
"Alfred's still here. He is more than capable…"
Sitting down, "I don't doubt Alfred's capability, but Anna needs a friendly face. She's been missing for a week! Who knows what happened to her. You've seen those wounds!"
Looking to J'onn Bruce responded, "Please excuse us for a moment, we'll only be a minute" J'onn removed himself from the room.
Bruce said solemnly, "I know what happened, or at least an idea of what happened." Wally remained silent ready to hear Bruce's evidence. "From the wounds she sustains I suspect torture. She's also been shot." Wincing at the comment Wally gripped the chair. "There's a letter carved into her back, probably from a kitchen knife. It's a 'J'."
Almost inaudible Wally replied, "Joker".
Bruce continued as if he didn't hear the interruption, "She needs her rest if she is to recover. It would be better if you leave her in Alfred's care for now." Wally nodded in defeat. "There's another thing," Bruce said as he looked Wally straight in the eyes, "I know where she came from."
"There was once a group of scientists who experimented on 'gifted' children. They tried to find why these children had these powers. Each child was given a number which was tattooed onto their right shoulder blade. Anna's number revealed that she had been one of the few to survive the experimentation. This has left her emotionally unstable. Interestingly, she has found comfort in you."
Wally remembered how he first met Anna. She was picking food out of the trash and he had given her a warm box of chestnuts. He opened his home for her one day when it was snowing because all she had was a pair of shorts and a Tee. When he had discovered her powers he revealed himself as the Flash. She inevitably became Nightingale. Connecting eyes with Bruce, Wally replied sternly, "All the more reason that I should stay with her!"
To calm Wally down, Bruce raised his hands in defeat. "I know," Bruce assured, "which is why I think you should stay, but the Justice League also needs you." Wally retook his seat and began to think. Suddenly he stood with a smile.
"What if she came with us?" Wally added enthusiastically. With a strange look, Bruce turned to Wally. "She's a superhero, and has been doing a good job, if I do say so myself." Walking over to Wally Bruce looked hard into his eyes. Wally hung his head, "Do you think the other members will accept her?"
Changing the subject Bruce turned to the door, "J'onn is waiting for us. We should go." But Wally stayed seated. "You have to come with us, Wally," Bruce said trying to talk some sense into him, "It's your duty to the League. You can't turn your back on them."
Wally said with a determined face, "What about Anna. I have an obligation to her as well. Right now I think she needs me more than the League." Bruce nodded in agreement which made Wally hopeful. "You agree too, right. Don't you remember what happened to…" Wally was unsure how his friend would respond to the sound of his former sidekick.
About to correct himself Wally was stopped by Bruce's voice, "I do… I guess I can figure something out with the League. If we need you," Bruce continued after handing Wally a small communicator, "you had better answer." Wally took the small device and smiled at Bruce.
Barely above a whisper Wally replied, "Thanks," before jetting out to Anna's room. Bruce sighed and returned to J'onn who was waiting for him at the door.
"Where's Flash?" J'onn asked Bruce who had changed into his Batman costume. Bruce motioned for J'onn to follow as they moved toward the transporter.
Without looking back Bruce answered, "Not coming." Before J'onn could protest they were already at the space station via boom tube.