Chapter: 4
In record timing and sound breaking speeds, Wally stops in front of Artemis apartment building with Artemis in his arms. Wally looks down at the blond who has her face buried in his neck.
"How was that, fast enough for you?"
"Is it safe?" keeping her head in his neck.
Wally laughs. "Yeah, its safe."
Artemis peels herself away from his arms stepping back. "Oh...My...God."
"Awesome, right. Next time we will get you some goggles or shades so you can see where we're going."
"Ah, just wondering, how fast can you run?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I've always have to be careful how fast I go. My uncle has jumped through time once or twice."
"Wow, um. Okay." Artemis collecting herself. "Well, looks like we are here. Come on up." Artemis straightens her hair while walking to the door then stops. "Oh and if my mothers awake, don't say anything just smile and wave, got it."
"Yes Ma'am." Wally giving a two finger solute.
...
As the enter her apartment she closes the door behind them.
"Artemis, is that you?" A woman's voice comes from the back bedroom.
"Yes mom, its me. I'm just getting a few things and then I'm taking off again." She then turns to Wally and whispers. "Stay here and stay quiet." Wally nods.
Artemis walks half way down a small hallway and enters her room. As she leaves Wally's sight, the far door opens and a black haired Vietnamese woman exits her bedroom in a wheelchair.
"Artemis, I wanted to ask you something before you go." The woman stops as she enters the living room spotting Wally. "Why hello there young man."
Wally lets loose the biggest, goofiest, Dennis Quaid style smile and waves.
The woman giggles. "Let me guess, If you see my mom just smile and wave and what ever happens, keep your mouth shut." Wally shakes his head yes keeping his goofy smile. "Well as her mother, I can rescind that order, I'm Paula." She extends her hand.
Wally breaks his smile and walks over to her taking her hand. "Wally, Wally West. Pleasure to meet you Ms. Paula."
After after retrieving her bow case, she hears Wally introduce himself. "Oh great." She spits out while quickly heading out her bedroom door. When she leaves her room Wally is still engaged in conversation with Paula.
"I can see where Artemis gets her good looks from." Wally now releasing Paula's hand.
"Hey, That's My Mom You're Flirting With."Wally holds up his hands in a surrendering way.
"Oh relax Artemis." Paula responses. "The boy is just being nice."
"Well, you still have to watch out for him. His mouth gets himself into trouble a lot." Artemis then turns her attention on her mother. "You said you had something to ask me?"
"Well, I caught word that something happened tonight and I wanted to make sure you were not involved."
"If you are talking about the break-in at Star Labs, then yeah, I'm kinda involved which is why I need to ask you for something."
With a hint of fear in her voice. "Oh Artemis, please tell me that you're not joining your father."
Wally can see an all too familiar look growing on Paula's face. It reminds him of his mother's look when Wally told her that he was thinking about getting back in the hero game.
"Actually..." Wally cuts in. "It's the opposite. She's working for us, investigating the break-in." Paula's look quickly changes from disapproval to surprised.
"Actually mom, that's only half true." Artemis response to Wally's statement.
Paula now looks confused. "I don't understand, Artemis."
"I'm working with a group to go after my dad and I need something of yours."
"Like what?" She questions.
"I know you still have your Huntress suit, I found it by accident a few months ago. I need it for tonight."
"Absolutely not. No way Artemis. I'm not going to let you go out there and get hurt or worse." Paula now pleading. "The last thing I want is for my daughter to end up in matching wheelchairs with me."
Wally steps forward closer to Paula and shows her the ring on his left hand. "She will be safe, Ms. Paula. I can promise that."
She looks at the ring and recognizes the lightning bolt on the top.
"I know that ring, the Flash wears one on those."
"Yes ma'am, all of us scarlet speedsters do." Paula looks up at Wally. "I'm coming out of retirement tonight, and I could really use Artemis' help facing Sportsmaster and Icicle."
Paula looks at the two together then pauses at Wally. "Can you really promise me that she will come home safe?"
"Yes ma'am, I can." Wally response.
With a nod she then motions to the rear closet. "Small bag on the top shelf, and please, be careful."
"I will mother. I promise." Artemis walks away from the two to get the uniform. "It won't take me long to change. Be right back."
As Artemis leaves the hall Wally looks over to Paula. "It's been a while but you want to see something cool?"
With a nod from Paula, Wally taps the ring and spins in a circle. His clothes quickly drop to the floor. When he stops, he is standing in front of Paula in an all black Flash suit with a silver lightning bolt across the chest. His mask pulled back to show his face.
As he adjusts his sliver gloves, he looks back at Paula. "Whatcha think?"
"I'm impressed; nice suit."
"Well I did wear yellow and red back in my Kid Flash days."
Paula makes an odd face. "I'm glad you upgraded. That suit would look horrible on you now."
"Hey, I loved that suit." Paula giggles at his response.
After a few comments, Artemis walks out in her mom's Huntress suit then stops when she spots Wally. "Wow. Nice suit." Artemis gives him a look over. "How much of that is armor and padding?"
"Actually, none of it. It slows me down." Artemis eyes widen a little and looks over him again but slower. "It really has been a while since I tried this thing on." Wally noticing her staring then starts to turn his back to her. "It's a little tight in the back." Wally slides his hand from the side of his thigh up pass his butt then smacks himself on the ass.
Artemis snaps out of it as Paula laughs uncontrollably.
"What did you do that for?" Artemis questions him.
"You were staring." Wally answers with a smile.
A flash of redness and anger covers her face. "Out! Get out now, Wally! GO!." Artemis pushing him out the door heading for the rendezvous point.
As the door closes, the faint cry of a baby comes from the back. "Aww, poor little Lian. Did Artemis wake you up?" Paula calls out as she heads to the back.
...