Disclaimer: I don't own the Justice League, Young Justice, or any of its characters.

...

Today, Artemis' trial week was finally over and the league was hosting a party to celebrate. Flash was excited and also slightly worried. He was happy for her. In a few short days, she'd already made friends with quite a few of the leaguers, especially Shayera. Catching them whispering and laughing together the first time had put a warm feeling in the pit of his stomach.

And yet, four years ago, he had done his very best to convince her to stay out of the hero business. He had begged and pleaded and gotten angry and frustrated when she stubbornly insisted on going undercover.

Now he was welcoming her into the Justice League. He had finally understood her need to continue the life. He had taken up the mantle as the Flash after all. People needed saving and they were the only ones for the job. He wished she would have wanted to quit though, at least then he would always know she was safe.

He was a hypocrite. He knew that. He would never give up being the Flash until there was either another speedster ready to take over or until he could no longer physically do it.

As he looked at Artemis standing a few feet away from him talking to Green Lantern, he gritted his teeth and accepted the fact that Artemis would be in danger at times, but he promised himself that he would always be there to protect her.

He moved forward to go talk to her when the Watchtower's alarms went off. A second later, a bright blue and white portal appeared. He immediately sped over and planted himself in front of Artemis. A shadowy figure appeared followed by even more figures, and when the portal disappeared, there were a total of eleven people standing in defensive positions staring at the league. At the head was someone Wally thought he would never see again.

"Where. Is. Artemis?" bit out Nightwing. Everyone in the room froze, not sure what to do. Wally's eyes widened as he took in the sight before him. Nightwing, Dick, his brother, with Suberboy, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Beast Boy, and Wonder Girl on one side of him, and Aqualad, Zatanna, Kid Flash, Blue Beetle, and Batgirl on the other.

He could think faster than normal people, but his mind refused to comprehend what he was seeing.

"Nightwing?" Artemis asked coming out from behind him.

"Artemis?" Nightwing's eyes widened slightly behind his domino mask at the sight of her in her new costume, apparently free and unharmed.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him. "How did you get here?"

Zatanna spoke up. "I tried calling you a few days ago and you never picked up. When I went over to your place, you were gone and I found scorch marks on the floor. I called Nightwing to investigate and he found a trace energy trail. We thought you were kidnapped, and everyone's been so worried about you this past week. When we finally found a way to open up a portal that would lead us to you," she looked at her fellow heroes, "well let's just say you should be glad that the entire league isn't here."

Artemis beamed at them and finally the newcomers relaxed their stances.

Their Green Arrow moved forward and hugged his old protégé. "Glad you're alright kiddo. Come on, Zatanna can use one of her spells to open the portal back up."

But Artemis shrugged out of his arms.

"Actually, I'm staying."

The team all looked shocked.

"Artemis," Black Canary stepped forward using her motherly voice. "Why in the world would you stay here?"

Artemis glanced back at Flash and met his eye.

"Because I finally have him back," and she turned fully to Flash.

He stepped forward by her side and stood there for a second while his old friends looked curiously at him. His brain had finally caught up and he realized he was almost as happy as when he first saw Artemis after coming out of the Speed Force. Then he smiled and pulled back his cowl.

All their eyes widened and some gasped, their jaws hanging open.

"N-No," whispered Nightwing. "It can't be."

Wally just smiled wider. "What's the matter, Nightwing? Aren't you whelmed to see me?"

His back stiffened, and Wally saw him glance at Artemis. What he saw must have convinced him.

"It's really you."

Wally nodded. "Yeah," he said a little sadly.

Dick walked forward slowly and stopped about two feet in front of him.

"Wally," he said.

Wally smiled again.

"Hey bro."

Dick lunged forward and wrapped him in a strong embrace which Wally returned just as fiercely. He could feel Dick starting to shake and knew that he was crying. Dick started muttering, "I'm sorry. You were right. I'm sorry. I never should have asked you and Artemis to come back. I'm so sorry."

"Stop," he said pulling away. Dick was a physical kind of guy and was always quick to show affection. Keeping that in mind, he kept his hands on Dick's slumped shoulders. Wally saw the silent tears running down his face, but gave him a slight smile.

"I was never in charge of the team, and only after being a founding member of this Justice League have I had the slightest inkling as to how much pressure was riding on you. I won't sugarcoat it; I was pissed at you and I had a right to be, but I forgave you a long time ago. Besides, I can't stay mad at you. We're family."

"Brothers?"

"Always."

Dick smiled slightly and nodded, and they share another brief hug.

When they parted, Kid Flash ran up and hugged him tightly around the middle with the biggest grin on his face. "Cuz! You're alive! I'm so glad you're alive!" Wally laughed and hugged him back.

"Hey Bart! Sounds like you finally managed to slow down a bit. By the way, the red and yellow looks good on you."

"Ya think?" he asked hopefully.

Wally saw the league members hang back and watch as he was greeted by his old teammates. Some of the girls went to go stand over by Artemis and hug her, but everyone was focused on him.

"Kaldur," he said as the Atlantian came up and they grabbed hands and shared a bro-hug.

"It is good to see you again, my friend," he said with sincerity shining in his silver eyes.

"You, too." He turned to Superboy who had his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. "What's the matter Supey? Don't you have a hug for me?"

Connor just scowled deeper and then scooped Wally up in a bone-crushing hug and spun around. "You're an idiot!" he yelled as he pulled him down in a headlock and gave him a noogie. They all laughed and Wally felt like this was one of the best days of his life; he had his favorite people surrounding him.

"Looks like the boys are back together!" said Batgirl.

"Oh God!" scoffed Artemis. "I just hope they don't revert back to teenagers!"

After a few minutes of them all hugging him and saying how happy they were, another portal open in front of them.

Out marched a very angry, very pregnant, red haired Martian.

"OKAY, I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE OR HOW PREGNANT I AM! IF YOU'VE HURT MY FAMILY I AM GOING T-" she screamed before her eyes widened and she took in the scene before her.

"M'gann!" yelled Superboy rushing over to her. "What are you doing here?! You were supposed to stay behind for a reason. What about the baby? What if these guys were bad and we were in the middle of a fight?" he asked her with wide eyes, but she wasn't listening.

She glanced around at everyone before finally returning her gaze to Wally.

"W-Wally?" she asked uncertainly.

He smiled at her. "Hey, green-cheeks, how've you been?"

Her eyes widened. Her jaw dropped and she stiffened in shock. Then she beamed and put her fists up by her face as her eyes filled with tears. Finally,

"AHHHHH," she shrieked as she flew towards him with her arms outstretched.

"Whoa! Easy there, Megaliscious," he laughed as she collided with him.

"No one's called me that in YEARS!" she cried with happy tears streaming down her face.

He chuckled. "Well that was always my nickname for you, and, wow," he said has he felt her big belly in between them, "when Artemis said you were preggers she wasn't kidding!" Artemis had told him and some of the league a bit about his old teammates over the week, which was why they were only curious and a little confused by everything happening instead of freaking out.

"I know," M'gann said laughing as she pulled back enough to look at him. "And this isn't even our first one!" she went back to hugging him.

"Congrats," he said to Conner over her shoulder as he struggled to breathe. She didn't look it, but damn, Meg was strong!

"Uh, M'gann," said Artemis coming towards them, "can you please not kill my fiancée? I kind of need him."

The Martian let go of him like he was on fire and turned to Artemis.

"Are you serious?!" the others all made exclamations as well, but Artemis just sidled up to lean against him and held up her left hand, wiggling her fingers so the ring caught the light.

"Dude, plug your eyes," said Conner with a frightened look on his face as he covered his own ears with his hands.

"Why?" he asked, but he found out a second later when every female member of his old dimension screamed in delight. How only five girls could scream so loud he had no clue, but thankfully it was over real quick. They dragged Artemis a few feet away, talking over each other in excited tones. Some of the younger male heroes just stood there staring at them bewildered. Wally however, was a bit distracted by Green Arrow.

He stood in front of him scowling with his arms crossed.

"I don't think I have to remind you what I'll do to you if you ever hurt her," he said in a menacing tone.

A pregnant pause settled over the two as Wally remembered when Green Arrow kidnapped him after he found out he and Artemis were moving in together. He kept a calm and serious facade as he answered the archer.

"I love her. I would never to anything to intentionally hurt her. You know that I would die for her." He stared straight into Green Arrows eyes who snorted a minute later. Then he looked over the crowd of leaguers until he spotted his double. Wally watched with interest as Green Arrow marched over to stand in front of the other.

"I know you haven't known Artemis long, but to me, she's like my daughter. So if Flash boy there," GA pointed over his shoulder to him, "ever hurts her, I expect you to strike back with much deserved violence."

The other Green Arrow looked confused for a moment then glanced back at Flash. He bowed dramatically and said, "It would be my honor."

"Great," muttered Wally. Now he's got two Green Arrows to look out for.

"Hey, it could be worse," said Artemis coming up to him. "At least in this world you don't have to worry about my father or sister."

Wally felt an uncontrollable shiver run down his spine at that.

"Don't. Remind me."

She just laughed lightly. She turned to the rest of the league. "When Wally and I came out publicly as a couple, everyone had something to say to him."

"Yeah," he said grumpily. "That was not a good week for me. First I get Oliver ambushing me and hanging me upside down while threatening me. Then Uncle Barry sits me down to have the most embarrassing 'Talk' ever. I thought it would be over after Sportsmaster and Cheshire kidnapped me and tortured me to try and get me to stay away from you, but then, Superboy, Robin, and Aqualad knock me out, take me to some god-forsaken desert, and then leave me half-starved with 50 pound weights chained to my feet," he finished glaring at the said trio. "Which I never understood by the way, considering you three wanted me and Artemis to get together."

"Yeah," said Nightwing, "but she was practically our sister. We just wanted to make sure you treated her with respect."

"But we never did anything like that to you when you dated Zatanna, or to Superboy after we found out about him and M'gann!"

Beast Boy spoke up angrily. "We did the first time he got my sister pregnant," he smiled evilly. "That was fun."

Wally glanced at Conner who went wide-eyed and had a slightly sick look on his face.

"Hmm," he said. "I'm sorry I missed that."

Nightwing shrugged. "Why complain about it? It looks like it worked. You're totally whipped!" he said snickering.

"Since when is that a bad thing?" asked Wally smiling.

"Yeah 'Wing," interjected Batgirl. "When is that a bad thing?" She glared at him.

"It's not!" said Nightwing, walking over to her and doing his best to smile charmingly at her. "I-I just meant…um…I love you."

Wally snickered and called over to him, "And you call me whipped!"

For the next twenty minutes or so, Wally talked with his old team, and some of the league also started conversations with some of the members, asking and answering questions in turn. Then Nightwing said loudly, "Alright everyone, we really should head back now. I'm sure everyone's worried about what's happening, and we need to tell them the good news."

There were groans and complaints all around, but the other eleven heroes all trudged over to Nightwing as Zatanna started a spell to open a portal.

Wally's smile faded. He was going to miss seeing his friends – his family – again. Then he remembered what Batman had said and looked questioningly at the Dark Knight. As though he could read his mind, Batman met his eye and nodded his head.

He beamed.

"Is there any way I could convince you to come back?" Nightwing asked, drawing back his attention.

Wally glanced at Artemis who gave Nightwing a small smile and then just shook his head. Nightwing deflated only a little at this, seeming to have accepted the fact before, but couldn't resist asking on the small hope that Wally and Artemis would return with them.

"Hey, don't look so down," said Wally with a smile. "Bats has been working on a machine that will allow us to come visit."

"Really?" asked Nightwing.

"Yep, but it won't be done for a few more weeks."

Nightwing and everyone else smiled though.

"In that case, I better start planning your Bachelor party," he said rubbing his hands together and letting out a little cackle that took Wally back.

The other visiting heroes just groaned.

"Please, 'Wing, do not let it get like the time Roy convinced you, Wally, Conner, and Kal to drink with him," asked M'gann.

"Why not?" exclaimed Batgirl. "That was freaking hilarious! I still have it on file somewhere."

The boys whipped their heads around to stare at her in horror.

"You said you deleted all the evidence," said Kaldur who was looking uncharacteristically panicked. Wally grinned. He hadn't been able to remember Kaldur using his water bearers to spread purple paint all over the golden statues in the Hall of Justice, but he sure as hell had seen the video. Apparently, when Nightwing had shown up at Barbara's where the girls were having a sleepover completely drunk off his ass, they had decided to follow him and the guys at a discreet distance and film their antics that night.

Nightwing coughed trying to diffuse the situation. "Anyway, we should go," he said as Zatanna turned around with a portal swirling behind her.

One by one, they all hugged Wally and Artemis goodbye and disappeared until only Nightwing remained.

Wally met the white holes of his domino mask not daring to blink.

"You know once we tell everyone, he's going to come here," said Nightwing in a serious tone.

"I know," said Wally smiling.

Nightwing nodded and backed up towards the portal.

"I was serious about that bachelor party by the way, so you better come visit soon or else I'll just have to come and drag you back for one last crazy night."

"Come on, man," teased Wally, "Don't be such a DICK!"

Nightwing opened his mouth angrily and then said, "Alright. Fine. I'll let you get away with it. This time," he said pointing a menacing finger at him. With that, he walked into the portal and was gone.

Wally stared at the spot where they had disappeared, smiling, waiting for the next portal to open, as he knew it soon would.

Most of the league started talking to each other about the other heroes, but John, Superman, and Shayera came over to talk to Wally who was holding Artemis' hand.

"So…what happened when the five of you got drunk?" asked Superman rubbing his chin and smirking at him. Artemis laughed and started to tell them of that night, but Wally tuned it out as he kept an eye on that one spot.

"That's nothing though," she said when she finished the tale. "You have yet to hear of all the pranks Kid Flash pulled, both on the league and on the team."

Before anything else was said, another portal opened up on the Watchtower. Wally watched the league members all turn and stare patiently waiting for the newcomer to appear. He supposed they were getting used to all this interdimensional travel.

Only one person came out of the portal this time. He was a fairly tall and well-toned man in his early forties with blond hair and blue eyes that had surrounding laugh lines. Unlike those before him, he wore a pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt with a light jacket over top.

Wally felt his heart expand at seeing him. He looked older than before, of course that was to be expected, but there was still a shining light in his eyes. Wally had kept his cowl down, and he now turned to fully face the man with a big smile.

"I was wondering when you'd get here," he said lightly. "Still the last one to arrive I see."

"What can I say," the man shrugged, "old habits die hard." But there was only happiness in the man's voice as he stood grinning at Wally.

"Hi Uncle Barry," he said as he moved forward at the same time his uncle did and they both wrapped each other in a hug. Wally dimly noticed that he and his uncle were the same height now. They both pulled back and had identical smiles on their faces.

"Hey, kid," Barry said as his hands automatically latched onto Wally's shoulders as he looked him up and down. "Nightwing told me everything."

"And?" asked Wally with a bit a nervousness fluttering in his stomach.

Barry just smiled wider.

"I am so proud of you." And the way he said it made Wally go warm all over. He had spent years as Kid Flash, and though he never said it or gave any indication of it at all, he had worried if he would never be as good as his uncle. He had wondered if he would always be compared to the Flash and come out second-best. Now those fears were gone. He had made his own place as the Flash.

"Is that it?" asked Wally even though he was still smiling. "You're not going to try and convince me to leave?"

"Nope," Barry said lightly. "It wouldn't do any good. You've made a home here, and even though I'll miss you, I know you're exactly where you're supposed to be."

They both beamed. This is why he loved his Uncle Barry. He always honored his decisions, even if he didn't always agree with them. Instead of trying to change his mind like everyone else, he let him find his own way, but was always there to help him pick up if he fell.

This time, he didn't need to be picked up, and the pride that shone in Uncle Barry's eyes as he looked at Wally gave him one of greatest feelings ever.

Barry glanced behind him. The portal hadn't disappeared like it had when Nightwing and the others had come.

"Zatanna's keeping the portal open for me, so I'm afraid I can't stay any longer. I just had to see you and tell you how proud I am of everything you've done. I always knew you'd be a great hero, and you're a far better man than I am."

"That's not true, Uncle Barry," said Wally shaking his head and he meant it. "You were my hero both in and out of costume."

The two men hugged again and then Barry hugged Artemis and kissed her on the cheek.

"Now be careful, and watch each other's backs," he warned. "And whatever you do, please for the love of God, do not get eloped. Your Aunt Iris would kill you if you robbed her coming to your wedding," he said to Wally, "and then she'd kill me for not stopping you."

Artemis laughed, "Don't worry; we're going to take things slow, at least in speedster terms, and we're not going to plan anything until we can discuss it with everyone we want in the wedding. That includes you and the rest of the family in your dimension."

Barry nodded and smiled at her and turned to Wally.

"See you later, kid."

"See you later, Uncle Barry."

After his uncle stepped back into the portal and was gone, he still had a huge smile on his face. He felt Artemis looking at him carefully.

"You okay?" she asked softly.

"Yeah," he said. "Better than okay." He looked at her and, just because he felt like it and everything was right in the world, leaned down and kissed her. They both had grins when they broke apart.

"That was your uncle who was the Flash in your world?" asked Batman who had quietly walked over to them.

Wally pulled his cowl up and nodded.

Batman did a rare thing then and smiled. Not a smirk, but an actual smile.

"I see," he said and walked away.

Wally was still smiling so much that it almost began to hurt. It was very clear to the other leaguers that Wally had idolized his uncle and it was easy to see why. Besides Barry being a superhero, he just seemed like a great guy who obviously loved his nephew like a son.

The party was nearly over, but everyone was in such a good mood they decided to hang around a while longer. Wally left the Watchtower later with Artemis thinking over what had happened and hoping that Batman would get that machine working really soon.

...

AN: Please review! Also, I will be writing one more chapter and then an epilogue.