Well here we are, one chapter to go and only two days till new Young Justice. Once again a shout out to all my lovely reviewers: MaiMeako, monkeymail (Got to love the drawers!), Irenerb, Archer122 (Happy Birthday!), and Tyian Aire (Thank you for your kind reviews).
Thanks to the silent readers as well.
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice or its characters.
Good Night
Wally had decided they should move in together forthwith. One, it would make things more convenient and, two, it seemed the next logical step in their seemingly illogical arrangement. They weren't gangling fifteen year olds anymore, in fact, at nineteen the once covert operations group of superhero protégés were very much in the public eye. Younger, less mature sidekicks had begun to visit Mount Justice taking on the silly missions that their team of six had once had to deal with. Thankfully now they were much older and wiser and were allowed to take on some of the more dangerous missions where people actually saw and appreciated their efforts – they were like the pseudo Justice League.
He had no problems being in the limelight, as an attention seeker he loved being able to beat up the bad guys in broad daylight and get the credit. He was still Kid Flash sexiest (if only in his head) young hero out there but what he did not enjoy about the team's new little hero romps was all the unwanted attention Artemis was receiving from some very lecherous fans. In fact, he made his frustration and anger known by planting himself firmly between the archer and any civilians who dared deem themselves worthy to approach, practically hissing at them like a pissed off cat.
And it just got worse. The more missions they did the more popular she became. Apparently some stupid hormone driven teens were more aware of what had taken Wally four years to realize – Artemis was amazing and beautiful. Wally now appreciated all those comments that Artemis made about how men were downright morons as he glared at the hoards of them who clamored around battle areas just to catch a glimpse of the blonde and, ironically, he had a very strong urge to shelter Artemis from the rather stupid opposite sex. Then there were all the trashy tabloid comments about her:
"Ass"ets: 10/10
Body : 10/10
Hotness: Scales broken guys she's smoking
Gleefully Wally got into the habit of running by ALL the news stands he could find at top speed causing every single degrading comment to blow away on the wind. It was the combination of all these little things that had lead him to the decision that it was time they moved out of Mount Justice and in together. He didn't really care if it was Gotham or Central City; speed and zeta-tubes could take care of any problematic commute he just knew that their relationship could no longer be contained in their shared room in Mount Justice. Which was proven by the fact he was currently chasing after one of the twerps who had decided to steal a pair of his boxers and flaunt it around the base. The new protégés were ridiculously immature, he was never this bad! He wasn't. No matter what Robin tells you.
Zooming by the kitchen screaming bloody murder as he searched for the evil little pest his eyes landed on Artemis who was sitting at the counter staring at him amused. His mood took a hundred and eighty degree turn for the better.
"They stole your underwear again, Baywatch?"
"God, yes. How do they keep getting in our room?"
"Robin, probably gives them the code for fun."
"So why don't you stop him?"
"They only ever mess with your stuff."
Figuring the kid was not giving himself up anytime soon, Wally strode toward the archer planting himself firmly beside her. That was another thing that had solidified his decision to ask Artemis to get an apartment with him, the new male sidekicks had taken it upon themselves to outrageously flirt with Artemis whenever they got a chance, whether it was to just piss him off Wally didn't know but he all of a sudden understood how Superboy felt all those years ago when he had continuously flirted with the resident martian. It sucked.
"So spending the night at the Flash's?" she questioned, "I heard the big announcement is today."
"Aren't you coming?" he asked shocked, "Official invite and all."
"Nah," she shrugged, "Social events aren't my cup of tea, besides I'd just cramp your style. You're about to be named the next Flash and all."
"All the more reason you should be there!" he snapped, "This is a big deal to me, and you're a big part of my life!" Realizing what he just said his face turned as red as his hair, "I...uh...everyone else is going to be there." Artemis shrugged,
"I'm not everybody else." She delicately pushed her fingertips together leaning heavier on the counter before frowning as if struggling to find the words to voice her thoughts, "Wally, I've got something to tell you."
"Humph, I don't think I want to hear it." At his childish response Artemis seemed to become instantly more defensive and irritated,
"Fine," she quipped. She got up and in panic Wally was about to reach for her arm and tell her he was being a jerk but before he could even perform the action the little imp from before ran into the kitchen proudly waving the Batman boxers like a flag,
"Hey sweetcheeks!" he purred at Artemis who wryly raised an eyebrow, "Your boyfriend wears some pretty lame underwear." Whatever Wally was going to do was forgotten as he lunged for the boy and once again proceeded to chase him around the mountain. Note to self, place locks on drawers.
"Hey, kiddo," grinned Barry clamping a hand down on Wally's shoulder, "Why the long face?" Wally could understand the ex-Flash's concern, he'd been bragging about this moment for most of his adolescence but the fact that Artemis wasn't there was taking a bigger toll on him then he expected – completely dampening his mood while simultaneously deflating his ego.
"Nothing," he whispered shrugging the hand off his shoulder, "I'm ecstatic."
"Wow," responded Barry sarcastically, "I must have missed that emotion beneath your overbearing depression. What's up?"
"Artemis..." At the man's laughter Wally grew indignant. "Hey, you asked!"
"Yeah, but Wally I actually thought something serious was wrong," the man chuckled, "You and the archer are always at odds with each other, the day you two can tolerate each other's presence is the day the world will end."
"Ha, ha."
"So how does it feel to be the new Flash?" asked Barry changing the topic.
"Ok, I guess."
"You know what's the best part about being the official Flash?"
"What?"
"There's always a crime somewhere you can stop, so you can escape formal functions." Wally's eyes alighted with understanding before he gave his Uncle a huge smile.
"You are absolutely right Uncle Barry," he said pulling his goggles from his pocket, "I think there's probably a bank robbery happening right now that I could be stopping." Shaking his head Barry watched his ex-protégé take off, sometimes it was amazing how much help that boy needed in the matters of the heart.
"Where'd Wally go?" asked Iris standing beside him holding a plate with a massive piece of cake, "Barry you're not already teaching him your horrible habits, are you?"
"Nah, more like teaching him how to run towards the things he wants." Iris squeezed his arm,
"He'll be ok, right?"
"If he thinks with his brain he might be."
"Somehow that is not the least bit comforting Barry."
Wally had run all the way to Mount Justice and was terrified when he discovered the archer was nowhere to be found; even the younger sidekicks could shed no light onto her whereabouts. Cursing he realized that Robin, now Nightwing, was most likely still at his party meaning there was no way he could call the little sleuth to investigate. Deciding the first place to look for clues should be their room Wally carefully punched in the new code (her birthday) and entered the comforting darkness.
Not much had changed since he forced her to move in, although she had painted the walls a pale blue to cover up the blinding yellow. Most of his Flash and Kid Flash merchandise had been moved into storage (because compared to all that stuff having Artemis there was way better) but she had let him keep his massive souvenir collection; every single memento weighed down the shelves with their memories. That was when he saw it, the white envelope placed on her desk. Ripping it open he read the message and his blood turned cold and his eyes clouded with anger as two words mocked him from the pristine white paper.
Dad called. He dropped the paper furiously and quickly changed into his Kid Flash costume (the Flash one was still being made to his proportions). There was no time to call for backup, no time to inform anyone – he'd race to find her wherever she was. Stupid, headstrong idiot woman! Facing her crazy father solo! What the hell! He tore out of the room with a sonic boom that caused the mountain to rumble as he sped out into the night.
He reasoned she couldn't have gone that far. Most likely the meeting would happen in Gotham, since that was her (their) home turf. He'd never considered and they'd never discussed what her relations meant to their dynamic. Was that what she had been trying to tell him earlier? He never could have imagined the implications of his distraction and childishness, would lead to her going solo to confront Sportsmaster. God, why was he so stupid! Seconds felt like hours as he searched Gotham at an ungodly speed, which ripped shrubs from the ground and sent newspapers flying as he zoomed through filthy neighborhoods. Then he saw it, his eyes catching a splash of green duking it out with a certified lunatic on a pier. Skidding to a stop he hollered,
"ARTEMIS!" If she heard him she didn't acknowledge him as she expertly blocked an attack intended for her ribs. Wally watched in horror as a bunch of burly men suddenly surrounded her and began swatting at her as she tried to nimbly avoid all their attacks, including her father's.
When they finally clipped her shoulder allowing the masked man to deliver a few swift punches to her stomach and chest Wally finally woke from his trance charging at the thugs, knocking them all out cold. But her focus seemed to be completely fixed on her father as she managed to land a blow only to be stabbed in retaliation with a knife he produced from his sleeve.
"Ugh..."
"ARTEMIS!"
"Shut up, Kid!" she snapped, "Stay out of this!"
"Yeah," mocked Sportsmaster slicing through the skin on her forearm as she jumped above one of his kicks, "Stay out of this."
"Get an apartment with me!" she froze stupefied at his horrendous timing; what was even more shocking was the fact she was actually genuinely surprised – by now she knew of his horrible habit of asking the worst thing at the worst possible time.
"Ah, how sweet," laughed the assailant before he took advantage of her distraction and plunged the knife into her gut. He then turned his attention to the charging Kid Flash easily deflecting his punches after sidestepping and tripping him. Pressing his knee into the fallen hero's chest he began to deliver vicious blows all over his torso. "The little girl tells me she's retiring from heroing after I generously offer to take her back and now I find out her boy toy is the little dumbshit Kid Flash. Will wonders never cease." Pulling his head up by his red hair Sportsmaster slammed it back onto the boards of the dock. It made a sickening crack and Wally could feel his ears pounding. Sportsmaster leaned over him, "So when's the wedding?"
"Go to hell," the archer towered before the criminal wielding the knife he had used to stab her with moments before, swinging her uninjured arm back she stabbed him in the chest. She had purposely missed all his vital organs but the injury was sufficient for him to go down and stay down. As the abusive man slipped into unconsciousness he rasped,
"Still a coward, girl." Not even bothering to give a response she smashed her foot into his face, knocking him off Kid Flash. Collapsing beside Wally she clung to her profusely bleeding wound before pressing her face into his chest. Groaning he placed a hand on her shoulder realizing that neither of them were in any shape to move. Almost expectantly he waited for the bioship to appear before he realized that those days were over.
"Right I didn't call for back up," muttered Wally, "I'm a moron." He pressed a hand to his ear before realizing he hadn't bothered to put in his communicator either. "Hey Artemis..." He wasn't surprised when Artemis hit him.
Wally had crawled into her bed in the Medical Bay at Mount Justice. It wasn't nearly as comfortable as their bed in his room but neither of them was allowed to leave the infirmary so he'd have to settle for lumpy and squished versus cold and alone. He warmly smiled at the archer,
"Arty, you could move a little jeez."
She didn't say a word staring at him blankly which worried the normally hyperactive speedster. Artemis not quipping at him for his stupidity or for using her least favorite nickname was like him not eating. It did not happen. Ever. She clearly hadn't been sleeping if the bags under her eyes were any indication as she looked him over warily, her hands clenching tightly around the blankets. Wally felt his anxiousness grow at her reaction. The muscular nineteen year old had no idea how to deal with the pervasive silence that had fallen between them.
"So...giving up crime fighting..." he began awkwardly, "That's big."
"Not as big as someone yelling they want to get an apartment together while I'm trying to fend off seventeen hurly thugs. You win the award for most stupid statement of all time, Kid Doofus."
"It's Flash now. Though since you weren't at my little party I guess you didn't get the memo." She rolled her eyes.
"Guess that means Central City is doomed."
"Did you mean it?" he asked, "You're...you don't want to be a hero anymore."
"Did you?"
"Artemis," he groaned, "I'm being serious here. You answer my question first."
"No." He gave her a petulant look. "I want to be a hero but I don't belong in the Justice League and I don't belong in Young Justice anymore. I just...am."
"And that means..."
"Who knows," she sighed leaning farther back into the pillow, "It's all so complicated. I don't think Green Arrow would like it very much if I just went solo vigilante on him, and I'm pretty sure Batman would blow a fuse if I decided to start taking on his villains. Then there's you..."
"Me?" He hadn't realized he was holding her hand till she squeezed his,
"Well, if I'm not affiliated with the League anymore that means I'd have to leave the mountain and I'm okay with that."
"Wait a damn minute you can't seriously be suggesting we just split up."
"We aren't together," she commented dryly, "And I'm ready to move on, get my own place, and let you start your new 'flashy' life, but some idiot went and shouted something about moving in together."
"And I'm some idiot," he huffed shouldering her lightly, "I wasn't joking."
"That's what makes it scary."
"I'm serious."
"I know."
"Well?"
"I want to live in Gotham."
"Never said we couldn't, Beautiful."
"Aren't you attending Central University? What about the commute?"
"Did you seriously just ask me that question?"
"Head trauma," she supplied.
"No. I'm pretty sure that was me," he looked at her hopefully, "Soooo is that a yes?"
"It's a maybe," she responded turning over to apparently go to sleep. Wally was having none of that.
"Oh, come on. You know you want to," he said suggestively eyebrows waggling, "Besides someone has to keep an eye on you or you'll go rouge."
"I said I'm retiring."
"Sure," he quipped sarcastically, "And I'm going to make my new Flash costume pink." Artemis snorted trying to contain her laughter as she imagined Wally in a pink Flash costume.
"You know it might be an improvement." He rolled his eyes at her jest.
"So yes?"
"Yes."
