woah! the last chapter! what?! okay well there's still an epilogue but this is the last real chapter of the story.
I'm in shock with how far this came! I'm really really lucky for the super supportive and kind readers and reviewers I had throughout this entire story! if it wasn't for all of the wonderful reviews and constant excitement for each chapter I don't think this would've gone as well as he did. so thank you all! this chapter is for all of you, guest or member of the site!
I really really do hope you enjoyed reading running to you as much as I enjoyed writing it! this was my summer project and hey, I did it!
keep an eye out for the epilog! I don't know when I'll have it up because I move into school Sunday but trust me when I say there will be one!
now without further delay!
disclaimer: if I owned young justice we'd have a season three
The familiar embrace of Wally caused tears to cascade down Artemis' face. She had her arms wrapped around his neck, holding him as tight as she could without hurting him. She was scared that if she let go he would vanish again. Everything about him was real; the warmth that radiated off of him, his calming touch, the feeling of bliss she got when they kissed. This felt like a dream and if that was the case than Artemis never wanted to wake up. None of it felt real.
"You're...you're here..." She whispered, burying her face in his chest. Nothing about him seemed different, as he looked identical to the last time she saw him. He had on his old, yellow Kid Flash suit with the red goggles resting on top of his head. It was almost like he never left.
"Of course, I'm here, I told you I'd be ready to go. I mean, the second time around it was more you telling me if I wasn't you'd kill me but you know," Wally said shrugging his shoulders. Everyone laughed a little before Dick spoke up.
"Glad you're home KF. I missed you," he chuckled as he and Wally looked at each other. There was a wave of relief that washed over him and Wally felt it too.
"Me too man, trust me," Wally said as they all walked onto the Bio-ship, ready to head home.
"I'm just relieved it worked," Zatanna chimed in, plopping herself down in the chair she sat in before.
"You and me both. Thank you, Zee, by the way. I owe you my life, literally." Wally told her with a grateful smile on his face. "You really are the best magician around."
"Maybe I should incorporate the whole dimensional travel into my stage routine," she joked. Everyone laughed again as they all took their own seats, Artemis at the helm. "Pull a speedster from the Speed Force every time."
"It'd make for one hell of a closing act, that's for damn sure." Dick chuckled, smiling over at her.
"Over my dead body is he ever going back there," Artemis said in a semi-serious tone. She knew they just joking but the thought of Wally going back was terrifying.
"Arty don't worry I'll only send him back there if he really deserves it," Zatanna teased. Artemis eased up a bit and let out a laugh. Jokes were jokes and she had to not be so protective.
Everyone settled into their seats as the ship began the route home. Wally sat with his feet kicked up on the dashboard. The redhead glanced around the room, his eyes locking with Dick's. The raven haired hero made a nod towards the back of the ship. A nod was his response as they both stood up. Artemis raised an eyebrow at them, confused, but Zatanna didn't seem phased. She kind of had an idea of what was going on.
Right after he decided to step down from the Team Dick showed up at her door needing someone to talk to. He poured his heart out to her. A lot of what happened he knew was his fault; Wally ceasing especially. He also blamed himself for putting Artemis through being undercover with no light at the end of the road, and for lying to all those close to him, her included. She remembered he once said that if given the chance, he'd do everything differently to avoid digging himself this grave.
The two friends stood towards the back hatch of the ship. Dick was leaning on the door, and Wally stood with his arms crossed.
"Wally, look. I'm not cutting corners on this. What I did was shitty. I'm sorry that I put you and Artemis through the last two years. I shouldn't have asked you guys to come out of retirement, especially when I knew what the risks were. You were both happy and this ruined it. It was wrong and I see that now. I've done a lot of thinking over the past two years and it made me realize how big of an asshole I was, or rather, I am."
"I mean you could just say you're a dick," Wally smirked before erupting in laughter. Dick let out a laugh too, shaking his head at the overused joke. "But in all honesty, it's in the past. You're my brother, from now until the end. Thanks for taking care of Artemis while I was gone, and for still looking for me. The past is the past and we'll leave it was such. You stepped up when she and I needed you the most and that's what matters." Wally gave one solid nod and Dick let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding in.
"No hard feelings." He agreed. "Damn am I glad you're home. I missed my best friend."
"You sound like a girl, has Zatanna made you soft?" Wally teased, elbowing Dick who rolled his eyes.
"You wish," Dick smirked. "Once an emotionless son of Batman always an emotionless son of Batman."
"You can sure as hell say that again." Wally chuckled. "Speaking of Zatanna, what's going on there?" Wally asked, raising an eyebrow. "What happened between you and Barb?"
"It was complicated. Bottom line, we weren't as happy as we made ourselves believe," Dick sighed. "I still feel awful about it but you have to do what won't hurt the ones you care about, right?"
"Yeah, leading her on wasn't the right choice. Proud of you for being so adult." Wally glanced at his best friend to the magician on the other side of the room who was talking to Artemis. "So you and Zee work everything out?"
"Kind of?" Dick sighed. "I blurted out I loved her, then I kissed her, and she seemed like she couldn't have been happier but I really don't know what our deal is. The entire trip was either her giving me her cold shoulder or her flirting with me so mixed signals are all I've got to go off of."
"Dude, what are you standing around talking to me for. Go get her, make her yours. Come on you've got your foot in the door, now swing it open and step your happy ass inside. You have a history of being there." Wally smirked, using a phrase Dick himself used long ago when referring to his relationship with Zatanna. "Go on. Artemis and I have to figure out our own shit anyway."
Both guys nodded, agreeing they had messes to clean up and now was the time to do it. They walked back over to the two girls who went silent. Dick motioned for Zatanna and Wally sat across from Artemis.
Things were finally falling back into place.
"Okay so first you go off to the side with Wally and now me, is Arty next?" Zatanna joked as she turned her body to face Dick. He had a small, sheepish grin on his face as he shrugged his shoulders.
"What can I say? I'm not very nonchalant these days."
"Well, if I remember correctly, I told you from day one to be as chalant as you'd like." Zatanna reminded him as she looked up at him. Her electric blue eyes connecting with his dark blue ones. Without meaning to she took a step closer to him.
"Zatanna what are we now?" Dick sighed, running a hand through his black hair out of frustration. "Are we dating again? Are we going to stay friends who enjoy kissing? I want to figure this out before we get home. I want to know what you want Zee because I've made it pretty obvious how I feel."
Zatanna went quiet. She should've expected this but for whatever reason, she didn't. Her eyebrows furrowed together as she thought about his confession from before their deaths and their kiss after. This was it, time for her to decide what she really wanted. What did she want? Did she want to pretend like the whole thing never happened? Or did she want to fall back into him and their old ways to pick up where they left off? Taking a deep breath, she blinked a few times so her face would go back to its normal resting expression.
"Do you want to try this again?" Dick asked, breaking the silence that had fallen over the two of them. Zatanna sighed before deciding it was time to put all her cards on the table.
"Depends, are you going to dump me for another girl again? And then randomly cut me off when she doesn't like our friendship? And are you going to hide things from me? Because I can't stand the lies, Dick. I just can't." Zatanna asked coldly, turning her head away from him. Dick felt the sting in her words, knowing they were harsh but true. He did do all of that, and he knew damn well it hurt her.
"Zatanna, I-"
"Let me finish. I can't put myself through that again. You need to understand that I didn't build myself back up so you could just tear me down. If you can promise me that you won't hurt me like before, then I can give you that chance." Zatanna had her arms crossed over her chest and a stone cold look on her face that would make just about anyone scared. Dick wasn't though. He was ready to embrace her with open arms, ready to not lose her, ready to start their relationship over.
"Zatanna listen to me," Dick said, taking her hand and bringing it close to his chest. "I am not going anywhere. You're my girl, the actual light of my life and I can't lose you again. I made that mistake once and it isn't going to repeat itself. When I said I loved you earlier I meant it with everything in me, not because I was frustrated. Although that's why I blurted it out," he chuckled. "But in all seriousness, I want to make us work again, as long as you want to, and I want to give you the relationship you deserve."
A small smile crept up onto the magician's face. She pulled her hand away from him to wrap her arms around his neck. Instantly his hands rested on her hips and she locked her eyes with his.
"Lucky for you I'm pretty forgiving," she teased. Dick didn't respond verbally, but the kiss he planted on her lips was more of an answer than she could've asked for. After pulling away, he gently rested his forehead against hers.
"I don't want to be so quick to jump back into saying 'I love you' but Zatanna, I really do love you."
"We'll get back to saying that regularly in time," Zatanna smirked, "but I love you too, Boy Wonder. Always did."
"Always will."
The two raven-haired adults separated, taking the other's hand in their own as they walked back over to their friends who were discussing their own lives. The four of them hadn't been so content in a very long time but the one thing they all agreed on was this.
They all deserved happiness.
The Cave doors opened, allowing the Bio-ship to enter and safely land. The four adults all stood up, anxious about what would be happening next. How would the room react? How much trouble would they be in? They knew the entire Team, as well as most of the League, was probably waiting for their arrival. M'gann had contacted the ship about an hour prior to their landing, prepping them for the possible trouble they were about to step into.
Wally stood next to the door, hesitating on whether or not to press the button to open it. While he was excited to see everyone, Barry, Bart, Kaldur, Conner, M'gann, he was nervous. Maybe it was because it'd been two years since he'd been home, maybe it wasn't. He wasn't too sure but he was trying his hardest to put on a smile and allow the nerves to vacate his body and mind.
"Nervous?" Artemis asked as she took his hand in her own.
"Babe, Wally West doesn't get nervous," he tried to brush it off. Artemis rolled her eyes.
"Then it's now or never," Artemis said. He nodded once before taking a deep breath.
"Bring it on," he grinned, watching the door in front of him open. Slowly all four of the young adults walked out.
The entire Team was present, as well as various members of the Justice League. At the sight of Wally there were gasps, jaws that dropped, and completely caught off guard looks. Wally just kind of sheepishly smiled before glancing over at Artemis, who had a smirk on her face.
"Wally!" M'gann exclaimed, breaking the silence. She flew over toward him and tackling him in a hug. Everyone else eased up as well as smiles began to light up the room.
"See M'gann, told you to trust me," Artemis laughed. Slowly Barry and Bart approached Wally as M'gann stepped aside, knowing the other speedsters were probably dying to talk to him.
"Wally?" Bart asked cautiously, not really believing what he saw.
"In the flesh," he chuckled. "Glad to see you kept the Kid Flash mantle going strong."
"Kid how in the name of hell did you survive? Not that I'm not happy to see you but what happened?" Barry asked. He wasn't the only curious one, the rest of the room wondered the same thing. "We thought you were long gone."
"Thanks to the Speed Force, you know, I owe it my life. And Zatanna's magic, definitely owe her dinner or something for bringing me back," he began to explain to his family. "When I vanished because of those energy blasts, the Speed Force protected me from being completely erased. So I've been there, regaining my strength until I could find some sort of connection to this world. Then Zatanna over there," he pointed to the raven haired magician, "tracked me down, learned some spell, and boom! Here I am."
Everyone was in amazement at his story. It seemed simple enough, but so complex all at once. Batman approached the group, his usual grumpy look on his face. Although it seemed a little less moody today and more pleased than anything else. Wally gave him a grin as he began to make his way through the sea of people, talking and playing quick games of catch up with them all. There was so much he missed, and everyone had a hundred and ten questions that he needed the next hour or so to just answer what he could and remember what each person had going on before his disappearance.
Dick and Zatanna stood off to the side of the room, his arm around her waist. They watched Wally and Artemis mingle with the crowd of heroes around them. Everyone was hugging and talking and just happy to see the speedster back home.
"Somebody sure was missed," Dick commented with a chuckle.
"I still don't believe what the three of you did."
The couple jumped, separating at the sound of Batman's voice behind them. Dick shot his adoptive father a glare. Bruce's stealth was something that he was never able to get used to. The stone cold look on the Dark Knight's face brought Dick back to the memory of being fourteen and getting ready to be reprimanded for disobeying direct orders. He let out a heavy sigh.
"Look, I know you didn't want me to go anywhere, but look at what we did. We brought Wally home. He's back, for good. Nobody has to feel any more guilt or sadness at his memory because he lives."
"So you want me to just forgive you even when you completely disregarded my orders to come home and drop the subject?" Bruce asked, raising an eyebrow. "I can live with that."
"Wait, what?" Dick asked, a confused look taking over his face.
"You both," Bruce gestured to Zatanna, "knew the risks of this mission. Zatanna especially after her conversation with Doctor Fate. However you put your lives at risk to save a friend and that, makes me a proud mentor." A small smile tugged at his lips.
Dick was speechless. Of course, Bruce praised him for good but this was the most open he'd been about it in public.
"Wow...Uh, thanks, Batman." Dick smiled faintly, letting out a content sigh.
"And Zatanna," Bruce turned to face the girl he'd come to love as a daughter. "Your father would be very proud of you."
Zatanna felt her eyes water but she quickly blinked away any sign of tears.
"Thank you," she beamed, "and I'm sorry about when I just stormed out of the meeting but I had to do it."
"I know," Bruce nodded.
"Doctor Fate wasn't wrong, though, I did kind of die. But that brings me to the League's next priority; Lex Luthor. He was a part of some scheme to take out Artemis, Wally, Dick and I. I'm still not too sure what it was exactly but he was confiding with Parasite and Klarion."
"The League will definitely be looking into this. You, as well as the others, will explain to the best of your ability at the next meeting what happened. Until then, go, enjoy yourselves. You've earned it."
"Hey, guys! Let's get out of here!" Artemis yelled over to them. They looked back over at Bruce who was already gone and laughed before heading over to their group of friends.
All was well.
"Goodnight guys!" Artemis waved as she and Wally approached the zeta tube in the Cave. The computer ran through its usual protocol before they were instantly transported to Palo Alto. The familiar alleyway gave Wally what could only be described as a relaxed feeling. All his troubles disappeared as he content with how his life was turning itself around. He was home, he spent the night catching up with his Uncle Barry and his friends, and now he was on his way back to the house he shared with the love of his life.
Life was good.
The couple walked in a comfortable silence down the streets towards their home. The only light was from dimly lit street lamps. Wally kept looking around from side to side, amazed at how nothing had changed. His eyes settled on the horizon line, being able to look in front of him and up at the night sky. A few stars burned brightly above them despite the light pollution. One thing he missed more than anything during his time in the Speed Force was the scenic view the city he called home offered him.
"Miss this?" Artemis asked as they turned onto their street.
"Big time."
Walking to their front door Artemis let them in and flicked on the light. Wally was in awe, nothing had changed; same couch, same coffee table, same kitchen. A relieved smile took over his face as he pulled Artemis close to him in an embrace, taking it all in.
"Someone's happy to be home," she joked, wrapping her arms around him.
"I'm happy to be home, with you, and not stuck in some other dimension," Wally corrected her, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Where's Brucely? I miss my boy," he asked as he looked around for the white pit bull who would usually be jumping all over anyone who entered the house.
"Oliver's. He was watching him while I was gone. We can go pick him up tomorrow," Artemis said as she let out a yawn. In one swift motion, Wally scooped her up bridal style, much like he did the night of their first kiss. "Baywatch what are you doing?"
"About to spend the night with my beautiful girlfriend," he answered without skipping a beat. He carried her down the familiar hallway and to their bedroom. "It's good to be home."
"It's good to have you home. Finally, we won."
"Won?" Wally asked, gently placing her onto the bed the two shared.
"Yeah, we won! You're home, Dick and Zee are happy, and nobody was angry. I call that a victory in my book," she explained as Wally fell onto the bed next to her, shaking his head with a smile.
"Always so competitive, Artemis. When will you learn?" He teased. She rolled her eyes in response.
"Just shut up and kiss me."
"Can do, babe."
Without another word Wally's lips pressed against Artemis' lips as they shared probably their hundredth kiss that day. Nothing was enough, especially after being apart for two years. The spark they shared for one another not only burned brighter but proved it could never be extinguished. Their kiss quickly escalated into a series of events meant for only them to experience together. When all was said and done, the couple laid in bed, Wally holding Artemis close to him. For the first time in two years, Artemis was able to fall asleep without shedding a tear, over thinking, or having some sort of nightmare.
Wally was home and he was never leaving.