Starfire flew faster, and with a loud grunt, managed to catch the unconscious Wally before he hit the water.
"Starfire!" Robin's voice crackled on her communicator. "Is he all right?"
She somberly turned on her communicator. "He is unharmed. But Robin... I fear it will be long before he is all right."
Jinx fastened the cap on her head, then wrapped half her face up in a scarf. Since she had destroyed her holographic generator, she would have to disguise herself like this to get through the airport. She fastened the power inhibitor to herself, then turned to look at See-More, who was now disguised as Seymour.
"Let's go," he offered her his hand, which she ignored. They walked through the airport in silence, going through the stands. The whole process went smoothly, and they went to go and wait at the terminal.
Madame Rouge had warned them that they must come by plane; heroes would be able to track them if they went by magic. As they waited, Jinx could feel her mind going numb.
I love you...
Wally...
I love you so much...
Wally, why did you say that? Don't you know how hard it was? You idiot. You almost put your own identity in danger...
I think... I think I did for a lot longer than I was willing to admit. But I love you, Jinx... Jeni... whoever you are! So please! Please don't leave!
I'm really sorry. I had to do it. I want to protect you... I've told you before, I'm bad luck. I never had opportunities to protect anyone. Doing this... Doing this, I can help you for once.
I'm going to die without you. Don't go.
I'm already dying inside. But if I endangered you... I'd already be dead by now. You won't die. You have to grow stronger. Grow stronger for me. Because we'll probably never be able to see each other again.
"Come on," Seymour's voice cut into her thoughts. "Let's go."
She nodded, and picking up her handbag, followed him onto the plane.
"I can't wait to go to Shanghai!" Seymour smiled happily. "Jinx, I bet we're going to-"
"Seymour," she interrupted. "I'm going to the bathroom. So just shut up, okay?"
She picked up her handbag, stomped past him and walked to the back of the plane. Seymour took a deep breath.
Jinx... I'm doing this for you. Don't you see? If we go to Paris, you can forget about him. The two of us can be happy together.
He nodded firmly, preparing himself for the speech as soon as she came back.
Five minutes passed... then ten... fifteen... he ran to the bathroom and banged on the door.
"Jinx! Jinx!"
"Sir," the stewardess said politely. "Please sit down. The lavatory is unoccupied."
"No!" he snarled, and running back to his seat, he whipped out his communicator.
"Jinx!" he yelled into it. Her face crackled into view. A sorrowful light shone in her eyes as she gazed into the screen.
"I'm sorry, Seymour," she shook her head. "I can't do it. I just can't."
"But I still have-!"
"I know you have that jewel. So I won't go back to Kid Flash, I swear. But..." she hesitated. "I just... I can't be with you."
"But-!"
"If you give the Brotherhood the jewel..." she lifted her chin defiantly. "I'll kill myself. If you give it to them, they'll track him through his identity, and kill him. If that happens, I won't be able to live. Just try and test it, because I swear I'll do it."
"Jinx... why...?" he murmured, and she shook her head.
"You'd never understand. I keep telling you... you're not the one I love! I can't just somehow love you!"
"Well, who are you going to go to?" he snapped. "Back to the Hive?"
"No... I'm starting a new life," she said hesitantly. "One where you can't find me. Remember what I said. Goodbye."
"No!" he roared but she already cut off the connection. With a snarl, he pressed a button on the communicator.
Jinx gasped as she narrowly missed a speeding car.
"Watch where you're going, kid!" the taxi driver roared, before zooming off. She clutched a stitch at her side, but continued to run. She panted as she ran... and ran... and screeched to a halt.
She felt her insides freezing over as she slowly gazed up to see her ex-team members.
"Jinx..." Billy Numerous hesitated. "See-More told us everything."
She took a step back, and glared at them all, reaching to unclip her power inhibitor. Kyd Wykkyd shook his head.
Don't bother he signed. We aren't here to fight you.
She gazed at him in surprise, but kept her guard up. Gizmo silently held up something to her, and she took it.
"Wh- What's this?" she blinked at the beautiful silver necklace. He hesitated.
"It's... It's a holographic generator, disguised as a necklace," he muttered. She looked at him in confusion.
"Why are you-?"
"Go hide," Mammoth interrupted. "Run and hide from everyone."
"We're enemies now," Billy cut in. "Take this... and don't come back."
She gazed at them in stun. "Y- You're letting me go?"
No. We are kicking you out Kyd Wykkyd gave her an impassive look. We have all agreed, we no longer know who you are. You are definitely not a villain anymore... but you are not a hero either. So we will treat you as a normal civilian from now on.
"We're taking your place in the Brotherhood," Gizmo glared at her. "So now we're even. We don't have any ties left."
"Bye," Mammoth grunted. "Now get out of here."
She felt a bolt of gratitude, as well as a flash of sadness. The Hive were her family, but she knew as well as them, that if one of them had left the others, she would have let him go live as a civilian. She nodded.
"...goodbye," she murmured, then giving them one last saddened glance, she bolted off to the airport entrance, where she hailed a taxi.
I want a new life... I want a life where no one will know who I am...
"I'm sorry," was all Robin could say as the Flash himself leaned over his unconscious nephew. Barry Allen turned to the slumped superhero standing before him.
"Why are you apologizing, Robin?' he shook his head. "Wally isn't exactly the most responsible kid alive. You don't have to share his faults."
"We promised to look after each other," he confessed, head bowed. "I didn't keep up my end of the deal."
He looked up as he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Robin," the Flash said kindly. "You tried. You did, and that's all that matters."
"Ungh..." Wally slowly got up, holding his head. "What happened?"
The Flash gave Robin another reassuring pat, before storming over to his woozy nephew.
"Wallace Rudolph West," he ground out. "Exactly what were you thinking?"
"That Dick wouldn't rat me out," he glared at Robin, who simply shrugged.
"Wally," he defended himself. "Don't be stupid. I kept trying to get through to you, but you wouldn't let me in. So I called for your uncle."
"...Wally," his uncle's tone was still hard, but his glare had undeniably softened. "What are you not telling me?"
"I'm fine, Uncle Barry," he said loudly. "I..."
"I am now being compared to a boy who's named after a bird. My greatest dreams have been accomplished."
"No... your dream is to renounce and be recognized in the world as a good guy," Kid Flash insisted.
"For the last time, I'm not going to suddenly throw on spandex and run around yelling things that make no... hey! What the...? GET THAT STUPID GRIN OFF YOUR FACE!" she shrieked as blood trickled out of Kid Flash's nose. He jumped.
"It's your fault!" he retorted. "Why'd you have to make me think of you in spandex?"
"I'm not perfect; you assume I am, because you underestimated me. These are petty skills that don't define me; they're just little tidbits of my life. There's...more to each person than their individual skills. I can do certain things; that doesn't make me the perfect person, Wally."
"But-!" he burst out. "You have to be! Because..."
He didn't know what compelled him to do it, but his hand reached out and slowly made its way towards her. He didn't know what he was reaching for, but he had to reach her...somehow...
"Jeni... I-"
"Were we really anything else before this, West?" she asked sharply. "I tutor you, you treat me to food on occasion. And don't be ridiculous. You don't see me as your friend, you see me as something exciting that your other friends don't know about. In front of them, you wouldn't dare act this way to me."
"That's...that's not true, I-"
"So honestly, do you think you can just convince me to be your underground friend?" she asked scornfully. "Are you really that afraid?"
"I'm not af-"
"Forget it," she shrugged again. "I'm going home now by myself. I'll see you Monday."
"But Jeni-" he grabbed her arm to prevent her from leaving. She shoved him away with her free hand.
"Stop!" she hissed. "Ugh! You think any girl will fall for you just because you have some reputation of being a bad boy? I'm not interested in what you have to offer, just leave me alone! I don't- ow! Hey, you- mmph!"
Before she could blink, he grabbed her shoulders, pushed her up against a tree on the side of the street, and under the orange-golden glow of the streetlight, he kissed her.
She struggled in shock, but finally her tense shoulders relaxed and she curiously experienced kissing him. She hesitantly wrapped her arms around his neck, and felt a jolt of elation when he groaned.
"Wally!" she screamed, and began to run where he had disappeared.
"Hehehe!" he popped up and before she could even blink, he grabbed her and dunked her into the lake that had been hidden by the field of dandelions. She shrieked before she went underwater, and re-emerged, sopping wet head to toe.
"Oh, you are so getting it!" she shrieked, and, plunging her hand underwater, she sent a hex that blasted up and splashed him with water. He spluttered indignantly.
"Hey!" he twirled his finger at super-speed, and created a mini-tornado that sent water spiraling over the now-drenched girl. She shrieked and splashed him with water as well.
Soon the two of them were splashing water at each other, laughing.
I sort of wish... the two of us were here like this forever... Wally thought wistfully as Jinx lunged on him.
"Gotcha now!" she said triumphantly and giggled.
Wally tried to continue, but he couldn't do it. He furiously jammed his palms against his eyes, but the tears wouldn't stop clotting. Flash took a deep breath, then turned to Robin.
"Would you give us a minute?" he said gently, and Robin nodded smartly, before marching out the door. Flash didn't say anything for several minutes, just allowing Wally to cry all he wanted to.
"What is bothering you, Wally?" Flash asked quietly. "I doubt school or superhero duties are what have you so riled up. Is there a problem I should know about?"
"Uncle Barry," he managed out, forcing his sobs down. "I... I haven't been completely honest with you."
"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow. "You mean to tell me when you called to tell me you had straight A's this term, it was a lie? I will admit, it sounded-"
"No..." he took a deep breath. "I didn't tell you how I got those grades."
Barry's eyes shot open. "Wally, you know I do not tolerate cheating of any kind. Why-?"
"I didn't cheat!" he protested. "I got a tutor!"
"...and...?" he prompted. Wally took a deep breath.
"I got a tutor... and... and I... she..."
He took a deep, shuddering breath. "I'm in love with her, Uncle Barry."
His uncle cocked his head. "Is that really so heartwrenching?"
"...she... she turned out to have a secret identity too."
"..."
"She's... She's Jinx."
"Jinx?"
"...she's the leader... of the Hive Five," Wally cringed. His uncle gave him a blank look.
"What is the Hive Fi-? Hive?" his uncle's expression changed. "As in Hive Academy?"
"..."
"Wallace!" his uncle struggled to keep his voice calm. "Well... I trust she doesn't know your true identity."
"...yeah," he said weakly. "We both kind of found out on the same day..."
"Wally," his uncle stated, clearly starting to lose patience. "What are you trying to say?"
"...she knows my identity, and she's joined the Brotherhood of Evil now," he finally stated, shoulders slumped. His uncle choked and struggled to hold his temper.
"What...? Why...?"
"For one weekend, she crammed in several years of dating, then broke up with me on Monday," he said dully. "Said she's in love with one of her teammates now..."
"But-!"
"She said she won't tell them my identity... said I'm not important enough to the Brotherhood."
"Wally!" his uncle scolded. "You can't trust her! She betrayed you! She'll tell them eventually!"
"Then maybe they'll bring me in and I can see her again!" he said hopefully. "Maybe-!"
"Wally!"
Wally jumped. He had never heard his uncle so furious.
"Think about us!" he shouted. "Think about me and your aunt Iris and Robin! You can casually say you want to be brought before the Brotherhood just for this girl! Well, sorry, but the three of us don't know her like you do, and quite frankly, don't really care! But if it endangers you, we won't allow it!"
"I... Uncle Barry-"
"Don't be so immature, Wally," his uncle shook his head. "Be my favorite nephew. Say the thing you know will make me smile and do the thing you know will make me proud."
Wally felt a little of the weight on his shoulders being lifted, and slowly nodded.
"I... I will, Uncle Barry," he muttered. His uncle nodded and clapped his shoulder.
"I have to get back to the Watchtower... will you be all right?"
"Yeah," Wally gave him a slight grin. "A shower and I'll be all good again."
"All right. I'm going to go now."
"Send my love to Aunt Iris," Wally said, before burying his face into his uncle's jacket. It smelled comforting, and he almost cried again. He felt nostalgic, scared... and very, very alone.
-One Year and A Half Later-
Jinx had never imagined she would have this job, but looking back, it seemed to fit her pretty well. She smiled at the next customer, and took their order before going to the back and preparing the drink.
Her teashop was a snug, cozy little place on a street corner in Steel City. It was the perfect disguise, and she honestly loved it. She had chosen Steel City mainly for two reasons.
Steel City was where she had her first home, with the Hive. Although she didn't like remembering her time as a villain, it was still technically her first home, and she felt closer to herself here.
The second reason was because of the heroes here: since the Titans East lived here, they were all the protection the city really needed, so she figured it would be a stretch for a certain someone coming, and ruining her plans. The plans she had been carefully checking over and over for the past twelve months. She had to, by all costs, avoid both Wally and See-More. It was the only way to keep protecting Wally and keep See-More at bay.
Of course, that didn't stop the tears coming every night.
Still, she made do, and her teashop was doing surprisingly well. The thing that surprised her most was the popularity of a certain tea: the rose tea Wally had bought her a while ago. By the end of the second day it was on the menu, the gallon tin of rose tea leaves was already almost empty. Jinx considered it her 'special' mix, so she specifically grew roses in pots in the back, drying and crushing them to a perfect blend. The tea was immensely popular, and business thrived.
The place was perfect, and she soon fell completely in love with the cafe idea. She, of course, needed help when the place started growing slightly more popular, so she hired an extra pair of hands.
Eddie Bloomberg had run into the teashop when running away from bullies after him. Jinx had cast him a curious gaze, but simply took his order, trying to ignore the black eye he was sporting. The next day he came in again, more than likely as a precaution against bullies. This time, he asked for her name. She had prepared a new name for herself in this life.
"Lena." she smiled at him. "Lena Wyjil."
"...okay," the nervous boy giggled. "I'm Eddie. Nice to meetcha."
He came in again the next day, no one chasing him (although he did have a suspicious-looking bruise on his cheek). This time, Jinx grew curious enough to ask why the bullies hated him. He looked down at his hands and muttered something quietly.
She leaned in. "One more time?"
"Th- That guy...The leader..." he hesitated, then let his shoulders slump. "He's in love with my girlfriend."
She stared at him.
"I can't... I can't do it," he looked down, looking for all the world like a lost little boy. "They keep telling me to break up with her. But I don't want to."
"..."
It was like seeing a younger, male version of herself.
The next day, she asked him to work at the teashop. He accepted on the spot. Although he was slightly accident-prone, and a bit of a goof, he worked hard, and she soon grew to appreciate his work. She eventually met his girlfriend when he brought her to his workplace for a cup of tea and a plate of baked goods, and she just had to stifle her giggles. His girlfriend was a cold, beautiful ice princess, while he was scrawny, constantly tripping, and a goofball. But the two were happy, and Jinx was immediately fond of them. It was fun to watch them act... couple-like.
"Hey, Rosie," Eddie bragged as he balanced a teacup on his head. "Look! No hands!"
"...don't call me Rosie," she said monotonously, but Jinx could see it: the softness in her eyes, the way she easily hid a blush. Then the teacup crashed and Eddie had to sweep it up, sheepishly laughing.
"Sorry, boss..." he gave her his best impression of a charming grin. "You didn't need this teacup, did you?"
"...that was my personal teacup," Jinx rolled her eyes. "Eddie, you are so-"
"-handsome?" he said hopefully. This time, Rose fought a laugh in her teacup. Eddie whirled on her.
"You laughed, Rosie!" he cried happily. "You laughed!"
"...yeah. At you."
"You laughed anyways!" he sang, and danced his way to the next table. It was amusing to watch, especially when Rose proceeded to strangle him for calling her 'Rosie'.
It seems like yesterday... high school really is the age of youth.
So let's check in with Wally now, shall we? Switch scenes to the hall in an elite club.
A redhead stumbled down the hall, peering in each room, and giggling slightly.
"Where'd all my liquor go?" he slurred, then finally, he fell through a door that wasn't properly closed.
"What the hell?" one of the men sprung up. Wally waved a lazy hand.
"Relax," he hiccupped. "I've got it all under control, Major."
"Get this drunk bastard out of here!" the man ordered, and his thugs moved towards him. Wally glared at them all.
"Whyyyyyy?" he whined loudly. "I just want a drink! You guys are so meeeeeean!"
"Ugh, he's drunk as hell and stinks of it, boss," the man holding him complained. "Let's just toss him."
"Come on," Wally slurred. "I can take you all! All three hundred of you! Who cares if I die? My parents are dead! My girlfriend is in love with some other guy! Nothing to lose! Ha!"
The boss looked around at the eleven men, then shook his head.
"Get rid of him."
"Wh- Whoooooa!" Wally let out a hiccup as he hit the ground when they tossed him out. He waited until they closed the door, then grinned as he pulled out his Titans communicator.
"Report!"
"I got it," Wally confirmed, showing the ID card he had pick pocketed from the man holding him so quickly, no one had seen the blur. Robin nodded.
"Great job, Kid Flash. I'll see you back at the Tower."
He saluted, then ripping off his alcohol-stained clothing, zoomed off in a yellow-and-red blur.
Robin observed the ID card, and nodded. "Great job, Wally. This should be enough to get us into the hideout."
"There, we shall learn information to the Brotherhood's headquarters!" Starfire clapped. "Well done, friend Kid Flash!"
"Thanks, Starfire," he smiled at her. "Well, I've got to go. I have early classes at the college tomorrow. See you."
The Titans gave him a goodbye, and he dashed off into the night.
"...he's never going to be okay, is he?" Cyborg looked at Raven. The dark girl shook her head.
"Let's just say... it's going to be a while."
"How long?" Cyborg shook his head as well. "It's already been more than year, and I miss the old Kid Flash."
"Don't worry," Robin said, keeping his back to them all. "I think he's already started to date other girls. He'll get over her soon."
Beast Boy snorted. "Yeah. You notice all the girls he dates have green eyes and brown hair?"
"..."
"Come, friends," Starfire said hastily. "Let us go in."
Wally silently finished his homework, then began to fold his laundry. He was slowly torturing himself. The apartment was empty, and he looked up. Jinx looked back at him, clucking.
"You're creasing it!" she laughed. "Here, I'll do it."
He gave her the sweater, and it fell onto the bed as she vanished. He stared at the crinkled sweater, then slowly walked away.
God, Jeni. I think I'm actually getting stupider each day without you here.
"A...A... Achoo!" Lena sneezed. Eddie paused on his way to a table.
"You okay, boss?"
"Yeah," she said absentmindedly as she watched the news on the small TV in the corner of the teashop.
"...and it has been stated Killer Moth has been seen in Guatemala. I have the Teen Titans' leader, Robin, here with me today. Robin?"
"Yes, it is true, but we will not allow this to go out of our view," Robin said solemnly. "At first, we, the Titans, wanted to go and take on Killer Moth ourselves, but we already have our hands full with the Brotherhood of Evil business. Therefore, in our place will go Titans East, honorary Titans who have Mas and Menos on their team."
"The little speeding boys?"
"That's right. They originate from Guatemala, so they will know the place better than we do. They have volunteered to go."
"Then, who will watch over Steel City?"
Robin gave him a confident grin. "Not to worry. Other honorary Titans and the original Titans will check in Steel City and make sure it stays safe. Wonder Girl, Argent, Thunder and Lightning... we have many allies."
"Well that is reassuring," the anchor grinned. "Back to you, Steve."
Lena took a deep breath and took a shaky sip of tea. So there'll be other Titans checking into Steel City. Don't worry.
He won't be here. He won't. Please...
"Steel City?" Wally shook his head. "Dick, thanks for the offer, but I have classes here at the college. I'll just stay here at Jump, okay?"
"...Wally," Robin hesitated. "There's more than just because the Titans East are gone that I want you to go..."
"Yeah?"
"...have you considered dating again?"
"I am!" he let out a short bark. "Why are you-?"
"I meant dating," Robin said shortly. "Not having a quick fuck with girls who look like..."
"...shut up, Dick."
"I was wondering... are you interested in Raven? You two would be a good match."
He gaped at the masked boy. "Raven? Have you eaten something bad?"
"Why not?" Robin argued. "She's grounded; she can keep you in line."
"Just what I wanted in a girlfriend," Wally said sarcastically. "Look, what does Raven have to do with Steel City?"
"She's going. How about you go with her?"
"...forget it, Dick."
"Fine," Robin relented, knowing it was pointless. "I'll call you later."
"Okay. Bye."
Robin snapped off his communicator... to meet fierce green eyes.
"Whoa," he stepped back. "What's up, Beast Boy?"
"Did you just try to set up Kid Flash with Raven?" he snapped. Robin blinked. He rarely heard Beast Boy so incensed.
"Well... yeah. Why not? She deserves happiness."
"Yeah, so why pair her up with a goof like him?" Beast Boy retorted. "He won't make her happy! It's her own choice who she dates!"
"Okay, okay!" Robin lifted his hands in defense. "I'm sorry! I don't know why you're so upset about it..."
"I'm not upset!" Beast Boy roared, a lion's growl underlining his voice. "Raven can't date anyone!"
Robin suddenly felt the room drop 10 degrees in temperature and looked over Beast Boy's shoulder.
"Er..."
"Last I checked," Raven said quietly. "It's my own choice who I date."
Beast Boy scratched his head. "Y- Yeah! I know! But you know... uh..."
The weirdest thought suddenly struck Robin and he nearly keeled over at it.
Did Beast Boy... maybe... no... no way!
"I'm going to meditate," Raven said quietly, then silently glided back to her room. Beast Boy sullenly looked at the ground, then turned into a falcon and smoothly flew out the window. Robin shook his head.
...maybe asking Kid Flash to consider Raven was a bad idea...
Lena turned off the lights in the teashop, then took the stairs to the upstairs apartment she lived in. Unclipping her necklace, she became Jinx again. She showered, brushed her teeth, and changed into a comfortable nightgown before quietly reaching for her dresser drawer.
Every night, she promised she would stop. Every night, she couldn't.
"I'm sorry," Jinx gently stroked the rose. It had turned brown and was withering, but she couldn't bring herself to throw it away.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." she continuously whispered, her tears dripping onto the crumbling petals. "I love you. I love you. I'm sorry."
Sorry for the late chapter... I'm in college, and term has started again so it's hard to find time to come up with chapters... eehhh.
Anyways, what did you think? Hahaha, I noticed lately a lot of people have been alerting the story. Just to let you know, I'm very happy when I get the e-mails that say when I get a new review or a favorite story alert... it makes me feel accomplished hehehe
Hope to see you all at the next chapter!