Hold me tender…

Underneath the stars, that night in the woods, Jinx was nestled in the crook of Wally's arm, "She was so confused. Is Dick always like that?" Wally nodded and gravely said, "Hell, we go way back, and he scarcely tells me anything. The only event that didn't shock me was when he and Kory got together."

"I just wish I could help them. Jade…Kory…"

"Honey, you can't help everyone. Sometimes, we just have to let them learn. Dick's getting better though. Sure, he's still surly, but then again, when was he ever NOT surly, but he doesn't do shit that'll hurt Kory."

"Good. Don't try to cheat on me, you hear?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She kissed his neck and laid her chin on his chest, supported by her hands, looking at him. She asked, "What's your plan after graduation?" Wally's eyes twinkled and said, "I just got accepted to NYU. I can't wait. I can travel around the world, with the university's blessing, learning all the languages I want, and no one to stop me." Jinx looked down and whispered, "You'll be too far…" Wally had them sit up, raised her chin to look at him and said, "I'll visit. I'll call. And I'll be there at your graduation, being the damn proudest boyfriend in the world. I take it you'll try for NYU too because of their Film Making?" Jinx nodded. Wally hugged her and said, "I'm already finishing preparations for an apartment there. Just for us. I know you'd pass once they see your portfolio."

On their way back, everything was quiet. Too quiet. The only light was in the canteen building. Wally said, "Something's not right. Jinx, go back to your room." She could feel it too and said, "No. I'm coming with you." They walked to the window and peered in. Some man in a rumpled suit was holding a machine gun, and it seemed that all the students were there. Before they could run, Jinx screamed as the glass broke and someone grabbed both of them, hurling them in. She hit her head and it took her moments to realize that she was looking at the eyes of a frightened Jade, encased protectively in Roy's arms. Wally grabbed her and covered her with his body as the man advanced towards them, a maniacal grin on his face, "Well, hello, pinky. Join the forum! We're just getting started." Burly men dragged both of them, and slammed them to the wall, Wally grunting as his back hit.

The man has a scar on right cheek, muddy brown eyes and thin. He exclaimed, "I am looking for a certain kid wonder. You may know him. Kinda tall, black hair, blue eyes? But…I know this beautiful lady here…" He turned to Kory who silently defied him with her eyes and calmly asked, "What do you want from him?"

"Well, beautiful, just his head. See, my boss gives a hefty sum for Brucey's boy to go down. That will give him everything to play for in the business once the prince goes down." He looked at his watch and rolled his eyes. "But seeing that he's so rudely late, I'll just have to get a dancing partner for the time being." He grabbed Jade's shoulder and yanked her from Roy, who thrashed around, being held by the two cronies. "Now, now, carrot top. I'm just going to dance with the girl." He held her to his body and pressed the barrel of the gun on her temple. Roy let out a roar managed to break free from one of the men holding him until they slammed the butt of the gun down the back of his head, making him slump to the floor, unconscious. Jade cried out, "Don't kill him!"

"Drop it!"

The man turned with a grin, seeing Dick there, a scowl on his face, "Let my schoolmates go. They didn't do anything. It's between you and me." The man's smile turned feral as he said, "You have no idea what you caused me. That's why I took this job…Here's a little demo." He motioned to his companions to drag a prone Roy over to Jade. He slapped him awake and had him held by the hair, whispering, "Want to know what it feels like to lose someone you love?" He pressed the gun to Jade's side and a sickening bang and screams came as she dropped on the floor, in front of a bloodied Roy, due to Jade's blood spraying him. He held her in his arms and tried to frantically staunch the wound. The man nonchalantly said, "Aw don't be such an ungrateful scamp. I didn't kill her_" He didn't get to finish when Dick sent a roundhouse kick to his head, hearing a sick crack. He yelled as he tackled the two men, "EVERYONE GET OUT!" Everyone ran out of the canteen screaming. Amidst the confusion, Wally tried to push Jinx out of the exit, "GO! I'll find you. I have to help Dick and Roy!" She grabbed his face and growled, "You stay, I stay! I can take care of myself just fine!"

Wally kissed her forehead and said, "Stay safe here. I'll come back for you." Then in a flash, he tackled the man aiming for Roy's back. Jinx crawled over to Jade's side and urgently said, "Stay with me, Jade!" She whispered, "Roy…"

"He'll be fine. But you have to stay alive for him…"

Jade darkly chuckled then grimaced, "You and I both know I won't make it far…"

"Not even for Roy?"

With this, Jade laid her head on Jinx's arm and whispered, "Tell me how we met again…You and I…"

"Well, you were crying out in the hallway, and I just had to take you in, you know…"

In the middle of the story, Roy pushed her away and held Jade in his arms, whispering to her. As if time went slowly, she saw a gun pointed at Wally's chest, he scowling, as if daring the man. She felt her body move on its own. And then there was pain. Terrible pain.

She was breathing hard, her arms outstretch, and felt wet. She looked down and saw a rapidly growing stain of blood on her shirt. Wally caught her as she fell and he cried out, "Jinx!" Roy yelled, "Someone already called for help! Get out of here!" Jinx whispered, "Wally, I can't see the stars…" As if by instinct, he carried her and cringed at how light she was, and ran out. A bang was heard. A trail of blood was left for the people to know what became of their comrades.

In their spot in the woods, Wally was agitated, "Where are those damned ambulances?" Jinx chuckled weakly and said, "I don't think I can make it, Wally…"

"Don't say that! Jinx! Just don't…"

She cupped his cheek in her free hand and said, "It's alright…At least it's just one of us…"

He grunted and Jinx felt a warm tear on her face. He was crying. She felt tears fall down her eyes and whispered, "Don't cry…Please…"

"That's a real stupid request to make…"

Jinx slightly frowned and said, "I'm sorry…Wally…?" He looked down at her. "Let's get married…" She shakily took his left hand, took the ring off and placed it on his wedding ring finger. He did the same to hers. He gently lifted her top body and kissed her. She whispered in his ear, "I love you forever…" Then she let out a series of coughs, after which she hoarsely said, "Don't let me go…"

With one last gasp, her pink eyes reflected the stars slightly, her mouth slightly open.

Wally held her close and tight, his hand still clutching hers, and then brokenly cried out, "Jinx…"

He lost consciousness.