Questions:

From yob3 to Kaldur: Do you know Black Manta is your father?
Kaldur: I was raised by Calvin Durham. While I am unsure if he is my genetic relative, I consider him my father.

From celestialstarrynight to Red Arrow: Would it kill you to smile for once? And do you think Jade is hot? Oh,
and you can't plead the 5th like Robin did.
Red Arrow: I don't smile unless I'm happy. And as for your second question, she's a villain. It doesn't matter that I think she's hot. Physical attraction isn't the only thing that matters.
Robin: You never said pleading the fifth wasn't an option. And R.A., you think Cheshire is hot? *ducks arrow*
Red Arrow: *blushing* Shut up, you little troll.

Superboy helped Wally stand up as Flash darted in front of Sportsmaster.

"It's my turn!" He let loose a volley of blows on the masked villain. "Nobody hurts Kid Flash like that!" Sportsmaster managed to duck a blow and land one of his own to Flash's stomach sending the superhero flying. Red Arrow fired an arrow that exploded into a net, but before it could reach its target, it was sliced in half. Cheshire stood in front of it with her collapsable katana.

"I don't think so. It's time to leave." Her mask hid her face, but from her tone the team could tell she was annoyed.

"It is over, Cheshire! Surrender. The League is here and they will deal with you." Kaldur stepped forward. "You have failed."

"You think I wasn't prepared for the off chance that you would find me?" He pulled out a black box with a red button covered by a plastic safety cap. "You have two choices: You can fight me, and we all die, or you can let me go free and get out this place before it blows." He pressed the button before anyone could stop him. The first explosion rang out somewhere behind them, shaking the ground.

"What is wrong with you?" Artemis shouted. She tried to rush him, but he threw Cheshire at her, knocking them both to the ground.

"Make up your mind." Sportsmaster bolted. Flash almost went after him, but a groan from Wally stopped him. Cheshire stood and turned to leave but another explosion caused a chunk of ceiling to fall and knocked the others off their feet. Artemis kicked her out of the way and then rolled to side, narrowly avoiding it herself.

"Don't think this makes us friends." Cheshire stood and ran, stopping to blow a kiss to Red Arrow over her shoulder.

"We have to get out of here." Robin looked up from his holographic wrist-computer. "This whole place will collapse is less than seven minutes."

"Ok, let's go!" Flash reached to take Wally, but Wally stopped him.

"No! Go make sure the rest of the League makes it out! I'll be fine!" Wally smiled at his uncle. "You're the fast one now." Flash nodded and sped away.

"We need to leave!" Superboy helped Wally and Green Arrow caught Artemis when she started to weave from blood loss.

"I'm fine!" Artemis tried to clear the cobwebs from her mind and follow her teamates up the stairs.

"Can't we...take...the elevator?" Wally's breathing was labored, and though a punctured lung is survivable, it is not pleasant.

"You idiot! You can't take the elevator in a fire!" Zatanna muttered a spell and the locked door in front of them opened. "Haven't you ever heard that?"

"Less fighting, more running!" Green Arrow ran in front with Robin who was leading them out. Behind them another explosion shook the building. "A lot more running." They came up on a large door that was locked. Zatanna tried to open it but she was too drained.

"Superboy, I need help! This is the last door and then it's a straight shot!" Robin checked his computer again. "A bomb could make the situation worse, so, you know...do your thing." Superboy rolled his eyes and leaned Wally against the wall as he went to punch the door down. Artemis stood by Wally, keeping an eye on his pale face. As soon as Superboy had the door open, another explosion rang out. The rumbling didn't stop, and the doorway started collapsing. Wally grabbed Artemis and threw her into the team as rubble blocked the door.

"Wally!" Artemis tried to move some the rubble in a panic. "Artemis, you need to go!" His voice was muffled. "Superboy, I know you can hear me! Take her and go! I'll be fine! I promise." The strong boy complied and picked up a struggling Artemis.

Moments later they burst out into the open air and Artemis saw for the first time where she had been held. It was an airplane hanger that had been renovated to be a headquarters. Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, and other members of the Justice League were outside already. Artemis tried to go back in.

"Artemis, no!" Green Arrow grabbed her arm, and due to blood loss she was too weak to break free. "No! He made his choice!"

"Where's Wally?" Flash sped up to them. "Where is he?" Artemis pointed shakily to the building. "Oh my god! I'm going to-" One more concussive blast threw the heroes fatuher back. Artemis watched as the building collapsed in flames.

Artemis stood and was tempted to run to the ruins, but the heat of the blaze was unbearable. She turned to look at her team, all of whom had shocked looks on their faces. Green Arrow went to his apprentice and hugged her hard. Artemis tried to pull away at first, but she submitted to the embrace and sobbed into his shoulder.

Robin stared at them. Wally had been his best friend, his brother, his partner-in-crime. He felt a familar presence behind him and turned to face Batman. "We tried...we tried to..." He broke down. Robin was embarassed that he had started crying in front of everyone, but he was even more surprised when Batman did something so out of character the whole Justice League was silent. Batman placed his hands on his son's shoulders, and then pulled him into a hug. Robin was shocked, but he quickly returned the embrace. It reminded him of the first time he had gone out on patrol with Batman offcially. He had been so proud of his costume that he had hugged Batman. The feeling of safety as Batman's cape fell around him hadn't changed in all those years.

Flash just stood there. He knew he should call his brother, but he couldn't. When Wally had become Kid Flash, he had promised the kid's parents that he would keep him safe. The fastest man alive had failed.

To be continued...

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Right now. ;)

Wally woke up to sound of a light humming. He was back in one those weird planes, but he wasn't in the cargo hold. He was sitting in the co-pilot's chair. He turned his head and saw the pilot. She had dark hair, a green kimono, and a mask. A smiling cat-face mask.

"Cheshire."

"Yup. That's me." She observed the paniked look in his eyes. "Oh, don't flatter youself. I'm not going to kill you."

"Then why did you kidnap me?"

"Kidnap is such a strong word. I just wanted to talk to you." She pulled off her mask. "I know you know the importance of a secret identity."

"You look like...You're her sister, aren't you?" Wally was shocked by how different she looked from Artemis, but there were subtle similarities.

"Correct. I owe nothing to Sportsmaster. He was just the one paying me at the time. Nothing personal, you know." Wally rolled his eyes.

"Right." He was going to say something else when he was reminded by his side that he had a punctured lung.

"Don't worry, I'm going to drop you off in a few minutes. But first...I just wanted to remind you that your girlfriend's sister is an assassin that knows several languages and can disappear so well even Batman can't find her." Wally stared wide-eyed at her.

"Why do you even care?"

Cheshire looked out the window. "Get ready to jump. It's your stop. And tell Artemis we're even. Your life for mine."

Ok, don't hate me. But I think the reunion deserves its own chapter. Read, review, and don't forget to vote in my poll for your two favorite pairings!

~orangekangaroo