Really wish that I could say I own someone or something besides Tyler, but alas, tis not true.

Thanks for the 2 reviews I got for the last chapter. I know more people are reading this than Angel-eyes56, hermit hideaway, joebro-obsessed89, countryLexluv and Satan's Camero 1997. I appreciate that you guys/gals are reviewing and as I have promised, you've been getting sneak peaks. While I really do appreciate the adds to story alerts and such, reviews let me know if I'm staying true. So please, help me keep to the path that I'm laying.

Sorry this chapter is a little short, but I sprained my right hand and have to wear a brace. Makes for slow going.

Chp 21

When Tyler finally woke up the next morning, he was stiff, but he knew that he had to get up. Limping slightly, he made his way to the bathroom and took a hot shower, letting the water cascade over him after he washed. Sighing softly, he finally turned the water off and stepped out to dry off. He didn't bother with shaving since it took so long for him to grow anything resembling even five o'clock shadow. After finishing the rest of his morning routine, he got dressed and opted for a pair of black cargo pants with a burgundy polo shirt.

He wasn't really surprised to find Ollie working at his desk when he came out of his room. Looking around, he realized that they were alone even before his brother spoke.

"Clark had take care of a few things this morning." Ollie put down what he was reading and stood up. "We need to talk Tyler."

Tyler sighed and went to the kitchen, fixing himself something to eat. "I know we do and after what happened this weekend, there's no longer any way to put it off."

"So are you and Bart together?"

That stopped him cold for a moment before he nodded slightly and poured himself a glass of juice. "Have been for about 8 months."

"How did you two meet?"

A soft groan came from the younger Queen as he fixed the bagel that just popped up. "That is part of what I still have to tell you about why I came to Metropolis."

"I'm not going anywhere."

Taking a seat at the breakfast bar, Tyler looked up at his brother. "Let's just say you're no longer the only brother that has taken his desire to help to another level."

Oliver had to turn and walk away before he exploded. His emotions kept flicking back and forth between fear and anger. If he was understanding what Tyler meant, then his brother had decided to follow in his footsteps and take up the mantel of crime fighting. "How long?" The words came out clipped between clenched teeth as he stood looking out over Metropolis.

"Officially, since right after Christmas. Did a bit before then as well, but nothing really serious." He watched his brother carefully. It was obvious by the set of his shoulders that Ollie was pissed.

"And how did you meet Bart?"

"I helped him out of a jam." Taking a drink of juice, he paused a second before telling his brother how he ran into the speedster.

10 months ago

Tyler watched from the rooftop of a vacant building near the docks in Star City. He knew that his brother was doing his part closer to mid-town and was trying to stay out of his way. There was no way that he was ready to tell him just yet what he was doing at night.

Movement down below caught his attention and he watched as someone suddenly appeared before the doors he was watching. An eyebrow rose as he watched while he automatically started wondering how someone could move that fast. One minute, no one had been there and then before he could blink, there was a brunette working the lock. He stood slowly and moved closer to the rapelling line he'd set up earlier, not taking his eyes off the warehouse across from him.

When the alarms sounded, he rapelled to the ground and started towards the warehouse, keeping to the shadows as much as possible. He slipped inside, hugging the wall as he moved towards where the noise he was now hearing was located. Frowning, he spotted the guy he'd seen coming in earlier being held by two brutes. Another jerk was working the guy over while 3 others egged him on. He snorted at hearing the quirks and quips coming from the brunette.

Shaking his head, he stepped out from behind the crates he was using for cover and took off running, launching himself at the closest thug. It only took a few moments before the brunette was free and they both escaped, leaving the six idiots tied up on the floor. Once they were a safe distance away, Tyler looked over at the brunette and removed the mask he'd been using to hide his face.

Grinning, he locked eyes with the brunette. "Hasn't anyone ever told you that sometimes slow is better?"

A snort issued from the shorter man. "Nah, speed's more my thing."

"Didn't seem to help you back there."

"The bozo that was using me for a punching bag surprised me is all." He stuck a hand out. "Bart Allen, thanks for the save."

"Tyler Queen, and trust me." He grinned letcherously at him. "It was my pleasure. What do you say we grab something to eat? My treat."

Bart nodded. "I could eat." Raising an eyebrow, he nodded at Tyler. "You going to wear that?" He was referring to the almost ninja style outfit the other man was wearing.

"Nope, have something to change into at my bike." Their escape had taken them back to where he had stashed his black Buell Lightning. Without preamble, he grabbed his bag and stripped down to his pants, putting the items he took off back in the bag as he pulled out a long sleeved Henley and leather jacket. Grinning, he looked at Bart. "Guess I'll have to trust you, huh?" Sliding his shoes off, he let the pants drop, leaving him in boxers until he pulled his jeans back into place. Stowing the last of his clothes and pulling his boots on, he looked at Bart.

"Wanna ride?"

The brunette could only nod. He'd figured out years ago that he leaned more towards guys than girls, but if the girl was pretty enough, he'd go for it. The man that stood in front of him left him speechless. His physique was one of an athlete, with the shoulders a bit broader than the hips that spoke of upper body strength. The fluidity with which he moved told Bart that he was comfortable in his body and with himself as a whole. All of it made him want to get to know the blonde a lot better.

"Hop on." Tyler straddled the bike, grinning slightly when the younger man climbed on behind him and put his arms around his waist. "I promise, I won't bite. Least not yet."

"We talked for a while at the diner and kinda went our separate ways. When you brought him to the penthouse in Star City a few weeks later, we picked things up from there. Guess that's why I was comfortable with him when you introduced us."

Oliver had been silent the entire time that his brother was talking. It infuriated him to no end that Tyler was putting his life in danger like this. True, he was doing the same thing, but he was taking precautions while Ty wasn't. It also scared the hell outta him. He finally turned to face his little brother.

"I don't want you doing this Tyler. It's too dangerous."

Tyler frowned at him. "Excuse me?"

"I said it's too dangerous."

"Oh, but it's okay for you to do it? That's kinda the pot calling the kettle black, dontcha think?"

"This isn't about me."

"The hell it isn't! You can't dictate how I'm going to live my life. I can make my own decisions and I don't need your permission to do it." He'd moved closer to his brother as he talked. "Just because you're older than me doesn't mean that you are in charge."

"Oh really?" Oliver stepped closer to his brother. "You are not going to do this Tyler."

"And just who is going to stop me? You?" He shook his head. "I'd like to see you try."

The fight was over in minutes and left behind a broken desk, couple of lamps and picture frames. Among the debris, Oliver laid sprawled upon the ground unconscious, a bruise darkening on his jaw while blood trickled slowly from the split in his lip.

Tyler wiped at the blood that came from the cut above his eye, but did nothing to try and stop it. He stared at his brother for a few moments before he packed a bag and left. After hailing a cab, he texted Clark to let him know that he'd had a fight with Ollie and that he was taking off for a few days. Then he called Bart.

"Your dime my time."

"What hotel are you staying in?" Tyler was trying hard to keep his emotions in check.

Bart frowned, but told the blonde where he was staying and listened as he told it to someone else. "What's going on Tyler? What happened?"

"I'll tell you when I see you." He hung up before the brunette could ask anymore questions, then turned his phone off. Flipping it over, he removed the GPS chip and tossed it out the window before settling back for the rest of the ride.

As soon as Tyler had hung up, Bart had started pacing. His lover had sounded stressed and upset. Very few things could push the blonde to that level and he was willing to bet that Ollie had something to do with it. He was tempted to call the older man and find out what had happened, but decided to see what Ty had to say first. Luckily, he didn't have to wait long. He'd purposely chosen a hotel that was less than 5 miles from the clock tower so he could be close to Tyler. So when the knock came at his door, he opened it and was shocked at the blonde's appearance.

"Sweet jesus, Tyler." He pulled him into the room, shutting and locking the door behind him before escorting him to the bathroom then making him take a seat on the closed toilet. "What happened?"

"Got in a fight with Ollie." He told him what had happened before he left the penthouse, flinching slightly as the younger man cleaned up the cut above his eye. When he finished, he started crying softly. "Can't believe I just left him laying there. I didn't even check to see if he was okay."

Bart pulled him into a hug, holding the blonde against his chest. "Clark will make sure he's okay Ty. Then later you can call him." He felt the head shake against him.

"I don't want to talk to him right now. Not for a couple of days at least."

"He's going to want to know where you are, if you're okay."

Tyler pushed him back a bit and looked up at him. "No, Bart. Oliver does not get to know where I am until I'm ready to talk to him again."

They stared at each other for a couple of minutes before the brunette nodded. "Okay, but why don't you lay down for a bit and get some rest? Looks like you could use it."

With a nod, Ty got to his feet, groaning softly as his hip protested. "Don't happen to have a heating pad do you?" He started making his way into the bedroom, dropping his shoes and shirt as he went.

"I can go out and get one, wh--" He didn't finish the question as he saw the bruise that rose out of Tyler's waistline. "Damn, is that from where you fell at the club?"

"Yeah and it's still kinda tight." He snorted. "Then again, I don't think the fight with Oliver helped any either."

"Probably not." Bart helped his lover lay down on the bed, easing his legs up for him so he didn't have to turn. "Try to get some rest and I'll go down to the gift shop and see if they have a heating pad." He placed a light kiss against the blonde's temple, noticing that he was already starting to drift off. Quietly, he slipped from the room and headed downstairs.

Clark frowned when he got the text message from Tyler, wondering exactly what he meant by a fight with Ollie. His confusion turned to concern and he sped to the penthouse. "Ollie?" Stepping out of the elevator, he was shocked at the state of the living area. That shock turned to fear when he saw his boyfriend unconscious on the floor. "Ollie." Gently, he cradled the blonde's head in his lap as he started coming around.

"Where is he?"

"I don't know. He texted me a few minutes ago and said you two had a fight, but that was it."

"Sonofabitch." Ollie started to sit up, but a hand on his chest stopped him. "Let me up Clark. I have to find him."

"Do you really think he's going to let you find him? Think about it Ollie. If he doesn't want to be found, then it's just going to be a wasted effort."

The blonde sighed. "You don't understand Clark. He's picked up my habit of going out at night."

Clark was quiet for a few moments. "And that scared you."

"Hell yes it scared me. He's my little brother. I'm supposed to protect him and I can't do that if he's off trying to protect people."

"Have you ever thought that it scares him that you do it? Or did you just let your anger cover up your fear?"

Ollie's silence spoke volumes to the brunette, who sighed. "I keep telling you that he's a lot like you, maybe more than either one of you are willing to admit.." He helped his lover to his feet, steadying him when he swayed slightly. "Maybe if you had actually talked to him about it, he might have been willing to listen."

"I have to know that he's okay Clark. Neither one of us were pulling any punches and I got in a few good licks of my own before he knocked me out. Long as I know he's okay, or at least somewhere safe, I'll stay away from him for a few days."

Clark sighed. "I'll have Chloe try and track his cellphone. Maybe she can turn it on remotely and you can call him. For now, let's get you and this place cleaned up."

When Bart returned with the heating pad, he also brought up a couple of sports drinks for Tyler, who was asleep. Quickly, he set the heating pad up and turned it on, sliding a towel under it before he placed in on his lover's hip. Once that was done, he slipped outside and down to the street before speeding off. He was going to call Ollie and let him know that Ty was okay, but he wasn't going to give him a way of finding out where they were staying.

He came to a stop at a small coffee shop outside of Granville and used the payphone there to call Oliver's number, then waited for him to pick up.

Once his phone started ringing, Ollie quickly dug it out of his pocket. He frowned when he didn't recognize the number, but answered it. "Queen."

"Don't say my name Ollie. I just called to let you know that Tyler's okay."

Clark watched as Oliver visibly relaxed while on the phone, but didn't try and listen in. If it was Tyler, he was just happy the younger Queen was okay enough to call. If the caller was someone else, Ollie would tell him about it once he was done.

"How bad did I hurt him?"

"By your actions? He's got a cut above his eye that I closed with butterfly sutures, a few new bruises and his hip is bothering him again. Went out and got a heating pad for that before I stepped out to call you. Your words really hurt him, man. You know he wouldn't be careless or anything when he goes out at night. Allowing your fear to turn into anger at him is just going to push him away. You've got to trust him Ollie." He was quiet for a moment. "How are you?"

"He managed to split my lip and I've got a wicked bruise coming up on my jaw. Hit my head on the way down, but Clark says nothing's broke or anything." The blonde sighed. "I do trust him. Just want him to be safe."

"He's not the one that was knocked unconscious during your fight. It's been a while since you've seen what he can really do Ollie. Maybe you should take a look at some of his event tapes before you start making judgments. For now, don't try to contact him. He might be upset that he left you laying on the floor without checking to see if you're okay, but he's also still pretty pissed at you."

"You'll look out for him? Call me if he needs anything until he's ready to talk?"

"I'll always take care of him Ollie, you have my word. I love him and seeing him like this makes me hurt because I know that I can only help him work through the pain, not take it away."

Ollie could feel tears start to form at the back of his eyes. "Tell him I'm sorry and I'll be here when he's ready to talk."

"I will. I gotta go before he wakes up. And trying to trace this call isn't going to help. I'm no where near where we're staying. If something changes, I'll call you." Sighing, the young speedster hung up. Sometimes he just wanted to slap some sense into both of the brothers. Taking off, he made his way back to the hotel, stopping to grab something they could re-heat later before going back into the room.

Setting the food on the table, he stripped to his boxers and joined the blonde in bed, content to just hold him while he slept.

Clark looked over at his lover when Ollie hung up. "Tyler okay?"

"Yeah, that was the guy he was at the club with the other night. Said Ty was with him and that except for a cut above his eye and some bruises, he's okay. Was worried about me because he just left me laying here, but that he was still pissed at me."

"What about you talking to Tyler?" He walked over and put his arms around the older man.

"Said not to try and call him, to let Ty call me, but that if something happened or Tyler needed me, he'd call whether Ty wanted him to or not." Ollie rested his head against Clark's chest and let the tears he'd been holding back start to fall. "God Clark, what have I done?"