THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS. 2 MORE CHAPTERS TO GO BEFORE THE END.

Chapter 24

Flash was wearing a hole in the floor with his pacing and for good reason too. The speedster had just received word that his niece had been rescued but was in critical condition due to her treatment by Black Manta. From what he was able to get from the garbled transmission was that Wally had been starved and beaten. The thought of his niece being starved and beaten made his blood boil. Where was Kaldur when this was happening and why didn't he protect her?

Flash would dwell on that later as right now he needed to make sure the Doctors did the best that they could do to help Wally who would be arriving in few moments.

"Flash, you are doing more harm than good. Go wait outside the infirmary before you break something." Batman told the older speedster.

"But.." Flash was silenced with the batglare. Sighing in defeat Flash left the room and headed toward that kitchen where it seemed that the other heroes had gathered to worry about their missing friends.

"Batman kick you out?" Green Arrow asked knowing the answer.

"Yeah." Flash replied as he sat down on the kitchen island and ate the food that Artemis had slid over to him.

Artemis knew that Flash was very protective of his niece. Heck it seemed that the entire League was protective of the younger speedster. There was just something about Wally who was always so cheerful and happy that made the female archer jealous because Wally had such a happy life. But now she knew the truth that Wally's life wasn't always so happy. She had been taken away from her birth parents only to be raised by a set of adopted parents who she lost when she was eight in a freak water accident that caused her to become scared of water up until just recently where it was discovered that Wally was really Aquaman and his wife's lost daughter and Artemis thought her life was whacked out. But at least Wally's family was always good.

"Wally's going to be okay Flash. She's a fighter." Black Canary who had been called in for some therapy sessions just in case some of the rescuers needed to talk told her speedy friend who looked like he was going to have a nervous breakdown which not uncommon for Flash.

"I know that it just she is my daughter in every way but blood and I can't help but worry as Black Manta is NOTHING like the Rogues who wouldn't hurt Wally at all." Flash pointed out as he ate what looked like a chicken salad.

Black Canary opened her mouth so say something when the computer announced that the team had returned. Flash was gone in a heartbeat towards the hanger.

As soon as Flash arrived he saw his niece being loaded off of the bioship with M'gann's powers. The older speedster wanted so badly to rush over and hug his niece but knew that if he did that he may hurt Wally even more than she was already.

"Get her to me infirmary NOW!" Flash all but yelled at M'gann who took the yelling in good manner as she knew that Flash was just concerned for Wally like she was.

M'gann raced with Wally to the infirmary where the Doctors were waiting to treat the red head who was very thin even for a speedster.

"We can take it from here Miss Martian." One of the female doctors that M'gann knew from when she was being treated for some injuries said.

M'gann nodded her head and left the medical bay.

M'gann came out into the living room to see Kaldur getting screamed at by Flash.

"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT HER! LOOK AT HER." Flash Screamed at the top of his lungs at his niece's boyfriend who held his head down.

Kaldur couldn't bear to look Flash in the eyes. He had failed to protect Wally from Black Manta. He knew he deserved everything that was being said.

"I TRUSTED YOU WITH WALLY'S SAFETY AND LOOKS WHAT HAPPENES. I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE FORBID HER FROM GOING TO ATLANTIS. SHE WAS BETTER OFF NOT KNOWING WHO SHE WAS." Flash continued to scream.

"Flash, you need to calm down before you have an heart attack." Green Arrow told the speedster who was panting heavily.

Flash took a few deep breaths before he once again turned his attention to Kaldur who he then got a closer look at. The Atlantean was covered in cuts and bruises that looked like he had gotten them in a fight.

"Based on what we know Wally was given the offer to dine with Black Manta which first she refused but Kaldur told her she needed to eat and that was when Wally offered herself up in exchange for Prince Orm who is currently in Atlantis undergoing some debrainwashing as M'gann could only remove some of the control that Black Manta put him under. Anyway Manta revealed that he was going to deliver Wally to The Light and release Kaldur. Wally shot her mouth off about Kaldur leaving and that was when Black Manta kick her. Her powers had been diabled do to a gas and what she ate. When she was returned to her cell Manta didn't even put her back in her wetsuit so all she was wearing was a dress. Kaldur did his best to keep her warm during the time they were in the cell. He was even was given a beating for attacking Black Manta when he tried to make Kaldur leave." Robin told the group.

Flash felt like he was two inches high for what he had said about Kaldur not protecting Wally when he did everything he could to protect her.

"Kaldur, I am sorry for what I said. I had no idea what you and Wally had gone through." Flash told Kaldur.

"With all due respect Flash I would have done the same thing if I was in your place." Kaldur replied.

"Now that this little spat is all done I want Kaldur to head to one of med bays and get checked out as he took on Black Manta and saved my life." Aquaman told the group as the group of heroes noticed that Kaldur was holding his side where he had been stabbed by Black Manta.

Once again Flash felt two inches high. Kaldur would die for Wally and was injured protecting her and Aquaman.

"Flash, you have no reason to feel ashamed. You acted the way a father would act when their daughter was hurt." Mera pointed out as she placed a hand on the scarlet clad speedster's shoulder.

Flash looked at the Atlantean Queen with a smile. She was right but he still felt upset for the way he treated Kaldur when he was injured.

"Come let us not dwell on the past for everyone is alive and safe." Aquaman said breaking the ice.

"You're right Orin you are right." Flash replied as he head to the med bay to check up on his niece.

Next chapter Kaldur thinks about breaking up with Wally due to him not being able to protect her.

IDEAS REALLY NEEDED FOR WHAT KALDUR AND WALLY TALK ABOUT.

Reviews are welcomed.