A/N - This is a relax chapter so i decided to spend it with Wally. You'll get a little bit more info about Jason. I didn't think I was going to like putting Jason in but I think now it is a good idea.
Enjoy!
Wally was moaning and groaning in pain holding onto his stomach, throwing Artemis looks of pity. "I think I'm dying," he said. "The only thing that can save me is if my girlfriend gets back under the covers and gets naked with me.
"See you at your funeral," joked Artemis. She walked into their room with towel on her head a black bra and some blue jeans.
"Hey Artemis can you make me 5 sandwiches before you leave?"
"What the hell is wrong with you," she asked throwing on a white Chucky shirt.
"I'm a guy, we're absolutely useless except unless we're eating."
"Well that's not a lie."
"C'mooooon get back in bed. We can lay here all day, eat all day, have sex all day, and play video games all day."
"Oh my god because that's what every girl wants to do with her day off."
"Girls actually want to do that too?"
"No jackass."
"Just stay here with me today."
"Unlike you, I don't have a day off from class. On Wednesdays I have school until three." Artemis threw on some black flip flops and grabbed her keys and backpack. "Do you work today?"
"Nope," replied the Speedster. "Today it's just me, my second girlfriend the couch, and my third girlfriend the PS3."
"Well this girlfriend is outta here because I can't compete with the couch and the PS3."
Artemis smiled and headed towards the door. Wally ran and cut her off. "What no kiss," he asked grabbing her hips. Artemis smiled and gave him a kiss. It was longer than he expected as she got more and more into it. Yes morning sex thought Wally.
Artemis must've been reading his mind because she pulled away and said," okay I'm out. If you want to finish what we started, this whole apartment better be clean top to bottom when I get back today at six."
"Hold on," said Wally. "You have class until three, why are you coming back at six?"
"Zatanna, M'Gann and I are going out to catch a movie."
"Oooh I want to go."
"No hell no," she growled. "The girls and I don't go with you four idiots when you go and do something stupid. We're going out to lunch and catching a movie."
"Fine I'll just stay here and be alone all day."
"Okay good bye babe love you."
Artemis gave him one more quick kiss and left before the Speedster could process what just happened. Wally sat down on the couch and flipped on the television and as soon as he turned on his PS3 his cell phone rang. He was surprised at who was calling when he looked at the caller I.D. but he answered regardless.
"Sup Supey," said Wally.
"Hey Wally," came Connor's voice. "I need your help with something.
"Whoa no can do Supey, today is my only day off the whole week."
"C'mon you're not doing shit but sitting down playing your PS3."
Wally looked around the room and asked," do you have a camera in my apartment or something?" Wally heard Connor sigh in anger. Normally at this point Connor would've hung up for him still to be on the phone he must really have needed help with something. "All right Supey, what do you need?"
"I need you to go to somewhere with me."
"Where?"
"A certain store."
"Why not ask Dick or Kaldur?"
"Dick is way too obsessed with the Jason thing right now, asshole wont even answer his phone. And I already asked Kal but he's taking the twins to the doctor today. Look if you don't want to I'll just ask someone else."
Wally was beginning to feel a little bad. Connor never asked him for anything, and now he was being extremely difficult. Grumbling to himself he asked," what time do you want to meet up?"
"If you could be in Metropolis in twenty minutes, I'd appreciate it."
"You owe me Supey."
"Thanks Wally."
Connor hung up. Wally looked at the clock, it was 10:00 AM. Plenty of time to get back and to clean the apartment. He reluctantly got off the couch, showered, and dressed in all of three minutes.
"And so we go," he said as he locked his front door and heading to Metropolis.
He knocked on Connor's door fifteen minutes later. The Teen of Steel opened the door and said," hold on I'm almost ready."
Wally was stunned not to mention a little angry. "You call me and tell me to get here in twenty. I get here in 15 minutes instead, and you still aren't even ready?"
"Oh no I'm ready he's not."
Connor pointed to his brother James who was putting on his shoes and socks.
"Why is he here," asked Wally.
"I watch him on Wednesdays for Dad."
"You don't watch him for Lois?"
"Oh fuck her," whispered Connor so James didn't hear him. "I don't do anything for her that I don't have to."
"Okay Connor I'm ready," said James. The young Kryptonian had on a blue shirt with the family S crest in red and blue jeans. Connor had on the same thing but with his black shirt. Connor hadn't combed James' hair either so when it was messy it looked just like his.
"Dude do you have to dress him the same as you," asked Wally. "It's really creepy, he looks like your son instead of your brother."
"Shut up," barked Connor locking the front door.
As the trio walked through Metropolis, Connor was holding James hand while Wally was wondering where they were going. If he wasn't working, Connor just spent his days at home or with M'Gann. Wally couldn't understand why the clone needed his help.
"So how was your morning Wally," asked Connor.
"Well let's see," said Wally. "I woke up, had four apples, layed back down, tried having sex with Artemis but failed miserably. Then you called and now I'm here."
"Connor what's sex," James asked looking at his brother.
Connor glared at Wally who said," oops sorry."
"Is it those weird noises I heard coming from Mommy and Daddy's room sometimes?"
Wally saw Connor's face turn as red as a stop sign. He was obvious not ready to have this conversation with his kid brother. Realizing he made this mess, Wally took out his wallet and said," hey James want $10 and to listen to my iPod?"
James gladly took the money and put the iPod in and started listening to Guns n Roses.
"Well I'll have to let Dad and Lois know that he has super hearing too," said Connor.
"Dude I am so sorry," said Wally.
They finally reached the shop that they were going to. Connor opened the door and ushered them all in. That was weird thought Wally. Why were they in a jewelry shop?
"Ah Mr. Kent welcome, take a seat and I'll be right with you," said the shop owner. She was an older female in her late fifties with her grey hair in ponytail.
"Wally what do you think about me and M'Gann," asked Connor.
"You guys are perfect for each other Supey," admitted Wally. "She can be herself around you, and she you helped get over your anger issues. Sort of, I mean you do still tend to have outburst every now and again."
"So do you think we're ready?"
"Ready for what?"
"Marriage you idiot!"
That caught Wally off guard. Marriage? Connor and M'Gann had been going out the longest out of any of the couples; but marriage had never crossed Wally's mind between the two.
"Only you can make that decision Connor," said Wally. "But whatever your decision I've got your back."
Connor smiled as the shop owner returned holding a package and a receipt. "Okay Mr. Kent all your payments have been made, this is now officially yours. I hope the lucky lady loves it."
"Thank you Greta," said Connor taking the parcel.
Greta smiled and said," don't you be a stranger young man. Max loves to play with James so bring him on by anytime you're in the neighborhood."
Connor smiled and they left. He took the package and opened it as they got outside. Holy shit thought Wally. The diamond was about the size of a raspberry. If M'Gann was anything like Artemis she was going to freak out and be real happy.
"Dude where the hell did you get the money for that," asked Wally.
"It pays to have Superman as your Dad," said Connor. "That woman in there knows Dad is Superman and he managed to get me huge discount. I only had to pay her $500, paint her entire house inside and out, shampoo her carpets, and walk her dog Max for a month and I got the ring. Otherwise I was going to have to shell out $2000 for this thing."
Wally felt his stomach grumble. He hadn't eaten since first thing this morning at 8:00. It was now 11:30.
"Dude can we stop somewhere for lunch," he asked. "Otherwise my stomach is going to stage a coup."
"You are in luck; I get a discount on food at this place." Connor pointed at the Metropolis Burger Shop and they went inside. As soon as he walked through the door, all the workers said, "CONNOR!"
"Damn Supey, you're pretty popular," said Wally.
"Having the usual Connor," asked an old man.
"The usual plus ten more for my friend here Mack," he replied.
"He eats more than you and the big guy?"
"A lot more," said Connor. "He eat more than both of us combined."
They sat down and James said," I'm bored."
Connor took out his phone and gave it to him so he would be quiet.
"Look at you Supey being all big brother like," said Wally with a smile. "Frikken adorable."
"I get a lot of practice," admitted Connor. "With him and Jaime."
"Jaime?"
"Jaime Reyes, that's Blue Beetle's real name."
"You guys are on a first name basis already? We just met them like a week ago."
"He's a good kid, he just lacks confidence. I saw a bruise that his stepfather left on him last night when I brought him home. I may have scared him a little by spraigning his wrist before I left, and warned him he better not pull the shit again." Wally nodded solemnly. He was no stranger to stepfather beatings. It an entire year after his stepfather died, before he even started speaking to his mother again. "So tell me Wally, who is Jason Todd?"
"Jason Todd was Batman's 2nd Robin but he never joined the Team. Kaldur and I were the only ones who knew about him since we're a little closer to Dick than you."
"But he's dead right?"
Wally shook his head as the food arrived. 22 burgers, 8 orders of fries, and 5 milkshakes. Wally ate three burgers before he started speaking again.
"He's supposed to be dead; the Clown captured him one day and did him in bad with a crowbar. I wont even lie, I was snooping through the Batcomputer files one day long after Jason's funeral, and I saw the pictures of how he looked after Joker beat him. I was so upset I started crying man. Bats and Dick were in a deep depression for months after his death."
"Wait, was that around the time when Dick quit the Team for that long extended amount of time for personal reasons?"
"Yeah, Zatanna and I thought he was going to be like that forever. Thankfully he managed to come out of it."
"But why would he come back working for the Light?"
"If anyone can find the answers to those questions, it'll be Bruce and Dick.
"Connor pass the ketchup please," asked James.
"No I'll pour it for you," said Connor firmly. "You're not about to look like you're eating a blood burger."
As Connor put Ketchup on James' plate; Wally grabbed his 10th burger and said," so on a happier topic, when are you going to propose to M'Gann?"
"I had plans to tell her Thursday."
"You should tell her earlier," said James picking up Connor's phone. "Like right now."
"No," said Connor snatching his phone. "And if you tell her in anyway James, I'm telling Dad that it was you who cut up his cape the other day."
James glared at Connor and simply stayed quiet. When they finally finished eating an hour later, Mack came over shaking his head.
"I seriously don't know where you guys put it all," he said. "This meal is on the house though boys."
Connor stood up and patted his stomach. "Thanks Mack. Nobody makes a burger like you guys." Connor and Mack shook hands, and even though their meal was free; the Kryptonian passed Mack a $100 bill. Wally simply nodded his head to him, and James was knocked out in his seat so Connor put him on his back. Wally looked at his wristwatch, it was already 1:00.
He stretched and said," I'd love to stay and chat it up some more but, here's where we part ways Supey. If that apartment isn't clean when Artemis gets home they'll be hell to pay. And by hell I mean I'll be alone in the bathroom with my hand, lotion, and a playboy magazine."
Connor rolled his eyes and they shook hands. "You are so whipped," he said.
"Aren't we all?"
Wally saluted the clone and sped off. He had just arrived home when he got a text message.
Can you please go check and see if your best friend has eaten today? – Zee
Bat Jr can take care of himself - KF
Five minutes later, he received another text message.
GO AND CHECK ON DICK NOW! – ARTEMIS
"Dammit," said Wally. Zatanna must've text her. He ran inside his house and grabbed a bottle of water, and headed to Bludhaven. An hour later he got to Dick's front door and knocked.
"Dude I know you're in there, open up," he yelled. Wally waited one minute and then he took out the spare key Zatanna gave him for when Dick was holed up like a hermit on cases. He went through the entire house. Dick was no where to be found. Wally pulled out his phone and text Zatanna.
Where the hell is he at - KF
The answer came back in a minute.
He's with Bruce in Gotham – Zee
Do you think you could've told me that before I ran all the way to Bludhaven?! Gotham is nearly 100 more miles away - KF
Sorry Wally, you're my bestest guy friend – Zee
"Shit," snarled Wally. He looked at the clock. It was 2:30 PM, he grabbed an apple, an orange, and a banana out of the fruit bowel and headed to Gotham City. He sighed as he reached Bruce's mansion thirty minutes later. Before he knocked on the door, it flung open.
"Greetings Master Wallace," said Alfred.
"Hey Al, where are they," asked Wally,
"Masters Bruce and Richard are in the Batcave. They haven't left it since five this morning."
Wally thanked the Butler and headed into the Batcave. When he got in, he saw that Bruce was at the computer typing what had to be 100 WPM, and Dick was pacing through the cave with his hand on his chin.
Before Wally could say a word; Bruce said," who text you Zatanna or Alfred?"
Wally had learned a long time ago not be surprised by Bruce knowing things.
"Zatanna."
"Pay up," said Bruce not looking up from the computer.
Dick groaned and took a $100 dollar bill out of his wallet. "As if you need it," grumbled Dick.
"You made the bet, so obviously you didn't need it either," retorted Bruce snatching the bill.
"You guys find anything," asked Wally. Bruce glared at him while still typing. This was obviously not the first time he had been asked that today.
"Nothing at all," answered Dick. "We've looked at the footage 100 times at least."
"Maybe you aren't looking hard enough," joked Wally.
Bruce stopped typing, and Dick stopped pacing and they both glared at him.
"Inside our suits I placed cameras, " said Bruce. On the computer screen came a picture of Jason Todd before he died, then came a picture of the man Dick fought with yesterday. "These pictures are similar. I've crossed the facial recognitions and they are a 100% match to Jason's. But when I crossed the DNA to Jason's, it only showed up a 50% match. That's what doesn't make sense. I've never seen something like this before."
"Still at it huh," came a voice. Wally looked and saw Tim Drake entering the cave. Bruce and Dick both ignored him.
Wally looked at Dick and said," dude take a quick lunch break and get back at it later today."
Dick shook his head. "I can't Wally. This guy is very dangerous. He knows who Bruce, Barbara, Tim and I are. They entire League could be sitting ducks if we don't take this carefully."
"But you can't starve yourself to death in the process."
"I don't need to eat every twenty minutes like you do."
"But you do need to eat Master Richard."
They all turned to see Alfred coming down the stairs Barbara right behind him.
"Hey Wally," she said. "And Alfred is right, you guys have been down here all day. I want you two to come up for some lunch."
Bruce completely ignored her and Dick said," no."
Alfred cleared his throat and said," computer Alfred override 001, go into paralysis mode until further notice." The computer screen turned blue with a large black X across the screen and remained frozen. Bruce glared at the butler.
"I really hate it when you do that Alfred."
"You leave me no choice Master Bruce."
Bruce got up and left the Batcave no doubt to "eat" so he could get back to work. Barbara, Tim and Alfred followed him.
"Dude I know you're upset," said Wally. "But you can't let this thing with Todd drive you crazy. In case you've forgotten you are in charge of the Team we need you there for leading and stuff. You can't let this consume your life."
Dick sighed and said," yeah I know."
"Come upstairs. I saw that Alfred made turkey sandwiches."
Dick smiled and they went upstairs. After eating lunch Bruce immediately returned to the cave and continued work. Barbara and Tim went to Mount Justice to hopefully get a mission, and Dick and Wally both relaxed for a while before Dick was driving his car back to Bludhaven with Wally in the passenger seat.
"There's no way that Jason would join the Light," said Wally as they were arguing. "Joker is part of the Light and the clown killed him."
Dick glared at him. "You know what Jason told me yesterday when I asked him if he was in the Light? He said you love asking questions you know the answers to."
Wally sighed he wasn't getting anywhere. Dick was just as stubborn as Bruce some days and that wasn't a good thing. When they got back to the apartment, Zatanna was there.
"Where did you and Connor go today," asked Zatanna.
"Hi to you too," said Wally. Then terror struck Wally. "Wait why are you here?!"
Dick looked at his watch. "Dude it's almost 6:30."
As soon as Dick said it was 6:30, Wally sped out of the house. By the time he got home, it was 7. When he entered the front door. He saw Artemis mopping the floor, she stopped when she saw him. She was wearing yellow cleaning gloves, and a pink apron. Artemis stared death at him, then walked to their bedroom and just before she got in there she flipped on a light. Wally saw the blue light from one of Batman's special gravity lamps and knew he wasn't getting into that bedroom. He knew he wasn't getting into anything tonight. He sighed and took off his shoes and socks and sat on the couch. This is what he got for being a good friend, a pissed off girlfriend.
"Next time I'm just staying home," growled Wally clicking it onto Sportscenter.
