Okay, just to pre-warn everybody, CLAYFACE is one of my least favourite villains, so if there are any inaccuracies about his powers/weaknesses/attitudes, blame it on my lack of motivation to research him. Same goes for Captain Atom (I'm still upset about the whole CADMUS thing!).

This chapter is one of the few Grimm-free ones. (Sorry, Gotham's Princess, you'll have to save the flying monkeys for the next chapter!) It also gives us a look into the Dark Knight's mind! Yay! Lol.

Incidentally, these next three chapters are my favourites in the whole story! So I hope you guys like them too!

Thanks for all of the awesome reviews! I love hearing from readers (good or bad!)

doc-trigger: wow. Thanks for the intense response. I know the chapters are short, but I find that it helps build response. Sorry. On the upside, I'll be trying to update even faster if I get a lot of response! This chapter's for you (A little Wally-on-a-mission action!)

ddeath'sdiary: thanks for the support! Enjoy your jello:)

Whatever Star: hmm. Interestingly twisted idea, but Grimm loathes Wally. Her purpose in life seems to be to hate and destroy him. So, no relationship possibilities. Sorry. Thanks for your input, though!

Please Enjoy, Everyone. And remember to REVIEW! Thanks! ;)

Disclaimer: Nothing has changed since Saturday; I still don't own it. Just Grimm…Sigh…

CHAPTER FIVE: AGGRAVATION

A few days later, the seven original members found themselves seated in the conference room. While most of them were eager and attentive, their youngest member seemed distracted. A lot of the League's members had noticed a small change in Flash over the past week, and especially the last couple of days. But with all of the chaos of the past month, no one had the time to decipher what was bothering the young speedster.

Today's problem was a jailbreak. Three villains-Cheetah, Clayface and Copperhead-had escaped from their cells, and were now wreaking havoc in downtown Central City. It was more than enough to qualify as a level three mission, which meant it would be lead by a founding member.

Wonder Woman had immediately volunteered for the mission, as had Green Lantern. However, as J'onn pointed out, both had handled a number of assignments recently.

Normally, Flash would have insisted on participating; Central City was his territory after all. But so far, the 'fastest man alive' had also been the quietest.

So J'onn decided to volunteer Flash on his behalf.

"I think Captain Atom, Supergirl and Flash can handle the situation," the Martian offered to the table of heroes. Superman shot J'onn a look, which prompted him to add, "Batman should go along as well. Just in case."

Bruce Wayne did not appreciate being the 'backup' to any team, but a stern look from the Man of Steel got him wise to Superman's way of thinking. Even if babysitting wasn't his style, he had to admit he had his own hesitations about sending Flash on high-priority missions. It would be better if he himself could watch over the situation.

With it all decided, the heroes found themselves looking at Wally, waiting for one of his usual cheesy jokes. However, he gave no sign that he had heard any of the discussion. He seemed captivated by an empty chair in the corner of the room.

John approached his young friend and gripped one of his shoulders.

"Wally?" He called, concern evident in his voice.

Flash stood up suddenly, not facing his teammates.

"Let's get this over with," he said, sounding agitated. He walked out of the room without another word, leaving his friends worried and confused.

Batman followed him silently.

"Bruce?" Diana's voice called after the caped crusader as he approached the door. He stopped.

Wonder Woman hesitated slightly.

"Keep an eye on him," she asked, a hint of pleading in her voice.

Bruce made no reply but to go after his teammate.

"This is too easy!" Supergirl bragged as she landed another punch to Copperhead's face.

"Speak for yourself," called Captain Atom from across the street as he repeatedly tried to hit Cheetah with his blasts. The nimble feline had managed to evade most of his attacks so far, but he wasn't about to quit.

SLAM

Flash groaned as his body banged against a nearby building. He and Batman had both been facing off against Clayface, and were in the process of causing thousands of dollars worth of property damage.

The Scarlet Speedster grimaced as he cracked his neck to the side before re-entering the fight. Flash saw his chance, as Clayface was too preoccupied with Batman to notice him.

Racing up to just behind the clay juggernaut, Wally pulled back his right arm and began pulsing it at a super high speed. When there was enough power in his fist, he threw his arm forward, only to feel a horrible pain just below his shoulder.

Flash cried out, grabbing his arm in pain, unable to complete the punch. He could hear Bats calling his name, and he turned back towards his opponent in shock.

Clayface had noticed his presence and taken his momentary distraction as an opportunity to attack the speedster. The clay villain had transformed his hand into a monstrous hammer and was inches away from splattering our hero all over the ground.

Flash hesitated for exactly one eighth of a second before moving at full speed out of range. Still preoccupied with his arm, the hero pulled himself away from the battle, unsure of what exactly was causing his pain.

When Flash turned around again, Captain Atom was standing victorious over both Cheetah and Clayface, having apparently come to Flash's rescue. Supergirl also wore a tremendous smile as she busied herself with the task of restraining Copperhead.

And Batman? Well, Batman was livid.

"What did you think you were doing out there?" He criticized, landing on the ground next to Flash. Batman had a way of yelling at people without even raising his voice. The voice that had turned many a villain into a quivering, cowardly mess was now being turned loose on poor Flash.

"You were inches away from getting yourself killed!" The Dark Knight continued.

Batman was not big on emotions. He saw them as a weakness that could easily be exploited. But that did not, by any means, mean that he himself had no emotions. In fact, he very easily grew attached to things and people. He simply didn't go spreading it around for fear of losing the very thing he cared about.

It was well known that Flash and Batman did not easily get along. They were polar opposites. Flash wore his heart on his sleeve along with a dashing smile and unfailing optimism. People generally liked Flash because he made things easy. He had a childlike innocence and a strict feeling of right and wrong. Bruce knew this was one of the reasons that the Justice Lords had reacted so strongly to his death. Perhaps it was the very reason they had crossed the line into murder. With any luck, they would never know for sure.

One thing Bruce Wayne did know was that losing Wally would be hard. Very hard. Which was precisely why he was so furious. Flash should know by now not to let anything distract him during battle.

Maybe the Boy Scout had been right; maybe Flash wasn't ready to be fighting again yet. Not after they had come so close to losing him just a few short weeks ago.

As it was, Flash stood cowed before Batman. Obviously intimidated by the older man, Wally lowered his eyes as the verbal attack continued. Unconsciously, he nursed his arm, which still ached. He soon realized what he was doing and stopped, but nothing escapes the observant eyes of Batman.

"What are you doing?" The Caped Crusader halted his scolding to question the Speedster's actions.

Flash did his best to appear innocent.

"Nothing," he replied, still not able to look his teammate in the eye. He noticed Captain Atom and Supergirl standing to the side, politely pretending not to listen to their conversation. There was no way Flash was going to start whining about his arm in front of his friends and Batman. It was just the excuse they'd need to prove he was worthless.

Batman glared at him, clearly not believing a word of it. Silently, he grabbed Flash's arm and pressed his hand firmly against Flash's bicep. It would take a keen observer to notice the suppressed grimace that flashed across the younger man's face. And a keen observer Batman was.

Removing his hands, he put his face directly in front of Flash's face, making sure to catch his eyes. He fixed the youngster with a deadly glare.

"Report to the Med Bay the instant we get back," He said in a painfully low, threatening voice. Wally could hardly hold back a gulp as the Dark Knight brushed past him.

"It's definitely infected," replied one of the medics.

Flash sat on a hospital bed in one of the examination rooms. His uniform had been traded for a hospital gown so that the doctors could inspect his injury. Across from him stood an angry Batman, watching his every move. Wally felt like a mouse just before an owl swallows it up.

The Medics were inspecting the cut on his arm. Flash had explained that he'd received the cut during the fight with Volcana.

"So why didn't you report here to look after it in the first place?" Batman criticized.

"I was taking care of it," Wally defended, wincing as a medic prodded the wound.

"Does it look 'taken care of'?"

Flash glanced sidelong at his arm. It wasn't a pretty sight. There were all sorts of weird colours and textures present, and it had swelled slightly.

Batman, it seemed, wasn't done with his lecture.

"I can't believe you'd do something as senseless and irresponsible as going into a fight injured! You endangered your own life as well as the lives of your teammates."

The doctors and medics did their best to look busy. Everyone knew that it was suicidal to disturb Batman when he was angry.

Flash wished he could crawl into a dark hole and die. He was so busy picturing this image that he almost didn't catch Bats' last words.

"As of right now, you're on one week suspension from the League."

Wally felt the colour drain from his face. "A whole week?" He cried, jumping up from the bed, ignoring the protests of the medics who were wrapping his arm.

"You are not to report to the Watchtower for the next seven days," the Dark Knight elaborated, walking past Flash. Stopping just in front of the door he added, "And when you return, I expect this to be taken care of."

Flash tried to follow him, but a male medic held him back.

"We still need a blood sample from you, sir." The medic was not much older than Wally. His ID tag named him as 'Danny'. Wally suspected from his wide-eyed look that Danny was new to the Watchtower.

Rolling his eyes, he sat still while Danny drew his blood. He left the Med Bay annoyed with himself.

"We'll have those tests to you in a few hours," Danny the medic called after him. He began cleaning Wally's area.

Suddenly the chief doctor for the shift was on the overhead speaker. "Attention all medical staff, there are incoming critical cases. ETA is ten minutes. All staff are to report to landing bay 5 immediately."

In the chaos that ensued, Danny barely had enough time to put Wally's blood sample and chart on a nearby desk. He rushed from the Med Bay, eager to help in any way he could.

And just like that, Wally West's blood test was all but forgotten.

Well, that was chapter five! Showing Wally's quick descent into madness. MADNESS! …Ahem. Let me know what you think!

I expect the next chapter to upset a few people, but I'd like to hear from you guys about this one. If I get a lot of reviews, I'll probably have chapter six up by Wednesday morning.

Please review! Bye for now!

Keep Smiling! ;)

rogueandkurt