Hey, I'm back!

Thanks for the response last chapter. I appreciate the support!

Apparently, there's some new rule at that writers aren't allowed to respond to reviews in their fics. I'm torn between my indignation and my desire to post the rest of this story in peace. As such, I'm sorry but for this time, I can't respond to your questions and comments as much as I want to.

If you guys want me to respond to something, please feel free to email me at . And please sign the petition floating around against this change. Thanks! Hopefully this little setback won't be permanent.

But I hope that 'Not-So-Happy' enjoys this not-so-short chapter lawsuit free!

Disclaimer: I own Grimm. That's it.

CHAPTER EIGHT: LACERATION

Wally West didn't like hospitals. The antiseptic smell, the crummy beds, and the doctors who never told you anything made hospitals into the kind of place he could do without. And Grimm's presence wasn't making it any sweeter.

"So close. So freaking close!" The girl in question ranted as she paced back and forth in front of Wally's bed.

He had woken up some ten minutes earlier to the sight of a sickly white Med Bay room, having no idea how he'd gotten there. Half an anxiety attack later, he remembered his fall through the air, and pieced together the events. He was now in the process of nursing another pounding headache.

Someone had closed the blinds on the window to the hallway, leaving him completely alone. Except, of course, for Grimm.

"Can't you do anything right?" She continued, not giving him a minute's peace. "The easiest thing in the world, and you still managed to screw it up!"

Wally had had about enough. He turned his head to the side, not willing to look at her. "You were wrong," he said quietly.

She froze. Slowly, she turned to him, an unbelieving look in her cold grey eyes. "What did you say?"

"You were wrong," he repeated a bit stronger. "They do care. They saved my life."

She laughed derisively, moving closer to him and putting her hand on one of her hips.

"Of course they did," she replied mockingly. "How would they look if one of their members jumped off a building? They'd be a laughingstock! Especially if they let you do it, as much as they want to."

Wally frowned. Again, her words didn't make sense. She had said it'd be better for them if he jumped, hadn't she? How could making them look bad be better for them?

"I shouldn't be surprised," she skilfully interrupted his thoughts. "Why did I think you could do anything for yourself? Now you've gone and made more trouble for them. They have to deal with you. Poor, pathetic Wally."

"Shut up!" He said loudly, trying again to block her out.

"Make me," Grimm dared, crossing her arms. "I'm a part of you. You can't deny the truth."

He raised his head and looked her squarely in the eyes. "That's right. You're a part of me. Which means, I can control you. All I have to do is will you back to wherever you came from."

Grimm's smile was gone. "Yeah, right. You're stuck with me."

Wally sat up in his bed, shutting his eyes tightly.

He could still hear her voice. "It's a waste of time. You're hopeless."

He concentrated as hard as he could to block her out. He knew he could do it. He was still in charge of his own mind, after all.

Suddenly, she'd stopped. Wally opened his eyes in surprise and looked to his side. She was gone! He'd done it.

"I bet you thought that was going to work."

Flash froze. He felt his very soul tighten as he turned to the left side of his bed. Grimm sat triumphantly on his bedside table, grinning maliciously at him.

"You couldn't get rid of me if you tried. You're stuck with me for good." Her grin grew with each word. She was clearly enjoying the effect she was having on him.

Wally's head hit the pillow hard. He closed his eyes in defeat. There was no beating her. No beating the truth.

"You really shouldn't doubt me, you know," she remarked, eying his motionless state. "Have I ever been wrong? No. I'm all you have. Or haven't you noticed the lack of visitors? Even the medics won't be bothered with you. You've been conscious for fifteen minutes, and you've yet to see a single person. Really shows you how much they care."

Wally made no argument, so she continued.

"Have you noticed your surroundings? They put you in a private room. Even the other patients don't want to look at you. I bet you could go the rest of the night without seeing anyone."

Wally inhaled sharply. What was she suggesting?

Grimm slid off the nightstand. She eyed the lone cart that was covered in sterilized medical tools next to his bed.

"They don't give a damn about you." Her back was to him. "There's only one way to fix this. You know what you have to do."

Wally opened his eyes and slowly sat up again. He turned to look at her.

"There's one sure way to end the pain you've caused," Grimm's words had gotten quieter, but her message was clear. She turned around, her eyes still on the cart.

Wally felt unbelievable calm overwhelm him. His hand reached across to the cart, fingers steadily wrapping themselves around the cold, metal scalpel. Bringing his arm back, he stared at the instrument in his hand.

"You know it's the only way," Grimm whispered. Her grey eyes focused on the instrument as well.

Wally barely winced as he drew the blade across his exposed wrist. He was immediately rewarded by the flow of blood that erupted from the cut. Carefully repeating his actions on the other wrist, Wally laid his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes. Now, he could only wait…

The Green Lantern gripped the coffee cups in his hands tightly. Spotting Shayera alone at the window, he walked across the room and stood beside her.

Superman had finally relented to some degree, allowing John, Shayera and Diana to wait in the medical lounge for updates on Wally's condition. With the agreement that they would steer clear of Wally's room until further notice, Clark promised to join them as soon as he and J'onn finished checking the status of the rest of the League.

Diana had sat for exactly five minutes before declaring she needed some air. She was currently wandering the medical hallways; careful to avoid the one room she longed to be in.

John handed Shayera her coffee. She rested the cup on the sill of the window, staring out into the vast space before them. John watched her from the corner of his eye. She shivered slightly, but he doubted it had anything to do with the temperature in the room.

"He'll be fine, Shay," John assured her, not sure he believed it himself. This was a fine mess Wally had put himself in.

"We should have known," the redhead murmured quietly to herself.

John could find no argument. They had all been too preoccupied with other things to figure out why Wally was acting so strange. He himself was the most guilty-Wally had tried to talk to him twice since the incident, but he had blown him off both times. He knew how much Wally looked up to him and cared about their friendship, but he had let his own problems keep him from seeing how much Wally needed him.

Shayera blinked away tears from her eyes as her mind relived the scene on the roof. Her heart had nearly stopped when she realized what he'd done. Another moment's hesitation from any of them and Wally would have succeeded in his terrible deed. It was hard not to be reminded of the incident over three weeks ago.

When he disappeared after beating Brainiac, they had all thought the worst. Finding him again had been one of the happiest moments she could remember. But then he had told her that the 'speed force' was calling him, and he had to go with it. Terrified, she grabbed hold of him and together they had pulled him free. Even after he promised never to go that fast again, she was still filled with worry.

He hadn't even put up a fight. He just accepted what the rest of them could not. He had been willing to throw away his young life.

And tonight, he had done it again. She hated to consider what terrible thoughts and visions had convinced him to jump off that roof. But she knew they were bad; they had to be. What else could wipe that never-failing smile off Wally's face?

They had worked so hard to save him, and now they were losing him again. Maybe it was inevitable; maybe he was meant to die and they were just postponing fate.

A tear she couldn't stop rolled down her cheek. John hesitated before wrapping an arm around her shoulders, half expecting her to shrug him off. Instead, she leaned into it and hugged him, still crying softly.

"What if we can't fix this, John?" She whispered softly into his chest. "What if we lose him?"

John closed his eyes, not wanting to think about it. "He's strong, Shay. Just you wait; Batman will have a cure for him in no time."

They both turned at the sound of yelling from the hallway. The heroes ran to the door, which opened upon their approach. In the hall, medics were rushing past in a frantic hurry. To Shayera and John's horror, they were headed straight for Flash's room.

They barely hesitated before racing down the corridor after the medical staff. Bursting into Wally's room, the heroes were shocked at the sight before them.

There was blood everywhere; Wally's bed sheets and hospital gown were soaked in the crimson liquid. Medics anxiously rushed about the room, grabbing supplies and trying desperately to stop the bleeding. Machines beeped hysterically as they worked.

A lone medic spotted the pair by the door, and began pushing them out hurriedly.

"You can't be in here right now," She looked thoroughly harassed, and refused to listen to their protests. She finally succeeded in removing them and closed the door in John's face.

The last image they were left with was that of Wally, covered in his own blood, a satisfied smile on his face.

What a fun chapter, huh? Sorry about the imagery. Hope I didn't offend anyone.

Keep Smiling! ;)

rogueandkurt