Chapter Fourteen

The next morning, Wally, Kaldur, Connor, and Zatanna, all made brief appearances at the breakfast table; saying their goodbyes, pledging to stay in touch, marking their calendars, and updating contact information, before heading off in their respective destinations, leaving Dick and Artemis alone at the table for the rest of the morning .

"There's something wrong with him isn't there?"

Artemis nearly choked on her eggs at Dick's assertion. "Excuse me?"

"Something's not right? I can tell."

"Why do you say that?" she asked, distractedly rearranging the barely touched food around her plate.

"It's written all over your face; between last night at the party and you wandering around the mansion at three o'clock this morning…"

Artemis's eyes widened.

"Please," Dick scoffed, "I grew up here. You don't think I recognize the sound of someone sneaking out? Anyway, everything seemed fine last night and when he left so I assume you guys made amends of some kind," Dick said with added emphasis, "but the moment he walked out the door, you lost your appetite, your body went stiff, and your expression tightened. You're not mad, you're not upset, you're worried, and that's not something people usually see on you I assume. So it's not about seeing him again, not after the way you two said goodbye, it's something else, something serious."

The archer stared at the brunette with brows furrowed. "You got all that from a five minute dine and dash?"

"Yeah… I did," Dick replied with a bit more attitude then he'd intended. "Last night was pure deflection, classic Wally West denial. You and I've both seen that before. Don't get me wrong, he and I had a great time together and I think we worked through a lot of issues, but what's weird is he never once mentioned anything about the attacks, never once talked about his speed. The only one he's told as far as I know is you, and I'm willing to bet it wasn't by choice, after saving him from getting shot, you had him pretty dead to rights. But I'd bet he didn't give you any explanation did he?"

She shook her head no. "All he said was he wasn't as smart as everyone thought, or something like that."

Dick face grew tense. "He's a scientist; he would have at least figured out why he lost his powers a long time ago. The Wally I remember wouldn't have stopped searching until he had an explanation. So either he doesn't know or doesn't want anyone else to. There's got to be more to it, and I think you know something you're not telling."

The archer sighed, cursing the conundrum she'd found herself in. On one hand she was trying to win back the trust of someone she cared for deeply, someone who she'd betrayed and broken his heart in the process. If Wally found out she was spreading rumors and conjecture, it would shatter any progress they'd made.

At the same time keeping something secret, something as important as to what might have happened the previous night, keeping it from a man who cared for the speedster as much as she did, all that would prove was she was the same guarded selfish teenager that lied to her friends, kept secret her lineage, and ultimately fell victim to her own plan that had subsequently stolen ten years of her life.

Despite everything she'd done and all the years in between, Dick was still her friend, and when it came to his lifelong friend, his best friend, he deserved to know. Hopefully if she was being paranoid he'd call her out in it and walk her down off the edge.

She took a deep breath. "Something happened last night…..

xxx

Earlier that morning

"Damnit!" Wally cursed, kneeling down and frantically searching under the bed, before tearing off the sheets and shaking them out. "Where are they?"

"Wally we really need to talk," Artemis pleaded.

The speedster ignored her appeal, continuing his search for his absent wallet and cufflinks.

"Wally." she sighed.

"It was a nightmare Artemis, nothing more."

"Wally it wasn't a nightmare, you were soaked, your skin was red hot."

"I'm probably coming just down with something. It's no big deal I promise."

Artemis bit her lip. She didn't want to argue, and calling him a liar despite her best intentions would only make things worse.

"God I am going to be so late. Mom's gonna kill me."

After minutes of refusing to join the search until she'd gotten an answer, a real answer, Artemis reached into his duffle bag, and calmly pulled out the missing items.

Wally rolled his eyes and sighed. "Oh my God," he groaned in disbelief. "Thank you."

His mind was everywhere, except the one place she wanted it. She gently took his hand "I'm just worried about you ok?"

Wally took a deep breath, slowing his roll. "I know. I'm fine I promise."

He slid his wallet into his back pocket, checked the time again, and grabbed his bags. "I am so sorry that I've got to jet out like this, but my plane leaves in an hour and I can't be late if I'm going to be back in Keystone by noon."

"I'm sure Alfred could make you a to-go bag"

"Great idea." he smiled, until he saw the troubled look in her eyes.

"Artemis I'm fine? Scouts honor."

"You were never a scout," she replied with a half-smile.

"Yeah, scouts were nerds."

"Coming from the president of the science club, the chemistry club, the chess club…"

"Touche," he chuckled; expecting a return smile, but Artemis remained on the bed with a cheerless expression across her face.

Wally knelt down in front of her as she sat on the bed. "I'll call you tonight once everyone's gets settled in."

"You don't half to Wally, really," she answered trying to let him off the hook. It had been a great night, but maybe that's all it was supposed to be.

A hurt expression appeared in his eyes. "Don't say that. I know I don't have to, but I want to. I meant what I said last night Artemis."

She nodded, as he pulled the archer to her feet, wrapping his arms around her.

"We'll talk soon I promise, about whatever you want ok? Come on, let's eat. I'm starving."

She chuckled dryly. "When are you not?"

xxx

"It was sometime after three. I couldn't sleep. I just needed…I needed to talk to him. So I went to find his room. The storm had just about passed when all of the sudden there was this loud thunderclap, it literally shook mansion."

"Yeah I heard it. What about it?"

Artemis closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I swear it came from… Wally's room."

"What?" Dick asked confused.

"Yeah I know how crazy it sounds, but after the thunder, there was this burst of light that shot out from under the door gap, bright enough to light up the entire hallway. I ran down to check and make sure he was all right, and when I opened the door I found him slumped over in the far corner of the room, covered in sweat. His body was hot, I mean like almost burning. At first I thought the room had been struck, but the walls, windows, everything was fine, but he was completely out of it, mumbling and moaning till I woke him. Dick he didn't even know where he was."

"Ok….that's not good."

"Ya think?" she snapped irratibly. "He told me it was a bad dream, that maybe he was coming down with something. Look I know it's been a long time, and I know I don't really know him all that well anymore, but I can tell when people are lying. It's what I do…did. Maybe it's nothing, maybe it's exactly what he said, but there's just something…I don't know. I'm just worried."

Dick paused for a moment, soaking in her words. "If I ask him, I'll probably get the same answer, then he'll feel like were teaming up against him. Not exactly the play you run if you're trying to rebuild a friendship."

"So what we do? Just ignore it, pretend like it didn't happen just to find out later something really bad might be going on?"

"No," Dick replied quickly. "Bart's the key. He has to know what's going on. He wouldn't be playing the role of two heroes if Wally had left him completely in the dark. They've worked hard to keep this secret under wraps, but I bet the stress is getting to him, especially after what happened at his apartment and at the Wests. Let me get Tim to talk to him, maybe being away from Wally he'll slip up and let something out."

Behind them a deep voice cleared. "Good morning," Bruce Wayne offered, pulling out a chair and joining his former protégés, his hair still damp from the shower. He reached over, taking the pitcher from the center of the table and pouring himself a glass of orange juice. Dick glanced over at his knuckles as he took a sip, chapped with fresh abrasions.

"Sleep well?" Dick asked sarcastically, knowing full well his mentor had left the party to patrol the storm swept streets of Gotham last night.

"Fine, thank you," he said dryly. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk protection details with Dick for a moment."

Artemis nodded, rising from her seat, when Dick took her arm and guided her back down. "No, it's fine. You probably should hear this."

Bruce continued, "I've tasked League and Team members based on schedule and availability to observe and safeguard the West's, Allen's, and Garrick's until further notice."

"Do they know this?" Dick asked.

"Not at present. We don't want to alarm them, but until we have some firm leads I believe it's for the best, and besides I'm sure you realize what their reactions would be if they were made aware."

Dick nodded in passive agreement.

"I've assigned Renee Montoya to Iris Allen, Jamie Reyes will shadow Bart, several former JSA members have volunteered to spend time with the Jay and Joan, Virgil Hawkins will guard the Wests, and Cassie Sandsmark will watch over Wally and his family."

"Who?" the archer inquired, no longer well versed in the younger heroes of the day.

"Wondergirl," Dick quickly dismissed before voicing his displeasure. "Bruce I assumed I'd be doing it. No disrespect towards Cassie, but I think I'd be better suited for something like this."

"This operation must remain covert. Their daily routines need to remain as normal as possible to not draw the attention of whoever may be responsible for all this. Because of your profile and status, you'd stand out in Central City as Dick Grayson or Nightwing. Cassie can more easily blend in on campus and we've already rented a condo for her two doors down from Wally's house."

Dick frowned, understanding the Dark Knight's logic though not in total agreement. He turned and looked at the archer, preparing a counter proposal to Batman's when Artemis spoke up.

"I could do it." she said plainly. "I'd like to."

Wayne shook his head. "Respectfully Ms. Crock this is a League issue now. They'll be protocols involved, mission parameters, contingency plans. You're very resourceful but there's not enough time to get you up to speed with all of them, and quite honestly with the events of your past, there would be other League members who would not approve of your involvement."

Artemis nodded dejectedly. "I understand."

Wayne reached over and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Just to be clear, I wouldn't be one of them."

The archer smiled. "Thanks."

The trio continued on for another half hour, making small talk and such until Wayne finally rose, preparing to head into Gotham for a few hours in the office. "I can give you a ride into the city if you like."

"I appreciate the offer, but Barbara and I have lunch plans later, so I'll probably just wait around until she's ready."

"Suit yourself. Have a good day, I'll keep you updated."

As the door shut, Dick looked over at the blonde. "You know Barbara's not going anywhere right? She's nursing a massive four o'clock hangover."

"Oh I know," she replied, stowing away numerous items in her backpack. "Grab your keys; I need you to drop me off at Roy's. I've got a few things I need to take care of."

"You're going to Keystone aren't you?" Dick smiled deviously.

"Duh," she smirked, grabbing her backpack and heading out.

xxx

In the main auditorium of the Kord Science Building, Professor West put the finishing touches on his lecture about vectors and the differences between two dimensional and projectile motions. Only about twenty percent of the students in his Survey of Physics class would remain in that field of study and continue on, but that never bothered Wally. Science was a passion, an obsession, and he understood it wasn't everyone's cup of tea. That realization only challenged him to make the subject as fun and interesting as possible, maybe even accidentally awakening someone's inner scientist. His fifth grade teacher Mr. Griffith had done just that.

Unfortunately today's lesson was one of those mandatory principles that a teacher must get through to move on to the more interesting topics ahead, but with the cascade of yawns spreading across the auditorium Wally soon realized today's lesson was a wash. As the mass of students hectically copied his notes from the smart board regarding the upcoming quiz, Wally grabbed a seat, taking a sip of his diet coke and reflected back on his chaotic week.

It was hard to believe that five days earlier he'd been on a private jet to Gotham, but even in his wildest dreams he would have never been able to expect what was waiting for him. Redemption.

Words couldn't properly describe how good it felt to reconnect with Dick again. It was as if a weight he'd forgotten he'd still carried for years had been stripped away. That weight had part a part of him for so long, it almost felt unnatural to breathe easier, to smile more.

They'd had another enjoyable conversation midweek, and it's was slowly becoming more and more like old times. Eventually he'd be forced to acknowledge the elephant in the room and confide in Dick about his lost speed, but knowing Nightwing, the speedster figured he'd surmised it already but was too polite to ask. He was a detective after all.

Artemis however was a different story entirely. Weeks earlier in a jellyfish toxin induced haze, she'd appeared as an apparition, stepping out of the ether, confessing her sins, and asking forgiveness. A request that ended with screams and curses.

You're broken…..

The next thing he knew, she's was dragging his unconscious body from a burning inferno. The same woman he'd told to get out of his life and never come back.

That day on the playground, when they said their goodbyes, he instantly regretted not saying the things he still held in his heart, instead settling for watching her drive away in the sunset, just another thing he'd lost or let go of. Weeks later, as he watched her come down the ballroom stairs in that emerald evening gown, he sent his thanks and prayers to the gods of second chances, and yet now he stood on an uncertain precipice.

They'd exchanged a few voicemails and texts, but had never actually spoken. A part of him wondered if it by accident or on purpose.

She knew he was lying about the incident at Wayne Mansion, but what was he supposed to do? Explain something that was unexplainable. It's not like he hadn't worked tirelessly to find the answers. He'd seen Tina McGee at Mercury Labs for years, trying to deduce what had happened, to figure out the why's and how's involved with his loss of powers, why he was now having blackouts and seizures, why he'd lost his connection to the dimension that powered all speedsters; all of nothing. They'd worked persistently and still had no answers. After a while he just stopped trying.

Barry Allen would have known what to do, Barry would have figured it out and found the answers, but Wally wasn't Barry and would never be.

Maybe being away for a few days made Artemis realize he wasn't worth the baggage. The more he discovered the feelings he still had for her, the more it bothered him that she might be easing out of his life again. With all of the issues he was going through, honestly he couldn't blame her. He looked at his watch, just as the bell rung.

"Ok, let's take this up next Wednesday. Remember term papers are due in a few weeks, and I'm still missing outlines from some of you. Also don't forget to read…."

He paused mid-sentence, momentarily distracted by a flash of familiar blonde hair in a sea of students

"….. Chapter seven, and do the review. Ok guys have a good weekend."

Similar farewells and goodbyes were returned, but the young professor barely acknowledged them, instead quickly heading out the back exit and on the hunt.

The blonde, worrying that she'd been discovered swiftly made it out of the auditorium and into the courtyard. She knew she should have changed her hair color, but she'd barely had time to settle in before making it onto campus. She looked back to check for pursuit and luckily found none. When she turned back ahead she plowed into the professor like an Amazonian Mac Truck.

"Oh my Gods," Wondergirl flinched, quickly dropping down to check on the gasping professor.

"Good to see you too Cassie," Wally wheezed.

"I am sooooo sorry Mr. West." she pleaded, as the speedster reached out to be pulled to his feet effortlessly by the amazon warrior.

The speedster shot her an annoyed glance. "It's Wally Cassie. Come on it hasn't been that long."

The blonde nodded nervously in agreement. Even though they'd been teammates long ago, she still felt uncomfortable calling one of the members of the Justice League by his first name, even if he was retired.

"Sorry Wally, it's just…aww Hera…" she groaned, "You weren't supposed to see me. I'm going to be in so much trouble."

The professor chuckled. "Cassie you're fine. No one's going to be writing you up. So let me guess, you're going to be my babysitter for a while."

Wally had been expecting this. The League didn't take kindly to an attack on one of their own, and with Bart suffering a similar incident; it was only a matter of time. He was irritated but not upset, not when it came to securing the safety of his family, it's just that he was expecting… someone else.

"Yeah," she sighed, still dreading the lecture she'd most certainly be getting from either Diana, Batman or both, "but I wouldn't call it babysitting, I'd call it a kick ass partnership. Someone would be pretty stupid to tangle with Wondergirl and the Flash."

"Uh...yeah," Wally replied hesitantly.

"The orders Batman gave me was to split time between here and Keystone Elementary. You still have your JLA communicator, right?"

Wally nodded.

"He'd like you to activate it and keep it on your person at all times. If something happens, just hit the emergency alert and I'll be there in a flash, well not that fast, but you get the picture."

The speedster sighed. He wished Bruce would have just explained this to him in person, instead of sending a junior hero to do it covertly.

"We're going to catch this guy Wally, whoever he is. We'll find him."

The ginger nodded, but he'd had his suspicions for a while now, and if he was right, Wally knew exactly what he had to do next, and it scared the hell out of him.

xxx

The sound bar was blaring so loud, the young red head barely heard the chiming of the doorbell.

"Daddy, pizza's here"' Iris screamed over the previews currently paying on the wall mounted flat screen. Tonight was Saturday night, which meant West movie night.

"What!?" Wally yelled back into the den while wrestling Jay back into the shower to actually wash his hair with soap instead of water. "Irey turn that down!"

The spunky red head remained oblivious to her father's orders, instead sitting on the couch entranced by the previews of the upcoming Pixar movies.

The chime rang a second time, and the distracted red head yelled back to the bathroom again. "Daddy, pizza's here."

The frustrated speedster stormed into the room, taking the remote out of his daughters hand and scowling at her. "God," he cursed, turning the volume down to a more tolerable and human level. "What are you saying?" he growled.

The doorbell rang a third time.

"That?"' she pointed to the door, now distracted on her iPad.

Wally was about to erupt when green eyes and freckles looked up and grinned. She knew exactly how to play him.

"Go in there and don't let your brother out of the shower till I get there. Understand?"

She nodded and took off down the hallway "Jai, Dad says I'm the boss of you now…"

Wally sighed, taking out his wallet and cash to pay the Domino's driver, but when he opened the door the blonde standing on his stoop was most definitely not the pizza guy.

"Artemis," he said in wide eyed astonishment.

"Hi," she smiled.

"Hi," he answered still in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

"I was um…in the neighborhood."

"Just driving around Keystone, catching the sights huh?" he chuckled.

"Yeah," she shrugged. "I heard it's kinda nice this time of year."

He smiled warmly. "I tried to call."

"I know you did, but we kept missing each other, and I hate phone tag, so I thought I'd just…drop by. If this is a bad time, I can come back later."

"What? No. We were just about to sit down and watch a movie,"

"We? Oh hey I'm sorry. I'll just…call you later."

Wally laughed. "It's movie night the the kids, it's no big deal. I'm glad you're here. Come in."

"Are you sure, I really didn't mean to intrude, I...I just wanted to see you."

"Really?" he said surprised.

"Yes really," she frowned. "I didn't take a fourteen hour train ride just to catch a Keystone Riverdog's game."

"You took a fourteen hour train ride just to say hi?" he said with mouth agape.

"Not all of us get to take a private jet back and forth," she smiled. "Plus I've done it before,' she said tongue firmly in cheek. The less brought up about her last visit the better.

"We'll come in, You've got to be starving. We were just waiting on the pizza guy. Make yourself at home. There's beer and cokes in the fridge if you like, and you already know your way around, "he smirked. "I've got one kid in the shower and one playing crossing guard, so just give me a minute or two ok?"

She nodded as he disappeared down the hallway. Artemis stepped in, shutting the door, sending a smirk out to anyone who might be watching

"Tell your boss I got this Wonderchick," she said to herself

She took her boots off at the door and walked over to the refrigerator. She was starving. Despite Dick's protests, she used the last of her money to buy her round-trip ticket, leaving nothing left for drinks and snacks. Pizza sounded perfect, and if she remembered correctly, Wally always bought the best.

The house was different from the last time she was here. The den and kitchen were the exact same, it was being welcome that made it different. She'd held out hope that his parents might have the kids for the evening, evidently it was fairly common, but she just really wanted to talk without distraction. Nothing intrusive, nothing about the incident in the guest room, nothing about making out in the laundry room, she just wanted to hear his voice, to see his smile. Just spend a little more time with him alone.

In all honesty, children made her a little uncomfortable. They were vulnerable to elements, helpless and could be used against you for leverage or worse. She shuddered at the thought of all the children she'd made orphans. It wasn't their fault their parents were scum and criminals, but that didn't mean they didn't mourn their loss, that their littles hearts hadn't shattered in a millions pieces. She could walk away from a mark and not feel a thing, that's what the Shadows do to you, but when she'd look through her binoculars at a child rushing over to their fallen parent, that's when she had to learn to turn a part of herself off, the part that feels.

The archer sat down on the couch, leaned back and closed her eyes. She was tired and it had been long week. Roy had lectured her about Wally again. Jade the same about Zane. The towering mercenary had left a few messages of his own, warning her she was missing out on a great opportunity, warning her to lead with her head, not her heart. All three had offered good sound advice, and like she'd done so many times in the past, she didn't listen to any one of them. Her head had sent her in plenty of wrong directions before, this time she was going to try something new.

The archer began to drift just for a moment, when suddenly her senses jolted. She was being watched. She opened her eyes, hand slowly drifting towards the blade in her belt when she was met by a familiar set of green eyes, just a tad smaller.

"You're pretty," the small freckled red head spoke.

"Uh...thank you?"

"You're welcome. I'm Iris. What's your name?"

The archer couldn't help but smile at the young girl's boldness. "I'm Artemis - Artemis Crock. I'm a friend of your dad's from a long time ago."

Iris studied her for a moment, scrutinizing her every word.

"Ok I believe you," she snickered. Her smile was contagious. "Well Artemis - Artemis Crock. We're watching a movie tonight, eating three Domino's pizzas, one with pineapple, and if we're really good we get ice cream."

The blonde grinned. "Well I love ice cream, so we better be good."

"Sounds like s plan. " Iris nodded sharply. "My dad will be right back. Jai forgot to wash his hair with shampoo. He does that. It's kinda gross."

Artemis couldn't stop smiling; the little red head was infectious. She was Wally West made over, turning strangers into friends at the speed of light. His charms didn't translate quite as well to the opposite sex back in the day, she and M'gann were testament to that, but just like any math problem or science experiment, when Wally slowed down and took his time, he could literally do anything. It definitely worked on her, and evidently to Iris's mother as well.

She tried not think about the woman named Linda Park West. Of course as any good operative would, she'd studied up on the subject; covertly of course. Everything she'd come up with, from stories, comments, even from pictures and images stolen from the speedster's phone, all pointed to the same conclusion. She was an amazing woman. And now Artemis was sitting in her house, talking to her child, falling in love again with her husband. The guilt alone could drive a person crazy, so the archer forced herself past it and instead put all her focus on the young girl in front of her.

Hidden under freckles and red hair, Artemis could see her subtle Asian features; a child of two cultures, the archer understood that designation better than anyone. Jai's were more pronounced from what she'd seen, and Roy said he favored his mother as much as Iris did her father. As careful as he needed to be around Wally, she would need to be doubly so around his kids.

"So what are we watching?"

"The Incredibles," Iris said simply. "It's about a family of superheroes, it's kind of an old movie, but it's my favorite, Jai's too I think, but he mainly watches it for the popcorn. Have you seen it before?"

"I'm not sure. Only one way to find out."

"Dad! Artemis wants to start the movie now!" she yelled down the hall

"No, wait, I didn't mean it like..."

Wally came into the room, son in tow. "Don't worry, she does that. It's part of her charm. Artemis this is Jai."

The archer reached out her hand, and Jai took it firmly, always maintaining eye contact, just like his father had taught him.

"Nice to meet you Jai."

"Nice to meet you too. I guess you've met my obnoxious sister." he rolled his eyes at his twin as she stuck out her tongue in reply.

"Ok then," Wally sighed. Moments later the doorbell rung and dinner had finally arrived. "Iris go get the plates, Jai get the TV trays."

The small brunette watched his sister skip around the kitchen in annoyance. He leaned over to the archer and asked, "Do you have a sister?"

Artemis could already see where this was going. "Oh yeah" she laughed. "Don't get me started."

The young boy giggled, he knew exactly what she was talking about.

Connection made.

xxx

Later that evening as the long school week, pizza, and ice cream finally took their toll, Artemis watched as Wally hoisted two passed out kids over each shoulder and took them back to the bedroom they shared. The archer had never seen this side of him before, the doting and loving father. Her memories were of an adventurous albeit reckless hero, dashing back in forth from one emergency to the next. landing face first as many times as he saved the day. She didn't even try to keep up with him back then, knowing sooner or later he would tire and slow down; and that's when he would be hers.

The speed was gone, but his smile, his warmth, his gentleness remained the same. She loved Kid Flash, but sometimes speed just got in the way. She wanted his undivided attention, and now she had it.

They spent the rest of the night talking, holding hands, kissing, stopping suddenly like high schools kids whenever a noise came from the back of the house. Passion's got heated, temptations strong, but they kept things under control. Artemis wasn't about to be the one to explain the birds and the bees to two eight year olds if they walked in and caught she and their father half naked on the couch, but the desire was there, and tonight that's all that mattered.

He asked for tales of the Shadows. She asked for tales of his life. There were no judgment, no shock or disgust, just a level of understanding and acceptance as to what the years had brought. They talked about Linda, they talked about Zane. Very little was off limits, but good sense and sound judgment kept either from digging to deep. As special as she considered their night at the engagement party, it paled in comparison to this. Broken hearts were becoming whole again, and where that would lead was a question for another day, right now, this was the moment she'd waited a lifetime for.

Her watch beeped at 4:30 a.m., as she quickly hit snooze. Time had gotten away from them, but neither was complaining.

"This was really nice Wally." she smiled. " and your kids are adorable."

"They have their moments," he chuckled.

Artemis walked over to the speedster. wrapping her arms around his shoulders. I know it's going to take awhile before you trust me, but I want you to know I'm trying. I'm not going anywhere, and if I have to keep taking train rides from Gotham to prove it, I will."

He smiled. "I'll see if my Zeta Tube account is still active, if not…I know a guy."

"We'll my wallet would appreciate it, I'm…in between jobs right now."

"Good," he replied, leaning in and kissing her one last time.

"Will you call me this weekend?" she asked

"I'll call you tonight if you want,"

'Let's meet in the middle and say Sunday. I've got some sleep to catch up on and a job to find."

"Sounds good.

"Oh and Wally….get moving on that Zeta thing ok? I'll make it worth your while."

xxx

Jamie Reyes lay upside down on the couch with a magazine, trying to entertain himself with the room's new topsy-turvy orientation, literally bored to tears. While covertly playing bodyguard, the teen assumed a majority of it would be a lot of hanging out on campus, or an apartment with Wi-Fi, or even possibly around girls that dug a Latino accent, but definitely not on Garrick's farm, watching Bart work on the elder speedster's tractor. This was not what he'd signed up for, not that Batman had given him much choice on the matter.

Reyes was about to crack when a rush of wind blew into the house, sending magazines and papers scattering across the room, including the one he'd been trying to read for over an hour.

"It's hot out there mi amigo, like Africa hot. I've never been there, but I assume itsscorchingoatleastmildlyuncomfortablewhichiswhyIassumeeveyone'salwaysfightingoverthereand….

"Bart!" Jamie had had enough. "Is it fixed. Can we go now?"

"Yes and no," the speedster shrugged. The gear shift's fixed, but the clutch's gone bad, but that's an easy fixandiwillonlytakeaboutahalfhourmaybelessbutitshotandImshirtysandsosiJayandI…."

"Bart!" Reyes yelled louder, trying to slow the speedster down. "Bottom line?"

Allen scowled. "It's hot, I'm thirsty, I'm having a lemonade, I'm bringing one to Jay, and then I'll fix the clutch. Twenty minutes tops ok?" he answered deliberately and annoyingly slow.

"That's all I wanted to hear. Was that so hard?"

Bart rolled his eyes, and walked off to the kitchen.

Jamie looked his watch and sighed. When Bart asked if he'd like to come up to the farm for the day, it kind of sounded like fun. Blue Valley was a far cry from El Paso, and besides he'd never actually been to a working plantation before let alone the state of Missouri. The Garrick's had become something of adoptive parents for the temporally misplaced speedster, and while the farmstead was impressive and Joan's cooking delicious, he was ready to get back to the city, or at least somewhere his phone could get a signal.

Trying to speed up the process a bit, Reyes began walking around the room. gathering the magazines Bart had sent scattering across the den when suddenly a blinding flash of light erupted across the north pasture, followed soon by Joan Garrick's blood curdling scream. Jamie immediately activated the Scarab, the alien armor quickly forming across his body, but before he could take one single step Bart Allen erupted out the kitchen door like a hurricane, nearly knocking his friend sideways, speeding towards his surrogate grandfather. Twenty feet away he stopped on a dime in horror.

Stretched out across the hood of his tractor, the elderly speedster lay on his back unbreathing, his body glowing with a blinding red hot hue. Two fists were sunk deep into his chest cavity...two yellow gloved fists.

"Hello Bartholomew," the man in yellow grinned grotesquely, a hooded cowl covering his face, but the voice all too familiar. "It's good to see you again."

'You motherfucker!" Kid Flash screamed, throwing caution to the wind and racing ahead, bloodlust in his eyes. Bart was three feet from the tractor, when his target disappeared, leaving the young speedster racing helplessly through his after image. Before the teen could orient himself, his assailant grabbed him in full stride, using the red head's momentum against him, sending him flying into the grove of Pear trees that lined the pasture, his body landing with a sickening thud.

"Now Bartholomew, I'll be with you in a moment, you'll just have to wait your turn," the man in yellow said with a homicidal pleasantness towards the unconscious young speedster,.

"Please!" Joan begged the man, but her appeals fell on deaf ears.

"Joan," he said with a smile, "take comfort in knowing he's going to a better place, and in a few moments so will your grandson."

In a blink of an eye, the yellow speedster was back on the tractor, finishing the job he'd started. Jay Garrick's body had begun to cool, until blurred gloves entered his chest cavity again, causing the old man's body to blaze like a nova. Seconds later the Flash disintegrated into thin air.

"Noooooo!" Joan shrieked as the assassin blew past her, grabbing the unconscious speedster by the throat, lifting him easily, his right hand beginning to blur once again.

He was seconds away from beginning the same process on Bart, when a powerful vibrational discharge smashed into the two speedsters, throwing Bart to the side, and leaving the man called Zoom as its primary target.

"Increasing output to one hundred fifty percent Jamie Reyes," the scarab spoke to the teen inside his helmet.

"Go as far the hell up as you can!" the teen yelled to the alien computer inside the armor. Upon his command sonic waves of devastating power intensified, driving Zoom into the ground, his mouth bloodied, and dripping down his chin, making his hideous smile that much more sinister. The evil speedster struggled to his feet, red lightning beginning to dance across his skin as he struggled to maintain his balance. In the blink on an eye he was gone. Blue Beatle quickly whipped around, trying to catch sight of the villain racing off in the distance, only to come face to face with the man clad in yellow seconds later.

"Not…very…nice," the speedster said coldly, his blurred fist entering into Beetle armor. Without Jamie's consent, the armor automatically switched into self-preservation mode, electrifying the armored plates as well as the teenager inside it. It was the mandated protocol programmed into Scarab, and the only way to maintain structural integrity and keep its host alive. The armor switched to reset mode, quickly giving its host the needed adrenaline compound and electric shock to bring him back to consciousness, but when Reyes could finally see again, Zoom was gone…and Jay Garrick was dead.