Under the Rose

Chapter 9

It was weird to be the victim rather than the villain. More than a week after the incident, and her face was still plastered on the news, gaining the sympathy of Jump City. The fact that it was a story mentioned in conjunction with Hive, and with talks of the robberies by "Jinx" could still put the real Jinx on edge, but things were quieting down.

People had been so...nice. Random students were wishing her well as she walked to class. The girls on her hall had asked for details, had wanted to know that she was alright. Miranda had been in tears. Elisa was so angry at the Hive Five. Brian and Andrew attempted to bake her a cake. Wally had brought her a new sketchbook.

Jinx was settled at the base of a tree in the quad, filling in the colors on her most recent drawing in said book.

"That's pretty nice," a voice behind her commented. Jinx turned to face Brian, who had sat himself down beside her, casually taking out his laptop.

"Thanks," Jinx replied. "What are you doing?"

Brian tilted the screen for her. "I'm working on a graph for economics. Big presentation tomorrow." Jinx nodded, and after asking a few more questions out of curiosity, the two settled into an amiable silence.

In the aftermath of the attack, Brian had finally admitted the ulterior motive for his dates with Jinx-- wanting to make Elisa jealous. Jinx had burst out laughing when he told her (much to his chagrin) but there was really no other reaction for it. Because they had become so frank with each other, the two were now better friends than Jinx had ever expected.

"So have you talked with Wally lately?" Brian asked casually.

"Regretfully, no," Jinx replied, still coloring rhythmically. The science wing-- and therefore most science courses-- had been cancelled for the following couple weeks in order to conduct a thorough investigation of the robbery. Jinx still didn't know what had been stolen, which worried her, but not having chemistry homework was quite a relief.

She was counting on chemistry class, though, for a chance to see Wally. He had been inexplicably busy lately, and their class schedules were very different.

"He was really worried," Brian continued. "You can still tell-- he's all fidgety. I bet he was really nervous for you."

"Well gosh, if you of all people noticed then it must be bad," Jinx joked.

"And here I was thinking you couldn't be sarcastic," Brian retorted. "Seriously, Rose, he should still be in the library, I just came from there. Go say hello. And let me take your comfortable seat, 'cause I'm actually sitting on a rock."

Jinx laughed and packed up her stuff. "So full of less altruistic goals...I'll see you later." She headed off to the library as Brian rolled his eyes at her playfully.

--

It was weird when a simple solution suddenly became complicated. And Flash hated complicated-- winding roads, endless deliberation, crime scenes that led nowhere. While he could think through that stuff at lightspeed, the rest of the world needed to catch up, and too often he was too straightforward in approach for them. He chuckled softly to himself. The one time he needed to think the least, and the quiet corner of library was a perfect atmosphere for serious pondering. Stupid papers, due the day before a break.

So Rose was Jinx. And that was great, but he was Flash and she didn't know. Did he tell her?

Yes.

No.

Jinx was good now, but what would she do with new information? Flash knew firsthand that the girl was a convincing actress, remembering the museum encounter from so long ago. But he still trusted her. He had faith in her.

If he admitted to being Flash, he had to turn her in. It was his duty to Jump City. Wally scowled, pinching the bridge of his nose. He had only seen her as Wally West, right? Wally was a civilian, and therefore couldn't arrest Rose Thompson, who had never told him who she was.

Are you gonna arrest her, or run away with her? See-More's question echoed in his mind.

She hides like a child but she's always a woman to me...Wally's iPod was suddenly way to loud.

STOP THINKING.

He began to bang his head against the desk.

"Wally?"

The speedster jumped at Rose's amused tone. The girl laughed and sat down on the edge of Wally's desk, pushing aside his notebooks and laptop. She seemed to pick up on his agony and cut her giggles short. "Are you alright?" she asked.

Wally tried not to stare, but it was hard. Your name is Jinx and you are good and I am Kid Flash and I might be in love with you. "It's just this paper," he finally said, waving a hand at the computer's screen. "Who assigns work due the day before Thanksgiving Break?" He chuckled. "And considering recent events, I really should be asking you that question," he returned, resting his head on his elbow and looking up at her.

Rose--Jinx-- looked away, lightly blushing. "Thank you for the sketchbook," she said simply. "I'm fine, don't worry." Her brow furrowed. "Is it really Thanksgiving?"

Wally nodded with a smile, pushing his thoughts away for the time being. "You going anywhere? My aunt and uncle are going on a cruise, without me! How unfair is that?"

"Way unfair," Rose (Jinx!!) agreed. She smiled down at him. "I guess we'll be hanging out here on campus. I got nowhere to go. Elissa and them are leaving tonight. Are you going to come see everyone off at Pizza Place for lunch later?"

"Wouldn't miss it," Wally said. Not gonna be thinking ever again... "Hey...um, Rose," he began, "How come you have nowhere to go?" He asked it carefully, wanting to gauge her reaction.

She looked out the window. "My parents and I aren't really on speaking terms," she began. "And really," she smiled wryly, "who enjoys returning to a past anyways? I'm happier here."

Implying an honest backstory, but not elaborating. Creating a "difficult to talk about" type thing so that people didn't ask. The clever girl. She seemed so at peace, without the frustration of three years ago. Wally grinned. "I'm happy if you are," he offered. "Is that why," Wally tried to act more casual, "you don't really like to talk about the past? Because you don't like remembering?" Might as well pry and see what happens.

"Yes." She answered shortly, but not unkindly. Rose/Jinx looked back down at him from her perch on the desk. "Curious much?" This was asked with a teasing smile. Wally was glad she felt so comfortable here. She was happier than she had seemed at Titans Tower. It was a good thing to be seeing. He beamed at her.

"I just enjoy hearing you talk," he replied unabashedly. He realized the time on his computer and began to gather his notebooks. "Sorry," he said to Rose's frown, "Math." He began to walk away and then turned, hesitant.

Oh, just do it.

He took a step towards Rose (Your name is Jinx...) and brushed back a piece of her dark, dyed hair. He leaned and gently gave her a kiss. "I..." She was speechless. "I'm glad you're good...I mean, good and safe, y'know..." Wally finished lamely. He pulled away and grinned at her. "See you around, Rose."

Her name is Jinx and she is good and holy crow she can kiss

Wally might as well have been walking on air as he left the library and headed to his next class. He whistled, waving to his fellow students for a little while before the implications got to him.

She kissed Wally West. Did that mean she was over Flash? And for that matter, why on earth did he kiss her when she was his assignment? She was supposed to be arrested.

Flash wanted to puke at the drama.

But she couldn't be jailed for crimes at JCU that she wasn't committing. So she wasn't guilty. Therefore, she wasn't his duty. No problemo, right? Flash groaned. The similitude particle generator, the fake Jinx, Hive Five, Rose-- it was all intertwining. Complicated. Twisty.

And Flash hated complicated.

Maybe she liked him because he reminded her of Flash. That's because you ARE Flash, you dolt. But how to tell her? Did she really need that? She wanted to forget the past and move on, that was clear.

He was over thinking this somehow.

My head hurts so much--

The bank across the street began to sound an alarm, and Flash recognized the sound of a gun being fired. He did a quick triple-fist pump. "Distraction here I come!" He slipped into an alleyway and zipped out in costume, grinning as he flew through the doors of the bank.

--

They hadn't stood a chance. Petty crime was never that big a deal for him. They shouldn't have even tried. Flash wiped a strand of hair from his eye as he stood in the nearby alleyway, still in costume but unmasked, taking a quick breather before making the run to class (he was majorly late). It was safe to do so-- he was hidden behind the side of a dumpster, where a lone tabby was rummaging through the garbage.

He looked down at the cat. " I guess I'm in your way." The tabby stared up at him, and Wally was reminded of just why he preferred dogs. He chuckled. "You're giving me looks like Rose does," he said. "Her eyes are all big like that...And...I am talking to a cat. Time to go, Wally." He stood and spun back into his civilian clothes within the same second, strolling out of the alley inconspicuously. The tabby stared after him and resumed its eating.

--

It had taken Jinx a second or two to move after what had happened in the library. All she knew for the entire walk back to her dorm room was a lovely warmth. She entered her dorm room as though in a dream.

She'd had boyfriends at Hive (all losers). Heck, she'd come close to kissing Cyborg even. But nothing had felt like this. She was too full of some other feeling to want to eat pizza. She could run a marathon right now if someone asked her. It was unnerving, and yet completely wonderful.

Before leaving, she had realized that Wally forgot his favorite pen. She smiled, now twirling the item in her hand as she set her books on her dresser. They'd see each other at the Pizza Place. She inspected the red metallic sheen. She'd return it to him...

Maybe. She smiled and, dropping it into her purse, turned back towards Elisa. Her roommate was in a frenzy, grabbing clothes from all corners of the room.

"Um, Ellie? It's just a long weekend," Jinx pointed out. She flopped onto her bed, flipping through a magazine but not reading any words-- they made her think of books, which made her think of libraries. Jinx was brought out of reverie by another frustrated groan. "Ellie, pack some shirts and jeans. No big."

Elisa laughed. "Thanksgiving at my house is quite a big deal, actually. I'll be meeting quite a few people."

Jinx shrugged and looked at her watch. "Well, you have ten minutes before we'll officially be unfashionably late."

Fifteen minutes later, the two girls burst into the bustling restaurant to the sound of laughter and the smell of breadsticks. Brian, Andrew, Miranda, and some other students (Jinx recognized Daphne from the library with her friend and two other boys as well) were settled into a booth and waved the two of them over.

Jinx began to walk over with Ellie in tow, weaving around the various tables, when suddenly a tray loaded with dishes came into her view. When she tried to stop, Elisa behind her propelled her forward into the waiter--a tall, gangly person who was probably (ironically, Jinx pondered as her nose hit his arm) Wally's replacement.

And there it was-- Inescapable Bad Luck.

Her bad luck got worse when she sat up and saw Wally West walk in the door. How embarrassing...

--

Flash swiped a hand through his hair and made sure the t-shirt sleeve covered his quickly-healing cut from the hostage situation across town that afternoon. He opened the door to the Pizza Place, wincing as he looked down at his watch.

But his lateness proved unimportant in light of the fact that apparently, Rose had singlehandedly destroyed half the kitchen's dish supply in one fell swoop.

Jinx indeed, Wally grinned. Andrew had already slid from his place and was helping her back to her feet. The redhead sauntered over, hands behind his back, whistling. "If you were leaving for Thanksgiving," Wally began, holding back laughter, "I would call this going out with a bang."

She glowered at him, blushing furiously. The waiter was trying to apologize but she paid little attention to him.

Wally gave her the most innocent look he could muster. "You could always just say that the dish ran away with the spoon...followed by the glasses...and some half-eaten pizza...and a salt-shaker or two..." He shrugged good-naturedly.

Rose gave him another furious look, and, recognizing it as a glare Jinx had frequently gotten before trying to hex Kid Flash into another dimension, Wally decided to leave and get some pizza. He reached out and took her glasses, wiping away a bit of sauce from them. He held them up. "Maybe a stronger prescription..."

With that he skipped over to the counter, narrowly avoiding a punch in the face. He gave a pitied look to the waiter and handed him a shard of plate that had slid across the floor.

"Stuff like that never happened when you worked here before you skipped out two hours early."

"Oh...hello Delia." Wally jerked a thumb back at the scene of the crime. "I just would have had faster reflexes is all," he said casually. The fastest, in fact. "The guy's still new."

Delia sighed and rang up three slices of pizza for her former employee. "Either way, business just hasn't been the same..."

Wally looked back at the booth, where Rose had been seated and was moving the conversation on to a new subject. He sighed, only half-hearing Delia's rant.

There was no way he could turn her in. She was too...happy. It was such a change from before. He hoped it was partly because of him. He smiled to himself. Libraries...gotta love them.

"Your food's here." This was said indifferently. Clearly Delia had not yet forgiven him. Wally thanked her anyways and made his way to a place beside Rose, ready to put aside his crime-fighting for some normalcy.

Or however normal this college was going to get, with him and Jinx around.

--

Jinx adjusted her hair in its ponytail, enjoying all the time she could spend in the empty hall bathroom. With the exception of one or two other girls, she had this weekend all to herself. It was nice and quiet being one of few people who hadn't gone anywhere for Thanksgiving break. A bunch of the other girls who weren't going home opted for a fall beach trip, but Jinx knew she needed to catch up on some artwork. She was such a perfectionist. The downside was it made her working pace slower.

Hive Five was still in jail. Jinx had caught that much on the news as it blared above the crowd of voices in the Pizza Place. She smiled fondly. Wally had ever casually kept her hand in his under the table. He was comfortable to be around. She was looking forward to spending time with him. Not to mention more kisses...

There was a loud whirring, and Jinx jumped. The air conditioning had cut on, startling her. Jinx's thoughts flashed back to the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped, choked against a brick wall.

Maybe she was a little spooked out still...Jinx shook her head to clear her thoughts and unconsciously knocked a rickety paper towel holder off of the wall. The resulting clang of plastic on tile made her jump even higher than before.

Without even realizing, Jinx shot a beam of pink energy into the ceiling in panic.

"Aw man!" She looked up at the now split ceiling tile. She had been keeping all that energy in too long, with her constant disguise. And now it was coming out-- bad luck in the form of clumsiness (she winced as she thought of Wally's cheshire cat smile when he found out what she'd caused), and waves involuntarily shooting when she was suddenly alarmed.

She stood still, waiting for someone down the hall to come running. Nobody did. Heavy sleepers, thank god.

Jinx stood on the sink in an attempt to stick the fallen plaster back in, and her hands brushed against fabric. Canvas.

Jinx frowned, bewildered, and tugged at what she realized was a large bag. It was heavy, and Jinx let it fall to the ground with a thud.

Wads of money poured out of the bag-- the zipper had broken in the fall. Jinx almost fell off into the sink.

"HOLY SH--" Jinx covered her mouth, careful not to wake the few other girls on the floor. Even if they slept through the ceiling breaking, she could still yell a storm.

Jinx got on her knees and surveyed the scene before her. She confirmed the fact that the money was real, and quickly added up the figures in her head.

She was holding an ungodly amount of money. Jinx hurriedly stuffed it all back in the bag, fingers twitching. She began to shove the bag back into the ceiling, but she paused.

College was costing her a bundle. So was hair dye.

Well... finders keepers, right?

Jinx knew there was a problem with that logic. But she didn't want to consider it.

And so before she could stop herself, Jinx grinned. This called for a trip to the mall.

--

-Silver Miracles