Run and Talk

"So where are we going again?"

"I thought I already told you Wally; S.T.A.R. labs. And we're going there for tests." Barry Allen added the last part, seeing his protege begin to speak again. Kid Flash shrugged, and kept running alongside his mentor. The two were taking a bit longer route than usual from the West Coast to East. Rather than just going straight across the continental U.S.A., they had decided to go along the coast of Latin America, through the Panama Canal (Barry would pay for the toll) and up the western side of America's Atlantic Coast. Barry had suggested it to Wally for two reasons; to see how Wally was doing running; and to catch up on stuff with him.

"Still dont' see why the tests are needed. You run fast; I run fast; what's there to test?" Barry looked over at his nephew, a bit annoyed.

"You were ill, Wally. The disease might have gone away, but S.T.A.R. labs want to make sure it's not going to come back."

"And it isn't. I run as fast as you do, almost..."

"Doesn't matter. Better to be safe than sorry. The docs weren't entirely sure it had cleared up completely..."

"I'm fine Barry, really. And if S.T.A.R. labs wanted to just "check up" on me, why not go to their facilities in Oregon?"

"Only the East Coast labs have the proper equipment for you. And besides... it's nice to do this."

"What, make a bunch of onlookers on boats stare as to waves just come out of nowhere on the sea?"

Barry moved his head to one side, and then the other. Wally kept staring at him, his pace just a little slower than his mentor's. Every once and a while Barry would slow down only a second, just to let Wally keep with him. His nephew didn't really like that, and when he could catch Barry at it he'd tell him to stop.

"How has it been going?" Barry finally spoke, interrupting the silence. Wally shrugged.

"Can't complain. Been helping out the Titans here and there, getting in the newspaper. Seems most people like my face." Wally finished his sentence with a grin, taking one of his hands and putting it under his chin for dramatic affect. Barry smiled. Good.

"Titans don't have any problems with you stealing the show every once and a while?"

"Nah, they seem a little relieved actually. Sure, that Robin guy gets a bit flustered when I solve the crime and put all his work to shame, but--"

"By 'solve the crime', you mean catch the bad guy, right?"

Wally rubbed his chin, evidently thinking. "Yeah, I guess you could say that." The mentor chuckled at the retort.

"So, other than making a name for yourself, you been doing anything else?"

Wally turned his head at an angle, scratching the side of his neck.

"Yeah, some other things..."

"Girls?"

Kid Flash stopped in his tracks, letting the scarlet-clad hero speed past him for a moment. Putting his hands up in front of him, he threw Barry a knowing glance. The mentor simple stared back with his own look, all too well remembering himself at that age. Of course, his definition of skirt-chasing back then probably wasn't what it was now.

"Come on Barry, I tell you enough stuff; there's gotta be some things though that I keep to myself; you know?" Barry crossed his arms across his chest, nodding silently. Wally had a point, he guessed.

"If it's something that you want to keep to yourself, then I won't bother you about it."

"Thanks, Barry."

Barry shrugged, and started running again. Kid Flash was soon at his side, not seeming to notice his mentor's slight lower in speed.

"I remember myself at your age, you know, so I know what privacy can mean to someone. Just... want to make sure you're not making a decision that can cause you problems."

Wally dismissed the notion with a smug look, throwing his hands back up in an uncaring manner.

"I figure if I get a girl angry at me I'll just run and let her cool down. No worrying, just run until it's cool enough to fix things up."

"You can't fix a broken heart, Wally."

More silence. Barry could tell Wally was thinking. He didn't do that often, or at least pretended not to. Always the show-off, but with enough sense to not over-play himself. But when he was with him, in the presence of the person he was destined to replace one day, he did a lot more thinking. Anyone would, even without the advice.

"Hey Barry."

"Yeah?"

"We nearing the Canal point yet? Haven't eaten since breakfast; sort of starving; you know?"

Barry grinned. He pointed forward with his index finger to a blot in the distance.

"Checkpoint's right up there. We're almost home free."

"Race you to it."

"You sure you want to exert yourself before we get to S.T.A.R. labs? They might not be happy."

"Barry, they won't be happy that I ate before going to them. Last one to the Canal pays!"

"Hey wait--" Barry stretched his hand out, reaching for Wally as he kicked his running up a notch and blazed past his uncle. Barry smiled at the sight though as the upset water flew up into the air right behind his nephew.

Definitely was doing alright for himself. He'd make a good Flash, even if he was a bit more cocky than Barry liked. Still, that'd lessen with age, and wisdom. Grinning , he sped up close to his top speed, reaching Wally in a matter of seconds. His protege looked over, downcast.

"Hey, no... fair." he added the last word clumsily, not exactly sure of his statement's validity. Barry shrugged, and sped on ahead, right through the first set of locks. A lookout guard on the mainland suddenly found a wad of bills in his hand, and stared in disbelief at the money. Another flash blurred right by him then, unsettling the water and splashing him with it.

"Hey, hey-- wait up!"

Barry smiled again, this time not letting his nephew catch up.

'Hope Wally's ready to spend any money he earned in his escapades on the west coast, because I'm starved as well.'