A/N: Thanks again for reading and i would really value your opinions and advice. :) But sorry, there won't be any Speed Force in my logic cause Greg says there isn't... soooo heh heh REVIEW PLEASE! Thank you!
"BRIIIIING!" Ugh… school time.
Now that I know how Bart feels during mission briefing time, I'll never criticize him for being impatient ever again.
As I listened my teacher's droning go on, I pondered how and when I was going to break the news to Artemis. Last night after an intense debate, we decided not to tell Artemis yet; because even now, we are still in the 'Hypothesis' phase, everything is a guess here, an opinion there. There is no telling is Wally even still alive so far, no point letting another hope only to have it crushed when we realize he isn't coming back – it would be like losing him all over again. Sigh, sorry, after losing my little brother to death, let's just say I lost my ability to look on the bright side for too long.
I remembered the funeral, the mourning. But the entire time, I didn't shed a tear though. It was only a few days later, when reality dawned in on me: Wally was really not coming back. Every gust of wind I feel isn't him coming to greet me anymore. It was just the breeze; no cheeky grin, no bright red hair. The tears started to pour that day, I haven't cried this much since Jay or my parents… Nights and days went by; the tears continued flowing when I see his face smiling at me from the pictures we took together in the happier times. I had to take them all down else my room would start to flood. Heh all the hours spent mastering the skill of hiding my emotions all went down the drain that first month.
Nevertheless they began to run dry after a while. I bottled my feelings up, pretended I was better, but it was all a façade though.
I gave a quiet sigh. Barbara shot me a quick peek from behind her bangs and raised her brow. I shook my head; I don't do 'talking' anymore. So I simply pointed to my incomplete science assignment I was rushing that is due by next period.
Four hours later, finally, school is over, I ran out of the campus, careful to avoid Babs. I really didn't need one of her motivational speeches right now where I would have to fake that 'I'm alright' lie again.
Recognized: Nightwing B01
I peeked into the library. Most of the books were gone and so was Ray, hmm I guess resurrecting the dead does not excuse you from work. Bart was curled up on the last few stacks of books at the corner in his school uniform, taking a nap. Barry was on his third pot of coffee and was literally pulsating on the spot.
"Barry, you need to sleep, the construction materials are arriving in two hours, and we need you there awake to guide us." I whispered, patting his shoulder.
"In a minute, I'm almost done!" shaking his head, struggling to stay focused.
"No, now Barry…"
He glimpsed up from his book; his desperate eyes looked straight into mine, I wasn't sure what he saw in them, but he relaxed a little and with a nod he left the library, massaging the back of his sore neck.
"Hmmhmmm…" Bart murmured in his sleep. I glanced over. Poor kid must have been up all night doing research, only pausing for school and came straight back to the Watchtower. I scooped him up from the books, careful not to jostle him and carried him into the lounge. I tucked him into the sofa as Barry dominated the couch at the far-side of the room. Sigh, darn it Wally, you better still be alive…
I trudged around the Watchtower, everything is so monochromic and dull – it didn't really help my mood. But if we're going to bring back Wally, it's time I get traught again. I'm gonna need help.
"Hey Kaldur, M'gann, you've got a minute?" I found them idling in the briefing room.
"Nightwing? Oh it's been so long since I last saw you! How are you?" M'gann chirped and ran over to give me a hug.
But behind this happy front, I can still see the pain straining from her eyes; Wally's disappearance hasn't been easy for any of us to cope with. He was our friend, our jokester, our bright side… our family. "Shoot, don't go there Dick." I told myself.
"I'm fine, have you seen Conner? I need to tell the three of you something important."
"He is still in school I think, doing extra curriculum, I'll give him a call." M'gann answered and stepped away.
Kaldur gave a puzzled look and I just motioned him to hold on.
M'gann walked back to us. "He says he'll be here in about fifteen minutes. So what's up Nightwing?"
"I need the both of you to stay whelmed for this part ok?" After wary nods from the both of them, I continued, "Wally could still be alive, and I need your help to try and bring him back."
Shock, bewilderment and uncertainty flashed across their faced, "B-but, you saw… we saw him disappear… h-he is still alive?"
I gave them the rundown of the theory as they listened very carefully. But I cautioned, "We still don't know if it is possible whether is Wally still alive or not though."
"What is our part in the plan?" M'gann cheered; she is bouncing around as sheer joy filled her, maybe she didn't hear the last part...
"Um, I need your help to build the machines, four people is just not enough to get the job done, I need the three of you to do this with me too."
"I'm in," Kaldur spoke first. He isn't jumping or celebrating but underneath his stoic exterior, i could see glimmers of hope shining through.
"Of course I'm in too!" M'gann shrieked, I felt her elation seep into me. The bubbly sensation was back and warmth spread through me. Hope.
Recognized: Superboy B04
"CONNER!" M'gann pounced on him and started explaining the plan at top speed.
"I assume you have not told Artemis yet?" Kaldur asked, the glow in his face dulled a little, he understood the risks of hoping.
"I don't know Kaldur," my heart sank, "I'm not sure if she can handle the blow if this proves to be futile. I'm not even sure if I can handle it." My shoulders slumped.
He wrapped his arms around me, "You will, and we'll be there for you." I glanced over to Conner and M'gann their eyes brimming with hope too.
"Together," I whispered. Conner and M'gann came over and joined in the hug.
"Together," they nodded.
REVIEW and let me know what I should improve on please!