Author's Note: Okay so that didn't take as long as I thought it would, though I did already have this part written up before hand, that may have been part of it. Thank-you to everyone who reviewed, your words made me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside, like I just ate a teddy bear and another thanks to those who added this to your story alert. By the way, I really didn't check this over for spelling errors cause I um, didn't want to? I should invest in a beta but, eh.

Summary: His father was always yelling at him, his mother pretended nothing happened, and then they sent him away to live with his Aunt and Uncle. Why didn't they want him anymore? Why didn't they love him anymore? Rated T, cause I'm paranoid.

Disclaimer: I own nothing! Well, except for my belongings, but Young Justice isn't one of them.

Things Fall Apart

Part Two

Honestly, Barry didn't know what to make of the whole situation. He and Iris were practically still newly webs and having kids of their own was the furthest thing from their minds or at least it was the furthest thing from his mind. For now he and Iris were just enjoying each others company. So when she told him that her sister in-law called asking them to take in their son, Barry was shocked.

But, it wasn't just that that left him utterly confused. He could count the times he talked to his brother in law with one hand, hell, he didn't even need four of his fingers for it. Rudolf and Mary did not even attend his and Iris' wedding. Barry had not even met his nephew yet (and truthfully he couldn't remember the kid's name). And now the in-laws were calling not asking about how they've been but instead if he and Iris could take in their kid, Barry had the right to be shocked and albeit, suspicious.

"Why?" he asked after Iris explained what the phone call was about.

"Mary said that she and Rudy think that a change in environment might be good for him," she explained sitting beside Barry on the couch.

"What's wrong with the environment he's in now?"

Iris snuggled into Barry's side while he wrapped an arm around her, "I don't know honestly, she just said that Wallace wasn't doing well in school and they couldn't get through to him."

"What did you tell Rudy?" Barry asked.

"I said that I would talk to you about it."

"So, you're actually considering it?" Barry asked slightly bewildered.

"He's a sweet boy Barry and his is my nephew. Besides it would be great practice," Iris said flashing her husband a smile.

Well, it was obvious that one of them had already made up their mind, "What about my other 'job', don't you think the kid will get suspicious?" it was a weak attempt and Barry knew it.

"I don't think so, Wallace is just a boy and you managed to keep it hidden from me for a while," she replied with a shrug.

Mind as well go along with it, "Okay, we'll take the kid in."

Iris smiled again and hugged Barry, "You'll love him trust me."

Barely a week later, the kid and his mother were standing on his doorstep and boy was he squirrely looking. Iris led the two inside giving both Mary and the kid a hug as greeting, Barry merely offered a smile to Mary who returned it with a much a smaller one of her own. The kid automatically ducked behind his mother's legs as soon as Iris released him.

"How about you two get to know each other while I talked to Mary okay?" Iris said smiling sweetly at the kid.

Barry opened his mouth to protest but Iris had already disappeared into the kitchen along with Mary. He looked back at the kid who seemed to be enjoying himself by looking up at the older man. Seriously, the kid looked ready to piss himself. But he was kind of cute, Barry supposed. He was a bit on the scrawny side, a mop of fire red hair, a spray of freckles across the bridge of his nose and cheeks, and of course the large fear filled jade green eyes. Deciding he didn't much like being an object of a child's fear Barry crouched down so he was at the boy's level.

"Hey kiddo, I'm your Uncle Barry," he said kindly offering his hand, the boy took a timid step backwards.

"You know kid when someone tells you their name you usually tell them yours." Barry could have swore the kid just gulped.

"I'm Wallace," the kid, Wallace, squeaked and then slowly placed his smaller hand in Barry's.

Smiling, Barry carefully shook the kid's hand, "Wallace huh? That's a cool name."

A frown passed across the kid's face as he dropped his hand from the older man's, "I hate it," he mumbled.

"You do?" Barry blinked, "Is there another name you want me to call you?"

Wallace shifted his weight from foot to foot a few times, "My teacher called me Wally, I liked that name."

"Wally it is," was that a smile Barry just saw? "So Wally, how old are you?" He probably should have asked Iris that beforehand.

"Nine," came the soft reply.

"You're pretty short to be a nine year old." Barry joked.

"I'm not short!" Wally protested the tips of his ears turning red.

"My mistake, squirt," Barry apologized flashing a smile.

If anything Wally's face was nearly as red as his hair, "I'm not a squirt!"

Barry was actually proud of himself, he managed to get some reaction out of the kid and he didn't seem afraid anymore either, "Okay, okay," Barry relented, "What do you think about living with your Aunt Iris and me?"

Just like that the kid's face fell, he looked just like a kicked puppy, "It's okay." he mumbled with a small shrug.

Barry couldn't help but feel bad for the squirt, "Don't worry, you'll be back home with your mom and dad before you know it."

Now if Barry thought the kid looked afraid before, that was nothing compared to the terror that passed across Wally's face. He wasn't sure what he said, but it seemed like a perfect time to change the subject.

"Hey, you've heard of The Flash right?"

Wally's nose scrunched, "Who?"

Barry released a small grunt as he fell backwards, now sitting on the carpet. "You've never heard of The Flash?" he said slowly, "Never seen him on TV?"

"I don't watch TV,"

"You don't watch TV," Barry repeated, Wally nodded in response. What kind of kid doesn't watch TV? Barry thought to himself. "Okay, well the Flash is a superhero, you do know what a superhero is right?"

Wally nodded, "Yeah like Batman."

"So you've heard of Batman but not Flash?"

His nephew gave him a confused look, "Everyone knows who Batman is."

"Of course," Barry said under his breath, "Alright, Flash is Central City's hero, some people call him the Scarlet Speedster because he wears a red suit. See he's the fastest man alive, no one can out run him, he uses his powers to stop all the bad guys just like that." Barry snapped his fingers, he wanted to say 'in a flash' but he figured he should hold back on the puns.

"Fastest man alive? Really?" Wally asked his eyes wide.

"That's right and I bet if you're lucky enough you'll probably get to meet him." Barry said the corner of his mouth twitched upwards into a smile.

"You think so?"

"Of course." The two shared a smile, though Wally's wasn't nearly as big as Barry's.

"Wallace?" Iris called once she and Mary reentered the living room, a shadow of confusion passed over her face at seeing Barry sitting on the floor but it quickly passed. "It's time to say goodbye to your mom."

Wally looked at Barry for a moment longer before walking over to his mother who was waiting for him with open arms. The boy clinged to his mother trying to hide his face in her blouse. Mary hugged her son before holding him out at arms length.

"You're going to behave for your Aunt and Uncle right honey?" she asked a watery smile on her lips. Wally only nodded, the smile on Mary's face seem forced now. "Good." Kissing is temple she stood and made her way to the front door, Iris, Barry, and Wally a few steps behind her. Mary paused upon stepping outside turning back towards her sister in law.

"Call me for whatever reason."

Iris nodded and Barry found himself doing the same, "Of course."

Looking once more at her son Mary took a deep breath before walking towards the car she and Wally arrived in. As her hand touched the door handle Barry felt something push past him, for a second Barry thought that maybe Wally would run after his mother, but he didn't. Wally just stood there and watched his mother get into the car and pull out of the driveway. Only then did Wally take a few steps forward his eyes following the car as it drove down the road and disappeared around the corner. Barry had a feeling that if he nor Iris brought him inside, Wally would have just stood there, staring at the same spot for the rest of the day.

"Come on sweetheart," Iris said taking Wally's hand, "I'll show you your room." Their nephew hesitated for a moment before he let his Aunt lead him inside.

Barry stood outside a little while longer. Something just wasn't adding up, from the looks of things Wally's mother didn't want to be away from her son. So why was the kid here? Sighing Barry walked inside closing the door behind him.

.:…:.

Barry had heard from some of his friends that having a kid in the house was loud and messy. That he would never get a moment's peace and personal time went out the window with a kid running ruin in the house. That idea was backed up when he was out on patrol as The Flash, he saw kids running around, screaming, and generally spreading mayhem in pint sized proportions.

So what was wrong with his kid?

He thought that maybe Wally was just shy around him and Iris at first because he wasn't used to his new surroundings yet. That was for the first week, after that he was wondering why the kid was still in his shell. Iris assured that Wally was still getting used to the adjustment. But to Barry Wally seemed too afraid to even take a single step let alone pick up a toy. He would cast frightful glances at Barry when he fidgeted in his seat as if expecting the older man to yell at him. Barry was starting to suspect that something happened in the West household.

Now, Barry never actually had a real conversation with Rudolf, all he really had to go on was whatever Iris said about him. She never said anything too bad about him. But going by how Wally acted, Barry knew that Rudy had something to do with it.

His suspicions were confirmed almost a month after Wally had come to live with them.

Barry had the day off from work and Iris went out to run some errands saying that if she didn't go grocery shopping soon there wouldn't be a crumb left in the house. That left Barry alone with the kid for the afternoon, except judging by how quiet it was, Barry mind as well said he was by himself. Once breakfast was over Barry and Wally followed their normal routine. He told Wally that he could watch some television if he wanted Wally would shake his head and mumble a 'No thanks' then stay in the same seat for a few hours before retreating to his room.

Barry had tried to get the kid out of his room more often, took him outside a few times but all Wally did was sit and pick at the grass. He thought kids were supposed to be fun.

So, Barry sat at the desk in his and Iris' room knowing that Wally was still in the kitchen. He was finishing up the last of the bills when a crashing sound echoed down the hall from the kitchen causing Barry to jump in his seat. Pushing away from the desk he ran to the kitchen. Pots littered the floor and Wally was nowhere in sight.

"Wally!" Barry called out. He didn't hear the boy run to his room. He looked around trying to spot the red haired boy. Then he heard it, a sob, coming from underneath the dining table?

Crossing over to the table Barry knelt down to look under and sure enough there was the huddled figure of Wally. His knees were drawn to his chest and head buried in his arms, muffled sobs emitted from the boy.

"Wally?" Barry asked softly pushing the chairs out of his way before crawling underneath the table to join his nephew.

"I'm sorry." Wally sobbed pushing his head deeper into his arms.

"It's okay kiddo." Barry assured resting a hand on Wally's arm. What happened next Barry was not expecting.

Wally's head shot up as he jerked away from the contact nearly hitting his head on the table leg behind him. Despite the lack of proper lighting Barry could see the tear stained cheeks, red eyes, and obvious terror.

"I'm sorry, I won't do it again! Please don't hurt me!" he cried out and promptly broke down again.

Shocked Barry jolted his head backwards smacking it against the table. Hissing he touched his pale hair knowing there would be a bump there, but that would go away soon enough. That didn't matter now. He grabbed Wally with both of his hands and dragged Wally out which only made him cry louder.

He was at a loss, Barry never had any experience when it came to kids, Iris was the kid person, she would know what to do. So there he was sitting on the dining room floor with a hysterical child in his lap. Deciding if he was a scared nine year old there would be only one thing that would make him feel better.

Barry wrapped his arms around Wally's smaller frame cradling the boy against his chest. As the sobbing continued Barry brought a hand up and began to card his fingers through Wally's hair. The speedster soon found himself gently rocking Wally, shushing him hoping to quiet the young boy's cries.

For several long moments the two remained that way; both sitting on the floor, Barry holding Wally while the latter wept into the material of Barry's shirt. Hesitantly smaller arms inched upward before wrapping themselves around Barry's neck.

Despite the situation a small smile played on Barry's lips. He continued to stroke Wally's hair letting his nephew cry until eventually the sobs died down turning into quiet hiccups.

"Wally?" Barry whispered. Wally buried his head (if that was possible) into his Uncles chest tightening his grip around Barry's neck.

"Wally it's okay." He tried again trying to see Wally's face but failing.

There was a small sniff and then a reply that was too muffled for Barry to make out.

"What's that kiddo?"

Wally moved away from his Uncles chest slightly, "You're not mad?"

Barry felt compelled to hug the boy again and so he did resting his chin on Wally's head. "Of course not, why did you think I would be mad?"

Though he already had a fairly good idea what the answer was going to be, Barry had to hear it first hand.

Wally unwrapped his arms and wiped his face with one hand while the other was fisted in the fabric of Barry's shirt. "Daddy gets mad when I make a mess and he yells at me."

"Does he hurt you?" Barry asked trying to keep his voice calm. Wally shifted uncomfortably clenching tighter onto Barry's shirt.

"Sometimes."

In that instant something in Barry sparked, Iris would later call it parental instinct. Rudolf, his brother in law was abusing his very own son. Looking at Wally's tear stained face Barry couldn't imagine that anyone, let alone a father could ever hurt Wally. And if Barry could help it, Rudolf West was never going to touch his son again that much he was sure of.

"You're safe here Wally, your dad won't hurt you again." He swore.

Wally looked at his Uncle's face with large eyes, "You promise?"

"I promise."

To be Continued

Final Thought: I hope it wasn't a bad chapter, maybe I should work on my not so positive outlook on my writing…Eh, maybe some other time. But honestly, why is the chapter never as long as I think it's going to be?...Okay, the third part (and quite possibly the final part) isn't completed, I only have some of it written down, I'm trying to figure some stuff out and I have midterms this week that I really should study for but break next week, so I'll work on it then. So, as always, until the next part, this is Prodigious Discourse signing out.