Disclaimer: I don't own Justice League Unlimited.

Complicated Simplicity

Chapter Five: Turning Point

Carter Hall, otherwise known as Hawkman, had seen the Flash nervous before. He had seen the Flash nervous, upset, angry, hurt, even nigh on psychotic (granted, that was a Flash from a parallel universe, but still). But he hadn't seen him worried to this point before.

He made his way over to the speedster, a Styrofoam cup of coffee in each hand. He wasn't sure that adding caffeine to the situation was the best move, but the young superhero had been rather insistent. And emotional, come to think of it, but Carter didn't want to cause his friend any more stress than he was already being subjected to.

After receiving the call from Wally that he was in fact alive and well on the Watchtower, Carter had only just managed to arrive back at the satellite before seeing Shayera angrily 'tearing Wally a new one', to use a phrase that Ray used. Even though it was understandable anger born out of concern for the sometimes impulsive superhero, Carter couldn't help but think it was a little rash to treat the speedster in such a way.

Later, Carter had found out from some of the Watchtower staff that Green Lantern had given him a similarly angry scolding, and had resolved not to give Flash the same treatment. In his experience, the speedster never responded to such approaches. While he still understood their reasons for being angry, he thought their approach had little to be desired.

And so, once Shayera had finished her 'speech' and stormed off to some distant part of the Watchtower, Carter had approached the speedster and simply asked him if he was all right. But before the conversation could even get off the ground, Mr Terrific got a call from one of the Flash's Teen Titan friends, Nightwing. The vigilante had been attacked by some serial killer who Carter wasn't familiar with, and was now lying in the Watchtower med bay, having lost a considerable amount of blood from his viciously slashed wrist.

And that was where the Flash was now firmly situated, stubbornly resisting any efforts to move him. Hence why Carter merely asked him if there was anything he needed, rather than telling him to do something. In reply, the speedster had grinned and said 'one mocha frappachino latte with all the trimmings?'

Carter had known the speedster long enough to know that 'all the trimmings' meant the customary twenty-seven sugars on top of everything else. The high speed metabolism of the speedster still amazed him when he saw it up close.

Flash glanced over at him from where he was sat, barely moving his head in a short nod of acknowledgement before returning his concerned gaze to Nightwing.

"How is he?" he asked gently as he handed over the sugar loaded beverage, recognising that Flash wasn't going to want to talk about his own problems any time soon. And while Carter was itching to talk to his friend about what happened at Iron Heights, Flash's current emotional state was of far more consequence to the faux-Thanagarian.

The speedster sighed as he took the cup. "No change." He blew on his coffee tentatively. "T found the guy yet?" he asked, keeping his gaze firmly on the drink before him.

Hawkman recognised 'T' as an abbreviation of 'Mr Terrific' that both Flash and Green Arrow used regularly (Carter had to admit, 'Mr Terrific' was a mouthful in the middle of a battle). He shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Dr Amar is a very evasive character."

Another sigh escaped Wally's lips. "Yeah, well…" He turned to look at Nightwing. "That would be why he was having so much trouble finding him."

"And you?" Carter asked, pulling up a chair beside him. "How are you doing?"

He shrugged. "I'm okay. No stab wounds, so that's good, I guess."

Carter smiled lightly before looking back down at Nightwing. "How long have you known him?"

"Oh, man, I don't know…" he replied, blowing out a breath as he thought on the matter.

"That long, huh?"

The speedster opened his mouth, and then closed it. "Yeah." Flash suddenly looked up at him. "Dude, I'm sorry. You have to get to the museum, don't you?"

"It's not important."

Flash gave him a sarcastic smile. "Not important, my finely toned ass. You go, I'm fine."

"But-"

He ushered him out of the med bay with a wave of his hand. "Go, go, I'm fine."

Hawkman paused, reluctant. "…you're sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Nightwing'll wake up any minute now, and then we'll have a party, it'll be great." He took on a more serious tone. "And… look, I'm feeling bad enough right now without getting you fired making me feel worse. So just go. I'll be fine. Really."

The curator of the Midway City Museum thought for a while. "All right. But if you need anything, just give me a call."

The speedster gave a mock salute. "Can do."

After gently placing his coffee cup on the bedside table, Carter made his way to the door, which slid open for him obligingly. He turned to look at Wally.

"You're sure that-"

"Good God, man, go!" Flash's eyes could be practically seen rolling beneath his opaque eye lenses.

Carter put up his hands in mock surrender as he left. "All right, all right…"

However, as he looked through the observation window of the med bay, Hawkman couldn't help but berate himself for giving in so easily.

He would have to have a talk with Green Arrow.

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All that Alfred Pennyworth could hear as he entered the cave was the familiar clacking of the keyboard echoing off the walls. He stifled a sigh that would normally have pricked the ears of his currently over stressed master and made his way down the steps.

"I have informed Mr Fox that the meeting has been moved to Thursday, sir."

Bruce Wayne, fully encompassed by the garb of the Batman, continued his typing, unhindered by Alfred's declaration.

The eternally patient servant decided to press on.

"May I enquire to the well-being of Master Dick?"

That stopped him. At first, Bruce didn't do anything. Then he continued typing again.

"Mr Terrific told me he regained consciousness an hour ago."

Alfred nodded. Well, at least he was speaking.

"Are you planning a visit, sir?"

He kept on typing.

"No."

"And may I ask why?"

The incessant clacking of the keyboard was beginning to grate on Alfred.

"It wouldn't help."

His jaw clenched.

Well, perhaps Dick just needs to know that you care, hm? Perhaps you should put aside your bloody pride and inability to deal with even the slightest bit of emotion and talk to the boy!

This time, the sigh did escape his lips; and he was sure that Bruce had heard it, keyboard clacking or no keyboard clacking.

"Yes, Master Bruce."

And with that, the butler turned on his heel and left the cave.

Bruce waited for the door to the Batcave to clang shut before leaning back in his chair and rubbing his eyes through his lenses. Amar's attack on Dick had cancelled any plans he had had of getting any sleep that night.

He shook it off and got back to work, feverishly typing away on the console. Hopefully he would be able find some clue that Dick missed that would lead to Amar's whereabouts.

But, somehow, he doubted that very much.

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The steady beep of the machine was interrupted by a high pitched flat line as Dick pulled the heart monitors from his chest. Flash was on him in an instant.

"Whoa, slow down. You lost a lot of blood, buddy."

Nightwing shook his head. "I don't have time to slow down. Amar's-"

"We're on it. Lie down."

"But he's-"

Flash covered his ears, as difficult a feat as that was with his earpieces in the way. "La la la! Don't want to hear it! Rest now!"

After a staring contest of roughly five seconds, the protector of Bludhaven sighed and slumped back onto the bed.

"But you don't know anything about him. How dangerous he is."

"Could he hurt Superman?"

"Is Superman down there?"

The speedster paused. "Well… no. But you get my point."

"Who is down there?"

"Uh… Booster Gold and Blue Beetle. I think. That might've changed, I haven't been checking in."

Dick scowled. "Why not? I need to keep up to-"

"Because you were lying here unconscious from blood loss! That… kinda takes priority." He shrugged. "Sorry."

The ex-Robin's features softened. "No, I'm sorry." He rubbed his face restlessly. "I've just been tracking this guy for so long… it feels wrong to just pass it on and let someone else handle it."

"And you used to be the leader of a team?"

"Do you want to hear the story?"

Flash put up his hands. "All right, all right. I'm listening. No mocking."

Dick gave him a look.

"I promise!"

After a brief pause, the vigilante looked up at the ceiling in defeat. "His name is Dr Michael Amar. He used to be one of the most renowned surgeons in the country."

"I've never heard of him."

"I'm shocked. Anyway-"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Would you shut up and let me finish?"

The speedster crossed his arms. "Fine."

Nightwing sighed before continuing. "A few years ago, he went crazy. Started killing random patients so he could 'stop the voices'. Eventually he came to Gotham, where Batman stopped him. Amar couldn't control himself and sporadically confessed different crimes while he was in Arkham. Somehow, he managed to escape. He cut out his own tongue-"

Flash winced.

"-and sewed his lips shut-"

Flash winced again.

"-to stop himself from ever incriminating himself again. He's been moving from city to city ever since, acting as an underground plastic surgeon for criminals to bring him some money and victims."

Flash nodded. "And now he's settled in Bludhaven."

"Not if I can help it," Dick replied, making another move to get out of the bed. Once again, the speedster was on him in an instant.

"No! The doctors say you won't even be able to stand up yet."

Almost as soon as he had said it, Wally knew it was a mistake. If there was one thing he had learnt about Dick Grayson from knowing him since he was fifteen, it was that you never, never told him what he wouldn't be able to do. Because Dick Grayson would not stop until he had done it, and done it so well he could rub it in your face for as long as you lived.

He still gloated over Wally and Garfield after they challenged him to make the perfect soufflé. Although Wally personally found it funny that the Dick Grayson, the terror of Bludhaven, could make a perfect soufflé, and was proud of the fact.

His jaw set in determination, Dick forced himself up onto his feet. He swayed to and fro a few times, stubbornly waving off Wally's assistance when he offered it. Then, gradually, he straightened out and stood up. He cocked an eyebrow and smirked.

Wally crossed his arms and returned the smirk. "Now walk forward."

The smug expression faltered almost imperceptibly. One foot went forward. Then the next…

Dick Grayson, the costumed vigilante known as Nightwing, fell to the ground in an awkwardly shaped heap.

Barely managing to hold back his guffaws, Flash helped Nightwing back into the bed.

"You know, you have a lousy bedside manner," he fumed, glaring at the giggling speedster.

"Hey, Kori would've just broken your legs."

Dick tried to remain serious, but the comment managed to elicit a smile from him. He rubbed his weary eyes.

"So who's going after Amar?"

"You're looking at him."

He looked over at Wally.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"It just… Amar's not exactly… what you're used to."

"What's to get used to? He's a skinny guy with a knife."

"Don't underestimate him. The police forces of three cities have, I have, and even Batman has. Amar doesn't just use a knife. He's stronger than he looks."

"Big whoop."

"And he's developed something called the Frenzy virus. It effectively drives the victim insane, physically and mentally."

The speedster nodded slowly, seemingly taking it in. However, with the Flash, it was always difficult to tell the difference between listening intently and ignoring completely.

"Got it?"

"I got it."

"Have you actually got it, or are you just saying that to shut me up?"

"I got it, okay?!"

Dick was stunned to silence for a moment by the sudden outburst, but quickly got over it. He leaned forward and spoke quietly.

"Are you okay, Wally?"

"I'm fine. It's nothing."

A 'don't give me that crap' look was the only response Dick gave.

Wally sighed. "Something happened at Iron Heights. During the breakout."

"What?"

The speedster looked away, gazing both idly and intently at a stain on the floor. "I… almost killed someone."

"By accident?"

He shook his head.

"What happened?"

"It was Volcana. She was using Linda as a hostage… and I just…" He shook his head.

"Wally… it's understandable to get a little crazy when your loved ones are in danger. It's not ideal, but it's understandable. Don't beat yourself up over it."

"It's not just that. Before that, I was talking to Green Arrow about how we shouldn't kill, that we can't make that kind of choice. But as soon as it's someone that I care about…" He sighed again. "What if next time I won't be able to stop? What if Captain Cold points his gun at Aunt Iris and I just kill him?"

"You wouldn't do that."

"… I'm not so sure anymore."

"Well, I am sure. You wouldn't kill anyone, no matter what they did to you. It's just… not in you."

"But I wanted to-"

"But you didn't, and that's the important thing here."

"That's only because Arrow stopped me. If he hadn't been there-"

"If he hadn't been there, do you really think you would've killed Volcana?"

"I-"

"Truthfully, Wally. Do you really think you have it in you to take the life of another human being?"

Flash sighed. "No."

Nightwing knew his friend well enough to see that he wasn't convinced.

"You said you were arguing with Green Arrow. What was he saying about it?"

"He was saying that sometimes it's necessary for us to kill. He wasn't talking about a killing spree or anything, but…" the speedster shook his head. "I didn't like what he was talking about."

Dick braced himself for the response to his upcoming statement. "He… does carry a point, Wally."

"What?"

"Sometimes…" Dick paused as he thought about how to phrase his words. "Look, you're going to bring Amar in, right?"

"Right."

"And you know that he's killed countless people, right?"

"Okay…"

"And you know what the sentence for that is, right?"

Flash opened his mouth to speak when realisation hit. "Oh…"

"It… it's difficult, Wally. There are some criminals that just don't respond to being beaten up and thrown in jail. Amar is one of them. Joker is another."

"So we should just kill them."

"No. No, I'm not saying that, I… Wally, this just isn't something that can be explained to you. You've always been naïve about this kind of thing, and I've known since the day I met you that someday it would turn around and bite you in the ass."

Wally nodded slowly. "Right." He leapt to his feet. "Uh, I'm just gonna check on Amar and everything. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Wally, come on, don't-"

"No, no, it's okay, I've uh… I've gotta go. I'll see ya."

In a literal flash, the speedster was gone, leaving only the weak fluttering of the bed sheets in his wake.

Dick sighed and lay back in his bed. "That went well."

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Mr Terrific could hear the vague noises of Static and Gear bickering over something behind the Atom, whose expression seemed to indicate they had been doing so for awhile.

"How's it going?"

The scientist sighed. "They're… working on it. There's nothing more I can say than that."

"…right. Have you got an ETA for me?"

Static's voice chimed in. "Yeah; right now."

Next was Gear's. "There are some things in the teleporter that need to be changed."

"What things?"

"I don't really want to go into the exact mechanics of it-"

"It'd take a long time, trust me," Static added.

"-but the modifications I need to make means that the teleport itself will take about an hour. And once you start it, you won't be able to stop, or, uh…"

"Or what?"

"… bad things will happen."

"Understood. Can you make the modifications now?"

Gear nodded. "I'll be up there in a few minutes."

Atom poked his head in. "Better make it ten. We'll need to get the machine ready for transport up to the bridge."

"All right. Bridge, out."

Mr Terrific felt a slight breeze and looked over to see Flash.

"How's Nightwing?"

"He's okay," he replied simply, looking off into space.

"I got a call from a Hunter Zolomon of the Central City PD a few minutes ago. He said to call him back as soon as you could."

Flash nodded and pushed a few buttons on the control panel in front of him to make the call.

After a few rings, a low growl of a voice answered, sounding slightly groggy as though waking up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Hunter. This is Flash."

"Mmm? Oh, Flash. Right, right."

"Did I wake you up?"

"Not really. The leg's been keeping me awake recently."

"What's up?"

"I called to ask about you when Mr Terrific told me about Amar. Being a criminal profiler and all, I thought I'd give you what I know about him."

A red eyebrow cocked beneath the crimson mask. "You know about Amar?"

"I tend to keep an eye on psychotic criminals who are close by Central City. It's an old habit from being in the FBI, I guess."

"What've you got?"

"You probably know most of his story by now. Renowned surgeon, started killing people to 'stop the voices'-"

"Cut out his own tongue, yadda yadda…"

"Right. But what you may not know is that in certain situations after his incarceration, he became docile and placid. Not a violent tendency in sight, unless provoked."

"Do you know why?"

"I looked into all the places that Amar was when the behaviour was recorded, and found one thing in common with each of the rooms; they all had aspects of lead in their construction."

"Why lead?"

"I don't know. Maybe he thought it blocked the voices or something. But that's the only thing I could find in common."

"So if we look for all the places that have lead…" he said, looking over at Mr Terrific.

The Justice League co-ordinator nodded in response and began tapping away at a control panel in front of him. "We should be able to scan for it from up here."

They waited for a few minutes as the scanners did their work on the city of Bludhaven. As they did so, the doors to the bridge opened, revealing Gear, Static and the Atom as they pushed the time machine to the teleporter pad on its anti grav trolley, assisted by several Watchtower workers. Flash gave Mr Terrific a questioning look.

"I'll explain later."

The computer in front of them beeped, and Mr Terrific once again tapped away on the console. A list of names appeared on the screen.

"Here's a list of the buildings with the most lead used in their construction," he said, pointing.

The speedster smirked as he looked at the list. "And top of the list is a LuthorCorp warehouse."

"Get going. I'll tell Booster Gold and Blue Beetle to meet you there."

"Right. Hunter, I'll talk to you later."

"Wait, Flash. Let me go with you."

"What? No way. Do you know how dangerous this guy is?"

"Look, I'm on my way there now anyway."

"You're what?"

"I'm on the train to Bludhaven now; I'm about two minutes out. So either I go by myself and end up distracting you in the middle of a fight, or I go with you and you can know where I am and not have to worry about me."

The speedster groaned and covered his face with his hands, rubbing his eyes irritably.

"I don't need this…"

Mr Terrific cocked an eyebrow, but said nothing.

Flash swung his arms down. "All right, you're coming. Just… stay out of the way, okay? I don't want to see you getting cut up as well."

"No problem. I'll see in a few."

There was a click followed by a dial tone. Flash glanced over at Mr Terrific as he walked to the door.

"See you later."

"Flash."

He stopped at the doorway.

"Are you all right to do this? I could send Shayera instead."

The speedster paused almost imperceptibly before grinning and waving his hand dismissively. "Pffft. What? No, don't be stupid. I can handle one skinny guy with a knife. Besides, y'know, he got my buddy, I have to get him, honour between warriors, blah blah blah, y'know."

Mr Terrific just stared at him for a few moments before nodding. "All right. Before you go, be aware that the teleporters won't be functioning either here or at the Metro Tower for about an hour after you've gone."

"Why?"

He silently pointed down below them at the bickering Static and Gear as the Atom looked on helplessly, looking as though he might explode at any moment.

"Oh, okay. Big machine. One hour. Gotcha."

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Hunter looked up and down the street and once again resisted the urge to shiver. The way the shadows obscured his vision, it made the street seem as thought it were coming alive whenever he moved. He was beginning to see why only the worst kind of criminals resided in Bludhaven. Hunter tried to keep his cane quiet as it hit the sidewalk.

"When's that backup of yours getting here again?"

Flash paused at the street corner. "They ran into some guy barrelling down the streets in a stolen police van. They said they'd be here as soon as they could." He looked over at his limping companion. "I told you not to come."

He shrugged. "It's fine."

"Yeah. Right." He made as though to go around the corner, then stopped himself. "Hunter. We've known each other for awhile now, right?"

"Four months, at least."

"Right. Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Well… shouldn't we be-"

"It'll only take a sec."

Hunter sighed. "All right."

"What do you expect from a hero?"

"What?"

"I mean… how do you think a hero should act? Do you think he should… talk to the people he saves? Should he separate himself from them? Should he…" Flash took a breath. "Should he kill?"

Realisation dawned on Hunter's face as he realised the real purpose of Flash's questioning.

"This is about what happened with Volcana, isn't it?"

He didn't reply. He didn't need to.

"All right. I'll tell you what I think a hero should do. A hero should do whatever it takes to protect the innocent, regardless of the risks."

"But… what if that means killing someone? Doesn't that make him as bad as the people he fights against?"

"No, because his intentions are good."

"But-"

Hunter put up a hand. "That's all. All that other stuff you asked about is immaterial. To me, a hero is willing to do whatever it takes. It's as simple as that."

Flash sighed loudly. "Right."

"You know what else a hero should do?"

He looked at Hunter.

"He shouldn't leave his buddies freezing their asses off when he should be getting on with the job."

That comment elicited a grin from the speedster, who pointed a thumb over his shoulder. "Just round the corner."

The two crept around, Flash visibly slowing his pace to keep side by side with the limping Hunter. The profiler had lost count of how many times people had slowed down, however subtly, to allow him to feel like he was 'normal'. He didn't resent their intentions, just their actions.

They reached the entrance to the warehouse. The two went down an alleyway beside it, and Flash put his back to the wall beside a door concealed by shadows.

"Okay," he whispered, "keep quiet. He-"

Amar leapt out of the shadows and barrelled straight into the Flash, knocking him head over heels down the alleyway. Amar turned to Hunter, his skinny frame barely registering in Hunter's eyes.

He slashed out with his knife, catching Hunter on the chest. The police profiler yelled and fell back from the pain, accidentally putting all his weight on his bad leg before tumbling to the ground.

Amar slammed a needle into his side and pushed the tab on the top down, pumping Hunter full of something.

A red blur shot out and smashed into Amar's masked face. He hurtled down the alleyway and collided with the wall at the end, a loud crunch accompanying the impact.

"Flash!"

The speedster barely registered Booster Gold and Blue Beetle's presence as he knelt beside the trembling Hunter, who was curled up in a foetal position. Flash turned him onto his back to look at his eyes, which were dilated to a degree Flash had never seen on anyone. His mouth was beginning to froth, and the convulsions were becoming far more violent.

"God…" Beetle muttered, putting a hand over his mouth.

Flash whipped his head around to look at the two heroes. "What are you doing!? Get him!" he said, pointing down the alleyway at the unconscious form of Amar.

The two nodded dumbly and headed off to their duties as Flash cautiously picked up his shaking friend. He put his hand to his earpiece.

"I need an emergency transport, now!"

"We can't; the teleporter's-"

"Try anyway! Hunter's dying, and the Watchtower tech's the best chance he's got!"

"Flash-"

"Please! Just try!"

There was a brief silencefrom the other end as Mr Terrific conferred with what sounded like Gear and the Atom.

"All right. We might be able to bring him up if he's the only one. So put him on the ground and back up."

Flash nodded quickly. "Okay." Delicately, he put Hunter down on the floor, whose skin was now deathly pale. His hand came back up to the earpiece again. "Ready!"

"Right. Now, whatever happens, don't try to touch him."

"Okay, just do it!"

"Transporting now."

In an instant, the police profiler was encompassed by blue-white energy. However, it didn't disappear right away, instead remaining in front of Flash's eyes, fluctuating rapidly. Through the shifting lights, Wally could make out Hunter's form. Hunter looked over at him, his expression still vacant. He reached out to the speedster.

All Flash could do was watch.

Suddenly, the size of the light changed, and became roughly the same size as a car. Flash realised it was the time machine he was seeing. His hand whipped up to his ear.

"What's going on up there?!"

"Stand by."

The light shifted, once again becoming Hunter. Then the time machine. Then Hunter again. It continued to fluctuate until it looked as though the two were occupying the same space at the same time.

A blinding burst of light sprang forth, and Wally covered his eyes with his arm. Gradually, the light subsided, and the Scarlet Speedster lowered his arm, his vision obscured by a plethora of multi coloured dots.

Before him lay the inanimate body of Hunter Zolomon, face down on the ground.

"Hunter!"

He was beside him in an instant and turned him over.

There wasn't a mark on him. Frantically, Flash checked the knife wound on his chest.

Nothing.

He checked his pulse.

Going strong.

A speedy examination revealed that, much to Flash's confusion, there was no evidence that anything had happened to Hunter at all. His communicator beeped for attention.

"Flash! Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm… I'm okay."

"What about Zolomon?"

"He's, uh… he's okay too."

"Well, I'm glad to see some good news come out of this."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"The time machine we were trying to teleport? It's wrecked. In fact, it barely even resembles the time machine. Now it's just a melted… mess."

Flash frowned and looked down at his friend, who looked almost serene in his state of unconsciousness.

"I'll uh… I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Right."

He looked over at Blue Beetle and Booster Gold, who had a cuffed Amar held between them.

"Can you guys make sure he's taken care of?"

They nodded.

"No problem," Booster said. He nodded. "You just get him to a hospital."

Flash smiled, although the expression seemed slightly bewildered. He picked up Hunter and shot off down the street, not sure whether to be concerned or happy about what happened to Hunter.

He didn't even notice that Hunter's eyes had taken on a slightly reddish hue.

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(A/N: Thanks to Hhgbh for beta-ing.

Ray is the Atom's real name, for those not in the know.

Anyway, review!)