Call out if you're love struck
All caught up with love struck hands around
Call out, you found it out
– Seventeen Hands, The Maccabees
Wally and Linda were in the park surrounded by giggling children and gambolling, yapping dogs, a fox terrier streaked past the two of them, after a squirrel no doubt. Soon enough the small dog was jumping up at a tree, baring his teeth. Linda chuckled, Wally sneaked her a look and grinned, it was a loud, clear, unabashed laugh. Taking off the lid to her cup Linda blew onto her drink, smiling as the smell of rich, dark roasted coffee hit her nose. There had been a brief shower earlier that day but now the clouds had parted and the unmistakable sent of rain was in the air, several puddles dotted the path that Wally and Linda had chosen to take. Flinching slightly Linda attempted to avoid a puddle by standing on her tiptoes, holding out her arms for extra balance. But as fate would have it, she wobbled and was precariously close to falling into the large mass of water to her right. Noting the telltale signs Wally, having discarded his coffee cup, jumped clear over the puddle grabbing Linda by the waist he picked her up, eliciting a small gasp from her and set her safely down the other side.
"Thanks," she said breathlessly, "you're faster than you look."
Wally shrugged modestly, "It was no problem."
Linda smiled once more and gestured for Wally to keep walking with her.
"So," she began, her eyes glancing up to Wally's face, "How's that case of yours? "
"Oh you mean from that office block on Lexington?"
"Yeah, that's the one." Linda smiled again.
"All done, Mr Brazier's asking Callaghan to be the expert witness though." Wally sighed, stuffing his hands into his pockets, "Never really seems to ask me."
Linda was temporarily diverted, "You're probably too young, or smile too much, or something." she coughed, trying not think about his smile, "So you think there's going to be a conviction?"
"Linda, I'm not going to give you a scoop if that's what you're aiming for." Wally came to an abrupt halt, his eyes lacking their normal good humour. Watching Linda blush shame faced he felt a faint sense of vindication, he wasn't an idiot, contrary to popular belief.
"I'm sorry Wally," her voice was sincere, her eyes searching for his. "Sometimes it's hard to switch off, you know?"
"Yeah, I understand."
'So," Linda breathed deeply, holding out her hand, "how about we start over?"
Wally smiled graciously; taking her hand in is, "Sure."
Linda beamed, but checked herself quickly. "Soooo, how did you get into the whole crime scene stuff?"
"Garry Sinise?" He laughed, but was soon looking out towards the rest of the park, his eyes distant. "To tell you the truth, my Uncle Barry."
Linda looked up at him, "Does he work for the CCPD to?"
Wally kicked a bit of gravel on the path in front of him, making sure not to swing his leg too fast. "He did but he died a couple of years back."
"Oh," Linda was once more embarrassed, a death in the family was never easy to address. "I'm sure he's proud of you."
"Yeah," Wally smiled ruefully, she really had no idea.
A few more laps of the park, a stray ball or two fielded abnormally quickly by Wally and Linda began looking at her watch.
"Hey, I gotta go...Take two was nice," she smiled apologetically.
"Yeah, we could do it again sometime?" Wally asked, rocking on the balls of his feet, eyes hopeful.
"Give me a call maybe." Linda's hand reached out and squeezed Wally's upper arm. As she let go Wally swore he saw a hint of sadness, regret, something.
"Good bye Wally," whatever it was in her eyes was gone.
"Bye Linda," the red head replied as Linda parted with one last small smile. Wally stood rooted to the spot, willing himself to call out her name but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
The Flash was on duty and using the Watchtower's resources when he really shouldn't have been. And even if he weren't on the clock he probably shouldn't be doing it anyway. But he was. Hunching forward in his chair, he looked down at the computer screen, there frozen was the image of Linda Park, one of her first appearances on Chanel 4 news. If he paused a minute to actually think about what he was doing he would have to acknowledge that he was behaving in a manner akin to a stalker or failing that, the Question. But instead Wally was admiring the curve of Linda's hips and going through the Watchtower's vast menu (which he had committed to memory) in an effort to determine what he was going to have for elevenses.
A cough and tap on the shoulder accompanied by the amused tones of Shayera Hol disturbed him from his thoughts. "What happened to busty green haired temptress over there?"
The Flash spun around just in time to see Shayera thumb over her shoulder at the superheroine in question.
"Fire? Oh, well..." Wally paused before looking furtively in the direction of Shayera's thumb and whispered, "she's Brazilian, like only likes Brazilians Brazilian."
"Sure you're not going to be able to turn her on to All American's like yourself?" Shayera inquired, leaning against the table.
"Nope," Flash sent Bea one last mournful glance before turning back to Shayera. "Besides why would I, when for some people I'm like the whole track team – at once," the Scarlet Speedster declared.
Shayera looked at her surrogate brother and a snort of laughter escaped her, for at least a minute she was lost to Wally, it was then that he decided on donuts and coffee, a classic.
"The whole track team at once? You have no idea do you?" Shayera resisted the urge to giggle, "so who's the lucky lady?" she questioned, leaning over Wally's shoulder to get a better look at Linda.
"Linda Park," Flash replied, grinning goofily.
Shayera inwardly sighed, oh boy. "She's cute, so she likes the Flash huh?"
"Yup, can't get enough of me," Flash leaned back in his seat, placing his hands behind his head and legs up on the bench in front of him.
"What about Wally West?" Shayera whispered into his ear, her green eyes wiped of the mirth that previously danced there.
"I'm working on it," Wally replied, the bravado only lost for a second, "Besides who wouldn't like me, I'm a good looking red head."
Shayera leant back all intimacy lost and knocked the chair from under him, taken by surprise the Scarlet Speedster fell flat on the floor as Shayera walked away, her wings folded up tightly betraying her annoyance. In a snap decision Flash was up, zipping towards the cafeteria and before Shayera had reached the door a cup of coffee was held out under her nose, a warm croissant in a paper napkin accompanying it.
A reluctant smile twitched at the corners of her mouth as she accepted the proffered peace offering.
"I meant good looking male red head," Wally clarified, "I mean seriously how many good looking red heads, that are guys, have you seen?"
Shayera opened her mouth to speak, but came up short. After a few seconds of serious considering, "Green Arrow's side-kick, he's a red head. Good shoulders."
"Ex partner," Wally corrected on reflex, "And besides Roy..." he sighed with a flippant wave of his arm – Harper always got the girls.
Shayera wasn't listening, her eyes adopting a slightly carnivorous looks as she bit a little too enthusiastically into the French pastry.
"Uh Shayera?" Flash questioned, the Thanagarian merely liked her lips and took a sip of the Americano. Wally rolled his eyes; thankful his cowl prevented its detection, "Didn't take you for a cradle snatcher." He commented mildly, casually studying his hand as he walked along side the fantasising woman.
A low growl coming from the vicinity of Shayera's chest was heard before her mace was out and waving threateningly under Wally's nose. "You want to say that again Flash?"
Wally giggled nervously, "No, Ma'am"
"Good," Shayera nodded, "C'mon we've got a meeting."
"Aw but I haven't had a chance too..." Flash whined.
Shayera held up a hand silencing him, "Fastest Man Alive, remember?"
Wally grinned, "Right, I'll see you there."
And as Shayera predicted Wally beat her to the conference room.
A/N: Ok as suggested by my reviewers I've decided to take on the task of another multichaptered fic. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter and feel free to let me know.