Thanks to everyone who's reading the story, and thanks to Through the Storm; it means a lot. Soon is where I had my writer's block, so the future chapters may be rushed and not-so-descriptive. Enjoy!

Chapter 9

CJ didn't have any time to react, because literally a second after he kissed her, he stepped back.

CJ's mouth hung open and she was frozen in shock. She didn't know what to do. Her limbs were tingling with warmth, but not because she was fire. No thoughts could enter her mind besides He just kissed me!

He kept his eyes closed as he let out a sigh of defeat. "I'm sorry, I've just been waiting to do that for a long time."

CJ absorbed what he said, and could only think, What? He had?

Ted opened his eyes, and gave her a strange look. It wasn't worry… but fear? Then it got really awkward as he started to talk. "I-I don't really know what's so different about you, except that you're not like them. I can talk to you- really talk to you. With them, I'm closed off."

She didn't know who they were, but he kept talking in his rushed state. As he did, he glanced from her, to the floor, to the wall, to her, to his hands, to the floor, and back to her. Really quickly. "Anyone I meet, I don't really want to talk to. My co-workers and I only talk about our work. When they ask about my personal life, I avoid the questions. And I'm glad I don't like to talk to them.

"All I know is that you're different. I want to talk to you, all the time. And with you, I can talk about anything and feel comfortable. I want to be around you all the time, because I feel better with you around. Always have."

CJ took in what he said, and sifted through it all as he stared at her pleadingly. As she did, she did her best to control her fire. Hearing his words sent warm chills throughout her, clenching her stomach in the good kind of pain. But then again, she heard his words. Was he serious? "That's because I'm not a scientist," CJ said, and his mouth fell open slightly in shock and confusion. "You said I'm easier to talk to, and that's because I'm not like the people that you would usually talk to. If you go out on the street right now, it's a guarantee that they'll be just as interesting as me. I-I'm not special, not really."

They stared at each other another moment, CJ in slight anger and sadness, and Ted in complete shock, disbelief, and his own anger.

Before either of them could speak more, a sharp knock was heard only ten feet from them, and they both turned to the noise. Someone had just knocked on their door.

CJ almost rolled her eyes in distress. Just before both moved towards the door to discover who it was, CJ had enough time to think something around the lines of, Of course, when we desperately need to say something to the other, we get interrupted. Always.

CJ allowed Ted to go first, even if she had been closer, because this was technically his place. CJ was just staying here until she could get her own place, till she could get a job. Right?

Ted opened the door curiously, revealing an elderly woman on the other side.

"Theodore," the woman said, happy to see him.

He opened the door wider and relaxed. He proceeded to ask her what she needed, but had completely forgotten about CJ, and she didn't stand around to listen. She needed to think, without Ted being there. What he said, CJ didn't understand. She was scared to be around him, because she thought she would prove him wrong again, tell him that what he believed was a lie. She wanted to keep him safe, and being with her would be a danger.

Fortunately, it only took a minute to disappear into her room, contact the WatchTower, and get teleported up to the space station.

She was in the lounge room once again, but this time she was sitting at one of the tables. She laid her hands on the table, her chin resting on her hands. She was trying to figure out her feelings. She felt guilt rip at her, for Caroline and Ted. She had left Caroline to deal with her powers alone, no matter how much Caroline hated her, and had told Ted that what he knew was wrong.

She hated herself at that moment, but at the same time, she was scared. She didn't want to lose them, but at this rate, she was going to. She didn't know how to talk, to express her feelings. It was what most humans wanted, which was probably why CJ wouldn't be able to find happiness. The people that would make her happy were going to hate her.

Her fear must have shown- she was probably fidgeting, her eyes wide and unfocused, because she was no longer leaning on the table- because soon enough she had company.

She saw a flash of a red blur before a man suddenly appeared close to CJ. He sat across from her, relaxing into his chair.

CJ was only a little surprised, tensing for a brief moment, before she let out a sigh.

The Flash gave her a small smile. "You look worried."

CJ didn't know she was rubbing her face until she was. She forced her hand back into her lap and looked up at him, at his red mask and the little flaps of yellow on the side of his head. His blue eyes were kind and compassionate. She turned away.

He sighed, then out of the blue asked, "Do you know how I got my powers?"

CJ furrowed her brows, not knowing why he would ask that. Of course she didn't know, she barely knew the guy. She told him all this with one look, and he continued.

"I was in my lab one night, doing the usual paperwork. The weather that morning said it there would be possible thunderclouds, but it was unlikely as I went through the day. Then, without warning, I was struck by lightning."

CJ gasped softly, and he continued. "As the lightning struck me, it also struck the chemicals on the shelves around me. It was a complete coincidence, but once I recovered, I had my newfound powers. My body, my thoughts, my metabolism- everything was faster. I was faster." By the time he was finished, he had looked away, cringing slightly at his own story.

CJ shook her head. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because when that lightning struck, I was not only in so much pain, but I was scared. I thought I was going to die." He paused, finding her gaze once again. "But I woke up, and became the Flash. From then on, I encountered so much. All the super villains, the near death and life changing experiences. All because I was struck by lightning in my lab. Everything I am now is because of that. I've met my friends, and my Iris." He smiled, thoughts of whoever his friends or Iris were. "Everyone I care for, everything that I care about, all because of that night. I guess I'm telling you this because sometimes good things can come from frightening situations."

This oddly reminded CJ of the time Raven had told her how difficult to have powers, when CJ had almost burnt down New York. He was trying to make her feel better, just like Raven had been, and CJ was grateful. She gave him a smile. "Thank you. I think I understand what you're saying."

"Good," he said, standing. "Now, let's go to a party."

CJ stood too, confused. He wanted to bring her to a party? Why?

He grinned, gesturing for her to follow. She did, curious. As they walked down the halls, Flash explained. "Every year, the public celebrates the anniversary of the formation of the Justice League."

CJ frowned. "I didn't know the Justice League was such a big deal to them."

"Oh, it is. Every kid wants to grow up to be a superhero, and the adults either want to date us or they envy us. We're like celebrities." He waved his hand dismissively. "Anyways, since the public is so fond of us, they hold parades and such honoring the Justice League. The Anniversary is next week." He paused with a mischievous grin. "Or so they think."

He stopped their walk, and turned to a door. They stepped through. Inside, CJ didn't believe her eyes. "We celebrate the anniversary today."

It wasn't really a party; there were no balloons or party hats, but there was a ton of food, and almost every League member was in the room. It took a second for CJ to realize that this was one of the biggest rooms in the WatchTower, the one with one wall entirely window, looking out at Earth. CJ had been in the room before, alone, and it was so much different. It was loud, but not loud enough to give you a headache. Everyone was talking, having a conversation; there was no yelling. CJ thought it was perfect.

Flash led her through the crowd, and as she followed him, CJ deliberately said the members' names in her head. She was proud to say she knew of most people in here. There was Captain Atom, Hourman, and Jesse Quick. Power Girl, Supergirl, Black Canary, Wonder Woman, and Hawkgirl. Green Arrow, Vixen, Black Lightning. Vigilante and Shining Knight. Blue Beetle and Booster Gold. Captain Marvel, Blue Devil, Animal Man. Hawk and Dove, Fire and Ice, Hawkman and Atom. Even Aquaman was here.

Flash led CJ over to Green Lantern and Red Arrow, who were also standing with Superman and Cyborg. Then CJ was handed a beer, from a cooler that took her a while to see. She was too caught up in all the people here. They were all happy, enjoying the "party." She held the beer, noticed that others around her were also holding some. As she stared down at it, she realized what it meant. They respected her enough to invite her, or at least Flash did. She didn't see anyone glaring at her, or angry that she was here. She was a member of the Justice League.

Then Superman cleared his throat, and stepped away, calling for everyone's attentions. Within ten seconds he was standing alone by the windows, the room had gone silent, and everyone was staring at him. His speech was short but heartfelt. "Our travels have been on long roads, but I'm proud to say that the roads have all met up, or come parallel to one another. We all know that we've had our struggles." At this, CJ, along with many others, looked down at her beer, remembering the struggles he had brought to mind. "But we work through them, not only for ourselves, but to protect the people we care about. I'm proud to call all of you family." He held up his beer. "To family."

Most everyone at the exact same time mimicked him. "To family." Then they all took a swig of beer.

After only a few sips, some people left, and though CJ didn't notice this, she was one of those people. They must have been thinking along the same lines as CJ.

She realized that yes, these people could be considered her family, but she had a real family. A first family. No matter how much she tried to deny it, she had Ted. Guilt swarmed through her, knowing she had ditched him many times because she didn't want to admit her feelings for him. But Superman's speech had opened her eyes. She needed to talk to Ted.

If you didn't know: I'm not even really sure if anyone celebrates the anniversary, but they do now!