Sorry for the extra long hiatus, everyone. I meant only for a week's vacation, but I'm sure you all know how life is. Fortunately, I was able to get us another chapter out before I left for RTX! I'm so excited to meet friends and fellow RT fans in Austin!

Special thanks to analiarvb, icefrozenover, cobaltqueen, washingtonstub, secretlystephaniebrown, notatroll7, Enmuse, thewolvesrunwild, Yin, LordFluffySword, thepheonixqueen, and a-taller-tale on AO3 and tumblr for the wonderful feed back! I truly appreciate it more than you know.

Double Time
Chapter Nineteen: Coming to the Rescue

"I realize this is somewhat ironic coming from me, but I think you'd better slow down," Carolina recommended, running backwards to talk to Washington as he raced forward. Streaks of blue raced behind her in a dazzling display, sparks flying from the astounding friction of her feet against the pavement. It was enough to make Washington wonder how he could have ever forgotten someone like her.

"Tucker and the others — they're in danger!" he got out as close to incoherently as he could muster without diving right over the edge.

"Understandable, but I'm not the one you need to slow down for," Carolina argued with a nod of her head back behind them.

At first Washington was confused by the sentiment, but once he turned just enough to look over his shoulder, he could see exactly what his fellow former superhero meant.

Junior was bumbling along behind them, breathing heavy, but still keeping pace. What Washington could see of his reptilian cheeks were flushed, and his eyes were wide as saucers. Even knowing as little about Junior's species and anatomy as he did, Washington could clearly see this was a little child positively terrified out of his mind.

And his father's boyfriend was the selfless dick responsible.

"Junior," Wash got out in his own gulp of air before skidding to a stop and turning around to meet the babe.

Carolina, seeming to be slowing but also to run off some of that kinetic energy obviously built up through her body, circled Wash a few times at super speed before coming to a stop herself at last, hands on her hips and very clearly not even beginning to be out of breath, or breaking a sweat. She simply stopped with her hands on her hips and waited for things to play out.

Once Junior was close enough, Washington dropped down on one knee and clapped his hands on the young alien's shoulders. He looked as meaningfully into Junior's eyes as he could, and rubbed tiny circles against Junior's skin with his thumbs. It was a little sentiment that seemed to amount to nothing in the grand scheme of things, but Washington could swear that he saw little Junior begin to breathe easier.

"I'm going to take care of your dad, Junior," Wash informed him. "Him… and you… Really, everyone is my responsibility. No matter how much they sometimes contradict. No matter how hard it sometimes is to balance it all. The buck stops with me. And I need to go find Tucker and make sure he's safe because that's my job."

The four year old's eyes were still far too wide, but they narrowed ever so slightly and his jaws began to chatter. As if he was fully aware of what the next talking point was going to be and he had to make it clear he really didn't like where Wash was going before he got there.

"I know, but part of my other responsibility all this time has been to try to teach you… and the others… all of the others, how to be heroes, too," Wash said. "I might've not done a good job with everyone else… Really, I'm just not creative enough to figure out how to totally utilize the Reds outside of training and reckless endangerment… and Palomo's super power to sparkle bothered me on such a fundamental level that I never really allowed it much extra thought, honestly."

Junior tilted his head as if attempting to force Wash's hand to get on with it.

"My point is, for all my mistakes, for all the ways I've come short as a hero and as a friend and… as a boyfriend," Wash looked at the kid seriously. "I know that of anyone and everyone, you've got the right heart and the right instincts to be a better hero — a better person than any one of us. That I never needed to push you in the right direction, because your arrows shoot straight," Wash continued. He watched the way a certain twinkle returned to Junior's eyes as the fear slowly faded away. "So right now, while I go and make sure your father's okay, I need you to do for the others I failed what you've done for me, Junior. I need you to show them the right way to be a hero. And make sure they're okay first. That means Church, Caboose… the Reds… the other kids if you can get a hold of them. Make sure they're okay. And make sure they're safe. And keep them that way until I can come back and make everything right."

For a moment Junior seemed uncertain of what to do. His mandibles clattered together and he shifted his weight from foot to foot. Wash could see the way his glances very pointedly looked toward the direction of the gas station and garage that they all knew the Reds hung around at.

But he wasn't moving yet.

He was still worried about Tucker.

"Junior, I'm trusting you a lot here," Washington reminded him as softly as he could, given the heightened stakes. "Even if I haven't shown I deserved it in a while, I need you to trust me, too here. Alright?"

For a moment, Junior seemed uncertain. His dark eyes flickered down in thought before he looked back up to Washington and nodded assuredly. His little fists came up and he let out a cooing sound followed by a couple of chattering clicks of his teeth.

That was a yes if Washington had ever heard one.

Washington smiled in turn and rubbed Junior's head. "I know I can trust you. Let's hope you can do the same for me."

With a deep breath, Junior turned toward the direction of the Reds' garage and took off as fast as his legs could take him in those rubber rain boots.

Getting back onto his feet, Washington watched after Junior almost in admiration. It was almost surprising to him just how much he had meant every word about the faith he had in just what kind of admirable superhero Junior was one day going to be.

"Wow," Carolina's voice pulled Wash from his thoughts. "That was… sweet. If not entirely corny. Sweet."

"The last thing I would ever want is for that kid to see his father in danger or hurt or…" Wash closed his eyes tightly, perishing even the thought of worse for Tucker.

"He might be seeing that with your other buddies, or sending him into danger," Carolina pointed out as she folded her arms. "None of them had a Tex heading after them."

"Which is why you're going to follow him," Washington informed her, looking at her seriously.

Carolina only stared at him at first before holding up a finger and shaking her head. "I don't do kids."

"He's not a kid, he's a superhero, and he'll need someone who's used to training those by his side no matter what he finds without me," Wash said confidently.

There was a moment where some fondness flickered across Carolina's face. "You starting to remember me again?"

"I… I don't even know what you mean entirely," Wash answered. "But I was taught by a great hero to trust my guts. And for whatever reason — subconscious memory or just… maybe the fact you've saved us about three times that I'm aware of, I trust you."

"I'd be flattered if you all hadn't also trusted obvious villains," Carolina pointed out.

"Go watch after my child," Wash ordered flatly.

Adjusting her goggles, Carolina seemed to be taking her time, until she put one foot forward and in a burst of static and wind, was out of Washington's sight entirely. The boom was nearly enough to make him step back.

Shaking his head, Washington glared after her. "Showoff," he uttered before his own words began to ring in his ears.

My child.

And, suddenly, a whole new rush was flowing through Washington's system. "I have to find Tucker," he determined.

With a renewed energy, Washington began racing forward toward the laundromat, barely paying attention to his surroundings. All of his focus was on getting to Tucker. Getting to their home. And, if everything was fine and people were safe, making sure to let his boyfriend know that he finally got it. That he finally was on the same page.

With perhaps some well deserved shoving it in Tucker's face that all of this would have easily been talked through if he had used some adult like words to put into perspective that they were a family.

They were a family and Wash needed to think more on those terms.

Which became very hard to do when he reached the laundromat's back alley entrance and found that the secret garage had been left open.

"What the hell?" Washington got out before looking around worriedly and heading on into the apartment. That door, too, was left open and Washington was left in what looked like the sight of a struggle.

"Oh, god, no," he gasped out before running forward. "Tucker!" he yelled. "TUCK—"

Running in at full speed seemed to have its consequences as his feet struck something hard right in front of him that went all the way up to his shins. And, however ungracefully, Washington hit the carpet chin first.

"Ouch! Son of a bitch!" Tex's voice screamed out at him before an invisible fist punched Wash's shoulder.

"Ow!" Wash growled before stopping, eyes widening as he scrambled to sit upright. "Wait! Tex? Is that you?"

Slowly, the other vigilante dropped her invisibility and revealed she was sitting on the floor, roughed up and with a black eye.

"I didn't know you could get black eyes," Wash said almost mystified.

"Yeah? I didn't know that cats couldn't land on their goddamn feet!" she snapped before spitting some reddened spit to the side and onto Wash and Tucker's carpet. "You didn't tell me these assholes had a psychic. I dropped my defenses. Got suckered."

"What?" Washington asked before he could catch himself. Holding out his hands and rapidly shaking head, he kept his fellow vigilante from really answering the question. "Nevermind any of that, I don't actually care. What I do care about is what the fuck happened here? Who trashed my apartment, and, more importantly, where. Is. Tucker?"

Tex squinted at him as if trying to size him up. "You're joking right? There are two assholes who have been on your grill this whole time while I told you to stay uninvolved with the city shit and one of them showed off that he knew your secret identities, and you're asking me who came and wrecked your shit?"

Wash stared back at her for a moment. "Yes."

"It was Felix and Locus, Wash!" Tex snapped.

"But where is Tucker!?" Wash demanded.

"I don't know, you didn't warn me about a psychic and blindsided me!" Tex snapped.

"You're supposed to be the best! How were you not prepared for anything?" Wash cried out, arms in the air.

"Because being the best usually means I don't have to be!" Tex snapped before pinching the bridge of her nose and taking a deep breath. "Okay, stop, this isn't getting us anywhere."

"Where did they take Tucker? Did they hurt him? What happened?" Washington demanded, very quickly losing his cool. "And what about everyone else—"

"Church is safe, I got to him first," Tex assured him.

Washington opened his mouth, his jaw jutted out as the facts began to compile right in front of him.

"You went to Church first. You prioritized Church over Tucker and now Tucker could be in danger or dead or worse because of it!" Washington growled out.

"What's worse than death?" Tex asked with a sarcastic tilt of her head.

"I don't know, but probably something dramatic!" Wash snapped. "I mean, jesus christ, Tex! How could you—"

"Because I figured you'd have your shit together enough by now that you'd be the one rescuing Tucker," Tex snapped. "God forbid I assume my two friends fucking each other were getting along for once!"

Washington clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "Church is just a robot and you went to save him first!"

Tex narrowed her good eye. "Yeah, because that robot is my damsel to save, Wash! So how about you stop flipping the fuck out and use those supposed detective skills of yours to get a clue as to where these fuckers might have taken Tucker."

"Or, what, you'll punch me?" Wash snapped back.

"Or something might happen to Tucker," Tex replied. "This punch was happening regardless."

"Wait what." Wash got out just before Tex punched him right in the gut, causing him to double over and squat down as he choked out a gasp.

"There. Did that snap you out of the hysteria?" Tex asked, standing over him.

"That's… supposed… to be a… slap," Washington coughed out.

"Oh, don't be a Church about it," Tex responded with a roll of her eyes. "Speaking of whom, I didn't save him first just because it's been made a habit due to years of practice. I saved him because Carolina and I—"

"Who you still need to explain to me," Wash muttered as he slowly got back to his feet.

"Have been forcing him to do some cyber security efforts and save us the trouble of going into buildings and breaking open things to find clues," Tex explained. "Turns out, most people just hide everything on the web behind shitty firewalls."

Wash's head was still spinning from the punch, but he focused himself enough to look at Tex and get out his next serious question. "Wait. What is it that you have had Church looking for? Why was it so important?"

"Because, as you know, superheroes rarely just pop out of nowhere and get traction. It takes finances, it takes equipment and PR and a superhero and super villain no one's ever heard of just coming out of the blue and having the attention of the whole city like Felix and Locus did? It doesn't happen. I should know," Tex explained. "I rode into town with nothing but the clothes on my back and I didn't get anywhere for the longest time without some guidance and maybe a little publicity from an established and trusted team like Freelancer."

It all began to click. "Someone's funding them?" Wash asked critically.

"Not just them," Tex explained. "Someone's also funding both of the campaigns for mayor right now. And they just happen to be the same person for some reason. I can't imagine that it's just a coincidence that some mysterious no one is just throwing money around like this."

It all came together and Washington ignored the pain in his gut as he started off toward the door.

"Wait, Wash!" Tex yelled after him, sounding more aggravated than before. "Where the fuck are you going?"

"To save Tucker," Wash said.

"Where at?" she clarified.

"There's a debate for the mayoral election today!" Wash called back. "I think these guys are going to try for something… dramatic." He stopped at the top of the stairwell for his apartment only to be reminded that the secreted garage had been left open, and of course that meant that his own motorcycle was long gone. His heart sank as he imagined having to wait at a bus stop.

But then Tex came up behind him. He looked at her seriously. "Did you drive your motorcycle here?"

She glared at him. "No one gets to drive my bike but me, Wash," she warned.

"Do you take passengers?" he asked desperately.

"Do you backseat drive?" she asked seriously.

"I will keep my mouth shut," he promised.

She huffed and jumped over the stairwell's railing to hit the ground running. Wash followed suit.

"I seriously doubt you have the restraint," she remarked.

And she was probably right, Washington simply didn't care though.

It was time to save his family and the day. And, maybe, democracy as a side note.