Chapter 15

"No!" Mary screamed, pulling away from her husband. "He's not going anywhere, not with you, not with any of you!"

After Wally's funeral, after the parade of well-wishers and friends that came by asking to help or drop off meals, both Mary and Rudy withdrew from entertaining guests. It was an uncomfortable endeavor for all involved. Between the growing distance between husband and wife, or friends awkwardly trying not to reopen old wounds by mentioning their deceased son, it was just easier to detach than engage. The only exception to that unspoken rule was family. There were always welcome, always needed.

What was not needed were two vigilantes and one hero-in-law standing in their den on a Sunday night uninvited trying to take their son away.

Rudy had drawn the shades, not wishing to explain to passersby or neighbors why two members of the Justice League, in full costume no less, were standing inside their suburban home that evening. At least Barry had the good taste to leave the scarlet at home.

"Mam we just want...need to run a few tests. Nothing invasive, we just need to see if his… how do I put this….."

"I'm not stupid Mr. Atom, just say it." Mary spit

"Ray, please call me Ray Mrs. West. We just want to see if Wally's cells have stabilized, if the DNA I observed is no longer in flux. We just want to make sure he's….."

"Normal?" she answers irritably.

"For lack of a better term yes mam."

Barry remained silent, rubbing his chin, seeing the arguments from both sides, as a hero and a parent. He understood their concern, their worry, and he would feel the exact same way if it were his children they were speaking of. He felt shame inside when he thanked god it wasn't.

Batman spoke next. "Mr. and Mrs. Wests. It will only take a few hours. As Atom stated it's not invasive, just blood work and a few medical scans, possibly a treadmill test to monitor his speed."

"Why can't you just do that here, at one of those STAR lab places you always seem to be protecting. Why does it have to be the Watchtower?"

"Uhm…What's a watchtower?" Wally asked confused.

"Not now honey," Mary corrected, patting her son on the leg.

"Mrs. West. The Watchtower is a secured facility. The technology present up there is years ahead of most research labs on Earth…"

"On Earth?" Wally whispered quietly, his brows furrowing in confusion.

"…there will not be a need for explanations or medical histories, everyone on board will be familiar with your son and his… unique situation. He will be well taken care, trust me." Batman concluded.

Mary laughed bitterly. "Trust you, are you insane? All I know about you is what the media says about you, some crazed vigilante maniac with a death wish."

Her breathing grew faster, her voice louder. "You started that damn team and took him away, away from Missouri, away from us," she sniffled. "Do you know how happy we were when he left your team and went off to college. And as soon as you call him in for that Invasion fiasco, he dies. He dies under your watch and you ask me to trust you, you are as crazy as the papers say."

Rudy pulled his wife in, trying to calm and comfort her, but you could tell by his expression, he agreed with every word.

"My son is alive and now you want to take him away from me. You ask me to trust strangers that just come into my house uninvited. You may have Barry's seal of approval, but not mine. Trust you?" she laughed, "I don't even know you."

An uncomfortable silence filled the room, Wally eyes drifted to the floor, unable to look at the heroes standing in his house, and unwilling to go against the wishes of the two people he knew loved him and had his best interests at heart.

Batman stood up, convincing Mary and Rudy that the time for debate was over, until the he tucked the cape behind him, and pulled the rubberized mask over his face, stunning everyone in the room.

"My name is Bruce Wayne. There are only a handful of people in the world who know I am; now there are three more. Your son is very important to me, and all we want is for his continued well-being. This is not some attempt to experiment on him."

Bruce knelt down on one knee so he was eye level with the three Wests sitting on the long floral couch.

"I understand loss; I lost my parents at a very young age to a violent act, which is partially why I do what I do. I also lost a boy who was a son to me. I know exactly the fear you feel now, but I'm not asking him to join us, I just want make sure he is fine and bring him back to you, with a peace and knowledge your son is ok and will not be leaving you...us again. He will be safe, you have my word."

Mary sighed but remained resolved

"I'm sorry, he stays. End of story," she answered sharply.

Wally finally had had enough of being treated like he wasn't even in the room. "Mom he's right. No one knows how I came back or what's happened to me, and if these guys can help me find those answers, well I can't pass that up. Knowledge is a terrible thing to waste, Dad taught me that. Let me take those tests, I'll be fine."

Mary was about to protest when Rudy gently took her cheek and pulled it to him. "Our boy's right, he gets that annoying tendency from his spitfire of a mother. It's not invasive right?" he asked looking at the group.

The Atom nodded and Rudy continued. "He needs those answers, we all do, and you and I both know what happens when his curiosity gets the better of him," he kindly smiled to his son. "Barry you'll stay with him the whole time?"

"Like glue."

Mary stood up and held Wally's face. "A few hours that's all. Ok?" she said lips quivering.

"I promise."

"We're going to hold you to it Wallace," his dad answered bringing his wife and son into family hug. Wally had no intention of disappointing or hurting his parents again.

xxx

Later that evening, Wally and Barry walked the deserted streets of Central City in a particularly seedy part of town. The younger man looking nervously around every turn, once again surrounded by a city he had no knowledge of.

"You all right kid?" Barry asked, realizing he was still using Wally's old nickname, old habits being hard to break.

"Yeah Mr. Allen…"

Barry glared at him

"Sorry, yeah Barry I'm fine. I just…I just can't believe Bruce Wayne is Batman"

"Do you remember him?"

"No, but you can't pick up a newspaper or surf the net without seeing him everywhere. They should rename Gotham City after him for crying out loud, he owns like…everything."

"Bruce is a good man Wally, I don't always agree with his methods, but when everything is on the line, there is no one I'd rather be with."

"He's a little…" Wally hesitated.

"Intimidating? Yeah, he has to be. He's got no abilities, no powers to fall back on, it's just him and I tell you Wally, we've both seen him do amazing things, but don't let the deep voice and scowl fool you, deep down he cares deeply for people. He cares a lot about you."

"Me?"

"Yeah, he's known you since you were 13. He's watched you grow up, guided and trained you almost as much as I did."

"Unbelievable," Wally said shook his head. "The Batman knows who I am."

"And you know him now too. He's right; he never shares his civilian identity with just anyone. I've known him just over 10 years, and I only learned it about 4 or 5 years ago. It speaks volumes that he trusts you."

"This is just unreal," Wally laughed.

"We're here."

Wally stopped dead in his tracks and looked around expecting something amazing.

"Here? Where?" Wally asked impatiently, wondering if he'd been had, who said superheroes couldn't have a sense of humor.

"Right there," Barry smirked, pointing straight ahead

"It's a phone booth. What do we do? Call for ride? And while we're at it, what in hell is a Watchtower anyway."

"Just step inside Wally, and pick up the phone."

Wally shrugged. These tests, they seemed really important, it didn't sit well with him that their headquarters were located in a shitty part of town, in a dilapidated warehouse with a broken down phone booth as an entrance. He was expecting high tech, next gen, state of the art, not this.

He entered the both and melodramatically picked up the phone that was no longer even attached to the base. He rolled his eyes and turned to show Barry the receiver, when the chamber began to glow and the broken down door suddenly locked securely behind him.

"Barry!" he yelled back frantically turning to his smiling uncle as the metallic voice came to life.

Recognize Wally West B-03 and the young red head disappeared into a beam of light.

xxx

For the uninitiated, Zeta Tube travel is unnerving to say the least. Stepping into a chamber and feeling your body suddenly being pulled in all directions, broken down to a molecular state and just as suddenly put back together painlessly is terrifying the first time. Before you can fully grasp what is happening, before you have a moment to wince awaiting some phantom pain, you've reached your destination and walk out complexly unscathed, unless of course you're Wally West and stumble out of the machine in a cold sweat.

"What in the hell just happened?" the speedster yelled, patting his hands all over his body in a blur, making sure he was actually alive. Moments later the tube reactivated and Barry Allen stepped out of the chamber.

Recognize Flash - 04.

"Barry what the hell" he wheezed frantically, his breathing haggard, eyes opened as wide as possible.

"It's ok Wally. It's kind of scary the first time, but you get used to it."

Wally took deep breaths trying to slow his heart when he turned and came face to face with an attractive young sandy haired women smiling back at him.

"Hi, I'm Megan." she said enthusiastically.

"Wally," he answered nervously.

"Welcome aboard the Watchtower Wally," she said proudly.

"Thanks? I guess. I was just in Central City like 5 seconds ago."

"It's called a Zeta Tube, "she said pleasantly. "It's how the League travels from city to city, especially when they're in a hurry. I'd be happy to show you how it works later, from the outside this time," she giggled, "Flash, there is a group waiting for you in Med Bay 1."

"Thanks Megan, Wally you going to be ok If I run down there for a few?"

"I think so." he chuckled, still unbelieving what had just happened or where he was.

"Be back in a Flash," and disappeared in a gust of wind.

"He does that," Megan grinned. "Follow me Wally, I'll show you where you can change, and then we'll start the tests. Easy Peasey, nothing to worry about at all, trust me." She took him by the arm and wrapped her's around his as they walked off towards the lab. Megan had a disarming demeanor about her and Wally appreciated her kindness, thankful that he had finally met one normal person in this crazy new life he found himself in.

Inside the Med Bay, behind the one-way mirror stood Atom, Batman, Nightwing, and the Martian Manhunter, watching the two on the monitors as Megan walked him through the cavernous complex.

"How is he?" Batman asked.

"Pretty freaked out at the moment, but fine all things considered," Barry replied.

"Does he remember anything at all?" Nightwing asked with a subtle urgency only Batman noticed.

"Not that he's said, he's never mentioned what Megan saw in his head either, but he's a little guarded."

"Understandable," Jonn replied. "Megan has shared with me her mind and the experience with Wally. His mind appears to be a void, during the brief time they melded she found nothing hidden, nothing repressed, but neither of us can explain the dreams he's had or why he has no memories. With his permission I'd like to try again to see if there is anything I can recover."

"Not today Jonn," Batman interrupted. "Today we just do a few tests that Ray has designed, nothing intrusive."

"Of course," Jonn politely replied.

Atom continued, "I'll need a few blood samples and I'd like to run a stress test on him, see how his body responds when he's in motion. Barry have you noticed anything different about him relatively speaking, besides the obvious I mean?"

Barry looked uncomfortable, hesitant to say anything that would put his nephew any further under the microscope than he already was, but holding anything back now would only hamper or delay finding the real answers.

"He's faster," Barry answered knowing full well that would put the men around him on edge.

"How much faster?" Batman asked coldly.

"A lot. Faster, than me, Faster than Bart."

"How?" Dick asked, knowing that his best friend's top speed was a little more than half of what Barry and Bart were capable.

"You tell me?" Flash shrugged.

"Why didn't you say something sooner?" Batman asked gravely.

"I could ask you the same thing Bruce. You've known about him for days, enough to get STAR, Ray, Dick and Tim involved. Where was I on that chain?"

"I called. You didn't answer." Bruce replied matter of fact.

"You called two days later. Right now the most important thing is that man walking around out there, but once this is settled you and I are going to have a long talk."

Batman never replied, as they stood in a silent stare down.

"Excuse me," Ray interrupted, attempting to break the tension. "Why don't we get him changed and on the treadmill, see what he's capable off?"

"I don't want him treated like a lab rat Ray. I swore to his parents and I'm not going to break that, just the minimum, nothing more."

Dick walked over. "Barry does he have any idea what's happened to him? Where he was before this?"

"We've talked some, but he's avoided the subject for the most part. I don't know what his parents have told him, but probably a lot. The West's don't keep secrets," he stated looking at Batman. "If you want to know, just ask him, he's still the same guy Dick, just a little confused and nervous like anyone of us would be in his position."

Dick nodded, but Barry could tell buy his body language he wasn't ready to.

xxx

The tests went as promised. More blood was taken from the younger speedster than originally anticipated, but otherwise everything went smoothly.

His speed was quantifiably faster than what had been previously recorded in the JL database, but Barry could tell Wally was still holding back, unsure as to why. That fact opened the door to many more question, but the Flash knew they could wait; it had been a long day.

Wally stood uncomfortably off to the side of the three main zeta tubes, waiting for Megan to take him on the tour of the facility she had promised, when a dark haired figured entered the room from behind the sliding steel doors and made his way directly toward the fidgety red head.

"How are you doing, I'm Nightwing."

"They sure do like their code names around here," he smirked.

Dick smiled. "Well we spend so much time coming up with them, seems a shame to waste em."

The speedster chuckled. The man in black was about an inch taller than himself, but despite his youthful experience seemed much older than he appeared to be. He carried an air of authority about him, heroic even, but despite the jovial demeanor, Wally thought he detected a twinge of sadness, regret.

"Oh sorry," the redhead corrected himself extending his hand. "I'm Wally West."

Dick chuckled as he shook the speedster's hand. "But I'm guessing you already knew that. Sorry I'm a little overwhelmed." the Wally sighed.

You're overwhelmed, Freeze was underwhelmed; Why isn't anyone ever just whelmed? Nightwing smiled inside.

"I guess we've met before huh?"

"Once or twice," Dick smiled

Wally nodded in understanding, "I'm just waiting for Megan. She's going to show me around a little bit. Never been in a secret headquarters before" he smirked putting the words in air quotes, completely oblivious to this place and his history in it.

"Gotcha. Batman sent me out to tell you the testing was complete. They should have the results in a day or so."

"Cool, or at least I hope so. So Nightwing can you tell me where this place is located? Are we in Gotham, Metropolis, L.A.? or do you guys hide these places out in the middle of nowhere?"

"I think I'm going to let Megan surprise you with that one." Dick beamed broadly, before he turned serious for a moment.

"Wally..I…um.." Dick hesitated. He had so much to say, so much to tell, but found the words so hard to form, to put together. How do you tell a complete stranger that he is your closest friend, best friend, and life hasn't been the same without him? How do you tell a man that sacrificed everything that you have been so fucking angry with him since that day. The short answer was you don't, not now at least.

"Hey Guys," Megan politely interrupted. Wally turned to smile as Dick quickly nodded "no" to the Martian still in her human form. That one gesture told Megan that he wasn't ready, unsure if it was Wally or himself he was referring to.

"Well I better run. Wally it was nice meeting you."

"Yeah you too, maybe I'll see you around."

"Count on it," he gripped the speedster's hand tightly. "Megan give him the $10.00 tour, he's curious to what city the Watchtower is in." Megan started to laugh and Dick made his way back towards the labs, turning back once as Wally watched him walk away, a strange gleam in his confused green eyes.

"Why is that so funny?" his brows furrowed.

The Martian and the speedster began their journey. Megan showed him the labs, the gym, the commissary, the conference room, carefully avoiding the most prominent viewports until their last stop. Immediately Wally got the joke.

"We are in freaking space!" Wally gasped. "Are you freaking kidding me? Oh. My. God!" He screamed, unable to contain his excitement, every sentence trailing off into uncontrollable laugher. Finally his face deadpanned, giving the Martian a concerned expression. "Your screwing with me aren't you?

Megan shook her head and grinned, taking Wally to the edge of the stone tower that overlooked the main reception hall and view screen, as the Earth spun peacefully behind it. It was mesmerizing, and he was utterly awestruck at its magnificence.

"Amazing isn't it," she sighed looking out at the stars.

"There's…there's no words,' Wally replied stunned. "It's….it's beautiful. Did I come up her a lot?"

"No. None of us did really, we had our own place we called home, but the few times we did, everyone felt exactly the same way you feel now."

"I could stay right here for hours just watching," the speedster spoke quietly, soaking it all in.

"I know what you mean."

"Is it always the quiet, this empty?" Wally asked

"We are kind of off shift right now, Batman wanted you all to have some privacy."

"Can I ask you a question Megan?"

"Sure Wally, anything."

"Are you…you know…one of them?"

Megan laughed. "You mean am I a member of the League? Yes I am."

"Very cool. You seem, I don't know, different from everyone else, more normal."

"Thanks, I think," she giggled, "Come on there's one more thing I want to show you. Barry says you two are leaving at midnight so we still have a few minutes."

They made their way down to the main floor and walked to one of the hallways that branched off from it. Megan reached over and took his hand and guided him into the Memorial of the Fallen.

"What is this place?" Wally asked astonished

"This is where we go to remember, to honor our heroes. Each one of these people made the ultimate sacrifice Wally gave up their lives for others."

She pointed around the room giving names, and designations. Who they were and what they did. Finally they walked over to the last one.

"Look familiar?

Wally swallowed hard, mouth agape. "Is that me?"

"Yep."

His eyes first locked into the familiar lightning bolt insignia his uncle wore, and then glanced from head to toe the image in front of him, scrutinizing every detail, gazing at a man he didn't know.

"That's what a hero looks like." she spoke sweetly, taking his hand in hers. Wally remained silent, lost in thought, feelings of sadness making their way into Megan's mind despite her best effort to shield them and give the speedster his privacy.

"You ok?" she asked.

"Yeah, this is just… kinda surreal," he answered shaking his head.

"The hologram or you being alive?"

"Both," he chuckled. "It's like I was this whole other person, someone I don't even know. I can't believe I was part of something like this, something this big."

"You were a huge part of it Wally, none of this would even be here if it wasn't for you, and what you did."

"Died," he mumbled

"What did you say?" she questioned.

"Died, all I did was die," he laughed morbidly

"You did a lot more than that Wally, you're a hero."

"He was Megan," he pointed to the image, "not me."

Megan sighed; the speedster was hurting, unsure of this world and his role in it and no matter what she could say to comfort him, this was part of the grieving process, even if it was for himself, so instead she took the high road. "Well you know what the best part of this particular monument is?"

Wally shrugged his shoulders in denial.

"It's getting decommissioned real soon."

The speedster realized how hard Megan was trying to cheer him up, and he was on a space station for god sakes, life couldn't be all bad. "Well I do look good don't I" he chuckled

Megan snorted in laughter and Wally followed right after.

"Wally its time," Barry announced walking up beside his nephew as the two composed themselves.

"Yeah," he said sadly. "It was really nice meeting you Megan…. again," he smiled, "This is honestly the coolest thing I've ever seen. Thanks for the tour and you know…everything."

"I'll see you soon Wally."

"I'd like that."

The three walked out to the main observation deck towards the Zeta Tubes when Wally stopped suddenly, looking around curiously, a strange sensation of déjà vu sweeping through his body as he stood by the bay window, a feeling something important happened there.

I should have done this a…..

"Wally?"

"Yeah, sorry Barry," he answered the thought leaving his mind just as suddenly as they arrived. The speedster turned back towards Megan one final time and waved. Moments later the Zeta Tubes came to life and a blinding glow enveloped the room, fading away just as quickly, the metallic computer voice announcing their departure.

Nightwing stepped out of the shadows as Megan reverted back to her green skinned form.

"Weren't ready huh?" she looked at him quizzically. "You had the perfect opportunity."

"I didn't exactly see you going all Martian on him."

"Yeah, but there's a big difference in meeting an alien for the first time as opposed to introducing him to his best friend. Which do you think he's more ready for?"

Dick frowned at the telepath, but knew she was right. "He has enough on his plate as it is. When he's ready, we'll….."

"When he's ready or you are?" she questioned which Dick promptly ignored with his follow up.

"What do you think?" Dick asked.

"Well you don't have to be a mind reader to know he's pretty freaked out right now. He feels out of place, like he's living someone else's life. Finding out you are a Meta has to be a gigantic shock to the system too, but all things considered I think he's doing pretty well. Have you heard from Artemis?"

"No. When we got back to Gotham she was pretty…..determined. When she gets like that the smart money says stay out of her way."

"You got that right," Megan chuckled, "Your old boss asked me to keep a lid on this for now. I don't like secrets, keeping people in the dark. This is what got us all in all that mess to begin with."

"I know Megan, but I think this time he's right. Kaldur, Conner, Roy, they deserve to know, but we don't want to freak Wally out any more than he already is. For now we follow Barry's lead and let him ease back into his old life. Today was a pretty big step."

"Yeah it was," Megan agreed, "but he'll need his best friend back soon to take the next one."

Dick nodded, "and his girlfriend."

xxx

Wally left the exit of the Home Depot with four 2 x 6's over his shoulder along with the bag of 3 inch screws and T Square necessary to help his father replace the rotted boards of the back deck. Rudy remained inside, paying for the items along with 4 gallons of weatherproofing stain, along with some petunias for Mary to plant around the structure. The speedster was finally beginning to feel comfortable adjusting to his new old life, and was grateful for the opportunity to not only spend time and get to know his father again, but repay his parents for the kindness and understanding they had showered him with since his return.

He found he was all thumbs when it came to carpentry, but was happy to learn a new skill, one evidently he never mastered in his old life.

He placed the items in the back of the red beat up Toyota Pick-up, after adjusting the wood scraps his father had already acquired for the job. It was a humid day in Keystone, and as usual his metabolism reminded him it was time to refuel. His father had already prepared a cooler in the back of the bed, more than familiar with his son's needs. Wally opened the cooler, retrieving two bologna sandwiches, and was about to lower they gate and consume his 3rd lunch when a quiet voice approached form the side.

"Hi Wally," Artemis kindly spoke.

"Artemis!" Wally choked, grabbing some water to wash down his meal, caught completely off guard at her sudden appearance.

She had been in Keystone for the last two days, silently observing, watching him adjust to his family and back into the life that was stolen from him. She had tried twice to step out of the shadows and into the light, but every time she took a step forward, Tigress pulled her back.

She smiled, "You ok?"

He cleared his throat and chuckled," Yeah, sorry. Uh..what are you …you know… doing here?" he asked carefully.

"I wanted…I needed to see you. I needed to apologize."

"For what?" he cautiously replied.

She sighed, a small frown crossing her lips, "For lying to you, not believing in you."

His expression turned slightly sad briefly, being replaced but the upbeat façade he would hide behind in the past. "It's ok, I kind of doubted myself too I guess."

"Do you…remember anything else? Your folks, family…anything?" she hoped, meaning possibly more than the individuals mentioned.

He said sadly. "I think this is it, this is all. I've kind of resigned myself to the fact, but at least there a lot of cool books and movies out there that I won't know the ending too." He tried to stay upbeat; she saw right through it, she always could.

"How have you been?" he asked, deflecting her questions.

"Busy," Artemis replied hesitantly.

"Good I guess right, with work and all right?"

"Yeah." she answered, realizing the growing discomfort between the two, frowning inwardly that days ago they were wrapped in each other's arms in her bed, that night seeming like a lifetime ago.

"I'm glad you found your folks, sorry I couldn't have been more help."

"It's ok, they've been through a lot, I'm just glad I can be there for them you know. They been through a rough time because of me, and I just want them to be happy again. They're really nice people.

"They really love you Wally, it's not an automatic thing for parents, trust me."

"I know. I wish I remembered more about them, but they've done everything to make me feel at home. It's been really nice. This is where I belong, not running around in yellow spandex."

She looked at him curiously.

"Yeah a girl named Megan showed me everything, and I mean everything," he blew out his breath pointing to the sky. "She was nice, everyone's been nice."

"I'm glad."

Their mouths remained still, but their eyes spoke volumes. The two had things they needed desperately to say, hoping the other would initiate, but fear triumphed.

All it took was one look and she knew this was exactly where he needed to be, surrounded by family and love, settling into stability and trust, two things she would never be able to give him the way he deserved, and it killed her inside. She had come to Keystone to try to become part of his life again, now she would leave with only the hope that someone would love and care for him the way she wanted to.

"We'll I just wanted to check on you, make sure you were ok."

"Thanks," Wally replied uneasily. "What's next for you?"

"I'm going to be gone for a while, work stuff you know. Might be awhile before I'm back."

Wally's face sunk, but he recovered quickly. "Uh...ok, so..um.. I guess this is it then huh?"

"Yeah," she nodded, unable to look him in the eyes.

Wally bit the inside of his lip, unsure of what to say, what to do. He hated goodbyes, especially to someone he didn't want to say goodbye to.

"Be safe ok?"

"I will Wally, you too."

Artemis stuck out her hand as Wally went in for a hug, and then he extended his as she tried to embrace him. It was awkward and funny at the same time, and the two laughed before finally embracing.

They both held on for dear life.

Wally's mouth rested near her ear as his broken voice rasped, "Thanks for everything. I know it didn't end well, but I wouldn't have made it without you."

Those words tore at her hear, "Thanks for coming back," she sniffled "We missed you…I missed you. When you finally figure it all out, I'd like to…I'd like to know."

Wally inhaled deeply, trying to remember every smell, memorize the way her fingers felt as they traced small circles in his back. He didn't want her to leave, but didn't know how she could stay. Their lives had suddenly become so different.

"You'll be the first person I call, I still have your number, maybe someday my parents will buy me a phone." he snickered.

She smiled sweetly. "Goodbye Wally."

"Goodbye Artemis," and they slowly broke apart and she sadly turned and walked away.

She closed her eyes, unwilling to look back as she once again walked out of his life, but it was for the best she lied to herself. She was a vigilante, an assassin. She couldn't - she wouldn't drag him into her dark world, not after he nearly died again just as a message to her, not when all wanted was for them both was to leave the life, one she found herself to deep into.

He'd been given a second chance at life, and if that meant her being out of it, no matter how much it crushed her, so be it. She had spent countless nights praying to a god that must hate her, that him she would do anything to bring him back. It looked like that deity had kept up his end of the bargain. Bastard. He was shiny and new, she was broken, unfixable. He deserved better.

She took her heart out the equation momentarily and looked at it from a colder perspective. There would be dangerous people looking for her soon, and all he would do is slow her down, get in the way, put her and her missions at risk. It was for the best.

With all that knowledge she would never understand how her body stopped and her voice rang out. "Maybe the next time you're in Gotham …."

She never finished before his lips crashed hers like a gale force wind, tears streaking down his cheeks. She cupped his face, unwilling or unable to let go, she didn't care which. Her eyes began to water as she realized she couldn't live without him, but would have to. He couldn't follow where she was heading.

There were no words, just tearful nods as she ran towards her rental. She couldn't say goodbye, his heart couldn't bear hearing it. He watched the car leave the parking lot and disappear over the hill towards the interstate.

Off in the distance Rudy West had seen the whole exchange, and his heart ached at his son's pain. One of his most painful memories was the day a heartbroken 7th grader cried in his parents arms for hours when his girlfriend, his best friend, moved with her parents out to Montana and out of his life. He will never forget this sadness that resided in his son's eyes for months, the exact same eyes that Wally wiped the tears out of now.

"You ready Wally?" his dad asked, giving his son the privacy to compose himself.

"Yes sir," Wally shook his head, wiping his eyes privately. He opened the passenger door and got in.

They drove off the opposite direction from where Artemis had gone, the speedster remaining quiet, looking over his shoulder, until his father broke the silence.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Wally took in a painful breath and exhaled. "It's just a girl I know…or knew…" his voice trailed off.

It was a short silent ride home, when they pulled into the driveway. Mary's car was gone, most likely loading up at the grocery store for the upcoming weak of having a new, extremely hungry mouth to feed.

"Where do you want me to put this stuff Dad?" Wally asked motioning to the lumber.

"Just leave it for now, I need to show you something."

Rudy walked into the house and up the stairs towards Wally's room with the speedster and his preoccupied thoughts following behind. The two entered the red head's bedroom, and Rudy motioned for Wally to sit on his bed.

"Stay here, I'll be right back."

Rudy left the room to the hall, dropping the door to the attack and returning moments later with two books and a box.

He placed the items next to his son.

"What are these?" Wally asked.

"Things you need to know. Don't let your mother catch you reading them. Put them back in the box marked Wally's Books and then come see me."

"But Dad?"

"Trust me, you'll understand as soon as you read them. Now hurry up, your mom will be home soon," and Rudy closed his son's bedroom door and proceeded out to the truck.

Wally stared at the three items before opening the large note book marked WWJ-1 with hearts and doodles gracing the cover.

Inside the cover, he recognized his handwriting immediately, a note or reminder to a much younger self.

Assignment 9. Team Journal

"Yawn. This is so lame, but when a hottie like B.C. tells you to do something, you do it. Canary is going to grade these, so don't screw around. So here goes "The World Famous Kid Flash joins the Team." Chapter 1. "

Wally read in amazement as adventures of his life appeared on the pages of a diary he was forced to write for a month, one that he decided quietly to continue for years. People and names he vaguely recognized peppered the stories, places and missions came to life like a movie in his mind, but all that came to a screeching halt with the mention of one word, one name. "Artemis."