Another chapter, and this time, we have our first bit of romance. Sigh, the calm before the storm. They can't be happy too long without some pain and believe me, a lot of it is coming their way. But enough of that, thanks for your reviews and know that each one means the world to me! A little info on Jewish weddings. It's customary to dance and entertain the bride and groom, and a very fun way to show off dancing skills. Anything else? Nah, just read and enjoy!
Who has to know
When we live such fragile lives
It's the
best way we survive
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my
time with you
Tell me all that you've thrown away
Find out
games you don't wanna play
You are the only one that needs to know
--All American Rejects
Dirty Little Secret
"We did not mean…" Beatriz began, but Wally shook his head and went after the girl he adored, who most likely was plotting his death.
Jinx was trying to get away, but the young speedster was far too fast for her. Within a split second, he was standing in front of her, blocking the entrance. "They didn't mean it," he whispered, knowing how much she was must be hurting. "They're nice people, I promise."
"Oh very nice people, who most likely want me in jail so they can have some kinky threesome with you," Jinx spat as she tried to reach the hall. Wally tried to ignore the thought of a threesome and concentrate on his poor Jinx. Her eyes were glassy. She was on the verge of tears. He had never seen her so vulnerable before.
"You must have gotten that reaction before. Why does it hurt now?" Wally asked softly. He imagined villains got used to being thought of as scary and threatening. It sort of came with the territory. "I thought you liked people cowering before you."
"Because I've always felt safe here. No matter what I did, the Mittlemans would always take me in; give me food and clothing and a warm smile. They never judged me, they never asked me questions, and they just wanted to help. I expected better. And then, that look of pity those two air-heads gave me…like I was cancer!" Jinx hissed, actually looking hurt. "Regina is my friend. She wouldn't have treated me like that!"
"Beatriz and Laura thought you were going to hurt someone. You're a villain, you know, people expect that of you, even if it isn't true. But you aren't, there's something different about you and once you let more people see that, you won't have to get that reaction again. You saw how happy Regina was to see you. You know how much I'm risking for you."
"Why are you doing this? We have no future! Your friends want me in hand-cuffs and my friends want you dead. You're the Shakespeare reader, Romeo and Juliet end up dead!" Jinx spat, her eyes boring into his. "This can't have a happy ending!"
"I prefer comedies to tragedies. I'm a hero; it's my job to save the day. I'll find some way of handling and fixing this," Wally said, even though he didn't have the foggiest idea how.
"I don't need your help. I don't need anyone. I'm leaving. Don't contact me again!" Jinx snapped, trying to hold her dignity together.
"You can't mean that. Who will be your slave? Who will you be able to abuse? You can't replace me that easily. Who would you torment?" Wally said, adopting his best Uncle Barry Giving Advice voice. He fully understood he had a sixty percent chance of being hexed. "Why don't you calm down and come back to the party? They have a dinner buffet. Free food, it's a good thing." he offered tentatively.
"You are the most annoying creature I have ever met," Jinx muttered, trying to hide the laughter that he was bringing out.
"Thank you. My teachers said the same thing, right before they sent me to the principal's office," Wally teased gently. "Feeling better? I can keep humiliating myself for as long as it takes."
"All right," Jinx said, sounding like she was trying to steel herself from not attacking something. "Just give me a minute."
"Do you need a hug?" Wally asked, knowing that her vulnerability could really allow access to her emotions and real thoughts.
"I don't need anything from you. But I'd like one," Jinx said sourly, really sounding upset. Wally allowed her to bury herself in his arms, trying to comfort her as best he could. "This doesn't mean anything, you know."
"Of course not. Just know you have a hug whenever you want," Wally whispered, holding her very tightly. "We're going to miss the ceremony, you know." Not that he cared, he wasn't that interested in a long ceremony in a language he barely understood. He had studied Hebrew when studying Krav Maga with Robin with Master Akiva, but it was pretty rusty.
"It's okay. I've been inside the main synagogue. We wouldn't be able to see anything. I just want to stay out here," Jinx whispered, still not leaving his arms. Wally could work with that. "I just want some quiet. Besides, aren't they going to tell your precious mentor?" she demanded. "You better take me in or you'll get yourself spanked."
Wally winced at that mental image. He was too old for that, wasn't he? He had been a bratty kid and tested his uncle's patience quite a bit, and he remembered the consequences quite painfully, richly deserved but still stinging. "I'll think of something." Something quick before his beloved mentor dragged him home by the ear!
"Smooth," Jinx mumbled darkly. "So, should we blow this party so you can buy me things?"
Wally suddenly had a brilliant idea. He whispered it into Jinx's ear and was overjoyed when she nodded. "Just get me something to change into. I'd hate to accidentally flash the crowd." Her wish was his command. Within the blink of an eye, he had sped home and returned with the smallest pair of pants and shirt he had.
"I'll change in the ladies room," Jinx said. "And no peeking," she continued with a wink, proving she still enjoyed driving him crazy. He had to admit, the more he got to know her, the more he wanted to undress her. Most girls had satisfied him with kissing. Jinx was addictive, making him want more and more.
As he kept watched, he watched the people leave the synagogue area to go to the reception room. Beatriz and Laura walked over to him, both looking very nervous. "I know you are angry, but please listen to us," Laura said, looking a bit worried.
"I really think you've said enough. What if I would have been undercover trying to gain her confidence for a mission from my uncle?" Wally asked sourly, pulling rank because he wanted to live. If they thought the Flash had ordered this, they wouldn't mention it to anyone and get him in trouble with his overprotective uncle.
"Your uncle wanted this done? We apologize; Laura did not realize you were trying to penetrate the enemy?" Beatriz said, forcing Wally not to snicker at that mental image.
"It's all right. I think I can still breach her defenses and discover her secrets," Wally said, nodding sagely as he tried to keep his hormones under control. Penetrating the enemy was really sounding like a good idea right now. "And I even think I can turn her. She'd be a valuable counter spy."
"Excellent. I apologize for interfering with your mission, Wally. Remember you can count on us if you need help," Laura said, giving him a sheepish smile. "We'll leave her alone if we see her."
"Just…be careful. I know that many people can become good and turn away from a dark path, but be wary. If she found out our secrets, none of us would be safe. She could be a spy and we would hate to see anything happen to you. Keep your guard up," Beatriz said. "And call on us if you are in need. We can take care of things if need be."
"That won't be needed. I'm careful around her and I know that she's dangerous but I know I can help her. I can do this. You know who I am, I can do anything," Wally said, giving them a smile.
"You really care for her," Beatriz continued, looking really worried now. "Your body heat goes up when you think about her," she said, which must have gone against some kind of code somewhere, using your powers on a fellow hero.
"I…just…think she's good looking," Wally mumbled, pondering why his plan had just blown up in his face. He had been so close to convincing them this was Justice League business.
"I must say that is not wise. Do not let the feelings of your heart cloud you to the person she is. This is a mission, you must not be distracted. I know when you are in love, you can become blind. Remember; do not turn your back on her." Beatriz was looking pensive now.
"I know what I am doing," Wally said softly, trying to be laid back about this. "Trust me." He didn't know how to explain this feeling inside him, but he just knew he could trust Jinx. It was a hero's intuition.
"We trust you. We don't trust her. That's the problem," Laura finished. "Please, keep in touch. And don't forget, you are never alone."
"Wait till you see what we're going to do for Regina and Simon. You'll see what a great girl she is," Wally promised. Once they saw Jinx's talent, they would like her a lot more.
Jinx emerged a moment later, looking beautiful having changed into the black top and pants he had brought her. "So, did the bimbos warn you about me?" she said, glaring at him. "Which one do you want to tap?" she demanded. "Or do you want both of them? I've heard guys have fetishes."
"I'm sure they have boyfriends. And don't worry about them. What would you say if Seemore started dating a Titan?" Wally asked, taking her hand.
"That he was stupid, weak and he could do a lot better than Robin," Jinx said with a wink. "Fine. You got me. But no dinner with them without being there to guard your precious virtue from that Brazilian girl," she said softly. Wally nodded and debated if this would work out wonderfully or be a disaster. Yeah, he might want to skip any meals with people on the light side for a bit.
"Maybe you could have dinner by my family first." Present at that dinner would be his aunt and uncle, who might approve of Wally's ideas about helping Jinx become a better person. They might actually think he was being responsible and non-judgmental and think he was showing some real maturity. Aunt Iris and Jinx would giggle together over stupid girly stuff and Uncle Barry would nod approvingly at him.
Or they might have the same reaction the heroes had and have a complete fit. That would be most likely lead to a yelling match which would end with Wally being grounded and having to sneak out to see Jinx, which would be discovered and get him further grounded in the Watchtower, and finished off with a long lecture from Batman just to drive the last nail in.
"Let's go out and make some magic," Wally said, taking her hand. He was going to show everyone the graceful and wonderful person he knew Jinx was. "I'll try not to outshine you …too much."
The two walked out hand in hand to the center of the ballroom, where Simon and Regina were sitting on white thrones, being entertained by others who were dancing in front of them. "We have something very special for the bride and groom," Wally said, bowing theatrically. "May we have a fast song?" Regina nodded and waved for the orchestra master to change the beat. She was in for the show of a lifetime.
Jinx and Wally began performing feats of acrobatics to the song. Wally had been well schooled by his mentor in martial arts and acrobatics, so it had been simple for him to perform some cool moves to wow the crowd. He just hoped his girl could keep up, as he lunched into a back handspring into a back walk-over without even breaking a sweat. He was reveling in the applause until he realized that a lot of it was for Jinx.
She was twisting and contorting in the air, doing moves he had only seen Robin manage, and Robin was a trained circus performer. Handless cartwheels into handsprings, back flip twists, back bends into bridges; she was completely outclassing him. He watched in sheer amazement as she sailed easily through the moves, looking relaxed and happy. She must have had the most flexible joints he had ever seen.
Jinx really had a talent for this and…well, some of the positions were giving him some very naughty ideas. The way her body just twisted, showing off every inch of her magnificent body to perfection was…going to break his concentration and wind up getting his neck broken. Uncle Barry would say he should take his mind off that and focus on her outshining him. Well, he couldn't let that happen. He would have to bring out the big guns.
He immediately sailed into a screwed backflip, one of the most complicated maneuvers that had taken him hours to perfect. And to his surprise and mild horror, Jinx laughed and preformed it as well. He had to admit, he was actually jealous for a brief second, before realizing that Jinx had an Olympic future ahead of her if she ever decided to go legal. Heck, she could probably take Robin in acrobatics and his old friend was the only person in the world who could perform the quadruple summersault. And that made him very happy. He wanted her to be better than him. She needed this so much more. This could be her ticket to a better life.
He held out his hands to her. "Come on, on my shoulders," he whispered, hoping to perform. "I'll catch you. I'm fast enough," he said with a wink. He hoped she would trust him enough to actually agree.
And to his joy, she did. She leapt gracefully and landed on his shoulders. Looking around for one moment she left off, spinning sidewise into a barrel role. For Wally, it was easy to catch her when she reached his arms. To him, she was perfect poetry in slow motion.
The audience roared its approval. "You're amazing…encore," came a flurry of English, Hebrew and Yiddish. Wally and Jinx bowed deeply and yelled out "Mazal tov," as was appropriate. The look of joy on Jinx's face was something he wanted to remember for a very long time. Regina ran off the throne and hugged Jinx close. "You're the best friend a girl could have. That was amazing," she said, loud enough for everyone to hear, including two very smiley super heroines. "After that, you two best get some food, so you can do a second show," the bride said, motioning for them to sit down. As they backed off the dance floor, Wally took her hand and began to pull her away.
"What are you doing?" Jinx asked, as Wally guided her back into the synagogue. He had a suddenly good idea. He had seen Jinx let her guard down and he had to seize the carp…the day.
"I wanted to be alone with you," Wally said. "Just the two of us." He had a sudden quickness in his heart that was not his normal high speed. He wanted to hold her again!
"You're a dweeb," Jinx said, narrowing her eyes with approval. "But you're a great acrobat. I suppose being a hero means some actual talents." If she only knew the hours he had to put in to learn those moves.
"Thanks. You're not half bad yourself. I bet you could even be a professional athlete if you got into training. It's exciting being on the straight and narrow." He was tempting her and he knew it.
"You'd make a great villain if you just trained a bit. You and I could make a great team. We'd make the world tremble before us. We'd be happy together." Jinx was admitting she cared about him, but in a way he couldn't care about her. "You and me against the world. With your talents, no bank vault would ever be safe. And we could have the life we've always wanted. Power, fame, fortune. I'll even design a new identity for you."
"I'm sorry. But I'm not cut out to hurt people. And deep down, I don't think you are. I know you know better. I can see it in your eyes," Wally whispered. He would almost go anywhere for Jinx. Yet, betraying Uncle Barry and his friends was not and would never be on the table. He had many flaws but he was a very loyal person.
"In my eyes? That is the cheesiest line I have ever heard," Jinx mocked. "And don't tell me you got that from the movies."
"Okay, I got it from bad Disney movies," Wally chuckled, taking her hand. "Happy now?"
"So what are my eyes telling you now?" Jinx asked, staring at him, her expression unreadable.
"That you really care about these people. That despite how much you love to tease me, you aren't immune to my charms. That you are wonderful. Mazal tov, Layla," Wally whispered, staring into Jinx's eyes for a long second. "You should know you're about to be kissed. Hex me if you must."
"Mazal tov…Kiddo" Jinx replied back and for that moment, the magic of the moment seemed to outweigh her usual spite. "I'd like that."
The kiss was one of the most satisfying moments of Wally's entire life. And…one of the dumbest things he had ever done.
"You know this doesn't change anything? You don't get think of me as some convert to the light side," Jinx demanded, leaning back from him. This was too good to be true. In her life, she was not supposed to feel happy. But she had to admit, he was a very good kisser. On a scale of one to ten, he must be a fifteen."I'm the enemy. Just...drop it." He should find his own kind, she was sure a hundred other girls would offer him the same assets with half the baggage.
"You are a great kisser and a good person. I like you just the way you are." Kid Flash had that glint in his eyes that said he was moving in for another kiss. And Jinx almost wanted him to. "So what are you going to do? I'm not going to the dark side and the only way you can ever be free is if you agree that a life of crime isn't for you. I can offer you a lot if you just trust me."
"We're having a wonderful evening. Why ruin it?" Jinx asked, wanting to be kissed some more. For tonight, she just wanted to be hugged and kissed and treated like a princess. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we will part and be enemies.
"You aren't making this easy for me," Kid Flash said softly. "I can't keep living in secrets like this. I can't keep doing this, knowing you would happily skin me alive if the situation happened. I need to feel safe around you."
"And that superspeed doesn't keep you safe," Jinx said, knowing how to play him like a well tuned piano. "You're the one who could escape in a split second. So don't tell me you're unsafe, fastest boy alive."
"I guess you're right," he said quietly, looking at her intensely. Jinx wondered what he was thinking, but thought better to ask. "And you should know I would never hurt you. I might chase you a bit, but I would never let anything happen to you."
"So we can meet the next time I rob a bank," Jinx joked. It seemed to be the only way they could communicate.
"Not exactly. I have an idea. Meet me at the park tomorrow, at sunset by the pier. They'll be showing Shakespeare in the park and I would love to attend. I have to get it approved but I think I have a way we can talk to one another from now on. Now, can we get back to the kissing and then go back and dance some more?" Kid Flash asked.
Jinx heartily agreed. "My pleasure." Why bother playing hard to get? Stop thinking about the future and enjoy now. What else did she have?
AN: Wally's starting to have to lie. How long can he keep it up? But hey, kissing solves all problems, right?
