Hope everyone had a restful holiday/spring break. So we're wrapping up this story, but I still have some twists ready for you. So, what happens to Jinx? And this chapter is really fun for me, because I got to use a quote from the Broadway Musical Ruthless, which was a lot of fun. So yes, poor Barry, a lot of people are pretty mad at him. Again, in his mind, Jinx is a very bad girl who will kill Wally if given half the chance and a red nickel for her troubles. So do you blame him for freaking out?And now that Wally is well, the real danger has come.
Still, I'm happy at how this story is going. Question, would people be interest in some stand alone stories of Wally's life before Jinx?
Hey hey I saved the world today
Everybodys happy now
The bad things gone away
And everybodys happy now
The good things here to stay
Please let it stay
-- Eurythmics
The trial had been swift. Barry Allen had been quite clear in what he wanted and he had painted her to be a monster slightly worse than Dracula. She would not be surprised of the verdict. After all, she was technically guilty. And besides, she most likely needed the help only a loving and courageous parent can provide. They had done the wise thing and turned her in, the easier it was to get back to their normal lives.
Judge Seigel didn't take long after hearing the evidence. "Layla Jennson, you have been found guilty of multiple counts of truancy, burglary, breaking and entering, juvenile delinquency, forgery, assault and battery and criminal negligence. Numerous eyes have identified you, you were seen at the scene of the crime and you have provided no defense for yourself. You have shown no remorse for any of your deeds. According to the law, you are a child and I must take that into account when I give my verdict."
Jinx had heard it all before. She was pond scum in the eyes of good people. Still, maybe her age had won her the sympathy she needed to be at Ju Dee correctional facility for children. She was looking forward to a vacation in Juvvie, she could catch up on her reading and network with some villains.
Judge Siegal sighed and removed her glasses."I see no further reason to treat you as a child under the law. Even at juvenile hall rehabilitation program, you have consistently broken rules. Dr. Allen has repeatedly petitioned me for what should be done and I have always trusted his judgment. He feels that there is hope for you and has generously arranged for a program of rehabilitation out of the goodness of his heart. I don't think you deserve it, but I will honor his kindness to you. Therefore, I am committing you to a fifteen year sentence at Arkham Asylum under the care of Dr. Jonathan Crane." Her words were cold, direct and fatal. "You will come up for Parole in seven years. I suggest you use them wisely."
"Thank you, your honor. I just want to do what's right," Barry Allen said, victorious in his quest to destroy her.
Jinx had always dreamed of being taken seriously as a master criminal. She just didn't expect it to be in this way. Arkham was…hell. The cold dark cells, the mandatory psychiatric clinics…the restraints…fifteen years! She was vaguely aware that her eyes were itching as she imagined the pain and torture awaiting them. "We'll appeal this, Layla. I won't let them do this to you," Alice said softly. "You're just a kid. You don't deserve Arkham."
"He wanted this to happen," Jinx whispered. The spell was getting annoying, she couldn't even say his name or the names of his family. Everything was taken from her. "He wanted me to suffer and he got it."
"What did you do to deserve this?" Alice asked. "He really did have it in for you. Do you have a personal connection to him? Maybe I can get a mistrial?"
"You know, your…would be ashamed of you," Jinx snapped, pointing at Barry Allen. Scarecrow would have her now. He would torture her and break her mind apart into tiny pieces. She was better off death. She wondered if she deserved it. No, she may have been a terrible person, but Wally had seen good in her. And she was not going to go down without a fight. "Please, just let me tell him one thing."
Barry Allen sighed and picked up his briefcase. "Goodbye," he said sadly. "That is all there is to say."
The fragile peace had not lasted. Wally had already predicted that something was up, but had been too afraid to shatter the bubble of serenity. Uncle Barry had been busy the last few days, which meant that there was a lot more time to finish homework and still have enough time to play video games.
It had not taken long to figure out why Uncle Barry had ordered him to keep the television off, but the truth had finally come out. Wally had been innocently minding his own business in the lab when he had decided to get the sports scores. A perky newsgirl was reading the evening report, looking quite pleased with herself. "Layla Jenson, known as Jinx was sentenced to fifteen years at Arkham for crimes ranging from burglary to arson to murder. " she began.
Wally slammed the remote down angrily. "That's so unfair!" he roared, feeling like he was about to slam something else. His scars were burning with something other than pain. Jinx was finished. She'd be almost thirty when she got out. And he knew one thing. Escaping from Arkham was not possible anymore. Ever since Batman had ordered mandatory chips installed in all the inmates. You got out without three separate codes installed and you got the shock of your life…literally.
"Cool it, Wallace. We're aware of your opinion without you getting violent," Uncle Barry said calmly, poking his head in from his office. "Please conduct yourself appropriately," he continued.
"What's wrong?"
"Well, how do you expect me to react? Jinxie got fifteen years at Arkham? She didn't even kill anyone, she should be sent back to juvvie, or given community service, anything but that!"
Wally protested, jumping up from his armchair. "I should have been there, helped with her case!"
"We were hoping you wouldn't find out. We knew it would upset you," Aunt Iris said, patting his shoulder.
"It's just not fair," Wally moaned. "I didn't even get to visit her. I have to talk to her and make sure she's all right."
"Why are you torturing yourself over this, Wally? You know she's guilty. You can't possibly think Judge Siegel can ignore that pesky fact?" Aunt Iris continued, tidying up the lab. As always, she was supporting her husband over her own flesh and blood. If her husband hadn't been Wally's teacher and guardian (and currently his warden), Wally would have protested such a breech of loyalty.
"She doesn't deserve Arkham," Wally snapped, folding his arms defiantly. "She's someone who just needs understanding."
"That isn't your choice. It's up to a judge to decide and she did," Aunt Iris retorted. "And I thought you stopped caring about her. You said she was behind you. What's going on, Wally boy?"
"It's the principle of it, an election year and Siegel just wants to make an example out of someone so she can go on about winning the war on crime. The titans do the dirty work and corrupt pieces of…" he trailed off wisely, noticing the look of fury he was getting from his guardians.
"Is someone asking to be grounded from the computer?" Aunt Iris verbalized the look laconically, as she replaced the towels by the basin. "Because that request could easily be granted."
"No," Wally muttered under his breath. His leash was short enough as it was. He had already been hauled back to live with his aunt and uncle and was missing his personal space. He wasn't even allowed to leave the apartment alone without permission, as he was still on bed rest, even though his immune system, like the rest of him, worked really fast and he was almost healed.
"Pardon?" Aunt Iris asked, replacing Wally's mended costumes, which always got frayed from too much high speed running. "What did you just say to me?"
"No ma'am," Wally mumbled, wishing Uncle Barry hadn't taught Aunt Iris that Midwestern "ma'am-ing" tradition. Though he had to admit, his uncle wouldn't have given him the warning.
Barry Allen was a man of few words and a lot of action. Two weeks spent copying the dictionary in neat handwriting had taught Wally a great of respect for him. That and of course, he being the original Flash. That helped a lot. Besides for the times where he had badly screwed up like now, and he felt like the most unworthy student in the history of teaching.
"That's better. You know, I am willing to do some investigation into this case, if only to prove to you that there is nothing going on besides someone actually facing the music," Aunt Iris sighed, giving him a small smile. Wally noticed Uncle Barry gripping his papers tightly at that comment.
Wally grinned and hugged her. "Aunt Iris, I owe you big time. You'll see, there is more to her than meets the eye. Trust me," he said, his eyes sparkling in that way that always convinced his aunt to give him a fifth helping of dessert.
"Trusting you is what got you in this state," Aunt Iris muttered darkly, as she placed a milkshake in front of Wally. "Now drink your vitamin tonic up!" she urged, placing an enormous and rather putrid looking beverage in front of him.
"Can't you put some ice cream in it?" Wally muttered, as he sipped at the awful-tasting concoction. It also smelled just as bad as it tasted. What did he do to deserve this torture?
"Darling, may I speak to our boy alone? I think we need a man-to-man talk," Uncle Barry asked, still reading. Despite all his money from his inventions, he was still a workaholic, always working on new ways to catch and identify criminals. Uncle Barry was one of the few people who actually enjoyed working and found it good for stress relief. . He seemed to have a thoughtful expression on his face. This boded poorly for the protégé, who associated these moods with disappointment or a crazy new training routine.
"Of course. I would hate to let my feminine nature impede on your manly little discussion. Dinner should be ready in twenty minutes, boys. It's your favorite, spaghetti and meatballs," Aunt Iris said, obviously realizing the situation was going to turn problematic. She gave Wally a sympathetic look before leaving the room, her heels creating the perfect death march. Uncle Barry's "man-to-man" talks always had an element of mental trauma to it, especially the one where Wally got the birds and the bees lecture, which was really badly named since it had nothing to do with birds or bees but….girls!
There was a long silence. For a high speed creature, nothing was more painful than waiting and especially waiting for the axe to fall. In fact, it was downright torturous. "Is this about finishing up all the cookies?" he quipped, trying to lighten up the situation.
"So you were lying to me when you said you had given up on her. You really care about this girl, don't you, Wallace?" Uncle Barry asked quietly, as he looked over the papers he was carrying. He just loved hitting the jugular, didn't he?
Wally reddened and nodded. "She's just…well…erm….nice." Smooth, really smooth. William Shakespeare, he wasn't.
"And the fact that you have feelings for a criminal, for someone you are trained to apprehend and bring to justice doesn't bother you?" Uncle Barry continued, not looking up from his paper. Wally hated that habit, always made him feel like a death warrant was being read. "At all?"
Wally lowered his eyes as he got to his feet. "Of course it does, but…" he began, wondering where his verbal skills were when he needed them. Maybe he left them behind when he had lost his heart. Yup, that made absolutely no sense.
"I see. Your grades have also been slipping. I noticed a lot of Cs and Fs where there used to be As. Care to explain that?" Uncle Barry asked, his voice hardening with dissatisfaction, finally putting down his paper and giving him a very level gaze of guilt. "Your teachers say that you have been submitting sloppy work far below standard."
Wally was starting to understand the feeling a mouse had when trapped. "I've been…" he tried for the third time to connect his mouth and brain.
"Distracted. I can tell." Wow, trust Uncle Barry to destroy a guy's self esteem. Ever since Wally had nearly died in that car crash when fighting the Joker, he had been usually somber in the evenings. Ever since the rescue, he had just been downright disagreeable.
"I am trying, Uncle Barry. Even I have limits," Wally protested weakly, knowing he was going to get his butt verbally kicked to Kansas and back again. He had screwed up and he knew it. At least he wasn't yelling like he had last time he had lost it. Now he was just cold with anger. Actually, it was almost worse.
"I am disappointed, Wallace. When I allowed you to work alone, it was a mark of trust that you could fulfill your responsibilities. But you haven't held up your end of the bargain. Superspeed is a privilege and a duty.' Wally felt a hand on his shoulder. His uncle moved too fast, even for Wally's eyes. "I hope taught you that."
Wally nodded. "You did, sir." He really had. Barry had taken him in, supported him, instructed him, and been his father in all but name. He had been there, clapping when Wally first broke the sound barrier. He had taught him the periodic table of elements and how to be a hero. Wally didn't want to be accused of being mushy, but he loved his uncle.
"Then why aren't you living up to your end of the deal? You are taking unneeded risks, fraternizing with the enemy, shirking your obligations. That isn't what I taught you," Uncle Barry intoned, turning Wally around to face him. "And you won't stop hiding the truth from me."
Wally had looked Madame Rouge in the face and had barely shown fear. Yet, he couldn't quite work up the courage to look his uncle in the eye. It made him feel like the most worthless student in the world. "Just try and understand that…"
"I understand completely that you are in danger. You have let the enemy get to your head. You are becoming sloppy, both in your hero work and your personal work. I blame myself. I gave you too much freedom and responsibilities far too early," Uncle Barry muttered as he squeezed Wally's shoulder gently. This was not going in a good direction.
"Well, there's nothing like a second chance," Wally tried to disguise his plea as dignifiedly as possible. His uncle was a kind person. He would rant and give him a punishment assignment to cool his heels a bit, and then tell him to get out there and make him proud. "I'm fine now. I can run normally again."
"I agree, in due time. But till then, you are benched. Now I realize I can't trust anything that comes out of your mouth. You won't be going to live with the Titans for the time being. In fact, you are completely grounded. No leaving the house without permission, unless your aunt is with you. You can join me on patrols but no more solo work. You will spend your time training your mind and body till I feel you have learned some discipline." His uncle had never punished him so harshly before! He had to be kidding!
Wally felt prison doors shut down on his life for a second time. "You have got to be kidding me!" he snapped, shaking off Uncle Barry's hand.
"I assure you. I am not," Uncle Barry said in a cutting tone much like the guillotine. In the kitchen, Aunt Iris dropped a cup. Wally heard it shatter across the floor and Aunt Iris cursing. He knew she could hear every word, but she wouldn't interfere or overrule Uncle Barry.
"You are treating me like a child! Why don't you just put me over your knee?" Wally sputtered, aware that he was getting into hotter waters, if that were possible.
Uncle Barry raised an eyebrow and stared at him. Even through his anger, Wally could see the faint smile of amusement. "Aren't you a bit too old for that?" he asked softly. "Though if you insist, I'm perfectly willing for you to go cut a switch for yourself." Oh, he was a real comedian. "Better now than later if you end up at the Tower. I'd hate to have to spank you in front of Robin and the others, again."
Wallly rolled his eyes. So he and his friends had stolen a space ship and gone a joy ride. That had not been a fair punishment at all! "That is not funny," he muttered. Since when did Uncle Barry have a sense of humor? "You said I was too old for that and besides, this is serious!"
"And so am I. You are not to go near that girl again. You are going to behave yourself like a hero again or I will find some way of stripping you of your powers until you have the right to vote," Uncle Barry said calmly. "I'm glad that is settled."
"I…like Jinx," Wally whispered, his jaw shaking with rage. He was not some kid anymore. "I love her!" He had never felt this way about a girl before and he knew that there was good inside her. he had been so close to finding it.
"I don't care. You will obey me; I am your mentor and your foster father!" Uncle Barry said in a low tone, tapping his fingers angrily against the table. "I have spoken."
"Well…you aren't my father," Wally hissed, knowing that it was cliché, but it was the most hurtful thing he could think of to say. He knew how much it bothered Uncle Barry that he wasn't Wally's biological father. It was a low blow. What was he sinking to?
"And you think Rudy would think any differently? He'd be right here with me on this issue. In fact, he'd have given you a much shorter leash. You think he'd have let you walk out of here and come back unconscious coughing your lungs up, with poison coursing through you?" Uncle Barry demanded, his eyes narrowing in anger. "He may have been many things, but he didn't fail to protect his own child! I failed you, do you understand? I nearly let you die and I am not going to lose you. Losing you would destroy me and Iris. Don't you get how much we love and need you?"
Wally shook his head, cowed by that. His father would have never allowed him to be Kid Flash. Uncle Barry had given him a lot more freedom than Dad ever would have. "Yes sir," he whispered.
"I'm sorry, Wallace, but that type of passive aggressive approach is not going to hurt me. You are like a son to me and you know it, but I don't fool myself into thinking I could replace Mary and Rudy for you. I never would want to replace them. They were wonderful people who loved you very much. But they left you in my care and that makes me in charge," Uncle Barry said deliberately, every word said with considerable anger. "You will still obey my rules as my apprentice, if that is what you wish to remain."
"I…" Wally began, trying to figure out how he could give a rebuttal to that argument without sounding like a kid. He knew he had something to say, but everything he could say was knocked down by that sentence. He had given his vow of obedience and loyalty. And yet, now he had to break it.
"You have said enough. We will have lunch now. Then you may go to your room, and study. Apparently, you have a lot to think about," Uncle Barry said coldly, refusing to even look at him.
That was a bad sign. No matter what Wally had ever done, Uncle Barry had never been this angry at him. Ever since Jinx, things had changed.
Oh, Uncle Barry had punished him before and yelled at him, and scolded him, but it was never anger like that. It was more "you screwed up and you're going to pay for it but good." It had always been the same thing, every action had a consequence and when Wally chose the wrong action, he got a very negative consequence. Still, Uncle Barry had never been so cold to him before. He had always forgiven him nearly immediately.
Wally knew two things without thinking about it. He was not going to give up on Jinx and Uncle Barry was really hurt by his words. Both frightened him.
AN-Next chapter, Wally finally figures out something ain't kosher in the Allen household and it ain't the bacon and eggs Aunt Iris is serving for breakfast.
