Well, I have some good news and some bad news. I'm in a rehabilitation hospital due to an illness I have, where I'll be needing some OT. I am fine, for the most part, but it's nice to have something to occupy my mind while I recover. This chapter is dedicated to FlareKnight, whose long review made my day during a really tough time, it made me smile!

I am really excited that the end of the story to come, I will be excited to begin the sequel and work on my original novel. This chapter was wonderful to write, and it really allowed me to write the things I wanted to. Special thanks to the reviewers, you'll see a lot of your questions answered and discussed here and I think you'll be quite satisfied with the results.

Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true

--Bryan Addams

Everything I do - I do it for you

There was a room in the Justice League that was reserved for council meetings. Wally and Dick had sneaked in as children, and sat down on the tall throne-like chairs. "Some day, we're going to sit here and rule," Dick had said softly. "I'll lead the Justice League, and you'll be my right hand man."

"Who says you're going to lead?" Wally had retorted and a spirited wrestling match had resulted. That had been before they had been chased out by Superman and forced to stand in the corner, to think about what it meant to stay put and not go wandering around.

Wally had been in that room many times since then, sitting at the back of council meetings and watching his uncle discuss matters of state. He knew that someday, that would be him, being one of the seven most powerful heroes in the world. One day, he would be large and in charge, with Dick and Roy and the others who would replace the aging heroes. It had never been considered that he'd actually be brought here in chains to face charges of treason.

He was glad Dick wasn't here; he knew how much this would hurt his friend. He had already had enough problems with the people who were here to judge him. Wally stood before the seven figures who had become Gods to him. They were everything he ever wanted to be. And now he had just disappointed them. His fate was in their hands.

"We have been brought here to decide if you are a threat to the League. You have admitted to breaking a convicted felon out of prison and betraying your oaths to your mentor. You have demonstrated behavior unbecoming a hero and it is to be determined if you can be reintroduced to human society. So, what do you have to say for yourself?" Martian Manhunter asked softly, presiding over the tribunal. "You have a lot to explain."

Wally sighed, feeling actually terrified. He was guilty, anyone who could read his mind knew he had broken into a prison and freed a convicted felon. He didn't really have a way to answer for that. "I accept I made mistakes. I should have worked harder to give testimony for Jinx instead of breaking her out. I knew she was innocent and I couldn't let her be punished for a crime she didn't commit. A hero doesn't let an innocent person go to prison. You can consider me deluded but I know the truth. She's innocent."

"We'll ignore your mad rantings for the moment. You were going down a bad road long before the prison incident. You lied to Superman. You hid a relationship with a villain, you even revealed your true identity to her," Green Lantern snarled. "How do you explain that?"

Wally stood his ground. "I love her. And I believe she was worthy of my trust. She saved my life and I won't disavow her for her past. She needed a second chance. She never had a home, she never had a family. The family she was assigned to threw her to the wolves and treated her like a freak. She would have rather lived on the street than be with them. Surely, she deserved some mercy."

"Mercy? What about her victims?" Hawkgirl asked in a cold tone from the corner of the table. "Didn't they deserve your mercy too, to avenge them by putting their aggressor behind bars?"

"I don't fight for vengeance, I fight for justice. Putting someone who could become an ally into prison only makes the problem worse," Wally answered. He had finally found his voice, and it felt good. "I'm not a weapon. I chose to fight every day because I want to help people, because I lost my parents and I don't want anyone else to suffer the way I did," Wally explained.

"How did you know she had potential? That first meeting you saw her; you weren't looking at her potential. You were looking at her…" Martian Manhunter said with a blank look, before pausing. "I imagine that's inappropriate to mention in mixed Earth company."

Wally found that he still had the ability to blush. "I admit, I did have an ulterior motive when I tried to engage with her." This was starting to look very bad for him.

"So it wasn't some mission of mercy that made you decide to help her. She was just pretty and you decided to throw caution to the wind," Green Lantern snapped, looking quite triumphent.

"You lied to me," Superman spoke up. "In the mall, you convinced me not to mention you were dressed like some criminal, smoking weed to impress a girl. If you were an ordinary kid, that would be your uncle's domain. But you are not ordinary; you're someone who can do a lot of damage without thinking. So you know you need to keep your head up," he said softly.

"I'm sorry. I was afraid if you took me in, you'd take her in before I could help her leave the Hive. And you can check, any drugs in my system are from the attack," Wally said calmly. It actually felt good to be honest and get everything off his chest.

"So you were willing to betray us for her?" Wonder Woman asked, looking quite put out. "I can't say that speaks for you."

"I didn't want to betray you all. I wanted to bring her to the right side, I wanted to help her," Wally repeated. He was in the right here, he knew that now. Jinx had been worth it for him. "If I could turn her, we would have saved an innocent life. I saw it as my duty."

"You're telling me on some vague premise that she might turn good, you were willing to risk your life? You got captured by Poison Ivy, you nearly got killed at Star labs and you were willing to go to prison for her," Wonder Woman asked. "This concerns me."

"I know it was stupid," Wally admitted. "And I should have gotten back up. I already admitted I was foolish and I am not planning to take that back. I'm just asking you to understand why I did it."

"Even if you're telling the truth, you're a loose cannon," Green Lantern thundered. "You are unworthy of the mask you wear and the title of hero. You should have never been allowed to join him. You have no idea what it means to be a hero."

Wally's fragile sense of peace shattered in anger. He had done a lot of things wrong, but he "But that's what heroes do! They put their lives on the line so other people can live. Because there will always be some ray gun, some horrible super villain who will be smart or lucky enough to win and I'm the one who has to lay my life on the ground to make sure that doesn't' happen. Because I am fast, but I am not fast enough to outrun Death. Every day that I go out on patrol, I could face the big leagues, the Joker, Bane, Slade, any of them who only want to break me into a million pieces. And I have to hope that I'm smart enough, fast enough, and lucky enough to survive to come home. So what if I gave it all up for someone else? I'm a hero, my life means nothing if it isn't spent protecting others. And Jinx needed my protection. I know I broke the law…but I did it to be a hero, just like you guys. All I've done, it's because it's what you've taught me."

There was silence in the room and he knew what it looked like. His own uncle and godfather was on the panel, and he had still managed to shame them. Even if he had been a hero, he had been a pretty rotten jerk.

"Believe me, I paid for this. I acted like a fool and hide things from people, I allowed the situation to get out of control. I lost the respect of the man I admire most. There is nothing more you can do to me that would hurt more. Uncle Barry, this isn't a plea for mercy. You can decide what you want done to me, but it won't change the fact that I know you are the best teacher in the world. I'm sorry I failed you," Wally said, removing his stolen ring and putting on the table. "For what it's worth, I truly am sorry for hurting you. But I had no choice. I couldn't let her be punished for me. I accept whatever you all decide for me." Wally could barely face him without hating himself.

"I don't think you have much choice but to accept it," Green Lantern muttered, and Wally predicted that a long stay in Justice League prison was in his future. Even if his uncle voted with him, he still had to convince three other people that he was worth a second look of mercy. He was doomed.


Jinx waited inside the cell. She still had the power inhabiter, but now she also had handcuff on to add to her problems. Of course, neither of them was as big a problem as the fact that the Justice Leage was about to send her back to Scarecrow and the spell protecting Wally's identity wasn't even sound.

Wally was gone. They had seperated him, and Jinx knew they would be guarding their fallen prince tightly. He had hurt some of the most powerful men in the world. They would kill him for this. That's what powerful people did to people who got into their way. They'd stick him on some ice planet for life, they'd destroy his freedom, they'd make him wish he had never been born. She hadn't been able to protect him.

Those Gods on High, looking down on mortals in judgement, separate and pretending to be justice, when they answered to no one and made their own lives. Couldn't they have allowed to them to be together for a few more minutes? Didn't they have some form of a heart?

She hated them. She knew that they would take out their wrath on Wally, and then just throw her back into prison. And she would bide her time and get stronger. She'd find what was left of the broken wreck her Wally once was, and then she would heal him.

Then she would destroy the Justice League. She would become the cruelest dictator ever, all because of them. They would have taken everything from her and she would return the favor.

It was easier to dwell on revenge fantasies than remember that there was nothing she could do. She hated them and someday they would pay. The only question was if Wally would be all right. That was all that mattered.

"Hungry?" a voice asked. "I thought you might need a meal." Batgirl was standing in front of her, holding an apple. Standing with her was Captain Commando himself, looking sullen.

"How do I know you didn't poison it?" Jinx asked softly. She especially didn't want to see this plonker in her lowest moment.

"I wish. But that would be too easy an end for what you did," Robin said softly. "You destroyed my best friend's life. You deserve to be hung in chains and left to rot."

"Cool it, Robin. We're not here to insult her," Batgirl said, tossing her red hair. Jinx vaugely wondered if that was Wally's cousin.

"You ever think your best friend did this all because he loved me?" Jinx asked. "Or that it's your side that's about to ruin his life?"

"Shut up! You little witch, just shut up. What kind of spell did you put over him? What drugs did you use?" Robin said. "Believe me, I can make you talk. I'm not going to let him suffer because of you. If I get inside that cell, you are going to wish you were never born."

"Watch it, before you end up in a cell next to her. We have a plan, remember?" Batgirl said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You wanted this kept secret, remember?"

Jinx watched the two interact and knew that they wouldn't hurt her. "You aren't going to let him suffer because of me, and I'm not going to let him suffer because of you heroes. So what are we going to do about this?" she asked. "Are you going to break out Wally from prison if he goes away?"

Robin nodded. "I guess that's why we're friends, we don't leave comrades behind us," he said, his blue eyes narrowing. "But you aren't a team mate!"

"I guess I am now," Jinx said softly. She wondered if she could loosen the inhibator just a little bit, she could hex him.

"You're what my team hunts down ,you're the poison we try to cure," Robin muttered, but turned away for a moment.

"Prove it," Batgirl said. "Say you put him under a spell, that you made him do it. If you truly loved him, you would do it. You're going to go to prison anyway, why take him down with you? I'll get you a nice prison term, a good place. You'll be out by eighteen," she offered.

"You're asking me to lie and say his love for me was a spell?" Jinx demanded angrily. "You're a sick twisted little bitch!"

"Do you get that your love for him has ruined his life? No matter if his love is real, he's sacrificing everything for you. Do you know how much his uncle means to him? You were going to drag him on the road to crime. The worst that will happen to you is you going to prison, but Wally will be stuck in an emotional torture cell for the rest of his life. He has destroyed his entire life. Do you care what you have put him through?" Bargirl asked. "If you loved him, you would be pretty upset about how much you have cost him."

Jinx thought about it for a long moment. She hadn't considered it that way, and it was not a pleasant thought to realize she was ruining his life. "And of course, I'd have to agree to never see him again." She was not confident she could do that after all she had done to stay with him.

"Sorry to say it, but you need to see that you can't make our friend suffer and get away with it. I don't even believe you're guilty, frankly, I don't think Wally's dumb enough to be fooled this much. But you are causing him to lose everything he needs to be happy. So if you really love him, you will go away."

Jinx didn't allow herself time to think. She would have too much regrets to consider if she allowed herself too much thought. "All right. When he's found guilty, I'll say I made him do it. I'll give him up," she said quickly. "On one condition. I don't go to Arkham. I know you won't believe me, but Doctor Crane is the Scrarecrow. He'll destroy my mind and take Wally's identity."

Robin snorted, but Batgirl nodded. "I have no reason to believe you would lie. I'll take care of that. But do we have an agreement then? When Wally is found guilty, you take the punishment for him and go to Irongate? You can break out after two months, but you stay away from Wally?" she asked.

Jinx nodded. She could break her word later. But for now, she was content to just agree and finally prove that she loved that idiot. "Anything else you need me to do?" she said acidly.

"Die painfully? Rot in prison?" Robin said in return. "But for now, telling Wally the truth and getting out of his life would be plenty for me."

Jinx nodded. "Agreed. But you better live up to your side of the bargain, or it's off." It was the right thing to do, she knew it. He had burned for her, she could do this for him. She'd want and then come back into his life. But right now, he needed his family more than he needed her.

She had no idea what she needed now.


Uncle Barry took out the confiscated ring for a moment and studied it. Wally watched breathlessly as his mentor checked the ring and then he returned it to his hand. This couldn't be happening. "You didn't fail me, Wally."

"Are you serious?" Wally asked, sure that he was dreaming and when he awoke, he'd be in a Watchtower prison, writing long letters to the people in his life who would quickly forget him.

Uncle Barry turned to the Justice League. "In his defense, I forced him to lie to me; I know that made him desperate and foolish enough to do something this crazy. I put him under pressure and I should have realized that he would do anything to please me. I refused to allow him to give testimony and I went on treating him like a prisoner and not like a future hero. And I should have let him in on what I was planning. We both kept secrets and we both ended up looking like fools. I take responsibility." He had gotten up and stood before the others. He was standing with him. He hadn't abandoned him, thrown him to the wolves. In the end, he had come through for him. Wally's jaw was almost touching his chest.

"Have you lost your mind, Allen? He admitted he just completely disregarded orders and you're responding to this?" Green Lantern snapped. "He broke the rules. This isn't your fault. You shouldn't have to stand with that juvenile delinquent. And I object to you voting with your own flesh and blood. Have you ever heard of fairness?" This was obviously not the result he thought it would.

"I know what it means to be fair, but I can't help but take responsibility for what I did to contribute to this situation," Uncle Barry said, holding his head high, as he put his arm around Wally's shaking shoulders.

To his shock, Superman spoke up. "I'm with Allen. I still can't approve of Wally's actions in lying to everyone and breaking the law, but I know why he did that and I understand it. He's a good kid, one of the best and if Barry stands by him, I do too." That was two votes. He just needed two more and he'd have a chance of surviving this. "I think he has done enough to earn himself a second chance."

"Thank you," Wally whispered, feeling a beacon of hope lighting his life and making him feel as if he just might survive this. He had lied to this guy and Superman had still saved him. That was why he was the best there was.

"Wally, I know you still have a lot of learning to do, but you are proving yourself to be a fine hero. I am very proud of you, being willing to lose your freedom to save another person. You are really growing up and taking responsibility for this proves it. You didn't break the law to hurt anyone; you were trying to save the life of someone you thought innocent. Your judgment leaves something to be desired, but your heart is in the right place. I won't have you locked up for that, " Superman said, giving him a genuine smile.

"Really?" Wally was shocked. He expected a verbal beat down of the highest order and then some. He deserved to be punished, he had broken the law, broken his word, broken his trust and he still got mercy. "I don't deserve this kindness."

"No, you don't. I'm afraid I have to side with Lantern. Sorry, kid, you're a favorite of mine, but you're not above rules. You should have come to us. You went rogue and that can't be tolerated. I'm voting against you," Hawkgirl said sadly. Her mask made her expression unreadable and it made her look more like an executioner than a friend. "I'd want us to go easily on you, but I can't. I wouldn't want injustice done in my favor and I don't think you'd want it done in yours. You proved yourself unfit to be a hero for the moment."

Wally's face fell, but he accepted this downturn. It was two to two now. There were three votes left. And he needed two of them to vote with him or he would be in a very bad place. "Yes, ma'am," he whispered.

"I have to agree. We can't be seen to be playing favorites. We all love you very much, but you can't be allowed to walk all over the law. It would taint our name and we can't allow that. In the interests of justice, you have to be punished for breaking a criminal out of prison," Wonder Woman said after a long pause. "I'm sorry for this. It is not a choice I ever wanted to make. If I could make any other choice, I would. But I cannot let my affection for you dim the truth of the situation."

That was three votes, to two. One more, and it would be all over for him. It was not a good feeling, especially since he would be taking his uncle down with him. "Yes, ma'am," he whispered.

"I helped give this boy his powers. I was the one who put his life at risk and made him into the person he is today. I will take responsibility that I put him in a life that forced him to make choices no human child should have to, and I will not condemn him for what he has done," Martian Manhunter said in a cold tone.

"You can't be telling me you're buying his excuses too?" Green Lanturn demanded furiously. "You're supposed to be logical."

"He deserves a second chance. We gave him that mask. We raised him and the Titans to be heroes. We took them and made them warriors, when they're children. And then we punish them for acting like what they are, children who don't know better and need guidance. The Flash is right. If they've failed, we failed them. I don't think this was intended to go as far, and I think that he needs to be disciplined like the child he is, not punished like the criminal some are making him out to be. So I vote to keep him on and work with him. His mind tells me he's loyal to us with all of beliefs," Martian Manhunter said softly. "As you know, I can read his mind and I know why he did it. He's good to the core of his being."

Wally hated having his mind read, but in this case, it was a cleansing feeling to know he was a good person on the inside. He had begun to doubt that in himself. But he was a good person, Jinx had been wrong and he had been right. He almost wished she could be here to hear this. Of course, that would have its own issues.

So everything came down to the final vote. Batman. His own godfather, his own hero and it would be him that decided it. It only seemed like a long shot, because no one tolerated disobeying orders less than the Dark Knight. Dick had told him enough stories to make Wally realize that this was not going to be in his favor easily.

"The boy's a complete fool. He put himself in danger, and he put those around him in harm's way. He's shown enough bad judgment to make me wonder why he was ever given a mask," Batman began softly. "He's headstrong, he's stubborn and he doesn't ever think two minutes into the future." Wally hung his head, and wondered if jail food was as bad as everyone said. Batman doubted him; there was nothing worse than that. "But he's worth salvaging. We have no benefit from looking him up. So I vote no."

"You can't be serious," Green Lanturn exploded as Uncle Barry and Superman let out a sigh of relief.

Wally allowed himself to smile with relief as he realized he had just escaped with the skin of his teeth. "Thank you," he said, breathing normally for the first time since he had entered this room.

"That makes a majority. I pronunce you an official hero, allowed clemency by the council," Martian Manhunter said, giving him a nod. "Of course, it is within our discretion to make sure you do face consquences for your actions."

Superman nodded. " You're on probation and you are remanded to your uncle's custody, since you have not had any other criminal acts on your record. I truly suggest that you better keep your nose clean and that before you go on some crusade, clear it with us first." The dry wit had returned, always a good sign. "Otherwise, you answer to Batman. And he will not make that pleasant." That was an understatement of the century.

"I can't believe this travesty of justice. The boy's uncle, godfathers and a Martian who saved his life as a child, this isn't a fair jury," Green Lantern muttered. "If he ever screws up again, it will be on all of your heads."

"I take that responsibility," Uncle Barry said proudly, putting his arm around his nephew. "And I know he'll prove you wrong and he will regain your trust. I think deep down, I've taught him quite well."

"What about Jinx?" Wally asked, a dark feeling coming over him. "What will happen to her?" He couldn't imagine they would have much compassion for the girl who had caused so much trouble to them. He had barely escaped their wrath intact.

"That depends on her. I think I can say we'd willing to give her protection if she gives us information. If so, she will receive time served and be transferred to a safe family on condition of good behavior. We took some DNA samples and we're looking for people who are related. So I think you need to take care of convincing her. We'll take care of the rest. And Wally, while I disagree with my colleagues, I'm glad I was overruled," Wonder Woman said. She had voted against him, but once the verdict was back, she was all business. He liked that about her. She had been fair and he wouldn't hold it against her. "Now justice has been done."

"Yes, ma'am," Wally said softly. He had no grudge against her, but was glad to see that she didn't decide his fate. "I'll make sure to talk to her and help her see this chance. And thank you very much."

"Good. Remove the shackles, Flash. I think you will appreciate having the honors," Martian Manhunter said, a rare smile crossing his ghostly face. A second later, Wally was a free teenager, who was still most likely grounded for a very long time, but still had the love of the greatest family in the world. "I think you two should go and have a hot meal and rest a bit. You have had a very long day. "

"Sounds good to me," Uncle Barry said, steering Wally out of the room and in the direction of the kitchen. "Come on. I need food and a good stiff drink, and you need to clear your head, I think."

"Thank you," Wally whispered, as the two Flashes walked out together quietly, still overwhelmed by the kindness shown to him by people he had so badly mistreated. Being loved unconditionally was a nice feeling.

"If you thought for one second I would allow my nephew to go to prison, you are completely and utterly deranged." Uncle Barry smiled for the first time. He reached out and ruffled Wally's hair, which was the nicest feeling in the world. "You may be an adult in some ways but I will always be there to help you. And Wallace, right then, you really needed my help. I just couldn't let you know it before the trial; I needed you to at least look sincere. If I would have told you I was planning to do that, you would have appeared cocky. I apologize for fooling you, but you're not a great actor and you know it."

Wally blinked back tears. His uncle really was the best and he knew he'd have a plan. "Really?" he whispered. He was safe. Everything was going to be all right. He was finally relaxed for the first time since he had laid eyes on his girlfriend and everything had got so confusing.

"Not to bring up an unpleasant subject, but I was there at Jinx's trial. Her own family threw her under the bus, they practically demanded she go to prison. And maybe she deserved it, but she didn't deserve a family who didn't give a damn about her," Uncle Barry explained. "I couldn't believe someoen could take a child into their home and then toss her out like used tissues. And when I found your note, I realized that I wasn't much better. I may not have been abandoning you, but I was smothering you and trying to control you." He looked away for a moment. "I never thought I'd become a parent like that."

"I know you did it because you cared," Wally said softly, giving his uncle a hug. "I'm not angry at all. I'm just sorry I exploded like that. I'm a jerk. You may be a control freak but you're the best uncle in the world."

"One day, when you're a parent, I think you will get how sane and rational people can lose their senses when their kids are in danger. I was losing my mind worrying about you. It had been a long time since I thought I might lose you, and I just didn't know what to do. I kept thinking of what I would do if she killed you. And that just made me want to do anything to make sure she didn't succeed. Still..I didn't take into how much I was hurting you."

"I always knew you were doing it because you care. After all, you can't smother without the word mother," Wally quipped, still feeling overwhelmed by the whole process. "And I promise, no more lying. I'll take your wrath early rather than later. And I'll even try not to incur your wrath so much."

"That is all I ask," Uncle Barry said, as he led Wally into his private office. "You've given me enough gray hairs for a lifetime, my boy," he continued, as he flopped into a chair, complately exhausted by the entire day.

"Still can't believe I got off," Wally mused. He had been sure he had been a goner. Being back here, on the couch and on the right side of the law was the most wonderful feeling in the world. "You are the best uncle in the world for standing with me." He was feeling very loved at the moment, Uncle Barry had kept to his word, he really had made things better for him. "I owe you bigtime."

"Yeah, well, couldn't let you go at it alone. And it might have helped that Bruce got an email from Dick, saying that if you went down, he'd rescue you and he'd stand by you no matter what. I believe his exact words were 'he's an idiot, but he's my best friend.' You have a really loyal friend in him. Roy did the same thing, though he'd prefer you not know. Something about mushy emotional crap he'd rather not deal with," Uncle Barry said with a wry smile, patting Wally's shoulder.

Wally nodded. "I am lucky," he said softly. "I have a lot of great friends." He paused. He knew someone who was even greater but he wasn't sure what to say. "Uncle Barry…thank you," he whispered, hanging his head. He really couldn't express how grateful he was. "I will make this up to you. I know I've been a rotten apprentice in a lot of ways. I've slacked my duties and I hid a lot from you but I'll do better. I will make sure you don't regret taking me in and giving me another chance."

"I would never regret becoming your mentor. While I looked for you, I had a lot of time to think about it and to ponder why I had become Wallace…when you came into my life, you changed everything. You think you were a burden? You were the greatest blessing I could have," he said softly. "You gave me a family."

"A family?" Wally asked. He had been happy to become part of his aunt's new home, but he had never thought he would have been so much a part of its making. "You knew Aunt Iris long before you met me."

"Iris and I…we were growing apart. I was considering taking up Black Canary on her offer and leave your aunt. Canary was a superhero who understood me. Iris was a normal person and she couldn't understand why I had to keep rushing off. Her career and my two careers, well…time became an issue," Uncle Barry explained. "Things got too complicated."

Wally bit his lip. "I think you know I remember that time too well. I don't like thinking about it," he mumbled sadly. Aunt Iris crying herself to sleep every night had not been very pleasant for him, and he had been powerless to comfort her. It had been some of the hardest times of his life.

"But you know the end of the story, then you came to live with her. And things changed for the better. You and Iris needed me, I couldn't leave you," Uncle Barry explained, patting his head.

Wally rolled his eyes dramatically. "I was fine, Uncle Barry," he lied, trying to forget being the skinny kid in a wheelchair sitting on the sidelines, watching the other children run like the wind. He had cried himself to sleep every night, before rising cheerily to greet a new day of painful rehab. That had been his life.
"That's what you kept telling everyone. Iris kept saying the same thing. She balanced her job and you and she never dropped that happy smile. You could barely could take a step and you were cracking jokes. You were very strong. I felt I could learn much more from you."

"Is that why you stayed? Because of me? You didn't love Aunt Iris?" Wally whispered confusedly. For a couple out of love, they sure kissed a lot.

"Now, I love her more than anything in the world. But when you moved in, I wasn't sure. It was hard to keep lying to her, hiding my super-powers. But when I saw how strong she was, I realized that being heroic doesn't have to be on the same scale. I could break trucks, but she had a strength I could never match to deal with an orphan who needed so much care. And so did you, even if you did drive us all crazy."

Wally laughed. "She's definitely a hero. Me, not so much," he said, still feeling a bit like a bad person. It would take a long time to build up trust again, even with those who had supported him.

"I wouldn't sell yourself so short, my boy. You're a complete dunderhead sometimes, but you have your good points. It's because of you I found my match, the woman I love and the family I love. And I thank you," Uncle Barry said, being emotional. Usually, that would have had Wally groaning with shame, but it felt sorta good right now to be loved.

"I think Aunt Iris sold herself pretty well, she is a West," Wally said, giving his uncle a punch in the arm. "And you were head over heels for her, you would have never been able to leave her."

"That may be true, but you saved me from giving up on the woman I love. You made me a better hero. You gave me a family. I owe you a great deal. And one of those things is trust. It will take you a while to regain it, but I think for now, you can be assured that your life isn't over and you have a chance to regain it. You have a lot of people who think the world of you, it seems, and are willing to help you. I don't think you'll waste the chance."

Wally nodded and lay back for a minute. "Yeah," he said softly, just relishing the peace of the moment, something he hadn't enjoyed in a long time. Everything was going to be all right. "I love you, Uncle Barry."

"My boy, you're more important than my own life," Uncle Barry said, giving him a smile. "And nothing you ever do will ever change that."

"Yeah, I'm good now," Wally said, as he savored this. For the first time, he could finally say it.

Life was good. Now he just couldn't wait to tell Jinx what happened.

----

AN-So we finally see Jinx step up and realize how much she's willing to cost him, just as the moment when he doesn't need her to. It's ironic but I think something big has happened here which will affect the next chapters, where we finally have Jinx and Wally meet each other.

About why I had the only two female members rule against Wally, I couldn't justify either of them voting with them. Hawkgirl in Justice League Cartoon is a traitor and spy and Wonder Woman is a creature of Justice. I did therefore include Batgirl because I wanted to include a female hero and she happens to be my favorite.

So next chapter, we start wrapping up but I have some surprises for you. So please read and review, it would be nice to have during treatment.