Bruce: 46

Dick: 27

Lillian: 23

Jason: 21

Tim: 17

Damian: 11

Wally: 27

The Death of Wally West Part One

I raced behind the rest of The Team as we exited M'gann's Bioship. Flash and Impulse were running circles, quite literally, around the final Magnetic Field Disruptor that had been hidden here in the artic. I glanced around to study what was probably the largest gathering of Team and League members any of us would see in our time. Bruce, Uncle Clark, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, Two Green Lanterns, The Martian Manhunter, Atom, Black Canary, Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Zatanna, Captain Marvel, Supergirl, M'gann, Wondergirl, Artemis, Conner, Blue Beatle, Kaldur, Beast Boy, Lagoon Boy, Zatana, Wally (temporarily out of retirement), Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian.

"Think this will work?" I asked Kid Flash drawing from his extensive knowledge of physics.

"It should as long as Flash and Impulse can generate enough kinetic energy to draw it away from the chrysalis and deactivate it." He answered speedily. "The only problem is; the two of them aren't going to be enough." Without another word Wally raced forward joining Flash and Impulse on their racetrack to nowhere.

"Batgirl." Superboy's voice whispered in my ear. I looked up at him. In response, Conner simply nodded to a set of heavily calculating Wayne brothers that had apparently excused themselves from the group. With such a large gathering of people I was surprised he even noticed, but that was Conner. He'd quickly become a silent observe over the years, picking out anything unusual. While the majority of The Team and The League watched Uncle Barry, Impulse and Wally tackle the MFD; I decided to see what the Batboys were up too.

Dick and Tim were speaking in rapid whispers, Jason inserting his own figures and snide comments when prompted. Dami was standing at Tim's elbow and despite his age, was probably absorbing more of the physics jargon than I was ever going to grasp.

"Hood, Robin, Nightwing, Red, something you'd like to share with the class?" All four boys turned to me each wearing their own brand of a guilty look.

"I hate it when they make those looks." I grumbled to Conner who had followed alongside me.

"Nightwing, Hood and I were just calculating the amount of kinetic energy that would be required to neutralize the MFD." Red Robin babbled.

"What did you find out?"

"Well the Flash's solution seems to be working, but…" Jason stopped himself apparently trying to put something gently, a rare occurrence for Jason Todd. This isn't good whatever it is. I groaned internally.

"But?" I repeated, turning to Dick.

"But it seems like KF's slightly slower speed is making him a target for stray energy discharges."

"Which means?" Conner growled obviously not catching everything the Wayne boys were throwing at us.

"Unless Flash and Impulse slow down…" I began before a cloud of smoke erupted and a metallic clang filled the frigid air.

"They did it!" M'gann was the first to cheer. Members of the both teams raced forwards to congratulate Uncle Barry, Bart and Wally. The celebration didn't last long. Well before reaching the MFD, smiles were wiped off most faces of The League. I had seen that look on the big black bat before, someone was missing. The more astute members of The Team began to pick up on this as well. The loud cheers that had only seconds earlier filled the air were silenced. With such a large crowd of people it was difficult for us to see just exactly who was MIA but with a second glance at Batman I knew. Bruce, Uncle Clark, Uncle Barry and Wonder Woman were huddled off to the side chatting in low voices like the Batboys had been earlier. Without thinking I walked over to their group if anyone deserved to know the truth it was me. Wally was my fiancé after all.

"Batgirl…" Uncle Clark managed to struggle out before going suddenly mute.

"It's alright I know." I nodded my head trying to reassure the group of four. "While they were running around that thing, Nightwing and Red Robin were doing some physics calculations. I guessed that Flash and Impulse wouldn't have enough time to slow down before…before…" I closed my eyes taking in several deep breaths. Temporarily I regained my composure, opened my eyes and speaking again. "Did he say anything?" I asked looking directly to Flash. "I'm assuming he knew what he was getting himself into before he jumped in with you." Uncle Barry looked to Dianna, Clark and Bruce as if asking them what to say.

"It's alright she's not made of glass." Bruce growled when a moment passed without anyone saying anything.

"He wanted me to tell you that he loved you." Barry's green eyes bore into my brown ones. "I'm so sorry Lillian." Inhaling another tear-preventing deep breath I shook my head.

"It wasn't your fault. Like I said I'm sure he knew what he was getting himself into." Barry nodded also, suddenly unable to speak. "I'd like to tell Dick, Tim, Jason, and Damian myself please."

"Why don't you round up your brothers, take them aside." Clark nodded grimly. "I'll tell the rest of The League and the Team."

"Another job well done Team!" M'gann smiled with one arm thrown over Kaldur's neck and the other strung across Artemis' shoulders. Obviously Wally's absence hadn't been noticed by everyone yet.

"Well done indeed." I answered in my signature indifferent Batvoice. "M'gann, Kaldur, Artemis mind if I borrow the Batboys for a minute?"

"Go right ahead." Kaldur nodded. Maybe he wasn't as oblivious to the situation as I thought, but merely pretending for the sake of M'gann and Artemis. I trudged several feet away from our large gathering of teammates knowing that without question Nightwing, Red Robin, Red Hood and Robin would follow. The distance was partly because I didn't want to be overhead by the other Leaguers and Junior Members and because I was still trying desperately to keep my emotions in check.

I stopped two hundred feet away before turning to face my brothers. I looked first to Damian thinking he'd be the easiest to look at while I told them. Dami had never liked Wally from the beginning I hoped he could be a rock. But looking at his still round eleven-year-old face I faltered. This would be one of the first deaths of a fellow hero Damian would experience. The possible mental trauma was enough to get me tearing up again. I turned next to Timmy without any better luck. Tim had loved Wally since the first day they'd met when Wally eagerly ran out of Alfred's kitchen for Tim's favorite cereal. When he got older, the two spent hours in the cave conducting hundreds of unfinished science projects. I looked to Jason next, but only briefly. Death was a sensitive subject for Jace for obvious reasons, as if the permeate silver streak in his hair wasn't reason enough. Lastly I turned to Wally's best friend, Dick. Expecting to find innocence and uncertainty on my eldest brother's face, I was surprised by what the green eyes revealed. Only after seeing acceptance and comfort in Dick's eyes did I remember he had suspected Wally's fate minutes before it happened. He knew what I was going to say, he just wanted it confirmed by someone else before he could accept it fully . Understanding my hesitation for what it was Dick inclined his head slightly as our eyes locked onto each other.

"Dick, Timmy, Jace, Dami." I said each of their names in turn, not bothering with their caped identities. "I'm not going to sugarcoat this, and I don't even know if there is a way to sugarcoat it. Wally's dead. It was just like you boys said. The excess energy was too much, he disappeared." I was surprised when something small and heavy wrapped itself around my waist. I looked down in shock to see the youngest Wanye clinging to me. I looked to the three older boys, unsure what to do. Damian was constantly running around the cave telling us our emotions were our most distracting bad habits, and here he was latched onto my waist sobbing violently. I half expected Jace to aggressively rip the boy from me and make a poorly timed comment about growing up. Instead the second eldest boy crouched down in the snow and stroked Damian's hair. My ears might have been fooling me or maybe it was post-traumatic stress disorder but I would bet my inheritance Jason Todd was even whispering words of comfort to the little bird. Dick and Tim each had an arm wrapped on the other's shoulder watching Jason, Dami, and I. I lurched forward reaching for my eldest and third eldest brothers.

Together the five of us clung together, thick arctic snow falling around us. Dick was shamelessly allowing fat tears to roll down his cheek, while Tim was weeping heavy, gasping, practically dry, sobs. Only Jason and I remained dry faced. The two of us were more the silent brooding type in times of crisis. I allowed the boys a few more tears just to make sure Uncle Clark had been given enough time to inform the rest of The League and The Team.

"Nightwing." I said at least trying to remind them all where we were." You're still the leader of The Team. They'll be looking to you for direction." Dick didn't say anything but I knew he was working on composing himself. "Red Hood, why don't you see about getting The Robins home."

"No…no…I…want to stay…sstay with…the rest of The Team." Tim gasped out between sobs.

"You've got to get your breathing under control first. Long deep breaths there Red." I instructed gripping his shoulders lightly. "Try some water too." I suggested before pulling a water bottle from his utility belt. He obliged, taking slow sips and practicing his breathing. "Now what about you little bird?" I asked unwrapping Damian's hands from my waist. Still holding one small hand in each of mine, I crouched down in the snow. "Would you like to go home?"

"Sister," He hissed almost sounding like the Damian I was used to dealing with. "Must you and Grayson insist on referring to me as 'little bird'? Like Drake I shall compose myself momentarily. I recognize the North Pole is not a place to lose composure, as the tears will freeze to ones face."

"Thanks for the advice little bird." I smirked at the nickname before remembering it was Wally who had suggested it in the first place. "Why don't you two take some time and get yourselves together? Jay can you stay with them in case they need anything? I want to check on the rest of The Team."

"Sister I do not think it wise for you to leave us."

"And why is that Dami?" I asked the boy.

"Women are often vulnerable after experiencing tragedy." Damian stated as if it was an obvious fact. "Anyone could use this weakness to destroy you."

"I'll keep that in mind but I'm just walking a few feet over there." I jabbed my thumb in the direction Dick had wondered off to. "I doubt anyone is lurking beneath the snow to destroy me."

"Still I must insist that you allow me to accompany you. Todd can babysit Drake and I am fine now." Robin slipped his hand into mine and I began to wonder if in reality he just didn't want to be away from me. While Damian tugged at my arm, Tim followed behind us insisting he was fine now. All the while Jason remained silent I could only hope he wasn't experiencing flashbacks of his own death.

"Batgirl!" I struggled to steady myself in the snow as M'gann and Artemis flew forward each wrapping me in a three way hug. The girls didn't say anything but they didn't need to. We had all been friends for a very long time, words were no longer necessary. I felt a tingle in the back of my brain, M'gann was asking permission to come in. I gave a slight nod as the three of us walked towards Uncle Clark.

If I can be of assistance in any way, please allow me to help. She said inside my head waiting for a response.

I will, I promise. I agreed before she retracted her mental reach.

"Flash has asked the Justice League for permission to inform the relatives of Kid Flash about his accident. The League will take no further action in this matter. However know that we are here to offer any help you need night or day. Nightwing is the leader of The Team it is up to him what you do next. I would also like to say that this mission though remembered as the loss of a hero should also be marked as a successful mission. Nightwing I leave them in your hands." Superman flew upwards into the darkening sky and I noticed he was the last remaining member of the League. The others must have gone off while I had talked with my brothers. All remaining Team members had their eyes focused on Dick most of them not knowing what to do next.

"Kid Flash was one of us." Nightwing began in an even tone. "He was a founding member of The Team and my best friend. I think that at a time like this, KF would have wanted us to come together. So that's what we're going to do. We'll all get back in the Bioship and fly to Mount Justice. From there everyone will take the zetatubes home. Go home, get cleaned up, put on something more comfortable than these itchy costumes and anyone who wants to, meet back at the mountain in one hour. This is not an assignment and is fully optional. I just think that's the best thing for us to do right now." A chorus of 'yeah's and 'me too's followed Dick's speech as everyone inched their way towards the Bioship. I drifted away from the group walking towards the forgotten field disruptor. Ten paces behind me Robin's light feet crunched in the snow. Even at eleven he was smart enough to watch me but allow some personal space.

"I love you too Wally." I whispered hoping that somewhere out there the spirit of Wally West would hear me. "Come on Dami." I said reaching for the boy's hand. "Let's go before M'gann leaves without us."

"Ttt she wouldn't dare."