Reverse Rebirth Series Book 2 : So I'm A West {COMPLETED}

Chapter 5: Is It A Dream? -

A/N: The comment about Bart being a mix, is true. From the research I did, his mother was a Thawne and married Barry's son, to stop the two families from feuding all the time. They may not have mentioned it in the show, but they didn't exactly go much into Bart at all, so I'm going by the comics' words right now. Just so you know...

While sitting outside, Artemis continued to think. Suddenly, she felt a brief wind fly by, and stood up just in time to be kissed by her husband. The blonde said softly, "Do you think this is all a dream? Because if it is, I don't ever want to wake up. Everything is going so well, but I can't help but wonder... Wally, what if we're on a mission, and something goes wrong? What if everything changes in the blink of an eye? I don't want to lose you again." The speedster moved from being in front of Artemis, to coming alongside her, and said, " I know this isn't a dream; it's reality. Artie, if something were to go wrong, we'd be okay. We've been together for five years and counting. And the possibility of me becoming a piece of the Speedforce, isn't ever going to happen. I've learned how to handle the extra speed and power, and I'm Flash now. I'm the fastest man alive. I know the Speedforce, and how to run out, if I ever have to again. The whole monster thing is gone. You saved me. You were the hero. And we're gonna survive, because that's who we are." Artemis smiled, then took a deep sigh. She replied, "And how are we going to handle everything life throws at us? We still have that apartment in Palo Alto, and we're right out of college. We don't even have jobs yet." Wally smirked, "You might not, but I do. That's why I was late to the wedding. I had an interview at S.T.A.R. Labs to be a Physics scientist, at their Central City location. They saw my resume online from the college, and asked me to come in, so we could talk. As soon as I came in, and answered a few of their questions, they told me I was exactly what they were looking for, and hired me on the spot. The nice thing is, is that it's close to this great apartment in Keystone, that I was looking at seeing about renting, until we're grounded firmly, and until I can buy you the best place to have a life. We'd have to move, but only a few short blocks, and for a man with my speed, we could get everything packed up, over to the new place, and unpacked in only a matter of an hour or so. What do you think?" Artemis leapt up, and gave Wally a hug, saying, "I think it sounds perfect! What does the apartment look like?" Wally grinned, then pulled out his phone, and went to a page, before showing Artemis a nice two bedroom, two bath apartment, complete with a full kitchen, laundry area, and a pool and hot tub in the back. It even had a parking garage for those who really worried about their cars' appearance. Artemis saw the pool and hot tub, and gasped, saying, "It even has a hot tub! Walls, this is perfect for us! We could just relax our muscles after a mission, if they're sore! Wow, you've thought of everything!" The ginger replied, "That's why I thought you'd like it. Artie, I know what you like. I know you're usually tense after a mission, so I found this place." As the couple gazed into each other's eyes, they felt a fast rush of wind blow by them, and the sight of Dick Grayson attempting to catch up with it. He stopped in front of Artemis and Wally, panting heavily. When he caught his breath, he muttered, "That little thief! Walls, could you go get Bart back here? He took something of mine, and for some reason, I didn't even realize it was missing, until it was too late." "Dude, how'd you not know it was missing? Aren't you a detective or something?", Wally asked. Dick replied, "Of course I'm a detective! It's my job to know when something isn't right. Bart, is just the kind of kid we need to warn the others about. Batman was right. Bart's an impulse of energy and bad behavior." Wally said, "He's probably just trying to explore his other side. You know, the side that's evil? I was shown the Flash family, when I was gone, and Bart's a mix of a hero and a villain. I know it's weird, but that seems to be the only logical explanation for his bad behavior. I'll go get him though. Be back soon!", and with that, he dashed off, blue lightning fraying behind him at high speed. Artemis turned to Dick, and asked with bewilderment, "Bart's a mix?! That just seems like a bad love life, if you ask me." The tall dark haired teen just shrugged his shoulders, and snickered to Artemis' phrase. For what seemed like maybe five minutes, Artemis and Dick stood waiting outside, for Wally to return with Bart. When Wally did, he came running back, with the younger speedster under his arm, who was struggling to break free from the grasp, all while screaming that Wally was unfair in his capture of the kid. Setting Bart down, Wally breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "Something's got to give, Kid. You can't go running off like that, especially when you're in your civvies. What if someone saw you? Worse yet, what if a Rogue saw you? Bart replied, heat rising in his body, "No one saw me, Wally! I was fine! You don't have to always worry your head off about me! I'm from the year 2056, so I know how to handle things like a Rogue." Wally growled, turning tough, "That doesn't matter, Bart. Rogues know how to take advantage of you. I'm telling you from experience. It's better to assess the situation before bolting." "Why are you so worried that I'll be stupid? Why do you worry so much? From what I know, you're not supposed to be a worrywart.", Bart quipped, staring up roughly at Wally. "You're not stupid, but you need to learn the rules. And I'm worried about you, because Barry was the same way with me. He was worried when I started, and by having him worried, it made him a better teacher to me. Sure, I know how you feel. I got mad at Barry too, when I thought he worried too much, but that had to slide. As your mentor, Bart, I am worried, because I want you to succeed. Worry leads to less disaster. It leads to less injuries. Worrying more equals less problems later on. If you're going to be Kid Flash, you have to know that I'm going to be the man and the teacher your grandfather was to me. It's the only way to keep his memory in mind. So please, be careful of your surroundings, and let me teach you right, so you don't someday die in the past, when you're a future boy. It'll ruin the timestream." Bart gave a pout face, then Wally looked up, and gestured to Dick. The dark haired detective asked, "Ahem? My things?" Reluctantly, the younger disappointed hero handed back the items he had snatched. Artemis turned to her husband, and gave him a kiss, before whispering, "We should get back inside. We need to be present, so your other family isn't worried about you, like you are about Bart." Wally laughed, then took Artemis' hand in his, and led her inside. Dick stayed outside, however, looking down at Bart. He said, "You know, you don't have to give in to what your parents were. I know one was an Allen, and the other was a Thawne. You have the Allen last name, and that name, stands for a hero. I know you can do better that pick-pocketing your mentors who lack speed." Turning on his heel, Dick walked inside, leaving Bart alone.