I Forgot to Mention

The Homestretch

"It's just down this hall, two doors on the right."

Wally accepted the nod thrown his way with a bit of hesitation, still biting back the lingering doubts about trusting Nightwing.  The younger boy's account of the night had really struck a chord with him, and Wally truly wanted to make it right.  Watching as Nightwing glanced around the adjacent halls, including the one they just came from, Wally couldn't help but sympathize with his unease.  Thankfully, it seemed the two had lucked out on that front in their journey. 

"I'll keep a lookout, alright?  Just, hurry up and grab your stuff, then I'll show you to the zeta tubes, ok?"

Another curt nod was given, and it struck Wally just how serious Nightwing was being.  If he wasn't a speedster, the rapid change in the boy's personality might have given him whiplash.  Still, it only made it harder for Wally to read him, adding to his misgivings.  As Nightwing slipped off towards the evidence room, Wally found himself thinking back to earlier in his own room.

***
"What do you mean threatening your...family?"  Wally struggled to use the word, unsure if he wanted to believe such an accusation.

"You heard me, Flash Kid." Nightwing's glare looked well practiced, as a shutter ran its way down Wally's spine. "You and the other sidekicks totally ganged up on Robin!"

Choking on the fresh memories of being held hostage, not to mention thoughts of the knife pressed against his throat, Wally was speechless.  Nightwing simply shook his head.

"And after all we did for you tonight, what kind of heroes are you sidekicks trying to be?"

"What?  What do you mean 'what kind of heroes,' the legitimate kind!"  Wally shouted, finally finding his voice.  How dare this wannabe vigilante question his heroic resolve!  He was the sidekick-PARTNER to the Flash, it wasn't like he just ran around town in a cape and rescued kittens from trees, he took down established criminals daily...so then why was Nightwing rolling his eyes?

"Yeah, listen.  I think I know a bit more about being a hero than you," at seeing Wally's mouth start to open, Nightwing quickly continued.  "Don't take it the wrong way, I just mean I have more experience than you at the whole 'hero thing.'"

Again, Wally didn't know any other way to take it.  "What do you think lying is going to accomplish?"  He crossed his arms in a way mimicking Nightwing.  "Speedy was the first partner, and every one after him has been carefully recorded by the league since.  Plus, I've been affiliated with the Flash for years, where have you been all this time?"

Nightwing looked like he wanted to give some kind of smart remark, but much to Wally's confusion, he instead shut down, and provided an obviously rehearsed response.

"That's both irreverent and classified. And, I suggest for your sake Flash Kid, you should leave it at that."

"It's KID FLASH!" Wally shouted, letting his frustrations leak through. For his credit, Nightwing looked genuinely surprised at the information, and Wally could have sworn he heard some sort of apology muttered out quietly. "It's fine, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled," Wally sighed as he rubbed a hand across his face, it has certainly been a long night.

"I get it," Nightwing frowned. "I've been called every name under the sun...except for my actual one. But hey, that's just one of the benefits of having siblings."

Wally let out an airy chuckle, matching the forlorn mood Nightwing had managed to create in the room.

"I just...it's my job to keep them safe," Nightwing explained, "and seeing Robin surrounded, it just brought out those instincts. But you have to admit, five against one is pretty unfair odds."