Wally was currently leaning against a wall of the Watch Tower, pondering if his recent attitude towards Nightwing was actually necessary.

At first, Wally didn't want to admit he's been holding a grudge for far too long.

Initially it was justified. Dick did send Artemis into the Light. And... he was pretty much responsible for blowing the Mountain up.

Pretty much everything was his fault.

The man that Wally once considered his friend turned into a stranger.

And he wasn't the only one who felt that way.

Everyone, even Batgirl and Robin, were angry at Nightwing. Even if the plan succeeded in the end.

They were all mad at his lies. The deceit and the agony that he put them all through as a result of Artemis's 'death'.

Although, most of the Team's attitudes changed when Wally was brought back.

He saw that as soon as he registered where he was.

He saw their shocked faces, first pointed towards him. And then... they shifted to something beside him.

Or... someone.

It was Nightwing.

Wally immediately knew he had something to do with this but didn't have a chance to ask.

Because as soon as Nightwing saw he was okay, he turned away from them all.

And, ignoring the pleads from various team members, quickly left out of the Zeta tubes.

It didn't cross Wally's mind until a week had passed that just maybe he should have followed him.

But he didn't. Instead, he stayed with the others.

And he didn't have a chance to speak to him.

Dick rarely showed up, coming only to have a quick conversation with Kaldur before immediately leaving again.

And he wasn't sure why but everytime Kaldur saw Nightwing... his expression turned grim.

And every single time they talked, Kaldur immediately left to talk to the League.

He wasn't an idiot. Of course he saw something suspicious about this but... he was busy trying to readjust to some bit of normalcy.

He couldn't remember anything besides the exact moment he disappeared and the exact moment he came back.

But despite this, all of his senses seemed to be off.

He was always hungry, okay that's actually normal, but he was also clumsy for a little bit.

He would seemingly trip over nothing and, at times, even forget where he was.

Although J'onn assured him it would likely fade in time.

And it was during this period of recovery that he desperately wanted Dick back.

He longed for the days when he was still Robin. When he was still him.

Where they would constantly be together. Playing video games, sparring, and doing pranks on their teammates.

Making playful jabs at each other. And sure, they had their fights but those seemed so harmless compared to what happened after the Mountain blew up.

Wally winced as he remembered in vivid detail what had happened. What he did to him.

He said some things... things that if he could take back then he would. In a heartbeat.

And worst of all... he shoved Dick back.

He had never done that before.

And what's worse? Dick could've had injuries that Wally hadn't seen.

And that harsh shove could have made them much worse.

He suddenly looked up from where he was standing, slightly startled, as he heard Nightwing and Aqualad enter the room, talking in hushed tones.

I didn't even know Dick was here...

Following shortly behind them were a few team members.

Artemis, Connor, M'gann, Beast Boy, Bumble Bee, Batgirl, and Robin.

They seemed to be getting ready for a mission as they walked.

Out of curiosity, Wally started walking up to them, causing all of them to pause in their tracks.

"Where are you guys going?"

Nightwing gave a sideways glance in Kaldur's direction before speaking in a cold and detached manner.

"I've been tracking the remainders of the Light and have reason to believe they're trying to team up again. So we're going after them. Primarily Deathstroke."

Beast Boy sent him a slanted look and seemed like he was about to say something to Dick before said man silently shushed him.

"Why wasn't I included in this?"

Yeah. Wally was pretty annoyed he wasn't going. All the others from the original team were going after all!

Nightwing looked away and sighed through his nose. Kaldur quickly took over for him.

"My friend, it's only been two weeks since you came back. I do not mean to offend but you may still be weak. For your safety, we could not let you join us."

Okay. He understood that.

He sighed and stepped to the side, allowing them to pass.

Artemis stops and looks at him for a second before giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

He stood there, thinking for a few seconds before he started quickly following them before they could Zeta out.

He grabbed a hold of Nightwing's arm, gently yanking him back.

His mask lenses were wide as he spun his head around to look at him.

His entire body also seemed to tense up as well.

That was so wrong. They used to be best friends...

The rest of the squad looked back at them, rather shocked by the interaction, before leaving the Watch Tower after a reassuring nod from Nightwing.

"What Wally? I have to go..."

Wally spluttered for a moment after letting go of Dick's arm. He wasn't really planning on what to say...

"I-I... um..."

Just say it Wally, swallow your damn pride!

"I just wanted to say..."

Do it!

"I'm... try not to get hurt, okay?"

Idiot!

He seemed to relax and then softly nodded at Wally, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Then he turned toward the tubes, quickly being swallowed by a white light.

The computer announcing his signature seemed to echo in Wally's ears.

_______________________________________

It's been nearly eight hours since Nightwing and the rest of the squad left.

A lot of the younger members were anxiously sitting in the lounge along with Wally, all of them anticipating the return of their teammates.

They were all waiting for someone to give them an update on what's happening.

But didn't happen for another thirty minutes. And when it did, Blue Beetle seemed to rush to answer that call like a speedster would be capable of.

Everyone turned to him, hopeful it was good news, but that was destroyed when all of the color drained from Blue Beetle's face.

He quickly hung up and shouted something about getting the med-bay ready ASAP.

A handful of the present heroes immediately rushed to help Jaime while the others looked about them, confused.

Wally was one of those.

But then the Zeta tubes announced the return of Nightwing and Kaldur's squad.

But something was wrong.

Connor was carrying something... no.

Someone...

But everyone seemed to be accounted for! Except...

Oh God...

Connor was carrying Nightwing!

A stretcher was rushed out to them and he was quickly wheeled away with everyone besides Beast Boy and the remaining two bats.

They stayed behind and those who were waiting cautiously walked up to them.

The bats looked devastated and they were holding each other in their arms.

Beast Boy was standing a little to the side of him.

Despite him shaking in anger and the silent tears rolling down his cheeks, it was obvious he was the only one capable of talking.

"Only... only Deathstr-- Slade was there. We... we got him but only after he stabbed Nightwing in the chest. He only went after him. And then when he hurt Nightwing he just... surrendered himself."

"Why just him?"

Beast Boy suddenly looked up, rage burning in his eyes.

He didn't say another word and just shouldered past the crowd.

He got halfway out of the room before suddenly turning on his heel, rushing up to Wally, and grabbing his arm.

He easily pulled Wally along with him. Either possessing more strength than Wally thought possible of the boy or he really did need more healing time.

They stopped outside of the med-bay and Beast Boy harshly slid open the doors, roughly pushed Wally to the other side, sent him a meaningful glare, and slammed the door shut in his face.

As soon as the door shut, Artemis came running down the halls and, apparently surprised that Wally was already here, took his arm and started rushing them down the hall until they came to a crowded room.

As soon as they entered, Wally felt like he was gonna retch.

Nightwing's uniform was largely torn at the chest area as bloody rags were laying there, now untouched.

At first he was angry that no one was putting pressure on the wound until he realized that they probably had been.

But then they had to stop.

The blood bags probably weren't doing crap for him and both his heart rate and blood pressure were dangerously low.

Too low to try and save.

But he was still awake.

Once he laid eyes on Wally he started to try and move but was quickly stopped and restrained by those around him.

Wally's head started to buzz as he made his way over to the bed.

His mouth went dry, he couldn't even open his mouth to speak.

Dick, on the other hand, tried desperately.

He kept trying to force his mouth open until Wally finally laid a gentle hand on his forehead, shushing him.

Dick finally stopped as a wave of immense pain washed over him, as evident on his face twisted up.

He suddenly and finally opened his mouth involuntarily to let out a strangled gasp before convulsing.

No one made a move to help.

There wasn't anything they could do anymore.

Besides be with him.

Dick gasped one more time before slumping on the bed.

He flew away for a final time.

Silence continued to flood the room, almost as in reverence.

Heads of those present bowed in respect.

But Wally kneeled down to the bed, resting his head on the pillow, somewhat hoping to hear him breathing.

But he didn't.

He closed his eyes, finally allowing the tears to flow.

There were so many things he wanted, needed, to say to him.

But now he would never hear them.

Unless...

Wally wasn't sure if he actually believed in a higher power, and if the dead watching over the living really could hear you.

But if they could... then...

"I'm so sorry Dick..."