[OP: "Like the Dawn"--The Oh Hellos]

Wally got as cleaned up as he could.

Then he went down to the lower level.

To his surprise, Shine had set up a small table with candles on it--and a screen projector with a DVD player that she somehow plugged into an electric socket without frying something.

And there were bean bags in front of the screen.

"What's all this?" Wally said.

"Well, I thought 'dinner and a movie'," Shine explained, coming more into the light. "But since there's no movie theater here and no good restaurants, I improvised with stuff from around my house... Lumina and Crystal were quite good at helping me find creative solutions. Not bad, right?"

"No, this is really cool," Wally said. "But I mean, what about resting?"

"Well, I got to thinking," Shine said. "Something I talked to Sasuke about earlier too, exactly, that I didn't know how bad it was to be alone till I wasn't alone anymore, and I recalled that we hardly get any time together now, and maybe it seems as if I'm taking you for granted  sometimes. I'm focused on the teens a lot, and I don't have time always to think about missing you, but then I do, once I get some peace and quiet. I just want to have someone who doesn't stress me out to hang around... That's not the most romantic speech, but I'm a little maxed out on the pretty words after before. I hope you understand where I'm coming from..."

"I thought it was romantic," Wally said. "I mean, sheesh, now I feel bad for not doing anything for you."

"I had you on supervision duty all day," Shine said. "Which was great for me to plan this, but if that's not romantic, I don't know what is."

She smiled. "I can trust the kids to you. That's really attractive, trust me."

"All right." Wally made a show of flexing his muscles. "Well, this is so sweet. And you look great too."

Shine had gotten herself glammed up, as Camie would put it, with more modern clothes instead of the casual/slightly traditional ones they had been using to blend in with the ninja.

And she'd put on makeup and done her hair so...

[I designed this using a game called LoveNikki, so actual clothing design credit goes to them. Not bad, huh?]

He felt a little underdressed, actually...

"You know how to treat a guy right," he said aloud. "Man, I don't even have flowers."

"Oh, I know you'll do 100 more things for me before I have time to even think of another to do for you," Shine said. "This is just me barely scratching the surface compared to what you do for me every day. Stop worrying  about it and just sit down."

"Yes, ma'am," Wally said obligingly, sitting down. "You know, you're a lot bossier when you're on the job."

"So?" Shine sat down last.

"Nothing, it's just cute," Wally said.

"Wally!" Shine turned red.

"Ah, there you are," Wally said. "I knew if I said the right thing you'd get flustered again. I know my woman."

"I let you get away with that because you're cute," Shine replied.

Wally looked bashful. "Well, I know, but...you don't have to say it."

"Who's being flustered now?"

"I let you get away with it since you're cute," Wally shot back.

"But none of the teens are spying on us, right?" she said in a low voice. "I feel like how parents must feel when they try to be romantic while they're at home."

"I'm pretty sure none of the team would want to watch us try to have a date," Wally said. "You know how they are. Cooties, and all that."

"They're teenagers, not first graders. I wouIdn't normally expect to be responsible for this many people not that much younger than me...but I guess if Gaara is... Oh crud, I wasn't going to talk about the mission."

"I know you're going to talk about the mission," Wally said, "but we could definitely try to talk about something else...that's not our friends...or our students...or serious in anyway."

"Well, I did get some movie choices that would probably help with that," Shine said. "All very non-serious... Hmm, since I have them here, I really want to show the kids some of the films I like--oh...oops."

"That didn't count," Wally said. "Man, it's so hard not to talk shop though. Same thing at home when I'm on the job... Oh, I know--" With a sly look. "I'll just focus on you instead. That should be easy."

Shine looked a little flustered again. "You're going to lay it on a little thick if you say too many more things like that." She took some food. "Gosh, this is much better than travel rations... I have to thank Crys for that."

"Oh, is this her cooking?" Wally said. "Nice."

"Very nice, I'm lucky to have such supportive family," Shine said.

"Yeah, well, my mom also does that sometimes." Wally thought. "I probably should write her... But let's not talk about family either. This is just you and me."

An awkward pause.

Shine finally laughed. "I just realized how little time we've had to spend just talking about just each other lately. I feel like this is our first date."

"It does kinda feel that way. Only I know more about you. So, I can't ask you what you do for fun."

"And I can't ask you what you make at work," Shine said.

"I...don't think you've ever asked me that," Wally realized suddenly. "Huh...don't you know?"

"No, actually."

A pause, and then they both laughed.

"That's so weird," Wally said. "I mean, most girls would have asked at least once."

"If it bothers you, then I will."

"I think the answer may jeopardize my chances of a second date," Waly objected. "It's around 40,000, give or take." [Honestly, before inflation maybe that was more. He does live 20 years in the past.]

"A Month?"

"Oh, that's cute, Shine. No, a year."

He didn't really expect Shine to care and true to that, she didn't.

"Well, that sounds like a nice sum," she said, sipping some tea, since she wasn't going to have coffee at this hour.

"It's really on the low side, all things considered," Wally said. "I'm actually surprised you didn't ask that before you agreed to marry me."

"It never occurred to me that it would matter," Shine said. "We're DJs...money is kind of an illusion for a good part of my life. I mean...we're both broke right now, technically speaking."

"Yeah...how much do you make in a year at your paid job?"

"Less than that," Shine said. "I don't think we'll be living in the lap of luxury any time soon."

"Personally, I don't buy much junk anyway," Wally said. "Just the van...and some other stuff. But I sold the van anyway."

"Oh, you did?"

"Didn't I tell you that?"

"Honestly, Babe, if you did, I forgot because of all the missions we've been on." Shine rubbed her forehead. "But I'm glad... I didn't like saying it to your face, but, I was going to have a really hard time explaining that thing to my friends and family if they visited."

"Yeah, and I didn't want to explain it either," Wally said. "At another time...hah, to think I once thought that would impress girls."

"It might impress some girls...but money has never impressed me that much."

"Me neither, come to think of it," Wally said. "I think I know why I never had a lasting relationship before you."

"Because you looked for the wrong things?" Shine asked.

"No, because it was fate, but that's also good." Wally winked.

"If you're trying to butter me up so that we can make out later," Shine said, taking another slip, "you're doing well so far, but don't get too carried away."

"Duly noted." Wally saluted her. "Boy, things have changed though. I remember the time you'd never had said that to me with a straight face."

Shine looked a little embarrassed. "Well, I was new... Was I that awkward when we started dating?"

"Oh yeah," Wally said. "But it was cute, so don't feel bad. Anyway, who's to say it's not better that way? Everything being new must have been incredible, especially dating me."

Shine gave him a wry look. "Sure, well, I wouldn't really have any way to test that, would I?"

Wally chuckled. "You're more confident now, though."

"I would hope so after 2 and half years."

"I can't believe it's been that long." Wally rubbed his head. "Where has the time gone?"

"Into other universes mostly." 

"Yeah...is it normal to stop feeling homesick after a while?" Wally asked.

"I think so, at least I have. But now and then, just for a moment, I'll wish I was home. Mostly at odd, quiet times, not when it's stressful. You'd think I'd want to escape, but it's only when there's nothing to hold my attention that I actually think about it."

"Yeah, same," Wally said. "Just sometimes I wish I could talk to my buddies about what's been happening, but I know they'll want to hear it when I get back. And it's not fair they never get to be in as much suspense because the time schism works in their favor."

"I know. My sisters always treat it like it's just another story."

Wally tilted his head. "Here's a question I don't think I've asked before, actually...you have other friends in your world. I mean, I've met some of them, but you've never told any of them what you really are?"

"They know what I am as much as I think they'll ever need to." Shine looked thoughtful. "And I'm still...me...but no, I doubt I'll tell them. There are friends I have in other worlds who can handle the truth because they've been chosen to handle it, and yours, well, they're used to strange things...but my world is too literal. My family is one thing--they'd notice something was up anyway, if I didn't tell them...but friends? They wouldn't get it."

She leaned on her hands. "I told you, I never really fit into my own world. Always felt out of place, out of time... That's common for DJs, I think. It's not that I don't care about it. Of course I do... I ache for the suffering of my world just as much as anywhere else, if not more so...but it's that it never seemed like it and I got along so well up close..."

Wally thought about it. "Like I've said, I've felt that way too."

"I suppose I fantasize about there being a perfect world I would feel at home in. But who doesn't think of that?"

"Yeah...you ever think that this is kind of an ironic job?" Wally said. "Trying to make our worlds, and others, a better place, but knowing that it will never make them perfect?"

"I think our jobs are usually ironic, no matter what they are," Shine said. "I think everyone gets results they don't intend, and if they're lucky, results they did intend. But yes, I think World Walking is an odd job."

"I just realized we're doing it again," Wally said.

"Yeah...oops."

"Sorry." Wally made a sheepish gesture. "I think you must have felt lonely a lot."

"I did, but didn't you also?" Shine asked. "I mean...all those years in the League, and being close to them, but in a way always your private life is separate from them, so there are parts of you they don't get to see. And it wouldn't be private if they could...but then, at home, there are people who will never see the hero side of you. Not many people get to see both sides."

"Most supers feel that way," Wally said. "They feel torn between two worlds. Either you are your secret identity or you're a hero... I guess that's why I always wanted to do normal stuff as the Flash also. Makes it seem like it was still part of both worlds. "

He stared at her. "But you were the first person who really saw both sides of it and didn't see any difference."

"I didn't think there was a difference."

"I know, that's the amazing part. I feel like you don't understand how strange that is. Just about everyone would think something is a little different. Would act one way with Wally West and one way with the Flash. And that's why it's sometimes hard to...be close to people who know both your identities. I mean...yeah, Batman knew for years, but he never talked to me as Wally West. I think he didn't really think of it as important."

"Maybe that's his way of saying it doesn't matter."

"Yeah...but I kind of think it's just that he's not personally comfortable with the difference between two sides of life," Wally said. "But when I was around you, even from the start, I felt like Wally West and the Flash at the same time. Never felt any different. Which sucked in a way, because I couldn't impress you with one persona if the other one didn't work."

Shine laughed. "Isn't that also another way to say you can't disappoint me with one if the other succeeds?"

"Yeah, that's just it," Wally said. "It's nothing to you, but it was new to me. And it never changed. Even now as partners, you always act the same when I'm being the fast invincible guy or the regular guy. I never feel any pressure to be one or the other..."

Shine smiled. "But it's the same for me... I get pushed into polarizing roles so often...or I just get ignored. Sometimes I make a nuisance of myself...but around you, I never feel any need to be one or the other. I can't tell you how much more like myself I've been able to act on the job and off of it, since we met, even, because we're partners."

"I guess it's like that thing my mom says," Wally said. "Being in a relationship is being yourself but with someone else." 

"Yes," Shine said. "I think for two people who never should have been able to get together, we got pretty lucky...or blessed, to be more churchy about it."

"Be honest, the forbidden aspect of this does appeal to you, right?" Wally said. "I mean, we're literally from two different worlds. That's like a movie."

"Or a webcomic."

"A what?"

"They're big in the future...or present for me," Shine explained.

"Oh...okay, but isn't it fun?"

"Yeah, it is sometimes," Shine agreed. "I mean, I do have pride of ownership when I feel like I can't tell people my fiance is the Flash when I say I'm engaged. I feel real smug about it."

"And I know I have the best woman in any world out there, but I can't tell them," Wally said, with fake remorse.

Shien flushed. "That was laying it on too thick."

"Oh, come on, wouldn't you say the same about me?"

"I'm clearly biased, and I know that," Shine objected. "I think it's a matter of perspective."

"Well, then it's my perspective. Sheesh, take the compliment." Wally shook his head at her. "Don't gotta justify it."

"Well, Wally--" Shine shrugged. "--to me, it really doesn't matter if you're the best only to me or to everyone else also. But the idea that I see something other people don't appeals to my pedantic streak, so...I think you can see why I prefer to think of it that way."

"That was oddly romantic and oddly kind of hard to understand at this time."

"That's my signature move."

"True. Well...now that we're done eating, what did you have in mind next?" With a smirk.

"Options are open. The movies, or I did also have a playlist set for this," Shine held up a remote.

Wally hadn't noticed the radio.

"Hey, both is good," he said. "Maybe music first, and then when we get tired of it we can do the movies."

"I kind of hoped you'd say that actually." Shine clicked the remote, and the radio came on, and then she pressed play.

https://youtu.be/ZtUJNhKbbx4

["Rather Be"--Clean Bandit--I've personally always seen this as their ship song, though plenty of others work for them, but the vibe of this one just fits them.]

"We're a thousand miles from comfort," Shine sang along. "We have traveled land and sea. But as long as you are with me, there's no place I'd rather be...

"With every step we take...strolling so casually. We're different and the same, gave you another name...

"If you gave me a chance, I would take it. It's a shot in the dark, but I'll make it. Know with all of your heart you can't shame me. When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be."

While they were dancing along to the music, they didn't talk for a while.

Finally Wally said, "I can't wait till we actually get married."

"Are you sure you won't get cold feet?" Shine teased him. "Being tied down for life?"

"Baby, with all the situations you cause around you, I'm pretty sure the last thing it's going to feel like is being tied down," Wally said heartily. "Sure you don't think you can do better?"

"I'm pretty sure if I tried to do better, you 'd outpace them all before I got very far," Shine replied in kind. Then, more seriously, "Besides, I'll never find another you. I could look in any world... I should know that, of all people."

Wally didn't expect that to get to him as much as it did.

But to a guy who knew there were parallel universes with other versions of himself in them...well...it was kind of true. Shine could pick any of them.

Wow, it was weird to think how replaceable he would have been if she had the inclination... That wasn't a fear he'd had till this particular moment.

And she'd already addressed it... That was so typical of Shine. [Call me nuts, but I found it kind of moving.]

"Shine...they're no parallel versions of you, right?" he said.

Shine shook her head. "None that I know of."

"Yeah, no way there could be," Wally said, before kissing her.

[Btw, if you want the full story of how they got together, it's in the book "Worldcrossed" on my profile. But it's not finished yet because I need to revise some parts, so, depending on when you're reading this, just be aware of that.]

* * *

While Shine and Wally had their date inside, the other couples had gone out together--and Camie had somehow dragged some of them into it though they wouldn't have called it a date.

Camie said it too was to chaperone, but Temari figured it out when she ditched her and Shikamaru as soon as they were in the district of Rain that actually had a nightlife.

Thankfully for them, Rain was pretty tame compared to some villages. While it had been so regimented in the past, it wasn't like Pain would have allowed for much open activity that could threaten his control, so people, if they met, met behind closed doors out of sight.

The things that were outside were just food and meager supplies shops.

While it wasn't that impressive, it couldn't be denied that Rain Village looked insanely better at night. The wet cement and metal gleamed in the moonlight, or lamplight, since usually the moon was not visible.

It was cold but not freezing.

"They said they were coming back in 5 minutes," Shikamaru said, abruptly. "It's been 15."

"They won't be back," Temari said.

"Maybe something happened to them."

"I'm pretty sure nothing happened to them," Temari said. "We'd have heard explosions...They just ditched us."

"Then why did they ask us to keep an eye on them?" Shikamaru asked. "It makes no sense."

It did if Camie had planned to stick them together, but Temari would rather have bitten her own tongue than told him that suspicion.

"Well, Ino and Sai will be around." Shikamaru raised his head.

But they didn't appear either.

Camie was really good if she'd found a way to get two or who weren't a couple to ditch their escorts.

The Rain ninja, Kosame, who was with them to make sure something happened was just standing under an awning, not very concerned.

"Should we follow them?" Shikamaru asked her.

"They're fine," she said flatly. "This place never has any crimes, it's too visible."

"So what do we do?" Shikamaru asked Temari.

Being alone with her actually made him kind of nervous, in a weird way. Which was strange, they'd been alone of times in Leaf Village before this trip with nothing being unusual about it.

Temari shrugged. "There's nothing to do that I can see."

"If you're looking for something to do for fun," Kosame said. "There's not much we have here. Fun is not a big priority for us...but sometimes the young people have sparring matches in that abandoned factory at the end of this street. It's got the space for it. They place bets. A lot of couples get together there."

"That's not very romantic," Shikamaru said.

At the same time Temari said. "That seems like a decent way to find a partner."

Then they gave each other looks of disbelief.

"Are you serious? How is sparring a good way to find out if you like someone?" Shikamaru said.

"What other way would show you their true character so quickly?" Temari retorted. "Are you a shinobi or not?"

"Now you're questioning if I'm a shinobi? I just think it's stupid, there's a thousand other ways to know someone without fighting. What if that would change you mind?" Shikamaru insisted.

"If you two need to work this out," Kosame said. "I can leave. I don't like to listen to couples arguing, it makes me feel jealous." [She's so honest.]

"We're not a couple," Shikamaru said at once.

"Yeah..." Temari said, though a little less firmly.

"You're not?" Kosame had the nerve to look surprised, even though it was one of the team leaders she was talking to and she should have stayed neutral or apologized for their mistake at once. "I really thought you were...I guess my instincts are off. I could tell the others were together, though."

"Just because people talk a few times doesn't make them a couple," Shikamaru guessed that to be where she'd gotten the idea.

"Well, it wasn't just that," Kosame said.

Temari wanted to cut this off before this woman said anything else embarrassing. "Well, it was a mistake, so why don't you just drop it?" firmly.

"All right," Ksno held up her hands. "I didn't expect it yo make you so embarrassing...But why aren't you dating?"

"I can't believe this," Shikamaru said. "Who asks people that? Why aren't you dating Jakku?"

"Because Jakku hates everyone, but especially women," Kosame said, without a shred of bitterness so Temari took it to be her real opinion and not her hiding her feelings. "That guy's had a broom up his rear end even since before Pain left, and it's only gotten worse now. I think I'd rather be single. What's life without someone who can't even smile?"

"Well... I do understand that part," Shikamaru admitted, more subdued. "But you have to see how ridiculous it is to ask a question like that."

"I don't know why it's ridiculous... you didn't have to answer," Kosame I shrugged. "I just thought two young people who had managed to get along all right, would have at least thought about it. But maybe you have someone else at home?"

Temari shot Shikamaru a look like she'd like to hear the answer to this.

And why did he feel embarrassed now? It wasn't like he had anything to hide.

"No," he said. "But that's really none of your business."

"Do you?" Kosame asked Temari.

Temari frowned. "No, but that is also none of your business."

They both hadn't had to answer that, if they really thought so, and Kosame probably knew it.

"I see how it is," she said, with a sly smirk. "Well forgive my mistake."

Said this way, Temari didn't think it was her nodding to their rank.

Shikamaru had the feeling that Kosame hadn't changed her mind despite what they said. And it made him feel more awkward than before.

"Well, we should look for them ourselves," he said.

"Yeah...can't trust Sai alone anyway," Temari said.

"Well, she's really not alone, but Ino should have to be the only one to make sure he stays out of trouble," Shikamaru said.

"That's another pair I thought was together," Kosame said.

Shikamaru paused. "Why?"

"Well, clear I might be wrong," with a wry tone. "But the way she looks at him and they seem to stick close to each other...but what's that to show?"

"Strange," Shikarmaru said, walking away from her.

"What?" Temari followed him.

"Why she'd get that idea, Ino wouldn't have a thing for Sai," Shikamaru said.

Temari thought he was kidding, then realized he was serious. "Uh...and what makes you say that?"

"Isn't it obvious? Ino is the kind of person who cares way too much about things that are on the surface. She's not insufferable about it like some girls are, don't get me wrong, but, she would never look at someone who was so...abnormal. I feel bad for Sai, because of his past, but it makes him an oddball. And frankly, her family would never approve it."

"How much say do your families get in how you...end up with?" Abruptly.

"Oh...I don't know, mine had never discussed it with me," Shikamaru said. "My mom wasn't anyone important, my dad just liked her because she had a nice smile."

"That's it?"

"I think he meant it in a different way, now that I think about it," Shikamaru mused. "Still, the Yamananka clan is a little more...strict. They're traditional. I think Choji's clan probably wouldn't care either, but, it's fine for boys anyway."

"I know all about that," Temari said. "But Ino is powerful enough to pick whoever she wants, they don't have to worry about the bloodline, would they?"

"That sounds kind of strange when you say it like that.." Shikamaru realized it was often how ninja thought though. "But I don't know...She never said outright, but I think she feels like they'd want her to pick someone with a good reputation. and Sai is a nobody in the eyes of Laef. So even if she did like him, it would never happen...but she wouldn't like him anyway."

"And you're the smart one in your team?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't really know if I should say this. But I'm slightly afraid you'd say that to her face if I don't, so I'll risk it: You idiot, she already likes him."

"Huh?" Shikamaru actually paused. "Are you sure?"

"She's basically admitted it, though not in those words," Temari said. "Do you listen to anything Camie says?"

"I try not to--but that's just her suspicion. She also swears Dabi has a secret thing for that Cloud Person they saved in the war. And that's about as believeable as Sasuke and Sakura getting together."

"First of all, I think that's a joke," Temari said. "And second, I'm not sure I'd rule out Sakura's persistence, but even both of those things aside, Ino does like Sai. I hope you're not going to tell her what you just told me."

"I'm a little surprised you're concerned about it," Shikamaru said.

"Ino seems like a good enough shinobi," Temari said distantly. "No reason to upset her...But you think it's so far fetched"

"I think...that I'd be sorry for her if she did have feelings for someone who will never return them," somberly. "I don't want her to get hurt."

"Hurt? Sai wouldn't hurt a fly--deliberately," Temari said.

"I never said he would, on purpose, but how could he ever understand that?" Shikamaru said. "I feel bad for him, I really do. I understand that the Foundation did something inhuman to him...but it was done, and he's still working on friendships. And love? That's a hard enough thing to understand even for a normal person. What hope does he have? It's pretty tragic, I admit, but it's the facts."

"Shikamaru," Temari said, kind of reproachfully, but not her usual stern way, "I think you can't just put people in that kind of cage for their whole Iives. Who is to say what he's capable of? He's gotten this far on little more than guesswork. Don't dismiss him just yet."

"Why are you taking this so personally?"

"Why? With Gaara's history, do you really think it's so impossible?"

Pause.

"Well, that is a good point...but it's not the same thing."

"No...Sai may be better off."

"I didn't know you'd paid that much attention to him." Shikamaru was really a little surprised.

Temari wasn't quite sure if he was implying something else or not, but she thought she blushed. Luckily it was too dark to tell.

"It's nothing unusual. I look at people's potential, that's all," she replied, evenly. "And maybe you should think about it...going back to Leaf, what's going to happen to someone like him--to all of them? They're just pawns without having the experience to know it."

"I don't see what I or any of us would do about it." Shikamaru felt uncomfortable.

She was right of course, though. The Foundation members would never be good for anything but being pawns, if they stayed the same as Sai had been when he started. Sai had seemed to have some inclination to fight against it, but Suzushi, that other guy, hadn't, and who was to say any of the others had?

Furthermore, they would be easy to turn against Leaf in another coup, if they fell into the wrong hands. So Temari's point was also a very pragmatic one. As hers usually were.

Even so, it was strange for Temari to take any notice of people like that. She seemed to have changed in that way... St least she was vocal about it now, whatever she must have felt and thought before. For, after hearing a bit more of her true feelings about Gaara's past, Shikamaru had come to understand that Temari might just be this way. Maybe she didn't like when people were used just for their power at any time now, not just when it was her own family.

He admired it in a way. In a leader that was not the most common quality. But again, he felt as if her expectations of what he could do here were just too high, and he would never be able to meet them. 

What could someone with no authority do about any of this?

[I guess we know where the conflict with that in the last arc of the show is going to come from.]