There's a backfire so loud you can hear it all the way across the water, and undoubtedly a lot of extremely irritated cursing, though you probably can't hear that part. Then silence. A long enough silence, sure, but then that lovely skiff can be seen headed across the water toward the island. Skiff. What a great word. There's an unidentifiable - in the dark - figure in it, but you can pick out (even against the backdrop of the city and all the lights it offers at night) the brief flare of a match, and then the dull glow of a cigarette, suspended in the air over the boat. There is another bright spot out hwere this evening, moving and dancing around at the speed of light. And this one is smokin' as well, smokin' red hot baby! It's the Flash, Wally West, a man in motion. Recently having had a storm here in New York, just an evening's worth of wind, Wally is on garbage detail, picking his island clean,t o leave it spotless. Amazing how much trash can find it's way here form the mainland, and Wally is keen on getting every last candy wrapper. However, as he hears the skiff arrive, his attention is drawn and Wally zips to play hostess. Skidding to a stop before you, Wally looks... perplexed... "Sandy? it's *great* to see you, man. But what's the urgency? or is there one? It's got to be late, then I suppose, being Sandma, you do your business at night, ye?" Boy - does this guy *ever* smile anymore? He looks astoundingly cranky, and a little unkempt, like he woke up suddenly and dressed in a hurry. And you needn't worry about his cigarette butt - it's an unfiltered, and tobacco is biodegradable. He docks the skiff, tying it down, and steps out. Looks like he's wearing - big surprise - khaki cargos, Docs, and a maroon shirt; not even making a pretense at hiding itself is a black leather police-style gun vest/holster; one hand is still in a cast. Yes, with a kyoot little fish on it. He looks up at Wally, jaw set, brow furrowed. "Not the Sandman. I...uh," he falters, then decides to fudge it. "Decided to drop in on Jack." "Jack?" Wally looks, well, stunned. Okay, that's just odd. Sandman arrived dressed like he's in a cross grunge-film noir flick. With a little fish on his cast. Shaking his head a little, those wingtips marking the movement easily, Flash falters a moment. But then, you are Jack's other friend. Other, yes, as Wally is the first. But, any way... how can he deny you? Stepping to the side, he gestures across his body, "Then, by all means. But, if I may, perhaps I can ask why tonight and why now? I thought I was the only one up, but, well..." Jack seems like night folk as well, and you as well and. Suddenly he looks worried, as though Sandy knows somehting Wally does not, which is true, because right now he doesn't know a thing. "Need someone to show you the way in?" You're grumpy, which also isn'tgood. Didn't you have Dolphin on your lips the last time he saw you? Shouldn't she have Sandy wearing nothing but a smile by now? "You can ask," says Sanderson shortly, pausing midstride and looking to Wally again. "But I'm afraid I won't have an answer that makes sense." He frowns again, as if weighing something in his mind; suddenly gestures widely, vaguely. The wind whips at his hair, messes it up even further. "I know the way, but you're welcome to come with. It's probably nothing," tags on the former Golden Boy, almost as an afterthought. /What's/ probably nothing? What is going on here? Wally looks, well, lost. And being a man, he doesn't stop to ask for directions. Keeping pace with you easily, Wally seems to have no problem being in a flow beside you, facing you as he moves along backwards. He knows this island inside and out, having helped design it and get it rebuild. And run around it so many times. He knows how many paces it is between here and Jack's room, exactly. But, this way he can also talk to you, as crimson and gold trail along beh-... er, in front of him? But, it moves and so does he. And his lips as he babbles. "Okay, I'm in for the ride. But, you looked spooked, Sandy, and to see an idol of your's spooked isn't a good thing. What's going on? The world ending and I don't know it? Two worlds colliding? What?" Sandy Hawkins mutters something to the effect of, "I *always* look spooked when I wake up from dreaming in the middle of the night," and keeps walking. He pulls a pair of gloves from his pocket and puts the on - it's freaking cold out. "And seriously, Wally, I'm a horrible person to idolize." "Yeah, yeah, so you say. So am I, and people do it. My choice. I think you're fitting of it." So there. Wally isn't changing his mind. Ironic that a role model can't change his mind, huh? But, once Wally has hero worship in his head, it sticks. "Okay, well, that was a long way of explaining it but telling me nothing," he grins as he moves along, making a circle of you just to show you he can. Cold out? He wouldn't know, moving around like he is. "So, not even a hint at what's up? A clue oor two? Twenty questions?" Just stopping, closing his eyes and tilting his head upward, Sandy looks mildly exasperated. He runs his thickly gloved hands through his hair - yeah, that always looks wild, his right hand looks almost like a paw with the plaster underneath - which only makes it excessively staticky in addition to messy. "Look," he says finally, "I don't *know* what's going on. I'd seriously like to. I only know Jack needs me here right now." He doesn't add the rest, but then, he ain't sure of the rest. With a glance up at the Tower, he sets his jaw again. "Maybe I should set off the alarms." The StarDust Room ~T~ Titans Island This room has all the essentials and modern conveniences. A door to a washroom in one corner, a small kitchen space in another. A plain bed and a dresser against opposite walls. It's obviously newly furnished, but shows little signs of personal taste or decor. The only items visible is a small napsack of clothes at the foot of the bed. It's fairly apparent that whoever is staying in here either has just moved in, or has very little personal items to speak of. Alarms??? Set off bells and whistles? Why? Not *that* serious is it? "No, no, no, Sandy, we'll just go there and find out, quick like, kay?" Being the impatient type that Wally is, especially where *his* friend Jack is concerned, not knowing what is going on, Wally is off to find out. Lending Sandy speed, he only hopes the old guy's heart can take the experience. Hoping as well that Sandy will keep up, he trails off, in the direction of Jack's room below. Not really slowing down, Wally doens't care who's up as he races along. Hey, here running in the halls is okay. At least for Flash. Jesse? No, not her. But, screeeeeeeeeeeeeeching to a stop outside his doorway, Jack's, Wally says rather louudly, "Jack you have a vi-..." Which is when he notices.... The old guy's heart indeed. Grr. It's not like he's been smoking for fifty years. Only about, ah, seven maybe. Sandy jogs along, only using enough of the lent speed to barely follow along - it's not too far, after all, and boyola, what an odd sensation. Takes his gloves back off once he's inside, too, and stuffs them in a knee pocket. He slows, spotting Jack and Donna seconds after Wally, and raises his eyebrows. . o O (I...huh. Err. Right!) Standing midway between the hallway and the 'Starlight Room', Jack and Donna are caught in an embrace when the others walk in the room. He's holding Donna's face tenderly, and the "visitor's" would see that Mr. Knight appears to be smiling through his tears as he turns to watch his two best friends enter the room. Wiping one of his eyes with the back of his hand, Jack tries to grin, and sniffles a little. "Hey guys." He's far to zen at this moment to be worried about what they might be thinking. Donna looks up at the entrance of Wally and then Sand. She clears her throat a little and looks away a bit as she as she wipes at her own face and tries to compose herself. But when she feels she is a bit more presentable, she turns to face the two men and gives a waneful smile, though she does her best to try and make it appear as friendly and non-chalant as possible, though her dark blue eyes are now tinged in red from tears. "Wally...Sand," she says quietly, perhaps not daring to speak much louder as she clears her throat once more, steadying her voice. Jack. Donna. Together. Wally's reaction? It's too quick to be noticed, he's sure. Everything he was thinking has gone out the window as he notices Donna's face. He *knows* Donna, inside and out, as she is his best friend. Sorry, Jack and Sandy, as while you are great friends, Donna is someone Wally just *knows*. And she him. Oh, no worries Jack, Wally knows what is going on here. And, what's that look on his face? He looks sadly content? What kind of look is that? The Man of Speed is called to a halt for a moment, but give him have a second and then you'll get your reaction. In spades. Please forgive him for looking a tad nonplussed - Sandy's not too comfortable with the fact that he keeps seeming to interrupt Jack when he's with Donna. And now he notices how amazingly rancid his timing is, and clears his throat. "Hullo Donna, Jack," he answers quietly, hooking his free hand into his pocket. His mind's racing faster than Wally's apt to run, as he pieces things together - Jack looking all ready to go, all the tears, and the reason he dragged his butt outta bed at, what, three AM? "Didn't mean to break anything up. Just wanted to let you know your ride's here." He pauses. "Er, across the water, that is." Jack blinks a few times. "Ride? But how did you...?" It dawns on him, and he can't help but shiver a bit. "Oh...that." He glances at his friend up and down for a moment, trying to let it sink in that it's still the same old guy he's been palling around with, no matter how freaky he gets from time to time. Then, he glances at Wally, and notes the man examining he and Donna's embrace with some interest. He disengages just a little from the woman, not holding her as tightly, and takes his hand off off her neck. "Um. What's up?" Changing his view to look directly at the Wonder Girl beside him, he seems a little embarrassed, but not for himself, maybe for her. Donna seems to be rather quiet during all of this, though as Sand mentions Jack's ride across the river, she blinks a moment and looks up at Jack once more, but then looks down and away again, still rather silent. Though if she is embarrassed, she must hide it well as nothing seems to indicate it. Rather, there is almost a cloud that seems to hang about her, something that those who have spent any sort of extended time in her presence knows is not the norm. She swallows a bit and just blinks red tinged eyes and just looks at those assembled. Okay people. This is not right. Well, it *is* right, which is why *this* is not right. The leaving. For too long, far too long, Wally has kept quiet on all of this, stayed out of it. Why? Because he wanted exactly *this* to happen, on it's own. Well, here it is and you know what? Looks like it is about to end before it starts. That's *not* going to happen, not when Wally is on it. He knows he only has a moment to make his move, to save this all, and you know what? A moment is *all* that Wally needs. "Donna, don't worry, as Jack will be staying tonight." he promises this, aloud. Sandy? he can sleep in Wally's room (he has a spare as he can sleep in bart's bed). and without further adieu, perhaps only Donna will know what Wally does (and Jack once he experiences). Lending speed *only* to Jack, Wally has a private, intense, and fast conversation. So fast the words and reactions cannot be seen, save for Jack and wally. Whatever the outcome of that talk is, well, just as quickly as it started, it ends. Let's see what Jack's reply will be? Giving Donna a sharp look, tracing her glance, Sand is quick to add, "He didn't call me." No explanation, though. Bastard. He straightens his holster, gives the assembled heroes a brief nod, then holds up his car keys. "Gonna go warm the old clunker up. I'll wait. Take your time." With that, he turns and makes his way back out of the building (and presumably back across the water to his car). No matter what Wally says or does, he's fairly confident he didn't wake up for nothing.