Hi everybody. So I'm taking a small break from my story "The Deathstroke Contract" to write this little fic. It was supposed to be a oneshot but I decided to expand it a little. Is not going to be too long, but I hope you like it so far.

This is set a few months before Season 2 begins.

Dog Days

Wally West

Stupid paper.

I mean, know college is supposed to be hard and all, especially on Stanford. But what will I learn writing a paper about starfish reproduction? Seriously, these guys should be taking courses from me! I mean, there are more important things in life than this. For example, replicating a life threatening experiment that will let you tap into the Speed Force and make you a super hero. Starfish reproduction? Kiss my ass. But well, complaining about it won't get me my degree. So, I've better research this and make a good paper.

To be honest, I have to admit it's easier to write about this than being a hero. At least I don't have some psycho after my neck. And sitting here, in the kitchen of the apartment I share with my extremely hot girlfriend in Palo Alto, well, it's wonderful. Even if I have to research starfish reproduction. At least the worst thing I can get is a low grade, rather than a trip to the morgue.

"Well, hello there Kid Beautiful," said Artemis sexily as she walked to me, wearing short shorts and a football jersey. Her blond hair was long and loose, making her look extremely appealing. "I was wondering if I'd find you here, you know, with you being busy and all…"

I sighed. "Well, I try to be a good student. And these internship hours at S.T.A.R. Labs are making me crazy. A now I have to write about starfish reproduction… can you believe that, babe?"

"Oh, come on, it can't be that bad," said Artemis as she eyed the blank paper. "And… you've got nothing."

I turned to her and leaned forward, kissing her. After pulling apart, I winked at her. "I'd rather write a paper about you, and about how crazy you make me."

"Have I ever told you how your pick up lines get worse by the day?" said Artemis with a chuckle.

"Well, I'm out of practice, since you're the only girl in my life," I replied, putting the pencil down and playing with her hair.

Yeah, life was good now that we're out of the Life. It's been almost six months since we retired as superheroes. We left some broken hearts behind but we have to move on. Right now, life couldn't get sweeter, with my girlfriend, with school, with a beautiful place to call home. We even had a dog. Sure, I miss running around at top speed. But this… this is all I can crave for.

Then, to ruin the moment, the phone rang.

I groaned. "Urg! Whoever it is, they sure make a great effort to stop us from making out…"

Artemis caressed my cheek. "I need to go visit my mom, so I gotta go anyway. We can pick up later…"

"Sure thing babe," I said as seductively as I could. Man, I am so getting out of practice in the flirting area.

I picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Yes? Am I speaking to Wallace West?" asked a female voice very carefully, and I closed my eyes in frustration.

"Speaking. Does this have to do with the credit card fee I owe by the end of month?" I asked, rubbing my eyes. I so wanted to hang up now.

"No, sir. I'm calling from Blüdhaven General, I'm afraid I'm calling due to a very sensitive issue…" said the caller and I felt something odd in my spine.

Fear. Blüdhaven General?

"Uh… yes?" I asked, noticing that for some reason I was starting to get nervous and fidgety.

"I'm Dr. Serena Cortes, I'm Head of the Psychiatry Department in this hospital. I'm afraid we recently admitted Richard Grayson. Normally we don't speak with outside people about our patients, but with Mr. Grayson being a public figure, I didn't know what to do. We thought of first reaching Bruce Wayne, but we don't know if that would be a good call. Not in the condition Mr. Grayson is right now," said the doctor, and I froze.

Literally, I froze.

Dick? In the Psychiatry Department? Admitted? What the hell was going on? I tried to find my voice. "Sorry, I'm not following…"

"I'm sorry Mr. West, there is no easy way to tell you this. But Mr. Grayson tried to commit suicide. Police officers found him in his apartment. He cut his wrists and above all, he took extra dosage of Valium. He was barely alive when reached," said the doctor, slowly and carefully, as if to allow the news to sink in my mind.

I was completely shocked. Dick tried to off himself? That does not sound like Dick, Dick would NEVER do that! What is this woman pretending? This was prank right? There was no way in Hell or Earth that this could be happening. Dick Grayson, the former Boy Wonder, the freaking Nightwing, tried to end his own life?! If this was a joke, it was one very sick. My voice cracked. "Excuse me, but that's impossible. Dick would never…"

"Mr. West, we understand this is a great shock, but it is the truth. Police found him almost at the verge of death in his own bed. In his hand, they found a picture of you both with your name and telephone number. To be honest, we didn't know who else to call… but in all my years of being a psychiatrist, I know that holding to that picture of you… it was his last cry for help before he gave up. We're sorry, but with Mr. Wayne so busy, we didn't know who else to reach." Said the doctor carefully.

It was true. My best friend. My little brother. The only one besides my parents and Artemis I would give my life for… tried to kill himself. How do I cope with that? And his last cry for help was me? No, this is a sick nightmare. I have to… finish that starfish paper. I'll pretend this is not happening. Yes, that's a good call. Who am I kidding? Dick needs me.

My little brother is crying for me.

"How is he?" I asked, waiting for a positive reply.

"He's stable, he just regained consciousness though he's heavily sedated," said the doctor and hesitated for a moment. "He could… use a friend right now…"

"I'm on my way," I said and hung up. I couldn't believe it, this was a surreal as surreal can get!

"Who was it honey?" asked Artemis as she emerged from our room with her green jacket, a reminiscence of her days as the Team's archer.

"No one…" I replied, looking down, probably paled. "I… I need to go, Artemis. I'll call you later… something happened…"

Artemis' face turned to worry. "Is everything okay?"

"I just need to… go somewhere…" I said as I walked towards the couch and grabbed my jacket. "I'll call you as soon as I get answers…"

Before Artemis could say anything, I left through the door and started to speed up. I hadn't used my super-speed in a while, but I had to get to Blüdhaven General as soon as possible. I didn't care I wasn't in costume and someone could spot me maskless. All I cared about was reaching that darned hospital of that darned city well my darned best friend tried to commit a darned suicide.

I couldn't face it. Was Dick that bad off? Last time I saw him, which was last month, he seemed fine. True, I haven't really kept in touch much since leaving the Team but what could happen that would propel him down to even think about killing himself? This was way fucked up.

As I raced thought the highway to Blüdhaven, all I could think about was… how could I fail him like this? I was supposed to be his best friend, why didn't he tell me he was depressed? What could… how could he… how could I fail him so badly? He was supposed to be my partner, and I was so consumed with my life with Artemis that I missed the signs. He was in pain and I didn't see this.

Finally. I arrived to Blüdhaven and made my way to the hospital. I could see the streets and heavy buzz of this city. It was worse than Gotham. But Dick had made it a priority to make the city better. He took it upon himself to fix it… and now we all failed and he was the one needed fixing.

I reached the hospital, stopped by the entrance and walked like a normal person in. I was pale, the fear was consuming me. What if it was too late? What if Dick tried to do anything else or he relapsed or fell into a coma or died? No, I can't think like this. Dick is strong, he just need a strong hand to guide him. A strong hand to lead him.

I walked towards the front desk. I saw a black lady juggling papers. "Hello… I'm… Wally West. I'm here to see… Dr. Serena Cortes."

The lady looked at me and nodded. "She's in the Department of Psychiatry, fifth floor, left hall, third door."

"Thanks," I said and rushed towards the stairs. The elevator was too slow.

I ran the five floors up, and got into the main hallway. I rushed like a normal person (as much of a desperate man can be in this situation) and entered the Department of Psychiatry. I saw a lot of patients there, waiting to be treated by their doctors.

With urgency, I rang the reception and a kind brunette lady opened the window. "Hi, may I help you?"

"Dr. Serena Cortes, please. Tell her… Wally West is here about… his new patient…" I said, choosing my words wisely.

The lady nodded and rang the doctor.

I sat in the couches, desperately. I could not get the image of Dick in my head. How scared he must have been, bleeding out, about to die under drugs and blood loss. But, what the hell was he thinking? He was a hero! How could he even think of this?! Didn't he know he had a family and friends? Didn't he know the city needed Nightwing? What about the Team? Heck, the entire world needed Dick Grayson.

Anger formed in my heart as I clutched my fists. How selfish could he be?!

"Mr. West," said the voice of Dr. Cortes, a blond, short, very good looking young woman as she walked from her office to me. "I wasn't expecting you so… soon. You're fast."

She offered me her and I took it, shaking it. "Thanks. How… how is he?"

"He's on the psychiatric ward right now, he's out of danger but his emotions are… heavy. He's very unstable," said the doctor with a sad look. She urged me to follow her. "I believe seeing a friend, or whatever you are, will help him."

We started walking towards the other area of the hospital.

As we walked, I looked to the ground in shame. I was ashamed because I didn't see my friend in pain.

"Do you… know why he had a picture of me?" I asked as we approached to the psychiatric area.

"You're his friend, right?" asked the doctor as she pushed some doors and passed by some guards and receptionists.

"Best," I replied, not feeling the best friend at all.

Dr. Cortes opened the last door and led me to the halls where they had patients. She looked at me with a sad smile. "Normally, a person who tries to kill themselves… they usually tell someone else. Someone they trust, in hope they would save them. I believe Mr. Grayson couldn't bear the thought of sharing his pain… but he thought of you as his hope. I think, before he tried to end it all, he was trying to connect with you…"

"And then I failed him," I said with my eyebrows forming a frown. "Some hope I am…"

"Don't blame yourself, suicide people tend to hide it very well… until they can't anymore," said the doctor and led me to the last door of the hallway. "He's going to need you, Mr. West. You're going to have to understanding, patient and… a good friend."

Then she opened the door.

I went in. As I walked inside, I saw a hospital bed and several IV bags and one connected to a hand. And upon the bed I saw him. So broken. His skin was pale, his eyes were hollow and he was thin. His hair was disheveled. And he was in so much pain I could feel it. You don't need to be M'gann to see it.

Dick Grayson was hopeless inside, with darkness within.

I walked forward, my legs shaking. "Dick…"

Dick looked at me with… shame? And turned his back on me.

My heart broke in two.

So, liked it? Hope you help me with reviews AND ideas of what you'd like to see! Next chapter is going to be on Dick's P.O.V, will be kind of depressing and emotional. So, hope you like it. I'm thiking on adding Bruce, Tim, Barbara and others in separate chapters. But let's focus on this. Do you think Wally is well written?

Review please!