It had been almost three months since Barry had returned back to the new reality and while things were going great, there had also been quite a few astronomical changes.

Ronnie was alive, Caitlin was… Caitlin. Apparently, just like in the other world, her Killer Frost self, as she had said, was under control. She only came out when absolutely necessary.

Iris was no longer dating Eddie… but he was certainly still on the scene… as Barry's brother. Astrid and Oliver hadn't dated since high school and she and Cisco were once again fighting over some trivial thing… some things never change.

However, one thing that did change, was the issue with his mother's death. In the other timeline he had found out how his mother had died. He had even met her murderer. But unfortunately, Thawne was nowhere to be found in this timeline. Barry wished that he could find some trace of evidence to prove his father's innocence. But he would need to do this without giving up the secret to his friends.

Barry entered the STAR Labs main foyer and watched the group from the doorway. As usual, Astrid was barking out orders to get the place ready for the STAR Labs annual charity ball, that would be held tomorrow night. "You know, Barry… this would be a lot easier if you just did your little super-speedy decorating thing, that you do and help us all out a little… Or if she had roped in the help from a professional decorator, like her father used to…" Cisco said to him, handing him a bundle of silver and white balloons filled with helium and tied together with gold ribbons.

"…I have to admit, even I'm surprised that she didn't hire a decorator..." Barry replied.

Caitlin approached them, "The two of you should probably get to work. We still have a large box of decorations over there to get through… And Cisco, you know why this is a big deal to her… so try to stay off her bad side…"

"Stay off whose bad side?" Astrid asked as she approached her friends, holding a large box of lights that looked a little too heavy. She had just left Ronnie and Martin alone to fill up some more balloons with helium.

Barry handed the balloons back to Cisco and took the box from her, "It's fine, Barry. I have them..." She said trying to protest, but he refused to hear her. Within a heartbeat, the lights had been hung up and switched on. They looked beautiful. The next minute, the entire hall had been decorated and not one task was left to do.

"Thanks, man!" Cisco exclaimed.

"Barry, I said I had it... But thanks, anyway!" Astrid snapped, as she turned on her heels and left her friends standing there. Caitlin was the only one who seemed to know just why she was annoyed.

"Is she ok?" Barry asked her.

Caitlin looked at Cisco. "This will be the first masquerade ball since her father died and she feels like she is in over her head. Simon Stagg, Bruce Wayne and even Oliver Queen are all expected to make an appearance and she has to have everything perfect… She is taking her sense of control out on the decorating…"

Cisco thought back to a time in high school where she had roped him into decorating the school for a dance and nodded. "Ah crap… I don't know how I didn't see it before… Someone needs to get that girl a drink, or she will really blow a fuse."
"Let me talk to her," Barry said, "I think I can relate to her." He raced after Astrid.

Cisco looked at his phone, "Hey, Caitlin did you really say that Bruce Wayne is going to be here?"

"Yeah… I thought you knew that already." Caitlin replied.

"No, I didn't… Did you know that some of the people in Gotham City believe that he is some vigilante that dresses up as a bat? … And have you noticed all the things that he has in common with Oliver? The whole rich playboy bachelor by day, assumed vigilante by night… oh and…"

Caitlin stared at him. "I think I just realized why Astrid didn't tell you… Please don't make a fool of STAR Labs tomorrow night."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah… I get it, Cisco... don't screw anything up! But think about it, Caitlin… I mean the amount of villains who show up to spoil events like this… we could all work together, you, me, Astrid, the Flash… The Green Arrow and this Batman guy… They'd even have to come up with a cool name… some sort of league of heroes that bring justice to all… something like..."

"…Cisco!" Caitlin stopped him, "…Nothing is going to happen… Bruce Wayne is not Batman… and if you breathe a word of this to Astrid… or if you even get some sort of vibe that something bad will happen… you know that she will most probably lose it, right?"

"…OK, sorry…" Cisco said, sounding defeated, "…I won't let anything happen, you have my word."

Barry caught up, and walked with Astrid. The two of them took the elevator to the 97th floor. Once they had arrived, they both sat at her desk. "I'm sorry for snapping at you like that, Barry." She apologized.

"It's ok, I get it. Did you want to talk about what is going on? I mean, I get that I'm not Cisco, or Caitlin. …but I get it…" Barry replied.

"…I get that you get it… but this isn't about me… not this time…" Astrid replied.

"…Really? Then what's this about?" Barry was puzzled.

"It's about you… I mean for the past few months, something has really been off with you. You've been acting… I dunno… weird?"

"What do you mean by weird?" Barry asked, as he stood up and began to pace the room.

"Like for example, remember when I got back from Star city? You were so convinced the name was actually Sterling City… then the whole Ronnie being dead and Caitlin being a speedster thing… Not to mention, the way you have been acting around us... you've been a little… I don't know... overly caring? I mean at one point I thought you were developing a little crush on me…"

"…I'm sorry, what? I mean, you're like a sister to me…" Barry defended himself.
"I told myself the same thing and then I remembered your obsession with Iris… who is… well, that's not the point… You're the same with Caitlin... and Cisco too. So it can't be a crush… severe anxiety that something is going to happen, maybe?"

"…er… there's nothing… nothing that I can think of… exactly." Barry lied, as he shook his head.

Astrid raised her eyebrows and for a moment, Barry thought that she was reading his mind, but then he remembered that she couldn't unless he allowed her too. He noticed that she was wearing her bracelet.

"…Barry, I worked as a criminal psychologist before I got my powers… I might not be able to read your mind, but I can tell when you're lying."

"Ok… I had a dream, that's all… well, not a dream, it was more like a nightmare? I suppose it just made me realize that you need to appreciate the ones you have before something happens to them… that's all." Barry said.

Astrid nodded, it was clear that she was reflecting on this. "It's getting late. The decorating is done so maybe we should all go home for the evening and get an early night." She stood up and went to leave. "…and Barry, maybe you should take your own advice… ask Iris to the ball tomorrow night."

A smile flashed over Barry's face. Sure, he had thought about asking Iris to the ball, but it had been a mere fantasy… Maybe this would be his opportunity.

As he went to leave, the emergency alarm went off, so she and Barry checked the computer screen.
"Bank robbery in progress, I guess that early night will have to wait…" Barry announced.
"You go, I'll get the others!" Astrid replied