A/N: Well, it's been a week since the finale. It was stunning and gave us so much to think about. But seeing Future-Barry stopping his younger self from making a horrible mistake, made my day. It actually tied into my earlier multi-chapter story, Sweet Destiny. There's a lot of 'Future-Westallen' in that one! Check it out. Now, here's my take on where present WestAllen meets again at their special spot with surprising results. Read on!

~o~o~

Chapter 1: I Need You

The rooftop at Jitters:

Central City was still in mourning. A lot of lives were lost that day either dead or still missing. It's now been nearly a month since Eddie's death, and to make matters worse, his body had not been found.

It was late evening and Iris had just hung up with her Father. Of course, he was worried about her and she couldn't blame him. She felt adrift, lost without focus. A few weeks ago, she helped Eddie's parents at the apartment collecting his things and breaking his lease.

She in turn, had made the decision to move back home. But her Father was always hovering over her and constantly asking how she was doing. She desperately needed time alone to sort through everything, including Eddie's memorial service, coming to grips with his sacrifice, and lastly, Barry and their feelings. He wasn't far from her mind, even now.

"Iris?" It was him. "I thought I would find you here. Are you Okay?" He asked softly, coming to stand beside her.

She wiped at her eyes with a tissue. "No, I'm not," she replied not looking at him. Seeing him again brought it all back so she tried to avoid him as much as she could. It hurt to see him. "Barry, I thought I made myself clear, I can't see you, not right now."

"You shouldn't be alone." He watched her for a minute. "It's difficult to catch up with you, either you're at the office or on assignment or," he said and paused for a moment. "I just wanted to talk; that's all," he continued, but he was interrupted.

"I had to keep busy; it's all I have now," she sadly stated. He was silent unsure what to say. She shook her head to clear it, but she had to know. "Why didn't you tell me about the clipping from the future?" She glanced at him trying to understand why he hadn't told her.

He thought she had come to terms with all of that. He supposed she was still in pain about all of it. "Iris, I didn't want to put that kind of pressure on you. You had to make up your own mind, choose your own future and," he hesitated.

"You mean, you and me and our 'marriage'?" She finished for him.

"Yes; you and me."

"You believed it; didn't you?" She turned to face him after that question.

He hesitated. "Yes, I did. I always believed it," he finally admitted it.

She should have been surprised, but she wasn't, not at all; it was time to be honest. He was right; she hadn't been honest about her feelings. Being here with him felt as natural as breathing, like nothing else was more important. It was time to face it, all of it. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to the ledge. "I guess a part of me knew it too."

"Iris?" He began hopefully.

"He wanted to marry me," she admitted tearfully.

"I know," he said then he too turned back to the ledge.

A few minutes of quiet thoughtfulness followed that admission.

She turned to face him needing to know all of it. "Why doesn't it surprise me that you knew about Eddie's proposal?" He was silent. "Look, Barry, no more lies, Ok? I need you to tell me everything you know, why Eobard hated you and why he did this to us, to Eddie and me?"

"He never said why, just that he hated me and that included everyone I cared about. He killed my Mother, threatened you, Joe, Eddie, and he actually killed Cisco in another timeline," he sadly replied.

She frowned, not understanding. "Another timeline; what are you talking about?"

He ran his fingers through his hair. "We should sit down." She was still. "Please, Iris; I'll tell you everything I know."

Then he told her the truth beginning with the night of the double date, including the kiss, her confession of love, sort of, and everything since then. He actually told her about Future-Barry and what happened at the house that night.

Iris was stunned, but one thing stood out. "I can't believe this, but it's true, isn't it? You wouldn't lie to me about that, would you, I mean; we actually kissed?" She couldn't believe it.

"Yes, all of it is true; we kissed, then I revealed that I was the Flash, and then everything was reversed, turned back. Believe me, it was the last thing I wanted." He paused as he stared into her eyes. "I wanted us to be together, so badly, but," he confessed tearfully.

"Oh, Bear," she murmured, about to cry. She shook her head. "I remember when you came to see me at Jitters and you wanted to," she couldn't finish.

"Yes, I didn't realize it at the time but everything that was revealed was gone. I was devastated that you didn't remember any of it because it was all gone."

"So you and 'the team' came up with this ridiculous lie about you having some sort of mental instability or some such nonsense," she said, feeling hurt.

"Yes, and it hurt so much to lie to you. Please believe me."

"Honestly, I don't know what's true or what isn't true." She stood up and began to walk trying to piece it all together in her mind. She rubbed her temples, she felt dizzy then she fainted.

"Iris!?" He ran to her before she could fall. He caught her quickly, picked her up and streaked home to the house. Minutes later, she woke up on the sofa.

She slowly sat up and Barry was there beside her. "What happened?"

"You fainted; don't you remember?" He asked, becoming suspicious. He helped her get settled by straightening the pillows behind her.

"Yes, I remember fainting, but," she replied.

He frowned then, "Iris, are you pregnant?"

Shocked, she stared at him. "No, Barry, I'm not pregnant." He frowned again. "It's true, but if you must know, I had my menses last week."

"I'm sorry, Iris, it's not my business, but," he hesitated.

"I know; I know; you're just concerned about me, but you don't need to be. I'm alright."

Feeling bold, he took her hand; she didn't pull away. "You know I'll always care about you."

She opened her mouth to say something, but he stopped her with his next words. "You don't have to say anything." He tried to smile as he watched her eyes light up. "Now, I want you to take better care of yourself." At her frown, he continued, "I spoke to Joe and you haven't been eating like you should, three meals and all that. In fact, you look a little thin." His lips quirked up at her look of surprise or indignation, he wasn't sure. He stood up. "You rest while I fix something for you." But before he could leave, she took his hand.

She couldn't turn that down. "Thank you, Barry."

He tried to smile. "Sure, anytime." A little while later, dinner was ready, so he checked up on her. "Iris, dinner is," he stopped dead because she was asleep. Feeling so many things, he decided not to wake her but to let her rest. She seemed to be dreaming because her eyelids were moving. He then covered her with a sofa throw, but he couldn't help himself. He leaned down and stroked her hair away from cheek, and kissed it softly. As if seeking comfort, she leaned forward just a little. He almost lost it, so he stood up and headed back to the kitchen. He was covering the food up when he heard her scream.

"Eddie!" Iris screamed and sat up terrified by the dream, then reality sunk in. "He's really gone." She lay back down and then the tears came.

Barry felt awful. He sat down and pulled her into his arms. She didn't resist. The tears began in earnest then. "It's, alright; it's alright."

"I just felt so helpless. I wanted to save him somehow." She managed to say.

"I'm so sorry," Barry murmured unsure what to say to comfort her. Tears blinded thinking of his Mother. "I'm here; it's going to be Okay."

Iris pulled away after a minute or two. He came prepared. He handed her a tissue, but then he wiped at his eyes. "Oh Bear; I'm sorry about your Mom."

"How did you know I was thinking about her?"

"I know you, remember, and after what you told me," she began.

"Yeah, there was no choice to make," he said resigned to living the rest of his life without her. Taking a deep breath, he changed the subject. "Are you still hungry, dinner is ready?"

She shook her head. "I can't eat."

"Iris, you have to eat. Come on, it's spaghetti, your favorite? " He stood up, his hand out to her to take it.

"Alright, you win; I'll eat," she replied, took his hand then they entered the dining room.

~o~o~

After a quick dinner of spaghetti, garlic bread, and a few glasses of wine, they managed not to talk about Eddie or his Mom. They talked about her work, his job, her new mentor, and about the clean-up of the city after that day.

About an hour later, at the door, a few moments of awkward silence then, it was in her eyes, she needed it and so did he.

"Just, come here," he whispered and pulled her into a hug.

She welcomed his embrace like a friend comforting a friend, just like always. They stood that way for several long minutes. Barry closed his eyes enjoying this more than he should. Then he breathed her in then he was the first to pull away. "Good night, Iris."

"Good night, Barry." She reluctantly let him go.

~o~o~

Several months later, at the house:

It was now Christmas time, and with Barry and Joe's help, Iris was slowly getting into the spirit of the holiday. Christmas Eve arrived and Joe could tell that they were both remembering that night. How could that not? After a lovely dinner, he left them alone.

As soon as her Father left, Iris's heart was pounding with dread a little afraid Barry would bring up that night. He didn't at first, and then it happened. Barry couldn't hold it in anymore.

"I see you're wearing the ring." He stated thrilled to see it again. He was standing by the tree thinking about the past. Iris was sitting on the sofa.

She had been wearing it most of the time now. It had a soothing effect on her. "Yes, I am," she replied, touching it softly. At his look, she whispered. "It's Ok if you want to talk about it."

He was a bit stunned. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. It's not like we can avoid not talking about the past. It is ours and ours alone," she replied and tried to smile.

"Yes, no one can take that away," he said smiled in return.

Then her eyes filled with tears at those words.

He sat down beside her. "What is it? What did I say?"

"You almost did, Barry, gave it all up." At his apparent look of regret, she continued. "I understand why you went back; I do. I just wanted you to be happy and not feel so sad about your parents and what happened to them; that's all." She was almost in tears.

He wanted to pull her close but refrained. Instead, he took her hand. "I'm just glad that I didn't make that mistake. Future-Barry stopped me."

"Yes, you told me." She paused as she thought about him. "I wish I could thank him."

He squeezed her hand. "You may get that chance one day."

They both smiled. So they continued to talk long into the night. Barry left that evening finally believing that they had turned a corner hoping all of the pain and heartache was finally behind them.

~o~o~

New Year's Eve, Central City Hotel:

They had become close again over the past few months. He asked her out and she accepted. Technically, it would be their first date, but they didn't care about those things.

They decided to meet at the rooftop restaurant with a lovely view of the city. Then Barry walked in and the ladies, even with their dates, glanced at him. He seemed somehow different, more mature sure of himself as if a weight had been lifted. He looked very handsome dressed in a black evening suit and tie.

Iris was wearing a knee-length black dress, criss-crossed in the back, with black high heels with a matching evening coat. Barry stared at her in awe. She literally took his breath away. He'd been a very patient man over the past six months, but she was so worth the wait.

Watching him come closer, he only had eyes for her. It was as if he knew what she was thinking. She ducked her head feeling a little embarrassed. But she had to admit that she missed seeing him in the Flash suit. She so missed their meetings, especially on the rooftop. They don't meet as often as she would like. He was always rescuing people, stopping meta-humans, but she managed to come to STAR Labs, but most times he wasn't there mainly on assignment.

It felt good to talk and laugh about silly things. It had been a long time. Talking about their clandestine meetings in the past and the possible future brought on more speak of the past. Barry couldn't be happier that they were getting along, talking and confiding in each other about their lives, just like old times, before the coma.

"Can I ask you something?" Iris asked. "If I hadn't asked you, were you ever going to tell me about the other timeline and what happened between us?"

"Iris, I can't answer that," he replied being evasive. He took a sip of champagne.

"Barry, don't do that, keep things from me, mainly when we're talking about our feelings. It's important if we want this to work."

She was right. "There truly was no point. You and I didn't get together. We kissed; yes, but that was all there was to it and besides you were still with Eddie." He sounded upset.

Iris was surprised. "How can you say that? There was always more between us, not just kisses."

"Then you admit it; you do care." Even though she had rejected him, he had to know.

"Barry," she started, "You said it yourself; it's always been there, but," she hesitated.

"But other things got in the way," he finished for her.

"Yeah, other things," she admitted thinking about Eddie. She stood up and walked over to the balcony door and looked out over the city. "Will it always be this way?"

He knew what she was referring to. He followed her and stood close behind her. "No, it won't."

"Are you sure because, the article; it changed everything?" She glanced at him to see his reaction.

He shook his head. "No, not because of that, but," he hesitated.

"But what?" She turned to face him.

Feeling bold again, he came closer and took her hand. "Because of this," he whispered. He was going to kiss her. Suddenly terrified that they were actually going to kiss, she turned and opened the door and ran outside. It wasn't that cold, but it was definitely chilly.

"Iris!?" He caught her quickly, took off his coat placed it around her shoulders. He held her at arm's length. "Why did you run away?" He knew the answer; she was still afraid of her feelings.

"We can't do this. We're friends and," she couldn't finish.

"We're more than friends. It's always been that way. We can't change it. Believe it because it's true for both of us."

Then his hand reached out and touched her face. She closed her eyes. He was so warm and comforting, no, it was more than that.

"We can't fight it, Iris, not anymore," he whispered softly. He leaned down and his lips touched hers briefly and then it happened, she responded to him. He kissed her more deeply, slanting his lips across hers. His mouth opened bringing forth sighs and moans. He clutched her to him tightly. His kisses became even more forceful but then he stopped suddenly and waited for her to open her eyes.

"Iris, I didn't mean to," he started.

She grinned. "What did you mean?"

He also grinned. "It's just," he didn't know what to say.

"You don't have to say anything," she whispered then she pulled his head down and kissed him.

TBC!?

~o~o~

Song inspiration: What About Now?, Chris Daughtry.

A/N: Wow, I had to give them this. My Muse couldn't resist hitting on all the drama, angst, lies, and pain that permeated Season One. Correct me if I'm wrong that Iris doesn't know about the original timeline. But I thought it would be an interesting topic of discussion. Ok then, there may be more to this; although I can't say when right now. I hope there's more, but we'll see what my Muse has to say within the next few months. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it. Please leave a kudo/comment when you get a moment. Thank you for reading! :D