Barry entered the house with Iris, threw his coat onto a nearby chair, and then plopped down onto the couch.
"Did we really just spend until 4:30 P.M. talking about movies?" Barry laughed, and then took out his phone when it buzzed for the eleventh time that day.
"I guess. Do you want to watch a movie? I can make some popcorn?"
"Yeah that sounds great." Barry replied.
Iris blushed as she headed into the kitchen, and Barry read his newly received text.
It's Penny. I couldn't stop thinking about that adorable face of yours and was wondering if you wanted to get dinner with me tomorrow? XD
Barry smiled.
Sounds great. Text me your address and I can pick you up around 6?
Can't wait Penny replied.
Barry set his phone down on the coffee table, as Iris plopped down beside him with a large bowl of popcorn.
"Who were you texting?" She asked
"That Penny girl from Jitters. She wants to have dinner tomorrow night."
"Oh. Okay."
"What did you have in mind for movie?"
"I just read Fault In Our Stars. I've been meaning to watch the movie. Does that sound okay?"
"You haven't seen the movie yet!?" Barry teased.
Iris laughed and then nuzzled against him while he rented the movie on Amazon, and hit play.
2 MONTHS AGO
"You're doing great, Bear. Just a few more steps." Caitlin encouraged.
It had been a week since Barry woke up, and he still hadn't mastered walking yet. This was his first time doing it without the assistance of Iris or Joe, though he was still using crutches.
"Man, if you're this shaky when walking, imagine how bad you're going to be when running." Cisco joked and then received a firm slap on the shoulder from Iris.
"Not funny, Cisco." She glared.
Barry smiled as he took his last step to reach Joe's arms.
CRASH
"Oh boy. So close." Joe couldn't help but let out a giggle as Barry reached out his hand for him to help him up.
"Thanks…" Barry paused. "Joe?"
Joe nodded his head and helped Barry to a chair. Iris walked over to him, and held his hand.
"Should it be taking me this long to remember everyone's name? You've repeated them a thousand times already." Barry was cranky, he was hungry and tired.
"It's normal, yes." Caitlin reassured him. "Parts of the Limbic System in your brain are still weak from when you were comatose, making it more difficult for you to retain new information."
"Huh?" Joe piped up. "English please."
Caitlin smiled "It's just going to take him a little longer to remember everything."
"I do remember I'm a CSI!" He piped up, trying to find something positive.
"Ooh! Does that mean you know what Alcohol Dehydrogenase is? It's been bugging me ever since I read it on that article Caitlin brought for you." Cisco chirped.
Barry stared blankly at a wall for a moment. "Isn't it to do with your body's enzymes or something.. I'm sorry. I'm still a little fuzzy. Caitlin?"
"No worries, Bear." Caitlin faced Cisco. "Alcohol Dehydrogenase is an enzyme in our body that breaks down alcohol. It is a detoxifier."
"I knew that!" Barry huffed and swiped a hand down his face.
"It's okay Barry." Iris rubbed his back. "Why don't we take you to Jitters to get your energy level back up?"
"Didn't… didn't you say that to me at the CCPD?" Barry asked.
"Yes. You remember?"
Barry nodded his head. "What's Jitters?"
Cisco's jaw dropped. "Oh man. It's like learning someone has never gone to Dutch Bros." He chuckled.
"Cisco!" Iris snapped.
"What?" He raised his hands in a defensive manner, and then assisted Barry into his wheelchair.
NOW
It wasn't until a loud bang sounded from the television, that Iris realized she had fallen asleep in Barry's lap.
"Rise and shine." Barry chuckled, stroking his fingers through her hair.
Iris closed her eyes and took it in, before sitting up and then frowning.
"You ate all the popcorn?"
"You fell asleep during a movie I payed money for you to watch. We're even." Barry giggled.
"Which part are we at?"
"Hazel Grace just read the email from Van Houten." Barry replied.
"Okay. Has my dad come home from work yet?" Iris asked when she checked the time on her phone. He should be home by now.
"Yeah, he stopped by for a couple minutes to change before he left for the store."
Iris nodded and then rested her head on Barry's shoulder, his warmth and comfort putting her back to sleep.
When Iris woke, she was laying on the couch with a blanket covering her, and daylight shone through the window. She looked around for Barry, and then spotted a note on the coffee table.
Gone to meet Penny for coffee. Be back in an hour or so.
- Barry ;)
"Coffee's our thing." Iris mumbled to herself while stumbling off the couch and picking up her phone to dial Barry. It rang a couple times before he answered.
"Hey, Iris. What's up?" Barry's cheerful voice came through the speaker, and giggles from Penny could also be heard.
"Nothing much. I found your note. How long ago did you write it?"
"Uh, about two hours ago? I know I said I would only be one, but Penny and I got caught up in talking. Did you need something?"
Iris sighed. "No. Bye Barry." Before Barry could say anything else, she dropped her phone on the floor and headed upstairs to take a shower. Why couldn't there be a meta that he has to take care of? Iris thought.
"Okay, so where did you plan on taking me for dinner?" Penny asked, taking both of Barry's hands and holding them on the table.
"I was thinking that place down by River Street. I think it was called Milly's Diner or something. It seems really good."
"Sounds great." Penny smiled and stared into Barry's eyes. "I actually have to go in about five minutes. Shall we say our goodbyes now?"
Barry nodded and hey stood up from their seats, giving each other a hug as they headed out the door.
When Barry walked into the house, Iris was sitting on the couch munching on a bowl of chips and crackers.
"Hey, Iris." Barry said as he took off his Converse and set them by the door.
Joe walked out of the kitchen at the sound of his son's voice. "Oh hey, Bear. I haven't seen you since yesterday evening. Where you've been?"
"He went on a date." Iris mumbled with a tone that Joe knew as jealousy. Barry looked at her confused and then addressed his dad.
"I met a girl yesterday at Jitters. We went out for coffee today."
"Finally moving on from Patty? What's her name?"
"Penny."
"Well, I need to get to work, as do you."
"I bet in the time it takes you to drive, I will have already gotten dressed and be at the precinct." Barry teased and Joe walked out the door.
"Hey, Barry, do you want to come with me to go see The Martian? It comes out in theaters today." Iris wiped the crumbs off her clothes and stood up.
Barry gave Iris a hug good morning. "Oh. I can't. I'm taking Penny out for dinner. Tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Sounds good." Iris forced a smile. "You really should get ready for work."
"Mmhm. Well, bye." Barry sped up the stairs and within a few seconds was out the door.
So this is going to get dark.. FAST! Enjoy Iris' pain before it turns into physical pain for Barry.
So long!
- Slickest Dino XD