A/N: Written for Day 23 of my 25 Days of Westallen Fanfiction event.

*Many thanks to sendtherain for beta'ing.

*I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 4 -

He almost had everything he needed.

The worn satchel in his hand held all manner of tools as well as hardy rope to get them both up and down the wall in one piece, and a couple apples if they had to be on the run for a while. Barry felt he was fully prepared for the task of sneaking out of the house, meeting Cisco in the woods, and rescuing Iris West.

It was a reckless, foolhardy mission, and the future was uncertain and dangerous. But with Iris by his side, he knew they could do anything. And he also knew they couldn't stay in Collin Woods after she'd been rescued. He'd be accused of kidnapping and she'd be at risk for who knows what punishment on her involuntary return.

No, they would have to leave Collin Woods.

Central City was two hundred miles away, but there was rumor of a wild man living in Black Pine forest twenty miles in the same direction. Most feared him because of his title and the legend that told how he tore a bear in half to keep it from running away and could create fire from his own hands. Legend also said he'd dug up his own cave in the earth and lay there in wait for his next prey to come across his path. He never hungered or thirsty and he spoke no coherent language. But his strength made him a man to be feared and many avoided Black Pine forest because of it.

But to hear Cisco tell it, the wild man was only to be feared by animals, and when he saw someone in need he protected them for as long as they were in the forest. Barry decided to believe in that part of the legend, because he would need a friend after he and Iris left. Especially one with great strength who would protect them and help them get to where they could build a new life.

Still, all of his planning and the happiness he knew would come when he and Iris were finally safe and together could not dull the pain of what he would be leaving behind. Cisco, his best friend. His parents. There would be no long tearful goodbye. And he didn't know if he'd ever see them again. He just hoped that somehow they would know he was all right and would wish him all the best. That was all he could ask for.

Barry opened his window a crack, preparing to leave, then thought twice about it. Apples were certainly a good start for a twenty mile hike through the woods in the middle of the night, but they just might need something more to sustain themselves for the long journey ahead.

Setting his satchel on his head, Barry quietly peered out into the hall and then crept into the kitchen to snatch himself a couple loves of bread and a handful of carrots. Satisfied by his findings, he turned to head back to his room and found himself looking straight into the suspicious eyes of his mother.

"Late night snack?" Nora asked, glancing pointedly down at his arms.

He shrugged, miraculously holding back nervous laughter.

"I didn't eat much at dinner. My stomach started to rumble."

"No, you most certainly did not." She frowned and went to retrieve what was likely more food.

"Oh, mother, you don't need to-"

She set the food on the table as well as a couple plates and pulled out a chair for herself and one for him.

"Sit with me," she said. "I've hardly gotten two words out of you since you started working at the Smithy."

Barry sighed and then reluctantly came to sit with her. He didn't want to leave on bad terms. And she was right. He hadn't been very talkative. Helpful, but not talkative. Not engaging on an interpersonal level.

Was that really how he wanted to leave his parents behind?

He knew it wasn't.

"So, how are things going at the Smithy?" she asked, pouring herself some hot tea.

Barry nodded. "Good. I'm learning a lot."

She smiled. "That's good. I'm glad." She blew over her hot drink. "Anything you've made for us?"

He took a bite of his bread and chewed slowly when she gestured to it.

"No, I don't think so," he said after swallowing. "Everything I've helped to make we either have already or have no use for."

She took a sip of her tea. "And what haven't we use for?"

He thought about what he'd started to make today and what he'd been trained on the last several days.

"Weapons," he said, and that made Nora still. "Swords."

She lowered her cup. "I see."

Silence stretched out, awkward and painful. Barry wished he could fix it. But he also knew he had to get going and that hopefully he could smuggle some of the food without his mother noticing back to his room so he could take it along for Iris.

"I should go back to bed," he said finally.

"Right. Of course." Nora stood to her feet to walk with her son out of the kitchen. "Oh, wait, Barry."

He turned around, his brows furrowing when he saw the apple in her extended hand.

"You'll need this," she said.

He took it hesitantly and looked at her strangely. "For what?"

She closed the distance between them and lovingly stroked the side of his face, tears welling in her eyes when she threaded her fingers through his hair.

"For what lies ahead."

His mouth dried.

"Your father and I love you so much," she said, her voice full of emotion. "And we're so, so proud of you."

"I'm not going anywhere," he lied, embracing her tightly.

Nora didn't respond, even as she held him back just as fiercely. Barry wondered how she could know, how she could possibly know that he planned to leave. He hadn't decided on it until today, just hours ago with Cisco. He'd been contemplating it since he last saw Iris, but he hadn't said anything to anyone.

"Goodnight, my beautiful boy," she said, running her hand over his cheek one more time before taking a step back.

He saw the words in her eyes she wouldn't speak. A mother knows her son.

"I love you, mother," he said, not wanting to leave without her knowing, needing that to be the last thing he said to her. Then he pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek and vanished down the dark hall.

He waited half an hour before leaving, just long enough for his mother to turn in for the night. And when he was finally outside, he looked back at his home, lamenting for a moment the wonderful place he'd grown up in and the parents who loved him.

Then, he turned away, refusing to look back, and ran off into the night.

…

Their soft shuffling as they neared the stone wall came to a halt when they hit the shadow on the north side. Both boys shared a look before nodding. Being taller than Iris, Barry knew he could be up and over the top quicker than she had been. Never having been inside though, he'd have to be aware of what could be at the bottom. If there were dogs and he woke them, he couldn't foresee this plan going through successfully at all.

One step up the wall and Barry could feel Cisco lightly yanking at his sleeve.

"What?" he asked over his shoulder.

"Are you sure about this?"

Barry's face fell.

"I mean, are you really sure? I am with you all the way if you are, but I need you to be sure."

Barry came back on the ground and faced his friend, gripping his shoulders to reassure him.

"I'm sure, Cisco. I have to do this. If I don't…Iris will be locked away forever or in a marriage with a man she doesn't love, and I'll never find love again. I know it."

"But…what about…" He looked down at the ground, a beat away from twiddling his thumbs.

"You're my best friend, Cisco. If you want to run away, if you really want to take that risk, come with us."

Cisco's bottom lip trembled, and Barry knew he wouldn't do it. He wanted to. He wanted to be with his best friend more than anything. But he didn't want to be a burden, and he didn't want to leave his life behind either.

"I'm…sorry."

"It's okay." He gripped his arms. Cisco's head fell. "It's okay."

"Well, get going already." He gestured to the wall. "I'll signal you if someone's coming."

Barry nodded, his lips sliding into a gentle smile.

"Thanks, Cisco," he said, and climbed up the wall.

There were no dogs when Barry reached the other side. The huge yard was vacant of all life, and when Barry looked ahead to the looming house and saw Iris' window, he knew this was the biggest moment of his life. But he wasn't going to turn back. He couldn't.

Analyzing the structure of the house, Barry saw where he could climb so he could reach the window and stand safest to let himself inside. There was no way he was going to try to go through any door on the first level or even a window there. Iris had to be locked inside. There was no other explanation for why she hadn't been able to meet him.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly crossed the yard. He wrapped the strap of his satchel over his neck and left shoulder and began to climb, using the protruding stone bricks and vines to assist. When he reached her window and found the bars nailed across, he opened his satchel and quietly pushed aside his handful of tools until he found the one he was looking for. Slowly, carefully, he pulled out the nails and took the bars in his arms. In one fell swoop, he was inside Iris' room and gently setting his satchel and the window bars to the side.

The clink on the floor caused her form to spring up.

"Who's there?" she whispered harshly, and he saw her reaching for something – he hoped a weapon, because he knew she was a force to be reckoned with when she was threatened. But to his surprise and horror, she was looking to light a candle.

"No, Iris, don't!" he whispered hurriedly back. "It's me! It's me!"

She froze, trying to make out his form in the dark room. He took two more steps until his face was in the moonlight shining through the window just behind her, and when the recognition crossed her face she broke down in tears.

"Barry?"

"Oh, Iris."

He came to her as she rose from her bed. He held her tight, inhaling her scent, memorizing again the curves of her body and how she felt in his arms.

"Oh, Barry, you shouldn't- you shouldn't-"

She tried to pull away, but he cut off her protests with a kiss, and she sank into it, abandoning any fight she had in her. She clutched his garments, pulling him still closer, and kissed him with all the desperation and love she'd been fighting to keep under control since they last saw each other. When they reluctantly broke apart, they were breathing hard.

"I thought- I thought I'd never see you again." She sniffled, still clutching at his lapels. "Not like this at least. Not up close."

He cradled her face in his hands, wiping away her tears.

"I know, I know. Me too. And I was so worried about you. I didn't know what happened, if you were okay," he babbled.

"Mrs. DeVoe was in my room when I got back that night," she confided. "She's had me locked in my room ever since. She starved me for days when I didn't act in the way she deemed appropriate. Oh, Heavens, it's been awful." She lay her head on his chest, and he held her tighter. "But you shouldn't be here."

She pulled back suddenly to look up into his eyes, willing him to see how serious she was.

"She said if I ever tried to leave again or if you tried to see me that she would ruin your family, that your life might even be at risk. I can't- I couldn't bear if something happened to you, or your mother and father. I…I couldn't bear it."

"So let's not risk it," he said.

Her eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

"Come with me. Now. Tonight." He wrapped his hands around hers and gripped them tightly. "Run away with me."

Iris' heart was aflutter, but still she worried.

"But…what about your parents? And what if you get caught?"

"If they're trying to punish me, but I'm not around? What reason would they have to hurt my mother and father? I wouldn't be here to see it."

"Oh, Barry," she softened, and he knew what she was thinking. His parents were so good, and here he was willing to risk never seeing them again and even their safety just to rescue her and be with her.

"You're worth it, Iris," he said. "You won't convince me you're not."

She licked her lips, debating. She was so nervous and uncertain about this plan.

"It's now or never," he said. "If we delay much longer we may be caught, and who knows what may happen then."

She took a breath and nodded.

"Okay."

"Yeah?" A smile stretched across his face.

"Yeah, yes! Let's do it."

He kissed her quickly and interlaced their fingers together. Iris looked up at him with starry eyes.

"I would run anywhere with you, Barry Allen."

His heart thudded loudly in his chest, butterflies spreading happiness throughout every fiber of his being. This was going to work. And they'd be okay. Everything – everything – would be fine.

But just as they were turning around to head for the open window, to run away from all their problems and finally be free, they found themselves face-to-face with not Marlize DeVoe, eager to follow through on a threat that would destroy them, but Clifford DeVoe, the most corrupt man in all of Collin Woods excluding Prince John. Even Julian Albert didn't hold a candle to the greedy, selfish, cruelty of this man.

"You're not going anywhere," he said, his voice ominous but direct. The candle he held cast a fearsome shadow across his face as he focused his eyes on Iris. "Either of you."

"You can't keep him here!" Iris cried.

"Iris!" Barry protested. There was no way he was leaving without her. He wouldn't leave her alone with this terrible man.

"Of course I can," Clifford said assuredly. "I'm the Sheriff, and I have caught him trespassing – and kidnapping you, my dear."

She swallowed hard. "I don't belong to you," she said daringly. "My father and brother are alive, and when they come back-"

"If they come back. Not that it matters. Prince John placed you under my care. And under my supervision, I have ordered you not to seek out this boy and to refuse his advances if he came to you. My wife told you what would happen if you disobeyed."

She tensed.

"So, what are you going to do?" Barry barked, swallowing his fear of the intimidating man. "Throw me in jail?"

Clifford eyed him, briefly impressed.

"For trespassing, destruction of property, kidnapping, and stealing-"

"I didn't ste-"

"Marlize," Clifford called out, not looking away from the two young individuals before him. "Satchel."

Barry's brows narrowed. He knew he hadn't taken a thing.

But Mrs. DeVoe carried his satchel over and showed them all the contents – it was filled with gold.

"You stole the people's money," Clifford said. "Their tax money."

"What? No, I didn-"

"Now, I will have to charge them again in addition to the twice I have already this week."

"No, you ca-"

"I'm the Sheriff, Mr. Allen. And under the authority of Prince John, I can do whatever I please."

"Y-You ca-"

"You are hereby sentenced to the charges I have previously bestowed upon you and will serve out the rest of your days in Collin Woods prison."

Shocked into silence, all Barry could hear was Iris' protesting cries and falling to the floor in despair. He was so frozen he couldn't move, and he couldn't comfort her, and within moments, he was being hauled out of the room and dragged off to Collin Woods jail. In the morning, a short-lived trial would follow, in which Prince John would make the final verdict, one in Sheriff DeVoe's favor as they conspired against the Allen family.