Chapter 4:
Blaze adjusted well to Star Labs. She occupied herself with puzzles and scientific books that Wells had given her. It had been a week since Blaze had joined them and she knew about the crime fighting. She had some insights that always suggested a mysterious past but she rarely spoke. She would only ever talk to Dr Wells but would communicate with the others telepathically. Cisco and Caitlin had been surprised when a voice popped into their heads until Wells and Barry explained. Cisco had had some kind of fit about how awesome that was. He had been further impressed when he learnt that Blaze had an IQ of 163. Higher than Einstein's. Blaze had grinned smugly at Cisco. They got on well but her favourite was Dr Wells. He treated her better than he treated most people. She was an undeniable kind of special.
"How long have they been at this?" Caitlin asked Barry as she leaned across the desk. Barry and Cisco were next to her, arms propped up and supporting there heads.
"I don't know. A few hours." Barry said.
"They're just so intense." Cisco said. "The way they look at each other."
"When are they going to stop?" Caitlin asked.
"When one wins." Barry said with a sigh. "That could take a while. "They're really going for it." Across the room Blaze and Dr Wells were staring at each other from across a table. A chess board was in the middle. Blaze moved her Bishop.
"Check." She said. Wells stared at the board. He moved his King.
"Out of check." He said. Blaze frowned at the board. She moved her queen. Wells moved his bishop. "Check." Blaze pulled a look of complete frustration. She moved her king. Wells smiled. "Checkmate." Blaze looked up at him and then back at the chessboard.
"Damn if only I'd moved the knight instead of the queen." She muttered.
"Are they even the same species as us?" Barry asked. "This is like their fifth chess game." He looked at Caitlin and Cisco to make a point. "Today."
"And Dr Wells has won every time." Cisco pointed out.
"But look on the bright side." Caitlin said. Cisco and Barry stared at her. "Dr Wells looks happy." He did look happy. Blaze was an enjoyable opponent. She knew things that the others didn't and despite being a nerd, she also had street smarts.
"Another round?" Wells asked. Blaze shook her head.
"I need to go set something on fire." She said before running down the hall. Wells stared after her. She often needed to set things on fire when she was annoyed or angry. Blaze had only been angry once. That was when Caitlin had tried to get a sample of her blood. Her entire body had been engulfed in flames and Caitlin had screamed. It took several fire extinguishers, an apology from Caitlin, a lot of soothing from Dr Wells and a promise that she could draw the blood herself to calm her down. Other than that she had been the perfect lab guest. She played chess with Wells and solved puzzles. She listened to Cisco babble about designs. She had learnt how to monitor Barry's speed. She would help Caitlin with anything she needed. Blaze fit in nicely.
