Author's Note: Hi everyone, sorry for taking so long to update, lots of personal stuff happening, but I'm hopefully back for a while and working on a few really great chapters. Also, forgive the errors, I get so excited when I finish these chapters I end up posting them immediately and I miss a lot of things. I will try to go back and edit at later times when I have better concentration.

Special shoutout to Sparky1201, jenwithagrin, GhostlySights,xRedMoonx, Kaddy 16, GayMexicanBatman, and Shade Michels. Thank you all for your reviews, you guys were truly inspiring and helped me complete this chapter. I've got so many ideas I can't wait to get them all down!

Disclaimers: Certain bits of dialogue are taken directly from the show, anything that looks remotely familiar is not mine. Grant Gustin is a gem.

"You look like hell."

"Bite me," I snarled back fumbling with my key. My nosy, disgusting neighbor across the hall is a douche. Actually I don't speak to him much, but right now, he spoke and that's good enough for me. His beady eyes stared blankly, jaw slack, watching my bedraggled ass fail to get into my apartment. I shoot him a scathing glance waking him from his stupor. He has a mustard stain on his shirt, and I look like hell? That's right, scurry back into your apartment.

A click of the lock and the door swings open to—oh god. I could cry right now. Broken glass shimmered in the morning aura; furniture upturned and splintering. Tears of frustration prick my eyes.

I'm a train wreck.

I'm beaten, exhausted, and my only lead is dead. Well, not my only lead.

"Heyyy I think I love you! So what am I so afraid of? I'm afraid that I'm not sure o—"

"Whoever this is, fuck off." I hiss into my phone.

"Rough night?"

"Rougher morning," I growl, flopping into bed, burrowing deep under the covers.

"I'm on my way over."

"Funny, I didn't invite you."

"I'm bringing coffee."

"My apartment's a mess."

"Your life is a mess; I'll be there in ten."

"Damn it, Barry!" I huff, vaulting my phone across the bed. This is worse than a hangover. My body is screaming in agony. Deep purple bruises splotch brilliantly along my abdomen, definitely a few on my back. Tiny scrapes and bruises litter my limbs and a lovely gash graces my cheek.

"Ughhh whyyy!" I wail, the pillow muffling my scream; bad mood, bad day, worse night. Shuffling out into the kitchen, I released another of many screaming fits. Next door banged furiously at the wall.

Fuck him, Fuck Barry. Fuck! It's nine in the morning! Why couldn't my powers be super speed, or magic? Where's that speedy guy when you need him?

Powers…

No, no. Bad idea, I couldn't.

I feel like the Grinch, standing here pondering my wonderful, awful idea. Giving into curiosity and divine temptation, I saunter to the doorway, opening it slightly. The faces of Night Jogger and Mustard Stain appear in my minds-eye. I focused on their faces, any detail I can recall. Intent flooded my brain; power pulsating through me tingling my fingertips.

I hummed notes clear and vibrant, a sultry melodious tune wafting past the door frame into the hall. I hummed an entire verse, and part of the chorus, before full on belting out the last of it. My heart raced, eyes darting up and down the hall to see my success.

Nothing.

I stood silently, baited breath. This is stupid…and wrong…and clearly not working. Maybe last time was a fluke. Maybe I have to be in the shower or naked. A gentle rapping made me freeze in my tracks. I stood unmoving, eyes wide and trained on the door.

No way.

'Tap' 'Tap' 'Tap'

Cautiously, I open the door. Night jogger and my gross annoying neighbor stood, slightly dazed in front of me; their eyes glazed over. No fucking way.

"Fellas, hi! Thanks for stopping by. I need some help making this place shine. Help a girl out?" I smiled sweetly as they nodded stiffly, pushing past me.

"You guys are the best, now I'm going to need both of you to move the couch, and you," I pointed to night jogger, "what's your name?"

"Brent."

"Brent! Could you be a doll and sweep up that glass for me and,"

"Todd,"

"Todd, right, you look like you're really good with wood. Mind bagging up that mess in the corner?" Both nodded absently, though the effect was starting to wear off. I switched an Etta James record in and quickly began crooning along to it. Both men's eyes fogged once more. Do I feel like I bad person? Completely, but I figure if women can flirt and bat their eyes to coerce men, what's the difference? I could have asked Barry, but that would have lead to questions and lies and, well, this is definitely better. Besides, now I know what I can do. I have more control. No more poor married men wandering dazed and confused. I'd call this a successful test run.

God I'm going to hell.

Back sweat and dirty tee shirt made quick work of the apartment. I wonder if they will remember this. I should make them something, no, bad idea I don't want to kill them.

"Thank you guys, you're amazing."

"No problem." They both smiled, their eyes clearing up.

Gazing around the apartment, confusion set in, sparing glances between each other and occasionally back to me.

"How—"

"Guys, thank you again. I really couldn't have moved that couch without you. I promise I'll make it up to you." Oh god, get out get out get out don't ask questions get out get out!

"But—"

"I'll order a pizza, it will be great," Pushing them out the door. Oh my god I'm the worst, but oh look at my apartment, it's so clean…

I glance at the clock, releasing a deep sigh of relief. Thank god Barry is perpetually late. Exhaustion and a deep ache set in, making me regret his impending arrival. First things first, I need to get my shit together. A jumbo bag of frozen mixed veggies shoved up my shirt, I nestle down into the couch, laptop at the ready. One of my leads is dead, but there are others out there. My 'friend' in red has become my number one lead.

'Fast man in Red, Central City' I typed in to the search bar.

'The Streak Strikes Again'

Central City's fast man has done it again, rescuing two civilians, one a young girl from their burning apartment complex. Police and Firefighters were still minutes from the scene, when they were pulled out. This masked man was reported unrecognizable, moving in a blur. Citizens have dubbed this red blur 'The Streak'.

'Who is The Streak?'

'Red Blur sighted in Central City. Citizens dumbfounded.'

'The Streak: Hero or Threat?'

The Streak and Mass Multiplier and I have one thing in common. We are all in Central City. Whatever gave us these abilities has only manifested within the last few months, year tops.

The Particle Accelerator.

It has to be! Whatever happened when Star Labs launched their Accelerator must have molecularly altered us. I may be taking Doctor Harmon up on his 'if you have questions call' offer. Asking the source is risky, even though Cisco, Caitlyn, and Dr. Wells have been nothing but friendly and helpful with Barry. I've seen E.T. the idea of becoming a government experiment sent chills through my body. Nope. Nope. Scratch that, new tab. Focus Ry, Barry is on his way.

Hours ticked by and no sign of Barry, and for the first time in my life, I'm grateful for it. I'm sore, exhausted, and don't want to have to answer questions like: 'what's wrong, Ry? Why so moody, Ry? Why is there a giant bag of frozen veggies shoved up your bra, Ry?'

Late afternoon sun filtered through my broken window, as well as the sounds of bustling city. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, attempting to focus on one particular sound. A car…no truck spluttering down the street, a taxi driver yelling obscenities at the driver in front of him, someone is playing the piano somewhere in the building down the street. I feel like I traded in my old ears for a pair of HD ones. Everything comes in so clear; don't even get me started on range that blows my mind. I don't know how far, but I'm having fun testing it out especially on the angry couple three flights down. I call them 'The Young and the Furious'. Today, Angelo threatens to sell Nicole's cat after it was caught throwing up in his shoes. Angelo believes it to be a conspiracy since his shoes are its only target. Nicole threatens to take over the cat's work if he dares to get rid of Princess who is with kittens. So far only one plate has been smashed.

A knock at the door interrupts my covert eavesdropping. I don't have to answer that. Ugh, yes I do. Dragging myself off the sofa I open the door coming face to face with a sheepish looking Barry, holding a coffee cup.

"This better not be the one I was supposed to get this morning." I eyeballed.

"I'm sorry, I was supposed to swing by before work, but something came up and then I ended up being for work and—"

"Save it, I don't care," I waved dismissively, shooting him a playful grin before ushering him in.

"Iris wants to do dinner and movies; what do you want to see?"

"The inside of my eyelids," I quip, flopping back down onto the sofa.

"Come on, it will be fun, what could you possibly be doing tonight?" Barry exclaimed, plopping down next to me, gazing expectantly.

"Plenty,"

"Nothing,"

"I look like shit,"

"You look fine."

"Barry—"

"Layla—"

"No, don't you start with that, not fair!" I yelled petulantly. He chuckled, flopping over into my lap. We sat in silence for a moment, our laughter subsiding.

"Go to the movies with us." Barry deadpanned, his head resting my lap.

"Fine," I replied sullenly, glancing down at him a grin slowly spreading across my face.

"Regular movie scale that was like a seven or an eight; zombie movie scale, it was, like, a four. Tops."

"There's a zombie movie scale?" Iris questioned in disbelief.

"Of course there is! How scary they are,"

"How realistic,"

"Gore factor,"

"Did you know that zombies exist in nature? There is a species of fungi that infects ants causing the ants to attack plants that can release spores," I shook my head smiling, shoveling another handful of popcorn into my mouth. Locking eyes with Iris, I shot her a wink. "Which in turn infect new hosts—" He glanced between the two of us, fully aware of our silent conversation. "I'm going full nerd again, aren't I?"

"Yep."

"Yea." He nodded, immediately shutting up.

"It's okay though! You are still the cutest nerd that I know. Anyways, I am a lot more interested in the amazing as of late." Iris boasted, popping another kernel into her mouth.

"Because of 'The Streak' thing?" Barry sighed, clearly annoyed. I on the other hand, perked up immediately.

"He's out there! People are talking about him."

"How do you know he's a he? Maybe it's a she."

"It's a man, okay? You know I'm really intuitive about this kind of stuff." Barry raised his eyebrows mockingly at me, and I giggled, spilling a little popcorn on the street. "Someone posted a picture after being yanked from a car accident. It's a red blur leaving the scene. Here, what do you see?" She whipped out her phone, pulling up her evidence. Eagerly I shoved myself next to Barry, only to see Eddie's picture pop up before I could snatch a peak.

"I see your boyfriend is calling." Barry replied stoically. Come on Barry, get a grip. We're having a nice time!

"Oh. I should probably get this. I'm crashing at his place. He's supposed to leave a key for me. Hey, babe. What's up?"

"Hi baby!" I cooed obnoxiously over her shoulder. Both Barry and Iris shot me glares as she walked a few steps away for privacy.

"Jealous much?"

"No."

"Oo very jealous; hey, be happy for her okay. We like Eddie. We're rooting for Eddie, and honestly, I want to find out if his thing is crooked because that might be his only flaw."

"You're unbelievable." Barry snickered, rolling his eyes.

"It's a gift." I shrug. Barry's phone buzzes in his pocket, "Damn, you too huh?"

"Barry—hey, Ry could you buy me another popcorn?"

"Yeah sure, extra butter?" Barry nods, waving dismissively. Okay then, sure. That's fine. "Hey, Iris do you—Barry?" I glance around noticing I am one friend short. Weird he was right there two seconds ago. Iris had her back to me, chattering away with Eddie. Oh well, no popcorn for you. Marching back into the theater I see the line steadily growing, packs of people all standing together in groups. Ha! Forget it.

"Popcorn line is ungodly long you can stand in it yourself." I quipped, approaching Iris and a now present Barry.

"You wanna grab a bite? I feel a little famished."

"After the Mongolian barbeque we had before the movie?"

"And the extra large popcorn we had at the movie? How are you not fat? Have you seen his abs? What the fuck."

"I've been jogging."

"Well shit, if I knew that actually worked, I would have gone ages ago." I scoffed, looping my arms with Iris. "So, tell me more about 'The Streak'.

Turns out my man in red is a real Johnny-Do-Good. Iris hooked me up with an arsenal of blogs, articles and blurry photos to make me feel like I was tracking the 'Loch Ness Monster'. Lucky for me, I'm a frequent boarder of the Impossible Train; now to broaden my search. Tracking him down, is probably like catching lightning. I began to scan any articles in the surrounding area sporting any headlines involving crime, disaster, bizarre occurrences-Aha! 'Darbinyan Family Found Dead' I know that name, why do I know that name? Police are investigating the homicides of the notorious Darbinyan Crime family found dead inside a local restaurant. No suspects are listed as of yet, but a ruling poisonous gas as cause of death. Police believe that the gas was funneled in from outside, but no eye witness accounts cannot confirm suspicious activity, claiming that the street was empty.

Okay, two possible outcomes. One, The Darbinyan family were some nasty people and no one wants to get a vigilante in trouble, or two, no one saw because it was an inside job. Let's see, police were unable to locate canisters or any type of containers…all victims members of family…so either we've got a rogue member on a suicide mission, or we've got an impossible situation. I like my odds. Looks like I'll be paying Barry a visit today.

"Barry, I—I am interrupting, sorry." I glanced awkwardly between Barry and Caitlin? I know I walked into one of those deep, private conversations because damn I could cut the awkward tension with a knife right now. Barry lept up from his chair, while Caitlin collected lab results. "Should I come back later?"

"No! No, it's totally fine! I just didn't expect you; not that I mean that in a bad way, I'm just surprised to see you that's all."

"Right,"

"It says that there was no residue of gas in the tissue, poisonous or otherwise."

"Must've evaporated; we'll need to get a fresh sample."

"Wait, this can't be right, this says that there are two distinct strands of DNA inside the tissue."

"How did someone else's DNA get inside the victims' lungs?" Caitlin and Barry poured over the lab results, switching into full science mode, my presence forgotten. That must be the Darbinyan case; must be hard if Barry called Caitlin in for assistance. Slipping quietly behind them, I scanned the desk looking for paperwork on the case. I took a few shots as nonchalantly as I could, before pocketing my phone.

"You guys are busy I'll swing by later. Nice seeing you Caitlin."

"Available units, we have a report of a toxic gas attack in the Central City shopping mall." God bless my new ears, I grinned as I exited the precinct.

I need to come up with a better transportation system than running. Half way to the mall I had to flag down a cab because someone decided not to wear sneakers on recon day! Racing into the mall, I see crowds of people congregating around the elevators as Mall Police desperately tried to keep people at bay and the area secure. A red blur blew past my peripheral vision on the second floor, no doubt in pursuit of the criminal. Pushing through the crowd, I took a chance, and hopped on the downward escalator, leaping up two at a time. Where are you? Where are you? There! On the ground, oh my god he's choking. He looked up at me, fear in his eyes, gasping for air.

"Oh god, I don't know how to help you!" I screeched, panicking wildly. I froze on the spot as green mist oozed from his mouth and nose, floating away from the scene. A gust of wind blew past me, knocking me off my feet. Red's gone, and so is the gas and damn it, this is why I need a bike. I stood up, kicking the wall, the frustrated scream causing my toes to plow through the tile. Glancing around nervously, I extracted my foot, making a bee line for the exit. Not before seeing the tail end of green mist.

Cautiously, I followed, debating the level of stupid I was. This thing is a poisonous gas that just killed someone; I am most definitely in over my head. The mist hovered towards an emergency exit, before synthesizing back into his human form. Oh my god, I know that face!

"Hey neighbor,"

"Nope," I shouted, slamming the door shut on douche bag neighbor. Darbinyan crime family, come on, come on! I whined, waiting for the search engine to boot. Okay, any cases, Oo plenty of cases, most of them thrown out, but wait! Aha! Here we go, Kyle Nimbus, a notorious hit man for the Darbinyan crime family was sentenced to death for multiple murder accounts in the first degree…his execution is marked for…that's the day the particle accelerator exploded. Oh my god, Nimbus must have synthesized with the gas giving him his morphing abilities. I remember when Joe worked on this case; he was the one who made the arrest on Nimbus. I remember that day, he had been tracking him down for over a year, couldn't pin it on him. That was a month long court event. Members of the Darbinyan family testified against him for reduced sentences. That's why he killed them. That woman dead, that's Theresa Howard…the judge presiding over his trial. Shit! He's going after everyone involved in his sentence. Joe. Joe is in serious trouble. I have to do something.

"Eddie! Eddie listen to me is Joe there? I have to speak with him."

"No, he's not he went up to Iron Heights, why? What's wrong Ry?"Eddie questioned sensing the urgency in my voice. Fuck! "I have to go, just have him call me." I hung up, racing out the door. I hope to god I'm not too late.

"Joe! Joe? Excuse me; has a Detective Joe West been here yet?" I asked the officer at the desk. He took in my disheveled appearance, eyeing me suspiciously.

"He's here now visiting, what do you need?"

"I need to speak to him urgently." I insisted, my chest heaving from running up the steps.

"Ma'am are you okay?" The officer questioned.

"I'm fine, I just need to speak to Joe immediately I'm a friend of the family and I have to tell him something. I've been here before. I added, as if flaunting a VIP pass.

"Name?"

Ugh! "Layla Gallagher."

"Let's see, ah yea, right here, you come here with a Barry Allen a lot to visit Henry Allen."

"Yes, that's correct. Joe is Barry's guardian and a very good friend of mine and it is so important that I get back there and speak to him." Come on, keep it together, don't get a tone or you'll never get back there. If I learned anything from talking back to Joe is that cops hate attitude.

"You'll have to wait until he comes out."

"I've visited with Barry loads of times, and I see that he's back there talking to Henry, would it be alright if I went back too? Just to say hi?"

"I'm sorry ma'am. Detective West is on police business." Damn it! Ok, don't panic. I dropped onto a waiting room seat, brain buzzing in fury. Glancing through my phone, I tried once more to call Joe. I heard the buzzing from the officer's desk and I knew I was shit out of luck. Fantastic. Hmm, wait a minute…No! No. No. Manipulating gross neighbors is one thing, but a cop? An officer of the law? An officer of the law that can throw my ass in jail if he figures out what I was doing? Well, I better find a damn good lawyer.

Flicking through my arsenal of music, I located the most sinfully femme fatal song I could find. Taking a deep breath, I pressed play and began humming along with it, my intended victim in mind.

'Why don't you do riiiight like some other maaan dooooo'

'Get out of heeeere get me some mooooney tooooo'

The officer's shoulders began to slump, his posture rendering slack. His eyes glanced my way, and I took the cue, swaying suggestively toward him, humming along. His eyes glazed over, waiting expectantly. Good. Very good.

"You're going to let me into see Joe West, and you're going to forget I was ever here."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good." Damn, I gotta say, I love the way it feels. I smiled sweetly, following the guard down the hall. "I know my way from here darling, thank you. Oh, and what's my name?"

"Layla Gallagher,"

"Forget that too." I added, before dismissing him. The adrenaline rush of power coursing through me is utterly intoxicating. I could get used to this. The sounds of wheezing and choking filtered through the doorway, and I threw open the door to see green mist vacating an officer. Joe and Henry watched on in horror as the mist took shape.

"Nimbus? You're supposed to be dead!"

"Same to you." Nimbus faded into Joe, causing him to choke and convulse.

"No!" I screamed, a wave of panic engulfing me. I don't know how to stop him. He's in mist form, he is going to react the same way to any of my powers. Think Ryleigh think! Come on! As Nimbus exited Joe, I let out a feral screech, projecting the sound waves. The gas rippled, almost dissipating before escaping through the air vent. "Damn it!" I look down to see Joe, convulsing on the floor. "Come on Joe, stay with me," A strong gust blew past my face, and there stood The Boy Speed Wonder in all his glory, hovering over Joe, brandishing a rather large injection needle. I watched with bated breath as he silently injected Joe. Glancing between Henry and me, he let out a gasp before blurring his face. Joe's began to stir, his eyes sliding open.

"Go get him." In a flash, he was gone, and I wordlessly crawled over to him, but before making eye contact with a very wide-eyed Henry. I called in an ambulance for Joe, chancing a fearful glance up at Henry. He made no move to speak to me, only nodding gravely. Go get him. Nodding back, I speed out the door, donning my mask.

Speeding outside, my question is already answered by the growing green fog just outside the prison. I break out into a run, my feet pounding the pavement. With a guttural shriek, I send a sonic sound wave barreling into the mist, causing it to waiver and The Streak to go sailing through the air, landing in a heap.

"Whose side are you on?" He bellowed, leaping up before the mist can overtake him.

"Sorry!" I shout, cringing slightly.

"We need to tire him out, force him back into his physical form!" he called, leading Nimbus in the opposite direction.

"I have an idea, lead him to me!"

"Are you crazy?"

"Trust me, and when I say, get the hell out of the way!" Climbing up into a nearby tree, I stand on the highest branch I can reach in record time, as he speeds towards me, Nimbus in tow. "Move!" In a blink, The Streak splits to the left, Nimbus attempting to spread himself thin to reach both of us. Leaping out of the tree, I release a guttural shriek, slamming my feet into the road. Asphalt breeched, like colliding tectonics' and I directed the sound wave directly into Nimbus. The impact ripped through him, causing him to full dissipate. Nimbus wobbled into physical form, heaving with fatigue. He smiles, before phasing back into smoke.

"Split up!" he shouted, dodging an onslaught from Nimbus, narrowly missing being engulfed. Nimbus changes tactics, careening towards me with full force, a malicious smile ghosting in the billowing smoke. I'm out of breath and out of options, the smoke cutting off any escape route. Closing my eyes, I cover my face, hoping to block out as much as I can and just charge through him. Oh god, I'm going to die. Steeling myself for the inevitable I feel my feet give out, and I'm whisked down the street, into the clean, open air. Tilting my head I meet eyes with The Streak. His eyes lock with mine and a shock jolts me. His eyes, I know those eyes. Before I can speak, he sets me down on my feet. Right, Kyle Nimbus, bad guy; focus Ry. Kyle began wheezing, the mist dissipating back into his human form. I'm winding down, if we don't take him out soon, we won't make it out of this. Running up, I wound up, landing a punch square in his gut, sounding off a war cry that launched him clean into a tree, denting it. Kyle rolled to the ground, panting wildly, unable to move. A buzzing noise I couldn't quite distinguish and Flash flashed a grin my way before touching his ear. Ah, intercom. So he has friends.

"We win."

"Nice work," I puffed, flashing him a radiant smile.

"Not bad yourself," he admitted before gearing up to take off.

"Oh, and Barry, thanks for the save."

Author's Note: I hope you guys enjoyed this as much as I did writing it. Reviews are brain food, keep them coming! Love you all! Also, ideas! Ideas, Ideas, Ideas, I love to hear them, I want to know what you want to see so that I can try to work them in. You guys are brilliant!

Muah!

XOXO- N