Chapter 9
[Somewhere over the Appalachians—an hour and a half later]
Patty leaned back in the velour seat and looked out in disbelief. Given that it had been a few years since she'd last flown, she'd forgotten how breathtaking such views could be.
Outside a symphony of sorts played for her. The cloud formations put forth an astounding display of ever changing shapes, peaks and fluffy valleys. Sunset's last dark hues reflected off of them in their burnished glory….
…and this was only the first act of the symphony playing out in front of herself….
She considered the drink in her hand. Granted she'd rigged up an impromptu cranberry spritzer from the jet's fridge to satiate her thirst so as not to get blitzed just yet. If the rest of the night followed suit, she gathered there would be plenty of time for champagne toasts and celebrations galore. I was worrying about chicken soup. Chicken soup! And here Barry was whipping this up for me. For me! She rolled her eyes and sipped on her drink.
"Hey. Some view out there, huh?" Barry supposed.
"Awesome." She took a cranberry-driven draught from her glass. Then she chuckled. "I can't believe this! I feel so like Cinderella!"
He rolled his eyes. "I knew I forgot something!"
She considered him almost dumbfoundedly. "You arranged this whole trip. We're going to have dinner and see this deal for ourselves. What could you have forgotten?"
He played the moment out to the hilt before smirking. "I forgot the glass slipper. Dang it!"
She playfully slapped the air in front of him. "Stop! I'm trying to wrap my head around this and you're teasing me. Really?"
"You are enjoying yourself, right?" he supposed in an almost nonchalant way.
"I'm in awe. Okay?" She shook her head. "I was hoping for pizza and beer. This. This shatters that record! And you pulled it off without letting anything slip. I do have to know. How do you know them?"
He shrugged. "I've been planning this since we had dinner in San Francisco. As for how I know Oliver and Felicity, we met last year when I was in Central City. In addition the Flash has done a few favors for them. They've helped me as well."
She shook her head. "For a forensic scientist, you sure rub shoulders with some big time folks, Barry. You know the Arrow too."
"We've fought alongside each other. In fact he and his team helped me to save Central City quite recently," Barry noted before taking a sip from his beer and setting it down on the table between their seats. "Enough of that though, I want to focus on other stuff."
"Oh? Like what?" she queried.
He leaned over and planted a well-timed kiss on her lips. He allowed their energies to flow back and forth between them before breaking off contact. "Like that. I want to embellish those memories. You know?"
She let her eyes sparkle into his. "Oh yeah I'd guess that, Greedy Boy." She gently tugged him back into another lip lock. She forgot about the lingering symphony outside of the window. She pressed pause on her awe of the opulence….
…she was savoring her scientist's presence at the moment….
And for his part, he wasn't about to complain either….
When she broke contact, she cracked, "That add a great memory?"
He grinned at her not having to say another word.
"Thought so." She finished her spritzer letting its tartness and the carbonated bubbles dance across her tongue. "You're starting in early. Sure you should?"
He shrugged. "With my metabolism, I can't get drunk. Kind of nice."
She sighed. "Kind of like cheating. That really isn't fair. It must be nice."
"Being the Flash has its benefits," he noted. "Being Barry Allen has its benefits too."
"Oh? Like what?" she asked expectantly.
"Like having this extremely hot detective for his girlfriend. Maybe we know her too?" he answered irreverently.
She rubbed his arm. "Yeah we do." Seeing Felicity walking toward them, she added, "Raincheck after everything later?"
"I can definitely fit that in," he agreed before turning to their hostess. "What's going on, Felicity?"
"Just checking up on you two. We have more cranberry if you want to make yourself another spritzer, Patty. You both having fun?" Felicity queried.
"This is so overwhelming, Ms. Smoak. I mean…." Patty started.
Felicity shook her head. "It's Felicity for my friends. Seriously I'm so glad you two are doing great. Just relax, Patty. Tonight's going to be awesome!"
"It is already. I mean this beats a limo! I can't wait to see what dinner is! And then Times Square too?" Patty leaned back and exhaled in satisfaction. "Makes me wonder what I did to deserve this?"
Felicity chuckled warmly. "You and Barry make each other happy. Why can't friends share with other friends, you know? It kind of makes the world go around."
"It does that," Barry agreed. "Where's Oliver by the way?"
"He's talking to the pilot. We should be landing in forty-five minutes. Then we'll start working on that dinner. It'll knock everyone's socks off if I don't say so myself," Felicity informed them. "Meantime I'm going to track down Oliver and leave you two to your devices. Don't get too involved now…."
"We won't," Barry promised.
"Yet." Patty kissed his cheek again. "Thank you again, Felicity."
"No problem." Felicity eyed him and gave him an approving nod before heading back toward the front again to find Oliver.
"You do amaze, Barry," Patty noted.
"As you said, I try," he replied while snaking his arm around her shoulders. "Let's just enjoy the ambiance."
"I'd like that. Maybe something first?" She held up her glass. "The ice is getting lonely."
It was his turn to roll his eyes. "The ice is getting lonely. Oh I'll bet it's just melting in anticipation." He took the glass. "Be back." He sped to the fridge, mixed the drink and had it back within her hand in seconds. "There. It's not lonely but…well…I could use some more company too."
"I'll bet." She raised the arm rest of her seat. Then she snuggled closely against him. "Can't let my scientist get lonely now can I?"
He didn't answer except to hug her shoulders with his left arm.
For some things, no words were needed…..
