Chapter 10: Hello Again

Barry and Henry stood in the main cortex, watching the pipeline on a monitor. Dr. Hebbian was standing in his cell, listening as Cisco and Caitlin took turns talking. Both seemed very animated. Dr. Hebbian actually looked slightly friendly for once. Or maybe it was hope he was showing.

"How did you even get on good terms with him, Dad? He's been pretty hostile."

Henry's eyes didn't leave the monitor, but he smiled slightly for his son's benefit. "I didn't treat him like a bad guy. I treated him like someone who needed help."

Barry frowned slightly. "I never looked at him like that. He was killing people. He almost killed Iris. He just seemed like so many other bad metahumans out to hurt people."

"Not everyone who hurts someone else is evil. Some were just trying to survive. If Ronnie and Dr. Stein weren't away on 'business' they'd tell you the same." Henry's voice was a soft murmur, but Barry got the point.

"I guess I wasn't helping matters provoking him into attacking me so I could find Iris. He probably felt pretty used and abused when he figured out why I was doing it. If it were me I wouldn't be looking to do us any favors either."

Cisco was now holding up a small tech device for Dr. Hebbian to inspect through the glass. Caitlin was pointing to a few areas and then to Dr. Hebbian, who seemed quite uplifted all of a sudden. Barry turned to his dad. "Do you think it'll work?"

Henry looked at his son. "The theory is sound. Some of my research helped Caitlin work out some wrinkles. But that tech, that's all Cisco's problem, I can barely work a blender."

Barry chuckled lightly then grew serious. "If it does, we need to turn him over to the authorities. Unfortunately he has several deaths to be accountable for."

"Agreed." Henry nodded. "But I'd rather help someone who needs it and then deal with the justice system, instead of leaving them trapped in more ways than one."

Barry smiled. "Dad, I was so busy worrying about Iris I didn't even think about Dr. Hebbian as anything but a threat and a villain. I'm glad you didn't. You're still teaching me new things."

Henry smiled too. "Gotta make up for lost time."

"I'm in awe of the man you are," Barry turned to face his father. "You're still someone I look up to."

Henry's face lit up. "Thank you, son." He hugged Barry, grateful for the chance to do it after so many years apart.

Joe sat in the med bay, slumped in a chair. Iris was sitting across from him. The silence was heavy.

"You weren't going to kill him, Dad. Even if he wanted you to. I know you better than that."

He looked at her, face full of doubt. "I don't know. I was so afraid for Barry I didn't even realize what he wanted. I was going in that cell. What if he'd threatened you? What if I reacted without thinking? What if he just grabbed the gun from me? I wasn't thinking straight. Something very bad could've happened."

"It didn't. Everything worked out. Don't beat up on yourself."

"Everything did work out—because of you. You did good, Iris. Sometimes I don't know how I ended up with such a positive uplifting daughter, when her dad sees the worst in everyone."

"Now that's not fair. You're a cop. You're supposed to see the dark side of people. Not trusting people's intentions helps you stay alive. I'm really glad about that!" She gave him a look, and he laughed slightly. Encouraged, she leaned forward. "Dad, keeping me safe like you did, protecting me while I grew up, seeing the worst in people so I didn't need to, maybe that's why I am so positive. You're cynical about people so I don't have to be. So thank you."

Joe looked at her, a smile growing in spite of his mood. "No. Thank you, baby. For dropping off a building and coming back to me. To us."

She pulled a face. "Sure, anytime." They shared a laugh as she hugged him.

"Go find your husband. I'll be fine." He watched her run out of the room, then stood and stretched, trying to relieve some built-up tension. He was ready to go home. It had been a long week.

Iris rushed into the main cortex, spotting Barry immediately. Hearing her approach, he turned her way and before she could move to him he was instantly in front of her, wrapping his arms around her.

"Hi." His voice was a quiet murmur, the word drawn out as he smiled into her eyes. Just that action was enough for her to feel assured that he was fine. His big grin made hers grow bigger too.

"Hi." It was the answer to his unspoken question, the reassurance he needed, and an expression of happiness all in one. He pulled her closer for a kiss.

When they parted, Iris finally noticed Henry, still staring at the monitor in a very fixed way, concentrating on it way more than he needed to. She giggled, embarrassed. "Sorry, Henry."

Henry put a hand up to shield his eyes, but they both could hear the laughter in his voice. "Sorry for what? I don't see anything."

The sound of Iris giggling echoed down the hallway as she grabbed Barry's hand and pulled him toward the door and home. He willingly followed, unable to focus on anything else.

But that was just fine with him.

Epilogue: One month later

It started as a regular day at work. Iris took a seat at the long staff table and debated on whether she wanted a bear claw or not. Her boss stood to introduce the newest staff member, and she was trying to pay attention as she reached across the table for the plumpest looking pastry when she heard the name of CCPN's new employee.

"Please welcome Holly Bancroft."

Iris forgot about the bear claw. As the rest of the staff gave a lackluster welcome she scoped the table, looking for the new but very familiar face. It didn't take long, the red curls and blue eyes were already aimed her way from the other end. Iris broke out in a delighted smile. Holly's shy smile emerged.

"—any volunteers to be her mama bear?"

"I'd love to." Iris put her hand in the air.

Her boss breathed a sigh of relief. Sometimes getting anyone to mentor a cub was like pulling teeth. "Great, thanks Iris. Now, on to our bylines…"

Once the meeting was over Iris was free to move closer to Holly. "Holly! I'm so glad you're okay. I heard about the coma."

Holly shrugged. "You told me not to go back. Sorry. I just…I thought maybe I could find something else to help you."

"You were trying to be a journalist." Iris patted her shoulder in approval. "That's good, I just need to teach you how to keep yourself safe while you do it." She noted Holly's discouraged look. "Hey." Holly met her eyes. "You're going to be great." She smiled warmly at her friend.

Holly stared at her for a moment, her brows drawn together in concentration. "Have you…said that to me before?"

Iris kept her face blank as she quickly covered her slip. "Don't think so. Besides, you helped me crack the case with Dr. Hebbian in the first place. You're already ahead in the reporter game."

Holly hesitated for a moment, but then let it go. "Yeah. I heard that he got some help to control his condition and is going to stand trial soon. Guess I have you to thank for that."

"Well, me, but it was the Flash who apprehended him. And you deserve some credit of course! Come on, I'll show you around."

Holly fell into step beside Iris as they headed towards her desk. She looked at her new mentor and grinned, excitement blossoming. Somehow she already knew this was going to be awesome. Good thing she chose someone amazing to be inspired by.

Iris West-Allen, all-star reporter.

It was night and the city was lit up with lights, twinkling and glowing. Iris stood on the roof of Jitters and pulled her sweater around her. When she saw a trail of golden lightning streaking down the nearest street she smiled and waited.

Barry appeared next to her, blowing her hair into her face as he leaned his elbows on the wall next to her and surveyed the city as well. "Fancy meeting you here." He turned his head to look at her, a flirty smile on his lips. He was in his suit, fresh from a patrol, but his hood and mask were already off.

She shook her head at him, laughing. "Hi honey, how was your night job?"

"Not bad. Caught some robbers, interrupted a high-speed chase. Pretty slow evening." Grinning, he leaned over to kiss her leisurely. "Much better now, though. How about you?"

"I'm mentoring a new cub reporter at work."

"Oh yeah? That's awesome."

"Yup. Holly."

His mouth formed a surprised "o" shape. "No way? That's really awesome! Does she remember anything?"

"She gave me a funny look when I said something I'd said in the dream world, and when I placed our latest picture of you at the top of my article she kept staring at it, but I don't think she has full memories. She probably thought it all was a dream and forgot about it."

He moved closer, sliding his hands around her waist, rubbing them up her back. She let him, facing him so she could lean close and enjoy his relaxing touch. "You'll be a great mama bear, Iris. Holly is lucky." His chin touched her forehead before she looked up at him, then he leaned his own forehead down to rest on hers. She smiled into his eyes.

"Thanks, Bear." She kissed him this time, running her hands up his front until they rested on his chest, on either side of the lightning bolt. When they parted she found herself staring at it, a slightly forlorn look on her face.

He knew her too well. "Do you miss it? Having speed, even if it's in the dream world of a metahuman who infuses deadly fear into everyone he touches?"

"Sometimes." Her eyes flickered a moment, and he could tell she was reluctant to acknowledge it. So he waited for her to find the right words, his eyes concerned and patient.

"It's just—I miss helping people like that. Like a hero, you know? Nothing quite compares to saving people from being crushed by a car, or apprehending bad guys before they even know what hit them. I…liked being a hero." She shrugged, trying to dismiss it.

Barry had been listening intently and took a few seconds before he replied. "I understand that, but, Iris—do you remember how Oliver told me the lightning chose me?"

She gave him a look. "Not helping, but yes."

"Well if it can choose, it could've chosen anyone. It could've chosen you. You would've made the best of heroes if you'd been struck by lightning, I have no doubt of that."

"What's your point, Barry?" She was pretty sure he was leading up to something, but he was losing her on the way there.

"It's just…maybe the lightning chose me because I need it to be a hero. You don't."

"What." Her tone indicated he was starting to sound like he was speaking Greek.

He smiled slightly as he brushed a strand of hair off her cheek. "You do so much, you accomplish so many heroic things just the way you are, without speed or any other kind of crazy metahuman ability. I always wanted to help people, but without the speed I never seemed to be able to." He smiled softly at her. His mouth opened and closed, looking for the right words. "You kept Dr. Hebbian from hurting himself or Holly and me. You gave yourself an edge to keep yourself and Holly alive in the dream world. You are so amazing, Iris. You've never needed speed to be my hero."

Warmth spread through Iris, hearing his words. She blinked back tears, smiling up at him. "Thank you, Bear. That means everything to me." She pulled him in for a kiss that they both enjoyed and settled her head on his chest. His voice rumbled under her cheek when he spoke next.

"Of course, I get the idea that you probably miss the feel of running too."

Her head came up immediately. "I do! I miss the speed, the wind and the power, it's so exhilarating, Barry!" Her tone was wistful as she looked up at his face. He was looking down at her with a gleam in his eye. She narrowed her eyes slightly. She knew that look.

"Wanna feel it again?" His look was an invitation.

"I don't feel like having my clothes burned off tonight, this is my favorite blouse. Besides, being carried by you is great, but it's not the same."

Instead of looking disappointed, he just seemed to get more excited. "Oh that's true! But I have an idea…" his words faded into the night as he sped away. A few seconds later he was back holding familiar looking items.

Iris stared a moment. "Is that…my suit? I thought that only existed in the dream world!"

Barry grinned. "Funny thing about that, I had to have a real life version of something to see and hold, then I could have it in the dream world. I couldn't just imagine one and have it appear. Maybe because it wasn't my psychic world, I don't know. I hid this away before Cisco remembered and confiscated it." He held it out proudly.

Iris looked at it. It was so very tempting…

Barry could read the look on her face and moved in. A whirl of clothes and red tripolymer later, she was standing in her suit. Her hood and mask were still off, but the rest of it was just as she remembered. She looked down at herself. "I love this thing. Cisco really built it for me?"

Barry couldn't take his eyes off her as he replied. "He stayed up all night to do it. He's dedicated."

"And a genius." Iris looked up at Barry again, her eyes dancing. "I love it, but I don't think the speed comes with the suit. Or does it?"

"It does when you have a speedster husband willing to help you out." He moved closer and reached back to pull the mask and hood over her face. Their eyes met as he gently pulled them into position, smoothing her hair and making sure everything fit just right. Iris noted that the mask was still separate from the suit. Its strap fit under her hood, but was still an independent feature she could wear by itself. Her hood ended around her hairline, leaving a small gap of forehead between that and her mask. The slight design variation stood out, different than Barry's and more unique. She liked that.

She realized he was staring at her, his gaze taking in every nuance of her masked face.

"You look really good in that." He breathed it like reverent praise.

She smiled back, immensely pleased. "Thanks."

He put on his own mask and turned his back. "Hop on."

"Now, with my suit instead of clothes you can go even faster than usual, right?"

"Oh, yeah," Barry half-laughed as he nodded, grinning at her question. "But you better hold on extra tight."

"Oh this is going to be awesome!" Iris laughed as she hopped on piggyback style. He shifted slightly, settling her in securely and hooking his arms around the back of her knees. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and cuddled him from behind, landing a kiss on his covered ear. "Let's go, stud!"

Barry was laughing as he took off running. Once he hit the street and could get even faster, her laughter joined his. The faster he went, the more her laughing progressed to whoops and shouts. He whooped too, throwing in an extra burst of speed. She wrapped her arms even tighter around him to keep from falling off. They ended up pressed together so close it was hard to distinguish where one ended and the other began. Her chin touched his shoulder as she leaned forward, face level with his, reveling in the wind as it rushed past them both. A blue spark ran between them, heightening the feeling of their connection.

"Run faster, Barry!"

"You got it!"

"You call that fast?"

"Oh that is it…"

"That's more like it!"

Their combined happy voices echoed in the still night as a trail of golden lightning illuminated the dark.

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it! :)