As the seasons change so do the lives around us and so it was for Ava as the new year came and went leaving her with a renewed sense of hope. Having decided to take things slow and focus on building a new life together, talks of wedding plans were pushed to the side and Ava allowed herself to slip back into the routine of work, dates and moving on as if nothing had happened. Whenever she was asked about her time off, the accident or even Barry she did the best she could to skirt past the details but some things were harder to avoid than others.

It was strange hearing her fiancé referred to by another man's name but she quickly grew used to it and to ease her frustration Barry took to making small jokes about the matter when they were alone. As the days pressed on they found themselves forgetting bit by bit the horror that had followed them not too long ago and Ava had begun to feel as though Patricia was right and that eventually somehow everything would be okay.

"So what are we doing tonight?" Barry asked as he slipped into his spot at the table where they had first begun their friendship. Ava shrugged, pulled her coat tight around her and smiled. It was unseasonably warm for February. Enough for the snow to have melted but not enough for her to feel entirely comfortable as she soaked up what rays of the sun could reach her through the lightly cloudy sky. "Are we staying in or going out?" He pressed and Ava thought for a moment.

"We've been cooped up all winter." She groaned. "And as much as I love Hedwig if I have to hear that trap bull…."

"Okay alright." Barry cut her off with a laugh. "I get it; he does take things a little far."

"I wouldn't say that." She explained. "More like he needs to take the volume down a notch." She chuckled.

"How does dinner sound?" He asked with a smile and quickly Ava's expression changed to excitement.

"Wait isn't there a holiday coming up?" Ava teased. Valentine's Day was just a few days away and Barry had already expressed his frustration at trying to figure out just what to do. Jade was convinced he was only trying to one up himself after his New York trip and as time went on Ava found herself inclined to agree. "Maybe you should pocket that idea for then." She suggested. Barry groaned.

"It's our first Valentine's Day, I think I can do a little better than that."

"Barry you've been wracking your brain about it for weeks. Simple isn't always a bad thing you know." She offered and he shrugged.

"You deserve better than simple." He said and she smiled into her drink.

"I don't need big grand displays of affection." He watched her, his eyebrow cocked in question as she pushed her cup to the side and crossed her arms on the table in front of her. "It's sweet but really I would be just as happy to do anything with you." Barry smiled, turned his eyes away and offered a soft nod in response.

"What did I do to deserve you?" He asked with a smile and Ava blushed.

"You're cute." She teased, pulling a soft laugh from his lips.

"Is that all?" Barry shot back, tossing an empty bottle in her direction. Ava knocked it away and nodded.

"I mean it is about the only thing you have going for you." Barry scoffed at her joke and moved to sit next to her. Ava jumped up and stepped back, watching him carefully as he followed suit, a wicked grin spread across his face as he watched her.

"You're lucky you're adorable."

"I know." She shot back as she dodged his attempt to poke at her side. Ava skirted around him, avoiding his assault with a laugh. Barry lunged after her and Ava dodged around a nearby tree, keeping him at a distance and ignoring the stares from patrons as they lost themselves in their game. Barry danced around her and after a few moments finally managed to get a strong hold on her waist, pinning her back against the tree and digging his fingers into her sides. Ava lost herself in a series of laughs and snorts, begging him to stop as she attempted to squirm out of his grip.

"Take it back!" He laughed as she doubled over in his grip and squealed.

"NO!"

"Take it back!"

"WERE ON THE CLOCK!" She managed to choke out against his assault. "YOU'RE GONNA GET US BOTH IN TROUBLE!" Barry released her and allowed her a moment to catch her breath before pressing her back against the tree, trapping her between the bark and the hard line of his body. He stared down at her with a grin, her face red and exhausted from the laughter as he pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"So? What's the worst that'll happen?" He spoke low and Ava chuckled nervously in response.

"You could get us fired." He smiled. Barry leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips before taking a step back and allowing her to slip around him. She grabbed her things from the bench and fell into a last quick hug before returning to her station and doing her best to avoid the barrage of questions that came at her from various coworkers and nosey guests.

The days went on much the same and by the time the weekend came it seemed as though Barry had formed an idea for Valentine's Day. Despite Ava's best attempts he remained tight lipped about his plans and no one else was talking either.

Ava had tried and failed to get out of working that day and Barry assured her that everything would be fine, choosing to take the day off for himself to prepare as he put it. It was strange not seeing him slip past the gift shop as she worked but it was quickly put out of her mind when a man in a dark blue uniform slipped into the guest shop with the largest bundle of flowers she had ever seen between his arms.

"I'm looking for uh…" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "An Ava.."

"That's me." She beamed before he could finish. He handed her the bouquet and wished her a happy Valentine's Day before leaving the little shop. It wasn't long before a small group of women, coworkers and guests began to circle her, cooing and gushing over the arrangement and begging to know who it was from. Blushing, Ava sifted through the bouquet before finding a single white card tucked away between the roses. She pulled it out gently and flipped it around to read what was inscribed.

"Those are pretty." Ava looked up to see Barry strolling into the shop with a confused look spreading across his face.

"They're not from you?" He stopped at her side and leaned in to place a quick kiss to her cheek before pulling away and shaking his head. Ava's throat became dry, her hear pounded in her chest as she looked down at the card.

"Soon…"

Barry took the card from her shaking fingers and flipped it over twice in his hand before ripping it into pieces and tossing it into the wastebasket.

"Get your things." He growled pulling Ava's attention back to him.

"What?"

"Now, go." Ava nodded and did as she was told, slipping into the small back room and pulling her bag from her locker and tossing it around her shoulder.

"Where are you going?" She stopped as June, a mousy blond haired girl stepped in front of her. "You can't just leave your shift isn't over."

"I know but it's an emergency." Ava argued.

"I can't let you, we'll both be in trouble." The girl was pushed to the side and Barry reached into the room, taking Ava's hand and pulling her back out into the lobby.

"I'm sorry I'll explain later." She called behind her as Barry pulled her from the little store and began to lead her through the zoo.

"Where are we going?" She asked as she struggled to keep up with his strides.

"Somewhere safe." He growled once again and it was in that moment that she realized the voice that commanded her was not Barry's.

"Dennis stop." She called but he didn't listen, pulling her along and paying no attention to how it would appear to someone watching as he drug her past the Safari zone and out into the company parking lot. "Dennis please stop."

"We're almost home we'll talk then." Ava yanked her hand from his grip and took a step back as he reached out to grab her once again.

"No, we'll talk now. This is insane I can't just leave my job. Jesus you probably just got me fired." Dennis stared her down, fuming and took another step toward her.

"I'm just… You're not…." He huffed as he ran his hand over his head in frustration. "I didn't mean to cause a problem."

"I know. But you can't do shit like that." She barked a lot louder than she had intended. "I would have been fine to finish out my day." Dennis shook his head quickly.

"No, it's not worth the risk."

"How is it not? I'm surrounded by people."

"He knows where you work." Dennis bark and she stiffened under his glare. "He knows where you are."

"Dennis he knew that before. Don't you remember the apartment?"

"OF COURSE I DO!" He bellowed and Ava took a step back. "We weren't there to protect you then. It could have been so much worse and I'm not going to risk it this time." Dennis lunged forward and grabbed her wrist pulling her into him and toward their apartment. Ava struggled, clawed at his arm and he grabbed her around the waist in response, dragging her down the stairs and toward the door.

"LET ME GO!" She screamed but it was useless to struggle against him.

"STOP FIGHTING ME!" He growled as she threw herself forward in an attempt to break his grip. "I'M JUST TRYING TO PROTECT YOU!" Dennis swung her around slamming her back into the door and pinning her arms above her head in his one massive hand. Ava kicked up, her knee connecting with his groin and Dennis doubled over giving her just enough space to slip through.

Ava took off without thinking, the sun beginning to set around her as she ran out of the parking lot and onto the sidewalk that ran around toward the zoo's entrance. She looked back and found herself shocked as she saw no one chasing after her and decided to slow her pace. She had run far enough to put the zoo's black metal gates behind her and stopped to gather her thoughts. She cursed at the sky, struggled to control the steady stream of tears that stained her cheeks and after a few moments decided to keep walking with no destination in mind.

A long time had passed; how long she couldn't be sure as she kicked at the ground and allowed the swing she sat on to rock her gently back and forth. The sun had set long ago and the air nipped at her cheeks, stinging them as she sniffed loudly and pushed back the last remnants of tears unable to fully calm herself as she had hoped. She checked her phone.

"6:37" She had been gone for nearly three hours although it didn't seem like such a long time to her. She wondered where he was at, if he was out looking for her, if she should care. She looked up at the building that used to be hers, the lights in her old apartment were on and she wondered for a moment how strange it would be for her to ask to stay the night. It wasn't that she was avoiding Barry and the others, but sometimes when things seem so out of place a little familiarity is exactly what the spirit needs to heal. At least in her case it felt like that was just the thing her soul was crying out for.

"Hello?" Ava looked up and saw a dark figure standing at the sidewalks edge watching her. She knew immediately who it was and despite her instinct to run crying into his arms stayed put. It wasn't until he stepped closer that she realized her initial instinct was right. Once again it was a body she knew almost better than she knew her own but the light that shone behind his crystal blue eyes was not a light she recognized. "You're Ava?" He asked softly and she nodded.

He walked over to her slowly and sat himself down in the swing next to hers.

"I was told I might find you here."

"By who?" Her voice cracked, her throat was dry and stung from the screams she allowed to flow from her chest not too long ago.

"Barry." He stammered. "He said you might go home."

"I'm sorry who are you?" Almost immediately she felt bad for snapping. She had never been rude with any of the others and felt herself ashamed at her reaction this time.

"I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have gotten involved. It just seemed like you might need some help."

"That was my fault. It sounded like you needed help, I just came to see if you were okay"

Ava covered her mouth in shock as his first words rang though her head. She had spent so long with the others she had almost forgotten the man she had originally met that day in the parking lot. It was his body after all and his life she had interfered with, who was she to act as though HE had intruded on her space.

"Kevin?" she asked quietly and he looked up at her sheepishly, nodding gently. "Oh my God I'm so sorry."

"It's okay." He offered. She found herself wondering how much he knew, about her and Barry. How much they had been through, how intimately they knew each other and almost immediately she found herself feeling ashamed she had never taken his feelings on the matter into account. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He broke her train of thought and she smiled.

"Why? I mean… I'm sorry." She caught herself chuckling lightly, embarrassed by her own question. "I just meant… well we haven't really met."

"We did once." He offered with a smile which she returned in kind. "Dennis was wrong." He began. "I just wanted to tell you he doesn't represent the rest of us."

"I know. He just got carried away." She spoke softly. "He didn't mean to hurt me." Ava pulled the sleeve of her jacket down to cover the bruise that had begun to form on her wrist. Kevin reached out, grabbing her hand and exposing the mark for him to examine with his own eyes. He sighed heavily and wrapped his hands around her wrist, rubbing gently at the spot and offering her a soft smile.

"I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for." She assured him.

"You and Barry are close?" He asked after a long silence and she nodded. She turned her arm over and showed him the small ring that glimmered under the light.

"He asked me to marry him." She smiled.

"I know." He nodded.

"I'm going to guess you were the one that didn't quite agree." Again he nodded.

"It's nothing to do with you." He assured her. "I was just scared."

"Of what?" She asked softly and he sighed, taking her hand in his and rubbing gently as he thought.

"A lot of things. We've never really been close with anyone else. I didn't want Barry to get hurt."

"I love him." She explained before he could continue. "I love all of you." Kevin smirked, lifting her hand to kiss her knuckles gently. It was a friendly gesture and one that did quite a lot to warm her heart.

"I know that now."

"Have you changed your mind about it?" She asked and he nodded.

"If you want my blessing you have it." He smiled. Ava watched him for a few moments and without warning Kevin released her hand and sat up. "I have to go."

"Wait, no…"

"I'm sorry I have to."

"Can we talk again?" Kevin stopped, a smile spread across his face and he nodded. Before Ava could thank him for coming his body stiffened and he closed his eyes. She waited as he struggled and another slipped into place but as he stood and brushed himself off she realized it wasn't the one she wanted to see.

"We need to leave. It's not safe here."

"I'm not going anywhere with you." She shot back defensively. "I want to talk to Barry." Dennis shook his head.

"That can't happen."

"Why not?"

"He can't protect you like I can."

"I don't need you to protect me." She shot back and he stiffened. "Look at how well it worked out last time." She spat and he glared down at her. Ava pulled her sleeve back exposing her wrist and he winced as he looked down at the dark purple bruise that covered her skin. "Is this what you call protecting me."

"I'm…" He stammered, his body softening and his eyes darting between her wrist and her face as he struggled. "I never meant to hurt you." Ava slid her sleeve back down and watched as he struggled with what to say. It had never occurred to her that being in the position of protecting another was new to him and he didn't know how things were supposed to be done.

"All you had to do was ask me. If you had given me a moment to think I would have come with you." He sighed heavily and nodded. "You scared me."

"I know that." He groaned and reached up, holding his head in his hands. Ava stood up and reached out, taking his hand in hers and exposing his face to her. There was a sadness buried deep behind his eyes, not deep enough to be fully hidden but he struggled with it and Ava found herself feeling sorry for him as he watched her.

"I appreciate what you were trying to do." She offered and he nodded. "Maybe I do need your protection but not like that. Never again." She added sternly and again he nodded. "I want to talk to Barry." Dennis shook his head. "Dennis I NEED to talk to Barry." She spoke louder. This time it wasn't a request. Dennis opened his mouth to argue but before he could a familiar pain twisted his expression and she watched as he slipped away. She couldn't be sure if he had given in or if Barry simply heard her calling his name but in the blink of an eye Dennis was gone and Barry stood before her, his face twisted with worry.

Without speaking he took her in his arms and thanked whatever God was listening that she was safe. She found herself giggling slightly as he covered her face in small thankful kisses. Her forehead, her nose, her cheek and finally her lips.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." She smiled as he pulled away to look at her for a moment before pulling her back into his chest. "I'm okay." She whispered as he rocked her slightly.

"I was so worried."

"I know." She whispered into his chest.

"Don't run off like that again, please." He begged as he pulled away, his hands still resting on her hips.

"Dennis needs to learn to control his temper then." She added sternly and he nodded.

"We are all so sorry about that." He offered and she shook her head.

"Don't be. I can handle him." She smiled and Barry nodded, resting his forehead against hers and closing his eyes. "I met Kevin." Barry chuckled lightly.

"Yeah?" He asked without opening his eyes and she nodded.

"Yeah. He's nice."

"He's a good man." He agreed. They stood there for what felt like an eternity locked in each other's embrace and relishing in the quiet that surrounded them. Without saying much Ava and Barry walked back toward the zoo and despite his pressure she insisted they walk back home rather than take the bus.

"I can't handle the noise right now." She explained. "I just want to be alone with you." Wanting her to be happy Barry led her home and as they stepped into the apartment all the worry and fear that had permeated the day slipped away and Ava fell into the display that lay waiting for her. Roses and candy sat ready on the living room table and as she bent down to inhale the sweet scent of flowers Barry slipped around to hand her a small stuffed fox. Ava smiled brightly and gave it a quick squeeze before thanking him with a long and exhausted kiss.

"Happy Valentine's Day love." He whispered as she pulled away with a tired sigh. Without warning Barry reached down and lifted her into his arms, carrying her through the living room and into the bedroom where he laid her down gently onto the bed and began to help her out of her clothes. She lay there quietly, exposed to him and watched as he fished out her favorite pair of pajamas and laid them down next to her. Ava shook her head.

"You look tired." He whispered as she beckoned him toward her. Ava smiled, knowing full well he wouldn't argue and he didn't, resting comfortably into her kiss and sliding himself in between her legs for a deeper embrace. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather just sleep?" He teased as she began to tug at his shirt impatiently.

"No." She smiled, finally pulling it free and helping him to lift it over his head. "I need something good today." She whispered and he nodded. "I need you." Barry looked down at her knowingly and nodded, giving no argument as she undid his jeans and before she was able to slide them fully away from his hips he slammed into her, pulling a loud and exasperated cry from her chest as he continued with quick and determined thrusts. Somehow in the midst of it all she was able to push his jeans down with her feet, giving him no choice but to stop long enough to kick them off and as he did she rolled him onto his back and took over where he left off.

Barry watched her in awe as she threw her head back and cried out into the darkness of the room, reaching back to balance herself on his thighs as she worked out the days frustration on his body. Sensing her need Barry reached forward, gripping her ass and pulling her down hard into eager thrusts of his own. Ava fell forward, her hands curling into his chest as he took over, holding her steady and encouraging her as she moaned and cried into his ear.

Barry gripped her tight and rolled her onto her back, never breaking his pace as he reached between her legs and began to rub, locking his eyes with hers and begging her to finish for him.

"Please Ava…" He whispered and with that she felt herself giving in. Her body shuddering under his and her screams boarding on embarrassing as her head fell back and she gripped at his arms, feeling them tense under her hands as he too gave in and fell into her chest with a loud and guttural growl.

They made love twice more that night, each time swearing it was the last before finally collapsing naked and exhausted into each other as dawn began to break outside. Before sleep finally took hold Barry was able to bring up the idea of leaving, going somewhere new and starting over and being too tired to argue Ava agreed. Maybe he was right, they couldn't stay there forever but a small glimmer of doubt still nagged at her as she closed her eyes and nestled into his chest. That was until they woke to twenty seven unread text messages on her phone, each one more menacing than the last. Details of what he would do to her, where he would find her. How he would kill her.

In a moment of rage Barry smashed her phone against a nearby wall and it was then that Ava realized her doubts had no place in their life anymore. Either he was right and they needed to leave this place far behind or they would have to stand and fight and Ava found herself sick at the thought that anymore blood would need to be shed over a mistake that should have stayed buried in the past where it belonged.