Lakehouse [Ohio]

11:32 pm

Barry and Oliver stared at each other as Jessie held a gun to a poor woman's head. She seemed petrified.

This wasn't supposed to go like this. They were there for protection but they had failed, and now this poor woman could have her brain blown out of her head at any given second.

"Now, you're going to let me get away," Jessie began, he could hear the sirens coming closer. Sure, he could just take them all out regardless, but he wanted them to let him go. He wanted them to make sure he got to install a fear into them all.

The gun got pressed further into the woman's head and she yelled out in pain, trying to desperately get Jessie to stop.

"What's it gonna be?" He taunted.

Foundry [Star City]

Yesterday

Team Flash were gathered in the Arrow Cave (Barry and Caitlin had to hold Oliver back before he could rip Cisco's head off for calling it that. He is not getting done for copyright with that) and they were going over their plan.

"So, why didn't we know that Barry is related to the multi-billionaire and state attorney; Alan Smythe?" Thea questioned her older brother, making Barry roll his eyes. Oliver just chuckled and turned to Barry, a smile on his face. Barry, and pretty much everyone else, had noticed that Oliver had been a lot happier recently. He had been so happy recently that he began smiling more, so much that they stopped questioning it. His smile had grown on them all.

"Because it never came up?" Barry squeaked out awkwardly, smiling back at Oliver. Joe just laughed at Barry's shyness and rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. They were still at odds, but after the barbecue, the tension had left and all that remained was the awkwardness they all shared when they were in the same room.

"Anyway," Oliver said, taking the attention off of Barry, "How about we remain focused on the task shall we?"

Everyone nodded and they began talking about their plan once more. Although Oliver knew that Barry knew how to act at a gala of this standard, he still couldn't help but feel nervous. This was hopefully going to be the last time they'd come face-to-face with Jessie-that obviously also relied on if Jessie was going to make an appearance or not.

"So, you and Barry are going to the gala," John began, "you're playing best friends, am I right?"

They both nodded.

"Okay, and so Barry will actually be performing I assume that was part of the deal with your Uncle," Joe added, making Barry blush. It was true. In order for this to be a win-win situation, he had agreed to perform at the gala. In fact, he had been rehearsing for it the past few days.

"Yeah, I am," Barry said, making Thea squeal. She hadn't heard Barry sing when they first went to Ohio two years ago, so now that she could finally hear him sing had been a lifelong goal of her's. Barry sent Oliver a puzzled look and he just chuckled, letting his hand slide down his face at his sister's enthusiasm.

"Yeah, I'll be performing with Jessie's ex," Barru chuckled to himself at that. He was going there to try and stop the man who wanted him dead but he also ended up singing with his ex who he had a crush on for ages.

"Wait, that madman dated 'Rachel Berry'?" Thea screamed. How did she not know this? Barry looked at her stunned. How did she know that he was singing with Rachel? Not even his family knew that. Felicity was flabbergasted. Why didn't she know Barry, her adorable dummy, was singing a duet with one of the best singers in America-second to Mercedes Jones of course.

"Moving on," Barry said sternly, hoping that everyone would understand he didn't want to talk about it at that very moment. Only Oliver picked up on the tone in his voice though.

"Back to the plan, guys," Oliver snapped. He knew what it was like to be uncomfortable in the spotlight. When he first returned from Lian Yu, he had been thrown right back into his old life, the life he despised.

Barry sent Oliver a smile of gratitude and Oliver simply smiled back, turning his attention from his friend back to the plan.

The plan should go off without a hitch-hopefully.

Lima Airport [Ohio]

1:54 pm

Oliver and Barry walked through the airport in ease. They had said farewell to their friends when they were at S.T.A.R Labs and now the plan was set into motion. They collected their luggage from the luggage claim and headed towards the arrival area. Alan and Stacey were supposedly picking them up from the airport and taking them to their home so they didn't need to book a hotel room.

"So, how does it feel to be back?" Oliver asked Barry once they were away from the huge crowds surrounding the conveyor belts. Barry just shrugged his shoulders and looked around the airport. He was hungry, and he knew they had some amazing food places open.

"What's going on, Barry?" Oliver asked once more, grabbing Barry's arm to prevent him from walking away. Barry looked at Oliver's hand on his arm as if he had been stabbed. He sucked in a deep breath and looked up at his friend, putting a convincing smile on his face. He was fine. It's not like his kid is still in the hands of a madman or anything.

Barry sighed, "Jessie still has my kid, Ollie"

Oliver froze. He forgot about that. Whilst they were all relaxing and enjoying the break off, Barry had been worrying about his kid. The son he never got to meet.. No wonder he seemed distant at times, he was too busy praying that he got to meet his son. He remembered Barry's reaction to when Kara told him that Jessie had directed a gun-a loaded gun- to his son's head. He went ballistic.

S.T.A.R Labs [Central City]

One week earlier

Barry laid on the medbay bed, feeling drained after the examination Caitlin had given him. She had insisted that he ease back into being The Flash again after he had lost so much blood from the bullet hole. Thankfully, it was easy for Caitlin to remove, so she did that the moment he had been settled on the gurney the moment they arrived back at S.T.A.R Labs after they went to Dalton.

Oliver hadn't left his side since he first got placed on the bed the day they came back. Barry knew why though. He had almost died twice. Two times too many, he realised. Both times, Oliver had been able to help keep him alive, and he would be damned if Oliver was going to stop trying to protect him.

Kara entered the medbay moments later, she looked tired. Barry sat up, grimacing as he did. His side still hurt, even if it had been fully healed by now. Oliver wanted to help him, but he held himself back. Instead, he pulled up a chair beside the bed and motioned for Kara to sit in it.

"Barry.. I wasn't completely honest with you about what happened at the warehouse," She began, she sniffed and Barry wanted to get up and hug her but he remained sitting up on the bed, "Jessie.. He-he had this kid with him.."

Barry stopped breathing. No-no.. This was not happening.. His son was alive.. He was alive. He had to be. Kara studied Barry's face, all she saw was the terrified two-year old screaming in Jessie's hold as he pressed the barrel of the gun further into his head.

"He-he was screaming as Jessie held a gun at his head.." Kara continued softly, tears cascading down her face, "Jessie said if I didn't let him escape he would've shot the little boy in the head"

Oliver looked at both Barry and Kara. Barry had gone pure white as Kara was explaining what had happened. He knew that he must've been thinking of the situation. Kara looked so rough, and sorry. They both knew that she let Jessie get away, to save his son, but if that was the case, then why was she crying as she explained it to them? No-one had died.. Right?

"Hunter had tried to save him.." She choked out, and Barry felt his heart stop. Even the heart monitor registered no heart movement from him, "But, Hunter was lying on the floor, unconscious.. I let Jessie go, hoping he wouldn't shoot the innocent kid in the head.. I-I got outside the door, and then a gunshot went off.."

She couldn't continue the story. Oliver rubbed her back, giving her strength whilst Barry remained motionless. He just sat there, blinking slowly. Kara looked up at her friend, seeing him this stoic hurt her even more.

"no.." He said softly, biting his lower lip, "no.."

Kara stood up and brought him in for a hug. She cried into his hair as he remained limp in her arms. Oliver just awkwardly sat and watched their hug. Whilst he had been extremely happy and comforting recently, there was no way he was going to join in the hug. That was a big fat no.

"There were no bodies there," She whispered into his ear, hugging him tighter.

"He'll be okay, Barry," Oliver said, gaining Kara's attention but not Barry's. Oliver sighed and stood up, placing a hand on Barry's back. He rubbed his back softly, trying to provide comfort for the young man. Kara smiled softly at both Oliver and Barry, feeling a wave of compassion for them both. She knew Oliver hadn't met his son until the whole Kendra situation and he had missed everything. He had missed his first words. His first steps. His first day at school. He had missed all of that because of Samantha. Now, Barry could miss all of his kid's firsts as well. It wasn't fair.

"He better be okay.." Barry mumbled to himself, finally snapping out of the daze he had been in. Kara and Oliver both smiled at Barry in comfort as he finally processed what he had just been told. It had been a long day already for the speedster.

Lima Airport [Ohio]

Present day

"Well, let's do everything in our power to bring him home then," Oliver said to Barry. He hadn't realised this at the start, but Barry's optimism had been rubbing off on him recently. It was weird.

Barry simply nodded his head and continued walking with Oliver to the pick-up spot. The pair continued in silence, not daring to speak. Alan and Stacey met them on the other side. They were both beaming as their eyes landed on the duo.

"Barry!" Stacey squealed, passing her phone to her dad and running to Barry, tackling him into a hug. It took a moment for him to recover from the hug but he did, dropping his luggage and grabbing his cousin into a tight hug. Oliver just smiled fondly and walked towards Alan, shaking the older man's hand. Alan smiled at Oliver, taking his bag from him. Barry and Stacey separated moments later, the latter taking her cousin's bag and rolling it towards her father. Alan chuckled softly and met Barry halfway, hugging him tightly. It had been a while since they had seen each other and all.

"I bet it was weird not speeding over here," Alan joked to Barry, squeezing him once more before finally releasing the boy. Barry smiled at his Uncle before grabbing his bag once more. Oliver just patted Barry on the back and engaged in a conversation with Alan, talking about Queen Consolidated. Barry and Stacey engaged in some small talk, not sure what to talk about at the moment.

They drove to the Smythe household in silence, minus the radio buzzing around in the background. Alan had insisted that Oliver would sit up front in the car whilst Barry would sit in the back with Stacey. When they arrived, Barry looked around in confusion. This wasn't the same house they had before. Since when had they decided to move?

"This is new," Barry commented, stepping out of the car and moving around to the trunk to collect his bag. Stacey beat him to it though, she also grabbed Oliver's whilst she was there. Barry just sighed at his cousin's antics and proceeded to shut the trunk for her. Alan chuckled as he climbed out of the car, seeing Stacey with both of the boys' bags for them. Oliver thanked Alan for the place to stay the night and walked in with Barry, who seemed extremely quiet.

"We better get ready for the gala," Alan said, showing them both to their bedrooms. Barry looked around the room. It had everything he used to have at their old house. It felt weird being back in here, especially after all this time.

S.T.A.R Labs [Central City]

3:22 pm

"So, Oliver, Barry, Stacey and Alan are all going to the gala venue early to help set up and double check everything," Iris explained to them all, walking into the Cortex with her phone in her hand. They all nodded and remained where they were, simply sitting in the Cortex. The gala was due to begin at 5:30 pm but they had managed to push it back an extra 30 minutes so it would officially begin at 6:00 pm.

"Now all we gotta do is wait," Cisco said, rolling his eyes as he played a game on his phone.

Caitlin snatched his phone out of his hand, smacking him on the head, "Actually, you have a job to do"

Cisco groaned and reluctantly stood up, grabbing his goggles and gloves. He was not about to enjoy this. Caitlin knew why he wasn't going to enjoy this. He had to breach over to Earth-2 and bring Jesse and Harry over. He hated Harry with every bone in his petite body.

"You volunteered!" Caitlin screeched, making Joe chuckle. It was true. He had actually volunteered himself to do this. John just rubbed his forehead. This was seriously giving him a headache, and it hadn't even been a full hour just yet.

Cisco grumbled to himself and went over to the center of the room, turning his goggles on and placing them on his , a breach appeared and he was gone. Felicity sighed in relief and immediately took control of the computers. Caitlin and John looked at her curiously whilst she worked her magic. A few moments later, music started blasting through the speakers in the building. Only she would play music during a time like this.

"See if you can find any videos of Barry performing," Joe asked her, taking his attention away from his phone and onto the monitors at the front of the room by the cupboard where they put Barry's suit. It took her a minute, but soon enough, Barry's voice began ringing throughout the halls as he sang 'Live While We're Young'.

Iris smirked at her father as she noticed her father had begun singing along. The only reason he knew that song was because of her and her huge crush on One Direction. She'd remember this day. She'd remember her father singing to One Direction-well Barry singing but it's still One Direction's song-and she'd make sure he knew that she remembered this exact moment. Why, hello future blackmail.

Lakehouse [Ohio]

6:00 pm

The gala had just started and the main room was already packed with the wealthy and the classiest men and women there ever lived in Ohio. Barry had met with Rachel just before this event had started, hoping that they could get some extra rehearsal time before they were set to perform.

"You've really come far, Barry," Rachel began, stopping him from leaving. She was wearing a dark blue dress, glitter covering the waist of the dress. It was strapless and showed a lot of her right leg, even Barry had to admit she looked stunning in it. Her hair was down and curled, revealing the blonde highlights she had. Barry was wearing a normal suit, but it was an Armani suit with a silver Tag Heuer watch on his left wrist. His tie was plain black, not a single design on it. He also had a gold chain on, but it was covered underneath his dress shirt he was wearing underneath the blazer.

"What do you mean?" He asked Rachel, looking at her directly.

"Well, I can still see how I despised you in High School but you've grown up," She explained, "You have this new profound maturity about you and it really suits you"

Maybe there was another reason as to why he hadn't been as optimistic recently. He no longer saw the world in black and white, instead in a neutral grey. The two worlds, like right and wrong, had merged together, and left him questioning everything and that no longer meant he was seeing things as one or the other. He was seeing things in a new way, a way in which Oliver would be so proud of him.

"Let's get out there and show these people that we really are talented singers," She said, smiling brightly as she brushed some dust off of the suit. He smiled back at her and grabbed her hand, leading her out of the spare room they had found themselves in.

Oliver was speaking to his Uncle when he and Rachel approached them both, smiling brightly at the two millionaires.

"Wait.. you're the mayor of Star City," Rachel realised, gasping as Oliver shook her hand and nodded his head. Barry simply rolled his eyes as Rachel lost her composure and suddenly began complimenting him wildly.

"Rachel? Sebastian?" A voice asked. They both turned around, surprised to see Quinn and her little sister Kitty standing there with their mother behind them both. Alan moved around to greet Quinn's mom whilst Stacey started talking to Kitty about the New Directions future. Oliver, Barry, Rachel and Quinn were in an awkward silence until Barry and Oliver's comms busted to life, making them both groan and turn to each other sheepishly.

"You two okay?" Quinn asked them both. She moved closer to stand next to Barry, wanting to hug him as she hadn't been able the first time he came back to Ohio after he lost his father.

"Will you both start to judge us if we begin talking to ourselves?" Barry asked them both, and they shook their heads in confusion. Barry and Oliver both tapped their ears, activating their mics for their ear pieces. Quinn and Rachel looked at the boys weirdly before connecting the dots. They had ear pieces in and were taking orders from people.

"Felicity, are Harry and Jesse there?" Barry asked into the comms, walking away from the trio. He and Oliver had had a silent conversation with their eyes after they started getting weird glances from both Quinn and Rachel.

"Yep, Jesse is about to be there in the next few moments but in the meantime, I think it's time you and the lovely Rachel Berry begin to sing!" Felicity said into the comms, making Barry wince as she screamed the last part. He tapped his mic off and walked back over to the group, seeing Oliver had done the same with his comm. The girls seemed understanding but they were still confused, if anything, Rachel seemed more nervous than Quinn-well her ex-boyfriend was Jessie so it made sense.

"Let's get ready to perform then," Rachel said to Barry, grabbing him by the hand and dragging him towards the band.

It was now or never he guessed.