Barry's palms rested flat against his thighs and his fingers rubbed against the fabric of his dress pants. The car slid to a slow halt and both Barry and Willow looked up ahead, noticing the congestion of traffic. He didn't want the car ride to seem uncomfortable or too quiet, but he couldn't exactly think of anything thought-provoking to talk about. He didn't want to burden her with what criminals he'd been fighting in Central City, and work was just as graphic as his vigilante life. Suddenly he felt anxious and uncomfortable, realizing that his entire life did revolve around stopping criminals and that he didn't really have a personal life outside of his responsibilities.

Willow was oblivious to Barry's anxiety. After working a full week and non-stop stressing over this very moment, she was in absolute bliss sitting in this town car and letting the late autumn wind blow past her face. A quiet lingering smile slowly surfaced as the sounds of the evening began to quiet, and the reality of where they were going set in. She was on her first date in god knows how long, and going to an adult event that didn't involve blood or vomit. Her eyes had caught Barry's lingering gaze once or twice and each time she couldn't help herself from smiling back.

The Gala was charming, adorned with high ceilings, soft lighting, and peachy drapery. Barry was nervous but taken up at the moment as he led her from the car. Willow graciously took his arm, her smile reaching from ear to ear as he led her from the car's entrance and to where all of the people were gathering.

Willow stepped through the threshold of the building and her eyes caught a surreal glint, not expecting there to be so many people dressed so elegantly, or for her to be invited to such a magnificent event. They walked arm in arm, finding their own small place in such a big room.

" Do, you want something to drink? "

Barry's smile lightened, as he looked just beyond them and at a table filled with glasses and champagne. Barry took in the scenery of the entire room, noticing just a few steps behind them was Bruce Wayne, escorting two beautiful women through the crowded room. He looked back to Willow, who'd already spotted Bruce a ways off, and was quick to hold back a growing smile. She shot an unmatched look at Bruce, not impressed with his antics. He'd only spoken to her once in the recent weeks, so maybe this little show was more of who he was than she understood.

" I'd love a drink. "

Willow spoke softly, meeting eyes with Barry before nudging him with her elbow, as the two of them walked across the beautifully lit dance floor.

The evening was short but unforgettable. Willow got to spend time with Barry and listen to parts of his life that she'd wished she'd known earlier. Everything about Barry's story was unique, and the little bits of him that she got an insight into, made her that much more enamored with him. Willow listened intently to everything he said, and as much as she was convinced she was boring him to death, Barry seemed taken in by each story, and each piece of information he got about her.

Her life wasn't as eventful as his, and a part of her was a little ashamed of that. Barry had already lived such a full life, she was so sure that her washed-out stories would have lost his interest, but he engaged her, asked her questions that no one had really cared to ask.

" I mean, I wish-I wish I was a famous superhero. "

Willow had just finished listening to Barry's normal daily schedule. Even with his super-speed, she wasn't sure how he managed to get everything done in a day. Between saving people, keeping evil meta-humans at bay, and working full time, she felt a little guilty wishing Barry had come to visit her more often.

" You save people every day, you're more of a hero than me. "

Barry watched with bliss as Willow's softened expression became bitter and abashed, completely caught off guard by his response. She grinned and looked away, completely convinced that Barry was purposely trying to get a rise out of her.

" He cleans up nice, don't you Allen. "

Willow and Barry's quiet conversation was interrupted by a deep, gloating voice. Bruce had extended a heavy hand, happily squeezing Barry's shoulder for a brief moment. He smirked, nodding to Barry and smiling over to Willow.

" He looks good in a suit. "

Her tone was coy but she had clear intentions. Willow gladly piled on the embarrassment, enjoying a little slice of happiness at Barry's expense.

Barry's lips formed into an uneven line as he tried to force a semi-acceptable smile, knowing exactly what Bruce and Willow were up to.

Bruce introduced his escorts and made sure to ask how their night was going. Willow watched as Bruce was stopped every few moments and was interrupted by other guests greeting him and asking him questions about Wayne Enterprises.

Barry shrugged off Bruce's blow and watched as Willow extended an arm and playfully tugged at Barry's suit jacket.

" Barry was about to ask me to dance, weren't you Barry? "

Willow watched Barry's face for his reaction and grinned as his brows elevated and he happily nodded, extending an elbow for Willow to grab. She gladly accepted his invitation, and with a brief goodbye, they disappeared into the crowded room.

They stopped prematurely, two people who'd never really danced before, starting again for the first time. The lights had gotten a little dimmer and the crowd was less rambunctious, and slowly Barry and Willow began to fall into a rhythm.

It felt so natural and exhilarating at the same time. With each waltz, Willow could feel her body sway against his, and Barry's grip became more and more comfortable the longer they danced.

Their conversation was light, if the music broke for a few minutes they'd sit and eat or Willow would listen as Barry casually mentioned that every day he eats about as much as she would in a year, having to keep up with his metabolism while fighting crime.

Willow would get little details about Barry's life, things she was sure he hadn't really noticed meant so much to her. Barry's mother had passed when he was a child, and his father wasn't in the picture, something she wouldn't press, but had hoped he'd touch on at a later time. He'd been adopted by a CCPD Police detective that was friends with his family and tried to do his best ever since. Willow's life wasn't as eventful as Barry's but she'd worked very hard for what she had. Her parents weren't deceased but were not supportive of her decision to become a doctor, nonetheless a doctor in such a dangerous city. The only real family she had was a sister she saw once a year around Christmas. Meryl, her colleague, and best friend had become one of the only rocks in her life to depend on.

Between both Willow and Barry's busy lives, it was nice to forget the outside world, even if it was only for a few hours.

The skin that Barry's hand touched made her heartbeat through her chest. His fingertips outlined her hips, sending veins of electricity along her skin, causing it to bump and writhe. The music was slow and sweet, but its tepid tune soon became more and more unclear the longer they danced.

Willow could feel Barry's uncertainty melt away the closer they grew, and the longer they danced. His heart raced, but his hands were more steady, holding still at her lower back and hips, their lingering embrace becoming more firm the longer Willow neared him. Barry's tawny eyes didn't waver from hers, and suddenly the frightening thought of getting close to someone began to dissolve, and the realization finally set in that she'd become the most important thing for him to protect.

Her glances were soft and warm, eyes that normally held onto so much grit and defeat had become more bright and accepting. Her smile could easily bring in the attention of any room, but right now Willow's lips were pulled back into a delicate smile that was meant for this moment, meant for him.

Their pace slowed and their bodies leaned, Willow could feel her cheeks catch a hint of pink as a soft blush pushed past her weary face. Barry's tall frame bowed, his shoulders slouching as his face grew closer to Willows. Her ambitions weakened feeling the warmth of his body brush against her, and slowly her lips parted.

Willow's eyes fluttered for a moment, the lights and sounds of the room slowly becoming mute, as their breathing became in sync. Barry's grip on Willow's hips suddenly tightened and Willow felt his calloused fingers run up her bareback without warning. His grip greedily pulled at her body, pulling her as close to him as possible.

" B-barry!? "

Willow's breath escaped her as she tried to struggle against him, pushing away and arching her back as she looked up at him alarmed, but Barry didn't look back. All of his attention was drawn out in front of him, his eyes dead set on one fixated spot. Willow could feel the tips of his fingers dig deeper into her back and sides, and she looked closely noticing his pupils dilate and retract. His nails pressed into her skin as his body seemed to completely go into shock. Barry was having some kind of a brain aneurysm or maybe even a stroke. His chest was rising and falling faster now, adding to her theory that his body was experiencing some kind of breakdown. Willow brought up her palms and pushed violently against his chest, trying to push away from him in an attempt to help him.

" Stay put, I'll be right back. "

Barry spat at her in a short breath, his grip loosening as he looked down at her intently. The seriousness on his face was eerie, and in her shock, the only remark that Willow could manage was a weak nod. His hands left her body and he disappeared into the crowd of people within the room.

Willow's concern wasted away into fear as a barely audible scream could be picked up amongst the loud chatty dance hall, most of its occupants not even flinching to the noise or not hearing it. Her chest tightened as she remained still, her eyes darting around, looking for any clue as to what was going on.

Suddenly Willow's body recoiled, her legs taking a full step back as the sound of a shattering glass shook the space just in front of her.

Like the flip of a switch, the mood of the room changed.

The lights flickered and suddenly the sounds of the guests began to stir, quiet moments and private conversations began to flood the room, and Willow could feel a scathing chill crawl up her spine.

Something wasn't right.

A few people rushed past her, knocking against her shoulders as they fled from something or someone. Willow's eyes frantically hurried around the room looking for Barry, her nerves heightening as more and more people began to stir. The sound of a gunshot caused everyone to drop to the floor, everyone was trying to flee from the overcrowded room.

" Oh no, don't go! I just wanna'have some fun! "

A booming voice shook through the room followed by a shrill laugh. Willow's heart pounded out of her chest as her eyes scanned through the crowd. Her body starting to tremble as she watched Men pace through the crowd wearing offsetting clown masks, all adorned with some type of weapon. The men were aggressively screening through the crowd, some crying civilians getting pulled from the room, others were simply robbed of their materialistic possessions.

Willow was frightened, her eyes instinctively looking for Barry, as she took another step back and tried to get some control over the room. There was another fit of laughter that brought the entire room to its knees, this time, however, it was from a woman.

" Puddn', look at all these pretty people! "

A woman's voice chimed in once more, becoming more clear the quieter the room became. She walked playfully over unconscious bodies and waved a long-handled mallet at unsuspecting guests, greeting them by a blunt blow to the face or a low snicker. Her hair was a pale blonde that was drenched in blue and red hues. She was petite and wearing a skimpy outfit, but Willow really noticed her skin tone, which was a completely washed-out white.

She executed her judgment passingly, not seeming to have a rhyme or reason to her methods of executing her will. Willow's eyes watched as people cowered in fear of their lives, unsure if their next move would be their last.

" What a bunch a' little fuckers. " The woman paused, clearing the room by slamming her elbow into a man's stomach and laughing proudly at her efforts to draw everyone's attention.

" What, ya think you'r better than me, don't you!? " The woman's thick Brooklyn accent began to show through the more people she hurt, taking what she wanted along the way.

There wasn't much time now, Willow knew she might be able to use the leverage of the room to her advantage, she could run from the chaos, use it as a distraction and get to safety. The rock in her stomach grew just a little heavier at the thought of only saving herself at the cost of everyone else, and suddenly she realized that she needed to figure this out on her own.

Barry or Bruce wouldn't always be there to save her.

She took a deep, uneven breath in, rationalizing everything that was happening in front of her. Her hands were shaking uncontrollably as adrenaline and her fight or flight response completely overwhelmed her. Willow's jaw tightened into an unbreakable vice, as her mind fought off every nerve that told her to get the fuck out of there.

After all, what could she do? She didn't have powers like Barry or brawn like Bruce. She wasn't some Mentahuman, ready to have their moment by saving a room full of people, and she knew she wasn't smart enough to outwit someone as publically crazy as these people.

People were pulling cash and cards from their clutches and wallets, and exchanging their fine jewelry in a feeble attempt to save themselves. A steady hand extended out pointing at Willow's standing frame amongst the shivering group. Willow no longer needed to question the identities or intentions of the group that had descended onto their quiet evening. The woman was Harley Quinn, without a doubt, her description had matched so many of the photos and articles she'd read in the Gotham Gazette, but the man? She hadn't seen many pictures of the Clown of Gotham, but his legacy lived through the city. His porcelain skin matched the woman he was parading down with and his dark, frightful eyes easily made a direct line for her. He shared a small, satisfied smirk with Harley, his lips parting slightly, as he licked his lips.