Just because it's International Woman's Day - you'll see why. We are strong. (Men are too, but ya' know. 8th March and all that ;) )

-.-.-.-

2. A proper welcome

The time stood still for a second and Cisco wondered if this was how Barry felt when using his speed – everything moving in a slow motion, except Cisco could tell he was moving in turtle speed together with the rest of the world.

The gunman had a white plastic mask on his face, otherwise he was dressed in casual clothes, jeans and a hoodie, just a guy Cisco could meet walking down the street. Except this one was carrying a gun. And the gun was aimed at the ceiling, releasing one more shot, forcing Cisco to curl into himself. Eyeing his surroundings, he could see everyone else doing the same.

And then the man moved his weapon, the barrel of the gun suddenly pointed at Cisco. Cisco's heart stopped for long seconds.

Don't shoot, please, don't shoot-

"You, move away," he rasped, beckoning to Cisco's right and Cisco didn't hesitate, following the order. He got away from the counter.

Barry and Caitlin joined him, but the gunman grabbed Cait's shoulder, yanking her up to and he put the gun to her temple.

Shit, shit, shit-

Caitlin met his horrified gaze, but she inconspicuously shook her head. Do as he asks.

Yeah, easier said than done!

"You, give me all money you have. And you from the back! Get up and come here!" the robber yelled and Cisco automatically turned his head in the direction.

Their original barista, Vera, was standing there, relatively close to a 'staff only' door, phone still in her hand. She cautiously raised her hands in surrender. Did she manage to call for help? Judging by the look on her face, it didn't seem like it.

As she walked closer, Cisco's brain was working 120 percent. He managed to grip Barry's forearm before the not-so-fast-speedster could storm after the gunman with his pathetically working powers; he was also scared shitless for Caitlin and in the back of his mind, the craziest idea of the orange-haired girl being a metahuman, who could somehow predict the future, popped out. Or maybe this 'Matt' had actually called her, because he was a metahuman and saw the robbery happen? That was insane, right? And why would she even send Vera away? Why not hide herself as well, warn everyone…?

"Hey... why don't you put the gun down? No one needs to get hurt-" Vera spoke up in a soothing tone, making Cisco blink is surprise.

He wasn't sure what she was thinking, talking to a guy with a gun, but hey. She had balls, he'd give her that. He just hoped it wouldn't cost anyone their live.

"You think I'm an idiot?!" the gunman snarled at her, his arm wrapping around Caitlin's torso. "She's leverage! Put the phone on the floor."

"Alright, alright-" Vera slowly lowered herself and laid the phone down.

Cisco shot Caitlin an anxious look, feeling Barry at his side vibrating in impatience. Literally vibrating.

"Barry, don't. You're not geared up. In better case you expose yourself, in worse you get shot," Cisco whispered urgently.

"HEY!" the robber yelled. "You're chatty! Want me to shoot her?!"

Cisco's blood ran cold. "No!"

"Hey, hey! Don't hurt her. They are just worried about her!" Vera blurted out, extending her hands in an urgent gesture. Her expression was giving Cisco the impression of her trying to solve the most difficult puzzle in the universe. Then her lips parted. "And I get it, because she's pregnant."

Cisco and Barry simultaneously shot the barista an incredulous glare, seeing the girl gulp nervously. What the fuck?!

"What?"

"That's right. She's pregnant. She's my cousin, okay? She's just visiting with her boyfriend and their friend. She only found out two days ago. Please, don't hurt her. Don't hurt them."

Cisco couldn't believe this girl. What the hell was she doing? What was she trying to achieve? Also, in the back of his mind, he asked himself who she had marked as Caitlin's boyfriend and who she had chosen as the friend. Not that it was relevant to the crisis happening right now.

"You wouldn't want to hurt a pregnant woman, right? Let her go-" Vera advised softly again, only to be cut off.

"Like hell!"

"And take someone else! Anyone," Vera pleaded and Caitlin's eyes widened in horror. She was terrified, but she didn't want anyone else to take her place. Why would Vera even want that? "Hell, you can take me for all I care. Just let her go."

Cisco's jaw fell on the floor.

Holy. Mother. Of. Dragons.

The robber actually hesitated, watching the bold black-haired barista. Vera's gaze flickered to Cisco and Barry in compassion. She knew they were scared shitless for their friend. Cisco noticed Vera's friend mouthing something very outraged.

"Okay," the gunman responded firmly. "Come here. Come here and I let her go."

The girl gulped, her hands up and showing, but slowly approached the man, giving Caitlin a short and very tiny smile as the gunman shoved the doctor away, immediately aiming the gun at the other girl. Cisco allowed himself to breathe as Caitlin appeared by their side.

"You're-"

"I'm fine."

"What the hell is she doing?!"

"SHUT UP!"

"Hey, they are just making sure she's okay," Vera protested soothingly, rewarded by him pulling her closer to him.

"You shut up too! And you, you forgot about the money or what? Empty the cashbox!"

Terri jumped. "Of course. Of course." She glanced at her friend with half terrified, half murderous look. "I don't want anyone to get hurt."

"Then fucking do what I'm telling you!"

Vera closed her eyes, releasing a shaky breath as the barrel of the gun touched her temple. Jesus, this was insane. Why would she offer herself instead of Caitlin? Was she really thinking Caitlin was pregnant or something? Or was she just crazy? Judging by Terri's expression, the second option was more likely.

Speaking of Terri, was his suspicion right? Had she seen any of this happening? Had she seen this? Was that why she had sent Vera to the back, trying to avoid it?

Or was the metahuman chase that lasted over a year now getting to Cisco, making him absolutely paranoid, seeing superpowers where there were none?

"You don't need to do this. What more, you don't want to," Vera whispered cautiously, the gun digging into her skin. Cisco prayed the guy didn't have a twitchy finger. Not that he was religious to begin with.

"You just can't keep your fucking mouth shut, can you?" he complained, squeezing her tighter.

"You'll be caught; maybe now you can still run away. But you don't have much time, someone probably called the police when hearing the gunshot-"

"You want them to hear another one?" he threatened, moving his hand to wrap his fingers around her neck.

"Don't hurt her! She means well. I'm sure the cops aren't the only ones on their way," Terri suddenly spoke up and the corners of Vera's lips rose in a shaky smile.

What the fuck?! What were they talking about? Why was she smiling?!

Then it hit him. Daredevil. Or the Avengers; they didn't seem to care about a robbery in a tiny café, but hell if Cisco knew. He felt a flicker of hope tingling in his nerve endings. Maybe they just needed a different hero than the Flash today. Daredevil could be enough.

"He won't come in during the day. Too much light."

"Guess you're not wrong there…" Barry muttered darkly, his hands clenched in fists. It might be paranoia again, but Cisco would swear his friend was in a position that resembled a start of a race too much.

Well, Daredevil, you better make an exception and hurry up.

"But he might make an exception!" Terri bargained, her hands slowing down her work.

Cisco felt like he was the one struck by lightning. Of fucking course. They were stalling. Keeping him busy until the cavalry would show up – no matter if it was the police or the vigilante. They were fucking smart. And a little crazy. A lot. Definitely insane.

"Why would he do that?"

"He really likes this café," Terri hummed, shooting Vera somewhat knowing look. Cisco was sensing something else here. A private joke? Was this really a good time?

"Yep. He's a caffeine junkie. How do you think he keeps running around at night?" Vera added. She seemed terrifyingly chipper for someone being held at gunpoint.

"He's… he's coming here, too? Huh…. Well, I doubt he would risk himself for a coffee," the guy noted sarcastically, not even noticing Terri slowing down. Brilliant. And really stupid.

"You might be surprised. He has a sweet tooth too, loves the strawberry cheesecake. Can't really blame him for that. His other favourite is Devil's food."

If the situation was less severe, Cisco would have honestly laughed. But it wasn't. And the gun just cocked as the gunman realized their intentions and got the safety lock out of his way.

Guess the joke was too much. Crap.

"Nice try, ladies. Now give me the money or Daredevil will slip on her brain the next time he comes here."

"Okay, okay!" Terri blurted out, her hands getting frantic. She was panicking. Cisco didn't blame her. "Don't shoot. Please, just don't shoot."

"He's gonna be pissed, you know. He'll find you. You can give up to the police, they might protect you from him," Vera continued stubbornly.

"Shut up!"

Cisco's hand slightly shook. Barry's too; in a very high speed. This time it was Caitlin who caught his forearm shooting him a warning look. Don't, she mouthed.

"I know a good lawyer. A defense attorney. He could win you a shorter sentence. And you won't have any broken bones from Dare-"

His hand switched positions; the one with the gun moved to the side of her neck, the other pulling her hair.

Cisco held his breath in fear, his throat closing up.

He was going to shoot her, wasn't he?

"I. Said. Shut. Up."

"Jesus Christ, Vera, shut your stupid mouth. Hey, hey, that's all the cash we have!" Terri said quickly, all blood drained from her face. The red and blue suddenly appearing on it gave it a very specific glow.

"Fuck!" the gunman cursed, looking out of the window and the very same second, something absolutely incredible happened.

As the gun moved an inch from Vera's neck, a hand seemingly coming out of nowhere shoved its barrel up. The gunshot rang deafeningly loud in Cisco's ears, making his heart stop in fright, but the girl seemed unaffected, knocking the gun from the mugger's hand and sending it sliding over the floor.

She hissed as he pulled her hair violently on instinct, yet she turned around in one swift movement – Cisco cried internally when he imagined the pain –, punched the arm holding her hair right above its elbow and kneeled the guy in his gut. He didn't even get to use his other hand before that and he was so shocked by her lunge that he let go of her completely.

The rest happened in incredible speed.

He tried to punch her in her face only to be blocked and struck by the edge of her hand to his throat. He wheezed and his hand went to touch the aching spot. She kicked his knee, sending him lower and then placed a sweet hook right to his jaw, followed by another from the other side.

Dumb-struck, the man never saw her next kick coming and he fell to his knees completely.

When the sole of her right feet met with his chest with surprising strength, he fell backwards. Hitting his head, his body went limb.

The barista was standing above him, panting, her fists in front of her chin, ready to strike again if needed.

There was no need.

The man was lying on the floor unconscious, his gun several feet away, and the girl slowly lowered her arms and eased her fighting stance.

Cisco stared at her, speechless, his jaw almost on the floor. He had to remind himself to breathe in. For seconds, the café was deadly silent apart from Vera's heavy breaths and the echo of sirens from the outside.

"What the hell just happened?" Cisco whispered without being in control of his brain-to-mouth filter.

His words broke the spell and Vera shot him a look that seemed to be too animalistic for a human being – and 'deer in the headlights' didn't cover it. She was not only horrified and scared, but also… wild.

"I'm going to kill you!" Terri burst out, jumping over the counter, breaking the Cisco-Vera eye contact, and Cisco could see few bills flying away.

The black-haired barista – and ninja in one person, apparently – looked at her colleague and absently tried to roll her wrist. She grimaced.

"No, you're not."

"Are you OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"

"Granted," Vera uttered, returning her gaze to the mugger.

"Veronica! He could have killed you!"

"But he didn't."

"Well, that was because he wouldn't hurt such a sassy mouth, huh?! But since he didn't, you can be sure M— Mike will."

Vera winced, but didn't look at Terri again – she kept watching the gunman, who appeared to be unconscious. No one dared to move or speak.

"That would be counterproductive, don't you think? Shit, I think I sprained my wrist…"

Caitlin jumped to her feet. "Show me… I'm a doctor. Not pregnant, by the way."

"Sorry, didn't mean to offend you. You definitely don't look pregnant."

"Well, you possibly saved my life, so…" She carefully touched Vera's wrist, palpating it with a knowing look, until she grimaced too, letting out a disapproving sound. "I think it's actually broken."

They all jumped at the sound of a received text. Terri pulled out her phone, her expression clouding. "She's right, it's broken."

The remaining four people of their peculiar group raised their eyebrows at her claim, while the little people around them started chatting excitedly, full of what just happen. Someone was crying, but Cisco didn't feel the need to identify them. They were more interesting matters on hand.

"I mean… she obviously knows what she's doing…"

"Doprdele," Vera hissed under her breath and another text beeped in the scarily quiet space.

"Yep," Terri accented the P.

Team Flash was not following. Vera muttered something else, something Cisco couldn't make out, but it was followed by another text.

And then the cops stormed in.

-.-.-
Notes:
The policemen of Hell's Kitchen are late again. Terri had a vision. Vera kicked ass. Just the average Damned stuff ;) Who could be texting? :D

Btw, I read Generation of Vipers, which is an official book written by some members of the crew of Arrow and The Flash. It's a kinda cool crossover, so if you're into this thing… it's not exactly new, written in 2017, but hey… read it, it's good ;)