"Cisco," Barry called out as the other tried to sneak out the door from Star Labs after a long day. "We need to talk." The two of them were the last ones there, and Cisco had been avoiding him for most of the night. They both knew why.

Caught, Cisco padded back into the room. "Should have vibed." He muttered as he leaned against the desk. "Look, I know you're irritated I went up to her, but you said she looked cute. You need to get yourself back into the game, dude!"

Barry rolled his eyes as he gestured around here. "Are you not forgetting what happened two months ago? How we almost lost Iris because of me?" His voice was harsh, but he was frustrated. No matter how many times he had voiced this, Cisco would always do it again. "I don't want to drag anyone else into this unless it's absolutely necessary."

Cisco shrugged. "I don't know, man. When you pointed her out I had the feeling she could handle something like this."

"A vibe."

"No, a feeling." Cisco said, reaching into his pocket. "Her number is right here though, if you want me to try to vibe her."

"No!" Barry said, straightening up. "Look, I understand what you're trying to do for me, I do. But you're not helping when you keep doing this."

Cisco weighed the number in his hands for a moment. "We're still taking her out to see Central City. Caitlin is dying to meet her, and Iris wants to ask for an interview for the paper on her plans for Central City when she's ready." He said slowly as he avoided Barry's gaze. "It just feels right."

Barry sighed, knowing if Iris was involved there was no way this would be let go. "Fine. Let me know when you decide when or where." He huffed as he walked past Cisco to the exit.

Cisco turned as he watched Barry leave. "I just don't see the reason why you feel the need to punish yourself still," he called out with Barry's back to him. "Keeping yourself alone will just make you miserable."

Barry let the words hang in the air as he ignored them, choosing instead to run from Star Labs to his apartment. He tossed his keys on the table as he sat down on his couch, head in his hands. Cisco's right. He thought to himself as he sat there.

At first it was subconsciously. He'd show up for Iris and Eddie's movie nights for fifteen minutes- if he even showed up at all. Caitlin had returned only a few weeks ago, and she was distant as well. Whenever Cisco wanted to hang out (when he wasn't busy with Gypsy) he always claimed he had a case that he needed to be working on.

Work had lasted as a hiding place a couple of weeks before Eddie and Joe caught on. Either they or Iris would come up and stay there with him until he left- usually to get them off his back.

Nowadays, he just came home to his empty apartment whenever Star Labs was quiet. If he knew Wally was busy with Jesse or homework he'd go for runs around the city, trying to keep his mind occupied.

Trying to keep his distance from those he loved, so he'd never hurt them again.

Are you busy tonight? One of our friends wants to celebrate her article making the front page. Thought it'd be the perfect time for us to show you around. -CR

Jordan smiled as she looked at her phone. It had been a week since meeting the two of them at Jitters.

Is she a reporter? She replied back as she replaced her earbuds. She had spent the last week rearranging the back half of her apartment. From the front door to the living room, kitchen, bathroom and first bedroom it looked like a normal, everyday apartment.

Behind the fridge, however, she had placed a panel to hide the other two bedrooms. The smaller one of the two she had left alone the office area the woman who furnished it had decorated. In the master bedroom she had removed and donated everything that had been bought. She spent a full day ripping up the carpet and replacing it with a wood floor.

She had hung up her punching bag in the center of the room, and a couple of shelves lined the walls to hold her various gloves and equipment. In one corner, tucked back as far away from her bag as possible, sat a metal safe.

Jordan may have left her suit behind, but she wasn't stupid enough to be unarmed.

Her phone beeped again. Tonight's strictly off record. After a few drinks she'll probably try to convince you to do an interview with her at some point. He replied. Trust me, she's very persistent.

I'll be there. Jordan wrote back. Time and place?

She strapped her gloves on and began to hit the bag. After only a couple of nights off the streets, she started to feel the knots in her shoulders from the need to do something physical. Anything. Apparently, even replace wooden flooring herself.

Falling into an easy routine she didn't realize her phone went off until she was done.

Downtown CC, 10pm. Want us to pick you up?

No, I'll meet you there.

We'll meet you at this dive bar on the south side. Switch to the door is hidden beneath a statue of a lion. Password is 9124. See you tonight!

Closing the panel behind her she made her way out the front door for a quick run. The peace and quiet was starting to make her antsy.

Getting out of the apartment would be good for a night.

Once she got past the lion 'guarding' the door, she sent Cisco a quick text that she had arrived. Within seconds she felt a hand tap on her shoulder. "Jordan!" He exclaimed, grabbing her arm and leading her to a table where Barry and three others sat. Cisco pulled up another stool and placed it between his and Barry's chair. "Jordan, this is everyone. Everyone, Jordan." He gestured as he downed the rest of his drink. "I'm getting a new one. What do you want me to grab you?"

"A coke is fine," She replied easily as she sat down in the chair next to Barry. The dark haired woman across from her laughed. Jordan was glad she put on something casual, just leggings, boots and a grey tee-shit covered by a black leather jacket.

"Cisco got a little overenthusiastic on the pre-gaming." She explained, "That's Dr. Caitlin Snow, Detective Eddie Thawne, and I'm Iris, it's nice to meet you."

Jordan smiled. "It's nice to meet you all too, congrats on your article."

"Thanks! It was my first non-Flash related article to make the front page. I thought it needed celebration."

Barry, who had barely acknowledged her since she sat down, cleared his throat and looked pointedly at Iris. Before anyone could inquire further, Cisco reappeared with more drinks.

"Alright, water for Barry because he sucks, coke for Jordan, water for Caitlin, and shots for the rest!" He exclaimed as he passed out the orders. Iris, Eddie and him clinked glasses and tipped them back. Iris and Eddie both winced at it went down their throats- Cisco seemed totally unphased as he sat back down. "Caitlin's the whole reason I recognized you at Jitters. She made me sit through that whole panel with her- how long did it last, five hours?"

Caitlin rolled her eyes. "It was two hours long and we both know you enjoyed it."

"You're more than welcome to visit the Central City labs whenever you have time," Jordan replied. "I can always take you through them."

Her eyes lit up. "That would be amazing! I haven't toured another lab in forever."

"Let's celebrate with more shots!" Cisco shouted as he jumped out of his chair and ran off.

Iris blanched. She jumped off her bar stool and pulled Eddie by his arm. "Let's dance so he can't force us to take another one with him." She led him away from the table as Caitlin sighed.

"I'll go cut him off." She said as she stood up, leaving Barry and Jordan sitting alone.

Jordan sipped on her coke as she took in her surroundings. She could see where Iris and Eddie ran and hid on the floor, and she thought she could see Cisco and Caitlin arguing at the bar.

She could see Barry sitting next to her out of the corner of her eye. His hair was messy and scattered, his blue eyes looked tired, as if he wanted to be anywhere else but here. He was dressed in a laid back red flannel and jeans.

He looked worn.

"I can leave if you want." She said, finishing her drink.

Barry blinked and turned towards her. "No," he said, shaking his head. "I'm sorry. It's been a long week, a lot of late nights."

"I've had my fair share of those." She replied without thinking. "I mean, by running the company in Gotham. That's all." She covered when he raised his eyebrow.

He nodded. "Yeah, I can relate to that." He gestured towards her now empty soda. "You don't drink?"

Jordan shrugged. "In Gotham it was never really safe for me to go out like this. Didn't want to push my luck tonight." She surveyed the room and saw Cisco walking back to the table, Caitlin in tow. He put his arms around the two of them.

"Did you leave Gotham because Dick Grayson cheated on you? I saw it on a tabloid in the grocery store." Cisco slurred out as the other three turned to him in shock.

"Cisco!" Caitlin shrieked as she pulled his arms off Jordan and Barry. She flashed the other girl a look of apology. "Leave stuff like that be."

Waving her hand in dismissal, "It's fine, bound to come up at some point." She turned towards Cisco. "It was a part of the reason, but a long time coming. No point to dwell on it." Slipping back on her jacket, she stood and smiled at the other two. "I should get going. I have to call into a board meeting tomorrow afternoon, and I haven't reviewed the files." She walked past Caitlin's protests as she headed for the door, stepping out into the cool night air. Rubbing her arms, she began walking in the direction of her apartment.

She knows she shouldn't have left, that it was a bit of an overreaction. But the wound was still fresh and she had spent all week doing her best to ignore everything related to Dick and the Bat family.

About a minute later she heard footsteps of a jogger that slowed as they caught up to her. "I'll walk you home." Barry said as he slowed to her pace.

"You don't have to," she replied glancing over to him. "Go have fun, I've walked home alone in Gotham. I can handle myself in Central City."

"I will." Barry declared, and they walked in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again. "I'm sorry about Cisco. He loses all sense of decency when drunk."

She shrugged. "He didn't say anything wrong. I'm just," she cut off for a moment. "I'm just not ready to face anything about it yet."

Barry watched her from the corner of his eye as she pulled her jacket around herself. Her face was unreadable, her dark hair was thrown up in a messy bun with wisps of hair falling out. "You know, if you need someone to-"

"I'm fine."

He dropped it. He couldn't blame her for not wanting to talk about things when he couldn't bring himself to. "Well, just keep it in mind."

She nodded. They had turned down an alley and were standing at the stairs of her apartment. "This is me. Thanks for walking me home."

Barry looked up the stairs, seeing the rickety door. The alley had one light at the end of it, barely enough to see her standing next to it. The walls of the alley were covered in graffiti, multiple dumpsters about. He swore he saw a man lying next to one. "I would have thought you lived somewhere a little nicer."

Shrugging, she looked around. "Everyone minds their business in these parts."

"Sounds like you're hiding from someone."

She snorted. "You wouldn't believe it if I told you." He watched her walk up the stairs, unlock her door and wave to him as she slipped inside.