Here is chapter nine! Time for the action to really begin!

I do not own CW's Flash or any character's or places mentioned.

Chapter Nine

The Flash isn't Inspiring Enough

Marla

A few days after the Arrow incident, I was munching on a Pop-Tart while typing on my laptop. When a knock sounded on my door, I shoved another piece into my mouth before padding over to the door.

Looking through the peephole first, I quickly opened the door for Leonard.

"Fancy meeting you here." He greeted.

"What's up? There a Rogue meeting I missed?"

He shook his head as he sauntered into the kitchen, "Just checking in. Even though you're more well-behaved than the rest, I still get suspicious when things seem too quiet." He smiled slightly, "Also, I just wanted to make sure the Arrow didn't get you too horribly. I'm surprised to see you without a scratch."

I laughed, "This time. He threatened to put an arrow in me if he ever saw me in Star City again."

He nodded, unsurprised, "Figured as much."

Wandering over to my fridge, I poured myself a glass of orange juice, "Did you want something?"

He hummed, "Black coffee."

I shook my head, "I don't do coffee, I've got teas, though."

"Give me your best then."

Smiling, I pulled out my toasted coconut tea and began steeping one for him, ironically, in a Flash mug.

He raised an eyebrow at my choice causing me to shrugged innocently, "They don't have any Captain Cold mugs."

Four minutes later, the tea was done and I added some coconut creamer.

"You may not like creamer, but, trust me, this tea is not complete without it."

He hummed again, "If you say so." Taking the mug, he glanced at my computer, "What are we working on?"

Shutting my laptop quickly, I replied, "Nothing. Just whatever."

He gave me a knowing look, "You know I can just get Hartley to hack into it, right?"

I rolled my eyes, "And he'd do it as a form of payback for annoying him with my conversation about the Green Arrow." I sighed, "I'm trying to write a book."

He straightened, "A book?"

"I was an English major, writing is my passion. I just can't think of what to write about."

He depanned, "You live in a city that has its own personal superhero."

I shrugged, "Not inspired enough to write about it, I guess."

He chuckled, "You tell Barry that? Speaking of, he came into Saints and Sinners looking for you." He gave me a sly smile complete with a wink.

I laughed, "Yeah, okay. I'm sure he did."

"Cross my heart. 'Course he didn't say he was looking for you, but it wasn't hard to figure out."

I rolled my eyes and placed my, now empty, plate into the sink.

Since my back was turned, I missed the way Leonard's eyes widened before he grabbed my arm.

"Marla!" He pulled me over the island and to the floor just as a bullet zoomed through my window, narrowly missing my head.

Leonard charged up the Cold gun and aimed it, never actually firing. A minute later, he powered it down.

"Looks like he ran."

Breathing heavily, I swallowed, "What the hell was that?!"

He pursed his lips together, "Seems like someone's trying to kill you. Would've succeeded too, if I wasn't here."

I blinked multiple times, "Thanks… Why would someone want to kill me?!"

He shook his head, "Don't know, but I'm going to find out."

Pulling out his phone he dialed a number, groaning when whoever it was didn't answer. He tried again, with the same result.

"C'mon, Kid. I don't have time for this." He dialed a third time before the other person picked up, "Finally! I need you to come over to Marla's apartment. I'm going to need CSI you, not Flash you."

The second after he hung up, a blast of wind signalled Barry's entrance.

"What the hell happened here?"

I finally stood from my position on the floor, "Apparently, someone is trying to kill me."

"Why would someone be trying to kill you?!"

I shook my head, "I have no idea."

Leonard cleared his throat and nodded his head to the side, "Bullet's over there. Also, I want you to take her to S.T.A.R. Labs to protect her. Whoever did this isn't going to stop just because they failed this time."

I scoffed, "I don't need protection."

He gave me a pointed look, "There's a difference between need and want. You don't want protection, but you need it."

I rolled my eyes, "Says who?"

"Me."

I sighed and watched Barry put the bullet into an evidence bag, "What are the odds someone called the police?"

"None. Everyone knows that if there's a problem, especially involving one of my Rogues, it's better to leave it to me than go to the police unless I say otherwise."

Barry nodded in understanding, "Gives you less of a headache, I guess. Alright, I'll have this run through our databases, see if anything comes up. If nothing does, I'll send it over to Star City to see if they've got anything." He looked at me expectantly, "You coming willingly or are you going to make this difficult?"

I sighed, "Lemme get a bag together and change real quick."

Grabbing my purse, I grabbed my wallet and laptop. After I grabbed everything I needed/wanted, I went into my room to throw on some skinny jeans and a t-shirt.

"'Kay, let's go."

Without another word, Barry sped over to me before moving us to S.T.A.R. Labs.

Barry

As we entered S.T.A.R Labs, I dropped the bullet in front of Cisco.

He looked down at the bullet and then back up at me, "Why?"

I smiled slightly, "Why what?"

"Why am I looking at a bullet and why is Siren here?"

Joe jumped when he noticed Marla standing in the corner of the Cortex.

I sighed, "The bullet is from a gun that someone used to shoot at Marla, she's here so we can protect her until we figure out who's trying to kill her."

"I don't need babysitters." She spoke up from the corner.

I rolled my eyes, "Too bad, you've got 'em." I turned back to Cisco, "Can you go through our database to see if any matches come up."

He nodded, "Can do, will do."

Marla sighed, "Whelp, I'm already bored. I'm gonna make a run to Big Belly Burger."

I nodded, "I'll come with you."

"I told you, I don't need a babysitter. Leonard just thinks I do."

I shrugged nonchalantly, "Yeah, well, I'm hungry anyway. It's like killing two birds with one stone."

She rolled her eyes and all but stomped out of the building. The walk over to Big Belly Burger was silent, but I could tell that she was trying to figure out how to ditch me. As soon as we sat down at a table with our food, I made it obvious that I knew.

"If you're planning on trying to ditch me, please don't try the "I have to use the bathroom" excuse. It's been so overused."

She gave me a sour look before shoving some fries in her mouth, causing me to laugh.

Unknown

I watched in annoyance as Marla McKinnon walk into Big Belly Burger, alive. I grew even more annoyed as I watched someone follow her inside before sitting down across from her. No doubt that he was there to watch her.

Taking a deep breath, I called my employer.

"Is it done?" He demanded.

"No. I didn't count on the fact that Snart would be in her apartment this morning. He pulled her out of the way just before the bullet hit."

"What's stopping you from trying again?!"

"There's some guy following her around. I saw him with Snart the day I first saw the girl. Obviously they know each other. I think Snart's having him act as her protection detail."

He huffed in frustration, "Fine. I'll think of something else." I heard him chuckle, "This may actually work in our favor."

"How so?

"Snart giving her a bodyguard proves that she means something to him. Obviously he cares for her more than his other Rogues. And that is something we can use to our advantage."

Okay! Marla's life is now in danger and Barry is her bodyguard. Here's a sneak peak into the next chapter!

Barry was my "bodyguard" for roughly two hours before I got seriously fed up.

"I don't care if you think I need it! I don't need someone to protect me, least of all the Flash."

"Well, I don't care, no one is killing one of my Rogues." I growled in irritation, "You've got two choices, Marla. Either you stick with Barry and are free to run around the city, or you can deal with me and I'll make sure you can't leave wherever I put you. Your choice."

I huffed and glared at Barry, who waved at me from his spot on my couch.

Taking a deep breath, I made up my mind, "I'll stick with Barry."

"Good choice. Who knows, maybe you'll find out you have something in common."

Hanging up without another word, I looked back to Barry, "So… how does Chinese sound to you?"

As always, reviews are welcome and constructive criticism is appreciated.

See you next time!