Ryleigh stared at him for a minute before moving to sit beside him on the couch. She was surprised that he was there since he'd told her that she could leave at any time, but she had to go if the fob changed colors. When she looked down at the fob, she saw that it was indeed a different color, like a peach. She was also surprised by how the soreness she'd felt from getting stabbed was suddenly gone. It had disappeared the moment she'd realized that she was in her living room. It was something that they never really talked about on the show. Yes, vampire blood healed the wounds, but the soreness and pain didn't immediately go away. She walked over to where he sat on the couch and sat next to him. He was frowning at her, but it seemed more out of concern than anything. She turned herself to face him somewhat to make it easier for them to talk and she took a deep breath before speaking.

"I guess we do need to talk. That whole experience was fantastic, but that last bit? That was too much; no average person could see that and want to stay." Grady bowed his head for a moment and then replied, his face a little pensive.

"Well that's right to a certain point, but the real point is to realize that it's not real…yet. You're there to get to know your favorite characters and going through a scenario such as what you went through only strengthens bonds on that kind of show. As you saw, your friends were there, and they were anxious for you. Matt, however, may not get over you pushing him away such as you did." Ryleigh scoffed at his words; he had no clue.

"Please, there's no way that I'm going back there! That whole mess was insane from the beginning. I was attacked twice, and then I get stabbed by the hunter! Yeah, no way am I putting myself in that situation ever again." Grady smiled a somewhat knowing smile and stood up.

"Well, I always say 'never say never.' You had a strong bond with them so I wouldn't write them off completely. So, the recharge of the device is relative, but you were only there for a month, one full day here. It shouldn't take long for it to recharge and then you can pick a different realm to visit." Ryleigh shook her head; she didn't want to do it anymore. The idea was fun to think about, but after living it, she couldn't see herself going anywhere else. She held the fob out to him and shook her head once more.

"You can have this back; I don't see myself using it again." Grady held his hands up and backed away towards the front door.

"I'm not ready to accept defeat yet with you, Ms. Jameson. Sleep on it and try again in a different world once it's recharged. Call me anytime you need or want." After making the statement, he opened her front door to leave, but paused and glanced over at her.

"Oh yes, one more thing before I forget. Your absence from your life here is work related. Your job sent you to a book expo to see about getting new vendors. Whenever you are in the other realms, your absence will be because of your work; it's the easiest excuse." Ryleigh started to say that they didn't do things like that, but when she went into her room, paperwork was on her bed. It had a list of book distributors and items that were going to be delivered to her store. She looked at the fob and rolled her eyes at it, placing it on the night stand next to her bed. She'd never use it again; she was entirely sure of it.

Three days had passed since she'd returned from Mystic Falls and she was downright surly. She wasn't trying to be, and she tried to reign it in, but she was lonely. She'd gotten used to having friends to talk to on a regular basis and hang out with. Now, she was back to her normal routine of working and taking care of her mother. Yes, she had money now, and she could see about enrolling into classes, but it wasn't the same. Her friends from high school had all moved on and weren't in town anymore. They didn't keep in contact with her, and she couldn't blame them because she didn't remain in contact with them either. So, when she came home from work after a late night, she was relieved to see the fob had turned back to its vibrant green color. She knew it was silly to try again and she definitely wasn't ready to back to Mystic Falls after what had happened. Still, being able to belong to a group of friends was something that she missed. Her mother was doing a lot better with her new routine, and she was almost completely off the alcohol, though she still had bad days. She sat down on her bed and stared at the fob, wondering if she could go through it again. She ignored it and got ready for bed. She got out of the shower and put on her pajamas when she walked back into her room. The fob was staring at her, the green glowing as if telling her to use it. Biting her lip, she picked it up and went into the living room. It couldn't hurt to try it once more and see how it went. She'd take Grady's advice and go to a different realm; Mystic Falls was out…for now. She closed her eyes and thought of her second favorite show. She pressed down on the correct button and touched the television, feeling the familiar tug and dizziness associated with teleporting into the fantasy of her choice. When it settled, and she knew that she wasn't in her living room anymore she glanced around, getting a feel for her surroundings.

She could tell at once that she was in a motel room and not a regular house. She searched the memories that she knew they'd given her and she was glad to know the fob had taken her to Central City, just like she'd asked. Sifting through everything she knew about the show so far and what they'd given her was easier this time around. The flash had only aired three seasons so far, a whole lot less than TVD. She realized that her background was similar though, she'd grown up with Iris and Barry, and they'd been friends all through school until she'd taken a lab assistant job in Coast City. It seems that she was Harrison's Well's niece and he'd experimented on her. Her name was still Ryleigh, but her last name was Wells. It appeared that in this version of the story, Harrison had a brother, Hank. She was a big science geek, and she'd spent summers at Star Labs, only to have Harrison do experiments on her. She shook her head to clear thoughts and wished that she'd changed clothes before traveling when her closet door suddenly opened. She jumped back, startled that it had done it on its own. She realized then, seeing it in her thoughts that this was the reason she was there. She wanted to reach out to Barry, another scientific mind to figure out why she had powers. So, it appeared that whatever scenario she put herself in, she was going to have special abilities…she wasn't mad at that. She glanced at the clock and on the night stand and saw that it was the same time as she'd arrived home, it was well after midnight. She placed the transparent fob in the drawer of the little table and climbed into the bed. She just hoped that she could actually sleep from the excitement of meeting Barry for real the following day.

The next morning, she chose casual clothing from her wardrobe, jeans a simple boho blouse and flats. She grabbed her phone, keys, and wallet before heading out the front door. She was able to get a cab easily enough and told the taxi driver to take her to the police station, where she knew that Barry worked. She couldn't help but stare at the scenery as it passed, it was beautiful and just like the show. When the cab came to a stop in front of the station, she had butterflies in her stomach, for what reason, she didn't know. She walked up the steps and headed for the lobby, which was just that…a lobby. A pleasant older lady smiled at her at the reception desk, so she knew that this was where she needed to start. The woman behind the desk held out a clip board to her.

"Welcome to the Central City Police Headquarters, if you'll just sign out visitor log, please. How may I help you?" She quickly signed her name and answered the lady while she was writing.

"Yes I'm looking for Barry Allen, is he in today?" The lady smiled and picked up the phone, but not before responding.

"Mr. Allen is on the Crime Scene Investigative team, and I'll check to see if he's in the office." Ryleigh waited patiently as the receptionist spoke quietly on the phone and then looked over at her with a smile.

"It appears that Mr. Allen is indeed in his office today, he's just conferencing with one of the detectives at the moment. You can take the elevator to the third floor, and the flight of steps to your right will bring you the labs." Ryleigh thanked her and then headed for the elevators. She was nervous, but she couldn't tell if that was her or her character's thoughts because she hadn't spoken to Barry in over a year. When she stepped out onto the third floor, she couldn't help the gasp as she looked around. It was exactly as she pictured it, it was incredible. She hadn't moved yet when she heard a distinct voice from the show and turned to greet Joe West as he greeted her.

"Oh my goodness, it can't be Ryleigh Wells! It has been way too long, how have you been?" Ryleigh allowed him to hug her and she felt her excitement rise as she answered him.

"I know, I haven't meant to leave it this long, but life. I'm actually on vacation from the lab in Coast City, and I thought I would come down and surprise Barry and Iris." He grinned and began to lead her over to the stairs.

"Well, I can tell you that they're both going to be very excited to see you. Barry is upstairs in his lab; I'll take you up there. Iris works at the newspaper now, and I can give her a call if you want." They walked up the steps and down the hall towards the lab that Barry worked in. She nodded at Joe and thanked him.

"Yeah, that would be great. Thank you for showing me the way, I won't be here long, I don't want to interfere with his work." Joe chuckled as they came to a stop outside of his lab door.

"Don't worry about it; he'll be happy to see you. I'll let you go in by yourself so you two can catch up, but I'll go give Iris a call." She said goodbye to Joe and took a step into his lab, her mouth dropping open. It was incredible being there for real, but she didn't see Barry. She stepped in a little further when she heard him; he was behind the little half wall talking to someone.

"Eddie, I don't know what to tell you. Iris will be happy with anything you get her because she values the thought you put into the gift more than what the gift is." She heard Eddie's voice and realized they must be in the first season still.

"Thanks, Barry, that actually does help me." He came around the corner and smiled when he saw her.

"Oh sorry, did you need to see Barry? I was just leaving so he's all yours." At the sound of Eddie talking to someone else, Barry rounded the corner and stopped, a huge grin splitting his face.

"Ryleigh? Wow, I can't believe you walked into my lab today! It's so good to see you!" Ryleigh returned his smile and gladly hugged him back as he reached for her. The hug lasted longer than an average friend hug normally would, and she knew she needed to go through the memories they gave her more thoroughly because it seemed like she and Barry had been close enough to have had a close call relationship wise. Barry finally released her, his hands lingering on her waist before stepping away when he realized Eddie was still there. He chuckled nervously as he introduced them.

"Eddie, this is Ryleigh Wells, Iris and I grew up with her, and she's one of our oldest and best friends." Eddie kept his smile on his face as he reached for her head.

"Oh, it's nice to meet you, I'm Eddie Thawne, I'm Iris's boyfriend. She has mentioned you several times, so it's good to meet you finally. I have to talk to Joe about a case we're working on, so I won't keep you two from catching up." Once he was gone, Barry turned his smile back on her, full watt this time.

"I am so glad you finally came back for a visit, I just wish that you'd told me you were coming! Where are you staying, I know your parents moved away." Ryleigh started to walk around his lab to get a feel for it as she answered.

"I'm just hunkered down in a motel; I got in late last night. I actually came to talk to you about something…it's Important." His smile fell off his face when she replied, and he sat down on the stool at his work table.

"Oh, please tell me you're not at that roach motel off the highway? We can do better than that; I'm sure Joe wouldn't mind you staying in Iris's old room. I've moved back in with him, and Iris lives with Eddie now." Ryleigh chuckled and shook her head.

"That's okay; I don't want to impose, Barry, I don't know how long I'm going to be able to stay." He frowned at her but quickly cleared it up as he motioned for her to sit down next to him.

"I'll let it go for now, but what did you want to talk to me about? I'm in between cases right now, all caught up, so you have my full attention." Ryleigh didn't take the offered seat; instead, she fidgeted next to him as she worked up the courage to tell him what she needed to say.

"Well first, I don't want you to be upset with me. I was in town the day the Particle Accelerator blew up at Star Labs. It was only for a few hours because I was meeting Jerry. I heard on the news that you were in a coma a week after it happened, Iris didn't tell me. I called several times to check in on you, and I didn't realize until recently that you were ok." Barry was immediately in front of her, his hands on her shoulders.

"You don't have to apologize, Rye, I know that you and Iris had some sort of falling out, though neither of you will tell me why. First thing's first though, why were you meeting Jerry? I thought you were done with that loser!" She felt the blush creeping up her neck and ending in cheeks as she answered.

"Oh, I'm definitely done with him now, he completely ditched me during the explosion. There was this blast, and it rendered me unconscious for a few minutes, and when I woke up, I was alone. That's actually why I came to see you, Barry. Since that night…well…I can do things. I was hesitant to come forward because I've been seeing reports on the news about people with powers and how evil they are. I wasn't sure that I'd be received if I told you that I was able to do weird things like the people on tv." This got Barry's attention, and she watched as different emotions played on his face. He went through remorse, shock, anger, and then what seemed like pity.

"So, you were affected by the blast from Star Labs? It just so happens that I've been working with the team there to help them research the Meta's. Once I'm done here, I can take you there so we can run some tests and see what we're dealing with." Ryleigh felt the anger bubble up from the pit of her stomach, and she shook her head.

"Why on earth are you working with anyone at Star Labs? I came here for your help Barry, but I'm not stepping foot in that place ever again."