Iris West had done the unthinkable. She went back to work. And she was right. It had been miserable, everybody was compassionate and sorry for her loss. It had been emotionally draining and more than anything she wanted to go back to her bed and never return. But, in a way, it had been a good day to. Barry had come by for lunch and just seeing him alive was enough to make her smile, not a full blown smile, but enough to remind her how to. That was so Barry. To come in with his smile and cheer her up. She had missed him, and to see him walking around made her realize that, of course, her dad was right. Getting back out there just might be good for her after all.
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"Albert, just what the heck were you thinking"? The fury of Patty Spivot's entrance into the crime lab was rivaled only by the blank expression of disinterest that stole over Julian's face. "I have no idea what you're talking about Spivot".
"Cut the crap. You turned in a report on my incompancy as a detective"?
"Prove me wrong".
"Please, what do you know about being a detective"?
"I know you need more than a thirst for vengeance".
"What are you talking about"? Patty had an idea of what he was driving at. She hoped to God she was wrong. "Patricia.."
"Patty".
"...Patricia. No matter how much you want to be, you are nothing more than a forensic investigator. And further more, if you ever question my methods again I will see to it you are fired".
"Oh please, if you had the gall to do that you would have done it already". The silence that fell was uninterrupted by a new presence in the room. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Patty Spivot". Sighing with relief Patty turned from Julian to face the newcomer. "I'm Patty. What can i help you with"?
"Hi, Iris West, reporter for the Chronicle. What do you know about a burning man"?
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If you give a mouse a cookie, hes going to want a glass of milk. If you give Cisco Ramon a strange occurance he's going to want to never leave his computer. It was now coming up on two months since Barry first woke up and already he was running circles around S.T.A.R. Labs. Day by day he continued to grow, all the while Dr. Harrison Wells kept track of his progress with an invested interest.
Cisco on the other hand had been busy with another project entirely. in his spare time during the first nine months he had been working on a new fireman suit that was made of a leather/textile combo lined with dwarf star alloy which dissipates any heat around it. Cisco figured you could walk into a volcano and come out without a scratch. But, no funding and lack of materials meant he could only make a prototype suit. It was during the finishing touches on the suit that an alarm went off in the cortex. "Everyone, please report to the Cortex". This could only mean one thing.
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"Iris, we've been looking at this for weeks, without anything to show for it".
"Patty we are close, i know it. And what about this other sighting? A man who can control the weather"? Iris didn't even look up from the reports on the table. Report after report described a man on fire that could fly anf another with weather powers. "Could the two of you at least move your mess out of my lab, I have a reputation you know".
"For being a douchebag"?
"For being tidy, thank you". As the weeks had passed the volitity of Patty's and Julian's fights had died down, mainly due to another presence in the lab. Too Julian Iris West was unwanted, unneeded, and quite frankly, he could care less about her little project.
Finally Iris sat down with a huff. week after week and no new lead. This wasn't good. Her work load at the paper was backed up and she hadnt had a new headline since...since that night. The night everything..."That's it".
"What's it"?
"Please tell me it's going to take you away from here".
"The night S.T.A.R. Labs exploded therr was this colorful cloud and this weird energy".
"Yeah, so"?
"So, what if the burning man is related to the explosion"?
"What if he is? We don't know".
"That's why I'm going to ask".
"No, nonono I'm not going to let you waltz in there by yourself".
"Of course not, that's why your both coming with me".
"What"?"What"?
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Harrison Wells was a man of many talents. And secrets. He shared some of both, but kept more to himself. Therr eas nobody in the world he could trust but himself. Himself; he laughed, thinking about how completely caught of guard his friends would be if the truth came out.
Speaking of which the three came running into the cortex, coming to a complete stop upon seeing the picture of the violent storm just on the edge of Central City. I believe it is safe to say that we have never seen a storm like this anywhere".
"You're telling me", Cisco said ", it's equivalent to a catagory 2 tornado, except all areas around it are completely calm".
"What's causing this"?
"I believe I know". All eyes tur ed to the three new arrivals standing in the door. Harrison rolled forward, taking off his glasses and pointing with them. "Who are you"?
"My name is Iris West, these are Patty Spivot and Julian Albert".
"Iris, what are you doing here"? Barry asked, shuffling foot to foot. "For a few weeks now I've been looking into...a certain interest and something came up when a man with, quote, weather powers robbed a bank. I could be wrong, but what if the particle accelerator's explosion did something to change this man"? Dr. Wells looked to Cisco, Caitlin and Barry. "It is possible Dr. Wells. We do, after all know of one other person who was affected".
"Who", Iris askrd woth peaked interest. "No one you need concern yourself with Ms. West. Your insight into this matter is very helpful, we will be looking into this matter. Thank you". As the trio walked out into the hallway to leave Patty couldn't help but feel relieved. "Well, that's over".
Iris smiled to herself. "You don't know me at all, do you Patty"?
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Once he was satisfied that the building was clear Dr. Wells returned to the cortex wherr Cisco was wheeling out a draped object. "Whst do we have here Cisco"?
"All right, a few months back I started working on some revolutionary fireman bunker gear. I figured if S.T.A.R. Labs could do something nice for the community then, maybe everyone wouldn't be so mad at Dr. Wells". Everyone took a moment of silence. More than anything public safety was patamount. A lot of information had just been unveiled and none more distressing than a new human with powers that, possibly, was hell-bent on destruction. "Anyhow, I give you", as Cisco pulled back the veil Barry couldn't conceal the awe that came over him. The suit was a deep red, with darker edges around the wrists and at the top of the boots, "It's completely heat and abrasion resistant so it should be able to handle high speeds. the helmet is separate, but it locks in with the loose neck for maximum head movement. No Batman here tonight ladies and gentlemen".
"And, just what are you planning to do with this"?
"Well, i figured that with another powered being out there we could help stop him".
"Mr. Ramon. We don't know the full extent of his powers, or even if this storm is caused by this person and we definitely don't know to what extent Barry's powers are. I'm not willing to risk his life for a game of chance". Cisco hung his head and stepped back at the same time Barry, head held high stepped forward. "I am Dr. Wells. I don't know why I Have these powers, but if I can use them to help people, I will". Harrison Wells, for one rare moment, hung his head in surrender. "Well, Mr. Allen, clearly I can't stop you. So, I'm going to go. I sincerely hope I'm proven wrong".
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The suit fit perfectly. It was comfortable, maneuverable and, surprisingly cool. The suit is outfitted with an array of sensors to keep track of your vitals. So, basically, you're getting a free checkup". Caitlin kept her eyes on her tablet, but the distance that had lessened between them had begun to grow again in that moment. "Hey, what's wrong"?
"Nothing".
"You're biting your lower lip, something's up".
"It's Nothing Barry. I'm sorry, it's just, i haven't been worried like this since...since...". Understanding, Barry took her hands in his. Pulling her in he felt her body conform to his as she met his embrace. This was different than what they had shared on the treadmill. This was complete and total need for each other. "I'll come back Caitlin. I promise". And with that Caitlin looked at him with a deep sadness. "That's what Ronnie said. and I never saw him again".
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Wheeeeew. Finally got it done. This one took a couple rewrites but i got it done.
So, first things first. Thank you guys SO MUCH for all the love. I wasn't expecting this kind of response to the story but it is so welcome. And if you don't like anything PLEASE tell me and if it isnt vital to the story I'll do my best to change it(as long as i don't haveto rewrite chapters. I hate that). I know Patty and Julian have shown up early, but...Patty worked alongside Barry in the comics as a forensic scientist and investigator and I just love her, especially when Shantel played her. And as for Julian, someone had to fill in for Barry and I just wanted to try my hand at writing him. And I really want your thoughts on when I should bring in Frost, I have this great idea for a little trick she and Flash can do and she is vital to it. Also, were on chapter four and not even out of episode one so, i definitely will be skipping some episodes so, if there are any episodes you want to see please let me know. Anyways, once again, with all my love and gratitude...
FicManiac 12