Iris West paced the floor of the CCPD forensics lab, Julian's pen tapping with irritation on the desk. "West, would you please stop that? You're waring a rut into the floor with your tendency for pacing".

"I'm sorry Julian, I've just got so much on my mind right now. Where's Patty, I could use her help with this"?!

"Your guess is as good as mine", he said, his jaw clenched with aggrivation. His wound from Weather Wizard's lightning bolt was aching and he refused to take pain medication.

Iris couldn't help but notice how close Patty and Julian had gotten over the past few weeks, and lately Julian had become more distant than before, and he was plenty distant then. "Julian, did you say something to her"?

"Like what"?

"Like something to make her upset"?

"What is this, an interrogation"?

"No, it's a friend being concerned for another".

"We are not friends, Iris".

"Ignore it all you want, push us away if that makes you happy, but we still care for you. Even if you're acting like a wuss".

"What is it your even working on"?

"It's about the other night at the field".

"You mean when I almost got killed"?

"Yes, the Weather Wizard",

"Come up with that all on your own did you"?

"Yeah, every newspaper villain needs a monicar".

"Please continue".

"Well, the Weather Wizard wasn't defeated by the Flash, but by a mysterious other who was on fire".

"Wait? This mysterious person was on fire"?

"Yes".

"Well, it shouldn't be a mystery for long if their ablaze. They're probably dead by now, if they weren't already".

"I'm serious Julian, therr us a new type of human out there, probably the next stage of human evolution. Isn't that something that you want your name on"?

"Right now, the only thing I want my name on is a cappuccino from Jitters". As he walked away he suddenly turned, a reluctant acceptance on his face. "Would you care to join me Iris"?

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In the slums of Central City a lone figure sits alone in a dark alley, speaking, what seams like, at first, to another, but is actually himself.

"We should have told her'.

'We can't, it could bring her and Caity into danger, and I will not allow that'.

'But she saw us, she recognized me'.

'Only because it's your body'.

'Gentlemen, please, your giving me a headache'.

'You know what, Professor, it's your fault we're even in this situation'.

'I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, Ronald'.

'I mean you have us scavenging around for scraps, in garbage'.

'Forgive me if I'm trying to keep us alive and out of the hands of those who would dissect us'.

'Let 'em try'.

'Oh really Edward, do you have to be so mellow dramatic'?

'Im with the professor on this Eddie. We can't hurt people, not like that man you torched last month'.

'Well I wasn't going to let that...AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH'.

'Oh no, Edward's body is deteriorating faster then I had previously calculated. It might be time to seek help from your friends Ronald'.

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"C'mon guys, at least make it challenging". Barry Allen was a blur of dark blue and yellow lightning as he sped around the lab, playing chess with Dr. Wells, ping-pong with Cisco, and operation with Caitlin, simultaneously.

"This isn't just a fun exercise Mr. Allen,' Dr. Wells cautioned, 'this is to test your mental agility and see how you handle multiple tasks at the same time".

"You mean multitasking"?

"Multitasking is a myth, Mr. Allen. It is merely the allusion given to maintaining multiple tasks separately, yet within the same time structure. This is not an exercise in rubbing your head and patting your belly, this can help you significantly in the field".

"Dr. Wells is right', Caitlin interjected, 'your focus will be greatly inhanced with practice".

"Maybe we could practice later', Barry said with a smirk, giving Caitlin a quick, but firm kiss, causing Caitlin to flush with embarrassment. Since agreeing not to be more than friends, both adults had found it impossible not to be affectionate with the other, so they had given in and began unofficially dating. But Caitlin still had issues with PDA. She was a firm believer in saving your affection for when you could give your attention to your significant other wholly and completely. And she wanted to be that with Barry, but she wasn't ready, and she wasn't sure how to tell him.

"Practice on your own time Mr. Allen, right now we need to focus on the here and now". Especially with what was about to happen. Snart would steal the cold gun, and eventually the heat gun. But at least that day wasn't today. The day he almost lost everything important to him.

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Leonard Snart, not many know him, those that do fear him. He had grown up in the shadow of an incompetent thief, something he strived never to be. Make no mistake, he was by far the best thief in the field, a man who knew what would happen before it happened. It was no parlor trick, but a passion for his "art". He carefully planed each heist and sought perfection in his crimes so much so that the police arrived long after he had fled.

This next heist though, would put him in the history books. Right now he was looking it square in the polished surface. It was a priceless jewel, larger than the Hope Diamond and twice as valuable. he knew exactly how much, calculating the take for each member of his crew as he chewed his spearmint gum, noticing a child looking at him, then smiled as Leonard offered him a piece if gum. Reality came back as the droning voice of the tour guide finished up the well practiced, and well worn monologue on the diamond. Leonard Snart sighed as he looked at his watch and turned to leave the group. He had somewhere to be.

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Barry groaned as the hot shower washed aeay the aches and sweat from his body. It had been a long day and he was ready to go home. He smiled at the thought of what would be waiting for him. A mountain of food and the most beautiful woman in the world to cuddle with, being able to smell her unique of Cinnamon and mint that always calmed him down after a long day. A long day that involved a stolen kiss that, now that he thought about it wasn't as involved on both sides. 'Dang it', he thought, 'Caity doesn't like PDA'. She had told him why and he understood her feelings and respected them. And he had forced her outside her comfort zone. He needed to talk to her. Now!

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Caitlin was outside S.T.A.R. Labs, walking to her car when Barry found her. "Caitlin', he called over the distance.

"Barry', she asked, concerned, 'what is it".

"I'm sorry Caitlin".

"About what"?

"About kissing you in front of Cisco and Dr. Wells". Caitlin's shoulders dropped with relief as she let out a relieved chuckle.

"It's okay Barry. I know I have a thing about boundaries and I'm glad you're considerate of that, but if you want to steal a kiss now and then I won't mind. I love you Bartholomew Allen". With that she leaned in to kiss him, but not before a flaming man crashed into her car.

"My apologies, I seem to be losing cohesion with myselves". That was all he managed to say before passing out.

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Barry and Caitlin stood side by side as they watched the body of Eddie Thawne as it lay, strapped down on a hospital bed. He had been given a sedative and biw they waited for Dr. Wells to inform them of Eddie's condition. They turned as they heard the familiar whir of the power chair.

"While Mr. Thawne's condition is, for the moment stable, I'm afraid there is more here than just his ability to 'flame on', as Cisco's comics put it".

"What do you mean"?

"I mean that there are three consciounsses inside Mr. Thawne, and not just consciousses but two other people. Right now they are constantly battling for superiority, and Mr. Thawne's body is rejecting them like a host rejects a parisite. The resulting instability is causing an exothermic reaction. I worry. If his temperature continues to rise it will set off a chain reaction".

"And then what happens"?

"He goes nuclear".