The reporter furrowed her eyebrows at the two people in front of her. They were acting strange, or rather, stranger. She tried to attribute it to the fact that she hadn't seen them in months, and suddenly, she just showed up, but there was something more.
Caitlin shifted her weight nervously on her feet, trying to think of something to say besides the usual and suspicious line movies use: What are you doing here?
Cisco grimaced. He was awkwardly sitting in his chair, one arm outstretched across the desk. Normally, the microphone was kept in the middle, but Caitlin started to become a bit of a hog when it came to who got to talk to Barry.
She decided that her input was more helpful than Cisco's unneeded humor. Though, in a conversation between the speedster and engineer during one of their movie nights, Cisco learned that Barry preferred the light-hearted commentary as opposed to her stern reprimands about him doing things recklessly. That didn't matter at the moment, though. What mattered was that Iris was staring him down, a suspicious look in her eyes.
He sent Caitlin a subtle, but just as panicked glance. Her eyes widened. Immediately, she understood that there was more to Cisco's panicking than what she was worried over—he never listened to her when she told him to get rid of that feature in the system. And back when she was against Barry going out to save people, he and Cisco would team up secretly to pull missions. The second she entered the cortex, Cisco would click a key on the keyboard that shut down all of the electronics.
All but the microphone, which was a flaw in his haste to get the feature working.
That added on to Caitlin's fear that Barry would speed in here, cowl down. The doctor slowly edged backwards to the mic while Cisco took care of the talking. She could just play it cool, act like she just needed to press a button, who cared about a button anyways? But Iris was always curious...and intuitive. She would want to know.
The engineer pressed a fist to his mouth for a moment, then dropped it to his lap. "Y-you said you...needed, uh, our help?"
Iris nodded, glancing over at Caitlin. Was she not supposed to notice the doctor's fishy movements towards the console? She brushed it off, deciding Barry was more important.
Caitlin clicked the button with an unintentionally loud exhale of relief, then plopped down in her chair. Her next step was to notify Barry not to come over there. She slipped her hand into her pocket to grab her phone, but her hand only met fabric. She whipped her head around behind her. It had to be on the desk, right?
Wrong.
"Yeah. It's...Barry," she said, and decided to take a step forward.
Cisco involuntarily jumped back in his chair. He looked over to Caitlin and winced, just now noticing she was trying to get his attention.
She was pointing down at her pocket, then to his.
"Guys?" Iris interrupted their silent communication, and Cisco snapped his head to look at her. A bead of sweat tickled the back of his neck.
He had been scared before, sure, but there was something a lot more frightening about the idea that Barry could have blown his cover just now.
He tried to shake the tense feeling in his shoulders. It was okay now, though. They turned off the comms. She wasn't going to—
His breathing picked up, a thought striking him. He looked back over at Caitlin, who was pointing at his pocket again, and he laid a hand over it, feeling his phone through the material of his jeans.
They needed to tell Barry not to come back here.
He wondered for a moment why Caitlin wasn't doing it, but he settled with the idea that she had just left her phone somewhere out of reach.
"Barry? What about him?" Caitlin suddenly replied, drawing Iris' attention to her.
Iris nodded, tears started to sting her eyes. "He...he's gone. Missing." She swiped her hands across her cheeks to dry them. "The CCPD is at a dead end."
The doctor cursed her terrible ability at acting. She could only use the real panic she was feeling to make her surprise at the news seem genuine. "Oh…?"
Cisco pulled out his phone. "Sorry, I have to...check...something." His attempt at playing it cool backfired terribly. Iris narrowed her eyes, obviously offended. Yeah, he shouldn't be occupying himself with his device when Iris just said that his friend was missing. He decided that didn't matter as much. He pulled up Barry's contact and keyed in a text.
"Are...you sure?" the doctor continued.
"It's been almost two weeks, Caitlin! I'm sure!" the reporter snapped, startling all three of them. A small flutter of guilt filled her chest, but she brushed it away. Barry mattered more than their feelings.
"And...you—the police can't find anything?"
Cisco winced at Caitlin's attempt at stalling. She needed to think smarter. Iris had already confirmed the CCPD had hit a dead end.
The engineer finished his text, pressing send with a huff of relief.
iris here. dont come
Now they could deal with Iris.
"Yes! I don't know what else to—what is up with you two!?" Iris raised her eyebrows, anger welling up in her chest. They didn't seem the least bit fazed. "Barry, your friend is missing! He could be dead!"
Caitlin stood up to place a hand on Iris' shoulder, but the reporter flinched back, glaring.
"You know something." She didn't even say it as a question. She knew.
"Yeah, they do."
Iris froze, her eyes widening. She slowly turned around to meet the familiar voice.
Barry.
-ooo-
She didn't have time to be angry, didn't have time to be relieved, happy, or worried. She didn't have time to process anything except for the fact that the man she cared deeply for, the man who had been missing for much too long, was standing in the cortex entryway, an awkward smile at the corner of his lips. He was okay.
Iris slapped a hand to muffle the choked cry that escaped her lips, then ran over to him and flung her arms around his neck, sudden enough to catch him off balance. Barry slammed a hand against the wall to stabilize himself, then reciprocated the hug with equal fervor. He snaked one arm around her waist, his other going up to cradle her head, fingers tangling in her hair.
Iris didn't say anything, she kept her face buried in the crook of his neck, small sobs wracking her body. Barry took this time to look up at his friends, who were stunned into silence. Cisco's mouth was slightly agape, Caitlin was frozen with her hands splayed in front of her in a what-the-hell-are-you-thinking stance.
And much to the speedster's chagrin, those were the words Caitlin mouthed only moments later.
He mouthed back, I got this just as Iris pulled back slightly.
She cupped his face, shaking her head slowly. He met her gaze and tried another smile, just as she started to glare, her breathing quickening. "Barry Allen! Why the hell did you do that to me!?" Suddenly his arm became her punching bag, then she grabbed his shoulders and pushed him back slightly, taking him in as though she had to confirm he was really there.
"Iris, I can—"
She cut him off by pulling him back into her arms and giving him another bone-crushing hug. "Barry, you're here," she whispered, voice cracking.
This time it was Barry's turn to pull away, much to Iris' dismay. "Iris," he paused for a moment to make sure she was going to listen. Judging by the way she wouldn't take her eyes off of him, he assumed he had her attention. "Iris, I can explain, alright? I'm fine, nothing bad happened to me. I left on my own volition."
"Barry…" Caitlin warned, taking a step forward. Cisco joined her side.
The speedster continued, not giving his friends' worry a second thought. "And before you get mad, hear me out."
The reporter nodded slowly, not looking like she was fully processing his words. She seemed too dazed. His sudden appearance caused something inside her to twist funny, though who wouldn't react this way? She thought the worst of what could have happened. It was certainly a strange turn of events for him to show up with a smile, telling her he did this willingly. Or maybe that wasn't what was going through her mind. Maybe she had so many emotions going through her, she couldn't process everything at once. Didn't matter. She stayed silent as Barry explained, her hands gripping his upper arms as though if she let go, he would disappear again.
"I needed to...uh, take some time for myself."
"W-why didn't you call?" To the three friends' immense relief, Iris didn't sound angry, more...disappointed. "You had Joe and me worried sick! I was...I couldn't sleep, Barry! I didn't know where the hell you were, or what happened to you! I contemplated the idea that you might have died, Barry!" Heat started to rise in her voice, she shoved his shoulders, her eyes narrowing. "Why the hell didn't you call me!?"
Barry froze.
"Oh, shit!" Cisco exclaimed suddenly, slamming his palm to his forehead. He successfully startled everyone. "I am so, so sorry! Barry, I—I completely forgot! I know you told me to tell everyone."
Caitlin cringed at his over dramatization. At least he was going with the lie. With Cisco's voice louder and an octave higher, she nudged his side with her elbow to get him to take it down a notch. The last thing any of them needed was for someone to hint at the possibility that what Barry was saying was false.
The speedster gave Cisco a look of grace, then continued. "Iris…" He reached for her hands, and to his surprise, she didn't pull away. She seemed to only soften a bit to his touch. He inhaled a sharp breath of air, looking between Caitlin and Cisco for a moment before returning his attention back to the reporter. "After our fight," he felt Iris tense at the reminder, and he tightened his grip on her hands, then tilted his head so she would look at him again, instead of her shoes. "I needed to be away from it all. I—I asked Cisco to let you guys know. I couldn't bring myself to do it. I needed space. I knew if I called, you would persuade me to come home." She turned to look at the engineer, who was standing there awkwardly. Barry turned her body back to face his. "And please don't be mad at them. They make mistakes, just like I do."
The reporter nodded, another tear slid down her cheek, then slowed just enough so that Barry could brush it away with his thumb. "I'm so sorry," she whispered when things had quieted down.
Barry furrowed his eyebrows, concern and confusion written on his features. "What for?"
Her lower lip trembled, she sucked in a few shaky breaths then turned her head to look at Caitlin and Cisco. "C-can we...get a minute?"
They stood there, looking like they didn't know what to do with themselves, so Iris took this as her cue to pull Barry out of the cortex. He followed without argue. She stopped them halfway down the hall.
"Bear, when...when we fought—"
"Iris, it's okay."
"No please! I need to say this! I spent weeks wishing I'd get the chance to. Now's my chance. I don't know when I'll get another one."
Barry didn't think her comment was meant to be another jab at him, but the implication still stung. I don't know when we'll talk again, since you've been so closed off...
"I did mean what I said before—but, I've had time to think it over, and I wasn't being understanding enough." She cupped his face in her hands, making sure that it got through to him that she absolutely meant what she was saying. "You were in a coma, Bear." Her voice cracked. She hated that word. "You have every right to be distant. I understand if you're trying to work things out on your own, it just hurts that you're not talking to me anymore." Her lip trembled. "You used to talk to me, Barry."
He sighed, his chest constricting. She didn't seem to have anything else to say, so he met her glistening, chocolate brown eyes, and leaned in slightly, not missing the way her breath hitched. "Iris, when I was...away, I had the time to think things over—us over. And you're right, I have been keeping things from you, and I have been distant, and I have been pushing you away." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled that heart-melting smile. "But that's done with. I'm ready to be your Barry again."
"God, I missed you so much," she whispered, and he beat her to the hug. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to his chest. Savoring every moment as they swayed there on their feet.
A minute didn't seem like nearly long enough, but they reluctantly broke apart. She took his hand in hers and stepped to his side, smiling up at him. "Home?"
"Yeah, home," he grinned and kissed her cheek.
-ooo-
"Dad?"
"Joe?"
Barry and Iris called, looking around their house to find him. Barry ran up the stairs as Iris walked into the kitchen, then they both met up by the couch with the consensus that he wasn't home, yet. Iris pulled out her phone, her assumption that he had tried to call had been correct. She checked the text that he had also sent her just a few minutes ago and read it aloud.
"He says he's gonna be working late on a case," she said, and pocketed her phone. She looked at Barry, and couldn't help but stare. He was home. And better yet, he was acting like himself. He still looked a little tired, his hair was mussed, and light bags colored the underneath of his eyes, but for the first time in forever, she saw his smile—a genuine smile. Her heart fluttered as a grin crept to his face.
"What?"
"I just...missed this."
He raised his eyebrows. "You missed...standing in our living room?"
"No, Bear. You know what I mean. You're you." She extended her arms, and he gladly accepted her need for another hug.
"I missed this too," he whispered against her hair.
She smiled and looked up at him. "So, wanna do something since my dad isn't going to be home? Catch up?"
-ooo-
"Alright!" Iris cheered, clapping her hands together, "we gotta have a West-Allen traditional sleepover, only this time, the drinking won't be underage."
Barry huffed an amused laugh, and raised an eyebrow. "Iris West, are you suggesting we get drunk and eat brownies?"
She giggled. "Yes!"
"You realize we haven't had one of these sleepovers since we were eighteen, right?" he asked, smirking as she stood on her tiptoes to reach the brownie mix in the top cabinet. He decided to reach over her and grab it. Once the box was on the counter, he turned to look at the reporter again, waiting for her response.
She laughed and nodded quickly, looking so very childish and adorable. Barry really did miss this. "Yeah, so? I think now is a good time to bring it back!"
He was about to be all in on the idea, ready to have an immense amount of laughter and fun with Iris, as the sleepovers always brought, but a thought struck him mid-agreement, and he paused. One of his hands reached up to rub the back of his neck, suddenly nervous and very distraught. Being a speedster was great, it really was, but nothing good comes without consequence, and one of the lesser, but just as equally annoying consequences included the inability to get hammered.
His sudden change in mood didn't escape Iris' critical eye—her bright smile faded. "What's the matter?"
Barry raised his eyebrows, playing cool. "Nothing. Just had a thought."
Iris pulled out a mixing bowl, then glanced back up at her friend. "Do share."
He shrugged. "Nothing. I...uh, just don't remember the last time I actually had alcohol."
She furrowed her eyebrows, trading glances between him and the instructions on the box. "What are you on about? We had drinks a few months ago—wow."
"Uh huh."
"Wow, yeah, it's been a while."
"That's an understatement," Barry muttered to himself, then made his way to pick up his ringing phone on the countertop opposite of him.
Iris grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the bag, she looked over at Barry as she emptied the contents into a bowl. "Who is it?'
Barry glanced her way, but seemed more focused on what the person on the other end was saying. "Yeah, and? No. Seriously, guys, I'm...you know what, I'll just call you back. I'm busy. I'm busy, Cisco! Sheesh." The speedster chuckled and pocketed his phone, and Iris smiled.
"I'm assuming they're happy to have you back?"
"Oh, like you wouldn't believe," Barry threw his hands up in the air and shook his head slowly. His gaze landed on the pile of flour and other dry ingredients that was beginning to accumulate by the side of the mixing bowl. Iris wasn't exactly paying attention to how well she was pouring it in. She was so busy focusing on Barry.
He was home.
"I can believe it," she replied, smiling up at him. He stepped beside her and opened his mouth to respond. She was ready for some silly quip, but instead he settled on a grin and then looked back down at her hands clumsily working with the bag. He frowned.
They were trembling.
"I-Iris, what's wrong?"
"Hm?" she glanced down and noticed the flour everywhere and her hands. She put so much effort into not shedding any tears, but she didn't think about other tells that would give her true feelings away. Because she was ecstatic to have him home, but she was just now starting to process the idea of him not coming back to her, just like she had to do when he was laying on that bed for nine months. She was hurting so much inside.
He seemed to read her so well. Iris didn't have to respond for him to understand. He locked eyes with her, and she felt his strong hands clasp around hers, bringing them away from the floury mess and to his chest, right where his heart would be. She felt the comforting thump thump thump beneath his shirt.
"It's still beating. I'm here, Iris."
She nodded, feeling the most grounded she had in so many months. "I know."
"I'm here."