Sara had wasted no time sinking into her sister's embrace when she got to her apartment. Laurel had grunted at the tight hug, but she didn't complain. She just hugged back, just as tight.

"Hey, superstar. I take it you miss me,"

Sara laughed, tucking her head closer and just breathing for a moment. "Miss doesn't even begin to cover it," She moves back, just enough to look at her sister. She punches her shoulder not hard enough to hurt, but enough to get her point across, "Which one of you is going to stop be stubborn first and just admit you need to come back home,"

Laurel's eyes soften and a sadness pooled in them. "Sara," She almost whispered, "You know…" But her sentence trailed off, hanging in the air. Sara sighed, pulling out of her sister's arms.

"I know. I know. It still sucks,"

"Yeah," Laurel nudged her chin up, giving her a small smile, "You know just because I don't live there anymore doesn't mean I'm not your sister anymore. I'm here whenever you need me, however you need me,"

Sara blushed, embarrassed by the affectionate gesture. She slapped away Laurel's hand lightly, but her actions came across as fond rather than annoyed.

"Come on," Laurel tugged her arm, pulling her into the kitchen, "I need help with dinner and we need to catch up,"

Sara half whined about being used for labour, but still, let herself be tugged along. They talked about everything, school, friends, catching up on anything they had during their last phone call.

"So," Laurel started, "Where are you and the Legends with your new dance?"

"This might be our best piece yet," She said, unable to hide her pride.

"Oh yeah? Better than Teen Idle?"

"Definitely,"

Laurel smiled. She could see the passion and joy shining in her sister's eyes. "I always knew you were going to go far, superstar,"

Sara ducked her head for a beat, her smile turning shy just for that moment, "Shut up," She teased.

"I'm serious Sar," She said, bumping her with her hip, "I mean, that's why I gave up dancing," She joked, "Because I knew I could never be as good as you,"

Sara sobered a little, "Why did you quit dance? You were the one who wanted to it so much in the first place,"

Laurel laughed and shrugged, "I was a kid. I believe I also wanted to be a baker back then because I thought it means I could eat all the cakes I wanted,"

Sara half smiled, but she still asked again, "Did you really just not like it?"

Laurel gave a non-committal tilt to her head, "I mean. I don't even think I enjoyed as much I thought I did, you know? Like I so wanted to do it, dance on stage because I had this idea of what it was and that didn't match with what I found. That and also I wasn't very good,"

"But… what if you had been good?"

Laurel snorted, "No, sis, you were great," She mockingly said, "Way to shoot me down,"

"Oh come on, I'm just wondering,"

Laurel narrowed her eyes slightly, curious now, "What's this about?"

Sara glanced away, "There's this friend… who's been losing her drive to perform and I'm just wondering if there is anything I can do,"

"A friend… or a friend?" Laurel asked.

Sara blushed, shoving her sister, "Just a friend,"

"No need to get so defensive, I'm just asking,"

Sara huffed "Was there anything that could have kept you dancing?"

Laurel thought about it, "I don't think so. Maybe if I had been good, but it's what if. I can't really say for sure. This friend, is she good?"

"I think she is. But, my measure for classical music is probably not the best," She sighed. Laurel put a hand on her shoulder, giving a light squeeze. When Sara looked at her she smiled.

"Maybe your friend just needs a push,"

"She's been kinda of resistant to talking about it. Plus she doesn't want to perform. She's not going for the showcase,"

"Maybe that isn't the right kind of push,"

"Then what's the right kind of push?"

Laurel shrugged, "She's your friend. You'll know when you know,"

Sara groaned, "What's with this mystic advice bullcrap?"

"Language,"

"Bullcrap," Sara said again, laughing, "Isn't the point of having your own place is so I can say whatever the hell I want?"

"So you can say?" Laurel laughed, pushing her playfully.

"Hey, so since we were kind of on the topic, are you coming to the showcase?"

"Duh," Laurels smile blew up, "I wouldn't miss it,"

"Are you coming to the afterparty?"

She smiled, but ducked her head as she shook it no, "That I don't think I'm ready for,"

"I get it," Sara said, but she couldn't keep the disappointment out of her voice, "I get it. I do, I just… miss hanging out with you and everyone,"

Laurel kissed her forehead, "There'll be other times to hang out,"

She put on her best smile, "I know," she sighed.

"So are you going to who this friend is?" Laurel teased.

"Stop saying it like that," Sara laughed.

The center was as busy and packed as Ava had ever seen in. She couldn't say she knew many of the people who frequented the center, but right now she felt completely lost as she stood in the hallway, watching the mass of people filter into the 'Robert Queen Memorial Auditorium', the Q in which was straight for once.

She clutched her violin case to her chest, seriously considering leaving. Why'd she'd come? Why did she bring her instrument? She'd just started feeling like maybe she belonged with these people, but here in his mass of strangers, she'd never felt more out of place. She'd just looked at the doors when…

"Ava!"

She turned to the voice just in time to see the flash of blonde darting through the crowd to her.

"There you are," Sara said, a little out of breath. Gideon was with her. Sara's eyes lit when she saw Ava's case in her hands.

"You brought your violin!" She looked up at her, "Are you playing?"

"I-I," Her voice cracked a little, "It's too late, isn't it?"

Gideon smiled, "It's only too late once the night is done,"

"I…" She looked down at her violin, trying to remember why she picked it up when she left early. "I… don't think…"

"It's fine Ava," Gideon said easily.

Sara shrugged, "No big deal. If you're up to it later you can be part of the live music later at the party when someone breaks our sound system,"

Ava looked Sara, completely confused.

She shrugged again, laughing now, "We've had enough parties where that's happened. It's more tradition than coincidence at this point," She took Ava's hand, "Come on, there are come on people you have to meet,"

She pulled her backstage, despite a brief burst of protests from Ava. "Wait, Sara I…"

"Oh hush, yes you can," Sara tugged her again, "Guys, Ava is here!"

"Hey!" Nate called out, grinning widely. "Ava-nator!"

"What?" Ava couldn't help the confused smile that grew on her lips at the nickname.

"What's up?" He asked, holding up a hand for her. She looked at it, then at Sara. She was chuckling under breath. Ava looked at the hand again and raised her own, the one Sara wasn't holding, to high five him.

"I don't think you've official met Mick," Sara said, pointing out the gruff guy who looked a few years older than them. He grunted and nodded once, "Popped collar next to him is Leonard,"

The guy, Leonard, rolled his eyes, "Eloquent introduction as ever Sara,"

"Naturally," She said with a wink, "Watch your pockets with those two," She added in a whisper to Ava.

Leonard gasped, "Sara, how could you suggest we'd steal from the friend of a friend?"

"But you'd steal from someone?" Ava asked a little considered.

He raised and lowered his shoulders slowly, "Depends,"

"Yes," Mick answered simply.

Ava looked at Sara, her concern evident in her eyes. Sara laughed, "Just stick close to me until they warm up to you,"

Sara took Sara around, introducing her to Wally's sister, who was also Barry's girlfriend. She also meets the rest of Kara and Barry's friend. They were just as colourful and eccentric as the Legends. There were others too, people getting ready, setting up the acts. They somehow ended up getting roped into helping move some props. They dropped their things on one of the tables to free their hands up. Sara pointed out a girl standing in the corner talking with Ray as they were walking past with the chairs the Legends were going to use later.

"That's Nora. She spooks easily, so don't feel too bad if she isn't warm with you. She hasn't really meshed with the rest of us,"

"Is she's Ray's…"

"We're not really sure," Sara glanced down at her phone just then, her eyes lighting up, "Yes! Come on!" She grabbed Ava's hand, pulling back towards the crowd.

"Ow, Sara," She stumbled, speeding up to keep pace, "Slow down,"

Sara tugged out into the hall again, glancing around for a few seconds before her eyes light up like Christmas and she threw herself into the arms of someone. Ava hesitated, hanging back a few steps.

"Ava," Sara had the biggest grin when she turned back to her, "This is my sister, Laurel. Laurel, this is Ava,"

"The friend," Laurel said, looking at her sister with a small smirk. Sara elbowed her in her ribs and she was blushing.

"It's nice to meet you, Ava,"

"Likewise," Ava said, shaking Laurel's hand, even if she was a little confused by the exchanged that just happened.

"Sara," Zari appeared out of nowhere, "Have you seen Nate and Wally? Hi Ava, hey Laurel,"

"Backstage?" Sara questioned.

"Not for the past ten minutes. Rip's ready to start and he wants all the performers backstage.

"They have to be around somewhere,"

"Look they're coming now," Laurel pointed the pair, running down the halls towards them.

"Where were you?"

"Dropping something in Rip's office for him," Nate said, a little out of breath.

"We're going to start, so we should get going," Zari grabbing Wally and Nate.

"Ow,"

"Hey! Rude, Z,"

"I'm just making sure you don't disappear again.

"I've got to go," Sara looking between Laurel and Ava. She gave Laurel one more hug and kissed her cheek, "But I'll see you both after we perform,"

"Wait, I left my things backstage," Ava said.

Sara pointed at her as she retreated, "I'll give them to Gideon," and she was gone.

"So, we should get some seats," Laurel suggested.

"Yeah," And that's how Ava found herself sitting between Laurel and Gideon as the show started.

Nardragon~ until the next page.