I do not own any characters, plots, or anything else pertaining to "Flash", "Arrow" or "DC Comics". I'm so happy that everyone enjoyed the last chapter, now I'm onto the next, which will feature the fallout between all three of them. My approach is to try and show Iris's pain in this chapter, making it as realistic as possible. It definitely won't be easy between Barry, Caitlin, and Iris. I'm not sure how many more chapters I'll write for this story, but I promise, I'll have a lot of Snowbarry coming up. As always, thanks for following/favoriting and commenting.
Chapter 8
The Aftermath
Iris sits in their apartment, staring aimlessly at a picture of her and Barry. A pain clenches her heart, as she stares at the smiles on both their faces. She wonders how he could do this to her? They had been in love since childhood and he had claimed she was the only girl for him. So, why did he kiss Caitlin? The image of them kissing in the hallway makes her feel both angry and sick to her stomach. Iris can't keep looking at a picture that's just a lie any longer, so she throws it against the wall, and it smashes to the ground. She doesn't bother to go pick up the shattered glass, representing their broken relationship. Now, that her eyes are open, she's not letting him lie to her any further.
Iris takes a sharp breath in, before realizing that the day she never thought would come, is here. The day she lets go of Barry Allen. A whoosh sounds, and Barry appears in front of her. She takes him in for a second, with a guilty expression showing on his face, but can't find it in herself to feel sorry for him. Barry had been the one that had ruined their wedding rehearsal, the rest of their lives together. "I'm sorry, Iris." Iris feels anger rise within her, as she crosses her arms. "What are you apologizing for, the fact that you embarrassed me in front of all our friends and family, or the fact that you lied to me?" Barry gives her a frown. "I didn't lie to you Iris, I love you." Iris feels her anger bubble over inside of her at his blatant lie. "No, if you loved me Barry, only me, you wouldn't have kissed Caitlin at our rehearsal dinner." She watches as Barry sighs and throws up his hands. "I didn't mean for that to happen at the wedding rehearsal, but…" Iris cuts him off, knowing exactly what he's about to say. "You couldn't deny it any longer, lie to yourself." Barry takes a sharp breath in, his frustration evident. At this point, Iris has a hard time looking at him.
She turns away and her eyes travel to the broken glass on the floor, reminding her that this is for the best. "I'm sorry, Iris. Things between Cait and I are complicated, but I want to try to make things work with her. I know it's not fair to you, but I think it would be even more unfair, if I married you knowing, I had feelings for someone else." The tears begin to fall down her cheeks, actually hearing the words come out of his mouth. It's over. Iris gets herself together and turns around. "I'll have my things out of the apartment by tomorrow." Barry shakes his head. "No, you keep the apartment, I'll move out." With that, Barry gives her a sad smile, before reaching into his pocket and handing her a key. "Goodbye Iris." Despite her anger, she feels tears filling her eyes. "Goodbye Barry, I hope you find whatever your looking for with Caitlin." He gives her a nod and flashes out of the apartment, leaving her alone for good.
The next morning, she wakes up and starts collecting everything that belongs to Barry, including her engagement ring. Iris fills several boxes and packs each one in the trunk of her car. At first, she had been tempted to call Barry and have him come pick them up at the apartment, but she had decided that she didn't want to wallow in self-pity and hide. Iris takes a sharp breath in, before getting into her car, and beginning to drive down the road. She plans to give Barry the boxes and then go about her day as she usually does. Iris knows that she's still a vital part of the team, no matter if she's with Barry or not. After another twenty minutes, she pulls into the parking lot at Star Labs, and parks in her usual space. Iris grabs the first box and makes her way into the building. She walks to the elevator and presses the floor to the lab.
After a few moments, she reaches the correct floor, and it opens. Iris makes her way into the lab and freezes, when she sees two familiar figures making out by the desk. Her desk. The pain in her heart radiates, as Barry intensifies the kiss, holding Caitlin the way he used to hold her. It's like her biggest nightmare is playing out in front of her and there's nothing she can do about it. He's not hers anymore and he never will be again. The box drops out of her hands with a loud bang and the two stop kissing. They both look over at her and jump apart.
Iris isn't sure whether she should cry or yell at them. How could they do this here at their place of work? She decides to turn and walk away, not wanting any part of this. "Iris wait." yells Caitlin from behind her. She doesn't stop, but sees her, as the elevator doors start to close. "I'm sorry, Iris. We didn't think you'd be in the lab today and both Cisco and Harry went to Jitters for coffee. You have every right to hate me, I'd hate me too, but please don't think that we'd ever act like that in front of you. Neither one of us want to hurt you." With that, the doors close, and Iris takes another sharp breath in. Maybe she's not quite ready to go back to work at Star Labs after all.