I do not own any characters, plots, or anything else pertaining to "The Flash", "Arrow", or "DC Comics". This chapter will feature Iris's P.O.V and the new path she is seeking. I think it's important for her to figure out her new life without Barry and without Team Flash. I hope you continue enjoying this story. As always, thanks for following/favoriting and commenting.
Chapter 11
A New Purpose
Iris gets an alert on her cell phone from Star Labs and she reluctantly begins her short drive to the lab. Despite everything that's happened with Barry and Caitlin, she still feels like, she has a responsibility to the people of Central City. Iris grips the steering wheel and takes a sharp breath in. Over the last few days, she's been toying with the idea of stepping away from Team Flash. Even going as far, as applying for a job at CCPN, the news outlet that she used to work for. Due to everything that's happened recently, she's realized that since joining the team, she's felt like she's lost her sense of identity. Iris knows that she needs to find herself again outside of the team, outside of Barry. A new purpose that is all her own.
Iris's cell phone rings again, just as she parks in a parking space. Her eyes widen, when she sees her former boss's name on the screen. She quickly answers and gets out of her car. Iris rushes across the parking. "Hello." She feels hope flood through her veins for the first time in days. "West, I've got your application in front of me. When it came across my desk, I was surprised that you'd be interested in working here again. Especially, after how you left things on that last day." Iris takes a breath, hoping that her old boss can see past her mistake. Not long after she had found out about Barry's secret, she had told her boss, that she wanted to pursue other career interests. An argument had ensued between them and she had walked out, not giving her boss the required two-week notice required. At the time, she had felt like she was making the right decision, but now she knows otherwise.
As she makes it to the entrance of Star Labs, she takes a sharp breath in. "I'm sorry, I walked out on you like that." Iris hears her boss sigh. "Okay, I'll tell you what West, you can't work for me because of what happened. However, you can work for my brother in Star City." Iris's brow furrows in confusion. "I didn't see any positions available in the job ads." Her old boss laughs. "That's because my brother is starting up a new paper and he hasn't put the ads out yet." Iris feels shame wash over her because she realizes that she's starting from the bottom again, a no-name journalist in a new city.
Iris is aware she doesn't have any more options. "Thank you for helping me after what I did." There's a pause for a few moments, before she hears her old boss sigh. "You're welcome, West, just don't blow your chance this time." Iris nods her head. "I won't." She hears her boss clearing his throat. "My brother's media outlet is called Vigilante Bank because he's unfortunately into the masked heroes running around the city. He told me it was his way of fighting the new anti-Vigilante law." Iris smiles to herself at the thought of someone actually naming a bank after the vigilantes. "Well, thank you again for the opportunity." With that, her old boss hangs up and she sighs to herself. While she's happy for the new opportunity to find herself again, she remembers how difficult it was for her to move up the ladder the first time, and she's not looking forward to that.
Iris quickly begins her trek through the lobby, hoping that whatever crisis is happening, she's not too late. When she reaches the elevator, the sound of Barry's laugh reaches her ears, and makes her freeze in place. Iris hesitantly turns to see Barry and Caitlin, hand-in-hand. The sight makes her feel nauseous. Despite her wanting to put a fake smile on her face, she can't seem to muster it. Iris watches them spot her and immediately unclasped their hands. She crosses her arms, as they come to a stop in front of her. "Please, don't stop what you were doing because of me. Do either of you know what's going on?" Iris can't help the bitterness in her tone. Barry shakes his head. "I'm sorry, Iris, but we've already taken down Amunet." Hurt and anger flood her veins at the word we. Not long ago, they used to be a we, they used to be one.
Iris tries to bury her pain deep within her. "We should have called you to let you know." Iris turns to look at Caitlin, the guilt on her face evident. She wishes that she could forgive them both for this, but she knows she can't. "I need you both to give me time to deal with this, with the two of you together." Barry gives her a nod. "Anything you need, Iris." She sees the pity within their eyes and it makes her feel worse. Iris hates that she's stuck in the middle of all this and wishes that this nightmare she finds herself in would end. She gives them a small nod and starts back through the lobby. Iris prays that she can make it through today and the days after because her new beginning is almost within her reach. Almost.