Okay this is where I apologize profusely. I'm so sorry it's been so long. Things have changed and disrupted my schedule and the dynamics of the household, making it much harder to write. I don't like going this long between chapters and I don't like leaving people hanging. Thanks for your patience!

I only see a few more chapters in this story (give or take) and I would dearly love to finish it before the next ep or at least the finale (this week's ep messed me up but it was awesome, lol.). So I'll be doing my best to hit it hard and get them out. Wish me luck!

Thanks again for reading, reviewing (still need to answer many of them!) and giving support. I have the best readers! :) *hugs*

Shout out to Priscilla (thank you for your beautiful review, so glad you loved it!) tadz (lol! gold star!) KyannaLashae (you are so fab!) and kalem (you rock!) Gold stars to all of you talented people who figured out what ep the song was from! I have the BEST readers! :D

This chapter ended up being mega huge. After some debate, I split it but I'll put them both out now. Don't get out of order when you read them! :) That's the reward you get for waiting so long. Two chapters! *confetti*

Chapter 18

The following morning, Iris was daydreaming at her desk. Memories of the evening before replayed in her mind, bringing a soft smile to her lips. Her fingers absentmindedly fiddled with a pen. She rolled it between her fingers as she thought of Barry's hand holding hers. His warm, reassuring green eyes filled with emotion…

"Earth to Iris! Hello!"

She pulled herself out of the best first date she'd ever been on and found Linda standing next to her desk, looking amused.

"You were far away. Wherever it was looks pretty nice." She raised her eyebrows, waiting for a response.

Iris could feel the heat on her cheeks. Telling Linda she'd just been on the best date of her life with Barry was a conversation she wasn't sure she wanted to have. Luckily, Linda was very astute.

"Were you out with Barry last night?" Iris gave an embarrassed smile and fidgeted with the pen she was still holding. It was confirmation enough. Linda snagged a nearby chair and settled into it. "Finally, what took you guys so long?"

Iris scrutinized her new friend's face and found not a trace of animosity. "You're not upset?"

Linda had a knowing smile on her face as she shook her head slightly. "I knew he was never over you. I don't think he'll ever be. And I was pretty sure you had feelings for him. Barry and I were never meant to be. Is he better now? He seemed really off when he broke up with me."

"Yeah, he's better." Iris smiled. "So, do you think Barry and I are meant to be?" Iris couldn't stop the question from popping out. It felt nice to discuss things like this with another woman. It was like having a sister. A really straightforward, honest older sister.

Linda leaned forward slightly so she could lower her voice. "That depends…does your heart ache for him?"

It was a bit bizarre to have such a fanciful question come from such a down to earth woman, but Iris could tell that she really meant it seriously. She couldn't stop herself repeating the phrase. "Ache for him?" She raised her eyebrows at Linda.

Linda looked ever so slightly abashed. "When my dad died I was seven. My mom used to get up early and sit in our front room. She'd sit there and watch the sun come up. In total silence. Once I asked her why she did that, and she said that she loved my dad so much, and missed him so much, that her heart ached. It actually ached. So she'd get up early and watch the sun, and just ache. Even then, even though I could see how much it hurt her to have him gone; I realized how amazing it must have been to have him while she did. I wanted to love someone like that. Have someone love me like that. I'm still looking for it." There was a slight pause in which Linda gave Iris an uncomfortable look. She was obviously feeling vulnerable after sharing such a private emotion.

Iris gave her a reassuring smile. Linda recognized the understanding in it and gave her a grateful look. Then she raised her eyebrows, clearly asking for an answer to her original question. "So, does it?"

Iris dropped her gaze slightly as she thought about it, but it didn't take long to recognize the answer. She smiled slightly. "Yes, it does."

Linda gave a satisfied nod. "I know his does for you. Looks like you two are meant to be."

If Iris hadn't spent as much time with Linda as she had recently, she may have missed the slight trace of sadness and longing that went with her last words. But she had. And she also recognized that Linda wasn't sad about not being with Barry. She dropped her pen and moved closer to her new friend.

"It'll happen for you too, Linda. He's out there. He just hasn't found you yet."

Linda scoffed slightly, hiding her yearning under a layer of cynical humor. "Well, he seems to be very slow. So slow he's almost going in reverse. He better get a move on."

Iris gave her a brief hug. "You're too good of a catch for him to miss out on. I'm sure he's on his way."

Linda smiled back. "Thanks, Iris." She stood up. "Better get busy. Lunch?"

"Yeah." Iris nodded vigorously.

"Great." Linda headed to her desk.

Iris turned back to her work, but she wasn't thinking about her latest article. Linda's comment had turned her thoughts back to the Reverse Flash. She went back to her blog and started culling any information that might seem related or useful.

The man in yellow had killed Barry's mother. Now he was back causing more problems, and Iris could see he was a real threat. It was time to take care of it. He'd caused Barry enough misery in the past. She was not going to sit around and watch him do the same in Barry's future.

By lunchtime, she'd gathered all she could find and texted with Cisco.

Barry ran flat out on the treadmill, going as fast as he could. But his mind was running back over the night before, replaying moments again and again. The memory of their kiss last night washed over him, and he sped up without realizing it. A smile played around the corners of his lips.

"Okay, Barry you can stop now." Cisco's voice came over the intercom into the treadmill room. He slowed his pace and gradually came to a stop, then sat down and grabbed a nearby towel. Caitlin and Cisco erupted through the door.

"He's back! I knew you could do it!"

Barry looked to Caitlin for an explanation. She obliged with a happy smile. "You are now the fastest you ever were again. That speed was your top speed from several weeks ago. Nice job, Barry."

Barry grinned. "Thanks."

"Well done, Barry." Dr. Wells looked immeasurably pleased. "Nice to see you back in top form."

Caitlin and Cisco, ever astute, quickly gleaned that Dr. Wells had things to say that didn't include them and excused themselves. Barry was wiping his face and didn't notice Caitlin grab Cisco with considerable force and steer him into a small side room. Dr. Wells waited until Barry was looking at him before he continued.

"How are things going outside of S.T.A.R. Labs? Things are improving, I'm willing to bet." The look in his eyes was very satisfied.

Barry couldn't hold back another smile. "Yeah, things are looking really good."

"Good. Maybe things are back on track finally. Glad to see it." Dr. Wells gave him an approving smile and rolled out of the treadmill room." His voice wafted back into the room. "Of course, you could always see what happens if you go even faster…"

Barry was headed out for lunch when he was abruptly detoured to a small supply closet via Caitlin grabbing his elbow. Her pinching grasp was so tight that he was rubbing his elbow as Cisco shut the door.

"What's going on?" Barry found himself facing a very strict looking Caitlin and a wishing-he-were-invisible Cisco.

"Sorry, Barry she got it out of me." Cisco was practically mumbling to the floor.

"Got what- oh." Barry stopped talking as he realized what Cisco must have been referring to.

Caitlin was staring at him. He shifted uncomfortably. She let him stew a moment, and then finally relented.

"Look, Barry I can understand why you didn't want to tell everyone about this. It sounds very personal. But we are your friends, and we knew something was wrong. You didn't even tell Cisco until he figured it out. You should trust us more."

"I do trust you guys. I really do." Barry gave her an apologetic smile. "It was just too much to share. I'm sure you of all people can understand that."

Caitlin narrowed her eyes at him. "True, I tend to be private as well. But having friends here has helped me open up a lot. I thought we were doing the same for you."

"You have! I'm sorry. This was just a really big, really private thing. I'll work on it. Promise."

"Does that mean you're going to tell Dr. Wells?"

Cisco and Barry exchanged a look. Caitlin looked from one to the other. Cisco finally offered a reply.

"Um, no."

"Why not? It's over and done with. Dr. Wells might be a little angry, and he might have all sorts of warnings and precautions as usual, but it's not like it matters now."

Barry opened his mouth to argue, but Cisco beat him to it. "I wouldn't say that. Well, I wouldn't not say it for sure either. But he acted really weird when I brought up time travel. I can't explain it, but he made me really nervous."

Caitlin rolled her eyes. "Of course he did, Cisco. He's smart enough to know time travel carries big risks."

Barry took a different approach. "Caitlin, imagine you went back in time and things went really wrong. Imagine that you hurt lots of people doing it, and you had to take steps to fix it that you really didn't want to take. Would you want to share that with everyone you knew? Or would you rather keep it to yourself?" He could see her look softening a bit. "It is over and done with, so I don't see the point in telling everyone. Dr. Wells would just be disappointed in me. I'd rather avoid that, honestly."

Caitlin sighed. "Fine. I understand." She put a hand on his shoulder for a moment. "I'm sorry about your parents. That must have been so hard. Glad to see you're doing better." Barry nodded, giving her a small smile of gratitude.

That evening Barry left his lab and headed downstairs, ready to go on a patrol. On the steps he ran into Iris, who was clearly on her way up.

"Hi!" She was happy and cheerful. Barry found himself smiling just looking at her.

"Hi. I have a patrol to run tonight, but I was hoping to take you on a second date tomorrow. If you're not busy…" His voice faded slightly as his nervousness increased.

He needn't have worried. She interrupted his last sentence in her exuberance. "Sounds great! What time?"

"Umm, does eight sound okay?" He realized he was grinning like an idiot, but found he didn't really care.

"Sounds perfect!" She seemed to realize how eager she was and tried to tone it down a bit. "Can't wait." She reached for his hand as they descended the stairs together, and he relished the feel of her fingers slipping through his.

They parted in the lobby, their fingers touching until the very last moment as he headed for the elevator and she moved to her father's desk to wait for him.

It was only as she reached Joe's desk that she realized Eddie was sitting at his. They had seen little of each other since she'd moved out, and she had been fine with that. She could read the look on his face, and it was clear he had just observed her and Barry holding hands. They looked at each other a moment and Iris simply couldn't think of anything to say.

Thankfully, she didn't have to. Eddie's face looked as sad as it had the day she left in the moving van, but he mustered a small smile for her.

"Looks like you figured some things out." He met her eyes.

"Yeah." She met his too. He deserved that at least.

He nodded, opened his mouth, closed it, and then finally spoke. "I'm glad…to see you so happy, Iris."

She wondered if she was putting out some sort of glow, to have him say that to her. Or maybe it was just the smile she'd had while holding Barry's hand. She couldn't stem the flow of regret for hurting this man. But she was very aware that she wouldn't change it.

"Thanks, Eddie. I wish you nothing but the best. I mean that."

His look said that he knew it to be true. He stood up from his chair, ready to think up some kind of excuse to leave. But Iris anticipated his move and cut him off.

"Hey, can you tell my dad I stopped by and have him call me? I need to get going."

She was pretty sure Eddie knew that she was leaving to spare him doing it, but he nodded his head like the gentleman he was and gave her a grateful smile. "Sure."

"Thank you…Eddie." There was a wealth of meaning in her words. He acknowledged it with a nod. They shared a last smile, and she headed for the elevator.

Had she realized it, she would have felt guilty at how fast her thoughts went back to excitement at the thought of Barry and their second date tomorrow.

It was a few hours later when Joe stepped in his front door. Iris was sitting at the table, papers spread across the length of it. She greeted him as she finished her preparations and turned to give him a hug. He gave a table a closer look.

"Baby, when you said you were coming over tonight I thought we were talking about dinner."

She stepped back and gave him a direct look. "We'll have dinner later. First things first. Barry's on a patrol so we'll have to save him something for later, though."

"Speaking of Barry…" Joe took both her hands in his and stared down at her. "Are you happy, baby? Like, really happy?"

His face was so serious that she actually giggled. It was the strangest thing; feeling like she'd swallowed the sun. Eddie was a wonderful man, but she just hadn't felt this way when she was with him.

"I am really, really happy, Dad. It took me a while to figure things out. But yes, I am happy. Promise."

He relaxed, giving her a smile too. "I am so glad. I think you two were always headed for this. Just treat him nice."

She rolled her eyes. "Please! Like I wouldn't!"

He laughed at that. "I know. You two will fall all over yourselves trying to make the other happy." He glanced at the table again. "So, what's all this about?"

"Well, Barry told me you and Cisco have been looking into his mother's murder, and after my brush with the Reverse Flash I think it's time we put our heads together."

Joe's forehead creased. "Um, honey, I understand you want to help, but this guy is danger-"

"Dad, I know he's dangerous. I've seen him, remember? I've been used as bait by him, remember? He killed Barry's mother. I know what he's capable of, but he wants something. I really don't want to find out what happens after he gets it. I should have been involved in this from the start. We need to figure this out, and the best way to do that is together." She finished with a confrontational look on her face, ready to start arguing if he disagreed.

Joe hesitated. Finally, he nodded his assent. "Okay, but baby…I need you to understand how dangerous this is for all of us. Do not take any careless chances. Do not underestimate this guy. Things could go bad for any of us at any time. We need to be so careful."

His look was so dead serious that she felt a trickle of fear run up her spine. "I understand, Dad." She returned his look so he'd know she truly did. He gave her a hug. The same one he used to give her as a child when he was worried about something.

They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Iris pulled away and went to answer it, while Joe followed her in a state of mild confusion.

That cleared up the moment Cisco stepped in the door.

"Well, Caitlin knows about the time travel now. Chalk up one more." He had a sudden thought, halted and stared at Iris in a state of near-horror. "Wait. You knew, right? Tell me you already know."

Iris laughed. "Yes, I already know."

Cisco emitted a huge groan of relief. "Oh good! I am so done with secrets, man! It's exhausting!"

Iris and Joe shared a look, grinning. Iris put her hands together. "Okay! Let's get to work."

A couple hours later Joe was rubbing his face as Cisco stared at the pile with his head in his hands. Iris had a notebook open and was writing down a few more details.

Cisco's head came up. "He wants Barry to go faster. It's the only thing that makes sense. He talked about Barry going mach speed and the super sonic punch, right?" He looked to Iris, who nodded. "And at Christmas he showed up and taunted Barry, telling him he was too slow." He looked to Joe. He confirmed it. "He wants more speed from Barry, why I have no idea, and he thought putting you in danger would do it." He pointed at Iris. His two companions nodded in agreement. He stared at the table a moment. "Well, maybe it worked." He looked up to see two concerned faces pointed his way. "Barry was the fastest he's ever been this morning. He's finally up to where he was before he time traveled. And he seemed pretty upbeat." He leveled a look at Iris, who understood immediately.

"We went on our first date last night…and it went really well." Cisco was unsurprised. Iris didn't mention the conversation she and Barry had before the date, but took note of it herself.

Joe was staring at the two of them while a familiar fear sank into his gut. He was putting things together, but it was disconcerting to see the answers. "Iris, that night after the car accident I left your apartment, and Barry stayed. You guys worked things out that night. You started being best friends again, right?"

"Yes we talked and worked things out."

Cisco slapped the table. "He was faster the next day. The very next day after that! It was the first time he showed an increase."

Joe's jaw tightened. "He was trying to get you two talking. He wanted you to get on better terms. What better way than to put one in danger and make both realize how important you are to each other?"

Cisco's jaw dropped. "Oh my god, you do affect him somehow. And the Reverse Flash knows it."

"How does he know it? We need to find out who he really is." Iris was tapping her pen on her pad.

"Cisco knows my theory." Joe put in.

Cisco shook his head. "We proved it wasn't Wells. The blood didn't match."

"The blood from Barry's house?" Iris looked from one to the other. She looked at her father. "You suspect Wells?"

Joe shrugged. "I have never been able to completely trust him. Things don't add up. The timing is too perfect; it always comes back to him. But the blood didn't match."

"My mentor at the paper thinks he's not everything he says he is. He's been looking into him for months." Joe and Cisco looked her way in surprise. "I'll ask him about it tomorrow, see if he has anything."

Joe was amazed that Iris didn't immediately throw out his distrust of Wells. Cisco, who had always hovered but still looked up to Wells, provided a bigger surprise. "He scared me the other day." Father and daughter looked at him immediately.

"What do you mean?" Joe leaned forward.

"I was studying the samples I got from the suit, and I realized Barry must have time traveled. Dr. Wells asked about it and while I was explaining I just mentioned time travel, and he was so intense…it actually scared me. So I told him there must be another explanation. But it was really weird. He was almost not Dr. Wells right then, you know? I mean, if you hadn't suspected him already Joe, maybe I would have written it off, but it just struck me. He was a bit too fixated on it." Cisco still looked uncomfortable, guilty for doubting his mentor.

"Okay we need to connect these dots." Joe started gathering papers. "Iris, talk to your mentor tomorrow, pump him for anything he's got. I'll start digging on Harrison Wells again, there has to be something I missed. Cisco, act normal and do not mention time travel again, but keep your eyes peeled." He paused a moment for effect. "I don't have to tell you how dangerous this could be, right? Be careful." The other two nodded as they stood up.

"Dad, will you order some takeout for us?" Iris gave him a smile and followed Cisco to the door. "Sure you can't stay, Cisco?"

"No thanks, I need to get going. Good to see you in the know, Iris." He gave her a smile.

"Thanks. And can I ask you a big favor?" Iris looked over her shoulder quickly to make sure her dad was still occupied.

Cisco gave her a wary look. "Um, sure. What do you need?"

Iris gave him her best winning smile. "Well, Barry mentioned something, and it stuck with me…"

When Joe got off the phone Iris was stacking the rest of her papers at the table.

"Food should be here in twenty minutes."

"Great, thanks Dad." She gave him a serene smile.

The next day at work Iris was unable to talk to Mason at all. He was out working on an in-depth story at their editor's request and wasn't at his desk all day. Iris worked off her frustration by catching up on the article she'd ignored the day before, but her mind was busy going over details of the discussion last night. She was interrupted by a secretive Cisco hanging out near the front door. She waved him closer and took him to a back corner, her eyes already on the small bag he was carrying.

"Are those what I think they are?"

He handed her the bag. "Yes, and I have to tell you it took me half of the night to do those. I had to wait until everyone left first."

She gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you so much, Cisco. I feel better already."

Her sincere gratitude made him blush slightly. "No problem. I was going to do some anyway. You just made me do it faster."

"See? I make you more productive." She tucked the bag under her arm.

Cisco laughed, but his smile faded quickly. Iris gave him a questioning look. "What?"

Cisco shrugged. "This is just really hard. I mean, Dr. Wells is my mentor, and he's always been there for us. I hate thinking that he might not be what he seems to be. Plus, the blood didn't match and I watched the Reverse Flash almost kill him at Christmas. My eyes tell me one thing but my gut is telling me something else. How can he be the Reverse Flash?"

Iris considered him a moment. "Cisco, from the day Barry woke up from the coma he was acting different than he did before. I knew it, and I tried to get him to talk to me but he wouldn't. So eventually I let it go. I didn't follow my gut instinct. And I should have. But I let my eyes and my best friend convince me otherwise, and I was lied to for months. I should have seen it but maybe I was afraid to. Mason is always telling me to follow my gut. And I can tell you that knowing the truth, however painful, is far better than living under a lie. No matter how nice the lie appears to be. Follow your gut, Cisco. Find the truth."

Her words seemed to be what he needed to hear. He gave a rueful smile. "Spoken like a true journalist. I gotta say, Barry should have told you months ago. It's nice having you on the team."

She grinned. "Thanks Cisco. Take care of yourself."

"You too." He headed out the door and back to S.T.A.R. Labs. Iris moved to her desk and carefully tucked the bag into her purse.