Chapter 6

Just Like Old Times

Even though Barry had all the time in the world—sometimes he felt he had the world at his fingertips—he still felt as if he was moving slowly. He could wake up whenever he wanted and still get to work on time (relatively on time, if he were to be honest with himself), if he ever wanted to go to the gym and get in a good work out he could squeeze an hour's worth of work into a mere minute, forensic tests were conducted in, well, a flash. He could even take detours of sorts and stop petty thefts or small disturbances in the world before anyone could blink. He was special. He was a new Barry Allen. And yet the old Barry Allen still had a strong grip on him.

Putting his pencil down, he pushed a breath out of his nose and rubbed at his burning eyes. His lanky form relaxed in his chair, as if his bones had been removed and the rest of him was tossed aside to its final resting place.

It was times like these, when everything slowed down that his day finally caught up with him and slammed into him, rattling his brain. It pressed a heavy weight on his shoulders and kept him immobile more than the rest of his day did.

His thoughts would constantly turn to his father as he wondered if it was even worth trying to bust him out of jail. They could just…run away forever and assume new identities like his father always suggested that he take. And when he wasn't thinking of his father he was thinking of his mother. Would she be proud of him? Would she support what he's doing? Would she be able to handle the truth of him being what he is? Would she try to stop him? Was he doing the right thing? Making the right decision? The questions flew by so fast none of them could stick for more than three seconds.

His loud sigh bounced around the large room of his office. His eyes shifted around the room as he took in the vast space. It never occurred to him how empty it was before. There were racks and racks of chemicals and testing equipment strewn around the room as well as scattered papers and Big Belly Burger wrappers and other little trinkets that helped him feel sane as compared to what the past couple of days could bring.

With a groan—coming from both Barry and the chair—he placed his hands on his knees and stood, stretching his long arms behind his back. He sighed in relief at the pops in his spine and then rubbed his face again. He had turned over to his string chart to survey the information again when he heard the door to his office open. He shot out his arm and yanked the cover down just as Iris and Joe sauntered in.

"What's up?" Barry asked, noting the smiles on their faces.

"You've been cooped up in here too long, Barry, so grab your stuff. We're having a night out at Big Belly Burger. Just like old times." Iris announced. Barry noticed the pep in her step and the smile that sat on her face which made his knees weak. She always had a nice smile.

"Just like old times?" Barry repeated, looking between the two. He crossed his arms and tried to look stern but he couldn't hold his face. "So that means you're going to steal my fries and then complain later about gaining weight from them when really you don't need to worry about that because you look…perfect."

"Aww," Iris cooed. "Look who's sweet. But what can I say? I just can't help myself when it comes to their fries. They're so addicting."

"Like those cronuts at Jitters?"

"Better than that."

Barry laughed at Iris's enthusiasm and shook his head. Turning back, he grabbed his jacket and pulled it on. "So, if this is like old times, does that mean you're paying?" he asked Joe.

"You two have your own jobs, I'm not made of money," Joe replied.

"Yeah, but it would be awfully irresponsible of me to spend the entirety of my paycheck on a fast food chain, wouldn't it?" Iris asked, pushing her father's arm. "And you always wanted me to be a responsible adult."

"Nice guilt trip," Barry commented. His smile faded when he saw the unimpressed look on Joe's face. "I mean…" he paused to try and find an excuse but nothing stuck. Shrugging he said, "Sorry, Joe, she has a point. And if we're reliving the past and everything…"

"Yeah, yeah," Joe replied, a deep laugh rumbling in his chest. He outstretched his arm, motioning for Barry to walk ahead of him.

Iris looped her arm with Barry's and leaned into his side, smiling up at him. "You know, I think this is the first time all week we've been able to hang out," she pointed out. "What with your police work and you disappearing and all. Beginning to think you don't want to be friends with me anymore."

"What? Uh, no! That's not it all!" Barry cried out, looking at Joe over his shoulder. Joe shrugged and lifted his eyebrows. Barry sighed and shook his head. Joe was no help. "It's just been…busy around here. With the strange…things going on around here."

"I know! I wanted to talk to you about that!" Iris's grip on Barry's shoulder tightened as they descended the stairs of the precinct. Her brown eyes sparkled in excitement as she looked up at her oldest friend. "There are so many reports going around about this…thing saving people. A red streak or blur or…something. Isn't that weird?"

"A…bit, yeah," Barry replied, feeling his stomach twist into a knot. His mind whirled. How was anyone able to see him? He was moving fast. Really fast. Shouldn't that have made him invisible to the naked eye? Of course wearing a red suit probably didn't help matters that much but he had been moving so fast, he thought… "But, I mean, weird things are always going on, right?"

"Maybe, but there's been a few more after the thing exploded," Iris replied, waving her hand. "Increase in crime, strange occurrences. Unexplainable events. Like storms popping up out of nowhere and then that huge tornado destroying the two days ago?" She sighed. "Central City has always been an interesting city but this just takes the cake!"

"Your journalism senses are tingling, aren't they?" Barry asked.

"They are, Bare, they are. There's a story out there somewhere and I'm going to find it," Iris vowed.

Barry pushed a long sigh out of his nose. His fingers curled into fists in the pockets of his jacket. Ugh, she had to vow! Barry's nose scrunched up. Iris was as stubborn as stubborn could be and he knew once her mind was set to something it wouldn't change. Throw in her journalistic prowess and she had tunnel vision. Which would only spell trouble for him.

He pressed his shoulder against the door to the precinct and led them out to the streets where he paused and took in a cleansing breath. He was happy that Iris couldn't hear his racing heart. Although he wasn't sure what was currently making his heart beat so fast: his powers, Iris holding onto him, or the idea that she was going to investigate further into the city's recent oddities. How was he going to keep his promise to Joe if she was trying to figure him out? He's seen firsthand how deeply researched her articles were. She didn't leave a rock unturned. If she really set her mind to it she could figure him out.

"Barry! Are you even listening to me?" Iris's voice cut into his thoughts. Barry blinked rapidly and looked down at Iris who rolled her eyes. "Nevermind, I know that look. You were off in your head again. Anything interesting in there? There has to be room for something other than that science junk."

"Hey, that science junk is what makes him the best in our forensics department," Joe cut in, throwing a proud wink Barry's way.

"But seriously! Have you met anyone? Made any new friends? …Read a new book?" Iris fished, laughing at her own question at the end. "What's going on in the life of Barry Allen, I feel so out of the loop!"

"Nothing…too interesting, really," Barry replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "Made some new…friends, yeah," he replied, testing out the word on his tongue. It fit. It felt right. "I know we haven't been able to hang out that much but I'm glad we can do this now. I'm glad you two are making me come out." The sincerity of his words landed in his stomach in a way that used to make him feel horrible but instead left him feeling as if he was wrapped in a warm hug.

He did need this. To spend time with his second family. To see Iris's smile and hear her laugh and spend time with a man who became more to him than a second father in name but by actions as well. It made all of the previous weight on his shoulders slip away and his heavy heart become fitted with wings.

"Anything for our favorite Allen," Iris replied. "Now let's go get that burger!"

# # #

"McDonald's really needs to step up on their game if they want to compete with Big Belly," Iris commented before taking a bite of her Double Belly Bacon Burger. Her eyes closed briefly as the flavors exploded on her tongue and she sighed. "Man, I need to come back here more often."

Barry dipped a fry into his vanilla milkshake and chuckled as he took a bite of it. Iris's eyebrows lifted in silent questioning as she chewed her food. "Here, let me." He picked up a napkin on the table and reached out to dab at the blob of ketchup that hung by her mouth. "Yeah, just like old times," he teased, balling it up in his hand.

"Yeah, only now I don't have to beg my dad for my space and independence and all those good teenage clichés," Iris agreed. She turned and waved at Joe who sat a few tables over in the food court. Chuckling, he waved back and resumed reading the newspaper he had brought with him. "It's great being able to hang out with you, Bare."

"Geeze, Iris, that's about the fifth time you said that," Barry pointed out. "Been feeling guilty?"

"A bit," Iris admitted. "Spending some much time at work or taking classes or being with Eddie…" her voice trailed off.

Barry pressed his lips together to fight himself from rolling his eyes at the mention of her boyfriend's name. He hoped that Eddie wouldn't be brought up. It pained him to see Iris being so happy about Eddie but, at the same time, it pained him that he didn't like that Iris was happy with someone else. What kind of friend was he? Taking in a breath he let it out while asking in a nonchalant manner, "What's Eddie up to tonight anyway? You two seem to spend a lot of time together." He took a sip of his milkshake to keep himself from talking more than he wanted to. Once he got on his rambling tangents he couldn't control what came out of his mouth.

"He's hanging out with Sage," Iris replied, dipping her french fries in the small container of ketchup. Barry yanked the straw out of his mouth as he sputtered and choked. "Easy, it's not that strange," Iris said with a laugh. "She's keeping him away so Dad doesn't catch on." She popped the fry into her mouth and chewed.

"How did you two get together anyway?" Barry asked, leaning back in his seat. "I mean…talking over coffee and my…unconscious body can only get so far." He clasped his hands together and rested them on his stomach, drumming his thumbs against his abdomen. The time it took for Iris to chew, swallow, and answer him felt as if centuries had gone by.

"It…I don't even really know how it started," Iris replied, her nose wrinkling a little as she thought. She made sure to keep her voice down just in case her father could overhear them. "We just started talking…it didn't go well at first. I knew Eddie as this…guy that my father built up. Someone that bragged about his records and was egotistical and had this…this plan to show everyone what he was made of and that him taking Detective Chyre's place as Dad's new partner wasn't a fluke."

Barry grunted. The idea of Eddie taking Detective Chyre's place was as funny as it was ridiculous. Chyre was seasoned in his job and he took every case seriously instead of using it to boost his record. There had to be something about Eddie that Barry hadn't seen so far that made Iris fall for him because he just didn't get it from face value. He briefly pursed his lips and clicked his tongue, tuning back into Iris's explanation.

"…And so, one day he came into Jitters and I was working on my journalism homework and…unlike some others, he took it seriously, Barry. He asked me about my classes and my interests and…he didn't make me feel like he was talking down to me like some people do. He listened. He cared. And…and he was there for me when…when you couldn't be."

Barry held his breath between his lips as an ache shot through his chest. Images flashed though his mind of her sitting in a chair by his bedside, crying, waiting, wondering when he was going to wake up or if he ever was. Images that once used to make a smile appear on his face now soured his stomach when Eddie infiltrated them. Bringing her coffee, holding her as she wept, stroking her hair, comforting her. That's his job.

"Are you doing okay, Barry?" Iris asked. "I mean really. It must be weird sleeping through nine months of your life, basically. Waking up and everything being different."

"Not everything's different," Barry replied, lifting and dropping his hand. He rubbed his palm on his knee. "My dad's still in jail. I still have my job. My mom's still dead—"

"Barry!" Iris admonished.

"—you're still my best friend," he finished, holding her gaze. Her once stern expression softened as a smile blossomed on his face. "I'm glad that's still the same. That I still have you."

"Aww." Iris reached out and grasped his hand in hers, giving it a squeeze. "I'm glad I still have you too. My life just wouldn't be complete without Barry Allen."

As usual Barry locked Iris's words away in a safe that was nestled deep within in his heart. Oh how he wished she could mean it—really mean it—when she talked to him like that. That her words were filled with more love than just the platonic sort that wrapped around her sweet confessions. Spending time with her, talking with her, laughing with her, it was all bittersweet but it was a bittersweet that he would rather suffer through than live without.

"If you'll excuse me, I have to go to the ladies room and check that Sage didn't kill Eddie," Iris announced as she stood, sliding her purse over her shoulder. She started to walk away from the table only to reach over Barry's shoulder and grab a few French fries out of his cup.

"Hey! Hands off!" he cried out, slapping her hand away but she was too quick for him, spinning away from him.

"Have to move faster than that, Barry," she teased, winking at him.

His cheeks hurt from how hard he was smiling as she watched her walking away with her usual pep in her step. He ran a hand through his hair and turned back in his chair only to jump when he saw Joe now sitting in the space that Iris was just occupying. "Whoa! Now I know why you're a detective," Barry muttered, his eyes blinking in a rapid manner. "You know, you could have eaten with us."

"You two needed some time to catch up," Joe replied. "You and I have all the time in the world for that. Iris needed it more than I did. You haven't seen her for the past few months."

"Yeah," Barry sighed, "I'm, uh, I'm beginning to get a better idea of that." He tapped one of his fingers on the table and looked around the sparsely populated mall. In fact he was surprised that it was still open that late. "Anything good?" he asked, lifting his chin at the newspaper.

"Just some people reporting about this red streak that's going around," Joe replied, tapping the newspaper against his palm. "Saving cats from trees and people from busy streets."

Barry shrugged. "I need something to do while I wait," he explained. "And Wells thinks it's good practice for my speed." Joe hummed which made Barry's eyebrows crinkle. "What?"

"How much can you trust this guy, Barry?" Joe asked. "He's the one that…that did this to you."

"An accident is what did this to me," Barry clarified, sitting up straight. "He and the others are trying to help me. They feel responsible and they just want to make the whole thing right. They didn't know it was going to explode and do all this, Joe. No one did."

"Fair enough but…just keep your eyes open, okay?" Joe said. "Dr. Wells isn't exactly the most popular person in Central City anymore. He could be up to anything to try and get his name back."

"If I were him, I think I'd be trying to get my name back too," Barry admitted. "He lost the use of his legs. If getting his business back is his goal who am I to stand in his way?"

"And who are you to stand in my way when I want your fries?" Iris asked, picking Barry's carton off the table. The once serious expression on Barry's face shifted to one of pure amusement as he looked up at Iris. He ignored the look Joe was sending his way and put his focus on his best friend.

"How many times do I have to tell you, hands off?" Barry laughed, getting to his feet.

"A million," Iris shot back, sticking out her tongue, backing away from him. "What are you going to do, Barry? Chase me?"

"Maybe," Barry replied with a confident smile. "I've gotten a bit faster over the years."

# # #

Steel blue eyes darted back and forth as it absorbed the lines of the news story. When the story was read through the first time the eyes jumped back to the beginning paragraph and started again. And again and again and again. They took in every word, every sentence, every paragraph of the old reported "accident". One that had fallen into the wayside over the past few months, slipped into obscurity to the rest of the world. But not to that lone man. He rubbed a hand over his chin as he stared down at the paper and the peculiar story he just couldn't get out of his mind. It was too odd to be forgotten and, perhaps, a bit informative and helpful as well.

But, for now, he needed it to help him plan.

The Central City Citizen

Man Found Frozen in Alley

(CENTRAL CITY, Mo.) Emergency medical personnel were summoned to the 500 block of 2nd street in Central City yesterday morning due to reports of an unidentified man being found by a local dog walker. Emergency responders on the scene tried in vain to aid the unresponsive man who is believed to have perished overnight.

Previous reports indicate that the primary cause of death was a heart attack and the freezing temperatures. Autopsy reports now show that no foul play was involved and the man seemed to have passed due, in strange circumstances, to being frozen from the inside out. His organs were preserved and will be donated to those in need. Police are not releasing his name at this time.