Chapter 4 [Barry's Lab—Five Minutes Later]

The elevator ride despite being for only two floors seemed like a hundred for the couple. Each struggled with their feelings toward the White Speed Elephant so to speak. Each wanted the truth but wasn't sure how the other would take it. When the elevator doors finally rolled open, it seemed a relief to them both.

He fumbled with his keys rather uncharacteristically before finally finding the dexterity to unlock the door. "Sorry. Guess I'm really anxious." He took a deep breath trying to get his own nerves under control.

"We both are," she agreed while shutting the door behind them. She put the cups out on his desk and poured a couple of egg nogs. "It's going to be all right. Let's just say what we're going to say."

"Okay. Mind if I go first then?" he queried. "This could be really big." He gulped on his drink before setting it down. "What we have, Patty, is so awesome. Since we decided to get serious, I've felt great about things. Remember what you told me when I was laid up about not trusting you?"

"I remember. What did you get out of that? Just curious," she answered frankly. While she wanted to guide him with some pressing questions as she might a suspect, she restrained herself. She could sense him struggling to open up. Consequently she wouldn't do anything to discourage or derail that event.

"I understood that you needed me to trust you more. I'm sorry that it's taken me this long," he apologized. "I just hope you understand what I'm about to show you." He exhaled deeply and then spun around like a super enhanced top changing into his costume before coming to a stop. "I'm the Flash."

She nodded and just took in the whole revelation. While she'd suspected as much…while the events had told her as much…she still felt stunned….

Barry was actually the Flash.

She silently sipped on her drink letting herself digest that fact. Then she let herself smile.

He slowly pulled his mask away from his face while letting it hang down his back. "Then it's okay?"

She pondered her response for a minute. If she'd found out when they'd first met, she'd had gone on a vigilante lecture first on him and then on Joe. But he'd proven himself several times over in the field when it counted. He'd saved her life. He'd been there for her when it mattered. "You're being the Flash is okay, Barry. Just one question, okay?"

He nodded almost numbly.

"Was the whole sick thing related to you healing after that dark suited guy hurt you?" she queried. Although she guessed yes, she wanted to hear it for herself.

"Yes it was. My Dad was in town to help me deal with it however. That much was true. You understand that if you'd seen me like I was, you'd have figured it out. I was building up to telling you. I…guess I was afraid. I didn't trust us yet. I didn't trust me with you yet," he admitted. "I'm sorry."

"And you're trusting me now of your own accord," she indicated. "You didn't wait for me to confront you as I was about to, Barry. That means a lot. You can trust me now. Just relax." She embraced him and locked lips with his affectionately. When they'd come up for air, she stepped back and looked him over. "One other thing."

"And that is?" he asked not knowing what to expect.

"You have no idea how hot you look in that outfit. Just had to say it," she complimented. "Now can we get back to this great lunch you surprised me with? I can't wait to taste that turkey."

He wanted to make a snarky remark of his own. He satisfied himself with a saucy smirk of his own while handing her a sandwich and taking the other for himself.

"What?" she giggled while taking another bite.

"Just thinking how great you'd look in an outfit like this," he conceded with a snarky shrug. "We should both get to appreciate each other, right?"

"Exactly." She let her eyes sparkle at him while taking another bite. "Thank you for looking out for me."

"My pleasure," he told her and kissed her cheek yet again. Then he bit into his sandwich again and chased that with some eggnog. "You never have to thank me for that. I always have your back."

"That's what I wanted to hear," she noted before biting into her sandwich and rubbing up against him.

And with that, the tension dissipated. The couple savored their lunch and each other.

And wasn't that what the Christmas spirit was about?