The song for this chapter is 4 Non Blondes - What's up

BARRY'S POV:

Leonard Smart stood in the abandoned warehouse.

"I thought you said this is the last time." He chided.

"You know you get something in return."

He smirked. "My how the tables have turned."

I sneered. "Are we going to do this or not."

He moved to the truck and slid the side door open. "Bon appetite."

I took in the rows and rows of weapons and stolen artifacts gone missing in the last month.

"You owe me, Flash." He

IRIS' POV:

"What do you want with Ollie?" The brunette asked.

I looked around the empty club. "I just wanted to talk to him."

Her arms folded across her chest. "You must be Iris."

My defenses went up. "How do you know my name?"

"Barry." She smirked like she held a secret over me.

"You know Barry?"

He hadn't mentioned any other girls when we talked about his time here.

Her head tilted to the side. "I know Barry." She grinned.

"Well," I popped my hip out. "Who are you?"

"Iris," a voice came from behind me. "What are you doing in Starling City?'

I turned to see Oliver walking out way.

I offered a smile. "I was in the neighborhood and I thought we could get lunch. Where's Felicity? I have to talk to her."

He grinned. "I am actually on my way to a business meeting in a few, but Felicity is at the office. I can drop you off on the way and after we can get lunch."

I nodded.

He looked to the girl. "Mom said to answer her calls, Speedy."

She rolled her perfect bluish green eyes. "Sure."

"Iris, this is my sister. Thea."

She held out her hand. "Nice to meet you in the flesh."

"I would say the same, but Barry's never-ending mentioned you before." I offered a meek half grin.

"Okay. Let's get going. I just have to grab my bag."

Felicity sat at her desk in the IT department. I almost didn't recognize her because of the makeover Linda gave her. Gone were the black clothes and hair, replaced by enviable blonde highlighted hair, red lipstick, and pink and white dress. She wore reading glasses instead of the contacts that bothered her anyway.

When she saw me she jumped up and screamed in joy. We ran to hug each other.

"Oh my god, what are you doing here?" She hugged me tight.

I laughed. "I wanted to see you guys."

We pulled away and I took her in again. "You look amazing!"

She waved it off. "Linda gave me some good pointers." She looked over my shoulder at Oliver. "I thought you had a meeting at eleven thirty."

"I do. I wanted to drop Iris off first. We'll all go out to lunch after I get back."

"Okay, sure." She shrugged.

He left.

I turned back to her. "What is that about?"

"What is what?" She blushed before heading back to her desk.

"You know what. That eye sex you two just had."

She tried to cover her laugh. "There was no sex of any kind at all. At any time."

My eyes narrowed. "Did you two?"

"God, no. We haven't done anything. It's been kind of dry in that department. Please tell me that you and Barry have gotten together?"

My eyes rolled. "He's living with us. It's weird. I feel like maybe we just fell into a rhythm of siblings. At least, I think that's how he sees me now."

She gave me the biggest eye roll ever. "Pluh-ease. That boy is head over heels with you, Iris."

"Then how do you explain his behavior? He's treating me like an annoying little sister."

She pushed her glasses back. "Maybe he's just worried about you."

I sagged in the chair in front of her desk. "What do I do?"

"Have you told him how you've been feeling? Maybe he thinks everything is alright."

I mulled it over for a bit.

"You're serious about this?" Oliver asked with stern eyes as we sat in the overpriced restaurant.

I nodded. "Very."

He leaned forward. "Why?"

I leaned forward. "I've been a victim for far too long." I locked on his eyes. "I started to believe I could do more, help people. And I did and it felt amazing to know I possibly saved someone's life." I let out a sigh. "I want to do it again, but I know if I go out there unprepared I'll get my ass kicked. I'll do more harm than good. That's why I need you to teach me, like you did Barry."

Felicity pursed her lips. "Barry has super healing abilities. You don't. When things get out of hand he can run away really fast. You can't."

I bit my lip. "I've thought about that." My eyes went to Oliver's. "If you can do it so can I."

He thought about it for several long moments. "What am I supposed to tell Barry when he asks why you're bruised and battered? Why you're spending all of your time in Starting City?"

"Barry doesn't have to know."

He nodded. "He's going to find out eventually."

"We'll cross that bridge when it comes."

He didn't seem to be on board. I was actually surprised he entertained this idea this long. I looked to Felicity for help.

She gave me a look before turning back to him. "How would you feel if it were me in Iris' position? Would you turn me away?"

He turned his cold eyes to her and they warmed up. "You are not Iris. I wouldn't want you to do this either, but I couldn't stop you."

She gestured to me with a grin.

He frowned. "Let me think about it."

"I've already trained at a MMA gym for a few months. I have the basics down."

He nodded. "If we do this, you have to keep it a secret from Barry. He will try and dissuade you at all costs."

I nodded eagerly. "That's a yes?" I looked at Felicity.

She grinned at .

"Yes," he sighed. "I guess I'm in."

I jumped up and went to hug him. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

BARRY'S POV:

I waited at the top of the stairs for Iris to get home. She'd been gone all day without a word. I tried calling her but it went to voicemail. I went to see Cisco and Caitlin to ask if they heard from her. Nothing.

The door opened a few minutes later. She quietly closed the door and tip toed towards the stairs. Once she saw me she jumped.

"Barry, what are you doing?"

I shrugged. "Just waiting for you to get home. You didn't call."

She huffed. "My phone died." She started up the stairs.

"I was worried. I didn't know if something happened to you."

"Well as you can see I'm fine." She stepped past me.

I rose. "Where'd you go?"

She entered her room. "Out." She slammed the door shut.

I sighed. I knocked on the door. "Iris, we need to talk. You're still mad about last night."

She yanked the door open and poked her head out. "You think?" Sarcasm dripped from her voice.

My hands ran over my head. "Im sorry okay. I know that me living here is putting a strain on our friendship. I don't know how to fix that."

"You can stop worrying about me so much for starters."

That's what this was about? She was mad that I cared too much?

"I can't help it." A flash of disappointment filled me. How did she not get that I was scared. "I thought you understood." I pushed off the door and headed for my room.

I sat on the floor, I brought my knees to my chest. Losing both my parents was terrifying and I couldn't help but worry about everyone. Not just Iris. But mostly Iris.

Tears pricked my eyes. I missed my mom, I missed my dad more. If I had known I would never see him again, never talk to him again, I would've...I don't know what I would've done. If I could get just another minute with him, I'd take it.

My door flew open with a pissed off Iris on the other end. She really looked at me and let out a sigh before sitting in front of me. Her hands came to wipe away my tears, then she pulled my face up so I'd look at her. "What's going on with you?"

I locked onto her eyes. "I'm messed up." I pulled away from her grasp. "I'm going to move in with my Aunt."

Her eyes widened. "What? No. That's like a billion miles away."

I nodded. "Maybe that's what we need. Obviously, I'm smothering you, that's not what I want."

"But you can't just leave. People are counting on you. I'm counting on you. You've done so much good, Barry. Don't throw that away because I'm a bitch."

"It's not worth it if you and I aren't what we used to be. I don't want to put you and Joe out anymore. I need to leave."

She shook her head. "You're not leaving me." She rose to her knees and leaned forward so her mouth was on mine.