I do have to apologize for not making it clear that this along with this fic being AU it's also OOC (out of character). I've added that to the summary so now it's out there. There shouldn't be any reason anyone has to complain about Barry and Iris being too different from the show now, and we're thirty three chapters in now so it's not that big of a shock really. With that being said, I really don't want to get anymore comments like this:

"I have no idea what you're doing to this story but I and several others do not like it. You're adding things that shouldn't even be in here. The lines from the show don't fit at all. Even the nickname Barry had for Iris doesn't fit. Seems so forced. Everything about this story seems forced. You wanted to make Iris "stronger" and you did that by making her physically stronger but she's so mentally weak it's pathetic. Now she's doing the same out of character thing Barry did, and let's face it, neither one is in character. It's like you're writing a story about some other couple and just added their names. Don't worry, I won't leave any more reviews or read this anymore. I will never read another thing you write. I'm not the only one that feels like that btw." - HWG, Archive Of Our Own.

If anyone else feels the same way please just stop reading, don't stick around for my benefit. And one thing I'd like to point out is that season 2 just started so we really don't know exactly what is out of character for Barry or Iris. Sure my fic is a little out there in terms of their storylines and character differences, but we've only season a full season of one side to both Barry and Iris. I hope in future seasons they'll have grown and messed up some. But none of us know exactly where the show is taking them so it's not fair to say that the characters are too ooc when any of us hardly know them ourselves. The show is still fresh, so for the sake of my sanity and other ficwriters give us some slack with the AU/ooc fics. And if for those of you who have a problem with that then why are you thirty plus chapters deep into an AU fic anyway if you can't think open mindedly about these characters and what kind of relationship they could possibly have in another timeline/AU? Enough with the rant.

The song for this chapter is Lightboxes - Run

IRIS' POV:

It was February and the everything was less dramatic. I'd been going out more with Laurel and Oliver, training, getting stronger. I'd called my dad a few days after New Years to see how he was doing and it was a tear fest on both ends, but it was much needed. I promised that I'd come see him soon, but I still wasn't ready to set foot in Central City and he understood. Wally had come at a great time, my dad really needed a blood relative there to keep him company, not that Barry couldn't do it by himself.

Being that I still hadn't found what I wanted to do for a day job I had too much time on my hands. I continued to stress about my future, but Oliver assured me that he didn't mind in the slightest to help me out. He even offered me a job at Queen Consolidated, but I couldn't quite picture myself in a big corporate company like that, so I kept racking my brain for the right choice. Lately, when I was alone, I kept going back to my blog, reading over the old posts. The poor thing hadn't been updated in months. With my knowing that Barry was The Flash there really wasn't a need to keep it up for myself. My thinking was that because I knew it was Barry then I felt like the rest of the city was in good hands. My forehead creased as I realized that maybe they still needed to believe. But that wasn't my job anymore, I wasn't Barry's spokesperson.

My hands hovered over the keys. Things had to figure themselves out sooner or later.

I closed my laptop and told Oliver's driver I wanted to go into town. Somehow, things seemed to always clear up a little when you walked around. One thing's for sure, I didn't want to mooch off of Oliver forever. He needed his privacy for more reason than one. If I was truly going to be independent then I needed my own life, my own possessions, something I knew my dad would be proud of. He hadn't said it since I left and I felt like it would a while before I'd hear it again.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Linda's name came up.

"Hey," I answered with a grin. "You couldn't have called at a better time." I patted the driver on the shoulder to let me know to stop. I told him thanks before I got out of the town car.

"You couldn't have answered at a better time," She sounded distressed.

My forehead wrinkled. "Lin, what's wrong?"

It was a few moments before she sighed into the phone. "Your damn cousin is what's wrong."

"Wally? What could he have done?"

Well, what couldn't he have done? Growing up, Wally was like the brother I always wanted but sometimes wanted to kill. He'd pick on me relentlessly but we'd have our moments. As we got older the picking turned into light teasing. He was pretty cool, a little too cocky, but definitely a ladies man...Now, I could see where this was going.

"Please tell me that you do not having feelings for my cousin?"

The silence on the other end was enough to convince me otherwise.

"No, Linda." My hand ran down my face. "What about Cisco?"

"I don't know how much he's talked to you about it, but we haven't really been on the same page lately. I don't know what it is."

My mouth frowned. "Maybe because he's picking up on your feelings for Wally, which is so gross by the way."

"Iris, this is a disaster. This was the last thing I wanted to happen. I really like Cisco and if I could turn off these feelings for Wally then I would, believe me. But when he's around me...he looks at me the way Barry looks at you."

Barry hadn't looked at me for over a month and he was with Thea, so I highly doubted that, but I got where she was going with this. What I felt with Barry was once in lifetime lucky, rare and beautiful. Scary. Dangerous.

"If that's the case then you need to be really honest with yourself and tell Cisco what you're feeling. Take a break. Do what you need to in order to get your feelings sorted out. Cisco's a good guy, he'll understand if you're honest with him."

She huffed. "You're right, but I don't want to hurt him."

"If you don't tell him and something happens with Wally it'll hurt him even more. Trust me, I know."

I could feel her sympathy over the phone. "Iris, this rift between you and Barry is only temporary."

"I don't know about that."

"Listen to me," She insisted. "Barry loves you. He's not okay, despite what you think. Whatever he told you, whatever you think is wrong. He's miserable without you."

Hearing those words gave me too much hope and if experience was any indicator then hope was a bad thing to carry in your heart when it came to Barry.

"Linda, I can't do this."

"Dammit, Iris," She all but screamed in my ear. "The both of you need to stop being so stubborn and just forgive each other. I know you haven't moved on, neither has he. You don't just move on from what you two had. Impossible. Please, just call him. It'll make more of a difference than you realize."

My head shook. All of what Linda said could've been for my benefit. I knew she had our best interest at heart, but this wasn't her call. I knew deep down there was truth to what she said, about not getting over Barry, but I wasn't ready to dive into that mess yet. I needed to get my life in order before I saw him. Obviously, it was a pride thing.

All I could assure her was that, "Barry and I will come to some understanding soon, just not right now. I'm not ready to see him, Linda."

"Well..." She dragged out. "That's too bad because he's on his way to Starling City."

I stopped amidst the crowd of pedestrians as my eyes narrowed. "Come again?"

"I just wanted to give you a warning. Ok, love you. Bye." She hung up.

This could not be happening. I wasn't ready. I needed to have my life in some type of order and it was the farthest thing from being in order. God must really dislike me, must be from all of the lustful thoughts I had about Barry. This was my punishment. On top of my current failure to be successful at anything, I had to see Barry and Thea together. Just peachy. One thing's for sure, I wouldn't be around to witness that.

My phone felt heavy in my hand so I slid it into my coat pocket. I slipped my dark sunglasses on to block out the world, my hands shoved in my pockets. The city seemed to go on for miles, or maybe I was just lost in my head to realize how far I walked. Everyone seemed to give me space or maybe it was my imagination. Maybe they could sense that I was lost and I needed a little space to find my way.

Someone bumped into me and the contact shocked me. Someone else didn't care that I was lost. I stood there in the sidewalk for several moments, my eyes found the window of a newspaper business. The door opened as someone walked out with a briefcase, his eyes on his watch. I pictured myself inside, typing away at a desk, reporting in the streets. An older guy caught my gaze and held it for a moment too long. Before I could step forward I heard a car horn blare for longer than necessary.

I turned to see a guy standing in the middle of the street. The truck was seconds away from crushing him, with the icy roads it was hard to stop on short notice. Without thought, I ran forward and pulled him out of the way. The ice caused our footing to slip and I fell on top of him with a thud. The truck must've smashed into something because there was a crash.

"Are you okay?"

The guy stared back at me with angry eyes. "Why'd you do that?" He demanded.

I balked at him. "You wanted to get hit by that truck?"

He pushed me off of him, tears in his eyes.

A big crowd had gathered around us, everyone gawking and pointing. The guy from Picture News stared at me with careful eyes. I pushed myself up and looked around. Too many people, too many eyes on me.

A few flashes went off and I knew they were taking pictures.

"She saved his life." I heard someone say.

I looked back to meet their eyes as I walked right into someone.

"Come on,"

My eyes met a cinnamon brown pair. The long sandy blonde hair, the structured jaw. I let him tug me forward, away from the craziness. We ran down the streets, we dipped and dodged long after we lost the crowd. We came to a stop near a park. Neither of us were out of breath. He was so obviously athletic, all muscle and thick. He turned his eyes on me.

"You sure know how to make an impression." A half grin in place.

I let out a much needed chuckle. "Not on purpose." I looked around us and went to sit on a nearby bench.

He sat down next to me, the bench dipped under his weight. "So you're a superhero. What else are you good at?"

My brow rose. I knew he didn't mean literally. Oliver had been working on a suit for me, with that being said I had made sure to be careful when going out during training. Well, a mask was about as careful as I could be.

"Running into you apparently."

He grinned. "I have no complaints here."

Deciding I needed to get back to mindlessly walking the streets, I stood.

"Humor me." He held my gaze.

What did I really have to lose? Quite honestly, I could use the distraction. So I sat back down.

My hand tucked my curls behind my ear. "What do you want to know?"

He layed on arm on the back of the bench behind me. "The next time you run into me I'd like to know your name."

Hopefully there wouldn't be any running next time.

"Iris."

He held his hand out. "Daryl."

I shook it and I couldn't shake that there was something familiar about him.

"Are you sure that we haven't met before?" I asked.

He nodded. "You're too beautiful to forget."

My eyes couldn't roll hard enough.

He laughed. "Seriously, what you did back there was pretty amazing. You saved that man's life."

Did I? He didn't seem to want to be saved by me or by anyone?

"So why don't you seem happier?" He asked.

I shrugged. "I don't think I did much good. I think he wanted to die." It wasn't enough that Barry was going to see my failure. Everyone saw me fail.

His hand rested on my shoulder, his eyes peering into mine. "You didn't fail, okay."

How did he know exactly what to say?

My eyes focused on my jeans. "I am."

This guy was practically a stranger apart from a few chance meetings, but it seemed that he was willing to listen, so maybe opening up to someone who didn't know me or my problems would give me some perspective.

My eyes met his, hoping he'd be here to lend an ear. "I moved here a month ago, thinking it would be the fix to my problems." My head shook ironically. "But so far, all I've done is accomplish squat. I have nothing to show for myself."

He nodded. "I don't think you're alone in that feeling, Iris. Most of us aren't where we pictured ourselves at. There's nothing to be ashamed of. You'll find your way." His hand squeezed my shoulder and it felt nice. Not like Barry's touch, but still nice. Comforting.

"You might be onto something..." I realized he hadn't given his name.

He picked up the hint. "Daryl."

It was a good name. Sterdy. Manly. I guess.

I leaned forward a little. "It's just, there's someone from my past coming to town. I really don't want to see him, but he's coming. And, well, my life is still DOA."

"Maybe you need to see this friend so they can tell you that you don't have to have your life figured out in a month."

The corner of my mouth pulled up as I nodded. "Point taken." His eyes locked on mine. "Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself." My eyes quickly scanned him, landing on that dimple in his chin. "So," My eyes slid up to his. "What are you letting a stranger talk your ear off in a park?"

"I don't think you count as a stranger. We've bumped three times."

My eyes narrowed at his word choice and a surprising blush came to his cheeks when he said, "That came out wrong."

"Really?" I laughed. "Never would've guessed.

He laughed with me. "All I meant was, if we keep coming into each other's lives then maybe it's for a reason."

Maybe. There were a lot of maybes going around today.

After a moment his cinnamon eyes turned vulnerable with my silence.

"Or you could be a stalker." I stated.

He lifted his hand from my shoulder, taking away what little warmth I had. "Not stalking you, I promise." His eyes cautious. "Or you could be stalking me. It's the 21st century. You're just as capable of stalking me as I am of you."

I grinned. "You've caught me." I held my hands up. "It's not my fault you don't lock your door or close your curtains. It must be a white people thing."

He bellowed out a laugh that vibrated through me. His eyes crinkled up with his wide white smile, that dimple on display. "You may be right about that."

I was pleasantly pleased with myself that I was able to make someone I just met laugh so hard. I hadn't laughed like that in ages. Must be nice.

His phone buzzed, drawing the remains of his laughter away. After checking it, he reached into his coat and pulled out a card. "If you ever want to chat," He rose.

I stood, rubbing the card between my fingers. Suspicion rose in me. "You're a journalist?"

He nodded. "It's not the most luxurious job, but it pays the bills."

Maybe it was sign. Maybe I was meant to get bumped by that stranger earlier, maybe I was meant to stop in front of Picture News.

"You any good at writing?" He asked.

I wasn't excellent at writing, but I did enjoy having a blog.

"Not sure. Are you offering me a job interview?"

He gave a small grin. "If you're interested." He looked at his watch. "I have to go but don't be afraid to use that if you need to, Iris." He backed away.

I nodded. "Thanks, Daryl." I waved him off.

Maybe I wasn't such a failure after all. I didn't know if writing was something I could enjoy for a living, but I could try my hand at it. If Daryl was serious about getting me an interview then what could it harm?

The rest of the evening was filled with Laurel and I grunting and swinging at each other. Sometimes when it was just the two of us I thought about the kiss on New Year's. How I wasn't sure if the alcohol tempted me or if it was Laurel. We hadn't brought it up, so I assumed she didn't remember. Maybe that was for the best. I didn't really want to have a conversation about whether or not it was just a celebratory kiss or if it was beyond that because I really didn't know myself. I didn't think I was attracted to girls, but Laurel was really pretty.

"You seem distracted." She said as we drunk from our bottles.

I nodded. "Barry's here."

Her eyes widened. "You saw him?"

"No, but Linda told me he was coming here today."

She stretched her quads. "Do you want to see him? Are you ready?"

Good question. Did I? Was I?

"No and no."

She grinned and it made me grin. "Maybe you should see him. Maybe things have changed with Thea. Maybe he wants to work things out with you."

Again with the maybes.

My head shook. "He doesn't get to come here and turn my world upside down. Besides, I've already met someone." Okay, I didn't really have any feelings for Daryl, but he was hot and nice enough to offer me an option to a career. And then there was the awkward tension with Laurel.

Her brow lifted. "Who's the mystery someone?"

"I'm not sure yet."

We finished up with training and she dropped me off at the house. I figured that I could get some calm before the storm before I saw Barry. He wasn't bold enough to come here, I didn't think.

"Hello?" I called as I walked into the house.

No answer.

With a shrug, I headed up to my room and jumped in the shower. A nice long and hot shower. I decided that I'd give Daryl a call tomorrow. What was the worst that could happen? At least, I'd know if I was in the right direction based on the interview.

By the end of my shower all I wanted to do was curl into bed and Netflix and Chill with myself. But I guess that was too out of the question what with Barry sitting on my bed.

I came to a sudden stop at the sight of him. A month apart hadn't done anything to quell my attraction to him like I'd hoped. My whole body sung in his presence and he hadn't even looked up at me yet. He sat there lost in thought, a lost look in his eyes.

"Barry," His name left my lips as a whisper.

His hazel gaze met mine, they livened up when he took me in. He immediately stood, but didn't say anything. Maybe he couldn't say anything.

I noticed the picture in his hand, the picture of us he kept in his room while he lived here. I wasn't really sure why, but I kept it face down on the bedside table. It was there in case I wanted to torture myself and look at it.

He set the picture back like I had it.

I really didn't know what to say. Many times I thought about cussing him out when I saw him again or slapping him around or completely ignoring him. Now that he was in front of me, I couldn't quite remember why I thought I was over him.

He cleared his throat. "Do you still hate me?"

Of all the things I thought would come out of his mouth those weren't it.

My head shook on it's own. I wanted to tell him to piss off, that he hurt me and that I still needed time to get over him properly, but those words got lost along the way.

"I could never hate you, Barry."

He looked as if a ton was lifted off his shoulders. I realized that he didn't look very healthy, there were bags under his eyes. He hadn't lost any weight, but he still looked hollow. That couldn't have been because of me, could it? Had Linda been right?

"Everyone misses you."

Do you?

My eyes found the tan carpet. "What are you doing here, Barry?"

He sighed. "Oliver wanted my help on a case."

So he wasn't here to see me. I didn't know whether to be relieved or sad by that.

"How long are you staying?"

He took a wary step forward. "If you don't want me here then I'll leave."

I couldn't ask him to bend over backwards to make me comfortable. Besides, if Oliver needed his help then who was I to stand in the way?

My head shook. "I'm tired."

He nodded. "I'll get out of your hair then."

Part of me felt bad for kicking him to the curb but I was physically, mentally, and emotionally tired. I just wanted to rest, forget Netflix and Chill by myself. As soon as my head hit the pillow I was going to be out like a light.

I almost moaned at how good the bed felt as I climbed under the covers. I noticed he lingered by the door, so I gave him a questioning look.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "I think my mom might be alive."

My eyes widened. "What? How?"

He shrugged. "I shouldn't have dropped that on you like that. I'll see you tomorrow." He turned off the ceiling light and for a moment it was as if I was back in my old room in my old house. The weight of the day won over the craziness of what Barry just said and before I knew it I was fast asleep.

A/N: I really wanted this chapter to be light. Next chapter should be longer. How awesome was the season 2 premiere yall?! I cried like at least six times from major feels! If Ronnie is really dead I'm not okay!