CHAPTER TEN: Interruptions And Invitations

Listening to the voice of his foster son as he sang and hummed intermittently while looking through the refrigerator, Joe West realised just how much of a burden Barry's past had put on him subconsciously. His smiles had become more genuine, and he stood a little taller, knowing that his behaviour, after being revealed, had not altered his family and friends' opinions of him, knowing that it was not held against him.

Joe doubted he will ever not worry about his son (because that's what Barry was, his son in all but blood), no matter how old and experienced Barry became. He still found it difficult to reconcile with the fact that his two children, Iris and Barry, had grown into brilliant adults, and were feeling their way into the world on their own. That did not mean that he would not be there for them always, whenever they needed him. It was a mixture of fierce pride and wistful longing (for the days when the worst enemies were the nightmares, and the wounds could always be healed by soft-spoken words and a bandaid) that filled him whenever he thought about it.

Hearing Barry coming in to the living room to join him, Joe shook his head and swept off the odd cloud of melancholy.

God, he was growing old...

"Barry," Joe began, catching his attention. "There's an officer from SCPD who'll be working with us for a few days, regarding a case."

Barry leant forward, interested.

"He came by the station yesterday for a short while," Joe continued. "You were in your lab so, you didn't see him. I'm pretty sure that he'll be calling on you for help."

"Okay!" Barry said, smiling. "I think I can handle this officer. Oh, and what's his name?"

Joe winced at the amateur oversight.

"His name's Colin Marks," Joe said. He hesitated, thinking back on his meeting with the SCPD officer.

"Be careful around him," Joe warned, his tone conveying the seriousness of the situation.

Barry looked taken aback, at first, then frowned in concern. He waited for Joe to elaborate. But when no more was forthcoming, Barry nodded solemnly.

"I will, Joe," Barry promised.

It was lunch break.

Barry was waiting on the results for some of his tests. He loved working in forensics. Oh, don't get him wrong, he loved being the Flash. Who wouldn't? But being in forensics was something he had achieved on his own merit and because it was his passion. He loved science and he was utterly proud to be who he was.

Spinning around on his chair, he glanced at the time. Deliberating for a short moment, he shrugged before calling Oliver.

"Barry?"

A goofy grin crept up onto Barry's face.

"Hey, Oliver! How many Board members were you planning on 'arrow'ing?" Barry chuckled on hearing the tone of growing impatience in his partner's voice.

"Am I that transparent?" Oliver asked ruefully.

Barry grinned before launching into a description of his work and his practice with his old friends. He knew that would help Oliver to unwind atleast a little, seeing how Oliver always looked less tense, less burdened, with a secret smile just peeking out at the corner of his mouth, everytime Barry word-vomitted.

He was so caught up in talking to Oliver that he didn't immediately hear the sound of a throat being cleared impatiently. But when he did, he swung around in his chair, casting a quick glance at the clock.

Phew, the break wasn't over yet.

Muttering a quick "Hold on," Barry gazed up at the frowning face of an officer whom he had never seen before.

"Can I help you?" Barry asked, curiously.

The officer scowled.

"I was told the tests would be done by now. And yet, here you are lazing about during work," the officer bit out.

Barry slowly raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing the other guy.

"I am sorry," Barry said, not sounding sorry at all. "But who are you?"

An embarrassed flush stole across his face, before he cleared his throat roughly.

"Colin Marks, SCPD," came the grudging introduction. "And you're the CSI."

Barry didn't move and didn't stop his obvious perusal of Marks either. After a long moment, Barry nodded towards the systems.

"The tests are being done. You'll get the report as soon as I get the results. It's science, not magic. Now if you don't mind, it's my break," Barry added coolly, nodding towards the door.

So saying, Barry went back to his call, a wry grin tugging at his lips when he heard Oliver's snickering through the phone. Barry would never have had the take-no-shit attitude before he had learned to accept his days of being Sebastian Smythe. It had taken some time but Barry knew that Sebastian was him and he was Sebastian. He always had been a rebel, and the rebelliousness had found an outlet while he had been in Dalton.

Surprisingly, no one had been more delighted to see his insolent side emerge than Oliver. Every time Barry had spoken in a snide manner, that was reminiscent of his school days, Oliver's face would light up with an unholy amount of mischief. Barry would forever deny it, but seeing how his snark made his partner happy, Barry let go of his reservations and gladly indulged Oliver.

Barry was immersed in responding to Oliver's good natured teasing that he did not notice the appraising glance that Marks bestowed on him, nor the darkly intense expression that flitted across his face, before being subdued.

"Seb! You need to tell us about this Flash character!"

"C'mon, Bas! Please?"

A chorus of pleas sounded and Barry laughed.

The Warblers along with the New Direction members were walking towards Jitters. Somehow they had heard about Central City's resident superhero/vigilante. And they had decided to ply the one person, who had made Central City as his home, with questions about the speedster.

Oh, the irony, Barry thought dryly.

"Well, what do you want to know?" Barry asked, already knowing that he'll regret giving in to the questioning.

"Is he really fast?"

"Have you seen him?"

"Does he really wear form-fitting leather?"

The last question made Barry choke on air.

"What!?"

Before Barry could come up with an answer, he tripped on something that made him pitch forward.

Not again, Barry thought, exasperated with his own clumsiness.

This time though the person he fell onto, caught him against their chest.

"Careful there, Barry. One could say that you're falling for me."

On hearing the low drawl, Barry groaned and cursed the universe at large.

"Not for you, Snart," Barry said, standing upright, slapping away wandering hands. "Falling on you."

"Same thing, really," Leonard Snart said, smirking at the flustered speedster. Glancing at the gathered people around them who were unashamedly gawking at him, he said, amused, "Won't you introduce me to your friends, Barry?"

Barry narrowed his eyes at the other guy, in what he hoped was a threatening manner. Judging by the sly smile on Snart's face, it wasn't.

Rolling his eyes, he made quick introductions, wondering what was his life, really?

And to top off all the weirdness, Nick invited Snart to the fundraiser in Starling City. Barry made a mental note to ask Cisco to increase surveillance during the day of the event, and to kill Nick.

With a sideways cheeky wink at Barry, Snart assured Nick that of course he'd be there. After all, how could someone miss Barry's performance?

Suddenly, Barry was filled with trepidation.

What had he gotten himself into?

A/N: Sincere apologies for the delay. I did warn you guys that I'm a very irregular updater.I'm slowly breaking my writer's block (gods, I hate it!), into pieces. Wish me luck!

So, here's Barry handling things like Sebastian (a bit), as was requested. Hope this is upto your expectations, luv. Also, there won't be any identity reveal. Sorry, but I felt it was too cliché.

I'll be wrapping up this story soon. It has dragged on long enough. So, if you want to see anything in particular in the next few chapters, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Reviews and comments are always welcome. Thank you all, most sincerely, for the wonderful feedback. I love you guys, and hope you all have a brilliant day!