CHAPTER 1

Hey everyone! I'm baaaaack! This story is set sometime in season 2. Just a quick note: This is (sort of) a sequel to Hostages, so if you haven't read it, you probably should. What I mean by "sort of" is that even though this is a separate story, you do have to know some of the things that went on in Hostages, to understand what I bring up in this one. Basically, they're in the same AU.

Anyways,

Enjoy XD

"No. No way that scene was improvised!" Iris nudged Barry's shoulder playfully as they walked down the snow-covered sidewalk.

"It just proves that Leonardo DiCaprio is a great actor." Barry nudged Iris back, shooting a cheeky grin her way.

"DiCaprio is talentless." Iris sneered, and then laughed when Barry's smile faded into a frown.

"Oh yeah?" Without warning, Barry shoved Iris into a hill of snow.

"So that's how we're going to play, huh?" Iris grabbed Barry's arm pulling him down on top of her.

They locked eyes with each other, swapping smiles before Barry stood up, and then assisted her off the ground.

"Oh, thanks. You're such a gentleman." Iris sarcastically joked.

"And you have no taste in quality."

"I resent that. I have perfectly good taste. I just have high standards when it comes to acting, and Leo doesn't make the cut." Iris teased.

Barry just chuckled and they linked arms, continuing their morning stroll.

"I'm so glad you woke up...both times" Iris piped up at a time that seemed to be random.

"Huh?"

"9 months and then another 3 weeks was long enough. My life sucks without you." Iris gave Barry a warm hug.

"Aww. That was so sweet." Barry quipped after a few moments of silence.

Iris shoved him. "I'm serious! Don't be a wise-cracker with me, Bartholomew."

"Bartholomew? Ouch. Am I in trouble?" Barry laughed when Iris' face grew red.

Iris giggled. "Stop making me laugh! I'm trying to be mad at you!" She attempted to force a grumpy face but it only melted back into a smile when she saw the large grin that was stretched across Barry's face.

After a few more minutes, they walked into Jitters. Iris' ears were red from the frosty air, and Barry's cheeks matched.

"Can I just have a regular espresso?" Barry asked when he got up to the counter.

"And I'll take a Flash." Iris added on. Smiling at the fact that The Flash was standing right next to her.

Barry and Iris took a seat at a nearby table to wait for their drinks.

"Nice hot coffee is perfect for a day like this." Barry stated looking out the window at the snow hitting the ground.

"Especially when you've been pushed into the snow and it gets into your shirt." Iris replied and then playfully glared at him.

"Holding a grudge much?"

Barry's phone buzzed and he took it out of his pocket. It was Joe calling.

"Sorry. I have to take this, one moment." Barry stood up from his chair and walked over to a quieter area.

Iris couldn't stop looking at him. She'd kissed him twice, admitted her feelings for him, and it pained her everyday that he didn't remember any of that. She was too scared to say anything again, fearing that he didn't remember that he had feelings for her, so she stayed quiet.

"Okay. I'll have it to you by tomorrow. Bye Joe."

Barry hung up his cell and shoved it back into his pocket, and headed back to his table.

"Oh! I am so sorry!" A woman apologized after bumping into Barry. She was tall, slender and had those icy blue eyes that you see in movies.

"No. That was me. I'm clumsy that way." Barry blushed and Iris frowned.

"Do I know you from somewhere?" She asked. "You look really familiar."

"Uhh. I don't think so."

"Yeah, you're right. I would remember an adorable face like that." She grinned and then took out a piece of paper and a pen. "Give me a call sometime. I'm Penny." She stretched out a hand and Barry shook it.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Barry." he replied putting the piece of paper in his pocket and returning to his seat.

Iris sat there with a glare on her face. "Really? Her?"

"What? She seemed nice. I might as well try to get myself back out there now that Patty's gone."

"Eh." Iris scoffed, crossing her arms and leaning back.

"Do you know of anyone else?" Barry firmly replied getting annoyed with Iris' tone. He still carried the same smile however, making it hard to tell if he was joking.

"Yeah.." Iris mumbled.

Barry's eyebrows raised. "Who?" It hurt Iris that he seemed completely oblivious. Just a couple months ago, they were so close to becoming something, and now it seemed as though he never had feelings for her.

That's when Barry's phone buzzed again. This time it was Cisco.

Meta at the corner of 5th and Holly. Disturbing the peace.

Barry's gaze lifted up from his phone, a sad look etched on his face.

"Meta?" Iris asked. She was used to it by now.

"Sorry. I'll be back in a Flash." Barry winked and then he was gone. It was a small wonder how no one saw him, but everyone was so absorbed in either working, or checking their Instagram, that it didn't really leave you hanging for too long.

When Barry arrived, it took him a moment to take in what was happening. A tall man was standing in the middle of the road, stopping traffic.

"Barry?" Cisco's voice chimed in through the comms.

"Yeah Cisco, I'm here. Looks like this guy is just bugging people. I'll take care of it."

"Hey! Big guy! A word please?" Barry called out to the man. It was hard to tell because his face was mostly covered, but it seemed as though a smile manifested on the strange person's face as he walked towards Barry.

"Ah. Flash. A little later than I expected."

"Well, I was having a pleasant morning with my friend, until you rudely interrupted it."

Barry sped over to him.

"I wouldn't get too close. You don't know what I'm capable of." The man's voice was coarse and powerful, and it sent chills down Barry's spine.

"Oh boy."

Without warning, the meta shot his hand out and a crushing force began to squeeze Barry's neck.

Barry gasped, flailing his legs.

"Barry? Talk to me, what's going on?" Cisco panicked.

"I've been waiting a long time to do this, Flash. The sad thing is, I thought you would put up more of a fight."

Barry started to vibrate, attempting to phase out of whatever had him hovering in the air. Fortunately, it worked, and Barry dropped to the ground, wheezing for breath.

"Not bad, Flash." The meta spoke. "But not great." He shot out his hand again, and this time Barry sped out of the way. He managed to land a punch on the meta's face, and knock him to the ground.

"Don't underestimate me." Barry replied, sending another punch onto his jaw and knocking him unconscious.

"Barry?" Caitlin said.

"I'm here, Caitlin. This was a little too easy. I'm bringing him in." Barry grabbed the meta's shirt and sped him into the pipeline.

"Sebastian Smythe was awesome!" Cisco could be heard saying as Barry walked into the cortex.

"Sebastian Smythe sucked." Barry joked, taking off his gloves. He laughed at Cisco's face.

"What happened out there? What did that meta do?" Caitlin asked, grabbing Barry's chin and examining the cut on his forehead.

"I'm not too sure, he was able to control the air or something?" Barry smiled at how worried Caitlin looked over a tiny gash. "I'm okay, Cait."

Caitlin nodded. "I would still like to get it cleaned up." She replied, leading him into the med bay and gathering a bottle of peroxide and some gauze.

"Cisco, we need a name for this guy." Barry called out.

"Oh, right. can we wait until we know what he does?"

"Yeah." Barry responded, and then winced when the peroxide stung.

"Barry. I've been meaning to ask you." Caitlin started. "How are things going with you and Iris?"

Barry furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"How… do you feel about her?"

Barry shifted uncomfortably on the bed. "You mean like romantically?"

Cisco banged his head on the desk, amazed that he didn't remember having feelings for the love of his life.

"Yeah." Caitlin answered as she placed a large band-aid on his gash.

"She's just a really good friend, Cait…"

"Caitlin!" Cisco called her over. He quieted down to a whisper. "I think we should leave it to Iris to tell him. It isn't our place."

"I know, but she hasn't exactly said anything, and I've seen the pain in her eyes everytime he's around her acting completely oblivious."

Cisco narrowed his eyes. "Still."

She nodded and then returned to Barry.

"What was that about?" He asked, hopping off the bed and speeding out of his suit.

"Nothing. Thanks for another successful meta take down. Now go finish your coffee with Iris."

"Okay.." Barry looked at both of them suspiciously, and then sped off.

Barry stopped just outside of Jitters, and then walked the rest of the way inside.

"Bear. Hey! How'd it go?"

"Fine. He was pretty easy. Caitlin and Cisco are acting weird though. Do you know what that's about?"

Iris shrugged. "So. What other movie scenes were improvised?"

Barry laughed. "Huh. Well, you know Heath Ledger's Joker in the new Batman movie?"...

The next chapter will probably be out today. I'm in a writing mood….

Bye!

-Slickest Dino XD