The sound of knocking at the front door catches my attention, waking me up from my slumber.

I slowly sat up, looking at the clock that sat on Barry's nightstand, the red numbers showing me there was two minutes until the alarm was going to buzz, waking both Barry and I up, only, Barry wasn't next to me.

I slipped out of bed, rubbing away the tiredness from my eyes, pulling down Barry's t shirt that I wore after it rode up my body, as I walked downstairs, my eyes landing on Barry, already dressed, writing something down on a blank card in the kitchen.

My eyebrows furrow, a yawn leaving my lips, a small whimper in pain leaving right after, my hand instantly going to my jaw, gently touching it due to how sore it was.

"Barry?" I call out from the stairwell, as he instantly jumps, clearing his throat, turning, hiding what he was doing behind his back, "Did you see who was at the door?"

"No- I was just about to-" Barry began, keeping hidden what he obviously didn't want to show me.

I shot him a look filled with suspicion, walking over to the door, "Where's Nora?"

"She left a little while ago." Barry told me, watching my every move, making sure I didn't try to see what he hid.

I open the door, the person who I'd last expect at my front door at 7 in the morning; Iris West.

"Iris?" I stare at her, holding a box in her hands, "What're you doing here?"

"I brought you something-" She held up a box, smiling as I let her in, staring at her in suspicion also, shutting the door once she welcomes herself inside.

"Brought me something? Couldn't have this waited til later in the day?" I question, "You took two minutes of sleep away from me. I could be sleeping around now-"

"Well- this couldn't wait." The grin on Iris' lips didn't fade, as she greeted Barry, setting down the box on the dinner table.

I looked at Barry, "I think I might kill her."

"Calm down, Sleeping Beauty." Iris told me, her hands flat on the smooth box material, "Did you guys hook up last night or something? Is that why you're ready to have my head on a stick?"

"Oh my god-" I clear my throat, shooting Iris a look because of Barry being right there.

"Something like that." Barry says despite the rose color that had taken up on his cheeks, turning around, returning back to what he was doing before.

I looked back at him with wide eyes, "Dude-"

"I'll be upstairs." Barry walks over, kissing my head, whooshing up the stairs.

"So-" Iris claps her hands together, "Happy Anniversary-"

"Anniversary?" I immediately repeat, staring at her, ten different face expressions switching through my features, "It's not my- wait is it my- oh my god it's my-"

"And I mean- I know that people don't usually give presents to the ones having an anniversary, but-" Iris slowly opened the box, revealing my wedding dress, folded perfectly in the flat box, "I just had to."

"Iris West-" I stare at the dress, "What the hell did you do?"

"I've kinda been saving up since your ceremony last year-" She admits, "I mean, the dress was too pretty not to have as a memory so I-"

"Iris-" I stare at her with wide eyes, "My wedding dress was on rent- and you're telling me- you bought it?"

"Yes-" She smiles ear to ear, "I mean- come on. Barry has his tux- I thought it was only fair."

"Because it was a black tux, Iris. He owns like- ten of them-" I exaggerated, running a hand through my hair, my eyes scanning the dress, "I left my dress at the ceremony under a bunch of broken wood and ash."

"Which is exactly why I got this for you." Iris grabbed my hands, "I wanted you to have a piece of that day. Even if it ended up in a complete disaster. Happy Anniversary to my favorite couple."

"God- saying anniversary makes me feel old." I mutter, letting out a deep breath.

Iris shrugs, "You're only 27."

I roll my eyes, giving her a tight hug, "I love you, Iris."

"I love you, Zee." She held back equally as tight, then pulls away and looks at me, "I should get going-"

I nod, giving her one last hug, before she soon left me alone in the living room, eyeing my dress that peacefully laid in its box.

Suddenly, a whooshing breeze is flown right by me, the sound of dishes clanking coming from behind me.

I look back, Barry stood there with a smile on his lips, handing me a card that was in a red envelope, "I love you, and I'll see you at Star Labs."

"You'll see me at-?" I pause in confusion, as he kisses my hand, holding the card in my hand, watching him walk to the door, the smile not to leave his lips, as he opened the door, I calling after him, "I- love you too!"

He shuts the door, now I being the only one in the loft.

I look up, walking over to the kitchen island, noticing the breakfast that was placed on the surface of it.

Pancakes and a small bowl of fruit, my usual Jitters iced coffee placed next to it.

A small smile played at my lips as I quietly scoffed to myself, opening the envelope, pulling the white card out, words written on the front in Barry's handwriting.

I'm yours, no refunds.
you know what else isn't refundable?
this coffee and breakfast I made you.
happy anniversary, babe. enjoy.

- barry

A wider smile was brought to my lips, dropping the card and envelope onto the counter next to the food, jogging upstairs and grabbing my phone, dialing his number instantly.

He picks up after the first ring, "You're done eating your breakfast already?"

"What Pinterest post did you steal that from, huh?" I refer to the card, a small laugh following my words.

"Accusing me already?" Barry chuckles, "What if I told you I came up with that all by myself?"

"I'd find it very hard to believe." I told him, slowly walking downstairs, the grin playing at my lips plastered there.

"Well, believe it." Barry told me, as I could already tell he was smiling, "Now, can you eat your breakfast before it gets cold?"

"Yes- okay." I giggle quietly, "Thank you."

"I love you-" He drags out, starting my day off at the best start.

-

I walked into Star Labs, dressed in a dark green plaid shirt, one that I had stolen from Barry, the first two or three buttons undone, the shirt loose on me. I had on a pair of black ripped jeans, my legs cool at the exposed parts, black heeled ankle boots on my feet as per usual. My hair was more natural today, due to me not having the energy this morning to either straighten it or curl it. My hair was in tight waves, and to complete the look, Barry's watch on my wrist.

My palms flatten out the shirt over the repeated green and black lines, before walking over to Barry, a smile on my face.

"Hey, you-" Barry smiles down at me, pecking my lips, his hands on my waist, "Did you enjoy your breakfast?"

"Yes- very much so." I admit, pecking his lips once more, "Thank you."

Barry smiles widely, one hand leaving my waist, holding up another red envelope between us.

I shot him a suspicious look, "Am I going to be getting these all day?"

"Something like that." Barry bites down on his bottom lip to stop his smile from growing even wider, handing me the envelope.

I softly smile, opening the envelope, reading the card inside which told me that he thought I looked beautiful today.

"You know-" I hid my blush with the card, the card covering my cheeks, nose and mouth, "You could've just said it- instead of wasting this paper- you're killing the trees, Barry Allen-"

"Shh-" Barry chuckles, pulling me back into him, looking down at me, "You look beautiful."

"Oh god- as much as I love you two- please save the affection for later-" Cisco walked in, and everyone after him.

I roll my eyes playfully, setting down the card and envelope, looking back at everyone.

"All right, so we've got some good news and some bad news." I press my palms together, looking st Caitlin, shooting her a look that signaled for her take over after I finished, "The good news is that CCPD is still stationed outside of Grace's room and will remain so until Dwyer's been caught."

Caitlin obliges, shooting Sherloque the same look, " But the bad news is, that means Dwyer won't be visiting her again anytime soon."

"And then the worse news is, we have no idea where Cicada could be hiding." Sherloque sipped his tea.

"Can't we just track him by the dark energy in his dagger?" Barry questioned.

"Well, we can but only when he uses it, which hasn't been recently." I told him, crossing my arms.

Barry questioned once more, "And he's not showing up on facial recognition?"

"Unless he decides to make an appearance, we've got zilch." Cisco said from his seat.

"Which reminds me, where the rest of Team Flash is?" Sherloque spun in his chair, "Where's baby giraffe and young Nora?"

"Ralph's visiting his mom. He said to call if we need him." Caitlin told us, then looks around, "And Nora is-"

"Right here." Nora walked in, holding something in her hands, walking over to Barry and I, "I just stopped by the loft to pick up your blue suit. I figured you'd had enough of green."

"Hey, I made that green suit work, though." Barry pointed out.

"No doubt to it." I gave him a high five, a chuckle leaving both his and Nora's lips.

I looked at the suit Nora handed off to Barry, "What is, uh, that for again?"

"Mama Cecile's first day back to the courtroom and Dad's testimony against Weather Witch." Nora told me, leaning back lightly.

"Joss Jackam's trial is later today." Barry nods, then looks at his watch, "It starts in 30 minutes."

"Well- have fun-" I began knowing that they were just about to leave for it, "I mean- nail it- what do you even say to something who's about to leave for a testimony?"

Caitlin shrugs to my question, Barry walking over to me, grabbing my hands, "You should come."

"I have cases I need to work on-" I began, only for him to cut me off.

He squeezes my hands gently, "I'll help you do them tonight."

"I mean, I guess- I can come to support Cecile-" I started, a smile crossing Barry's face.

Before I knew it, Barry bent over, grabbing my waist, throwing me over his shoulder, holding his suit in one hand, his other hand holding onto me to make sure I didn't fall, a shriek leaving my lips.

Nora smiles at us, admiring what she saw as Barry walked into the cortex, Nora following behind us.

"Mama Cecile could us all the support she can get- since Papa Joe is with Aunt Jenna visiting Uncle Wally." Nora innocently smiles at me, Barry carrying me on his shoulder.

"When are they coming back, by the way?" I question, looking up at her.

Barry agreed, "Yeah- they've been gone forever."

"Uh- he's not sure." Nora told us.

"After having a psychopath break into his home, I don't think he's in any rush to bring a newborn back to Central City." I shrug, "Besides, Cecile has a lot on her plate with this being her first day back at work."

"I can't wait to see Weather Witch get what she deserves." Nora spoke, moving next to Barry, my eyebrows furrowing at what she had said, not knowing how to feel about it.

My thoughts cut back into reality when I really I'm still on Barry's shoulder, "Can you put me down now?"

-

"The state versus Joslyn Jackam, Criminal Court of Central City, meta-crime number 99512." The Judge spoke out, "Welcome back to my courtroom, Miss Horton. I trust your maternity leave was enjoyable?"

"Thank you, Your Honor." Cecile folded her hands, standing up, I was seated between Nora and Iris, Barry on the other side of Nora, "Yeah, there never really is enough time with a newborn, is there?"

"There is not." He sits back, "You may proceed."

"Thank you, Your Honor." Cecile thanks, stepping up.

Then she began, "The prosecution intends to prove that between November 20th and 27th, Joslyn Jackam used this device, a so-called piece of meta-tech, to unlawfully and intentionally to harm the citizens of Central City."

She gestured to the part of the staff resting on the table, "Her meta-crimes include massive property damage at Iron Heights, the grounding of 21 separate flights at Sheldon County Airport, the attempted murder of her own father, Mark Mardon. Now, this attack on her father was-"

She paused, looking right at Joss, stammering and stuttering, "Uh- the attack on her father was premeditated. The prosecution is seeking the-"

She looked back at Joss, pausing once more, a gasp leaving her lips, her hand going to her stomach, the other one resting on her hip, as she turned as looked at us, breathing heavily.

"Cecile-" I whisper, her instantly making eye contact with me, "Are you okay?"

"Uh yeah, it's just a feeling." Cecile slowly nods towards us, signaling her meta human powers were kicking in, "I'll be fine."

Cecile sharply turns and exhales deeply, "The prosecution is seeking the maximum sentence, Your Honor."

-

"And then what happened, Miss Pellett?" asked Cecile Horton as she calmly asked the woman questions, questioning what had happened.

"She created some kind of lightning tornado." The woman said, "I wasn't sure if any of us were gonna make it."

Suddenly, catching almost everyone's attention for a split second, Barry's phone buzzes in his pocket, Barry quickly grabbing it, looking at what was on the screen then looking up at Cecile, quietly whispering, "I got to go."

"One moment, please." Cecile cleared her throat, walking over to us, Nora, Iris and I now tuning in on the conversation.

"I got to go." Barry muttered under his breath, "There's been a car theft."

Cecile whispered back in argument, "What are you talking about? You're my lead CSI witness. You're on the stand in 30 minutes."

"I'm sorry. It's a Lamborghini, all right?" Barry reasons, "The cops aren't gonna be able to keep up with this thing. It'll be quick."

Cecile stared at him with slight wide eyes, giving in, "30 minutes."

Barry nods, Nora and Barry getting up, Barry grabbing my hand, pulling on it, signaling for me to come on.

I froze, not knowing if I should stay with Cecile or go to the Labs and lead them in this.

"Go-" Iris squeezed my other hand gently, "I'll stay with Cecile."

I nod, getting up, as we left the court room, "I need a lift to-"

Before I could continue, a small shriek leaves my mouth when Barry scoops me up mid sentence, rushing me to Star Labs, him and Nora in their suits and out on the field, chasing the Lamborghini.

"Guys," I pull up everything on the screen in front of me, Cisco and Caitlin stood at my sides, Sherloque stood by the clear board, "The car just turned north on 8th."

"It's headed towards Wakefield." Cisco finished for me, speaking through the comms.

"Got it." Barry told us, as we stood here, monitoring as we always did.

Not even a few moments later, Barry and Nora run in, unmasked, a look of panic on both their faces.

"Guys! We need your help!" Nora instantly called out, causing me to turn, my eyes instantly widening at the sight in front of me.

Sherloque turned, simply questioning, "With what?"

On cue, Barry's leg is completely submerged into the ground due to his phasing, him letting out a sound of panic, holding onto Nora, Nora pulling him back up, Sherloque pointing, "With that."

"I can't stop phasing." Barry told us immediately after getting back up.

Nora breathes, "And I can't counter-phase him forever."

"Okay, that's not good." Sherloque starts to demonstrate, "If you keep going but you don't, then you could then you could fall to your death."

"Yeah!" Barry shot him a look, agreeing with the obvious.

"What are we gonna do?" Nora asks, breathing heavily.

I look between Cisco and Caitlin, the both of them looking at each other, then saying in unison, rushing over to their own monitors, "Let him."

I turn, Barry, Nora and I saying in unison, "What?"

"Yes, if you phase through the floor, you're actually gonna fall into pipeline cell directly below us-" Cisco explained, taking a sharp breath.

"And the dampening unit will negate his powers." I piece together, walking over by Cisco, looking at the screen of what he had already pulled up

"Unless we don't time it right." Sherloque cut in, demonstrating, "In which case, your torso would be severed from your legs as you enter the cell."

Caitlin looks up, scoffing, "Not helping."

"Okay, stop." Barry spoke up, "I tr- I trust you Cisco."

"Move to the right." Cisco instructs, as we both stared at the screen, trying to direct them right above a cell.

They move, causing me to speak, "No- no- our right- your left-"

"No, my right." Cisco blinks hard due to messing up.

"Cisco! Come on!" Barry shot him a look of panic, as they moved to the other side.

"Okay, stop right there!" I held my palm out, my eyes glued to the screen, "One step back."

"Mom-" Nora began, staring at me with wide eyes, the same look that Barry had given Cisco a second ago, she was shooting at me.

Cisco spoke up, "Actually- no- never mind, one step forward."

"Guys!" Barry looks at us, breathing heavy.

"Okay, ready? Three, two, one, go!" Cisco called, Nora letting go of Barry, Barry letting out a scream, phasing right through the ground, disappearing.

Before I could stop myself, I ran down to the pipeline, the first words leaving the mouth causing me to mentally facepalm, "Are you dead?"

Barry lets out a sigh in relief, giving me a thumbs off, laying back on the ground of the cell, closing his eyes, trying to catch his breath.

-

"What's going on with me?" Barry asked, looking up at us, his face on the screen.

"So- the car you touched was saturated with unstable dark matter." Cisco began.

Caitlin continued, "And because you were phasing at the time, it caused your body to destabilize on a cellular level."

"When I got close to the driver, I saw dark matter veins flare up," Barry explained, "Just like on the back of Spencer Young's phone."

"So- the car is a piece of meta-tech?" Nora questioned.

"That or whatever was controlling it." I cross my arms, "How long is he gonna have to stay in there for?"

"Without the help of the power dampeners, it could take up to a day?" Caitlin estimated.

"No, no, no, no!" Barry instantly spoke, "I-I have to present evidence on the stand in, like, ten minutes. Cecile's gonna kill me."

"That's not good." Sherloque pointed out.

"Uhm-" Nora innocently spoke up, walking up next to me, the words making my heart warm, "I could do it."

-

"So, Miss Allen, can you explain what effect these conditions had on the Sheldon County Airport?" Cecile questioned Nora, as I was seated with Iris, Iris holding a grip on my hand, our attention glued to her.

Cecile had explained to me before that she wanted to pursue a lighter sentence on Joss. Due to the feeling she kept getting from her, because of her powers, she believed that Joss just wanted to start over and didn't want to end up like her father.

"The facility was hit by winds ranging from 150 to 250 miles per hour." Nora stated, remaining calm.

"Wow, that is pretty dangerous." Cecile stopped, "And yet not a single person was injured."

"Well, no, but that was because-" Nora began.

Cecile cut her off, grabbing a photo, walking back over, "What about these lightning marks on the tarmac? Would you say that that is common, given the nature of the weather during the incident in question?"

"Yes, but luckily, in this case, the lightning only hit the runway and not the surrounding structures." Nora looked at the photo.

"The structures where all of the passengers were." Cecile stepped back, "I would say that is pretty lucky indeed. Your Honor, the prosecution rests."

"So that's it? You're not gonna ask me anything else?" Nora quietly whispers to Cecile once Cecile sat back down, my hand going up, signaling for her to cut it out, Cecile doing the same.

Cecile looks back at me, giving me a sly shrug, as I shot one right back at her.

"Well, it would appear so." The Judge spoke, "Mr. Lee, I think you're up."

Mr. Lee got up, the attorney defending Joss, "Miss Allen, is my client a meta-human?"

"No, but she used meta-tech." Nora exclaimed, "Specifically a weather staff that was corrupted by dark matter."

"So one could say it was the staff, not my client, that attacked the Sheldon County Airport that night?" Mr. Lee picked up the staff.

"No, one couldn't." Nora shook her head, "She used that staff."

"But isn't this just an ordinary weather staff corrupted by dark matter?" Mr. Lee questioned, "These are your words."

"Yes, but-" Nora started.

He cut her off, "And since dark matter was able to corrupt a tool and turn it into a weapon of destruction, isn't it also possible it could corrupt the defendant?"

"No- dark matter doesn't make you do things." Nora gaped, no longer following Cecile's lead, "She pointed lightning at a hangar full of scared families. Your Honor, there were little kids in that hangar. Did you know that that lightning is five times hotter than the surface of the sun?"

"That is the kind of power that the defendant unleashed upon those people." Nora scoffed, standing up, "She did this. This was her choice, and she can't be trusted."

"No, Miss Allen, you must sit down." The Judge picked up his gavel.

"I know, but, Your Honor-" Nora continued to argue, only for the Judge to bang to gavel for silence.

"No- she's right." Joss cried out, standing up, "I'm guilty, and I should pay for what I did."

-

"So- Joss Jackam never made it to Iron Heights." Caitlin stood by me, exhaling.

"Nope-" I inhale sharply, "And the transport driver said that the woman who took her used something that completely shut down his truck."

"Pause." Cisco pauses the video footage, "That. Look familiar?"

"Agh, another piece of satellite shard." Caitlin looked at the screen.

"So the fob is the meta-tech?" I question.

"Yeah, probably sends out some kind of dark matter pulse that overrides any guidance system in seconds." Cisco explained.

"So as long as she has an engine, she can control it and we still don't even know who we're looking for." Nora joined in.

"Maybe we do." I tap Cisco, "Hey, can you fast-forward?"

Cisco does as told, until I spoke, "Stop- look at the salute. She's military."

"Okay, let's run that face through the DOD database." Cisco typed away, the computer beeping, facial recognition working its wonders.

"Raya Van Zandt." Caitlin read, "Former air force, ace pilot, mechanic, and expert in vehicle operations. She was dishonorably discharged."

"Call sign was Silver Ghost." Cisco noticed, looking at us, the nickname lingering in the conversation.

Caitlin rolls her eyes playfully, "The rest of her military record was sealed."

"Okay, well, I'm gonna see if I can call in a favor and maybe we can get a copy- if I can't- I'll ask Joe." I press my palms together.

"Yeah, and in the meantime, it looks like we have two bad girls to track down." Nora huffed, turning, starting to leave the cortex.

"None of us are sure about Joss' contribution to this, Nora." I turn, causing her to stop in her tracks, "I mean, Cecile said that she could feel Joss' remorse in the court room."

"Come on, Mom." Nora scoffed, turning around, looking at me, "That was a show. I mean, do you think this escape was a coincidence?"

"We don't know that, Nora." I place my hands onto my hips, "We have no idea what happened- the full story."

"Yes, we do." Nora started to lash out, causing Cisco and Caitlin to turn at her sudden outburst at me, "Raya got that fob to break Joss out of the prison transport. I guarantee you Joss is a part of this."

"How do you know that?" I question.

"Because bad people don't change." Nora raised her voice, ending it at that, leaving the cortex.

I blink hard, pinching the bridge of my nose in slight frustration, the sound of the computer beeping catching my attention, Barry coming up onto the screen, "Hey, guys, any way you could send down some food?"

-

"Uncaged Desire?" I questioned, walking into the pipeline, holding two large drinks, and three bags from Big Belly Burger, my eyebrows furrowed, noticing Barry reading in the cell, "Mick's book?"

"This is surprisingly very well written-" Barry looks up from the book and notices the food in my hand, "Oh my god- you're an angel."

I weakly smile, placing two bags and his soda onto the small flat surface, the food going into his cell.

"Awh man-" Barry covers his face, "I had notes all over for you- and now I can't even see your reaction to them because I'm stuck in here."

"That's what you're worried about right now?" I ask him, a gentle laugh leaving my lips, as I shook my head.

"Yes-" Barry kicks the wall, "I had all these things planned out and everything-"

"It's okay- being with you is enough for me." I sat on the ground, opening the paper bag, grabbing my burger out of it, Barry already leaning against the wall, eating his food.

Barry breaks the silence after a few seconds, "How can you eat your burger so neatly? I'm actually shocked."

"It's not much to it, Barry." I weakly laugh then eat a fry, looking down at the ground.

"What's going on?" Barry asks, looking at me.

"Huh?" I look up at him, "I'm fine."

"I know when somethings up." Barry takes a bite of his burger, "What's up?"

I sigh, "Nora."

"Parenting trouble?" Barry sips his soda.

"Joss Jackam trouble." I huff, "And maybe- a little bit of the parenting thing."

"What happened?" Barry questioned, his attention completely glued to me.

I place my burger down onto the paper bag, looking up at Barry, "In the court room, Cecile could feel Joss' remorse. That's why she wanted to pursue a lighter sentence on Joss- because she felt that Joss wanted to start over and didn't want to end up like her father. Well- Nora was supposed to follow Cecile's lead but ended up completely throwing Joss under the bus and called her out- and Joss reacted- giving into it, admitting that she deserved what had to be done. And then when we found out that Joss never made it to Iron Heights last night, Nora lashed out on me about bad people don't change."

"Geez-" Barry exhales, "Shes in that mindset, huh?"

I nod, "I mean- maybe Joss was kidnapped. I don't know- I just know that Joss was ready to accept whatever was going to happen to her in the court room and that doesn't just change overnight."

"I mean- yeah you're right." Barry nods, "There's a possibility."

"Nora doesn't want to believe it- she's guaranteeing that Joss a part of this." I huff, "I mean sometimes people aren't as bad as they seem. People change- and just need their second chance to start over. That's what Joss needed."

"I mean- I could talk to her." Barry crosses his arm, "Try to knock some sense into her. But- no promises."

"I suck at this whole mothering thing." I sit up, "I can't even- try to get my daughter to understand my point of view."

"You'll find the right words." Barry gently smiled, "You always do."

The alarm starts to blare, causing me to look up at Barry in confusion, putting my half eaten food into the paper bag, slowly getting up.

"What is it?" Barry questioned, his face probably plastered over the screen in the cortex.

"According to Doppler, it's a hurricane in Central City." Caitlin's voice came through the speaker.

"No, it's not a hurricane. It's Joss." Nora's voice followed, "I'm on it."

"Nora-" I call out, only for her to be gone already, my phone buzzing right then and there.

I huff, knowing that there was no stopping Nora, answering my phone, "Hello?"

"Detective Allen, this is Major Morgan. I have something for you. Is it possible for you to meet at CCPD?" Major Morgan's voice came through the line.

"Yeah-" I exhale, "Yeah, I'll be right there."

I hung up, shoving my phone in my pocket, giving Barry the rest of my food, "You can have that-"

"Yes-" He cheered, eating my fries.

I laugh lightly, turning, heading out of the pipeline and heading right to CCPD. I jog up the steps, Major Morgan stood at the top, holding the military record that I had called a favor in for.

"If anyone asks, you never saw this." He handed me the thick file, his eyes glued to me.

"Thank you, Major Morgan." I nod, "Please tell the lieutenant general that I owe him one."

He nods, leaving me alone, as I started to go through the file, the sound of whooshing catching my attention, Nora running him, holding Joss, "Special delivery. One Weather Witch."

"What? I thought you were gonna help me." Joss questioned, as an officer cuffed her, "I'm trying to turn myself in."

I close the file, my eyebrows furrowing, all my attention turned towards them.

"No, I-I didn't escape. I-I was kidnapped." Joss stammered, three other cops grabbing her, begging Nora, "Will you please tell them?"

Nora stayed still, "Sorry, I don't trust criminals. She's all yours."

Nora runs out, Joss starting to shout, as they pulled her away, "No- this is a misunderstanding. This is unfair! If I could just talk to her, please-"

-

"Your father does the exact same thing, ya know?" I mention when Nora runs to my side, as we were both stood in the Speed Lab, my eyes glued to the file in front of me, "When something's on his mind, he runs."

"Nothing's on my mind, Mom." Nora breathes, placing her towel on the railing.

"I got to take a look at Raya Van Zandt's DOD file." I mention once more, closing the file.

"Oh, yeah, did you find the connection between her and Joss?" Nora looked at me.

"Well, there doesn't seem to be one." I told her, finally looking at her.

Nora's eyebrows furrow, "Really?"

"Yeah, she left the air force after a failed mission overseas, and then she spent two months on desk duty, and then she was dishonorably discharged." I recall from what I read.

"But it seems like she has a pretty good service record." Nora looks through the pages.

"Exactly, so clearly the DOD had egg on its face and Raya became its scapegoat." I remark, placing my hands on my hips.

"Nora-" I clear my throat, "I'm trying to say that not everyone is as bad as they seem."

Nora stares at me, completely silent.

"Raya, Joss. I think everyone deserves a second chance." I slip my hands into my back jean pockets, "If you don't believe me, ask your father."

Nora's eyebrows furrow, her silence remaining.

"I'm serious- go ask him right now." I point, "He gives more second chances than anyone I've ever met."

-

"Is it Joss or Raya?" Nora walks into the cortex after the sound of the alarm's blaring, Caitlin and Cisco walking in one by one also.

"I'm guessing both because someone just stole a very expensive vehicle from ARGUS after a very precise lightning strike." I answer, stood behind the console.

"It's a next-gen prototype with all the bells and whistles." Cisco pulls up the prints, "If bells and whistles could explode and murder people."

"And supposedly it's untrackable." Caitlin followed up, "So how do we find it?"

"We don't search for the car." Nora began.

I point at her, "We search for them."

"If Joss made lightning strike again, it means she has her staff." Nora nods.

"Oh, so we can track the dark matter in it." Caitlin nods, smiling, "Nice-"

"I got the location." Cisco pulled it up.

"Okay, remember, Nora, whatever you do, don't touch the car while using your powers." Barry's voice came through, his face on the screen beside us.

"Hey, Caitlin, can I steal you for a second?" Nora asked, grabbing Caitlin, leading her out the room.

As we tracked everything going on, listening in on the conversation and dropping notes here and there, our signal on the car was suddenly lost due to a trick from the car.

"Holy Buckaroo Banzai." Cisco blurts out, from behind me.

"It phases?" I question, "Of course it phases-"

"Whatever phase-trick they just used, it jammed our tracking." Cisco told Nora and Caitlin through the comms.

I spoke up next, "We can't get a lock on them if she doesn't use that weather staff."

"Hey, Cisco?" Nora's voice came through, "Can you connect me to the car's comm system?"

"No, but best I can do is have you send out radio waves, and if the car's nearby, it'll pick them up." Cisco told her.

"Do it." Nora breathed, Cisco immediately doing so.

"Joss? Joss, it's XS." Nora's voice sounded the comms as she spoke to Joss through radio waves, "I hope you can hear me. You tried to tell me something earlier. You tried to tell me that you wanted to pay for the crimes that you committed. You said you weren't a criminal like your father."

"You asked me to give you a second chance, but I didn't listen. Now I'm asking you for a second chance." Nora sighs heavily, "Joss, this isn't who you are."

Unexpectedly, the signal was back on, the words slipping out of my mouth instantly, "Nora, the car's headed straight for you."

"I don't see anything." She told me, the car heading straight for her as she stood where she was.

"Nora, look out!" Cisco called out, the car spinning out of control and missing her, crashing into a parked car, stopping.

Suddenly, Joss and Raya were gone while Nora tried to get the car open.

"Well, at least we got their wheels." Killer Frost remarks, now stood with Nora, "What's left of them."

"Thanks for the last-minute rescue." Nora thanked her, as Cisco and I listened unintentionally heard their conversation.

"For the what?" Killer Frost asked.

"Icing up the road." Nora told her.

Killer Frost honestly answered, leaving us all in confusion, "I didn't ice the road."

-

"And-" Nora trails off, staring at the timer that was plastered on the screen of the tablet she held, the doors of Barry's cell opening, "Time! 24 hours are up."

"Okay, I double-checked with Caitlin, and there doesn't seem to be any unstable dark matter in your biometric scans." I assured Barry, stood with Nora and Cecile the next day.

I was dressed in a black ripped jeans once again, a black hoodie, black heeled ankle boots, and a jean jacket to finish off the look, my hair as wavy as it was yesterday.

"Okay." Barry braces himself before slowly stepping out the cell, a breath of relief leaving his lips, "Man, it feels good to be out of there."

"Yay- you're not dead." I jokingly say, a innocent smile on my lips as I quietly clap my hands.

Barry softly laughs, walking over to me, pulling me into his chest, "Hey, loser."

"Hi-" I quietly laugh into his chest, hugging him tight.

"We definitely missed you, Dad." Nora smiles.

"Sorry I haven't been able to help with everything." Barry keeps an arm around me, "Do we know where Joss and Raya are now?"

"No, we got nothing yet." Cecile shook her head lightly.

"But you were right about Joss." Nora smiles, "She saved my life. If she hadn't iced over the road-"

"But she did because you connected with her." I shot her a soft smile.

"It's like Dad said, she just needed someone to believe in her." Nora nodded.

"Sounds like you found your own Leonard Snart." Barry comments.

"Well, time might prove me wrong, but I think so. I hope so." Nora then turns towards Cecile, "I'm sorry I messed up your first day back."

"It's all right, Nora. There's always day two." Cecile assures, then looks at Barry, "I'm happy you're back."

"Thanks." Barry chuckles.

"Hey, do you wanna help me find Cisco? I gotta get this extrapolator thing recalibrated." Cecile started to talk to Cecile, as they leave the pipeline, "I went to go see Joe in Tibet, and I ended up in Fiji."

Barry and I watch them walk away, a exhale leaving my lips, "Being a parent sure is hard sometimes."

"Yeah, it is." Barry rubs my arm, "But there's nothing like it. And I think we're doing a pretty good job at it- if I do say so myself."

"Oh yeah?" I looked at him.

"Yeah." Barry smiles, pressing his lips into mine.

-

"Dude- I don't even wanna hear it." I point at Barry as his lips are pursed, holding back a laugh at my appearance.

I was dressed in sweats and his sweatshirt, a bowl of cereal in my hands, seated in front of the tv, watching Spectacular Spider-Man, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Barry sat down next to me, also dressed in sweats, joining me with his own bowl of cereal, still trying his best to hold back his laugh, but a smile cracks onto his lips.

"Uncle Ben just died- Peter is absolutely devastated." I try to defend myself, "Do you really expect me to react any other way?"

"You're watching a cartoon." Barry laughs, taking a bite of his cereal.

I wipe away my tears with my sleeve, "I may be 27, but I am a sucker for this show. This gives me such childhood vibes. So I decided to watch it."

"I remember all the times you made me stay up with you to rewatch these episodes." Barry recalls, laughing.

"Favorite superhero-" I point at the screen.

A pout falls onto Barry's lips, "You married The Flash."

"I married Barry Allen." I point out.

Barry leans into me, the pout remaining on his lips, causing me to switch up, "Fine- you're my favorite superhero. But, only by a little bit."

Barry laughs, kissing my cheek.

I pause the episode playing, placing my bowl down, "So- you know how I suck with gifts and all, right?"

"Yeah?" Barry takes a bite of his cereal, "Where are you going with this?"

"Well- I didn't get you anything for our anniversary so I felt bad." I admit, "So I decided to pour my whole heart out to you to make up for it."

"I'm listening." Barry sets down his bowl, keeping his stare on me.

"Barry Allen." I began, "You are- the best person anyone could ask for. You're one of the strongest people I know- that I have ever known. You're kind- and somehow always make me smile. I mean- I could be having the worst day and seeing you smile would make me smile-"

I continue with my ramble, the smile on Barry's face solid at my words, "You're caring- and remorseful- and have the biggest heart out of all the people I know. You have made me into a better woman- and supported me through each and every step of the way, whether if it was as a best friend, boyfriend, or husband. I love you more- and more every step of the way and I mean- our lives are really- crazy- so- we always make the most out of it. I always wake up in the morning with a smile on my face and that's all your fault so-"

"Guilty as charged." Barry comments, biting down on his bottom lip to stop him from smiling more.

"Love goes toward love." I quoted, putting out a shrug with my hands, no knowing what else to say.

"Are you really quoting Shakespeare right now?" Barry laughs.

"Shh- I'm almost positive that you stole your first note yesterday from Pinterest, so if I wanna quote Shakespeare- I'm gonna quote Shakespeare-" I point at him.

Barry laughs, pulling me into him, "C'mere."

"Yes?" I ask him, my face directly in front of him, "I know that really sucked-"

"I love you so much." Barry smiles, pecking his lips.

I smile, "I love you more."

Barry softly laughs, pressing his lips into mine, laying back on the bed, pulling me on top of him, his hands firm on my waist.

authors note:

hi sorry for the late update and sucky chapter :((

comment and vote plsss