Epigraph of "Enlightenment"

One year ago Mick Rory went on a heist with Leonard Snart. The heist didn't go to well, causing Mick to get third degree burns on the side of his body. When he disappeared, only Snart knew where he went and told no one playing it 'dumb.' In that one year before Leonard got Mick again, many things can happen. One unexpected thing did happen for Mick.

He fell into a rather deep hole that you can't climb out of.

Mick Rory, fell in love.

___________

"MIS. NATALYA..." a six year old girl tugged on my shirt as I wash the dishes.

"Yes Amy?" I dry off my hands, bending down to be at eye level with the small orphan girl.

"Sam took my barbie again," Amy huffed, puffing her cheeks out and crossing her arms.

I let out a laugh, standing up, "Let's go get it back than Amy." Rolling my eyes at the children behaviors, I walk up the stairs, Amy trailing behind me. I make it to the top of the stairs and go towards the play room at the end of the hall to the left.

Inside, I spot Sam playing with Amy's Barbie. Why a boy wanted to play with a Barbie doll, I guess I'll never know. "Sam, you know taking someone's toy is rude," I tsk the small boy. Sam quickly gave Amy's her toy back and apologized, rushing off to play with his toys.

That's when all the kids ran over, greeting me with open arms and smiles. I love these little orphans, with all my heart. If anything were to happen to them... I may hurt someone, and I hate hurting people. Gives me a bad feeling in my gut, as if karma is going to come and bite me in the butt.

I do work at the orphanage, but I'm only part time. Meaning I don't live here, or here very often. The kids grew on me, I guess they just get extra excited when I come back. I never knew why, and I never will. I'm caring, yes, but not very motherly. If one of the kids get hurt and it's not even bleeding, I'll tell them to suck it up.

I feel like doing this at certain moments could get me fired. Luckily for me, my boss is usually in her office. Normally I never see her, which is great in my opinion. I love my boss, she's like a mother to me, but she can still fire me. Very frightening if you ask me.

"Ms. Natalya, did you here that Mrs. Brooke is hiring some guy," One of the older kids stated, peaking out of their bedroom.

Curiosity rose in me, my eye brows rose. "Do you know who he is?"

"Some guy named Mike or something," the teen replied before slipping back into their room. Sighing I walked toward Mrs. Brooke's office door.

I knocked softly, getting a muffed 'come in.' I open the door to see a man sitting across from Mrs. Brooke. He was bald, some facial hair and was rather tan. Tall and well built as well.

"Perfect timing Natalya! Meet Mike Fullman, he will be working here from now on," Mrs. Brooke was a kind lady. Curvy for sure, she had dirty blonde hair down to her mid-back. Light brown skin with welcoming brown eyes while mine are a amber color.

Mike stood, being at least 6'3" sadly, I am only 5'3". He extended his hand to me, "Mike Fullman," his voice was gruff and deep. I smiled up at him and shook his hand. Actually, surprisingly be looked around my age...

"Natalya Roman,"

"Russian?" he asked, referring to my Russian accent.

"Indeed," I pulled my arm away back to my side. Mike simply stared down at me. Suddenly, feeling self conscious in my clothes. I wore a black high-waisted skirt that ended at my knees. A white buttoned up shirt tucked in and black flats. My barely shoulder length brown hair was in a half undo, my bangs falling loosely around my face.

"Pleasure to be working with you, Mike,"

"Likewise," with his last response, I left the office, shutting the door on the way out. I should take care of the kids, besides, Mrs. Brooke isn't done talking to him. I could tell.

"Ms. Natalya, was he nice?" a little boy, Nate, asked me. He was about nine, and was put into foster care two years ago from his father being abusive. His mother an alcoholic, and no family members wanted him, sadly.

"He was very nice Nate. Don't worry about anything," I ruffled his hair, sending him on his way.

I walked down stairs, deciding to finish the dishes rather quickly before showing Mike around. I rolled up my sleeves when I reached the sink. Taking the small washcloth and scrubbing the dirty dishes.

I heard a grunt behind me, I glanced back to see it was only Mike. "You're good with the kids," he commented.

"I guess I am," awkward silence came after that.

"How long have you been working here?" Great, small talk, not my forte.

"Three to four years now," I turned off the tap water, officially done with the dishes. I dried my hands once again, turning to Mike. "Come on, I'll show you around!"

3rd Person POV (point of view)

The Russian woman, Natalya seemed to always be happy. What surprises Mick the most is that she is so, calm. As his fake identity, he has to act a certain way but never as happy and carefree as her. She reminded him of Leonard Snart, just, more chipper and less serious.

Natalya spoke, pointing out each room. Bathroom, office, play room, girl and boy dorms. Basement, living room, kitchen, dining room. Little things like that. Mick decided to stop stealing and get a job, that's not entirely correct. He still steals but minor things and doesn't get caught. After getting half his body burnt, he needed to disappear for a while.

Going to a small town near Central City, keeping his crime low. Everyone here doesn't know who he is, which is lucky for him. To keep up appearances, he decided to get a job at an orphanage. He may be a tough profession criminal, but he loves kids and surprisingly good with them. He tells no one about this, of course, Snart knows.

"Well, I better go check up on the kids, you should head to the basement, and unpack some boxes. We just moved into this place, kids kept coming in. We aren't fully moved in yet,"

"Right," Mick grumbled, walking to the door that she said lead to the basement. Natalya heading up the stairs to check on the wild children.

Mick couldn't help but think how small and fragile that woman is. As if one wrong move, could break her small heart.

CENTRAL CITY

"Leonard Snart?" Funny name, the white haired woman chuckled, sitting in the cortex with Team Flash.

"Funny name isn't it?" Cisco chuckled along with the white straight haired, brown eyed woman.

"Mr. Ramon, Ms. Cold, we have work to do," Dr. Wells turned the once cheerful atmosphere in the room to awkward silence.

"Jenny, how long are you going to be in town for?" Caitlin asked the white haired woman, Jenny Cold.

"A couple more days at most, I mean, you guys don't have much going on. Plus, I have to get back to Star City, Palmer Tech awaits. Besides, Felicity and Ray don't like being kept waiting no matter how sweet and awkward they are," Jenny laughed.

Flash rushed into the room, suddenly back in his normal clothes. "Welcome back Barr!" Jenny jumped up, giving her speedy friend a big hug.

"Glad to be back Jen," Barry pulled away from the hug, turning his attention to Cisco and Caitlin.

"I gotta get back to my hotel, start packing," Jen waved goodbye to her friends, leaving S.T.A.R. Labs.

Once she reached her car, she unlocked the doors, turning the car on. She quickly dialed her best friend.

"Hello?" The voice of Natalya Roman answered the phone call.

"Hey Talia, it's Jen, I was wondering if you're free today? I'm in Central City and I think you could use the help with those rascals you call children," Natalya let out a snort from the other side.

"That would be wonderful Jen, you could meet our newest employee too! He's a good man, his name is Mike. I think you would really like him,"

"Who are you talking to Ms. Natalya?" A small squeaking voice asked Natalya from the other end.

"Go back and play Nate,"

"One of the kids I presume?" Jen giggled, thinking how much Nate must have grown since she last saw him a few years ago.

"Crazy things they are. As much as I love to chat with you Jen, you should start getting over here. Besides, I got a job and a newbie to get back to,"

"Alright, see you soon, bye Talia," there was a sad tone in Jens voice, breaking Natalya's heart slightly.

"Yeah, see you soon. Bye!" The phone hung up. Jen not going to be able to hear her friends cheerful voice again till she got there.

Jen felt bad for lying to her villain kicking ass trio, but she had to. She knew if she did not make up that excuse, Dr. Wells would most likely suggest for her to stay longer. Jen couldn't do that, besides she needed to visit her small friend. She lived out of Central City, in a small town. Much closer to Central City than Star City. Besides, she hasn't seen Natalya in years, it's time to visit.

Only thing that concerned Jen was the new employee. Mike? It just seemed, suspicious to her. Than again, living in Star City, and helping Team Flash makes her more paranoid. Mob bosses and meta-humans, what a crazy world she lives in.

What a crazy world everyone lives in.