After making sure Barry wasn't really whammied anymore, me and him decided to go out for a late-night coffee break at a new coffee shop just outside Central City.

And that of course meant speed, and me.

I fought back the urge to throw up, not wanting to lose my 6 year streak of throwing up an intestine. "Warn me next time please?" I asked as Barry chuckled, apologizing before we walked inside.

After ordering a coffee and hot chocolate, Barry and I sat down on the cushioned chairs, which by the way, were very comfortable.

"So you really don't remember anything while you were whammied? I asked as Barry sighed, shaking his head. "You don't even remember dislocating my. . ." I trailed off as Barry snapped his head my direction, clearing afraid of what he did to me. I sighed, finishing my sentence. "Shoulder."

"I-I what?"

"Well. When you first got whammied, I didn't really notice it. But I could tell that something was wrong when Felicity showed up." I started, not removing my gaze from Barry's brown eyes.

"You asked Caitlin if Cisco and I were. . ." I internally gagged, but physically squirmed in my chair. "A thing. And don't get me wrong, I love Cisco, but way more as a comical duo brother." I said with a chuckle as Barry laughed awkwardly.

"And then, it really wasn't until Oliver invited me to train with you and Barry that I figured something was wrong. At first, I thought you were just angry that Oliver invited me without warning, but then you accused us of dating just because me and him talked over the phone whenever you wanted to talk with me and then. . . Well you said some things that kinda hurt, and ended up throwing my a good ten feet off my feet and dislocated my shoulder." I said as I could tell Barry was struggling to hold back a few tears.

The barista handed us our coffee and hot chocolate as we thanked her, grabbing them and walking out. "And please, don't say you're sorry because I know you are Barry. And it isn't your fault that you hurt me. I mean it kinda is but you wouldn't have done it if you weren't whammied." I said as Barry sighed, bringing me into a hug.

I smiled lightly, my heart melting at his warm embrace. "But I am sorry, Cora. I didn't mean anything I said. I didn't mean to accuse you of things I know weren't true." Barry said as I scoffed.

"Did you not hear what I just said? No apologies! Or else I'm gonna have to rename myself 'I'm sorry, Cora' from how much you apologize to me." I said as Barry chuckled.

"Want a lift back?" Barry asked as I shook my head, taking his hand in mine. I noticed the faint tint his cheeks got at the touch, making my heart once again melt.

"Let's just take a walk. And then we can go running home." (If you get that somewhat reference, good for you here's a star ☆)

☀︎︎

1 week later

I knocked on the West family home, hearing Joe's muffled "come in!" As I opened the door to see christmas decorations everywhere, a warm feeling in my body as I entered the cozy home.

"Hey, Cora!" Barry said with a smile as I waved, holding three wrapped gifts in my hands.

"Hey guys. I got gifts!" I said with a grin as Joe chuckled while hanging up an ornament.

"You know. At the rate you guys are going, you'll probably be finishing those ornaments by Valentine's Day." I said with a chuckle as Barry gave Joe a grin, a frown on Joe's face.

"Don't-" Barry spun around the Christmas tree at lighting speed, taking his seat back on the couch with a grin on his face.

Joe sighed. "The only man in a red suit I want in this house is Kris Kringle, you got that?" Barry groaned as I chuckled, watching as he put the ornaments back down while Iris came in.

"Uh, these ornaments aren't gonna hang themselves! Cora hey!" Iris said as I was taken into a short embrace, a smile on my face as she said hello.

"Hey Iris. What is that?" I said as Iris held four cups.

"Grandma Ester's eggnog. Light on the bourbon." She said with a grin as I happily took one, taking a sip before gasping from shock.

"This is her definition on Light?" I asked as everyone laughed, sipping on their eggnog. "Don't get me wrong it's amazing but holy Saint Nick." I chuckled as I continued to drink the eggnog.

"I always loved her definition of "light."" Joe joked as we snickered before Joe's phone went off, a sigh leaving Iris and Barry.

"And the Christmas tradition continues." Barry muttered as I frowned, taking a seat next to him on the couch. I attempted to somewhat keep my distance, but the couch was definitely old, and I ended up sinking closer to Barry.

"Sorry, kids. DA wants to ask me some questions. Make sure there's nog left when I get back." Joe said as I rolled my eyes jokingly while taking a sip.

"No promises. This 'nog' is good." I said with a chuckle as Iris sat on the ground, all of us saying goodbye to Joe.

As soon as Joe left, Iris set her mug down, dragging me and Barry to the floor. "Woah! What's going on?" I asked as Iris shooshEd me, grabbing a few gifts.

"Iris Christ isnt for a few more days." Barry said as Iris scoffed.

"You know me. I'm impatient." She said whilst handing Barry the gift I got for him and the one he got from Iris, and vice versa for me.

She took her two gifts from me and Barry. "Okay open them! Wait wait me first. Heh." She said with a chuckle, ripping open the one she got from Barry.

"My-my mother's wedding band?" Iris said as she smiled, looking at Barry as he nodded.

"A replica, yeah."

"I love it Barry." Iris said with a smile as I frowned.

"Well now mine is just terrible compared to his." I said as Iris gave me a "really?" Look before tearing the perfectly wrapped paper off the gift.

Mine consisted of a picture containing me and Iris laughing hysterically on the couch just behind us, for what I can't remember. But Barry was the one to have taken the picture.

"Aw. Cora I love it!" Iris said with a genuine smile as I looked down sheepishly, smiling.

"Good. Because I didn't know what else to get." I said with a laugh as Iris pushed my knee.

"Cora you next!" Iris and Barry said as I sighed, ripping open Iris's gift she got me.

"I didn't know what to get you, so I hope you like it." Iris said nervously as I smiled down at the dark violet dress. "I saw you staring at it when we went to the mall last week, and I just had to buy it for you."

"I-I love it, Iris. Thank you." I said with a genuine smile as I looked over at Barry, who stared at the gift he got me nervously.

Slowly? I ripped the wrapping paper off of the small box, slowly opening it and letting out a small gasp.

"Barry-" I said, looking up at him as he smiled. Iris peered over, staring down at the locket in the box.

"Oh wow." Iris said as I removed it from the box. It was a circular locket, with a lightning bolt engraved on the front, no doubt standing for Barry's secret identity.

"Open it." He whispered as I clicked the small button. I felt a single tear prickle my eye, but I had to force it back as I stared down at the picture of me and Barry, whose arm was wrapped around my shoulder.

My arms were wrapped around his torso as we looked into the camera with wide grins, no doubt in S.T.A.R Labs, but it was hard to tell.

In the opening back of the locket, there was a sentence engraved on it that absolutely melted my heart.

𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑜𝑑

I couldn't stop the goofy smile I had plastered on my face as I could feel Barry's eyes on me, looking over at him as I tried to force down the tears of joy.

"I love it, Barry." I said with a smile as he shrugged, not removing the smile on his face.

"Alright Barry, your turn!" Iris said quickly, clearly wanting to change the subject. Barry opened Iris's gift first, which held a microscope, the newest one she could get in fact.

The gift I got Barry was something I was sure he'd like. I had managed to set up a schedule to talk to Henry Allen, and get a key from Joe for a storage unit.

Barry's face seemed to beam with joy as he picked up the picture frame. On said picture was him, his dad, and his mother, sitting in a park, the night they were supposed to go to the science expo.

Their faces were enlightened by the fireworks in front and behind them, Nora Allen holding up a camera as Henry held 10 year old Barry bridal style, Barry grinning from ear to ear in the photo.

"Keep looking." I said as Barry turned to me, a sad yet happy smile on his face before he dig deeper into the box.

"What is this?" He asked, pulling out a metal box.

"It's a projector. I um... Found some old videos and photos of your mom for you." I said with a smile as Barry let out a happy sigh, turning to me as Iris stared at the photo.

"I-I don't know what to say, Cora. Th-Thank you so much." Barry said as he leaned over, bringing me into a tight hug.

I smiled, hugging him back for a moment. I had my eyes closed, but I could tell Iris was glaring out of being one-uped.

"You're welcome, Barry." I said as a knock sounded at the door.

"I'll get it." Iris said quickly as she jumped up.

"Barry do you mind putting it on for me?" I asked, holding the locket as Barry shook his head. We both stood up, turning my back to Barry as I lifted up my hair, feeling the cold metal hit my skin as he placed the locket around my neck, clipping it in place.

"Eddie!" Iris said as I turned around to face Detective Pretty Boy. I waved at him before turning to Barry, who was still smiling at me.

"Nice ring." Eddie said as Iris smiled, looking down at the wedding band.

"It's nice isn't it? It's an exact replica of my mom's. Barry got it for me." Iris said as he gave Eddie an awkward smile.

"Very thoughtful, Bar."

☀︎︎

After a while, Barry and I went to S.T.A.R labs, smiles on our faces.

"Merry Christmas everyone!" We said as we entered the Cortex.

"Just a small token of my gratitude for everything you guys have done for me." Barry said as he held up Grandma Esters eggnog.

"I think I speak on behalf of my colleagues when I say you have been a gift to us, Barry." Dr. Wells said as Barry smiled.

"What is this?" Cisco asked as he nicely took the eggnog from Barry.

"Grandma Esters famous eggnog." Barry replied as I chimed in.

"Not light on the bourbon. Just a fair warning." I said as Ciscos eyes lit up.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Cisco said as Wells cleared his throat.

"Ahem: maybe later for me. . .don't want to drink and drive." He said before Wheeling out. I frowned, not wanting to laughter externally so I did on the inside.

"What was that about? Did I say something wrong?" Barry asked as U turned back to Caitlin and Cisco.

"This used to be his favorite time of the year... but the accident happened before Christmas, so it ruined the holidays." Cisco informed us as I looked back to where Wells had disappeared, a sad feeling now in my heart.

"I'm going to go get him a gift. Maybe that will cheer him up." Caitlin said as she disappeared.

My phone buzzed, a frown crossing my face as I answered.

"Hey Joe, what's up?" I asked.

"I need you and Barry here at Mercury Labs. Now." He said before hanging up. I looked over at Barry as I sighed.

"Joe needs us. Mercury Labs. Sorry Cisco. Looks like you'll be lonely for a bit." I said as Cisco shrugged.

"More time to work on the new s- gahh um.. new. . . Really cool Lego set I just bought?" Cisco said as he turned to me, mouthing "saved it" as I rode my eyes.

"Need a lift?" Barry asked after giving his friend a weird look. I grinned, wrapping an arm around Barry as he started to speed off.

☀︎︎

"I thought he's been gone for months, Cora! Why haven't you said anything?" Barry said after I pushed him aside from everyone. He was back. After nearly a month of not seeing the man in the yellow suit, he came back to kill.

"Because Barry. I didn't want to scare you. He knows things about me that I don't even know about me. He/He claims he's from the future and. . . I shouldn't say to much it could ruin the whole plot that may come." (Hehe another fourth wall break.)

"And you heard Joe. He threatened to kill Iris, and he threatened to kill me a few months back. Barry if we said anything me and Iris could have died." I said as Barry now look frustrated.

"Barry I know you're upset but please, we have to take it slow for once." I said as he groaned, nodding. "Let's get back to S.T.A.R Labs."

☀︎︎

"The witness described seeing a yellow blur. Just like the one that killed Barry's mother. Then we need to get cracking and stop this speed psycho. That... I wasn't trying to give him a name." Cisco said as I held back a snort.

I drowned out the voices of everyone talking as I rested my chin on the palm of my hand, mind racing as I went back to that night.

I tried to remember everything, but all I could think about was that photo of Barry and I, me in a wedding gown and Barry in a tuxedo.

And a damn child cradled in my arms. But the baby didn't even look anything remotely related to me or Barry, considering it had a darker skin tone.

If anything, it actually resembled Iris. It had her facial structure, deep brown eyes. Was I holding Iris's baby?

"Cora." Barry said, shaking my shoulder. I jumped, snapping my neck to look up at him. "You alright?" He asked as I turned to see everyone giving me a concerned look.

"Um. . . Yeah. Yeah I-I'm fine. Just. . . Got lost on the Anxiety Express." I said, shuffling out a forced laugh. "I'm um. . . You guys continue your talk. I'm going to get some fresh air." I said, quickly getting up and walking out before anyone could protest.

I found myself in Cisco's little workshop, collapsing onto his spinning chair as I rested my head back as I ran a hand over my face.

"It was probably photoshopped, right? It's a fake." I told myself, but I couldn't help but think the photo was real.

Was it possible? Barry and I hadn't even told each other the truth about our feelings. We hadn't even said those three silly words.

Was it true though? We're we going to get married?

I found my hand clutching the locket Barry gave me just this morning, looking around the room as I lost myself in my train of thought again.

I groaned, slipping out of the chair as I started to make my way out of the workshop. My hand found the wall, running over it as I walked around.

And that's when it happened.

A part of the wall glowed, an opening appearing, startling me as it was pitch black in the other side.

Curiosity definitely killed the cat.

I walked in, the lights flickering on to reveal a brail-like room. It was absolutely empty in here, other than the small podium.

Instinctively, I walked over, my hand tapping the strange podium as I was once again startled, this time by a blank head that very much resembled the face of my mother.

"W-what the fu-"

"Cora Agápi. It is lovely to meet you." The AI said as my eyes widened. I looked around, then back at the AI.

"Y-You know my name?" I said as the AI smiled.

"Of course. You have a PHD in neuroscience, forensic phycology, and bioengineering. Quite the successful leader of Team Flash, next to your husband, Barry Allen." Th A.I. Said as I scoffed.

"So it is true." I muttered before turning back to the A.I. "Who are you?"

"I am Gideon." She answered as I frowned.

"That's. . .That was my dads name. . ." I said with a sad look as I snapped my head towards the exit, hearing the wheeling of doctor Wells. "Shit! Gideon can you um. Can you hide me anywhere? Is there like a secret compartment inside here?"

"Of course there is. Behind me." She said calmly as I breathed a sigh of relief. I jumped behind Gideon, watching as an invisible wall appeared in front of me, thankfully, you couldn't see inside where I was hiding.

I watched as the lights shut off, the door closing before opening moment later. Dr. Wells wheeled inside, my heart pounding out of my chest as my eyes widened, mouth covered.

I watched in absolute terror as the man I came to trust and the man Barry looked up to stood up, walking towards the podium.

What. The. Fuck.

"Gideon. Show me the future." He said with a stone cold look.

April 25th, 2024
Flash Missing
Vanishes in Crisis

☀︎︎
*bad singing* SHE KNOWS. SHE KNOWWWSSS
So how do y'all feel about this long chapter? Now that Cora knows, will she keep the secret from everyone, or will she risk everyone's life and keep it?