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O8. Apologies, Ben&Jerry's and Coffee

"Remind me never to let you convince me to wear heels again," I grumbled, folding my arms, "And this dress is tight, I thought we are going to a science event, not a club," I continued to excessively complain, walking down the street to the police station.

Iris is dragging Barry and me to a science event since she needs someone to translate all the science talk – Barry – and someone to take professional photos – Me. It's been a few weeks since Barry woke up from his coma and Iris and I have barely spent time with him like we used to.

"Stop complaining, you look beautiful. Any guy would be begging to grab your attention," she smiled, pressing the button for the elevator.

"Yeah and the guy that I actually want to look at me that way has his eyes on someone else," I mumbled under my breathe.

"What?"

"Nothing!" I said, basically sprinting into the elevator that landed at our floor. I looked down at my outfit, a black party dress with black lace sleeves that ended just under my elbow. The dress length was an appropriate length but short enough to show some skin. My dirty blonde hair was straightened so it ended right above my waist and I wore light makeup and dark red lipstick. My accessories were the necklace my mother gave to me and my siblings, (it was an arrow that was filled with little diamonds, I had taken it off since she died) a few bracelets and my favorite pair of diamond earrings. I also borrowed heels from Iris since I didn't own a pair.

"I look ridiculous," I gritted through my teeth.

"For the last time. You look hot, and you promised you to do this for me," she pouted her lips and made the puppy dog eyes.

"Let's find Barry and get going before more people look at me like I grew another leg," I mumbled, walking out of the elevator as soon as they opened. As I walked by, people stopped and stared which is exactly the reaction I didn't want. I felt exposed.

I turned around, "Iris! Hurry Up," I whispered loudly.

I turned back around to walk up the stairs that lead to Barry's lab. Iris had caught up to me and was like 5 steps ahead of me. It took a while but I finally reached the lab.

"This is all of your faults. I could have taken European folklore to cover my sociology requirement, but no. You said, "take journalism, Iris. Reporters have all of the fun" Guess what, Barry? Reporters have none of the fun. Journalism is boring. I'm bored. I blame you," Iris stormed into Barry's lab. Instead of defending himself, Barry's eyes widened as he scanned Iris's outfit.

"What?" she asked, catching the look he was giving her, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"You look really n-nice," Barry stuttered.

"Thanks. Why don't you look nice?" she asked, shrugging off the compliment. Barry had no clue about what she was talking about.

"This afternoon? Suit and Tie? The university is giving Simon Stagg–"

"Simon Stagg some big award," he said with realization.

"And you agreed–"

"To explain the science stuff for your article," Barry realized. "It's all coming back to me now."

"How fast can you get home and change?" Iris asked, slightly irritated.

"Uh, pretty fast," he replied, almost laughing. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"Hey Allen, Joe asked me to see where you're at on the evidence from the gun store shooting," Eddie walked into the room.

"Oh hey Iris," he gave a toothy grin.

"Detective," she said, staring at him all goggly-eyed. They didn't say anything after that but continued to stare at each other lovingly.

"Please, guys, uh, just kiss already. We already know, remember?" Barry said, annoyed.

"Yeah the sexual tension is killing us," I scrunched my nose in disgust. Eddie didn't hesitate to grab Iris and kiss her hard.

"I look ridiculous," I mumbled for the umpteenth time today.

"Dani, you look absolutely beautiful. I don't know what you're talking about," Barry said while he checked out my outfit.

I ruffled his hair, "Thanks, you dork.."

He laughed and continued with his work, "Are you fine with the whole Eddie and Iris thing?"

I looked at the couple, who was smiling happily and holding each other closely, "If she is happy and if she really likes him then I'm fine with it."

He raised his left eyebrow, "For real? I don't know if it's me but every time you speak to him, it's as if he grabbed the last Oreo in the world."

"I'm only doing this for Iris, If your friend dates someone then you get the best friend to act hostile to their significant other. If said person is willing to get on their best friend's good side, then the significant other is a keeper," I explained very quickly.

"And you discovered all of this from experience?" he asked with his eyebrow still raised.

"Puh-lease, I saw it on TV," I said, walking away from Barry and towards Eddie and Iris.

"Iris, can we please go," I begged like a little kid, desperately wanting to get this over and done with. She nodded and gave Eddie one last kiss before he left.

Barry grabbed his coat, "Okay, let's get going."

✦✦✦✦

The crowd applauded as Simon Stagg accepted his award. I held up my camera and took a few photos.

"I find it quite remarkable, having once been a timid freshman at Central City University, to be standing before you now, the regents choice for man of the year," I took as many photos as I could, "While I very much appreciate the award, the real honor for me is knowing that my work in organ transference helps give people a second chance at life," he said, proudly.

"Thank you all for coming," he ended off, causing the crowd to break out applauding. Everyone slowly walked away from the stage, forming little groups to converse with each other quietly. Iris, Barry and I doing the same.

"Okay, the first things first," Barry trailed off, "Simon Stagg's work in cellular cloning has led to huge advancements in the future of organ replacemen–"

"Are journalists allowed to drink on the job?" she giggled, slightly tipsy. I shook my head, chuckling softly.

Barry took the glass of champagne Iris had away from her, "Okay. If you are bored already, just wait till we get to the science behind cellular regeneration," he laughed at his own joke.

Iris laughed which quickly turned into a sigh, "I've missed this," I nodded my head in agreement.

"I feel like we haven't spent any quality time together since you woke up from the coma,"

"Yeah, I've had a crazy few weeks, I know," Barry laughed nervously. I raised my eyebrow at his statement but remained silent.

"I thought maybe you'd been avoiding me because of Eddie," Iris pouted, "I know you think it's wrong, me dating my dad's partner, and I just–"

"No, That's not it at all–"

Iris walked forward, "Oh, Mr. Stagg! I was wondering if I could get a quote from you for my article," Simon Stagg and his built bodyguard walked by us. I quickly turned on my camera and took a photo.

"Not now, miss," The bodyguard shot her down. They walked briskly to the exit.

"I'll just make something up," Iris shrugged her shoulders. Barry and I laughed. I switched off my camera and placed it in its bag before I slung on my shoulder.

"So, what were you gonna tell me?" Iris brought up their previous conversation, "You looked like you were going to say something," By now I would have slipped in a sarcastic comment but ever since they started talking about relationships, I slipped into the shadows. I've only ever had one serious relationship and that ended in the senior year while I was still in High School.

I muted their voice and let my eyes gaze on everything but Iris and Barry. I was brought back to reality by the sound of a gunshot. People screamed and panicked which only resulted in more shots fired. I looked at the stage and saw men in full black suits and black ski-mask. One of them didn't wear a mask so I assumed he was their leader.

"Quiet down! All of you!"

"Oh my God!" Iris freaked out beside me.

"Quiet!" The leader shouted causing the crowd to become silent.

"How considerate! You're all wearing your finest jewelry! Almost like you knew we were coming to rob you! Now everybody lines up!" he commanded and since he was armed, everyone obeyed. I couldn't let them take my camera, I needed everything on it so I panicked and slipped it under the nearest table. The tables had long white tablecloths so my camera bag was well hidden.

"Iris, Barry, my necklace. I can't them take it. It's the last thing my mother gave to me before she died," I hissed silently at them. We walked into the line of people who were throwing in their jewelry into a black bag one of the robbers held.

"Stuff it in your bra," Iris whispered. I was desperate so I did as I was told. I quickly took off the necklace and placed it in my bra.

"I'm sorry you had to see that Barry," I apologized, slightly embarrassed. I turned my head away and looked at the front of the line. The leader and one of his men were shouting at a couple to throw in their jewellery. Behind them, a security guard walked in with a gun in his hand. He looked terrified.

"No don't do it," I whispered under my breath. He walked forward and stopped a few feet away from them.

"D-drop your weapons," he stuttered, his hand shaking in fear. The leader turned around with a gun in his hand and pointed it at the security guard. He fired the bullet that was for sure going to hit the guard but a gush of wind appeared out of nowhere, blowing my hair in front of my face. I quickly moved my hair out of my face and saw the guard wasn't in the room anymore. I looked to my left and saw I was only standing next to Iris and Barry was nowhere to be seen. I gulped as we approached the front of the line.

✦✦✦✦

"Barry? Barry, wake up!" I gently shook him, trying to wake him up. I gave the robbers my bracelets and earrings while Iris just gave her earrings which were her only accessory. We looked for Barry everywhere only to find him unconscious in front of the garbage bins.

"What was he doing here?" Iris asked, furrowing her eyebrows. Barry slowly regained consciousness.

"Barry!" I sighed in relief. I placed a hand on my chest, I got up from my crouching position, "I turned around and you were gone. What happened? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. I-I went after them to try and get the plates," he said, slowly getting up. He couldn't get his balance so Iris and I placed his arms around our shoulders

"What?" Iris said, confused. I tilted my head to the left in confusion.

"I-I fainted," he said quickly, blinking fast. We guided him inside and found Joe and Eddie.

"Hi," Iris caught their attention. Joe walked over and pulled her into a hug.

"Iris," he said, relieved. Barry seemed to have his balance back so removed his arm from my shoulders. Joe released Iris from the hug and shortly pulled me into one.

"Dani," My eyes widened in surprise. Joe wrapped his arms onto me and quickly after I did the same. My head rested just above his chin as he softly stroked my hair. He let go of me and turned to Barry.

"Where were you?" he hissed at him. Barry's eyes widened, surprised.

"Dad, go easy on him," Iris defended frozen Barry.

"We found him outside, he said he fainted," I backed him up although I still didn't believe his story.

"You want me to get you a paramedic, Allen?" Eddie asked concerned.

"No, I'm fine. Thanks, Eddie," Barry declined politely, shaking his head.

"I thought I was dead. I saw the gun go off, and then– boom. Suddenly I'm outside. I have no idea how I got there," The security guard explained to a cop. He sat on a chair with an ice pack in his hand.

"Let me talk to you for a second," Joe said to Barry, still angry.

"Yeah," Barry agreed, walking away with him.

"Are you okay baby?" Eddie asked Iris.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit shook," she replied with a big smile. I rolled my eyes at the two, fake scoffing. They stared at each other, looking deep into one another's eyes.

"You guys are really keeping this on the DL," I commented, sarcastically. Iris glared at me before looking back at Eddie. I rolled my eyes and landed at a table.

"My camera!" I gasped, rushing over to the table. I got on the floor and reached for my camera blindly.

"My baby! I'm so sorry!" I apologized to the bag, bringing it up to my chest, "I will never put you through something like that, okay?" I walked back over to Iris and Eddie.

"Hey, Ethan! Can I please go?" I asked, purposely getting his name wrong.

"Eddie," he corrected, "And I think we've asked enough witness about the incident so you can leave," he informed.

"Okay, Do you still want me to meet you and Barry at Jitters later?" I asked Iris.

"Please?" she pouted her bottom lip.

"Fine," I mumbled, "See you later. Bye Emmanuel," I turned around, walking away.

"Eddie!"

"Don't care," I said, not bothering to look back. I walked out of the building and basically ran home, desperate for a shower. I unlocked my door, ran in and placed my camera on the couch before skipping out of the heels and sprinted upstairs.

I took out my mother's necklace from my bra, "I miss you," I sighed walking into my bathroom. I took a nice and warm shower, got out and wrapped my blue towel around my body. My wet hair clung on my back.

I walked out of the bathroom and fell on my bed. I looked at my bedside table and saw something silver poking out. I curiously opened the drawer and pulled out a small throwing knife. I took it out and got up from my bed, making sure my towel was wrapped firmly around my body. I held the sharp end of the knife and lifted it up beside my head. I took a deep breath and threw the knife onto the wall where it hit a picture perfect in the middle.

"Still got it," I grinned and walked over to my closet to get some clothes.

✦✦✦✦

"Where is he?" I snapped in frustration.

"I don't know, he promised," Iris said, irritated. We sat at a table at Jitters, waiting for Barry to show up. He promises Iris he would explain all the science stuff that she needed for her project. I tried explaining but the majority of it, I had no clue what I was even talking about. With the time I had at home, I edited and emailed the photos to Iris.

"I have to go back to work now, my shift ended," Iris said with disappointment.

"I'll go give Barry a piece of my mind," I said, gathering my coffee and wished her farewell before I drove to the Police Department. I walked inside and climbed the stairs to Barry's lab.

"Your job is in here. Stay in here and do it," Joe spat harshly at Barry.

"Hey Dani," he greeted walking towards the door.

"Hey Joe," I smiled walking past him. I stalked over to the table behind Barry, placing my coffee on the table.

"Why is Joe mad at you?" I asked rather harsher then I expected.

"Work stuff. Why are you mad at me?" he asked, raising his eyebrow. I opened my coffee cup.

"You were supposed to meet me and Iris at Jitters to give her some scientific background for her article," I said opening a sachet of sugar. I poured the sugar into my cup.

"And I didn't show up," he finished.

"And now she has three choices. She either comes up with a new article topic in 24 hours, go with the information I don't even know if its correct or she fails the assignment," I stated, glaring at him. I mixed my sugar and closed the cup.

"Dani–"

"Don't say that you're sorry. Okay, I know that you are. What I don't understand is what is going on with you," I sighed, "We're best friends, Barry. Did you honestly think that I wouldn't know when you're happy? Or sad or depressed or lost? I'm gonna ask you one last time, Barry Allen, and you better be honest with me. What the hell is going on with you?" I snapped, relieving some anger. We were interrupted by his computer beeping. He turned around and looked at the device.

"We are not done talking about this," I huffed, walking over to him.

"That's impossible. There was a murder last night. These skin cells belong to the murderer, but these cells are naive. Stem cells that they can replicate and become any cell the body needs.They only come from babies," he said confused. He stared at the computer while I stood next to him looking at the diagram.

"So what, the killer is a newborn?" I lightly snorted. He shrugged and printed out the results.

"I need to go blow off some steam," I said, grabbing my coffee and walking out not even saying 'goodbye'. I knew exactly what I had to do.

I drove back home and printed out some targets, sticking them up on the wall and walking over to my case of throwing knives and ninja stars. When I lived in Starling City, I wanted to learn how to protect myself. I didn't have my car then so I had to work to and from work every day. I worked as a chefs assistant at a very fancy restaurant. I took up knife throwing, martial arts and a little bit of archery and out of all of them, I preferred the knives. I stopped the lessons a few months before I left and since then I hadn't thrown a knife or punch at anyone.

I picked up 5 knives from my black case and walked to the other side of the room. I scanned all 5 targets and placed a knife in my dominant hand– my right. I inhaled through my nose and one by one threw the knives at the different targets before exhaling through my mouth.

"Boom goes the Dynamite!" I shouted before doing the running man. I hit all of the targets spot on. I should practice with moving targets. I packed up the knives and trashed the targets. I made myself some dinner, eating it on the couch with my legs crossed. I scrolled through the channels hoping to find something to watch but unfortunately, I didn't. My phone vibrated next to me indicating I received a message.

From: Iris West
1 new message

Dani! Jitters are having a special. We're selling 4 Ben&Jerry's cookie dough ice cream for the price of 2! Get down here now!

RECEIVED 9:02 PM

At 9 o'clock at night?

SENT 9:03PM

Yes, get down here!

RECEIVED 9:04 PM

I locked my phone and put on some sneakers. I had on my warm maroon sweats, thick black sweatshirt and my white hightop Converse. My hair was in a messy bun and I had no time to change it because I really want that special. I jumped in the car and drove to Jitters.

"Iris! Bring on the Ben&Jerry's!" I squealed, walking in. Inside the cafe, was Iris and Barry and they both had serious faces on.

"I told you it would get her here," Iris gloated to Barry. My face dropped and I pouted my bottom lip.

"There's no special is there."

"Dani, come to sit down," Barry said softly, gesturing to the empty chair next to him. I sigh and stalked off to the chair.

"Woah, Did you have a buffet?" My eyes widened at the sight of several dirty plates with little pieces of food on it.

"Stress eating," he explained, sitting back in his chair. I nodded and not saying anything else.

"Ah I got you here to say I'm sorry and you were right, I have been distant," he apologized.

"Correct," I said while Iris nodded in agreement.

"Kind of a jerk," he continued.

"You should apologize more often. You're really sensational at it," I joked, punching his shoulder lightly.

"Hmm..." he hummed, laughing lightly. I gazed up into his eyes and saw he was already staring at me. I didn't back down and neither did he so we basically had a staring contest.

"So.." Iris trailed off, ending our contest. My eyes snapped to hers and I saw that evil glint in her eyes. "What were you going to tell us?"

"I thought I had to do something. Something I thought was important, but it turns out that I'm not very good at it. But what I am good at is being your friend. So if you need help coming up with a new topic for your article."

"I found one. Something I'm actually interested in," Iris announced excitedly. She got up and walked to a laptop, "I know this is gonna sound crazy," Barry and I shrugged and followed her.

She opened an article, "It's been all over the internet. At a building fire, at a bank heist. Even earlier today when those robbers shot at the security guard, he said he was whooshed outside. Something is out there saving people," I was intrigued by the topic.

"I thought you were taking up journalism not science fiction writing," Barry brought up a point. Iris turned around while I continued reading the article.

"Ever since I have known you have believed in the impossible. What if you were right? What if you were right about the night that your mom died?" Barry didn't answer, instead, he answered his phone that was vibrating in his pocket. He answered the phone and turned around.

"Look, I told you I'm through," Whoever he was talking to seemed to really need him.

"Okay, I'll be right there," he said, ending the call. He turned around and faced Iris and I.

"I'm sorry, I need to go. I'll talk to you tomorrow," he rushed out.

"Well that was a good talk," I said sarcastically.

"So, what do you think about it?" she asked, hopefully.

"Honestly, It is quite a difficult topic but I have faith in you and I think you have the skills to really pull this off," I said honestly.

"It's great you said that because I was also thinking of starting a blog about the red streak."

"First off, The Red Streak? You really need to come up with a better name. Second, I think it's a great idea but with the way Barry reacted about the article do you really think he will like the idea of a blog. And third, are you going to sign your name on it?" I asked, holding up three fingers.

"Yeah, We'll think of something. I only told Barry about the article idea and depending on how he took it I would have told him about the blog and when I start the blog, I won't sign my name until I become more comfortable with it."

"Wait, we'll think of something? Who said anything about us working together?" I smirked, crossing my arms.

"Please. You can be my photographer," she pressed her hands together.

"Okay but only because you are my best friend," she pulled me into a hug, "I have one condition, you have to buy me the Ben&Jerry's you promised me."

"I'll even add Nutella to the list."

"God, I love you."

✦✦✦✦

Finished this episode!
I wrote most of this late at night and early this morning.
Hope you enjoyed!
Feel free to vote, comment and follow me!
Edited!
Who noticed that the titles acronym is A, B, C?
Until next time friends!
Ore Adesanmi x