E I G H T E E N:
man of steel

"Check the math. Your dispersal models don't correlate," Caitlin stated, as she walked into the lab with Cisco and Bibiana.

"Uh, they do if you factor in the seasonal fluctuations in reproduction cycles," Cisco explained.

"You forget that I sometimes have to deal with it," Bibiana pointed out. "And if I multiply the average number by a hypothetical number, we'll have our answer."

"What exactly are we debating?" Dr. Wells asked, curious.

"The average numbers of bugs Barry swallows in a day of running," Cisco answered.

"I look forward to seeing you accept your Nobel," Dr. Wells sarcastically replied.

They all walked or rolled into the cortex. Bibiana's eyes widen and her legs ran when she saw Barry laying on the floor.

"Barry?" Cisco asked. Bibiana was already on the floor as everyone crowded next to Barry. Caitlin kneeled next to Bibiana.

"Barry, are you okay?" Caitlin asked. Bibiana slapped Barry in the face causing him to let out a gasp.
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"Thirteen fractures. That's a new record. And that's just in your hand," Caitlin informed Barry. Bibiana stared at Barry's face. She was impressed with her work. "You also have a concussion, three cracked ribs, a bruised spleen, and a very red hand print on your cheek. Even with your powers, you'll need a few hours to heal... And the handprint already healed."

"It woke him up, didn't it?" Bibiana asked. She could surely pack a slap.

"What exactly did you hit?" Dr. Wells asked.

"A man. A big, bad man," Barry replied. The girl who slapped him was about to say something before he beat her. "His skin changed when I hit him. Like it turned to metal."

"Interesting. A man of steel," Dr. Wells said.

"And it's not Superman," Bibiana added. DC nation was not in their favor.

"So you went after a meta-human alone?" Cisco asked. "Dude, why didn't you call us?"

"I didn't know what he was," Barry answered, getting up from the bed. "Besides, I was off duty."

"Your lucky he didn't knock out your teeth. Those puppies don't grow back," Cisco told him.

"Then imagine having to explain that to a dentist," Bibiana added.

"Strange thing is I feel like I knew him," Barry stated.

"What do you mean?" Caitlin asked.

"He said something that was familiar," Barry said. "But he's gonna hurt someone. So how do I fight a guy that's made of steel?"

"We will find a way. Tonight, you heal," Dr. Wells replied.

"I'll kill you if you try to get out of bed," Bibiana told Barry before she left for another room. Barry's eyes trailed after her before Caitlin and Cisco ran towards him.

"Spill," Cisco demanded.

"Spill what?" Barry asked.

"We know you like her," Caitlin replied.

"I've always liked Iris," Barry answered, confused. He leaned over to try and get something while Cisco and Caitlin looked at each other. They were getting frustrated with them both.

"We mean Bibi," Cisco informed Barry. Those words caused Barry to fell out of bed.

"Let's add a broken nose to the list," Caitlin said, as they both tried to put him back on the bed. Caitlin tilted Barry's head.

"So you do like her," Cisco repeated.

"What? No, I don't," Barry tried to deny.

"Your stares linger on her ever since Snart tried to kill her," Caitlin pointed out. Bibiana ran past them with a panic look on her face.

"I forgot to pay my phone bill!" Bibiana yelled as she ran into the elevator. Sure enough, his eyes lingered on the door she ran through.

⇝⇝⇝

It was the next day when Barry told them what he found out. Not his feelings for Bibiana, but about Tony.

"Your childhood nemesis is now an unstoppable meta-human," Cisco said. "That is seriously messed up."

"I had a childhood nemesis," Caitlin stated. "Lexi La Roche. She used to put gum in my hair."

"Jake Puckett," Cisco informed them. "If I didn't let him copy my homework, he'd give me a swirly. How about you, Bibiana? No, let me guess, you were the bully."

"No," Bibiana replied. "Fucking Gina Rodriguez. She would steal my homework and would try to beat me at the drills when we lived at a military camp. This one time she stole my collectible Captain America watch."

"Okay, now that we've established that we're all uber-nerds and geeks what are we going to do about Tony?" Barry asked.

"Glad you asked," Cisco said. "We're gonna train you, man. Karate Kid style." They followed Cisco into another room to see a dummy. "Behold. I calm him Girder."

"For the record, not my idea," Caitlin stated.

"Same here. I go for the regular punching bags," Bibiana added. She went to a box she kept in that room and took out wrapping. She wrapped her knuckles and out her hair in a ponytail.

"Fighting is physics," Cisco said. "It's not about strength, it's not about size, it's about energy and power. Channel your speed the right way, you can totally take this bad boy down. Now, obviously, your Girder is a moving target. So..."

Girder started to move. Bibiana stared it for a few seconds before she turned to her punching bag.

"I have ice and bandages standing by," Caitlin informed Barry.

"I'll be fighting my own Girder," Bibiana said, lightly punching the punching bag.

She soon started to punches and kicks at the punching bag as she hopped on her toes. The girl did everything she could remember before she heard Barry fall on the ground.

"I'm pretty sure I just dislocated my shoulder," Barry said.

⇝⇝⇝

Bibiana walked into Jitters in her work out clothes with the wrapping still around her hands. She walked up to the counter and ordered her favorite drink. When she was done ordering her drink, she noticed Iris beside her. She turned around and decided to start a conversation.

"Hey, Iris," Bibiana greeted.

"Hi, Bibiana," Iris said.

"Can I ask you something?" Bibiana asked. She wanted to try and fix a few things for Barry. Even if he didn't know it, but he has helped her out a lot.

"Sure," Iris replied.

"Can you stop fighting with Barry? I love the guy but he seems lost without you," Bibiana told her. "He stares at this picture of the two of you whenever I walk into my living room."

"Why is Barry in your living room?" Iris asked. A spark of interest caught her attention. Barry and Bibiana might be dating and it could be the cause of Barry's strange behavior.

"He is living with me at the moment," Bibiana said, not understand the question.

"Do you believe in the impossible?" Iris asked Bibiana. It caught the girl off guard.

"Yes?" Bibiana said sounding confused. She knew little of where the conversation was heading.

"Do you believe in the Streak or Electric Storm?" Iris asked.

"Yes," Bibiana answered, still uncertain.

"Do you think everyone should know about them?" Iris asked. Bibiana bit her lip as she thought about it. The things she could tell Iris.

"I believe people should find about them by themselves," Bibiana responded. "I mean, we don't want them to end up like the Arrow. Is this about your blog and Barry telling you to stop?"

"Yes," Iris answered. Bibiana's drink was ready so she grabbed it and paid for it.

"It could be dangerous knowing about heroes," Bibiana said, speaking from experience. "Information is dangerous. I should know, I'm a daughter from the military and I'm a scientist. People tried to kidnap me before to get information on what the Army or S.T.A.R. Labs were doing. Also, you should try reading comics."

Iris changed the subject knowing the conversation was bothering Bibiana. "What happened to your hand?"

Bibiana looked down at the wrapping.

"Oh, I was practicing on self-defense," Bibiana answered.

"Iris?" A voice asked. Bibiana turned around and saw Tony. This could not end out well. "Long time, no see."

•○•
I am aware that Superman is from DC like the Flash. I just wanted to make a reference and since Super Girl is on a different Earth. I thought it would be fun to mess with the idea that they are comics on Earth 1.

Thank you for reading! If you liked this chapter and want to spend 3 seconds to vote that would be great! Thanks!

jmc