"Red is so much cooler than green. Am I right?" -Cisco Ramon

One of my favorite quotes... and I have a lot of them. XD
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   Buck walked to my side while Cisco told Steve everything that had been going on since he'd left. "What did you do?" Buck asked, leaning against my desk. "You said you needed medical attention, but you didn't say why."

   "Girder!" Cisco shouted. "Yes!"

   "No! That's awful!" I shouted back. "Try again!"

   "Nope! I like Girder! Anyway-" Cisco continued to talk to Steve.

   I rolled my eyes. "Barry and I were fighting a man that could turn to metal. Believe it or not it was the bully from our school."

   Buck raised his eyebrows. "Coincidence?"

   "Probably. I haven't known any of the other people we've gone after."

   "Hmm." Buck looked down at the floor.

   Cisco interrupted whatever he'd been thinking about. "Do you really have a metal arm?"

   Buck's head jerked up and I got the feeling he hadn't expected anyone besides me to speak to him. "Why?"

   "Do you or not? Can I see it?" Cisco grinned.

   Buck glanced at me. "Is he always like this?"

   "Sometimes he's worse," I said, nodding.

   "Hey!" Cisco objected. "I resemble that remark!"

   Buck shrugged off his leather jacket revealing his shining left arm made of overlapping parts of steel. The red star painted on his shoulder hadn't faded at all and the skin where the metal met the muscle was still as rough as before. 

   Cisco stared at his arm in amazement. "What's in made of?"

   "Honestly Cisco," I laughed. "It's steel. What else would it be?"

   Cisco paused. "Good point."

   Buck smiled slightly. "It's some form of hardened steel. I don't even know for sure."

   "It's strong enough to catch the Captain's shield," Natasha said.

   Buck frowned suddenly. "Yeah. Why didn't I keep your shield when I caught it the first time? Why did I throw it at you again?"

   I slapped his back. "Because you're a nice guy."

   Buck snorted. "Not at that point."

   "Anyway," Cisco said, using more self control than I thought he had in tearing himself away from Buck's metal arm. "Iris stopped by asking about you two and-"

   "I should've warned you about that shouldn't I?" I asked, leaning back on my arms on the floor.

   "Uh. Yes. That would have been appreciated," Caitlin said, marching into the room. "Is there a party or what?"

   Cisco ignored her comment. "She said that if we knew the Flash and/or the Spark that we should tell them that the man they're looking for has a big place downtown. Do you have any idea what that means?"

   Barry's eyes hardened. "We know alright," he growled.

   "Barry," I said, pushing myself up to my feet.

   Barry didn't look at me. "I'm going after him."

   "Bear!" I leaped forward to stop him, but he was already gone. "Dang it!" I yanked my suit off of the mannequin, put it on and sprinted after Barry.

   "Barry!" Cisco's voice said in my ear. "Don't run angry man! Would you two mind going after them? They might do something dumb."

   "I won't unless Barry does," I objected. I focused on the flickers of yellow lightning not far ahead of me.

   "Exactly."

   I almost slammed into Barry as he stopped short in a dark building. There were shelves of barbell weights and enough equipment to make a gym jealous. Barry stepped forward cautiously. I followed. Our boots crunched over the broken glass that littered the floor.

   "Didn't get enough yesterday?" Tony asked, sneering at the two of us. "Wanted a bit more did you?"

   "Barry, Skye! we don't even know a way to stop him yet!" Caitlin said urgently. "You need to get out of there!"

   Barry and I both ignored her. Barry glared at Tony without speaking. Tony chuckled and punched at us. We both ducked in opposite directions. I picked up a ten pound weight and threw it at Tony's back. It connected, but didn't seem to do any damage.

   Tony ignored me and picked up Barry, throwing him against a shelf full of bottles. The glass fell around him, giving him dozens of minor cuts. Tony turned his attention to me.

   There was a low humming sound closely followed by a crash. I ducked as Steve's shield flew over my head. I looked to my right and saw him standing, shield in hand and in his battle gear, with Buck at his side. Buck had pulled a scarf over most of his face, his metal arm was fully uncovered. They made quite the pair.

   Tony looked at them with the same contempt as when he looked at Barry and I. "I thought you two were the Capital's heroes," he growled.

   "That doesn't stop us from saying hello to an old friend though does it?" Buck shot back. "We can be guardians of more than one place if we want to."

   Steve put a hand on Buck's shoulder. "Calm down," he said quietly. Buck gave him an annoyed look but didn't say anything else, instead glaring silently at Tony. Steve glanced at Barry, who was now getting to his feet. "We can help you if you come with us."

   Tony snorted. "Come with you? Not likely!"

   His fist swung around unexpectedly, hitting me in the chest and sending me flying back into the shelf of weights, which swayed dangerously. I yelped and blinked the black spots away. Buck was kneeling next to me. His eyes showed his worry, even if most of his face was covered. "Are you alright Skye?"

   "Yeah," I pushed away from the shelf and shook my head. "I'm alive. I don't think I-" I hissed in pain as I took in a deep breath. "Never mind. I did break some ribs."

   "I don't know how you can be so calm about that," Buck said.

   "Shield!" Steve shouted.

   There was a clang when Buck caught the shield with his metal arm. He switched it to his right hand while Steve fought with Tony. "Cap! Go right!" he called. When Steve moved Buck flung the shield. It hit Tony's back. Tony stumbled and the shield hummed loudly, flying onto Steve's arm.

   Barry got to his feet. He looked at me, then at Tony, who was still recovering from getting hit by the shield. I nodded and we both shot forward. Buck shouted as we started circling.

   "Skye! Barry! No!" Cisco shouting into my ear. "Don't!

   Tony spun a slow circle inside the green-gold lightning. He held out is arm, right in my path. HOW IS HE DOING THIS?! I shouted mentally as I crashed into his arm and flew back against the shelf of weights. Barry slammed into the shelf next to me.

   The force of both of us hitting the shelf in rapid succession made the shelf start tipping over us. Barry, always the protective brother, threw himself over me, sheltering me from the weights falling on top of us. None of the weights hit me, but he couldn't stop the shelf and I wound up with him and the shelf, along with a couple of the remaining weights, piled on top of me.

   I closed my eyes and let out a long breath. I was so tired.

   I felt the shelf being lifted up, but was unable to open my eyes to see who it was. Someone pulled Barry off of me.

   "Skye," Buck's familiar voice whispered. I guessed it was him who picked me up gently. "Skye. Please don't die on m- us."

   I could hear Steve not far away. "Can you walk Barry? You sure?"

   How is Barry still well enough to walk? He had an entire shelf of weights on his head... My mind didn't get to finish that train on thought.

   I woke up feeling no pain. I must have been out long enough to heal fully.

   I opened my eyes and found myself in the Cortex. It must have been late, because the only lights that were on were the ones around mine and Barry's suits. I realized that Caitlin must have been the one to heal me, as I was wearing my favorite shirt and jeans instead of my black suit.

   I turned my head and saw Buck sleeping in one of the office chairs. I smiled and leaned back against the pillows again, closing my eyes in another attempt to sleep through the night.

   Fate decided that was a bad idea.

   There were several anxious voices coming my way. I opened my eyes again and sat up. There was a whoosh and Barry, closely followed much more slowly by Cisco, Caitlin, and Steve. 

   "What happened?" I demanded. I jumped to my feet and changed into my suit. "Where are we going?"

   "I'm glad your up Skye," Barry growled. "I need your help."

   "With what?" I looked between them all. "What happened?!"

   "He got Iris," Cisco said quietly.

   "He what?!" I could feel my vocal cords vibrating as I spoke and focused to make them stop.

   Caitlin eyed me nervously. "Skye... your eyes."

   I blinked hard and looked at the wall. "Where?"

   "We don't know," Steve said.

   "Don't know what?" Buck asked, clearly having just woken up. "Never mind. I'll figure it out."

   Cisco sat down at his computer. Barry was now wearing his red suit and was pacing tensely back and forth across the room, little sparks of golden lightning appearing whenever he made a quick move. The only other time I'd seen him this angry was when Madman had made him. I felt the same way he was acting.

   Buck had moved behind Cisco and was looking at the screen over his shoulder. "Look! Alarm at the high school. I'll bet that's it!"

   "Off we go," Barry said.

   Barry and I sprinted away at the same moment, sending papers flying through the air behind us. I didn't need Barry to lead the way. We ran side by side, bursting through the double doors to the school.

   Tony turned when we slid to a stop. "You just won't stay dead," he sneered. "Come to save your little fangirl?"

   "Leave her out of this!" I snapped.

   "Fine then." Tony shoved Iris away. "I'll let her watch while I break every bone in your body." He balled his fists and his skin turned to metal before returning to normal.

   Barry shot forward as he started to punch, sliding between his legs and carrying Iris to safety while I picked up the American flag and swung it at Tony's head.

   The flagpole sparked off his cheek and he caught it with one hand. He adjusted his grip and swung the pole to the right. I hadn't let go of my end and I smashed into the lockers that lined the right side of the hallway. Pain blasted through me as he swung the pole the opposite way, making me slam into the other wall. I let go of the pole and slid to the floor.

   "NO!" Iris screamed.

   "She's hurt," Buck said nervously in my ear.

   "Understatement," Cisco responded.

   Barry shot over, picked me up and set me down next to Iris. "You stay here too."

   I didn't object. I slumped against the cold metal doors. I knew Iris was watching me. I closed my eyes and focused on not sleeping.

   "He got out," Caitlin said. I froze. Barry was gone?

   "Barely," Cisco said. "But why'd he leave Skye and Iris in there?"

   I opened my eyes and looked up at Tony. "There goes your hero," he said with a smirk. "He's left you here. Both of you. I wonder... why would he leave his sister?" He advanced on us slowly.

   "I think you should be asking why he's stopped," Steve said.

   "But he's miles away..." Cisco trailed off and his voice got more excited. "Five point three miles away."

   I locked eyes with Iris. She looked terrified. "He didn't leave," I managed to say. "I missed most of my team's conversation, but I think I know what he's doing."

   "What's he doing though?" Buck asked.

   "Barry no!" Caitlin shouted.

   "Let him be," Cisco said excitedly. "He's gonna do it! Go man GO!" he cheered.

   In the distance I heard a car alarm go off.

   "Flash," I said. "Whatever your doing... go for it."

   "Hey! She's conscious!"

   "Gizmo, shut up."

   Tony stopped and frowned at me. Turning around when a sound like thunder tore through the air. The doors exploded open, tearing off of their hinges, and Barry lunged forward, punching Tony's face. There was a sound like shattering glass and Tony's skin returned to normal.

   "SUPERSONIC PUNCH BABY!" Cisco whooped. "WOOOOOOOOOOO!"

   Iris leaped to her feet and quickly dodged several steps away as Tony slid across the floor. Barry groaned and rolled onto his back, panting and holding his right hand close to his chest.

   Tony got up and started toward Barry, but Iris leaped at him, punching the same place Barry had. She yelped and cradled her hand.

   I forced myself up, fighting the pain. "Are you alright Iris?"

   "I think I broke my hand," she said, giving me a small smile. "But when I compare that to you, it's not so bad."

   "Me too," Barry groaned.

   "Don't you be complaining," I said, returning Iris's smile.

   Barry leaped up, eyes clouded with worry. "I'm so sorry! Are you alright? I completely forgot to tell you everything!" He put his hands on my shoulders and looked right into my eyes.

   "I'll live."

   Barry's look of worry turned to one of relief and he pulled me into a hug. "Don't ever make me think you died again," he whispered.

   "You know I can't promise that," I said.

   Iris was still watching us with a smile. "I think I know you two."

   Barry kept one arm around my shoulders to hold me up and turned to Iris. "Maybe you do. Maybe you don't. Sparky, you need to run alone for a bit. I have to carry this bozo." He gestured to Tony.

   "I'm not running, I'm walking," I said.

   Barry removed his arm slowly and ran over to Tony, picking him up and shooting out the door. As soon as he was gone I leaned against the row of lockers and closed my eyes.

   I jumped when Iris touched my shoulder. "Do you need an escort?" she asked when I looked at her.

   "You should stay here and wait for your dad," I pointed out. "He'll be worried about you. I'll be fine."

   Iris shook her head. "If you won't let me take you. You are staying right here until Flash gets back."

   "I'm leaving," I started to run for the door but my speed faltered, likely from the searing pain in my left leg. I gasped and sat down. "Okay. I'm waiting."

   Iris laughed. "You remind me of my friend Skye."

   I froze. No way she would know that! "Skye?"

   "Do you know her?"

   Surely it wouldn't hurt to say yes... "We've met a couple of times."

   Sirens wailed outside. I jumped. "I need to go now," I said urgently. "If your boyfriend is still out to get me I don't want to be here when he arrives."

   "Joe and I will be here to talk him out of it," Iris assured me. "I'll wait at the door. You can join me when you're ready." She smiled at me reassuringly and walked toward the door.

   I stood up and limped a couple of steps back. "Gizmo where's Flash?"

   There was no response.

   "Gizmo? You there?"

   Again, nothing. I guess I'm waiting. The sirens were now just outside and I could see the pulsing lights through the windows. 

   "Iris!" Eddie shouted.

   I watched as he and Joe ran up the stairs to her. She laughed and told them she was fine. I smiled. I was nervous about being this vulnerable in front of the person who wanted me caught, but I'd saved Iris and I wanted to see this.

   "Spark is still here," Iris said. "Do you want to meet her? She's quite nice."

   I took another nervous step back into the shadows. Eddie turned toward me. "How did she get so beat up?"

   "Why don't you ask her?" Iris asked.

   "Because she doesn't look like she wants to talk to me."

   Thank you! I thought as Iris started explaining everything that had happened.

   "Gizmo?" I asked again. "You there yet?"

   Cisco's voice started faint but got gradually louder. "Yes I'm here. I'm guessing you want to know about Barry?"

   "Yes please. I'm kind of stranded right now. Eddie's here and he keeps glaring at me."

   Eddie's head shot up at his name. "How did you know that? And who are you talking to?"

   "She said-" Iris started, but I cut her off. "It's alright Iris." I looked at Eddie. "I'm not always Spark. I have a human side as well."

   "So you know me?" Eddie asked, looking at me closer.

   I made my head vibrate, making my vision go blurry, but at least he couldn't tell who I was. "Yes."

   A whoosh and golden lightning saved me from any other questions. Barry slid to a stop next to me. "Sparky. Sorry I kept you waiting so long. You still good?"

   "Probably a little better than when you left the first time," I said and added, "Don't drop me." When he picked me up.

   He laughed quietly. "I won't drop you until you'll land on a bed in S.T.A.R. Labs."

   Barry's gold lightning flashed around us as he took off toward S.T.A.R. Just before we left I saw Eddie look at Barry with a determined expression and I hoped he didn't hear the last thing Barry had said about S.T.A.R. Labs.

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Hey everyone! I hope you don't mind the extra chapter. Rookie's Flight tomorrow and hopefully Gangleaders after that.

No questions but I'm happy to answer any.

If you have any characters you want me to add (yes I mean any characters) just let me know and I'll work them in. 

3,000 words... wow.

May the wind blow strong in your sails and fortune favor your blade!