68

We stood in the dining room that night after, the night after Henry Allen's funeral. Everyone was mourning over his death, but Barry was the worst. I couldn't explain the mood of all of us, but I could tell none of us liked this feeling. Barry spoke to Wally for a minute or two, before I walked over once Wally walks away, putting my hand on his forearm.

He looks down at me, his face remaining the same, as my heart broke staring at how broken Barry was. His optimism from yesterday had be completely demolished, and replaced with anger, hurt and hatred. I blink long and hard, holding back tears back, not allowing myself to cry more than the few tears I had already shedded earlier at the funeral. My under eyes were red from crying earlier, the lack of make up I had on showing the slight redness in my cheeks, my eyelashes damp. My plain black dress was slightly damp due to the rain from earlier, as was my hair, the side braid I had put it in earlier loose and also damp.

My eyes open, slightly glossy and red, as I used every cell in me to hold the tears back from falling, "I'm sorry." I whisper, "This shouldn't have happened. I can't imagine how upset you are, right now."

"Yes you can." Barry confronts me quietly, "You're probably the only one here who's witnessed one of their parents being murdered. You're the only one who can even understand the pain- and anger I'm feeling right now. When my mother died, I didn't have to watch her die. Jay wanted to make sure I watched my father die- so we could be the same."

"You're nothing like him, Barry." I say quietly, "You never will be."

He gives me a sly nod before grabbing my hand and leading me to the dining table everyone was crowded around, before speaking up, "Guys, Zoom's still out there. We need to come up with a plan."

"The man can crack open breaches to Earth Two. I mean, if he can do that, what else can he do that we don't know about?" Cisco asks.

"Right after he killed his time remnant, he told me I was "almost ready"." Barry says.

"Almost read for what?" Iris questioned.

"I don't know." Barry tells us honestly.

"Yep. Classic psychopath." Cisco says. "Why can't they ever just say what they want to do?" He continues, "We also have to figure out why I keep vibing Earth Two being ripped to shreds."

"Seriously." Joe agrees.

"It's like I'm watching "Transformers" in 4-D, but, like, ten times more realistic. And with much better acting." Cisco speaks.

"Look, if you can vibe the future, we need to stop Zoom before that happens." Joe says.

Barry speaks up, this conversation being too much for him to handle, "I'm gonna get some air, all right?" He lets go of my hand, before walking to the front door, walking outside, closing the door.

Everyone goes silent, looking at each other, debating silently who should go after Barry, as I looked at them, quietly speaking up, "I got it."

My heels clicked as I walked to the coat rack, grabbing one of Barry's jackets, slipping it on before stepping outside, Barry's head snapping back as his gaze lands on me, as I closed the door, moving towards him and sitting next to him.

"I'm sure- you've probably gotten sick of me being the one who always comes and tries to comfort you- and talk to you. But- I thought I'd give it my best shot." I say quietly, turning slightly where I was seated so I faced him a little more.

He shakes his head, denying what I had just said, "It makes me love you even more. For caring. And being there for me."

I smile weakly, nodding before looking down at the rest of the steps, waiting for him to speak again, to tell me what was on his mind, and to open up to me more.

"When I was in the Speed Force," Barry broke the silence, looking at me, "I felt like I'd finally come to grips with her death, with not saving her when I went back. And then, the moment where I'm finally at the place I can move on- my father's taken from me. How am I ever supposed to find piece with that?"

My hands move, slowly grabbing one of his hands, holding it between mine tightly, looking at him.

"I don't know how you're supposed to cope with that. I don't know how you're supposed to handle it- I don't know how you're supposed to eventually be at peace with that- considering I was thrown in a foster home not even the day after. But what I do know- right now- you have Joe. Iris. Wally. Caitlin. Cisco, Harry. Jesse- me. We're here with you- and we're going to give you as much support we can." I spoke.

I continued, "You did say you were seeing things differently. How you were angry about what you had lost- rather than seeing what you had. I understand I'm in no place to try and call you out of it- but I know you're angry at Jay. You're angry because he killed Henry- and that's exactly what you said you saw differently once you came out the Speed Force."

"I just miss him so much already." Barry admits, the small tears in his eyes.

"I know- I know you do. It's going to be hard. But I'm here. I'll be with you- we will all be with you- every step of the way. You can't let the angry get the best of you. That's what Zoom wants." I tell him.

A whooshing sound ran down the street, causing both of our heads to snap up, seeing Zoom's lightning down the street, as Barry's eyes widen, "Zoom-"

Before I could stop him, he had let go of my hand and ran right after Zoom, leaving me alone on the porch steps, the night going quiet.

-

[ ]

"Bad time, Flash?" Jay asks, a smirk on his face.

I let out a breath, the anger inside me increasing as I saw the look on his face, as he speaks again, "Thought I'd give you some time to mourn."

I spoke up angrily, "This ends now."

"Not yet." Jay spoke into the cold air, his breath visible in the air, "There's always more to take, Barry."

"You're gonna stay away from them." I warn.

"Well- that's completely up to you." He told me.

I stare at him, my confusion growing large, "What?"

"When we first met, I told you that Zoom needed to be the best. You just didn't realize I was talking about myself." Jay said.

"Is that what this is about?" I question, letting out another heavy breath.

"A race, Barry-" Jay spoke, "Between you and me. To see who's the fastest. You win: this is over and you get to be the hero."

"I'm not racing you." I decline quick.

"Then your father won't be then only person you love that I'll take from you." Jay threatened, "I mean- just because Zee's my sister- doesn't mean I won't murder her right in front of you- just as I did with your father. The same goes for everyone else you love."

My heart drops, my eyes slightly wide as I go somewhat pale, the anger in my chest at its maximum point. The thought of watching him murder Zee, just like he did with my dad, had me convinced to race him. I dreaded the thought of witnessing that, or ever losing her.

"Think about it, Flash. All I want to know is who's the fastest man alive. On either world. I'll be waiting." Jay said to me, before running off, leaving me in the cold night.