I woke up to an empty bed, my side cold due to the absence of my boyfriend, who I didn't know his whereabouts. I sit up, my hand grabbing onto my phone, staring at the time on the screen that read 8:13 am.

I slip out of bed, rubbing my eyes, yawning, stretching fully, before losing all balance and falling back onto the ground, a groan leaving my mouth.

I lay there for a bit, in defeat and not wanting to get up, but force myself up to my feet after a while, walking into the bathroom. I take a quick shower and brush my teeth, before coming out, drying myself and my long hair, straightening it, before walking back into Barry's bedroom, slipping on a pair of black ripped jeans, propping on a gray hoodie, slipping on a jean jacket over it, putting on some converse.

I walk out into the cold, making my way to star labs, ignoring the fact that I could just take my car. It's a few minute walk, as the cold breeze blew, my cheeks slightly turning red due to the cold.

I walk into star labs, and up to cortex, greeted by Cisco and Iris, Cisco messing with some sort of controller and Iris shouting words back and forth, as I turn my head, seeing Barry running on a treadmill with things I had no idea what were strapped onto him.

"What- you just thought of this now?" Iris asked Cisco.

Cisco gives her a look, and is quick to defend himself, "I didn't think he'd actually try to outrun The Flash!"

"What did I just walk into?" I ask, walking behind Cisco, my eyes landing on the screen in front of him.

Cisco speaks, his eyes focused on the screen, "Oh- you know- the usual- fighting criminals- but without The Flash- but instead- a holographic phony- to fool this criminals- but you know- same old, same old."

"Okay- I could go and catch up to th-" I start but Barry points at me from the treadmill, out of breath completely, panting, still trying to run at his full capacity, "No!-"

I put my hands up in surrender, as he speaks again, now to Cisco, "Lightning. Lightning toss-"

Iris follows, telling Cisco, "He wants to do the Lightning toss."

"Nope- no Lightning- its a hologram- remember?" Cisco tells them.

"Just-" Barry grunts, throwing it arm out, trying to explain what he was trying to say, but was too out of breath to explain.

My hand goes to Cisco's shoulder, whatever Barry meant clicking in my head, "He means the wind up. So you can block-" I start to say.

Cisco cuts me off, finishing my sentence, "-their field of vision- yes! Of course."

"All right Cisco, this is where all those countless hours of gaming in your basement are about to pay off." Cisco tells himself as he starts pressing buttons and moving the controls, "Fingers don't fail me now."

I watch the screen and Cisco's actions as he shouts while doing so, "Leroy-!" He drags out, causing my hand to go to my left ear.

"Give me a warning the next time you decide to shout very- very loudly next to me?" I tell Cisco, before putting a strand of my hair behind my ear, shoving my hand into my jean jacket's pockets.

Cisco had done it, as he gives me a sly smirk in victory, Barry stepping out of the speed lab, strapping off the devices and putting them down, "I need a breather."

I walk over to him, as Iris spoke, high fiving Cisco, "I didn't think this hologram thing was gonna work, but so far, so good." She said proudly.

I stood next to the chair Barry was sitting in, my hand leaning against the top of the chair behind his back, as he laid his head against my arm.

Cisco laughs, "I mean, I figured if they could get 2Pac trapping against at a concert, we could definitely get The Flash running around Central City."

Harry walks in, "It's not gonna last."

"There it is." Cisco sighs.

Harry crosses his arms, "It's not gonna be long until someone figures out, "Oh, wait. You never say anything. You never touch anything. Oh, wait. You never go indoors."

I chime in, "Well, once someone does- actually notice, I'll just jump in, and be a substitute hero until we can figure out how to get The Flash back."

"The last time you "jumped in" with a meta human, you got crushed under a bridge, Young." Harry shot back at me, as my jaw drops, somewhat offended in his lack of support.

Iris speaks up, stopping the both of us, "Okay well, without Barry's speed, this is as good an idea as any."

"Actually, I beg to differ. I think a better idea, instead of playing "Hoodlums and Holograms" would be to rebuild the particle accelerator to get Barry's speed back." Harry put out his idea.

"Yeah, Wells, that's what you keep saying." Barry says, his arms crossed, the side of his head nuzzling into my arm a little more, as I let him.

Harry responds, "That's right."

"Look at what that explosion did to this city." Barry fought back.

Cisco backs Barry up, "Not to mention, last time we tried something like that, we blew a hole in the universe and created, like, 50 portals to your Earth."

Iris follows up, "Which is exactly how Zoom and his henchmen got here in the first place."

I follow, "Harry, we don't need another set of evil meta human's coming after the Flash- when he's not even here. Do you have any idea how much destruction that can cause on this city?"

Harry turns, facing us all, "I told you. I know how to contain the explosion."

"Really?" Barry softly laughs in disbelief.

"Yes." Harry simply answers.

"You know how to contain a dark matter explosion that, last time, radiated all of Central City?" Barry asked, not buying that any of this would work. "You tried this on your Earth, remember? Didn't go so well."

Iris speaks up, "And even if you could contain it, I thought you said Barry couldn't tap into the Speed Force anymore."

"It wasn't connected the first time he got his powers-" Harry spoke, "Look, I have your Wells' data. The Harrison Wells from this Earth, I have his science. I know what chemicals need to be in your body, I know how the lightning needs to bond with the dark matter from the particle accelerator explosion. I can recreate the circumstances to get you your speed back. This will work. Your subterfuge- is not gonna last. But more importantly, it's not gonna save Snow. It's not gonna bring your Caitlin back. You wanna be ready should Zoom return- if Zoom returns- when Zoom returns- there is only one way to do it, and that's by getting your speed back."

With that he left the room, leaving us all in silence.

-

"If I knew you were going to drive me to your dads, I would've worn something else." I told Barry, referring to my outfit of chose from this morning, as he steered the wheel, driving up the road, as I seated in the passenger seat.

"Zee, you look fine." Barry told me, as he came to a stop at a stop light, turning his head and looking at me, "You look very pretty as you always do, and that's all that matters."

A small smile appears on my face as I peck his lips, my elbow leaning against my passenger side door, my cheek leaning against my hand that was covered by my sweatshirt, in attempt to hide the blush that had found its way to my cheeks, as he moved his attention back to the road, focusing on driving once again.

"I mean- if the whole purpose was so you can spend some time with your dad- why did you bring me? I would've been fine at home." I shrug lightly, leaning my head back against the headrest of my seat.

"I wanted to bring you along." He barely shrugs, "My dad- also said he wanted to see his future daughter in law again."

My breathing stops, as my head snaps in his direction, I manage to choke out, "Future daughter in law?"

"Those were his exact words, yes." Barry said, coming to a stop where Henry was staying, before kissing my cheek, stepping out the car as if it was a word to be thrown around, and he was having fun seeing my reaction to it.

"Hey-" Barry said to Henry, closing the door of his car, leaving me the only one in, as I let out a shaky breath. I watch from the car, where they hugged and traded a few words, before I see Henry turn towards my direction slightly, his gaze falling upon the car that thankfully had tinted windows, resulting in him now seeing how my cheeks were flushed, my breathing was uneven, and how I was fidgeting nervously.

I have met Henry before, of course, and this shouldn't be that major for me, but for some odd reason, I felt myself remaining as nervous as I was. Anxiety picked up in my chest as Henry spoke up, "And where's your pretty lady?"

Barry looks in the direction of the car, opening his mouth to speak but I jump out the car before he can, "Right here- I was just- making some last touches to my hair." I make up a quick excuse, as I walk over to them, as Henry engulfed me into a short hug, before pulling away.

"Come in- come in, get warm." Henry says, leading us into his small cabin where he was staying, before handing us both mugs filled of some sort of warm liquid which I was guessing was coffee, treating himself to one also, before leading us to a small table, sitting down on a side, Barry slipping off his coat, sitting across from him, as I sat down to their sides.

My hands are wrapped around my mug, the warmth helping my hands stay warm, as I sat there in silence, listening to Barry filling his father in on how he gave up his speed to save Wally, and how Caitlin was kidnapped, and even how Jay was Zoom.

"Garrick?" Henry asked.

"Garrick, yeah, why?" Barry responded.

"My mom's maiden name." Henry took a sip.

"Maybe Wells' is right, maybe I should try to get my powers back." Barry says, as one of my hands lets go of my mug, as I let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose, blinking long and hard.

"How would you do that?" Henry questioned.

Barry answered, "By recreating the particle accelerator explosion."

"And getting struck by lightning again?" Henry recalls the events, as Barry hums in response, "That doesn't seem like the safest option, does it?"

I move my hand, letting go of my mug, leaving it set on the table as I open my eyes, "I don't mean to interrupt- but- Barry- what if you get stuck in another nine month coma? I don't exactly think that would help any of us in this situation- nor do I think any of us- especially myself- can go through that again." I say quietly, fidgeting with my necklace.

Barry lets out a sigh, looking down, "It's the only way to save Caitlin."

"Not the only way." I spoke up, sitting up slightly, as Henry's gaze falls onto me, "Maybe- I could pull a Reign. I mean- Cisco can open a breach for me, right? I can have my comm's on the entire time- you guys can guide me through. I could pretend to be Reign, as she did to be me- and I could save Caitlin."

"No." Barry is quick to deny.

"Why not? Do you see any other available options?" I ask him.

"No, and that's not an option, Zee." Barry told me.

"Why can't I? I could help save her. Jay has admitted to me a multiple of times that he won't kill me- due to the fact that I am his sister- we could use that to our advantage- I'm almost like a secret weapon." I try to argue, but his gaze falls onto me, our eye contact burning within me.

He spoke up, "I am not putting the woman I love in harm's way- somewhere so dangerous- by herself- where she could potentially get herself killed, when I could do something to save Caitlin where you won't get hurt at all. Zee, I can't lose anything- or anyone else."

My breathing stops as I stare at him, taking notice that he had just said that entirely in front of his father, practically admitting he loves me.

I blink, looking down at the mug that sat in front of me, as I quietly agree with him, "Okay."

There was silence between the three of us before Henry speaks up, "I watched you grow ever since you became the Flash, and I am so proud of that man. But ask yourself, do you really need powers in order to be that person?"

Barry crosses his arms, as he admits, his eyes slightly glossy, "Just feels like every time something good happens in my life, it's taken away."

"Is that so?" Henry asks him, "Because from what I see right now- the beautiful young woman sitting next to you is a good thing that's happened to you."

My eyes snap up, as my gaze lands on Henry as he continues to speak, "She hasn't been taken away. And she loves you for the man you are- not because of the Flash."

Barry stares at his father as Henry continued to speak, "She loves the man that I have never been more proud of."

"Now for your speed, we've got to do something to change that. Because I don't think those powers were given to you by luck." Henry finishes, as Barry and I look at each other, a comforting smile on my face.

-

It was hours later the next day, many things had happened the previous night, concluding to decisions that had been made. Cisco's brother's doppelganger was after him, trying to kill him, because he had been told that Cisco was the one who killed Reverb, Zoom had made his comeback, and had came to ccpd, telling everyone to spread the news that this Central City, now belonged to him, and if anyone tried to disobey, they would meet their end.

I walked down the hall in star labs, accompanied by Cisco, dressed in a pair of light wash ripped jeans as per usual, a white striped with black long sleeve tucked in, my feet covered in a pair of white slip on vans, my hair straight as per usual.

We were walking down the hall, as I decided I was going to try and help Cisco figure out a way to avoid explaining everything to his brother Dante, and come up with a believable excuse, but my pace slowed down when I heard Barry and Iris' faint voices talking in where we could conduct the entire stunt to try and get Barry's speed back.

Cisco stopped in confusion, as he looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed at why I had slowed down to a stop.

"Barry, you've always have someone to come home to. Me." Iris spoke.

I stop myself from listening, deciding that they needed their own privacy and it would be wrong for me to listen in on it, as I start to walk away but what Iris says next catches me, causing me to halt again, as Cisco's eyes become wide, "I've just been thinking a lot lately," she paused, "About us."

Cisco voice comes hushed as he whispers to me, "Should we be listening to this?"

I lightly shake my head, as Cisco speaks again, whispering to me, him now stood next to me fully, "But- this is your boyfriend."

I slowly nod my head as he whispers again, "And your boyfriend is in fact, my best friend, so I think we have every right-"

"Be quiet." I shushed him, as I stood still, knowing it was wrong for us to be listening in, but that is what we did.

Iris speaks, "What Wells said about us being married in the future. And on Earth Two. And I can't help wondering if maybe we were meant to be together."

Cisco's jaw slightly dropped as he looked at me, waiting for my reaction, as my heart dropped listening to this. My eyes stung with small tears, as I felt the hurt exist in my chest, knowing this is where it would all come crashing down. Every memory, everything thing we shared, all the words, every moment, it would all be forgotten. This had to be the moment Barry was waiting for since forever, the moment where Iris West finally decided she wanted to be with Barry Allen. This is where I knew, everything I had with Barry would be done, so he could run to her. The love of his life.

"So," Barry trailed off, "When I told you how I felt about you last year-"

"I wasn't available in that way." She says, as I could hear in her voice that she could cry any second, "But- I am now."

Cisco's jaw dropped even more, as we continued to tune in.

"Why are you telling me this now?" Barry asked.

"Because Barry, I need you to know that it doesn't matter to me if you're The Flash or not. You- Barry- that's who I want to see if I have a future with." Iris' voice cracked lightly.

"I mean- if you still want that too, of course." She said, noticing his silence.

The tears that were once in my eyes were now rolling down my cheeks, as I took a few steps back, ready to run back down the hall where I came from.

"Iris, I-" He starts, starting to respond, as once Cisco hears him start to respond, Cisco grabs my arm quickly, holding me in my place, shaking his head, signaling that he wasn't going to let me leave, even if whatever Barry could say next could crush my whole world, or give me something to cope with.

"I've finally moved on." Barry begins, "And- don't get me wrong- I'll always love you. I will. But, now I'm in a different position then I was when I told you how I felt. I'm with Zee, she makes me happy and I'm so in love with her-"

"Of course- yeah. I'd never want to get in between the two of you, I just- I just felt the need to tell you- if something goes wrong and I end up, never being able to tell you." Iris says, "I just needed to get it out. I'm happy for the two of you, I promise."

I hear a few shuffled movements, which caused me to break out of Cisco's grip and bolt down the hall, as I hear him call my name out loudly, "Zee!"

I dart through the halls as I turn corners and run downstairs to the pipeline, my back towards the hall as I let out small sobs, pathetically crying over this still.

No matter how relieved what Barry said to her should make me feel, which it did, the fact that what Iris said burned in my mind as it could be true. The future couldn't be changed, neither could his love for her. If they were meant to be together, if there were all these signs showing that eventually, the two of them would end up together, then it just proves that whatever Barry and I have now doesn't last. And the thought of that broke me.

I try to contain my little breakdown, as tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably, as my hand going to my mouth, sobs falling out of my mouth as I try to muffle them so no one would hear me. I let out a cough, feeling as if I couldn't breathe anymore, as I crouched, resting my elbows on my thighs, my temples resting against my palms, as I held my breath, squeezing my eyes shut.

I held everything I was feeling back for those few seconds, before taking a deep breath, standing up and wiping my tears. I walk to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face, dabbing the water off with a paper towel lightly, before sniffling, fixing my hair, clearly my throat lightly.

"What about Caitlin?" I heard Barry's voice come from the cortex as I walked down the hall, walking into the cortex, standing next to him, but more towards Joe, listening in on the conversation.

"She sent us a message, Rupture is gonna attack Jitters tonight. Joe responded. "We gotta love, Barry."

"What are you gonna do, Slugger?" Henry's voice follows Joe's, as they awaited Barry's decision.

"Having The Flash might be the best way to stop Zoom and all the metas he's sending overs. But, look, until we know for sure that setting off the accelerator will work, it's too risky. Not just for me, for the entire city." Barry told us, "Countless others that would be affected if the explosion is not contained."

"Yes, but Allen-" Harry starts to say, but Barry is quick to cut him off.

"Stop, Wells. Look, I'm sorry, I've made up my mind. I'm sorry." Barry apologized, "We're gonna have to figure out how to do this without The Flash."