"This is what I do." Harrison's back was turned to us, staring at the wall as we were down in the sewers where he claimed that he could save Barry, locating Mar Novu, "I don't just solve mysteries, I bust myths- I bust them wide open."

I pulled the sleeves of my sweater to cover my hands and cross my arms, "You said you could save Barry, so elaborate what to you meant."

"Do you know what you're dealing with?" Harrison faced me, "The Monitor, Mar Novu, or whatever he calls himself."

Barry questions from next to me, "Are you saying the Monitor's here?"

Harrison nods once, "That's right."

Ralph slips his hands into his pockets, "You tracked a Multiverse god down to a hole?"

"And he's going to do here what he has done on all these other Earths create fear because the Monitor is a fraud." Harrison calls him out without his presence, "He's a false god."

I place my hands on my hips, "He's a false god?"

"One that I intend to take down, thereby saving your husband." Harrison nods toward me, pointing to the wall behind him, "If my calculations are correct, behind these rocks there's an inter-dimensional portal, and that portal will lead us directly to- Mar Novu."

I looked at my husband, "He's been here all along."

"He has nowhere to run." Barry nods towards me, moving me out of the way, "Back up-"

"Yeah, uh, no." Harrison began when he realized what Barry was going to do, "I wouldn't do it-"

Barry ran to the wall, beginning to phase only to be flung backwards and hit the ground with a grunt.

"Barry!" I ran over to him, as he groaned on the ground, "Are you okay?"

Barry gently nods, coughing a little as I helped him back up, Killer Frost questioning, "Did you know that would happen?"

"Yeah." Harrison stared the obvious, "Look, this is just another one of Mar Novu's tricks."

Harrison continued, "These rocks are infused with Eternium, and that creates an anti-vibrational force field that-"

"No phasing." Barry realized, nodding once.

Harrison points at him, "No phasing, correct."

"Could I- melt it?" I questioned suddenly, "I mean- would it work?"

"That force field will counteract your heat and turn us all into fried eggs." Harrison crossed his arms.

Killer Frost asks the question that we all were wondering, "So- how do we get through?"

Ralph points back, "I've got a jackhammer in my car, so-"

I raise my hand, "I'm really good at hitting things."

"Uh, no." Harrison stops us, "Any contact with the Eternium in this sediment could cause a catastrophic molecular blast- everybody dies."

"No instead, all I need is an artifact, one that will illuminate the Eternium so I can know what rocks to dig around." Harrison looks between us all, "Simple, and I'd know where to find that artifact."

-

"Oh my god-" I gasp in excitement, covering my mouth as I glanced at the emblem, stood behind Joe's chair, Barry sat on the desk, "Barry, he's going to love it."

"Can I touch it?" Joe picks up the emblem when Barry hums that its okay, "The official Elongated Man emblem."

"He's gonna scream." Joe was smiling himself, "He's gonna be so surprised."

Barry inhales sharply, "I've been preparing the whole team for life after Crisis, but Central City also has to be ready for a world without Flash, and Elongated Man should be its sole protector once I'm gone."

"Barry, stop talking like that." I hit his arm lightly, "I finally have some solid hope because of Nash, so I'm not letting you ruin it for me."

Barry holds his arm out for me so he can wrap his arm around me, shooting me a soft look, "I'm sorry."

I barely pout, turning and sitting next to him on the desk, as he wraps his arm around me and pulls me into his side, "As far as Ralph knows, he's coming to CCPD for a routine deposition tomorrow, when it's really a press conference to pass the torch."

"Hey guys." Ralph walks into Joe's office, turning to close the door as Barry, Joe and I quickly scramble to hide the emblem.

"Yo, Dibs!" I blurt out, rushing over to him, punching his arm lightly as Barry hid the emblem, "How's it going, yo?"

Ralph looks down at me, "How much coffee have you had today?"

"Not much." I embarrassingly scrunched my face, walking over to the desk, "I'm guessing you got my message?"

"Yeah-" Ralph watched me, "What's up?"

"I talked to an old friend about your Dearbon case." I pulled up the folder I had to give him, "I got the address you were looking for in Midway City."

Joe speaks as I handed it to him, "If I were you, I would go check it out after the deposition tomorrow."

"Why put off tomorrow what you can do it today, right?" Ralph turns to leave the room, "Thanks-"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Barry jumps up quickly, "Um, you're gonna be back from Midway by tomorrow morning, right?"

"It's a routine deposition." Ralph shrugs lightly, "You can handle it."

"Why don't I tag along?" Barry offers, desperately wanting Ralph back by the tomorrow, "I'll speed things up a bit."

Ralph looks at him, confused, "You wanna help me with a PI case?"

"Yeah, definitely." Barry nods, "It'll be fun- I'll follow your lead."

Ralph nods slowly, "Okay."

-

Later that night, I sat on the kitchen island, moving the paint brush in x formations throughout the small canvas that was in front of me, smearing and blending paint it.

Harrison was off trying to get through the wall, Barry and Ralph had been in Midway all day, Killer Frost had been on watch duty, and Cisco was taking a little time away from the team for Gyspy's memorial.

I had absolutely nothing to do after working on a ton of cases at work, and was now home alone, waiting for Barry to walk through the door.

In the time I had spent alone, I had found myself painting a sunset on the canvas out of boredom, and if I was being honest, I didn't know that painting could be so calming.

And I was shocked with how well I was following the tutorial I was looking at.

The front door opens and closes, Barry's voice filling the space, "Zee?"

"I'm here!" I chirped, not moving from where I sat.

Barry entered the living room, my eyes falling on him dressed in a tux, the first few buttons of his shirt undone, his hair messy but put together, looking like he was worth a million bucks.

I dropped the paint brush onto the paint palette, my eyes glued to him, "I really should've went with you guys."

Barry winks and walks over to me, kissing my cheek, then looking at everything I had set up, "Are you- painting?"

"This is what happens when you leave me alone for an entire day without any entertainment." I placed the palette down, turning to face him on the counter, "I find other ways to entertain myself."

"Well, I bet I can entertain you now." Barry wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer.

"If I knew you were gonna change into this, I would've come just to observe from afar." I pecked his lips, placing my hands on his shoulder.

"Wait, watch-" Barry steps back, clearing his throat, running his hand through his hair then shot me seductive look, my face twisting in amusement but confusion.

"The name's Allen." Barry's voice was low, his eyes locked with mine, buttoning his blazer, "Barry Allen."

"Barry Allen is the new James Bond." I began clapping supportively, smiling at him, laughing.

Barry smiles up at me, beginning to laugh as well, before wrapping his arms around me and pulling me in for a kiss.

-

Joe smiles at Ralph and Barry as we all stood in his office, "Remington Meister's crime ring is over."

Barry bumps his fist with Ralph's, "Glad we got Remington, but I'm sorry we didn't find Sue."

Ralph slips his hands into his pockets, "My nose tells me there's more to that case than I imagine."

"You'll find her." Barry assures him.

"I will." Ralph nods with a smile, "And in the meantime, I'll be busy keeping Central City safe."

Ralph looks between Joe and I, "We still on for that ceremony today?"

"Oh yeah, see you there." Joe was sly as Barry smiles at us and leaves the office, the three of us trading looks.

-

"For the last five years, I've tried to keep Central City safe." Barry stood in front of the entire CCPD as the Flash, stood behind the podium.

Joe was behind him, and Ralph a few feet to the side, as I was in the audience, news reporters snapping photos and recording everything that was being said.

"But- as new threats arise, you'll need more than me." Barry said modestly, "Which is why I'm proud to recognize a hero who's put his life on the line for this city time and time again- a hero who deserves our recognition."

Barry looked to Ralph, "The Elongated Man."

Ralph stretches next to him, as I was the first one to cheer, everything following my actions, sounds of applaud and cheers filling the room.

"Now, Central City has another symbol of hope." Barry places the emblem on Ralph's chest, and ran out of the CCPD.

Ralph stood behind the microphone, clearing his throat, "To every woman, every man, and every child listening today, I have wanted to protect Central City since before I ever even got my powers."

"This is my home and I love it here." Ralph opened up, "And so today, I hereby promise that I will defend Central City with my dying breath."

"Detective Allen, would you please join us up here?" Ralph brought the attention on me, and I knew what this was.

I could see a confused Barry as he joins the audience, as I rush up by them, standing by Joe.

"Before we wrap up, there is someone that Captain West, Detective Allen and I would like to bring up here." Ralph clears his throat, looking right at Barry, "CSI Barry Allen, please come up."

Barry slowly walked up to us, whispering in confusion, "What are you doing?"

Ralph stepped back as Joe stood behind the microphone, Barry standing by Ralph and I, confused as ever.

Barry whispers to me, "What's going on?"

I don't reply, a smile wide as ever on my face.

"Uh, those who wear capes and costumes aren't the only ones that keep us safe." Joe began, "There are some unsung heroes as well, like this man."

"This man has solved crimes to give mourning families justice." Joe continued, "He's a CCPD team member who's never given up on a single case."

"This man has saved Central City more times than anyone knows." Joe gave him the recognition he deserved, "So- it's time that we thank him, it's time that- that I thank him, so- without further ado-"

Joe stepped back, grabbing the box, opening it to reveal the medal that we were planning on presenting him with, Barry's eyes slightly widening.

I smiled giddily at my husband, stood in front of him, my voice filling the microphone as I presented the medal to him, "Officer Barry Allen, on behalf of CCPD, we present you with their highest honor, the Medal of Honor."

Ralph took the medal, attaching it to his jacket as photos began to be taken, "Thank you for your service."

Barry was surprised, shaking Joe and Ralph's hands, then throwing his arms around me in happiness, hugging the life out of me.

All this time Barry was trying to surprise Ralph, when we had surprised him.

even tho this was short, it was a cute chapter 🥺

I'm saving the other idea I had for this chapter for skinny love even tho I really wanted to write it-

zee's so supportive of her husband, oh my god-

this ship is legendary

also I'm scared for the crisis sksksks

thank you for 130k! I'm still shocked at how far this book has come and I've never been more thankful.

go read skinny love !!!

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