Within Seconds: Flashpoint Edition

Your Love

Stuttering to find the words, she uttered, "I don't know, Bar, it's like these kids don't even study. It's sign language. Learn the motion, remember the motion, recite it on paper for me at the end of the week. It's not like my class is difficult."

"Deep breaths. In and out," reminded Barry, reaching across the table to hold her hands in his own. 

Parker followed his instructions. 

"Good girl," he praised. 

"When did I turn into a dog?" she teased. 

Barry raised his eyebrow thoughtfully. "See, I could have made a bitch joke, but I didn't, because I am a good man."

Laughing, she took back her hands. She winked at him, unable to speak, since a scrunchy sat in between her teeth. She used it to tie her hair into a ponytail, then clapped her hands together. 

"She's here?" asked Barry eagerly. 

"Right on time, too. Three tables behind us. What's your plan of attack? How are you going to get her back into your life?" wondered Parker. 

Rather poetically, Barry said, "There's only I know about life. I know some things happen by chance. And some things happen because we make them happen."

Parker rolled her eyes. "You're about to make this happen. Don't be afraid. If you talked to me, you can sure as heck talk to her."

"Not necessarily," doubted Barry. "It was easier with you."

"How?"

"Well, for one thing, I knew that you liked me."

"And you should know that Iris will, too. Come on, Bar, you two were supposed to be married in another life. You're obviously meant to be, at the least, friends, right?" asked Parker. 

Barry's lips split. Face scrunched, he stared at the ceiling lights of Jitters, gathering an appropriate response. No more than five seconds passed before he took the safe route and not respond. There was too high of a percentage that he would say the wrong answer. 

Parker, on the other hand, hadn't noticed. She jumped in with a mildly worried, "Wait, didn't you say other Parker had been destined to die? Then you were supposed to be married to Iris? Do we think that still applies?"

"Channel 52 Breaking News!" said the newswoman. "The latest from Central City, where the mysterious meta-human criminal known only as the Rival is once again terrorizing the population with his incredible speed...."

Barry turned to Parker. 

"Go," she said, before he could speak. 

"We should talk about what you said," he offered sincerely. 

"I concur, but after you go monitor Flash," she disagreed. She brought his hand to her lips. "I can wait."

It took everything in Barry to not kiss her right then and there. Instead, he settled for breathing a grateful, "Patient Parker is one of my favorite things."

"I know. Be safe," she begged.

"Don't die?" he asked. 

"And don't die."

Then, Barry ran. 

Catching up to the Flash and the Rival happened fast. He slowed himself down, running inconspicuously behind the two opponents. When the two fell from their speed, Barry skidded to a stop in a side street between two buildings. He stayed a good distance away from the two. 

A couple Police vehicles parked behind the Flash. Two men from each car leaped out, ducking behind their car doors, guns trained on the Rival, despite fully knowing bullets would do nothing against a speedster.

"Need help, Flash?" asked one officer. 

"Nah,but when I'm done with this fool he might," said the Flash cockily. To the Rival, he said, "What have you got against my city?"

"The city's just fine. It's the people in it who need to be educated. And I have no rival. Especially not you," taunted the Rival. 

An abrupt swirl by the Rival conjured lightning bolts. He tossed a few at the Police vehicles. They hit the cars, not the people. The Flash made sure of it before he sprinted to Barry, removing the 'bystander' from harm's way. By the time Barry was on his feet, the Rival had left the scene. 

"You okay, man?" panted the Flash.

Failing to hide his grin, Barry said, "Yeah, thanks." 

"This guy's really becoming a pain in my ass," grumbled the Flash.

"Don't worry about it," encouraged Barry. 

The Flash lousily saluted towards Barry, then he was gone, with a soft crack and yellow lightning trailing in the dust left behind. 

"You'll get him next time, Flash..."