chapter twenty ; speeding along

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Natalie ran, the heels of her combat boots hitting the marble stairs as she made her way up to Barry's lab. "Hurry up, Chris. I don't wanna be late," Nat warned, glancing behind her as her brother shook his head.

"I don't understand why I have to go to work with you," Chris whined, picking up the pace and joining his sister as she walked down the hall.

"Because, it's your last day here, I couldn't get out of work, and I am going to spend it with you at least in the same building as me," Natalie said as she dropped her purse down on her desk. Natalie groaned, stopping short when she noticed her empty hands, "Of course I forgot coffee."

Chris walked throughout the lab, running his hands along everything, "I told you that when we were leaving the house but you just kept saying, "We're gonna be late. We're gonna be late." You sounded like that rabbit from Alice in Wonderland."

Natalie lifted her head and glared at her younger brother, "If you hadn't taken so long dousing yourself in cologne and putting that..gel stuff on your head, which you don't need because your hair is buzzed-"

"I do need it! And it's not gel, it's a conditioner for your hair and scalp. It makes it soft and keeps your head protected from sun exposure and it moisturizes it-"

"I do not want to know what the hell you were just talking about."

Both Natalie and Chris turned their head to the doorway where Iris stood. "Well, if the sibling argument is over, I stopped by Jitters and grabbed coffee for all of us."

Nat walked over and took a cup out of the holder Iris was carrying. "You are a life saver," she said with a grateful smile, enunciating every word. Iris nodded and handed a cup to Chris.

Iris took a seat and set down the holder, two cups still remaining, and looked around the lab, "Where's Barry?"

"Late, as usual," Nat said nonchalantly as she leaned back in her seat and sipped on her coffee.

Chris stepped back from one of the computers and turned towards the girls, "Hey Iris, your boyfriend is a cop, right?"

Iris smiled and nodded her head, "Yeah, he's a detective. What about him?"

"Is it okay if I see what his work is like? No offense Nat, but your job is boring," Chris said, gesturing to the lab.

Natalie looked at Iris and then back at her brother, "If you absolutely want to-"

"Great thanks! Love you sis," Chris chirped, kissed his sister on the cheek and ran out of the lab.

Iris looked Natalie once over before she spoke again, "So how is your cousin?"

"Caitlin's good," Natalie said, getting up and checking Barry's desk to see if there were any cases she might have to help him with when he got there.

Iris watched Natalie, her back facing Iris, "No not Caitlin. I mean Sam. The one visiting."

Natalie's muscles tensed, "Sam? He uh..went back home."

Natalie's hesitation didn't go unnoticed, so Iris continued to push, "Where does he live again?"

Finding nothing, she flipped through some random pages to make herself seem busy, "..Coast City"

"Hey, I'm so sorry I'm late," Barry announced, stepping through the doorway, oblivious to the tension in the lab. Natalie relaxed slightly at his arrival but was still on edge.

Iris stood up and put on a smile, "Well, I should go see how Eddie is doing with Chris as a shadow. I'll see you guys later."

Barry set down his briefcase on his desk. "I'm sorry I was late. I slept in a lot and then I couldn't find any clean clothes. But these clothes are clean! Trust me, I wouldn't wear dirty clothes. And then my shoes weren't matching and you look stressed. What's wrong?" Barry asked as he looked up at Natalie.

Natalie looked at the door of the lab and then back at Barry, "Are you sure Iris doesn't know anything? She kept asking about Ronnie, well Sam.."

"She doesn't know. Iris is just..curious. And stubborn," Barry said shaking his head.

Just as Barry was about to open his mouth, Eddie walked in, "Natalie, you're brother is.."

Natalie couldn't help but laugh when she saw the frustrated expression on Eddie's face, "Yeah, try having to live with him for 15 years. He's just really interested in police investigations. Chris has always wanted to become a cop but he won't admit it to anyone for some reason."

Eddie nodded his head, a smug smile forming, "So what you're saying is can be a role model for him? Show him what it's like as a cop?"

"Whatever you want, detective. Just send him up here from time to time," Natalie said and Eddie walked back down to the main floor, a little bounce in his step. Natalie turned her attention to Barry, her laughter fading, "So, what are we going to do today?"

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"Excuse me. Sorry. I'm sorry about him." Natalie mumbled an array of apologies as she trailed her brother in the crowd at the train station, Barry right on her heels carrying Chris' suitcase.

The day had been slow, for Barry and Natalie, but for Chris it was perfect. Joe and Eddie had taken Chris on a calm patrol and showed him the booking process while he occasionally went up to the lab to see Nat.

The trio had gotten to the train at just the right moment as it was pulling in.

Chris stopped as some people boarded the train and Barry set his suitcase down beside him. Natalie immediately engulfed him in a hug, burying her head in his chest and hugged him tightly, "I'm going to miss you so much."

"Same here, sis. I'm glad we got to send some time together. Just come back home from time to time," Chris said as he pulled away and looked at the train. "I've gotta board. I love you."

"I love you too. Have a safe trip and call when you get home," Nat called as Chris pulled his suitcase behind him and onto the train, waving once he was inside the doors.

Chris smirked to himself and shouted back to the two standing on the platform, "Don't forget, I know where you live, Barry! Don't hurt my sister!"

Natalie glanced at Barry as his body tensed and eyes bulged. Nudging his elbow with hers, Nat laughed, "He's just bluffing."

The two watched as the doors closed and the train eventually pulled away. Barry looked over at Nat, her attention focused on the retreating train, a sad look in her eyes, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Nat leaned into his side, watching until she couldn't see the train anymore.

"C'mon," Barry said once the train was gone and took a few steps towards the exit, holding out his hand.

Natalie smiled slightly as she slipped her hand into his, "Where are we going?"

"I'm finally going to take you on the second date," Barry said as he leaned closer to her and guided them out of the station and to a cab.

Barry made Natalie wait outside of the cab as he told the driver their destination and got back out of the cab to let Natalie slip in first. Barry looked over at Nat and smirked, "Be prepared to have fun, and lose, Reed."

Natalie couldn't help but laugh, "I have no clue what you're talking about but whatever you say, Allen."

"We're going bowling?" Nat asked as the cab pulled away, leaving the two standing in front of the alley's entrance.

Barry's smile fell and a worried look crossed his face, "Do you not want to-"

"No no Barry, it's great. It's just that you've kept two promises. A second date and bowling," Natalie interrupted ensuring Barry she wasn't disappointed. Barry's smile returned and he intertwined their hands once more as he led them inside and got the both of them a pair of bowling shoes.

"Thank god today was the day I decided to wear skinny jeans. Bowling in a dress would have made this very difficult," Natalie stated as Barry handed her shoes. Natalie looked at the lanes and back at Barry, "You know, I never would have pegged you as someone who likes to bowl."

Barry laughed and turned around to walk backwards. "Love, not like. This is one of my favorite places in the world, and I'm guessing one of the only sports that I can destroy you at," he loudly proclaimed.

"Well you give me too much credit. I am terrible at all sports except volleyball. I would dominate in that," Natalie admitted, Barry's laughter filling the air and making her smile.

Barry stopped walking backwards, admiring the look on her face, and instead took a few steps forward, cupping Natalie's cheek with his free hand and leaned in to kiss her. Natalie met him half way, reaching up and closing the gap between their lips. Just as the kiss intensified, both Natalie and Barry pulled away when someone interrupted them.

"Hey, Barry. Natalie," Iris called. Natalie looked behind Barry and saw Iris and Eddie sitting on the booth, a forced smile on both of their faces.

Barry looked back at Nat and gave her an apologetic smile before he turned back around and locked their hands together once again, "Iris, Eddie. Hey."

"What are you guys doing here?" Natalie asked in a friendly way as she and Barry walked towards the other couple.

Iris jumped up, "Eddie and I didn't know where to go for a date night and then when Barry mentioned he wanted to take you bowling a while ago we thought it would be fun! Barry and I have been bowling here since we were kids. Why don't you join us?"

"Iris," Eddie said as he stood up, a slight warning tone in his voice as he watched Barry and Natalie glance at each other. "We don't want to interrupt your date."

Natalie glanced between Eddie, Iris' pleading face, and Barry's which was one she couldn't understand, "No, it's-it's fine."

"Are you sure?" Barry asked, his face full of concern.

Nodding her head, Natalie put on a smile, "Of course. It'll be fun.."

As Eddie and Iris sat back down, Barry sat beside Natalie as they put their shoes on and whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry about this. I didn't think she would-I was just excited about our first date as a real couple-"

Natalie watched as Barry rambled on, smiling at how cute it was and stopped putting on her shoes to pull him into a kiss. "Oh yeah, we really do have this kissing thing down," she mumbled after she pulled away and rested her forehead against Barry's.

Barry laughed and pecked her lips before looking down at her shoes which were still untied. "Scoot down," he ordered, making Natalie turn her head quizzically. Barry laughed as he saw the confused look on Natalie's face, "Just scoot down." Natalie did as he said and Barry made her pull her feet up on the booth. Scooting forward, Barry started tying Natalie shoes for her, "You were too slow."

"Well everything is slow to you," Natalie countered as soon as Barry was done and she moved back over to him.

Iris jumped up, shaking the daze from her face after watching the two across from her, and clapped her hands together, "Okay. Who's up first?"

After very minimal debating, the group decided on the order going Eddie, Natalie, Iris and then Barry. As Eddie stepped up to the lane, he turned around, a slightly embarrassed look on his face, "I haven't gone bowling in 10 years so no teasing."

Natalie laughed and put her hand up slightly after Eddie shot her an angry look, "Same here. It's okay Eddie, I'm probably worse than you. I haven't done this in a long time either." Eddie's smile returned and he faced the lane's again, sending the ball down and knocking over one pin.

Iris looked at Barry before jumping up and rubbing Eddie's shoulders, "Aww it's okay, babe." Eddie sent the ball down the lane again and knocked down another two pins.

Natalie placed her hands on her knees before she let out a breath and stood up, "And this is where I die." Barry laughed before jumping after her right as she got her ball. "Barry what are you-"

"I'm gonna help you," Barry laughed as he stood behind her. Barry pressed his body against her back, causing Natalie to naturally lean into him, and rested one hand on her waist while the other was on her bowling hand to guide her arm.

"Barry I'm not so sure you being here is going to help me as to distract me," Natalie breathed out.

Barry laughed and Natalie could feel his hot breath hit the skin of her neck making her involuntarily shiver. The two laughed slightly when they heard Eddie, "Awe look, they're so cute."

"Just clear your head and focus straight ahead. It's like they're directly in front of you," Barry whispered as he made her pull her arm back and stepped back slightly so that Natalie had a bit of room. Natalie let out a puff of air and stepped forward slightly, Barry guiding her, and let the ball go.

Natalie spun around and hugged Barry when it knocked down 5 pins, "I knocked some down!"

Barry laughed at her excitement and got her ball when it was returned and helped her again, knocking down 2 more. The two sat down, smiling at each other as Iris got up for her turn, sending the ball down the line twice and earning a spare. Turning around, Iris pointed at Barry, "Do you smell that, Barry? That's defeat." Barry laughed it off and got up for his turn.

Eddie looked at Iris quizzically, "You never told me you were such a big fan of bowling."

"Sure I have," Iris said as she turned her attention to Natalie, "This is one of my favorite places in the world."

Natalie forced a smile and focused on Barry, the concentration on his face, and truly smiled. Pushing back the feeling of uneasiness she was feeling around Iris. Iris was her friend and wouldn't do anything to break apart Natalie and Barry, especially after they had just started dating, but she couldn't help but feel threatened. Barry let out a loud whoop and punched the air excitedly as he earned a strike, running back excitedly to Natalie.

"I'm impressed," Natalie admitted as she walked up to Barry, a proud smile on her face.

Barry's smile widened knowing that he had impressed her and reached down to the table for some nachos and dip, "I told you I was good."

"But does bowling count as an actual sport?" Natalie asked as she looked between Barry and Eddie.

Eddie smirked and nodded, "I was wondering the same thing."

Natalie laughed and nodded her head as Barry ate the chips. She and Eddie laughed even more when some of the dip was left on the corner of his mouth. Barry looked between the two and muttered a 'what' before Iris stepped in-between Barry and Natalie, wiping the dip from the corner of his mouth with her finger. Barry froze and stared at Iris, the smile fell from his face and his eyebrows furrowed.

"Well sport or hobby..I am still better than you," Iris said, adding to the group's previous conversation, and wiped her hand on a napkin, unaware of the wary looks on everyone's faces.

Barry looked at her like he was analyzing her and sat down next to Natalie, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, "Uh..yeah, sure.." Natalie leaned into Barry as she saw the pained look on Eddie's face that mirrored her own. She and Eddie made eye contact for a brief moment before he sighed and shook his head.

"Uh..Eddie, you're up, man," Barry said, breaking the tension.

Eddie glanced up at the screen, "Oh..right." Iris gave him a small push as he got up, "Go get 'em babe."

The rest of the night, Iris talked animatedly, still unaware of the tension, as Barry, Eddie, and Natalie forced conversation. Natalie sat on the booth, legs laid across the booth, staring at her toes as she wiggled them, her back against Barry's shoulder, and her shoes taken off on the floor. Iris and Barry continued to bowl, Barry's enthusiasm having faded.

"Well I think I'm gonna go turn my shoes in. Want me to take yours, Nat?" Eddie asked as he stood up.

"Yes please," Natalie leaned down and handed her shoes to Eddie as he headed to the counter. calling out a thank you once she settled back against Barry's shoulder.

Barry tapped her so that he could stand up, "I think I'm done for the night too." Barry carried his regular shoes and Natalie's combat boots and laughed as he ran slightly ahead, making Nat chase him for them. Taking a seat, Natalie slipped on her combat boots, zipping them up and making Barry tie them just for laughs.

Iris followed behind the two and took a seat beside Barry, pulling on her shoes as well as Eddie took the rest of the bowling shoes to the counter. Turning around, Eddie held up his phone, "I gotta go. Emergency at the morgue.."

Iris walked up and muttered a 'bye', leaning in for a kiss. Eddie shut her down, touching her forearm and cutting her off, "I'll see you at home."

Natalie gave Barry a look and lowered her voice, "Time to go too?"

Barry looked worried but also excited, "Do you wanna go? With me?"

Natalie nodded her head and Barry smiled before he rushed and grabbed their jackets, moving quickly towards the door. Barry turned around and explained to Iris their departure. "Sorry, Iris. We should go too. They're gonna need someone from the crime lab. And I need my assistant there," Barry added with a smile as he looked at Natalie.

The two didn't wait for a response and ran out to an alleyway beside the bowling alley. Barry looked around before speeding into his suit, leaving Natalie speechless.

Barry stepped towards Natalie cautiously, "You ready?"

Natalie nodded and Barry picked her up, one hand supporting her back while the other held up her knees and Natalie wrapped her arms around Barry's back.

"Hold on tight."

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6 July, 2015

Oooooo so Iris is causing a bit of tension between her, Eddie, Barry, and Natalie. And if some people don't know, this episode is set in 1x15 of The Flash titled "Out Of Time".

Side note** This episode is like a critical episode to the rest of the season in my opinion because of some obvious reasons at the end. Not what some of you think, to clarify I ship Iris and Eddie and I am still upset.

Natalie gets to run in the next chapter and she's going to be actually involved with her first metahuman case!!

Just some warning, updates will be slower as I have to work on my English 2 summer assignment that I have no clue how to do but at least I have a month and some friends that have done it that can help give me advice.

Enjoy the rest of the summer!! And the story!!!

Xx