91

"Iris-" I mumble into my phone in a warning tone the next morning, seated up on our bed, Barry's arms loosely around me.

"Make up sex is the best sex." Iris exclaimed through the phone, "I knew you guys were going to-"

"Iris!" I scoff in disbelief, a small grin on my face from her behavior.

Barry spoke up from beside me, his morning voice raspy, as he pulled me closer, pressing his cheek against my thigh, "Tell her that the sex was -"

"Okay-" I scoff again, a giggle following, "Iris, I'll see you at Star Labs."

With that, I hung up, tossing my phone onto the nightstand.

Barry hums into my thigh, "We got to head to Star Labs soon."

"Yeah, and I need to shower." I kiss his head, slipping away from him, standing up.

Barry reaches out for me, a groan leaving his lips, "You were my warmth. My pillow- come back-"

"You're going to have to find a replacement while I shower." I blow him a kiss, hurrying into the bathroom, shutting the door.

-

"Well, everything's the same." sighed Cisco, taking off his goggles after he had vibed, "Nothings changed. The only thing different was that Zee was there. And she was watching Reign get into a breach and disappear right before Savitar killed Iris. It seemed like she had a exact replica of the device I gave to Kara."

"So, would that mean Zee's death would be after Iris'?" asked Julian.

"Maybe, because we haven't screwed with the future in a while-" I start, "I survive whatever Reign throws at me, and what you saw was her giving up and leaving?"

"That could be a huge possibility." said Caitlin, crossing her arms:

"We have two months to make sure Iris' future does change." Barry says.

"Okay, well I think we should approach this the same we we approach any other problem, start with what we know." Caitlin suggested, "Problem can't be solved if nothing's understood."

"Therein lies the rub, why can't we understand any of this until it actually happens?" Cisco says. "It's like Savitar's prophecies."

"Precisely, like the newspaper headlines." Julian points at the white board, "Well, all bar one."

Joe, Barry, Julian's and I's phone buzzing in unison, Joe speaking up first, "It's a crime scene, we gotta go."

"Stagg industries?" Barry says in a questionable tone, as I walked with him, Julian eventually following us.

-

Abra Kadabra was his name. He once was walking through the streets of our Earth, robbing different industries. But now, he sat in a cell that was in the pipeline, giving a choice.

He knew everything about Savitar. He knew everything from the future. Because he was from the future. He knew the identity of Savitar.

"You said you knew who Savitar is." Barry said, crossing his arms.

"I know everything about the God of Speed, hallowed be his name." Abra Kadabra spoke.

"Like what?" I ask, placing my hands on my hips.

"That he's unstoppable, that he was the first speedster, and that you defeat him, but not until after he takes one of what matters the most to you," He said, "Iris West."

"Tell us who he is." I step closer, Barry grabbing my arm quickly and pulling me back to his side.

"I don't think so." He smirks at the expression on my face, "It's frustrating, isn't it? Knowing that both you and your best friend will soon be dead unless I give The Flash what he wants. All that power, all that speed, and you're still too slow."

"This isn't a trick or game." Joe spoke up, "This is my daughters life."

"And it's my life if you hand me over to the collector." He said, "It's simple. Let me out, and I'll tell you who Savitar is. Give me to Gypsy, Iris dies."

We all go silent, as Abra continued, "And I'll even throw in when and how Reign tries to kill you, Zee Young. So that Barry Allen doesn't lose both his best friend and his soon to be wife."

"The decision lies with you, Barry." He told Barry.

-

"A guy like Kadabra, he should have no say in if you or Iris die." Barry says, his voice low. We were seated on our couch, two coffee mugs filled with the delicious liquid that was freshly made a few minutes ago placed on the small table. Barry Allen sat next to me, my body turned, one leg folded so I could face him, my hands on my lap, listening to everything that had stuck to Barry's mind since the conversation with Abra Kadabra.

"What if this is another one of his tricks, Barry?" I question, "He knows this is something that's gonna get to you. You're practically left with no choice right now."

"But this is a chance, Zee-" Barry places a hand on mine, repositioning himself, "A chance I can't lose. Even if it's a trick or not."

"And chance to make sure Iris doesn't die, I know." I lightly nod my head in agreement.

"Its a chance that I won't lose you." Barry says, a quiet breathy chuckle full of hope and relief following after, "Letting him go feels like our only move."

"He's a murderer, Barry." I stare at him.

"Everyone we've put in Iron Heights are murderers. How about most of the metas locked in the pipeline? How many bad guys have we locked away, Zee? Why can't we just have one win?" Barry reasons with me. "If he knows who Savitar is, he can save your life. He can save Iris' life."

"No-" I hold both his hands, not breaking the eye contact we held, "You're going to save Iris' life."

"I'm going to save you too." Barry's voice falls into a pained whisper, flashes of hurt shining in his eyes, "Don't single yourself out of this- I'm going to save you too."

"Let's just hope you save one of us, okay?" I quietly say, "I don't want the burden of both of our nearing deaths to be on your shoulders."

-

Joe had released Abra Kadabra to get answers, without informing anymore. The minute Gypsy found out, she was quick to go right after him, causing the entire deal that was made to be altered. Kadabra had gotten what he had came to Star Labs for on the first place, and eventually had hurt Caitlin in the process of getting away.

And now here I was, in an operating room at Star Labs, dressed in some sort of procedure clothing as was Julian. Caitlin refused to go to the hospital, and refused to let us take off her necklace, so our solution was for Caitlin to lead Julian throughout the surgery, so he could perform on her.

Julian had asked for my help with it, as I quickly accepted, due to it being Caitlin Snow. But, I had slowly regretted my decision once the operation has started.

"Ready?" Caitlin exhales, looking at the two of us.

I stay silent, Julian speaking up, "Ready as I'll ever be."

I push my hair behind my ears, holding onto large gauzes, as Julian started the operation, Caitlin instructed, "Let's start with the shrapnel on the surface."

Julian pulls out the first shard, tossing into the gray container, as I caught every bit of blood that had fell from the wound, Julian speaking as Caitlin let out small grunts in pain, "That's the first bit, well done."