I'm Not Your Damsel

He couldn't bring himself to do it, he simply couldn't let himself continue the charade, not faced with her look of pained desperation, he cared about her. If he denied her this trust now, it would mean wrecking any chance they had at an even an honest friendship, let alone a relationship built on mutual respect. If she'd earned anything from him without doubt, Patty had earned Barry's respect.

Preferring some semblance of privacy for this kind of talk, he called the familiar lightning of the speed force and sped her away, taking her to his bedroom at the West house.

"Um. Oh wow. Whew, I'll take that as a yes." Patty got out regaining her bearings before eyeing him with a newfound fascination. A fascination that made things more complicated.

"Okay, yes I am the Flash." Barry admitted.

The triumphant and someone smug look on her face only made what he needed to say even harder

"But me being the Flash is the problem here. The Flash has enemies, very powerful, very dangerous enemies which means anybody close to the Flash, close to me has a target on their back, and I can't live with putting you in even more danger, so it's best you go to your program, away from me, where you'll be safe." Barry got out all at once, desperate and agitated.

He hoped she would understand, hoped that he'd made clear the gravity of the situation, the look on her face said otherwise.

Patty didn't look understanding , if anything she looked annoyed "But that's not your call."

Before Barry could try to contradict her she continued"Barry, I chose law enforcement as my career knowing the risks, and I knew the dangers of this task force when I chose to pursue it, but most importantly right now, I still choose you. Anybody who can find out you are the Flash will put a target on the backs of everyone close to you, not just me. I have a right to stay by your side through that danger just as much as Cisco or Joe."

The wind had very much been taken out of Barry's reasoning at this point, but he still tried "your program."

Patty just rolled her eyes at that, "you're the Flash for fuck's sake, it's not that far."

****1 hour later****

"So that was the pipeline and this is the time vault. Any questions?"