Within Seconds: Sylas & Allen

A Future With You

Gathered in the Cortex on Cisco's call, he said, "I think we've got the next target for our Thirty-Something-Meta-Human-Not-a-Ninja-Turtle."

"How long did it take you to think of that one?" asked Caitlin, as she was the single person not wincing from the elongated name.

"It just came out of my mouth," said Cisco, astonished. "Did you see that? That was amazing."

Parker shook her head, face minutely scrunched in disappointment. "Please. Please move on."

"Central City Museum is hosting a special black tie event tonight, showcasing the Crystal Ball," said Cisco.

Seeing Barry's confusion, Jay said, "It's a famous painting. Apparently, it was recently recovered from Arcovia."

"The painting is on loan to the museum from the Silverbrook family. Jacob Silverbrook himself said, 'The painting's safe return means more to us than all the money in the world,'" quoted Cisco. He kissed his fingertips dramatically. "Ah, it's like their begging Turtle to rob it."

"Listen up, Bar," said Parker. "Here's the plan: you'll go, you'll patiently wait at the event for Turtle to make his move. When he does, you strike."

"I can't go alone," disagreed Barry.

Caitlin tapped Jay's shoulder. "How do you look in a tux?"

"Are you kidding?" chuckled Cisco. "He's six-two, square-jawed, and he's jacked. I think he'll look fine."

"I'm six-four," corrected Jay.

Barry smiled at Parker. "Put on your dancing shoes."

"I'm not going," she said at once.

"Why not?" asked Caitlin.

"Do you think it's a good idea to bring a date when you're fighting crime?" asked Cisco. "Especially an injured one."

"You know how to run --or, limp-- from danger," pleaded Barry. He trudged to Parker, placing his hands on her cheeks.

The pout on his lips shattered her point of view. It was a look she couldn't see past. "Well, I, uh.. I guess he's not as life threatening as Zoom."

"Are we all in?" asked Caitlin excitedly.

"I'll just stay here," said Cisco.

"If I'm going, you are," said Parker.

"Someone has to keep track of the computers and security cameras," said Cisco, sitting in Parker's empty computer chair. "It's fine. Go, wild kids, go have fun."

All in all, the party they envisioned was not the event it turned out to be. The problem was that Jay, Caitlin, Parker and Barry were the youngest people in the building. They stuck out like thumbs amongst the crowd of fancy elderly people.

"Maybe we should split up," suggested Parker, hiking the strapless dark blue dress over her breasts for the seventh time in five minutes. "Hide in the back?"

Jay stole a champagne glass off a passing waiter's tray. "Great idea, Parker. I think I'll hang out by the painting."

"And I'm following you," said Caitlin, wrapping her arm around Jay's.

"You wanna sit down?" asked Barry. Since she exited their apartment in heels, he hadn't stopped fussing over her.

Parker rolled her eyes. "Barry, I wouldn't have worn heels if I didn't think my leg was healed."

"It's not healed. I've been watching you limp."

"It's not a limp," said Parker hastily.