Within Seconds: Sylas & Allen

Central City's New Unnamed Hero

"Twenty-nine," said Caitlin.

Lining with her rhythm, Cisco continued, "Twenty-eight."

"Twenty-seven," said Parker sarcastically.

"Wait," said Cisco, holding his finger in the air. "Now."

"Twenty-seven," said Parker firmly.

Barry was in the midst of closing the breaches to Earth-2. He zipped throughout Central City, throwing a device into each of the fifty two breaches until one was left: the breach in the basement of their very own building. 

Caitlin, Cisco, and Parker lingered by the computer desk, watching the beeping little dots disappear from the city map with every breach Barry closed. One remained. Barry ran to the Cortex.

"He shoots, he scores," praised Cisco.

"Not bad for a guy who got a C in gym," joked Barry.

"D-plus," said Caitlin.

"Straight F, right here," said Cisco.

The eyes in the room turned to Parker. She raised her hands in victory. "For once, I beat your grades. A minus. I was basically a star athlete."

"Is that why your picture was never on the Esteemed Athlete's wall in the gym?" teased Barry. Parker stuck her tongue out at him. He kissed her. 

"Guys, we did it," sighed Caitlin happily. "We closed all the breaches."

"All except the one. Our last way to Earth-2," said Cisco. 

"Ready?" asked Harry, entering with a gun strung around his back.

Barry nodded once. "Yeah. I just have a few things to take care of first."

"Just a reminder, Allen. The clock's ticking," reminded Harry. 

"It always is," muttered Barry. He spun Parker's chair to face him. "Baby, you ready for dinner?"

"I might hit him," admitted Parker.

"Not a good idea," said Barry.

"It'll make our wedding a little awkward," she agreed.

Barry's face lit up. "You're admitting to people you're marrying me now?"

She stared at him. "Boy, you play too much."

"Coming from you," laughed Cisco. 

"Don't make me go Street Fighter on your ass," threatened Parker. She stood, fists ready, bouncing back and forth on her heels. Cisco did the same, only he took it a step further and produced karate sounds from his mouth.

Barry rolled his eyes. He swept Parker off her feet and ran them to the West household. He kicked in the door softly, carrying her in his arms. He made his way to the couch.

"Mazel tov," joked Iris when she saw them. 

"Nightmares," shivered Parker. Iris tilted her head. "First words I ever heard from Gideon was that phrase. It haunts me."

"Well, on a related note, when is the wedding?" asked Iris.

"I'm not rushing," said Parker, at the same time Barry said, "As soon as we defeat Zoom." Their heads snapped to each other. "Excuse me?" they said simultaneously.

Luckily, for Iris, Joe chose that moment to enter, muttering profanity after profanity. The clatter of a hot dish startled Parker and Barry into forgetting their conversation.

"You haven't made lasagna since I left for college," said Barry, eyebrows raised.

"College is a hell of a lot closer than another Earth," said Joe. He motioned for everyone to sit. "And I meant to ask, did you tell Henry?"