WestAllen: SecondGeneration (Book 3)

Chapter 1: Reconnecting

Henry glanced down at his watch on the phone.  "Oh no."  He muttered.  He was running late.  As usual.  Unfortunately, that was another gene he seemed to inherit from his father.  How ironic.  He thought.  How could it be that someone with speeding powers, always managed to seem to turn up late?  His appointment with his next client was in five minutes, and he was still ten fifteen minutes away from his law firm office.  It wouldn't hurt to use it just this once right?  He had promised his dad he wouldn't use his powers for personal gain.  But this was an important client.  "Oh.  Excuse me sir..."  Henry pulled his head up as he heard a somewhat familiar voice.  He had been too focused on his thoughts he wasn't paying attention.

Henry smiled seeing who it was.  Laurel Queen.  What was she doing here in New York City?  Last he had heard, she was in California as a high shot physician. "Laurel?"  Hearing the familiar voice, Laurel looked at him with surprise and smiled.  "Henry?"  She couldn't believe she was coming across him.  It had been a couple of years.  She knew he lived here in New York.  But she didn't think she would ever come across him.  She of course had his number, they had been childhood friends for as long as she could remember.  But certain things had dragged them apart a little.

"Laurel.  It's good to see you."  He said smiling a little awkwardly.  "I'm really sorry I have to cut things short.  I'm super late for a business meeting.  Uh.  I don't suppose you won't be staying very long?"  He asked.  "Yeah.  Actually, I will be here for a few days.  One of my patients moved up here, and they wanted me to come for an evaluation.  To make sure they're going to be okay here."  Henry smiled a little.  He had missed her.  He had thought of calling her a few times, but couldn't bring himself to do it.  Plus, he thought she had possibly moved on.  And found someone else.

"Great.  I will.  Call you after I'm done with my client?"  He asks.  Laurel smiled.  "I would like that.  It is really good to see you again Henry."  She says gently placing a hand on his arm.  Henry takes a deep breath and nods.  "It is good to see you too Laurel."  He said again.  He watches her walk away then hails a cab to take him back to his firm office.

After running into Laurel again, time seemed to drift by really slow for Henry.  He had been excited about this client all week.  And now all he wanted was for the meeting to be over, so he could see Laurel.  When his meeting was over, he let out a small sigh.  Finally.  He thought.  That could have gone so much better than I was hoping.  But he was distracted.

"Hello?" Laurel asks as she hears her phone ringing.  She was so busy she didn't even bother to look to see who had called.  "Laurel.  It's Henry."  Laurel smiled.  "Henry.  What's up?"  She asked.  "Well.  i was hoping you were still up to hanging out later?"  He asked nervously.

"You have no idea how much I am ready to do just that.'  She grinned.  Henry let out a small laugh.  "Great.  There's a restaurant a couple blocks from my place that's brand new.  We can meet there?"  "I would like that.  What time are you finished?"  Laurel asked looking over at the clock.  It was five o'clock.  "I'm done in an hour."  Henry said also looking down at the time.  "That will be perfect timing.  I will meet you then?"  Once Henry was finished with work, he hailed a cab and gave him the directions to the restaurant.  Once he got there, he made his way inside and glanced around nervously to see if Laurel was there yet.  Seeing someone flagging him down, he turned his head to see Laurel had already saved a table for them.  As he walks over to her, Laurel stands up from her seat and takes a few steps towards Henry.  "How'd the rest of your day go?"  She asked leaning in to give him an awkward hug.  He wrapped his one free arm around her to hug her in return.  "Oh.  It probably could have gone better."  He said pulling away to sit down in his chair.  "How about yours?"  He asks looking at her as she sat down.

"It seems to be going very well. My patient could probably still have some improvement, but he seems to be doing a lot better here than his other environment."  Henry smiled.  "It seems like things are going quite well for you."  Laurel nodded.  "Yes. And for you as well?  I mean.  You seem to have gotten the job you've always wanted."  She smiled.  Henry nodded.  "Yes I did."  Henry stayed silent a few minutes, seriously considering telling Laurel his secret.

The two of them ordered meals and visited for a couple of hours.  Laurel had missed Henry's company.  Even if they weren't together anymore, she still should've thought of calling to talk to him.  Their families were long term friends after all.  And they shouldn't of caused a wedge between them.  Laurel glances over at Henry as they continued to walk along the streets back towards her hotel.  "I had a good time tonight Henry.  And I am glad that I ran into you.  Literally."  she smirked.  Henry laughed a little looking at the brunette.  "I am glad you ran into me too."  He smirked making Laurel laugh as well.

"Goodnight Henry."  She said once they had reached the hotel.  Henry smiled.  "Goodnight Laurel."  They stood there looking at each other a few minutes.  Henry considered leaning in to give Laurel a kiss, but then after all things considered, he didn't think it was the best idea.  Laurel turned around and made her way into the hotel.  Henry sighed leaning his back against the building's wall momentarily.  What was he doing?  He couldn't allow himself to get in this mess again.  Especially when she would only be here for three days. Plus.  I'm pretty sure she still hasn't forgiven me.  Henry kicked himself for letting himself start to think that way about Laurel again, then made his way back to his apartment.