That Ship Has Sailed

Barry & Felicity

"Hold it!" a voice calls out.

Barry sticks his hand into the elevator to stop the doors from closing. A short woman with cropped, black hair enters the elevator and heaves out a breath, "Thanks."

"No problem. What floor?"

"Ground floor."

Barry nods and pushes the door close button. The doors shut and the elevator descends. He checks his watch, sighing audibly.

The woman looks up at him, "Late for something?" she asks.

"No, avoiding something," he responds.

She nods, "I get it."

After that, they're quiet. When the elevator reaches the ground floor, the two exit and separate without another word. Barry heads for the door and is on the street in seconds. He pulls his baseball hat down over his eyes and starts walking.

His parents' chauffeur was waiting outside to pick him up, but he didn't want to go.

Instead, he was going to hide out at a friend's house.

"Knock knock," Barry said as he entered the small houseboat owned by his friend.

"Hi, Barry."

"Hey, Iris," he said, giving her a hug and finally taking off his hat.

"Were you followed?"

"I don't think so."

She nods, giving him a smile.

"Got anything for food? I'm starved."

"Sure. When does your boat leave?"

"Not until tonight. I wanted to go at night so there's less of a chance of me being recognized."

"That makes sense. Why a boat and not a flight, though?"

"Less security. No one will know I left."

Iris grinned, but rolled her eyes, "You're a strange one."

Barry sighed, "I don't want to get married, Iris. I'm only twenty-three."

"It's not the age that would do it for me, it's the reason. I would hate my parents if they made me get married as a power play."

Barry nodded, "I've never even met her. I don't know her name, nothing. If my parents weren't going bankrupt, this wouldn't be happening. They're using me. I just--I hate it," he finished as he began eating the food Iris gave him.

She didn't say much while he ate, but afterword, gave him some advice, "Be careful out there, Barry. Don't waste your money or your life. And don't forget to write."

Barry smiled and kissed Iris' hand, "I won't forget. I promise."

The two spent the entire day inside the house boat and when it came time for Barry to leave, Iris was sad, but supportive. They said a fond goodbye before Barry pulled on his baseball hat and left.

He reached the boat  within minutes and paid for his ticket and getting on. Finally, he was able to relax a little.

When the boat started off, he relaxed more and went toward the front of the boat, seeing no one besides a red headed woman standing there. Deciding she wasn't a threat to his identity or secret, he walked forward and stood, staring at the night sky.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" the woman asked.

He looked at her quickly as if he recognized her.

"Yeah," he replied when he couldn't get a look at her face.

"Not many people on board. Makes for a quiet trip," she continued.

Barry nodded, "That's why I chose this time of night for my trip."

"Me too."

"Where are you headed?"

The woman sighed, "Anywhere but here."

"Oh?" Barry asked, realizing that was much like his own plan, "I suppose that's the only way to find one's self. Alone on an unknown adventure."

The woman looked at him now and smiled. He looked at her and seemed to recognize her.

"Have we met?" he asked.

She looked behind her, then back at him, confused, "What? No."

"Are you sure? You look very familiar to me..." Barry said, moving closer.

The woman looked back again, and Barry followed suit, "There's no one around, what are you looking for?"

The woman sighed and reached for her head, surprising Barry by pulling her hair off. He was only startled for a second, however, when he noticed the blonde underneath, flowing and silky.

"Did you have a black wig earlier?" he asked.

She nodded, "I was hiding. I suppose there's no use anymore. We're far enough away that no one can see me."

"Why are you hiding?"

"It's a long story. I don't really want to talk about it, but I'm here now. I'm leaving and there's nothing my parents can do about it."

"I know how you feel. My mom has been borderline cruel to me for a while, trying to get me to do things that she thinks are best for me, but aren't."

The woman smiled, then held out her hand, "I'm Felicity."

"Barry."

"Nice to meet you."

"You, too. Would you like to go inside and get something to eat at the bar? I'm starving."

"I'd love to," Felicity replied.

Barry smiled and offered his hand to Felicity to escort her inside. She smiled and gratefully accepted, taking his hand.

"I know this is going to sound strange," Barry said suddenly, "But I feel like I've known you my whole life."

"I was just thinking the same thing," Felicity said, "I don't know what it is."

"Me neither," Barry said, shrugging.

"Maybe it's fate," Felicity laughed.

"Maybe," Barry replied, "Whatever it is, we're here now. Would you mind if I tagged along on your adventure?"

"Don't you have a destination of your own?"

Barry shook his head.

Felicity quickly ordered two drinks, then raised her own and handed the other to Barry, "To unknown adventures and newfound friends."

Barry raised his own glass in agreement and the two drank, neither knowing that their parents were at that very moment, having a meeting to admit to the other family that their child ran away to avoid the arranged marriage.