Frozen Hearts

Chapter 13

[Flash back]

Barry waited patiently for Patti's arrival at the tiny English coffee shop. He was almost glad that she was late but the longer he waited the more time he had to make himself nervous. It was early in the afternoon and he already felt exhausted. It was almost as if the weight of what he had to do was using up all his energy. Patti was an incredibly sweet girl, he really liked her, but he didn't love her and that was the problem. That was why he had to let her go. Stringing her along would be cruel and it was more than Barry could bare.
"This is for the best," he reassured himself just as the bell above the door chimed announcing the arrival of a new customer and bringing him out of his panic induced stooper. Patti walked in looking as radiant as always with the brightest smile he'd ever seen her wear. He waved at her sheepishly and her smile brightened a few more watts when she located him across the diner. Barry wondered to himself how that was even possible.
"Teddy Bear!" She exclaimed flinging herself on to him when she reached the table and garnered a few curious looks from the surrounding caffeine addicts and afternoon tea appreciators. Barry felt his face flush, he hated that absurd nick name.
"Patti. How are you?" He asked nervously and more than ready to get the awkward conversation out of the way.
"Oh my gosh babe I'm extatic! I have the best news!" she said with an enthusiastic clap of her hands.
"Is that so?" he asked his curiosity peaked.
"Yes! But you go first, you said you wanted to talk to me?" she asked her excitement deeming down a notch.
"Um..." Barry panicked.
"You know I'm a gentleman and a gentleman always let's the lady go first. What's this news that's got you over the moon?" He decided to stall.

Just like that her billion watt smile returned to her face and her cheeks actually tinted a little as she searched for the right words.
"Oh Barry. I... Alright I'm just gonna come out and say it!"
Barry waited in anticipation, growing worried at her extreme display of happiness. Finally Patti took a deep breath and blurted out,

"I'm pregnant!"

[Barry]

He closed the doors to the impressive office, creating a sense of privacy and separating it from the celebration that took place on the other side. When he turned around he found that Snart had already made himself comfortable behind the massive cedar wood desk. He was smartly dressed in an all white suit and wore and expression of pure boredom as he took a sip of his drink.

"Allen. I'm waiting. And you know I despise waisting my time," he informed.

"Don't worry. This will be quick." Barry assured him as he turned around and made his way towards one of the empty chairs on the other side of the desk. Barry adorned a semi formal look, with black jeans and a black blazer over a white button down shirt. He struggled to piece together the relatively simple ensemble because as much as he wanted to dress to impress (impress Iris that is) he didn't want to make it too obvious.

"Listen Snart, here's the deal. As much as our relationship has always been open and I've allowed you to mostly call all the shots, I think it's about time we made our roles clear. You work for me okay? Not the  other way around." he put his foot down then waited for the other man's reaction.

After a sip of his double shot of whiskey on the rocks, Snart gave Barry a dismissive glance and asked
"Your point being?"

Infuriated by his managers nonchalant attitude at the serious matter Barry had to take a calming breath before he responded.
"My point being its time you started acting more like a manager and less like a dictating prick. You're not my father Snart, so stop acting the part or..."

"Or what? You're gonna fire me?" Snart challenged and Barry fell silent. Snart leaned forward in his seat, resting his arms on the table as he came closer.

"Now you listen to me kid. I'm the only one who's looking our for you out there and the only reason why you still have a career worth salvaging is because I'm out there busting my ass off to clean up your messes."

"I know..." Barry started but Snart cut him off and continued with his lecture.

"Do you? Do you really know Barry? Do you know how many coaches I've had to call to try and get you on a team? How many unplanned flights I've had to endure to make sure that I personally revise and negotiate all contracts so that you wouldn't get screwed over? How many shit headed media roaches I've head to pay off to stop your little outbursts from making the front pages of the gossip magazines?"

Despite the clear disdain in his words Snarts tone remained frighteningly calm and so did his movements as he stood up and walked around the table insidiously towards Barry.
"And let's not forget your little secret. Who was it that had your back during that whole fiasco?" Snart asked and Barry hung his head in shame.
"You did." he whispered under his breath.
"Wait what was that?" Snart taunted.
"You did." Barry said louder and Snart slapped his shoulders approvingly.

"That's right kid. I did. If it weren't for me what do you suppose would have happened to you if the media got wind that you caused Patti's miscarriage?"
"It wasn't my fault!" Barry burst, shooting up from his seat.
"Eddie punched her in the stomach not me! It's one of the main reasons why I hate the bastard."

"Yes well, Eddie might have been the immediate cause but if it weren't for you Patti wouldn't have been at the arena that day, much less pushed herself between two hooligans throwing punches at eachother.  And let's be honest Allen, that blow was meant for you and it cost you your child." Snart's voice took on a manipulative tone but Barry was too ashamed to noticed.
Patti was 2 months pregnant when she miscarried and the loss of his unborn child still weighed heavily on his conscience.

"I was the one that convinced your little girlfriend to keep her mouth shut and I'm only keeping her close so that we can monitor her every move. Patti is a smart girl. No matter how much she loves the attention she would never disclose of something that serious while still romantically linked to you. That would tarnish her image and she knows it. You know what they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Snart took another sip and waited for the information to sink in.

"I'm sorry," Barry apologised and with his head still down he missed the moment when Snarts face twisted into a triumphant grin.
"That's alright kid. I'll let it slide this time. You're under alot of pressure so you got your wires crossed. No hard feelings. Now go out there and have some fun, destress a little." He said and gave Barry's shoulder a firm squeeze.

Taking the man's advice Barry stood up and walked towards the door, turning around briefly to say,
"Thanks Snart. I really don't know what I would do without you."
"Anytime Allen." Snart replied, raising his glass in the air. With that Barry walked out and joined the party, just in time to see Iris make her entrance.

She was dressed in a body hugging, long sleeved, red dress with red sandal heels to match. Her hair fell over her shoulders in neat, gentle waves and her eye liner  made her beautiful brown eyes stand out. The world around him seemed to slow down as he took her in and breathing suddenly became and impossible feat. Snapping out of his daze he put one foot infront of the other and weaved his way through the crowd in her direction. She noticed him approaching and made her way to him in hopes of meeting him half way. Finally in her presence, he placed his hand on her tiny waist and leaned in to brush a soft kiss on her cheek. Much to his surprise (and relief) she didn't pull away.

"I'm glad you could make it. You look... amazing."
He complimented and she smiled, shyly tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." she returned the compliment and Barry felt his face flush.
"Can I get you something to drink?" he offered and she nodded her head yes.
"Water for now is fine. I'm still recovering." she said gesturing with her finger to her head.
"Coming right up." Barry smiled at her and just as he was about to leave a whistle sounded from behind Iris.
"Well. I'd recognise that fine ass anywhere."
Barry saw Iris tense up and his rage began to build as he protectively stepped infront of her (well more like behind her) and came face to face with Eddie Thawne.