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Chapter 16

Barry bounced his leg furiously on the white linoleum floor. It had only been twenty minutes since the doctors and nurses had rushed Iris into an examination room but it felt like an eternity. He was worried beyond explanation and it showed through his tense posture. Back hunched, chin resting on fisted hands that were held up by arms firmly planted on his thighs. His elbows dug into his legs but he barely seemed to notice. Footsteps hurried his way and he turned his head in that general direction to find Linda running towards him followed by two men. One he didn't recognise though the man had a certain resemblance to Iris and the other  made his skin crawl with anger. It was the same guy he'd caught with his tongue down Iris's throat three nights prior. The blonde mans eye was still visibly red and the look he directed at Barry showed that he was equally displeased.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Eddie spat once the small group had reached Barry.

"He found her," Linda snapped in a tone that said 'shut up or get out' before she turned to Barry and asked how Iris was.

"I don't have any news yet. They've been in there for twenty minutes already. I'm starting to get worried." He answered, ignoring Eddie's violent advance.

"What do you think's wrong with her?" the older man asked.

"I think it might just be a bad cold. Atleast I'm hoping so cause that can be treated. She looked soaked through and had a really high fever so I'm really hoping she's OK. Oh and I'm Barry Allen by the way." Barry offered his hand for the man to shake.

"Joe West, Iris's father. Thank you so much for bringing her hear and alerting us."

Barry's mouth suddenly went dry. *Her father* he thought. It felt weird, like he'd skipped a few fundamental steps of the dating process and went straight to meeting the parents. Never mind moving too fast, this was just out of order. Before he could say anything (which would most likely embarass him with how nervous he was feeling) the doctor walked up to them.

"Are you all here for Ms West?" he asked and they all nodded.

"Well then all her symptoms indicate that Ms West has the flu it's nothing that can't be cured and as it is we've managed to get her fever under control. Timing was an essential factor, if you hadn't brought her to us when you did this might have been a very different conversation."

The miniscule crowd visibly relaxed, all releaved that everything had worked out fine.

"Can we see her?" Joe asked.

"She's currently asleep but you can indeed see her. I'd suggest keeping a fair distance, however, due to the contagious nature of the disease and Mr Allen seeing as how you found her and had close contact I'd suggest you get a shot for preventative measures. We're keeping her in over night for observation and if all seems normal in the morning she can go home."

They thanked the doctor who then gave them directions both to Iris's room and to where Barry could get his flu shot. He wanted to go with them to see her but decided it would be better to get the shot first, maybe then he'd be allowed to touch her.
As he sat in line waiting for his turn he thought about the ulternate scenario. One where the doctor approached them with a grim face and said that there was nothing that could be done to save her. Chills shook his body and his skin erupted in goosebumps. He could have lost her and that truth hits him like a hammer on the head, solidifying what he'd already come to terms with. He cares for her, deeply, and not having her in his life was not an option no matter how many boyfriends he had to punch in the face. The nurse called his name, snapping him out of his day dream. He proceeded to the room, got his shot and then quickly made his way to Iris's room. He arrived just as the others left the room. Joe closed the door behind him with a hurt expression on his face. Barry's heart quickened with worry.