9 years ago

"Jay come on, let me go!" I shout as he races around in his workshop, messing with things here and there. "I just want to help."

He stops in front of me then, sighing. "You know what I said; no crime committing until you're back up to speed."

I reach out, trying to touch him for his powers, but instead he races off before I can do so. I groan. "Was that a pun?"

"No, you just aren't ready to go back out yet," he says, his back turned to me now as he shoves something into a bag. "You said it yourself, you don't have everything you used to have. You can't just throw yourself back out onto the playing field, Raven. You have to build yourself back up."

Another groan escapes my throat as I lean back against the wall, crossing my arms. I knew Jay was right, but I didn't want to admit that he was. Ever since I got my powers back, thanks to Dust Storm, I've wanted to get back out there and help Jay. I was itching to be a villain again, but after he had found me in the woods after losing the speed, he told me that I needed to train myself back up to fighting speed and that I couldn't use his speed until he said so. Of course I've tried touching him just once, but it's kind of hard to do that when he's a speedster.

"It's almost been a week," I mumble, my eyes watching each lightning bolt that dances across his skin. "Please, just let me go out this once-"

"I said no, Raven," he snaps at me, his voice booming. It would have scared me if I was still a kid, but I wasn't. Not anymore.

I push myself up off the wall as I grab my jacket hanging up, slipping it on as I walk closer to him. "Fine, no crime fighting. But can I at least go get some Big Belly Burger? I'm starving."

Jay looks at me over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Why don't I just pick it up for you and bring it back-"

"If you're going to forbid me from being a criminal, at least let me do something normal," I grit, shoving my hands into my pockets. "And yes, I want to go out and eat like a normal person because it makes me feel like I'm close to normal."

He stares at me for a long moment, sensing that something fishy was up, but I could tell he was going to let me go. "Fine, but wear a hat...just in case someone recognizes you."

"Deal," I half smile, glad to have this little victory at least. Jay sighs before racing off, taking whatever bag he had with him. I wanted nothing more than to be by his side tonight with whatever he had planned, but this would have to do.

I just couldn't figure out what to order.

-*+*-

Present

An hour didn't even go by before Barry was back.

I had just been sitting in the corner, playing with the ring that was on my finger before light flooded my eyes from the doors opening. Of course it wasn't the doors to my cell, but I knew what it meant before I even looked up. When I did look up however, I found a very pissed off Barry Allen, as I was guessing I would find.

"I thought you were faster than him now, Barry Allen," I remark, making sure to sound bitter. It only reflected my attitude at the moment. "Maybe you should make sure your shoes are tied next time."

He storms up to the glass of the cell, pressing his finger against it as I stay sitting in the corner, not giving two shits about how angry he was anymore. "You...He took Wally because of you!"

"Wait, who's Wally again?" I ask, knowing who he was, but just saying that to get under his skin.

Barry's bottom lip puffs out, and I could tell that my comment did just that. "Listen, Raven, I don't care what it takes, but I will get him back. Even if I have to force it out of you-"

"What are you expecting to get out of me?" I say, laughing slightly. Hearing him say that he was going to get information out of me made me laugh. "You're looking at the girl that was tortured for three months for information that I never gave up, I'd like to see you try."

He shakes his head at me, utter rage on his face. I could tell that he wanted to beat the shit out of me, but that glass barrier was the only thing that kept him from doing that. However, in that one split second, the rage on Barry's face faded away and turned into desperation as he lowers his head, a small part of me felling bad for him.

"Please Raven," he fades out, shaking his head, his eyes glued to the floor before looking up at me slowly, water in his eyes. "If you cared even just a little bit about any of us while you were here, please just help me. Wally doesn't deserve this...he doesn't even know anything about this. He's innocent."

I stare at Barry for a long moment, cocking my head slightly. "How are you expecting me to help you when there's a glass barrier between the two of us."

For a couple of seconds, it felt like time stopped as Barry stared at me long and hard, myself doing the same. I wondered what he was going to do after my statement, but just as I had predicted, I watch him slowly walk back to the control panel, tapping a few buttons before the doors to my cell slide open, fresh air racing inside as I quickly stand.

Barry stands at least eight feet away from me as I stand still, not quite sure what to do now. However, I look back into Barry's eyes, watching a small tear fall down his cheek. "Please, help me, Raven."

Suddenly, those same feelings that I had once for Barry come crashing back into me, and I hated myself for it. I hated to see him cry, and furthermore, I hated to see him lose. I was torn between who's side I wanted to be on, but right now, I just knew that Barry was desperate and needed someone right now.

"He asked for a trade off, didn't he?" I ask, wondering deep down what that trade off was. That's always been something Jay's been good at; taking something and asking for something else in return. It wouldn't surprise me if that's what he did here with Wally.

Barry slowly nods his head. "Wally for my speed...and you."

I lick my lips slowly. "What are you wanting from me?"

"You've been by his side for more than 12 years," Barry speaks, taking a step closer to me but keeping his distance. I knew it was because he knew I didn't have the speed force inside of me, and if I were to get too close to him, I could take it back and get the hell out of here. "You have to know something...weaknesses or his moves."

"There's only one weakness he has, and you've already found it," I state truly. "His family was the only thing he had, other than me. And now that he knows you know it, who knows what he'll do to you, Barry. Most of the people that find out his secrets don't last long."

"Well I don't have much left to lose," he states slowly. "But I guess you knew that already."

I take a deep breath as I take a step forwards, biting my bottom lip. "I'd have to say Barry Allen, that was a bold move to open these cell doors, even after reading up on everything I've ever done."

"You're not a bad person," he breathes, shaking his head slowly. I knew he meant what he was saying. "I could see that from you, and I know it wasn't just acting. Whether you want to admit it or not Raven, you have a light inside of you, but you won't let it show because of him. He's pulling you down, why can't you see that?"

"He's saved me more times than I could count," I say, taking yet another step forwards, closing the space between Barry and I. "He's all that I have, Barry. I owe him my life."

"You don't owe him the life that he stole from you in the first place," Barry snaps, not at me, but more towards Jay. "He robbed you of your innocence and life the moment you first met him, why can't you see that?"

I scoff, already knowing everything he was saying. "You don't think I know that now? But let me put this in perspective for you, Barry. He made me who I am today, and I can't change that, no matter how fast I run. I have to live with this, and being with him is all I have left."

Barry shakes his head, looking around for a split moment. "But now you don't! You have us...you have me. You don't have to be on his side anymore-"

"Maybe you're right," I say finally, not standing right in front of him. My eyes trail down to his lips as I scan every inch of them. "Maybe I don't have to be."

And then just like the first time, I press my lips softly against his own, taking in every split second that passed with it. At first, Barry was taken back from the sudden action, but soon after, he's relaxing into it and kissing me back. Electricity bursts inside of me, and I couldn't tell if it was because of the kiss, or if it was because of the speed force.

I slowly pull away from him, a line of spit trailing between the two of us before it finally breaks. My eyes flutter open as his do as well, a high spirit filling his. I had the same emotion in mine, but along with lust and the giddiness that I had gotten from kissing Barry, I also felt sadness for what I had to do next.

"I'm sorry Barry, but I can't help you," I sort of breathe into his mouth before my hand starts to buzz softly, a trick that Jay had taught me awhile back. Before Barry could even flinch, I thrust my hand into his thigh, not going all of the way through. I wanted to wound him..not kill him.

He cries out before falling to the ground, his hands clasping the wound as I take a step back, watching him for a moment as pain fills my chest. I couldn't help but feel the need to say something to him before I went back to Jay...before I went back to my old life.

"I've been taught how to hate my whole life," I breathe, speaking over the sound of Barry's cries. "And you, Barry Allen, made me wonder if maybe I was capable of doing the opposite...and I did. I know you don't see it, but I do care for you. I'm sorry...I-I wish things were different."

I start to feel tears well in my eyes, and I didn't want him to see me cry. I knew that he didn't see my plan yet, but he would soon enough, and if he had to hate me for it to work...so be it. I turn to race off, but just before I do, I think to myself if this was all worth it...if Barry was worth it.

I knew he was.

-*+*-

RIGHT IN MY FEELS, AMI RIGHT???

ACK, what do you think Raven's plan is? Furthermore, how do you think Raven is going to react when she sees Hunter again? I sense drama eheh

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