A/N: Wow. Sorry. This took way too long to write. I won't give any excuses, but thank you to everyone who has been so patient waiting for this. Between school and work I am trying to get to this as much as I can as often as possible and will continue to do so. School is priority though. Anyway, thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed, and/or favorited this piece. I will hopefully have more to post soon. Please let me know what you think!

-BG

P.S. Italics lines are written text.

Mark looked over Hartley's notes on Iron Heights and had to admit, the kid was a genius. He'd found just about every flaw possible in the building. The kid had even devised exactly how much force Mark would need to blast down the prison walls with his own powers, not to mention the frequency which Hartley would need to use to cause the same damage with his 'sonic gloves.' Hartley had yet to demonstrate what these gloves could do, but the kid had promised they would work. He claimed that he had taken down the Flash once already with the gloves and would have killed him were it not for the timely intervention of Dr. Harrison Wells who Rathaway seemed to have an extreme level of hatred for.

"So…what's the deal with you and Wells? Is it all just because he fired you?" asked Mark carefully, finally letting his curiosity get the best of him.

"And blackmailed me," added Hartley, his tone bitter as he worked with a few sheets of paper, "And no. It's not just that. I lost my hearing to that bastard and his so-called accident. Unlike you, the Flash and every other metahuman out there, I didn't end up so lucky."

"So you want payback," said Mark.

"Payback?" Hartley's face twisted into something Mark could only describe as pure loathing. "No. Payback is too simple. I want to destroy everything that Harrison Wells cares about and the only thing that man cares about is The Flash. So you can see why I want to destroy Harrison Wells' favorite plaything."

"Not to sound rude, Hartley," commented Mark, "But it sounds more like jealously. You're jealous of the Flash."

Hartley practically growled and Mark almost readied a gust of air to take down the genius should he attack. Almost. "Harrison Wells destroyed my entire life. I'm not jealous of the Flash. I almost feel sorry for him. Almost. Harrison Wells is poison. I can't say I wasn't jealous at first, but now? Now, I just want to screw over Dr. Wells and that means screwing over the Flash. Leonard Snart can help us do it. So no, I'm not jealous. I'm far from jealous. I'm vengeful."

Mark nodded slowly. "Had to ask. I've seen jealous and I've seen vengeful. Jealous means trouble when it comes to acting out on it."

Hartley glanced at Mark, slowly unwinding. "You wanted to make sure I wasn't going to be some sort of loose cannon." Mark nodded ever so slightly. "Smart. I'd be offended, but I've got somewhere else to be."

Mark blinked, surprised. What? "Somewhere else to be?"

"The only way this breakout is going to work is if Snart is in the loop." Hartley picked up the papers he had been working on. "I managed to arrange a meeting with him for this afternoon."

"He's in solitary confinement though." Mark couldn't believe his ears. "How did you manage to arrange a meeting?"

"You saw me hack the prison logs, right?" said Hartley, looking smug as ever, "Well, I also hacked their visitor logs and the DA's system. I've set myself up as a civil servant for the DA and arranged the meeting. Simple as that."

"Clever, but how do you plan to talk to him exactly," replied Mark, "All the rooms will have cameras."

"I have my ways." Hartley handed Mark a set of glasses. "First of all, I'm going to make sure Snart's a willing player for all of this."

"How?"

Hartley's smirk somehow grew even more smug. "Put on the glasses."

Mark did as Hartley told him to, largely unimpressed as nothing happened. "And what? They're glasses. What do you want me to do?"

Hartley picked up the papers he had been slaving over and held one up for Mark to see. "Read between the lines."

Mark felt his jaw drop as he stared at the paper. The kid was a fucking genius.

Linda Park had only seen Barry on a few rare occasions after the kidnappings two weeks ago. She hadn't been entirely bothered by the lack of contact and she knew that he hadn't wanted her to be around during the first few days. He'd looked haggard the first time she saw him after the kidnapping, his eyes darkened and his completion pale. His voice however sounded much brighter and the darkness in eyes vanished at the sight of her, something she found quite relieving. Over the next few times they'd met up, he had improved exponentially. Today, however, as Barry and Captain Singh entered the Picture News office, the darkness had returned and Linda worried that something had gone terribly wrong.

Barry immediately went over to his foster sister's desk, Iris quickly looking up at him while Captain Singh stayed near the door. Barry had a brief whispered conversation with Iris who blanched and immediately snatched up her things, rising to follow him out the door.

Linda stood, catching Barry's eye as he headed out the door. Her breath caught in her throat. Deep in Barry's eyes, there was a shadow of absolute fear, the likes of which she had never seen.

Watching as the trio left the office, Linda muttered a quick apology to Mason as Barry disappeared from sight, grabbing up her own things and racing out the door. Whatever was happening, she had a feeling Barry was going to need all the help he could get.

Barry strolled out to the car with Iris and the Captain, remaining as quiet as possible while the Captain briefed Iris on the situation.

"So where are we going?" asked Iris, "I understand we're going to be under protection, but where exactly is safe from a metahuman?"

"First to the precinct to pick up Joe and Thawne and then we're going to STAR Labs," said the Captain, making Barry flinch, "It's the only place that can be secured properly and can hold Mardon if he attacks."

"Secure? You do know that anyone can just waltz in there, right?" said Iris, giving Singh a disbelieving glance, "And we'd be trapped in there with Dr. Wells, who, I will remind you, has almost killed my dad, Eddie, and Barry and could very damn well kill anyone else who tries to get in his way."

"Wells won't do anything. He wants Barry safe and the only way Barry will be safe, is if Wells helps keep him alive, just as he's been for the past year. And since Barry will probably throw himself between you, your father, and Eddie if Mardon does come, I'm positive Wells will be more than a little willing to help."

"You guys know I'm standing right here, right?" said Barry.

"And?" Iris gave Barry a challenging look. "You know you'd do it too. Throw yourself between us and Mardon."

Barry sighed, but didn't argue. Iris and Captain Singh were right. He would always throw himself between his friends and danger.

"He always had a hero complex," commented the Captain, "Now he has a superhero complex."

Iris managed a smile and a laugh while Barry couldn't tell what mortified him more: that his boss had cracked a joke or that he had given him a backhanded compliment. Singh was still being ridiculously nice to him since he'd found out about Barry's 'extracurricular activities.' He honestly wondered when Singh would go back to just treating him as Barry Allen, the bumbling and ordinary CSI. He doubted it would ever happen, but he could hope.

"Barry!"

Barry turned away from Iris and Captain Singh, startled to see Linda running out toward them. Crap. Now was not a good time. "Linda, I-"

"Barry, what's going on? Are you in trouble?" Linda stopped in front of him, looking between him and Captain Singh. "…did something happen to Detective West?"

Captain Singh shot Barry a look and the young CSI cringed. For being a sports reporter, Linda was a good detective. "Ms. Park, I'm afraid I can't disclose any information at this time-"

"Captain, please," said Linda giving him a critical look, "I'm not here out of professional curiosity. I'm here because Barry is my boyfriend and Iris is my colleague and I want to help."

Barry hesitated to reply, preferring that the Captain continued to do the talking. As much as he loved to have Linda helping them, this was too dangerous. The only reason Iris was involved at all was that she was already in danger.

Captain Singh let out a sigh, glancing once at Barry before returning his gaze to Linda. Oh, shit… He wasn't going to really tell her, was he? "Come with us, Ms. Park. We'll discuss this in the car on the way to the precinct."

Barry tried not to die right there and then.

Linda nodded, not even noticing Barry's expression. "Thank you. And it's Linda." She shot Barry a brief look of concern before following Singh as he continued walking toward his car.

Iris waited until the duo were a few yards away before turning to Barry. "You haven't told her yet, have you?" Barry shook his head. "She needs to know the truth, Bear. She's your girlfriend and she's doing this for you. She may have mentioned wanting to help me because I'm her 'colleague,' but she's throwing herself into this for you. She deserves to know the whole truth."

Barry squirmed under Iris' gaze, wondering briefly if this was what his specimens felt like when he had them under the microscope. "…and Wells? You, Joe, Eddie, and everyone else I care about already are in danger because they're involved in this. I don't want to add another name to the list of people he could hurt."

Iris suddenly hugged Barry and the CSI hugged her back, feeling at ease for the briefest of seconds. "Bear, I was in the dark for so long about all of this. If you had just told me from the start, maybe I could have helped you more often than I got in the way. Linda needs to know. I know you've only been dating for a little over a month, but whether you love her or not, she cares about you and you care about her. And, she's a good person. She wants to help you. There's nothing wrong with that."

Barry nodded slowly. "…how should I tell her?"

Iris suddenly smirked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "How about you offer to give her a lift back to the precinct?"

Barry raised an eyebrow. "I thought you only liked it when I carried you?"

Iris raised an eyebrow in return. "Like you haven't carried Caitlin, Cisco, or Dad before either?" Barry flushed. "I know, Barry. She and Cisco have been filling me in on all your adventures, remember?"

"Yeah… I forgot about that." Barry rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "So…

"Go tell her, Romeo," said Iris, punching Barry in the shoulder, "The Captain and I will be fine without you until we get back to the precinct."

Barry rubbed his shoulder, giving her a perturbed look. "Ow… Have you been working out with Eddie or something?"

Iris chuckled. "Maybe… Though he did say I'm a much better sparring partner than you were when you were trying to be 'plain old Barry Allen.'"

Barry laughed at this. Of course, Eddie would say that. Barry had been trying so hard to seem normal around everyone, that he'd often over played it especially when he and Eddie had sparred together. Not that training with Eddie hadn't helped. He was definitely improving in terms of hand-to-hand combat.

"Right," said Iris, "Go. Wisk Linda off her feet and fill her in on this. We'll see you two back at the station."

"You promise?" said Barry.

"Promise." Iris shoved Barry toward Linda. "Go."

Barry let himself be guided back to Linda and Captain Singh, taking a deep breath. "Um, Captain, I'm going to take Linda back to the station if that's all right by you. I want to…fill her in on somethings."

Captain Singh raised an eyebrow ever so slightly, but nodded. "We'll meet you back at the precinct then."

Iris gave him a subtle thumbs up as she stepped around Linda and into the Captain's vehicle. If it weren't for the touch of sadness in her eyes, Barry almost would have believed her words of encouragement. Almost. Still, she was with Eddie and he was with Linda. There wasn't any chance for them. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

Linda turned to Barry, confused as Captain Singh and Iris left her and Barry in the parking lot. "Barry, what's going on? What is it that you're so scared about?"

Barry sighed, looking like he was in extreme pain. "I promise, I'll tell you everything, but first there's something I have to show you. Just…don't freak out. Please. And, maybe hold your breath."

Linda would have asked him what the Hell he was talking about except she was suddenly being swept off her feet and the world was a blur around her. Seconds later, she was at the back entrance of the police station, Barry setting her gently down on the ground. "Barry… What the…?" Everything clicked in an instant. "You're the Flash."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," said Barry, looking incredibly guilty, "I was trying to keep you safe, but with everything that happened with Snart and everything that's happening right now, I can't keep you in the dark anymore. The more you know, the safer I can keep you and-"

Linda didn't know what on Earth overcame her, but she found herself caught between punching Barry and kissing him as he continued to ramble on. Both somehow won out in the end as she smacked him in the arm and quickly pulled him into a kiss, silencing him.

Barry froze, obviously stunned and slowly kissed her back until she broke them apart. "Um…what?"

"Is this why you ran out on me during our date that one time?" Barry had the decency to look embarrassed. "It was, wasn't it?"

"I had to go stop a man who could light himself on fire and was actually two people stuck together and we had to separate them before they could blow up and then-"

Linda let out a short laugh that stopped Barry midstream. "My boyfriend ran out of a date to go be a hero…"

"Are you mad?" asked Barry cringing, "Please don't be mad. I just-"

"Barry." Linda put a hand over Barry's mouth. "I'm mad, but I'm not that mad." The bewildered look Barry made almost made Linda burst out laughing, but she settled for him a sly smirk. "I get it. You're the Flash. Your first instinct is to protect people. And, as sweet as it is that you want to do that for me, I don't need protecting. I can take care of myself."

"Linda…" Barry looked distraught as he gently pulled her hand away from his mouth. "It's not that simple… If anyone ever found out who you were to me, if they found out who I really am…" Barry broke off and Linda's smirk fell as she once again found the shadows falling across his face and the dark sadness in his eyes. He sat down on the back step of the precinct "Linda, there's a lot about me you don't know and there's a lot I have to tell you."

Linda plopped down next to Barry, putting her hand on his leg. "So tell me."

Barry let out a long sigh. "I'd understand if you want to leave. I mean, this isn't your fight and if you don't want to be part of it-" Linda started to protest only for Barry to hold up a hand to stop her. "Look, I'll tell you everything I can, but if you decide at any time you want out of this, I completely understand."

"And I'll make that decision if I feel like it," said Linda, taking Barry's hand gently, "So tell me."

Barry looked up at Linda, his sad eyes seeming to melt ever so slightly under her gaze. He nodded. "Ok." Barry took in a deep breath. "It all started fifteen years ago when my mother was murdered…"

Leonard Snart was a very patient man, but this was ridiculous. After waiting for two weeks, it was about damn time that his lawyer finally came to talk to him. Sadly, he'd only had a chance to speak with the man once and it was over the phone. He'd sounded like a bored, half-assed civil servant though so his unplanned visit to speak with Len was definitely expected. He doubted the man had any real interest in representing him and just wanted to know details for the trial. Fantastic.

Len paused as the guard opened the door, expecting a decrepit looking middle-aged alcoholic of a man to enter. Surprisingly, it swung open to reveal a young man in a rather clean suit, a briefcase in hand.

"My apologies for the abrupt timing of our meeting, Mr. Snart," said the man, flashing Len a disarming grin, "The office has been a bit crazy lately and I don't know why we haven't gotten to you sooner."

"Right," said Len smoothly, looking the man up and down as the guard left them, "And you are?"

"Patience, Mr. Snart," said the man, sitting down before Len and opening up his briefcase. As he pulled out a few papers, Len noticed him fiddling with something in his ear. It was only as he took his fingers away from his ear that Len realized what he'd been playing with.

"Hearing aids?" Len frowned, particularly as the young man grimaced. "Touchy subject?"

"You could say that. I'll explain later." The young man finished playing with the hearing aid and sighed. "Now, I have some papers for you to look over before we start. Your basic consent forms for our services."

Len took the papers carefully from the man, frowning as he found himself squinting to read the tiny font.

"A bit small, I know," said the man. He pulled out a pair of glasses from his briefcase, handing them to Len. "Here. These should help."

Len took them cautiously from the man and put them on. Looking down at the papers once again, he barely managed to hide his shock. There was a layer of hidden writing between the lines already printed on the page. He removed the glasses, pretending to adjust them. The writing disappeared. "Interesting prescription… I like it."

The man smirked. "Thanks. I had them specially designed for these kind of circumstances."

Len felt his mouth twitch into a brief smile before putting the glasses back on and returning his gaze to the papers before him. It read: Mr. Snart, how would you like to take another pass at the Flash? My friend and I can have you and your friends out of here at anytime. We just want to know: in or out?

"What do you think of them?" Len glanced up at the young man, confused. "The glasses? In style or out of style?" asked the man.

Len blinked. A way out? What was the catch? "…I guess that depends on what you're looking for…"

The young man nodded. "Page two, Mr. Snart."

Len flipped to the next sheet of paper, reading the next line of text: We need your help to take out the Flash so we can go after a few of his friends: Detective Joe West and Doctor Harrison Wells. You know how to stop him and we want you to stop him cold.

Len couldn't help the grin that twisted across his face. Oh, this was just perfect. Little did they know they were targeting Barry Allen and both his mentor and his foster father. He took the pen the lawyer had set down at some point and wrote on the signature line Who's we?

The man nodded as he read the paper. "Page five, please."

Len flipped the page again, greeted by more hidden writing. Mark Mardon and Hartley Rathaway at your service.

Len tried not to let his surprise show. Mardon he knew of and he had a level of respect for, but this kid? Hartley Rathaway? As in the Rathaway's? The ones that he and Mick had stolen the Fire and Ice painting from a couple of months before? How did a rich boy end up working with a criminal like Mardon? "…so what are you in this for?"

"Let's just say there's a certain doctor I need to…pay back…" Replied Hartley, because of course this had to be Hartley Rathaway. He clearly wasn't Mark Mardon and neither would have outsourced this talk.

"I see…" So Rathaway had a beef with Harrison Wells. There must be quite a story behind that. Deep in thought, Len bit the inside of his cheek and instantly regretted it as his still mending jaw lanced with pain. He owed both Barry Allen and the Reverse Flash for that… Payback, was it? And Barry Allen was already on the menu? Not to mention, Lisa, Mick and himself would be free… "…we need to discuss terms…"

"Of course," said Rathaway, taking away the papers he had handed Len and handing him another set. "Just give me a moment."

Len watched as Rathaway fiddled with one of his hearing aids before pressing a button of some sort on the outside of his suitcase and a mechanical whine filling the room. Len surreptitiously glanced at the security camera, wondering why the guards weren't reacting to the noise and froze, the red light of the camera off. What was Rathaway doing?!

"Don't worry. We can speak and move freely for the moment," said Rathaway, "I have the cameras on a loop. Their radios are having issues too, something to keep them occupied for a while."

Len looked Hartley Rathaway up and down. Now everything made sense. "So you're the tech..."

"I prefer genius," commented Rathaway sharply, "But yes. I'm the technical end of things. I hacked the prison system to arrange this meeting and plan the escape. Mardon is the metahuman end."

"Metahuman end?" commented Len.

"Like the great and mighty Flash," said Rathaway mockingly, "Mardon got powers because of the particle accelerator. Atmokinesis is the technical term for them. Basically he's our weather machine."

"Interesting," said Len, "And what about you?"

"The Flash is Harrison Wells' golden boy. I want to make Harrison Wells suffer for what he's done to me," said Rathaway, "Long story short, he betrayed me and he tried to destroy me. I want to return the favor."

"So…if I say yes to this crazy plan, you and Mardon want my help to take down the Flash so you can both get revenge against your enemies. Mardon's issue with the detective?"

"West killed his brother. He wants to kill West. I disagree with his intentions, but he's the one with superpowers."

"Agreed… We'll have a talk with him," said Len. He paused thoughtfully. The moment he got out, Barry would go underground and he would stay there for a long time. He knew that much. If Mardon and Rathaway wanted the Flash, they would need to snag Barry Allen before he had so much as an inkling of what was to come. They'd need to make this a one stop trip. "I'm in. And so are Mick and my sister. But we need one thing, or should I say, I need one person to make this all work. And we'll need him to be here during the breakout."

Rathaway raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"His name's Barry Allen-"

"Detective West's foster son. The CSI you kidnapped," commented Hartley, "The one you tried to kill."

"I'm not one for killing unless it's necessary. Shooting Barry Allen was necessary to get at the Flash and his...other friend…"

"Other friend?" asked Hartley, "Another hero like the Arrow?"

"No. Another speedster," replied Len, "He goes by the name The Reverse Flash. I want to destroy him and the Flash. Allen will lead us to the Flash. The Flash will lead us to the Reverse Flash."

Rathaway gave a scarce nod, clearly not caring about Snart's reasons. "So, we'll get Allen here. As soon as he meets with you, we'll arrange the break out and snatch him up. No problem. I'll send you and your friends the time and day when I arrange for him to get here."

"Wait until twenty minutes after Allen arrives before you two begin the breakout. I want at least a few minutes to talk to the kid before your plan commences," commented Len, "If it helps, Allen is notoriously late. But despite the ease with which you might believe Allen can be taken out, I advise you and Mardon be prepared for a fight… Barry is quite…quick on his feet."

Rathaway's eyes widened, clearly stunned though he managed to recover quickly. "I…see…"

"Don't tell Mardon. I don't want Barry dead before you can arrange this whole thing. Understood?" Len gave Rathaway a hard look.

"Understood," replied the young man, "Anything else?"

"Our weapons and the handcuffs we used on Barry the last time. We'll need those"

"I'll arrange for them to be misplaced tomorrow. Expect the breakout as soon as the day after tomorrow. Mardon won't sit tight any long than that."

"We'll be ready," replied Len.

"Good." Rathaway played with his earpiece again as well as the briefcase and the camera turned back on. "I'll be back in a couple of days to finish this meeting."

"Well don't take too long," Len snarked back, already impressed by how well Rathaway could play his role. Genius indeed. "I'll be waiting with bells on my feet."

Rathaway almost smirked as he stood, taking the pen and papers from Len. "My glasses, if you don't mind…"

Len handed them back. "Thanks. They really cleared things up."

"They have that effect," replied Rathaway as he closed up his briefcase, "Until next time, Mr. Snart."

"It's Snart or Cold," replied Len, "And until next time, Mr. Rathaway."

"Hartley," replied the young man, "Call me Hartley. Keep cool, Snart." Hartley turned and left with a scarce wink.

Len allowed the guards to come in and take him back to his cell peaceably. If he played his cards right and Hartley and Mardon managed this supposed breakout, it looked like he might get the chance to make Barry pay tenfold for all the trouble he had caused.

Len smirked ever so slightly as the door to his cell slammed shut. Things were looking up after all.