A/N: Hey guys! So here is my attempt at an original story. I really only had the last part of this chapter planned and had to find a way to lead up to it, so I don't love the beginning. The title is taken from one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. I really hope you enjoy this - please let me know what you think.

"The policemen's ball?" Barry repeated, voice skeptical. "There's a reason I avoid that every year. You really want to go?" he asked teasingly.

Patty nodded, smiling widely. "Come on! It will be fun. We get to dress up, pretend like we're sophisticated. And there'll be dancing," she smiled again, "lots of dancing."

Barry groaned, "That's what I was afraid of. I told you, P, I have two left feet."

"And you also said you couldn't sing. Until proven otherwise, my money's on you being a classically-trained dancer."

"Definitely not," Barry said, shaking his head. "But if you really want to go, I guess I can stand one night of embarrassment." He smiled, pulling her in for a kiss. He could feel her smiling back against his lips.

"Thank you!" she pulled back, eyes sparkling. "You won't regret it."

Barry laughed. "Ask me that after the dance."

"Anything going on?" Barry asked as he walked into the control room of Star Labs, smirking at the scene before him. Cisco and Wells were gathered around a perfectly scaled model of Central City, arguing no doubt over some miniscule aspect that they couldn't see eye to eye on. Wells, or Harry as Cisco continued to call him, had become a welcome fixture in Star over the last few weeks. Barry had grown fond of the brusque scientist and his no-nonsense attitude. Even Cisco seemed to be warming up to him.

"Nothing on Zoom," Caitlin answered. Cisco and Harry had yet to look up, still consumed by their argument. "These two have been going at it for the last three hours. Don't ask me about what – I am staying out of that cat fight."

Barry laughed. "So no new metahumans? It's been awhile since Zoom sent his last henchman over here to kill me. I just feel like something big is coming."

"Bigger than Zoom?" Caitlin asked. They'd stopped tiptoeing around Zoom and the harm he'd done to Central City and to Barry. They knew if they wanted to defeat the monster, they had to face him head on.

"Zoom won't be back," Wells answered, joining the conversation. "Not for awhile, at least. He wants a challenge. You, unfortunately, did not give him one," Wells said to Barry.

"So then what's he going to do?" Caitlin asked.

"I have no idea. But I think Barry's right, at least. It will be big."

"But this time we'll be ready for it," Iris added confidently, entering the room with Joe.

"What we need to do first is figure out a way to close these breaches," Wells stated, "which is what Mr. Ramon and I have been working on for the last five hours."

"Any luck yet?" Joe asked, taking a closer look at their work.

"We're getting close," Wells answered noncommittally, and it was clear that was all he was going to offer. He turned his attention back to his work, scribbling some numbers on his notepad.

Joe nodded, heading over towards Barry and Caitlin, a grin on his face.

"So is it true?" Joe asked, directing his question to Barry.

Barry looked at him, confused. "Is what true?"

"I heard that you're going to this year's policeman's ball."

Barry hung his head, groaning.

"Wait, what?" Cisco asked, coming over to join the group. "I thought policemen didn't have balls." He reached out and high-fived Barry, grinning.

"Ha-ha, very funny Cisco," Joe said dryly.

"Okay, but in all seriousness, there's really a ball?"

"It's a fundraiser they throw each year around Christmas," Iris explained. "Someone started calling it a ball and it just sort of stuck. So Patty talked you into it, huh?" Iris asked, smiling. "Dad and I could never convince you to go."

"Trust me, I'm not happy about it Iris."

Iris patted him on the shoulder. "You'll have fun, Bar. If nothing else, you'll get to see Dad dancing like a fool."

"Heyyy," Joe butted in. "I am the life of the party."

Iris nodded. "He is."

Barry groaned. "This just keeps getting better and better. Hey Cisco, technically since you're a member of the CCPD task force, you're allowed to come."

Cisco wavered. "You know, dances aren't really my thing. And after Kendra left, I haven't really been feeling it, you know?"

Barry nodded. "This could be a good way to get yourself back out there, though. There will be plenty of attractive women, lots of dancing," he added, nudging his friend.

Cisco seemed to be considering it. "There are a surprising number of hotties that work in the CCPD. Maybe it's time to bring back player-Cisco. I'll have to get back to you on that one, Barry."

Iris laughed, shaking her head. "This should be good."

Crossroads Rehabilitation

"Mr. Rathaway, you have a visitor."

Hartley Rathaway got up from his bed and approached the doorway, eyeing the stranger standing with his nurse.

"Thank you, Carol," Hartley said after a beat. "Can you give us some privacy?"

"Of course. Let me know if you need anything," she told him kindly and left.

The stranger held out his hand, but Hartley just stared at it, refusing to shake it. "Dr. Livingston, I presume?" he asked instead.

The man was taken aback for a brief moment. "So you have read my letters," he said, surprised.

"Look around, Doctor. Not much else to do here."

"May I ask why you're here? I was told your admission was voluntary. Why would you want to spend your days confined to such a small space?"

"It's kind of hard to enjoy the outside world when you're in constant pain. At least in here they can numb it." Livingston nodded but didn't continue. "So, Doctor, why are you here?"

"Zoom – " he started.

"I read your letters, remember? I know about Zoom. But what do you think I can do?"

"I need your help to bring Harrison Wells back to my Earth. Zoom is wary of what he's plotting here. If we bring him back, Zoom will reward us handsomely."

Hartley scoffed. "What good would any rewards do for me? I would hardly be able to enjoy them." The implants Hartley had used to halt the ringing in his ears had stopped working shortly after he'd escaped from Star Labs. Rathaway suspected Cisco had something to do with it, but he had been unable to think or do anything thanks to the inescapable pain. He'd finally checked himself into Crossroads Rehabilitation in a futile attempt to achieve some sanity, using his family's money to pay for the prolonged stay. The drug cocktails they prescribed kept him sedated for most of the day, with brief moments of clarity. It wasn't ideal, especially for someone as brilliant as Hartley, but anything was better than the constant pain.

"I can give you what you want most in this world," Livingston answered simply.

"And what is that?"

"Silence."

Hartley scoffed again. "You think you can cure me? My brain was damaged, Doctor. You can't just take a pill for that. I knew you weren't as smart as me, but I thought, being a doctor, you would at least have some level of intelligence."

Now it was the doctor's turn to be annoyed. "It's not a pill," he returned snidely. "It's a treatment. And maybe your Earth isn't as advanced as mine, but I assure you that my cure is sound. But if you would rather live in agony for the rest of your puny life, that's up to you." He turned to leave.

"Wait," Hartley stopped him. He wasn't convinced that the doctor could help, but he had no other viable options. "I'm listening. But I still don't understand why you need my help."

The doctor approached the younger scientist, knowing he'd won this battle. "I know how to get Harrison Wells back to my Earth. But my plan won't work unless I know the Flash's identity."

Hartley smiled. "Well then you're in luck, Doctor. The Flash and I go way back."

"Cisco, you look on point," Barry said, admiring his friend's bright red suit.

"Thanks," Cisco grinned, "I thought it was fitting."

"It's great! I'm really happy you decided to come, man."

"Yeah well I figured, 'tis the season, right? You look great too. Patty's gonna be impressed."

"I hope so." Barry had gone all out, even arranging for a limo to take him and Patty to the ball. He wanted this night to be perfect.

"Speaking of Patty," Barry trailed off, looking at his watch. "I'm late. Are you and Joe going together?"

"Yep."

"Okay – make yourself comfortable. He should be down soon. Here's the remote if you want to watch TV. I think there's some food in – "

"Barry," Cisco cut him off. "Go. I've been to your house so often I feel like I live here. Don't keep her waiting any longer."

Barry nodded. "Yeah you're right. See you soon!" And then he was gone in a flash of light.

Cisco shook his head, laughing lightly and sinking into the couch to wait for Joe.

When Patty opened the door to her apartment, Barry was speechless. She was wearing a long silver gown with matching earrings that sparkled in the moonlight. Her hair was tied up in a bun, blond curls hanging loosely around her face. "You look incredible Patty."

"It's not too much?" she asked hesitantly, smoothing the sides of the gown self-consciously.

Barry shook his head. "It's perfect," he told her, holding out the bouquet of flowers he'd picked up on his run over to her place.

"These are beautiful, Barry! I love them." She smiled, pulling him in for a kiss. "Thank you for these. And thank you for tonight."

"You're welcome," he said, grinning widely. He held his arm out. "Now Madame, shall we?" she hooked her arm through his and the two walked to the waiting limo.

The ballroom was already crowded by the time Barry and Patty arrived, but Cisco found them almost immediately.

"Did he tell you how amazing you look, Patty?" Cisco asked, taking her hand and kissing it.

Patty smiled. "He did, Cisco. And he didn't even need you to tell him this time."

"Oh, huh well you see…" Cisco stuttered, face turning red.

"She's just messing with you, Cisco," Barry laughed.

"Right, I knew that. What are you two waiting for? Let's dance!"

"You go, Cisco. We'll catch up, I think we're just going to settle down first, get some food," Barry told him.

"Alright but if you're not on the dance floor soon I will come drag you out myself."

"Sounds good," Patty laughed. She turned to look around the room and nearly bumped into Joe. "Oh! Detective, I'm sorry."

Joe chuckled. "We're not at work, Patty. You can call me Joe. Barry," he said, nodding to his son. "You two look very nice. Now, I believe I am wanted on the dance floor. Have fun, kids."

Barry groaned, palming his face dramatically. "I'm starting to regret coming."

"Are you kidding me? I'm already having a blast," Patty said sincerely.

"Champagne?" Barry turned towards the voice, seeing an older man dressed in a black tuxedo, holding out a glass for him.

"Thank you," Barry said, handing one to Patty and taking one for himself.

"Enjoy," the waiter told them before turning away. Something about his tone made Barry do a double take, but Patty was already tugging at his jacket sleeve so he brushed off the concern.

"To tonight," Patty toasted, holding up her glass.

"And to us," Barry added. They cheered glasses and drank. "I'm starving," Barry declared. "Let's eat."

"It's been thirty minutes," Patty pointed out after they'd finished eating. "I think if we don't start dancing, Cisco may physically drag us out to the dance floor."

Barry laughed, "Yeah I don't think he was joking about that part. Lucky for you, I love this song," he said, just as Nat King Cole's "Our Love Is Here to Stay," came on. He stood up, holding out his hand for Patty. "May I have this dance?"

Patty beamed, "I thought you'd never ask." She took his hand and he led her out to the dance floor.

They'd only been dancing for a minute or two before Barry started to feel lightheaded. He tried to write it off as being overheated or nervous, but it soon became clear that something was physically wrong with him. He felt himself stumble, stepping on Patty's foot in the process.

"I guess you were serious about that two left feet comment," she joked, frowning when Barry didn't respond to her teasing.

"Patty, something's not right." Barry felt himself falter and he reached out, trying to steady himself.

"Barry? What's wrong?" Patty quickly put her arm around his shoulders, taking as much of his weight as she could. She stumbled her way over to the tables, lowering him into a chair and crouching down in front of him.

Barry closed his eyes, shaking his head as if to clear it. "I don't know. I just got light-headed," he responded, opening his eyes again.

Patty kept her hand on his knee. "Do you want me to get you water?"

Barry didn't answer, scanning the crowd of people for anyone who looked suspicious. He almost didn't recognize the dark figure in the corner of the room, but the deadly look in his eyes was unmistakable. "Hartley," he whispered under his breath.

"What was that?" Patty asked.

Barry shook his head slightly. "I thought I recognized someone," he responded, taking another deep breath and preparing to stand. Patty put his arm over her shoulder, helping him up. Once he was upright, the room spun again and he closed his eyes tightly, waiting for the feeling to pass.

"Barry?" Patty asked, hand on his back.

Barry opened his eyes, meeting her worried ones.

"I'm okay," he reassured her, trying to sound convincing. He straightened up and took a step forward when suddenly it felt like a thousand knives were digging into his stomach. "Ahhh!" he cried out, curling in on himself.

"Barry?" Patty asked, her concern reaching a whole new level. She looked around the room, surprised that no one had noticed them. But it seemed everyone was too occupied on the dance floor, the music drowning out the sounds of Barry's distress.

Barry opened his eyes and looked up at Patty. "I think I'm going to be sick," he groaned, stumbling.

Patty nodded, taking a firm hold of Barry's shoulder. "It's okay, I've got you," she reassured him, helping him out into the hallway, to the bathroom. Barry collapsed in front of the toilet, choking as he emptied his stomach. He could taste the blood with each heave, and based on the gasp he heard from Patty, she noticed too. It felt like he was being torn apart from the inside, like something was trying to claw its way out. When he had finally calmed, he fell back against the wall, arm curling around his stomach.

"Oh my God, Barry. We need to get you to a hospital." Patty said urgently, pulling out her cell phone to call 911.

"No, wait!" Barry pleaded. "No hospital, Patty. Get Joe."

Patty looked at him quizzically, still keeping her hand on his slumped back. "Barry, you're throwing up blood. And with how quickly this came on, I'm thinking that you were poisoned. You're practically the reason 911 was invented."

Barry tried to push himself up but ended up curling forward instead as another painful cramp rippled through his stomach. "Please," he tried again. "They won't be able to help me. You need to get Joe."

Patty furrowed her brow, studying her boyfriend. "Give me one good reason why," she challenged.

Barry closed his eyes, wishing this wasn't happening. He'd thought of so many ways he would tell Patty his secret. None of them involved him lying on the bathroom floor in agonizing pain. But it seemed like the universe could never cut him a break. "Because," he choked out, feeling blood coat his tongue. "I'm the Flash."

Thoughts? Should I continue? Thanks for reading!