Arrow in the Heart

Chapter One

"I know."

Barry took a sip of my coffee and settled deeper into his seat.

"I forgot how slow cars are." He said casually, looking out the window.

"I'm going 5 miles over the speed limit." I joked.

Barry laughed and smiled at me. He and I had become close friends after our mutual friend, Caitlin, had introduced us. Barry and I never had romantic feelings for each other, so our friendship became like that of a brother and sister.

"Was there anything you wanted to talk about?" I asked Barry, breaking the silence after a few minutes.

"Not really. I visited my dad today. He says hi. It's amazing how much he likes you seeing as how you've only seen each other through a window. Iris and Joe wanted me to remind you that you can call either of them if you ever need someone to talk to. Caitlin and Cisco want you to call when you get settled in. And I want you to know that I will come running to get you if you ever need me."

"Tell them all that I'll be fine. I greatly appreciate your offer. I'm just hoping I won't have to take you up on it." I said, laughing.

Barry and I drove the rest of the way in a combination of silence and conversation about the many injuries Barry had sustained that I had helped heal.

"I'm going to miss you." I whispered during a lull in our conversation as we crossed into Star City.

"I'm going to miss you too, Ems. Just remember that I will always be here for you. And promise me that you'll be careful." Barry said, looking me in the eyes as we sat stopped at a red light.

"I promise."

"Good. Now hurry up. I want to see Oliver and everyone else too." Barry joked.

When we finally got to Oliver's campaign office, Barry waited for me to park and unbuckle before grabbing me and racing inside.

"I need my bag, Barry." I said, as he set me down.

"Got it!" Barry said as he raced out the door and back.

I heard footsteps behind us and turned to see Felicity Smoak. We had met when she came to Central City a few times to help Barry and the team with taking down metahumans.

"Emma! I didn't know you were coming!" She exclaimed as she raced to hug me.

"Oliver didn't mention it?" I asked, confused, as she moved to embrace Barry in a warm hug.

"He said someone was coming and that we had dinner plans tonight, but he didn't really have time to say a name before he was called out on a lead." She explained.

I nodded understandingly and followed her to the elevator that went to the lair. As we made the short descent, I gave Felicity the Spark Notes version of why I was in town. Needless to say, she was very excited to hear that I would be staying for a fair amount of time.

The doors of the elevator opened to the lair and I stood there in pure awe. The room was well lit with loads of weaponry and specific areas for each team members' special outfit.

"What do you think?" Felicity asked.

"It's amazing." I said, still stunned.

Barry laughed at my bewildered expression before following Felicity over to an array of computers. As they talked science stuff, I walked around the lair, studying how amazing and well built everything was.

The doors of the elevator opened and Oliver, Thea, and Laurel walked in. All three of them greeted Barry with warm hugs and smiles before turning to me.