Speed Dating Faster than most vehicles the red clad figure zipped across the city of Keystone, then seemed to disappear as the Flash finally came to a stop. The red costume was shed in less than a blink of an eye then Iris West laughed, the sandy haired young woman walking over to her fridge at a much more normal pace. "Oh my god, I actually have a date," Iris laughed as she fetched a soda, a real spring in the jeans clad lady's step. As the Flash she didn't date much, for several reasons. Most of the men she ended up meeting were either criminals or cops, neither of which were her type, or fellow superheroes. Sadly most of the members of the new Justice League were women, and while most of them were also lesbians, it wasn't exactly her style. Cracking open her pop Iris chuckled to herself, sitting down in one of her living room chairs. "Well, there was that time Lady Midnight got me drunk at the Justice Society," she remembered that night fondly, "but that's about it." Soon after Flash joined the League she and her friend Kyla, the modern Green Lantern, had gone to New York to recruit Firestorm, one of the local heroes and she had been instantly charmed by him. Despite the unearthly white eyes and fire for hair the young man came across as a good guy, one that Iris wanted to get to know better... 0o0o0 The latest meeting up at the Justice League Watchtower had just come to a close as they grabbed some coffee and snacks, members moving off to talk together. Firestorm had lingered by a window, gazing out at the Moon's surface silently. Mustering her courage Flash had walked up, "What are you thinking about?" "Only a week ago I was fighting bad guys in New York," Firestorm smiled, his red and gold uniform hugging a slim body, "now I'm on the moon preparing to fight off the Injustice Gang and a possible alien invasion. It's a bit much to absorb." Iris felt a sudden burst of sympathy for him. "I know what you mean," she admitted as she pushed the red cowl of her costume back to reveal her sandy hair, "the level of strangeness in this life does take some getting used to." "Have you been doing this long?" Firestorm asked her curiously. "Couple of years now," Flash shrugged, "I started out as Kid Flash shortly after my powers first manifested." A laugh, "It was a goofy outfit, but I liked it." "So why did you move on to being the Flash?" Firestorm looked at her thoughtfully. Flash hesitated a moment then she quietly admitted, "I just thought I should, especially after my father died." Firestorm visibly winced. "I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't know." "It's all right, not many people do," Iris put her hand on his arm with a gentle smile. "I know what it's like to inherit a heroic legacy," Firestorm said to her quietly, "it can be quite a burden at times." "Very true," Iris agreed, knowing that most of the new League would agree with him. Firestorm looked out the window, seemingly searching his thoughts then he asked, "Are you busy later tonight?" A faint blush colored Iris's cheeks. "Well no, unless the Rogues or something hits the city," she said as casually as possible. Firestorm smiled, "I've enjoyed talking with you, I was wondering if we could go hit Warriors or something and continue this." "In costume or out?" Iris asked, curious about how the young man really looked. Firestorm hesitated and Iris quickly added, "It's okay, I shouldn't have asked." Firestorm smiled slightly, "No, it's all right, I need to trust you and the other Leaguers eventually. When did you want to meet?" Iris grinned, "How about seven?" "All right," Firestorm moved off, "I'll see you there." He waved good-bye to a few others then headed off down the hall towards the teleporters, and guiltily Iris found herself looking admiringly at his very nice butt. 0o0o0 Iris finished dressing, her long pants and stylish top accented with gold earrings and a simple necklace. She would have liked to have worn a skirt, maybe, but Iris had to keep in mind the possibility there might be an emergency of some kind. She could pull on the Speed Force to create a costume as needed, but doing it while wearing a skirt would be a problem. Checking the time Iris decided it was time to go, so with a burst of speed she locked up the apartment and was gone. Keystone was a old fashioned city, not that far from New York, and with her natural speed the bar was only seconds away, even with a detour to pull a cat out of a tree. Warriors was busy as usual, the corner night club having a line going around the corner. Of course the door-woman recognized any superheroes in or out of costume, the android quickly waving them inside. Passing beneath the neon sign Iris nodded, "Good evening, Mechanique." The golden skinned android nodded in return, "Good Evening, Miss West." Mechanique smiled slightly, her movements casual as she opened the door, "I understand it's been a while since you've visited the club." "I'll try to more often," Iris said as she went by. The club was busy, a brightly colored homage to the great battles of superheroes. There where replica weapons from the Invasion in one section, several deactivated Manhunter robots, Amazon armor and weapons, Green Arrow's trick arrows, a DEO badge and many other unique items on display all around the room. "Hey, Iris," Guy Guardner waved as she walked up to the busy bar, "it's been awhile." The muscular man had a bit of gray in his buzz-cut but his part alien heritage had helped keep him youthful looking and fit. "Considering Kyla no longer works here," Iris said dryly, "I have no other reason to put up with your wandering hands." "Ouch," Guy laughed as he pulled a mug of her favorite beer then passed it over. "Your friend is in the Green Lantern lounge, an' I hope you have fun." "Thanks," Iris took the beer, then headed off through the press of people. "At least Firestorm didn't pick the Flash section,' she thought with some amusement. The Green Lantern Lounge was guarded by another deactivated Manhunter, lit by replicas of the Green Lantern power batteries. Going by a statue of Hal Jordan Iris scanned the tables, surprised only to see a dark red haired young woman waiting. "Iris," the lady waved, "over here." Iris walked over, studying the young woman thoughtfully. "I'm sorry," she said apologetically, "do I know you?" She offered her hand, "I'm Rebecca Raymond." She smiled a bit wryly, "I guess it would be better if I just showed you." Rebecca got up and closed her eyes in concentration, a shimmering glow building all around her body. With a burst of light she transformed in a instant, a nearly completely different person standing there. Firestorm gave her a faintly apologetic look, the strangely white eyes sympathetic, then in another burst of power reverted to Rebecca. "Oh my god," Iris dropped limply into a seat, only her fast reflexes saving her from spilling some of her mug of beer. Rebecca sat down at her own seat, looking into her drink with some embarrassment as she softly said, "I'm sorry." Iris took a moment to collect her thoughts the admitted, "I can't decide if I should feel stupid, angry or just amused by it all." Rebecca shook her head, "This is part of why I don't like making friends as Firestorm... the sort of confusion that comes up." A very disturbing thought occurred to Iris and she found herself asking, "Do you actually become male as Firestorm?" "No, that would be a little too odd," Rebecca admitted, "I seem to be genderless." "Is this why you kept your identity a secret from the rest of the group?" Iris asked. "Yes, and to protect my adoptive family," Rebecca said. She left her drink as she got up, walking to the entrance, "I think I've wierded you out, I'd better go." Iris reached out to grasp Rebecca's hand, smiling up at her. "I'm a bit shaken," she admitted, "but I don't want you to go." Rebecca studied her a moment then returned to her seat. "All right," she took a drink, smiling across the table at Iris, "should we get dinner?" "I'd like that," Iris said.
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